I just posted about Bolland's trade value...

I don't think you doubted the story about Bolland being offered around last summer...You heard similar about the same time.

Bowman now knows who's interested and a Shaw-Danault-Bickell line makes sense and will be affordable for next season.

Corey Crawford returns in top form, blanks Blue Jackets - FOX 32: http://bit.ly/V14Mgf
- Al

I don't agree with Foley and @ss kissing Eddie very often but they stated 2 things in the past year I was 110% on board with:

1. During game 6 vs Phoenix last year, Foley asked Eddie O how many top 6 LEGIT forwards this team had on it, and Eddie O listed off 4: Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp.
2. Before game 2 of this season vs Phoenix, they talked about Bolland and how he was given a chance to show he can play a top 6 position, but Foley cautioned that he has to be far more consistent in producing points and not go the 8 or 9 or 10 games without a point he's been known for.

The is a major misconception that I hate Bolland. I don't hate Bolland, but I do see him being overrated and over paid for what his core ability is. With the cap going down, I don't see how anyone can justify paying a guy a large amount of money for 40-45 points at most every year.

Shaw and Kruger can put up those numbers for 20-25% the cost.

If people want to be pissed when this all goes down, look no further then your defensive core. Yes, it's been special, but for the huge amount of money they have invested in it, AND they will have to pay Leddy, it's going to cost you somebody relatively important up front...very soon.

If I didn't think that Shaw really added something to the 3rd line, I'd love to see Kruger force Bolland down to the third line and Shaw down to the 4th.
- QStache

Shaw could play wing....I don't think he deserves less playing time.

Q. is high on all the young guys....Shaw-Kruger and Saad, once he gets an opinion it usually lasts a long time.

If I didn't think that Shaw really added something to the 3rd line, I'd love to see Kruger force Bolland down to the third line and Shaw down to the 4th.
- QStache

Shaw has been very impressive. Especially when he moved up to play with Kane and Sharp against Calgary when Bolland was out.

Kruger has shown some flashes as well....Again, are these two guys legit top 6 players? Probably not, but they are cheaper alternatives, and may be able to produce Bolland type numbers at a very small cost.

Watch out...I'm gonna get banned from a mod that has a thing for Saad...because what I wrote is blasphemy!!!

But I swear, I would trade him now along with Lalonde and some picks if I could get something along the lines of a big banger that can skate and park his fat ass in front of a goalie...Load up and go for the CUP STAN!!!!!!!!!!
- captainserious

Saad right now would get a a nice return when packaged with the right prospect. Washington, Buffalo, Columbus, maybe even Philly who are big bodies we can pull from there?

The good news is only ONE player may be needed and could make a big difference....I think Hawks mgt. won't hesitate this time.

The team is probably faster skating but they don't play as fast which is not a bad thing. But you don't have the same size and physicality, I agree.

Corey Crawford returns in top form, blanks Blue Jackets:http://bit.ly/V14Mgf
What happens when popular opinon is wrong...Today on Fox Chgo
- Al

Agreed and agreed. Personally, i believe they are actively working on this. I also believe they would upgrade the skill/reliability of either Bollig or Mayers (with the same positives) if they could.

And for that reason, I think you could see 2 new faces (physical forwards) come playoff time, though 1 is more likely.

I don't agree with Foley and @ss kissing Eddie very often but they stated 2 things in the past year I was 110% on board with:

1. During game 6 vs Phoenix last year, Foley asked Eddie O how many top 6 LEGIT forwards this team had on it, and Eddie O listed off 4: Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp.
2. Before game 2 of this season vs Phoenix, they talked about Bolland and how he was given a chance to show he can play a top 6 position, but Foley cautioned that he has to be far more consistent in producing points and not go the 8 or 9 or 10 games without a point he's been known for.

The is a major misconception that I hate Bolland. I don't hate Bolland, but I do see him being overrated and over paid for what his core ability is. With the cap going down, I don't see how anyone can justify paying a guy a large amount of money for 40-45 points at most every year.

Shaw and Kruger can put up those numbers for 20-25% the cost.

