I think by admitting a mistake, he means a GM not holding on to a player who has been a bust. So for example...Burke dealing Versteeg was him "admitting" his mistake. Something like that. People are saying that Bowman is not "admitting" his mistakes by holding on to players that probably should be jettisoned because they have either regressed or not lived up to their bill. Just to clarify.
- anawrocki

I get that, but let's be realistic: Brunette had no trade value. Zero. There was really nothing to be done with him but ride the season out and let him go afterwards. Versteeg had trade value because of his youth and upside.

The answer then is simple: we need a new GM.
- philco28

This summer is do or die for Stan for sure...but the jury is still out, albeit they're almost ready to pass judgement.

I'm aware of that, but I think a deal that's say 8 years long, and front-loaded with say 8 million in the first 3 years and 5 million in the final 5 for example would result in a 6.1 million dollar cap hit, which I don't think circumvents anything.
- andru2797

I wouldn't think that circumvents anything either. I guess that depends on what actually comes to fruition with the new CBA? Do they push through with limiting the number of year on a contract or not? Does the new CBA also decide how money is spread out over a contract?

Also, I guess it depends on Suter too. If he wants to play close to home, Chicago isn't his only choice. The Twin Cities (Minnesota) is only an hour and a half longer drive to Madison. Perhaps they may be players in the Suter sweepstakes too? They do have cap room to hand out a big contract or two.

Nice capsule EK...always appreciate your observations, especially on the prospects since you see them live. I've heard nothing but good things about him. Number one theme about Danault: He's got THE HEART OF A LION.
- philco28

I'm glad someone does.

This summer is do or die for Stan for sure...but the jury is still out, albeit they're almost ready to pass judgement.
- andru2797

It will be and we now another high level vacancy with Bergevin becoming the GM in Montreal. Dudley, Cheveldayoff and now Bergevin. The continued exodus of good hockey men certainly hurts organizational continuity and will not helped the Silver Spoon KNOB who currently sits on the throne.

The Beach Bust saga is a tough one for me. I really liked this player in junior, but he doesn't appear to be mature enough to realize that the hourglass re: his ever being a solid pro, is on vapor.
- philco28

From what I saw at the end of the season in Rockford really gives me hope that Beach has turned the corner. At the same time, I thought the same thing at the end of the '10-'11 season, and he left me looking like a fool after proclaiming that he had indeed turned that corner.

At this point I'm torn with the idea as to whether he'll pan out or not. If anything, what he does during the first half of this coming season in Rockford will put some bearing on his future with the Hawks organization.

That's if they don't deal him over the summer.

The answer then is simple: we need a new GM.
- philco28

Philco, who would you rather have in place - Stanbow or Brian Burke? Neither one is accomplishing much. But I think Stanley's columns of numbers are much neater when he adds up salary cap numbers.

Blatently false statement... They had Hammer (who at the time was a significantly better defender and skater) and Campbell on the second pairing. Not a hard decision AT THE TIME for the GM to make.

Buff also said numerous times he hated playing forward, hated standing in front of the net and pouted until the playoffs (which is why he spent marginal time with Toews and Kane). Explain to me how that is an issue with coaching ineptitude? Sounds like a player with a bad attitude to me...

And if he had any desire what so ever to be a successful power forward he would make upwards of 6-7mil / year and potentially score +40 goals every year. But he would rather stand on the blue line and do his thing. Good riddance.
- fattybeef

Yeah... Good riddance to playoff dominance he "pouted" through and the biggest playoff matchup nightmare we had. All with a "bad" attitude. Go look at his stats since he left with his bad attitude along with his fat contract. Why exactly did he get that again? Stan would re do that deal in a heartbeat. Bad mistake.

From what I saw at the end of the season in Rockford really gives me hope that Beach has turned the corner. At the same time, I thought the same thing at the end of the '10-'11 season, and he left me looking like a fool after proclaiming that he had indeed turned that corner.

At this point I'm torn with the idea as to whether he'll pan out or not. If anything, what he does during the first half of this coming season in Rockford will put some bearing on his future with the Hawks organization.

That's if they don't deal him over the summer.
- EKolb13

Does Beach have the goods to be a Brouwer+ at the high end? Haven't seen him enough since junior to tell. If so, he could be a good fit next to 19-88, 19-10 or 88-81 and on the PP. Otherwise, I wonder if he has the tenacity necessary to play a 3rd or 4th line grinding role, similar to what Ladd was here.

From what I saw at the end of the season in Rockford really gives me hope that Beach has turned the corner. At the same time, I thought the same thing at the end of the '10-'11 season, and he left me looking like a fool after proclaiming that he had indeed turned that corner.

At this point I'm torn with the idea as to whether he'll pan out or not. If anything, what he does during the first half of this coming season in Rockford will put some bearing on his future with the Hawks organization.

