I like your take on this.

A lot of people have been really bent out of shape about trading Johns and other prospects, though I have a hard time understanding the anguish. I imagine many people who follow the prospect pool more than I do really want the kids to succeed, and that's totally cool. I don't watch the Icehogs, so maybe I would feel more of an affinity for them if I did and really root for the kids making the big team.

However, I think a lot of our prospects are overvalued by some on this board… Long term, how amazing are Danault, McNeill, and Ross? So amazing that we absolutely can't move them? So amazing that they could jump into the bottom 6 and by Christmas have locked down a spot in the top 6? Again, we've seen late rounders get a spot on the big boy team IF they can hack it. Andrew Shaw (19th-rounder after getting passed over twice!) comes to mind… You'd think these players would have gotten more of a look by now...

To me, if it takes Bickell + McNeill + Ross to get someone to take Bickells' contract, just (frank)ing do it. Try to get back a second round pick in return for this cohort. I imagine Bowman is waiting until all the arbitration stuff gets done so that all the GMs know what else they need… however, I'm not sure this makes his position anything but weaker the longer he waits.
- DMChi2010

I kinda think it will be easier to trade Bickell the closer we get to the season. Arbitration matters get settled, injuries happen, youngsters are deemed not ready and get sent back down...but mostly, someone is going to be willing to take his salary to get to the cap floor.

Plus, knee jerk reactions notwithstanding, Bickell really isn't as bad as many on this message board would have us believe. He is only perceived that way because he has not proven to be a good value for the size of his contract. He is only 29, has good size, lead the NHL in playoff hits, possesses a surprisingly good wrister, has a career shooting percentage north of 12%, brings net front presence at times, and has shown a proclivity in the past to be a playoff performer. He does not take many dumb penalties for someone who hits, and he has been a part of two Stanley Cup winning runs...how often have we heard GMs talk about how invaluable this experience is when acquiring a member of a championship team?

The reality is many clubs would welcome him as a 3rd or 4th liner IF he came cheaply. But he doesn't come cheaply, and coupled with the health issues and everyone knowing SB has to move him, well...he still remains a Hawk for the time being. If Stan retains some salary and throws in a sweetener, there will be a buyer before the season begins. I think Stan knows this, and reading into things I think Marcus Kruger knows this, which may very well explain his extreme patience in letting it all play out. My opinion.

??

When has Shaw ever gotten an unsportsmanlike penalty for discussing anything with an official? Shaw doesn't have a bad reputation with the NHL or any ref that I'm aware of...perhaps you know something I don't?

He's plays with an edge and is whistled for the usual...

...hooking, holding, interference and the rare boarding or high stick.

His reputation is with opposing players...not refs.

But regarding Shaw getting an A...I just think it's wayyy to early to consider a move like that...as a player he's still developing his game and there are other more deserving veterans in this group.

But I don't think it has anything to do with his reputation with refs.
- ArlingtonRob

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Shaw never seems to draw a misconduct.

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend the documentary movie Red Army! It is about hockey in the U.S.S.R in the late 70s through the fall of communism and hockey in Russia today as well as its influence over the years on the N.H.L. Fascinating perspectives of hockey and politics.

Especially interesting to me is what a complete jerk Tikhonov's father is made out to be. From the little I've read about Tikhonov the younger, his personality is way different (better) but, wow, what an interesting family history he has.
- matt_ahrens

The (in)famous Russian coach was Blackhawks player Viktor's grandfather, not father. Vasily (also a coach) is his father. I wasn't sure until I read about it in the Trib myself.

I agree it was a good movie.

The (in)famous Russian coach was Blackhawks player Viktor's grandfather, not father. Vasily (also a coach) is his father. I wasn't sure until I read about it in the Trib myself.

I agree it was a good movie.
- BDT36

Oh! Good to know. Thanks! I was confused because they share their first name.

