If they spend half of what they have that would mean over $5 mill in current salaries could be added.
- Al

What's your reference here Al? Their full-season cap space was about $5.5M before the Morrison deal.

Sure their max cap is way higher, but any amt over $5.5M is salary that can't be on the books next year, barring a huge CBA change and just for arguments' sake, the cap stays the same.

Savvy, i agree Nick has the potential to develop into a 4, but due to his youth and inexperience, he's miscast in that role at present. I think he'd be rejuvenated playing fewer minutes as a 5 for the rest of the season. But have to say i admire how you have consistently been a vocal backer of his on these boards

- philco28

Philco,
My men's league teammates "chide" me as well for backing the young guy.

If you have the chance to see this kid up-close, you'll better understand why I've been a staunch supporter. We all know that unless someone can skate well, they won't be likely be a top player in the best league in the world. And we've had a few brushes with guys like Kenny Yaremchuk, Skille and even Stalberg because of their speed. He's not like any of those guys -- while he's got good speed, it's the combo of speed, lateral mobility and some pretty good hockey instincts that I've seen both at practices as well as up-close to the ice during games.

Backing his minutes down a bit will help -- but one thing is that he's not lacking for confidence, even in spite of his recent woes. I like that. I just believe he'll get his sh!t together here after the break and we'll see some solid play from him.

Let's both hope that's the case -- we could use some solid play from him that he's shown capable of in the past.

You guys may remember when I said some in the organization took umbrage with Bowman going to Sassone and talking ad nauseum about his trade plans . . then a few weeks later I hear the Hawks have decided to tighten it down financially for next year because of the labor issue. If you can't see a connection here . . .
- John Jaeckel

I also contend it is an effort to recreate some leverage back with teams who have valuable players, but think they will be able to extort someone in a trade. However, there may be bigger pressures from Ownership elsewhere to get rid of some of these guys ahead of the deadline. While I do not doubt JJ's assertion about the reality of the economic impact and uncertainty. I do not doubt that there is some gamesmanship on part of Hawks in trying to pry a certain guy or two away from somebody for a better price...by taking this position.

I think the connection here is that you shouldn't believe a word that any coach, owner, GM, scout, etc says for the next 4 weeks.

Most here seem to think that everything said or talked about is 100% real. Don't be surprised when things being "talked" about don't happen or when the complete opposite happens.
- HawkFan27

Agree completely.

WGN interviewed Bowman several days ago and I turned it off...could not care less what the man has to say, only care what he does. Let me know when he announces transactions, everything else is nonsense, propaganda or both.

Agree completely.

WGN interviewed Bowman several days ago and I turned it off...could not care less what the man has to say, only care what he does. Let me know when he announces transactions, everything else is nonsense, propaganda or both.
- ArlingtonRob

Sound advice. Works with politicians too.

Oh man, how am I gonna sleep during the trip. Give me a break. They are playing hockey games 1 game at a time. How would the next 9 games be any different if they played a few at home a few on the road? NO DIFFERENT...YOU HAVE TO WIN GAMES AND SALVAGE POINTS.

My goodness, do you get hysterical when you see a spider in your kitchen....I can hear the screams now.

I will make you this deal, if we do not finish the trip 4th or higher, I will not post for 2 weeks. Otherwise, you stay silent for a few weeks.
- TrueGrit

I'm happy you think rah-rah speeches work all the time. Breaking the trip down into 3 segments is probably the focus. However, last time...they won in Vancouver, and then got their asses smoked in Calgary and Edmonton. Gave a great effort vs San Jose, and then needed a helluva comeback to beat Anaheim, and then beat LA the same way SJ beat them....So they went 3-3.

Your deal is intriguing, but we both know neither can't post in late February/early March when the season is winding down.

Philco,
My men's league teammates "chide" me as well for backing the young guy.

If you have the chance to see this kid up-close, you'll better understand why I've been a staunch supporter. We all know that unless someone can skate well, they won't be likely be a top player in the best league in the world. And we've had a few brushes with guys like Kenny Yaremchuk, Skille and even Stalberg because of their speed. He's not like any of those guys -- while he's got good speed, it's the combo of speed, lateral mobility and some pretty good hockey instincts that I've seen both at practices as well as up-close to the ice during games.

Backing his minutes down a bit will help -- but one thing is that he's not lacking for confidence, even in spite of his recent woes. I like that. I just believe he'll get his sh!t together here after the break and we'll see some solid play from him.

