Why do we keep offering up Bolland when moving Sharp and Saad or Sharp and Morin will be a sure thing. Bolland has a role. Stop thinking that Kruger is the guy. He does not have the inner rat or tenacious attitude that Bolland has or any other typical third line center does.
- nickmo2699

This! Dude is money.

Until you have a for sure replacement, he should stay.

The Montreal GM job to a Montreal native is a dream come true...
- Al

AL, do you think bowman would have a half of brain to ask bergy if jarred tinordi is in play? and why do i get the feeling that gomez is gonna be bought out by the habs and then wind up here for about 750 K and expect ed to be a #2 center?

Why do we keep offering up Bolland when moving Sharp and Saad or Sharp and Morin will be a sure thing. Bolland has a role. Stop thinking that Kruger is the guy. He does not have the inner rat or tenacious attitude that Bolland has or any other typical third line center does.
- nickmo2699

Kruger may not have the "inner rat" as of yet, but I wouldn't question that Kruger has a "tenacious attitude."

AL, do you think bowman would have a half of brain to ask bergy if jarred tinordi is in play? and why do i get the feeling that gomez is gonna be bought out by the habs and then wind up here for about 750 K and expect ed to be a #2 center?
- wonthecup10

Lord, I hope Bowman doesn't think this is a good idea.

AL, do you think bowman would have a half of brain to ask bergy if jarred tinordi is in play? and why do i get the feeling that gomez is gonna be bought out by the habs and then wind up here for about 750 K and expect ed to be a #2 center?
- wonthecup10

Tinordi, Beaulieu and Ellis are the the only prospects the Habs have on D coming up, no way they trade one of them just to move Gomez, that would be taking another step back. Tinordi is the only big physical D coming up also.

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.
- fattybeef

That whole " I don't want to play forward " thing is so overblown. Who cares what players say. Just like Patrick Sharp supposidly doesn't want to play Center. bla bla.. or as you say "meh".. If you think stats are irrelvant in the NHL. I am not sure we can have a rational discussion. The actual fact is, they do matter.

Let's look at some other facts-
- He absolutely dominated the playoffs two years in a row and should have won the Conn Smythe and at minimum was top 3 in consideration
- He has an absolute rocket from the point. Something we lack especially on pp
- Top 5 in scoring D last 2 years - includes 18 games being injured this year (but stats don't matter so maybe this doesn't count )
- Led the NHL D in takeways with Atlanta
- We have been absolutely manhandled physically the last 2 years. He is well known to be one of the most imposing physical players in this league.

I agree that sometimes he has shown up out of shape and overweight. He isn't the perfect player. You are crazy if you don't think he would have dramatically helped this team the last 2 years. He is an elite talent, that puts up elite numbers and gets paid accordingly. Ask any opposing fan from teams we have played the last 2 years who they were glad to see go. Your glasses have blinders on...

Kruger may not have the "inner rat" as of yet, but I wouldn't question that Kruger has a "tenacious attitude."
- EKolb13

Too Small, not enough offensive upside to be a threat on a turnover. Bolland can and can capitalize bc he is a proven SCORER! Kruger can so called pass but that means nothing when your third line is basically defensive players that arent exactly the top finishers on your team.

This! Dude is money.

Until you have a for sure replacement, he should stay.
- Return of the Roar

I think they already have Bolland's replacement in Danault. The problem is is that Danault may be a year away.

I'm ok with the idea of moving Bolland and Kruger trying to fill his shoes if trading Bolland gets the Hawks a top six power forward or a top 3 defenseman.

People should also consider that one of the most glaring weaknesses on this team for the last two years has been that there are only four guys on this team who are true top six material: Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa.

All you do by dealing one of them is trade one hole for another.

The answer has to be finding a physical winger to play on the first line and a big center to play on the second line - 4+2=6. If they cannot accomplish that they fail to solve the problems on offense.

I think they already have Bolland's replacement in Danault. The problem is is that Danault may be a year away.

I'm ok with the idea of moving Bolland and Kruger trying to fill his shoes if trading Bolland gets the Hawks a top six power forward or a top 3 defenseman.
- EKolb13

Too much of a gamble for me. Again - trading one hole for another. Gain your top six depth at the expense of your shutdown line....

The Montreal GM job to a Montreal native is a dream come true...
- Al

Have lost 3 neighbors (sopel,Cullimore,Berg) in the last year... Maybe Q is the next ??

People should also consider that one of the most glaring weaknesses on this team for the last two years has been that there are only four guys on this team who are true top six material: Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa.

All you do by dealing one of them is trade one hole for another.

The answer has to be finding a physical winger to play on the first line and a big center to play on the second line - 4+2=6. If they cannot accomplish that they fail to solve the problems on offense.
- Return of the Roar

Exactly right. We are loaded with Bottom six depth. Even if we come away with 1 big second line center then we will be okay with Carbomb returning, he proved last year that he could hang in the top six and provide a forecheck and toughness that will protect some of our top guys. Wanna bet Carbomb will settle the Torres score next year when they face him.

Exactly right. We are loaded with Bottom six depth. Even if we come away with 1 big second line center then we will be okay with Carbomb returning, he proved last year that he could hang in the top six and provide a forecheck and toughness that will protect some of our top guys. Wanna bet Carbomb will settle the Torres score next year when they face him.
- nickmo2699

He needs to be careful. Accomplishing the last sentence of your post nullifies everything before it. I still think at best Carcillo is a fill in guy on top six for short bursts.

Steve Downie is the answer.

Hey JJ,

By any chance was the rumor you were referring to the one I heard from Haviland in Nashville? The guy without hesitation said the hawks are looking to go after suter. And if you get rid of oduya and hammer the dollars will most likely work out. hmmm interesting summer this shall be.......

He needs to be careful. Accomplishing the last sentence of your post nullifies everything before it. I still think at best Carcillo is a fill in guy on top six for short bursts.

Steve Downie is the answer.
- Return of the Roar

Yes he is and he is an S O B to play against.

That really is my question - is it really a possibility? Heard/read all kinds of conjecture about over the last couple of years.


Here's what it all boils down to - Staal hits the open market next summer. Does he re-sign before that? If his agent is worth his paycheck, he'd advise him to test the market - make premium coin to be the #1 or #2 guys somewhere else, as opposed to taking a discount to play third filddle. It's not just a question of what the Pens can afford, it's a question of what Staal wants to do.
- FredoXV

Ever since Staal has ben in the NHL people here and on other boards want him traded to Chgo.

He is somewhat injury prone but he is still so young, skilled and a big body...

With the Crosby uncertainty higher now than ever before...Pitt will probably find a way to keep him...imo.

AL, do you think bowman would have a half of brain to ask bergy if jarred tinordi is in play? and why do i get the feeling that gomez is gonna be bought out by the habs and then wind up here for about 750 K and expect ed to be a #2 center?
- wonthecup10

Not sure...But the Habs could use Hammer.