If that is the case, Blowman missed out on 2 guys he could have acquired for a lot cheaper i.e., Halpern and McClement.
- Dannyboy

Don't get me started on McClement... he was perfect for that roll and signed a very reasonable salary.

I was surprised the Avs let him go but I think he wanted to be closer to home (isn't that the theme these days) which is Kingston, Ontario a few hours outside of Toronto, thus why the Leafs I think had the inside track on signing him.

Of course Toews will still play on the PK, but they need another strong faceoff guy who can play the PK and Halpern fits the bill.
- Dannyboy

Can we find out where Yanic Perreault is these days?

I'm not sold on Doan coming here as I think he'll stay in PHX. Someone said it earlier but I'm on board with signing Jason Arnott to a short term deal to be our 2C. Then you have a top 6 of Hossa, Sharp, Arnott, Toews, Kane and I'm going to say Brandon Saad because I think he makes the club and will be on the top 6.

I also agree that this team has a boatload of 3rd to 4th line guys and I don't see the use in picking anymore up.

One thing to keep in mind with UFA's is that they know who is on the current team..

With all the players in the mix for 4th line minutes, I can understand why 3/4 line UFA's wont sign here right now.

Frolik, Bickell, Bolland, Kruger, Shaw, Mayers, Carcillo, Hayes, Bollig.. Hell, maybe even Olesz

Will all battle for 3/4 line minutes. As a UFA, why would you want to sign with the Hawks knowing this?

I'd rather sign with a team where I know what my role will be from the get-go.

I agree 100% with what most are saying about certain UFA's fitting certain roles on this team but I also see why guys don't sign here for those lines.

But until this team is cleaned up and trimmed of excess baggage.. This is what you have.

So the question becomes are they going "all in" on Shane Doan? Is there a contigency plan if Bowman misses on yet another UFA like Broduer, Suter, Parise, and whatever other ones he had interest in that hasn't been let out?

I agree with Pri$ey...The top 6 needs help in a big way. You can't roll out Toews-Sharp-Stalberg, and Kane-Hossa-Carcillo and expect big things. You are still relying upon 4 guys to carry you offensively. 1 of which, Kane, is/has been regressing since they won the cup.

Fact is we are approaching 1 week when they roll out the red carpet, and pat themselves on the back...Meanwhile, every major media publication has the hawks as LOSERS so far this offseason, and I can't blame them.

If in fact Bowman is feeling major pressure from above, per Chris Kuc, to add to this roster, then what happens when we as fans are treated to the same team that was inconsistent, small, and bowed out of the playoffs for the 2nd straight year in round 1? Does Bowman get fired?

I'm beginning to think, the egos and cockiness from the management team on west Madison is the driving force behind this steep decline.

Look out...Minnesota and Colorado are both VASTLY improved. The Hawks are NOT a lock for the playoffs by any means, and maybe a pure miss and major lost playoff revenue is what Wirtz needs to finally wake up and make the necessary changes to senior management team that keeps pointing to a cup win that 75% of them had VERY LITTLE to do with...

But until this team is cleaned up and trimmed of excess baggage
- pri$ey

I've been saying it for a while now - and this is just another reason why Chicago is no longer a preferred "destination" for talent.

They still don't have Havi's position filled yet....

I've been saying it for a while now - and this is just another reason why Chicago is no longer a preferred "destination" for talent.

They still don't have Havi's position filled yet....
- Return of the Roar

That's not abnormal..

And you've been saying it for a while now? since when? All the old vets wanted to come to Chicago last year, or just the last few months?

Maybe I'm just not as pessimistic as you are lol

One thing to keep in mind with UFA's is that they know who is on the current team..

With all the players in the mix for 4th line minutes, I can understand why 3/4 line UFA's wont sign here right now.

Frolik, Bickell, Bolland, Kruger, Shaw, Mayers, Carcillo, Hayes, Bollig.. Hell, maybe even Olesz

Will all battle for 3/4 line minutes. As a UFA, why would you want to sign with the Hawks knowing this?

I'd rather sign with a team where I know what my role will be from the get-go.

I agree 100% with what most are saying about certain UFA's fitting certain roles on this team but I also see why guys don't sign here for those lines.

But until this team is cleaned up and trimmed of excess baggage.. This is what you have.
- pri$ey

Agreed...but honestly...

Frolik is damn near untradeable unless a team below the floor takes a flyer on a guy who has bottomed out. Same with Olesz. They won't trade Bickell because he is CHEAP. Shaw is the new flavor of the summer, like the immortal Ben Smith of last year...Bolig appeases all the idiots screaming "FIGHT" non stop n the section I sit in...

