Yet he is taking all kinds of crap for swinging for the fences on a return for Sharp. I am okay with it. I like the 3 cups in 6 years and am glad he's been a steady hand at the tiller. I'd rather have the Hawks situation at the draft than the Bruins for,example.
- Marlowe

Agreed. If anything the fact the Sharp deal didnt get down is Stanbo gambling more then him being too conservative. A nervous GM may have took whatever was on the table yesterday or today. We have no clue what teams were offering I doubt it was a first but who really knows.

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.

Can't also ignore what he inherited.

We can back and forth all day with this, but that would be pointless. You're not going to agree with everyone, and neither am I. Just opinions.

Has he not messed it up, yes. Do I believe other GMs could have done more with the 2010 sell off, yes. Do I believe some GMs could have worse, probably. Is he the worst GM, no. Is he the best, no.

Yes, the 2009 deal to acquire the pick that eventually became Saad was a winner. The Buff deal, was not. People can say he had no leverage, but I do believe some GMs could have done better during that purge.

The Ladd deal was garbage too, but there were extenuating circumstances, and he chose not to bring back Ladd, but bring back Sharp. Either one helps you win more Cups IMO. Personally, I'd have kept Ladd, but it's a coin toss.

Trading a pick that eventually became Jimmy Hayes is probably one of his better deals, as was the Oduya one, but while Johnny is a good player, that's Spackle on the house already built.

The Leddy deal, let's see what happens with Pokke. Leddy may not be a superstar, but Pokke is going to have to be pretty good to make that a win for Stan.

Honestly, the Vermette deal was probably one of his best. I completely agreed with the trade at the time, and in hindsight, it's a no brainer. Most of his deals are meh. They're not all going to be world beaters, and some may prove to be good down the road, but for the most part, they're very conservative. The type of deals you make if you're afraid to roll the dice and not just settle for singles and sacrifice flies.
- howiehandles

- In the Byfuglien deal he got a first, second, and one of Atlanta's elite prospects. What else did you want him to get? Yes, looking back on it - Morin was a dud, but he was also an elite prospect coming back along with two high round picks.

- Sharp went on to have 238 points in about 250 games in the few subsequent seasons after that. Regardless of the circle jerk that some Chicago fans have for Ladd, I'd have taken Sharp and that production 10 out of 10 times.

- Pokka is going to have to be a slightly above average NHL defensive player for that to be a win for the Hawks. Saying that, again.. what else did you want him to get for a player every single NHL team knew was going to get dealt?

- Vermette was a no brainer, eh? Yet, the Hawks were the team able to put together a package to actually GET him when MANY teams were trying to complete a deal for him. Mind you, it was a direct result of a player HE drafted that was the reason the deal got done. Anyways....

- Oduya was an "eh" deal, huh that was "spackle on the house"? A player who he traded a high pick for, that many felt he overpaid. Also, a player who completely fit into the Hawks system and someone who they probably don't win two Cups without.. especially this season.

- Like I said... let's just ignore the Cap purge of 2010 which left this roster almost at a non-playoff level, let's forget that the prospect cupboard was rather barren at that time, Shaw, TT, Saad, keeping Hammer over Niemi, trading a prospect in the Vermette deal, trading for Oduya.

You can point to 2-3 deals that you think were "bad". I can point to a slew of deals and picks that were spot on fantastic and were a direct reason why they won two more Cups after 2010.

I'm done.

Here's someinfor on Dahlstrom taht is not from some bunfruk on Hockey's Future

Future Condiderations
Dahlstrom is a hard working two-way forward who makes an impact all over the ice. Just a good all-round hockey player who competes in all three zones. He is a decent skater but not a real burner. He is hard to knock off the puck or out of position around the crease. ...................................
- wiz1901

Says pretty much the same thing, are you angry I posted these. I think any info you can get right now is fun to read. You have no clue who this guy is its sounds like hes done his homework.

Lol! Sorry, I like wiz too, but I'll take the opinions of the professional scouts employed by the Blackhawks.
- darkman

Well you have to look at this way.
I am not watching in Slovaki and my exposure is basical in the international tourneys and when I want to be up at all hours.

I can tell you when I saw him over a year ago, and there wasn't any sense of urgency in his game.

I agree that pro scouting staffs jobs depend upon precise evaluations. but it is clear to me, that today after awhile in the 4th round teams starting pick big bodies because THEY were just that,

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.
- Al

It CAN'T take that long because of the Saad situation. Stan is in a bit more of a make a move now mode, with one of those guys at least. Both won't be here the night before puck drop.

