I don't get the "you can't trade anyone from the core" mentality. This team, while talented, has been maddeninly inconsistant the last two years. That comes from the leaders of the team, not the supporting cast.

They didn't get blown out in Calgary last year because Pisani didn't come ready to play nor this year in Edmonton because Lepisto wasn't feeling it. The blame has to fall on the core and the coaching staff.

Why would it surprise anyone to see a "core" player moved? How many times have we heard that Stan and McD want credit for winnning a cup that's not qualified with "Tallon put the team together"?
- NewToHockey

Well, a lot of them have NTCs or NMCs (Toews, Kane, Sharp). I don't believe Hossa has one, but he is arguably the team's MVP this season. I'm not sure how they deal a defenseman and get better honestly.

Their options are limited as far dealing core guys. Not impossible, but tricky at best.

This team, while talented, has been maddeninly inconsistant the last two years. That comes from the leaders of the team, not the supporting cast.

While blogs are certainly for info sharing and debate, in the modern NHL, which teams haven't been inconsistent? Detroit (ugh) has had the best organization in hockey over the last two decades, and their fans are screaming every other night on blogs as well. The Hawks went to the WCF in 2009, won the Cup in 2010, almost went to the second round with a skeleton crew last year and have one of the best records in the NHL this year. Is it possible that some Hawk fans who couldn't even watch games on TV just a few years ago might be wading into Vancouver fandom territory? Hockey is a maddening game and the Hawks reflect that. Take the wins and accept that the organization will usually make the right moves...and enjoy tonight's game. It's certainly much better than what we saw during the late 1990s and early 2000s---and just imagine the frustration in Anaheim right now. Buck up, campers.

The Hawks aren't going to trade Kane or Sharp. They are the key faces of the franchise. Bolland, I could see being traded from a business standpoint, because you don't see many Bolland jerseys at the UC. But, center is a major weakness already so you'd have to be completely blown away to trade him.

I think all that will happen is a trade for a Burish type player. Some speed, some skill, who hits. I don't think a "fighter" really matters. Especially for playoff hockey. I would think a Bickell + would be more than sufficient to get a player of that caliber.

And, of course like everyone has already mentioned, I'll take Beauchemoin, Gleason, or Allen. But the asking price will be pretty high and the Hawks just don't have much to give. Frolik? Ice Hog prospects? I would prefer to hang on to Danault, Saad, and Mcneill at this stage, unless it nets a player that is more than just a rental.

You know what pisses me off about the whole Carcillo thing is when teams do what you are suggesting the Hawks might do. When you get a Carcillo/Eager/Cooke don't be shocked when they do something stupid. That over the edge play is why you wanted him in the first place.
- Lahey

WRONG !!
We wanted him to br here to stop guys from taking runs at our superstars, not being the kind of player that does stuff like that for no reason.

While blogs are certainly for info sharing and debate, in the modern NHL, which teams haven't been inconsistent? Detroit (ugh) has had the best organization in hockey over the last two decades, and their fans are screaming every other night on blogs as well. The Hawks went to the WCF in 2009, won the Cup in 2010, almost went to the second round with a skelton crew last year and have one of the best records in the NHL this year. Is it possible that some Hawk fans who couldn't even watch games on TV just a few years ago might be wading into Vancouver fandom territory? Hockey is a maddening game and the Hawks reflect that. Take the wins and accept that the organization will usually make the right moves...and enjoy tonight's game. It's certainly much better than what we saw during the late 1990s and early 2000s---and just imagine the frustration in Anaheim right now. Buck up, campers.
- HealthyScratch1

I think this is a great perspective.

Other side of it is, who remembers the President's Trophy winner? This team has a 4 year window now to win Cups. I personally, and yes, as a fan, would be disappointed if the Hawks did not make at least the Conference Finals.

Especially as healthy as they've been this year. That doesn't happen often.

When you get as close as the Hawks appear to be, yet they aren't a really dominant team relative to Vancouver, San Jose, Detroit, Boston, you have to go all in to get there.

Also, I think asking prices are very high right now but I do expect them to go down as we get closer to the deadline. The Hawks don't have many trading chips, but I think a lot of other teams also limited or reluctant to trade off the young talent other teams would want.

The Hawks aren't going to trade Kane or Sharp. They are the key faces of the franchise.

