Motivation issues aside, Ryan has two more years remaining at 5.1M. Selanne and Koivu are UFA after this year, freeing up 8.7M between the two. If Getz/Perry's salaries go from 5.325M to 7.5 each (which is reasonable), the Ducks still have $4M in reserve.

Of course, this is all assuming Selanne retires and Koivu does the same, or leaves
- eburgio

Agree on all counts....But I have reasons to believe if the two can't be signed on the Ducks terms it is likely one of the 3 will go.

Sabres GM Darcy Regier is looking to acquire help at both ends of the ice.
It's believed Regier is in the market for a gritty, defensive-minded forward, who can play on the club's second or third line, and a shutdown defenseman.

maybe a dance partner? not sure what we would want to take from them

I am often reminding you guys that the list of teams that are available and willing to deal at any time with the Hawks (for strictly hockey/standings reasons) is short. So Bowman gets a bit of a pass there. But then that puts the onus on him to be more aggressive in free agency, where you can go out and get the player you want, regardless of team, if you have the money and the guts.

There is a fairly prevalent belief/rumor/perception out there that Bowman has been difficult to get to pull the trigger on deals over the last couple of years. And that other GMs don't like dealing with him. Could be lots of reasons for this and the track record suggests there could be some truth to it. Arguably his two biggest trades since 2010 have been Frolik (with Tallon) and Oduya (with Chevy).
- John Jaeckel

While these certainly weren't blockbuster deals they did improve the club overall. Frolik over Skille is an upgrade I will take any time, even considering their salaries. Frolik's point product may be nothing to shake a stick at but he's provided the defensive depth we've needed in the bottom 6. Oduya - again, he's not a superstar be he's been he best 4-6 defenseman we've had since we won the Cup. I'm sure Leddy will surpass Oduya in the depth charts eventually, but not now.

Sabres GM Darcy Regier is looking to acquire help at both ends of the ice.
It's believed Regier is in the market for a gritty, defensive-minded forward, who can play on the club's second or third line, and a shutdown defenseman.

maybe a dance partner? not sure what we would want to take from them
- FourFeathers773

Aren't we looking for the same thing?

Aren't we looking for the same thing?
- DarthKane

well looks like we can offer them frolik for what they are looking for

but not sure what we want to take back

Ryan will bring a King's ransom.
- Al

After the Canada Russia game at the last Olympics, the Russian coach made a comment to the effect that Russia had too many Generals and not enough soldiers. Well using that analogy, the Hawks have enough officers now what they need are foot soldiers who are willing to get their hands dirty and are capable to do any job needed.

Translated, the Hawks need to bolster their bottom 6, not add more star players.

After the Canada Russia game at the last Olympics, the Russian coach made a comment to the effect that Russia had too many Generals and not enough soldiers. Well using that analogy, the Hawks have enough officers now what they need are foot soldiers who are willing to get their hands dirty and are capable to do any job needed.

Translated, the Hawks need to bolster their bottom 6, not add more star players.
- paulr

Yep, although a top 6 PF would not hurt at all

Aren't we looking for the same thing?
- DarthKane

maybe we could swap foligno for frolik?

foligno can hit, has size, and could bury the puck

not sure BUF would do it?

After the Canada Russia game at the last Olympics, the Russian coach made a comment to the effect that Russia had too many Generals and not enough soldiers. Well using that analogy, the Hawks have enough officers now what they need are foot soldiers who are willing to get their hands dirty and are capable to do any job needed.

Translated, the Hawks need to bolster their bottom 6, not add more star players.
- paulr

Maybe so...But a true goal scoring big power forward is a rare commodity.

Sabres GM Darcy Regier is looking to acquire help at both ends of the ice.
It's believed Regier is in the market for a gritty, defensive-minded forward, who can play on the club's second or third line, and a shutdown defenseman.

maybe a dance partner? not sure what we would want to take from them
- FourFeathers773

I was thinking the Sabres had a vg chance of making the playoffs this year until they gave a roster spot to John Scott....Enough said.

Yep, although a top 6 PF would not hurt at all
- John Jaeckel

No a top 6 PF would be great, however the cap has to be considered as well so a Bobby Ryan is out of the question. Unless SB is willing to move some (many)prospects and draft picks for a rental for this year?

