Very nice player to have at the right price. But if reports are accurate he is asking for a Kesler contract match which would be 6 yrs @ $6.8M per. Won't get it from the Jets.
- RickJ

Hard to see him getting it anywhere. He is not a center. Valuable player but comps put him lower than that. He and Okposo will have a market but not where they expect it if they think $7m range. Lucic too.

So after blitzing the Blackhawks, the Preds fall 3-2 to COL at home.

In the Central, every team is a bubble team, except COL. All, except MIN, have played 30 games.

STL 38
MIN 36
CHI 36
NSH 35
WPG 30

And DAL will come back to the pack, when they start playing the other Central teams. DAL has played only 5 against the Central COL (1), MIN (2), WPG (1), STL (1). None yet against NSH or CHI.

The points lost by the Blackhawks against non-playoff teams, like PHL, are the ones that hurt. Need to start cleaning up against the East and the Pacific.
- scottak

Maybe - they got shut out by STL 3-0 last night...Also agree that they are a good team and likely not going to be an easy out. Could see them making a move onD (if they can find it) at the TDL - then look out.

I dont know what to tell you. Why dont you ask fans of some other teams what they think about a possible 1st round matchup with the Hawks. See what they say. See if they agree that our only chance would be having our goalie stand on his head.
- SimpleJack

Hawks as of right now don't look like a team that's getting past the 2nd round if that.

Sharp? That would be Versteeg.

Ladd did not stand out the other night - maybe injured. Still better defensively than Sharp and younger. The original question was who would add the most to the current roster. After the Olympics Sharp's contributions were borderline - particularly at that salary. I still think Oduya would be the most important as their d group would have actually improved over last year if Daly was rotating at 6 with Rosi or even Rundblad.
- tredbrta

My guess is that if Oduya stayed here, Daley wouldn't have been the return in the Sharp trade. TVR would have been the 5th D, with Rozy and Rundblad rotating at the 6th spot at this point.

My guess is that if Oduya stayed here, Daley wouldn't have been the return in the Sharp trade. TVR would have been the 5th D, with Rozy and Rundblad rotating at the 6th spot at this point.
- 333inthe3rd

Maybe. Maybe that would have left space to add another vet d man? Still deeper than this unit.

How so, he's lost a step?
- Mr Ricochet

yes, seems to have lost a few steps and no longer hits like he used to.

Hawks as of right now don't look like a team that's getting past the 2nd round if that.
- KINGS67

The season's barely a third over so based on what?

Other than the '13 season for the Hawks where they were the best team from start to finish, I'm not sure the Kings and Hawks would have been most people's answer to the other three Cup winners from the last four years.

Hawks as of right now don't look like a team that's getting past the 2nd round if that.
- KINGS67

Possibly... Still plenty of time for the lines/pairings to settle and trades to happen. Do you think any team wants to draw the Hawks in the first round?

The Hawks had no Keith or Hossa and 5 rookies playing back in early November but completely owned the 3rd period on the Kings.

This team isn't out of anything with Toews and that core in tact. You saw it 2 weeks ago when Toews pretty much tied that game on will alone. Almost won it in OT too.

Why do I see empty seats on tv? Don't they fill the house until football is over?
- Mr Ricochet

Quite frankly, I don't know. Compared to your major hockey markets, tickets are VERY reasonable in a nice facility downtown. I suppose it depends on the on the quality of the opponent.

Interesting however is that when the Hawks play there, tickets are scarce and there are more red jerseys than green. Looking forward to the December 22nd game there. The Hawks have five very winnable games prior to this. Hopefully they'll enter this game on a roll.

The season's barely a third over so based on what?

Other than the '13 season for the Hawks where they were the best team from start to finish, I'm not sure the Kings and Hawks would have been most people's answer to the other three Cup winners from the last four years.
- HawkintheD

Envy?

That team has got Dustin Brown until next decade. Talk about cap elephantitus. Bickell vs Brown deals is like comparing a hemmorhoid to rectal cancer.

