Isn't that position him posing for pictures holding the Stanley cup?
How could he have avoided the salary cup crunch?
- Confederate

That part was unavoidable.

But he passed on signing 29 to a reasonable deal during the 2013 season. Then he gave Bickell a ridiculous contract after the 2013 season. Then he did not get out of that contract ASAP once he realized his mistake. By kicking the can down the road until now he is in a position of minimal leverage.

He also is believed to have chosen to pass on offers for Sharp that would have involved no or much less salary coming back. Instead, he had to take back significant salary in the eventual trade. Some would prefer that those dollars have been spent on bringing back Oduya instead of Daley.

Those are the positions he put himself in.

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al

Only thing I can see is Texas does't have state income tax, so he gets a bit more $$ in his pocket.

That part was unavoidable.

But he passed on signing 29 to a reasonable deal during the 2013 season. Then he gave Bickell a ridiculous contract after the 2013 season. Then he did not get out of that contract ASAP once he realized his mistake. By kicking the can down the road until now he is in a position of minimal leverage.

He also is believed to have chosen to pass on offers for Sharp that would have involved no or much less salary coming back. Instead, he had to take back significant salary in the eventual trade. Some would prefer that those dollars have been spent on bringing back Oduya instead of Daley.

Those are the positions he put himself in.
- gmurban

Takes two parties to sign a contract. It's been noted here and elsewhere that Bickell's camp refused to negotiate an extension prior to 2013.

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al

I was VERY surprised.

That part was unavoidable.

But he passed on signing 29 to a reasonable deal during the 2013 season. Then he gave Bickell a ridiculous contract after the 2013 season. Then he did not get out of that contract ASAP once he realized his mistake. By kicking the can down the road until now he is in a position of minimal leverage.

He also is believed to have chosen to pass on offers for Sharp that would have involved no or much less salary coming back. Instead, he had to take back significant salary in the eventual trade. Some would prefer that those dollars have been spent on bringing back Oduya instead of Daley.

Those are the positions he put himself in.
- gmurban

On the first point...hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. Bickell was a key cog in 2013 and he got paid for it. Stan is not the only GM that would do that. Sometimes contracts don't work out.

On the second point...that is an unknown. I love Oduya and think he played very well next to Hammer because of their complimentary skills. BUT, just like Saad, we couldn't pay him, so Stan got a replacement.

The good/bad GM argument travels across all teams and all sports. No one is 100% right or 100% wrong.

This is the time to reload, not rebuild. That seems to be the plan.

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al

Maybe he has an injury that he didn't want Chicago to have to deal with?

Didn't I jsut post how this is the complete wrong way to look at it like 1 page ago? Come on. Oduya was in no way related to the other trade. They are mutually exclusive transactions.
- JRoenick97

Did you read the post I responded to?

That part was unavoidable.

But he passed on signing 29 to a reasonable deal during the 2013 season. Then he gave Bickell a ridiculous contract after the 2013 season. Then he did not get out of that contract ASAP once he realized his mistake. By kicking the can down the road until now he is in a position of minimal leverage.

He also is believed to have chosen to pass on offers for Sharp that would have involved no or much less salary coming back. Instead, he had to take back significant salary in the eventual trade. Some would prefer that those dollars have been spent on bringing back Oduya instead of Daley.

Those are the positions he put himself in.
- gmurban

Let's not pretend that we know what Stan thinks about certain players. These comments reflects only our own way seeing the situation. Which is pretty much all we can do cause we don't what is really going on between players and front office. Maybe Stan really likes Bickell as a person and hockey player?

But I see lot of emotions running and minds stopped. Who really thinks Stan should trade TT to get rid of Bickell??

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al

Very much so. I noted elsewhere that this is a very reasonable deal and a very curious choice for him when this could've been his big payday.

Incidentally, this is the exact dollars and term that a certain insider claimed was a "hometown discount" for the Hawks.

Very much so. I noted elsewhere that this is a very reasonable deal and a very curious choice for him when this could've been his big payday.

Incidentally, this is the exact dollars and term that a certain insider claimed was a "hometown discount" for the Hawks.
- Sandus

Only $450K more than Daley and same term...

Could be Oduya didn't want a longer deal?

He signed with the Stars. 2 years at $3.75 / year.

