it cost them a lot and it's too bad...the summer of 2010 wouldn't have been as bad.
They were 1 goal away from back to back cup finals with a flawed team. Shows you just how good the top notch guys on this team are.

The Bickell deal will haunt them. He thinks he's a playoff player and that's fine, but he can't be a ghost for 75% of the regular season which he is too much.
- SteveRain

Yeah, I know it cost them big time. I wasn't as 'cap savvy' as I am now

I was simply curious had they qualified these guys, if anyone has a clue how much they would've saved themselves. $2M? $3M? Who were the three guys that didn't get the QO's...Brouwer, Barker and Versteeg?

Most of the team slumped during this time, Kane included.
- DarthKane

Whispers about a shoulder injury for Sharp, but I saw him fire off a few rockets when he wanted to and he got a lot on them.

I don't doubt he was banged up, but the Hawks made note of Oduya's severity but passed on Sharp. I also heard they were no WHERE near the MASH unit they were last June. fact is...Sharp went cold. For what reason, god only knows.....

It's time to see what the market will pay for him.

$7M cap hit is a bit too rich for my blood, but his salary is only $4M. That's why I see a team like St. Louis, who likely won't be a cap team, taking him on. Plus, Murray thinks he has a prime jewel with Spezza and wants a lot in return...for one season.

I don't see Lord Stanley's Bowman making that move unless Murray picks up some salary/cap hit...which he doesn't really need to do.
- eburgio

Bryan Murray takes all of his direction from that genius Eugene Melnyk who cares about the $$ first. If he eventually tells the GM to dump Spezza whereever he can, that's what will happen. I think Anaheim will get one of Spezza or Kesler.

Most of the team slumped during this time, Kane included.
- DarthKane

Kane:
Oct-Dec = 42 games 23 goals
Jan-Apr = 27 games 6 goals

Toews:
Oct-Dec = 42 games 15 goals
Jan-Apr = 34 games 13 goals

Hossa:
Oct-Dec = 37 games 14 goals
Jan-Apr = 35 games 16 goals

Most of the team slumped during this time, Kane included.
- DarthKane

Yes they started on fire...filling the net with a decent pp. At one point I think about 1/3 of their games they had scored 4 or more goals. That pace dropped the last 3 months as the PK improved and GA also dropped.

I am still trying to figure out how a defensive forecheck 1st team like the kings transformed themselves into come back quick strike offensive team. Other than Doughty they have an average blue line...Quick has been leaky.

Usually mid season aquisitions don't turn into much. The addition of Gaborik sure as hell did.

Yeah, I know it cost them big time. I wasn't as 'cap savvy' as I am now

I was simply curious had they qualified these guys, if anyone has a clue how much they would've saved themselves. $2M? $3M? Who were the three guys that didn't get the QO's...Brouwer, Barker and Versteeg?
- eburgio

The big ones were....and this from 08-09 to 09-10

Versteeg..490K to 3.083
Barker...984K to 3.083
Brouwer..700K to 1.025

The 2 that just sent me over the edge......

1. Bolland....887K to 3.375. I remember watching the draft in 2009 and when that deal was announced I lost it. that cost them at least 1 guy in the summer of 2010 probably 2.

2. Barker. Awful. Hell even Verseeg almost got 10 times more.

The past is the past....but...if they make that same mistake with Kruger as they did Bolland, I may be checked into a psych ward.

Yes they started on fire...filling the net with a decent pp. At one point I think about 1/3 of their games they had scored 4 or more goals. That pace dropped the last 3 months as the PK improved and GA also dropped.

I am still trying to figure out how a defensive forecheck 1st team like the kings transformed themselves into come back quick strike offensive team. Other than Doughty they have an average blue line...Quick has been leaky.

Usually mid season aquisitions don't turn into much. The addition of Gaborik sure as hell did.
- bogiedoc

Gaborik allowed them to move Carter down to the Toffoli/Pearson line. If Carter was flanking Kopitar on LW, that would leave one of Stoll/Richards centering line #2. So yeah, he helped.

