Things will get awfully difficult for them after next season.

Clifford, Toffoli, Pearson are all RFA.

Martinez is a UFA
Muzzin is a RFA
And they do not have the farm system the Hawks do to replace that type of talent.
- CaptainBlackhawk

That's good to see. Toffoli and pearson will be big pieces to have to sign. They do a great job drafting grinders so clifford will be easy to replace. But those 2 d-men were huge for them this year. And you are right about their farm system. Of course lombardi always makes a million trades so I'm sure they will contend for a long time

LA has the perfect balance of race horse and mule. Hoping Stanley sees that. I will say this.. Doughty is a damn fine D man.. If Sharp goes and Richards comes here.. he can keep his #10.
- z1990z

idk what you saw from Richards that would make you want him on the Hawks...i thought he looked slow and didnt do much but play a depth role

Completely agree.

I'm asking myself...is there too high of a price for Kesler?
- Hawks82

Kesler would be huge and it would make us very tough for the next couple years. We would have beaten LA with him, But if we trade I still want to trade for young players who will be here for a LONG time. Young players that have already been in the league for a few years so we can still contend Now and for the next decade. That's not too much to ask for, is it

idk what you saw from Richards that would make you want him on the Hawks...i thought he looked slow and didnt do much but play a depth role
- EnzoD

I have always liked him. Im still waiting for the big announcement that Stan signed Iginla to be the #2 C. You know Q is blowing up Iginla's face book to sign with the Hawks. Q is promising Jerome 40 mins a night as long as he doesn't have to play some young guy Stan says is the next C.

Here's the Hockey Night in Canada season closing montage, which carries extra significance this time, as the Canadian institution will turn over hockey coverage to Rogers next season, ending a GLORIOUS RUN. Many of the CBC boyz will make the move to Rogers as well.

ENJOY LADS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dygMvt4U3BQ

I have always liked him. Im still waiting for the big announcement that Stan signed Iginla to be the #2 C. You know Q is blowing up Iginla's face book to sign with the Hawks. Q is promising Jerome 40 mins a night as long as he doesn't have to play some young guy Stan says is the next C.
- z1990z

he could probably do kruger's job pretty well for another year or two but his cap hit is ridiculous and it is crazy to think that he was on team canada 4 years ago and now he is a 4th liner (on a cup winning team but 4th line nonetheless) he is far from the player he once was. 2010 richards, sign me up! 2014 richards

Don't get me wrong, the Kings deserved this Cup. But watching another team hoist Lord Stanley's Mug really hurts this year. Had we taken one of games 2-4 against LA or got the OT winner in game 7 the Cup would have been ours. This year stings a lot more than 2011 or 2012. But that's in the past now and it's time to focus on all the great times ahead for our team.

Did the Kings get Williams as a part of the Richards trade?
- Hawks82

No Williams was here prior. I want to say it was a trade with Tim Gleason and someone else involved. Too ecstatic to recall atm.

Edit: 3-way trade involving patty o'sullivan

No Williams was here prior. I want to say it was a trade with Tim Gleason and someone else involved. Too ecstatic to recall atm.
- Stu17

It was a 3 way deal, essentially LA gave up Patrick O'Sullivan and a 2nd for Williams. I'd say that was a pretty decent trade for the Kings.

A trade with Tampa Bay that would raise some eyebrows...

Patrick Sharp
Nick Leddy
Tuevo Teravainen

For

Valteri Fippula
Alex Killorn
2015 2nd Round.

A trade with Tampa Bay that would raise some eyebrows...

Patrick Sharp
Nick Leddy
Tuevo Teravainen

For

Valteri Fippula
Alex Killorn
2015 2nd Round.
- Hawks82

I don't really have much proposals.... I realize the Hawks need a legit 2 center but I'm not crazy enough to trade Sharp instead of Bickell to get it done. The Hawks have a lot of assets that can be traded that wont dramatically affect the team. However getting Saad, Toews and Kane signed to contract extensions would be my number one concern right now.... We can trade Rozy and Bickell to make room for that, move some picks and prospects to get a guy like Kesler.

I'm open to Spezza and Thornton too but I wouldn't be willing to give up much for either - and quite frankly Thornton is bad luck in my opinion.

I really like Kesler because he has those intangibles - he might not be a PPG player but he is certainly a hard nosed player that gives 100% every shift and is a lot like Toews..... Spezza and Thornton are nothing more than simple solutions - not long term. But I would take either one at @50% reduced cap hit as a temporary solution.

This team doesn't need a drastic change what this team needs is a #2 center and if the cost of that is too high on the trade market then just look to FA's - looking there is more responsible than trading Sharp or whoever else that plays a major role in the Blackhawks success.
- Tazer19

Who would give you what you want for Bickel? Actually it is just silly to even consider dealing him. No team will give you value straight up. Although inconsistent there just are not a lot of big size players that can do what Bickel can do.

