Sharp has not scored a goal in 5 games but has two assists.

"Shooter" isn't doing much in that regard. More concerned about a 31 year old eating 5.9/per floating and jumping the zone than a rookie who you could argue as being thrown in over his head. The 2nd line is 100% the other Patrick's show and he is bringing the thunder.

If Hossa wasn't having such a monster year so far I would toss Kane in there for Hart consideration.
- fattybeef

Voters and (d-u-m) fans will always lean toward the marquee names and high point totals as far as the Hart. You would not believe the stupid arguments I got last fall ('11) when I suggested a big year from Hossa could be Hart-worthy. Always about "points."

If Hoss is getting a point or so per game and playing his game all over the ice—few players in the NHL are more valuable. He has to stay healthy all 48 games pretty much. He was in the conversation last year til the ASG when he tweaked his groin and got slowed down the rest of the season. At his age, it's all about health.

I feel like Carter is a piece of garbage. Also chronic foot problems. So many more players with less baggage who would cost just as much and aren't signed until the end of time.

The Hawks already have Sharp... Really don't need another floater who rips shots at every opportunity and prefers not to play center.
- fattybeef

The perfect Jeff Carter comment.

A big time F/O winning lefty C with some size, grit and/or tenacity to help carry the second line; allowing Kane to play effectively away from Toews is key. Ryan O'Reilly is perfect and should/could be available. Sorry to offend those tired of hearing it, but there is no question his skill set checks every box the Hawks have down the middle.

Stalberg, Bolland/Kruger and pick/prospect availability.

A big time F/O winning lefty C with some size, grit and/or tenacity to help carry the second line; allowing Kane to play effectively away from Toews is key. Ryan O'Reilly is perfect and should/could be available. Sorry to offend those tired of hearing it, but there is no question his skill set checks every box the Hawks have down the middle.

Stalberg, Bolland/Kruger and pick/prospect availability.
- nathanjf

Would be a great fit, provided that he lives up to his potential.

The problem is that he is an RFA and his holding out for $5MM plus per year. At this point the Hawks would only be trading for rights to sign.

Big gamble to pay him more than $4MM now. Still sort of early to tag him with a long term deal.

Voters and (d-u-m) fans will always lean toward the marquee names and high point totals as far as the Hart. You would not believe the stupid arguments I got last fall ('11) when I suggested a big year from Hossa could be Hart-worthy. Always about "points."

If Hoss is getting a point or so per game and playing his game all over the ice—few players in the NHL are more valuable. He has to stay healthy all 48 games pretty much. He was in the conversation last year til the ASG when he tweaked his groin and got slowed down the rest of the season. At his age, it's all about health.
- John Jaeckel

Proof is the 5-on-3 he killed off almost single-handedly against Van.

Would be a great fit, provided that he lives up to his potential.

The problem is that he is an RFA and his holding out for $5MM plus per year. At this point the Hawks would only be trading for rights to sign.

Big gamble to pay him more than $4MM now. Still sort of early to tag him with a long term deal.
- Return of the Roar

Pretty unclear as to what his demands are as there are numerous conflicting reports. Anyway, the prospect of playing in Chicago, behind Toews, and with some of the best wingers in the NHL would go a long way in favorable negotiations. While he might not be willing to sign at 4M or less short term on a struggling team, he might certainly sign a deal like that on a team that would facilitate his worth down the road.

So if there is no LTIR in the summer both Montador and Olesz can be bought out. Correct?
- DarthKane

Can't use a buy out on an injured player (sucks for pronger and the flyers). LTIR just provides cap relief for an injured player DURING the season.

The reason Gomez and redden were bought out now was because those teams told those players not to play any hockey this season to avoid injury so the team could buy them out in the upcoming offseason. The league and the players union decided its best for both parties to amend the compliance buy outs in this instance and allow for it to happen now.

Reporters at practice saying both bolland and rozsival on the ice. Bolland playing middle on 2nd.

Incorrect. LTIR is only there in case you need it. For example...

This year's cap is 70M. Hawks presently sit at 66M (or whatever). That does not include Montador LTIR because they don't need the space. Should they acquire Jarome Iginla ($7M) and that pushes them to 73M, only then could they utilize Montador's 2.75M LTIR exemption, to push them to the 70M.
- eburgio

Thanks...And if nothing else I am consistent....I get that consistently wrong.
Must be a mental block or something...

LTIR is only used if needed....Should be simple enough to remember.

Would be a great fit, provided that he lives up to his potential.

The problem is that he is an RFA and his holding out for $5MM plus per year. At this point the Hawks would only be trading for rights to sign.

Big gamble to pay him more than $4MM now. Still sort of early to tag him with a long term deal.
- Return of the Roar

Does picking up O'Reilly and then trading arguably the best 3rd line center in the game make you any stronger?...My answer is no...

The Av's may look at Stalberg, although contract is up soon, as interesting but then Ledy is in the conversation plus a prize prospect.

We've been talking about Glencross and Doan and Getzlaf and Perry and Clarkson and Ward and a whole host of centers and if only Sharp was 6'3" 220...Zzzzzz. With Blowman will never happen.

I'll go there. What about J. Bouwmeester?

Matt Stajan 52.6% at the dot, signed for the next two years at 3.5mill per.
- Beaver-Warrior

Don't focus so much on faceoffs that you over look the weaknesses a player has. Stajan may win slightly more faceoffs than he loses but what else does he bring? He is weak on the puck, he isn't a big point producer, is just Ok defensively and won't win many puck battles.
In my mind we need 2 big forwards who are battlers, who are strong forecheckers, who will play in the tough areas and if they happen to be good on the faceoff, well that is gravy.

The Blackhawks have 20 even strength goals, 2nd most in the NHL.
- scottak

That's an interesting stat considering they have been outplayed 5 on 5 in the last couple of games.

