AND THE HOCKEY VOICE OF REASON HAS SPOKEN!

I love the way you either don't read a post in full or twist it in a way it was not intended to feed your personal rants. First of all, JJ brought up the possibility of a Sharp or Bolland needing to be included in a deal if the Hawks were asking about top tier players in his article. As far as my post, I said I would be shocked if Sharp was traded, but would not be surprised if Bolland was. I then clearly followed that up by saying that I wasn't advocating him being traded nor did I think he would be traded. I was responding to the HYPOTHETICAL possibilty of either of those two being included in a trade.

As for his comments on the Sedins, once again, you obviously didn't read my post and just took want you wanted out of it and twisted it to support you own beliefs. I mentioned several reason why the Hawks MIGHT consider moving Bolland. The Sedin comment was only one of them and at no point did I say this is the reason he'll be traded. As far as you thinking that the Hawks don't care about what players say, then you my friend are very naive and haven't been watching the Hawks front office the last few years. The Hawks front office has been all about marketing and creating this pretty picture for the fans where everything is roses. I belive JJ has alluded in past articles (and he can correct me if I'm wrong) that the Hawks brass has been less than happy with some of Kane's off the ice exploits, but obviously, he isn't going anywhere because the team has built it's marketing around him and Toews. I hate the Sedins and found what Bolland said as being funny and could care less about it. But other people didn't find it funny and if you think he apologized the very next day on his own accord and that the Hawks front office didn't suggest that he should, well, then you are entitled to believe what you want.

In any regard I didn't bring that up to make it the main issue for him to be traded. You're the only one who seems to think I did. I simply brought up an incident that annoyed the front office and along with the questions about his concussion last year, his injury history and his poor play in this regular season MAY - I repeat, MAY - have the Hawks considering moving him if they could.

Being a fan, I'm on the outside looking in, so I have no idea if the Hawks would consider trading him; however, unless you have some internal insight to what the team is thinking, you have no idea that they aren't.I don't mind criticism or opposing views to anything I say, but at least get your facts straight about what you're ranting about.
- RetiredGoalie

Exactly and if one of the core guys were to be moved it would be a Bolland. Realistically speaking, Toews, Hossa, Keith, Sharp, Kane, and Seabrook are all untouchables. What do you gain trading a kane for a getzlaf/iginla/nash, etc? Nothing. Or a Sharp?

Bolland is down on that pecking order. For the exact reasons you stated. Could the Hawks survive without Bolland? Probably...More so then any of the guys listed above. Hammer is needed because you don't have depth on D.

This is all speculation anyways. I still contend they add a physical, pk d man and 1 or 2 jam guys who understand their roles, have experience, and aren't hockey stupid.

They do that, avoid injuries and find out what goalie they can rely on in the playoffs, and they are RIGHT there.

I had been a person who thought Sharp would be the ideal person you trade in this er NHL. Thirtysomething player, dealing from a strength ( Hawks have 3 other goal scorers.) fairly reasonable price. But Sharp is having his best season as a hawk and not only is he very Q-compatible, but he's very McDonough-compatible too and that's huge. So I doubt it would, or should, be him...That being said, I'd like to see Getzlaf on the Hawks.

Tonight's opponent is a good example of not saying "no" to trading a core member. How are those Richards and Carter trades looking now? Granted, the annual Flyer Goalie situation has gone to the zoo like it tends to do. But Simmonds and Schenn have a nice long future and Voracek and Sean Courtourier for Jeff Carter is just gold.

Should be a hell of a game.
- yahoodi

Don't disagree but that was a team that had MAJOR internal issues supposedly. That's why a Carter and Richards got moved.

Philly also had a dynamic young superstar in the making in Giroux that allowed them to deal both of those guys.

Big difference. Hawks aren't anywhere near that mindset with any of their core guys needing to go. Kane has cleaned up his act, and it would have taken probably a Heatley-esq off ice mistake to get him dealt.

I had been a person who thought Sharp would be the ideal person you trade in this er NHL. Thirtysomething player, dealing from a strength ( Hawks have 3 other goal scorers.) fairly reasonable price. But Sharp is having his best season as a hawk and not only is he very Q-compatible, but he's very McDonough-compatible too and that's huge. So I doubt it would, or should, be him...That being said, I'd like to see Getzlaf on the Hawks.

Tonight's opponent is a good example of not saying "no" to trading a core member. How are those Richards and Carter trades looking now? Granted, the annual Flyer Goalie situation has gone to the zoo like it tends to do. But Simmonds and Schenn have a nice long future and Voracek and Sean Courtourier for Jeff Carter is just gold.

Should be a hell of a game.
- yahoodi

The teams which are in dismal shape have star players who are well paid and could be swapped for each other.

Ana., Coumbus don't draw enough fans now...So they can't trade a Ryan, Geytzlaf or Carter , Nash for prospects or picks...

That leaves the Hawks out because none of the key players here are going anywhere....They have NTC or NMC in their contracts.

For the Hawks to make significant deal....Pirri, Lalonde, Morin, Saad, Daneault etc have to be packaged to a team willing to rebuild.

The list of suitors probably is very short.

Now trading some of them for a rent -a- player is a possibility.

JJ: So let’s also make something clear now and repeat it like a mantra from now until March 1: no team is out there waiting to give the Hawks great players in return for their organizational garbage. Even lots of organizational garbage.

Gee and I thought a deal sending Bickel, Frolik, Lepisto plus Pirri for Nash was as good as done. Silly me!!

Kane in return....hey why not start high. But then again Brouwer (11) has more goals than Kane. Could it be Kane has topped out!?!?!

