It has been done...think the Leafs tried it with Curtis Joseph.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=253404

It's too gimmicky for my liking. I don't want to pull a goalie that has invested 65 minutes of sweat and heart...for a guy coming in cold off the bench. Dance with who brung ya'.
- philco28

Won't argue with that but in the end it is just a skills contest!

Tim Sassone ‏@TimSassone
Q on Hossa in shootouts: "It looks like it (should be) an automatic and hopefully it becomes automatic." #Blackhawks

It has been done...think the Leafs tried it with Curtis Joseph. It's too gimmicky for my liking. I don't want to pull a goalie that has invested 65 minutes of sweat and heart...for a guy coming in cold off the bench. Dance with who brung ya'.
- philco28

That seems to be the prevailing thought.... It's sort of a wheels-off idea that probably needs a Milbury or maybe a Melrose back in the coaching ranks to see it happen again....

Won't argue with that but in the end it is just a skills contest!
- eagle50

It is...but when valuable points are on the line...i'd stick with a goalie that is physically and emotionally invested in the game. Let him have a crack at the W or take the L.

It is...but when valuable points are on the line...i'd stick with a goalie that is physically and emotionally invested in the game. Let him have a crack at the W or take the L.
- philco28

It is...but when valuable points are on the line...i'd stick with a goalie that is physically and emotionally invested in the game. Let him have a crack at the W or take the L.
- philco28

Haha but CC was pretty solid in the shoot out last year. Id rather have him good in the games and poor in the shoot out than the other way around.

No. Trouble reading?

You can amnesty or trade Sharp or Hossa if there are cap issues AFTER winning the Cup this year. And no one will care because they just won and the few that do won't matter in terms of selling tickets.
- fattybeef

So wait - all this O'Reilly talk is predicated on winning the cup? And we won't care if they just jettison Sharp and/or Hossa if they win the cup? Weren't a few of us pretty raw about losing Byfuglien and Ladd? And we wont' be upset if we lose HOSSA? (Some here wouldn't be pissed at losing Sharp, but I for one disagree there)


Not trying to be a jerk, I enjoy the spirited banter - but I'm having trouble grasping the plan you're proposing.

The conversation started about trading Stalberg for Neil in the near future. Somehow this blended into other conversations about O'Reilly, and suddenly a multi-step process as created, moving Stalberg for Neil, and submitting an offer sheet for O'Reilly - and THEN acquiring draft picks through other trades to send back as compensation.

Now, if I have this right, the final steps involve winning the cup this season, and dismantling the team next season by moving one or multiple of Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, and Hjalmarsson. Do I have this correct?

You keep insisting that your plan here is "not difficult," but there are so many moving parts and variables at play here, that this is noting if not an extremely difficult scneario.

And what if this plan to acquire O'Reilly this season doesn't result in a cup - the main centeripeice to this entire scneario, which is a monumental "if?" Then are we fans placated enough by a valient effort as to ignore moving a major piece like Sharp or Hossa when Toews and Kane are still in their prime?


Again, I'm not trying to be condescending here, but if you can offer a few bullet points and a timeline to what' you've bene propsoing as a feasible (or even ideal) scneario, maybe I can grasp the whole thing a bit better - because right now it seems like Xbox Be a GM mode thinking at its finest.

If a player has a moderate amount of skill, can't he be taught to at least be presentable in a shoot-out situation?
- StLBravesFan

I have heard and read that players don't like to practice shoot outs...not sure why that is.

Also practicing in an empty ice house is a whole lot different that before 20K fans and TV when its just you and the goalie and a gme on the line.

Plus the goalies are real good...i think the shoot save % is around 70-75% which is phenominal.

Like many out there...i would prefer they get rid of it. A win should not be determined by a skills competition. But I don't see them killing it anytime soon. The fact that shoot out wins are the first tie breaker for playoff seeding is enough to demonstrate its worthlessness.

It has been done...think the Leafs tried it with Curtis Joseph.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=253404

It's too gimmicky for my liking. I don't want to pull a goalie that has invested 65 minutes of sweat and heart...for a guy coming in cold off the bench. Dance with who brung ya'.
- philco28

A couple of years ago I argued for the Hawks to try it. As bad as Huet was, he was much better than Niemi in shootouts. Seemed like a shootout with Niemi was an automatic L that year.

