Think Rob jumped?
- Elbows15

I hope not.

I don't believe the Hawks are of the belief they can't beat the Blues. You post read to me like you are the one that needs that re-affirmation. I'm right with you - I do, too. But I don't think the Hawks do. Keep the faith - they can do it, but they need to get their heads out of their asses soon.
- mohel

I disagree Mo....They need this win tomorrow. Their confidence is shot...they need a win against a big team........a win tomorrow sets the tone for the team...gets rid of the doubt...reaffirms to themselves they're an elite team.

Guess you missed the point where they could bring someone up who plays forward instead of a guy who won't play in another game all season.
- Elbows15

See, here is the thing. No matter how much the experts on this board think they know, at some point you need to realize that the Bowmans, Q, the scouts, minor league staff, etc. all have opinions on how Morin, Nordstrom, etc fit into the big picture and where they can contribute if at all on the NHL squad.

So if it was determined that maybe a guy like Runblad is someone they scouted and liked and think is a value at this point for a 2nd rounder, regardless of his contributions this year, then you pull the trigger. Their hands have been tied most of the year with the cap and who was/wasn't able to be moved up and down without being exposed to waivers.

It's a must win because the Hawks are 4-5-1 in their last ten. At this point, they're all must win games. No momentum going into the playoffs greatly decreases their chances of getting past the first round.
- EKolb13

They gotta win 13 straight?

Think Rob jumped?
- Elbows15

If he did I'm sure he will be okay.....

They gotta win 13 straight?
- mohel

Wouldn't that be nice? I figure 8 wins out of the next 13 would do the trick. 7 wins is practically .500 play.

That's why the next 13 games are all must wins.

I don't think it's necessarily a question of being thin up front, and like you said, $750,000 isn't going to buy a team a superstar. It more of the point of leaving some maneuvering room both cap and roster wise to possibly bring up or bring in someone who could possibly help spark this team - like Morin or Teravainen. Granted, there is no guarantee that it would work, but it better than being handcuffed to a guy who's a depth defenseman sitting in the press box most nights.
- EKolb13

I see your point and you're not wrong. The flip side is they got a young low-cost defenseman with potential. In the off season they'd have to find a replacement for Brookbank anyway (please don't re-sign Brookbank).

I think Stan knows that there's always an option of a veteran going on LTIR if needed. If the team is healthy then Morin or Teravainen wouldn't get much of a chance to play anyway. Stan's been pretty good with managing the cap and managing the teams assets (picks, prospects and players) so we have to trust in him a bit. He's not perfect, Regin has worked out just as well as Morrison did.

I disagree Mo....They need this win tomorrow. Their confidence is shot...they need a win against a big team........a win tomorrow sets the tone for the team...gets rid of the doubt...reaffirms to themselves they're an elite team.
- UnnamedSource

Perhaps you're right about this lack of confidence, but is this an opinion or have you seen it somewhere? I haven't noticed comments about doubting their ability, but I have seen comments about effort. I think they have too much confidence in their ability; that they can turn it on whenever they want. They aren't playing scared at all to me.

See, here is the thing. No matter how much the experts on this board think they know, at some point you need to realize that the Bowmans, Q, the scouts, minor league staff, etc. all have opinions on how Morin, Nordstrom, etc fit into the big picture and where they can contribute if at all on the NHL squad.

So if it was determined that maybe a guy like Runblad is someone they scouted and liked and think is a value at this point for a 2nd rounder, regardless of his contributions this year, then you pull the trigger. Their hands have been tied most of the year with the cap and who was/wasn't able to be moved up and down without being exposed to waivers.
- TheTrob

These are all good points but.......you have to admit the deal cripples the team and gives it very little flexibility......if the team was playing as it should then it's no issue but now you virtually have no way out of this.......not a smart move. Next year is next year......tell me the reason why adding a back end dman is so vital to this years success?? It's not.....and if this all about next year then why not go full tilt and make some other changes.....

Think Rob jumped?
- Elbows15

Rob's lurking...

Perhaps you're right about this lack of confidence, but is this an opinion or have you seen it somewhere? I haven't noticed comments about doubting their ability, but I have seen comments about effort. I think they have too much confidence in their ability; that they can turn it on whenever they want. They aren't playing scared at all to me.
- mohel

Its definitely an opinion but hard to argue against it.....losing in the last four seconds has to do something to the teams mental state.....and it's probably not a positive.