If people want to be pissed when this all goes down, look no further then your defensive core. Yes, it's been special, but for the huge amount of money they have invested in it, AND they will have to pay Leddy, it's going to cost you somebody relatively important up front...very soon.
- SteveRain

Now there are options but before there really were not...

The part about not having enough top forwards....Seldom do teams have six players these days that everyone will agree are top line caliber forwards.

If by chance they do there will be big holes somewhere else in the lineup.

I could easily make the same argument that the Hawks didn't have two top lines including 6 high end forwards when they won the Cup.

What matters is balance....And the issue with Bolland as Foley points out is he disappears for stretches as scoring goes.

When that happens as a 3rd line player not too big of a deal....But as 2nd line player with more ice time and when you play with Kane/Sharp it does matter.

Agreed and agreed. Personally, i believe they are actively working on this. I also believe they would upgrade the skill/reliability of either Bollig or Mayers (with the same positives) if they could.

And for that reason, I think you could see 2 new faces (physical forwards) come playoff time, though 1 is more likely.
- John Jaeckel

I would hope they aren't just looking south of the top 6.

To maximize the return of Sharp and Kane, they need to find somebody to compliment them, otherwise we'll be sitting here complaining in May when they are shut down and the Shaw-Bickell-Frolik line is expected to pick up the scoring.

Slot everyone at the best available spot to maximize your return.

They need 2, large skating physical forwards
1 top 6 center.

Stalberg, Bickell, Kruger, Frolik, and prospects/picks are there to be discussed.

Question for JJ -- Now that Brouwer has been gone for a season plus and with the news that they are trying to extend Bickell, do you think the organization has realized that it needs big guys who can hit (organizational shift, so to speak) and realize they missed on Brouwer, or was Brouwer moved for some other reason (it always seemed like he was a Q whipping boy)? Just curious about some after-the-fact examination of the Hawks' motivations.

Agreed and agreed. Personally, i believe they are actively working on this. I also believe they would upgrade the skill/reliability of either Bollig or Mayers (with the same positives) if they could.

And for that reason, I think you could see 2 new faces (physical forwards) come playoff time, though 1 is more likely.
- John Jaeckel

....And Bowman may find a player that won't just be a plug in down the stretch. There are a couple of kids in Rockford who could play for some teams near the bottom of the standings today.

Shaw has been very impressive. Especially when he moved up to play with Kane and Sharp against Calgary when Bolland was out.

Kruger has shown some flashes as well....Again, are these two guys legit top 6 players? Probably not, but they are cheaper alternatives, and may be able to produce Bolland type numbers at a very small cost.
- SteveRain

As much as I want Bolland to be a Blackhawk for life I'm braced for the reality that he won't likely be here past his current contract. Although Bolland may not be missed terribly in the regular season, he will be missed tremendously in the post season. But I understand it's all about the quality of the depth, so if it come down to keeping Kruger, Danault and Shaw versus keeping just Bolland then we all know what will happen.

Now there are options but before there really were not...

The part about not having enough top forwards....Seldom do teams have six players these days that everyone will agree are top line caliber forwards.

If by chance they do there will be big holes somewhere else in the lineup.

I could easily make the same argument that the Hawks didn't have two top lines including 6 high end forwards when they won the Cup.

What matters is balance....And the issue with Bolland as Foley points out is he disappears for stretches as scoring goes.

When that happens as a 3rd line player not too big of a deal....But as 2nd line player with more ice time and when you play with Kane/Sharp it does matter.
- Al

Ahh...but look around the league:
Versteeg, Brouwer, Ladd are all top 6 forwards who have been producing elsewhere.
Buff is now a top 4 d man, and easily a top 6 forward if he wanted to play forward

Is there any guy 9-12 on this team RIGHT now that may have a top 6 forward?

Saad could be, so that gives you 5...Bolland is proving as of today, that he still isn't up for the challenge.

Saad right now would get a a nice return when packaged with the right prospect. Washington, Buffalo, Columbus, maybe even Philly who are big bodies we can pull from there?
- nickmo2699

Saad was rumored to have been discussed/offered in a Nash proposal last Spring. I would think it would take a very big deal to move him.

