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!
- MexicoHawk

Agreed, and I would love to see him stick around.

Of course, Adam Burish is looking for somewhere to play....

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
- EnzoD

I agree 100%!..

Outside of being an armchair GM, I think Q needs to consider the following strategies with how this roster is shaping out to be.

Dano needs to play in a scoring role if he is going to develop into a scoring player.
Hossa needs to play less minutes to extend his career and servicability in the playoffs.
The Hawks are light at the natural LW position but I would rather see Teravainen there than Dano(who is said to be far better on the right).

Teravainen - Toews - Dano

Panarin - Aninsimov- Kane

Garbutt- Kruger - Hossa

Dsjardins - Danault - Baun/McNeill

I think it's safe to say that Bickell, Versteeg, and probably Shaw will have to go in order to move the former 2 but I could be wrong. If not then Shaw in for Baun/McNeill.

I like this because it A) creates scoring balance and defense on all lines B) reduces Hossa's minutes and allows him to play the possession/defensive game that hasn't seen much decline C) puts Teravainen and Dano into a position, with Toews, to contribute offensively.

Thoughts?

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
- EnzoD

As I learn the rules of the road here, it's ok to call stan's ability into question over "what someone heard" but it's not allowable to question what someone actually types here?

As I learn the rules of the road here, it's ok to call stan's ability into question over "what someone heard" but it's not allowable to question what someone actually types here?
- Confederate

I have no qualms with saying WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY!! This is America and as long as you aren't name calling or mocking someone, by all means....I was simply hoping MexicoHawks would IGNORE the comments that question his insider information. I enjoy his contribution to the blog, which is more than I can say for a lot of the posters here.

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

Sad...as confirmed both late yesterday and today, BUF offered significantly MORE MONEY and YEARS for Oduya than DAL, he went to DAL for obvious reasons and "took a discount" to do so. The agreed upon, unsigned deals between the Hawks and Oduya were 3 years @ $3.5 million per and 5 years at $3 million per. This is a major reason WHY Oduya showed such incredible loyalty and patience to the Hawks! BUF offered $5 and were prepared to go as high as $5.5 million per. But just ignore that little nugget because it doesn't fit your pre-conceived hypothesis. It's the Warren Commission Pt. 2000. Again, supposed Hawk fans arguing, doubting and attacking instead of just being friendly, which is why we are all supposed to be here in the first place.

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

And what was he willing to take here? Another miss based on lack of decisiveness from this front office. Take a lower return or buyout Bickell a few weeks ago and even with the trade Sharp for the same return and cap hit Oduya still could have been here.

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
- BetweenTheDots

Stan pulling a Sweeney??

Sad...as confirmed both late yesterday and today, BUF offered significantly MORE MONEY and YEARS for Oduya than DAL, he went to DAL for obvious reasons and "took a discount" to do so. The agreed upon, unsigned deals between the Hawks and Oduya were 3 years @ $3.5 million per and 5 years at $3 million per. This is a major reason WHY Oduya showed such incredible loyalty and patience to the Hawks! BUF offered $5 and were prepared to go as high as $5.5 million per. But just ignore that little nugget because it doesn't fit your pre-conceived hypothesis. It's the Warren Commission Pt. 2000. Again, supposed Hawk fans arguing, doubting and attacking instead of just being friendly, which is why we are all supposed to be here in the first place.
- MexicoHawk

Mex, with the Oduya "deadline" now passed, do you expect the final Salary-Cap dump to occur just before Training Camp (ala Leddy)? Given the initial asking price for taking on Bickell's contract, this could take a while.....your thoughts?

Sad...as confirmed both late yesterday and today, BUF offered significantly MORE MONEY and YEARS for Oduya than DAL, he went to DAL for obvious reasons and "took a discount" to do so. The agreed upon, unsigned deals between the Hawks and Oduya were 3 years @ $3.5 million per and 5 years at $3 million per. This is a major reason WHY Oduya showed such incredible loyalty and patience to the Hawks! BUF offered $5 and were prepared to go as high as $5.5 million per. But just ignore that little nugget because it doesn't fit your pre-conceived hypothesis. It's the Warren Commission Pt. 2000. Again, supposed Hawk fans arguing, doubting and attacking instead of just being friendly, which is why we are all supposed to be here in the first place.
- MexicoHawk

If this is the case, then SB got cold feet on being able to move enough salary elsewhere in order to get under the cap.

One of the situations discussed here a couple weeks back was the trade off between keeping CC and his $6M cap hit versus dealing him and most of his $6M cap hit in an effort to fortify the defence.

Clearly SB chose to keep CC and replace JO with Daley. I really think SB got a whiff of JO jumping ship for a much higher AAV.

