Huh?
- Maggie

I said IF Sharp's shoulder was bad and you jumped me. I think you thought I said it WAS bad.

You think Kesler has locker room issues? Evander Kane is in a class by himself. I'm surprised Ladd hasn't knocked him out yet. No thanks to that guy.
- z1990z

Kesler fits the Hawks needs like Rodman fit the Bulls needs in the early 90s. Did Jordan and Pippen "like" Rodman. They HATED his guts. But three championships later, they had made it work.

I agree. Evander Kane is not what the Hawks need. Nor do I recalling hearing from a credible source that they were after him.

it makes no sense to go after a marquee winger when you have those in spades, but only 2 real centers you can count on next season.

The Hawks WILL look for size/speed combination at ALL forward positions. But they will not put a premium on wings like they will on 2C. Nor should they.

I'm thinking St. Louis or Colorado as well for him as well.
- golfbard

Think about it for a minute, both St. Louis and Col right now have the same problem - The defense is not good enough to carry them all the way. Why would he go to the Blues when he could stay where he is and have just as good a shot (or maybe better because Col has a goalie). If he is interested in just $, then the Blues would most likely be the destination. If winning the SC is his ultimate goal, then then he either stays in Col or takes less $ to sign with Chicago to fill a hole that limited them to advance to the SC final. It all depends on what is his most important goal this offseason.

Lets be real.....for Bowman to make a significant move ala moving a "core" player like Sharp would shock the hell out of all of us and the hockey world. That is not in their management DNA or style.

As you state they run the risk of getting "old" and being leaped over by the likes of the Aves and even the Wild if they decide to stay in their "we like our core" mode. Blues are not going any where either. Hossa's production is in decline and Sharp may have peaked this year. The safe play is for the hawks to continue to try milk the "core" for another year. And expect the declining production of Sharp and Hossa to be picked up by Toews, Kane and Saad. If you get any thing from Bicks consider it a bonus. In my view he is just a "guy" who parlayed one playoff into payday.

I really don't see how they can resolve their center depth problems. Can't have it all. Teams make choices forced by the Cap. Hawks have decided on a deep blueline goaltending to invest their cap $$ going forward.
- bogiedoc

I never said the Hawks were getting old....Sharp is getting old and is a sell high candidate.

I don't know what hockey world you are in tune with but anyone who would be shocked he is dealt is not in the loop.

The rumblings are out there he is being shopped....
I wrote the same about Bolland the summer before he was dealt...sometimes it takes awhile.

Sharp's contract is heavy and he is coming off his best season. I wouldn't bet a nickel he will be here to see the term through.

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

Kesler fits the Hawks needs like Rodman fit the Bulls needs in the early 90s. Did Jordan and Pippen "like" Rodman. They HATED his guts. But three championships later, they had made it work.

I agree. Evander Kane is not what the Hawks need. Nor do I recalling hearing from a credible source that they were after him.

it makes no sense to go after a marquee winger when you have those in spades, but only 2 real centers you can count on next season.

The Hawks WILL look for size/speed combination at ALL forward positions. But they will not put a premium on wings like they will on 2C. Nor should they.
- John Jaeckel

Don't get me wrong about Kesler. He would be a fantastic fit skill wise, but I think the Canucks would ask wayyyyyy to much for him. Could be wrong. Any word on what Vancouver was asking for??

Don't get me wrong about Kesler. He would be a fantastic fit skill wise, but I think the Canucks would ask wayyyyyy to much for him. Could be wrong. Any word on what Vancouver was asking for??
- z1990z

We'll like never know until a deal for Kesler is done or they go public that he's being traded (which is unlikely).

Given Vancouver's situation I would get the bidding will start at a top prospect and a 1st round pick.

Kesler fits the Hawks needs like Rodman fit the Bulls needs in the early 90s. Did Jordan and Pippen "like" Rodman. They HATED his guts. But three championships later, they had made it work.

I agree. Evander Kane is not what the Hawks need. Nor do I recalling hearing from a credible source that they were after him.

it makes no sense to go after a marquee winger when you have those in spades, but only 2 real centers you can count on next season.

The Hawks WILL look for size/speed combination at ALL forward positions. But they will not put a premium on wings like they will on 2C. Nor should they.
- John Jaeckel

It makes sense to get bigger and Kane solves that and can score....But it could take more than the Hawks can give.

IMO ....There is no chance a new GM in Vancouver is going to deal a center piece player to the Hawks.

