I agree. Just because it worked in the past is no guarantee that it's going to work again.
- Hawks82

In a salary cap world you can't have everything....think of how close to the SC we came without one.....and think of how many SC's we've won with out one......and over the past six years we've been the WCF's without one....this is not a one time thing...or an anomaly......in a salary cap world you have to make choices....you can only have 2 out of three per say....which do you pick?

1- Bottom six depth
2- 2C
3- Defensive depth....

The question I have for the board is how do the Hawks acquire a #2 center while keeping sharp? Sharp is an all star and Olympic gold medalist coming off a career regular season.. Sure he sucked in the playoffs but if you can keep him while addressing Center needs you are looking like an offensive powerhouse once again in 2014/15

Sharp-Toews - Hossa
saad-new center-Kane
bickell- shaw- smith
bollig-kruger-Nordstrom/morin
- EnzoD

Trade Seabrook...

Trade Seabrook...
- fattybeef

No, that was the answer to this question - "How do you make the Hawks worse this year?".

Trade Seabrook...
- fattybeef

O lord.

Keith's toe pull, Bickell's decision to pass to Hoss after the defense turned Bickell loose on Quick, and Sharp trying to pull up and cut across on the defenseman on the 3-on-1 (or 3-on-2) in OT and getting poke checked and no shot off...not sure which one I am still losing sleep over more. Honestly, as egregious as Keith's decision was at least there was a guy between he and Quick so I can somewhat see why he did that (but still acknowledge how bad of a decision it was). I have no idea why Bickell didn't take the shot after the King clearly decided to play the pass and leave Bickell for Quick and I really can't get over Sharp not taking a shot on the 3-on-1 (or 3-on-2). Coming down on the left wing, fire something low to the far side and take a chance on a rebound. You can't come away from that rush woth nothing. Granted, had Sharp decided to shoot the odds he would have chosen that shot are pretty slim. God knows he probably would have went high short side and caught the glass leading to a pseudo-breakout pass for the Kings.
- PhatJoeSki

They blew three leads in game 7 - including one in the third - and we're still discussing two shots not taken (which probably would have been saved anyways)?

Keith's toe pull, Bickell's decision to pass to Hoss after the defense turned Bickell loose on Quick, and Sharp trying to pull up and cut across on the defenseman on the 3-on-1 (or 3-on-2) in OT and getting poke checked and no shot off...not sure which one I am still losing sleep over more. Honestly, as egregious as Keith's decision was at least there was a guy between he and Quick so I can somewhat see why he did that (but still acknowledge how bad of a decision it was). I have no idea why Bickell didn't take the shot after the King clearly decided to play the pass and leave Bickell for Quick and I really can't get over Sharp not taking a shot on the 3-on-1 (or 3-on-2). Coming down on the left wing, fire something low to the far side and take a chance on a rebound. You can't come away from that rush woth nothing. Granted, had Sharp decided to shoot the odds he would have chosen that shot are pretty slim. God knows he probably would have went high short side and caught the glass leading to a pseudo-breakout pass for the Kings.
- PhatJoeSki

They were trying to be too cute when it mattered most. Bickell play happened right in front of me...If he shoots low Hossa probably gets to the rebound.

Sharp went selfish after blasting 2 IN, so he passed on giving up a drop pass to Keith in the 3rd as well.

Oh well...past is the past, but at least Bickell admitted he should have shot on the 2 on 1 with Hossa.

Hawks signed their 2C, DENNIS RASMUSSEN.

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=9985

Its on CapGeek, but I don't see it reported by anyone.

Hawks signed their 2C, DENNIS RASMUSSEN.

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=9985

Its on CapGeek, but I don't see it reported by anyone.
- Madkymike

It's been a point of discussion since yesterday afternoon. Thanks.

In a salary cap world you can't have everything....think of how close to the SC we came without one.....and think of how many SC's we've won with out one......and over the past six years we've been the WCF's without one....this is not a one time thing...or an anomaly......in a salary cap world you have to make choices....you can only have 2 out of three per say....which do you pick?

1- Bottom six depth
2- 2C
3- Defensive depth....
- UnnamedSource

And honestly....if Hossa or Sharp show up in that series or even Bickell, Hawks are on the verge of a repeat.

Depth needs to improve. Get me bigger sized guys, who can skate, bang a little, and are responsible defensively.

As I said yesterday, it's a very interesting summer for Bowman. Needs to make the right decision to keep this team LEGIT contenders before they morph into the Penguins.

As far as 19/88 goes, it'll be at least 9 probably around 9.25. NHLPA needs those salaries up there to slide in the next 2 tiers as the cap rises and guys will get paid.

In a salary cap world you can't have everything....think of how close to the SC we came without one.....and think of how many SC's we've won with out one......and over the past six years we've been the WCF's without one....this is not a one time thing...or an anomaly......in a salary cap world you have to make choices....you can only have 2 out of three per say....which do you pick?

1- Bottom six depth
2- 2C
3- Defensive depth....
- UnnamedSource

How about one move covering two - get a 2C, get Shaw on 3 (where he IMO belongs) along with Sharp (if he wasn't moved to get the 2C) and Morin/Notdstrom/? with the fourth line of Bollog, Kruger, Smith.

Your depth is back - rolling four lines.