So Dallas gets Sharpie, and now Oduya, and we get an older version of Nick Leddy = Daley, and a fourth liner in return. Sometimes the Salary cap is a hard thing to stomach.

How about Christian Ehroff ? You still out there ?

He signed with the Stars. 2 years at $3.75 / year.

So Dallas gets Sharpie, and now Oduya, and we get an older version of Nick Leddy = Daley, and a fourth liner in return. Sometimes the Salary cap is a hard thing to stomach.

How about Christian Ehroff ? You still out there ?
- wayne60083

One thing for sure you just paid Trevor Daley a compliment in your comparison.

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al[/quote]

I don't think the Hawks really had a chance to resign him. I think he went to Dallas for less money because they have a better chance of making the playoffs and having a run more so than the Sabres. Don't get me wrong, the Sabres made some good moves, but Dallas is more poised to go somewhere out of the two. Oduya strikes me as kind of a no BS guy--he'd rather take less money and go to a team where he can contribute and have a chance fairly quickly to win again. He's 33 and I think he knew he might end up using up some of his remaining strong years with the Sabres. Not dogging BUF, but I my guess is he might have been thinking that.

It's kinda like whistling in the graveyard, correct?
- paulr

Yes

He signed with the Stars. 2 years at $3.75 / year.

So Dallas gets Sharpie, and now Oduya, and we get an older version of Nick Leddy = Daley, and a fourth liner in return. Sometimes the Salary cap is a hard thing to stomach.

How about Christian Ehroff ? You still out there ?
- wayne60083

It's better than him signing with the Kings.

No offense, but that sounds like a script written by the Hawks front office. Are you an employee?

Stan gets a lot of credit here. Not just from posters but from JJ as well. Stan is a big boy and he can handle being judged on a deal by deal basis. Stan is a vastly underrated GM IMO but the result of the Dallas deal is a loss. It looks very clearly like a win for Nill now that he signed Oduya. The fact that Oduya was left hanging for weeks and ends up leaving for 2 years at #3.75 aav also deserves a red mark.
- tredbrta

He actually is...this is in light of the unnerving info that came out about the situation with Sharp (DAL and FLA) and then Oduya and Kruger having unsigned, agreed upon deals with Bowman. These are things that they were sure wouldn't get out...they suspect an avenue, but they don't know for certain.

Now, on a nameless, faceless internet blog site, where fans come together to just "gab" with one another, why would they go to this length? Do you remember the frenzy that occurred when the Sharp deal with FLA (and the subsequent hangup with Sharp's request for a contract "out") was announced here? It went viral and national...first it was confirmed, then it was denied, then it was attacked. If it wasn't true WHY would both teams and their media lackeys go to such public lengths to deny when THEY NORMALLY DON'T CARE or address what any fan has to say? That entire situation with Sharp and FLA occurred HERE first and nowhere else! The same goes for the DAL offer BEFORE the draft for Sharp. Again, if it wasn't true, no one would have given it any legs by bringing attention to it! Why would anyone believe "insider" comments made on a "fan site" where it seems that most everything of value is ridiculed?

As I promised all of you before, anything that I share with you about the Hawks is truth as understood by people who are in a position to know! And the purpose? Just to enjoy the game with friends who should be here for the same purpose.

As for Bowman, he's doing a great job under the circumstances, and we can all trust that come opening day, the Hawks will be in a position to repeat once again. Right now the key is moving Bickell for a price that doesn't hurt the Hawks. Losing Andrew Shaw hurts the Hawks. Losing players like Stephen Johns and Phillip Danault MIGHT hurt the Hawks, we just don't know. This team is in a position to win a Cup every year and its Bowman's responsibility to give the team the best possible chance to achieve it! So for those fretting about the DAL deal, remember, declining or not, Sharp simply could no longer be afforded, he had to go. Oduya completed his contract and couldn't be resigned here. How are these things Bowman's fault. In Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt Bowman got the Hawks two players who are perfectly designed to succeed in Coach Q's system and they are both cost controlled. End of story!

