Sharpie's buddy wins Conn Smyth trophy, does Justin Williams make 6 mill a year? Probably soon aye?

Totally agree and am looking at it from a bit of a bean counter standpoint...asset management. After the year he had, this is likely the highest return you get for Sharp.

He's 32 and don't think this will be one the Hawks end up regretting because like Chelios he plays until he's 50. If they're smart/creative they can get a decent return for #10 that addresses a hole/s and not create another.
- HawkintheD

Agreed. I see what they are doing about identifying a core group and going for drafted cheaper players around them, but we have 4 big-time forwards. Not many have that. 4 big-time expensive and a few older players. I think we can afford to trade 1 of them to reload and help with cap space. We have some good guys now to help offset his loss

Don't know Bennett - Reinhart of Calgary? He's a prospect like the ones they have at Rockford - why a high cap hit?

My criteria would be:

(1) Do they solve the 2C problem (and thus help solve the depth problem)?

(2) And what does Stan have to do to create the cap space?

If the answer to (1) is yes, and the answer to (2) is reasonable, then the overall answer is "yes".

Like in baseball: you "stockpile" prospects not only to bring them to the team, but also to use as pieces in deals that solve problems.
- StLBravesFan

Top draft picks always have cap hits in the $3M range with all the bonuses included. Sam Reinhart is a Center for one of the WHL teams. Said to be a Top-3 pick, along with Aaron Ekblad (D) and Sam Bennett (C). Can any CHL followers comment?

Right. I didnt mean to imply they were trading Sharp as a salary dump, not getting anything in return. You just have to hope those left behind (and acquired) can pick up the slack. 78 points, with a large stretch of nada from him, is a pretty good clip for the season. I like what Saad is becoming, but giving him and Bickell the reigns as top two LW's make me uncomfortable.
- eburgio

I get what you are saying. To be honest I expect bickell to be another regular season no-show. I think Saad, smith, and shaw will step up, though. But I think by getting the players for sharp we will be a more well-rounded team. I guess we would have to see the trade 1st, though

Agreed. I see what they are doing about identifying a core group and going for drafted cheaper players around them, but we have 4 big-time forwards. Not many have that. 4 big-time expensive and a few older players. I think we can afford to trade 1 of them to reload and help with cap space. We have some good guys now to help offset his loss
- tomcat24

I am all for seeing Danault, McNeill & Morin get true meaningful shots at contributing to this club next season.if Vermette is off the table,& the Kesler bid gets stupid,same with Spezza,I am still in favor of trading a guy like Sharp for a younger Guy like Braydon Schenn or JVR, the latter not necessarily a center but a younger top 6 bigger forward who could become part of the future core. Hopefully they don't trade assets for garbage or smaller no name centers.

I am all for seeing Danault, McNeill & Morin get true meaningful shots at contributing to this club next season.if Vermette is off the table,& the Kesler bid gets stupid,same with Spezza,I am still in favor of trading a guy like Sharp for a younger Guy like Braydon Schenn or JVR, the latter not necessarily a center but a younger top 6 bigger forward who could become part of the future core. Hopefully they don't trade assets for garbage or smaller no name centers.
- wonthecup10

Danault and McNeil aren't ready
Morin seemingly wasn't either

Top draft picks always have cap hits in the $3M range with all the bonuses included. Sam Reinhart is a Center for one of the WHL teams. Said to be a Top-3 pick, along with Aaron Ekblad (D) and Sam Bennett (C). Can any CHL followers comment?
- eburgio

I'm not looking for more prospects - might as well keep the ones they've got - I'm looking for NHL centers - not the Kesler/Spaezza stars - but mid level proven centers that maybe could be had for high draft picks and prospects.

The Hawks are built to win now - the window is open now.

I'm not looking for more prospects - might as well keep the ones they've got - I'm looking for NHL centers - not the Kesler/Spaezza stars - but mid level proven centers that maybe could be had for high draft picks and prospects.

The Hawks are built to win now - the window is open now.
- StLBravesFan

THIS.

If the Hawks are relying on Morin, McNeil and Danault next year this franchise is in BIG TIME trouble.

