I know you're not a fan of Kesler. Is there a guy out there you'd rather? Should the Hawks stand pat and go with Shaw? Should Sharp be moved in terms of asset management to bring back a 2C or 2nd pair dman and another asset?
- HawkintheDShould Jimmy Happy Feet Hayes have been kept instead of Bickell?

Vermette. Might be easier and less costly to add a vet or two to the bottom 6 making those lines stronger,

Having a 4 lines that can play is more important than a 2C. Hawks have shown you can win without a true 2C. They need another center who can take some of the hard minutes away from Toews, Wherever he plays. That is what they need. And they need to play better team D.

Hope the skaters are paying attention - defense first - don't give up leads.
- StLBravesFan

Absolutely.

This team still needs to get bigger and stronger at the C position.

Maybe they look for a player that could put them over the top for next year and then TT will be more ready....That could be Spezza as I wrote today.

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
- Al

I wonder what the cost would be? He does bring offense..when he plays. I would much rather go for kesler but he would cost more to get. I still think hawks make a move. I also think anaheim gets one of them

Vermette. Might be easier and less costly to add a vet or two to the bottom 6 making those lines stronger,

Having a 4 lines that can play is more important than a 2C. Hawks have shown you can win without a true 2C. They need another center who can take some of the hard minutes away from Toews, Wherever he plays. That is what they need. And they need to play better team D.
- Elbows15

Can't really disagree with any of that. Whether 2, 3 or 4C they definitely need another center. I actually think they need 2 but that might be a tall order in one offseason.

Vermette's name has been kicked around and I think he would be an ideal guy to pick up that ticks a number of boxes: O, D, FO's, PK, PP, good on the boards.

Maybe they look for a player that could put them over the top for next year and then TT will be more ready....That could be Spezza as I wrote today.

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
- Al

The Hawks move Bickell, Rundblad and a 1st, trade Rozy and potentially Versteeg and if the Hawks can get Van to eat any deal for Kesler@ 50% they're major players in the UFA market, especially on one-year deals,

IF Bowman could pull something like that off.... Kesler at 2.75 and 10 in cap space looks nice to me.

The Hawks could do so much with that space.....

Keslers contract isn't even up until the TV deal kicks in and the cap will go up another 2-3.

Don't underestimate cap space is worth when you're a contending team.

I thought I read somewhere today that Rasmussen played at LW/C.

Bickell
Saad
Rasmussen
Morin

Perhaps Patrick Sharp is being heavily shopped?

Hope the skaters are paying attention - defense first - don't give up leads.
- StLBravesFan

I hope they were watching that JR and pierre segment before the game started. Our forwards were always too low, letting their D have a lot of time to shoot. Plus our d are too weak to win battles in front. They were showing how our D-men should get in front of their forward and tie up his stick. Plus our forwards play up more not giving as much time to their point men. LA countered but we should have still tried it

Some days it just gets old ogi. The tude thing. The comment was a pure talent view. No comparison between 8 and 27. We have fantastic top 4 with 2, 7, 4 and 27. Trade oduya and it screws all that up. Leddy is not a top 4 D. Not even close. And the bottom of the page cap comment? Really?? Dump rosy and steeg and save money there first.
- z1990z

Tude?

Nobody forcing you to read.

I thought I read somewhere today that Rasmussen played at LW/C.

Bickell
Saad
Rasmussen
Morin

Perhaps Patrick Sharp is being heavily shopped?
- Hawks82

I hope he is. He still has a lot of trade value, I think. Especially if we throw something else in

The Hawks move Bickell, Rundblad and a 1st, trade Rozy and potentially Versteeg and if the Hawks can get Van to eat any deal for Kesler@ 50% they're major players in the UFA market, especially on one-year deals,

IF Bowman could pull something like that off.... Kesler at 2.75 and 10 in cap space looks nice to me.

The Hawks could do so much with that space.....

Keslers contract isn't even up until the TV deal kicks in and the cap will go up another 2-3.

Don't underestimate cap space is worth when you're a contending team.
- Tazer19

The Hawks aren't going to get Kesler @ 50% with any of the players you mentioned.