Agreed. If anything the fact the Sharp deal didnt get down is Stanbo gambling more then him being too conservative. A nervous GM may have took whatever was on the table yesterday or today. We have no clue what teams were offering I doubt it was a first but who really knows.
- mvp0207

Do we know what teams Sharp is willing to go? Maybe that is playing some part of the process too.. I don´t have any problem waiting trades to happen. If you have waited new Tool album..this ain´t nothing.. And Trevor Linden said it best; value of the player is what you are getting from the market not always what you think or would like to have..

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.
- Al

Timing is certainly everything, isn't it? I'm more worried about Bickell than Sharp. There are still a number of teams that didn't get a top 6 F but need one (ie Pens and Caps). Hoping that seeing the lack of return at the draft helps get a Sharp trade done by July 1.

Dennis Gilbert
http://www.draftsite.com/...yer/dennis-gilbert/22834/
Big two way defender who is best when he sticks to a simple game within his comfort level. 
Decent skater with an active stick. Tough and very willing to box out along the wall in the attack zone. Has balance and can use his girth as levelage to clear the crease area, but his foot speed and puck skills continually put him at risk in his end. he continues to improve and has committed to Niagara University where he will be able to develop so he doesn't have issues with the speed game. 

- wiz1901

Wiz, I seem to be pretty far off on various scouting reports on Gilbert. Below is what I shared with other fans.



I guess this is why I'm on a message board and not paid for my scouting, as I have Gilbert, he played for the Steel last year, as almost opposite of reports having seen him 10-15 times........... I was asked to give an opinion on Gilbert going into last year and I wrote the below from seeing him at tryouts for the Steel last year.


Saw him at Steel invite camp (40 players with a cutdown to 30 after camp) in June. Now remember this is a tryout camp so many won't be playing in the league but all the Steel returners, 15 or so of them, and draft picks were there, so there was solid talent on the ice.

Kid jumped out right away. Excellent skater, can carry the puck from end to end, excellent hands (forward type hands and hand speed) good size and will play the body. Kid was determined to show his skating and puck skills and looked like a 4th forward as he could be seen at the icing line in the offensive zone.

Had an unfortunate open ice hit on a returning player, Mike Booth, that left Booth in a heap and coach told Gilbert to get off the ice immediately. Was concerned he'd be cut for the hit but made the cut after all.

So the small sampling in a tryout environment you have the correct info on him.


The kid can really skate at the USHL level. So much so I was positive he'd get totally burned not respecting the league as he was in free skate mode skating down to the opposing crease with regularity. His size and stride allowed him to weave through traffic, almost at will.

But he did get the message in season, you can't roam in this league or you'll get lit up. He really improved as the year went on and showed a nice mean streak, although I would not call him shutdown. I think his hands and feet make him an equal 50/50 offensive/defensive prospect with the caveat being his defensive/positioning improved SO much last year that I no longer call him a pure offensive prospect.

I will concede his numbers may say he's not an offensive type guy, although IMO his skills say he is. The way he skates he only scored 4 goals in the OJHL before going to the USHL where he only scored 4 as well. But again I like his skill/IQ in that the kid keeps his shot low from the point on the PP instead of windmilling a slapper. Nice shot by the way.

Good size at 6ft 3ish 200+lbs, as I've stood next to him last June. I'd add he was thinish so IMO he'll get thicker especially going the NCAA route as opposed to Major Junior. .....Important to note his improvement over the year. Shows me he is coachable and that he should reach his ceiling, whatever that might be.

I like the pick. www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=267396

Timing is certainly everything, isn't it? I'm more worried about Bickell than Sharp. There are still a number of teams that didn't get a top 6 F but need one (ie Pens and Caps). Hoping that seeing the lack of return at the draft helps get a Sharp trade done by July 1.
- Marlowe

Yep. Pittsburgh or Washington are my bests for Sharp, with Montreal in the mix. Dallas and Toronto rumors were ... it's just a matter of if there is a fit.

Bowey + pick may be too rich for Wash blood-I think they see Bowey as a corner piece
Tinordi + pick would be legit
Dumolin + pick would be legit

The pick would be either a 1 or a 2 in 2016. I fear we'll have to settle for a 2, but I could see a 1 flipping. Sharp ON ANY of those 3 teams makes them even more legit than they were last year. It's a no brainer. To go for the Cup you have to be bold (see Bowman, Stanley trading a 1+ spec for Vermette)

Agreed. I think the Hawks would have a little easier time with teams parting with 2016 picks--and I believe Wiz said that one is very deep as well. 2016 is fine for the Hawks--perhaps even a little better--since they don't have a shortage of prospects. We'll see, but I don't think there's a crisis yet at all.
- grinder10

I also wouldn't be surprised if Stan is really working to place Sharp where he wants to go - even more than his ltd NTC requires. Not sure if that sentimentality fits in the cap era but it is the Hawks style and probably why they have become a destination.

