Kruger. Kesler. It isn't that hard people. If you are going to act like you know what you are talking about, please spell the names correctly.

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.
- eburgio

I don't but thanks for the heads up. I'm sure the notes are prophetic in some regard as to how good Toews' would become.

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

Nice play by you, TG.

I don't but thanks for the heads up. I'm sure the notes are prophetic in some regard as to how good Toews' would become.
- philco28

I'll see if I can take a decent picture and send to you. It's pretty cool. They talk about his leadership qualities, if I'm not mistaken. His effort, too.

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

Well played!

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

I like Leddy, but we are set on D, no way he bumps one of Edler, Hamhuis, Bieksa, Garrison out... hell even Tanev nowadays.

Bickell is an overpayed 3rd/4th liner who had one good playoff run, end of story.

McNeil........becomes redundant when it comes to our prospect related center depth.

You guys have the assets and more importantly the depth to move them, not saying all of you want Kesler, but i seriously doubt Gillis even contemplates the move based on those players.

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.
- TrueGrit

Unless he's made it clear he is not coming back. The situation in Vancouver hasn't hit anywhere close to rock bottom yet, and the players can see it happening. I can't see Kesler re-signing and if Vancouver Management aren't completely delusional, neither can they.

Nice play by you, TG.
- mohel

Agreed. That was very kind of him.

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.
- TrueGrit

Unless he's made it clear he is not coming back. The situation in Vancouver hasn't hit anywhere close to rock bottom yet, and the players can see it happening. I can't see Kesler re-signing and if Vancouver Management aren't completely delusional, neither can they.
- paulr

There is no 're-signing' for kesler. he's locked in until 2016

I'm trying to temper my expectations this year...I love the rumors, the trade deadline, and tracking the moves. Unfortunately, it seems the Hawks are always up to "something," and then do, more or less, nothing. Such a tease.

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...


- EKolb13

Fair enough..I am not ready to make that next step yet in the relationship. The paradigm definitely changed with the addition of Regin. Many have inferred that all this stuff has just been a season long fillibuster to get TT here, if so, kudos to them as well. Will be interesting to see how that plays out.

All things being equal, while the hawks in essense stood pat this year, many other teams have improved. Not just adding personnel, but in the oft forgotten growth/evolution of their own guys. Jaden Schwartz and Tarasenko, for example on St. Louis, make them a more dynamic team than many want to give credit.

San Jose is my team this year to win cup. Not out of spite, just my gut feeling. They played the last month or two without Hertl and Couture and will be strong down the stretch with Torres and Burish serving as experienced lower line bangers.

I still chuckle at those scheduling the rest for guys so they are ready for the playoffs. Championships are never won with this psychology. The premiss is that you are so good, you can just turn it on as needed, when it just does not work that way. This Handzuis love and belief is just bizzaro world stuff.

Morin may get another audition. Any word if Pirri is headed to Panthers or their AHL team? Barkov is out there and that team needs to score more.

There is no 're-signing' for kesler. he's locked in until 2016
- eburgio

I mean when his contract is over. Kesler is in his prime. The Canucks will not get more for him then they will in the next 12 months. I think he will be on another team no later than June.

I'm trying to temper my expectations this year...I love the rumors, the trade deadline, and tracking the moves. Unfortunately, it seems the Hawks are always up to "something," and then do, more or less, nothing. Such a tease.
- FrancieBrady

With the cap room Bowman has to work with, what do you expect?

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.
- TrueGrit

I was referring to the Brodeur rumor. Agree on Kesler.

I'll see if I can take a decent picture and send to you. It's pretty cool. They talk about his leadership qualities, if I'm not mistaken. His effort, too.
- eburgio

Thanks Burgy

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

Very true!

Krüger. Kesler. It isn't that hard people. If you are going to act like you know what you are talking about, please spell the names correctly.
- HawkFan27

Fixed.

Fair enough..I am not ready to make that next step yet in the relationship. The paradigm definitely changed with the addition of Regin. Many have inferred that all this stuff has just been a season long fillibuster to get TT here, if so, kudos to them as well. Will be interesting to see how that plays out.

All things being equal, while the hawks in essense stood pat this year, many other teams have improved. Not just adding personnel, but in the oft forgotten growth/evolution of their own guys. Jaden Schwartz and Tarasenko, for example on St. Louis, make them a more dynamic team than many want to give credit.