For the record i really respect Crawford and think he's been worth every penny of his contract, but if trading him allows us to also move Bickell and/or Versteeg(part of the same deal?), get back a legit goalie to form a tandem with Darling, and subsequently resign Kruger AND a legit depth defenseman(Erhoff?) for the bottom pairing, then its really hard to turn all that down....especially if it also helps us with the Seabs extension and whatever else we need to deal with next summer. Tough call indeed, but in the end it might be the only option that allows us to move Bickell, keep Kruger, etc...

The (in)famous Russian coach was Blackhawks player Viktor's grandfather, not father. Vasily (also a coach) is his father. I wasn't sure until I read about it in the Trib myself.

I agree it was a good movie.
- BDT36

If I'm not mistaken Viktor's father Vasily died a year or so before his grandfather passed in 2014. That had to be a difficult couple of years for him.

??

When has Shaw ever gotten an unsportsmanlike penalty for discussing anything with an official? Shaw doesn't have a bad reputation with the NHL or any ref that I'm aware of...perhaps you know something I don't?

He's plays with an edge and is whistled for the usual...

...hooking, holding, interference and the rare boarding or high stick.

His reputation is with opposing players...not refs.

But regarding Shaw getting an A...I just think it's wayyy to early to consider a move like that...as a player he's still developing his game and there are other more deserving veterans in this group.

But I don't think it has anything to do with his reputation with refs.
- ArlingtonRob

Sorry Rob, perhaps I do.

I like your take on this.

A lot of people have been really bent out of shape about trading Johns and other prospects, though I have a hard time understanding the anguish. I imagine many people who follow the prospect pool more than I do really want the kids to succeed, and that's totally cool. I don't watch the Icehogs, so maybe I would feel more of an affinity for them if I did and really root for the kids making the big team.

However, I think a lot of our prospects are overvalued by some on this board… Long term, how amazing are Danault, McNeill, and Ross? So amazing that we absolutely can't move them? So amazing that they could jump into the bottom 6 and by Christmas have locked down a spot in the top 6? Again, we've seen late rounders get a spot on the big boy team IF they can hack it. Andrew Shaw (19th-rounder after getting passed over twice!) comes to mind… You'd think these players would have gotten more of a look by now...

To me, if it takes Bickell + McNeill + Ross to get someone to take Bickells' contract, just (frank)ing do it. Try to get back a second round pick in return for this cohort. I imagine Bowman is waiting until all the arbitration stuff gets done so that all the GMs know what else they need… however, I'm not sure this makes his position anything but weaker the longer he waits.
- DMChi2010

I really wish the people on this site would stop advocating the notion of giving away all of the Hawks top prospects. I get the salary cap situation, but I can just see this site in a couple of years - after all the better players from Rockford are traded away - everyone here complaining how the minor league system sucks - how there aren't any prospects worth calling up.

That would be a really bad position to be in - especially as the core and key supporting pieces get older and injuries start catching up. You need a pipeline to keep energizing the main roster - whether by playing what you have, or trading a piece here and there to augment. You can't just keep throwing away these pieces.

I am glad the Hawks have a management staff that gets this!!!!

??


- ArlingtonRob

When has Shaw ever gotten an unsportsmanlike penalty for discussing anything with an official

? Shaw doesn't have a bad reputation with the NHL or any ref that I'm aware of...perhaps you know something I don't?

He's plays with an edge and is whistled for the usual...

...hooking, holding, interference and the rare boarding or high stick.

His reputation is with opposing players...not refs.

But regarding Shaw getting an A...I just think it's wayyy to early to consider a move like that...as a player he's still developing his game and there are other more deserving veterans in this group.

But I don't think it has anything to do with his reputation with refs.

He hasn't - because he doesn't wear a letter - so the refs don't talk to him - unless they are ordering him to the penalty box or to the bench.

Does anybody recall all the angst after the '10 Cup when Doug Wilson's offer sheet essentially forced the Hawks to choose between Hjalmarsson and Niemi. Hawks fans seemed fairly evenly divided regarding whom to keep back then.