To respond to my own post:

The thing that keeps sticking out to me about LA's two Cups is that they had the creativity, aggressiveness, and financial flexibility to recognize their needs and solve them at the trade deadline twice: Carter and Gaborik.

Indicting Stan a little bit, although I can't argue with a couple of his TDL moves - Oduya and Handzus.

But Stan needs to get stuff done this summer - either a 2C - which, IMO, also helps solve the depth problem - or a 3C/4C - solving the depth problem - without creating other holes (Oduya and/or Leddy gone? Need to replace them).

And it would be nice to have some financial capability come next February, to take care of injury situations, or skaters not performing as expected.

Difficult? Absolutely.

Impossible? Absolutely not - it's been done by others.

Creative.
- StLBravesFan

This is Stan's biggest test so far as GM - he's had the core in place and been able to nibble at the corners and get enough complimentary parts to get a 2nd Cup. But he hasn't made the big move that Dale had made in the past in a trade. Does Stan have it in him to do it? Does he need to do it? Or can get what he wants by dealing players for picks prospects and going UFAs. Stan needs to be creative for sure and aggressive...but no more Steve Montador's.

We've been strapped with the 2nd Line Center conundrum for years it seems. And its always musical chairs there. This needs to end. Kane needs to be unleashed.
We saw a small sample size in the Kings series. And as you mention the 2C would resolve the third line issue by getting Shaw back down there.

I think the other issue is the defense which couldn't clear the front of the net in the Kings series. I'd love to see some upgrades there but the cap and new deals for the Wonder Twins could prevent that. But Stan certainly has some contracts
he'd like to move at the draft. As you say he certainly has options. Let's see what the Bowmans do here. But make no mistake this is a big moment for the front office and the reloading/retooling for the next several years is quickly at hand.

Danault and McNeil aren't ready
Morin seemingly wasn't either
- CaptainBlackhawk

It seems LA's kids are ready at a young age, or are we doing it the Cubs way? Hopefully it wil change come the fall, I just don't want to see the Hawks get stupid & deal their assets, if it means promoting those 3 & seeing them get meaningful experience next season while falling short again for 1 more year than so be it. They will be that much better in 15-16. But if there is a Bonified deal out there that benefits them, by all means make it. So far a lot of them have been iffy if even an ounce of truth to any of the rumors.

It seems LA's kids are ready at a young age, or are we doing it the Cubs way? Hopefully it wil change come the fall, I just don't want to see the Hawks get stupid & deal their assets, if it means promoting those 3 & seeing them get meaningful experience next season while falling short again for 1 more year than so be it. They will be that much better in 15-16. But if there is a Bonified deal out there that benefits them, by all means make it. So far a lot of them have been iffy if even an ounce of truth to any of the rumors.
- wonthecup10

Shaw
Saad
Kruger
Hammer

... all are young "kids" who have/are contributing to the "big league" club. Just because their "kids" doesn't mean they are ready. Those that are ready consistently have seen playing time with this coaching staff.

This is Stan's biggest test so far as GM - he's had the core in place and been able to nibble at the corners and get enough complimentary parts to get a 2nd Cup. But he hasn't made the big move that Dale had made in the past in a trade. Does Stan have it in him to do it? Does he need to do it? Or can get what he wants by dealing players for picks prospects and going UFAs. Stan needs to be creative for sure and aggressive...but no more Steve Montador's.


- DK002

What big trade(s) did Dale make? He picked up Sharp years before the Cup when he was underperforming, it wasn't a big trade at the time. Everyone else on the Cup team was drafted, minor trades, or free agents, some free agents where pushed for by McD supposedly. So all the talk about Dale being more aggressive I don't get. Not to defend Bowman but I don't think Dale was as aggressive in trades as people think.

Danault and McNeil weren't ready this year
Morin seemingly wasn't either
- CaptainBlackhawk

Fixed.

A lot could happen over the summer. Don't count either out come the fall.

THIS.

If the Hawks are relying on Morin, McNeil and Danault next year this franchise is in BIG TIME trouble.
- CaptainBlackhawk

You could have said the same about Ben Smith last summer. Wait and see where they are come camp in September before you totally discount them.

