The way he now plays right now he cannot play in the Hawk lineup. He does have some enticing skills including being a decent skater but he hasn't shown he can contribute without first being developed. Perhaps he could be developed quickly and easily? If the Hawks make a move I expect they'd be looking at a veteran with an inexpensive cap hit who has show he can play the game the Hawks would need from him. That said I'd like to see that physicality in the Hawk lineup, if he can play Blackhawk hockey.
- paulr

I'd take his speed and upside over Carcillo as the extra forward. Whether it was him or Carbomb I'd prefer to see Nordstrom on the 4th line come the playoffs. Would be nice to have Deslauriers though for the RS games against the Blows and Jets.

As bizarre as Wes McCauley officiating 16 straight wins for the LA Kings from seasons end through the Finals last year?

Maybe Disney wants repeat business from all those Chicago road trippers and gave a wink to the league?

Feel free to add a tinfoil hat GIF or image anyone. Though the McCauley thing seems a little more than odd.


- tredbrta

only losers complain about losing

only losers complain about losing
- Shenanigans20

True. Certainly seen a lot of complaining this year on Jason's blogs. In between the ones deciding which King will win the Norris, Vezina, and every other award available to men with skates.

Of course, the only award so far was involuntary and in the form of handcuffs.... the pending award ceremony appears to be followed by a deportation hearing.

Not in Bowman's case.

He's been saying "we like where we are", "we won't be active", "we don't want to mess with our chemistry", etc. for the past 5-6 years (since taking over as GM), and that has basically been the story. Looking at every single trade that Bowman has made during his tenure as GM, I can only think of one or two of them that actually made an impact. His other trades have been subtle, extremely minor trades with absolutely no impact. Sometimes, you almost get the notion that he makes these moves to prove that he's not just sleeping at his desk.

Of course, the 'Hawks have had their success, but it was Uncle Dale who built this sandwich. Bowman has just been cutting the crust.
- TommyHawk

Nice analagy

True. Certainly seen a lot of complaining this year on Jason's blogs. In between the ones deciding which King will win the Norris, Vezina, and every other award available to men with skates.

Of course, the only award so far was involuntary and in the form of handcuffs.... the pending award ceremony appears to be followed by a deportation hearing.


- tredbrta

Game
Set
Match

I'd take his speed and upside over Carcillo as the extra forward. Whether it was him or Carbomb I'd prefer to see Nordstrom on the 4th line come the playoffs. Would be nice to have Deslauriers though for the RS games against the Blows and Jets.
- tredbrta

Deslauriers is far, far better then some are giving him credit for. You'd notice that within 2-3 games of him being on your team, and at his current rate of $625K, I highly doubt Buffalo moves him.

The way he now plays right now he cannot play in the Hawk lineup.
- paulr

I'm very curious what you mean by the above. He's a very good skater, bordering on fast. He always makes life miserable for the other team in a variety of ways.

Deslauriers is far, far better then some are giving him credit for. You'd notice that within 2-3 games of him being on your team, and at his current rate of $625K, I highly doubt Buffalo moves him.
- kingcong39

Appreciate your perspective as I have only seen a few Sabres games. I did notice him in each one. I could see him moved with an overpay though. An older prospect plus a pick perhaps (if Stan would do it). Considering the Sabres system right now is pretty much head and shoulders at the top of every ratings system it is even more amazing the number of high picks Murray has in this draft. If it ends up being as great as advertised and you end up with McDavid or Eichel plus 4-5 more blue chippers... look out in a few years.

Murray really should look to add veteran leadership to guide these young stars though. Can't become another Oilers. He should offer a package of prospects and picks for Patrick Sharp this off season.

True. Certainly seen a lot of complaining this year on Jason's blogs. In between the ones deciding which King will win the Norris, Vezina, and every other award available to men with skates.

Of course, the only award so far was involuntary and in the form of handcuffs.... the pending award ceremony appears to be followed by a deportation hearing.


- tredbrta

This is my post of the year

only losers complain about losing
- Shenanigans20

Tin foil says they tighten up the obstruction calls this year,who wins?

Do you really believe EVERYTHING you read?? lol

Of course a GM will say there is nothing going on. Its called misdirection and plus if you were a GM would you really tell the media and every other fan base in the world what your intentions are?
- RobitailleFAN20

Not in Bowman's case.