So wait - all this O'Reilly talk is predicated on winning the cup? And we won't care if they just jettison Sharp and/or Hossa if they win the cup? Weren't a few of us pretty raw about losing Byfuglien and Ladd? And we wont' be upset if we lose HOSSA? (Some here wouldn't be pissed at losing Sharp, but I for one disagree there)


Not trying to be a jerk, I enjoy the spirited banter - but I'm having trouble grasping the plan you're proposing.

The conversation started about trading Stalberg for Neil in the near future. Somehow this blended into other conversations about O'Reilly, and suddenly a multi-step process as created, moving Stalberg for Neil, and submitting an offer sheet for O'Reilly - and THEN acquiring draft picks through other trades to send back as compensation.

Now, if I have this right, the final steps involve winning the cup this season, and dismantling the team next season by moving one or multiple of Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, and Hjalmarsson. Do I have this correct?

You keep insisting that your plan here is "not difficult," but there are so many moving parts and variables at play here, that this is noting if not an extremely difficult scneario.

And what if this plan to acquire O'Reilly this season doesn't result in a cup - the main centeripeice to this entire scneario, which is a monumental "if?" Then are we fans placated enough by a valient effort as to ignore moving a major piece like Sharp or Hossa when Toews and Kane are still in their prime?


Again, I'm not trying to be condescending here, but if you can offer a few bullet points and a timeline to what' you've bene propsoing as a feasible (or even ideal) scneario, maybe I can grasp the whole thing a bit better - because right now it seems like Xbox Be a GM mode thinking at its finest.
- FredoXV

Season ticket wait list of 10,000 = doesn't matter if you irritate a few fans. Winning means they will keep coming back and spending monies.

If it doesn't then people get fired and the organization moves on. Still have Toews Kane Keith Seabs and a good enough core to build around.

Edit: and it is more difficult now that wiz has educated me on the proper points of offer sheets but still doable. Concern should be winning a Cup today because Sharp and Hossa are at the point where they will no longer progress and a level of regression while debatable will exist.

The best description I've heard on O'Reilly's value is, "he is a first line center on a rebuilding team, a second line center on a vey good team, and a third line center on an elite team." An elite team naturally is deep at center, the Hawks are not deep at center. The only player on the Hawks that can play an effective second line center is our captain. This is a big hole on this team and is the priority when we discuss trading away roster players or promising young prospects. I see nothing coming through the system that can fill this void. Is there a center out there besides O'Reilly we could trade for that is not just a rental? He will be heading East unless the Av's are offered a deal they couldn't refuse. Then there is always Weiss?

The best description I've heard on O'Reilly's value is, "he is a first line center on a rebuilding team, a second line center on a vey good team, and a third line center on an elite team." An elite team naturally is deep at center, the Hawks are not deep at center. The only player on the Hawks that can play an effective second line center is our captain. This is a big hole on this team and is the priority when you discuss trading away roster players or promising young prospects. I see nothing coming through the system that can fill this void. Is there a center out there besides O'Reilly we could trade for that is not just a rental? He will be heading East unless the Av's are offered a deal they couldn't refuse. Then there is always Weiss?
- hawksbuzz

That is exactly what I have been thinking the last few days. Conundrum. Really tough to gauge feasibility because no one knows what Colorado wants nor what the player actually wants.

Is it money or does he want out of that organization? Lots of goofy stuff going on there but with a team that is 10-0-3 tough to find anything else to debate.

Per Darren Drager...Kassian cleared waivers.

There probably isn't a bigger Bolland fan than me, but you never know when his back or other injuries will pop up. That to me is the main reason to include him in an O'Reilly trade. Plus as JJ said, I think O'Reilly is better suited with Kane and Sharp. I am a little afraid of missing Bolland in the playoffs, though. Bolland was one of our best

The vultures will be swirling the Senators and Bryan Murray would try to sell snow to the Eskimos....So it will be the most agressive and best bait that will be able to get it a deal done.

There are two right wings that could likely be available....Alfredsson and Iginla..

I wouldn't reach for either, wrong position.
There is no way Bowman or Q. would switch Kane to left wing.
The game is still played with one puck and the power play isn't going to improve all that much with either.

The Hawks need a player to set up in front of the goalie...The other night Leddy scores because of a nice screen by Stalberg. Trouble is both Stalberg and Shaw struggle to consistently stand their ground and set a screen.

JJ's guy Zach Smith, or Neil might provide some options....Neither are going and anywhere in a fire sale.

There have been 0 proactive trades in the past two years before the deadline here...

