So long as you put a minus sign in front of his jersey number any number except zero would be appropriate!
- paulr

Even better!

Hey, I didn't know TG published his paintings


- prd797

He used this as a template for his back tattoo.

Really hard to tell on this one....Do we improve for this season and the next in exchange for giving away what might potentially be a new core piece for our long term future? The elite core of this team is part of what makes it so special, and eventually the core will need replenishing when guys like Hossa and Sharp wear down, and that is what TT may bring us. But because thats nowhere near a formality, it makes this proposal very intriguing. I say no, though its very close, because the wild card in the deal (that would also help us in the present, while alowing us to keep TT for the future) is the potential for Bickell to regain his form later in the season or the playoffs. Its a toss up, and i dont think teams that are already elite contenders need to mess with toss up trades like this. Not unless you're 100% sure you're getting a steal of a deal(like the Steeger trade).
- SimpleJack

It comes down to the quality of the Hawks' scouts and what they really believe about TT's future. If they really believe he won't cut it, they'll trade him this summer, I'd say. But for more than a bonus to take Bickell's salary and to get a third liner. If they think he's the goods and has a good chance to be a high-end Top 6 guy, I don't think there's any chance they would trade him. This is because the window you talk about is more than a couple more years; it is perhaps 7-10 years, assuming they sign The Boys to a max contract. Hossa and maybe Sharp won't likely be Top 6 guys toward the end of that period. And the Hawks are not likely to get a high draft pick in the foreseeable future, so getting a very good Top 6 guy will not be easy. They aren't going to give one up for a third-liner, imo.

Will Ladd be able to score the big goals that Bicks did in the playoffs?

Hendricks is getting paid 1.85 per for four seasons, and I think the Preds are probably regretting that they operated out of character and spent a bunch of money in free agency.

Also, FWIW, the Oil are paying half of Dubnyk's salary.
- prd797

I'll bet Poile has buyer's remorse over Stalberg as well.

And here I thought you were referring to the OZ where the wizard lives, as some subtle dig to some of the posters who pop by. Never mind.
- prd797

I'm snarky, but not THAT snarky.

Will Ladd be able to score the big goals that Bicks did in the playoffs?
- hockey nut 28

Maybe. At this rate there's no guarantee Bickell will be able to score those big goals again.

Wo wohnen sie aus Deutscland?
- rtang415

Du must nich ganz da sein! T/T. Bleibt in Chicago.

It comes down to the quality of the Hawks' scouts and what they really believe about TT's future. If they really believe he won't cut it, they'll trade him this summer, I'd say. But for more than a bonus to take Bickell's salary and to get a third liner. If they think he's the goods and has a good chance to be a high-end Top 6 guy, I don't think there's any chance they would trade him. This is because the window you talk about is more than a couple more years; it is perhaps 7-10 years, assuming they sign The Boys to a max contract. Hossa and maybe Sharp won't likely be Top 6 guys toward the end of that period. And the Hawks are not likely to get a high draft pick in the foreseeable future, so getting a very good Top 6 guy will not be easy. They aren't going to give one up for a third-liner, imo.
- mohel

Exactly what im thinkin. Its tempting, but those factors are too hard to ignore.

My grammer isn't great ... but TG will get a charge out of it.

Run on the beach with sweater number twenty five
- paulr

Can I listen to Falco's Rock me Ammadeus while I am while doing it?

Hey, I didn't know TG published his paintings


- prd797

You said you would keep this secret!

Maybe the Hawks should shift gears and not go after the Andrew Ladd's of the league or even of the Jets.

How about a lesser, yet impactful deal including someone like Jim Slater. I think someone to fill in for Handzus from time to time.

However, wouldn't bet on it as they'd have to move a D or try to send one of them down. Plus Nordstrom might be up sooner than later. It may depend on how the Hawks fair in the Olympics (fingers crossed no injuries) and what the surrounding playoff teams do on the trading front leading up to the games in Sochi. Keep in mind there will only be 1 week after that until the deadline.

He used this as a template for his back tattoo.
- DarthKane

Lower Back....

Is it possible that this "rumor" floated out of the Hawks front office as a reminder to this slumping team that this is a business that requires results, and nobody's job is safe?

