I'm a quasi Flyers fan but I read their blog cuz I'll read anything Bill Melzter has to say about hockey. He has some interesting thoughts on Kesler. http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Conditional-Pick/45/60465
- Mr Ricochet

"Also, while Kesler has played wing as well as center and versatility is a positive, the Flyers need to stop playing so many natural centers out of position."

This is the opposite of the problem the Hawks have.

I respect Bill greatly. However, he is talking about the Flyers. Ryan Kesler fits the Hawks' needs like a glove. And he has plenty of tread left on the tire. Hey Tab Bamford told everyone Handzus was done in 2011! "Personality issues" go away when you win a Stanley Cup. Look no further tan the 2010 Hawks.

I'd rather see Eller in an Indian head than Kesler because of the price tag, injury history, and relative ceiling Eller brings(hasn't ye reached).

McNeill's value I think has gone up since the playoffs. He is the type they need right now at forward. Unfortunately he's probably 2 years away from being really ready.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed.

Trade Crawford and Sharp to Vancouver. Get Kesler and sign Miller. Done.
- ThePhlegm

No.

What on earth is with all this talk about Shaw being included in a deal? Call me crazy, but isnt the entire point of adding another 2C caliber player to IMPROVE OUR CENTER DEPTH. Its been stated plently of times, the Hawks have Toews, Shaw, and Kruger. 3 legits centers. Need to add another. I know in a vacuum Kesler is a better player than Shaw, but thats not the point. Get rid of Shaw to get Kesler(or any center) and then we're still gonna be in need of another center. I just dont get it....

Iv seen so much talk lately about Kesler, as if we NEED him. So much talk about trading Sharp, as if we NEED to. I just dont see why we need to make any such moves. Shaw as a 2C anchored arguably the most dangerous line in all of the playoffs for a 3 game stretch against LA. That line was UNSTOPPABLE. I know that he might not be able to hold it down for 82 games, but does he really need to? As long as that option is there come playoff time then why do we need another big piece like Kesler at 2C? Why not just add a depth center to play on the 3rd or 4th line and keep Sharp in the process?

I firmly believe this team as currently constructed, with maybe a small center addition to our bottom 6 or a tweeking of our 3rd defensive pairing, can win the Cup next year. Do we really become that much better losing Shaw and Sharp and adding Kesler? I dont think so....

I'd rather see Eller in an Indian head than Kesler because of the price tag, injury history, and relative ceiling Eller brings(hasn't ye reached).
- Bjm84

Kessler's "injury history" is much overblown. He's played more games than Sharp the last 6 seasons. Do you worry about Sharp's injury history?

Still not sure I want him though, depends on the price.

I know everyone seems to love Crawford but he gives up 1 bad goal per game. The Hawks would be in the Final. The Hawks team defense is the reason goalies are good in Chicago. Niemi looked great in Chicago. What has he done since? I think a deal moving Crawford and signing Ryan Miller to a 2 year deal works. This will give Raanta time to grow. I put more stock in Raanta over Crawford.

I know everyone seems to love Crawford but he gives up 1 bad goal per game. The Hawks would be in the Final. The Hawks team defense is the reason goalies are good in Chicago. Niemi looked great in Chicago. What has he done since? I think a deal moving Crawford and signing Ryan Miller to a 2 year deal works. This will give Raanta time to grow. I put more stock in Raanta over Crawford.
- ThePhlegm

I know everyone seems to love Crawford but he gives up 1 bad goal per game. The Hawks would be in the Final. The Hawks team defense is the reason goalies are good in Chicago. Niemi looked great in Chicago. What has he done since? I think a deal moving Crawford and signing Ryan Miller to a 2 year deal works. This will give Raanta time to grow. I put more stock in Raanta over Crawford.
- ThePhlegm

Here's the problem...

1) Raanta is far from a sure thing.

2) Beyond Crawford, and MAYBE Raanta, there is no other goaltender in the system worth mentioning.

3) How much gas is left in the tank for Miller? 2, maybe 3 seasons? Where is the organization then?

Here's the problem...