No, that was the answer to this question - "How do you make the Hawks worse this year?".
- mohel

Depends on your definition of worse.

The Kings have a pretty barf bottom 2 and eh bottom 3.

Aside from Doughty they don't have much near a complete player. Voynov I think is solid most of the time but to say Martinez or Muzzin are good players is a stretch. Competent NHL players maybe but their forwards aren't eating 28 minutes a game.

More than one way to skin a cat as it were.

They blew three leads in game 7 - including one in the third - and we're still discussing two shots not taken (which probably would have been saved anyways)?
- StLBravesFan

Horrible rebound control by Crawford on Carter's goal. that also can't be missed. He saw that shot from a mile out and kicked it right into the slot. Helluva play by Carter, but it gave LA momentum.

I'll also add that Bolig needs to be slapped for chirping Williams after Toews goal. When they were lining up you could Williams getting pissed off, and when he scored he looked right at Bolig and gave it right back.

Fixed. Irregardless isn't a word

I agree with your post. I'd take a conditional 6th round pick for Versteeg at this point.
- eburgio

Unfortunately, it is a word.

http://www.huffingtonpost...s-is-a-wor_b_4434749.html

My bad, missed the post with the previously approved topics. I'll crawl back in my hole and let you all get back to you red-font posts and NHL 14 roster moves or telling other people why their ideas make no sense.
- PhatJoeSki

No offense, man - just pointing out there were more important factors contributing to the loss than shots not taken.

And honestly....if Hossa or Sharp show up in that series or even Bickell, Hawks are on the verge of a repeat.

Depth needs to improve. Get me bigger sized guys, who can skate, bang a little, and are responsible defensively.

As I said yesterday, it's a very interesting summer for Bowman. Needs to make the right decision to keep this team LEGIT contenders before they morph into the Penguins.

As far as 19/88 goes, it'll be at least 9 probably around 9.25. NHLPA needs those salaries up there to slide in the next 2 tiers as the cap rises and guys will get paid.
- SteveRain

This is a legitimate concern whether they unload core pieces now or try to continue to build around them. Can really go either way.

No offense, man - just pointing out there were more important factors contributing to the loss than shots not taken.
- StLBravesFan

I couldn't agree more, was just responding to Steve's post about Keith's toe pull into submission. All good.

Depends on your definition of worse.

The Kings have a pretty barf bottom 2 and eh bottom 3.

Aside from Doughty they don't have much near a complete player. Voynov I think is solid most of the time but to say Martinez or Muzzin are good players is a stretch. Competent NHL players maybe but their forwards aren't eating 28 minutes a game.

More than one way to skin a cat as it were.
- fattybeef

I was under the impression that Seabrook is on the top pairing. I don't get how talking about the Kings defensive grouping answers how dealing Seabrook makes the Hawks better. It doesn't.

This is a legitimate concern whether they unload core pieces now or try to continue to build around them. Can really go either way.
- fattybeef

That is why I am not against shopping Sharp.

At some point.....Bowman has to retool either top 6 or bottom 6 through the draft. Those guys have to produce OR bring back cheaper assets. So guys like Morin, Nordstrom, TT, and god knows who else....really have to start making progress.

I'm also keeping a very close on Hayes. If that kid walks, that's a bold statement. This team needs a Troy Brouwer type youngster. Somebody who can contribute and not make me scream about Bickell all game long since he loves to take shifts off...In fairness to 29, he's the only large body that can actually compete in the playoffs. Bolig for as much progress as he made in the offseason and as good as he was in the regular season, looked out of place in the playoffs.

It seems many of us want Kesler but were not sure what Vancouver wants in return. My guess is at least they want a very good young center among other things.
I just don’t get the feeling after listening to Bowman he is going to part with TT and I’m not sure we have anyone else the Canucks would want.
This leads me to my theory which is, this may very well be a three way deal where we send a few players to Team X (some portion of Sharp/Bickell/Shaw, Nordstrom/Morin or Oduya/Leddy) and they send a center and whoever else to Vancouver.
So that’s how I see it working out, let me have it boys!

They blew three leads in game 7 - including one in the third - and we're still discussing two shots not taken (which probably would have been saved anyways)?
- StLBravesFan

would have made all the difference....

In a salary cap world you can't have everything....think of how close to the SC we came without one.....and think of how many SC's we've won with out one......and over the past six years we've been the WCF's without one....this is not a one time thing...or an anomaly......in a salary cap world you have to make choices....you can only have 2 out of three per say....which do you pick?

1- Bottom six depth
2- 2C
3- Defensive depth....
- UnnamedSource

1. Manny Malhotra (UFA Signing)
2. Frans Nielsen (trade)

I think we have the defensive depth there already between the guys on the roster and the prospects in Rockford.

How about one move covering two - get a 2C, get Shaw on 3 (where he IMO belongs) along with Sharp (if he wasn't moved to get the 2C) and Morin/Notdstrom/? with the fourth line of Bollog, Kruger, Smith.

Your depth is back - rolling four lines.
- StLBravesFan

I would prefer moving Shaw to the wing....

17 days until the draft...

Food for thought.

17 days until the draft...
- EKolb13

I love the draft. For one day I get to see what TSN is all about.

I drink and watch my twitter melt down. It's better then the trade deadline. This year, I bet it's even better with cap space going up and teams needing to hit the floor.