You don't know what you have in Kruger..Is he a legit top 6 or is he destined for the 3rd line? Same with Bolland....

Hayes...shows up occasionally, but I think they over estimated him sliding into a Troy Brouwer role badly....Carcillo...well....has he learned his lesson? Or is he going to be the same idiot taking bad penalties, and getting suspended because of he WHO he IS?

At this point...I am ready for them to sign a PROVEN bottom line center, put Kruger in the 3rd slot, move Jesus, I mean Bolland up to 2c, and finally see IF he can play with talent.

Until then, I don't want to hear about the next BIG prospect, because junior, college, OHL, Russian, Sweedish elite stats mean jack $hit. Prove it in the NHL, and prove it for more then 20 games before this fan base is ready to hang you next to Mikita and Hull in the rafters.

Hjalmarsson, Kruger, Crawford to Dallas for Lehtonen and Fistric?
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes, absolutely!

I'm not sold on Doan coming here as I think he'll stay in PHX. Someone said it earlier but I'm on board with signing Jason Arnott to a short term deal to be our 2C. Then you have a top 6 of Hossa, Sharp, Arnott, Toews, Kane and I'm going to say Brandon Saad because I think he makes the club and will be on the top 6.

I also agree that this team has a boatload of 3rd to 4th line guys and I don't see the use in picking anymore up.
- dan9189

I guess Doan staying in Phoenix depends on how things shake out with the organization/city/Goldwater Institute. I think there is more of a risk of him leaving than ever before.

If Doan leaves Phoenix, word is he wants to stay in the Western Conference. I can't see Vancouver being in on Doan, unless they are willing to either spend over the cap, or move "he who should not be named" first. I would think doing the former would further weaken Gillis' position to trade "he who should not be named" even more than it already is. If teams are smart, they shouldn't be looking to help Vancouver by trading for "he who should not be named" until Doan has signed.

I guess if the Hawks loose out on Doan, I could live with Arnott or Lagenbrunner being short term stop gaps who could fill a top 9 role.

So the question becomes are they going "all in" on Shane Doan? Is there a contigency plan if Bowman misses on yet another UFA like Broduer, Suter, Parise, and whatever other ones he had interest in that hasn't been let out?

I agree with Pri$ey...The top 6 needs help in a big way. You can't roll out Toews-Sharp-Stalberg, and Kane-Hossa-Carcillo and expect big things. You are still relying upon 4 guys to carry you offensively. 1 of which, Kane, is/has been regressing since they won the cup.

Fact is we are approaching 1 week when they roll out the red carpet, and pat themselves on the back...Meanwhile, every major media publication has the hawks as LOSERS so far this offseason, and I can't blame them.

If in fact Bowman is feeling major pressure from above, per Chris Kuc, to add to this roster, then what happens when we as fans are treated to the same team that was inconsistent, small, and bowed out of the playoffs for the 2nd straight year in round 1? Does Bowman get fired?

I'm beginning to think, the egos and cockiness from the management team on west Madison is the driving force behind this steep decline.

Look out...Minnesota and Colorado are both VASTLY improved. The Hawks are NOT a lock for the playoffs by any means, and maybe a pure miss and major lost playoff revenue is what Wirtz needs to finally wake up and make the necessary changes to senior management team that keeps pointing to a cup win that 75% of them had VERY LITTLE to do with...
- SteveRain

The one line from any article I've read all summer that actually made me think was from an article Jahns wrote with a quote from McD.. "Stan knows what's on the line here"

That was a surprising quote and maybe I'm just reading into it to much but it seems like there is a lot of pressure being put on the management team.

It was also the only thing I've read that made me that they are trying to make bigger changes.

Agreed...but honestly...

Frolik is damn near untradeable unless a team below the floor takes a flyer on a guy who has bottomed out. Same with Olesz. They won't trade Bickell because he is CHEAP. Shaw is the new flavor of the summer, like the immortal Ben Smith of last year...Bolig appeases all the idiots screaming "FIGHT" non stop n the section I sit in...

You don't know what you have in Kruger..Is he a legit top 6 or is he destined for the 3rd line? Same with Bolland....

Hayes...shows up occasionally, but I think they over estimated him sliding into a Troy Brouwer role badly....Carcillo...well....has he learned his lesson? Or is he going to be the same idiot taking bad penalties, and getting suspended because of he WHO he IS?

At this point...I am ready for them to sign a PROVEN bottom line center, put Kruger in the 3rd slot, move Jesus, I mean Bolland up to 2c, and finally see IF he can play with talent.

