A GM does everything in his power to keep his job. How long would Gillis have his if Kesler happened to be the Hawks MVP in a post season run to another cup? I think the Vancouver fans and media could swallow it if he were a Pen but with the recent nasty rivalry between the Hawks and Nucks the fans would have a real difficult time dealing with it if he were a Hawk.
- paulr

And if whatever he gets back helps him to a long play-off run this year or next - how does that change the deal?

As a GM, he needs to concentrate on Vancouver.

Worry about your team: improve your team. Let the competition do what they do.

Skille sir.. Jack Skille.
- Panthers88

Skille is better than Pirri. Just ask Skille.

"Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, and Mark McNeil"

Come on now, y'all can do better then that, its not like Pittsburgh's offer is all that hard to beat.

Oh boy. You should consult with Ogi, EKolb13 and Unnamed Source on this trade. They are experts in Pirri analysis.
- eburgio

Anyone in that top 5 of the Toews draft would've been a decent selection at the time. Staal, Kessel, Backstrom. All solid. Erik Johnson, perhaps not. Toews was the 3rd ranked North American skater according to Central Scouting.

Definitely on Kane. Tallon faced enormous pressure to move down, or at least not draft Kane because he was too small.
- eburgio

Toews is obviously >>>> than the rest mentioned. Scouts did well there


Tallon stated repeatedly he wanted to take 'the best player' and Kaner's stature didn't deter. Kudos to DT and co.

A GM does everything in his power to keep his job. How long would Gillis have his if Kesler happened to be the Hawks MVP in a post season run to another cup? I think the Vancouver fans and media could swallow it if he were a Pen but with the recent nasty rivalry between the Hawks and Nucks the fans would have a real difficult time dealing with it if he were a Hawk.
- paulr

Great point.

Gillis will ALWAYS be about Gillis. He has proven this his entire career - player, agent and GM.

That Torts hire should be the end for him. Good thing Nucks ownership are apparently delusional. Maybe we will see them both there for another season or 2.

I am almost beginning to feel sorry for Luongo. Torts is such a busher.

"Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, and Mark McNeil"

Come on now, y'all can do better then that, its not like Pittsburgh's offer is all that hard to beat.
- Whiskey-Tango

Leddy has top pairing potential and would be in the top 4 of almost every other NHL team..Bickell is only 27 and could have won the Conn Smythe last year. Mark McNeil is a former 1st rounder that plays a solid 200 foot game and he brings physicality as well...maybe throw in another 3rd rounder or low level prospect and that offer is way better than the brandon sutter and simon despres package from pittsburg

Myers tweeting that Crow had his white pads stolen at Soldier Field and that was the reason he wore black pillows vs Pitt.

That was a sharp look with the black jerseys. Crow quoted as saying...he still thinks he's being pranked and the stolen pads will resurface.

"Bryan Bickell, Nick Leddy, and Mark McNeil"

Come on now, y'all can do better then that, its not like Pittsburgh's offer is all that hard to beat.
- Whiskey-Tango

If I were GM, I wouldn't offer that much for Kesler. Bickell, LeBlanc and the 3rd round pick the Hawks got from Florida last night, and Gillis can retain $1 million of Kesler's salary per season. That's all I'd cough up for Kesler.

Myers tweeting that Crow had his white pads stolen at Soldier Field and that was the reason he wore black pillows vs Pitt.

That was a sharp look with the black jerseys. Crow quoted as saying...he still thinks he's being pranked and the stolen pads will resurface.
- philco28

I thought he wore the black pads because of the uni's?

Toews is obviously >>>> than the rest mentioned. Scouts did well there


Tallon stated repeatedly he wanted to take 'the best player' and Kaner's stature didn't deter. Kudos to DT and co.
- philco28

Yeah, definitely. Hind sight is always 20/20. I'm sure Chiarelli was creaming his shorts when he got Kessel too (at the time).

Not sure if you have the first One Goal book, but it has scouting notes the Hawks took on Toews. Pretty cool read.

And if whatever he gets back helps him to a long play-off run this year or next - how does that change the deal?

As a GM, he needs to concentrate on Vancouver.

Worry about your team: improve your team. Let the competition do what they do.
- StLBravesFan

In a perfect world outside factors shouldn't influence any moves a GM makes. But the world ain't perfect so Gillis will make the move that leaves the smallest bite mark.

