I'd be in favor of a smaller trade. Every TDL and OS since Madden left, I've pined for a 4th line defensive center who wins draw, kills penalties and skates. They have one now in Kruger, but he seems destined for the 3rd line. It would also enable us to sit Zeus and have a balanced 4 lines.

I doubt Jay McClement is available since Toronto is gonna be in it all year. What about Marcel Goc? His contract is up this year and he makes $1.7M. He could be had for prospects, I would think. Pirri for Goc?
- Kentxo

Pirri and rights to Lalonde for Goc. I would do that.

I actually like Kostka. Think he is rather serviceable and cheap. I'd prefer to keep him

I don't think Zus was intended to be the long term answer. But he played his tail off in those playoffs.
- PhilMeister89

As for the past, like Boynton and Sopel...thank you very much.

As for where we are today.....FAIL

Your 4th line, and in this day and age, all lines and players have to skate. Zus on the 4th to provide energy? Or the ability to check defensively, much faster players.

Whether it was Nordstrom or Pirri or some other option, the opportunity cost of Zus heading up your powerful 28th ranked PK and just tiring himself out on a regular shift, is time lost that would have/could have been used to allow another player (WHOEVER) the opportunity to grow and develop and be part of the longer term solution.

That is what my point has been all along. Yet many on the board just saying rest Zus till playoffs and flick the switch.....

The plan is a fail for me. You will not be able to fully engage the Blues, Ducks, maybe Sharks with this constant shifting of centers, intra game. I hope Shaw works out at 2C, then you need a 3C, or Kruger 3C, get a 4 C that can get up and down the ice.

This is nothing personal against Zus, do fans realize that the guy would not make any other roster in the NHL. That is, EVERY other team would opt to go with a younger player to develop over a guy who is past his prime and clearly on the down slope?

The Ducks have done fine so far, but what will be there answer to Handzus. Gonna be a big matchup problem for them.

Again, Ducks another team emulating blackhawk 4 line good skating hockey, or rather, how the Hawks used to do it.

4th line of Zus, Bollig and Brookbank....now we are moving in the right direction...
- TrueGrit

If you want to have 4 lines of good skating hockey you need 12 players who can play that way. The fact is the Hawks don't have that depth anymore and have to piece together what they have to try to win. Unfortunately Bollig, Zus and Brookbank are the best the Hawks currently have to offer in the way of depth.

Pirri and
- ikeane rights to Lalonde for Goc. I would do that.

I actually like Kostka. Think he is rather serviceable and cheap. I'd prefer to keep him

There are reasons why the Hawks have Kostka, Brookbank and Rozsival on the roster - one of them is so they aren't stuck at the trade deadline trying to acquire depth defenceman for the playoffs and having to grossly overpay for junk or an expiring contract.

Not sure but I don't think the Hawks own Lalonde's rights anymore do they?

Pirri and
- ikeane rights to Lalonde for Goc. I would do that.

I actually like Kostka. Think he is rather serviceable and cheap. I'd prefer to keep him

Yes but we still need 600K in cap money to cover Goc's salary...who goes where?

As for the past, like Boynton and Sopel...thank you very much.

As for where we are today.....FAIL

Your 4th line, and in this day and age, all lines and players have to skate. Zus on the 4th to provide energy? Or the ability to check defensively, much faster players.

Whether it was Nordstrom or Pirri or some other option, the opportunity cost of Zus heading up your powerful 28th ranked PK and just tiring himself out on a regular shift, is time lost that would have/could have been used to allow another player (WHOEVER) the opportunity to grow and develop and be part of the longer term solution.

That is what my point has been all along. Yet many on the board just saying rest Zus till playoffs and flick the switch.....

The plan is a fail for me. You will not be able to fully engage the Blues, Ducks, maybe Sharks with this constant shifting of centers, intra game. I hope Shaw works out at 2C, then you need a 3C, or Kruger 3C, get a 4 C that can get up and down the ice.

This is nothing personal against Zus, do fans realize that the guy would not make any other roster in the NHL. That is, EVERY other team would opt to go with a younger player to develop over a guy who is past his prime and clearly on the down slope?
- TrueGrit

I agree with you. I love what Zus brought for the playoffs. He was a great pickup for our playoff run. I assumed that would be it, but here I am standing corrected. I don't think he should be playing on this roster anymore... I love the guy but he just doesn't have it anymore. Give him a coaching position of some sort because they clearly love him there if you want him around still. As for players, another C that can play both ends of the ice needith to be foundith.