Obviously the choice to keep Hjalmarsson has worked out well. Can we infer any parallels here? Maybe, maybe not?

I do tend to think goalies are more plug-and-play successful than positional players, at least during the regular season. Did the Rangers fall apart when Lundquist got hurt? No, Talbot stepped in and the team did not miss a beat. How did Nashville do when Rinne went down? Seems like they did alright, still finishing ahead of the Hawks. The Hawks found a way to survive and thrive without their Cup winning goalie from 2010...and now it's his replacement we just cannot fathom doing without?

Crawford is a good goalie and the 6 mil contract is a fair one. The Hawks would do well to keep him if they can, BUT, if they could package him with Bickell's contract In return for someone like Anderson and the cap space needed to resign Kruger and a veteran blue liner...count me in.
- DoubleMinor

Does anybody recall all the angst after the '10 Cup when Doug Wilson's offer sheet essentially forced the Hawks to choose between Hjalmarsson and Niemi. Hawks fans seemed fairly evenly divided regarding whom to keep back then.

Obviously the choice to keep Hjalmarsson has worked out well. Can we infer any parallels here? Maybe, maybe not?

I do tend to think goalies are more plug-and-play successful than positional players, at least during the regular season. Did the Rangers fall apart when Lundquist got hurt? No, Talbot stepped in and the team did not miss a beat. How did Nashville do when Rinne went down? Seems like they did alright, still finishing ahead of the Hawks. The Hawks found a way to survive and thrive without their Cup winning goalie from 2010...and now it's his replacement we just cannot fathom doing without?

Crawford is a good goalie and the 6 mil contract is a fair one. The Hawks would do well to keep him if they can, BUT, if they could package him with Bickell's contract In return for someone like Anderson and the cap space needed to resign Kruger and a veteran blue liner...count me in.
- DoubleMinor

This is a good post and a very real possibility and depending on the deal a good one for the Hawks......... I'd put Crawford as elite, not just good, and mention that when the Hawks lost their last cup winning goalie, Niemi, they had been grooming Crawford in the AHL, a 2nd round pick, for 5 full years. He was a known quantity to the Hawks and they felt confident he could be their #1. I'd also note the vet they brought in for security to be part of the tandem with Crow, Turco, stunk. The Hawks missed on that try.

Point is the Hawks showed they would allow a cup winning goalie to move before, but the context now is different in that they don't have their prospect ready to take over.

As far as Talbot, or even a guy who lit the world on fire but stunk in the playoffs v the offensively challenged Canadiens, Hammond, you are speaking of regular season numbers and a very small sample size. Same with Darling. And Rinne is a good example of a guy who was/is thought to be world class
and he petered out in the playoffs.

Again IMO Crawford is now elite, has shown he can win cups but can be replaced but the return/cap relief has to reflect what his true value is.

I really wish the people on this site would stop advocating the notion of giving away all of the Hawks top prospects. I get the salary cap situation, but I can just see this site in a couple of years - after all the better players from Rockford are traded away - everyone here complaining how the minor league system sucks - how there aren't any prospects worth calling up.

That would be a really bad position to be in - especially as the core and key supporting pieces get older and injuries start catching up. You need a pipeline to keep energizing the main roster - whether by playing what you have, or trading a piece here and there to augment. You can't just keep throwing away these pieces.

I am glad the Hawks have a management staff that gets this!!!!
- dahawks8819

I think this is the reason the Hawks are so active in the European and NCAA free agent market. These guys can hopefully replace the loss of drafted prospects that are moved to rid the club of contracts, ie Bickell/Sharp.

Agreed though, hate to see the pipeline left bare. Fine line to walk to have a realistic shot at a cup every year and keep the prospect pool stocked.

I really wish the people on this site would stop advocating the notion of giving away all of the Hawks top prospects. I get the salary cap situation, but I can just see this site in a couple of years - after all the better players from Rockford are traded away - everyone here complaining how the minor league system sucks - how there aren't any prospects worth calling up.

