LA wins again last night - you can't help but think of what have been had the Hawks not been so sloppy in their own end during the WCFs. I'm also reminded of the 85 Bears who should have won multiple titles, but were outdone by the Niners and the Giants even during that time. The Kings are now the model franchise and they're not going anywhere. The pressure is on the Bowmans now more than ever.

Pass on Richards. Kane wants Kesler and they should try to accommodate him. Whether the Canucks will be willing to move him to Chicago remains to be seen.
But again will Bowman actually make a move. Bowman's inability to get a 2nd line center over several years here is disappointing to say the least and now he knows it may have well cost him a Cup.

I still think defensive improvements should be the higher priority. Another big physical dman to pair with Hammer would be a good start. Leddy continues to have great offensive upside and skating ability, but he was bad defensively throughout the playoffs. I can't see him as your #4. The Hawks let the other teams camp out in front of Craw and did little to move them out throughout the playoffs.

So are either Oduya or Leddy moved in a package for a center? I can't see them doing nothing not with the way McD operates. I'm sure he'd like nothing better than to trot out a couple of new big names at the convention.

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

And what didn't happen last year: Pirri, Morin, Nordstrom, (Leddy?) - players didn't develop.

Who's ready to develop this year? Dahlbeck? McNeil? Daneault? TT? Johns? Clendenning?

Eli - which of the above is a good bet to take over 2C - Daneault? McNeil? TT?

Which could replace Oduya at 4D - Clendenning? Dahlbeck? Johns?

Which ones really have a good chance to stick at all next fall?

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

Vermette is a CERTIFIED Hawks' killer...be NICE to have him WITH US

Let's test this theory...

Go post that proposal in the Canucks thread, then report back on what they think.
- Ogilthorpe2

He won't be able to report back because he'll get banned.

you are a hybrid between

Tell you what Tazer19, at this point all we know for certain is that you are a hybrid between a cheerleader and the Hawk press secretary during the bad years.


Right now TT is a hybrid between Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula.

and since they have shown some expertise at the pro level even that is a stretch...
- wiz1901

And he can end up only being a Yuri Hudler type player...

Ok you are dragging me in to this Vancouver Kesler thing.

I will play.
Here's what I agree on:
Why Kesler?
Because he is a perennial Selke finalist besides a centre who has handled 2nd line duties.
The return has to cover the entire CAP. You dreamers who think Canucks are not only stripping their squad at second line centre AND going to pay for your hawks to have one? Grow up.

So some contract goes their way...whether that guy is the reason they truly are trading for. So they get a CONTRACT Sharp/Oduya, plus another centre (Kruger) and third piece that also looks to be a return as he develops.
Let's for right now USE Leddy as the third part.

THERE IS NO WAY THE BLACKHAWKS trade two rostered forwards plus a rostered defender for one centre, mostly because that is way too much openings in a line up that was already short forwards that could play regular against the Kings.
No one can tell me the losses against the Kings were because defensive breakdowns by Kruger and Sharp.

We can argue until morning what Kruger's upside is but it's clear he has improved his play and is regarded as a much better player and will want to be paid like one.
We all probably would agree that as a secondary for Kesler we would uck up the hit. No matter what his final upsides is , even if he becomes the third tougher sister, he doesn't cover the Cap return so someone else goes if you want Kesler so bad.

Now if you were to deal Bickell and Kruger and the potential of Johns, I think you fit the criteria fron the Canuck end but again I don't see the hawks willing to deal Kruger and Bickell simply because now you subtracted more of that four rolling lines to and no matter if you find two pluggers for Sharp to replace them you are still talking chemistry lesson gone awry....

Too me it simply doesn't work...they want Seabrook one up.

And whether you agree or disagree that Spezza's availabilty changes the market, you want both offense and defense from the guy if you MUST GET A PREMIER GUY.

You could give Vancouver everyone in our system born in the BC Province....but you still have to figure away for the offset the FIVE MILLION Kesler makes....forget about Spezza and SEVEN million he gets and have NEVER earned.

and why would the Canucks simply take on "a veteran contract" unless the pot is so sweet and the pressure by kesler is so intense that they succumb to a Cap return replacement part in Sharp that is three years older, and two years longer in contract than Kesler's.

To do that they MUST get some real upside...
and that is where my head starts exploding....

I done trying to do it...I will wait to see what is actually attempted at this point because it simply doesn't work....
- wiz1901

Sharp for futures...

#salarydump

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

Kesler

Sharp for futures...

#salarydump
- fattybeef

I want to see the Hawks do better than that unless the futures is a very high draft pick or a blue chip prospect. The Hawks have already done too many salary dumps, it would be nice to see them get closer to a sure thing.

