Great blog JJ! A couple guys were mentioned yesterday that are considered available that play the Center Ice position. Vermette and Bozak.

I know the opinion of Bozak is generally a negative one. But if he is a guy, along with Vermette that can take the PK load off Toews and Hoss then they both are a beneficial acquisition. And Bozak last year was on one of the deadliest lines in the NHL in himself Kessel and JVR.

I know not to expect much. Stan has never been the go out and get it type, but as a fan you can never give up hope. Stan was never touted as a hockey brain but as a number cruncher. So at this point did we give Stan a fair description off the bat? Tallon is a hockey mind and is someone who has been in the game and knows what it takes to win. So I think we all need to come to the understanding that our gripes with Stan are not out of place, but what we should expect at this point.

Great blog JJ! A couple guys were mentioned yesterday that are considered available that play the Center Ice position. Vermette and Bozak.

I know the opinion of Bozak is generally a negative one. But if he is a guy, along with Vermette that can take the PK load off Toews and Hoss then they both are a beneficial acquisition. And Bozak last year was on one of the deadliest lines in the NHL in himself Kessel and JVR.

I know not to expect much. Stan has never been the go out and get it type, but as a fan you can never give up hope. Stan was never touted as a hockey brain but as a number cruncher. So at this point did we give Stan a fair description off the bat? Tallon is a hockey mind and is someone who has been in the game and knows what it takes to win. So I think we all need to come to the understanding that our gripes with Stan are not out of place, but what we should expect at this point.
- nickmo2699

Bozak's name has been floated out there in connection with the Hawks last couple of days. I have not heard it from my sources. But . . . I have heard Hawks and TO are talking a lot.

Exactly. What do you think Lombardi, Nill, Shero, Dudley, or even a Bergevin, Chevy, Murray or Tallon could have received for this guys? Would they have received at least someone that is productive on their roster right now? Yeah, yeah, the fax issue was Tallon's fault, but wasn't StanBo in charge of contracts? Tallon also build most of the team that one in '10, and '13. Didn't he (SB) receive credit for the Hossa and Campbell signings on the Hawk's website? McD didn't like Tallon, it happens, and used whatever he could to move him. Office politics, it happens everywhere. What team president has the ego to be in the commercials. Could you see any other team NHL team prez doing that?

Nothing is going to change. Not as long as McD signed his pact to keep the Bowman's in power. Stan might have had a lot of success as a coach, but he also took over Cup winning teams in Montreal and Pittsburgh, but how was he when calling the shots in Buffalo?

Expecting the Hawks to make an significant move, whether to go younger and dump salary in anticipation of next season, or making a big move to compete this year, is smoking the good stuff.

Brouwer is another guy that would have been great to keep around, but perhaps he wasn't marketable enough to keep around. 200 hits and low penalties sounds good to me. Yeah, his hands weren't the best, but I'd take him over Winnik in a second.
- howiehandles

YES, this will change. McD is a guy who wants the maximum buzz from his team. If that doesn't happen, changes will be made. When, don't know. That's why I was intrigued when it came out there may be some FO unrest a few weeks ago.

They need to decide if they're in it for this year, or do they get a head start on dumping contracts for younger players for next season, hoping they might do something in the playoffs while doing so. I'm for the latter. The Florida rumor being a prime example. Another potential building block, while dumping guys they're going to deal next Summer anyways.
- howiehandles

They're not in it for this year. With Kaner, I would say sure. However, looking at the Kings now, in addition to St Louis or Nashville, I don't give the Hawks much of a chance. This is coming from a guy who last week would have still thought we would have an LA/Chi conf final.

Bozak's name has been floated out there in connection with the Hawks last couple of days. I have not heard it from my sources. But . . . I have heard Hawks and TO are talking a lot.
- John Jaeckel

I don't see JVR being an option for a number of reasons, but I would pee in my pants 2 times if he was acquired. Maybe his baby bro can help out?

Exactly. What do you think Lombardi, Nill, Shero, Dudley, or even a Bergevin, Chevy, Murray or Tallon could have received for this guys? Would they have received at least someone that is productive on their roster right now? Yeah, yeah, the fax issue was Tallon's fault, but wasn't StanBo in charge of contracts? Tallon also build most of the team that one in '10, and '13. Didn't he (SB) receive credit for the Hossa and Campbell signings on the Hawk's website? McD didn't like Tallon, it happens, and used whatever he could to move him. Office politics, it happens everywhere. What team president has the ego to be in the commercials. Could you see any other team NHL team prez doing that?