San Jose is my team this year to win cup. Not out of spite, just my gut feeling. They played the last month or two without Hertl and Couture and will be strong down the stretch with Torres and Burish serving as experienced lower line bangers.

I still chuckle at those scheduling the rest for guys so they are ready for the playoffs. Championships are never won with this psychology. The premiss is that you are so good, you can just turn it on as needed, when it just does not work that way. This Handzuis love and belief is just bizzaro world stuff.

Morin may get another audition. Any word if Pirri is headed to Panthers or their AHL team? Barkov is out there and that team needs to score more.
- TrueGrit

Provided that Morin isn't traded before the end of training camp, you can pencil him in on next season's roster.

As for where Pirri lands, I don't know? Maybe Miami, maybe San Antonio?

I like Leddy, but we are set on D, no way he bumps one of Edler, Hamhuis, Bieksa, Garrison out... hell even Tanev nowadays.

Bickell is an overpayed 3rd/4th liner who had one good playoff run, end of story.

McNeil........becomes redundant when it comes to our prospect related center depth.

You guys have the assets and more importantly the depth to move them, not saying all of you want Kesler, but i seriously doubt Gillis even contemplates the move based on those players.
- Whiskey-Tango

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

It would be prorated for the remainder of the season and for a few low picks you might be able to get them to eat some (or most) of the salary to give him another shot at winning the cup. I can only see that happening if he really went to Lou and asked specifically to go somewhere like this and to try and make a deal work. As for him not having anything left in the tank, I think that goes out the window when playoff time comes around. I could be wrong and he would fail miserably but I'm just guessing at what the thought process is from management if the rumors are true and they are kicking the tires.

I mean when his contract is over. Kesler is in his prime. The Canucks will not get more for him then they will in the next 12 months. I think he will be on another team no later than June.
- paulr

This is not aimed at you, Paul.... Hey everyone, Van City is tied for the last playoff spot in the West. I realize they've played poorly, as does the "committed' part of their fan base. But is that really the market to trade one of your best players when you're in the hunt now? #whiteflagtrade.

Fair enough..I am not ready to make that next step yet in the relationship. The paradigm definitely changed with the addition of Regin. Many have inferred that all this stuff has just been a season long fillibuster to get TT here, if so, kudos to them as well. Will be interesting to see how that plays out.

All things being equal, while the hawks in essense stood pat this year, many other teams have improved. Not just adding personnel, but in the oft forgotten growth/evolution of their own guys. Jaden Schwartz and Tarasenko, for example on St. Louis, make them a more dynamic team than many want to give credit.

San Jose is my team this year to win cup. Not out of spite, just my gut feeling. They played the last month or two without Hertl and Couture and will be strong down the stretch with Torres and Burish serving as experienced lower line bangers.

I still chuckle at those scheduling the rest for guys so they are ready for the playoffs. Championships are never won with this psychology. The premiss is that you are so good, you can just turn it on as needed, when it just does not work that way. This Handzuis love and belief is just bizzaro world stuff.

Morin may get another audition. Any word if Pirri is headed to Panthers or their AHL team? Barkov is out there and that team needs to score more.
- TrueGrit

Morin falls into the same category as Pirri, he isn't a good skater, his cerebral game is weak, his defensive game is weak but he's strong on the puck. Morin isn't the answer and never has been.

So Eklund basically reiterated what JJ said about the 'Hawks being in on Kesler. According to Ek, he also said the 'Hawks are in on Vanek and Moulson.

So what does this all mean? That the team will get none of them. He didn't say they were in on Andy MacDonald, so that still remains a possibility.

Nice play by you, TG.
- mohel

Debating/fighting over who we like or dislike is totally separate from the unemotional strategy GM's and personnel managers have to navigate. EK articulated his position like a pro, read the tea leaves and was ahead of the curve.

AS I have been lectured as to how stupid I am to infer what Q thinks or believe, those casting the aspersion see no irony in their being reassured they in fact can. Truth is we never can know, but what we can infer is that there are indeed very limited opportunities for players in this organization.

Kostka too, another example. He was an insurance policy and once the Hawks defense got through the Olympics without injury, the team was ready to risk losing him.

Anyways, its fun playing armchair hockey GM or coach for all of us. Many are anxious to shuffle the deck and create some excitement...so until it all settles I will try to bite my tongue....