Appreciate your willingness to share JJ. Sounds like Ottawa may be shopping Spezza. Does Stan call to guage price? At $7 mil I say PASS!

Given Bollig's new contract I thought it was a good time to revisit this. Now it's obvious why he got the big money deal.

http://youtu.be/X3B8v_ZHA10
- DarthKane

I was really hoping somebody would celebrate a goal with a snow angel on Saturday night.

Has never played an NHL or AHL game. Because there is no adjustment period.

Remember when Kruger was the next best thing to cross the Atlantic and gonna play the 2C... Now eating 10 minutes / night even strength and exclusively killing penalties. Awesome how that worked out as a viable solution. Solid player, good at his role but at least, not today, a 2C.

Now to expect a player with the same build and maybe more advanced skill set to come over and start burning down the barn seems a bit absurd.
- fattybeef

I'd trade TT in a heartbeat if it significantly upgraded the team now...as long as it's not just a rental, which Kesler would not be.

Appreciate your willingness to share JJ. Sounds like Ottawa may be shopping Spezza. Does Stan call to guage price? At $7 mil I say PASS!
- ikeane

I don't believe that rumor, what is Ottawa's motivation for dealing their star player?

Given what it did for Pirri, perhaps Morin will turn it down?
- mohel

Got Pirri a chance to play in the NHL even if someplace else - I'm sure Morin would jump at that.

Got Pirri a chance to play in the NHL even if someplace else - I'm sure Morin would jump at that.
- StLBravesFan

Me, too. I did have a in there.

Something I find interesting (not that you care, Elbows....), is that we've got all these rumors and info about trades leaking all over the joint, and NOBODY can get a phucking peep about an injury unless it is very long term, like an ACL. Janitors, trainers, coaches, secretaries, et al, are blabbing to everyone about who the Hawks are after, but nobody will even say what stinking part of Hossa's body is hurt!
- mohel

Upper part.

2-3 weeks sounds like either a shoulder or back tweak or possibly a neck strain...if it was a concussion he would likely be listed as day-to-day...dangit hossa get your head up when craig adams and tanner glass are on the ice!!

I don't believe that rumor, what is Ottawa's motivation for dealing their star player?
- DarthKane

Karlsson isn't available.

I don't believe that rumor, what is Ottawa's motivation for dealing their star player?
- DarthKane

They're deep up the middle and after his wonky bionic back surgery he hasn't been moving especially well and Ottawa is cheap as hell.

But that guy is all offense. And the $ don't add up.

2-3 weeks sounds like either a shoulder or back tweak or possibly a neck strain...if it was a concussion he would likely be listed as day-to-day...dangit hossa get your head up when craig adams and tanner glass are on the ice!!
- EnzoD

I think it is the shoulder. Less likely to be the back for the same reason you gave about the head - tough to gauge how long they'll take to heal. The hit he took was to his right shoulder. Hopefully he's 100% (plus another couple games) before returning.

Has never played an NHL or AHL game. Because there is no adjustment period.

Remember when Kruger was the next best thing to cross the Atlantic and gonna play the 2C... Now eating 10 minutes / night even strength and exclusively killing penalties. Awesome how that worked out as a viable solution. Solid player, good at his role but at least, not today, a 2C.

Now to expect a player with the same build and maybe more advanced skill set to come over and start burning down the barn seems a bit absurd.
- fattybeef

Laughable. You're comparing Kruger to a guy who many thought was the most offensively talented player in the draft. Hell Montreal had him top 5 on their draft board. His and Kruger's skill levels aren't really comparable.

Is it true that Toews and Kane are gonna both ask for max contracts coming up? 12 million each? Yinz guys did great with the window you had but its gonna become a lot harder soon. Not trying to troll either. Bowman has shown he is a good gm, but if I was him or a fan of Chicago the I would try to put it all on the line now before it becomes much harder to ice the depth your team has.
- ChrisMS

If you think Toews and Kane are getting 12 million a year you're out to lunch.

Looking at it from Vancouver's point of view - If Kesler is playing wing now, why wouldn't they trade Kesler for Bickell. They get 1 mil savings, they get a guy who is 2 years younger, playing his natural position, and they get a guy who has won the cup. If both players are playing with injuries right now, why wouldn't Vancouver make this move?

what is hossa's injury? shoulder? concusssion??
- EnzoD

Shoulder

Kesler = Elite NHL Player
TT = Good European Player MAYBE good NHL player

Winning today Kesler is probably the safer bet. Also Gillis is a huge pooh face and doubtful he trades a player of that caliber in conference.
- fattybeef

Elite is a giant stretch. All-star NHL player yes. Elite is saved for maybe 10-20 forwards and d-men in the league.

Laughable. You're comparing Kruger to a guy who many thought was the most offensively talented player in the draft. Hell Montreal had him top 5 on their draft board. His and Kruger's skill levels aren't really comparable.
- rollpards19

Because the draft board is indicative of success. Oh ok.

Shoulder
- wiz1901

Very brief post, Wiz.

Because the draft board is indicative of success. Oh ok.
- fattybeef

You said maybe more skilled. There's plenty of anecdotal and visual evidence that TT is much more skilled than Kruger. Where did I mention success? Tons of players are skilled and suck, doesn't mean they're not skilled.

