They apparently just signed one yesterday.

I believe Vaclav Nedomansky, Radek Bonk and Ivan Hlinka are still entertaining offers as well.
- RickJ

Might be a first if Hlinka played again and, well imagine he could coach and play. Maybe he could coach and play in the tournament named after him. Oops, cannot go that far. It is a tournament for teenagers most of whom have yet to be or were recently drafted. Wow, almost had an historic possibility there.

Retool, tweak? Call it what you want but I think they need another center. 2c would be my first choice and if that means Sharp goes so be it.

If they can't get a 2c then at least another guy at 3 or 4 who can take take draws, can skate, better than Zus anyway, strong on D and chip in a little O. A little size would be nice too.

Don't think a rebuild is in order but agree with Al's column title and will take it a step further. The Hawks shouldn't stand pat this summer. Maybe not a major move though like I said if they got a good deal Sharp is the core guy that makes the most sense to move.
- HawkintheD

I don't disagree, the Hawks have areas to improve but there is no need to panic. They were afterall the second best team in the NHL.

I'd give away a 6th rounder to get rid of Versteeg.
- RickJ

About the Steeg.....

From what I remember about the 2010 season, it was reported/rumored that Kane,Steeg and Madden were running mates off ice. Could it be the Hawks required Steeg to humor Kane and also why he isn't going away?

Duncs did a Jean van de Velde.

Another play where the Kings could have been torpedoed but escaped to live another day. As good as LA is, they have been unbelievably lucky in these playoffs.
- RickJ

I absolutely lost it. You don't pass on those chances, and he had a lane to shoot. Yet....nothing. No whispers. No criticism. Nothing. What a crock. Maybe the telecast blasted him, but not the local press.

That's THE play I'll remember 10 years from now from that game.

It's ok....now we'll get to see one goal commercials this fall of Keith, shirtless riding his bike like a crack head or flicking the rope to show off his great endurance. Can't wait.

I absolutely lost it. You don't pass on those chances, and he had a lane to shoot. Yet....nothing. No whispers. No criticism. Nothing. What a crock. Maybe the telecast blasted him, but not the local press.

That's THE play I'll remember 10 years from now from that game.

It's ok....now we'll get to see one goal commercials this fall of Keith, shirtless riding his bike like a crack head or flicking the rope to show off his great endurance. Can't wait.
- SteveRain

I went ape poop. Their were forwards baring down for the rebound too. It was awful

I don't disagree, the Hawks have areas to improve but there is no need to panic. They were afterall the second best team in the NHL.
- paulr

They easily could have been out against St Louis or Minnesota. Both teams outplayed the Hawks for long stretches in both series. It finally caught up to them vs LA. That can't be ignored.

You don't blow this thing up, but if all they do is plug in some rookie here or there, they will not win the cup next year. And that's what "One goal" is supposed to be about.

The talent gap is shrinking in the west, and the Hawks need guys to contribute when the men come out in the spring.

I went ape poop. Their were forwards baring down for the rebound too. It was awful
- mrpaulish

Plays like that are exactly why I can't stand Keith. He isn't the NHL's best defensemen.

If LA offered Doughty straight up for Keith TODAY.....I'd do it without blinking.

Sharp for futures...

#salarydump
- fattybeef

No. Makes the team worse next year. Salary crunch is for next summer.

They easily could have been out against St Louis or Minnesota. Both teams outplayed the Hawks for long stretches in both series. It finally caught up to them vs LA. That can't be ignored.

You don't blow this thing up, but if all they do is plug in some rookie here or there, they will not win the cup next year. And that's what "One goal" is supposed to be about.

The talent gap is shrinking in the west, and the Hawks need guys to contribute when the men come out in the spring.
- SteveRain

The Hawks need to reesablish their depth. Depth won both cups as much as talent. I think re-building that depth is more important then that number 2 center.

They easily could have been out against St Louis or Minnesota. Both teams outplayed the Hawks for long stretches in both series. It finally caught up to them vs LA. That can't be ignored.

You don't blow this thing up, but if all they do is plug in some rookie here or there, they will not win the cup next year. And that's what "One goal" is supposed to be about.