Sad...as confirmed both late yesterday and today, BUF offered significantly MORE MONEY and YEARS for Oduya than DAL, he went to DAL for obvious reasons and "took a discount" to do so. The agreed upon, unsigned deals between the Hawks and Oduya were 3 years @ $3.5 million per and 5 years at $3 million per. This is a major reason WHY Oduya showed such incredible loyalty and patience to the Hawks! BUF offered $5 and were prepared to go as high as $5.5 million per. But just ignore that little nugget because it doesn't fit your pre-conceived hypothesis. It's the Warren Commission Pt. 2000. Again, supposed Hawk fans arguing, doubting and attacking instead of just being friendly, which is why we are all supposed to be here in the first place.
- MexicoHawk

3.5 per would have been almost entirely covered by buying out Bickell... assuming no market for him and there is no question there were more teams with more openings and more cap space before the draft. Stan has boxed himself in again just like last year. There is no spinning that. They can announce trades on Friday evenings like an Obama bad news drop and send interns out on message boards all they like. That is fact. Every GM has strengths and weaknesses. This may be a weakness. Let's see what he does with the rest of the off season.

At this stage.....seeing what has, and hasn't transpired....I fully expect to See Crawford dealt. I just don't see how else we will get under the Cap. We took back too much salary on Sharp. Seems Bickel will net us little cap relief....I think Crawford is the only logical move left.

If this is the case, then SB got cold feet on being able to move enough salary elsewhere in order to get under the cap.

One of the situations discussed here a couple weeks back was the trade off between keeping CC and his $6M cap hit versus dealing him and most of his $6M cap hit in an effort to fortify the defence.

Clearly SB chose to keep CC and replace JO with Daley. I really think SB got a whiff of JO jumping ship for a much higher AAV.
- blackhawk24

He just signed for a very reasonable cap hit with a lesser team in Dallas. IDK how that equates to him jumping ship for a higher AAV?

I suspect, given the already absurd demands for dumping salary, Bowman did not want to go over the cap by signing Oduya. He could have signed him, been less than 10% over the cap, and REALLY been up against the wall in terms of shedding salary...AGAIN. This, ultimately, comes down to Bickell's immovable contract and the negotiating position Stan has, currently, still under the cap...Signing Oduya prior to shedding Bickel+ would have been bad news for StanBo, IMO.

Mex, with the Oduya "deadline" now passed, do you expect the final Salary-Cap dump to occur just before Training Camp (ala Leddy)? Given the initial asking price for taking on Bickell's contract, this could take a while.....your thoughts?
- EnzoD

Because he was honestly trying hard to keep Oduya, Stan has set in motion the potential trades for both Bickell and Versteeg. So I believe that they will happen sooner than later, again the Hawks can't leave Kruger dangling for very much longer. Stan is still of the opinion that he wants to trade Bicks first and then see IF he can afford to keep Versteeg's Cap friendly contract...this is exactly why he isn't done yet. "The Great Pickle" caused by Bickell...well, actually Stan, by why look at facts?

Outside of being an armchair GM, I think Q needs to consider the following strategies with how this roster is shaping out to be.

Dano needs to play in a scoring role if he is going to develop into a scoring player.
Hossa needs to play less minutes to extend his career and servicability in the playoffs.
The Hawks are light at the natural LW position but I would rather see Teravainen there than Dano(who is said to be far better on the right).

Teravainen - Toews - Dano

Panarin - Aninsimov- Kane

Garbutt- Kruger - Hossa

Dsjardins - Danault - Baun/McNeill

I think it's safe to say that Bickell, Versteeg, and probably Shaw will have to go in order to move the former 2 but I could be wrong. If not then Shaw in for Baun/McNeill.

I like this because it A) creates scoring balance and defense on all lines B) reduces Hossa's minutes and allows him to play the possession/defensive game that hasn't seen much decline C) puts Teravainen and Dano into a position, with Toews, to contribute offensively.

Thoughts?
- Bjm84

Balanced lines, which will actually make the Hawks even better. I highly doubt that Bowman will let go both Versteeg and Shaw, one will stay, and that's got to be Andrew. So look at your lines WITH Shaw and how good does that look??? Pretty darn nice!

At this stage.....seeing what has, and hasn't transpired....I fully expect to See Crawford dealt. I just don't see how else we will get under the Cap. We took back too much salary on a Sharp. Seems Bickel will net us little cap relief....I think Crawford is the only logical move left.
- hawk35

This. They Hawks can get under the cap by moving Versteeg and Shaw, if course they can't move Bickell or have to take a lot of salary back.

I agree though that at this juncture the smart play is to move Crawford and resign Seabrook.

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??



- MjulQvist

No way...

If this is the case, then SB got cold feet on being able to move enough salary elsewhere in order to get under the cap.