Until then, I don't want to hear about the next BIG prospect, because junior, college, OHL, Russian, Sweedish elite stats mean jack $hit. Prove it in the NHL, and prove it for more then 20 games before this fan base is ready to hang you next to Mikita and Hull in the rafters.
- SteveRain

I'm with you.

Hayes has the sense and hands to be a Brower type player but everything depends on his skating.

As we've seen with every possible power forward thats come through here in the last 4 years, they aren't always consistent.

The one line from any article I've read all summer that actually made me think was from an article Jahns wrote with a quote from McD.. "Stan knows what's on the line here"

That was a surprising quote and maybe I'm just reading into it to much but it seems like there is a lot of pressure being put on the management team.

It was also the only thing I've read that made me that they are trying to make bigger changes.
- pri$ey

Thats what I figured, remember we were hearing how Q was going to quit but then didnt because he was promised a better roster ? Its still not better.

Remember how we were hearing that W.Rockwell was so steamed by 2 first round exits that everyones job was on the line ? Still no roster improvements.

I guess the main reason for frustration is that we're all just waiting. There is still a lot of summer left to improve the team just kinda tired of waiting.

I'm with you.

Hayes has the sense and hands to be a Brower type player but everything depends on his skating.

As we've seen with every possible power forward thats come through here in the last 4 years, they aren't always consistent.
- pri$ey

There is also a lack of willingness to play a physical game as well.

That's not abnormal..

And you've been saying it for a while now? since when? All the old vets wanted to come to Chicago last year, or just the last few months?

Maybe I'm just not as pessimistic as you are lol
- pri$ey

Think about this...what do we KNOW or are SURE as SURE can be for this upcoming year regarding this team? I dno't care about the other teams, I care about this one...

-Toews--only concern I have is his head
-Hossa--will he be gun shy? Is he 100% When does father time kick in?
-Kane--He's regressed BADLY since the cup. When will he EVER hit the god given potential he has? 80+ pts for him SHOULD be a LOCK every year
-Sharp--Like Toews, not much concern here
-Bolland--are you a top 6 or 3rd line player? can you show up for a regular season? Back health
-Stalberg--does he run with the success he had or does he regress? Still borderlnie stupid without the puck
-Carcillo--has he LEARNED his lesson? Most guys take a 1+ years to come back from ACLs
-Bickell--Can you become the power forward you should be? Contract year...
-Shaw--are you for real or are you Ben Smith?
-Kruger--Will you improve or is your ceiling Sammy Pahlsson?
-Frolik---can't get any worse then last year, can it?
-Bolig---He should become a smarter Ben Eager/
-Jamal Mayers--they need to find a way to keep him fresh so come playoff time he's useful
-Keith--Why can you show up for the worlds, and not the Hawks? LIke Kane...has regressed BADLY
-Seabrook--my 3rd safe bet behind Toews, Sharp. Best D man on the Hawks
-Hammer--He'll be missed if he's dealt. Mark it down. Steady
-Oduya--Are you the guy the last 20+ games who played well, OR the pile of crap that imploded in teh playoffs and made NJ+Atl/Wpg look smart for dealing you?
-Montador--By far the worst contract on this team.
-Brookbank--what can we REALLy expect out him?
-Olsen--see brookbank.
-Leddy--are you a top 4 or bottom pair player?
-Emery--looks very bad and very slow going side to side. How healthy are you?
-Crawford--Forget physical...You showed an inability to overcome bad goals all of last year. If you start off slow, do fans get on you? Do you lose whatever confidence is left?

Thats what I figured, remember we were hearing how Q was going to quit but then didnt because he was promised a better roster ? Its still not better.

Remember how we were hearing that W.Rockwell was so steamed by 2 first round exits that everyones job was on the line ? Still no roster improvements.

I guess the main reason for frustration is that we're all just waiting. There is still a lot of summer left to improve the team just kinda tired of waiting.
- mrpaulish

This could be the result of too many people trying to make decisions. Every one of them trying to go a different direction, and no one being able to come to some sort of a consensus.

There is also a lack of willingness to play a physical game as well.
- EKolb13

I don't know... he mashed Rozsival pretty good from behind in their last game of the year. haha.

He picked a hell of a time to get physical.

There is also a lack of willingness to play a physical game as well.
- EKolb13

Well that can be said for every Hawk forward and most dmen..

I also think it's an issue tied into is skating.. If that got better, I think we'd see him be more physical.

I don't know... he mashed Rozsival pretty good from behind in their last game of the year. haha.

He picked a hell of a time to get physical.
- TyCamScore

That's about the only time I recall him playing physically.

He sure didn't show much grit in his game when he was in Rockford, I can tell you that.

Please tell me you aren't serious....
- CaptainBlackhawk

Super serious 5.9 = score goals in playoffs when net is open

Well that can be said for every Hawk forward and most dmen..