Fixed.

A lot could happen over the summer. Don't count either out come the fall.
- NewToHockey

VERY confident from most every single report I've seen, and those that follow/post here (Al, Wiz), that Danault nor McNeil are ready.

You could have said the same about Ben Smith last summer. Wait and see where they are come camp in September before you totally discount them.
- NewToHockey

Ben Smith had seen action three other seasons (including playoff action), and was 24. Not the same case as Danault or McNeil.

What big trade(s) did Dale make? He picked up Sharp years before the Cup when he was underperforming, it wasn't a big trade at the time. Everyone else on the Cup team was drafted, minor trades, or free agents, some free agents where pushed for by McD supposedly. So all the talk about Dale being more aggressive I don't get. Not to defend Bowman but I don't think Dale was as aggressive in trades as people think.
- Hemingways

To be fair, Dale did get Ladd for Ruutuu.

VERY confident from most every single report I've seen, and those that follow/post here (Al, Wiz), that Danault nor McNeil are ready.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I agree with you that they haven't shown they are ready YET, but refuse to discount that they may make strides working with coaches over the summer. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't totally write them off for this year. Look back to 2010-2011, would you have seen Kruger and Smith being positive contributors to that team late in the season and in the playoffs?

Another wildcard is the new Swede, Rasmussen. How close is he? I would assume he didn't sign at age 23 to come over here and spend three years in Rockford. He was a top 10 scorer in the SEL last year.

I agree with you that they haven't shown they are ready YET, but refuse to discount that they may make strides working with coaches over the summer. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't totally write them off for this year. Look back to 2010-2011, would you have seen Kruger and Smith being positive contributors to that team late in the season and in the playoffs?

Another wildcard is the new Swede, Rasmussen. How close is he? I would assume he didn't sign at age 23 to come over here and spend three years in Rockford. He was a top 10 scorer in the SEL last year.
- NewToHockey

Lots of "wild cards" and "let's sees": what's plan B if, come December, they don't work out?

This year was a transition year that worked out better than expected: do we want another transition year or two?

Lots of "wild cards" and "let's sees": what's plan B if, come December, they don't work out?

This year was a transition year that worked out better than expected: do we want another transition year or two?
- StLBravesFan

Gotta disagree with you here my friend. This year wasn't a transition year. You don't bring back Rozy, Zues and trade for VErsteeg if the FO thought it was a transition year.

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

Agreed STL....here's the same montage but with the added crew tribute that is amazing in its own right. BRAVO CBC HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA


the dude seen at 5:59 is Tim Thompson, the man responsible for most of the incredible HNIC montages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjWY6INXwvs

To be fair, Dale did get Ladd for Ruutuu.
- NewToHockey

Yeah that was a hell of a trade. But it wasn't really a huge, ballsy trade. They were giving up on Ruutu, which drew criticism at the time for having made a bad draft pick with him.

I think Dale gets a lot Jerry Krause style credit, both were GM's with the double fortune of having high draft picks from crappy seasons and good draft classes to choose from. There isn't much worse in the world of sports than going through a year or years of losing and then have poor draft classes. Look at this year's NFL draft, nobody stood out as a top pick. Of course you do have to pick the right people, and the draft is more than your first pick, and every other team was in those drafts as well. I don't mean to rip on Dale at all, I think he was a good GM and became the fall guy for Bowman's failure to send out the restrictive FA offers. He didn't see eye to eye with McD (not sure who does), but most of his success and the ongoing success we're having came from good draft classes, not trades.

VERY confident from most every single report I've seen, and those that follow/post here (Al, Wiz), that Danault nor McNeil are ready.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yeah, sounds like they're still another year away at least. But maybe it starts to click. I was disappointed in Danault's numbers he put up. McNeil had a good year, stats-wise, I do not get to watch any Rockford games. I'm interested in seeing Dahlbeck.

You know, if we'd kept Frolik instead if acquiring versteeg, we'd be celebrating a back to back cup win!

The hawks were a trade deadline acquisition away. Thank Stan!