There are reasons why the Hawks have Kostka, Brookbank and Rozsival on the roster - one of them is so they aren't stuck at the trade deadline trying to acquire depth defenceman for the playoffs and having to grossly overpay for junk or an expiring contract.

Not sure but I don't think the Hawks own Lalonde's rights anymore do they?
- RickJ

He was tendered, but chose to play overseas. Pretty sure if he came back to NA the Hawks still own him, this year anyway.

Not that it matters obviously....

I agree with you. I love what Zus brought for the playoffs. He was a great pickup for our playoff run. I assumed that would be it, but here I am standing corrected. I don't think he should be playing on this roster anymore... I love the guy but he just doesn't have it anymore. Give him a coaching position of some sort because they clearly love him there if you want him around still. As for players, another C that can play both ends of the ice needith to be foundith.
- PhilMeister89

And until that elusive centerman is found do you suggest the Hawks kick Zus' no good behind to the curb and play a player short?

As for the past, like Boynton and Sopel...thank you very much.

As for where we are today.....FAIL

Your 4th line, and in this day and age, all lines and players have to skate. Zus on the 4th to provide energy? Or the ability to check defensively, much faster players.

Whether it was Nordstrom or Pirri or some other option, the opportunity cost of Zus heading up your powerful 28th ranked PK and just tiring himself out on a regular shift, is time lost that would have/could have been used to allow another player (WHOEVER) the opportunity to grow and develop and be part of the longer term solution.

That is what my point has been all along. Yet many on the board just saying rest Zus till playoffs and flick the switch.....

The plan is a fail for me. You will not be able to fully engage the Blues, Ducks, maybe Sharks with this constant shifting of centers, intra game. I hope Shaw works out at 2C, then you need a 3C, or Kruger 3C, get a 4 C that can get up and down the ice.

This is nothing personal against Zus, do fans realize that the guy would not make any other roster in the NHL. That is, EVERY other team would opt to go with a younger player to develop over a guy who is past his prime and clearly on the down slope?
- TrueGrit

Agreed, though that last comment maybe be a bit on the presumptuous side. Who really knows what 29 other GM's would do? John Scott is still in the league FFS.

Toews
Shaw
Kruger
Nordstrom

....is what I woud like to see down the middle

I agree with you. I love what Zus brought for the playoffs. He was a great pickup for our playoff run. I assumed that would be it, but here I am standing corrected. I don't think he should be playing on this roster anymore... I love the guy but he just doesn't have it anymore. Give him a coaching position of some sort because they clearly love him there if you want him around still. As for players, another C that can play both ends of the ice needith to be foundith.
- PhilMeister89

Did not mean to lash out directly at you...btw...I have communication problems....I am trying to work on them....well sometimes...

And until that elusive centerman is found do you suggest the Hawks kick Zus' no good behind to the curb and play a player short?
- paulr

Zus is not the answer, fellow posters claim people think that, but...at this time he is a better option than anyone in RFD. A move will probably be made. The Hawks are not in a funk because of Zus.....there are other issues.

That is what my point has been all along. Yet many on the board just saying rest Zus till playoffs and flick the switch.....
- TrueGrit

I don't disagree with this. However, it may not be other posters just saying this. It could be just a general observation by other posters as to how the organization just might view it.

Anyways, if the organization didn't think Handzus could "flick on the switch in the playoffs," he'd probably be gone by now.

Perhaps Bowman brings in another depth center at the trade deadline and Handzus is then gone?

Agreed, though that last comment maybe be a bit on the presumptuous side. Who really knows what 29 other GM's would do? John Scott is still in the league FFS.

Toews
Shaw
Kruger
Nordstrom

....is what I woud like to see down the middle
- Ogilthorpe2

I think this will happen soon and possibly another move is made for bottom six depth. A guy who can will face offs....and play on the PK. If there is anyone to bring back from the "cup years".....it would be Frolik.....see if the Winnipeg will eat half of his salary and send them a player or two from RFD.

I don't disagree with this. However, it may not be other posters just saying this. It could be just a general observation by other posters as to how the organization just might view it.

Anyways, if the organization didn't think Handzus could "flick on the switch in the playoffs," he'd probably be gone by now.

Perhaps Bowman brings in another depth center at the trade deadline and Handzus is then gone?
- EKolb13

Exactly....no one has said he is the answer but the Hawks are a better team with him than anyone who is in RFD.....an argument could be made for Nordstrom at this time and I think we will see him soon.

As for the past, like Boynton and Sopel...thank you very much.

As for where we are today.....FAIL

Your 4th line, and in this day and age, all lines and players have to skate. Zus on the 4th to provide energy? Or the ability to check defensively, much faster players.

