I'm glad StanBo went for it. I only wish he could have traded TT for Hamhuis so the D could have been stronger because you never know what could have happened if they get to the second round. I hope if he has the same opportunity this coming season he goes for it again. In the long run we're all dead. Take the chance when you can. It paid off in 2015.
- matt_ahrens

No one faults any GM for "going for it", but be logical about it. Bringing in Timonen was horrible and lazy. The trades for Weise/Flash, who were rarely used while the defensive depth simply was not good enough was short-sighted and showed a disconnect with the coach. Bringing back Rundlbad for the post-season showed Stan's method for "going for it" was flawed. There is a difference in "going for it' and just making dumbass moves. I guess any ridiculous move Bowman makes can be justified in that he was "going for it".

The trade to get Vermette (and I suppose Ladd) are legit trades to "go for it", in the sense that the Hawks mortgaged some part of the future to rectify a weakness to make a run at the cap. Much as I think the Ladd move was a vast overpay, I won't really fault Bowman for it because he was "going for it".

What does everyone think about Boedkers contract? 4years at 4mill is not that bad. I wonder id Bowman kicked this tire?

No one faults any GM for "going for it", but be logical about it. Bringing in Timonen was horrible and lazy. The trades for Weise/Flash, who were rarely used while the defensive depth simply was not good enough was short-sighted and showed a disconnect with the coach. Bringing back Rundlbad for the post-season showed Stan's method for "going for it" was flawed. There is a difference in "going for it' and just making dumbass moves. I guess any ridiculous move Bowman makes can be justified in that he was "going for it".

The trade to get Vermette (and I suppose Ladd) are legit trades to "go for it", in the sense that the Hawks mortgaged some part of the future to rectify a weakness to make a run at the cap. Much as I think the Ladd move was a vast overpay, I won't really fault Bowman for it because he was "going for it".
- kwolf68

The Timo move was a gamble that didn't pay off in the sense that he had pretty much nothing left. It cost them a couple 2nd round picks but I'm not going to get too upset as they won the Cup.

The Vermette trade soldified the middle and the Desjardins trade strengthened the 4th line.

Yes the Ladd move was legit and it was the kind of move that had he not made, Bowman's feet would have been held to the fire for not going for it.

We can debate whether the need was greater at 4D or 1LW, and yes it would be nice to still have Dano and a #1 pick but it's all hindsight.

Had he stood pat I'm sure the calls for his head for not "going for it" and "wasting another year of the core" would have been even louder.

The Timo move was a gamble that didn't pay off in the sense that he had pretty much nothing left. It cost them a couple 2nd round picks but I'm not going to get too upset as they won the Cup.

The Vermette trade soldified the middle and the Desjardins trade strengthened the 4th line.

Yes the Ladd move was legit and it was the kind of move that had he not made, Bowman's feet would have been held to the fire for not going for it.

We can debate whether the need was greater at 4D or 1LW, and yes it would be nice to still have Dano and a #1 pick but it's all hindsight.

Had he stood pat I'm sure the calls for his head for not "going for it" and "wasting another year of the core" would have been even louder.
- HawkintheD

I thought 4D was the biggest need. But where I saw the issue on Fleisch/Weise was not the acquisition but Q's use, or lack thereof, with them.

Sure it'd be nice to still have Danault and Dano, but I can't fault the attempt. The lack of a 4D, knowing how hard Q had run 1-4D in '15 after Rozy's injury should have kept Stan up many nights well before the '16 TDL.

What does everyone think about Boedkers contract? 4years at 4mill is not that bad. I wonder id Bowman kicked this tire?
- Sn1362

He got paid, based on PP points.

Does he really make the Sharks faster. a littel.

Where th Sahrk one player away from the Cup?

Who thinks the Sharks are domnant team that plowed it's way through the West's best, or the post season best example of timely goals, luck and bounces blended with a nice team?

Who thinks the hawks had 4 million to throw in a long term deal when the have a desire to pay Panarin long term more than that.

Even a RFA Panarin (whose production can easily be argued is teammate related) is gonna start above six after the Forsberg deal.
so paying Boedker means trading one of you top three defenders and attempting to save a couple mil by getting a pairing goalie to play with the "starter" Darling...
and...did yousee what some of those back ups GOT yesterday?
Not sure that ever was gonna save you money.

All this desire to send Crawford to Sabres for goalie Jason Kasdorf not Linus Ullmark (yeah that's the unpublished part of that "deal") and the Sabre's 2017 first rounder doesn't do anything for this 2017 Blackhawk team, their playoff chances or even keeping the present staus quo.

The Timo move was a gamble that didn't pay off in the sense that he had pretty much nothing left. It cost them a couple 2nd round picks but I'm not going to get too upset as they won the Cup.
- HawkintheD

the few insiders I do speak with said Timo Tikkanen was really tremendous dressing room guy, that helps the guys in the room feel they could win, and another reason to want to win...take it for what it is worth. (they got skunksed as far as I am concerned, Philly should have out of loyalty taken less to get Timo the opportunity...

The Vermette trade soldified the middle and the Desjardins trade strengthened the 4th line.
- HawkintheD

They loved Vermette for years..everybody in the veteran part of the personnal and staff...and the scouts knew Desi had come very very far in his development that he was gonna be a great cheap fit, and he has been.

Yes the Ladd move was legit and it was the kind of move that had he not made, Bowman's feet would have been held to the fire for not going for it.
- HawkintheD

and Ladd really wasn't all that effective or a difference maker...the failure of the lower lins production, and ability to be more effective against the Blue was a part that the Ladd addition to balance out. or the fact the younger defenders crap the bed at crucial times...

We can debate whether the need was greater at 4D or 1LW, and yes it would be nice to still have Dano and a #1 pick but it's all hindsight.
- HawkintheD

I don't think at Soupy's 2 mil the Hawks could find at foward at all, unless you wanted Dale Weise or Matt Martin over Campbell and again those are not ONE year deals you carry them into the Panarin re-up...
I think if Dano was here , he would be the same one we saw at the begininng of the season who could play at the high speed pace or understand enough in his reads to not make plays that squelched chances. (I said it then against the popular opinion here)

Had he stood pat I'm sure the calls for his head for not "going for it" and "wasting another year of the core" would have been even louder.
- HawkintheD

Let's see if they are all still in on trading out of the first round to get a short term Ladd type fix again....I mean will the concensus be a bit more leery than the last times around (Timo/ Hab duo/ Ladd) ?

New blog is up!

For drouin, wouldn't have the 1LW problem today
- vabeachbear

or that! True. I think Hamhuis could have helped with the playoff run this past year and Ladd covered the 1LW situation - or having Panik there with 19 and 88 and Ladd with Kruger and Hossa, I liked that a lot.