he signed with the stars before he hit UFA (traded rights)
- DDM-Coga

Oops I guess it would be hard to sign him

So has anyone gone and asked Garthe why JO didn't sign with Buffalo even though they reportedly offered him a bigger brinks truck?

Stat wise it might be ok but when it matters most I have a feeling he will disappear.... just saying. I don't have a ton of experience watching him but just what I have noticed. I think Wiz said something similar a while back too.
- stljam

I just think his contract is fair market value. Tweener 2nd/3rd line C. Decent possession stats, putting up 48-44pt seasons with plug wingers. I think he could do well in a bigger role. That contract is maybe 500k too much per season but I wont lose sleep over that part

I am warming up to the Dallas Trade

http://video.stars.nhl.co...nsole?hlp=8470110&lang=en

Oops I guess it would be hard to sign him
- BetweenTheDots

Ducks traded for Khudobin from Carolina at the draft too, not the worst goalie pick up to battle for the net

If SB projected Johns to be a top NHL defenseman I'm sure he wouldn't have traded him. All $1.30 and a prospect ensures is I can get a medium coffee at Tim Hortons.
- paulr

Paul, are you sure he had no choice, He had to get rid of Sharp's contract and the only viable way Dallas would go if he gave up John's

LMAO. Other than 1 year, Kesler has played 77 or more games every year since 2006. Kesler is one of the 3 or 4 best two-way center in the NHL. Comparing Anisimov to him is laughable.
- kwolf68

So is anyone thinking he was coming here last year and that somehow the Hawks wouldn't be in the same or worse shape Cap wise.

No human can withstand that length of contract. --- Ryan Kesler
- CanOCorn

I am warming up to the Dallas Trade

http://video.stars.nhl.co...nsole?hlp=8470110&lang=en
- Colbyboy

Nothing more than a "had to do it" deal.

Hawks get worse in that trade and it's funny as people are plugging in prospects and unknowns into Sharp and Saad's roles while glossing over prospects traded. Wonder why Johns isn't that good, yet Panarin is going to replace Saad?

- CaptainBlackhawk

This another DEFCON-5 ??

LMAO. Other than 1 year, Kesler has played 77 or more games every year since 2006. Kesler is one of the 3 or 4 best two-way center in the NHL. Comparing Anisimov to him is laughable.
- kwolf68

Sorry that this is nit picking in the worst way but off the top of my head Toews, Bergeron, Kopitar, and still Datsyuk I'd put ahead of him but he's definitely close to that group. Either way completely agree that it's no contest between him and AA though.

LMAO. Other than 1 year, Kesler has played 77 or more games every year since 2006. Kesler is one of the 3 or 4 best two-way center in the NHL. Comparing Anisimov to him is laughable.
- kwolf68

Perhaps you selectively missed the 17 games that Mark Messier Kesler played in 2012- 2013
Your incessant negativity, complaining and whining is risible.

So is anyone thinking he was coming here last year and that somehow the Hawks wouldn't be in the same or worse shape Cap wise.
- HawkintheD

I never thought Kesler was coming here because of the cap. If he was willing to play for his 5 AAV, then he is a clear no brainer over Anisimov who is making a bit less. But Kes wanted the big payday, he got in where the cap room existed. He's also a dingleberry. He's still a hell of a hockey player, proven over a number of years.

Nothing more than a "had to do it" deal.

Hawks get worse in that trade and it's funny as people are plugging in prospects and unknowns into Sharp and Saad's roles while glossing over prospects traded. Wonder why Johns isn't that good, yet Panarin is going to replace Saad?
- kwolf68

Johns is a good prospect.

Panarin is an elite prospect.

There's part of the difference. In addition, the Hawks got a pretty darn good replacement for Oduya in that deal.

Couple in the Dano/Anisimov and Dejardins for a full year... this team is looking pretty darn good for what they had to do. Need to find another depth defenseman now.

Your incessant negativity, complaining and whining is risible.
- KingB

And your promotion of inaccurate facts is....

This another DEFCON-5 ??
- blackhawk24

Are you going to tug on my nuts for that mistype every time? Just curious.....

Paul, are you sure he had no choice, He had to get rid of Sharp's contract and the only viable way Dallas would go if he gave up John's
- Maggie

Neither one of us know what choice Bowman had. My point is if Johns is as valuable as some fans think then Bowman would have not moved him. I have yet to read any hockey prognosticators rank Johns as anything other than a mid level prospect with upside. Yet many fans, who in all likelyhood have never seen him play, rank him as a top 4 defenseman. Based on the Hawks projections he was ranked as a good, not great prospect.

Ducks traded for Khudobin from Carolina at the draft too, not the worst goalie pick up to battle for the net
- DDM-Coga

That's true, in a way it surprises me they don't go after an established goalie, they are so close and you go into the playoffs not being sure who your starting goalie is/was going to be.

Sorry that this is nit picking in the worst way but off the top of my head Toews, Bergeron, Kopitar, and still Datsyuk I'd put ahead of him but he's definitely close to that group. Either way completely agree that it's no contest between him and AA though.
- daaaahawks

Yea I can agree with your list. I'd take those guys over Kes, but Kes is right there. I didn't mind NOT getting Kesler, because we kept TT and Kesler is really fun to hate.

If SB projected Johns to be a top NHL defenseman I'm sure he wouldn't have traded him. All $1.30 and a prospect ensures is I can get a medium coffee at Tim Hortons.
- paulr

Just don't go there at 4am

And your promotion of inaccurate facts is....
- kwolf68

Name one inaccurate fact that I promoted.

You, on the other hand, deceitfully omitted that Kesler only played 17 games in 2012-2013.

Please explain that.

Name one inaccurate fact that I promoted.

You, on the other hand, deceitfully omitted that Kesler only played 17 games in 2012-2013.

Please explain that.
- KingB

Good god man. THAT is the year I am talking about. In SEVEN of the LAST EIGHT years Kesler has played 77 games or more. "injury prone"? Bullpoop.

You like Anisimov better? Fine....but quit making up crap to prove yourself "right". Kesler is a good, tough, and durable hockey player. He's chump, but he can play.

Kesler will be really good in 2022 as that contract comes to an end.
- RickJ

Sort of confusing and out of character for Murray. He must have really liked what Kesler brings but that term is risky. He plays a physical style and has had at least 1 significant injury. What sort of return is that contract bringing when he is 35, 36, 37?

That's true, in a way it surprises me they don't go after an established goalie, they are so close and you go into the playoffs not being sure who your starting goalie is/was going to be.
- BetweenTheDots

They have lots of cap space right now, should have offersheeted Holtby, I dont think over paying for him would hurt them if they are giving Kesler 6m+