That would be a really bad position to be in - especially as the core and key supporting pieces get older and injuries start catching up. You need a pipeline to keep energizing the main roster - whether by playing what you have, or trading a piece here and there to augment. You can't just keep throwing away these pieces.

I am glad the Hawks have a management staff that gets this!!!!
- dahawks8819

I think you are missing the point of WIN NOW.

Aside from Teuvo, all the guys project as bottom 6 in the forward group and maybe 3rd pairing for D. The prospects that are worth getting called up do get called up quickly AND STICK -- Hammer (age 21), Saad (20), Shaw (20), Leddy (19), Teuvo (20). All of them saw maybe half a year in Rockford… International talent makes is quickly, too, as Kruger came over from Sweden at age 21. The only "late" bloomers were Kris Versteeg at age 22 and Bryan Bickell at age 24. How are those last two working out?

Now look at the "in the system" roster on nhl.com:
http://blackhawks.nhl.com...htm?srt=age&type=prospect

If you organize it by age by clicking on the age column, you see several players grouped at the top who are already at the age of 22 and on the last year of their ELC deals. Don't you think the Hawks FO and Coach Q can probably evaluate talent pretty well and know that certain players may have reached their threshold and may not have a shot at cracking the uber-talented Hawks roster?? When they get traded at this point, they are not being given away for nothing... Bowman shipped an older Clendening to Vancouver because he had no chance here and got back a 3-year-younger prospect/asset (Forsling, I believe) who may have a higher ceiling than Clendening. Johns was traded with Sharp for CAP SPACE (an asset) plus two NHL players. If McNeill, Ross, etc. go with Bickell for the asset of cap space, then maybe they have a genuine shot at cracking a less-talented NHL roster as a bottom-6 player.

Were the Hawks energized when Ryan Hartman decimated the poor NJ Devil schmuck on Hartman's first shift? Sure… And hopefully, since he is only 20, they keep him in the system for a couple for years.

But the Hawks will always be WAY MORE ENERGIZED by having teammates who are really friggin' good at hockey. Those teammates may not be prospects but rather astute college signings like Kyle Baun, who either makes the team this year or is shipped out at age 23. Or astute international signings like Artemi Panarin (also 23). Panarin will either adjust and be a genuine contributor or will "ship himself out" by going back to Russia.

Again… look carefully at the argument. NHL-ready prospects in the Hawks system MAKE the team. Non-NHL ready prospects get traded to other NHL teams who field NHL teams with AHL players as 4th-liners or 3rd-pairing D-men. And those teams don't even make the playoffs, let alone advance, let alone get to the final, let alone win, let alone win:

3 CUPS IN 6 YEARS, BABY!!

....Your point about draft picks/prspect...Many thought no issue giving picks at the deadline becasue Sharp and Bickell could be dealt for picks.

Sounded good in March but reality is zero picks back for Sharp and arguably best prospect in system sacrificed.

Bickel-Not sure any picks left to give so now it comes down to throwing in a Danault-McNeil- Ross??
- Al

Johns was the best prospect in the system? I missed that before he was traded.

I really wish the people on this site would stop advocating the notion of giving away all of the Hawks top prospects. I get the salary cap situation, but I can just see this site in a couple of years - after all the better players from Rockford are traded away - everyone here complaining how the minor league system sucks - how there aren't any prospects worth calling up.

That would be a really bad position to be in - especially as the core and key supporting pieces get older and injuries start catching up. You need a pipeline to keep energizing the main roster - whether by playing what you have, or trading a piece here and there to augment. You can't just keep throwing away these pieces.

I am glad the Hawks have a management staff that gets this!!!!
- dahawks8819

The Hawks have three exceptional top six forward prospects in TT, Dano & Panarin. They'll be hard-pressed to hold onto all of them as it is, in two years when they hit RFA. They can well afford to move lesser prospects, if that's what it takes to keep the cup window open.

