Sure he is... Leddy is not that good.

Neilsen is all over the ice. Plays all situations.
- jimmc7722

Leddy is 22, we had the same opinions about Keith the first few years and now he is one of the best dmen in the league. For the hawks, we have the three best skating dmen in the league in our top 6 D. The style we play suits that kind of player, but I understand we have to deal from strengths. I just find it difficult to unload a raw 22 year old for another surf forward like Neilsen who stands out on a dog poop eastern conference team.

>I'd say he's not as good as a healthy Bolland
>Playing 4C on the Kings
>Minus player in regular season and a minus player in this year's playoffs
>No way the Hawks pay this guy anything, that's why Bolland was dealt
- SnapitUpstairs

My inference was as a former 2nd liner who dropped to the 4th line.
He's not as gritty as Bolland.

Yes it is.
- golfbard

Where have you seen it? If you don't mind me asking?

Leddy is 22, we had the same opinions about Keith the first few years and now he is one of the best dmen in the league. For the hawks, we have the three best skating dmen in the league in our top 6 D. The style we play suits that kind of player, but I understand we have to deal from strengths. I just find it difficult to unload a raw 22 year old for another surf forward like Neilsen who stands out on a dog poop eastern conference team.
- nickmo2699

+1

I'm from Valpo too.

I've had a hard time finding The Hockey News anywhere in NW Indiana. I'm not sure which Meijer's you went to, but I found a copy of the 25 Greatest Teams at the one in Highland not too long ago.
- Hawks82

Went to the one on 30 in South Gary, I mean Merrillville. That's where I've gotten it for the last few years since the bookstore across from Southlake Mall closed.

Sharp + Teuvo Teravainen + 2014 1st & 2015 2nd for JVR + Kadri

Sharp + McNeil/Danault + Leddy for Jordan Staal (Carolina retains 10% salary) + Jay Harrison

Leddy + TT + Raanta's rights + 2014 1st for Plecanec + Tokarski

Sharp + Leddy +2015 2nd for Spezza ( if he agrees to sign an extension prior to the trade)

Leddy +TT +2014 3rd for Frans Neilson
- EnzoD

I definitely like #1 I wonder if we could get a top 4 pick plus one of their young forwards for a TT, Leddy, and our 1st round pick? I wonder what buffalo would want for #2 and foligno or Girgensons? Or Florida for #1 and shore?

Trading what's going to be an elite hockey player for a 30 year old 2B/3A is flat nutty. Hell, trading him for Kesler or Thornton would probably be nutty. You have a younger Frans Neilsen developing in the minors - his name is Phillip Danault.

He didn't make the NHL right away, so naturally everyone writes him off. Some of the proposals I'm seeing her make me rethink my stance regarding universal education.
- HB_Stinks123

Good point. We have a couple center prospects in Rockford with a top end potential to be a 2C. Maybe the talk for a Spezza or another player who would only be here for a year or two is because Stan & Co. know that one of them will be ready soon.

Last year many seemed to expect Danault and McNeill to grab NHL roster spots and the fact that they didn't may have put them a little too out of sight/out of mind.

Well when looking at what we have had in the past your right. Maybe I havent watched him enough, but ive always heard more about his shutdown ability then his offensive gifts. IMO he isnt the center that sweetens the pot for 88. But yes, the poop that we have had to sit through the last few years in that spot makes Plekanic a huge upgrade.
- nickmo2699

Outside of Kesler and to a lesser degree Spezza, there just isn't a C being shopped that's a perfect match for Patrick Kane, IMO.

As long as the Hawks can find a 2C capable of scoring 20 goals and winning 50% of his FO's, I'd be pretty happy.

Good point. We have a couple center prospects in Rockford with a top end potential to be a 2C. Maybe the talk for a Spezza or another player who would only be here for a year or two is because Stan & Co. know that one of them will be ready soon.

Last year many seemed to expect Danault and McNeill to grab NHL roster spots and the fact that they didn't may have put them a little too out of sight/out of mind.
- NewToHockey

I'd like to see Danault take over the Marcus Kruger role in a couple of seasons when Kruger becomes too expensive.