One of the situations discussed here a couple weeks back was the trade off between keeping CC and his $6M cap hit versus dealing him and most of his $6M cap hit in an effort to fortify the defence.

Clearly SB chose to keep CC and replace JO with Daley. I really think SB got a whiff of JO jumping ship for a much higher AAV.
- blackhawk24

Shaw, Kruger, Steeg, Bickell, Danault... they all go before CC does. Its a giant mess for Stan. Wondering if Kruger goes with a Bickell deal? I only say that because the team seems really high on Danault. I also agree that Shaw is an emotional center piece that would be very hard to replace.

Its also possible that CC gets moved as long as a decent vet comes back to help man the pipes with Darling.

Sad...as confirmed both late yesterday and today, BUF offered significantly MORE MONEY and YEARS for Oduya than DAL, he went to DAL for obvious reasons and "took a discount" to do so. The agreed upon, unsigned deals between the Hawks and Oduya were 3 years @ $3.5 million per and 5 years at $3 million per. This is a major reason WHY Oduya showed such incredible loyalty and patience to the Hawks! BUF offered $5 and were prepared to go as high as $5.5 million per. But just ignore that little nugget because it doesn't fit your pre-conceived hypothesis. It's the Warren Commission Pt. 2000. Again, supposed Hawk fans arguing, doubting and attacking instead of just being friendly, which is why we are all supposed to be here in the first place.
- MexicoHawk

Agreed.

How dare anyone have an opinion that doesn't agree with Stan, or the consensus. Don't dare question what goes on behind the curtain.

It's ok to disagree.

Shaw, Kruger, Steeg, Bickell, Danault... they all go before CC does. Its a giant mess for Stan. Wondering if Kruger goes with a Bickell deal? I only say that because the team seems really high on Danault. I also agree that Shaw is an emotional center piece that would be very hard to replace.
- z1990z

IMO moving Kruger before Crawford would be a huge mistake. Kruger is still young, awesome at the dot, awesome on the penalty kill, and plays huge minutes against top competition(helping to take this load off Toews).

Danault is not ready to assume those roles. Nobody the Hawks have now can do what Kruger does.

Crawford is the smaller gamble especially assuming he is moved with another goalie coming back at a low cap hit.

IMO moving Kruger before Crawford would be a huge mistake. Kruger is still young, awesome at the dot, awesome on the penalty kill, and plays huge minutes against top competition(helping to take this load off Toews).

Danault is not ready to assume those roles. Nobody the Hawks have now can do what Kruger does.

Crawford is the smaller gamble especially assuming he is moved with another goalie coming back at a low cap hit.
- Bjm84

Bottom line is this.. Any trade that moves 29 is gonna cost another good roster player. Its just a schit deal at the moment.

3.5 per would have been almost entirely covered by buying out Bickell... assuming no market for him and there is no question there were more teams with more openings and more cap space before the draft. Stan has boxed himself in again just like last year. There is no spinning that. They can announce trades on Friday evenings like an Obama bad news drop and send interns out on message boards all they like. That is fact. Every GM has strengths and weaknesses. This may be a weakness. Let's see what he does with the rest of the off season.
- tredbrta

I agree...the following comes from an NHL executive who knows Stan very well..."Stan is stubborn, he'll prove to himself that Bickell's contract wasn't a mistake by trading it somewhere else". And I am sure he will, but at what cost?

A few thoughts on Andrew Shaw...

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!
- MexicoHawk

THANK YOU! I agree completely. I've frankly been astonished how ready some posters here are to view Shaw as an easily replaced "depth player" and move him in exchange for a modest amount of cap space. Hopefully Bowman understands Shaw's importance the same way you do.

Agreed.

How dare anyone have an opinion that doesn't agree with Stan, or the consensus. Don't dare question what goes on behind the curtain.

It's ok to disagree.
- howiehandles

There is plenty of snark in yours and mexco's posts. Disagree with what Stan actually does tho, not dissect what he doesn't do per an Internet rumor

If this is the case, then SB got cold feet on being able to move enough salary elsewhere in order to get under the cap.

One of the situations discussed here a couple weeks back was the trade off between keeping CC and his $6M cap hit versus dealing him and most of his $6M cap hit in an effort to fortify the defence.

Clearly SB chose to keep CC and replace JO with Daley. I really think SB got a whiff of JO jumping ship for a much higher AAV.
- blackhawk24

Yep, Stan chose to put winning this coming season first in his decisions. Let's not forget that the first rumours about Erhoff being interested in taking a Cap friendly deal with CHI came right BEFORE the Sharp trade to DAL. And while everyone is happy to rip Bowman for the DAL deal now being Oduya, Sharp and Johns for Daley and Garbutt, how would it look if this deal was done to create enough money to re-sign Kruger and sign Erhoff??? Daley, Garbutt, Kruger and Erhoff...not bad.