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

That is his history. This team is good enough to win, especially with obtaining a 2 or 3 center. I do think they need another center to compete in the west and to get by LA. I guess we see in a few weeks. If something happens I can see it happening around the draft

Ogie would hate Pacioretty in a week.
- Elbows15

Ogi's whipping boy next year........Shaw.

That is his history. This team is good enough to win, especially with obtaining a 2 or 3 center. I do think they need another center to compete in the west and to get by LA. I guess we see in a few weeks. If something happens I can see it happening around the draft
- tomcat24

Scenario....L.A buys out Mike Richards.....would you rather have Mike Richards as your 3C at the same cost or a tad less as Kesler as your 2C...


Plus given Q's reputation MRichards plays on both the 2nd and 3rd line...

Keep in mind you give up nothing to get Richards.....you then trade Oduya or Leddy for picks...remember next years draft is suppose to be deep.....

Scenario....L.A buys out Mike Richards.....would you rather have Mike Richards as your 3C at the same cost or a tad less as Kesler as your 2C...


Plus given Q's reputation MRichards plays on both the 2nd and 3rd line...

Keep in mind you give up nothing to get Richards.....you then trade Oduya or Leddy for picks...remember next years draft is suppose to be deep.....
- UnnamedSource

No. He is going to cost too much money and want term. And there is no way the Hawks are better keeping Leddy and playing him in the top 4.

Scenario....L.A buys out Mike Richards.....would you rather have Mike Richards as your 3C at the same cost or a tad less as Kesler as your 2C...


Plus given Q's reputation MRichards plays on both the 2nd and 3rd line...

Keep in mind you give up nothing to get Richards.....you then trade Oduya or Leddy for picks...remember next years draft is suppose to be deep.....
- UnnamedSource

Definitely like richard's cost compared to what we have to give up for kesler. Imagine how fired up he would be to face LA would be interesting to see him with Saad and Kane or maybe Sharp and smith? I still would like to see what the market is for Sharp, though. But if he can play on a 3rd line that would give us a lot of scoring depth

No. He is going to cost too much money and want term. And there is no way the Hawks are better keeping Leddy and playing him in the top 4.
- Elbows15

Didn't say that about Leddy....and if you think Richards is going to break the bank...


Next year...30 years old

This year...82 games...11 goals....41 points. Bolland and him will get similar money...maybe a little bit more than DB.

Didn't say that about Leddy....and if you think Richards is going to break the bank...


Next year...30 years old

This year...82 games...11 goals....41 points. Bolland and him will get similar money...maybe a little bit more than DB.
- UnnamedSource

4.75-5 mill

Kesler's a better option at that price.

Didn't say that about Leddy....and if you think Richards is going to break the bank...


Next year...30 years old

This year...82 games...11 goals....41 points. Bolland and him will get similar money...maybe a little bit more than DB.
- UnnamedSource

Bolland is asking for around 5, US. On a 4 year deal. Buyout guys aren't signing cheap. Look at Vinny's deal. Even Briere. Richards is going to want 4-5 and at least 4 years. He has looked done for a couple of years to me.

Bolland is asking for around 5, US. On a 4 year deal. Buyout guys aren't signing cheap. Look at Vinny's deal. Even Briere. Richards is going to want 4-5 and at least 4 years. He has looked done for a couple of years to me.
- Elbows15

half a point per game.....

All I'm saying is.....for what you may have to give up....coupled with the history of Stanbo transactions.....a player like Mike Richards or similar feeling a 3C role will likely be the move he makes instead of a Kesler.

Kesler's a better option at that price.
- Hawks82

Define that..

Richards or a similar type of player on the FA market...giving up nothing. Trading other players to stack picks....

Or Kesler for a top prospect....a draft pick...and a player on the roster.

For arguments sake..

Sharp - Toews -Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Kane
Smith-Richards- Bickel
Morin-Kruger- Bollig

Nordstrom

How does someone like boyle sound to platoon with Dahlbeck? He has expressed an interest in winning. If we could get him to sign for a decent number would he be worth it?
- 50_Thoos

That's not a bad option for the third pairing. I think he made around 6 or 7 mil last year. Doubtful he takes a third of that to play in Chicago.......unfortunately

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

THIS
Well said US

half a point per game.....

All I'm saying is.....for what you may have to give up....coupled with the history of Stanbo transactions.....a player like Mike Richards or similar feeling a 3C role will likely be the move he makes instead of a Kesler.
- UnnamedSource

I know what you are saying. I don't see them signing Richards to a contract for 5 years between 4-5 mil a year to play on the third line.

That's not a bad option for the third pairing. I think he made around 6 or 7 mil last year. Doubtful he takes a third of that to play in Chicago.......unfortunately
- reeder16

He wants more than a 1 year deal. He is looking for 2-3 years.