Let's both hope that's the case -- we could use some solid play from him that he's shown capable of in the past.
- savvyone-1

I like Leddy, but worry the lack of experience and the grueling season is wearing on him. He's struggled as of late. Can't discount that.

I think he'll be a top 3 by no time...Agree on Montador. he's been brutal.

I'm happy you think rah-rah speeches work all the time. Breaking the trip down into 3 segments is probably the focus. However, last time...they won in Vancouver, and then got their asses smoked in Calgary and Edmonton. Gave a great effort vs San Jose, and then needed a helluva comeback to beat Anaheim, and then beat LA the same way SJ beat them....So they went 3-3.

Your deal is intriguing, but we both know neither can't post in late February/early March when the season is winding down.
- SteveRain

Besides, your exchanges are too entertaining for the rest of us...we would miss you.

Keep it up boyz.

Ek has the Hawks as buyers.....looking for a #3 goalie and T.Ruutu ! Nice.....

I'm happy you think rah-rah speeches work all the time. Breaking the trip down into 3 segments is probably the focus. However, last time...they won in Vancouver, and then got their asses smoked in Calgary and Edmonton. Gave a great effort vs San Jose, and then needed a helluva comeback to beat Anaheim, and then beat LA the same way SJ beat them....So they went 3-3.

Your deal is intriguing, but we both know neither can't post in late February/early March when the season is winding down.
- SteveRain

Good point...

Sound advice. Works with politicians too.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed. It's all cliches.

My point is, Bowman shouldn't talk at all....don't put yourself in that position.

I do agree with whomever posted it, this organization works on 007 mantra. Very rarely does anyone have them pegged for a particular player. You can probably pinpoint the TYPE, but THE player. We shall see...

Good point...
- TrueGrit

My olive branch:

I think with the right moves, and this is not a fantasy thing but more of a type of player thing:

Travis Moen type
Large physical d man who play PK, and top 4 minutes IF needed w/o sucking (see Montador)
Skilled forward

Are they good enough RIGHT now to come out of the west? Probably...West is tight, but the seedings will be huge. Get a top 3 seed and avoid a Detroit/St. Louis/Nashville, could prolong your run.

Their core is damn good.....Not 100% sold on Crawford. Think they are putting Leddy in a tough spot. Depth needs to improve with people who can contribute.

Forget trades, and I'll bet anyone here if these 3 things happen...they'll win the division:

1. Get Kane to do what Toews did last year...carry this team offensively. he's too talented to be non existent on most nights.

2. Get Crawford on a roll.

3. Get the PK and PP humming along and consistent. It's either really good, or crap.

Agreed. It's all cliches.

My point is, Bowman shouldn't talk at all....don't put yourself in that position.

I do agree with whomever posted it, this organization works on 007 mantra. Very rarely does anyone have them pegged for a particular player. You can probably pinpoint the TYPE, but THE player. We shall see...
- SteveRain

True.

I'll reiterate the Wallin/Johnsson story. I heard they were interested in Wallin out of Carolina a couple of years ago. He got dealt to San Jose, Hawks went and got Johnsson. Similar players. I think the first rumor was true.

Some of it is their "lockdown," some of it is because GMs have many simultaneous conversations going in their search or a certain type of player. Most don't happen, hard to predict which will.

While I have heard a deal could be close for one player with one team, similar conversations are likely happening between Bowman and 2-3 other teams about similar players.

What's your reference here Al? Their full-season cap space was about $5.5M before the Morrison deal.

Sure their max cap is way higher, but any amt over $5.5M is salary that can't be on the books next year, barring a huge CBA change and just for arguments' sake, the cap stays the same.
- blackhawk24

There is no reason to believe the cap is going to go down at all.... and even if it stayed the same, considering it has never stayed the same or gone down...But even so the Hawks are still in great shape compared to others.

On a pro rated basis, which matters most now the cap space which can be used to acquire players is much higher than $5.5 mill before BM.

My thinking is an austererity program won't be solution.

Finding the correct players to add and to have the trade bait to make worthy acquisition should be the only sticking points....And those issues are significant.

My olive branch:

I think with the right moves, and this is not a fantasy thing but more of a type of player thing:

Travis Moen type
Large physical d man who play PK, and top 4 minutes IF needed w/o sucking (see Montador)
Skilled forward

Are they good enough RIGHT now to come out of the west? Probably...West is tight, but the seedings will be huge. Get a top 3 seed and avoid a Detroit/St. Louis/Nashville, could prolong your run.

