Wirtz ate two years of Huet's salary, and Olesz's salary last season. His team is usually in the top ten in salary.

Why would you think he's cheap?
- EKolb13

Absolutely right...stop with the non substantiated BS about the Hawks being cheap. Thye didn't get to salary cap hell after the 2010 cup win by being cheap...maybe some unwise signings. As you stated they ate Olez and Huet salarys to the tune 9 million and had one of highest total players salarys in the league the last few years.

Absolutely right...stop with the non substantiated BS about the Hawks being cheap. Thye didn't get to salary cap hell after the 2010 cup win by being cheap...maybe some unwise signings. As you stated they ate Olez and Huet salarys to the tune 9 million and had one of highest total players salarys in the league the last few years.
- bogiedoc

To be fair, they 'ate' the Olesz contract in return for divesting themselves of Campbell's much larger contract.

Otherwise, the Hawks have been very willing to spend on players - some of it wisely and some not so much. But that goes with the territory with a big market team - if Rocky wants 22,000 in the seats every night, he can't operate as if they are the New York Islanders.

Strong opinion...agree with paragraphs 1 and 2. He'll definitely have a fitness and timing edge heading into the NHL season, but he's still soft as mush.
- philco28

Phil, after watching him for a couple of years I don't think Leddy's ceiling is as high as some people believed (the Bowmans). I.E. - he isn't going to be Scott Niedermeyer anytime soon. But he's probably just as good as Cam Fowler and a few others at this stage of his career.

What i think he needs is to play the left side and with a solid vet like Seabrook who could help him round out his game. Even a guy like rozival could be helpful.

Playing with a greenhorn like Clendening in Rockford aint going to help him much short term.

Is Leddy a top 4 guy JJ ? His youth and promise say yes. His paper mache' style and Perry Como demeanor say no.

This is the Leddy i know exactly 1 minute in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1yvS_m_7eE
- philco28

Phil,

Don't forget who we are dealing with...

A player who was rushed up to the NHL basically to play heavy mins on what most people saw as Cup contending team.

Only 21 and hasn't been used to his strength. I wouldn't put a lot of bad marks against the guys playing in Rockford who were regular Hawks.

We aren't sure what they have been told to work on, or how they are being used. Kruger hasn't been a standout and I thought he would flourish in a slower game because of his vision. That said I will get sour on him when I see it at the UC.

Back to Leddy...

Last year he hardly had any power play time and seldom with 1st unit. Didn't really rush the puck, partially cuz of coaching and probably due to a lack of confidence. That said he finished top 25 in scoring.

Bottom line is he is 21 .....Could he regress- Yes

But Leddy is far less of an issue than many others.

At anytime this season Leddy could be dealt....Without an issue. There would be 20 teams looking to add him. The experience he has had in the NHL at such a young age would be welcomed. So the Hawks have an out if they want it...

But it only happens as a part of a much bigger deal is my guess.

If you want to be concernd....Start with the fact no one in Rockford can win faceoffs and only 1 player in Chgo excels in that regard.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

So I take it Al that Chicago needs a good centre?If Stan, only knew that.

Phil,

Don't forget who we are dealing with...

A player who was rushed up to the NHL basically to play heavy mins on what most people saw as Cup contending team.

Only 21 and hasn't been used to his strength. I wouldn't put a lot of bad marks against the guys playing in Rockford who were regular Hawks.

We aren't sure what they have been told to work on, or how they are being used. Kruger hasn't been a standout and I thought he would flourish in a slower game because of his vision. That said I will get sour on him when I see it at the UC.

Back to Leddy...

Last year he hardly had any power play time and seldom with 1st unit. Didn't really rush the puck, partially cuz of coaching and probably due to a lack of confidence. That said he finished top 25 in scoring.

Bottom line is he is 21 .....Could he regress- Yes

But Leddy is far less of an issue than many others.

At anytime this season Leddy could be dealt....Without an issue. There would be 20 teams looking to add him. The experience he has had in the NHL at such a young age would be welcomed. So the Hawks have an out if they want it...

But it only happens as a part of a much bigger deal is my guess.

If you want to be concernd....Start with the fact no one in Rockford can win faceoffs and only 1 player in Chgo excels in that regard.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

My main concern is goaltending. If Crawford doesn't step his game up this year, this will be another 1 and done year. This is a huge year for him and the Hawks (even thought it's a shorter season). If he can't take the next step then the Hawks will have to find a new goalie this Summer.

Phil,

Don't forget who we are dealing with...

A player who was rushed up to the NHL basically to play heavy mins on what most people saw as Cup contending team.

