Out of Detroit earlier today....
- Assman22

We talked about that here yesterday. Is the Author gregg Krupa? I talked to him yesterday, too. That is a pipe dream.

They might get one or the other. Might. Not both.

I think you're reading too much into it. They are ALWAYS hyping the rookies and prospects. If anything, they do it so they can fall back on it if nothing else works out this summer.

Personally, I am going to be shocked if the Hawks don't make a move or two prior to the draft, and maybe a relatively big one. If they clear some cap space, then they will be very active July 1.

Politically/perceptually, they can't go into September with the same time and "another year experience for the rookies/prospects." The fanbase will be ready to revolt, even more than they already are.

McDonough knows this better than anyone.

Further Quenneville has demanded, and was promised, changes. Specifically, I'm told, more veterans who can still play.
- John Jaeckel

Hoping you are right. They could also be showcasing some of them as trade bait. I'm just far too cynical these days. I think I am really looking for a sign that McD really isn't making hockey decisions, and that Stan grows a pair and starts getting out on the limbs of the tree a bit to actually make some deals.

JJ

Rick Dudley officially named assistant GM in Montreal to Bergevin, deal with Toronto is that he will not work the draft.

We have some serious leverage in Montreal now, they should heavily bend their ear as to possible deals for Plekanec as their second line center

We talked about that here yesterday. Is the Author gregg Krupa? I talked to him yesterday, too. That is a pipe dream.

They might get one or the other. Might. Not both.
- John Jaeckel

Oh ok sorry buddy, I was out yesterday. And yes, it's the same author. Roto just put it up on their site a couple hours ago so I thought it was new news.

Couldn't they potentially fit in Minnesota together?

JJ

Rick Dudley officially named assistant GM in Montreal to Bergevin, deal with Toronto is that he will not work the draft.

We have some serious leverage in Montreal now, they should heavily bend their ear as to possible deals for Plekanec as their second line center
- FourFeathers773

Only three players I would even consider from the Habs - Subban, Price, and Moen.

Pleks is too expensive.

JJ

Rick Dudley officially named assistant GM in Montreal to Bergevin, deal with Toronto is that he will not work the draft.

We have some serious leverage in Montreal now, they should heavily bend their ear as to possible deals for Plekanec as their second line center
- FourFeathers773

I'm told Hawks and Montreal have already spoken about something. Bergevin is key. Duds has been gone for 2+ years. Bergevin knows ALL the prospects and certainly all the players.

Oh ok sorry buddy, I was out yesterday. And yes, it's the same author. Roto just put it up on their site a couple hours ago so I thought it was new news.

Couldn't they potentially fit in Minnesota together?
- Assman22

Yes they could and Parise is from there and Suter is from Madison.

Hoping you are right. They could also be showcasing some of them as trade bait. I'm just far too cynical these days. I think I am really looking for a sign that McD really isn't making hockey decisions, and that Stan grows a pair and starts getting out on the limbs of the tree a bit to actually make some deals.
- Return of the Roar

Could also be they're building them up because a "core" guy is on his way out.

Yes they could and Parise is from there and Suter is from Madison.
- John Jaeckel

Now we lose a 30+ goal scorer for what in trade? If it's another 30+ goal scorer what do you gain? If you fill the 2C spot with his cap money, who replaces the 30+ goals on the wing? Stalberg??

Sorry. The answer is in the addition of the RIGHT role players, and not putting our core guys on lighted billboards with a for sale sign on them just to see what we can get.

Negotiation starts with " What I want is..." and not "Look what I have, what will you give me for him?"
- Return of the Roar

70+ points from Statsny / Getzlaf / whoever > Sharp + mediocre 2nd line center

Also, Toews didn't play a whole year so he could pop close to 40 this year predicated on them having a competent second line. And I expect Kane to have a higher shooting % this year scoring more goals.

Shaw for a whole year should net around 15-20. Bickell should do better than 9.... Stalberg should hit 20 again even if it is against just garbage teams...

Really not at all concerned with losing those "30" goals.

70+ points from Statsny / Getzlaf / whoever > Sharp + mediocre 2nd line center

Also, Toews didn't play a whole year so he could pop close to 40 this year predicated on them having a competent second line. And I expect Kane to have a higher shooting % this year scoring more goals.

Shaw for a whole year should net around 15-20. Bickell should do better than 9.... Stalberg should hit 20 again even if it is against just garbage teams...

Really not at all concerned with losing those "30" goals.
- fattybeef

Lots of ifs, and no holes filled.

If you are really counting on Stalberg, Bickell (how many more years do we wait for him to realize his potential?) and Shaw to be big pieces of your top six you are building your team's foundation on sand.

Only way Kane scores more is if he plays wing with Toews and they add muscle on that line.

If Sharp can score 30+ without a competent center I think his upside is much higher than depending upon rookies to the scoring. I think Jesus Christ himself could center for any of those kids, but you still will find that they ultimately need wingers who can finish.

