I know Sharp has been the favourite trade target, but I would prefer to find a way to keep him and address the teams needs another way. I know it would be much more difficult, but the team would be much better that way.
- DarthKane

Sharp is still very good and could be a weapon on line 3 but he is also one of the few pieces we have where we could bring back a nice return of younger players and help the cap situation at the same time. Re-load for the future

Take a step back and look at the kane situation. He was hardly 'neutralized' he was a big reason how the Hawks took the Kings to 7 games. You talk about consistancy, Kane is about as inconsistant as it gets. He plays many games where he is invisible, but that is the nature of goal scorers. Ideally there should be a strong 2 way center on his line but if you really want consistancy it's that 4th line that will provide that.
- paulr

When Quenneville chained Handzus to Kane, how did that pan out?

Kane is not as inconsistent as it gets. Yikes. I don't even know where to go from there. Kane is JUST AS IMPORTANT as Toews as is arguably as consistent. If not more so, based on total points.

You take any top tier guy...and put him with a worthless pile of crap like Handzus, and watch him get double teamed and tell me how he produces. Imagine how much more there is from Kane with a legit center so teams can't key on him without fear of having some latest flavor of the day at center score against them.

Agreed. Doughty should be Conn Smythe but Williams may steal it.

I never realized how good Doughty was, I knew he was good, but NOT THIS good until this series. he was sensational.
- SteveRain

Doughty is only 24 year old...That's says enough.

I think Spezza is going to end up in St.Louis or Anaheim. The Blues need a front line center and the Ducks could ice a Getzlaf-Spezza 1-2 punch.

I still think he would be a great fit with the Hawks. You guys would be unstoppable with a Saad-Spezza-Kane 2nd line! Imagine that group going up against 2nd pairing defences.

But the Spezza contract situation may be a deal breaker due to the other high priced guys you need to fit in under the cap.

I think Spezza is going to end up in St.Louis or Anaheim. The Blues need a front line center and the Ducks could ice a Getzlaf-Spezza 1-2 punch.

I still think he would be a great fit with the Hawks. You guys would be unstoppable with a Saad-Spezza-Kane 2nd line! Imagine that group going up against 2nd pairing defences.

But the Spezza contract situation may be a deal breaker due to the other high priced guys you need to fit in under the cap.
- maaddmike

Just a question for someone with the Sens perspective? Would Ottawa be willing to absorb some of Spezza's cap hit for one year if it meant a better package coming back to them?

To me that's the only way I could see the Hawks being able to make a play for Spezza as you're right, $7M is tough to absorb for the Hawks next year.

I think Spezza is going to end up in St.Louis or Anaheim. The Blues need a front line center and the Ducks could ice a Getzlaf-Spezza 1-2 punch.

I still think he would be a great fit with the Hawks. You guys would be unstoppable with a Saad-Spezza-Kane 2nd line! Imagine that group going up against 2nd pairing defences.

But the Spezza contract situation may be a deal breaker due to the other high priced guys you need to fit in under the cap.
- maaddmike

I read something today that said the Blues are said to be working on a package around either Berglund or Shattenkirk. I doubt they move Shattenkirk

I read something today that said the Blues are said to be working on a package around either Berglund or Shattenkirk. I doubt they move Shattenkirk
- eburgio

I could see Berglund going, they'd be crazy to trade Shattenkirk.....so it will probably happen.

Just a question for someone with the Sens perspective? Would Ottawa be willing to absorb some of Spezza's cap hit for one year if it meant a better package coming back to them?

To me that's the only way I could see the Hawks being able to make a play for Spezza as you're right, $7M is tough to absorb for the Hawks next year.
- Hawksfan37

Cap space is a non-issue for Ottawa. They have become a budget team and have loads of extra cap space that they won't use.

I am not completely informed on how it works. If is it just retaining 'cap space' Ottawa would do that in a heartbeat to get a better deal. If it is actually paying actual dollars towards Spezza's salary after he moves, that might be more difficult. They have an internal budget now (Melnyk is no longer a deep pocketed owner due to losses in his business life outside of hockey) and would probably not spend real dollars on a player that is no longer with them.

When Quenneville chained Handzus to Kane, how did that pan out?

Kane is not as inconsistent as it gets. Yikes. I don't even know where to go from there. Kane is JUST AS IMPORTANT as Toews as is arguably as consistent. If not more so, based on total points.