Bollig serves his purpose and won't be going anywhere and you're right, our 4th line was the most consistent last season. I would like to see Bollig to continue to develop as he did this season.
- DarthKane

agreed, besides whats not to like about the guy?
have you all seen this?
http://youtu.be/X3B8v_ZHA10

parody of Kaners.

The big ones were....and this from 08-09 to 09-10

Versteeg..490K to 3.083
Barker...984K to 3.083Brouwer..700K to 1.025

The 2 that just sent me over the edge......

1. Bolland....887K to 3.375. I remember watching the draft in 2009 and when that deal was announced I lost it. that cost them at least 1 guy in the summer of 2010 probably 2.

2. Barker. Awful. Hell even Verseeg almost got 10 times more.

The past is the past....but...if they make that same mistake with Kruger as they did Bolland, I may be checked into a psych ward.
- SteveRain

Brouwer's raise was probably in line. That's totally fine. Those other two raises are ridiculous.

And yeah, the Bolland raise is/was terrible. Tallon didn't do a good job on the bridge deals. That's one more thing Stan and Co have over Dale and his tenure.

The big ones were....and this from 08-09 to 09-10

Versteeg..490K to 3.083
Barker...984K to 3.083
Brouwer..700K to 1.025

The 2 that just sent me over the edge......

1. Bolland....887K to 3.375. I remember watching the draft in 2009 and when that deal was announced I lost it. that cost them at least 1 guy in the summer of 2010 probably 2.

2. Barker. Awful. Hell even Verseeg almost got 10 times more.

The past is the past....but...if they make that same mistake with Kruger as they did Bolland, I may be checked into a psych ward.
- SteveRain

Tallon and the $$ counters somehow fell asleep and forgot that Toews and Kane were coming rookie contracts after the 09-10 season...and were extended in the fall of 2009. That pushed them over the cap hell cliff.

Tallon and the $$ counters somehow fell asleep and forgot that Toews and Kane were coming rookie contracts after the 09-10 season...and were extended in the fall of 2009. That pushed them over the cap hell cliff.
- bogiedoc

Well...and the bonus that Toews had negotiated into his contract. That was another $1.4M that slipped through the cracks.

Yuck, Ogie beat me to it
- Maggie

Cool down boys, I said IF.

And for those who bashed me regarding Shaw's knee injury and swore it was an ankle.....

Guys with ankle injuries dont' sport knee braces.
- SteveRain

I think TG may have hacked SteveRain's account.

I will argue that THIS is the most important summer the Hawks have had since 2009. Maybe even bigger. Back then you were coming off of a conference final lost and added 3 veterans...Madden, Kopecky, and Hossa. Forget the RFA snafu.

This is the 1st year in the Kane/Toews era they failed to meet expectations. For those saying conference finals isn't a failure, I beg to differ. The other 15 playoff teams that didn't win 16 playoff games, will argue that as well. If the "One goal" philosophy is just that and not a marketing gimmick to make it seem like this organization cares about winning, then more then a fine tune is in order these next 30 days.

They lost to the Kings because their center depth was a joke. Their size was a joke. They need 1-2 larger big bodied guys, who can skate, and play a high octaine possession game. They need an actual center to play with Kane. The kid had 20 points skating with Handzus and Shaw. What happens if he gets somebody that doesn't force the opposition to double team Kane. Hossa/Toews have that advantage right now.

The biggest struggles I see Bowman are:

1. Leddy vs Oduya...Youth and what could be vs the short term with Oduya because come UFA status you can't pay 4th d man 5+ million which Oduya will get.

2. Shaw vs Kruger....if you are dangling guys to put together a package for Kesler I have to assume after Saad and leddy it comes down to these 2. Probably Shaw. However, IMO, I'm not so sure Shaw is slam dunk over Kruger. Will Kruger EVER be more then a poor man's Dave Bolland? I don't know. An empty net goal in 19 games isn't very appeasing to me. Smith and Shaw have some a more "clutch" side then Kruger. The Hawks need Shaw's grit and a 3rd line defensive center is a helluva lot easier to replace then a kid with grit and some versatility and upside in Shaw.