Can't really disagree with any of that. Whether 2, 3 or 4C they definitely need another center. I actually think they need 2 but that might be a tall order in one offseason.

Vermette's name has been kicked around and I think he would be an ideal guy to pick up that ticks a number of boxes: O, D, FO's, PK, PP, good on the boards.
- HawkintheD

Vermette is a really good player. I still remember how tough he was in the phoenix series. He would be cheaper to get than kesler. But for some reason I really want someone a lot younger. Guys born in 89 or later. That can contribute now and for the next decade. That may be a tall order.

The Hawks aren't going to get Kesler @ 50% with any of the players you mentioned.
- Hawks82

Don't bother wasting your breath, he's either a lost cause, or pulling our chain. Haven't figured out which yet.

Tude?

Nobody forcing you to read.
- Ogilthorpe2

You've got a lot of nerve trying to inject a dose of reality in here.

Maybe the Nucks will retain 75% of Kesler's salary so we can fit him and Sharp under the cap.

The Hawks move Bickell, Rundblad and a 1st, trade Rozy and potentially Versteeg and if the Hawks can get Van to eat any deal for Kesler@ 50% they're major players in the UFA market, especially on one-year deals,

IF Bowman could pull something like that off.... Kesler at 2.75 and 10 in cap space looks nice to me.

The Hawks could do so much with that space.....

Keslers contract isn't even up until the TV deal kicks in and the cap will go up another 2-3.

Don't underestimate cap space is worth when you're a contending team.
- Tazer19

NO matter what the Hawks do in terms of trade they will not be major players in the FA market. I said this before...pay attention to the team you root for....the only major FA signing for the Hawks in the last 6 years has been Marian Hossa. All other players have come from within the organization or have been through trades where very little has been given up....Not knowing the what to expect in cap increases, extensions to Toews and Kane, Resigning Saad, Kruger, and others...will prohibit them from getting a big name. Any free agent they do sign will be a player waiting for a deal 2-4 weeks after the Free agent Bonanza......

NO matter what the Hawks do in terms of trade they will not be major players in the FA market. I said this before...pay attention to the team you root for....the only major FA signing for the Hawks in the last 6 years has been Marian Hossa. All other players have come from within the organization or have been through trades where very little has been given up....Not knowing the what to expect in cap increases, extensions to Toews and Kane, Resigning Saad, Kruger, and others...will prohibit them from getting a big name. Any free agent they do sign will be a player waiting for a deal 2-4 weeks after the Free agent Bonanza......
- UnnamedSource

Hey US! How's it going?

The kid has mad skill, he may look frail but give him a couple of years and a nice diet and he will gain a few pounds,

Another thing about TT is the fact he has elite talent, he's like a hybrid between Kane and Malkin.

I know he was projected to be a top 10 pick and if he had a bit more weight he could have gone top 5.

He was certainly one of the most skilled in his draft class.

His offensive instincts are amazing along with his hand-eye coordination. The kid is an all around unique offensive talent.

His hockey sense is absolutely amazing to boot. This kid is going to put up some amazing numbers next year if he assigned to the AHL or if he goes back to the SEL,

If he makes the Hawks he will certainly be a .50 ppg player, if he gets ice time and decent PP minutes.

The kid will be an NHL star without question.

This is why I would hate to see the Hawks trade him.

The only concern I have is where do you put him next season or the season after that...
- Tazer19

What?

Hey US! How's it going?
- HawkintheD

He is catching up.

What are the Hawks actually losing in such a deal? sure - anything can be an asset, however the real asset the Hawks need is a legitimate 2nd line center.

The problem is that many are looking at "straight up value" instead of team needs.

A lot of people thought Calgary was insane in hindsight for giving up Brett Hull - truth is that trade filled team needs and won them a cup...

A guy like Kesler is certainly more valuable than Bickell, so who really cares about the prospects or picks beyond TT - the Hawks have too many prospects, and most are 1st or 2nd line or bust players or top paring defensemen or bust. The only real prospects the Hawks have are prospects that could be elite someday playing in a bottom 6 role or as a #5 or 6 defensemen on the Hawks - where they could flourish on other teams given the opportunity - an opportunity the Hawks can't give them.