Because the draft board is indicative of success. Oh ok.
- fattybeef

Fatty, you mentioned an adjustment period for TT. Now, I don't know a ton about him, but I suspect the Hawks do, and many thought he was one of the best few players in the World Juniors recently. To me, I think a guy with that resume has a good chance of being better than Regin right off the bat.

Looking at it from Vancouver's point of view - If Kesler is playing wing now, why wouldn't they trade Kesler for Bickell. They get 1 mil savings, they get a guy who is 2 years younger, playing his natural position, and they get a guy who has won the cup. If both players are playing with injuries right now, why wouldn't Vancouver make this move?
- powerenforcer

Probably because Bickell couldn't sniff Kesler's jock in terms of pure talent? That might have something to do with it.

Morin had the best possession numbers in a relatively short amount of time. IF allowed enough games to see his shooting % average out I think he would be OK. His skating really isn't that terrible and he will dig in the corners. Really got an unfair shake while up here.
- fattybeef

I just cannot get over the fact that he has this great shot to win a game even if he was in a reserve fourth line rle. He digs in the corners and has offensive ability. Nice combo. Hungry young prospect would be a steal for some team say if he was an injury replacement and he starts scoring, adding up points. But he must be defensively responsible. Not stellar defensively, but aware and makes an effort. Good hearing that his skating is not that bad. I know he has worked on it. But I haven't seen him play in person for a while now

I actually feel embarrassed commnenting on this new Kesler trade.


I always think Stan says "the right thing" to the media, but this time I am pretty sure he is truthful in he isn't going to react to the Blues trade, that they were tough before the deal ,etc. but I do not for one minute believe that the entire organization is going not to raise the bar higher because their division rival just set it higher in the competition.

I believe Stan is not gonna get in a high stakes deadline poker game, when the entire lead has teams with so many more holes and so much less skill than his team does...that the entire league doesn't have backliners as skilled as his.

I totally understand what each and every one of loves about Kesler and how we see him as Kaner's plug N play centre after seeing the future through the USA Olympic entry. And if you think you can fit five mil salary you might as well spend it for a real player worth that amount.

But does Bickell and Leddy just make us as fanboy-like and all the imaginary home team traders/fans/sportswriters???? To think that the team could handle that subtaction and a Kesler addition with no interruption in ability on the back end?
Rosival and Brookbank are your third pair.
I have trouble the players staff and GM digesting that without reflux.

If Leddy alone off the roster + stuff gets you Kesler, I say don't think long.

(But of course I see no one in the shoot to move in and fill the vacancy.)


And as far as Tuerovainen in a Kesler related deal, I will leave that call, and I will venture that your opinion probably borders along the lines of what you think TT is gonna do in the pros.
I won't try and change any opinion of him.
But if you are including him is your fantasy Kesler trade, maybe the questionbecomes,
"What does acquiring Kesler do long term for the Blackhawks?

Does it guarantee a Cup in a few months?

(I know it will gaurantee most of you will be lambasting Bowman on the acquistion if they got him and didn't win...)

Does the trade make us less likely to compete for the Cup in the next five years...I mean is Kesler's body bonn hold up or IS TT really the weapon that makes the team more potent?
(I mean whatever they DO give up...are those guys not GOOD pros and not Florida pros?)



I think until I see some team actually giving up players as skilled as the ones I mentioned Vancouver doesn't jump at low end guys to start a rebuild.

Vancouver gets a whole lot more interest in Kesler at the Draft meetings and more good teams will have Cap space.

Fatty, you mentioned an adjustment period for TT. Now, I don't know a ton about him, but I suspect the Hawks do, and many thought he was one of the best few players in the World Juniors recently. To me, I think a guy with that resume has a good chance of being better than Regin right off the bat.
- mohel[/quote

I said in an earlier comment AND stress again let us use his likely World Tournament as a measuring stick for projecting his NHL arrival. I mean, if he competes well, he has a bright future. Will not say it is a given he can be a point producer in NHL. But to write him off like Elbows seems to do....too early to do so given the opportunities TT will have. I have to assume Bowman does not rush him. TT needs to gain strength and if he is to be NHL ready, then maybe a half season in Rockford or longer is good preparation. Someone else said, too, that if a weakling Kane gets strong enough, so can TT. From the small sample size we have, I do not think TT is afraid or tries real hard to avoid physical play. He might be a lot like Kane in that respect....needs to get stronger, will do so. Can check and take a hit especially as he matures. Cripes, best pure talent prospect perhaps since Kane. Do not trade. Unless maybe if Kessler is offered...which will not happen

Fatty, you mentioned an adjustment period for TT. Now, I don't know a ton about him, but I suspect the Hawks do, and many thought he was one of the best few players in the World Juniors recently. To me, I think a guy with that resume has a good chance of being better than Regin right off the bat.
- mohel

No one knows if there would be an adjustment period or not. That is the point.

He could come over, pull a Peter Forsberg and put his balls all over everyone's face. OR he could end up confused and manhandled by the bigger stronger and faster players on a smaller surface. Or somewhere between. Wont know until he is on the ice.

Regin is what he is. Serviceable role player. But you know exactly what you will get when you put him on the ice.

In my opinion, to get a player who will make an immediate impact and if he truthfully is available you overpay for Kesler. Not super desperate but some combination of Bickell (to make the money work), Leddy, Shaw, Kruger, Picks, should get the job done. I would trade Seabrook straight up for him but that's just like my opinion man and it isn't a popular one.