3. Sharp....do you trade him to free cap space and hope that a healthy Bickell playing with Toews-Hossa and an emerging star in Saad replace those 35 goals? Plus a 2nd line center?

Again....very curious to see how these next 30 days plan out, but June 27th should be very entertaining. I'm sure IF the Hawks are IN on Kesler they will push to make that deal PRIOR to the draft so they can get Toews and Kane in line and then go after their RFAs so they can have their cap in order so they can look for any "deals" when the market opens on July 1st.

Big summer for Bowman.....
- SteveRain

Oh bless you Steve Rain. Just the gift that keeps on giving….

I love your passion for the Hawks I so do. I totally share it. But I think you're setting yourself up for some heartbreak. here. You've set up these four situations and I think you'll be lucky to address one of them. I think Oduya might get moved…..

I think Terravainen is your #2 center unless Q decides he really wants to go with Shaw. And If Q doesn't want to go with Shaw…well…..nobody wants to hear this…….. But if I had to bet on trading for Kesler or resigning Handzus, I know which one I'm betting on.


Shaw and Kruger are both valuable and aren't going anywhere.


They might offer Sharp around but again, it doesn't strike me as a Stan Bowman move…..

I hope you're right. Would love to see some changes on the team. I think the Hawks hurt themselves by standing pat last season. But I think Johns and TT will be the two biggest names add to next year's Hawks.

Faceoffs are tough on a bum shoulder. Came back from extensive shoulder surgery in 4 months and faceoffs were flat out uncomfortable. Strength would also be an issue if there's injury involved.

I initially thought Sharp had a shoulder injury (right one, to be specific), but that doesn't appear to be the case. If Sharp can swing a bat for fun, the shoulder is likely ok.
- grinder10

I thought the same ting about the right shoulder. Then I see he jacks a ball to the warning track at Wrigley. Shoulder could be sore and it is the trailing side batting right handed, but that suggests the shoulder can't be the reason his play was so pedestrian in the playoffs.

Your question is impossible to answer without more info, as Kane's goal production is hardly the only, or even the main reason to get a legit 2C for him to play with.

How many assists does Kane have? How many Goals for Kessler? What's Kesslers effect on puck possession? F/O %? Etc.

If Kane scores 30, racks up a boatload of assists, while Kessler also pots 30+, and does well at the dot, then I'm happy.

Kane brings it as consistently as anyone on the team not named Toews or Hossa, and I would argue that he is every bit Toews' equal in terms of his importance to the team. The two of them could hardly be more different as players, but they each bring a skill set that is vital to the team.
- Ogilthorpe2

The reason Kesler would be a perfect fit for Kane, besides that fact they have played internationally together, is that Kesler is a shoot first center and Kane is a pass first winger. This potential trade is such a no-brainer for Stan, that we will see what kind of set Stan has whether or not he can do what it takes to make a big trade.

Read? What's that? No, wife has the books on her kindle or whatever, but I haven't read them.

I'll be honest, I'm not into the story as much as I am the boobs and killing.
- eburgio

Hope you were able to catch the Spartacus series on Starz!!! Talk about some T&A and killing!!!

The reason Kesler would be a perfect fit for Kane, besides that fact they have played internationally together, is that Kesler is a shoot first center and Kane is a pass first winger. This potential trade is such a no-brainer for Stan, that we will see what kind of set Stan has whether or not he can do what it takes to make a big trade.
- hawks2010

Yeah, as much as I'll be pissed watching Kesler join the Hawks, those 2 compliment each other perfectly IMO. And now you'll have either the Toews or Kesler line actually freed up from having to face other top lines in the playoffs like both of them usually do. If the Hawks can make it work cap-wise, there's legit potential for multiple cups while the new core is intact.