I think Kesler checks a lot of boxes but it isn't happening and I wouldn't trade Seabrook for him straight up as has been talked about.

Kesler has also been injury prone the last few years.

In any regard Spezza for one year is an interesting scenario and he checks every box also.... and lets TT develop and allows Bowman cap flexibility after next season..

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

Think about it for a minute, both St. Louis and Col right now have the same problem - The defense is not good enough to carry them all the way. Why would he go to the Blues when he could stay where he is and have just as good a shot (or maybe better because Col has a goalie). If he is interested in just $, then the Blues would most likely be the destination. If winning the SC is his ultimate goal, then then he either stays in Col or takes less $ to sign with Chicago to fill a hole that limited them to advance to the SC final. It all depends on what is his most important goal this offseason.
- powerenforcer

The Blues offense is sorely lacking any amount of skill. They are stacked with 2nd/3rd liners, aside from Tarasenko and maybe Schwartz. Their impotent offense is a BIG reason they didn't advance the last 3 years. Defense is NOT the Blues problem.

From a Rozner column on Kane in the Daily Hearld Saturday, about the Saad-Shaw-Kane line:

""We found some success there," Kane said of the line that collected 19 points in the final three games against the Kings. "Just talking to those guys, I think it's important for us to have a strong summer. Make sure if we're playing together when we come back that we're ready to go right off the bat."

Sounds like he's not exactly pining for Kesler, even if he might prefer that Kesler be here.

Kane, later in the article, had a lot of complimentary things to say about Saad.

And Rozner with a lot of things to say about Kane's maturity.

Don't get me wrong about Kesler. He would be a fantastic fit skill wise, but I think the Canucks would ask wayyyyyy to much for him. Could be wrong. Any word on what Vancouver was asking for??
- z1990z

This past year at the trade deadline the Penguins offered up center Brandon Sutter, first- and third-round picks, plus the Canucks’ choice of any defense prospect other than highly touted Derrick Pouliot. Refusing to part with Pouliot was the deal breaker.

It was rumored Canucks’ owner Francesco Aquilini refused to allow GM Mike Gillis to trade Kesler. Gillis quickly denied it, claiming he didn’t receive sufficient offers for the 29-year-old center. The asking price was a young center, an elite prospect and a first-round draft pick. -from Hockey News.

Not really sure what the new GM will want for Kesler.

This past year at the trade deadline the Penguins offered up center Brandon Sutter, first- and third-round picks, plus the Canucks’ choice of any defense prospect other than highly touted Derrick Pouliot. Refusing to part with Pouliot was the deal breaker.

It was rumored Canucks’ owner Francesco Aquilini refused to allow GM Mike Gillis to trade Kesler. Gillis quickly denied it, claiming he didn’t receive sufficient offers for the 29-year-old center. The asking price was a young center, an elite prospect and a first-round draft pick. -from Hockey News.

Not really sure what the new GM will want for Kesler.
- Lido_Shuffle

Kesler NTC vanquished a bit of the newGMs leverage.

This past year at the trade deadline the Penguins offered up center Brandon Sutter, first- and third-round picks, plus the Canucks’ choice of any defense prospect other than highly touted Derrick Pouliot. Refusing to part with Pouliot was the deal breaker.

It was rumored Canucks’ owner Francesco Aquilini refused to allow GM Mike Gillis to trade Kesler. Gillis quickly denied it, claiming he didn’t receive sufficient offers for the 29-year-old center. The asking price was a young center, an elite prospect and a first-round draft pick. -from Hockey News.
- Lido_Shuffle

Might be worth while looking at Stastny if he does hit the open market. Vancouver might hem-haw over the Kesler deal for gawd knows how long. Look at the Luongo fiasco. Salary would be about the same. Im sure Stastny would love to play with 88. Plus Stastny has been very consistent and is decent size at 600/205.

Its agreed that Kesler checks off a lot of boxes, but its also a given that Vancouver may be hesitant to trade him to a contending rival. Any solid C checks the boxes and I hope Stanley is covering all the bases here.

From a Rozner column on Kane in the Daily Hearld Saturday, about the Saad-Shaw-Kane line:

""We found some success there," Kane said of the line that collected 19 points in the final three games against the Kings. "Just talking to those guys, I think it's important for us to have a strong summer. Make sure if we're playing together when we come back that we're ready to go right off the bat."

Sounds like he's not exactly pining for Kesler, even if he might prefer that Kesler be here.

Kane, later in the article, had a lot of complimentary things to say about Saad.

