Is there a reason why more people do not mention brock nelson or Anders lee as possilities for the hawks? both have size and are on the younger size of UFA's? if you look at them and dzingel I would think they are better fits for what we need assuming AA is traded after his 2 mil bonus?

Also Corey P was not particular high on Dominick Kubliak. FYI.
- kmw4631

My first guess is that it is unlikely that the Islanders let them go. They have quite a bit of cap space for next year (about $32M), and Lee is apparently their captain.

I am not sure I am with folks celebrating how great Stan is by not making any moves. This TDL is an indictment of Hawks GM who does not get any assets to sell. None of the players short of Kane/Cat/Murthy have any value with current contracts, and some do not have any value with half of contract retained. Kruger could not find his place on the roster of several bottom NHL teams so no GM would want him even with 2 mln retained for 7th round pick. Same goes for many other assets.
Many teams out of contention managed to get something out of this TDL, so standing pat is not a sign of great GM. And for those who celebrate sending Manning out - who was it who signed him, when everyone saw how terrible Manning was on Philly, so finding better fool of a GM was his salvation this year.
- vshun

Look at the market. It favored the buyers. Detroit getting a 2nd and 3rd for Nyquist, when last season the Hawks were able to get a 1st and prospect for Hartman.

Stone brought back a really good prospect in Branstrom but likely should have also garnered a first, but it didn't...again, only got a 2nd.

I think the Hawks had assets to trade but the question is what would the trade have brought back and would it have made the team better.

Idk...just sounds like your pissed that there were no trades made. Think most here aren't saying he's a great GM, but that in this case doing nothing was the right move.

I am not sure I am with folks celebrating how great Stan is by not making any moves. This TDL is an indictment of Hawks GM who does not get any assets to sell. None of the players short of Kane/Cat/Murthy have any value with current contracts, and some do not have any value with half of contract retained. Kruger could not find his place on the roster of several bottom NHL teams so no GM would want him even with 2 mln retained for 7th round pick. Same goes for many other assets.
Many teams out of contention managed to get something out of this TDL, so standing pat is not a sign of great GM. And for those who celebrate sending Manning out - who was it who signed him, when everyone saw how terrible Manning was on Philly, so finding better fool of a GM was his salvation this year.
- vshun

This is a snapshot though. The past few years we have had a number of very good assets, and we had moved many of them trying to go for another cup. Not all assets eventually become valuable either. Ejdsell is an example. At some point in time, we were going to be in this position. It can't always be an upward trajectory.

I am not sure I am with folks celebrating how great Stan is by not making any moves. This TDL is an indictment of Hawks GM who does not get any assets to sell. None of the players short of Kane/Cat/Murthy have any value with current contracts, and some do not have any value with half of contract retained. Kruger could not find his place on the roster of several bottom NHL teams so no GM would want him even with 2 mln retained for 7th round pick. Same goes for many other assets.
Many teams out of contention managed to get something out of this TDL, so standing pat is not a sign of great GM. And for those who celebrate sending Manning out - who was it who signed him, when everyone saw how terrible Manning was on Philly, so finding better fool of a GM was his salvation this year.
- vshun

He has picked up Strome, Caggiula, Koekkoek this season - he had to have found the assets to move for them somewhere.

I saw an earlier post stating Colliton is not qualified to be an NHL coach. I don't know if it was said facetiously or if the poster thinks he is qualified to make that assessment. To say Colliton didn't have NHL experience is one thing, and factual, but to say he isn't qualified is subjective based on opinion - not fact. Colliton has played professional hockey and coached professional hockey, albeit not at the NHL level until now, and I will venture a guess that he is more qualified to coach a professional sports team than some message board savants are opining.

Being unqualified myself to assess the qualifications required to be a "qualified NHL coach", I can only offer my own opinion on what some of those qualifications may be. There's the X's and O's, communication, flexibility to adapt and in-game adjustments, teaching/training individually and schematically, just to name a few off the top of my head. As an outside observer, I think Colliton checks at least some of those if not all of them.

Is he a "good coach"? I don't know, time and results will tell. Is he a qualified coach? I don't know, but my opinion is that he seems more qualified than unqualified.