It's a must win because the Hawks are 4-5-1 in their last ten. At this point, they're all must win games. No momentum going into the playoffs greatly decreases their chances of getting past the first round.
- EKolb13

Fallacy. Momentum is not measurable, certainly not in any numerical formula to say it decreases their chances. First game into the playoffs they come out and have a great first period and "momentum" is changed. How they played previously has no bearing.

Yes, they have been mediocre lately, and if they continue to play mediocre they will have a short playoff run. But again, nothing is a must win. If they play crappy for 13 games and happen to find a way to win the majority of them does it mean they are ready because they have wins?

I see your point and you're not wrong. The flip side is they got a young low-cost defenseman with potential. In the off season they'd have to find a replacement for Brookbank anyway (please don't re-sign Brookbank).

I think Stan knows that there's always an option of a veteran going on LTIR if needed. If the team is healthy then Morin or Teravainen wouldn't get much of a chance to play anyway. Stan's been pretty good with managing the cap and managing the teams assets (picks, prospects and players) so we have to trust in him a bit. He's not perfect, Regin has worked out just as well as Morrison did.
- DarthKane

I don't necessarily think you're wrong either. The only problem I have with the situation is Bowman thinking about next season instead of right now. Even if he didn't make the move for Rundblad, it may have not changed anything. Then again, it could have, if another player was given a chance.

See, here is the thing. No matter how much the experts on this board think they know, at some point you need to realize that the Bowmans, Q, the scouts, minor league staff, etc. all have opinions on how Morin, Nordstrom, etc fit into the big picture and where they can contribute if at all on the NHL squad.

So if it was determined that maybe a guy like Runblad is someone they scouted and liked and think is a value at this point for a 2nd rounder, regardless of his contributions this year, then you pull the trigger. Their hands have been tied most of the year with the cap and who was/wasn't able to be moved up and down without being exposed to waivers.
- TheTrob

See, here is the thing. No matter what you think you know, at some point you need to realize that this set of transactions (Rundblad and Kostka) are a bit odd for a team trying to win the Cup this here season. This does not mean that the Hawks are idiots; rather it leads people on a Hawks message board to try to figure out the reasoning behind the move. To some, it still seems odd; to others, not so odd. What is so snark-inducing about that?

My advice is to load up on the booze for the thumping they are going to take tomorrow night.
- Elbows15

Agreed.

These are all good points but.......you have to admit the deal cripples the team and gives it very little flexibility......if the team was playing as it should then it's no issue but now you virtually have no way out of this.......not a smart move. Next year is next year......tell me the reason why adding a back end dman is so vital to this years success?? It's not.....and if this all about next year then why not go full tilt and make some other changes.....
- UnnamedSource

It's not. I think it's a matter of Stan being able to pick someone up that they liked for what he thought was value, probably more so than any other moves he may have had available to him.

Are you losing faith in the advanced metrics? They say that COL and TOR will flame out, and the Hawks will prosper. BTW, Crow's deal ain't huge now (especially since it doesn't go into effect until next season) and will be much less so within a year or two.
- mohel

Not at all. I'm just mad when they get outpossessed it puts me in a bad mood. Like after all the Colorado games I'm fine because I know the Hawks played better, sh!t just didn't bounce right that night. And now, for the first time in ages, they get thoroughly beaten in possession and I wanted a win. Just one all year that all these phucking mediocre teams rack up night after night. Plus this team's forward depth is awful without every healthy. Only the big 4 can really "create their own shot" with Saad out, and Handzus quite frankly is getting worse every game, Smith's a good player, but top 6 he ain't, same with Shaw. Versteeg's really the one that bugs me. People can say he's better than Stalberg, but he's also like 3 times more expensive and he sure as sh!t ain't 3 times better. I don't think Morin's very good, but at this point its hard to believe he could be worse. It honestly wouldn't shock me if Q benched him in the playoffs a la 25 from last year. Way too many plays die on his stick and since when did he become allergic to shooting? I trust Kane and Sharp to show up, both played better tonight and Hossa and Toews have been good, but Versteeg, Shaw, and Bickell need to produce some iota of offense eventually, and I think their good enough, and I think the top6/top4D on this team are the best of anyone, but god this game pissed me off. I can't watch tomorrow night so they'll probably win

Edit: The length of CC's deal bothers me more than the money, I don't like that Stan conceded both, but I'm also not a big CC fan so I'm probably biased

See, here is the thing. No matter what you think you know, at some point you need to realize that this set of transactions (Rundblad and Kostka) are a bit odd for a team trying to win the Cup this here season. This does not mean that the Hawks are idiots; rather it leads people on a Hawks message board to try to figure out the reasoning behind the move. To some, it still seems odd; to others, not so odd. What is so snark-inducing about that?
- mohel

No snark, and not odd at all. If Stan truly " likes the team we have", as he has stated, then deals for the future are part of his job as he must obviously feel he can win the cup with the team and available resources he has. If he has to hide them at the NHL level because of waiver rules then so be it.

