More likey than not the Canucks will tell Kesler there is no equal value in trade they can find with the teams you are willing to go to so shut up and get ready for training camp.
- RickJ

I can see this happening

This is more likely to happen......

Just because Kesler wants to become a Hawk doesn't mean they will make a trade that makes no sense at all....
- UnnamedSource

Agreed.

I can see this happening
- grinder10

I hope it happens. I want it to be a train wreck.

Seems too early to tell what his upside is just yet. He's currently considered or listed as the Hawks' top prospect. Who knows, perhaps a kid like Hartman ends up better than TT.

If the Hawks continue to do well, high-end talent like he might be are tougher to find. Doesn't mean they can't pluck another Saad outside the top picks, but the odds are longer. I'd simply like to have a better idea of his ceiling, but if the Hawks are willing to part with him, you can probably bet that they don't believe his ceiling is high enough to be the next big thing & I'm ok with that.

To me, as an organizational outsider, it just seems a little early to part with a top prospect in a tight salary cap environment when drafting well & building from within is so critical to overall success.
- grinder10

The bolded is why I think trading him is the move to make. Get someone who help now. By the time he is ready to contribute, if ever, the time may have passed.

The bolded is why I think trading him is the move to make. Get someone who help now. By the time he is ready to contribute, if ever, the time may have passed.
- Elbows15

Exactly.

You're absolutely overrating Bickell - do you know his cap hit?.... As far as having too many prospects - how would you feel if you knew you could make an NHL team but the team that drafted you is so stacked that they have no room for you?

Would you rather play in the AHL or be traded to team that would actually give you an opportunity to play in the NHL like what happened with Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olson? Or how about Kevin Hayes refusing to sign with Chicago because Chicago wont play him because they have no room..

All Bowman has really been doing is stacking picks - now he has too many - especially centers.

Bowman will swap a 3rd for another 3rd, a 4th and a 3rd in next years draft.

I suppose he likes the competition amongst players but I think he has taken that too far.
- Tazer19

Tazer, the situation largely corrects itself. Chicago gets to keep and develop the best with competition and if guys are good, or even ok and can't crack the lineup they have value and get traded for a shot elsewhere. Ex: Olsen, Hayes, Pirri.

The only situation I can think of is if a guy doesn't want to earn his way and expects to walk right into the show with holes in his game. In that case, some growing up or growing out is required.

You're absolutely overrating Bickell - do you know his cap hit?.... As far as having too many prospects - how would you feel if you knew you could make an NHL team but the team that drafted you is so stacked that they have no room for you?

Would you rather play in the AHL or be traded to team that would actually give you an opportunity to play in the NHL like what happened with Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olson? Or how about Kevin Hayes refusing to sign with Chicago because Chicago wont play him because they have no room..

All Bowman has really been doing is stacking picks - now he has too many - especially centers.

Bowman will swap a 3rd for another 3rd, a 4th and a 3rd in next years draft.

I suppose he likes the competition amongst players but I think he has taken that too far.
- Tazer19

No

The bolded is why I think trading him is the move to make. Get someone who help now. By the time he is ready to contribute, if ever, the time may have passed.
- Elbows15

I'm mixed on him. Like I said, if the Hawks let go of him, they see something (less). I'll trust the Hawks to make those calls--and because I no say in the matter. I'm just not ready to champion the cause of trading the kid with what little I know.

Tazer, the situation largely corrects itself. Chicago gets to keep and develop the best with competition and if guys are good, or even ok and can't crack the lineup they have value and get traded for a shot elsewhere. Ex: Olsen, Hayes, Pirri.

The only situation I can think of is if a guy doesn't want to earn his way and expects to walk right into the show with holes in his game. In that case, some growing up or growing out is required.
- grinder10

You often hear GMs complaining they have too many prospects.

/sarcasm

You're absolutely overrating Bickell - do you know his cap hit?.... As far as having too many prospects - how would you feel if you knew you could make an NHL team but the team that drafted you is so stacked that they have no room for you?

Would you rather play in the AHL or be traded to team that would actually give you an opportunity to play in the NHL like what happened with Jimmy Hayes and Greg Olson? Or how about Kevin Hayes refusing to sign with Chicago because Chicago wont play him because they have no room..

All Bowman has really been doing is stacking picks - now he has too many - especially centers.Bowman will swap a 3rd for another 3rd, a 4th and a 3rd in next years draft.

I suppose he likes the competition amongst players but I think he has taken that too far.
- Tazer19

You might want to look at what Dean Lombardi has done with his farm system and drafted prospects.

No team with bare cupboards on the farm does well in the NHL when they need players because 1) there is nobody they can graduate from within and 2) nothing to trade when there is a glaring need.

My bet is that McNeill, Morin, Nordstrom, Dahlbeck, Danault, Van Riemsdyk and Johns and TT have been told to be ready for camp in September - there are 2 maybe 3 jobs open for those who want it most. Agree with it or not, the Hawks aren't going to blow out most of their top minor league talent to get an expensive player who wants to be traded or one someboody else wants to dump.

