U act like the defending champs having one of the top 5 NHL drafted prospects in the world is a bad thing....the point is to hope that these players will end up being the next piece of the puzzle, not to worry that they will bring us down. The way Hawks fans constantly bicker about the 2C, it seems that having Handzus or Regin out there would be the gamble....and that bringing in TT would be something to look forward to. Again id love Kesler, but the price of ripping apart our defense and taking our top prospect is too steep right now, especially considering we're still a major Cup contender as it is.
- SimpleJack

1) TT was NOT a top 5 drafted player. Incorrect.

2) Bringing in TT will be fine and dandy. It's ludicrous to think that he will be a key contributor to this team later this year or even next year. Especially seeing that we have no clue if the kid can actually play center or only wing in the NHL.

3) Again... finding blue line depth is a much much easier proposition then trading off a young defensive player who still has significant value + an unknown prospect for an elite center. That's not steep at all.

Are you honestly defining "ripping apart our defense" as trading Leddy?

Again - playoffs last year - he was stapled to the bench. When he wasn't, he was thrown around like a Raggedy Ann doll. He's a puck mover. Period.
- Return of the Roar

Yup. Again, folks WAY over valuing depth players or not willing to move a prospect for an elite/game changing piece.

TT was the key to getting Kesler yesterday Capt. Look through the clutter. IF he was a part of the deal, Kesler is a Hawk today.
- Elbows15

I'm of the belief that 99% of the crap that gets discussed on Hockey Buzz is simply conjecture and is media driven speculation. Kane plays with Kessler at the olympics, Kessler wants out...connect the dots.

One thing not mentioned in this, is that what if TT comes over, is 'showcased' and craps the bed? Then what? If it's a sure thing he dominates, why wouldn't the Hawks want to keep him and is 925k cap hit?

I believe that Horvat will be a solid NHL player. Shinkaruk is smallish but will he be a good scorer at NH level? Anyone in the AHL or elsewhere Canucks are excited to see join their cast next season? I would want to see Kassian become a force. Physically. Solid defensively like Bollig. That should be some of your thoughts. Just reviewing from outside the zone of a Canucks fan. Love to evaluate the down on farm and young NHL players on the NHL teams
- jhawk59

Canucks have seemingly focused on drafting & developing because being brutal at that for the last little while has really hurt us. Now own their farm team, restructured some scouting etc.... Hawks have been able to do it and the Nucks have not.

I'm of the belief that 99% of the crap that gets discussed on Hockey Buzz is simply conjecture and is media driven speculation. Kane plays with Kessler at the olympics, Kessler wants out...connect the dots.

One thing not mentioned in this, is that what if TT comes over, is 'showcased' and craps the bed? Then what?
- eburgio

I don't think we see him this year for exactly that reason. Don't want to repeat the Pirri mistake. The perceived value is very high. Let it remain that way if it can in fact get you a guy like Kesler.

I'm of the belief that 99% of the crap that gets discussed on Hockey Buzz is simply conjecture and is media driven speculation. Kane plays with Kessler at the olympics, Kessler wants out...connect the dots.

One thing not mentioned in this, is that what if TT comes over, is 'showcased' and craps the bed? Then what? If it's a sure thing he dominates, why wouldn't the Hawks want to keep him and is 925k cap hit?
- eburgio

If the Hawks do any sort of "showcasing" of a 19 year old who has never played in the NHL this team is in BIG TIME trouble this season.

Some people act like this kid is Wayne Gretzky. It's hilarious to me!

Did you skip school to post this?
- paulr

do you know who snuggerud is?

I'm of the belief that 99% of the crap that gets discussed on Hockey Buzz is simply conjecture and is media driven speculation. Kane plays with Kessler at the olympics, Kessler wants out...connect the dots.

One thing not mentioned in this, is that what if TT comes over, is 'showcased' and craps the bed? Then what? If it's a sure thing he dominates, why wouldn't the Hawks want to keep him and is 925k cap hit?
- eburgio

I am pretty sure the Hawks took a run at him Burgie. Be foolish not to.

1) TT was NOT a top 5 drafted player. Incorrect.

2) Bringing in TT will be fine and dandy. It's ludicrous to think that he will be a key contributor to this team later this year or even next year. Especially seeing that we have no clue if the kid can actually play center or only wing in the NHL.

3) Again... finding blue line depth is a much much easier proposition then trading off a young defensive player who still has significant value + an unknown prospect for an elite center. That's not steep at all.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Wasn't drafted top 5 but currently right now id say he's one of the top 5 NHL drafted prospects in the world....and i never said anything about him being a key contributor now, rather that he might be that piece for the future. Not so sure it would be all that easy to build 3 solid D pairings if we're losing Leddy and Rozsival.

do you know who snuggerud is?
- c2rds

Better question is does he care?

