And what do the Leafs have of value for Sharp? JVR? Why would the Leafs make that deal?
- Elbows15

Nazem Kadri is a good young player with a decent cap hit. FO% needs to improve, but wouldn't be the worst solution at 2C.

Florida is picking up half the contract.
- EKolb13

I certainly defer to you regarding the abilities of players. Maybe next year V can show he still belongs.

I certainly defer to you regarding the abilities of players. Maybe next year V can show he still belongs.
- hockey nut 28

I'm not even arguing for that, or his abilities. I'm just throwing him in there because I don't believe that Bowman will trade him.

I'm not even arguing for that, or his abilities. I'm just throwing him in there because I don't Believe that Bowman will trade him.
- EKolb13

Or can trade him: why everyone thinks we see things that GMs don't is beyond me: if we see he's terrible, other GMs also see it.

And at the $2.2MM cap hit for two more years, he's not THAT cheap that he can be a throw-in on a deal.

I fear he's ours for a while.

Joking aside, that's a taylor made Q/Bowman deal for the C spot. Q just loves the old grizzled vets. He would be a good fit here and Chicago is right there for another Cup march. Deep down I think Stanley is afraid to pull the trigger on a big deal. Dumping guys via trade for cap issues is one thing as he can write that off as he had no other choice. Trading a core guy or top prospect for another big time player?? Dunno, but he doesn't come across as a very aggressive GM. If anything, he will go back to the well and work with prior Hawks people. (Montreal/Jets/Florida)
- z1990z

This is the first year, I think, that he's in position of almost having to make a big deal, other than the cap purge after 2010.

Until last year they had Bolland, who (every year) they thought could be a 2C; other than that, their holes were those that could be filled by older, cheaper vets - like Handzus last year and Roszival/Brookbank - or rookies/young skaters like Shaw, Saad, Frolik, Kruger. Stan didn't need to make any big creative deals (although many of us wanted him to).

Last year fell apart because Bolland was gone and Handzus forgot how to skate with any speed, leaving two gaping holes at center; Frolik and Stalberg were gone, Bickell regressed; and contrary to Stan's expectations, (except for Smith) no rookie stepped up to fill in (Pirri, Morin, Nordstrom - whether Q was right or wrong, they didn't work).

Now they know there are two huge missing center pieces which cannot be filled from Rockford (they hopefully understand that TT isn't ready) or on the roster (Shaw is not a proven 2C and should be at wing anyways).

Let's see what Stan can do now, when he has to be big(ger) and more creative.

I won't give him a hard time until it's September/October and Shaw is at 2C, Smith is at 3C, and Morin is an ineffective skater on the third or fourth line; and Kane is still unsigned.

Well for shiggles and gits I hope you're right about Kesler. He's a hell of a player and partnering him with Kane (well for as long as Q would actually partner him with Kane…..) would be really fascinating to watch. This all strikes me as something a bit too dramatic for our GM. He's never made a move this big, and I don't think HE THINKS he needs to make a move this big. But I think Placacting Mr. kane is a high priority there on Madison Ave and if an actual #2 C and a boatload of money is what he wants, they'll probably give it to him. Sad that it would have to come to that….but whateves.

I don't see How Kane deserves a single penny over Perry's contract by the way. Around 9? I'm not sure I'd go double digits with someone who's underperformed on paper and is rather high maintenance to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Kane. But he doesn't kill penalties, or really play offense and for all his amazing ability, has he ever cracked 50 goals? 40 goals? 35?

Nazem Kadri is a good young player with a decent cap hit. FO% needs to improve, but wouldn't be the worst solution at 2C.
- Hawks82

Maybe. Only signed for one more year. He has already overvalued his production once after a half a season. And he is very weak on the defensive side of the puck. Doesn't really fit with what Q wants from young players. And his FOs are bad. He needs to improve a lot. Also, wasn't very productive playing with Kessel and JVR. Needs the puck to be effective.

And , IMO, he wouldn't mesh with Kane well at all.

Sharp, Leddy and the Hawks 1st. The Habs would be crazy to get rid of Tinordi, Leddy would sure fit for the Habs. Hawks would settle for Beaulieu.
- Elbows15

Nice sales pitch on #8.

Better hope Bergevin has been too busy to see what alot of what you, me and others have seen for a couple years.

Leddy in a Habs uniform maybe if they can't get Markov signed or can't afford him.

Nice sales pitch on #8.

Better hope Bergevin has been too busy to see what alot of what you, me and others have seen for a couple years.

Leddy in a Habs uniform maybe if they can't get Markov signed or can't afford him.
- RickJ

They have Georges and Bouillon on their 2nd PP unit. He would be better than either of those 2. Their D isn't very mobile aside from Subban. While not a fan of Leddy's, I actually think it would be a good fit for him.

