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).
- StLBravesFan

Stan has done a good job at what he's had to do. For the most part he's just needed to keep the core together, make a few tweaks and manage the cap. Stan hasn't made any big moves because none have been needed. Not counting the really small trades (ie Morrison, Regin) Stan has really made 3 deals of any consequence: Frolik, Versteeg and Oduya. Frolik and Oduya were big successes, Versteeg looks to be a flop but there's still a chance it turns out ok. I have faith that Stan can make a solid deal or two this off season.

I know we've been looking to trade Sharp to generate cap space but Stan has other options that may be better. If needed Versteeg and Rozsival can go, that freed up $4.4 million in cap space. That's more than enough to acquire a centre like Neilsen, Eller or Anisimov (if Stan can make a deal for picks/prospects). I may be dreaming, but if Stan can find a way to address the 2C vacancy while keeping Sharp, Leddy and Oduya that would be downright amazing.

HNIC is a brand nobody wants to lose. Hockey on TV will be different next season.

Looked to me like nobody can play for the Kings if they weren't born in Ontario or Saskatchewan. Probably had to take a vote to let Kopitar and Gaborik play on the team.
- RickJ

With a Yank wearing the "C" and another starting in net..

Stan has done a good job at what he's had to do. For the most part he's just needed to keep the core together, make a few tweaks and manage the cap. Stan hasn't made any big moves because none have been needed. Not counting the really small trades (ie Morrison, Regin) Stan has really made 3 deals of any consequence: Frolik, Versteeg and Oduya. Frolik and Oduya were big successes, Versteeg looks to be a flop but there's still a chance it turns out ok. I have faith that Stan can make a solid deal or two this off season.

I know we've been looking to trade Sharp to generate cap space but Stan has other options that may be better. If needed Versteeg and Rozsival can go, that freed up $4.4 million in cap space. That's more than enough to acquire a centre like Neilsen, Eller or Anisimov (if Stan can make a deal for picks/prospects). I may be dreaming, but if Stan can find a way to address the 2C vacancy while keeping Sharp, Leddy and Oduya that would be downright amazing.
- DarthKane

They can and would love to see that happen. Rozy possibly, Steeg I just don't see.

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.
- HawkintheD

Thanks for the heads-up, Hawk.

I could see one of two things happen this summer. One, they try to pick up a budget player in free agency to slide into the 2 slot (Dominic Moore or similar), or they finally move one of the bigger pieces, Sharp, Leddy, Oduya....

Could be an interesting summer.

Thanks for the heads-up, Hawk.

I could see one of two things happen this summer. One, they try to pick up a budget player in free agency to slide into the 2 slot (Dominic Moore or similar), or they finally move one of the bigger pieces, Sharp, Leddy, Oduya....

Could be an interesting summer.
- MartiniMan

Should be.

Can see them trying to find an aging guy they can get on the cheap for 2C but am hoping for something a bit bolder.

If they get a legit 2C and maybe a bottom line role guy or two, others slide down and we have depth again.

They can and would love to see that happen. Rozy possibly, Steeg I just don't see.
- HawkintheD

Even if just Rozy goes, that frees up $2.2 million in cap space, Stan can do a lot with that. If a Stan could pry Neilsen out of New York for picks/prospects while losing Rozsival that would only add about $500K in cap space.

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.
- HawkintheD

We aren't alone in wanting to move the whole team: read the Rangers board this morning.

They have many of the same issues as here: need to get more physical, need bigger defensemen who can clear the crease, lost because their stars didn't come out (Nash, Richard).

We aren't alone in wanting to move the whole team: read the Rangers board this morning.

They have many of the same issues as here: need to get more physical, need bigger defensemen who can clear the crease, lost because their stars didn't come out (Nash, Richard).
- StLBravesFan

We are in a much better position than the Rangers going forward.

We aren't alone in wanting to move the whole team: read the Rangers board this morning.

They have many of the same issues as here: need to get more physical, need bigger defensemen who can clear the crease, lost because their stars didn't come out (Nash, Richard).
- StLBravesFan

Remember that Nash for Kane talk a couple of years ago? Thank God that didn't happen. Guy has mostly disappeared ever since he arrived in the Big Apple.

Even if just Rozy goes, that frees up $2.2 million in cap space, Stan can do a lot with that. If a Stan could pry Neilsen out of New York for picks/prospects while losing Rozsival that would only add about $500K in cap space.
- DarthKane

Need to replace Roszival - at least $750,000 - now you've added about $1.25MM.