The talent gap is shrinking in the west, and the Hawks need guys to contribute when the men come out in the spring.
- SteveRain

This PLUS teams in the division (Minnesota, Colorado, Dallas at least) are improving, and no one in the conference seems on the verge of dropping out (unless there is a re-tool in San Jose).

As Al says, can't stand pat - have to improve.

Plays like that are exactly why I can't stand Keith. He isn't the NHL's best defensemen.

If LA offered Doughty straight up for Keith TODAY.....I'd do it without blinking.
- SteveRain

I would today based on thier age. If they were both 24 I'd take Keith.

Plays like that are exactly why I can't stand Keith. He isn't the NHL's best defensemen.

If LA offered Doughty straight up for Keith TODAY.....I'd do it without blinking.
- SteveRain

So would I.

BTW Doughty is younger.

It....Could....Happen....in a fantasy league? No, not even there.

If by "lucky" you mean "taking advantage of (seemingly) every opportunity they've been given....

I think it's more a well coached, disciplined, "leadered" team of good to very good players working together to make sure that when the "puck luck" finds them, they are ready to act.
- StLBravesFan

By lucky I meant being the benificiary of some very good bounces. Like Carter's goal changing direction and going in with 1 sec. left in the period. Or the bounce Richards go on his pass.

Very good team, well coached and bounces have gone their way. Good teams make their own luck.

No. Makes the team worse next year. Salary crunch is for next summer.
- mohel

Sharp for a quality return, with the (hopefully) added benefit of cap relief.

Wouldn't do Sharp just for cap relief: that could be done next year.

But - if they can get quality back - a cheaper 2C like Neilson, Vermette, etc - plus some cap relief....

It is doable: can Stan do it?

Kruger has 4 goals ( at least 1 is an empty net) in 48 career NHL playoff games. I know he's a defensive center, and his PK value is extremely important.....but you need more out of him. A lot more. Key to the cup is always having depth guys score....Stoll, Bolland, etc....the unsung heroes.

Also, every time LA wins, I have a flash back to my seat last Sunday and seeing f-ing Keith toe dragging in the slot with under a minute to go in a tied game 7, with a chance to go to the cup final. I really want to know how A. No mass media member chastised him for that. B. What the F he was thinking?

For a guy who has made a living firing shots into shin pads, if there was EVER a time to shoot it was then!!!!
- SteveRain

Not ever player has their true value show up on the score sheet. Ideally more offensive output from Kruger would be great and over time I think it will come. But without producing offensively Kruger still offers tremendous value to the club, in the long term I think of him as a shut-down centre on the 3rd line. We have plenty of forwards who can score, what we need are more forwards who are as defensively sound as Kruger.

Irregardless of a summer of rehab making a difference, I would give him away for a bag of pucks if it means enough in brushing up against the salary cap. For a bottom line player he gets paid too much for my liking. He makes too many poor decisions and brain farts defensively too often. Regin is a cheaper alternative. Moreover, minus Versteeg the better the opportunity Morin gets to play. Assuming Morin is not purged.
- jhawk59

Irregardless is not a word.

Unnamed Source thought of the day:

Having a NMC and fear they may be shopping him over the offseason Patrick Sharp goes to Bowman and Q and says.....Hey I will be your 2C next year, I've done it before....

Then the Hawks tighten up their 3rd line by adding a quality veteran and moving Shaw to wing.....while being a cheaper addition than a 2C

Bickel-Toews- Hossa
Saad- Sharp - Kane
Morin - New Center - Shaw
Smith-Kruger- Bolling/Nordstrom

The Hawks need to reesablish their depth. Depth won both cups as much as talent. I think re-building that depth is more important then that number 2 center.
- paulr

Getting a 2C could also provide the depth: if it doesn't include losing Sharp, then either Sharp or Saad to 3 with Shaw and Morin/Nordstrom/someone, and your original 4th line that played so well for much of last year (Bollig, Kruger, Smith).

Irregardless is not a word.
- mohel

In fact the word "regardless" would've been perfect to begin that sentence

Getting a 2C could also provide the depth: if it doesn't include losing Sharp, then either Sharp or Saad to 3 with Shaw and Morin/Nordstrom/someone, and your original 4th line that played so well for much of last year (Bollig, Kruger, Smith).
- StLBravesFan

Yes the 2C can be looked at as depth but I was thinking about a 4th line which the Hawks didn't have this season.