That's if they don't deal him over the summer.
- EKolb13

If he could just FOCUS during the game, move his feet, finish his checks and go hard to the net and AVOID all the crud on the side, his chances of turning the corner would increase big time. Instead, he tends to wander mentally, float physically, give a half -ass effort and then get punched out in some fight he should never be in.

Marc Bergevin to become the Habs new GM

http://www.chicagotribune...-20120501,0,2786635.story
- philco28

Very interesting choice.

Philco, who would you rather have in place - Stanbow or Brian Burke? Neither one is accomplishing much. But I think Stanley's columns of numbers are much neater when he adds up salary cap numbers.
- RickJ

Ricardo..since i despise both evenly...i'll side with the local bean counter

Burke is egomanial, controlling, loudmouth, surly, sullen, MOPE. The Hawks already one Black Cloud (Kitchen), we don't need a clown like Burke.

Very interesting choice.
- Al

It is...caught you on the radio yesterday Al-o-icious.....NICE JOB !!!

Bergevin's a Francophone, good hockey background...good fit in Montreal.

If he could just FOCUS during the game, move his feet, finish his checks and go hard to the net and AVOID all the crud on the side, his chances of turning the corner would increase big time. Instead, he tends to wander mentally, float physically, give a half -ass effort and then get punched out in some fight he should never be in.
- philco28

I guess we'll see what happens in Rockford next season as to what Kyle Beach really is.

I have heard more than 1 media type well plugged into the NHL scene say " Suter probably already knows where he will be playing next year" - one team speculated was Dallas.
- RickJ

think everyone is loking towards Detroit.. but also heard an interesting Minny story??

Very interesting choice.
- Al

They become a likely trade partner I would think...

It is...caught you on the radio yesterday Al-o-icious.....NICE JOB !!!

Bergevin's a Francophone, good hockey background...good fit in Montreal.
- philco28

Thanks...With Block?

Does Beach have the goods to be a Brouwer+ at the high end? Haven't seen him enough since junior to tell. If so, he could be a good fit next to 19-88, 19-10 or 88-81 and on the PP. Otherwise, I wonder if he has the tenacity necessary to play a 3rd or 4th line grinding role, similar to what Ladd was here.
- andru2797

It's still kind of unclear to me as to what his upside could be. I haven't seen enough of Beach the hockey player to really make an assesment on that.

At this point, Beach really either has to stay focused to remain in the organization, or keep playing the clown game on the ice, which doesn't really leave him anywhere to having a role at all in Chicago.

think everyone is loking towards Detroit.. but also heard an interesting Minny story??
- Al

I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota was on Suter's short list. It's almost as close to Madison as Chicago is, and they have the cap room for him.

They become a likely trade partner I would think...
- ilinkhawk

Not likely...Montreal has similar needs to the Hawks: size and grit up front and on the back end.

They become a likely trade partner I would think...
- ilinkhawk

To Montreal:
Frolik or Stalberg

To Chicago:
Max Pacioretti

Marc Bergevin to become the Habs new GM

http://www.chicagotribune...-20120501,0,2786635.story
- philco28

There is also word on Panesar's blog that Gomez may also be bought out.

Not likely...Montreal has similar needs to the Hawks: size and grit up front and on the back end.
- andru2797

They need more than that.. And their new GM I am sure has some favorites here between roster and prospects. Hawks did deals with Florida and Atlanta both former personnel here. Wouldn't be shocked to see another one done with this one.

To Montreal:
Frolik or Stalberg

To Chicago:
Max Pacioretti
- nelli312

Pacioretty had a breakout year this season. I seriously doubt the Hawks could get him for either Frolik or Stalberg straight up. Maybe Stalberg, a prospect and a pick could work?

Yeah... Good riddance to playoff dominance he "pouted" through and the biggest playoff matchup nightmare we had. All with a "bad" attitude. Go look at his stats since he left with his bad attitude along with his fat contract. I will put you in the group with Q and Bowman. Clueless..
- ilinkhawk

Meh.

Again you're looking at it through rosy glasses and have absolutely no grasp of the cap situation.

Fact: He stated in numerous interviews he did not like playing forward or in front of the net and did not want to do that for the rest of his career. There is absolutely no argument you can make for that

Fact: The Cup year... and I stress Cup year... Hammer and Campbell were much better players on the blue line. You cannot argue that.

Fact: Salary had to be jettisoned and it is much easier to justify moving a player who has said (see statement one again) he doesn't want to do what the coaching staff wants and what the team needs.

Fact: He has shown up to camp out of shape and overweight more often than not

Fact: He is constantly bemoaned by Jets fans for inconsistent effort and performance as well as suspect blue line play

Stats are irrelevant. For the physical gifts the player has he should be one of the most dominating players in the NHL night in and night out. Not sequestered in the middle of Manitoba playing big fish in a little pond.