Way to answer the questions with nothing.

Right, keep drinking the kool aid. You aren't sitting in 6th place in the conference just because.

Thanks for the tip, grandpa on life. What else you got me for me?

- SteveRain

And when we win two in a row and are at the top of the conference, are you gonna Occupy the NHL to boycott their place in standings? Work your darndest to convince everyone that the teams they have already beaten and will beat, just can't be beat in the playoffs.

Good luck with that.

Kubina is a UFA at the end of the season. Tampa Bay has 46 points with 34 games remaining which means we probably need to go 24-10 to make the playoffs, which is highly unlikely. Kubina has won a cup before and was a top 2 defenseman for years, though he's now better suited as a 3-4. He's a right handed shot and a big 6'5" body who will hit and clear the crease. He also has a mean streak. It may take Olsen and another player or pick to get him though.
- Don in St. Pete

You made your case very effectively. It's all in Stanbow's hands.

Exactly my point. I totally agree and have been trying to point this out to all those crossing their fingers for Suter or Johnson. I have no doubt the Hawks are working hard to try to find those roll players. I think Morrison will be a pleasant surprise in that mold.

Many (not saying you) here are myopic in their focus on the Hawks, and that is fine. But every now and again they need to come up for air and realize that just about every other contender is looking for the same thing as we are.
- TrueGrit

As long as you realize adding "depth" here means a little different than in other places.

Really sounds like Sutton to me, but if you're taking Sarich and giving up a young player or pick, I'd be quite grateful...would be a stroke of luck for Feaster, I didn't think Sarich had any value left at all.
- S Kaspar Rollins

Yeah, I think the earlier posts plugging him in on the second pair are wishful thinking. He is really on his last legs (pardon the pun). Could help as a third pair guy.

Kubina, Sutton, Sarich or Gill. Ask yourself which of these 4 d-men has the biggest upside. It would have to be Kubina. He can play the point on the power play, has a big shot can score and can even fillin in on the top pairing in the event of injury. In fact he's playing his best hockey of the season filling in on the top pairing since Victor Hedman was injured. Hedman comes back tonight so I expect Kubina to be on the move soon.
- Don in St. Pete

Asking price is also going to be highest for him. Hawks have talked to Tampa, and probably will some more. I have not heard Kubina's name in connection but many other Bolts. Dunno. You make some sense. Again, I wonder how high the asking price is for him.

Specifcs of any trade I have resisted to speculate about. To many unknown factors for me to even bother speculating about.

But It is clear with the addition of Morrison...any trade will require at least 1 and possibly 2 roster moves to add a dman.

Q like Scott and OD...they stay...Lepisto odd man out; he is either waived or included in any deal.

For depth reasons I don't see Frolik going for a guy with an expiring contract. Everyone including me has run Bicks out of town...he maybe stays for depth reasons also.

I lay odds that StanBow trys to get his dman with Pirri, Smith, Morin maybe a prospect dman plus no lower than 3rd round picks. With Lepisto gone and OD moving to 7 dman.

Someone mentioned StanBow pulls trades that are not anybody's radar....I saw no mention of Morrison anywhere. I return you to my opening comment. Just to many variables for us to have a clue.

Kubina is a UFA at the end of the season. Tampa Bay has 46 points with 34 games remaining which means we probably need to go 24-10 to make the playoffs, which is highly unlikely. Kubina has won a cup before and was a top 2 defenseman for years, though he's now better suited as a 3-4. He's a right handed shot and a big 6'5" body who will hit and clear the crease. He also has a mean streak. It may take Olsen and another player or pick to get him though.
- Don in St. Pete

I would NOT trade Dylan Olsen for a rental. Personally, I don't think the low odds of winning the cup this year justify moving a prospect like Olsen.

Could be wrong, but I wouldn't do it.

Having a great deal of cap flexibility doesn't mean much unless utilized correctly.
- Al

Agreed. I'm not saying you over pay to over pay, but settling for crap because you dont' want to take on money is a BS reason.

Every door is open to the Hawks in terms of adding whomever. That hasn't been the case for a LONG time due to cap restrictions. That's what I am getting at.

Specifcs of any trade I have resisted to speculate about. To many unknown factors for me to even bother speculating about.

But It is clear with the addition of Morrison...any trade will require at least 1 and possibly 2 roster moves to add a dman.

Q like Scott and OD...they stay...Lepisto odd man out; he is either waived or included in any deal.

For depth reasons I don't see Frolik going for a guy with an expiring contract. Everyone including me has run Bicks out of town...he maybe stays for depth reasons also.