Only 21 and hasn't been used to his strength. I wouldn't put a lot of bad marks against the guys playing in Rockford who were regular Hawks.

We aren't sure what they have been told to work on, or how they are being used. Kruger hasn't been a standout and I thought he would flourish in a slower game because of his vision. That said I will get sour on him when I see it at the UC.

Back to Leddy...

Last year he hardly had any power play time and seldom with 1st unit. Didn't really rush the puck, partially cuz of coaching and probably due to a lack of confidence. That said he finished top 25 in scoring.

Bottom line is he is 21 .....Could he regress- Yes

But Leddy is far less of an issue than many others.

At anytime this season Leddy could be dealt....Without an issue. There would be 20 teams looking to add him. The experience he has had in the NHL at such a young age would be welcomed. So the Hawks have an out if they want it...

But it only happens as a part of a much bigger deal is my guess.

If you want to be concernd....Start with the fact no one in Rockford can win faceoffs and only 1 player in Chgo excels in that regard.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Leddy - if you look at him compared to all of the defenceman drafted in the first round in 2009, I think he grades out and compares quite well.

V. Hedman, Ekman-Larsson, Cowen, Ryan Ellis, C. De Haan, Kulikov, D. Rundblad, John Moore, Erixon, Dylan Olsen, Simon Despres.

I'd take Ekman-Larsson ahead of all of them out of that group right now. And maybe that's because he has received the best coaching playing under Tippett and Dave King.

Well at the risk of grtting smacked around by many of the Fehr demonizers on this board......

It was clear from the beginning under Fehr, the players were not going to cave. Whatever you think of him; he is master poker player. Almost all the movement over the last two months came from the Bettman/owner side.

The 5 year contract was the hill they would die on said Daly. Well they ran for another hill and died on 7 years.

Conventional wisdom said the owners could outlast the players fiancially...probably true. But other negative factors were in play with respect to the owners: competing interest and the unknown fall out financially and PR wise from a lost season.

Yes the players lost what they had...but compared to what the league wanted to shove down there throats they came out pretty well. I think Fehr deserves alot of credit for keeping the troops in line and getting more than was thought possible a month ago. This was the deadline all along by the owners...a mid January start and Fehr pushed them to that limit and got concessions.

I know that alot of people are down on Frolik,I get it.Unfortunately for me,I still see benefit to his game.I am picking him now as this seasons surprise.The guy has too much heart to simply be dismissed.Maybe that talent returns.

Hey guys.....glad hockey is back GO HAWKS !!

Well at the risk of grtting smacked around by many of the Fehr demonizers on this board......

It was clear from the beginning under Fehr, the players were not going to cave. Whatever you think of him; he is master poker player. Almost all the movement over the last two months came from the Bettman/owner side.

The 5 year contract was the hill they would die on said Daly. Well they ran for another hill and died on 7 years.

Conventional wisdom said the owners could outlast the players fiancially...probably true. But other negative factors were in play with respect to the owners: competing interest and the unknown fall out financially and PR wise from a lost season.

Yes the players lost what they had...but compared to what the league wanted to shove down there throats they came out pretty well. I think Fehr deserves alot of credit for keeping the troops in line and getting more than was thought possible a month ago. This was the deadline all along by the owners...a mid January start and Fehr pushed them to that limit and got concessions.
- bogiedoc

I give Fehr credit for holding the players together because without him being able to do that, the NHLPA was going to be demolished.

But don't underestimate the extreme pressure sponsors put on Bettman and the owners in getting this done, NBC specifically. And they are also why the NHL will be going to the Olympics and why there will probably be a World Cup in North America sooner than later.

Now to bring this to a proper conclusion, somebody should charter a private jet and pack Bettman, Daly, the Fehr Bros., Jeremy Jacobs and Craig Leopold on a flight to the middle of China. Take them into a courtroom where there is only one plea - guilty. And then put a bullet into the back of each of their heads so they are never heard from again.

I know that alot of people are down on Frolik,I get it.Unfortunately for me,I still see benefit to his game.I am picking him now as this seasons surprise.The guy has too much heart to simply be dismissed.Maybe that talent returns.
- eagle50

If Olesz's contract is going to count against the cap even if he's in Rockford then he'll be bought out for sure. I believe Montador would be bought out before Frolik, but Frolik could still be traded to a team looking to get to the cap floor. I'm sure we could get a nice 7th round pick for him.

I've been a Frolik supporter too, but it's time to give some youngsters a chance. Shaw, Kruger, and Smith all offer more than Frolik does at this point. In all likelihood so would Saad, Pirri and Flick.

