Hammer is a UFA after next season and is eligible for an extension right now. Waiting until after next season risks losing him, so I believe that the Hawks would like to sign him now (whether they should or not is a matter of individual choice, I suppose).

My point was that the current goalie talk is relevant to what are reputed to be ongoing negotiations between the Hawks and Hammer.
- mohel

I'm sure once Stan's finished with his summer plans (free agents and trades) he'll move on to his plan to sign his 2014 free agents. That doesn't mean he'll make a move anytime soon, sometimes these things take time.

Hjlamarsson, Brookbank, Bollig, Handzus and Crawford are UFAs next summer. Hjalmarsson is the top priority but Stan also has to have a plan to re-sign or replace Crawford. The others can be replaced by Rockford guys but I could see Bollig being signed but cheap.

Stan also has to consider that Morin, Hayes, Shaw, Raanta, Pirri, Olsen, Beach and Smith are all RFAs next summer. There's less urgency with these guys but I would imagine that Shaw, Smith and Raanta will be part of the 2014/2015 Blackhawks while Morin and Pirri certainly have a good shot.

There's also trade possibilities Stan can work on setting up. Maybe Oduya goes next summer to free up some cap space. Deals like that may take some time to do.

Stan also needs to worry about the summer after that when Kane, Toews, Kruger, Saad and Leddy are free agents.

My point is that there are a lot of pieces to the salary cap puzzle and it's not just a matter of signing Hjalmarsson as quick as possible. I want Hammer to stay and I'm sure he will, but it's Stan's job to figure out how to make it happen.

I'm sure once Stan's finished with his summer plans (free agents and trades) he'll move on to his plan to sign his 2014 free agents. That doesn't mean he'll make a move anytime soon, sometimes these things take time.

Hjlamarsson, Brookbank, Bollig, Handzus and Crawford are UFAs next summer. Hjalmarsson is the top priority but Stan also has to have a plan to re-sign or replace Crawford. The others can be replaced by Rockford guys but I could see Bollig being signed but cheap.

Stan also has to consider that Morin, Hayes, Shaw, Raanta, Pirri, Olsen, Beach and Smith are all RFAs next summer. There's less urgency with these guys but I would imagine that Shaw, Smith and Raanta will be part of the 2014/2015 Blackhawks while Morin and Pirri certainly have a good shot.

There's also trade possibilities Stan can work on setting up. Maybe Oduya goes next summer to free up some cap space. Deals like that may take some time to do.

Stan also needs to worry about the summer after that when Kane, Toews, Kruger, Saad and Leddy are free agents.

My point is that there are a lot of pieces to the salary cap puzzle and it's not just a matter of signing Hjalmarsson as quick as possible. I want Hammer to stay and I'm sure he will, but it's Stan's job to figure out how to make it happen.
- DarthKane

I completely agree - it is one big puzzle with many years all relevant at the same time. I was using Hammer as a specific example of why the goalie discussion is relevant now (in response to another poster saying it is an issue for next year).

If Brookbank can be dealt for a serviceable 4th liner to platoon with Handzus I'd be happy. If not I'd settle for a draft pick.

While it sucks to lose guys like Bolland, Frolik, Carcillo, and possibly Brookbank for just draft picks this is a necessary part of the process to keep the talent pool filled with quality candidates. The more guys you draft the better odds that at least 1 ends up being a solid contributor.

I'm not advocating trading Brookbank, but it would make sense to turn him into a pick (maybe a 5th rounder) and platoon Kotska and Peckham as the 7th defenseman. We get an extra draft pick and save $700K in cap space in the process. I'm not saying this should be done often, but a move like this makes sense for the 7th D or 13th forward.
- DarthKane

This

Aside from Toews and Kane, did Dale draft anyone worth a shyt? Terrible.
- dan9189

Hjalmarsson.

Hjalmarsson.
- MjulQvist

Kruger too

Aside from Toews and Kane, did Dale draft anyone worth a shyt? Terrible.
- dan9189

That's better than Stan's drafting record

Aside from Toews and Kane, did Dale draft anyone worth a shyt? Terrible.
- dan9189

Hjalmarrson and Kruger

That's better than Stan's drafting record
- rollpards19

Incomplete so far: Saad, Shaw - unfinished results, plus the last couple of drafts that aren't here yet.

That's better than Stan's drafting record
- rollpards19

How many top 5 picks has Bowman had? The picks that Tallon had are in the range where they immediately play in the NHL (or a year long wait). End of the first round not so much..... Looking at the possible players coming up under Bowman (that we keep talking about) I would say Bowman has much better chance of doing better.

Danault, McNeil, Ross, Nordstrom, Teravainen, Clendending, Dahlbeck, Johns, Whitney, and Tompkins.

Not to mention Saad and Shaw.

Tallon had 5 drafts and picked 1st (Kane), 3rd (Toews), 7th (Skille), 11th (Beach), and 28th (Olsen). Out of his 42 picks only 6 players have played 30 games or more (Toews, Kane, Skille, Blunden, Hjalmmarson, and Kruger).