Many will never give Crawford the credit he deserves, Al. Just the way it is. People will always blame him for the Coyote series.
- TTtime

I disagree now, after the second cup. 95% at least on the board would keep Crawford if they can figure the cap.

If I knew for sure I couldn't move Bickell or Versteeg, and I could've traded Crawford, and resigned Oduya, Kruger, and signed a vet dman, and assured myself of resigning Seabrook next year, I would have done it. Not because I don't realize what Crawford brings to the table, just the opposite.

It just goes back to what trades are out there, and who can be moved for a decent return.

Actually the fact that most here think Crawford will bring back the best return is pointing out his value.

This whole thing about "Crawford getting no respect" is turning into the new "Q hates young guys" thing

and its getting old

I hope Dano turns out to be everything people hope for. Can't really say. Never have watched him play much, if at all. I just don't see the need to diminish what Saad did as a member of the Hawks.

Saad will be playing with a couple of good young players in Columbus in Johanson and Foligno. Hossa still remains one of the best 2-way players in the game. lbh, his offense isn't what it once was. Which is fine because his play on his side of the puck more than makes up for it. Toews will never be defined solely on his offensive numbers. Its the fact he can put up the numbers he does at the same time as shutting the other teams' best down. Anyone playing with those two has to be able to hold his end of the deal. IMO. Saad did. It remains to be seen whether Dano or anyone else can.
- TTtime

Sadd was a great Hawk. Was a great story as well. See him slip in the draft, Hawks take a chance and it pay off. He was a contributor, and I think everyone would have kept him if they could of.

The only thing I have an issue with is the anointing of him as Marion Hossa.

Don't have many picks to deal..
Been saying for awhile to look toward players in the last year of an ELC to be used as a deal sweetener.
- Al

This, they all can't be playing in Chicago, after this year, they probably know it and aren't going to resign, so moving them to get cap in order, Kruger and a Vet Dman signed is only logical.

I kinda think it will be easier to trade Bickell the closer we get to the season. Arbitration matters get settled, injuries happen, youngsters are deemed not ready and get sent back down...but mostly, someone is going to be willing to take his salary to get to the cap floor.

Plus, knee jerk reactions notwithstanding, Bickell really isn't as bad as many on this message board would have us believe. He is only perceived that way because he has not proven to be a good value for the size of his contract. He is only 29, has good size, lead the NHL in playoff hits, possesses a surprisingly good wrister, has a career shooting percentage north of 12%, brings net front presence at times, and has shown a proclivity in the past to be a playoff performer. He does not take many dumb penalties for someone who hits, and he has been a part of two Stanley Cup winning runs...how often have we heard GMs talk about how invaluable this experience is when acquiring a member of a championship team?

The reality is many clubs would welcome him as a 3rd or 4th liner IF he came cheaply. But he doesn't come cheaply, and coupled with the health issues and everyone knowing SB has to move him, well...he still remains a Hawk for the time being. If Stan retains some salary and throws in a sweetener, there will be a buyer before the season begins. I think Stan knows this, and reading into things I think Marcus Kruger knows this, which may very well explain his extreme patience in letting it all play out. My opinion.
- DoubleMinor

And a team like Carolina may have already offered a third, and a fourth, and got turned down by the Hawk's GM, who was trying to get a a good prospect besides.
Bickell can shoot deceptively the puck, play in the system and despite his salary, hits plenty of opponents, and is no wimp in the battles zones. Person opinions aside, it is silly to think teams are not interested in young veteran Cup winner
Sure, teams can take a chance on Chris Stewart, Semin, or "defender" DelZotto and those Cap hits are safe ones that get media pats on the the back If the player & team do really well.
The fact remains teams like Caroilina have to renovate by core player trades, or add solid nhl players that make them better.

So with all the back and forth here, just ask yourself, "Does Brian Bickell make the Hurricanes better around their present mix of youth & vet core?"
and I think you say yes.

I think you are missing the point of WIN NOW.

