I agree. And it has worked well. Hitting everything in sight and fights are often just for show. Putting pucks into the net is where the Hawks focus their attention.
- kwolf68

Yep. It has worked well for them. But I still like me some physical hockey

I agree. And it has worked well. Hitting everything in sight and fights are often just for show. Putting pucks into the net is where the Hawks focus their attention.
- kwolf68

It's not about hitting everything in sight it's about one guy pressuring the defenceman into a mistake a hurried pass or a guy who's covering Kane and all of a sudden you see a235 pound skater on the ice with him and realize I can't just keep my eye on Kane something the Bolts didn't have to worry about. I remember Shaw checking Sustr and he just bounced off him like he wasn't there.

If the Engelland deal actually happens I want full credit for being the first to post the idea here (k5). It will mean that Stan read it here and pulled the trigger!
- Kentxo

Just messing with ya Ken.

Looking over my own spreadsheet and thinking about trades.

1) Bickell to Calgary for Deryk Engelland in return ($2.9M) -- net loss of $1.1M
2) Versteeg to Montreal for a few picks -- net loss of $2.2M
3) Sign Kruger for $2.5M
4) Baun stays up at $.853M (Q likes him a lot)
5) Assume plugs like Morin and Tropp are traded or buried in Rockford

This is $70.4M, which gives the Hawks $1M in cap space.

Before everyone says Engelland sucks, let's get Russell… Russell had something like 7 points for CGY in the playoffs, even though he was a -9. If I'm Treliving/Burke, I hold onto Russell over Engelland, yet try to move a D-man because of Dougie Hamilton's arrival and Giordano's return from injury.

I think it's this type of deal that might work, even if Calgary isn't the dance partner. The salary differential between Bickell and the return is only $1M, but we get back a depth D, even though he's still kind of expensive… It's still only $.7M more than Rozsival was payed the last two years.

This way, we also keep Shaw.
- DMChi2010

Like the big picture reasoning but Kruger for only $2.5M? Hope you're close.

There's more to being physical than hitting.
- Kentxo

I realize this. He is pretty decent along the boards though and has a lot of skill. He has his finest chance ever to max his potential we've been hearing about for 6 years now. I remember when he got to NY, they raved about him something fierce. Seven years later he has one 44 pt season to his resume. Many say he just needs the right group to play with. He now has that chance. Will be interesting to see.

Yep. It has worked well for them. But I still like me some physical hockey
- Hank3Henshaw

I do to within reason and within the context of playing a good, solid, tough game. And a heavy hitting line can do wonders. That Islanders line of Clutterbuck, Martin and forget the other guy were absolutely a joy to watch in the playoffs.

Our fourth line of Krugs, Desi and Shaw was not as physical as that, but probably as intense and possessed a bit more scoring touch. They too were a joy to watch even at reduced physicality.

Like the big picture reasoning but Kruger for only $2.5M? Hope you're close.
- blackhawk24

Im hoping for a lower AAV around $2.5mil for 5-6 years....

I do agree Bickell is over paid, if the Hawks do get rid of Bickell who is going to fill his shoes.

I'm watching the payoff games again and Bickell was very effective and anytime the opponent was squeezing Kane guess who was skating on the same line as Kane, that's right Bickell, what happened in the Bolts series when Bickell couldn't play they squeezed Kane and were effective doing it. So if Bickell goes I hope that AA can provide the same space for Kane if not we're going to have to win playoff games by 2-1 scores.
- BetweenTheDots

All Bickell did was come in offside, or turn the puck over when he didn't do that, either by trying to be Kane into defenders, or by dumping the puck and making little to no effort to retrieve it. As far as the HITZ go, really? Bickell threw very few of the type of bone crunching hits out guys were taking. Our homer scorer has a very bad habit of calling those pull-up hip brushings as "hits." How many effective hits did he throw, which took a defender out of the play and allowed Kane room to work? Very few that I saw. He was essentially a boat anchor around Kane's leg. Every time he touched the damned puck in or near the o-zone, you knew the puck would be coming back the other way shortly.

Calgary may be dropping a defender.