So why sit on a bunch of prospects - players you're not even using to upgrade drastically at a #2 center? it makes no sense.

And as far as Bickell, he's not one of a kind - hes a coaches player. He has no unique skills other than size. Quite frankly an argument could be made that the Hawks should have kept Jayes instead of trading him to Flrodia - beause Jayes is doing exactly what Bickell has done for the Hawks - and in my opinion - a lot more effectively.

It doesn't matter tho because most Hawks fans have no interest in ideas on how to improve the team but would rather criticize those that do.
- Tazer19

Your credibility is taking a beating with this comment.....Bickel has the size yes but his skating ability for his size and his shot alone are top notch. Hayes on the other hand can't skate.....and with the quick transition game the Hawks depend on his lack of ability in that area are why he is no longer on team. I'm going to assume you knew this and forgot the red font.

I hope they were watching that JR and pierre segment before the game started. Our forwards were always too low, letting their D have a lot of time to shoot. Plus our d are too weak to win battles in front. They were showing how our D-men should get in front of their forward and tie up his stick. Plus our forwards play up more not giving as much time to their point men. LA countered but we should have still tried it
- tomcat24

yeah. JR was always known for being defensively responsible. A lot of teams are clogging the middle these days.

He is catching up.
- Elbows15

With a vengeance!

Hey US! How's it going?
- HawkintheD

Back reading......I learned the Hawks:

Will be major players in the FA market....even though they haven't been in six year....and if all these domino moves happen.

TT is a hybrid of Malkin and Kane....of which after reading I almost broke my computer.

TT will be an NHL all star....it's a for sure thing

Bickel is no different than Jimmy Hayes even though Jimmy Hayes looks like Shrek on skates and the Hawks transition game leaves him skating behind the play constantly.

How are you D??

Game of thrones last night....one of the best episodes ever!

With a vengeance!
- HawkintheD

And late. to an old man.

I already have on HF boards and the consensus of Nucks fans was take it an run and don't look back.

Although my deal was a 3-way deal with the Flames with Hayes and Rozy going to the Flames for a 1st round pick that went to the Nucks.

So in the end the Nucks got TT, Bickell, Rundblad, Hawks 1st and Flames 2015 1st.

Hawks got Kesler at 50%

Flames got Hayes (rights, which are worth a 2nd round pick alone) and Rozy for their 1st in 2015.

Hawks get Kesler @ 2.75 and about 10 mil in cap space.



Hawks give up basically nothing but TT and Bickell.
- Tazer19

Please stop!

NO matter what the Hawks do in terms of trade they will not be major players in the FA market. I said this before...pay attention to the team you root for....the only major FA signing for the Hawks in the last 6 years has been Marian Hossa. All other players have come from within the organization or have been through trades where very little has been given up....Not knowing the what to expect in cap increases, extensions to Toews and Kane, Resigning Saad, Kruger, and others...will prohibit them from getting a big name. Any free agent they do sign will be a player waiting for a deal 2-4 weeks after the Free agent Bonanza......
- UnnamedSource

Generally agree with what you are saying.

But less than a top tier guy could find his way to CHicago - let's say Bowman moves Leddy for a very good prospect on an entry level deal and then turns around and gives someone like Anton Stralman #8's money to strengthen the D group. Improbable but not impossible.

Back reading......I learned the Hawks:

Will be major players in the FA market....even though they haven't been in six year....and if all these domino moves happen.

TT is a hybrid of Malkin and Kane....of which after reading I almost broke my computer.

TT will be an NHL all star....it's a for sure thing

Bickel is no different than Jimmy Hayes even though Jimmy Hayes looks like Shrek on skates and the Hawks transition game leaves him skating behind the play constantly.

How are you D??

Game of thrones last night....one of the best episodes ever!
- UnnamedSource

The last two have been great! Think you read the books too so this finale is going to be awesome for this season.

Agree...the Hawks will be plugging all their holes through FA.

What game next season do you predict TT is inducted into the Hockey HOF?

Jimmy Hayes is a better player now than Bickell and way more physical...just not when he's playing hockey.