Is Stan better served shooting for a Kesler at 5 mil or for a Kadri/Schenn type?

if the Habs want Sharp I would like to see 2 of Eller/Pacioretty/Emelin/Tinordi coming back ( I know Chicago would have to add)

Well for shiggles and gits I hope you're right about Kesler. He's a hell of a player and partnering him with Kane (well for as long as Q would actually partner him with Kane…..) would be really fascinating to watch. This all strikes me as something a bit too dramatic for our GM. He's never made a move this big, and I don't think HE THINKS he needs to make a move this big. But I think Placacting Mr. kane is a high priority there on Madison Ave and if an actual #2 C and a boatload of money is what he wants, they'll probably give it to him. Sad that it would have to come to that….but whateves.

I don't see How Kane deserves a single penny over Perry's contract by the way. Around 9? I'm not sure I'd go double digits with someone who's underperformed on paper and is rather high maintenance to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Kane. But he doesn't kill penalties, or really play offense and for all his amazing ability, has he ever cracked 50 goals? 40 goals? 35?
- yahoodi

This is something that hardly anyone wants to talk about. He shows up in big games, and he has dazzled the pants off goalies in shoot-outs (which don't mean anything in the playoffs.) But I keep asking myself this--where was he in the Finals games 2, 3, 4? He wasn't winning board battles, forechecking or backchecking, that's for sure. And he wasn't scoring the big goals either.

Sharp is taking some backlash for not showing up in the playoffs--deservedly so. But why is it that we forgive Kane because he turns it on at the right time? Is that really a "team-first" attitude? Why isn't he playing at that level all the time? And what if they do get Kesler? By all accounts, he's got a similar attitude. Do we need this?

You may commence the beat down now.

if there is even the slightest possibility that Kane will A) ask for more $$$ or B)not sign an extension without acquiring a legit #2 C then Bowman has to make something happen. IDK if it will end up being Kesler as the Nucks are making him out to be the second coming of Lindros with their asking prices. There are a handful of good options for #2 centers with some size and skill. Unlike most off seasons under StanBo I truly am expecting a big move or two from the Hawks. as exciting as it can get for Hawks fans when they are not playing in the Finals..

Interesting conversations as always:

- If the team were in essence to trade Sharp for Kesler, does the team get better? Let's say we can 3-way trade Sharp to Toronto or Montreal for prospects to go to Vancouver and we get Kesler, do you do that deal?

- I think both GMs do, I don't know about Toronto/Montreal. If I'm running Vancouver, first thing I do is get rid of any players who don't want to be around, probably starting with Kesler, for the best deal available. For kicks, you could say the Hawks have to throw in Leddy in addition to the prospects coming over for Sharp. Are the Hawks still better with Kesler and a rookie D than Sharp and Leddy?

- Personally, I would probably do it even with Leddy. Get Kesler for 2C, figure something out at wing (maybe Iginla or whatever). Much more than Sharp + Leddy and I go in another direction, he's not that good, there are other C's that could work.

- In my opinion, Sharp was injured through most of the playoffs, I would only trade him because I think the Hawks have a surplus at Wing. He had a great year, even scoring goals in the Olympics against top competition. In the playoffs, his shots consistently had nothing on them, no lift, no velocity, nothing. That's not like him and I think was indicative of a fairly serious "upper body" injury.

This is something that hardly anyone wants to talk about. He shows up in big games, and he has dazzled the pants off goalies in shoot-outs (which don't mean anything in the playoffs.) But I keep asking myself this--where was he in the Finals games 2, 3, 4? He wasn't winning board battles, forechecking or backchecking, that's for sure. And he wasn't scoring the big goals either.

Sharp is taking some backlash for not showing up in the playoffs--deservedly so. But why is it that we forgive Kane because he turns it on at the right time? Is that really a "team-first" attitude? Why isn't he playing at that level all the time? And what if they do get Kesler? By all accounts, he's got a similar attitude. Do we need this?

You may commence the beat down now.
- fourfeathers

Give Kane some real line mates for an entire season, and I think he'd put up big numbers. Handzus was an anchor weighing Kane down for large portions of the last two seasons, including the playoffs.

Well for shiggles and gits I hope you're right about Kesler. He's a hell of a player and partnering him with Kane (well for as long as Q would actually partner him with Kane…..) would be really fascinating to watch. This all strikes me as something a bit too dramatic for our GM. He's never made a move this big, and I don't think HE THINKS he needs to make a move this big. But I think Placacting Mr. kane is a high priority there on Madison Ave and if an actual #2 C and a boatload of money is what he wants, they'll probably give it to him. Sad that it would have to come to that….but whateves.
I don't see How Kane deserves a single penny over Perry's contract by the way. Around 9? I'm not sure I'd go double digits with someone who's underperformed on paper and is rather high maintenance to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Kane. But he doesn't kill penalties, or really play offense and for all his amazing ability, has he ever cracked 50 goals? 40 goals? 35?
- yahoodi

This!!

Interesting conversations as always:

- If the team were in essence to trade Sharp for Kesler, does the team get better? Let's say we can 3-way trade Sharp to Toronto or Montreal for prospects to go to Vancouver and we get Kesler, do you do that deal?