I am pretty sure the Hawks took a run at him Burgie. Be foolish not to.
- Elbows15

They might have.

It also doesn't mean when Bowman heard the names Bickell, Shaw, TT etc. that he said, "You know what, I want to stick with this team, this year, and worry about the offseason when the season is over"

23rd in penalty killing. Where were they last year? Does that matter? Umm, yeah.
If Patrick Kane prefers to play with a proven commodity over a kid who might end up . . . a right wing . . . and his re-signing could be impacted by it . . . then yeah, that could make a difference.

But some people just want to take shots.
- John Jaeckel

Misleading stat: probably at the top of the league the last 21 games (88% kill rate).

Wasn't drafted top 5 but currently right now id say he's one of the top 5 NHL drafted prospects in the world....and i never said anything about him being a key contributor now, rather that he might be that piece for the future. Not so sure it would be all that easy to build 3 solid D pairings if we're losing Leddy and Rozsival.
- SimpleJack

Yup. For the future, possibly. We don't know. We do know what Kesler is, however.

And replacing someone that the front office and coaching staff obviously has zero confidence in and an aging veteran who is seeing sporadic time probably won't be as difficult as you believe. Again, especially with 2-3 young players in the system the FO DOES like.

Better question is does he care?
- Elbows15

cared enough the first time

Are you honestly defining "ripping apart our defense" as trading Leddy?

Again - playoffs last year - he was stapled to the bench. When he wasn't, he was thrown around like a Raggedy Ann doll. He's a puck mover. Period.
- Return of the Roar

Playoffs last year Rozsival played at least 20 mins every night it seemed. Thats never happening again. Its not just leddy, but the 3rd pairing in general that would need to be reconstructed. And why is it so crazy to be concerned about messing with the D just to upgrade 2C....when we've won 2 cups with no 2C, and have with this current team established the defense above all else to be most important?

They might have.

It also doesn't mean when Bowman heard the names Bickell, Shaw, TT etc. that he said, "You know what, I want to stick with this team, this year, and worry about the offseason when the season is over"
- CaptainBlackhawk

And I don't believe a word any GM says. Its all just pandering to the masses.

cared enough the first time
- c2rds

Don't confuse a response with caring.

Yup. For the future, possibly. We don't know. We do know what Kesler is, however.

And replacing someone that the front office and coaching staff obviously has zero confidence in and an aging veteran who is seeing sporadic time probably won't be as difficult as you believe. Again, especially with 2-3 young players in the system the FO DOES like.
- CaptainBlackhawk

So dont count on TT cuz we haven't seen him in NHL action.....but u can count on 2-3 defensive prospects who we haven't seen either to come in and fill out a D pairing?

So dont count on TT cuz we haven't seen him NHL action.....but u can count on 2-3 defensive prospects who we haven't seen either to come in and fill out a D pairing?
- SimpleJack

Yes. A free agent defensive player or two and possibly Clendening (who they like a lot). That's not mentioning the kid from Notre Dame (who I'm having a freeze on right now).

You still have Keith, Seabrook and Hammer which is better than most every single NHL team.

Playoffs last year Rozsival played at least 20 mins every night it seemed. Thats never happening again. Its not just leddy, but the 3rd pairing in general that would need to be reconstructed. And why is it so crazy to be concerned about messing with the D just to upgrade 2C....when we've won 2 cups with no 2C, and have with this current team established the defense above all else to be most important?
- SimpleJack

Rozy played 20 minutes a night precisely because they had to contain the pounding and loss of possession Leddy's play allowed.

Rozy played 20 minutes a night precisely because they had to contain the pounding and loss of possession Leddy's play allowed.
- Return of the Roar

Don't trade Leddy or Shaw! SUPERSTARS!! Go Hawks!!

I am pretty sure the Hawks took a run at him Burgie. Be foolish not to.
- Elbows15

I'm not saying they didn't. I'm just not convinced it was really serious or that close to getting done. Then again, I don't really know who or what to believe.

Don't trade Leddy or Shaw! SUPERSTARS!! Go Hawks!!
- CaptainBlackhawk

You know I may be an a$$hole now and then, but I don't think I'm stupid.

Are you so sure Buffalo wouldn't for Kane?
- paulr

Yes, I'm 100% sure that Buffalo will not trade either of those picks for a pending UFA Kane. They most likely wouldn't for a signed Kane. As great as Kane is, you don't trade away a franchise player in McDavid or Eichal for an older Kane. That would have Murray run out of town. Just saying.

do you know who snuggerud is?
- c2rds

Luc Snuggerud?

American born d-man in the USHL? Potentially related former Sabres winger Dave Snuggerud?

Edit: Only remember Snuggerud because he got traded for Wayne Preseley...