Even thogh the undersized russell goes up ice I just think a Brookbank-like presence on the backline simply adds a different option.

Get a guy who understands he plays if he plays well and knows and executes his role.

Personally I don't care where he comes from as long as the Cap hit is super reasonable and he something different.
There seem to be a few of these types that are displeased with the wait the Predators have put them in -holding patterns in Milwaukee.
Without naming names (bad luck) maybe even a three way deal where we send some body (ies) elsewhere and they send Nashville something and we end up with a low Cap servicable

Ok it's all a pipe dream it's 20 yr old Jonathan Diaby, and they have that solid core in Nashville and still have developing Swede Johan Alm, Finn Miko Vainonen, big Jaynen Rissling and a slew of others. They are doing the right thing but I have heard there are rumblings in that defensive group that some feel it should be their time and there is no space...
I am pretty sure a player ready can come in and fill as a 6-7 guy.

Too me I figured using the 2010 template that StanBo was going to do just that-find minor pros at the dee position (like the got forwards Jimmy Hayes and Victor Stalberg as Cap relief hopefuls....)

My only point is year after year, the seaosn begins and there are new minor pros asked to fill the role at the bottom of the back end, and they are pleasant surprises and guys I even say, wait, how did I miss him, was he is college for three years?, is he REALLY acclimated THAT fast?

My solution to the problem from the outside is much better solved from the inside.
You just wish that giant we saw on the ice after the seventh game who when he lifted the cup it was level with the 200 seats could skate a bit better.
Viktor Svedberg- he may not be a punisher but the wing span and size means he covers space and reach and does use his size.
We are talking about a situational player and it just like when TvR returned you start judging the results shift by shift.
When TvR showed that lack of short area jump and inabilty to read and react in that first game he played against Tampa, it was noted but not held against him.

Me thinks the tight Cap might see them actually trying to fill with players they know, and not go out and sign another veteran defender ala KT #44...
if you spend the space on an outside vet, you live with him all year, with little recourse.
The pre-Playoffs games aka the regular season is the time to jell the new players and also get some look-sees at the farmhands, even though we seem to have loaded up at the front end.
I don't a see the coaching staff and management pushing panic buttons when they can find a suitable vet nearer to the March trade deadline if there is big concern...in fact, I bet that's the way they are thinking when the there wasn't space for #27 and #6 on dee.

Im hoping for a lower AAV around $2.5mil for 5-6 years....
- EnzoD

Good luck on that one....I hope Kruger is THAT HAPPY.

Good luck on that one....I hope Kruger is THAT HAPPY.
- wiz1901

One would have to guess $3mil is too high for the Hawks, right?

I do agree Bickell is over paid, if the Hawks do get rid of Bickell who is going to fill his shoes.

I'm watching the payoff games again and Bickell was very effective and anytime the opponent was squeezing Kane guess who was skating on the same line as Kane, that's right Bickell, what happened in the Bolts series when Bickell couldn't play they squeezed Kane and were effective doing it. So if Bickell goes I hope that AA can provide the same space for Kane if not we're going to have to win playoff games by 2-1 scores.
- BetweenTheDots

Depending on how much cap we can clear Eric Fehr is still available and he'd be a monumental upgrade over Bickell.

Depending on how much cap we can clear Eric Fehr is still available and he'd be a monumental upgrade over Bickell.
- Dabearshawks

And would rekindle the center depth as well.

One would have to guess $3mil is too high for the Hawks, right?
- EnzoD

Hockeyscap has the Hawks at $1.1 over the cap with 15 forwards (including Morin and Tropp, but not including Kruger) and 6 defensemen.

I don't see how (given the apparently almost non-existent market for Bickell) they don't lose two of Kruger, Shaw, Versteeg, and Bickell.

I do to within reason and within the context of playing a good, solid, tough game. And a heavy hitting line can do wonders. That Islanders line of Clutterbuck, Martin and forget the other guy were absolutely a joy to watch in the playoffs.
- kwolf68

Oh I love that Martin line, but did they help get the Islanders farther along?