Stalberg needs to be able to score some of his "20" in the playoffs. How'd that work out this year?

Could also be they're building them up because a "core" guy is on his way out.
- John Jaeckel

Consider also that super fans of any sport love to know how their teams prospects are doing - and that late may is a deadzone for news.... Unless you want to read more articles about Hawks scoring their first goal.

Not necessary to find an angle.

And the story changes....

Allan Walsh ‏@walsha
Vokoun not going to KHL, open to all NHL possibilites - Washington Times http://m.washingtontimes....-open-all-nhl-possibilit/

Still wouldn't touch him....Lotsa of hard miles.

Only three players I would even consider from the Habs - Subban, Price, and Moen.

Pleks is too expensive.
- Return of the Roar

I'd take Pacioretti...big strong and fast winger!!!

I'd take Pacioretti...big strong and fast winger!!!
- nelli312

I'd love to see Pacioretty here too. I'd think he's also on that "untouchable" list along with Price and Subban.

Now that Dudley is also in Mtl, does my hunch of Crawford and Gilbert going back home make any more sense?

Lots of ifs, and no holes filled.

If you are really counting on Stalberg, Bickell (how many more years do we wait for him to realize his potential?) and Shaw to be big pieces of your top six you are building your team's foundation on sand.

Only way Kane scores more is if he plays wing with Toews and they add muscle on that line.

If Sharp can score 30+ without a competent center I think his upside is much higher than depending upon rookies to the scoring. I think Jesus Christ himself could center for any of those kids, but you still will find that they ultimately need wingers who can finish.

Stalberg needs to be able to score some of his "20" in the playoffs. How'd that work out this year?
- Return of the Roar

Roar it's positive friday.

Please.

Yeah, i know something about prospects. I actually get paid to cover them.

And I know that 3 out of 4 don't even make the NHL. And of those that do, very few become stars. Let it go.

You tell me one of those guys who is going to be another Datsyuk, Zetterberg or Franzen. You can't.

I deal with Hawk fans on here every day trying to elevate Brandon Saad to the Hall of Fame. I tell them the same thing. He probably had better numbers this year than ALL of your great prospects. Take your smack talk somewhere else.

if you want to hang on to the dream of the current (or nearly bygone ) era in Detroit. That's fine. provide some proof. I know Pavel, Henrik, Johan and both Niks birthdates.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ! Live up here in the Detroit area and have tried to make this point with my Father in law (huge Wings fan). I don't know about all their prospects in the minors (not familiar) but some of the guys who have come up this year: Nyquist, Mursak, Smith, and the last few years :Kindl, Erricsson, Abdelkader, Helm, Miller.

Not sold on Nyquist being this incredible offensive talent either.

Some of them are nice role players in Babcock's system (Helm, Abdelkader) but I don't see one guy currently on the team ready to step into the skates of any of their aging core players. Then the guys who developed nicely to fit on on their top 2 lines Filpula and Hudler are nice complement but probably not core players. Maybe Filpula as it looks like the Wings are prepared to let Hudler walk. Filpula while not old isn't really young either as he's 28; so even their younger players being touted that are decent aren't 20-23 yr olds.

Like you've mentioned they have depth in the minors and not necessarily star caliber players. I keep telling my Father in law and my wife (also a Wings fan) that the Wings are getting old and possibly coming up on some lean years in terms of success.

I hope to be right one year soon.

I'd love to see Pacioretty here too. I'd think he's also on that "untouchable" list along with Price and Subban.
- EKolb13

I expect he is...but I thought I'd mention him as a player I'd like to see wearing a Hawks sweater. I've followed his progress since his days at Michigan and the USNTDP...

At the UC we pay $8.50 for ONE lousy "beer". I think they call it Miller Genuine Draft or Budweiser.
- Return of the Roar

$9.40 the last time I was in Montreal. Two seasons ago.

But you can get Molson Dry.. One of my favorites "big" Canadian beers.

$9.40 the last time I was in Montreal. Two seasons ago.

But you can get Molson Dry.. One of my favorites "big" Canadian beers.
- pri$ey

Stick me in a corner with a case of Labatt blue and Im set!

http://thehockeywriters.c...012-summer-goalie-market/

Tim Thomas, Boston – 35-19-1, 2.36 GAA, .920 Save % Prediction: will be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Ray Emery, Dave Bolland and Kyle Beach

Thoughts? Seemed a little steep for Timmy to me.

Now that Dudley is also in Mtl, does my hunch of Crawford and Gilbert going back home make any more sense?
- powerenforcer

No more, no less

http://thehockeywriters.com/the-2012-summer-goalie-market/



Thoughts? Seemed a little steep for Timmy to me.
- Double_A

Fred is a good guy...But like I said earlier $5 million goal keepers aren't in the Bowman's DNA.

No more, no less
- John Jaeckel

Agree...

Also Bergevin and Dudley have a lot of work to do......

The Habs will be part of many trade rumors this summer.