Another option may be to take a flyer on a guy more was expected from. One example, though I do not want him, is Nazim Kadri a guy drafted high, who has skill but for whatever reason hasn't put it together yet. Another better example may be Gudbranson in Florida a big young player who can skate, is skilled and hasn't come into his own yet.

I want to see the Hawks do better than that unless the futures is a very high draft pick or a blue chip prospect. The Hawks have already done too many salary dumps, it would be nice to see them get closer to a sure thing.

Another option may be to take a flyer on a guy more was expected from. One example, though I do not want him, is Nazim Kadri a guy drafted high, who has skill but for whatever reason hasn't put it together yet. Another better example may be Gudbranson in Florida a big young player who can skate, is skilled and hasn't come into his own yet.
- paulr

Modified NMC kinda sucks. Maybe he would be OK going to the Islanders. For the 5th or a package centered around Strome. I think NYI wants to have a playoff year in their new home...

I want to see the Hawks do better than that unless the futures is a very high draft pick or a blue chip prospect. The Hawks have already done too many salary dumps, it would be nice to see them get closer to a sure thing.

Another option may be to take a flyer on a guy more was expected from. One example, though I do not want him, is Nazim Kadri a guy drafted high, who has skill but for whatever reason hasn't put it together yet. Another better example may be Gudbranson in Florida a big young player who can skate, is skilled and hasn't come into his own yet.
- paulr

Same here. If Sharp is traded, shouldn't be a salary dump at all but a trade that brings back some sort of usable asset while clearing cap space to fit in another player...center or dman.

Modified NMC kinda sucks. Maybe he would be OK going to the Islanders. For the 5th or a package centered around Strome. I think NYI wants to have a playoff year in their new home...
- fattybeef

Strome would be ideal if the Islanders would make the trade. He has the potential to come in as that big 2C who can put up some numbers and play with an edge as well.

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

3rd paragraph makes the MOST sense,which is why you put the bullseye on Antione Vermettes back this july. he starts the season with 88 +?, TT plays till Dec. in Rockford, comes up and plays with 88, now we have 19,86,16, + Vermette up the middle, pretty strong to me without raping our system.
plus a couple of those kids come up also. Look at the Kings, Toffoli, Pearson, King ect., those are all home grown, but come up quicker than here, as much as I like the "hockey card let's get this guy talk ", SB has a plan which I think we all will like. Bottom line is I like going to games till june every year,vs. loading up on a bunch of expensive old malcontents & be done the last week of April.
Lastly , any steam to the Adam Oates to replace Kompon talk? if that plus signing Vermette this summer were the only moves the team makes, I would consider that a huge win.
I am not against Kesler, but not for stripping our sytem dry. let Bob Murray over pay for him. JMO, that is all gentlemen.

3rd paragraph makes the MOST sense,which is why you put the bullseye on Antione Vermettes back this july. he starts the season with 88 +?, TT plays till Dec. in Rockford, comes up and plays with 88, now we have 19,86,16, + Vermette up the middle, pretty strong to me without raping our system.
plus a couple of those kids come up also. Look at the Kings, Toffoli, Pearson, King ect., those are all home grown, but come up quicker than here, as much as I like the "hockey card let's get this guy talk ", SB has a plan which I think we all will like. Bottom line is I like going to games till june every year,vs. loading up on a bunch of expensive old malcontents & be done the last week of April.
Lastly , any steam to the Adam Oates to replace Kompon talk? if that plus signing Vermette this summer were the only moves the team makes, I would consider that a huge win.
I am not against Kesler, but not for stripping our sytem dry. let Bob Murray over pay for him. JMO, that is all gentlemen.
- wonthecup10

This is exactly the way I believe the Hawks will approach it. No big names, no potential for creating a cap nightmare. The Hawks core is set, they don't need to add to it but rather need good solid players with smaller cap hits, not stars or superstars who come overpaid and with too much term.

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.
- jhawk59

This year seems a little different. He did say only tweaks and they did get a goal away from another Cup final, but I could also see a bigger move or 2. The west is getting better and better and we need to make some room for all the free agents next year. If we wait until next summer I don't know if the players we move will have as much value with teams knowing we have to dump salary

This is exactly the way I believe the Hawks will approach it. No big names, no potential for creating a cap nightmare. The Hawks core is set, they don't need to add to it but rather need good solid players with smaller cap hits, not stars or superstars who come overpaid and with too much term.
- paulr

the only only way I see the Hawks doing something with a core guy is like a Sharp for JVR type deal ,which I DON"T see the leafs doing, something like that would save us some coin +age plus gain another big body up front. wasn't tallon toying with the idea of drafting JVR before Tazer, I hope not , but I wouldn't mind seeing both of them together here now. NOT going to happen on Toronto's part.
Sharp for Eller + Mark Tinordi's kid, bergy ain't doing that either, would be nice, but Bergy will want to dump shlit like Rene Bourque on us. PASS!
sign Vermette, keep Sharp for 1 more year while going to him and dare I say Hossa at some point next season and letting them know thing could change next summer for either of you guys. and God Darn it if it is true FIRE KOMPON & bring in Adam Oates Joel! I am sure Oates will tip a few with you also buddy! fix the dam PP!
ps. if not Vermette, what about Danny Briere for a year?

