Oh yes he is Give him time and you will find out he has no Skills
- holeinone

I have heard the Hawks would consider sending him to Rockford in order to free up cap space. Otherwise, and in th meantime, I am fairly sure Gustafsson is going to start getting a lot of TOI that was going to Scuderi.

Another #1 center having an off year. Wtf
- fattybeef

Yo Fatty, read your thoughts on Toews last blog and IMO they do have some validity. Johnny has won everywhere he's been, is said by guys like Gretzky to be one of the top 2 players in the NHL right now. ....... To me that's over rating him, but this guy is generational IMO. He brings more than hockey to the table.

But as a player being paid 15% of the teams TOTAL salary he does have to produce on the ice, intangibles are not enough at that price. I agree.

Johansson is still producing. 24 points in 35 games on a tire fire of a team with Torts now added to that mix.

Highly doubtful they would waive Scuderi...
- Al

Agreed but I thought the same about Rundblad.

I think it's time to ask this question:

Setting aside whether you choose to believe that the Hawks are shopping for a top 6 LW . . . they're trying Shaw out for a third time this season at 1LW, after TT's second tour of duty ended, after Garbutt was there once, and Dano was there twice.

And whether you agree that the Hawks KNOW what is and isn't working, can anyone dispute that the team (at least) considers 1LW a serious hole?

And probably a more acute problem than the defense?

Problem is they do need a certain amount of points to get into the off season in a somewhat comfortable position and with the lack of scoring that means riding some guys harder.

And I think, and I do stress think, that the brass isn't necessarily happy with the quality of play.

Tough to charge top dollar and push a product that is less than entertaining most of the time.

I've turned more games off this year than I have in the past, or had it on as background noise because they have just not been great to watch. Plus Pat and Eddy try my patience, which gets exponentially worse when the game itself isn't very exciting.
- fattybeef

Remember 2011. The Hawks slept walked through the regular season after winning the cup and didn't get in until the last day of the season when a horrid Minnesota club beat Dallas (think that's how it worked) allowing the Hawks a birth on the very last day of the season? Otherwise they don't make it in 2011 and subsequently get bumped in round 1 by Phoenix.

I'll never forgive that effort that year, don't care how many cups they win, and put nothing past them as far as waiting till the last millisecond to get out of a burning house.

The greatest convenience in my lifetime is air conditioning and the Center Ice Package. I can not and will not watch a Hawk 50% effort and now don't have to with 4-5-6 other games to choose from daily. Hell I've shut them off to watch British Premier League soccer as the soccer game often times is more physical.

Pat Foley is stealing money.

Any move Phoenix makes that sends Boedker to Chicago would be huge mistake if it didn't include Teravainen. Teravainen is the type of player that the Yotes need.

Bickell, Teravainen, and 2nd for Boedker should get it done.

Agreed but I thought the same about Rundblad.
- ikeane

Not apples to apples...A young player who can't stay in the lineup vs a veteran who they just acquired.

I think it's time to ask this question:

Setting aside whether you choose to believe that the Hawks are shopping for a top 6 LW . . . they're trying Shaw out for a third time this season at 1LW, after TT's second tour of duty ended, after Garbutt was there once, and Dano was there twice.

And whether you agree that the Hawks KNOW what is and isn't working, can anyone dispute that the team (at least) considers 1LW a serious hole?

And probably a more acute problem than the defense?
- John Jaeckel

It's a huge hole evidenced by declining production from 1) Hossa and Toews 2) overall offensive output

Any move Phoenix makes that sends Boedker to Chicago would be huge mistake if it didn't include Teravainen. Teravainen is the type of player that the Yotes need.

Bickell, Teravainen, and 2nd for Boedker should get it done.
- Bjm84

i can't see any team (but particularly the yotes) doing the hawks a favor by taking back bickell in a trade deadline sell-off.