He's been saying "we like where we are", "we won't be active", "we don't want to mess with our chemistry", etc. for the past 5-6 years (since taking over as GM), and that has basically been the story. Looking at every single trade that Bowman has made during his tenure as GM, I can only think of one or two of them that actually made an impact. His other trades have been subtle, extremely minor trades with absolutely no impact. Sometimes, you almost get the notion that he makes these moves to prove that he's not just sleeping at his desk.

Of course, the 'Hawks have had their success, but it was Uncle Dale who built this sandwich. Bowman has just been cutting the crust.
- TommyHawk

Have to agree Tommy - would like to see Stan make a couple of bigger moves...its been debated back and forth. I would have liked to have seen him try to retool the defense a bit after last spring. But he didn't - he has nibbled around the corners so to speak.

It should be interesting here down the stretch and certainly into the offseason if the cap predictions are going where we think they are.

Have to agree Tommy - would like to see Stan make a couple of bigger moves...its been debated back and forth. I would have liked to have seen him try to retool the defense a bit after last spring. But he didn't - he has nibbled around the corners so to speak.

It should be interesting here down the stretch and certainly into the offseason if the cap predictions are going where we think they are.
- DK002

When you're top 3 are 2, 7, and 4 what would you suggest for a retool? It may be semantics but unless you want to make major changes to the D, nibbling around the corners is what you do.

Not good...

Not in Bowman's case.

He's been saying "we like where we are", "we won't be active", "we don't want to mess with our chemistry", etc. for the past 5-6 years (since taking over as GM), and that has basically been the story. Looking at every single trade that Bowman has made during his tenure as GM, I can only think of one or two of them that actually made an impact. His other trades have been subtle, extremely minor trades with absolutely no impact. Sometimes, you almost get the notion that he makes these moves to prove that he's not just sleeping at his desk.

Of course, the 'Hawks have had their success, but it was Uncle Dale who built this sandwich. Bowman has just been cutting the crust.
- TommyHawk

Great analogy. Well done.

What is it with these mid-standings teams that just gives the Hawks such difficulty...

Not in Bowman's case.

He's been saying "we like where we are", "we won't be active", "we don't want to mess with our chemistry", etc. for the past 5-6 years (since taking over as GM), and that has basically been the story. Looking at every single trade that Bowman has made during his tenure as GM, I can only think of one or two of them that actually made an impact. His other trades have been subtle, extremely minor trades with absolutely no impact. Sometimes, you almost get the notion that he makes these moves to prove that he's not just sleeping at his desk.

Of course, the 'Hawks have had their success, but it was Uncle Dale who built this sandwich. Bowman has just been cutting the crust.
- TommyHawk

What is it with these mid-standings teams that just gives the Hawks such difficulty...
- fvineze

Bettman parity. How many times do you need to see it?

Not in Bowman's case.

He's been saying "we like where we are", "we won't be active", "we don't want to mess with our chemistry", etc. for the past 5-6 years (since taking over as GM), and that has basically been the story. Looking at every single trade that Bowman has made during his tenure as GM, I can only think of one or two of them that actually made an impact. His other trades have been subtle, extremely minor trades with absolutely no impact. Sometimes, you almost get the notion that he makes these moves to prove that he's not just sleeping at his desk.

Of course, the 'Hawks have had their success, but it was Uncle Dale who built this sandwich. Bowman has just been cutting the crust.
- TommyHawk

Bowman should trade himself and a late draft pick to Florida for Tallon. Get it done Stan!

Bettman parity. How many times do you need to see it?
- powerenforcer

I read somewhere Bettman and the NHL head office are working on a formula to ensure no team can win a Cup twice in 30 years, this will ensure the championships are spread out equally amongst all 30 teams.

Keep your head up Bickell so you don't get jumped a la Winnipeg. Glad to see him throwing his weight around. Questionably high though.

Bowman should trade himself and a late draft pick to Florida for Tallon. Get it done Stan!
- paulr

That's the kind of out of the box thinking that will put Bowman's stamp on this team so when the Hawks win people can say Dale won with Stan's team.

That's the kind of out of the box thinking that will put Bowman's stamp on this team so when the Hawks win people can say Dale won with Stan's team.
- HawkintheD

The confusion will be who is cutting whose crust.

What's with these minor league stadiums where the players have to skate across the ice to get to the locker rooms? Doesn't the NHL have higher standards than that?

The confusion will be who is cutting whose crust.
- paulr

This!