I hate to shoot down all these trade proposals, but:

A) In case no one noticed, David Clarkson potted 30 goals last year for New Jersey. To think he can be had for a 2nd or 3rd round pick is, well, fantasy in my opinion.

B) Chicago has no 2nd or 3rd round pick this year (Oduya).

C) As far as players like Brouwer go, who signed a new contract over the summer that kicks in next year, I can't think of any guys that signed a multi-year contract extension over the summer, then have that team trade them prior to the trade deadline the very next year. I'm sure it happens, so someone please enlighten me if they can think of one. Because I can't.
- MartiniMan

Seldom happens and the only reason it has a slight chance is becasue the next step there is to shuffle the deck in a big way.

Don't focus so much on faceoffs that you over look the weaknesses a player has. Stajan may win slightly more faceoffs than he loses but what else does he bring? He is weak on the puck, he isn't a big point producer, is just Ok defensively and won't win many puck battles.
In my mind we need 2 big forwards who are battlers, who are strong forecheckers, who will play in the tough areas and if they happen to be good on the faceoff, well that is gravy.
- paulr

Valid points all. I concur 100% on the need of a couple of forwards that are beasts in the corners and in front of net, I also feel the need of someone other than the Captain who is better then 50% at the dot. Currently the only player north of 50% is JT and for a puck possession team that's major bad news.

Can I get fries with that?

Bickell can pass and maintain a cycle. Frolik cannot.

6 of one half dozen of another. Both are 1 million dollar players, no more, in my perfect delusional world.
- fattybeef

Unless Bickell can play special teams, Frolik is more useful...But can't deny he is overpaid.

Who would be worth getting from the Flames? If you say Bouwmeester you're asking for a lifetime ban from JJ's boards.


We all know Iginla would be awesome, but I don't see that happening.
- DarthKane

Tanquay for one

Voters and (d-u-m) fans will always lean toward the marquee names and high point totals as far as the Hart. You would not believe the stupid arguments I got last fall ('11) when I suggested a big year from Hossa could be Hart-worthy. Always about "points."

If Hoss is getting a point or so per game and playing his game all over the ice—few players in the NHL are more valuable. He has to stay healthy all 48 games pretty much. He was in the conversation last year til the ASG when he tweaked his groin and got slowed down the rest of the season. At his age, it's all about health.
- John Jaeckel

Your right JJ a lot more to the MVP than stats
That is why Toews is so valuable day in and day out as is Hossa

Tanquay for one
- PEIHawkFan

735 points in 882 games

Not bad

A lot of conversation on here about Bowman making the big deal. This teams need (and has been for many years) is a second line center. Ryan O'Reilly is Toews light, he would be the engine that drives the second line. Sharp, Kane and O'Reilly would be a first line on most teams. This kid is the real deal. I don't understand the whole approach the Av's have taken with him. He is their best player and should be the Captain. At this point he may just want out. Stan should go in and make an offer the Av's couldn't refuse.

Unless Bickell can play special teams, Frolik is more useful...But can't deny he is overpaid.
- Al

Frolik while in terms of where he fits on the team is definitely overpaid, but has been excellent on the penalty kill which right now is the best in the league.

We can all hope that with two days off the Hawks can take advantage of some potential fatigue tomorrow night being the Sharks third game in 4 nights. The Hawks were just in that situation themselves and know they stole 2 points from Calgary so hopefully they bring a much better effort. It's a huge game either way based on both teams records this early in the season. Discipline will be huge because regardless of Chicago's PK stats right now things could look completely different in that aspect after tomorrow night with the way the Sharks power play units are scoring.

kopecky back? where do i sign the petition?

Good piece JJ.

Wish Stan had some balls
- CBHawks88

They're in McD's purse...

saw the Rupp pickup by Minni another gritty veteran center...but don't bother Stan he's napping...

great article as always JJ...the problems are the same they've been for the last couple of seasons since the great purge yet Bowman does nothing. But his masters are happy because he's saving all that precious cap space up for a rainy day in 2022.

Razor's play the other night has eased the mind a bit about the netminding, but the #2 center hole remains a big one...Bolly should be doing what he does best and counter w/ the third line.

Meanwhile the lack of physicality remains a big concern...San Jose will come out and take the body tomorrow night for sure. Should be interesting.

And how bout the elusive power forward who would actually go to the net on the alledged PP now 1 out of the last 15...

A lot of conversation on here about Bowman making the big deal. This teams need (and has been for many years) is a second line center. Ryan O'Reilly is Toews light, he would be the engine that drives the second line. Sharp, Kane and O'Reilly would be a first line on most teams. This kid is the real deal. I don't understand the whole approach the Av's have taken with him. He is their best player and should be the Captain. At this point he may just want out. Stan should go in and make an offer the Av's couldn't refuse.
- hawksbuzz

I agree but to play devils advocate ...

The offer would have to be TT , this years 1st round pick and a conditional #1 in 2014 if the Hawks make the WCF .

Im ok with that even though I love TT so far , but O'Reilly is 21 years old and the Hawks would have a super powerful top 6. I think the deal I suggested TT , a #1 and a conditional #1 would be the best offer the Avs would get .

>JJ, if the Hawks are going to overpay on salary, would rather do it with the Avs ROR than any of the players you suggested -- no chance the Devils trade Clarkson, though he, indeed, is what the Hawks need
>Can't see Troy coming back with Q behind the bench
>Some of the Hawks recent acquistions of veteran NHL forward talent have not been too stellar so far: Pisani, Brunnette, Mayers (looks done)
>Toews-ROR-Bolland-Frolick (or Danault) would be very strong down the middle
>Krueger would probably be part of the ROR package
>Can anybody else in the system play a power forward game at NHL speed?