Laine isn’t worth the $5M he’s currently making and there’s no chance he’ll accept less. Besides he’s a lazy flake.
- paulr

Respectfully disagree about $5m. I know his production has dropped, but he's still good for 30+ goals.. maybe 40+ in the right situation. Question is if he's worth his NEXT contract.

Respectfully disagree about $5m. I know his production has dropped, but he's still good for 30+ goals.. maybe 40+ in the right situation. Question is if he's worth his NEXT contract.
- Q-stache

I see where you’re driving but 30 plus goals is the extent of what he brings to a team. He’s inconsistent, he has no interest in doing anything but score and he’s flakey as hell. Winnipeg wanted no part of him and his ability to score. Laine isn’t a player you build a winning team around. He’s kinda like Phil Kessel, a nice to have complimentary player who can score if the team has the right players in place around him. I’d steer clear of Laine and let someone else pay for, and have the headache of, a player who is so one dimensional.

Laine isn’t worth the $5M he’s currently making and there’s no chance he’ll accept less. Besides he’s a lazy flake.
- paulr

Agreed, when rebuilding to one day compete for a cup, the last player that you need is someone like Laine. You need forwards committed to playing a 200’ game, Laine is not that guy.

Agreed, when rebuilding to one day compete for a cup, the last player that you need is someone like Laine. You need forwards committed to playing a 200’ game, Laine is not that guy.
- Angotti

Well it sounds like many here are ready to get rid of a guy who's a 30 goal scorer and was working on being a better all around hockey player. Not you but others

We'll see if the Blackhawks and Kubs could come to some agreement after July 1st

Agreed, when rebuilding to one day compete for a cup, the last player that you need is someone like Laine. You need forwards committed to playing a 200’ game, Laine is not that guy.
- Angotti

Laine scores a lot of his goals on the PP. We already have someone who scores goals from the left boards on one timers, his assets are duplicative to ADB. I doubt Laine will "accept" PP2 time. I agree, if we are going to spend the money, must be able to play well on both ends.

Lots of talk about possible trade targets like Eichel or Jones. What about Laine? Buy low on a big right shot to put opposite Kane?.. as long as we're all imagining..
- Q-stache

I have been thinking he could be a target he's a Hawk's killer and on the right side of the age chart.

Well it sounds like many here are ready to get rid of a guy who's a 30 goal scorer and was working on being a better all around hockey player. Not you but others

We'll see if the Blackhawks and Kubs could come to some agreement after July 1st
- BetweenTheDots

You do realize you’re one of the main posters ready to launch players. I’d agree with keeping Kubalik, he has improved his all round game and he can score. If he and Laine commanded the same contract I’d take Kubalik every time.

Agreed, when rebuilding to one day compete for a cup, the last player that you need is someone like Laine. You need forwards committed to playing a 200’ game, Laine is not that guy.
- Angotti

There is a shortage of top 6 talent on this team and he is the real deal, not a $10M player and the right age. There's no perfect player out there: Hossa for $5m a year.

Laine scores a lot of his goals on the PP. We already have someone who scores goals from the left boards on one timers, his assets are duplicative to ADB. I doubt Laine will "accept" PP2 time. I agree, if we are going to spend the money, must be able to play well on both ends.
- LAHawk

I really wanted to add (trying to refrain) that the cat is more physical, engages on the forecheck, makes hard contact, but I just wonder if with the right passes, Laine turns into a real scorer.

There is a shortage of top 6 talent on this team and he is the real deal, not a $10M player and the right age. There's no perfect player out there: Hossa for $5m a year.
- rpeters01

ADB and Kubalik are both better all round players and both put up similar numbers. The team NEEDS defense and centermen, not a one way winger who’s played his way off two average teams.

There is a shortage of top 6 talent on this team and he is the real deal, not a $10M player and the right age. There's no perfect player out there: Hossa for $5m a year.
- rpeters01

If we didn't have ADB, I would definitely kick the tires, I don't think the Hawks need duplicative players, someone would be very unhappy with their ice time.

I really wanted to add (trying to refrain) that the cat is more physical, engages on the forecheck, makes hard contact, but I just wonder if with the right passes, Laine turns into a real scorer.
- wiz1901

You are correct Wiz, was just trying to limit my thoughts to the cliff notes version.

If we didn't have ADB, I would definitely kick the tires, I don't think the Hawks need duplicative players, someone would be very unhappy with their ice time.
- LAHawk

And it wouldn’t be ADB or Kubalik.

It seems as though the entire contract process is now boiling down to if the relationships of player coach teammates team fir/use, are what are going to get a small majority of players to not only stay with their current clubs but settle dollar-wise if they are h a p p y there.