Bowman and Company (not counting last months draft) have had 3 drafts picking 18th twice (Teravainen and McNeil), 26th (Danault), and 28th (Hayes). All of these drafts are still to young to determine success and we have had 2 guys play in the NHL very effectively (Saad and Shaw)

How many top 5 picks has Bowman had? The picks that Tallon had are in the range where they immediately play in the NHL (or a year long wait). End of the first round not so much..... Looking at the possible players coming up under Bowman (that we keep talking about) I would say Bowman has much better chance of doing better.

Danault, McNeil, Ross, Nordstrom, Teravainen, Clendending, Dahlbeck, Johns, Whitney, and Tompkins.

Not to mention Saad and Shaw.

Tallon had 5 drafts and picked 1st (Kane), 3rd (Toews), 7th (Skille), 11th (Beach), and 28th (Olsen). Out of his 42 picks only 6 players have played 30 games or more (Toews, Kane, Skille, Blunden, Hjalmmarson, and Kruger).

Bowman and Company (not counting last months draft) have had 3 drafts picking 18th twice (Teravainen and McNeil), 26th (Danault), and 28th (Hayes). All of these drafts are still to young to determine success and we have had 2 guys play in the NHL very effectively (Saad and Shaw)
- BearsnHawks

Picking Jonathan Toews was the best move the organization has made in the last decade and that was Tallon. Don't really care about a bunch of bottom 10 players that may make the NHL some day. Hammer, Krugs, Toews, and Kane > Saad, Shaw and ????

Hjalmarrson and Kruger
- BearsnHawks

Scotty Bowman told Dale to take Kruger. This was documented at that time.

That's better than Stan's drafting record
- rollpards19

PUHLEASE!

You can't compare the first and third overall picks with where Stanbo has picked.

That's better than Stan's drafting record
- rollpards19

Yea...because he hasn't had a top 3 pick like Kane and Toews were. Both of those guys were pretty close to no brainers. There was some debate on Kane but everyone knew the top 3 guys when Toews was drafted.

Picking Jonathan Toews was the best move the organization has made in the last decade and that was Tallon. Don't really care about a bunch of bottom 10 players that may make the NHL some day. Hammer, Krugs, Toews, and Kane > Saad, Shaw and ????
- rollpards19

When did Stanbo get a chance to pick #1 or #3 overall?

Compare where Dale picked to where Stan has picked.

And what's YOUR favorite memory of the Shawn LaLonde era?
- StLBravesFan

Him being included in ALL Ogi trade proposals.

Well...here's my logic.

When the 2008-09 season started, back on the good ole DH blog, a lot of us pointed to the impending doom...especially when it was raining RFA money.

This is quickly escalating into that....

I'll back off, but I'm not going to burry my head in the sand like Uncle Barry Rozner and pretend that the potential doesn't exist...because it very well does. Which very well explains why Bowman is rolling out a bunch of Rockford unknowns at the NHL level who could be the 3rd generation in role players to supplement the core.

Did your brother burn his Bolland jersey? Let me know if you make it any games with him this year.
- SteveRain

Is there some new, unwritten, rule that sweaters for players that are no longer on the roster must be retired, or in extreme cases destroyed?

Personally, I prefer sweaters for guys that are long gone...to pay respect for the history of the club...hence my avatar honoring the memory of the great...

...Lou Angotti.

It always makes me smile when I see someone wearing a sweater with some long forgotten player like John Marks or Bill White.

Yea...because he hasn't had a top 3 pick like Kane and Toews were. Both of those guys were pretty close to no brainers. There was some debate on Kane but everyone knew the top 3 guys when Toews was drafted.
- HawkFan27

Tallon Drafts
2005 1 Jack Skille 2 Mike Blunden 2 Dan Bertram 3 Evan Brophey 4 Hjalmarsson Nathan Davis 4 Denis Istomin 5 Brennan Turner 6 Joe Fallon 6 Joe Charlebois 7 David Kuchejda 7 Adam Hobson

2006 Toews, Markarov, Denis-Pepin, Lagerstrom, Shutron, Palmer, Juutilainen. Auger, Peter LeBlanc

2007 Kane, Sweat, Aliu, Tanguay, Unice, Lavin, Greenop

2008 Beach, Lalonde, Zahn, Carlsson, Ben Smith, Birch, Gleason

2009 Olsen, Pirri, Delisle, Froese, Kruger, Pacan, Philip, Gilbert

It's a slow day in Blackhawksland when we're back to the Dale vs Stan debate.

I find this to be one of the most annoying topics discussed here because it doesn't really matter and there's nothing we can do about it.

Both Dale and Stan have an imprint on this team and that won't change for a very long time. Dale did some good things while he was here, but given the situation were are in now Stan has done a very good job and I'm happy to have him at the helm moving forward. Is Stan a perfect GM? No, but each GM has there warts. Dale is doing some good things in Florida and I hope he has lots of success there.