3rd paragraph makes the MOST sense,which is why you put the bullseye on Antione Vermettes back this july. he starts the season with 88 +?, TT plays till Dec. in Rockford, comes up and plays with 88, now we have 19,86,16, + Vermette up the middle, pretty strong to me without raping our system.
plus a couple of those kids come up also. Look at the Kings, Toffoli, Pearson, King ect., those are all home grown, but come up quicker than here, as much as I like the "hockey card let's get this guy talk ", SB has a plan which I think we all will like. Bottom line is I like going to games till june every year,vs. loading up on a bunch of expensive old malcontents & be done the last week of April.
Lastly , any steam to the Adam Oates to replace Kompon talk? if that plus signing Vermette this summer were the only moves the team makes, I would consider that a huge win.
I am not against Kesler, but not for stripping our sytem dry. let Bob Murray over pay for him. JMO, that is all gentlemen.
- wonthecup10

If Vermette is a FA then I would be interested in signing him. I would trade Oduya or Leddy and not wait on dealing them as I had thought was best. Vermette is a veteran whom could fit in well and would be excited to be on a team that is a serious Cup contender. Sharp should then stay put, no need to trade him if the idea is to make one more Cup run with the present core players.

Hypothetically Bickel and McNeill (later in the season for McNeill) provide big bodies if only they will play a physical brand of hockey. That is the best case scenario.

I expect Versteeg will be back. Not too thrilled with that but hopefully he is here only as long as one last year on his contract. What past year's version of Versteeg
might we expect? Is it really not a bad idea to keep Regin for less dollars while knowing he would be a safe defensive player (no brain farts like Versteeg).

Rosival should be bought out, since no team with common sense would take a veteran who keeps getting slower. If that move goes against the cap, it is unfortunate. But Chg might well be less fortunate if Rosival plays here one more season.

Brookbank actually is an inexpensive veteran to keep if only because there may not be much cap room. I fully expect Dahlbeck to become a regular. There may be a need for another dman, however, if Runblad is not good enough and one of Oduya or Leddy is pared due to salary cap issues.

Overall Vermette is too good a fit to pass up.I just do not know how the last two spots on defense will shake out. Hopefully Bowman can figure that out.

the only only way I see the Hawks doing something with a core guy is like a Sharp for JVR type deal ,which I DON"T see the leafs doing, something like that would save us some coin +age plus gain another big body up front. wasn't tallon toying with the idea of drafting JVR before Tazer, I hope not , but I wouldn't mind seeing both of them together here now. NOT going to happen on Toronto's part.
Sharp for Eller + Mark Tinordi's kid, bergy ain't doing that either, would be nice, but Bergy will want to dump shlit like Rene Bourque on us. PASS!
sign Vermette, keep Sharp for 1 more year while going to him and dare I say Hossa at some point next season and letting them know thing could change next summer for either of you guys. and God Darn it if it is true FIRE KOMPON & bring in Adam Oates Joel! I am sure Oates will tip a few with you also buddy! fix the dam PP!
- wonthecup10

JVR and Kane were in the same draft. The rumour I heard was Wirtz wanted Kessel instead of Toews, that would have been a HUGE mistake!

Don't get too worked up about Quenneville signing Oates and assistant, very few people have the guts to sign someone who may be as good as or better than they are. I can't see Q signing on a coach who may one day take his job.

If Vermette is a FA then I would be interested in signing him. I would trade Oduya or Leddy and not wait on dealing them as I had thought was best. Vermette is a veteran whom could fit in well and would be excited to be on a team that is a serious Cup contender. Sharp should then stay put, no need to trade him if the idea is to make one more Cup run with the present core players.

Hypothetically Bickel and McNeill (later in the season for McNeill) provide big bodies if only they will play a physical brand of hockey. That is the best case scenario.

I expect Versteeg will be back. Not too thrilled with that but hopefully he is here only as long as one last year on his contract. What past year's version of Versteeg
might we expect? Is it really not a bad idea to keep Regin for less dollars while knowing he would be a safe defensive player (no brain farts like Versteeg).