Sure there are tiers of payment but I have to think most GMs are goingvto try and take away the GIANT jumps if they can from anyone who haves TRULY established them selves as a NHL stud.
Too many young guys were handed decals they still are worth.

Today, in this tech world there is no privacy. Every detail of your medical bio is obtainable for the right price. Very sad, but true.
- spanky

Maybe obtainable, still illegal to do so.

Well it sounds like many here are ready to get rid of a guy who's a 30 goal scorer and was working on being a better all around hockey player. Not you but others

We'll see if the Blackhawks and Kubs could come to some agreement after July 1st
- BetweenTheDots

Kubalik is signed thru next season. No need for any agreement yet.

I really wanted to add (trying to refrain) that the cat is more physical, engages on the forecheck, makes hard contact, but I just wonder if with the right passes, Laine turns into a real scorer.
- wiz1901

Didn't he get that in Winnipeg?

I see where you’re driving but 30 plus goals is the extent of what he brings to a team. He’s inconsistent, he has no interest in doing anything but score and he’s flakey as hell. Winnipeg wanted no part of him and his ability to score. Laine isn’t a player you build a winning team around. He’s kinda like Phil Kessel, a nice to have complimentary player who can score if the team has the right players in place around him. I’d steer clear of Laine and let someone else pay for, and have the headache of, a player who is so one dimensional.
- paulr

some guys are better complimentary parts then being "THE" focus...Believe Kessel won a cup in pittsburgh and was a sizeable reason as to why. I was hoping he would a hold parade in downtown Toronto on a float giving the leafs fans the finger with his day with the cup......Same with Versteeg.

I do agree that the smoke around Eichel (Brooks is pretty connected) is a large hint that either management wants the rebuild escalated to get back into contention OR Toews won't be back OR management has already soured on Dach (If Bowman would agree on that asking price).

As far as drafting goalies 1st overall.....like any other position there are pros and cons but guys like price and fleury are long term answers that can sure up back end quickly....

I don't think we will ever know what was/is wrong with Toews until he either retires and I don't have a ton of interest in the whole allegation thing. Believe there was a guy on this board back in the hey day who knew that team psychologist or so claimed he did......all hearsay.

ADB and Kubalik are both better all round players and both put up similar numbers. The team NEEDS defense and centermen, not a one way winger who’s played his way off two average teams.
- paulr

Yup need that too need a lot.

some guys are better complimentary parts then being "THE" focus...Believe Kessel won a cup in pittsburgh and was a sizeable reason as to why. I was hoping he would a hold parade in downtown Toronto on a float giving the leafs fans the finger with his day with the cup......Same with Versteeg.

I do agree that the smoke around Eichel (Brooks is pretty connected) is a large hint that either management wants the rebuild escalated to get back into contention OR Toews won't be back OR management has already soured on Dach (If Bowman would agree on that asking price).

As far as drafting goalies 1st overall.....like any other position there are pros and cons but guys like price and fleury are long term answers that can sure up back end quickly....

I don't think we will ever know what was/is wrong with Toews until he either retires and I don't have a ton of interest in the whole allegation thing. Believe there was a guy on this board back in the hey day who knew that team psychologist or so claimed he did......all hearsay.
- SteveRain

Brooks is a clown. Do I think Bowman made a call? Of course he did. Its his job. Anyone giving up a bunch of assets for Eichel will regret it.

Kubalik is signed thru next season. No need for any agreement yet.
- TheTrob

No but if both sides are happy, and they mutually agree to a contract that they think is fair for both parties why not.

Considering he played on a line without Kane, or top 6 center and was 2nd on the Hawks with even strength goals. And he's about to hit his prime

Brooks is a clown. Do I think Bowman made a call? Of course he did. Its his job. Anyone giving up a bunch of assets for Eichel will regret it.
- Elbows15

Especially with the neck issue

Especially with the neck issue
- BetweenTheDots

Exactly. It hasn't even been taken care of yet. He will probably miss most, if not all, of next season. Plus, adding his contract puts the Hawks right back into cap hell with no depth. And no assets to find any.

Yup need that too need a lot.
- rpeters01

Yes, no doubt, bu we need to add the right assets. Stan needs to be patient and add young talented forwards that are defensively responsible. While Laine has more talent than most of the Hawk forwards, his skill set will not help you win a championship, so there’s no sense in giving up assets for him. Give Kubalik a top six center and you will see similar production to Laine while playing all three zones, something that Laine doesn’t bring to the table. There will be better options for the Hawks, you’ll see.

Do you think Stan starts early for next summer’s internal free agents? I would like to see both Murph & Kubs signed to 4-5 year deals. No rush on any of the restricted guys.