I saw an earlier post stating Colliton is not qualified to be an NHL coach. I don't know if it was said facetiously or if the poster thinks he is qualified to make that assessment. To say Colliton didn't have NHL experience is one thing, and factual, but to say he isn't qualified is subjective based on opinion - not fact. Colliton has played professional hockey and coached professional hockey, albeit not at the NHL level until now, and I will venture a guess that he is more qualified to coach a professional sports team than some message board savants are opining.

Being unqualified myself to assess the qualifications required to be a "qualified NHL coach", I can only offer my own opinion on what some of those qualifications may be. There's the X's and O's, communication, flexibility to adapt and in-game adjustments, teaching/training individually and schematically, just to name a few off the top of my head. As an outside observer, I think Colliton checks at least some of those if not all of them.

Is he a "good coach"? I don't know, time and results will tell. Is he a qualified coach? I don't know, but my opinion is that he seems more qualified than unqualified.
- EbonyRaptor

As a Blackhawks fan since the early 1960's, I'd say, at the least, he's earned his keep to date.

What about line matchups? Putting players in advantageous situations - Especially at home with last change - instead of just rolling lines out there?
- PatShart

Good Point. I think the same thing. A very underappreciated skill of Q. I think it takes experience to learn that. It took Q some time and it will take Colliton some time.

As a Blackhawks fan since the early 1960's, I'd say, at the least, he's earned his keep to date.
- 35Tony0

right on Tony O. I agree! he has added value to each player, I have a renewed interest. just solving. PP is huge, it was ineffective flattening for about 3 years.

My first guess is that it is unlikely that the Islanders let them go. They have quite a bit of cap space for next year (about $32M), and Lee is apparently their captain.
- Chunk

Agreed. I think Nelson has a better shot at becoming a UFA than Lee, but I can definitely see NYI resigning them both, especially if they miss out on one of the "bigger" UFAs.

Still, looking to take advantage of the close-to-the-cap teams is the direction I hope SB goes. I really like the suggestion someone made about Vegas.

In assessing Colliton’s record, you almost need an asterisk next to the first month of his tenure. He was thrown into a declining situation and given zero time to prepare for or adapt to his new role. Meanwhile, his veteran Hawks all but quit on him, whether because they were understandably grieving their long-time and favorite coach or because they were asked to play a different style of hockey than they had for 10 years, or both.

People want to compare him to Sullivan, but Sullivan came into a situation where the biggest stars on the team had all but demanded a coaching change.

I don't think that is the plan. tho. Not to excuse the D-men but half of them have less than 150 games of NHL experience. Even Gustafsson only has 136.

Is it possible that Dahlstrom, Special K and Forsling can improve to prove capable of becoming one of the defenders they need?

If they can't get the forwards to be better defensively, I am not sure how much the defense improves even with changing/adding d-men
- Elbows15

Hasn't been the forwards. It's been some combination of:

Atrocious unforced turnovers, Forsling and CooCoo have been very bad there and horrid on the coverage side. Those guys are either standing or chasing without purpose. Murphy been running around like a moron too lately.

Dahlstrom has fallen back to earth and been medicore at best. Probly ok with 12 mins on the third pair on a bad team.

If the system really is chasing guys all over the place then JC probably qualifies as an idiot.

Except for Keith, Gus and Young Henri (rip) they are horrid at exciting the zone and it has nothing to do with the forwards but a lack of talent and hockey sense. And Gus could care less about that end of the ice, watching him lollygagging to pucks behind him is hilariously infuriating.

Their D group sucks, a lot and in every measurable category. Expert for the kid they banished to Rockford for reasons. You see a lot from him that shows with experience he will play the game at a replacement value or better rate. These other guys, not so much.

Good Point. I think the same thing. A very underappreciated skill of Q. I think it takes experience to learn that. It took Q some time and it will take Colliton some time.
- -Doh-

If you don't have the proper horses to matchup, it doesn't matter how good you are at doing it.

If you don't have the proper horses to matchup, it doesn't matter how good you are at doing it.
- LAHawk

That's not true and they have some horses

That's not true and they have some horses
- PatShart

Some, but no true shutdown defenseman, let alone a pair of defenseman, no line that can shutdown the opponents top lines, goaltending average at best, that tend to make the highlight reel saves but lets in goals that should be stopped. You yourself say that the roster is filled with players that should be in Rockford.