Skill speed puck control and hockey smarts form the entire group are what advances you.
Washington just went away from Brouwer and Joel Ward
to
TJ Oshie and Justin Williams

To me that was a philosophical change away from heavy lifters to more offensive generators.

So you see Tampa with the look with both types and adding more Eric Conrda.

So it seems to be a matter of fit, and empahsis on how to win.

This biggest thing #'s wise as well is first unit power play time. That could easily bump up his stats by 10-15 points which on paper could infuriate the masses but also justify the $.
- fattybeef

If Saad can be the "guy" in Columbus his contract will be well worth it...Sometimes young guys can develop the consistency to be thought of in that way and other times they struggle with the pressure and responsibility.

All Bickell did was come in offside, or turn the puck over when he didn't do that, either by trying to be Kane into defenders, or by dumping the puck and making little to no effort to retrieve it. As far as the HITZ go, really? Bickell threw very few of the type of bone crunching hits out guys were taking. Our homer scorer has a very bad habit of calling those pull-up hip brushings as "hits." How many effective hits did he throw, which took a defender out of the play and allowed Kane room to work? Very few that I saw. He was essentially a boat anchor around Kane's leg. Every time he touched the damned puck in or near the o-zone, you knew the puck would be coming back the other way shortly.
- Q...argh

I guess Coach Q doesn't know what he's doing by putting him out there with him, and I guess my eyes don't see the samething your eyes do. Which is fine I'm glad he's here he has a certain skill set this small team needs.

Hockeyscap has the Hawks at $1.1 over the cap with 15 forwards (including Morin and Tropp, but not including Kruger) and 6 defensemen.

I don't see how (given the apparently almost non-existent market for Bickell) they don't lose two of Kruger, Shaw, Versteeg, and Bickell.
- StLBravesFan

THIS. Especially when considering that Seabrook is going to need an extension.

One would have to guess $3mil is too high for the Hawks, right?
- EnzoD

No.

Too little and an insult to Kruger...

I know it is an RFA bridge deal but the want a long brige and I bet Krugs wants security but wante to feel wanted in the pocketbook

And would rekindle the center depth as well.
- kwolf68

He'd also be a low risk high reward pick up since his injury has dropped his stock. He's on pace to be ready for next season even if he's 80% healthy he'd still be a massive upgrade over Bickell. He actually plays two way hockey can't really say Bickell does.

Depending on how much cap we can clear Eric Fehr is still available and he'd be a monumental upgrade over Bickell.
- Dabearshawks

and I will take Bickell and give you 5 - 1 odds if you take Fehr in a footrace between the two from goal line to goal carrying the puck through trafffic.

Hockeyscap has the Hawks at $1.1 over the cap with 15 forwards (including Morin and Tropp, but not including Kruger) and 6 defensemen.

I don't see how (given the apparently almost non-existent market for Bickell) they don't lose two of Kruger, Shaw, Versteeg, and Bickell.
- StLBravesFan

Look closer. Those numbers have 15 forwards in them. surely 2 of those will be dropped off the "cap" payroll. But countering that, there's only 6 D, when the final roster is likely to have 7.

He'd also be a low risk high reward pick up since his injury has dropped his stock. He's on pace to be ready for next season. If he's 80% healthy he'd still be a massive upgrade over Bickell, he actually plays two way hockey not too sure what Bickell does.
- Dabearshawks

If I am not mistaken, he did have about 17-19 goals and was 52% at the dot.

New blog up, HawkeyBuzzers

Oh I love that Martin line, but did they help get the Islanders farther along?

Skill speed puck control and hockey smarts form the entire group are what advances you.
Washington just went away from Brouwer and Joel Ward
to
TJ Oshie and Justin Williams

To me that was a philosophical change away from heavy lifters to more offensive generators.

So you see Tampa with the look with both types and adding more Eric Conrda.

So it seems to be a matter of fit, and empahsis on how to win.
- wiz1901

You can not blame that line for the Islanders not advancing. In fact, that line did all it could. The Islanders didn't have enough top end skilled players and their defense lost a key player when Wilson knocked out that one guy, so the Islanders depth was as bad as the Hawks, except their top 4 were not as good.