While these certainly weren't blockbuster deals they did improve the club overall. Frolik over Skille is an upgrade I will take any time, even considering their salaries. Frolik's point product may be nothing to shake a stick at but he's provided the defensive depth we've needed in the bottom 6. Oduya - again, he's not a superstar be he's been he best 4-6 defenseman we've had since we won the Cup. I'm sure Leddy will surpass Oduya in the depth charts eventually, but not now.
- DarthKane

No argument.

But you have to evaluate his trades in a larger context: a lot of them have been about shedding salary. and most often at the expense of quality on the ice, or for draft picks and prospects that have failed to pan out. And MOST of those deals were with Tallon or Dudley.

Campbell for Olesz? Ugh

Ladd for Vishnevskiy and a pick? Ugh. And that was because someone, likely Bowman himself, forgot about Toews' Stanley Cup roster bonus.

Byfuglien and Sopel for Marty Reasoner, a couple of picks and Morin? Ugh-ish.

Someday, hindsight will allow us to total up what was shipped out and what was gained—when Kevin Hayes and Stephen Johns and Justin Holl are (or aren't) NHL players.

Frolik for Skille is a win. Brouwer's salary demand for Frolik's salary demand was a loss.

The Campbell deal created alot of cap savings that haven't all been used.

Again, it's all moot if they roll to the Cup. If they get checked out of the building (again) or Crawford immolates (again) in round 1 or 2, then Stanley gets the bill, not Q. EVERYONE knows that has been the problem with this team the last couple of years. Not much has really been done thus far from a personnel standpoint to address it.

No argument.

But you have to evaluate his trades in a larger context: a lot of them have been about shedding salary. and most often at the expense of quality on the ice, or for draft picks and prospects that have failed to pan out. And MOST of those deals were with Tallon or Dudley.

Campbell for Olesz? Ugh

Ladd for Vishnevskiy and a pick? Ugh. And that was because someone, likely Bowman himself, forgot about Toews' Stanley Cup roster bonus.

Byfuglien and Sopel for Marty Reasoner, a couple of picks and Morin? Ugh-ish.

Someday, hindsight will allow us to total up what was shipped out and what was gained—when Kevin Hayes and Stephen Johns and Justin Holl are (or aren't) NHL players.

Frolik for Skille is a win. Brouwer's salary demand for Frolik's salary demand was a loss.

The Campbell deal created alot of cap savings that haven't all been used.

Again, it's all moot if they roll to the Cup. If they get checked out of the building (again) or Crawford immolates (again) in round 1 or 2, then Stanley gets the bill, not Q. EVERYONE knows that has been the problem with this team the last couple of years. Not much has really been done thus far from a personnel standpoint to address it.
- John Jaeckel

At the time Stan made all the deals to shed salary most people thought he did well. The other teams knew the Hawks had to get rid of some guys so there's no way they would offer top dollar in return. K Hayes is a decent prospect but it's to early to tell what he'd turn into.

There was no way we could win the Byfuglien and Ladd deals, it just couldn't happen. Morin may turn out to be a versatile NHL forward but the jury is still out. The best thing that may come out of the Ladd deal is Adam Clendening. But given the circumstances any GM would be hard pressed to replace the quality of those two guys.

The one trade you left out was the Versteeg for Stalberg deal (we might as well ignore the other components). Considering Stan needed to shed the salary this deal turned out to be pretty good. Vertseeg was a 3rd liner with us and Stalberg has played on the 3rd line and the 1st line at times. I'm not saying Stalberg is better than Versteeg, but of all the deals during the great purge this may have been Stan's best.

Campbell for Olesz? Ugh

Ladd for Vishnevskiy and a pick? Ugh. And that was because someone, likely Bowman himself, forgot about Toews' Stanley Cup roster bonus.

Byfuglien and Sopel for Marty Reasoner, a couple of picks and Morin? Ugh-ish.


- John Jaeckel

I know opposing GM's had Stan by the short and curlies, but in hindsight, wonder what deals he would've made if he could do it all over...not that anyone here knows. Given that the Hawks have drafted reasonably well, I wonder if it would've just been better to accumulate a boatload of picks. I'd rather have a 7th rounder than Olesz.