I lay odds that StanBow trys to get his dman with Pirri, Smith, Morin maybe a prospect dman plus no lower than 3rd round picks. With Lepisto gone and OD moving to 7 dman.

Someone mentioned StanBow pulls trades that are not anybody's radar....I saw no mention of Morrison anywhere. I return you to my opening comment. Just to many variables for us to have a clue.
- bogiedoc

Frolik and/or Bickell could be gone in 4 weeks. I would bet one or the other or both will be.

I would NOT trade Dylan Olsen for a rental. Personally, I don't think the low odds of winning the cup this year justify moving a prospect like Olsen.

Could be wrong, but I wouldn't do it.
- ArlingtonRob

Agree 100%. Not for a Rental!

Agreed. I'm not saying you over pay to over pay, but settling for crap because you dont' want to take on money is a BS reason.

Every door is open to the Hawks in terms of adding whomever. That hasn't been the case for a LONG time due to cap restrictions. That's what I am getting at.
- SteveRain

I am not arguing against you, just know that there are allegedly those in the organization who don't want to add any cap commitment because of the labor situation. It's a major buzz kill but it does make some sense.

A #6 defenceman who needs a reliable partner in order to be considered decent, and we're paying close to 3.5 M for this guy? I think Montador has been SB's biggest bust so far.
- Dieselhead

Agreed. But right now unless someone wants to take Monty off of Stanbow's hands (highly unlikely), the best thing Stan can do is to bolster his bottom pairing partner. Not ideal, but at this point he has to do whatever he can do to cover for the Montadore miscalculation.

Frolik and/or Bickell could be gone in 4 weeks. I would bet one or the other or both will be.
- John Jaeckel

Doesn't Allan Walsh represent Frolik? He likes to get vocal on Twitter. May be you should ask him where his boy is going.

Agreed. But right now unless someone wants to take Monty off of Stanbow's hands (highly unlikely), the best thing Stan can do is to bolster his bottom pairing partner. Not ideal, but at this point he has to do whatever he can do to cover for the Montadore miscalculation.
- Ogilthorpe2

I do not disagree with your assessment of Monty, but the miscalculation that Leddy was ready for 2nd pair minutes looms larger in my mind.

Don't get me wrong, he's a young talent with great upside, but the grind and expectations are too much for him at this point.

Reduce his ice time by moving him down...easier said than done though. Hmmmmm...what will SB do?

And when we win two in a row and are at the top of the conference, are you gonna Occupy the NHL to boycott their place in standings? Work your darndest to convince everyone that the teams they have already beaten and will beat, just can't be beat in the playoffs.

Good luck with that.
- TrueGrit

LOL...ReallY?

Lets see where they are at after this 9 game trip. The trip I posted weeks ago, would be the defining factor. Especially, to stay in a spot where they achieve home ice. They will need a very good, if NOT great road trip. Detroit is loaded with home games the rest of the way. You're thinking because their MEN, they can overcome it....Maybe they can, but you can't overcome a lack of depth and talent. That's my point. 6-3 may be needed.

With the way this roster is, and Qs love affair for matchups, home ice will be vital to a series win. He's 2-2, with the Hawks, when they have NOT had home ice in a playoff series.

Yes, when healthy, San Jose, Detroit, Philly, Vancouver, Rangers, and Boston are right there, some better, then the Hawks. To assume otherwise, you've either had too much sun down in FLA or have a continous loop of "one goal" ads going on in the back ground.

Although Sutton has gotten himself into some trouble this year, he's surprisingly mobile with the puck and very effective at moving it up the zone, out of harms way. I have a lot more respect for the guy after seeing him play a lot more with Edmonton this year. He's been a difference maker for the Oilers defense this year when he's been in the lineup.

I think any team that is making a serious push could use him as a stabilizing force on the backend. Plus we all know that penalties are just not called the same in the playoffs. I think he'd be a perfect, physical 5/6 for your team and likely wouldn't cost a boat load.
- Routs

GREAT POINT ON PLAYOFF HOCKEY
THE HAWKS NEED A PLAYER THAT CAN INTIMIDATE PHYSICALLY
vancouver d like to take runs at the wingers when their backs are turned waiting for the puck along the boards. i want someone to have to answer for those types of in my opinion cheap shots. the way marchant drops down to waste level when a guy takes a run at him i personnally dont have a problem with. this was something i did to protect myself and its up to the guy to be in control or pay the price

I am not arguing against you, just know that there are allegedly those in the organization who don't want to add any cap commitment because of the labor situation. It's a major buzz kill but it does make some sense.
- John Jaeckel

Well then, Mr. McDonough and Mr. Faber need to monitor Stan's comments to the press, fans, etc. Seriously, it's the 3rd or 4th time he's going to look like a complete @ss clown, and somebody who follows this team in the media NEEDS to call him on it.