Aside from Teuvo, all the guys project as bottom 6 in the forward group and maybe 3rd pairing for D. The prospects that are worth getting called up do get called up quickly AND STICK -- Hammer (age 21), Saad (20), Shaw (20), Leddy (19), Teuvo (20). All of them saw maybe half a year in Rockford… International talent makes is quickly, too, as Kruger came over from Sweden at age 21. The only "late" bloomers were Kris Versteeg at age 22 and Bryan Bickell at age 24. How are those last two working out?

Now look at the "in the system" roster on nhl.com:
http://blackhawks.nhl.com...htm?srt=age&type=prospect

If you organize it by age by clicking on the age column, you see several players grouped at the top who are already at the age of 22 and on the last year of their ELC deals. Don't you think the Hawks FO and Coach Q can probably evaluate talent pretty well and know that certain players may have reached their threshold and may not have a shot at cracking the uber-talented Hawks roster?? When they get traded at this point, they are not being given away for nothing... Bowman shipped an older Clendening to Vancouver because he had no chance here and got back a 3-year-younger prospect/asset (Forsling, I believe) who may have a higher ceiling than Clendening. Johns was traded with Sharp for CAP SPACE (an asset) plus two NHL players. If McNeill, Ross, etc. go with Bickell for the asset of cap space, then maybe they have a genuine shot at cracking a less-talented NHL roster as a bottom-6 player.

Were the Hawks energized when Ryan Hartman decimated the poor NJ Devil schmuck on Hartman's first shift? Sure… And hopefully, since he is only 20, they keep him in the system for a couple for years.

But the Hawks will always be WAY MORE ENERGIZED by having teammates who are really friggin' good at hockey. Those teammates may not be prospects but rather astute college signings like Kyle Baun, who either makes the team this year or is shipped out at age 23. Or astute international signings like Artemi Panarin (also 23). Panarin will either adjust and be a genuine contributor or will "ship himself out" by going back to Russia.

Again… look carefully at the argument. NHL-ready prospects in the Hawks system MAKE the team. Non-NHL ready prospects get traded to other NHL teams who field NHL teams with AHL players as 4th-liners or 3rd-pairing D-men. And those teams don't even make the playoffs, let alone advance, let alone get to the final, let alone win, let alone win:

3 CUPS IN 6 YEARS, BABY!!
- DMChi2010

Outstanding post. Thank you.

I disagree now, after the second cup. 95% at least on the board would keep Crawford if they can figure the cap.

If I knew for sure I couldn't move Bickell or Versteeg, and I could've traded Crawford, and resigned Oduya, Kruger, and signed a vet dman, and assured myself of resigning Seabrook next year, I would have done it. Not because I don't realize what Crawford brings to the table, just the opposite.

It just goes back to what trades are out there, and who can be moved for a decent return.

Actually the fact that most here think Crawford will bring back the best return is pointing out his value.

This whole thing about "Crawford getting no respect" is turning into the new "Q hates young guys" thing

and its getting old
- vabeachbear

The AAV salary for top goaltenders seems to be established now at around $6M. CC fits right in to that. So looking around the league and deciding who might be a trading partner for him, I see Pavolec (Jets), Hiller (Flames), Anderson (Sens), maybe Leafs (Bernier) or Oilers (Talbot).

Stanbo will have to take back a goalie in any trade - you want any of those guys to replace Cro just to save a couple bucks in cap space? It just isn't enough "value". Therefore, pretty sure #50 will be in the Chicago nets in October and going forward. That is unless some team is willing to give up a top notch young Dman in return for Crawford.

And a team like Carolina may have already offered a third, and a fourth, and got turned down by the Hawk's GM, who was trying to get a a good prospect besides.
Bickell can shoot deceptively the puck, play in the system and despite his salary, hits plenty of opponents, and is no wimp in the battles zones. Person opinions aside, it is silly to think teams are not interested in young veteran Cup winner
Sure, teams can take a chance on Chris Stewart, Semin, or "defender" DelZotto and those Cap hits are safe ones that get media pats on the the back If the player & team do really well.
The fact remains teams like Caroilina have to renovate by core player trades, or add solid nhl players that make them better.