I saw an earlier post stating Colliton is not qualified to be an NHL coach. I don't know if it was said facetiously or if the poster thinks he is qualified to make that assessment. To say Colliton didn't have NHL experience is one thing, and factual, but to say he isn't qualified is subjective based on opinion - not fact. Colliton has played professional hockey and coached professional hockey, albeit not at the NHL level until now, and I will venture a guess that he is more qualified to coach a professional sports team than some message board savants are opining.

Being unqualified myself to assess the qualifications required to be a "qualified NHL coach", I can only offer my own opinion on what some of those qualifications may be. There's the X's and O's, communication, flexibility to adapt and in-game adjustments, teaching/training individually and schematically, just to name a few off the top of my head. As an outside observer, I think Colliton checks at least some of those if not all of them.

Is he a "good coach"? I don't know, time and results will tell. Is he a qualified coach? I don't know, but my opinion is that he seems more qualified than unqualified.
- EbonyRaptor

50 some odd games seems a bit early to judge the guy, imo. What he has done is made the PP dangerous. Got 3 time Cup winners to buy in to whatever he is selling. His team is playing hard for him. I can't think of many mistakes that come from a lack of effort from the group. Those that have happened have been dealt with either benchings or being a healthy scratch.

Hasn't been the forwards. It's been some combination of:

Atrocious unforced turnovers, Forsling and CooCoo have been very bad there and horrid on the coverage side. Those guys are either standing or chasing without purpose. Murphy been running around like a moron too lately.

Dahlstrom has fallen back to earth and been medicore at best. Probly ok with 12 mins on the third pair on a bad team.

If the system really is chasing guys all over the place then JC probably qualifies as an idiot.

Except for Keith, Gus and Young Henri (rip) they are horrid at exciting the zone and it has nothing to do with the forwards but a lack of talent and hockey sense. And Gus could care less about that end of the ice, watching him lollygagging to pucks behind him is hilariously infuriating.

Their D group sucks, a lot and in every measurable category. Expert for the kid they banished to Rockford for reasons. You see a lot from him that shows with experience he will play the game at a replacement value or better rate. These other guys, not so much.
- fattybeef

Not the forwards? So you expect the 2 D-men to handle the other 5 guys? They were chasing all over the place in Q's system, too.

Exiting the zone has poop ton to do with the forwards. Its called puck support. I guess its okay for all 3 forwards to get buried in the O-zone?

IF Keith or Seabrook had for exampel played for Tampa or Nashville. In What D pairing would You guys think their been in ?

In assessing Colliton’s record, you almost need an asterisk next to the first month of his tenure. He was thrown into a declining situation and given zero time to prepare for or adapt to his new role. Meanwhile, his veteran Hawks all but quit on him, whether because they were understandably grieving their long-time and favorite coach or because they were asked to play a different style of hockey than they had for 10 years, or both.

People want to compare him to Sullivan, but Sullivan came into a situation where the biggest stars on the team had all but demanded a coaching change.
- pdx2ord

You're not doing this right. (kidding). We have to rush to judgement on everything.
Do I wish the golden era was longer? Well, yeah. 10 years in a helluva run, though. Agreed they went through a bit of an emotional period but those same veterans have been leading the way since that blip.

IF Keith or Seabrook had for exampel played for Tampa or Nashville. In What D pairing would You guys think their been in ?
- HJULLASTER

Keith would be a third pairing, and Seabs would be like Michael Rozival his last 2 years here.

50 some odd games seems a bit early to judge the guy, imo. What he has done is made the PP dangerous. Got 3 time Cup winners to buy in to whatever he is selling. His team is playing hard for him. I can't think of many mistakes that come from a lack of effort from the group. Those that have happened have been dealt with either benchings or being a healthy scratch.
- Elbows15

That’s fair. But he also has implemented a clown show defensive zone coverage system that frequently leaves the slot WIDE open.

