Babcock has a lot of experience with him for one, and would have to have a positive impression. Babcock also doesn't have a lot of "his" kind of guys in that dressing room right now.

A veteran who can role model the way Babcock wants to play, his system, his ethic? Patrick Sharp. Absolutely. And I think Sharp would waive to go there.
- John Jaeckel

I think Sharp would go there. I don't think Toronto's front office is going to give up a fair value to acquire him. Really doubt Bowman couldn't get a better return elsewhere.

Yes $1.5 mill for 4 more years!
- Al

Yes, it's a worst case scenario. But, of all the trade options the Hawks will face, Bickell is going to be the toughest sell. Any dance partner is going to really try and bend Stan over b/c you don't have much leverage w/a recent SCF healthy scratch who has "vertigo" issues, whether those be physical or metaphorical. Or both.

The Blackhawks will probably have a few sub-$1-1.5mil contracts like post 2010 and $1.5 against the books is better than $4mil. But you still hate to see dead money, if in fact it is a possibility to buy him out.

I don't think it's a locker room thing, at least not that I've heard. I think it's more a case of higher ups having some concerns about his reliability. I'll leave it at that. I also don't think they're huge concerns. But I also hear there is something there.
- John Jaeckel

For what it's worth, and this is just from seeing what everyone else see, he seems like a knucklehead, but well liked. He's probably his own worse enemy. Will do what he wants to, and doesn't really care what others tell him.

Not that I'm judging, but don't McD seems to rather not want that type of influence around. When you're winning, it's fun, but when you're not, it's a big problem.

Does anyone know how a buyout of Bickell will affect the cap?
- EKolb13

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bryan+bickell+buyout

Amnesty buyouts had to be used last summer. It was use them or lose them, if I'm not mistaken.
- EKolb13

Yes, Hawks used their two amnesty buy outs on Montador and Olesz.

Will be interesting to see what they do with their $8 mill and $7 mill cap hits this summer...
- Al

Not anywhere near what they are asking for without taking back a bunch of money. And furthermore, even if they played well for their new teams, how many good years would you expect out of Kessel or Phaneuf - 3 maximum 4?

And that's why Tallon would be far more interested in Sharp than Kessel - he takes 2 years for a veteran scorer with leadership presence and the overall cost in $ and assets is far less.

Eichel may be an ass, but he will be our ass



beats having john scott and pat kaleta on our team
- homiedclown

Haha, yes

I think Sharp would go there. I don't think Toronto's front office is going to give up a fair value to acquire him. Really doubt Bowman couldn't get a better return elsewhere.
- jfkst1

Oh agreed, but i am hearing they will try to honor Sharp's wishes, and he has an NMC.

Situation where they couldn't afford to let Bickell go back then as they have repeatedly failed to develop his type....

Cap not increasing as much is a big issue and now the fact they have 2 players they have to dump and both are coming off poor seasons doesn't help the return.

GM's hate to buy anyone out...Bickell as bad as he was still led the playoffs in hits...He can be moved.
- Al

Agreed.......problem is the price Bowman wanted for him........probably a 2nd is not there. So Bowman will be forced to take a lot less OR have to take back salary.....which defeats the purpose.

yeah, the large bodied player they didn't have, and Bickell had a monster playoff season.

Now not only is his salary high in a low cap world, but he also can dictate within reason where he wants to go.

Any thoughts on Kadri relative to Leafs management and Babcock? It seemed as an outsider that he was falling out of favor and maybe having some issues.
- stljam

all speculative at this point.

he played for AGM Mark Hunter's team in junior, so there's history there; good and bad.

The other AGM Dubas is a CORSI guy, and Kadri's underlying #'s are strong.

Extremely talented, but yet to put it together and questionable commitment.

Practically speaking, he seems young enough that a year under Babcock to get more out of him seems like the smartest bet.

B.D. Gallof
‏@BDGallof
Per NHL source, CHI currently asking for 1st rd pick, A-level prospect & top 6 forward on entry-level contract for Patrick Sharp #isles

You guys talk about the cap coming lower than 71. What's the date that's decided? Pre-draft?

Oh agreed, but i am hearing they will try to honor Sharp's wishes, and he has an NMC.
- John Jaeckel

Any thoughts on who Toronto might be willing to part with in a trade (not named Phaneuf or Kessel)?

I think Sharp would go there. I don't think Toronto's front office is going to give up a fair value to acquire him. Really doubt Bowman couldn't get a better return elsewhere.
- jfkst1

Those f'n geniuises in Toronto don't know what fair value is. Before they acquire a Sharp, they need to dump some large piles of excrement they already own.

all speculative at this point.

he played for AGM Mark Hunter's team in junior, so there's history there; good and bad.

The other AGM Dubas is a CORSI guy, and Kadri's underlying #'s are strong.

Extremely talented, but yet to put it together and questionable commitment.

Practically speaking, he seems young enough that a year under Babcock to get more out of him seems like the smartest bet.
- Tumbleweed

Really thought he was gonna start coming on strong after that Boston series that went to 7.

All it takes is 2 teams interested in him and 2 teams he's willing to play for and I have a sense Sharp is grateful for everything the Blackhawks have done for him and is going to be team first guy all the way till the end. Sorry to see him go!

B.D. Gallof
‏@BDGallof
Per NHL source, CHI currently asking for 1st rd pick, A-level prospect & top 6 forward on entry-level contract for Patrick Sharp #isles
- Dunnhawkey

Yikes

B.D. Gallof
‏@BDGallof
Per NHL source, CHI currently asking for 1st rd pick, A-level prospect & top 6 forward on entry-level contract for Patrick Sharp #isles
- Dunnhawkey

haha, seriously?

Any thoughts on who Toronto might be willing to part with in a trade (not named Phaneuf or Kessel)?
- hpk90

Gardiner

B.D. Gallof
‏@BDGallof
Per NHL source, CHI currently asking for 1st rd pick, A-level prospect & top 6 forward on entry-level contract for Patrick Sharp #isles
- Dunnhawkey

And I think the Hawks will most likely get two out of the three "wants" listed above when Sharp is finally dealt. All three would be quite a coup for Stan to pull off.

B.D. Gallof
‏@BDGallof
Per NHL source, CHI currently asking for 1st rd pick, A-level prospect & top 6 forward on entry-level contract for Patrick Sharp #isles
- Dunnhawkey

I know BD, good guy.

But either his source or Bowman is smoking crack.

haha, seriously?
- BlazinMike

when the Sens are asking for a young Top 6 forward and a pick for either Anderson or Lehner, seems about right compared to that ridiculous bounty Ott is asking

haha, seriously?
- BlazinMike

It seems like a ridiculous asking price and I feel like we will be lucky to get even half of that.He also had this to say which I found interesting:
@BDGallof 26m26 minutes ago
Tidbit: Bowman kept asking for one of #isles top D prospects until finally blinking and taking Pokka last year at last moment.

And I think the Hawks will most likely get two out of the three "wants" listed above when Sharp is finally dealt. All three would be quite a coup for Stan to pull off.
- Chief4Feathers

I'm gonna say he gets a late first rounder and maybe some kind of prospect like if Wiz came out of retirement. Seriously. They will NOT get that rumored ask or anything close to it.

Eichel: “entitled and kind of a jack a--.”

Reminds me of Kane a bit... I'll take it.
- jochfr

Yeah, but Kane has three rings, a Conn Smyth, among the league elite, makes eight figures, arguably the best hands in the game today and backs his poop up.

What's exactly has Eichel done by comparison?... NOTHING!