Whether it was Nordstrom or Pirri or some other option, the opportunity cost of Zus heading up your powerful 28th ranked PK and just tiring himself out on a regular shift, is time lost that would have/could have been used to allow another player (WHOEVER) the opportunity to grow and develop and be part of the longer term solution.

That is what my point has been all along. Yet many on the board just saying rest Zus till playoffs and flick the switch.....

The plan is a fail for me. You will not be able to fully engage the Blues, Ducks, maybe Sharks with this constant shifting of centers, intra game. I hope Shaw works out at 2C, then you need a 3C, or Kruger 3C, get a 4 C that can get up and down the ice.

This is nothing personal against Zus, do fans realize that the guy would not make any other roster in the NHL. That is, EVERY other team would opt to go with a younger player to develop over a guy who is past his prime and clearly on the down slope?
- TrueGrit

Let's put this in the context of a team built to contend for a Cup, whose potential replacements (Pirri, Morin, Nordstrom) have failed to impress the boss.

I agree, Handzus is probably past his prime, but he doesn't get lost on lower lines, and (for better or worse, whether we agree or not) Q has more confidence in him than in the Rockford trio.

This team, this year, cannot afford to play players HOPING they will correct whatever deficiencies that Q sees in them (and Q sees more than we see). This is not a pretender to the throne, this is a contender for the CUP.

You may think the organization has not been fair to Pirri, Morin, etc., and has not given them a chance to prove themselves. Q obviously has a different opinion. He sees them in practice, looks at films of games differently, probably looks at films of Rockford games.

Agreed, though that last comment maybe be a bit on the presumptuous side. Who really knows what 29 other GM's would do? John Scott is still in the league FFS.

Toews
Shaw
Kruger
Nordstrom

....is what I woud like to see down the middle
- Ogilthorpe2

The Hawks got Zus for a bag of candy and a 7th rounder last year. They signed him for 2 bags of candy this year as a UFA.

My point is, yes I know we never really know what all GMS think, but it is safe to say, as many teams are rebuilding/up and coming mode, that you do not waste a minute of ice on a guy that is not part of the longer term plan. That was my point. The Sharks showed that you actually rid yourself of battleships and improve your team speed so you are able to play in modern NHL. Ducks too...

As for being on the roster as an insurance policy...then great, I am all for that. There is no doubt he has value there. To come in for a 2 or 3 game stint to give depth and experience should Shaw, Kruger or Toews go down for a week or two...fantastic. I would be grateful then if we had him. But skating 2C every game? And heading up the vaunted 28th ranked PK? No thanks...

Nordstrom at 4C and Kruger 3C...great. Pirri 3C, in lesser role than 2C, Shaw 2C and Kruger 4C...great again. The experience those guys would/could have been getting is the opportunity cost. This is not a Gasp pump piece, but as many point out how he is awful or can't do it, teams record with him in 24 games better than without. That is not crowning him anything, just pointing out there is not this huge drop off. Put him 3 or 4 C and bring in some young energy.

Like you Ogi, I study history, one of the interesting things about Dynasties of Islanders and Oilers, is there was a constant rotation of role guys around the core. You need the new blood to keep things from getting stagnant. And again, if not Gasp, then somebody else. It is not about Gasp, just the point that he is next up.

Let's put this in the context of a team built to contend for a Cup, whose potential replacements (Pirri, Morin, Nordstrom) have failed to impress the boss.

I agree, Handzus is probably past his prime, but he doesn't get lost on lower lines, and (for better or worse, whether we agree or not) Q has more confidence in him than in the Rockford trio.

This team, this year, cannot afford to play players HOPING they will correct whatever deficiencies that Q sees in them (and Q sees more than we see). This is not a pretender to the throne, this is a contender for the CUP.

You may think the organization has not been fair to Pirri, Morin, etc., and has not given them a chance to prove themselves. Q obviously has a different opinion. He sees them in practice, looks at films of games differently, probably looks at films of Rockford games.
- StLBravesFan

Standing ovation.......this!

Agreed, though that last comment maybe be a bit on the presumptuous side. Who really knows what 29 other GM's would do? John Scott is still in the league FFS.

Toews
Shaw
Kruger
Nordstrom

....is what I woud like to see down the middle
- Ogilthorpe2

That's not a great - or experienced - center core going into the play-offs: very little NHL experience from Nordstrom - and he didn't show that much when he was here - and very little top-6 experience for Shaw (and mostly wing experience from him in any case) - altho he has certainly proven his worth as a bottom-6 forward.

