Congrats! You just listed tonight's forward line parings!

Either you found them from a couple of pages ago, or you got lucky and guessed. If it happens to be the latter, you're on a lucky streak! That means you should head to the liquor store right now and start buying lotto tickets!


- EKolb13

Damn EK that was harsh! I hadn't seen the lines yet. I guess I should've checked.

I was just wondering everyones thoughts on they would like to see the lines once Bolland returns -- I would like to see him on 4C with Carcillo out and Shaw slipping to wing. This would also allow Q with alot of flexibility. I guess I have just seen enough of 36 at 2C.

But I do agree the liquor store may be a good idea!

Near Holy Trinity. Is it still there?
- Puck13

Yes. Masses are in Polish I think as well.

I agree. That number is low. Personally, I think Bickell is worth about what Brookbank is getting. If Bickell wants more than $1.25 - $1.5 million per season, I say let him walk.
- EKolb13

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.

$1 milion per season for Bickell would be ideal.
- EKolb13

I don't know what he's done to receive a raise. This year has been like every other Bickell season... he plays a few nice games where his physical presence is made known and then he goes right back to avoiding hits and being invisible.

He hasn't progressed at all.

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

In Chicago or elsewhere?

I'd be fine with that deal for 3 - 4years.

The little ball of hate can be an a-hole, however I love his game especially after the hurt he put on Vancouver.
- nickmo2699

Marchand is tough to play against. We could use more of that vibe, but it likely won't be in the Q era.

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

So a $4M contract say, for 3 years??

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

So he nearly triples his current salary ?

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

do you think he will he sign for that? he's also been a pretty effective playoff guy...he was one of our best forwards until he tore up his wrist vs nucks

Probably some truth to this....one of the things i hate is when a ref will award a pp to a team trailing by 1 with under 5 minutes to play. See it happen all the time. I'm sure many of those type of calls are legit with teams clinging desperately to a lead, but it happens way too much for my liking.

And the pp's in o/t ?


- philco28

I feel bad for refs: SOMETIME. But they are put in a bad spot. I see what is a penalty on almost every play. So many hooks, holds etc... They would have to blow the whistle every second to really call the game straight. They have to pick and choose. It sucks, though. Pronger alone took a penalty every shift and knew refs couldn't call him every play

The little ball of hate can be an a-hole, however I love his game especially after the hurt he put on Vancouver.
- nickmo2699

I'd like to see Shaw go toe to toe with him, it would be a good middleweight tilt.

I feel bad for refs: SOMETIME. But they are put in a bad spot. I see what is a penalty on almost every play. So many hooks, holds etc... They would have to blow the whistle every second to really call the game straight. They have to pick and choose. It sucks, though. Pronger alone took a penalty every shift and knew refs couldn't call him every play
- tomcat24

Coaches could also really do a better job of TEACHING AND DRILLING into players' heads what is and isn't a penalty.

Bolland and Kane to a lesser extent (this year) take too many dumb hooks and holds.

I'd like to see Shaw go toe to toe with him, it would be a good middleweight tilt.
- paulr

Great matchup with the gloves on too.

can handzus skate well enough to play our 3rd line and check opposition #1 line c?
- nellie

It's not a requirmenet that our third skates against the opponent's first.

Personnel has allowed for that in recent years, but it's not a default strategy, and a LOT of coaches in the NHL don't nitpick matchups like Q has been known to do.

This year, the whole line matching thing hasn't been nearly as prevalent.

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

JJ: crystal ball or rumors to that effect?

So he nearly triples his current salary ?

- philco28

He's a flawed player, but is a quality bottom-six guy with a nasty shot. I think $1.35M is a pretty fair number for a player of his caliber and skillset. Honestly, I was thinking he'd ask for somewhere between $1.5M and $1.7M, but if he gets a 3 year deal, $1.35M is probably a good number.

So a $4M contract say, for 3 years??
- blackhawk24

That would be a solid deal. A quality 3rd liner for $1.35 million would be great and provides some cap flexibility for the rest of the team. Bickell may not be a star, but he's a quality depth forward.

Bickell is 2nd on the team in hits (1 behind Seabrook), 5th in goals, and 6th in points. I think that's worth $1.35 million.

Bickell reminds me of Brouwer. I know their situations aren't 100% similar but we already lost 1 quality physical depth forward and I wouldn't want to lose another.

He's a flawed player, but is a quality bottom-six guy with a nasty shot. I think $1.35M is a pretty fair number for a player of his caliber and skillset. Honestly, I was thinking he'd ask for somewhere between $1.5M and $1.7M, but if he gets a 3 year deal, $1.35M is probably a good number.
- FredoXV

I like Bicks...he's been a good soldier, and those numbers are fair. However, in principle, i cannot justify tripling anyone's salary when they are M.I.A. on too many nights.

The little ball of hate can be an a-hole, however I love his game especially after the hurt he put on Vancouver.
- nickmo2699

You mean something like this? Couldn't happen to a better guy. OK, except for maybe his brother, Kesler, Burrows, Bieksa...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRuIoPUYpw

I like Bicks...he's been a good soldier, and those numbers are fair. However, in principle, i cannot justify tripling anyone's salary when they are M.I.A. on too many nights.
- philco28

I would have agreed with you more last season than this season. I think he's been a sound positional player this year.

I know we all want him to use his frame more than he does, but methinks it is the system more so than the player.

I would have agreed with you more last season than this season. I think he's been a sound positional player this year.

I know we all want him to use his frame more than he does, but methinks it is the system more so than the player.
- FredoXV

It might take a healthy raise to keep him with us.

That would be a solid deal. A quality 3rd liner for $1.35 million would be great and provides some cap flexibility for the rest of the team. Bickell may not be a star, but he's a quality depth forward.

Bickell is 2nd on the team in hits (1 behind Seabrook), 5th in goals, and 6th in points. I think that's worth $1.35 million.

Bickell reminds me of Brouwer. I know their situations aren't 100% similar but we already lost 1 quality physical depth forward and I wouldn't want to lose another.
- DarthKane

I wish Bickell reminded me of Brouwer. He could be. But isn't yet.

Actually $1.35M as JJ cites is a bit rich for my blood but would be OK with it. Gotta figure SB is going to get down to the $0.1M increments in contract negotiations.

'Hawks aren't nearly as bad as other teams but they're not exactly out of the woods either; even if Olesz and Montador are bought out under the special provision.

EDIT: I figure Leddy and Stalberg are going to cost the 'Hawks North of $5M between them. Plus Kruger is an RFA too. Not to mention they have to figure out what they're going to do (re-sign or backfill) with expiring contracts of Handzus, Emery, Mayers & Rosival.

I like Bicks...he's been a good soldier, and those numbers are fair. However, in principle, i cannot justify tripling anyone's salary when they are M.I.A. on too many nights.
- philco28

True, but in all fairness to Bickell he is underpaid at this point. If we don't give him $1.25 - $1.50 somebody else will and I said before I think he's worth it. It's rare, but sometime players do get insane pay raises, look at Jason Garrison he went from $675K to $4.6 million. I'm not trying to justify if, just point out this can happen.

Bickell will make about $1.35 million per. Write it down.
- John Jaeckel

For 2 years?

Damn EK that was harsh! I hadn't seen the lines yet. I guess I should've checked.

I was just wondering everyones thoughts on they would like to see the lines once Bolland returns -- I would like to see him on 4C with Carcillo out and Shaw slipping to wing. This would also allow Q with alot of flexibility. I guess I have just seen enough of 36 at 2C.

But I do agree the liquor store may be a good idea!
- dciz99

It wasn't meant to be harsh. Just having some fun with you, that's all.