So with all the back and forth here, just ask yourself, "Does Brian Bickell make the Hurricanes better around their present mix of youth & vet core?"
and I think you say yes.
- wiz1901

If this part is true, then I think Stan is making a mistake. You are trading Bickell for cap space, and if you had an opportunity to trade him and not have to sweeten the deal with one of you top prospects, he should have pounced on it.

Big mistake in my opinion if true.

And a team like Carolina may have already offered a third, and a fourth, and got turned down by the Hawk's GM, who was trying to get a a good prospect besides.
Bickell can shoot deceptively the puck, play in the system and despite his salary, hits plenty of opponents, and is no wimp in the battles zones. Person opinions aside, it is silly to think teams are not interested in young veteran Cup winner
Sure, teams can take a chance on Chris Stewart, Semin, or "defender" DelZotto and those Cap hits are safe ones that get media pats on the the back If the player & team do really well.
The fact remains teams like Caroilina have to renovate by core player trades, or add solid nhl players that make them better.

So with all the back and forth here, just ask yourself, "Does Brian Bickell make the Hurricanes better around their present mix of youth & vet core?"
and I think you say yes.
- wiz1901

Other question is, with his nmc, will BB waive for someplace like Carolina? I think

I'm sorry, but that's a completely worthless assessment based on nothing more than hindsight and useless opinion.
- djamon

Did ANYONE pick Calgary to beat the Ducks? They had no chance. And were lucky to win 1 game.

I think you are missing the point of WIN NOW.

Aside from Teuvo, all the guys project as bottom 6 in the forward group and maybe 3rd pairing for D. The prospects that are worth getting called up do get called up quickly AND STICK -- Hammer (age 21), Saad (20), Shaw (20), Leddy (19), Teuvo (20). All of them saw maybe half a year in Rockford… International talent makes is quickly, too, as Kruger came over from Sweden at age 21. The only "late" bloomers were Kris Versteeg at age 22 and Bryan Bickell at age 24. How are those last two working out?

Now look at the "in the system" roster on nhl.com:
http://blackhawks.nhl.com...htm?srt=age&type=prospect

If you organize it by age by clicking on the age column, you see several players grouped at the top who are already at the age of 22 and on the last year of their ELC deals. Don't you think the Hawks FO and Coach Q can probably evaluate talent pretty well and know that certain players may have reached their threshold and may not have a shot at cracking the uber-talented Hawks roster?? When they get traded at this point, they are not being given away for nothing... Bowman shipped an older Clendening to Vancouver because he had no chance here and got back a 3-year-younger prospect/asset (Forsling, I believe) who may have a higher ceiling than Clendening. Johns was traded with Sharp for CAP SPACE (an asset) plus two NHL players. If McNeill, Ross, etc. go with Bickell for the asset of cap space, then maybe they have a genuine shot at cracking a less-talented NHL roster as a bottom-6 player.

Were the Hawks energized when Ryan Hartman decimated the poor NJ Devil schmuck on Hartman's first shift? Sure… And hopefully, since he is only 20, they keep him in the system for a couple for years.

But the Hawks will always be WAY MORE ENERGIZED by having teammates who are really friggin' good at hockey. Those teammates may not be prospects but rather astute college signings like Kyle Baun, who either makes the team this year or is shipped out at age 23. Or astute international signings like Artemi Panarin (also 23). Panarin will either adjust and be a genuine contributor or will "ship himself out" by going back to Russia.

Again… look carefully at the argument. NHL-ready prospects in the Hawks system MAKE the team. Non-NHL ready prospects get traded to other NHL teams who field NHL teams with AHL players as 4th-liners or 3rd-pairing D-men. And those teams don't even make the playoffs, let alone advance, let alone get to the final, let alone win, let alone win:

3 CUPS IN 6 YEARS, BABY!!
- DMChi2010

Wow, well done!
Post of the thread