You take any top tier guy...and put him with a worthless pile of crap like Handzus, and watch him get double teamed and tell me how he produces. Imagine how much more there is from Kane with a legit center so teams can't key on him without fear of having some latest flavor of the day at center score against them.
- SteveRain

OK a little hyperbole on my part but Kane does play many games where he hasn't done anything. If Toews is not getting points he is doing other things that Kane simply does not. As for importance I like em both but if I had to chosee one my decision wouldn't be close, Toews, to me, is far more important to the Hawks.

That said yes Zus probably shouldn't play on Kane's line but there were reasons you and I will probably never know.

But to the point at hand, the Hawks were the second best team in the NHL who, with more depth, I believe take the Kings out and go on to the finals. That means very little has to be done in the offseason and the priority are the Kane and Toews signings.

I could see Berglund going, they'd be crazy to trade Shattenkirk.....so it will probably happen.
- DarthKane

The other Western team rumored to be in the mix is Nashville with Josi being a key piece coming back to Ottawa.

I agree that getting Shattenkirk is likely a dream outcome for Ottawa.

The other Western team rumored to be in the mix is Nashville with Josi being a key piece coming back to Ottawa.

I agree that getting Shattenkirk is likely a dream outcome for Ottawa.
- maaddmike

That's not a bad deal, but you would have to think that Ottawa will need an NHL ready forward as part of the deal.

OK a little hyperbole on my part but Kane does play many games where he hasn't done anything. If Toews is not getting points he is doing other things that Kane simply does not. As for importance I like em both but if I had to chosee one my decision wouldn't be close, Toews, to me, is far more important to the Hawks.

That said yes Zus probably shouldn't play on Kane's line but there were reasons you and I will probably never know.

But to the point at hand, the Hawks were the second best team in the NHL who, with more depth, I believe take the Kings out and go on to the finals. That means very little has to be done in the offseason and the priority are the Kane and Toews signings.
- paulr

We will agree to disagree. Not on the Toews vs Kane, as I also would keep Toews. However, Kane's game.....will ever see what an offensive gem this kid COULD be if he ever got the one piece....2c?

As far as 2nd best team. I dont' agree. They are good. Damn good. Again, they were inconsistent for the last half of the regular season. that carried over into the playoffs. Without CC being SENSATIONAL they lose against STL AND MINNY. Those weren't series were they dominated. Hell, you could say they were outplayed by both teams for the majority and won because of Crawford and a timely goal.

I just think if they bring back the same team, with no changes....you are setting yourself up for failure and it takes another year off whatever tread is left on Hossa, and the older guys.

I want some value in he depth, but I dont' see a roster with a lot of opening UNLESS they make multiple trades to free up spots...Right now your bottom 6 is Smith (can't see him not resigned), Kruger, Bolig, Versteeg, and Bickell or Sharp. Depending upon what Q does with the lines. That's 5 spots. You also have Morin and probably another prospect waiting.

So again...where is the space to plug in what I would be at LEAST 2 large bodied wingers who can move and be effective.

The Bolig deal is puzzling to me. Guy has proven now back to back years, he can't be trusted to play a regular shift in the postseason.

I could see Berglund going, they'd be crazy to trade Shattenkirk.....so it will probably happen.
- DarthKane

Not that Berglund is the cat's meow, or chopped liver for that matter, and I'm trying to put this into context...but I don't think the hawks have anything that good to give up (in terms of skill or cap hit). Like you mentioned, they would need a forward going back (most likely) and other than Sharp (too big a cap hit), I don't think the Hawks have anyone that fits into that sweet spot of skill and salary they might be looking for in return.

Not that Berglund is the cat's meow, or chopped liver for that matter, and I'm trying to put this into context...but I don't think the hawks have anything that good to give up (in terms of skill or cap hit). Like you mentioned, they would need a forward going back (most likely) and other than Sharp (too big a cap hit), I don't think the Hawks have anyone that fits into that sweet spot of skill and salary they might be looking for in return.
- eburgio

St Louis would offer more than Berglund, but it would be a place to start.

I've given up on expecting a big name to fill the 2C role (i.e. Kesler, Statsny, Spezza). I think Stan will go the Neilen, Eller, Anisimov type route.

**NEW BLOG**