I also think it's an issue tied into is skating.. If that got better, I think we'd see him be more physical.
- pri$ey

That could be a part of the problem. He never really showed any grit in his game in Rockford. A big body like Hayes should be out there doing a hell of a lot more banging.

I guess Doan staying in Phoenix depends on how things shake out with the organization/city/Goldwater Institute. I think there is more of a risk of him leaving than ever before.

If Doan leaves Phoenix, word is he wants to stay in the Western Conference. I can't see Vancouver being in on Doan, unless they are willing to either spend over the cap, or move "he who should not be named" first. I would think doing the former would further weaken Gillis' position to trade "he who should not be named" even more than it already is. If teams are smart, they shouldn't be looking to help Vancouver by trading for "he who should not be named" until Doan has signed.

I guess if the Hawks loose out on Doan, I could live with Arnott or Lagenbrunner being short term stop gaps who could fill a top 9 role.
- EKolb13

Doubtful that he goes to the 'hawks, IMO, and here's why. He lives off-season right here in Kamloops, his wife is from here, he runs a charity golf tourney and he also is part owner of the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. You should see the size of the house he is building here. Massive. He has a summer home at a nearby lake.

What does all that have to do with where he signs. Well, Tom Gaglardi, new owner of the Stars also has a share in ownership of the WHL Blazers. It is also fairly evident that Doan will retire to this city when he's done playing, and he could sign with any of the Canucks, Oilers or Flames in which case he would be no more than an hour (as the crow flies) from home. He wants to win, so the Canucks would seem like the obvious choice. Failing that he may sign with Gaglardi's Stars. If I were betting, a)he stays in Phoenix or b) signs with the Canucks, c) with the Stars a possible 3rd destination.

Thats what I figured, remember we were hearing how Q was going to quit but then didnt because he was promised a better roster ? Its still not better.

Remember how we were hearing that W.Rockwell was so steamed by 2 first round exits that everyones job was on the line ? Still no roster improvements.

I guess the main reason for frustration is that we're all just waiting. There is still a lot of summer left to improve the team just kinda tired of waiting.
- mrpaulish

Here's the other thing that maybe you and Pri$ey may agree with...I don't think Stan has the connections with the agents, the ability to understand the marketplace, and the respect of his peers. He thought he was IN on Parise and Suter til the very end, where both players admitted the Hawks weren't finalists. He was played to drive up the cost to those finalists. Just like Brodeur did with him to get NJ to give him what he wanted. Meanwhile, quality UFAs 1 by 1 were signed, or valuable trading assets were gone as he sat by his phone waiting for a call that was NEVER going to happen.

Think about it....what do they REALLY lose if they fire Stan? Nothing IMO. Scotty goes, but ask any Sabre fan about Bowman as a GM back in those days...Scotty is here for 1 reason and 1 reason only...to the be the security blanket for his son. Without him in the picture, I don't see how ANYONE rationalizes keeping Stan as GM.

Hossa, Madden...THE two key additions were signed by Tallon. Why did they keep Tallon around through the heart of free agency IF he was the sole culprit to the RFA fiasco? That happened at the end of June.....Tallon wasn't fired until mid July...Stan dumps a soon to be RFA in Barker for Kim Johnnson who god knows where ended up and a prospect in Leddy.

Since then...what have they added? Not a helluva lot, and I find it very odd that an organization so tight lipped, so secretive, so trying to be the NHL James Bond, leaks out to the press during negioations that they are IN on Brodeur, IN on Suter, and IN on Parise...That sounds like sometbody who is trying to appease his fans, and bosses that he is trying hard to do the job. Or cover his butt if/when he missed.

But in the end..results matter...and the past 2 years have been horrible. What sealed it for me was him claiming that he thinks with the same roster of a team that had 101 pts can be better....That is a pure conflict right there between Stan thinking he has the pieces already IN place and Quenneville telling him and whoever else that they don't.

There is also a lack of willingness to play a physical game as well.
- EKolb13

Aside from destroying people in the playoffs and boarding the hell out of Rozsival

Thats what I figured, remember we were hearing how Q was going to quit but then didnt because he was promised a better roster ? Its still not better.

Remember how we were hearing that W.Rockwell was so steamed by 2 first round exits that everyone's job was on the line ? Still no roster improvements.

I guess the main reason for frustration is that we're all just waiting. There is still a lot of summer left to improve the team just kinda tired of waiting.
- mrpaulish

I'm curious as to where this was actually confirmed by anyone, or who it was attributable to. Certainly the actions to date do not jive as a true response to the marching orders supposedly given from on high.