Can we place a gentleman's bet on that?
- Maggie

If you can find one in this zoo.

I'd like to see Danault take over the Marcus Kruger role in a couple of seasons when Kruger becomes too expensive.
- Hawks82

Mcneill had a decent year. Still a little inconsistent but he can still be a solid player here. Danault and hartman are the 2 I'm really excited about. Both are smart, have non-stop motors and are leader types. Heart and soul guys. They will be important parts of a Cup-winning depth

Leddy is 22, we had the same opinions about Keith the first few years and now he is one of the best dmen in the league. For the hawks, we have the three best skating dmen in the league in our top 6 D. The style we play suits that kind of player, but I understand we have to deal from strengths. I just find it difficult to unload a raw 22 year old for another surf forward like Neilsen who stands out on a dog poop eastern conference team.
- nickmo2699

Yes, Leddy is the same age as Johns and Dahlbeck. A huge part of the issue is there seems to be little, if any, growth the last few years. I'm beginning to think either the Hawks don't have anyone in the system capable of working with him or he just doesn't get it.

His skating ability is outstanding, but the game is far more than that. If it wasn't, we would all be discussing if StAHLberg should be a first or second ballot Hall of Famer. How many times have we seen Leddy skate the puck in the zone like nothing else only to end up in the corner, throwing a pass away to the middle of the ice? I personally think he's another player who will forever be labeled "potential" and you move a player like that while others are still in love with that potential.

My inference was as a former 2nd liner who dropped to the 4th line.
He's not as gritty as Bolland.
- Al

>Understood
>What are the chances the new Swede Center makes the team?
>If so, what line?
>Any thoughts?

Mcneill had a decent year. Still a little inconsistent but he can still be a solid player here. Danault and hartman are the 2 I'm really excited about. Both are smart, have non-stop motors and are leader types. Heart and soul guys. They will be important parts of a Cup-winning depth
- tomcat24

Not to mention that all three bring the kind of effective size the Hawks currently lack.

>Understood
>What are the chances the new Swede Center makes the team?
>If so, what line?
>Any thoughts?
- SnapitUpstairs

You would have to think he signed here figuring there was a chance for him in the next year or two. I can't see him coming over if he thought he was going to play 3 years in Rockford. No one is that big of a fan of State Street Station.

Yes, Leddy is the same age as Johns and Dahlbeck. A huge part of the issue is there seems to be little, if any, growth the last few years. I'm beginning to think either the Hawks don't have anyone in the system capable of working with him or he just doesn't get it.

His skating ability is outstanding, but the game is far more than that. If it wasn't, we would all be discussing if StAHLberg should be a first or second ballot Hall of Famer. How many times have we seen Leddy skate the puck in the zone like nothing else only to end up in the corner, throwing a pass away to the middle of the ice? I personally think he's another player who will forever be labeled "potential" and you move a player like that while others are still in love with that potential.
- NewToHockey

Yes Leddy has more learning to do.... but again, he is freakin 22 years old. Is his value at its highest right now for the return we need, or is another year of maturation needed for him to raise his value even higher ?? IMO..... unless he brings back a Kesler quality type, I'd rather they wait until his value spikes.
He did have a nice year on the 2nd PP unit with Seabs and eventually somebody will think he may be ready for top PP unit. That's bigger value.

Yes Leddy has more learning to do.... but again, he is freakin 22 years old. Is his value at its highest right now for the return we need, or is another year of maturation needed for him to raise his value even higher ?? IMO..... unless he brings back a Kesler quality type, I'd rather they wait until his value spikes.
He did have a nice year on the 2nd PP unit with Seabs and eventually somebody will think he may be ready for top PP unit. That's bigger value.
- Hawkytalk

You and I may think he's ready for the top unit, but will the coaches ever give him that chance? He's a left handed shot, same as Keith. Will he pass Keith for the first PP unit in the minds of Q and Kompon?