Tallon Drafts
2005 1 Jack Skille 2 Mike Blunden 2 Dan Bertram 3 Evan Brophey 4 Hjalmarsson Nathan Davis 4 Denis Istomin 5 Brennan Turner 6 Joe Fallon 6 Joe Charlebois 7 David Kuchejda 7 Adam Hobson

2006 Toews, Markarov, Denis-Pepin, Lagerstrom, Shutron, Palmer, Juutilainen. Auger, Peter LeBlanc

2007 Kane, Sweat, Aliu, Tanguay, Unice, Lavin, Greenop

2008 Beach, Lalonde, Zahn, Carlsson, Ben Smith, Birch, Gleason

2009 Olsen, Pirri, Delisle, Froese, Kruger, Pacan, Philip, Gilbert
- KingB

Ok...and lets also remember that McDonough got Wirtz to implement a lot more extensive scouting and front office budget. That is something Tallon had for all of 1 draft, when it was finally implemented.

Tallon was a fine GM. Made some great trades, and made some mistakes. Bowman inherited a very deep and solid franchise and did his best work the past 2 years.

Bowman's legacy will be put to the test starting this summer to the start of the 2015 season with all the key players coming up in contracts......

It's a slow day in Blackhawksland when we're back to the Dale vs Stan debate.

I find this to be one of the most annoying topics discussed here because it doesn't really matter and there's nothing we can do about it.

Both Dale and Stan have an imprint on this team and that won't change for a very long time. Dale did some good things while he was here, but given the situation were are in now Stan has done a very good job and I'm happy to have him at the helm moving forward. Is Stan a perfect GM? No, but each GM has there warts. Dale is doing some good things in Florida and I hope he has lots of success there.
- DarthKane

Agreed...

I need NFL camp start....nothing worth mentioning outside of an extension is going to spark any real joy until the season starts.

Looking at it, the Hawks could be primed for final 4 runs based on the weakness of the division for the forseeable future. STL will be a player, but Minny hasn't done anything drastic to build around Parise and Suter.

Is there some new, unwritten, rule that sweaters for players that are no longer on the roster must be retired, or in extreme cases destroyed?

Personally, I prefer sweaters for guys that are long gone...to pay respect for the history of the club...hence my avatar honoring the memory of the great...

...Lou Angotti.

It always makes me smile when I see someone wearing a sweater with some long forgotten player like John Marks or Bill White.
- ArlingtonRob

#2

Agreed...

I need NFL camp start....nothing worth mentioning outside of an extension is going to spark any real joy until the season starts.

Looking at it, the Hawks could be primed for final 4 runs based on the weakness of the division for the forseeable future. STL will be a player, but Minny hasn't done anything drastic to build around Parise and Suter.
- SteveRain

I don't really follow any other sport, so I'm just waiting for the NHL season to start. August is the worst sports month and I'm not looking forward to it.

The various hockey forecaster / season preview magazines come out in August so at least I have that.

Ok...and lets also remember that McDonough got Wirtz to implement a lot more extensive scouting and front office budget. That is something Tallon had for all of 1 draft, when it was finally implemented.

Tallon was a fine GM. Made some great trades, and made some mistakes. Bowman inherited a very deep and solid franchise and did his best work the past 2 years.

Bowman's legacy will be put to the test starting this summer to the start of the 2015 season with all the key players coming up in contracts......
- SteveRain

Players from drafts before McDonough got Wirtrz to implement a lot more extensive scouting that played for the Hawks:

2002 Keith, Burish
2003 Seabrook, Crawford, Big Buf
2004 Barker, Bolland, Bickel, Jake Dowell, Troy Brouwer

That's 10 from three drafts

2005-2009, five drafts: only 7 played for the Hawks

Facts can be very disconcerting.

Ok...and lets also remember that McDonough got Wirtz to implement a lot more extensive scouting and front office budget. That is something Tallon had for all of 1 draft, when it was finally implemented.

Tallon was a fine GM. Made some great trades, and made some mistakes. Bowman inherited a very deep and solid franchise and did his best work the past 2 years.

Bowman's legacy will be put to the test starting this summer to the start of the 2015 season with all the key players coming up in contracts......
- SteveRain

If in deep you mean no minor league depth, I would agree.

Picking Jonathan Toews was the best move the organization has made in the last decade and that was Tallon. Don't really care about a bunch of bottom 10 players that may make the NHL some day. Hammer, Krugs, Toews, and Kane > Saad, Shaw and ????
- rollpards19

Toews and Kane were great picks and fell into our lap. Overall, Tallon was terrible at drafting (they did waaaay better before he arrived), made some great trades, signed some great free agents, and overpaid players throughout his tenure.

Bowman did a great job at trading away players but keeping a quality core (look at the trades Philly has made after their cup run, I like our trades much better) and getting us out of salary cap hell. His drafts have produced prospects in later rounds that we would not have expected but it is still to soon to grade his drafts (in two years we can start to grade the 1st draft).

Overall I think Tallon would be a better GM if there wasn't a salary cap, but Bowman is much better at managing the cap and I view him as a better GM with cap constraints.