- I think both GMs do, I don't know about Toronto/Montreal. If I'm running Vancouver, first thing I do is get rid of any players who don't want to be around, probably starting with Kesler, for the best deal available. For kicks, you could say the Hawks have to throw in Leddy in addition to the prospects coming over for Sharp. Are the Hawks still better with Kesler and a rookie D than Sharp and Leddy?

- Personally, I would probably do it even with Leddy. Get Kesler for 2C, figure something out at wing (maybe Iginla or whatever). Much more than Sharp + Leddy and I go in another direction, he's not that good, there are other C's that could work.

- In my opinion, Sharp was injured through most of the playoffs, I would only trade him because I think the Hawks have a surplus at Wing. He had a great year, even scoring goals in the Olympics against top competition. In the playoffs, his shots consistently had nothing on them, no lift, no velocity, nothing. That's not like him and I think was indicative of a fairly serious "upper body" injury.
- RomanF

He looks fine now...that's some miracle recovery.



#hewasn'thurthejustsucked

Well for shiggles and gits I hope you're right about Kesler. He's a hell of a player and partnering him with Kane (well for as long as Q would actually partner him with Kane…..) would be really fascinating to watch. This all strikes me as something a bit too dramatic for our GM. He's never made a move this big, and I don't think HE THINKS he needs to make a move this big. But I think Placacting Mr. kane is a high priority there on Madison Ave and if an actual #2 C and a boatload of money is what he wants, they'll probably give it to him. Sad that it would have to come to that….but whateves.

I don't see How Kane deserves a single penny over Perry's contract by the way. Around 9? I'm not sure I'd go double digits with someone who's underperformed on paper and is rather high maintenance to begin with. Don't get me wrong. I love me some Kane. But he doesn't kill penalties, or really play offense and for all his amazing ability, has he ever cracked 50 goals? 40 goals? 35?
- yahoodi

Has he ever played an entire season with a legit 2C?


Toews gets the best, Kane gets the rest, and he still produces.

Give Kane some real line mates for an entire season, and I think he'd put up big numbers. Handzus was an anchor weighing Kane down for large portions of the last two seasons, including the playoffs.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ok. Hypothetical for you. You dump Sharp. You add Kessler to play with Kane. Kane gets his big $$ deal, and still has a 30 goal year. What then?

Caveat: I think Kane has amazing hands. But I don't think he's the second coming or anything--I'd rather have a guy who shows up every day than one who only thinks of himself unless it's a "showtime" kind of game.

Ok. Hypothetical for you. You dump Sharp. You add Kessler to play with Kane. Kane gets his big $$ deal, and still has a 30 goal year. What then?

Caveat: I think Kane has amazing hands. But I don't think he's the second coming or anything--I'd rather have a guy who shows up every day than one who only thinks of himself unless it's a "showtime" kind of game.
- fourfeathers

Your question is impossible to answer without more info, as Kane's goal production is hardly the only, or even the main reason to get a legit 2C for him to play with.

How many assists does Kane have? How many Goals for Kessler? What's Kesslers effect on puck possession? F/O %? Etc.

If Kane scores 30, racks up a boatload of assists, while Kessler also pots 30+, and does well at the dot, then I'm happy.

Kane brings it as consistently as anyone on the team not named Toews or Hossa, and I would argue that he is every bit Toews' equal in terms of his importance to the team. The two of them could hardly be more different as players, but they each bring a skill set that is vital to the team.

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

>Maybe Iggy would pull a Hossa -- 3rd different team (Hawks) brings him a Cup
>While Iggy isn't the fleet foot big body, he has the slot toughness the Hawks so badly need -- and wins his share of board battles
>Whatever SBow's final player mix is, it surely can't be the same

He looks fine now...that's some miracle recovery.



#hewasn'thurthejustsucked
- Ogilthorpe2

>Maybe Iggy would pull a Hossa -- 3rd different team (Hawks) brings him a Cup
>While Iggy isn't the fleet foot big body, he has the slot toughness the Hawks so badly need -- and wins his share of board battles
>Whatever SBow's final player mix is, it surely can't be the same
- SnapitUpstairs

I fear he'd be the second coming of Andrew Brunette. Day late, dollar short. He's probably got more left in the tank than that, but I'd be leery unless he comes cheap.

Why target old guys? Its not like this team is on its last leg. They should target players 27 or younger.

Hell no to Iggy. The guy is a nomad these days. Its embarrassing.

I fear he'd be the second coming of Andrew Burnette. Day late, dollar short. He's probably got more left in the tank than that, but I'd be leery unless he comes cheap.
- Ogilthorpe2

>Definitely, CHEAP is a must -- Hawks have as much or more to offer Iggy as he, them
>Kings are just owning the offensive slot these playoffs
>Hawks need an answer -- not saying it has to be Iggy -- but someone who is hungry and can help Hawks in the Ozone slot -- if that player can skate fast -- all the better
>And Hawks will likely have to get by the thug Blues every year, too

And if this team plans on moving Leddy into the top 4, none of these moves matter. You won't win anything with Leddy in that role.