Some would say there is no reason for any trades today....If so the players that are most attractive will likely be long gone before April 3.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

The best description I've heard on O'Reilly's value is, "he is a first line center on a rebuilding team, a second line center on a vey good team, and a third line center on an elite team." An elite team naturally is deep at center, the Hawks are not deep at center. The only player on the Hawks that can play an effective second line center is our captain. This is a big hole on this team and is the priority when you discuss trading away roster players or promising young prospects. I see nothing coming through the system that can fill this void. Is there a center out there besides O'Reilly we could trade for that is not just a rental? He will be heading East unless the Av's are offered a deal they couldn't refuse. Then there is always Weiss?
- hawksbuzz

Another potential issue is that there appears to be a great deal of animosity built up between the two sides. I don't think Colorado is in any great hurry to move him, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they waited until the draft or even later, just to exact some measure of revenge. It wouldn't be the first time.

But I'm with the others that have chimed in on this in that I don't see Colorado dealing him to a Western Conference team.

Another potential issue is that there appears to be a great deal of animosity built up between the two sides. I don't think Colorado is in any great hurry to move him, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they waited until the draft or even later, just to exact some measure of revenge. It wouldn't be the first time.

But I'm with the others that have chimed in on this in that I don't see Colorado dealing him to a Western Conference team.
- MartiniMan

I agree, that is why Bowman should go in balls and all. How can this kid even be available?

I have heard and read that players don't like to practice shoot outs...not sure why that is.

Also practicing in an empty ice house is a whole lot different that before 20K fans and TV when its just you and the goalie and a gme on the line.

Plus the goalies are real good...i think the shoot save % is around 70-75% which is phenominal.

Like many out there...i would prefer they get rid of it. A win should not be determined by a skills competition. But I don't see them killing it anytime soon. The fact that shoot out wins are the first tie breaker for playoff seeding is enough to demonstrate its worthlessness.
- bogiedoc

I have heard and read that players don't like to practice shoot outs...not sure why that is.

I'm of the opinion most players don't like the shootout period.

Nobody knows what O'Reilly or his agent really want or what is going on. I still think he really wanted out for awhile and just demanded all that money figuring it will help get him out. I think he signs with another team for a more reasonable salary. I think the way Colorado signed everyone else before him and more importantly gave Landeskog the C over him has played a role. Not saying it is right or whatever but just a feeling.

Player + Prospect to Ottawa = Neil + 2nd coming back. Hawks offersheet O'Reilly for 4.6-5 million per year give up picks 1, 2, 3. Have two fully functional face off winning top lines. A reliable hard hitting veteran presence and become very very difficult to play against.

Not difficult.
- fattybeef

Not Possible. Hawks can't offer sheet anyone. They do not have their own picks. You must have your own picks to offer sheet.

Only way they get OReilly is by trading Bolland.

Nobody knows what O'Reilly or his agent really want or what is going on. I still think he really wanted out for awhile and just demanded all that money figuring it will help get him out. I think he signs with another team for a more reasonable salary. I think the way Colorado signed everyone else before him and more importantly gave Landeskog the C over him has played a role. Not saying it is right or whatever but just a feeling.
- tomcat24

Probably not too far off base...

I was thinking for awhile a center would go but I thought it would be Stastny...

O'Reilly has forced their hand and the Av's aren't usually a team that breaks the bank....

Nobody knows what O'Reilly or his agent really want or what is going on. I still think he really wanted out for awhile and just demanded all that money figuring it will help get him out. I think he signs with another team for a more reasonable salary. I think the way Colorado signed everyone else before him and more importantly gave Landeskog the C over him has played a role. Not saying it is right or whatever but just a feeling.
- tomcat24

Probably more right than a feeling.

Not Possible. Hawks can't offer sheet anyone. They do not have their own picks. You must have your own picks to offer sheet.

Only way they get OReilly is by trading Bolland.
- coldsteelonice

A package of young players could work....Quantity and less expensive but probably would want at least one NHL ready player as well.

The best description I've heard on O'Reilly's value is, "he is a first line center on a rebuilding team, a second line center on a vey good team, and a third line center on an elite team." An elite team naturally is deep at center, the Hawks are not deep at center. The only player on the Hawks that can play an effective second line center is our captain. This is a big hole on this team and is the priority when you discuss trading away roster players or promising young prospects. I see nothing coming through the system that can fill this void. Is there a center out there besides O'Reilly we could trade for that is not just a rental? He will be heading East unless the Av's are offered a deal they couldn't refuse. Then there is always Weiss?
- hawksbuzz

The top three centers from the 2010 cup run are still on the team...just saying.

Toews
O'Reilly
Bolland
Shaw or Kruger

Would be tough to play against.