Their core is damn good.....Not 100% sold on Crawford. Think they are putting Leddy in a tough spot. Depth needs to improve with people who can contribute.

Forget trades, and I'll bet anyone here if these 3 things happen...they'll win the division:

1. Get Kane to do what Toews did last year...carry this team offensively. he's too talented to be non existent on most nights.

2. Get Crawford on a roll.

3. Get the PK and PP humming along and consistent. It's either really good, or crap.
- SteveRain

1) better start lighting candles
2) chicken or the egg, get the defense fixed and that might take care of itself
3) find units that work, stick with them. Hossa should be on the point on the PP

Not sure about Ruutu, but Ek's third goalie thing could have some merit. I have not heard that specifically, but having an NHL experienced guy stashed in the AHL might not be a bad move all things considered.

1) better start lighting candles
2) chicken or the egg, get the defense fixed and that might take care of itself
3) find units that work, stick with them. Hossa should be on the point on the PP
- John Jaeckel

1) Don't even bother with that. Kane can never lead like Toews. Just not in the DNA.

2) Crawford is the egg. Defence is the chicken. Get a better chicken. I truly believe CC will be better with a better defence. No, not Vezina finalist, just better and good enough to win. Oh, BTW defence improvement aint' just the guys with the letter "D" after their name.

3) #19 and #10 back in the lineup. Just heard on the Score 670 Sharpie is playing tonight too! Love #81 on the point. Great idea. One more thing and I know its a pipe dream, Havi runs both ST's...!

My olive branch:

I think with the right moves, and this is not a fantasy thing but more of a type of player thing:

Travis Moen type
Large physical d man who play PK, and top 4 minutes IF needed w/o sucking (see Montador)
Skilled forward

Are they good enough RIGHT now to come out of the west? Probably...West is tight, but the seedings will be huge. Get a top 3 seed and avoid a Detroit/St. Louis/Nashville, could prolong your run.

Their core is damn good.....Not 100% sold on Crawford. Think they are putting Leddy in a tough spot. Depth needs to improve with people who can contribute.

Forget trades, and I'll bet anyone here if these 3 things happen...they'll win the division:

1. Get Kane to do what Toews did last year...carry this team offensively. he's too talented to be non existent on most nights.

2. Get Crawford on a roll.

3. Get the PK and PP humming along and consistent. It's either really good, or crap.
- SteveRain

My Rodney King moment...we can get along...

I agree with much of your assessment. I just think the one thing we have learned over the past years is that it is more important to be healthy and clicking going into the playoffs. So long as you are playing your best hockey, which would entail up and down the lineup and in the playoffs, that is really what counts.

In the big picture, we really need to see some maturity from the core and from the coach on how he manages the team. That is showing a little more poise and patience as opposed to his flip out panic mode shift to shift, period to period. Having played sports at high levels, that would drive me insane after a while.

Consistency is the key as you mentioned. That is more of a mental state than physical. This goes back to my maturity comment and having the where with all to be engaged mentally day in and day out. Frankly, this is the teams biggest issue.

Should the team evolve in this manner, they will ebb the peaks and valleys and in doing so, will become a powerhouse. Right now, the book on the hawks around the league has to be hang around and the hawks will let you in a game. Weather the storm here and there and they will go quietly. To me it is that simple and obvious. The team all too often resembles the emotions of a teen age girl. Over the course of 60 minutes (3 hours) it can be all over the place with no apparent rational reason.

Remember how bad Boynton and Sopel were and how impossible it would be to win a Cup with those two as a 3rd pairing in addition to how terribly soft the forwards were... I feel like that needs to be mentioned again (though that group did actually play defense)

The Morrison pickup is a good one. If he gets Hossa 10+ even strength goals this half it will be well worth it.

No Campbell created a big hole on the 2nd and 3rd line that cannot be replaced by some meathead that can barely skate or escape the ref's whistle.

Getting into the playoffs and not playing Nashville in the first round is the most critical task at hand IMO. If they do that they should get at least past the first round and play someone not Nashville in the 2nd giving them an even better chance to move forward again.

True.

I'll reiterate the Wallin/Johnsson story. I heard they were interested in Wallin out of Carolina a couple of years ago. He got dealt to San Jose, Hawks went and got Johnsson. Similar players. I think the first rumor was true.

