This I agree with. He is a one-dimensional defenseman, though underrated by some. Had he wanted to be, he could have been a HOF player at wing.
- John Jaeckel

I wonder if anyone ever sat him down and explained that to him. Million dollar talent, Five Cent head?

Nice Buff/Hammer discussion but...

Simply put for $3.5 mill per season I don't know of one team in the NHL that wouldn't choose Buff or Hammer.

The issue is and a big reason why Buff isn't here is because Hammer is still making $3.5 mill per and Buff is getting quite a bit more...

The numbers going forward didn't fit with what Hawk management predicted for Byfuglien's impact.

They traded him to someone who valued him greatly, Dudley, who got one more cheap yr on Buffs deal.

The Hawks were caught big time in cap hell and evidently thought Atl. offered the best value for Byfuglien and chose to resign Hammer at a hefty raise...

But still for less than Buff was going to cost on his next contract.
- Al

Buff doesn't get that deal if he stays. A big part of that deal he got had to do with the numbers he put up playing top 2 D in Atlanta. That being said.. I would take him in a heartbeat at 5.2..

Another former NFL player offd himself. So sad..

I wish Buff/Ladd/Versteeg, etc were all still here just so all the crying would stop. It's over, they're gone and they're not likely coming back, ever. Deal with it. Move on. Please.

JJ, I asked this the other night..

What about Dustin Penner on the Hawks.. he is a UFA at years end.. low prodcution in regular season, Grit and from what I have seen in the Blues series.. a touch of pain the arse...
- victorymc98

PASS

I wish Buff/Ladd/Versteeg, etc were all still here just so all the crying would stop. It's over, they're gone and they're not likely coming back, ever. Deal with it. Move on. Please.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree

I wonder if anyone ever sat him down and explained that to him. Million dollar talent, Five Cent head?
- Ogilthorpe2

I'll just say this: a good friend of mine is a good, old friend of his and his family.

The implication that he didn't want to play forward because he didn't like being in front of the net—I don't care what was culled from an interview with a kid who is not always comfortable giving interviews— is wrong.

I know he prefers defense because that's where he played the majority of his career while developing, it feels more natural to him to see more of the ice in front of him. I also know his discomfort at wing stemmed more from being really limited to where he needed to be assignment-wise at specific times (and not about being in front of the net).

I don't tink it was a trade off in his mind between being an above average, limited defenseman and an all world forward. I think in his mind he thought/thinks he could be just as good at defense.

Bergevin move might not get all the dominoes falling in Chicago. But I doubt the Hawks were not aware of this, or this possibility, going back to season's end.

You can't dismiss this in terms of the overall picture in the Hawk front office. Bergevin was a key player. And was excellent in his area, where the Hawks lack overall excellence (player evaluation).

To me, this adds some gravity to the changes that are coming. I am doing some digging on this now.
- John Jaeckel

Bergevin was given permission to talk to Montreal right after they fired Gauthier.

He was a fit...from there and speaks French, plus a Cup winner.

Results speak volumes. Byfuglien provided them in the big games and was a key contributor to a Stanley Cup. Many felt he deserved the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Those who continue to fall back on regular season results are the ones the Hawk marketing department is counting on. The notion that "101 regular season points" trumps a first round exit in 6 games is really silly and complete copout.

Welcome to the San Jose Sharks.
- John Jaeckel

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!

Please don't say that, it'll drive me to drink ... more.

Buff doesn't get that deal if he stays. A big part of that deal he got had to do with the numbers he put up playing top 2 D in Atlanta. That being said.. I would take him in a heartbeat at 5.2..
- ilinkhawk

I see your point but he was already at $3 mill and would have wanted a hefty raise...

Tallon skipped pay grades with Bolland, Buff, Versteeg and Barker...

I'll just say this: a good friend of mine is a good, old friend of his and his family.

The implication that he didn't want to play forward because he didn't like being in front of the net—I don't care what was culled from an interview with a kid who is not always comfortable giving interviews— is wrong.

I know he prefers defense because that's where he played the majority of his career while developing, it feels more natural to him to see more of the ice in front of him. I also know his discomfort at wing stemmed more from being really limited to where he needed to be assignment-wise at specific times (and not about being in front of the net).

I don't tink it was a trade off in his mind between being an above average, limited defenseman and an all world forward. I think in his mind he thought/thinks he could be just as good at defense.
- John Jaeckel

Sounds like an ego or confidence issue more than anything else. Sometimes it's good to get outside your comfort zone. I liken it to every Major League Baseball relief pitcher beginning his pro career as a starter. Most of them want nothing to do with pitching from the pen, and will resist giving up on their starting aspirations, but some who fail as starters embrace the switch, and end up having Hall of Fame Careers as relief pitchers. They just have to accept the role, and re-dedicate themselves to excelling at it. Buff appears unwilling, for whatever reason, to dedicate himself to evolving into an epically good Power Forward. His and our (hockey fans) loss.

The time to trade Sharp has passed. He is a 1-dimensional player being paid almost 6 mil a year in the latter stages of his career. I think most people see him as being the most expendable star player we have. This team has not been hurting for goals the past three years. They have been hurting on the blue line and between the pipes. Do strengthen one area, you typically have to deal from a position where you have surplus. I don't detest Sharp, but if he can bring a good enough return...something like a top4 D, good 3rd liner +prospect, or him+ for a 2C, I think it is worth it. He isn't a bad or unlikeable player...simply overrated, overpaid, and most expendable of the stars. Nothing personal.
- anawrocki

Latter stages of his career?????? He is 30, not 36,37,,,,,

Nice Buff/Hammer discussion but...

Simply put for $3.5 mill per season I don't know of one team in the NHL that wouldn't choose Buff or Hammer.

The issue is and a big reason why Buff isn't here is because Hammer is still making $3.5 mill per and Buff is getting quite a bit more...

The numbers going forward didn't fit with what Hawk management predicted for Byfuglien's impact.

They traded him to someone who valued him greatly, Dudley, who got one more cheap yr on Buffs deal.

The Hawks were caught big time in cap hell and evidently thought Atl. offered the best value for Byfuglien and chose to resign Hammer at a hefty raise...

But still for less than Buff was going to cost on his next contract.
- Al

To make it more realistic for others to deal with, at the time of Buff's trade on 6/23, he was at $3.0M with another year at that money, Hammer was at $845k and an RFA.