Rosival should be bought out, since no team with common sense would take a veteran who keeps getting slower. If that move goes against the cap, it is unfortunate. But Chg might well be less fortunate if Rosival plays here one more season.

Brookbank actually is an inexpensive veteran to keep if only because there may not be much cap room. I fully expect Dahlbeck to become a regular. There may be a need for another dman, however, if Runblad is not good enough and one of Oduya or Leddy is pared due to salary cap issues.

Overall Vermette is too good a fit to pass up.I just do not know how the last two spots on defense will shake out. Hopefully Bowman can figure that out.
- jhawk59

Why would they do that? It would be a cap hit of over a million $, and they would be down a player. They don't have the cap space to make that move.

Strome would be ideal if the Islanders would make the trade. He has the potential to come in as that big 2C who can put up some numbers and play with an edge as well.
- paulr

Paul, Strome would be yet ANOTHER centre who needs time to develop.

If you are talking throw in after they send us Matt Martin to tenderize, I see a possibility, but everone with a hungry sense of our presnet roster must approach 2014 as a season you get VETs who go stand tall and attack well with the puck too.

Now is not the time for potential additions or guys like backlund, or prospects, unless you are stripping six of the forwards and starting fresh...

I am still trying to figure out how Rozsival is slow.

I am betting in terms of game play he is in the top half in terms of short area quickness and that is the important place to be fast. He is not expected to carry the length of the ice...just scratching my head as HIS deal being an issue.

This year seems a little different. He did say only tweaks and they did get a goal away from another Cup final, but I could also see a bigger move or 2. The west is getting better and better and we need to make some room for all the free agents next year. If we wait until next summer I don't know if the players we move will have as much value with teams knowing we have to dump salary
- tomcat24

Well you may be right.

Answer this: would you prefer to keep a core player like Sharp for one more season knowing that his trade value diminishes to some extent the following summer? To keep Sharp here therefore could mean that the big physical forwards many say Chg needs are in house: Bickel and the other later in the season being McNeill.

Bickel might well be that physical and goal producing wing early part of the season. The scenario may unfold whereas Bickel and McNeill could be importantly social checkers in the playoffs in fact, I have floated the idea of McNeill and Kruger on a third or fourth line. With maybe Shaw or Morin/other rockford recall.

JVR and Kane were in the same draft. The rumour I heard was Wirtz wanted Kessel instead of Toews, that would have been a HUGE mistake!

Don't get too worked up about Quenneville signing Oates and assistant, very few people have the guts to sign someone who may be as good as or better than they are. I can't see Q signing on a coach who may one day take his job.
- paulr

Kind of ironic, since Q was hired and then moved in once Savard was fired. Q should look at the team first and then worry about himself.

Splitting straws a little bit.....but we all know they don't win 4, maybe not even 8 games without Crawford being the best player in each of those series. The LA series, the rest of the guys picked him up. So while they were an OT goal away, I still think you have to look at the big picture. For the entire year they were very inconsistent, got away from their system, and without CC bailing them out...are probably home after round 1.

I don't doubt about the TT dilemma just curious to see if Kane will BUY into it and believe the kid can be his white whale in the 2C spot.
- SteveRain

I just have a hard time finding a place for TT in the top 6 if he doesn't play 2C. A couple years from now when Hossa drops to the third line, yeah. Same problem as now with the left wing position. With Saad elevated and Bickell being paid, (and Sharp), who goes? Despite his size, I'd personally say Bickell. He's lackadaisical during the season and has only had the one, monster playoff (in a contract year).

Paul, Strome would be yet ANOTHER centre who needs time to develop.

If you are talking throw in after they send us Matt Martin to tenderize, I see a possibility, but everone with a hungry sense of our presnet roster must approach 2014 as a season you get VETs who go stand tall and attack well with the puck too.

Now is not the time for potential additions or guys like backlund, or prospects, unless you are stripping six of the forwards and starting fresh...
- wiz1901

I saw Strome play against the Gens and Petes a few times and really liked him as a junior. He can play and he's one togh hombre as well. Haven't seen him play as a pro so I'll take your word on development. I'm going to leave you a PM.

I saw Strome play against the Gens and Petes a few times and really liked him as a junior. He can play and he's one togh hombre as well. Haven't seen him play as a pro so I'll take your word on development. I'm going to leave you a PM.
- paulr

His younger brother hasn't stepped up as fast as I thought he would for the tremendous 2015 draft but there is time.

Oh, believe me I think he clearly has mad skills with the puck, same magic like carrying ability you see in elite nhlers and that is why the Isles probably aren't thinking about trading him....

Kind of ironic, since Q was hired and then moved in once Savard was fired. Q should look at the team first and then worry about himself.
- powerenforcer

Savard didn't hire Q, Management did.