I don't know about you guys, but having the Sedin bros or the Staal Bros pales in comparison to the Hawks organIzation cornering the market on the Brookbanks.

This truly has become the summer of our discontent.

I guess I was not clear, my point was not to debate the value of Parise vs. Semin, but that we were willing to sign another winger when we still haven't addressed our glaring hole at C
- Sundevil

Seldom is there a perfect scenario these days whereby you can identify true top six forwards at every position.

If Kane stays at center Parise would have given the Hawks an elite top group of forwards.

Hawks won the Cup with Sharp at center and many would say he he isn't a true top six center.

But all the pieces have to make sense and be on the same page.

@AlCimaglia

I don't disagree with you, but the solution is not simple. I'm sure Bowman realizes that we could use a #2 center, but do you want to trade Kane for Plekanec?! Then you fill one hole and create another. Sure, you can see our D depth is weak, but he signed Oduya for a good contract and there's very few defenseman that will actually make a difference. Again, Bowman should trade for another top 4 defense, but what does he need to give up? A prospect isn't going to get you much.

I really only see two teams in the entire league that have made significant improvements thus far: Minnesota and Carolina. I would say LA also gets a plus for just being able to retain their players at reasonable cap hits, like Stoll. Otherwise, every other team in the league is the same or worse.

Making trades work in a video game is great, but in real life teams don't give up good players for crap players.

I enjoy reading JJ's blogs, but its a rumor blog not a fact blog. When JJ says he is hearing from a source that maybe something is happening, it doesn't mean its true. The latest of "Bowman has had lots of trade discussions but is too tentative to pull the trigger" doesn't mean anything. We have NO information. Does that mean, teams are offering lots of picks and prospects for Toews and Bowman won't do it thus making him tentative?!

Maybe Columbus asked for Kane, Keith, and Hammer for Nash?? We have no idea. So how can you female dog about Bowman not making a trade when you don't even know what the trade is. I guarantee you that if and when Bowman makes a trade, the same people who are female doging now, will be female doging about the trade, no matter what it is.
- coldsteelonice

Bravo, I couldn't have said this any better. Maybe all the trades that have been offered so far are completely one sided (not like any team REALLY wants to help a contender get that much closer to the title). Not selling the team on free agents? Who knows what really goes into how these people make decisions. Unless there is just egregious dysfunction in the organization (which I don't believe there is), then Chicago sells itself, and either you want to come here or don't....and if you don't, frank you and we'll move on. I'm not willing to throw SB under the bus yet when there's a lot of time left to improve the team....which can even be during the season too. Way too much negativity on these boards lately imo.

Totally agree. Hockey isn't baseball. To me Sharp passes the eye test and the stats test as a good two way player.
- rollpards19

See an eye doctor stat.

Ahh...I needed that. Glad to see you are still around....Is your boy Leddy going to allow us to trade Keith at some point?
- SteveRain

Thanks. A little levity definitely helps.

Good question about my boy Nick. Was sad to see his name come up in trade talk but at the same time, I can understand it when you have Stanley acquiring guys like Montador (and even Oduya -- he of the pizza servings). There's not a lot of value that we have that someone else would want, especially at his cap hit, the fact he will be only an RFA after next season and . . . his set of skills.

I suppose we're going to have to wait a while to see what Nick has done over the summer. Did he put on any lbs/muscle? Work on his boardwork in his own zone? Without a doubt, he is the most talented skater on the club and that gift alone has allowed him to make up for errors in judgment.

Will he take the next step?
Will he (as Al C has stated so many times before) be turned loose? Given his point production even with the shackles on him, he did well. Really well as far as point production. But he's had little to no help in his development with decision making. You can see it. Indecisive. Does he "go" or not? Take a chance or not?

Once again, this is all on Stanley. Instead of resigning Oduya, he would have been much smarter to use those $$$ and have paired Leddy with a good, solid stay-at-home physical D. And there were options out there. But Stanley can't seem to sell the deal or he's listening to too many voices in his head. If this indecisiveness is due to his Pappy, well we all know Scotty was a dog-sh!t GM (great coach, horrible GM wherever he went).