The Hawks need to reesablish their depth. Depth won both cups as much as talent. I think re-building that depth is more important then that number 2 center.
- paulr

This is a tough one for me. I know they won a cup without a "2nd line center" and everyone points at that, but they also had superior depth in 2008-09 and 2009-10. That team had guys who ended up being 1st/2nd line players on other teams who were buried in the bottom 6 on the Hawks.

You could even argue the same last year.....Bolland/Frolik/Stalberg were al fringe top 6 guys.

This year.....they got carried by 19/88/29/20 for most of the offense. An occasional depth goal by SMith. Otherwise, the depth was very bad.

For me....I'd have to see what they gave up to get Kesler PLUS what they would get back for say trading Sharp, when the dust settles are they BETTER?

This is a tough one for me. I know they won a cup without a "2nd line center" and everyone points at that, but they also had superior depth in 2008-09 and 2009-10. That team had guys who ended up being 1st/2nd line players on other teams who were buried in the bottom 6 on the Hawks.

You could even argue the same last year.....Bolland/Frolik/Stalberg were al fringe top 6 guys.

This year.....they got carried by 19/88/29/20 for most of the offense. An occasional depth goal by SMith. Otherwise, the depth was very bad.

For me....I'd have to see what they gave up to get Kesler PLUS what they would get back for say trading Sharp, when the dust settles are they BETTER?
- SteveRain

You answered your own argument and made the same point I and others have been trying to make...

What have the Hawks won with? a 2C or great depth.........stabilize the depth on this team you don't need a 2C.

This is a tough one for me. I know they won a cup without a "2nd line center" and everyone points at that, but they also had superior depth in 2008-09 and 2009-10. That team had guys who ended up being 1st/2nd line players on other teams who were buried in the bottom 6 on the Hawks.

You could even argue the same last year.....Bolland/Frolik/Stalberg were al fringe top 6 guys.

This year.....they got carried by 19/88/29/20 for most of the offense. An occasional depth goal by SMith. Otherwise, the depth was very bad.

For me....I'd have to see what they gave up to get Kesler PLUS what they would get back for say trading Sharp, when the dust settles are they BETTER?
- SteveRain

I was referring to the depth of the 3rd and 4th lines. I think getting Kesler would be a huge mistake. He would send the Hawks into cap hell and they may not afford to be able to address the biggest problem of all, lack of a 4 line depth.

Not ever player has their true value show up on the score sheet. Ideally more offensive output from Kruger would be great and over time I think it will come. But without producing offensively Kruger still offers tremendous value to the club, in the long term I think of him as a shut-down centre on the 3rd line. We have plenty of forwards who can score, what we need are more forwards who are as defensively sound as Kruger.
- DarthKane

Are you willing to pay a guy Bolland money for less offense?

I am not. You can find a defensive center anytime. Hawks found one last year in Handzus. IN 2008-09 in Pahlsson. Those guys are available.

Kruger needs to start scoring MORE for him to warrant a 3+ million a year deal which he will want. For all the whispers of all this skill and offensive creativity, the proof is in the pudding.....

Unnamed Source thought of the day:

Having a NMC and fear they may be shopping him over the offseason Patrick Sharp goes to Bowman and Q and says.....Hey I will be your 2C next year, I've done it before....

Then the Hawks tighten up their 3rd line by adding a quality veteran and moving Shaw to wing.....while being a cheaper addition than a 2C

Bickel-Toews- Hossa
Saad- Sharp - Kane
Morin - New Center - Shaw
Smith-Kruger- Bolling/Nordstrom
- UnnamedSource

Even if we keep Sharp and leave Shaw as the 2C I'd like to see Stan acquire another centre. I'm not holding out hope that Rasumssen is the answer for the 4th line.

Sharp-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Shaw-Kane
Bickell-Kruger-Morin
Bollig-New 4C-Smith
Versteeg

- Morin, Smith and Versteeg could be swapped depending on their play.