Frolik? Ice Hog prospects? I would prefer to hang on to Danault, Saad, and Mcneill at this stage, unless it nets a player that is more than just a rental.
- coldsteelonice

No chance Kane goes anywhere until that contract is up. No way. His skills are taken for granted by many but not by Hawks managment. I think any moves before the deadline involve picks and possibly Frolik/Bickell if there are any takers---no core guys this year. Stals saved his own tail about three weeks ago, or he might have been bait as well. The Rockford contingent will be interesting but after seeing Boston and Vancouver, we definitely will need more come playoff time, and kids might not be the tonic.

Also, I think asking prices are very high right now but I do expect them to go down as we get closer to the deadline. The Hawks don't have many trading chips, but I think a lot of other teams also limited or reluctant to trade off the young talent other teams would want.
- coldsteelonice

Not sure how much they'll go down. Bidding gets pretty crazy right before the deadline. Funny year as far as buyers and sellers.

No chance Kane goes anywhere until that contract is up. No way. His skills are taken for granted by many but not by Hawks managment. I think any moves before the deadline involve picks and possibly Frolik/Bickell if there are any takers---no core guys this year. Stals saved his own tail about three weeks ago, or he might have been bait as well. The Rockford contingent will be interesting but after seeing Boston and Vancouver, we definitely will need more come playoff time, and kids might not be the tonic.
- HealthyScratch1

Until this year, I might have disagreed with you. He's apparently grown up a lot since last year and his goal total is almost meaningless. He's a very effective player most nights.

I think this is a great perspective.

Other side of it is, who remembers the President's Trophy winner? This team has a 4 year window now to win Cups. I personally, and yes, as a fan, would be disappointed if the Hawks did not make at least the Conference Finals.

Especially as healthy as they've been this year. That doesn't happen often.

When you get as close as the Hawks appear to be, yet they aren't a really dominant team relative to Vancouver, San Jose, Detroit, Boston, you have to go all in to get there.
- John Jaeckel

All good points. President's Trophy is clearly not the prize...as Caps and Canucks fans know all too well.

Boston was absolutely scary against NJ and Thomas is playing at a different level. And not much line changing going on over there.

Until this year, I might have disagreed with you. He's apparently grown up a lot since last year and his goal total is almost meaningless. He's a very effective player most nights.
- John Jaeckel

A healthy Hossa and a now more mature Kane, two guys with entirely different games, seem indispensible to me as a Hawks fan now. Their two way game and saucer passing/play development, respectively, is as good as the Hawks have had since the late 1980s early 1990s---arguably much better as the game is obviously played by bigger, faster players with less clutching and holding. And with Hossa finding the net again---no telling what he can do. But I do think that both really benefit from steadier lines---hard to do in today's NHL but more stability is needed.

I think this is a great perspective.

Other side of it is, who remembers the President's Trophy winner? This team has a 4 year window now to win Cups. I personally, and yes, as a fan, would be disappointed if the Hawks did not make at least the Conference Finals.

Especially as healthy as they've been this year. That doesn't happen often.

When you get as close as the Hawks appear to be, yet they aren't a really dominant team relative to Vancouver, San Jose, Detroit, Boston, you have to go all in to get there.
- John Jaeckel

I personally don't see Vancouver or Detroit as that much better than the hawks this year.

A healthy Hossa and a now more mature Kane, two guys with entirely different games, seem indispensible to me as a Hawks fan now. Their two way game and saucer passing/play development, respectively, is as good as the Hawks have had since the late 1980s early 1990s---arguably much better as the game is obviously played by bigger, faster players with less clutching and holding. And with Hossa finding the net again---no telling what he can do. But I do think that both really benefit from steadier lines---hard to do in today's NHL but more stability is needed.
- HealthyScratch1

Do you ever sometimes mistake Kane for Hossa now like I do? Every once in while Kane will do something along the halfboard and I think for a second it's Hossa, could be the 80-somethingt number. But even though they are dramatically different sizes, seems like Kane watches and learns from 81. Which is incredibly smart. And let's face it, they are probably the two most hockey smart guys on the team.

One thing Flyers fans learned... never say a player can't be traded.
- Flyers2821

The other thing they learned is, "Might have been better to go with Boucher instead of Leighton".

I personally don't see Vancouver or Detroit as that much better than the hawks this year.
- andru2797

Even equal begs the need for Bowman to improve the team. One or two injuries to the Hawks and none to the other guys and they're screwed. It's all about depth.

