How's that Yakupov deal looking?
From now on, place the Chicago journalists who continued to give an old story legs. When a trusted real hockey journalist, Bob McKenzie says DEAL NOT IMMINENT you do believe him.
I am happy I never gave this another thought of happening after McKenzie coursecorrect rhe other poor exudes for hockey insiders.
- wiz1901

Good post!....Ageed

I'm expecting the plan to be X-19-81, where X is Fortin for 1-9 games, then Schmaltz for 1-9 games, then Motte for 1-9 games, then Panik for the rest of the season...

It is what it is... I expect th see better GF/GA and possession numbers even with weaker forward lineup simply due to the depth of dmen with actual mobility and passing skills, especially if Forsling sticks.
- busmaster

Actually from the looks of things and based on quotes from Q, i think we might see Kane and Panarin broken up. At least to start the season until all else fails...

I think we're gonna see Panarin-Toews-Panik, then a bunch of auditions for LW with AA and Kane. Starting(hopefully) with Fortin, then maybe Schmaltz, Hiostroza, Hartman, etc.

I think Motte-Kruger-Hossa is a very solid 3rd line.

The 4th line I'm not so sure what to expect. I think it will involve Desjardins and Rasmussen, possibly Tootoo/Hartman/Hinostroza/Schmaltz as well. Whoever makes the cut.

Stan didn't swing and miss on Vesey. Vesey chose to sign with NYR probably because as he said he wanted to stay on the east coast and his good friend Kevin Hayes plays there. To blame Stan for not signing Vesey when it was totally out of his control is nonsense.

Stan couldn't offer EDM the same deal as St. Louis did because the Hawks needed to have EDM retain salary and St. Louis didn't. Yakupov's cap hit is $2.5M and the Hawks have under $2M in cap space. So, again, it wasn't a swing and miss by Stan if EDM refused to retain salary.
- EbonyRaptor

Quit bringing logic and common sense into the argument, that isn't allowed when the focus is bashing management

No one is "blaming" the infallible Stan for not getting Vesey.

But there was a swing and miss for Yak as that was probably (maybe) directly tied to the stupid ass deal Bowman made involving Scuderi.
- kwolf68

Actually, if you were to look at the Scuderi deal, retaining half allowed him to get rid of half of his salary. I could make the argument that the Scuderi deal with LA, allowed Stan to sign Campbell.

So Scuderi for Campbell, I'd could argue Stan is a genius.

No team wanted Yakupov badly and TVR would have been overpayment.
- Al

Al, think you were right all the way along, don't think Hawks want to part with their D depth.

And, I don't blame them. While the F depth is maybe the worst its been other than '11, D depth is probably the best.

Win a bunch of games 2-1 and 3-2, get extra OT points, and try and improve D depth at TDL.

The Yak thing was interesting, especially the way you all set the lines. But I'm with Al, no Yak is no big deal. Say he comes here and plays with the other Russians and gets real comfortable on and off the ice. Does well, but gets clingy cliqueish and doesn't blend with all that's going on here. At some point he's a pain in the ass for Anesimov and Panarin as well as the rest of the team. Then of course he wants the bigger money and then he's a 1 year act with a 3 year contract (if they can even afford it). No thanks, I prefer they run through the roster they have and if nothing else they get insight on who is a keeper and who is trade bait. Better for the long term. If I'm down to my last few bucks and I want a pizza it better be one I really like, not trying a joint that might be good or might be bad. I think that's about where Stan is at right now.

Sometimes the best trade you make, is the one you don't make .And Stan record stands for itself . I believe the HAWKS FO is always three or four steps ahead of the fan base ..
- oldduffman

Three steps ahead in the Sharp trade? Or the Seabs contract? Or trading for two players Q didn't use? Leddy trade too nothing for that. The scuderi trade. The Kimo trade. Yes he's done some good things but the list of bad is also rather extensive. Especially since '13. I'm not bashing Stan but there have been serious head scratchers the last two years that have unquestionably hampered the ability for the Hawks to win number 4.

I think this had the potential to be just like the Panik trade.
Hawks and oilers just couldn't agree on who the Morin was...

Right now, that is Stans job. This season, he needs to bring in more F help. He didn't get this one done... yet

I think this had the potential to be just like the Panik trade.
Hawks and oilers just couldn't agree on who the Morin was...

Right now, that is Stans job. This season, he needs to bring in more F help. He didn't get this one done... yet
- Yikes726

Yak is pure offense. Definitely would have helped with that until it was stapled to the bench for not filling defensive responsibilities

Three steps ahead in the Sharp trade? Or the Seabs contract? Or trading for two players Q didn't use? Leddy trade too nothing for that. The scuderi trade. The Kimo trade. Yes he's done some good things but the list of bad is also rather extensive. Especially since '13. I'm not bashing Stan but there have been serious head scratchers the last two years that have unquestionably hampered the ability for the Hawks to win number 4.
- bhawks2241

It is as simple as this: Stan's hits outnumbered the misses 2010-2013. His misses outnumbered the hits 2013-present.

