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.
- Hemingways

Most every single report I've seen infers that Dahlbeck is very much ready.

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

Nothing like 20/20 hindsight to make one look like a genius huh?

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.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I get what you are saying, I guess I am1 that is in these 3 kids corner, I hope they all make it SOON. Big time curious to see what unfolds the next 3weeks league wide.

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.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I didn't expect much out of this year - especially after Pirri failed and it became apparent that no one was stepping up to replace Handzus and Bolland - and that teamed apparent fairly early in the season.

Most every single report I've seen infers that Dahlbeck is very much ready.
- CaptainBlackhawk

everything I read compares him to a younger mini-Hjalmarsson but Eli probably is the Hog authority here

Nothing like 20/20 hindsight to make one look like a genius huh?
- paulr

I made this comment minutes after SB did nothing at the TDL

I made this comment minutes after SB did nothing at the TDL
- fvineze

Maybe he did nothing because the asking price was too high?

Maybe he did nothing because the asking price was too high?
- Tanuki

That could be, but it was obvious the roster had many holes, he did nothing. In my opinion if there is a reason why we didn't make it to the SCF it was SB's inaction when it mattered.

I made this comment minutes after SB did nothing at the TDL
- fvineze

What was he supposed to do? He had less than $100K in cap room.

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

Schenn is really good. As far as JVR we were talking about a JVR-Kadri package yesterday. That checks off a lot of lists: a skilled center and a big winger. Sharp and TT at least would have to go the other way. Fine by me. Don't know what else. I would like their 8th overall pick, too

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

Ask the Blues how the deadline acquisitions helped them out in the playoffs.

Losing in OT in game 7 of the WCF after being down 3-1 is TOTALLY Stan's fault.
Actually, I'm somewhat surprised you didn't manage to slip a shot at Crawford in there somewhere.

What was he supposed to do? He had less than $100K in cap room.
- MartiniMan

I don't know, but I have to assume that he gets paid to figure ways around things like that, and if he can't, then he shouldn't be in that position.

Ask the Blues how the deadline acquisitions helped them out in the playoffs.

Losing in OT in game 7 of the WCF after being down 3-1 is TOTALLY Stan's fault.
Actually, I'm somewhat surprised you didn't manage to slip a shot at Crawford in there somewhere.
- InvisibleOrange

I think the blues were are far tougher opponent than they're being given credit for. Their acquisitions may not have panned out but at least they tried.

That could be, but it was obvious the roster had many holes, he did nothing. In my opinion if there is a reason why we didn't make it to the SCF it was SB's inaction when it mattered.
- fvineze

The Hawks were the second best team in the NHL, I'd give SB a pass on this one. Hopefully he can fill in the weak spots in the lineup for next season.

I think the blues were are far tougher opponent than they're being given credit for. Their acquisitions may not have panned out but at least they tried.
- fvineze

So the Hawks blew it by not acquiring someone, but you give St Louis credit for losing to the same Hawks team because "they tried?"

So the Hawks blew it by not acquiring someone, but you give St Louis credit for losing to the same Hawks team because "they tried?"


- InvisibleOrange

The 'grass is greener' syndrome.

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

it did not have to be a transition year. SB took some gambles, was he looking for this year or and was he looking at the future. All moves made in the off season and during the season, the moves were failures to improve a team this year!!!! It did not help the team this year. Why was this window of opportunity wasted? Only if Rundblad turns into something special or Versteeg becomes a monster next year (doubt it). What young talent besides Smith gained any nhl seasoning or confidence? Know way Raanta did sitting on the bench.

So the Hawks blew it by not acquiring someone, but you give St Louis credit for losing to the same Hawks team because "they tried?"


- InvisibleOrange

They saw holes and tried to fill them. For years we've had a 2C hole, this year our D stumbled, our pp needed focus, our PK was suffering, FO win % was a wreck, our puck possession and control was down, and we had no one to grind in the corners. Seems to me we might have tried something to stimulate improvement in these areas.

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

The roster can be 23, not just 20. If any of them work out, you rotate out Versteeg (if he's still around) and Bollig.

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

and

We gave him up for a fourth round pick and because we needed the extra 500k to go to Bickel's contract or to sign a back up injury riddled goaltender for 2mil who is only going to play a minimal amount of games.

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

If they had been willing to go with a younger backup goalie from the start, then maybe keeping Frolik would have been possible. Once they paid Khabibulin, not a chance. That was Stan's worst move last summer.

They saw holes and tried to fill them. For years we've had a 2C hole, this year our D stumbled, our pp needed focus, our PK was suffering, FO win % was a wreck, our puck possession and control was down, and we had no one to grind in the corners. Seems to me we might have tried something to stimulate improvement in these areas.
- fvineze

no 2c in 2010, or 13.

Where do these magical upgrades come from with 100k of cap space?

The failure to get to the finals rests almost solely on the poor defensive play against the Kings. Not because Stan didn't get Steve Gretzky.

Most every single report I've seen infers that Dahlbeck is very much ready.
- CaptainBlackhawk

You don't notice him at all, in the same way you don't notice that Hjalmarsson is out there most of the time. A good thing for a defensive defenseman.

What was he supposed to do? He had less than $100K in cap room.
- MartiniMan

This.

You can question the moves he did make like Khabibulin (they wanted a former starter as a backup) or Versteeg, but you can't question what he didn't do at the TDL since he had no room to work.

Edit: Don't forget that the new CBA caused the cap to drop this year. With the Hawks consistently being a team that spends to the cap, that hurt them far more than most.

Also it should be noted that I beat exactly 11 people in the Bracket Challenge. Including some guy that picked the Sharks to win it all.