Nothing is going to change. Not as long as McD signed his pact to keep the Bowman's in power. Stan might have had a lot of success as a coach, but he also took over Cup winning teams in Montreal and Pittsburgh, but how was he when calling the shots in Buffalo?

Expecting the Hawks to make an significant move, whether to go younger and dump salary in anticipation of next season, or making a big move to compete this year, is smoking the good stuff.

Brouwer is another guy that would have been great to keep around, but perhaps he wasn't marketable enough to keep around. 200 hits and low penalties sounds good to me. Yeah, his hands weren't the best, but I'd take him over Winnik in a second.
- howiehandles

Can you imagine what Tallon said or how he looked at MCD when he tried to get involved in the Hockey ops lol

They're not in it for this year. With Kaner, I would say sure. However, looking at the Kings now, in addition to St Louis or Nashville, I don't give the Hawks much of a chance. This is coming from a guy who last week would have still thought we would have an LA/Chi conf final.
- Vegas Trotzkies

If you're not going to be buyers because prices are too high, and you have to lose salary in the offseason, then now is time to be sellers.

If they do nothing?

No need to be coy, roy

They're not in it for this year. With Kaner, I would say sure. However, looking at the Kings now, in addition to St Louis or Nashville, I don't give the Hawks much of a chance. This is coming from a guy who last week would have still thought we would have an LA/Chi conf final.
- Vegas Trotzkies

I think even without Kane the Hawks can beat the Blues.

The Kings didn't take a monumental leap forward with the addition of Sekera. Solid addition? Certainly. I sense the Hawks WILL make a solid addition move, as well.

I'm also very curious to see how Nashville's regular season success translates to the playoffs.

You're hope is that you get Kane back right around the second round of the playoffs.

Nice write up, JJ. Being a GM is about taking risks. Sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don't. Same as in life. Either you go out and live, or you sit on the sidelines and watch. The past few years, the Hawks seem content to sit on the sidelines.

I want to believe that this is the year that they make a significant move, but I know that's probably not the case. But I'll keep my fingers crossed.

What about James van Reimsdyk for Bickell, a 2015 first rd pick and Ryan Hartman?
Would Hawks fan do that deal?
- PatC80

Make it conditional so the 1st is a 2016 1st and 4th if we miss the playoffs and yes yes yes yes

YES, this will change. McD is a guy who wants the maximum buzz from his team. If that doesn't happen, changes will be made. When, don't know. That's why I was intrigued when it came out there may be some FO unrest a few weeks ago.
- blackhawk24

I hope you're right. My preference is more than a rental, if we can rid ourselves of money this year, although that would have to be a unique deal, with our giving up more in now production, for cap savings and hopefully future production.

Awesome. And I thought I went on Rants.

What is funny is that people have and continue to knock the Brian Campbell deal from yesteryear, and the irony of it is, that this overpayment had a huge impact on this team/organization as it showed/illustrated that they were serious about turning around a struggling situation.

I am not sure who you go after or what you do, but one thing is for sure, regardless of Kane injury, you have a complacsent group in general. It is time to do something, if for no other reason that to wake some people up.

My concern as always, is that if you do trade for a guy to bring in energy and excitement, will Q shelf him anyways? It is my Us vs them meme that I think hurts this team.

I will have to read more thoroughly, nice job.

What about James van Reimsdyk for Bickell, a 2015 first rd pick and Ryan Hartman?
Would Hawks fan do that deal?
- PatC80

Hell yes .

Id throw in a 2016 3rd rd pick too ....

Great blog post.

I think we know what Stan's plan is and has always been:

1. Keep #19, #88, #2, #81, and probably #7 at all costs.
2. Fill in pieces best you can while staying under the salary cap.
3. Don't trade draft picks and live for now because of point 1. You will need cheap labor because #1 will be cap intensive.
4. Get younger and develop the guys in the minors because of, yes, #1.

I don't necessarily like with this but what has he shown us?

The problem is if you draft like garbage or can't develop your draft picks, you are mediocre for ever and hoping you catch fire in the playoffs.

If history is a guide, he won't pull the trigger on a legit 2C and get someone that won't cost a boatload of picks.

Well done.

Since this is your First First hooefully it foreshadows a first first for Bowman as well,

Aquire VermettE

Aquure a real D man

Move Sharp if possible.


That would be some serious firsts to go along with your first !
- mrpaulish

I'm on board with that!