1. Offer sheets don't scare me
2. Niemi/Hammer NOT going anywhere
3. In season cap space will allow us to ADD in season

Doesn't Allan Walsh represent Frolik? He likes to get vocal on Twitter. May be you should ask him where his boy is going.
- RickJ

Maybe I read enough of his tweets as it is.

Well then, Mr. McDonough and Mr. Faber need to monitor Stan's comments to the press, fans, etc. Seriously, it's the 3rd or 4th time he's going to look like a complete @ss clown, and somebody who follows this team in the media NEEDS to call him on it.

1. Offer sheets don't scare me
2. Niemi/Hammer NOT going anywhere
3. In season cap space will allow us to ADD in season
- SteveRain

They're all too busy having slap fights on twitter.

Well then, Mr. McDonough and Mr. Faber need to monitor Stan's comments to the press, fans, etc. Seriously, it's the 3rd or 4th time he's going to look like a complete @ss clown, and somebody who follows this team in the media NEEDS to call him on it.

1. Offer sheets don't scare me
2. Niemi/Hammer NOT going anywhere
3. In season cap space will allow us to ADD in season
- SteveRain

Talking at cross-purposes?

JJ seems to be talking about next year and after: assuming his sources are correct, Hawks willing to use cap space for this year, but not commit to next year or after.

This does make sense - no one really has any idea of what the new CBA will look like, or what the CAP situation will be.

I have heard you, Al, about the situation being different in the NHL (compared to the NBA), but with owners in general, and Fehr on the other side in particular, could be (emphasize could as in maybe) up for grabs.

LOL...ReallY?

Lets see where they are at after this 9 game trip. The trip I posted weeks ago, would be the defining factor. Especially, to stay in a spot where they achieve home ice. They will need a very good, if NOT great road trip. Detroit is loaded with home games the rest of the way. You're thinking because their MEN, they can overcome it....Maybe they can, but you can't overcome a lack of depth and talent. That's my point. 6-3 may be needed.

With the way this roster is, and Qs love affair for matchups, home ice will be vital to a series win. He's 2-2, with the Hawks, when they have NOT had home ice in a playoff series.

Yes, when healthy, San Jose, Detroit, Philly, Vancouver, Rangers, and Boston are right there, some better, then the Hawks. To assume otherwise, you've either had too much sun down in FLA or have a continous loop of "one goal" ads going on in the back ground.
- SteveRain

Very funny!! Like it....

Steve...been following your exchange with Grit...entertaining stuff.

I find myself agreeing with you for the most part. And yes, this trip will likely make or brake the season. 8-10 points minimum to remain in the mix for home ice. Unfortunately, I can see this trip being a disaster with 5 or fewer points. The cynic in me always wins the day it seems.

Lol.... I always wanted to start a town called InTheory (for some reason I always pictured it in Indiana).

Because, InTheory, everything is awesome.
- shruew

i think living in indiana InTheory i take exception to this

Maybe I read enough of his tweets as it is.
- John Jaeckel

Seriously, always pimping out his clients and raving about the grave conspriacy the NHL has against concussions.

I would NOT trade Dylan Olsen for a rental. Personally, I don't think the low odds of winning the cup this year justify moving a prospect like Olsen.

Could be wrong, but I wouldn't do it.
- ArlingtonRob

I think it would be a mistake to give Olsen away, but I would move him for a rental that gives them a legitimate shot at the cup this year.

I look at it similar to Pirri - where does he fit in? Keith, Seabrook and Leddy would seem to be going nowhere. Hammer could be moved or let go when his deal expires, but can Olsen replace him? Montador is signed (someone please explain to me what Stan was thinking) for a few more years. That's five spots locked up for the next few years.

Unless Olsen could come in as a #4-5 and push others down the depth chart, he might have more value as an unknown bundle of potential as far as raising the cup again than he would as a roster player in a year or two.

Well then, Mr. McDonough and Mr. Faber need to monitor Stan's comments to the press, fans, etc. Seriously, it's the 3rd or 4th time he's going to look like a complete @ss clown, and somebody who follows this team in the media NEEDS to call him on it.

1. Offer sheets don't scare me
2. Niemi/Hammer NOT going anywhere
3. In season cap space will allow us to ADD in season
- SteveRain

You missed Ladd not going anywhere.