Are there questions about all the new Hawk players? You bet, but don't you think that the same or even greater questions exist about the Hawk players that were traded? Saad hasn't put up big numbers and is leaving playing alongside players like Toews, Hossa and Kane (3 of the best players in the world) and CLB just paid him like he's their franchise player! Sharp and Oduya are in their mid 30's and both have suffered multiple significant injuries over the last 3 seasons. Before Oduya was injured and was given time off later in the season, he was STRUGGLING for the Hawks and had been demoted to the 3rd pairing. The mythical magic wand that so many here like to talk about works both ways...the fact is, right now, the Hawks are even on paper as to last year's team going into October. If Bowman can move Bickell and use that cap space to officially announce the re-signing of Marcus Kruger and then add a veteran DMan like Erhoff, then we are ACTUALLY AHEAD of last year's team. So, try to relax and enjoy the summer and know the Hawks are favoured to repeat this coming season for a GOOD REASON!

Today's interview...

Hawks talk with Paul Edmonds-Oduya signing-Seabrook extension, Saad and Sharp trades and more...
TSN 1290 Winnipeg @TSN1290Radio
Podcast: @AlCimaglia discussed the #Blackhawks off-season on today's #RonaRoundtable with
http://t.co/BLiD5YbRlw

Anyone else surprised Oduya didn't sign for more than 2 years and at least $4 mill per??
- Al

Not really. He's been clear he values situation more than the last dollar. He can mentor young Swedes Klingberg and Nemeth in Dallas. Sharp is there. Good, improving team.

On the first point...hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. Bickell was a key cog in 2013 and he got paid for it. Stan is not the only GM that would do that. Sometimes contracts don't work out.

On the second point...that is an unknown. I love Oduya and think he played very well next to Hammer because of their complimentary skills. BUT, just like Saad, we couldn't pay him, so Stan got a replacement.

The good/bad GM argument travels across all teams and all sports. No one is 100% right or 100% wrong.

This is the time to reload, not rebuild. That seems to be the plan.
- CanOCorn

Fair points. I was not trying to be critical of SB. My original point was that there are legitimate things people could point to if they want to criticize. These were examples I provided.

I don't see anyone as in. It will be a dog fight. Any of the 7 Central teams can make it.
- carcus

It'c called making a prediction. Meant to be fun. Try it sometime Mr. Serious.

Did you read the post I responded to?
- HawksHype

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

Are there questions about all the new Hawk players? You bet, but don't you think that the same or even greater questions exist about the Hawk players that were traded? Saad hasn't put up big numbers and is leaving playing alongside players like Toews, Hossa and Kane (3 of the best players in the world) and CLB just paid him like he's their franchise player! Sharp and Oduya are in their mid 30's and both have suffered multiple significant injuries over the last 3 seasons. Before Oduya was injured and was given time off later in the season, he was STRUGGLING for the Hawks and had been demoted to the 3rd pairing. The mythical magic wand that so many here like to talk about works both ways...the fact is, right now, the Hawks are even on paper as to last year's team going into October. If Bowman can move Bickell and use that cap space to officially announce the re-signing of Marcus Kruger and then add a veteran DMan like Erhoff, then we are ACTUALLY AHEAD of last year's team. So, try to relax and enjoy the summer and know the Hawks are favoured to repeat this coming season for a GOOD REASON!
- MexicoHawk

I enjoy your insight and analysis. If anyone questions your intel/insider info on this site, please just ignore them! I would hate for you to stop contributing to this blog as your insight and knowledge of the game are always a pleasure to read! JJ said there was a "reasonable" deal on the table for Bickell. Something tells me this would be a team in the East as EVERY West GM might as well be trying to pry Kane +Bickell at this point. Any clarity on who is the frontrunner for Bickell at this time? Thanks Mexicooo

Do you think there's a little money ball going on here?

Saad 50 points
Sharp 40 points
Oduya 12 points

AA 40 points
Dano 40 points
Daley 25 points

A few thoughts on Andrew Shaw...

There have been lots of comments lately stating that what Shaw brings to the Hawks is somehow easily replaceable by Ryan Garbutt or any number of prospects...this just isn't the case. Playing in an NHL game is one thing, but competing in a playoff game is a whole other experience. By the time you finish an 82 game hockey season your body is a bundle of welts, bruises and contusions (that is, if it is still in one piece), and yet somehow hockey players are asked to "amp up" their game to another level in the face of these physical challenges and exhaustion...and somehow most do. Andrew Shaw is this kind of player. For Shaw, throughout the season, he did the little things that largely went unnoticed to help win hockey games, and yet took a large toll on his body. The Hawk's medical staff on numerous occasions informed Coach Q that Shaw wouldn't be able to play in a given game, only to be proven wrong. Remember, Shaw takes ridiculous amounts of punishment and abuse from the opposition and almost always DOES NOT REACT! Would Garbutt be able to do this, or Hartman or Ross? It takes a SPECIAL kind of person that puts the team and winning ahead of his own personal health. Other players "chirp" nasty things to Shaw throughout the game, especially when he chooses to skate away from an altercation, again, can Garbutt do this without exploding at someone?

