It was fun because there was a passionate fan base here that rivaled the size of the Hawks fan base.
- EKB13

And the blogger was Ian Esplin. Watching them flame out (literally) against the Bruins made losing in 7 to them almost bearable.

And then the Heat lost in the NBA finals.

My faith in karma was re-affirmed...

They asked, Leafs declined. End of story. (to your point)

Why is it so hard for some to think the Hawks would ask the price on good players who fill a need?
- John Jaeckel

I was answering another poster, I wasn't saying it wasn't possible - they asked what I would want for JVR

Sorry if you thought I was taking a dig at you.

And the blogger was Ian Esplin. Watching them flame out (literally) against the Bruins made losing in 7 to them almost bearable.

And then the Heat lost in the NBA finals.

My faith in karma was re-affirmed...
- tredbrta

The tears that Ryan Kesler cried at the end of game 7 warmed my black little heart.

So it appears that the Hawks are targeting Rask, Hubedereau, and Beodker.

JJ, who do you think they have the hottest eyes for and who do they actually settle on?

The tears that Ryan Kesler cried at the end of game 7 warmed my black little heart.
- EKB13

Not as much as his tears last spring though...

And Kelser had 1 point in the finals against the Bruins. Watching that game 7 blowout in Vancouver...

I was answering another poster, I wasn't saying it wasn't possible - they asked what I would want for JVR

Sorry if you thought I was taking a dig at you.
- annoyed

No, I didn't. All good.

So it appears that the Hawks are targeting Rask, Hubedereau, and Beodker.

JJ, who do you think they have the hottest eyes for and who do they actually settle on?
- Bjm84

They have asked about Rask, JVR, possibly Huberdeau, and Boedker.

It seems like the only possible deal there is Boedker, and I think they would jump at an affordable deal for him.

They have asked about Rask, JVR, possibly Huberdeau, and Boedker.

It seems like the only possible deal there is Boedker, and I think they would jump at an affordable deal for him.
- John Jaeckel

If the Hawks trade their 1st in 2016, their first pick isn't until 3rd round...If they don't repeat, yikes!

They have asked about Rask, JVR, possibly Huberdeau, and Boedker.

It seems like the only possible deal there is Boedker, and I think they would jump at an affordable deal for him.
- John Jaeckel

You had mentioned other things needed to happen before the "mystery player" was pursued. Was today it or just the beginning JJ?

Relocating to downtown Phoenix from Glendale is not that costly.

edit: But seriously, look what they did with the Pronger situation. Paying a guy just to get Cap compliant, and getting zip zero on ice production in return. At least Bickell would take an occasional shift.
- Katana777

That is what is so wrong with the salary cap! A team that wants to spend money for players to keep providing a winning franchise can't, and a team that has no interest in winning can get away with trading for guys just to get cap compliant. For a cap system to really be fair, the floor and ceiling should only be 1 mil different.

Not as much as his tears last spring though...

And Kelser had 1 point in the finals against the Bruins. Watching that game 7 blowout in Vancouver...
- tredbrta

How about the camera shots of the crowd outside the building during the game. I never saw so many people just standing there quiet like it was a church service. (frank)ing loved that.

- FourFeathers773

I know $.is $ but I bet ol BS would take 1/2his pay to be back on the Blackhawks. Lol . CBJ is going to be a gigantic mess for a long long time.

You had mentioned other things needed to happen before the "mystery player" was pursued. Was today it or just the beginning JJ?
- ikeane

Depends if AZ thinks they can re-sign him.

If the Hawks trade their 1st in 2016, their first pick isn't until 3rd round...If they don't repeat, yikes!
- ikeane

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.
- EnzoD

I am excited BTW by the return of Gustafsson. Kid was starting to show some unique ability before he got sent back down.

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.
- EnzoD

Thiz is a great post

How much would that prospective change if Dallas would have actually won that game the day after the Hawks concluded their season, and the Hawks would have not made the playoffs at all?

Even going into that series with the 'Nucks, the Hawks still had the likes of Pisani, Turco, and John Scott on the team. The blueline featured a worn out Boynton and Culimore. There was a very green Marcus Kruger, who had less than 10 games of NHL playing experience in North America under his belt before the playoffs started. Beyond Toews, Ryan Johnson was all Q had to lean on to take critical draws.