Here is something interesting to see how it plays out: Bickel said he is getting in shape seriously this summer for next season. That could mean he has a good first half or good opening 20 gp then inconsistent thereafter.

So what you expect is a Bickel circa last Cup playoffs? What you may get is just that if he is not injured and the team in managed properly. Is it such a bad thing to have a player like Bickel lurking around, and hopefully potent in the playoffs? As for Bickel and playoffs: Players not gassed and or playing with injuries is a key. Because Bickel needs the linemates to be playing well too.

Your derision over Bickel is warranted. But look around and tell how and where Chg gets his replacement: a big size player who sometimes plays big.

- z1990z

Trade Sharp you must get asset(s) the team sorely is lacking. Or no deal.

You could consider Johnson, a rookie center last year who had a good season. Go ahead, look up his stat's and talent analysis.

Johnson may not be quite the second center we need. But not bad. Q would like his game. He would be a cheap contract. Killorn inclusive in the deal. A post described him as a larger version of Shaw. The large size bottom line player we need.

The one problem with this sort of trade is that it is preferable to always trade value for value, straight up. I do not think good centers are or will be available straight up. Sharp straight up.....not likely since good centers do not get dealt if the GM has any brains.

Short of Vermette, whom is under contract and not being moved, who really, honestly would deal a center? No one, save maybe goof Garth Snow if Chg overpays.

Or go with the sort of trade I suggested if you must find a competent center.

I do not know if Yzerman wants the Sharp contract. The ownership seems reluctant to have a lot of money in big contracts. But Sharp on line two with heralded rookie, Drouin, would be interesting and maybe productive.

Chg can still go ahead and move probably Leddy instead of Oduya if they make this sort of trade.

Most likely Bowman will reshape his dman corps if some of the blueline prospects develop into the sort of player whom could become a second pair type. TVR, Johns, Dahlbeck, Fournier bear watching. The odds that one of them would become that good, who knows but do not expect it. Hope for it with even one of them.

A conservative approach by Bowman might be Oduya or Leddy moved but not until the trade deadline? Oduya was injured and Leddy is someone Bowman wants to see if he might take another step in his development. Bowman traded for Leddy and may be loathe to trade him just yet.

Saw this on HF Boards:

McKenzie says the Sabres are in the market to buy 1st round picks:
http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnp...asts/TD_...ger_June12.mp3

8:30 mark

McKenzie says assume that there is a team with a $5mil per year player on a multi-year contract.

They trade him to the Sabres along with a 1st round pick in exchange for Buffalo's 2nd round pick. Buffalo can choose to hold on to the player or use a compliance buy out.

According to McKenzie Tim Murray is shopping that option to any team interested.

As much of a horse as Hossa has been, he has been hurt the past 2 playoffs. Would it be worth trading him to Buffalo to have them use a compliance buyout so they is no long term cap hit against the Hawks? Would hate to lose Hossa, but with future cap concerns, just circulating the idea

Saw this on HF Boards:

McKenzie says the Sabres are in the market to buy 1st round picks:
http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnp...asts/TD_...ger_June12.mp3

8:30 mark

McKenzie says assume that there is a team with a $5mil per year player on a multi-year contract.

They trade him to the Sabres along with a 1st round pick in exchange for Buffalo's 2nd round pick. Buffalo can choose to hold on to the player or use a compliance buy out.

According to McKenzie Tim Murray is shopping that option to any team interested.

As much of a horse as Hossa has been, he has been hurt the past 2 playoffs. Would it be worth trading him to Buffalo to have them use a compliance buyout so they is no long term cap hit against the Hawks? Would hate to lose Hossa, but with future cap concerns, just circulating the idea
- ikeane

The idea was kicked around here last year quite a bit and I'd still say no.

To me Sharp is the core player that makes the most sense to move. I think if they did the Hawks could get value back where it's not just a salary dump.

When JJ mentions TB, it has to Filpula they're looking at, as I'm sure it's a player the elder Bowman is familiar with given the Wing connection.

The Hawks should make him they're backup target though and offer Bickell for Stamkos and TB's first this year and next, also demanding that Stevie Y eat at least half of Stamkos' contract.

The idea was kicked around here last year quite a bit and I'd still say no.

To me Sharp is the core player that makes the most sense to move. I think if they did the Hawks could get value back where it's not just a salary dump.

When JJ mentions TB, it has to Filpula they're looking at, as I'm sure it's a player the elder Bowman is familiar with given the Wing connection.

The Hawks should make him they're backup target though and offer Bickell for Stamkos and TB's first this year and next, also demanding that Stevie Y eat at least half of Stamkos' contract.
- HawkintheD

Unsure what you are being sarcastic about; could be a few things.

How do you feel about keeping Bickel around? While his performance has always been inconsistent throughout his pro career, big physical players are not falling to the ground to be picked up like apples. He is a valuable asset in playoffs but the linemates and team has to be not gased or playing with injuries.

Also I do not see Filpula solving any glaring team shortcoming.

Please no 160# - 180# players with no history of playing physical when needed.