I'd like to see Danault take over the Marcus Kruger role in a couple of seasons when Kruger becomes too expensive.
- Hawks82

I'm sure I'm in the minority here but when has Marcus Krueger been stated as an untouchable ? There are no posts suggesting that he could be included in the Kesler scenario, whether it's with Vancouver or a 3rd team. I realize his importance to this team with all the responsibility on the PK and shut down center, but once again, his value is extremely high right now because of the Olympics and another solid year. If the return is Kesler, I wouldn't object..... depending on who the others were of course.

There's some around here that already think that about Teuvo...
- EKolb13

Gagner is like the Hulk compared to TT. Gagner problems aren't related to talent. Motivation seems to be the issue viewing it as an outsider. Oh, and Gagner isn't afraid to be near the boards.

Who knows. Regin actually looked useful playing for the Hawks.

Rozy and Leddy for Gagner.

You and I may think he's ready for the top unit, but will the coaches ever give him that chance? He's a left handed shot, same as Keith. Will he pass Keith for the first PP unit in the minds of Q and Kompon?
- NewToHockey

I'm not saying that he's ready for the top PP unit. I'm saying that in another year of development, somebody else just may. Uncle Dale for one may be ready then as Campbell continues to deteriorate and age.

The only #2C (within reason) I'd be ok trading Sharp for Kesler. An all USA line of Saad/Kesler/Kane would be dirty plus Kesler plays defense. Something that alot of the other guys that have been listed don't do.

Vermette from Phoenix would be nice but I'm not overpaying for him. Spezza I'd like but I'm not overpaying for a guy who might only be here for a year, there would have to be an extension involved if the Hawks are trading a marquee guy(s) in that deal. Brad Richard's best days are behind him.

Actually if Mike Richards is bought out, I'd be interested in him. I think he's best suited for an up tempo team like the Hawks but that being said he's probably going to ask from somewhere in the range (year/term) that LeCavalier got last year from Philly. Anyone from Tampa not named Stamkos, no.
- dan9189

Richards was replaced by Carter so the Kings could be more uptempo.

Mike Richards would be a great 3c on this team....
- UnnamedSource

And will want 4-6 million with some term, US. Buyout guys aren't signing cheap.

You and I may think he's ready for the top unit, but will the coaches ever give him that chance? He's a left handed shot, same as Keith. Will he pass Keith for the first PP unit in the minds of Q and Kompon?
- NewToHockey

>Doubtful.

>Q mismanaged/mishandled the roster during the playoffs, costing the team the opportunity to win b-2-b CUPS.

>Those blaming the genius known as Jamie Kompon for PP woes have short memories. Look no further than your head coach for where to place blame. Again, combination of mismanagement of assets on the PP along with a scheme that simply does not work a majority of the time. That scheme has NOT changed during Q's tenure, so to solely blame Kompon is wrong. Have to look at who's got the ultimate say in what they run.

>No team with Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp should ever NOT be successful in 5 on 3 PP situations. Scheme for the PP has been consistently poor, not taking advantage of the incredible talent at your disposal.

Not to mention that all three bring the kind of effective size the Hawks currently lack.
- NewToHockey

Yeah and the biggest thing with that is they actually like to USE that size. Mcneill can be better but hartman and danault love to hit and battle hard in front of the net. We need people to make life hell on their D-men.

>Doubtful.

>Q mismanaged/mishandled the roster during the playoffs, costing the team the opportunity to win b-2-b CUPS.

>Those blaming the genius known as Jamie Kompon for PP woes have short memories. Look no further than your head coach for where to place blame. Again, combination of mismanagement of assets on the PP along with a scheme that simply does not work a majority of the time.

>No team with Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp should ever NOT be successful in 5 on 3 PP situations. Scheme for the PP has been consistently poor, not taking advantage of the incredible talent at your disposal.
- savvyone-1

One of the problems is that it seems - SEEMS - the Hawks can't shoot - especially those you noted above.

Again, it seems (without any real evidence to back this up) that when opponents get good looks in the slot at the top of the circles, they score a lot more than Hawks do in the same situation - it seems that Hawks either go high or wide or into the goalies' crests.