Remember 2011. The Hawks slept walked through the regular season after winning the cup and didn't get in until the last day of the season when a horrid Minnesota club beat Dallas (think that's how it worked) allowing the Hawks a birth on the very last day of the season? Otherwise they don't make it in 2011 and subsequently get bumped in round 1 by Phoenix.

I'll never forgive that effort that year, don't care how many cups they win, and put nothing past them as far as waiting till the last millisecond to get out of a burning house.

The greatest convenience in my lifetime is air conditioning and the Center Ice Package. I can not and will not watch a Hawk 50% effort and now don't have to with 4-5-6 other games to choose from daily. Hell I've shut them off to watch British Premier League soccer as the soccer game often times is more physical.

Pat Foley is stealing money.
- Mr Ricochet

Sleep walked? The Hawks just weren't very good in 2011.

I think it's time to ask this question:

Setting aside whether you choose to believe that the Hawks are shopping for a top 6 LW . . . they're trying Shaw out for a third time this season at 1LW, after TT's second tour of duty ended, after Garbutt was there once, and Dano was there twice.

And whether you agree that the Hawks KNOW what is and isn't working, can anyone dispute that the team (at least) considers 1LW a serious hole?

And probably a more acute problem than the defense?
- John Jaeckel

Totally agree-- No doubt 1LW is more of a pressing need than a D man-- and as Katana stated earlier the filling of the 1LW spot trickles down and puts other players in slots / roles they can succeed in-- which also enhances the depth of the team

BUT I still think the Hawks will add to the D through trade AFTER they solve the 1LW issue-- Hawks need help on the back end with speed and transition-- maybe Gustafsson addresses that--

I think it's time to ask this question:

Setting aside whether you choose to believe that the Hawks are shopping for a top 6 LW . . . they're trying Shaw out for a third time this season at 1LW, after TT's second tour of duty ended, after Garbutt was there once, and Dano was there twice.

And whether you agree that the Hawks KNOW what is and isn't working, can anyone dispute that the team (at least) considers 1LW a serious hole?

And probably a more acute problem than the defense?
- John Jaeckel

It would be hard to debate otherwise but unless they can shed salary it will be more like a Bodker type player, in that price range, who can play in a few spots.

Hawks couldn't sign Saad for anything close to $5 mill unless Bickell was dealt for a bag of pucks and salary was shed in the Sharp trade which also didn't happen. So unless I'm missing something they are in a similar situation.

Unless Bickell goes it's hard to imagine a scenario for more than a rental being acquired as a legit top six forward.

Hawks had picks to give up last year and a couple of young players that were highly thought of by others.

If they are going to make a big splash now they will need to include Danault and or Dano++, it will be interesting to see how creative Bowman can get and if he would entertain trading TT.....If all of the above is correct there could be a bigger deal for a rental, anything more would require Bickell to be gone so the math works.

TT is the only player on the roster others would covet that could be feasibly dealt...The other bottom six players except for Shaw won't get much in return.

Not apples to apples...A young player who can't stay in the lineup vs a veteran who they just acquired.
- Al

Understand your point but i am viewing it as dman who just doesn't cut it (young) vs dman not cutting it (old).

i can't see any team (but particularly the yotes) doing the hawks a favor by taking back bickell in a trade deadline sell-off.
- Tumbleweed

The Yotes would do it if they a) know they probably won't resign Boedker 2) TT and another decent asset is included.

Plus Runblad has history with Phoenix right ?

Remember 2011. The Hawks slept walked through the regular season after winning the cup and didn't get in until the last day of the season when a horrid Minnesota club beat Dallas (think that's how it worked) allowing the Hawks a birth on the very last day of the season? Otherwise they don't make it in 2011 and subsequently get bumped in round 1 by Phoenix.

I'll never forgive that effort that year, don't care how many cups they win, and put nothing past them as far as waiting till the last millisecond to get out of a burning house.