And then they have the Gaborik deal.... and the cap recapture on Richards. No wonder Lombardi is all in now like Stan.

I think Doughty is up 1 year after Hedman too.

Tikhonov's first game with AZ:
1 assist
+3
over 18 min ice time
50% on faceoffs
Not bad for a waiver pick up. I still don't understand this move by Bowman.
- 67hawks

Makes no sense to me either.

Envy?

That team has got Dustin Brown until next decade. Talk about cap elephantitus. Bickell vs Brown deals is like comparing a hemmorhoid to rectal cancer.

And then they have the Gaborik deal.... and the cap recapture on Richards. No wonder Lombardi is all in now like Stan.

I think Doughty is up 1 year after Hedman too.
- tredbrta

LOL!!!

Don't they still have to pay Kopitar too?

I think the Ladd love by some is a little over the top. Yes, he has a good all around game and the intangibles to be a solid piece for a playoff team - but his offensive game is more 3rd line than 1st line, and that was the case back in 2010 too. Would I like to have Ladd on the Hawks - sure, but let's not make him into something more than he is.

I think the Ladd love by some is a little over the top. Yes, he has a good all around game and the intangibles to be a solid piece for a playoff team - but his offensive game is more 3rd line than 1st line, and that was the case back in 2010 too. Would I like to have Ladd on the Hawks - sure, but let's not make him into something more than he is.
- EbonyRaptor

I don't know about that. After leaving he's scored:

10/11 29G 30A
11/12 28G 22A
12/13 18G 28A (48 game season)
13/14 23G 31A
14/15 24G 38A

I'd take that kind of production from my 1st or 2nd line left wing any day.

What i noticed was how small the hawks goalie looked. Not sure if it's Huet or Crawford, don't think it's Neimi. But anyone who wants to debate about the size of the goalie equipment can show the difference just 5 years makes. To me it looks substantial.
- 6628

Looks like Turco to me.

Sharp? That would be Versteeg.

Ladd did not stand out the other night - maybe injured. Still better defensively than Sharp and younger. The original question was who would add the most to the current roster. After the Olympics Sharp's contributions were borderline - particularly at that salary. I still think Oduya would be the most important as their d group would have actually improved over last year if Daly was rotating at 6 with Rosi or even Rundblad.
- tredbrta

Sharp played with Vermette and TT for most of the playoffs. Until Saad was struggling and Sharp was moved back with Hossa and Toews.

Sharp is better defensively then Ladd.

I don't know about that. After leaving he's scored:

10/11 29G 30A
11/12 28G 22A
12/13 18G 28A (48 game season)
13/14 23G 31A
14/15 24G 38A

I'd take that kind of production from my 1st or 2nd line left wing any day.
- HawkintheD

Those numbers are actually better than I expected. However, upon closer inspection, about 30% of his points came on the PP - would he be getting 1st PP time on the Hawks? I doubt it. Every team has 1st line players getting 1st line minutes but that doesn't mean those players have "1st line" talent.

I could be wrong, but the eye test has always told me he is more of a 3rd liner "skill wise" and he gets those point totals because no one else on the Jets is good enough to push him down to 3rd line.

Those numbers are actually better than I expected. However, upon closer inspection, about 30% of his points came on the PP - would he be getting 1st PP time on the Hawks? I doubt it. Every team has 1st line players getting 1st line minutes but that doesn't mean those players have "1st line" talent.

I could be wrong, but the eye test has always told me he is more of a 3rd liner "skill wise" and he gets those point totals because no one else on the Jets is good enough to push him down to 3rd line.
- EbonyRaptor

There is no doubt Ladd is a damn good player. The question was who do you think would help the team the most right out of a group of layers.

My preference is Sharp. The truth is any of the players would benefit the Hawks. Any of them could take TT spot with Hoss and Toews and leave a 3rd line of something like Shaw, TT and Bickell/Dano.