Won't get Neilsen for only picks/Prospects.

@Tdent10: Congrats to ex @goicehogs and Blackhawk Colin Fraser, on winning his 3rd Stanley Cup in the last 5 yrs - 2 with LA, 1 with Chi. Wow!

Thanks for the heads-up, Hawk.

I could see one of two things happen this summer. One, they try to pick up a budget player in free agency to slide into the 2 slot (Dominic Moore or similar), or they finally move one of the bigger pieces, Sharp, Leddy, Oduya....

Could be an interesting summer.
- MartiniMan

I can definitely see them going the cheap bandaid way of trying an older vet in a spot he shouldn't be in, but my gut tells me he finally moves a big piece in a trade. Hopefully he makes a very good hockey trade

Need to replace Roszival - at least $750,000 - now you've added about $1.25MM.

Won't get Neilsen for only picks/Prospects.
- StLBravesFan

I know, my point is just that there are other options than trading Sharp. Maybe it happens, but it's not the only way.

We aren't alone in wanting to move the whole team: read the Rangers board this morning.

They have many of the same issues as here: need to get more physical, need bigger defensemen who can clear the crease, lost because their stars didn't come out (Nash, Richard).
- StLBravesFan

Someone said it here too, for those screaming for Bickell's head, imagine Nash for 7.8.

Sadly, I was one of the angry mob who thought Kane for Nash after '12 and the PHX series was a good idea.

Remember that Nash for Kane talk a couple of years ago? Thank God that didn't happen. Guy has mostly disappeared ever since he arrived in the Big Apple.
- MartiniMan

Ha! Was just incriminating myself above. Ironically the guy CBJ got in that deal is a guy I would have loved here...Dubes!

I know, my point is just that there are other options than trading Sharp. Maybe it happens, but it's not the only way.
- DarthKane

Absolutely.

This is the summer to have Stan prove the he can creatively improve this team.

Absolutely.

This is the summer to have Stan prove the he can creatively improve this team.
- StLBravesFan

I know Sharp has taken a lot of heat, but I would rather keep him if it's possible.

I beat Ogi.

Consolation prize. What I am used to.
- carcus

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

You missed the good news then. Hawks are getting Kesler from Vancouver for Bickell and TT, and the kicker is Vancouver will retain half of Kesler's cap hit. Also we are all making Bickell out yo be Eric Lindros

I beat Ogi.

Consolation prize. What I am used to.
- carcus

Considering my choice to represent the East in the finals was swept out in round 1....that's not saying much

Stan has done a good job at what he's had to do. For the most part he's just needed to keep the core together, make a few tweaks and manage the cap. Stan hasn't made any big moves because none have been needed. Not counting the really small trades (ie Morrison, Regin) Stan has really made 3 deals of any consequence: Frolik, Versteeg and Oduya. Frolik and Oduya were big successes, Versteeg looks to be a flop but there's still a chance it turns out ok. I have faith that Stan can make a solid deal or two this off season.

I know we've been looking to trade Sharp to generate cap space but Stan has other options that may be better. If needed Versteeg and Rozsival can go, that freed up $4.4 million in cap space. That's more than enough to acquire a centre like Neilsen, Eller or Anisimov (if Stan can make a deal for picks/prospects). I may be dreaming, but if Stan can find a way to address the 2C vacancy while keeping Sharp, Leddy and Oduya that would be downright amazing.
- DarthKane

Leddy.

We aren't alone in wanting to move the whole team: read the Rangers board this morning.

They have many of the same issues as here: need to get more physical, need bigger defensemen who can clear the crease, lost because their stars didn't come out (Nash, Richard).
- StLBravesFan

What happened to the prevailing thought over there that they were the best d-corps on the planet?

You missed the good news then. Hawks are getting Kesler from Vancouver for Bickell and TT, and the kicker is Vancouver will retain half of Kesler's cap hit. Also we are all baking Bickell out yo be Eric Lindros

- Ogilthorpe2

Unless the new GM in Vancouver reads this thread in lieu of having a scouting department...

What happened to the prevailing thought over there that they were the best d-corps on the planet?
- HawkintheD

just wait 10 more minutes and those same sentiments will return

What happened to the prevailing thought over there that they were the best d-corps on the planet?
- HawkintheD

Reality check?