Its definitely an opinion but hard to argue against it.....losing in the last four seconds has to do something to the teams mental state.....and it's probably not a positive.
- UnnamedSource

Well, I don't think a loss tomorrow will make the players think they can't beat the Blues 4 of 7. And tonight's loss shouldn't have a bigger impact than getting torn up by the Leafs or Avs earlier in the year. They should be pissed about their poor effort tonight rather than demoralized, imo. Anyway, we'll have to agree to a duel at down over this one, US.

It's not. I think it's a matter of Stan being able to pick someone up that they liked for what he thought was value, probably more so than any other moves he may have had available to him.
- TheTrob

Okay but here is the point you're missing...What is more valuable? Acquiring a backend dman who will barely play this year and maybe have value next year or giving your team more flexibility during the stretch run this year and for the playoffs?

Well, I don't think a loss tomorrow will make the players think they can't beat the Blues 4 of 7. And tonight's loss shouldn't have a bigger impact than getting torn up by the Leafs or Avs earlier in the year. They should be pissed about their poor effort tonight rather than demoralized, imo. Anyway, we'll have to agree to a duel at down over this one, US.
- mohel

we will agree to disagree.....lets hug it out b!tch.....

Not at all. I'm just mad when they get outpossessed it puts me in a bad mood. Like after all the Colorado games I'm fine because I know the Hawks played better, sh!t just didn't bounce right that night. And now, for the first time in ages, they get thoroughly beaten in possession and I wanted a win. Just one all year that all these phucking mediocre teams rack up night after night. Plus this team's forward depth is awful without every healthy. Only the big 4 can really "create their own shot" with Saad out, and Handzus quite frankly is getting worse every game, Smith's a good player, but top 6 he ain't, same with Shaw. Versteeg's really the one that bugs me. People can say he's better than Stalberg, but he's also like 3 times more expensive and he sure as sh!t ain't 3 times better. I don't think Morin's very good, but at this point its hard to believe he could be worse. It honestly wouldn't shock me if Q benched him in the playoffs a la 25 from last year. Way too many plays die on his stick and since when did he become allergic to shooting? I trust Kane and Sharp to show up, both played better tonight and Hossa and Toews have been good, but Versteeg, Shaw, and Bickell need to produce some iota of offense eventually, and I think their good enough, and I think the top6/top4D on this team are the best of anyone, but god this game pissed me off. I can't watch tomorrow night so they'll probably win

Edit: The length of CC's deal bothers me more than the money, I don't like that Stan conceded both, but I'm also not a big CC fan so I'm probably biased
- rollpards19

Great post! I am glad you got that out of your system.

we will agree to disagree.....lets hug it out b!tch.....
- UnnamedSource

Okay but here is the point you're missing...What is more valuable? Acquiring a backend dman who will barely play this year and maybe have value next year or giving your team more flexibility during the stretch run this year and for the playoffs?
- UnnamedSource

Not missing the point, I'm just saying that Bowman, et. al. Obviously have a different idea/opinion and that is why they made the deal.

What you or I think is the right deal or how much is the right amount of flexibility means zip. Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but it's not my call.

It will work this way, if the Hawks bow out in the playoffs people will scream what an idiot Bowman was, and how some 4th line acquisition or AHL player would have made a difference if only he hadn't made that Runblad deal.....then next year Runblad plays and turns out to be a solid addition and everyone will say what a great deal bowman made...

Not missing the point, I'm just saying that Bowman, et. al. Obviously have a different idea/opinion and that is why they made the deal.

What you or I think is the right deal or how much is the right amount of flexibility means zip. Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but it's not my call.

It will work this way, if the Hawks bow out in the playoffs people will scream what an idiot Bowman was, and how some 4th line acquisition or AHL player would have made a difference if only he hadn't made that Runblad deal.....then next year Runblad plays and turns out to be a solid addition and everyone will say what a great deal bowman made...
- TheTrob

No, you are missing the point. No one is going to point the finger at this trade being the reason the Hawks faltered....

It's not what we think is the right amount of flexibility meaning it's not an opinion...it is fact. The trade gives the team no flexibility and the player acquired will virtually get no playing time......therefore its makes little sense.