When he's engaged and healthy, he's a pure sniper. He's playing for a new deal, too
- Jsaquella

You summed that up nicely -- he's grittier than he gets credit for being, too

I'm not sure that the hawks need to do too much. It's not going to be that big of a deal fitting toews and Kane under next years cap.

I can see dumping versteeg and using TT to make a hockey trade. I think Kesler would be a mistake for them. But I'm all for that if they want to.

Let Oduya and rosival deals expire after next year and bring up young cheap good dmen.

Shaw looks like a 2c to me Especially with Kane on the Wing

You summed that up nicely -- he's grittier than he gets credit for being, too
- AllInForFlyers

The biggest issues with Gaborik have always been injuries and being engaged. The biggest rap on the injuries isn't that he gets hurt a lot, it's his ability or willingness to play through nagging stuff.

But he's motivated right now and a motivated Gaborik is a dynamic player

You summed that up nicely -- he's grittier than he gets credit for being, too
- AllInForFlyers

LA is eliminated long ago without the contributions of Gaborik. Lombardi added him for I believe Frattin and a second round pick. So basically the Kings got him for nothing.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Richards and Carter Revisited, Recalling Shero "Trade"
- bmeltzer

Thank you Fred Shero!! Not only for the 2 cups, but in giving us what we needed to acquire Mark Howe!!

I am with you on all of this.

Riddle me this batman

if the league hadnt arranged the lottery for Kane to be a Hawk, do the Flyers win the 2010 finals with him in the lineup instead of JVR, with Giroux, Carter, Richards and Gagne. etc ???
- Steelmanpa

If the league really conspired to fix the draft every time some disgruntled fan said they did (or at all) do you really think in this era of communications that it wouldn't have leaked by now? Take the tinfoil off your head.

I'm not sure that the hawks need to do too much. It's not going to be that big of a deal fitting toews and Kane under next years cap.

I can see dumping versteeg and using TT to make a hockey trade. I think Kesler would be a mistake for them. But I'm all for that if they want to.

Let Oduya and rosival deals expire after next year and bring up young cheap good dmen.

Shaw looks like a 2c to me Especially with Kane on the Wing
- Just5

They just have to do a little tinkering. Having Keith locked up at the number they do is sickening. Versteeg was a healthy scratch a fair amount. The Hawks are loaded.

The biggest issues with Gaborik have always been injuries and being engaged. The biggest rap on the injuries isn't that he gets hurt a lot, it's his ability or willingness to play through nagging stuff.

But he's motivated right now and a motivated Gaborik is a dynamic player
- Jsaquella

I think he's also a guy who shrinks when expected to be THE go-to guy. Where there are multiple weapons, he is thriving.

LA is eliminated long ago without the contributions of Gaborik. Lombardi added him for I believe Frattin and a second round pick. So basically the Kings got him for nothing.
- PLindbergh31

This iteration of the Kings is much better/deeper than the one from 2012... kind of scary.

I don't think the Blackhawks should go into the offseason looking to make major changes. That series could have gone either way. They have some decent prospects and should just stay the course. They have a cup contending team as is. No need to get too cute and mortgage the future. Trading prospects for older players will narrow the window.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed, they could probably use a true power forward and perhaps one big, nasty dman to go with their skill guys, but this team is damn close and IMO would have handily beat the Rangers in the finals.

If the league really conspired to fix the draft every time some disgruntled fan said they did (or at all) do you really think in this era of communications that it wouldn't have leaked by now? Take the tinfoil off your head.
- bodiva88

Well yeah because Jwill can win game sevens by himself
- Giroux_Is_God

It's pretty crazy to be a 2 point per game player in game 7s.

Now if they go 7 one of the two streaks will be broken. His or Ranger Richards.

This iteration of the Kings is much better/deeper than the one from 2012... kind of scary.
- Tomahawk

It is. The emergence of Muzzin has really helped. Lundqvist is going to have to stand on his head just to keep the Rags in these games. LA's depth is so much better than what NY has.

I think he's also a guy who shrinks when expected to be THE go-to guy. Where there are multiple weapons, he is thriving.
- bodiva88

That helps, but he did fine in Minnesota when he was The Guy. It will be interesting if the Kings re-sign him to a multi-year deal.

It is. The emergence of Muzzin has really helped. Lundqvist is going to have to stand on his head just to keep the Rags in these games. LA's depth is so much better than what NY has.
- PLindbergh31

Huh.

I don't necessarily see that...I'm not saying that I think the Rags will win. It's more that I think that one's going to be closer than maybe Chicago/Rags would've been.

This iteration of the Kings is much better/deeper than the one from 2012... kind of scary.
- Tomahawk

The emergencies of Toffoli, Pearson & Lewis up front, combined with Muzzin & Martinez on defense give them a lot of young depth. It makes me really excited to see Hextall take the GM spot, knowing he had a hand in assembling that

It is. The emergence of Muzzin has really helped. Lundqvist is going to have to stand on his head just to keep the Rags in these games. LA's depth is so much better than what NY has.
- PLindbergh31

I dunno... Rags are pretty darned deep themselves.

It is. The emergence of Muzzin has really helped. Lundqvist is going to have to stand on his head just to keep the Rags in these games. LA's depth is so much better than what NY has.
- PLindbergh31

Exactly, if the Rags think they can sit back and beat LA 1-0 or 2-1, they are in for a huge surprise. They just don't have the depth at forward to keep up with the Kings in a 7 game series. With 2 full days off before game 1, fatigue shouldn't be a factor for the Kings though rust may be one for the Rangers. I'm predicting LA in 5!

This iteration of the Kings is much better/deeper than the one from 2012... kind of scary.
- Tomahawk

Gaborik playing well definitely allowed them to lock in their lines, that's for sure. They made sure Toffoli was ready to go, and boom.

I dunno... Rags are pretty darned deep themselves.
- Tomahawk

Not at forward compared to LA

I dunno... Rags are pretty darned deep themselves.
- Tomahawk

Plus, they have the better goalie.

Not at forward compared to LA
- BiggE

I don't know, Old Man...I'll tell you what: If Nash starts popping goals...

It's a big "if," I admit. But if he does, that thing looks a lot different.

Huh.

I don't necessarily see that...I'm not saying that I think the Rags will win. It's more that I think that one's going to be closer than maybe Chicago/Rags would've been.
- AllInForFlyers

I think LA is a worse matchup for the Rangers. I still don't fully trust Crawford. He's still prone to the soft goal once in a while. What happens in these Finals if the Rags see Quick's A game? If that happens, it won't be much of a series imo.

Exactly, if the Rags think they can sit back and beat LA 1-0 or 2-1, they are in for a huge surprise. They just don't have the depth at forward to keep up with the Kings in a 7 game series. With 2 full days off before game 1, fatigue shouldn't be a factor for the Kings though rust may be one for the Rangers. I'm predicting LA in 5!
- BiggE

I agree with this Big E. Watch the Rangers pull it out and we will have yolk on our brows.

Not at forward compared to LA
- BiggE

Yeah, Kings have the edge down the middle... but Rangers are deeper/steadier on the back-end. Their goalie is better, too.