I was thinking the Sabres had a vg chance of making the playoffs this year until they gave a roster spot to John Scott....Enough said.
- Al

The ocean is angry on the shores of Buffalo right now my friend. The novelty and admiration of John Scott has worn off. The fans are PO'd at everybody. Except for Tomas Vanek, most players should be made available to takers for a plate of chicken wings from the Anchor Bar. I just don't see much that would help the Hawks from that roster unless its ryan Miller and Stanbow won't pay that price.

I have a couple randon thoughts to start more conversation. Maybe JJ, AL, and others can incorporate some of these infuture blogs:

1) Seeing how the team has responded this season, was Mike Havilad a distraction to the team last year?

2) I have never played organized sports beyond High School, but I was wondering if players have this thought: After seeing JT play his heart out game in and game out, do you think other teams players ever think "why can't our captian play like that? (See Joe Thornton)

3) would this team ever trade for a player who makes more than Toews/Kane? I'm just thinking would a player like Stastny ever be consdered in a trade, or would the mgmt not want to do that to JT/PK?

Thanks, and I am interested to hear what others think.

I was thinking the Sabres had a vg chance of making the playoffs this year until they gave a roster spot to John Scott....Enough said.
- Al

I can agree with that sentiment. Though to be fair I think the Sabres are getting what they pay for...a heavyweight fighter who makes a guy like Shawn Thornton look like a clown. The problem for Buffalo is that the front office and fans probably expected, like the hawks and NYR may have expected before them, that he could bring more than that.

BTW for anyone complaining about Bollig's ice time when he is dressed, Scott (to nobody outside of Buffalo's suprise) is averaging a whopping 4:00 a game when in the lineup.

I will have more to say as my article is about to be posted...

But I do agree withh JJ...the Hawks had their legs and it helped they hit the Sharks some also. The Sharks playing on Monday helped also.

As far as the check ....Dirty or clean it was an advantageous hit not really needed.
- Al

You say it helped the Hawks that they hit the Sharks and then say the big clean hit on Mayers was not necessary.

That reads like a mixed message in regards to hitting.

Not boring at all. Conversely, looking for the curve and getting the heat was a exercise in pain. So late on the swing it was like not even worth closing the barn door after the horse got out.


Hitting the pitched baseball is the hardest thing in sports.
- blackhawk24

THIS above all.

I can agree with that sentiment. Though to be fair I think the Sabres are getting what they pay for...a heavyweight fighter who makes a guy like Shawn Thornton look like a clown. The problem for Buffalo is that the front office and fans probably expected, like the hawks and NYR may have expected before them, that he could bring more than that.

BTW for anyone complaining about Bollig's ice time when he is dressed, Scott (to nobody outside of Buffalo's suprise) is averaging a whopping 4:00 a game when in the lineup.
- prd797

I love how all the "hockey experts" pile on Bollig.

Seriously? The guy has a job, he does it. To constantly pound on the fact that he doesn't bring much as a player is just so weak. Who ever said Bollig was anything but what he is? The fact remains, he's a better hockey player than Scott, period. One part of which is he has a surprisingly good shot. Which, granted, isn't saying that much.

Maybe some of these guys would rather have Bowman's boy Scott back? Or find some highly touted prospect ballerina to do Bollig's job?

great stuff JJ. Indeed, it is more fun to argue how good the team is as opposed to how bad it is. I still feel we need some size down the middle and in our top 6 but I know that those types aren't readily available. It's been a blast so far though.

by the way, my friends and I had a good chuckle about your "plenty of good seats along the Cap Space Parade route" comment. keep it up!

I have a couple randon thoughts to start more conversation. Maybe JJ, AL, and others can incorporate some of these infuture blogs:

1) Seeing how the team has responded this season, was Mike Havilad a distraction to the team last year?

2) I have never played organized sports beyond High School, but I was wondering if players have this thought: After seeing JT play his heart out game in and game out, do you think other teams players ever think "why can't our captian play like that? (See Joe Thornton)

3) would this team ever trade for a player who makes more than Toews/Kane? I'm just thinking would a player like Stastny ever be consdered in a trade, or would the mgmt not want to do that to JT/PK?



Thanks, and I am interested to hear what others think.
- powerenforcer

1) Early evidence says as much. Doesn't make Havi a bad guy, just means the situation was dysfunctional. Q inherited him.

2) Absolutely, but remember, deke dangles from Hayward, CA says I need to learn the game.