IMO, the 'Hawks are right in the middle of another cycle like they were 2010-2013, minus the lockout. No one had high hopes going into 11-12, then a year+ later they gelled. I am not implying they'll start (and finish) 17-18 like they did the lockout-shortened season. I am saying though this season is a building season.

Yak is pure offense. Definitely would have helped with that until it was stapled to the bench for not filling defensive responsibilities
- ikeane

Yes, very possible. But with the cap situation these are the kind of moves that need to be tried. Upside potential without giving up anything of "real" value on the current roster.

At least until Stan tries for a big deal. But, we haven't seen one of those yet from him

Meanwhile, DeBrincat has 2g/3a in his first 2 games. He will be fun to keep an eye on this season.

How's that Yakupov deal looking?
From now on, place the Chicago journalists who continued to give an old story legs. When a trusted real hockey journalist, Bob McKenzie says DEAL NOT IMMINENT you do believe him.
I am happy I never gave this another thought of happening after McKenzie coursecorrect rhe other poor exudes for hockey insiders.
- wiz1901

But unless my memory is seriously failing me, Mckenzie said on twitter earlier that day that a Chi-Edm trade was in the works. So not sure what your actual point is.

I mean, let's set our egos aside here and apply a little common sense.

Are you seriously saying because Yakupov was traded to St. Louis yesterday that MEANS the Hawks WEREN'T talking to EDM about the same player the previous day? Because if so, then circumstantially at least, your argument fails the logic test.

FACT: Yak WAS "in play."

FACT: EDM was (as reported here—not elsewhere) talking to other teams as well.

FACT: The Hawks have pursued all kinds of "budget" alternatives at wing all offseason (Vesey, Hudler, etc)

So because Mckenzie goes on the radio in Vancouver later that night and says, if I understand it correctly, Chicago has decided to "go with their kids," that means no Chi-EDM trade was discussed, or even close?

Really Wiz? I don't know, maybe I am missing your actual point

The person who tipped me on this back in July and kept me abreast the other day also informed me this morning:

The Hawks offered Pokka (as theorized elsewhere) and a 3rd round pick, which EDM agreed to. The Hawks also had as a condition EDM retaining $1.5 million in salary. That's where it died.

StL's offer was basically $1.5 million better. And no, I, for one, am not blaming Bowman for THAT.

It is as simple as this: Stan's hits outnumbered the misses 2010-2013. His misses outnumbered the hits 2013-present.

IMO, the 'Hawks are right in the middle of another cycle like they were 2010-2013, minus the lockout. No one had high hopes going into 11-12, then a year+ later they gelled. I am not implying they'll start (and finish) 17-18 like they did the lockout-shortened season. I am saying though this season is a building season.
- blackhawk24

Very well could be a rebuilding season. One thing that I think is interesting is SB just got done with his duties as GM of Team NA with Chiarelli, where they saw the direction the league is heading - youth and speed. Not surprisingly SB signs no PTO's with dinosaurs, allows the prospects to get a shot.

On Yakupov, anyone consider that SB may have done Chiarelli a favor and helped create a market for him and a sense of urgency for STL?

The person who tipped me on this back in July and kept me abreast the other day also informed me this morning:

The Hawks offered Pokka (as theorized elsewhere) and a 3rd round pick, which EDM agreed to. The Hawks also had as a condition EDM retaining $1.5 million in salary. That's where it died.

StL's offer was basically $1.5 million better. And no, I, for one, am not blaming Bowman for THAT.
- John Jaeckel

I APPLAUD Bowman for dealing the Gustav Forsling of 2015 (aka Klas Dahlbeck) and a 1st round pick for Antoine Vermette. (As first reported . . . here . . . not by the REAL hockey journalists in Toronto, by the way, since someone needs to make an issue out of that).

I APPLAUD him for dealing Marko Dano and a first for Ladd.

I APPLAUD him for scouring the bargain bin this summer and going hard after Vesey and Hudler (also both first reported here, unless I'm mistaken, I have date-stamped links) with the resources he has.

Because that proves, whether it works out or not, he is trying hard to improve the team, year after year and win Cups. Period.

THAT SAID, where I WILL criticize Bowman is if the following scenario unfolds:

1) Brian Campbell ends up being a 38 year old Brian Campbell and not the Second Coming of Bobby Orr, AND,
2) Michal Kempny—who was signed "on the cheap" BEFORE the Campbell LoveFest started—ends up being a pretty solid NHL defenseman this year (by, say, April), AND,
3) The hawks end up being a mediocre 5-on-5 team again, relying on one line for over 40% of its scoring

Because THEN, it can be argued, Bowman made a mistake by signing Campbell for even $2 million and leaving himself with no room to make the necessary, overdue upgrade at LW. Leaving himself to have to try to get teams to retain salary in deals for 1-dimensional players.