What about James van Reimsdyk for Bickell, a 2015 first rd pick and Ryan Hartman?
Would Hawks fan do that deal?
- PatC80

I'd be downright FLOORED if Toronto would even remotely consider that deal.

A young, 60-70 point scorer for: 1) A $4 mil/year player that certainly is not a goal scorer 2) A first round pick who might/might not even make an NHL roster 3) A young player who doesn't project to be a top 6 forward.

That doesn't make much sense from a TOR perspective.

If you're not going to be buyers because prices are too high, and you have to lose salary in the offseason, then now is time to be sellers.

If they do nothing?
- John Jaeckel

Agree. The Hawks could drastically improve their team in the future if they were sellers right now. Doing nothing or buying would jeopardize everything. They'll still make the playoffs this year, and there's nothing wrong with being an underdog in the first round. The team may even welcome it and step up. Lower expectations and pressure isn't necessarily a bad thing for some younger players.

If you're not going to be buyers because prices are too high, and you have to lose salary in the offseason, then now is time to be sellers.

If they do nothing?
- John Jaeckel

Dont even put that into the atmosphere. The Hawks have to do something.

Just standing still would be like sellig because of the loss of Kane.


I can not believe the Hawks are going to waste a good Hossa year . Hossa might not have many left.

Congratulations

JJ: Great blog, I'm in Fla and going to game tonight, should be interesting to see if there is any payback on Petrovic
- Maggie

It would be in the Hawks best interest not to partake in such an activity. It was an innocent hit that was just bad luck.

If you're not going to be buyers because prices are too high, and you have to lose salary in the offseason, then now is time to be sellers.

If they do nothing?
- John Jaeckel

You really think that'll happen with McD around? I for one do not simply due to the fact he's always looking to be out front, on top, in every one's mind --- in a positive way.

I'm also not so sure Rocky wants to guarantee pissing away millions of gate receipts for playoff games the team is surely not going to get if SB is a seller.

Nice write up, JJ

Will readily admit I'm one of those SB defenders but you make many good points that there are really no arguments for...Do something Stan! Lets not wave the white flag!

If i hear "we like our team" on Monday afternoon I might just..... , idk but it will be bad.

and to those that have, and will, say, they can't mortgage the future, 2-3 middling prospects and 2-3 draft picks is not a mortgage of the future, especially when most will be replaced with the mini purge this summer!

Come on Stan...loyalist getting antsy over here!!!

Having said all that, i gave him a little time to adjust to the Kane news as his world was certainly turned on it's head (even more than any of us) and I'm glad he didn't make a knee jerk reaction yesterday but that time has run out...the trade prospect pool is running dry...

Can you imagine what Tallon said or how he looked at MCD when he tried to get involved in the Hockey ops lol
- nickmo2699

I'm sure Tallon has a strong ego, as does McD. I have a future relative, they're getting married this Summer, who works for McD. Says if you're with him great, if he doesn't like you, buh bye. Will make you miserable till you leave. Wonder if that's why Dudley left just before Tallon. Probably goes for anyplace. Tallon may have caused the cap problems, but it got the results we all wanted. How many of us would have said ten years ago, some cap hell for a couple of Cups, heck yeah. He also made some shrewd moves in geting Sharp and Versteeg, and say what you want about Kane and Toews picks, The draft is still a crap shoot. Two teams passed on Toews.

Agree. The Hawks could drastically improve their team in the future if they were sellers right now. Doing nothing or buying would jeopardize everything. They'll still make the playoffs this year, and there's nothing wrong with being an underdog in the first round. The team may even welcome it and step up. Lower expectations and pressure isn't necessarily a bad thing for some younger players.
- Vegas Trotzkies

If the Hawks made it past the first round, and got Kane back...and make a move for a bottom pairing D... they are just as much of a favorite as any other team in the NHL to win the Cup.

Being on the road and playing 4 games away from the UC really shouldn't be an issue for this team.

I'm interested to see how they bounce back.

I'd be downright FLOORED if Toronto would even remotely consider that deal.

A young, 60-70 point scorer for: 1) A $4 mil/year player that certainly is not a goal scorer 2) A first round pick who might/might not even make an NHL roster 3) A young player who doesn't project to be a top 6 forward.

That doesn't make much sense from a TOR perspective.
- CaptainBlackhawk

It only makes sense if TOR is in a full on sell off to rebuild since Hartman was afrist rounder and they'd get another first rounder. I don't see Bickell drawing any appeal. Maybe Sharp, though.