If Shaw was the kind of "reckless" player that some of you speculate that he is, he would have over 200 penalty minutes a season. He doesn't because he constantly turns the other way in order to create havoc and stay out of the penalty box. How many PP goals this past season (Reg and post season) were scored as a result of a Shaw screen??? Take him away and who is going to stand in front of the net WITHOUT retaliating? Andrew Shaw is a winner! To simply think that he can be replaced by adding some other "gritty" player who doesn't have any post season success would be a flawed premise.

So if Andrew Shaw goes today, or at some point during this offseason, the Hawks will have moved one of the most important aspects of their team. Much more valuable than say what Patrick Sharp brings game in and game out. Talented players like Sharp can be replaced, but what Shaw brings every night is VERY difficult to replicate. Moving Andrew Shaw would be one of my LAST options if I were managing a team...and on top of all this we found out yesterday that Shaw let the Hawks know that he would "work with them" on his next contract to help them stay under the Cap...the ultimate team player and a REAL warrior!

He actually is...this is in light of the unnerving info that came out about the situation with Sharp (DAL and FLA) and then Oduya and Kruger having unsigned, agreed upon deals with Bowman. These are things that they were sure wouldn't get out...they suspect an avenue, but they don't know for certain.

Now, on a nameless, faceless internet blog site, where fans come together to just "gab" with one another, why would they go to this length? Do you remember the frenzy that occurred when the Sharp deal with FLA (and the subsequent hangup with Sharp's request for a contract "out") was announced here? It went viral and national...first it was confirmed, then it was denied, then it was attacked. If it wasn't true WHY would both teams and their media lackeys go to such public lengths to deny when THEY NORMALLY DON'T CARE or address what any fan has to say? That entire situation with Sharp and FLA occurred HERE first and nowhere else! The same goes for the DAL offer BEFORE the draft for Sharp. Again, if it wasn't true, no one would have given it any legs by bringing attention to it! Why would anyone believe "insider" comments made on a "fan site" where it seems that most everything of value is ridiculed?

As I promised all of you before, anything that I share with you about the Hawks is truth as understood by people who are in a position to know! And the purpose? Just to enjoy the game with friends who should be here for the same purpose.

As for Bowman, he's doing a great job under the circumstances, and we can all trust that come opening day, the Hawks will be in a position to repeat once again. Right now the key is moving Bickell for a price that doesn't hurt the Hawks. Losing Andrew Shaw hurts the Hawks. Losing players like Stephen Johns and Phillip Danault MIGHT hurt the Hawks, we just don't know. This team is in a position to win a Cup every year and its Bowman's responsibility to give the team the best possible chance to achieve it! So for those fretting about the DAL deal, remember, declining or not, Sharp simply could no longer be afforded, he had to go. Oduya completed his contract and couldn't be resigned here. How are these things Bowman's fault. In Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt Bowman got the Hawks two players who are perfectly designed to succeed in Coach Q's system and they are both cost controlled. End of story!

Are there questions about all the new Hawk players? You bet, but don't you think that the same or even greater questions exist about the Hawk players that were traded? Saad hasn't put up big numbers and is leaving playing alongside players like Toews, Hossa and Kane (3 of the best players in the world) and CLB just paid him like he's their franchise player! Sharp and Oduya are in their mid 30's and both have suffered multiple significant injuries over the last 3 seasons. Before Oduya was injured and was given time off later in the season, he was STRUGGLING for the Hawks and had been demoted to the 3rd pairing. The mythical magic wand that so many here like to talk about works both ways...the fact is, right now, the Hawks are even on paper as to last year's team going into October. If Bowman can move Bickell and use that cap space to officially announce the re-signing of Marcus Kruger and then add a veteran DMan like Erhoff, then we are ACTUALLY AHEAD of last year's team. So, try to relax and enjoy the summer and know the Hawks are favoured to repeat this coming season for a GOOD REASON!
- MexicoHawk

Thanks for the sanity check.