Pirri's ELC contract will expire at the end of the season, thus during his next contract, Pirri will have to be exposed to waivers if sent down. Since there are only so many open stops on the team up for grabs next season, questions to if Pirri could indeed win a spot out of camp, Bowman could possibly lose Pirri (or Morin for that matter) to a waiver claim if he didn't make the team out of camp next season.

Bowman had to move Pirri, or risk losing him for nothing in the fall.
- EKolb13

Very well said. Very informative. You were on this since fall and it played out as you said. Allow me to pat you on the back for your position, thesis and how it ultimately played out. There is a shelf life for guys, which benefits young players from being stuck in places where opportunities are limited or non existent.

If I were GM, I wouldn't offer that much for Kesler. Bickell, LeBlanc and the 3rd round pick the Hawks got from Florida last night, and Gillis can retain $1 million of Kesler's salary per season. That's all I'd cough up for Kesler.
- EKolb13

Briefly referring to your explanation on the Pirri trade, LeBlahhhhh is in the same spot, is he not? His deal next year is a 1-way contract. Would you rather have Pirri or Blah?

Leddy has top pairing potential and would be in the top 4 of almost every other NHL team..Bickell is only 27 and could have won the Conn Smythe last year. Mark McNeil is a former 1st rounder that plays a solid 200 foot game and he brings physicality as well...maybe throw in another 3rd rounder or low level prospect and that offer is way better than the brandon sutter and simon despres package from pittsburg
- EnzoD

Leddy being a "top paring" guy is debatable, at best.

I'm still looking for more of a consistent physical effort out of McNeill. There hasn't been much of a physical game from him this season.

So with Hossa being our 2 to 3 weeks does this mean more Brookbank?

Briefly referring to your explanation on the Pirri trade, LeBlahhhhh is in the same spot, is he not? His deal next year is a 1-way contract. Would you rather have Pirri or Blah?
- eburgio

Pirri over BLAH.

Problem is, Pirri would likely be lost on a waiver claim. I don't think anyone is nuts enough to put in a claim on BLAH. If they were, good riddance.

His cap hit is $4.5MM: who do you have to give up for a back-up goalie who (you hope) doesn't have to play?
- StLBravesFan

Which is why this rumor is DOA.

Very well said. Very informative. You were on this since fall and it played out as you said. Allow me to pat you on the back for your position, thesis and how it ultimately played out. There is a shelf life for guys, which benefits young players from being stuck in places where opportunities are limited or non existent.
- TrueGrit

Thanks.

If you're going to pat me on the "back,' make sure it isn't my ass that you're patting. That might just be a little creppy...

Which is why this rumor is DOA.
- mohel

Yep.

kesler is never coming here via trade

gillis has as big of an ego as ed snyder

Myers tweeting that Crow had his white pads stolen at Soldier Field and that was the reason he wore black pillows vs Pitt.

That was a sharp look with the black jerseys. Crow quoted as saying...he still thinks he's being pranked and the stolen pads will resurface.
- philco28

Its Seabs that stole them, this and the whole shot it in my own goal to blow Crow's shutout thing

Toews is obviously >>>> than the rest mentioned. Scouts did well there


Tallon stated repeatedly he wanted to take 'the best player' and Kaner's stature didn't deter. Kudos to DT and co.
- philco28

I remember in the Kane draft that there was a lot of disagreement among the experts about the ranking of the top 3 prospects. Turris and van Riemsdyk have had solid careers, but there's no doubt that Tallon picked the best of the three.

Which is why this rumor is DOA.
- mohel

It is gamesmanship. Short of offering Toews or Kane, Vancouver will not accept any deal for Kessler, however, Vancouver can use the Hawks offer to get more from someone else. So in effect the Hawks up the market to hurt their potential competition. That is they force whoever ultimately trades for him to likely give up more than they would like.

In the end, I do not think he goes anywhere. Kesslers do not grow on trees.

Pirri over BLAH.

Problem is, Pirri would likely be lost on a waiver claim. I don't think anyone is nuts enough to put in a claim on BLAH. If they were, good riddance.
- EKolb13

Asking about Pirri vs Blah is akin to asking you to pick...The Clap or Syphillis.