Hasn't been the forwards. It's been some combination of:

Atrocious unforced turnovers, Forsling and CooCoo have been very bad there and horrid on the coverage side. Those guys are either standing or chasing without purpose. Murphy been running around like a moron too lately.

Dahlstrom has fallen back to earth and been medicore at best. Probly ok with 12 mins on the third pair on a bad team.

If the system really is chasing guys all over the place then JC probably qualifies as an idiot.

Except for Keith, Gus and Young Henri (rip) they are horrid at exciting the zone and it has nothing to do with the forwards but a lack of talent and hockey sense. And Gus could care less about that end of the ice, watching him lollygagging to pucks behind him is hilariously infuriating.

Their D group sucks, a lot and in every measurable category. Expert for the kid they banished to Rockford for reasons. You see a lot from him that shows with experience he will play the game at a replacement value or better rate. These other guys, not so much.
- fattybeef

I agree it's time for an upgrade on defense and time to cut bait on the plethora of 6-7 defensemen on the present roster.

Earlier today I posted that we take advantage of soon to be cap strapped teams like Vegas. 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek and Dahlsrom for 3C center Eakins and either D man McNabb or Miller.

Anisimov and Gustaffson for Pesce from Carolina? Or shoot for Hamilton by adding another piece?

Tampa Bay to be in cap hell this summer. Take on Callahan's expiring contract plus a top prospect (Raddysh or Kachouk) for a couple of 2rd/3rd round picks (similar to the Bickell/Teovu trade).

Hawks obtain 2 decent defenseman, a 3C on an expiring contract who can be flipped at next year's TDL and a prospect on a ECL who may crack the lineup next year.

I ran the numbers on capfriendly and it works. No Eakins, Callahan, Crawford in the following year so Debrincat, Strome, Kahun can be reupped.

I would like to see the hawks go for a run at Zuccarello this summer.

You're not doing this right. (kidding). We have to rush to judgement on everything.
Do I wish the golden era was longer? Well, yeah. 10 years in a helluva run, though. Agreed they went through a bit of an emotional period but those same veterans have been leading the way since that blip.
- Elbows15

Oh, absolutely! I've been very happy to see them giving it their all regularly, regardless of the game situation.

I agree it's time for an upgrade on defense and time to cut bait on the plethora of 6-7 defensemen on the present roster.

Earlier today I posted that we take advantage of soon to be cap strapped teams like Vegas. 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek and Dahlsrom for 3C center Eakins and either D man McNabb or Miller.

Anisimov and Gustaffson for Pesce from Carolina? Or shoot for Hamilton by adding another piece?

Tampa Bay to be in cap hell this summer. Take on Callahan's expiring contract plus a top prospect (Raddysh or Kachouk) for a couple of 2rd/3rd round picks (similar to the Bickell/Teovu trade).

Hawks obtain 2 decent defenseman, a 3C on an expiring contract who can be flipped at next year's TDL and a prospect on a ECL who may crack the lineup next year.

I ran the numbers on capfriendly and it works. No Eakins, Callahan, Crawford in the following year so Debrincat, Strome, Kahun can be reupped.
- boilermaker100

I like the Vegas trade, would like it better if you include Eric Haula instead of Eakin.

I agree it's time for an upgrade on defense and time to cut bait on the plethora of 6-7 defensemen on the present roster.

Earlier today I posted that we take advantage of soon to be cap strapped teams like Vegas. 2 of Forsling, Koekkoek and Dahlsrom for 3C center Eakins and either D man McNabb or Miller.

Anisimov and Gustaffson for Pesce from Carolina? Or shoot for Hamilton by adding another piece?

Tampa Bay to be in cap hell this summer. Take on Callahan's expiring contract plus a top prospect (Raddysh or Kachouk) for a couple of 2rd/3rd round picks (similar to the Bickell/Teovu trade).

Hawks obtain 2 decent defenseman, a 3C on an expiring contract who can be flipped at next year's TDL and a prospect on a ECL who may crack the lineup next year.

I ran the numbers on capfriendly and it works. No Eakins, Callahan, Crawford in the following year so Debrincat, Strome, Kahun can be reupped.
- boilermaker100

Is Hamilton much of an upgrade over Gustafsson, especially considering the difference in $?