Hey guys.....glad hockey is back GO HAWKS !!
- southernhawk

Southie!

Your rack is a sight for sore eyes...

If Olesz's contract is going to count against the cap even if he's in Rockford then he'll be bought out for sure. I believe Montador would be bought out before Frolik, but Frolik could still be traded to a team looking to get to the cap floor. I'm sure we could get a nice 7th round pick for him.

I've been a Frolik supporter too, but it's time to give some youngsters a chance. Shaw, Kruger, and Smith all offer more than Frolik does at this point. In all likelihood so would Saad, Pirri and Flick.
- DarthKane

If they can loan Olesz to a European club and get around the cap hit, I would expect that to happen instead of a buyout.

If they can loan Olesz to a European club and get around the cap hit, I would expect that to happen instead of a buyout.
- EKolb13

That would be best for everyone involved.

Leddy - if you look at him compared to all of the defenceman drafted in the first round in 2009, I think he grades out and compares quite well.

V. Hedman, Ekman-Larsson, Cowen, Ryan Ellis, C. De Haan, Kulikov, D. Rundblad, John Moore, Erixon, Dylan Olsen, Simon Despres.

I'd take Ekman-Larsson ahead of all of them out of that group right now. And maybe that's because he has received the best coaching playing under Tippett and Dave King.
- RickJ

Leddy is a vg skater, has vg vision and an above average shot...

Now if he can learn the angles plus have a great stick or get a lot stronger, he could be above average in his own end. But by far his offensive ability is what should be utilized.

I wish he were bigger, stronger and tougher but it is what it is for now.

If they can loan Olesz to a European club and get around the cap hit, I would expect that to happen instead of a buyout.
- EKolb13

Exactly, especially cuz he will have only 1 yr left.

If they can loan Olesz to a European club and get around the cap hit, I would expect that to happen instead of a buyout.
- EKolb13

For sure, but that all depends on how these situations are viewed under the new CBA. I still think Monty is the first buyout, then possible Olesz and Frolik depending on the CBA and trade options (mainly for Frolik).

If they can loan Olesz to a European club and get around the cap hit, I would expect that to happen instead of a buyout.
- EKolb13

Eli... With the Hogs set to lose 2-3 forwards and a defenseman what do you think they'll do to compensate?

They'll lose Shaw, Kruger, and Bollig up front and that's got to hurt. They may get Olesz back but there's still a huge void to fill.

As far as potential trades go, what about Tyler Bozak in Toronto? He's 6'1" and 195lbs, can chip in on offense (47 points last year on their top line, but could improve), plays with a bit of an edge (117 hits), and is pretty good at the dot (>50% in his career). I bet the Leafs could use a guy like Hammer after Luke Schenn's departure this past summer. Also from what I've heard, they want to try out James VanRiemsdyk at center. Considering they also have Mikhail Grabovski in the fold, it looks like Bozak could be an odd-man-out. I think he could be a good fit for a 2C.

If he's healthy and wants to play, it's out of the question.
- John Jaeckel

Thank you!

That would be best for everyone involved.
- dan9189

Olesz living up to that contract and being an asset to the Hawks would be best for everyone involved. Doubt it will happen though.

As far as potential trades go, what about Tyler Bozak in Toronto? He's 6'1" and 195lbs, can chip in on offense (47 points last year on their top line, but could improve), plays with a bit of an edge (117 hits), and is pretty good at the dot (>50% in his career). I bet the Leafs could use a guy like Hammer after Luke Schenn's departure this past summer. Also from what I've heard, they want to try out James VanRiemsdyk at center. Considering they also have Mikhail Grabovski in the fold, it looks like Bozak could be an odd-man-out. I think he could be a good fit for a 2C.
- CrisCrossCrease

Toronto has plenty of defenceman in their system. What they need to get better is to upgrade down the middle of the ice and in their Top 6 and in goal.

Bozak has probably turned out better than they expected but he hisn't going to help the Hawks be a better team. Kruger can easily fill the role you would bring Bozak in for.

Eli... With the Hogs set to lose 2-3 forwards and a defenseman what do you think they'll do to compensate?

They'll lose Shaw, Kruger, and Bollig up front and that's got to hurt. They may get Olesz back but there's still a huge void to fill.
- DarthKane

At least the Hogs have the advantage of not having a game until Wednesday. The Wolves played today and had to get a roster exemption to call up a 24th player just so they could suit up 6 D.

Southie!

Your rack is a sight for sore eyes...
- EKolb13

Glad to be back in here with ya......what's the chance we buy out Monty. And get a #2C