1) Raanta is far from a sure thing.

2) Beyond Crawford, and MAYBE Raanta, there is no other goaltender in the system worth mentioning.

3) How much gas is left in the tank for Miller? 2, maybe 3 seasons? Where is the organization then?
- EKolb13

4) Our team defense cost us against LA, not CC.

4) Our team defense cost us against LA, not CC.
- SimpleJack

We all know how Raanta looked in front of the defense when it went clown shoes. That doesn't inspire confidence in Raanta.

I know everyone seems to love Crawford but he gives up 1 bad goal per game. The Hawks would be in the Final. The Hawks team defense is the reason goalies are good in Chicago. Niemi looked great in Chicago. What has he done since? I think a deal moving Crawford and signing Ryan Miller to a 2 year deal works. This will give Raanta time to grow. I put more stock in Raanta over Crawford.
- ThePhlegm

CC just got his new deal. And in case you missed it, he was one of the biggest reasons we made it to the conference finals. The team needs some tweaks, but the last thing I touch is goal or D. If Bowman needs to move some D for a C trade, I hope its Leddy for Oduya has a much better over all game. I do not want to over pay for Kesler. He has a good combo of skills, but Vancouver might ask for too much. Don't want Shaw going in any deal either. Cap issues will force a trade sooner or later to balance out the deals for 19/88. I would rather look for a more do-able trade that brings some C help then bending over backwards because 88 wants Kesler. If its a good trade, fine.

Sharp at C has been analyzed to death. Reasons are still unknown why he is not there but prolly due to D issues.

No way is Shaw going the other way...this team looked dead in the water in front of the net without him.

I'd also love for them to hang onto Sharpie...he was your leading goal scorer last season. But how do you make it work with the cap...

But we're talking about Kane here - he is your franchise player - see games 5 and 6 of the WCFs. IF you can get Kane to sign a cap friendly deal here by getting him the guy he wants you do it.

You've got 4 mil in basically dead cap space next season with Versteeg and Rosy - can either of those two be moved. And what about Oduya...could he still be in play with the Isle...

As far as Crawford I still think they could have signed him for less money - say 5 mil per...

meanwhile I still think the D needs to be upgraded are they saying anything about that JJ?

I liked elbows idea about sharp for Eller and tinordi. Imagine toews-Kesler-Eller down the middle but I guess if they get Kesler they wouldn't be able to bring back a roster guy like Eller?
- tomcat24

I don't think Sharp alone brings you Tinordi AND Eller.

Eller stays with the Habs i would guess, as he is the only top 9 center with physicality.

Trade Crawford and Sharp to Vancouver. Get Kesler and sign Miller. Done.
- ThePhlegm

Miller's more of a head case than Crow. When he gets down on himself, he totally pulls the team down. No way.

>Would love to know if Sharp had any injuries during the playoffs
>Because, Versteeg aside, he was often the worst Hawk forward every playoff game
>I recall one game against the Wild where every time Sharp got the puck, he turned it over -- the entire game -- killed every single offensive possession he was involved in
>If you trade Sharp, his goal production will need to be replaced -- perhaps expected increases for Saad, Kane, and Kesler? do that
>Have always been a big supporter of Sharp -- who I have thought of as a pro's pro
>But his 2014 playoff performance was not good, at all
>While Hossa's production was poor, he didn't float, stand around, lose battle after battle, turn the puck over, and abstain from backchecking -- he competed as hard as he could every shift
>Any chance Iginla comes here on a 1 year cheap deal? He's made nearly $80 million career dollars
>Get Kesler AND Iginla

>Any chance Iginla comes here on a 1 year cheap deal? He's made nearly $80 million career dollars
- SnapitUpstairs

I posted something about this weeks ago. Yes please!

"Also, while Kesler has played wing as well as center and versatility is a positive, the Flyers need to stop playing so many natural centers out of position."

This is the opposite of the problem the Hawks have.