Define that..

Richards or a similar type of player on the FA market...giving up nothing. Trading other players to stack picks....

Or Kesler for a top prospect....a draft pick...and a player on the roster.
- UnnamedSource

It's not a horrible plan.

It presupposes that the Hawks can sign either Mike or Brad Richards with a cap hit that's lower than Kesler's. To be honest the drop in production from Mike Richards to Kesler wouldn't be worth the savings IMO.

If Mike Richards is no more than a 3C, the Hawks have experimented using a 3C in the 2C spot with Dave Bolland. It didn't work well. Richards offensive game has been in decline for 3 seasons.

When the issue between fixing the 2C hole and adequately filling it boils down to trading a prospect then I believe you have to make the trade for the proven commodity.

Trading a prospect won't cripple this franchise.

I know what you are saying. I don't see them signing Richards to a contract for 5 years between 4-5 mil a year to play on the third line.
- Elbows15

I like US's idea of strengthening the third line and allowing Shaw to develop. Doesn't have to be Richards. I like the idea of a prototypical tough third line to play against

I like US's idea of strengthening the third line and allowing Shaw to develop. Doesn't have to be Richards. I like the idea of a prototypical tough third line to play against
- reeder16

So do I. Its why I mentioned something similar a few pages back.

So do I. Its why I mentioned something similar a few pages back.
- Elbows15

NO. US's idea
Anyways who's ever it was. I like the idea. I think we're on the same page most of the time. Seems like a more logical move, a little for now and a lot for the future.
Take care, calling it a night

NO. US's idea
Anyways who's ever it was. I like the idea. I think we're on the same page most of the time. Seems like a more logical move, a little for now and a lot for the future.
Take care, calling it a night
- reeder16

Later Reeds.

They really are too easy on the D. Unfortunately I still don't see where they would come from. I think only 1 or 2 tweaks up front. So it is basically up to these same forwards to start hitting more. Bollig has to finish every check, bickell too in the regular season. Shaw and smith as well. I wish they would hit the d-men before they make the play so they knock them off the puck and take it from them. Bickell was great at finishing his check after their d already got rid of it. Cooke had a lot of great checks on our D
- tomcat24

Cross your fingers that Bickel is serious about his summer workout and therefore will start the season like a Comanche Indian fighter from those old western flicks. Then mid season until playoffs much the same old Bicks.

Some may think I am jumping the gun, but it possible a couple farmhands arrive late spring and play on a line with a veteran, eg Kruger. This could be the version of the LA Kings 70's line. This idea probably only works if the right players are put together. Q will need to see defensive responsibility. I nominate McNeill with Kruger and wait until that time to name a third linemate. This could be a nice complement to the third or fourth line. Depends upon who is on the fourth line.

Here is one idea how to perhaps find more physical play as well as an energy line.

No. He is going to cost too much money and want term. And there is no way the Hawks are better keeping Leddy and playing him in the top 4.
- Elbows15

Bowman would not commit to two years for a party boy when he wants to start promoting prospects maybe as soon as late next season. Unless the contract had a buyout clause and non guaranteed second year. Then maybe. But if Bowman acquires another center, it would be a really good idea if the newbie was proficient in the face off circle.

BTW Backland is I think less than 50% face off artist? If not Backland then two whom would be a good fit are - Vermette and Hanzell. Both likely not available. Then there is now the Brad Richards idea. Pass. Don't want a slow skater. Kane had enough of that. Richards has got to be looking for security with two years minimum and probably takes a low salary. Bowman would not go for two years with him.

And that 2014 first round choice Bowman could trade....is like a sweetener in the pot. By itself it is not all too desirable with Chg spot in this draft.

I expect no big trades from Bowman. An offer may be extended to Vancouver for Kesler but one of the other teams will offer a better package. What would be a good trade is Leddy or Oduya plus a first for a good young center or forward. I think Eli has a good idea with that suggestion (if not mistaken that was the idea he had).

That is his history. This team is good enough to win, especially with obtaining a 2 or 3 center. I do think they need another center to compete in the west and to get by LA. I guess we see in a few weeks. If something happens I can see it happening around the draft
- tomcat24

No big trades forthcoming. Emphasis on "big."
I wouldn't want to wager on whether Leddy gets dealt. Not a good odds either just yet that Oduya is moved. Let Rundblad, Dahlbeck, and Johns show us what they can do for a couple of months into the season. Johns would be at Rockford during this period-of-time.

While I like Eli's trade idea, I am inclined to say it doesn't happen during the summer months.

Define that..

Richards or a similar type of player on the FA market...giving up nothing. Trading other players to stack picks....

Or Kesler for a top prospect....a draft pick...and a player on the roster.
- UnnamedSource

Richards? No!!