I'm mixed on him. Like I said, if the Hawks let go of him, they see something (less). I'll trust the Hawks to make those calls--and because I no say in the matter. I'm just not ready to champion the cause of trading the kid with what little I know.
- grinder10

I disagree with elbows.....many said the same thing about Kane with his size.....

You might want to look at what Dean Lombardi has done with his farm system and drafted prospects.

No team with bare cupboards on the farm does well in the NHL when they need players because 1) there is nobody they can graduate from within and 2) nothing to trade when there is a glaring need.

My bet is that McNeill, Morin, Nordstrom, Dahlbeck, Danault, Van Riemsdyk and Johns and TT have been told to be ready for camp in September - there are 2 maybe 3 jobs open for those who want it most. Agree with it or not, the Hawks aren't going to blow out most of their top minor league talent to get an expensive player who wants to be traded or one someboody else wants to dump.
- RickJ

This .....


GM's hate when they have to many prospects!!!....and if they want to get to the NHL through the Blackhawks......work harder!

This .....


GM's hate when they have to many prospects!!!....and if they want to get to the NHL through the Blackhawks......work harder!
- UnnamedSource

And just like in other segments of the marketplace...beat the incumbent at a lower cost and you win the job. Good for the pipeline & organization.

I disagree with elbows.....many said the same thing about Kane with his size.....
- UnnamedSource

Huge difference between 1st and 18th. Kane also knew how to play in North America. Situations are even comparable.

And just like in other segments of the marketplace...beat the incumbent at a lower cost and you win the job. Good for the pipeline & organization.
- grinder10

Exactly.....make the decision for the coaching staff and the FO...give them no option.

Remember after 2012 a lot of people wanted big changes....and the only move StanBo made was the BBank signing.....people ripped him apart...We need a 2C!! We need this!! We need that!!.....and they went on to win the cup.

....but what did happen that year.....players developed! Kruger, Saad, Shaw, etc.....and it will happen again.

Sometimes the moves you don't make are better than the moves you do make......

Huge difference between 1st and 18th. Kane also knew how to play in North America. Situations are even comparable.
- Elbows15

I'm talking about size...many said the same thing about Kruger. European players generally think the game right...and have high hockey IQ's.....I think this will help him overcome his size deficiencies early in his career.

I'm talking about size...many said the same thing about Kruger. European players generally think the game right...and have high hockey IQ's.....I think this will help him overcome his size deficiencies early in his career.
- UnnamedSource

Kane's shoulders are wider than his head. Like RNH, TT will have shoulder problems early and often.

Exactly.....make the decision for the coaching staff and the FO...give them no option.

Remember after 2012 a lot of people wanted big changes....and the only move StanBo made was the BBank signing.....people ripped him apart...We need a 2C!! We need this!! We need that!!.....and they went on to win the cup.

....but what did happen that year.....players developed! Kruger, Saad, Shaw, etc.....and it will happen again.

Sometimes the moves you don't make are better than the moves you do make......
- UnnamedSource

But Stanbow didn't graduate from the Glen Sather School of Management.

I will be watching that one closely - 11 free agents to sign and a washed up Brad Richards, over paid Rick Nash and not much on the farm.

Kane's shoulders are wider than his head. Like RNH, TT will have shoulder problems early and often.
- Elbows15

Good point and comparison.....although I think TT is faster which could help him create more space and avoid the hits.

I disagree with elbows.....many said the same thing about Kane with his size.....
- UnnamedSource

I'm mixed on him, too. I don't doubt size won't hold him back. He could turn out to be a gamebreaker. But I still would like to see what he could bring back. I would only do it for other young players that might bring something we need to the table

But Stanbow didn't graduate from the Glen Sather School of Management.

I will be watching that one closely - 11 free agents to sign and a washed up Brad Richards, over paid Rick Nash and not much on the farm.
- RickJ

The purge will be underway by the end of the week....

I'm mixed on him, too. I don't doubt size won't hold him back. He could turn out to be a gamebreaker. But I still would like to see what he could bring back. I would only do it for other young players that might bring something we need to the table
- tomcat24

It really is hard to tell what he will become....

You also have to consider Stanbo likes his "steals"

TT, Saad, & Leddy.....because of that, will he ever be willing to move them in a trade if need be...

It really is hard to tell what he will become....

You also have to consider Stanbo likes his "steals"

TT, Saad, & Leddy.....because of that, will he ever be willing to move them in a trade if need be...
- UnnamedSource

That is true. So far they were steals. Saad definitely proved it already. I bet he likes Cups more. If the moves help I bet he trades them.

That is true. So far they were steals. Saad definitely proved it already. I bet he likes Cups more. If the moves help I bet he trades them.
- tomcat24

If history teaches us anything....my bet is he finds a 3C for half the cost of Kesler and goes that route...signs a 1 year 2C veteran...waits for TT......

......and Sharp is Hawk come October......unless he can get Pacioretty for him.

If history teaches us anything....my bet is he finds a 3C for half the cost of Kesler and goes that route...signs a 1 year 2C veteran...waits for TT......

......and Sharp is Hawk come October......unless he can get Pacioretty for him.
- UnnamedSource

Ogie would hate Pacioretty in a week.