As many have said, each pairing should have a solid stay-at-home with solid skating skills paired with a puck-moving D. Personally, I think Leddy is a far more solid defender than Oduya but like Hjalmarsson, you aren't going to bury those $$$ on the 3rd pair for very long.

See an eye doctor stat.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hi Ogie!

Ask Ogie, that's his pet project.
- EKolb13

I'm in Denver as we speak trying to hammer out a deal

Hi Ogie!
- EKolb13

Good afternoon

When the Bruins won the Cup they had the one of the worse Corsi' ratings in the NHL...
- Al

Al, you keep saying that but I don't know where you get that data. Boston was pretty much a middle of the road team during the Cup year.

http://www.nhl.com/index....ents/team_corsi_ratings1/

(no idea why but you need to replace nhl with kuklas-korner without the minus)

And they weren't really a negative team during the playoffs

http://www.behindthenet.c...2+33+34+17+20+5+4+6+7+0+3

I mean, the third line was by no means "Bollandesque" but the rest of the team was positive.

And as the first link states, TT had a lot to do with Boston winning that year.

http://www.behindthenet.c...11/team_data3.php?sort=20

Thanks. A little levity definitely helps.

Good question about my boy Nick. Was sad to see his name come up in trade talk but at the same time, I can understand it when you have Stanley acquiring guys like Montador (and even Oduya -- he of the pizza servings). There's not a lot of value that we have that someone else would want, especially at his cap hit, the fact he will be only an RFA after next season and . . . his set of skills.

I suppose we're going to have to wait a while to see what Nick has done over the summer. Did he put on any lbs/muscle? Work on his boardwork in his own zone? Without a doubt, he is the most talented skater on the club and that gift alone has allowed him to make up for errors in judgment.

Will he take the next step?
Will he (as Al C has stated so many times before) be turned loose? Given his point production even with the shackles on him, he did well. Really well as far as point production. But he's had little to no help in his development with decision making. You can see it. Indecisive. Does he "go" or not? Take a chance or not?

Once again, this is all on Stanley. Instead of resigning Oduya, he would have been much smarter to use those $$$ and have paired Leddy with a good, solid stay-at-home physical D. And there were options out there. But Stanley can't seem to sell the deal or he's listening to too many voices in his head. If this indecisiveness is due to his Pappy, well we all know Scotty was a dog-sh!t GM (great coach, horrible GM wherever he went).

As many have said, each pairing should have a solid stay-at-home with solid skating skills paired with a puck-moving D. Personally, I think Leddy is a far more solid defender than Oduya but like Hjalmarsson, you aren't going to bury those $$$ on the 3rd pair for very long.
- savvyone-1

Yep and just because a guy won a norris doesn't mean he should be on the PP. Nobody fires more shots high/wide OR into shin pads like Mr. Keith. Funny how people rip Hammer for the back door tap ins, but Keith is just as guilty.

Huge year for Keith IMO. He really needs to step up, because I dont know how anyone argues that Seabrook has been their best d man since the ticker-tape parade.

Leddy needs to get PP time....I also agree on Oduya...I don't think 2 organizations missed the boat on this guy. Whatever good he showed at the end of the regular season, was quickly given back...I still can see Doan picking his pocket non stop in the playoffs.

I disagree with this. Bowman resigned them before they won the cup, Toews won the Conn Smythe, Kane scored the cup clinching goal, and Keith won a Norris trophy. How much do you think they all would have gotten had he waited for the offseason?? He DOES deserve credit for that. Another thing that he deserves credit for was trading Barker that season too. Not for the return (which was Leddy), but because Barker was another player Tallon overpaid and was still under contract. It would have made it even harder if Barker was still on the team too heading into 2010-2011.
- coldsteelonice

Waiting until after winning the Cup - wouldn't have had to pay more than $6.3MM for Toews/Kane, wouldn't have had to go any more years for Keith.

But assume you're correct: a no-brainer to sign them, and easier done early because they would have been looking for security. PLUS they got market value, not a Hawk discount.