Tallon and the $$ counters somehow fell asleep and forgot that Toews and Kane were coming rookie contracts after the 09-10 season...and were extended in the fall of 2009. That pushed them over the cap hell cliff.
- bogiedoc

And someone forgot about all of the Cup season bonuses that would count against the next year's cap - including Toews' $1,000,000 for winning the Conn Smythe.

Today's article...Sharp, Oduya, Leddy not Seabrook could be in play...Kesler unlikely but Spezza or E. Kane??... Bowman may need to open cap space and if not a big splash look to add some size and experience for bottom six.


Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR
On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Like the article a lot. Especially the part about Q giving more kids a chance to get experience during the season. Looked to me he could have used more fresh legs this playoff year. Love how the first thing Q commented on after the playoffs was how they were not fatigued. Gotta call BS on that.

I think TG may have hacked SteveRain's account.
- Ogilthorpe2

Nope just me....got railroaded when Shaw went down....just want a contraction from some guys....too damn lazy to go digging through old threads.

Oh bless you Steve Rain. Just the gift that keeps on giving….

I love your passion for the Hawks I so do. I totally share it. But I think you're setting yourself up for some heartbreak. here. You've set up these four situations and I think you'll be lucky to address one of them. I think Oduya might get moved…..

I think Terravainen is your #2 center unless Q decides he really wants to go with Shaw. And If Q doesn't want to go with Shaw…well…..nobody wants to hear this…….. But if I had to bet on trading for Kesler or resigning Handzus, I know which one I'm betting on.


Shaw and Kruger are both valuable and aren't going anywhere.


They might offer Sharp around but again, it doesn't strike me as a Stan Bowman move…..

I hope you're right. Would love to see some changes on the team. I think the Hawks hurt themselves by standing pat last season. But I think Johns and TT will be the two biggest names add to next year's Hawks.
- yahoodi

Can I just ask how TT plays with Kane? How can those 2 coexist on the same line....both small, both need the puck to have their game humming along. Plus, if I'm Kane do I want to ride another year with another "potential center" like they did with Saad this year in the fall? I think not.

What have we seen with TT? Not much. We here the hype. Is it warranted? I don't know. Count me as a NO. If he were that good, he would have been in the lineup this spring to give this team a shot.

Johns I am with you, which is why I think outside of Brookbank at least 1 maybe 2 others could be going.

I just don't think a fine tune will do.....the division is catching up. Lets not forget this team finished 3rd. The Blues are very close to breaking through and Stasny could land there. You have whispers of Vanek going to Minny. Colorado has the Hawks number. Anaheim had a great season. LA is a beast.

What I am getting at is, IF this organization thinks a veteran winger or D man and plugging in prospects is going to be the fix this team needs to win 16 playoff games.....then count me as screaming NO right now. They need more then just a fine tune, and really need address some issues that have been plaguing them every year they don't win.....depth.

I'm hoping Bowman shocks us all.......just resigning Kane/Toews wont' be enough to fulfill my Hawks fix this summer. We all should want more and demand more.

I thought the same ting about the right shoulder. Then I see he jacks a ball to the warning track at Wrigley. Shoulder could be sore and it is the trailing side batting right handed, but that suggests the shoulder can't be the reason his play was so pedestrian in the playoffs.
- 6628

if you're talking about Sharp, I agree. I was looking for signs all postseason....interviews to see if he was favoring one side, or had a knot, or whatever....never saw much. I don't doubt he has dinged, but...hard to think it was that bad if he's taking BP and swinging a bat.

I agree on your assessment. They looked very slow in game 7. I think they were on fumes. Not an excuse.

And someone forgot about all of the Cup season bonuses that would count against the next year's cap - including Toews' $1,000,000 for winning the Conn Smythe.
- StLBravesFan

Bettman's doing! Laugh at it, but it is true.

Cool down boys, I said IF.
- 6628

Huh?