3) Yes, theoretically, but it would obviously take a unique set of circumstances and it is very unlikely for the next couple of years due to the cap coming down.

great stuff JJ. Indeed, it is more fun to argue how good the team is as opposed to how bad it is. I still feel we need some size down the middle and in our top 6 but I know that those types aren't readily available. It's been a blast so far though.

by the way, my friends and I had a good chuckle about your "plenty of good seats along the Cap Space Parade route" comment. keep it up!
- miked23

Thanks Mikey D, that was one of my faves, too.

WOW, this blogger apparently did not watch the game at all. True the NHL came out before the game was even over, and said that the call was horrible. The Sharks should have been on a 4 minute power-play to Duncan Keith (should have been 6 for getting his ass whooped by one of the Sharks' smallest players). True, it wasn't garunteed that the Sharks would score on that 4 minutes, no uneven strength goals were scored for either side last night, but I was at the game. Despite winning, ALL Hawks players KNOW they got away with one last night, they carried the momentum for NO PART of that game, they were thoroughly out-played all night, other than one goal (two counting the empty net), Hawks didn't earn a single goal, they were handed to them by mistakes by the Sharks (true, part of the game...it happens, but pretending that the Hawks scored them with skill is lying to yourself).

As far as bad calls, they were going all night, there was missed holding and late checks, slashes, and even a 4 minute high sticking that were missed all night...mysteriously only one way...but the Sharks are used to dealing with that, so that's not an excuse...especially against teams like Detroit, Vancouver, and Hawks where it's well known around the league they get the Ref's favor (I was actually explaining this exact thing to a girl I was taking to her first game on the way there). As far as the Major missed call, not only did we lose a player that was playing well for the rest of the game, but we definitely had the momentum when it happened. In the second period we out shot the Hawks 12-6...at the time of the penalty shots were roughly 9-2 with more than half the period left.

In closing, this blogger and fans like him can stick their nose in the air for the day and pretend their team earned this one, but no Sharks fan or Hawks player actually feels they earned this one through skill or being the better team...lucky bounces, sure....Sharks mistakes, definitely helped....poor officiating, to be expected, but especially bad last night. I know none of you want to hear this, but SOMEONE has to tell you what the rest of the league knows...you don't want to admit it, but I'm your best friend right now

WOW, this blogger apparently did not watch the game at all. True the NHL came out before the game was even over, and said that the call was horrible. The Sharks should have been on a 4 minute power-play to Duncan Keith (should have been 6 for getting his ass whooped by one of the Sharks' smallest players). True, it wasn't garunteed that the Sharks would score on that 4 minutes, no uneven strength goals were scored for either side last night, but I was at the game. Despite winning, ALL Hawks players KNOW they got away with one last night, they carried the momentum for NO PART of that game, they were thoroughly out-played all night, other than one goal (two counting the empty net), Hawks didn't earn a single goal, they were handed to them by mistakes by the Sharks (true, part of the game...it happens, but pretending that the Hawks scored them with skill is lying to yourself).

As far as bad calls, they were going all night, there was missed holding and late checks, slashes, and even a 4 minute high sticking that were missed all night...mysteriously only one way...but the Sharks are used to dealing with that, so that's not an excuse...especially against teams like Detroit, Vancouver, and Hawks where it's well known around the league they get the Ref's favor (I was actually explaining this exact thing to a girl I was taking to her first game on the way there). As far as the Major missed call, not only did we lose a player that was playing well for the rest of the game, but we definitely had the momentum when it happened. In the second period we out shot the Hawks 12-6...at the time of the penalty shots were roughly 9-2 with more than half the period left.

In closing, this blogger and fans like him can stick their nose in the air for the day and pretend their team earned this one, but no Sharks fan or Hawks player actually feels they earned this one through skill or being the better team...lucky bounces, sure....Sharks mistakes, definitely helped....poor officiating, to be expected, but especially bad last night. I know none of you want to hear this, but SOMEONE has to tell you what the rest of the league knows...you don't want to admit it, but I'm your best friend right now
- corvusmd

you seem like a sweetheart. i'm sure she'll line up for date #2.

did you not see the weak 'holding' call on Leddy in the 3rd? How about the 'tripping' call on Kruger when he and Thornton had their sticks on the puck and Thornton fell over.

again, i don't think that was a penalty on desjardins. i give that kid, and the sharks players, credit for standing up after the game and not crying like Scott Reiss did on the post game show.