Which is probably why Q is still looking at Handzus: an experienced - certainly aging and slow - center that Q knows what to expect from.

And until that elusive centerman is found do you suggest the Hawks kick Zus' no good behind to the curb and play a player short?
- paulr

Nordstrom?

Did not mean to lash out directly at you...btw...I have communication problems....I am trying to work on them....well sometimes...
- TrueGrit

I didn't take it that way. I know how we work here. We may all take different roads sometimes but we all want to reach the same goals. Play on.

The Hawks got Zus for a bag of candy and a 7th rounder last year. They signed him for 2 bags of candy this year as a UFA.

My point is, yes I know we never really know what all GMS think, but it is safe to say, as many teams are rebuilding/up and coming mode, that you do not waste a minute of ice on a guy that is not part of the longer term plan. That was my point. The Sharks showed that you actually rid yourself of battleships and improve your team speed so you are able to play in modern NHL. Ducks too...

As for being on the roster as an insurance policy...then great, I am all for that. There is no doubt he has value there. To come in for a 2 or 3 game stint to give depth and experience should Shaw, Kruger or Toews go down for a week or two...fantastic. I would be grateful then if we had him. But skating 2C every game? And heading up the vaunted 28th ranked PK? No thanks...

Nordstrom at 4C and Kruger 3C...great. Pirri 3C, in lesser role than 2C, Shaw 2C and Kruger 4C...great again. The experience those guys would/could have been getting is the opportunity cost. This is not a Gasp pump piece, but as many point out how he is awful or can't do it, teams record with him in 24 games better than without. That is not crowning him anything, just pointing out there is not this huge drop off. Put him 3 or 4 C and bring in some young energy.

Like you Ogi, I study history, one of the interesting things about Dynasties of Islanders and Oilers, is there was a constant rotation of role guys around the core. You need the new blood to keep things from getting stagnant. And again, if not Gasp, then somebody else. It is not about Gasp, just the point that he is next up.
- TrueGrit

And the Hawks do and have infused 'new blood' into their lineup, have they not?

Another more important 'interesting thing' about historical dynasties is the Oilers, Islanders and Habs never had to deal with a salary cap. Imagine how the Hawks would be doing today if they didn't have to rip aprt that 2010 team.

Like any history lesson, you can't learn from it if you don't factor in all the historical facts, even those that don't support your argument.

Almost 10 years later mine is still afraid of sticks. Starts shaking uncontrollably if I bust out a mop or broom in her presence.
- Ogilthorpe2

My ole Shetland Sheepdog was terrified of skateboards/roller blades...would try to bust off the least and run for dear life

Nordstrom?
- PhilMeister89

I'd be inclined that way myself but the guy who is paid to make that evaluation, the guy who's job hinges on his evaluations, and whose evaluations have won two cups, thinks otherwise.

Final 9-1. 6 PP goals for the Ducks, and three PP scores in a row in the second. Yikes.
- prd797

I
watching PHUCKFACE grind his molars into dust

The Hawks got Zus for a bag of candy and a 7th rounder last year. They signed him for 2 bags of candy this year as a UFA.

My point is, yes I know we never really know what all GMS think, but it is safe to say, as many teams are rebuilding/up and coming mode, that you do not waste a minute of ice on a guy that is not part of the longer term plan. That was my point. The Sharks showed that you actually rid yourself of battleships and improve your team speed so you are able to play in modern NHL. Ducks too...

As for being on the roster as an insurance policy...then great, I am all for that. There is no doubt he has value there. To come in for a 2 or 3 game stint to give depth and experience should Shaw, Kruger or Toews go down for a week or two...fantastic. I would be grateful then if we had him. But skating 2C every game? And heading up the vaunted 28th ranked PK? No thanks...

Nordstrom at 4C and Kruger 3C...great. Pirri 3C, in lesser role than 2C, Shaw 2C and Kruger 4C...great again. The experience those guys would/could have been getting is the opportunity cost. This is not a Gasp pump piece, but as many point out how he is awful or can't do it, teams record with him in 24 games better than without. That is not crowning him anything, just pointing out there is not this huge drop off. Put him 3 or 4 C and bring in some young energy.

Like you Ogi, I study history, one of the interesting things about Dynasties of Islanders and Oilers, is there was a constant rotation of role guys around the core. You need the new blood to keep things from getting stagnant. And again, if not Gasp, then somebody else. It is not about Gasp, just the point that he is next up.
- TrueGrit

Red Wings of the late 90's/early millenium were great at this