Oh BTW, seen the standings this morning? Granted the Hawks have a couple of games in hand. But . . .

All good points. President's Trophy is clearly not the prize...as Caps and Canucks fans know all too well.

Boston was absolutely scary against NJ and Thomas is playing at a different level. And not much line changing going on over there.
- HealthyScratch1

At this point Boston is not the worry, the concern is advancing out of the West. Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose, maybe LA who is playing better are the clubs that the Hawks ultimately will need to get by to get to the SCF. How much tweaking of the roster do the Hawks need to do to beat the West? How much tweaking will those teams do? Once the first move shakes out, the rest will be a frenzy.

The ultimate goal of WINNING the Cup bring the eastern teams of Boston, NY, Philly into the picture.

I personally don't see Vancouver or Detroit as that much better than the hawks this year.
- andru2797

Detroit will need to make moves to last in '12---their age is showing. Vancover and the Raggedy Ann twins worries me...but not as much as those top teams in the East do.

At this point Boston is not the worry, the concern is advancing out of the West. Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose, maybe LA who is playing better are the clubs that the Hawks ultimately will need to get by to get to the SCF. How much tweaking of the roster do the Hawks need to do to beat the West? How much tweaking will those teams do? Once the first move shakes out, the rest will be a frenzy.

The ultimate goal of WINNING the Cup bring the eastern teams of Boston, NY, Philly into the picture.
- TheTrob

Depth, depth, depth.

All the pollyannas keep forgetting the Hawks have been monumentally lucky as far as health, not just compared to their own prior seasons but also to other teams thus far this year.

Do you ever sometimes mistake Kane for Hossa now like I do? Every once in while Kane will do something along the halfboard and I think for a second it's Hossa, could be the 80-somethingt number. But even though they are dramatically different sizes, seems like Kane watches and learns from 81. Which is incredibly smart. And let's face it, they are probably the two most hockey smart guys on the team.
- John Jaeckel

This, +1000

I know you believe (and it's probably true this year especially) that any line with Hossa is really the #1 line -- but the magic between 88 and 81 is really special. Hoss has alluded to this in interviews. I, for one, am really happy to see them reunited with Kane at C -- Kane has played his best hockey at C this year, has been the most defensively responsible there (probably more a mental thing right now because if he can do so at C, he can do so playing RW but does not nearly as effectively).

And very obviously, Kane is learning from the master of the 2-way game. If he continues to dedicate himself to improving and working out as he's done, we're in for some fun years ahead.

At this point Boston is not the worry, the concern is advancing out of the West. Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose, maybe LA who is playing better are the clubs that the Hawks ultimately will need to get by to get to the SCF. How much tweaking of the roster do the Hawks need to do to beat the West? How much tweaking will those teams do? Once the first move shakes out, the rest will be a frenzy.

The ultimate goal of WINNING the Cup bring the eastern teams of Boston, NY, Philly into the picture.
- TheTrob

I understand your point---and obviously you can't advance against the East if you dont win the first 3 rounds. However, if I am the GM, I look at what is driving the best teams and try to replicate/match/top that, regardless of conference or division...and the best teams are in the East right now. I would like the Hawks to strive for the cohesion and multi-line scoring of the Boston team, along with the two way game the Penguins play. The Hawks have the goaltending and the scoring and the health (for now)---its all about the hits and D long term.

Depth, depth, depth.

All the pollyannas keep forgetting the Hawks have been monumentally lucky as far as health, not just compared to their own prior seasons but also to other teams thus far this year.
- John Jaeckel

Totally agree.

Hawks lose one of Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook for any length of time and the mix will be thrown off. The top 2 lines work, because you can split them 2 and 2 and fill in the other winger with the flavor of the evening (Stalberg, Brunette, Carcillo, Hayes, Shaw, etc.). Take one of them out and you are now down to one dominant line, which creates easier matchups for the opposition. Same on the defensive end. Lose a top 4 and we have already seen the effect.

This is not to say other teams are not in the same boat. Lose a Sedin, Datsuyk, Thornton, etc. for any length of time and it will effect those clubs as well.

Just please make sure no 'Hawks fans are beat up during the game.
- blackhawk24

so sad, it really is.

A few @ss clowns really make the majority of us look bad.