For example, (and this is purely an example as Anaheim is not making any such deal), if you could get Getzlaf, or another center of that quality and profile (and signed to a longer term deal), then I would by all means put Saad in the deal, if that's what it took.

But aside from something of that significance, I don't see it happening. Nor should it. This kid has some qualities you can't coach. I would not give up a player like that for a rent-a-player (a guy like Selanne for example) who could clearly help you now but has no future value.

And clearly the Hawks believe Saad has a gigantic future, or want you to believe that. But for perspective sake, some (not me) have made the comparison to Hossa, which is really silly. When Hossa came up at age 19, he was a more complete, capable and accomplished player than Saad is—and the immediate results he got showed it. Hossa was projectable as what he became. Saad's upside because of some of the rough edges and inconsistencies in his game is harder to assess. And it is pretty unlikely he will be quite the total package that Hossa is and has been.

As much as I want Bolland to be a Blackhawk for life I'm braced for the reality that he won't likely be here past his current contract. Although Bolland may not be missed terribly in the regular season, he will be missed tremendously in the post season. But I understand it's all about the quality of the depth, so if it come down to keeping Kruger, Danault and Shaw versus keeping just Bolland then we all know what will happen.
- DarthKane

Shaw plays that same type of game that could replace bolland. He's just as annoying, as just as border-line dirty as good ole Bolland is. I don't think it's a coincidence that Shaw was given that chance on the "3rd line" over Kruger to see while Bolland was given a chance up with Kane/Sharp. Shaw has proven to be a very important guy on this team.

Kruger still gets tossed around like a pin ball out there, but hes a tenacious guy. For the record, I'd keep Frolik OVER Stalberg today for 2 reasons: he's a better PK player, and he's very intelligent player. You dn't have to worry about Frolik making a costly play that leads to a goal. Stalberg.....not so muh

Shaw plays that same type of game that could replace bolland. He's just as annoying, as just as border-line dirty as good ole Bolland is. I don't think it's a coincidence that Shaw was given that chance on the "3rd line" over Kruger to see while Bolland was given a chance up with Kane/Sharp. Shaw has proven to be a very important guy on this team.

Kruger still gets tossed around like a pin ball out there, but hes a tenacious guy. For the record, I'd keep Frolik OVER Stalberg today for 2 reasons: he's a better PK player, and he's very intelligent player. You dn't have to worry about Frolik making a costly play that leads to a goal. Stalberg.....not so muh
- SteveRain

I agree. Stalberg is more of a "skilled" type forward and we have plenty of those guys. We need the quality depth players and I'd rather have Frolik on the PK than Stalberg. Kruger and Frolik are both 4th line guys (at the moment) who are capable of playing on the 3rd line (at least). If Stalberg goes then either Kurger or Frolik could easily join Shaw and Bickell on the third line and fill the void quite well.

Question for JJ -- Now that Brouwer has been gone for a season plus and with the news that they are trying to extend Bickell, do you think the organization has realized that it needs big guys who can hit (organizational shift, so to speak) and realize they missed on Brouwer, or was Brouwer moved for some other reason (it always seemed like he was a Q whipping boy)? Just curious about some after-the-fact examination of the Hawks' motivations.
- QStache

They have been trying to get tougher to play against for two years. I think Mayers and Carcillo were brought in as cheap approximations of some of what Brouwer did. But remember a LOT of the decision to move Brouwer was what it would take to keep him versus keeping Frolik and a couple of other FAs.

Certainly, Brouwer with average at best foot speed might not fully fit the profile of this team. BUT . . . again, and I believe the Hawks realize this, this team at present might not be as well suited for playoff hockey as it is regular season hockey. So it's all relative.

It's borderline criminal that game must be played on the horrible ice of the UC.
- Beaver-Warrior

Any events in the UC yesterday? Maybe if there wasn't the ice will be alright?

They have been trying to get tougher to play against for two years. I think Mayers and Carcillo were brought in as cheap approximations of some of what Brouwer did. But remember a LOT of the decision to move Brouwer was what it would take to keep him versus keeping Frolik and a couple of other FAs.