I am not saying it WILL unfold that way. Could it? Abso-frickin-lutely. And if it does, then there's another discussion to have.

The person who tipped me on this back in July and kept me abreast the other day also informed me this morning:

The Hawks offered Pokka (as theorized elsewhere) and a 3rd round pick, which EDM agreed to. The Hawks also had as a condition EDM retaining $1.5 million in salary. That's where it died.

StL's offer was basically $1.5 million better. And no, I, for one, am not blaming Bowman for THAT.
- John Jaeckel

You (they) probably meant $1.25M salary retention as that is the max EDM could have retained.

Very well could be a rebuilding season. One thing that I think is interesting is SB just got done with his duties as GM of Team NA with Chiarelli, where they saw the direction the league is heading - youth and speed. Not surprisingly SB signs no PTO's with dinosaurs, allows the prospects to get a shot.

On Yakupov, anyone consider that SB may have done Chiarelli a favor and helped create a market for him and a sense of urgency for STL?
- Sundevil

A couple of knowledgeable people I talked to believe EDM may have been responsible for the leak the other day in order to gin up the market with other teams.

You (they) probably meant $1.25M salary retention as that is the max EDM could have retained.
- EbonyRaptor

"They", you are correct. They said $1.5 million. I am quoting. But that is probably inaccurate, and in the context it was communicated (a brief message early this AM), not totally surprising.

A couple of knowledgeable people I talked to believe EDM may have been responsible for the leak the other day in order to gin up the market with other teams.
- John Jaeckel

Like a Texas Hold Em game - interesting the "Chief" based here had the scoop, which would point to Chicago, no?

Like a Texas Hold Em game - interesting the "Chief" based here had the scoop, which would point to Chicago, no?
- Sundevil

Uhhhh, not necessarily. I get most of my stuff from people who are close to the Hawks in some way, but not necessarily "in Chicago." And I have gotten good stuff from people in Buffalo, Canada, Eastern US. . .

Also, it's not like GMs pick up the phone and call bloggers with stuff. Not to be sarcastic. Typically it is someone "close" to the team, or someone who speaks regularly with someone who works for the team.

So maybe someone from EDM calls a friend in Chicago and that person in turn gets it out to a blogger they know. There are LOTS of bloggers. Hell, BarStool alone has like 20 guys associated with it.

Not saying or implying it happened THAT way. But could it have? Sure.

Three steps ahead in the Sharp trade? Or the Seabs contract? Or trading for two players Q didn't use? Leddy trade too nothing for that. The scuderi trade. The Kimo trade. Yes he's done some good things but the list of bad is also rather extensive. Especially since '13. I'm not bashing Stan but there have been serious head scratchers the last two years that have unquestionably hampered the ability for the Hawks to win number 4.
- bhawks2241

I for one have no problem with the Seebs deal, at some point you have to reward players for what they have done . I felt Daily was a good pick up ,now apparently Q did not, is that on Stan .Me thinks not ,and Daily looked good with Pitt (who won a cup ) .Kimo I thought had a great effect on TT who played very well in our cup win . Like I say the FO is looking way down the road ,and that is a good thing ..

A couple of knowledgeable people I talked to believe EDM may have been responsible for the leak the other day in order to gin up the market with other teams.
- John Jaeckel

Mission accomplished...

Mission accomplished...
- Al

It's possible. Note I say, "may have."

But I do not believe, because I know better, the rumor was completely fabricated for that purpose. The Hawks and Edmonton were talking about Yakupov. I trust my source 100%, same person who has given me lots of stuff that has happened.

And by the way, what they told me about the players involved matched what was told to Chief.

Because THEN, it can be argued, Bowman made a mistake by signing Campbell for even $2 million and leaving himself with no room to make the necessary, overdue upgrade at LW. Leaving himself to have to try to get teams to retain salary in deals for 1-dimensional players.

I am not saying it WILL unfold that way. Could it? Abso-frickin-lutely. And if it does, then there's another discussion to have.
- John Jaeckel

Discussing the performance of our GM is appropriate and really one of the life bloods of this and other hockey blogs - it's what we do here. But, in my (probably minority) opinion, too much hindsight "what if" logic is used to prove one's point. Too often multiple moves are lined up in a linear fashion to conclude that "move-A" resulted in moves B-C-D and E, and that is not necessarily correct. The moves made by GMs are done in a fluid space and rarely can be tracked linearly. That's not to defend Stan, as I have both lauded and criticized him in the past - but it is to point out that GMs should be judged by the totality of their work, not by each individual brush stroke.