I don't give him credit for doing the easy and the obvious.

perhaps he becomes a force in Q's system?
- imgross.org

Q has a system?

See an eye doctor stat.
- Ogilthorpe2

I concur. Sharp is very similar to another #10, Tony Amonte.

Leddy needs to get PP time....I also agree on Oduya...I don't think 2 organizations missed the boat on this guy. Whatever good he showed at the end of the regular season, was quickly given back...I still can see Doan picking his pocket non stop in the playoffs.
- SteveRain

Yes, for all of his shortcomings, if Leddy had some solid coaching on which to rely and encouragement from the staff -- along with the RIGHT PARTNER -- I happen to believe he would already have made much further progress.

You know I have said this before -- my belief is Q might be a very good coach -- in the right set of circumstances. Many have said a monkey could have won with the team we had in 2010. I partially believe that -- although I do think in many cases, the club won in SPITE of Q. I honestly do not believe Q is the right guy to develop young talent -- and in the most severe cases, his "style" can put a real damper on a young player's development. There is NO WAY Toews and Kane flourish during their 1st few years under Q. Savvy might not have been a great "bench" coach but I do know he was instrumental in getting both of those guys to use their talents to the max. Q OTOH, is more of a control-freak, reign in the horses kind of guy. So the young talent we have today (I believe) would be much further along in their development with someone other than Q behind the bench.

All one has to do is look at the regression of Frolik -- or the yo-yoing of one Troy Brouwer. I don't think we need any more examples.

I have been and will be on the "Q's tick-tock" has expired bandwagon.

Ogie????

Do they even make Kool-Aid anymore and why Kool-Aid I always hated the crap especially as an adult. It was make more sense if you said drinking the Coke or even better drinking the ice cold Scotch and Water.
- mvp0207

Really?

"Drinking the Kool-Aid" is a metaphor commonly used in the United States and Canada that refers to a person or group's unquestioning belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination. The phrase typically carries a negative connotation when applied to an individual or group. The basis of the term is a reference to the November 1978 Rev. Jim Jones Jonestown Massacre, where members of the Peoples Temple were said to have committed suicide by drinking Kool-Aid drink laced with cyanide.

Yep and just because a guy won a norris doesn't mean he should be on the PP. Nobody fires more shots high/wide OR into shin pads like Mr. Keith. Funny how people rip Hammer for the back door tap ins, but Keith is just as guilty.

Huge year for Keith IMO. He really needs to step up, because I dont know how anyone argues that Seabrook has been their best d man since the ticker-tape parade.

Leddy needs to get PP time....I also agree on Oduya...I don't think 2 organizations missed the boat on this guy. Whatever good he showed at the end of the regular season, was quickly given back...I still can see Doan picking his pocket non stop in the playoffs.
- SteveRain

You and I don't always (hardly ever ) agree on most things...but this is where we see 100%, eye to eye. Spot on Rainman.

Yes, for all of his shortcomings, if Leddy had some solid coaching on which to rely and encouragement from the staff -- along with the RIGHT PARTNER -- I happen to believe he would already have made much further progress.

You know I have said this before -- my belief is Q might be a very good coach -- in the right set of circumstances. Many have said a monkey could have won with the team we had in 2010. I partially believe that -- although I do think in many cases, the club won in SPITE of Q. I honestly do not believe Q is the right guy to develop young talent -- and in the most severe cases, his "style" can put a real damper on a young player's development. There is NO WAY Toews and Kane flourish during their 1st few years under Q. Savvy might not have been a great "bench" coach but I do know he was instrumental in getting both of those guys to use their talents to the max. Q OTOH, is more of a control-freak, reign in the horses kind of guy. So the young talent we have today (I believe) would be much further along in their development with someone other than Q behind the bench.

All one has to do is look at the regression of Frolik -- or the yo-yoing of one Troy Brouwer. I don't think we need any more examples.

I have been and will be on the "Q's tick-tock" has expired bandwagon.