Those numbers are actually better than I expected. However, upon closer inspection, about 30% of his points came on the PP - would he be getting 1st PP time on the Hawks? I doubt it. Every team has 1st line players getting 1st line minutes but that doesn't mean those players have "1st line" talent.

I could be wrong, but the eye test has always told me he is more of a 3rd liner "skill wise" and he gets those point totals because no one else on the Jets is good enough to push him down to 3rd line.
- EbonyRaptor

I didn't delve that deep...good analysis. I get what your saying. Ladd was a 3rd liner on a loaded team in 2010, but I still wouldn't have had a problem with him lining up on the 1st or 2nd line for any Hawk team since.

That said I'm not advocating parting with TT as part of a package to rent him for half a season.

Those numbers are actually better than I expected. However, upon closer inspection, about 30% of his points came on the PP - would he be getting 1st PP time on the Hawks? I doubt it. Every team has 1st line players getting 1st line minutes but that doesn't mean those players have "1st line" talent.

I could be wrong, but the eye test has always told me he is more of a 3rd liner "skill wise" and he gets those point totals because no one else on the Jets is good enough to push him down to 3rd line.
- EbonyRaptor

I have to think that if he did come back to the Indian Head, Laddie would get his chances on a Hawks' PP that is, at times, difficult to stomach (though lately, looks better).

But the price of attaining him, either as a rental or with a new long term contract (is anyone really considering him finishing his career in Chicago?) seems way out of bounds. Especially considering that sports hernia surgery element.

I am by no means an expert, but I still would rather have JvR on that top LW spot than Laddie or anyone else who costs twice as much. How to not get plundered by Toronto for him is the real question...

I have to think that if he did come back to the Indian Head, Laddie would get his chances on a Hawks' PP that is, at times, difficult to stomach (though lately, looks better).

But the price of attaining him, either as a rental or with a new long term contract (is anyone really considering him finishing his career in Chicago?) seems way out of bounds. Especially considering that sports hernia surgery element.

I am by no means an expert (sound like a GOP politician talking about global warming), but I still would rather have JvR on that top LW spot than Laddie or anyone else who costs twice as much. How to not get plundered by Toronto for him is the real question...
- MTounian

Political commentary is not appreciated and not appropriate for this website.

Political commentary is not appreciated and not appropriate for this website.
- EbonyRaptor

Was purely meant as a joke and not commentary, but removed. Sorry.

Doesn't matter if the Wild catch them - they would have the 2nd Wild Card in 5th place as long as they beat Winipeg (+6) and Arizona (+7).

I think.
- StLBravesFan

You (and SJ) were correct. I wasn't taking into account the number of points the 9th place team would need to catch them.

Was purely meant as a joke and not commentary, but removed. Sorry.
- MTounian

Thanks.

You (and SJ) were correct. I wasn't taking into account the number of points the 9th place team would need to catch them.
- John Jaeckel

As a life long Blackhawks fan but not the expert on the nuances of the game like most of you in here, my 2¢ aren't worth much but my livelihood now depends on math, LOL........so after 30 games, the average number of games most teams have played (36.5% of the season), coupled with the 3 point games that are available the mathematical fact is that 80% (approximately) of the NHL are technically "bubble teams".

I agree with John J. that math-wise the Blackhawks are a bubble team and even play like one on some nights but also agree with those who say they haven't played their best game yet and are integrating new players into a system that isn't as flexible as to some they may have played in previously and managing injuries just like most other teams.

Having failed many years ago to play on the PGA Tour, I KNOW the night and day difference between the AHL and the NHL just like it was for me between the then Nike Tour and the PGA Tour. Some make the jump, but the vast majority don't....so it will be interesting to see which players can make that jump from Rockford to 1800 W. Madison and STAY there.

The beauty of our great game are the vast unknowns (bad bounce here, post hit there) and the fact that an 8th seed can and has won the Stanley Cup. Can't say that about the NBA, the most comparable game to the NHL.

Lastly, I appreciate the back and forth and passion of the members here. I, as a newbie wouldn't want it any other way!!!