Bowman loves his picks, and Bickell will likely find his game when it matters.

When I hear a rumor regarding Mathias, or some other serviceable canterman to help us during the stretch, I'll get interested.

Lower Back....
- TrueGrit

Gotta love the tramp stamp!!!

Maybe the Hawks should shift gears and not go after the Andrew Ladd's of the league or even of the Jets.

How about a lesser, yet impactful deal including someone like Jim Slater. I think someone to fill in for Handzus from time to time.

However, wouldn't bet on it as they'd have to move a D or try to send one of them down. Plus Nordstrom might be up sooner than later. It may depend on how the Hawks fair in the Olympics (fingers crossed no injuries) and what the surrounding playoff teams do on the trading front leading up to the games in Sochi. Keep in mind there will only be 1 week after that until the deadline.
- TyCamScore

Like every night?

Is it possible that this "rumor" floated out of the Hawks front office as a reminder to this slumping team that this is a business that requires results, and nobody's job is safe?

Bowman loves his picks, and Bickell will likely find his game when it matters.

When I hear a rumor regarding Mathias, or some other serviceable canterman to help us during the stretch, I'll get interested.
- Dieselhead

Rest assured, so will Mathias....

One thing to remember....people keep bringing up the fact there is no guarantee TT becomes an elite player.....which is true and very could be a bust.

However, there is also no guarantee we win a cup by adding Andrew Ladd. He would be nice to have...but if we don't win the cup which is more likely than winning one.......meaning there are lot of variables .....health, luck, etc......we just gave up our most elite prospect who lit it up in the WJ's and would've been a top five pick had he entered the draft a year later than he originally did.....just some food for thought.


I'm not a fan of the rumored deal.....however if we can resign Rusty.....I'm on board.

Folks...these are rumors... Nothing more. The Bowmans will never make that kind of trade. They will always want moe in return. If this season goes south than maybe our GM's will part with McNeil , Bickell ... But no T/T

Gotta love the tramp stamp!!!
- DarthKane

It is easier for Paul to spot me at the beach when he visits...

I don't see this going down for many reasons....The point is the Hawks are perceived to be stuck with Bickell so throw in an excellent prospect and then it should work....Bowman isn't going to pay $4 mill+ Ladd the same way he didn't do so for Vertseeg....

If Bickell turns out to be a bust Bowman will eat some salary and send him packing at some point is my guess....Probably too early to sign off on Bickell.

Sometimes it's not meant to be, Av's win in OT 3-2. Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEwNt
- Al

Ladd is signed thru 16 I think. Maybe Chevy carries some of the salary due to the talent coming back? Agree, I doubt it gets done.

I would really hate to see TT go as I think he can extend their Cup window as can a healthy 13 playoff Bickell. Question is how much Bickell helps this year. If Ladd brings them closer this year where they still look to be among the top 3 or 4 teams in the NHL SB has to be tempted.

OTOH - If Bickell cannot handle the work with the 2 knee braces then maybe he needs to go back on LTIR. Use his space for a rental 2c. These mind games and potential scratches seem a waste when he is obviously claiming the injuries are holding him back.

Hendricks is getting paid 1.85 per for four seasons, and I think the Preds are probably regretting that they operated out of character and spent a bunch of money in free agency.

Also, FWIW, the Oil are paying half of Dubnyk's salary.
- prd797

Stalberg 14 pts....-12......is that what $3 mil year buys you ?

Folks...these are rumors... Nothing more. The Bowmans will never make that kind of trade. They will always want moe in return. If this season goes south than maybe our GM's will part with McNeil , Bickell ... But no T/T
- spanky

Who is moe?

Stalberg 14 pts....-12......is that what $3 mil year buys you ?

- philco28

Hahahahahahahahahagahaha


We told you soooooo

Like every night?
- TrueGrit

maaaaaayybbe.

He doesn't seem like he's got much left in the tank... or maybe there's a hole in his tank. He was valuable at the dot when they brought him in, but not so much anymore.

I know Q likes his "predictability" but would like to see someone else carried through the playoffs to provide a little more spark if another deep run is in the cards.