And Rozner with a lot of things to say about Kane's maturity.
- StLBravesFan

You can't expect Kane to say anything else, even if he's thinking it. He's not going to come out and say "Our line was ok with Shaw, but I think we could be better with a guy like Kesler".

Is there a way someone could post a list of who the UFA C will be this summer?

>Hawks have a lot to offer to players who have their money but want a Cup
>Think Toews-Hawks are now firmly "in-front" of Crosby-Pens for those types of players -- unless Pens new coach has a special connection
>Oduya trade really worked for Hawks -- his addition made entire D corp better
>SBow needs that type of effect in his trades this summer -- as someone mentioned -- Gaborik trade transformed entire Kings forward lineup
>If Hawks lineup stays pretty much the same, new coaching tactics will be imperative for the team to win the Cup again

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.
- SteveRain

not rolling 4 lines didn't help, especially at the end of games.

Might be worth while looking at Stastny if he does hit the open market. Vancouver might hem-haw over the Kesler deal for gawd knows how long. Look at the Luongo fiasco. Salary would be about the same. Im sure Stastny would love to play with 88. Plus Stastny has been very consistent and is decent size at 600/205.

Its agreed that Kesler checks off a lot of boxes, but its also a given that Vancouver may be hesitant to trade him to a contending rival. Any solid C checks the boxes and I hope Stanley is covering all the bases here.
- z1990z

No.

Is there a way someone could post a list of who the UFA C will be this summer?
- z1990z

http://www.capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?position_id=F

sort by position

>Hawks have a lot to offer to players who have their money but want a Cup
>Think Toews-Hawks are now firmly "in-front" of Crosby-Pens for those types of players -- unless Pens new coach has a special connection
>Oduya trade really worked for Hawks -- his addition made entire D corp better
>SBow needs that type of effect in his trades this summer -- as someone mentioned -- Gaborik trade transformed entire Kings forward lineup
>If Hawks lineup stays pretty much the same, new coaching tactics will be imperative for the team to win the Cup again
- SnapitUpstairs[/quote]


Im sure Kompon and Kitch are hard at work on that one.

Is there a way someone could post a list of who the UFA C will be this summer?
- z1990z

http://www.capgeek.com/fr...osition_id=C&fa_type_id=2

http://www.capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?position_id=F

sort by position
- eburgio

OR

http://www.capgeek.com/fr...osition_id=C&fa_type_id=2

and you can sort by UFA or RFA

>Hawks have a lot to offer to players who have their money but want a Cup
>Think Toews-Hawks are now firmly "in-front" of Crosby-Pens for those types of players -- unless Pens new coach has a special connection
>Oduya trade really worked for Hawks -- his addition made entire D corp better
>SBow needs that type of effect in his trades this summer -- as someone mentioned -- Gaborik trade transformed entire Kings forward lineup
>If Hawks lineup stays pretty much the same, new coaching tactics will be imperative for the team to win the Cup again
- SnapitUpstairs

SB or Q did not help the hawks depth this season and especially in the playoffs. Could have used rolling a four lines against a bigger and more physical opponent. Injuries during the season didn't help.
the Hawks gambled on their pickups this year - not one provided any help in the playoffs: Versteeg, Regin, Rundblad and can mention khabby too. Basically costed the Hawks another cup. Bummer

No.
- DarthKane

Outside of personal issues you seem to have with him , he has put up 20+ goals a season nearly his entire career and is a + player on some bad Avs teams. Not only that he is a good PP guy. Very comparable to Nielson with the Islanders. I watched a lot of the Avs games.. he has an edge to his game.

Options DK... it comes down to having options. This team needs C help PDQ.

Think about it for a minute, both St. Louis and Col right now have the same problem - The defense is not good enough to carry them all the way. Why would he go to the Blues when he could stay where he is and have just as good a shot (or maybe better because Col has a goalie). If he is interested in just $, then the Blues would most likely be the destination. If winning the SC is his ultimate goal, then then he either stays in Col or takes less $ to sign with Chicago to fill a hole that limited them to advance to the SC final. It all depends on what is his most important goal this offseason.
- powerenforcer

St. Louis' defense is slow in the bottom half but Bouwmeester, Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo are a good top three. They can't score after Tarasenko. No one in that lineup scares you. Steen and Schwartz have moments. They need a second line.

Is there a way someone could post a list of who the UFA C will be this summer?
- z1990z

Here you go: http://www.capgeek.com/free-agents/?year_id=2014&team_id=-1&position_id=C&fa_type_id=2