Sharp..Mr GQ with 30 mil, 5yr ext beginning next year at age 30 being traded??

Boys...

To be clear my comment meant....
Perry won't be traded....But Ryan or Getzlaf are in play.

Neither will be a Hawk although I would take Ryan in a heart beat...He would score 40 in his sleep here and 50 goals wouldn't be out of reach.
- Al

I'm thinking the same thing. I think Perry is really the only untouchable on that team. I think it's safe to say Cam Fowler would be untouchable as well.

As much as Bob Murray says Selanne and Koivu are untouchable, it makes me think that he's trying to drive up the price on those two.

Agreed. I think the Hawks core is what you said it is. The Hawks issues are with their secondary players. A couple of tweeks are needed. At worst, going out and getting someone to pair with Montador once he comes back from IR. That's if Olsen doesn't stick. And a bigger body up front who can chip in on the score sheet and can hit. That might be two seperate forwards altogether.

As for Calgary, I'm thinking they're going into rebuild mode. I believe if they're going to move Iginla, it will happen over the summer.

I think Anaheim will retain two of the three of Perry, Ryan and Getzlaf. I can see one of them going. Maybe Columbus and Anaheim would be the perfect trade partners to move a core player between them to create a shake up for both teams?
- EKolb13

Call me crazy but I look at Columbus the same I way I looked at St. Louis a few years back. If Columbus EVER could get a goaltender, look out. They were banged up early, Mason turded again, and the playoffs will be out of reach for another year.

Calgary has needed to rebuild since the hawks booted them out in 6 games a few years back. They are old.

Murray deserves a lot of criticism for that Ducks team. He put a ton of stock into Hiller who has been OK since becoming their primary goalie. They don't have a lot of depth and are pretty much a 1 line team. Selanne and Koivu pretty much have to ask to be traded to go on the block.

Exactly and if one of the core guys were to be moved it would be a Bolland. Realistically speaking, Toews, Hossa, Keith, Sharp, Kane, and Seabrook are all untouchables. What do you gain trading a kane for a getzlaf/iginla/nash, etc? Nothing. Or a Sharp?

Bolland is down on that pecking order. For the exact reasons you stated. Could the Hawks survive without Bolland? Probably...More so then any of the guys listed above. Hammer is needed because you don't have depth on D.

This is all speculation anyways. I still contend they add a physical, pk d man and 1 or 2 jam guys who understand their roles, have experience, and aren't hockey stupid.

They do that, avoid injuries and find out what goalie they can rely on in the playoffs, and they are RIGHT there.

Exactly. Not to minimize his playoff performances or his value, but if you are considering core players, he is way down the line from the players you suggested. If Bolland could stay healthy and give you the effort he gives you in the playoffs on a consistent basis, I would never consider dealing him, no matter what his salary. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to do that.

Personally, and again, let me state I have no clue what the Hawks are thinking and I am strictly talking from a hypothetical perspective, but if you told me the Hawks were going to make a deal for a top tier player that would improve their team, but to do it you'd have to trade one of your core players, then Bolland would be the one guy that I'd least complain about parting with based on the fact it's harder to find a true second line center than a third line center.

With that in mind, I doubt the Hawks are involved in any deal for star players because they won't want to give up any of theirs and they won't want to go back into salary cap hell again.

JJ: So let’s also make something clear now and repeat it like a mantra from now until March 1: no team is out there waiting to give the Hawks great players in return for their organizational garbage. Even lots of organizational garbage.

Gee and I thought a deal sending Bickel, Frolik, Lepisto plus Pirri for Nash was as good as done. Silly me!!

Kane in return....hey why not start high. But then again Brouwer (11) has more goals than Kane. Could it be Kane has topped out!?!?!

Sharp..Mr GQ with 30 mil, 5yr ext beginning next year at age 30 being traded??
- bogiedoc

I've said it for years....Kane is Adam Oates in terms of his passing ability. I don't know if he can become a 35+ a year goal scorer consistently, but give him a legit sniper on his wing, Hossa/Sharp, and he'll rack up the points.

He's due for a run....The Vancouver guy on here had a great blog recently about how he'd trade the Sedins 100 pt regular seasons for 1, 30 pt postseason total. lets not forget how blessed we are that Kane, Toews, Sharp ALL show up when it matters most.

I'm thinking the same thing. I think Perry is really the only untouchable on that team. I think it's safe to say Cam Fowler would be untouchable as well.

As much as Bob Murray says Selanne and Koivu are untouchable, it makes me think that he's trying to drive up the price on those two.
- EKolb13

Selanne will go wherever he wants...Or not go anywhere if that is his wish.

Today's article on My Fox Chgo:bit.ly/ytRSRZ

Has the Blackhawks luck turned south?

If the Hawks thought a lot of Pirri wouldn't he be up now?

Kane has two goals since Nov. 18....now back in the middle?? For how long?

I've said it for years....Kane is Adam Oates in terms of his passing ability. I don't know if he can become a 35+ a year goal scorer consistently, but give him a legit sniper on his wing, Hossa/Sharp, and he'll rack up the points.

He's due for a run....The Vancouver guy on here had a great blog recently about how he'd trade the Sedins 100 pt regular seasons for 1, 30 pt postseason total. lets not forget how blessed we are that Kane, Toews, Sharp ALL show up when it matters most.
- SteveRain

I agree but he should score over 20 goals...He has 9.

Selanne will go wherever he wants...Or not go anywhere if that is his wish.
- Al

Agreed. In the end, it's Selanne's call. I could see him accepting a trade to Winnipeg, if they are still in the playoff hunt or staying put. I also think he might be more inclined to accept a trade if Koivu were going with him. I could see that happening.