I respect Bill greatly. However, he is talking about the Flyers. Ryan Kesler fits the Hawks' needs like a glove. And he has plenty of tread left on the tire. Hey Tab Bamford told everyone Handzus was done in 2011! "Personality issues" go away when you win a Stanley Cup. Look no further tan the 2010 Hawks.
- John Jaeckel

What I took away from this is not so much Metzler's concern of fit for the Flyers, IMO a top of his game Kesler can play in any top 6 in the league, but that he looks to be a "tired 29 years old".

As a UFA after next season and some sharp ones wondering if Kesler will get his A game back his addition isn't a slam dunk to another cup.

But I'm with you JJ that Kesler not only checks a lot of boxes for the Hawks, he checks every one, even at less than 100%. Kesler makes the Hawks a real threat in 2014/15 with the only concern being the compensation, getting him signed on a roster that's gonna have to break the bank to keep Toews and Kane and how much less a player is he than a few years ago.

I posted something about this weeks ago. Yes please!
- EKolb13

Amazing that Iginla put up 30 goals this year. Guy is 36. Just a damn warrior. Would be sweet to nab him on a year deal.

I posted something about this weeks ago. Yes please!
- EKolb13

Where does Iginla play? Doesn't he refuse to play the left side? 3rd line RW?

What I took away from this is not so much Metzler's concern of fit for the Flyers, IMO a top of his game Kesler can play in any top 6 in the league, but that he looks to be a "tired 29 years old".

As a UFA after next season and some sharp ones wondering if Kesler will get his A game back his addition isn't a slam dunk to another cup.

But I'm with you JJ that Kesler not only checks a lot of boxes for the Hawks, he checks every one, even at less than 100%. Kesler makes the Hawks a real threat in 2014/15 with the only concern being the compensation, getting him signed on a roster that's gonna have to break the bank to keep Toews and Kane and how much less a player is he than a few years ago.
- Mr Ricochet

Is he tired, or tired of losing?

I don't know for sure, but being on a contender might just be the fountain of youth for his kind of tired.

>Would love to know if Sharp had any injuries during the playoffs
>Because, Versteeg aside, he was often the worst Hawk forward every playoff game
>I recall one game against the Wild where every time Sharp got the puck, he turned it over -- the entire game -- killed every single offensive possession he was involved in
>If you trade Sharp, his goal production will need to be replaced -- perhaps expected increases for Saad, Kane, and Kesler? do that
>Have always been a big supporter of Sharp -- who I have thought of as a pro's pro
>But his 2014 playoff performance was not good, at all
>While Hossa's production was poor, he didn't float, stand around, lose battle after battle, turn the puck over, and abstain from backchecking -- he competed as hard as he could every shift
>Any chance Iginla comes here on a 1 year cheap deal? He's made nearly $80 million career dollars
>Get Kesler AND Iginla
- SnapitUpstairs

I love Iginla but id rather add younger faster players than older slower ones. Maybe if its a ridiculously low cost i might consider it, he did produce regularly on a top line with Boston last year...

I agree on all of your points about Sharp, and i thought i heard somewhere on here that he was playing through a shoulder injury. Im not sure if 1 bad playoff run is enough to assume we can trade him and receive equal value. He did lead the team in scoring during the regular season(though only because of Kane's injury), and i think he was starting to come to life late in the LA series. Toews had a bad playoff run last year, Hossa in 2010. It happens, and usually(as was the case with Tazer last year) its because of an injury.

Where does Iginla play? Doesn't he refuse to play the left side? 3rd line RW?
- Ogilthorpe2

Sure, why not?

Oduya and Morin for Neilsen. Then sign Iginla for $2.5 million. That's a Stanley Cup juggernaut on paper.



Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Neilsen-Kane
Bickell-Shaw-Iginla
Bollig-Kruger-Smith

Where does Iginla play? Doesn't he refuse to play the left side? 3rd line RW?
- Ogilthorpe2

Didn't he play some C in Calgary?? Might be Bowmans target for the #2 C.

Just a thought here , if Kesler has a NTC , even though he has given the Nucks a list of 6 teams he would go to , what if he pulls an IGGY and when it comes down to the crunch insists on it being the Hawks?