Final Bracket Challenge Standings



http://bracketchallenge.n...ff_challenge/leagues/5666




Congrats to AusHawk

Stan is great at the draft. We built our Cup teams through the draft. We didn't need to make a million trades. Just a few. And I think maybe one or 2 more good trades can turn us into a real dynasty
- tomcat24

I think the jury must still be out on Stan and trades:

He became GM in July, 2010, so after the 2010 draft, so he's only been in charge of 3 drafts, out of which have come only two skaters on the team: Saad and Shaw from 2011.

Several prospects, of course, but only the two so far. And as good as we may feel about those prospects, they are still only prospects.

The Cup teams were built thru the draft, but mostly under Tallon (Nordstrom, Kruger, Smith, Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson) and Pulford (Bickell, Seabrook, Crawford, Keith, Bolland, Byfuglien, Brouwer).

It will be ever sweeter when they win it again....Look on the bright side. Carcus has no idea what it feels like.
- Elbows15

I got teary eyed last night just thinking about the Blues winning a cup.

Unsure what you are being sarcastic about; could be a few things.

How do you feel about keeping Bickel around? While his performance has always been inconsistent throughout his pro career, big physical players are not falling to the ground to be picked up like apples. He is a valuable asset in playoffs but the linemates and team has to be not gased or playing with injuries.

Also I do not see Filpula solving any glaring team shortcoming.
- jhawk59

G'Morning J.

The Bickell for Stamkos thing was total sarcasm; ridiculous trade proposal bridging off some from one of the posters yesterday.

I like Bickell and agree about physical guys not falling off trees. It's something the Hawks don't have waiting in the wings in RFD. I think a healthy Bick to start the year will hopefully go a ways toward minimizing some of the calls for his head during the season. He's brought it 3 years in a row in the playoffs and even when he wasn't scoring in the LA series he was still throwing some big hits.

Filpula, if he's the guy they are looking at would fill a need at 2C; debatable on the board as far as whether it's a glaring need or not. Whatever side you fall on I still think it's a need and a pretty important one.

You get a 2C (say Val), you can then move Shaw down to the 3rd line with Kruger and Smith or Morin if Sharp's gone and then have some other guys fill out the 4th from Smith/Morin, Steeg, Bollig, Nordy, new 4C if pick up in trade. Would definitely give you some depth for your 4th line. Some of that is predicated on Steeg coming back healthy and focused and Bowman making a trade for bottom line depth guy to fill out the fwd units; hopefully a big body who can skate.

Don't get me wrong, the Kings deserved this Cup. But watching another team hoist Lord Stanley's Mug really hurts this year. Had we taken one of games 2-4 against LA or got the OT winner in game 7 the Cup would have been ours. This year stings a lot more than 2011 or 2012. But that's in the past now and it's time to focus on all the great times ahead for our team.
- DarthKane

Agree.

Last night I turned on the game halfway through the first overtime; that's the first hockey I've watched since the Hawks were eliminated.

I thought things were set up for the Hawks extraordinarily well once the third round was set. They had home ice throughout. All they had to do was take care of business. Q waited too long to adjust in that series, and it didn't happen. Very disappointing; it doesn't help that Carter was way offside on the first Kings goal in Game 7. But that's what happens when you put yourself in a position where a bad/missed call and an unfortunate bounce in OT can kill you.

Such a predictable finish. Cup was there for the taking.

So, I haven't been around for awhile. Whom amongst the core is still there that we haven't traded yet? Hammer?

Agree.

Last night I turned on the game halfway through the first overtime; that's the first hockey I've watched since the Hawks were eliminated.

I thought things were set up for the Hawks extraordinarily well once the third round was set. They had home ice throughout. All they had to do was take care of business. Q waited too long to adjust in that series, and it didn't happen. Very disappointing; it doesn't help that Carter was way offside on the first Kings goal in Game 7. But that's what happens when you put yourself in a position where a bad/missed call and an unfortunate bounce in OT can kill you.

Such a predictable finish. Cup was there for the taking.

So, I haven't been around for awhile. Whom amongst the core is still there that we haven't traded yet? Hammer?
- MartiniMan

Hey Double M! Hammer's gone too. He was deemed redundant...too many Swedes.

Seriously, the only core guy that people (about 50/50) seem to not mind being shopped and potentially shipped is Sharp; as long as Stan ends up with a 2C from that trade or creating space through that deal and acquiring 2C in another.

Here's the Hockey Night in Canada season closing montage, which carries extra significance this time, as the Canadian institution will turn over hockey coverage to Rogers next season, ending a GLORIOUS RUN. Many of the CBC boyz will make the move to Rogers as well.

ENJOY LADS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dygMvt4U3BQ
- philco28

Let's hope Rogers has the brains to keep the best of the CBC legacy.

Final Bracket Challenge Standings



http://bracketchallenge.n...ff_challenge/leagues/5666




Congrats to AusHawk
- mrpaulish

I beat Ogi.

Consolation prize. What I am used to.