A non kool-aide drinking fan. Be sure to say hi to Stan for me.
- Beaver-Warrior

So you drink Woolite?

Stan has made some good moves in rounding out the roster. I guess we are all waiting for the "big" trade that brings us that 2nd line center and/or a goalie. Hopefully he can accomplish that.
Maybe JJ or Al can tell us who would be their choice as a second line center that might be available.

Does the fact that he's on LTIR have an impact too?
- DarthKane

The fact Olesz could only crack an AHL roster plus coing off another big knee injury matters most.....Not to forget contract size and term.

The fact Olesz could only crack an AHL roster plus coing off another big knee injury matters most.....Not to forget contract size and term.
- Al

For sure, but I was thinking the Islanders primary motivation to make this deal was to get to the cap floor. Since Olesz was in the IR (regardless of his ability) his cap hit won't count for them. Either way the Islanders would be paying somebody not to play, Thomas makes more send because his contract expires at the end of this season while Olesz has one more.

Sniffle Sniffle...you must be a state of Illinois finance genius. Just cuz there is technical cap room, does not mean there is actual dollars to be spent. That concept may be hard to understand.

Again, cite the trades he turned down. Cite the players that were made available. Help me with facts...oh nevermind...another thing that gets in the way of logic.
- TrueGrit

If there aren't "actual dollars to be spent" for Rocky's Blackhawks - lead league in attendance, high ticket prices, third largest US market means they SHOULD have a lot of TV / Radio /Corporate sponsorship money....

If they can't afford the actual dollars, there is something wrong with Rocky's business model.

Stan made 5 moves for this season. Resigned Carcillo, Emery, and Mayers, all character guys. He also signed Rozsival and Brookbank, these two are part of the best D-core in the NHL. The best part of these additions is that they cost us nothing and allowed us to hang on to players who are filling rolls this year. It would be nice to see Stan get a shout out every now and again.

Edit: Sorry forgot Oduya, that makes 6.
- hawksbuzz

While I'm not in love with Stan I said the same thing last week.

This is pretty well the same team as last year (which I wasn't a fan of) but everyone is giving Q all the props for this seasons early success.

Maybe Stan had the right mix but Q wasn't using what he was given properly?

For sure, but I was thinking the Islanders primary motivation to make this deal was to get to the cap floor. Since Olesz was in the IR (regardless of his ability) his cap hit won't count for them. Either way the Islanders would be paying somebody not to play, Thomas makes more send because his contract expires at the end of this season while Olesz has one more.
- DarthKane

But Thomas isn't being paid this season because he's on the suspended list. He does have a cap hit though. NHL salary cap rules are stupid. Isles gave up a 2nd round pick to reach the cap floor while not spending $5 mil.

Are Washington and Pittsburgh playing on TV every nite?

When the Hawks started to play good again in 2009 that team had been together for a few years with only a couple new faces. This team has been the same for a second year in a row with only a few new faces. After this upcoming home stand we will see where we are at. And then all you lazyboy GM's can start proposing your trade scenario's. We know Stan won't do anything until it's needed even if you think it already is!!!

Are Washington and Pittsburgh playing on TV every nite?
- StLBravesFan

Pisses me off that it is always east coast teams on NHL network and NBCSports!

When the Hawks started to play good again in 2009 that team had been together for a few years with only a couple new faces. This team has been the same for a second year in a row with only a few new faces. After this upcoming home stand we will see where we are at. And then all you lazyboy GM's can start proposing your trade scenario's. We know Stan won't do anything until it's needed even if you think it already is!!!
- moots

Correction...we know Stan won't do anything...(the end) hahahaha.

While I'm not in love with Stan I said the same thing last week.

This is pretty well the same team as last year (which I wasn't a fan of) but everyone is giving Q all the props for this seasons early success.

Maybe Stan had the right mix but Q wasn't using what he was given properly?
- pri$ey

This year's team is a better team because of the signings of Roszival and Brookbank and bringing back Oduya. Leddy is out of the top 4 and Seabrook and Keith are playing less minutes. This team is also a much tougher team with some of those additions.
Bolig can play and fills his role good. Hopefully we get Carcillo back and that should help out as well.
Also not having the slow footed Brunette and John Scott is addition by subtraction.
If I were Stan I would try and extend Stalberg at a decent rate now and if that fails package him and some other prospects(except Teravainen) to get a 2nd line center.

Are Washington and Pittsburgh playing on TV every nite?
- StLBravesFan

I know it is like the Yankees and Red Sox crap

I know it is like the Yankees and Red Sox crap
- TrueGrit

Or Sacramento - Milwaukee in basketball.

Pisses me off that it is always east coast teams on NHL network and NBCSports!
- moots

Could be worst, image having the Leafs on every Saturday night.

Pisses me off that it is always east coast teams on NHL network and NBCSports!
- moots

I wish I could get the NHL Network so I could complain...

But Thomas isn't being paid this season because he's on the suspended list. He does have a cap hit though. NHL salary cap rules are stupid. Isles gave up a 2nd round pick to reach the cap floor while not spending $5 mil.
- Hemingways

Sweet trade for Boston. A 2nd round pick to dump a guy who wasn't going to play for them ever again.

Sweet trade for Boston. A 2nd round pick to dump a guy who wasn't going to play for them ever again.
- Lido_Shuffle

Dump a guy AND his cap hit.

Rube Goldberg must be writing these rules: Thomas doesn't get paid but has a cap hit; Olesz and Huet get paid but don't have a cap hit.

Could be worst, image having the Leafs on every Saturday night.
- Beaver-Warrior

Now that would really suck!!!! I would have to join a bowling league or do a lot more night time ice fishing, even if they weren't biting... Or just drink way more beer!!!

The fact Olesz could only crack an AHL roster plus coing off another big knee injury matters most.....Not to forget contract size and term.
- Al

Crazy.the Thomas deal only works if they don't play him.Boston has money to burn now, but will never see that 2nd round pick.Is it that hard to acquire usable players,rather than basically flushing a couple of million?Sounds to me like lazy management.

Now that would really suck!!!! I would have to join a bowling league or do a lot more night time ice fishing, even if they weren't biting... Or just drink way more beer!!!
- moots

What the heck is wrong with a bowling league, unless of course it's on Saturday night

Got the fire going and the 1st cold one cracked, now let's drop the puck!

Got the fire going and the 1st cold one cracked, now let's drop the puck!


- Beaver-Warrior

Me too. Sam Adams

I wish I could get the NHL Network so I could complain...
- Glenman12

Me too . UVerse has a complaint form. If Uverse is why you don't have NHLN like me.

Me too. Sam Adams
- mrpaulish

Mirror Pond Pale Ale.