Good thing I refreshed before typing because I was going to say the same things!

While I'd love to have Toews, Kesler, and both Staal's as our 4 centers at what cost? No wingers to pass to and no d-men to cover up? We need center depth but we haven't had that since the Keenan days it seems. Make some cap friendly moves that allow us to extend 88&19 yet not purge the roster. I'm guessing Leddy is the most expendable and most valuable commodity of tradeable guys other than Sharp. My thoughts are trading your leading goal scorer causes a new problem though.
- Morganskaner88

I am looking at the situation a different way. If you can tap Kane (by giving him someone to play with) so he can explode offensively like we know he can do, then losing last season's leading scorer will not hurt as much. Think about it, if the 2nd line becomes a focus for teams to stop, then the 1st line can pick up the slack. It works the other way also. Minor tweeks may not maake that kind of impact.

Kane has been the Ferrari that has been driven mostly on side streets. The few times he has been on the highway we have seen how he can play. He needs to be on the highway all the time.

That's hard to say without having seen them play. From everything you read on here, Dahlbeck is the most NHL ready. Clendenning is a disaster in his own end. Johns just had a tryout with Rockford, so needs more time.

Olsen was really, really slow of foot. He had a look-see, 28 reg season games, and didn't impress.

I won't argue about giving the kids a look, when they are ready. Look at TT...he isn't ready.
- eburgio

wow I didn't think he got in 28 games...he was playing with Soupy in Florida and actually had a nice stretch before an injury...hayes and pirri also did pretty much nothing under the pressure of playing in the Indianhead with the stash analyzing every stride... yet they light it up in Miami with 1500 fans in the stands

??

Cant play Crawford 80 games again. Need a reliable #2.
- Return of the Roar

I wonder if the workload got to him. He looked fine until game 2 (his 73rd of the year) and inconsistent after that. This reminds me of Nabakov with the Sharks and Lu with the Canucks playing 70 during the regular season then not having it in the playoffs.

Edit: That actually parallels his other full season as a starter that ended with the loss to Phoenix. Maybe they need to keep his regular season starts down?

I wonder if the workload got to him. He looked fine until game 2 (his 73rd of the year) and inconsistent after that. This reminds me of Nabakov with the Sharks and Lu with the Canucks playing 70 during the regular season then not having it in the playoffs.
- NewToHockey

Guy got 3 weeks off during the olympics

He of all people should have been ready to roll come playoffs

Guy got 3 weeks off during the olympics

He of all people should have been ready to roll come playoffs
- FourFeathers773

He didn't get much of a break down the stretch.

This blog is going to go up in flames when Jay McClement or Marcel Goc is signed to play 2c in July…..
- yahoodi

He didn't get much of a break down the stretch.
- eburgio

What #1 goalie on a playoff team did?

I really don't think that the 2C needs to be solved at any cost. They won Cups with Sharp and Handzus. The 2nd line looked fine after Q put speed and possession with Kane. That first line beside Toews was a big disappointment in the Kings series. I would trade Rozsival and 27th for Smid at 50 % retained for a PKer and 3rd pair. Then trade Sharp, Leddy, and Morin for JVR and the 8th.

JVR-Toews-Kane

Saad-X-Hossa

Bickell-Shaw-Smith

Nordstrom-Kruger-Bollig

Keith-Hjalmarsson

Oduya-Seabrook

Smid-X

What #1 goalie on a playoff team did?
- FourFeathers773

Compared to last season, I think he had far less rest this year. Your point is valid, and I would have to look, but I'm talking about the end of the season thru the playoffs.

That's good. The Blues are lacking in players with no heart.
- NewToHockey

And now they don't have a goalie after shipping of Halak and losing Miller

2 weeks until the draft.

Should expect Toews-Kane negotiations to ramp up next week.

Sounds like Bowman has a lot of calls out there.

2 weeks until the draft.

Should expect Toews-Kane negotiations to ramp up next week.

Sounds like Bowman has a lot of calls out there.
- SteveRain

The draft can't come fast enough . We will have some answers by then buddies

The draft can't come fast enough . We will have some answers by then buddies
- mrpaulish

I hear ya. Let's hope LA wins tonight and we can move on to more important things.

Also, my sources indicate that the Flyers have signed Timonen to a 1 year deal.

I hear ya. Let's hope LA wins tonight and we can move on to more important things.

Also, my sources indicate that the Flyers have signed Timonen to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

I thought he was retiring

So again, can someone plz tell me how the Hawks overall improve as a team by subtracting Sharp and Leddy/Oduya in order to add a 2C? This is getting silly....we dont need a big name 2C, and more importantly cant afford one without giving up too many other parts. We need a depth 3C/4C.

Does that mean TT is out of the question and possibly trade bait??

Per JJ, Valtteri Filppula would be the only real interest I would have. Tyler Johnson is too small. Less we remember that part of the problem with Hawk centers outside of Toews is that they don't come away with the puck down low or off the boards because of a lack of size/strength.

Teddy Purcell would be a nice add too.

Sharp + Leddy for VF + Purcell and a 2nd rnd pick. Something like this.


Purcell - Toews- Hossa

Saad - Filppula- Kane

Bickell - Kruger- Shaw

Bollig- Smith - Morin/Versteeg


Keith - Seab

Hjamm - Oduya

Brookbank(gulp) - Dahlbeck

This blog is going to go up in flames when Jay McClement or Marcel Goc is signed to play 2c in July…..
- yahoodi

My drinking habit would be much worse in the fall that's for sure

I am interested in nobody in CAR other than Riley Nash. Right handed pivot, 25 and went 10-14-24 in 73 games with an even rating and 46% in the dot. He's owed $575K next season before becoming an RFA.

There is some upside to that move and having a lefty center at 1 and a young righty at 2 would be nice. That sounds more like the Hawks than any big move.
- acmidd28

I'd be hip to Nash. He looks like he will turn into a very well rounded NHL player and cheap for a lil while.

I am looking at the situation a different way. If you can tap Kane (by giving him someone to play with) so he can explode offensively like we know he can do, then losing last season's leading scorer will not hurt as much. Think about it, if the 2nd line becomes a focus for teams to stop, then the 1st line can pick up the slack. It works the other way also. Minor tweeks may not maake that kind of impact.

Kane has been the Ferrari that has been driven mostly on side streets. The few times he has been on the highway we have seen how he can play. He needs to be on the highway all the time.
- powerenforcer

Thats a fact jack

I wonder if the workload got to him. He looked fine until game 2 (his 73rd of the year) and inconsistent after that. This reminds me of Nabakov with the Sharks and Lu with the Canucks playing 70 during the regular season then not having it in the playoffs.

Edit: That actually parallels his other full season as a starter that ended with the loss to Phoenix. Maybe they need to keep his regular season starts down?
- NewToHockey

Or keep the puck in the other end more...

I hear ya. Let's hope LA wins tonight and we can move on to more important things.

Also, my sources indicate that the Flyers have signed Timonen to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

I love TSN.

And now they don't have a goalie after shipping of Halak and losing Miller
- hawks1921

What about calling Philly and working a deal for baby Schenn...could probably get both Braydon and Luke for HjAlmarsson.

That would give a viable #2 and some depth to offset the loss on D.
- juiced

I'm a huge b. Schenn fan. But not enough to trade Hammer. Schenn is definitely a target for me, though

I'm a huge b. Schenn fan. But not enough to trade Hammer. Schenn is definitely a target for me, though
- tomcat24

I feel ya, but it could be a starting point. Not sure Leddy is solid enough in their eyes given their problems....Johnny is also a little long in tooth by himself, so maybe Duya and Bickell for both Schenn's.