Ogie????
- savvyone-1

Well said. Good show ole boy

Q- 00:00:00:00

Yes, for all of his shortcomings, if Leddy had some solid coaching on which to rely and encouragement from the staff -- along with the RIGHT PARTNER -- I happen to believe he would already have made much further progress.

You know I have said this before -- my belief is Q might be a very good coach -- in the right set of circumstances. Many have said a monkey could have won with the team we had in 2010. I partially believe that -- although I do think in many cases, the club won in SPITE of Q. I honestly do not believe Q is the right guy to develop young talent -- and in the most severe cases, his "style" can put a real damper on a young player's development. There is NO WAY Toews and Kane flourish during their 1st few years under Q. Savvy might not have been a great "bench" coach but I do know he was instrumental in getting both of those guys to use their talents to the max. Q OTOH, is more of a control-freak, reign in the horses kind of guy. So the young talent we have today (I believe) would be much further along in their development with someone other than Q behind the bench.

All one has to do is look at the regression of Frolik -- or the yo-yoing of one Troy Brouwer. I don't think we need any more examples.

I have been and will be on the "Q's tick-tock" has expired bandwagon.

Ogie????
- savvyone-1

I'm coming around to this thought process on Q. Before, I thought he was a good coach. However, you can't deny the regression of young players, or his weird rules of certain guys get benched for being stupid, yet stars get a free pass?

I also will add...He hasn't had a lot to work with in terms of roster lately. NOw, the core argument is one thing, but then again..some of these idiot veterans..Brunette...were his guys.

Lets just say I wouldn't throw a fit if they let him go.

You and I don't always (hardly ever ) agree on most things...but this is where we see 100%, eye to eye. Spot on Rainman.
- Ogilthorpe2

It's a banner day....I also think they need to pop Bolland in between Hossa and Kane, and pusue a guy like Arnott for 4th line duties, with Kruger centering a 3rd line....

I also think Saad will be placed in the top 6. I think that spot is HIS to LOSE come training camp. I don't agree with it, but they are pumping Saad's tires a LOT.

Vlasic just re-upped with San Jose. 5 years, $4.2 million per.

Wolski signed with Washington. 1 year, $600,000.

He does fly the zone when it is one of the rare times he ends up in his own end. If that is instruction or personal preference I have no idea but in no way shape or form does he play like a legitimate 3 zone player should.

The guy is paid to basically be the teams Ovi, skate up the ice real fast and rip shots. It also happens that he can kill penalties and has a propensity to score short handed goals. It also explains why his +/- is inflated so high.

Hossa and Toews are realistically the only complete 3 zone players they have or at a minimum the only ones that are deployed that way. Bolland maybe could be but starting only 32.5% in the offensive zone doesn't do anything to help his cause. If anything that makes his offensive numbers a bit more justifiable.
- fattybeef

Here is a league wide study that demonstrates your point on how Sharp was used last year.

https://sites.google.com/...011-12.pdf?attredirects=1

Here was a five year study that shows it has been that way since Q took over.

http://www.secondcityhock...res-and-sheltered-players

Doan waiting another week - one question: does the whole world (or at least the part of it that matters) continue to be shut down - and, ultimately (in the case of the Hawks) have a really good chance of being shut out?

One comment: Che really doesn't want to leave the desert.

Doan waiting another week - one question: does the whole world (or at least the part of it that matters) continue to be shut down - and, ultimately (in the case of the Hawks) have a really good chance of being shut out?

One comment: Che really doesn't want to leave the desert.
- StLBravesFan

I thought everything hinged on Dwight Howard?

I thought everything hinged on Dwight Howard?
- EKolb13

He's still with Orlando - possibly picking their next coach. If he stays, may have no more player movement in the NHL this summer.

Doan waiting another week - one question: does the whole world (or at least the part of it that matters) continue to be shut down - and, ultimately (in the case of the Hawks) have a really good chance of being shut out?

One comment: Che really doesn't want to leave the desert.
- StLBravesFan

I really don't care about Che in the desert - he died in Bolivia's, wasn't it?

SHOULD BE HE (Doan)....