Eventually though, they will need to trade some older pieces for real returns. They aren't showing the draft results of the Wings yet either. Saad, Shaw, TT yes.... but the Wings seem to grab 2-3 quality NHLers every year.

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.
- Al

The draft moves pretty quick and a bunch of 18 year olds is a different grouping of players than the established NHL'ers with sizeable contracts who can play next year. Eventually GM's get around to looking at the holes on their roster and see what salaries they can absorb and if it helps them.

Seems like lots of players out there with big tickets so, as you say, it may take quite awhile for all of these guys to find a new home.

It CAN'T take that long because of the Saad situation. Stan is in a bit more of a make a move now mode, with one of those guys at least. Both won't be here the night before puck drop.
- kwolf68

Hawks can be over the cap by about $7 mill till right before opener...

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.
- Al

The above is true, but my point on this issue, is do you know that there was a deal earlier that he turned down?

Also, think we need to define earlier, at the draft, before than at trade deadline, before then at the beginning of the previous season?

I can't make a decision if he waits too long to pull the trigger unless there was something to turn down.

Graham Knott

(RED LINE: 5 million dollar skills/ 10 cent head-Gets to where he is going really fast, just doesn’t have clue why he is going there.)
- wiz1901

Yikes. Not a good review from Kyle W

Hawks can be over the cap by about $7 mill till right before opener...
- Al

So they resign Saad and Kruger....where the heck do you think they would be? Also, this may mean they can't sign ANY UFAs that could be bargain basement pickups as backup for kids.

No chance both Bick and Sharp are here night before puck drop. I bet at least one is gone by July 1.

Patience is a virtue but in this case it means less return as the small pool of buyers shrinks....Leddy was dumped right before puck drop of the opener and it wouldn't be a surprise if moving Sharp-Bickell takes that long.
- Al

If Stan allows this to play out like Leddy he will deserve to be criticized.

Timing is certainly everything, isn't it? I'm more worried about Bickell than Sharp. There are still a number of teams that didn't get a top 6 F but need one (ie Pens and Caps). Hoping that seeing the lack of return at the draft helps get a Sharp trade done by July 1.
- Marlowe

If I look at the situation with some perspective...and without red and black glasses on..
Sharp is a huge cap hit and is coming off a bad season plus he is 33.
Bickell is coming off a poor season, injury concerns and is well overpaid for his production.

To trade both without having to eat money is a real challenge plus both have somewhat of a say as to where they land...especially Sharp....Not easy.

@AlCimaglia

If Stan allows this to play out like Leddy he will deserve to be criticized.
- tredbrta

I know it...the condition is even worse than last year...worse cap situation and needing to move multiple players. I won't even begin to critisize Bowman for this because I don't think it will happen.

If Stan allows this to play out like Leddy he will deserve to be criticized.
- tredbrta

I was very critical of Leddy deal as there had to be more buyers at the draft....This time Bowman's job is more difficult.

Beagle needs to be a UFA target

Radke, Tuulola, Gilbert, Knott, Shea.

The draft, after the top guys, is a crap shoot. These are 17 year olds, minimum 3-4 years away from the NHL (if ever). If the Hawks have scouted well, then these are each and all guys who show a little something, some way, to say with some development, he could be a pro.


- John Jaeckel

JJ, I totally agree with your view of the draft, these are still boys not men. College players offer a quicker path to the NHL (TVR), and that's the path the Hawks took this year. When you win 3 Cups in 6 years, you pick last in each round. This year's talent was deeper than normal, but at 30th there was nothing to write home about. The Coyotes took Nick Merkley with the 30th pick, a Shaw type player. I'll be waiting for him to bring his talents to the NHL level on a nightly basis.

I'm excited with the Hawks 5th round pick of Bondra. At 18 years old he's 6'5" and 220 lbs, can skate well with good hands. Would love to see this kid watch Hossa for a while to learn how to play forward in the NHL.

So they resign Saad and Kruger....where the heck do you think they would be? Also, this may mean they can't sign ANY UFAs that could be bargain basement pickups as backup for kids.

No chance both Bick and Sharp are here night before puck drop. I bet at least one is gone by July 1.
- kwolf68

They can wiggle around....But difficult.

If I look at the situation with some perspective...and without red and black glasses on..
Sharp is a huge cap hit and is coming off a bad season plus he is 33.
Bickell is coming off a poor season, injury concerns and is well overpaid for his production.

To trade both without having to eat money is a real challenge plus both have somewhat of a say as to where they land...especially Sharp....Not easy.

@AlCimaglia
- Al

Not easy, but doable. You won't have to eat salary for a player with only 2 years left on his deal. Bickell is a different animal, because he most often sucks at hockey.

They can wiggle around....But difficult.
- Al