...and without the heroics of Ben Smith scoring a couple of critical goals, the Hawks would have been finished and series would have been done in 4, maybe 5 games.

You can cite point comparisons all you want. It still doesn't change the fact that the '10-'11 team was not geared to go all the way.
- EKB13

Bring back Ben Smith to play 1LW....

Bring back Ben Smith to play 1LW....
- hpk90

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.
- EnzoD

I completely agree and Stan has done well in the NCAA/Euro FA department, it just shouldnt have to be either/or when stocking the cupboard via draft vs FA

IMO, Stans biggest mistake was not taking picks for Sharp when he had the chance. Take the pure cap space, wouldnt have taken Daley back, could have re-signed Oduya for what he took in Dallas. I mean how many weeks did Oduya sit and wait for Chicago to get something done so he could re-sign?

The picks would have also compensated some for the very high picks we lost at the TDL. Would have been the opportune time to replenish some

Well if the rumors are true, the Suns and Coyotes will be building a SotA facility on the current land where Talking Stick Resort Arena sits downtown... not sure how long that would take. I am sure Glendale would take any revenue they could get between now and then, as they are completely screwed once the Coyotes leave the Westgate area.
- Katana777

That seems like the simplest path; and part of a downtown revitalization.

Suns are due for a new building per their lease agreement in a few years so it does add up.

A temp home will be needed.

If the Hawks trade their 1st in 2016, their first pick isn't until 3rd round...If they don't repeat, yikes!
- ikeane

And how many late 1sts and 3rds (that Stan and Kelly pick) will be making this roster?

Win now, continue pursuing and signing as many top amateur free agents as possible to maintain system depth, and trade players who cannot remain cost controlled for further picks or prospects. That appears to be the plan.... and it's pretty hard to disagree with it.

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.
- EnzoD

Thiz is a great post

Agreed. Great post. Price of doing business in a heavily cap-constrained NHL, when we've got two players making $20+m is that we might need to use draft picks as the currency to shed salary in these purges. Stan adding several FAs has cushioned the blow. trading 1st round picks off a Stanley Cup winner is sorta like trading a 2nd rounder.

Panarin sure feels like Stan stole a top 10, maybe top 5 pick. TVR feels like a low 1st rounder. Several 2nd rounders in there as well. Keep winning so these sought-after players choose the Indianhead, and we can use picks to shed salaries when needed.

How much would that prospective change if Dallas would have actually won that game the day after the Hawks concluded their season, and the Hawks would have not made the playoffs at all?

Even going into that series with the 'Nucks, the Hawks still had the likes of Pisani, Turco, and John Scott on the team. The blueline featured a worn out Boynton and Culimore. There was a very green Marcus Kruger, who had less than 10 games of NHL playing experience in North America under his belt before the playoffs started. Beyond Toews, Ryan Johnson was all Q had to lean on to take critical draws.

...and without the heroics of Ben Smith scoring a couple of critical goals, the Hawks would have been finished and series would have been done in 4, maybe 5 games.

You can cite point comparisons all you want. It still doesn't change the fact that the '10-'11 team was not geared to go all the way.
- EKB13

It was a minor miracle to get that far and almost go on...They lost 40-45% of the team from the year before and had little cap space to replace what they lost.

Panarin, TVR, Rasmussen and Gustaffson are all Euro/NCAA UFAs that have already contributed more than most mid-late 1st rounders ever will for the Hawks. As long as the UC is packed, Stan will be able to restock assets via the Euro/NCAA UFA market. And they will be more NHL-ready (typically) at 22yrs old versus an 18 yr old draft pick.
- EnzoD

Thiz is a great post

Agreed. Great post. Price of doing business in a heavily cap-constrained NHL, when we've got two players making $20+m is that we might need to use draft picks as the currency to shed salary in these purges. Stan adding several FAs has cushioned the blow. trading 1st round picks off a Stanley Cup winner is sorta like trading a 2nd rounder.

Panarin sure feels like Stan stole a top 10, maybe top 5 pick. TVR feels like a low 1st rounder. Several 2nd rounders in there as well. Keep winning so these sought-after players choose the Indianhead, and we can use picks to shed salaries when needed.
- Cmonalready

... And you can add Euros like Panarin, Raanta etc because they feel the Cup is a real possibility and they CHOOSE to come over.