Some of it is their "lockdown," some of it is because GMs have many simultaneous conversations going in their search or a certain type of player. Most don't happen, hard to predict which will.

While I have heard a deal could be close for one player with one team, similar conversations are likely happening between Bowman and 2-3 other teams about similar players.
- John Jaeckel

Guys....No one has the correct players in a trade beforehand anymore. You might get led in the right direction and have a correct piece but not the whole recipe.

When Phaneuf was sent to the Leafs, in the center of the NHL universe plus the most widely covered team....Not one peep was mentioned anywhere beforehand.

Dreger or Bob Mck might be the first ones to break the news but that's after the trade is at the NHL office and in essence done.

I consider hearing a correct piece for a trade as being great info.

The last thing I heard and wrote ahead of time that was true was that Dany Heatley was going to be dealt.

I wrote that the Sharks were going to be agressive and Heatley could be dealt at the draft. It happend a few weeks later but was good info...I didn't see it anywhere else..

But I had no clue where he was going or for whom.

The point is it is too difficult to get trades done these days and info is held close...

If you hear enough and can connect the dots that's the best that can be expected.
Sometimes you get part of a trade but I can't remember the last time someone had the exact deal ahead of time.

Remember how bad Boynton and Sopel were and how impossible it would be to win a Cup with those two as a 3rd pairing in addition to how terribly soft the forwards were... I feel like that needs to be mentioned again (though that group did actually play defense)

The Morrison pickup is a good one. If he gets Hossa 10+ even strength goals this half it will be well worth it.

No Campbell created a big hole on the 2nd and 3rd line that cannot be replaced by some meathead that can barely skate or escape the ref's whistle.

Getting into the playoffs and not playing Nashville in the first round is the most critical task at hand IMO. If they do that they should get at least past the first round and play someone not Nashville in the 2nd giving them an even better chance to move forward again.
- fattybeef

Alex, I'll take "not Nashville in the WCF" for $2,000.

True.

I'll reiterate the Wallin/Johnsson story. I heard they were interested in Wallin out of Carolina a couple of years ago. He got dealt to San Jose, Hawks went and got Johnsson. Similar players. I think the first rumor was true.

Some of it is their "lockdown," some of it is because GMs have many simultaneous conversations going in their search or a certain type of player. Most don't happen, hard to predict which will.

While I have heard a deal could be close for one player with one team, similar conversations are likely happening between Bowman and 2-3 other teams about similar players.
- John Jaeckel

GMs can't wait around for 1 guy to decide. They may want a particular player in a said type mold, more then the other, but they've got numerous conversations going on. I think it's impossible to predict anything or forecast anything unless you have a guy in the KNOW giving you a tip.

I'm not buying the Ruutu or Samford thing. If they have to play Samford or have him dressed....they're in trouble.

1) Don't even bother with that. Kane can never lead like Toews. Just not in the DNA.

2) Crawford is the egg. Defence is the chicken. Get a better chicken. I truly believe CC will be better with a better defence. No, not Vezina finalist, just better and good enough to win. Oh, BTW defence improvement aint' just the guys with the letter "D" after their name.

3) #19 and #10 back in the lineup. Just heard on the Score 670 Sharpie is playing tonight too! Love #81 on the point. Great idea. One more thing and I know its a pipe dream, Havi runs both ST's...!
- blackhawk24

In regards to 1 i think he is talking about a situation like last February when Kane did in fact carry the team.

Not sure about Ruutu, but Ek's third goalie thing could have some merit. I have not heard that specifically, but having an NHL experienced guy stashed in the AHL might not be a bad move all things considered.
- John Jaeckel

The one player who has been mentioned...Who I hear is almost a lock to be traded is Moen.

But there will probably be a bidding war for him too.

Remember how bad Boynton and Sopel were and how impossible it would be to win a Cup with those two as a 3rd pairing in addition to how terribly soft the forwards were... I feel like that needs to be mentioned again (though that group did actually play defense)

The Morrison pickup is a good one. If he gets Hossa 10+ even strength goals this half it will be well worth it.

No Campbell created a big hole on the 2nd and 3rd line that cannot be replaced by some meathead that can barely skate or escape the ref's whistle.

Getting into the playoffs and not playing Nashville in the first round is the most critical task at hand IMO. If they do that they should get at least past the first round and play someone not Nashville in the 2nd giving them an even better chance to move forward again.
- fattybeef

You really think our forwards were terribly soft that year?