The greatest convenience in my lifetime is air conditioning and the Center Ice Package. I can not and will not watch a Hawk 50% effort and now don't have to with 4-5-6 other games to choose from daily. Hell I've shut them off to watch British Premier League soccer as the soccer game often times is more physical.

Pat Foley is stealing money.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes on how they got into the tournament in 2011 - but tha was the year they came back from 0-3 to Van to force a game 7 - losing it in OT after Toews tied in with about a minute left in regulation.

One more tidbit just now. Watch VERY closely if AZ picks up Rundblad on waivers. Could be a domino.

ALSO, there were allegedly some "future considerations" regarding AZ and the timing of Tikhonov's waiver.

Stay tuned.
- John Jaeckel

Came here to ask that specifically, JJ. You mentioned there was potentially more to the Tikhonov story when it happened...

Understand your point but i am viewing it as dman who just doesn't cut it (young) vs dman not cutting it (old).
- ikeane

That's exactly my point...Rundblad needs to play on the outside chance he can get better. Scuderi was acquired because they saved money and he is a 6/7 guy.

Hawks have had an older player in that spot (6-7) often over the last 9 years and I can't recall a time where one was put on waivers. In the NHL when an older vet is acquired in mid season they are there to play or not play while staying on the big club roster. That's the way it's almost always done in the NHL.

The Yotes would do it if they a) know they probably won't resign Boedker 2) TT and another decent asset is included.
- Bjm84

yotes could just sell boedker off for a 1st and a prospect to the next highest bidder. Or better yet, just offer the $4.5M of bickell's salary to Boedker. I can't imagine boedker gets more than that on the open market.

but realistically, $4.5M is probably just not in yotes budget. even if it is, a favor like that to me would mean a bigger return than what boston got for lucic.

TT, a 1st a 2nd and Bickell is probably the price then. I can't see Chicago paying that.

Well, he's actually an impending UFA, but my understanding is the Hawks are exploring young, but good players and it would seem that would be to keep them around at a "reasonable" cap hit.

Bear in mind, if Brandon Saad would have signed for $5 million per or less, he'd still be a Hawk. But at that point, I think the hawks fought they'd get rid of Bickell too.
- John Jaeckel

I meant more a trade and sign situation.

Yes on how they got into the tournament in 2011 - but tha was the year they came back from 0-3 to Van to force a game 7 - losing it in OT after Toews tied in with about a minute left in regulation.
- StLBravesFan

That was a helluva playoff series. Showed the Hawks were 75% better than they played in the regular season, that they gave a horrific effort in the regular season.......

Was that OT loss in game 7 when Campoli sent one off the glass to clear the zone but it was nicely nabbed out of the air and kept in?

Came here to ask that specifically, JJ. You mentioned there was potentially more to the Tikhonov story when it happened...
- maria_wyeth

That is what I have heard.

That was a helluva playoff series. Showed the Hawks were 75% better than they played in the regular season, that they gave a horrific effort in the regular season.......

Was that OT loss in game 7 when Campoli sent one off the glass to clear the zone but it was nicely nabbed out of the air and kept in?
- Mr Ricochet

Yes

Sleep walked? The Hawks just weren't very good in 2011.
- ArlingtonRob

Gotta disagree with you on this, Rob. As pointed out they had a great 1st round series v Vancouver going to OT in Game 7.

This roster looks fine to me: http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0000352011.html

yotes could just sell boedker off for a 1st and a prospect to the next highest bidder. Or better yet, just offer the $4.5M of bickell's salary to Boedker. I can't imagine boedker gets more than that on the open market.

but realistically, $4.5M is probably just not in yotes budget. even if it is, a favor like that to me would mean a bigger return than what boston got for lucic.

TT, a 1st a 2nd and Bickell is probably the price then. I can't see Chicago paying that.
- Tumbleweed

Bickell probably won't/wouldn't be included, so this is way off (too high). The teams have talked, my info is Bickell would probably go back to Rockford in order for the Hawks to absorb the cap hit this year.