Certainly, Brouwer with average at best foot speed might not fully fit the profile of this team. BUT . . . again, and I believe the Hawks realize this, this team at present might not be as well suited for playoff hockey as it is regular season hockey. So it's all relative.
- John Jaeckel

This is where I wonder who is driving the bus, so to speak. You look at the organizational decisions that were made after the Cup win and following that and speed has ALWAYS been prioritized over hitting. Except potentially now with Stalberg v. Bickell. I wonder who is realizing that what the team needs is a few more hitters, even at mercy of speed. If it is Bowman/McDonough, that bodes well for the future. If it is Q, not as much but potentially important.

The one thing I have to say, though, is that if you look at the Hawks' drafts and top prospects, I am still concerned that the Hawks are constantly prioritizing speed over guys who can hit. Maybe they have decided to move speed for hitters, but that remains to be seen and is a concern I have for the long term health of the organization.

They have been trying to get tougher to play against for two years. I think Mayers and Carcillo were brought in as cheap approximations of some of what Brouwer did. But remember a LOT of the decision to move Brouwer was what it would take to keep him versus keeping Frolik and a couple of other FAs.

Certainly, Brouwer with average at best foot speed might not fully fit the profile of this team. BUT . . . again, and I believe the Hawks realize this, this team at present might not be as well suited for playoff hockey as it is regular season hockey. So it's all relative.
- John Jaeckel

Wonder how much of that decision to move Brouwer was because of Q's propensity to put him in the doghouse. From a financial perspective, they only paid like .250M less to employ Brunette. That worked well...

They have been trying to get tougher to play against for two years. I think Mayers and Carcillo were brought in as cheap approximations of some of what Brouwer did. But remember a LOT of the decision to move Brouwer was what it would take to keep him versus keeping Frolik and a couple of other FAs.

Certainly, Brouwer with average at best foot speed might not fully fit the profile of this team. BUT . . . again, and I believe the Hawks realize this, this team at present might not be as well suited for playoff hockey as it is regular season hockey. So it's all relative.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, I sent you a PM. Just heads up.

Some, if he plays there.

But look at the 2010 team: Byfuglien, Brouwer, Ladd, Eager, Madden, Burish

Hitters who could all skate (well enough). There was a banger on every line, sometimes two.

I still strongly suspect, this team will have a much easier time getting the President's Trophy than it will the Stanley Cup, because that is how it is currently constructed. it is actually faster than the 2010 team, which has benefits. But . . . the playoffs are a different game.
- John Jaeckel

agreed. In a seven game series I think we will struggle with teams that are big down the middle..ana, pho, van, stl. all bigger down the middle than us. It will be hard to beat two of these teams in the same playoff year

The bottom six has a nice mix of skill and grit. But the top 6 is not rugged enough to withstand the pounding some of the bigger teams will undoubtedly try to administer.

If the Stanbo could flip bolland or kruger for a top 6 banger (much like Van did with Hodson for Kassian) to play with kane or toews/ hoss. That could solve a few things.

I dont have an idea of a trading partner, but right now we seem to have a glut of smallish centers that arent quite a natural fit at 2c but are ideal 3c. Since we need a LEGITIMATE 2c or a larger/scoring top 6 wing--I say we move a smallish center or two

This is where I wonder who is driving the bus, so to speak. You look at the organizational decisions that were made after the Cup win and following that and speed has ALWAYS been prioritized over hitting. Except potentially now with Stalberg v. Bickell. I wonder who is realizing that what the team needs is a few more hitters, even at mercy of speed. If it is Bowman/McDonough, that bodes well for the future. If it is Q, not as much but potentially important.

The one thing I have to say, though, is that if you look at the Hawks' drafts and top prospects, I am still concerned that the Hawks are constantly prioritizing speed over guys who can hit. Maybe they have decided to move speed for hitters, but that remains to be seen and is a concern I have for the long term health of the organization.
- QStache

Maybe the M.O. is to draft speed and skill players and sign the Carcillo's and Mayers for a song to round out the roster, assuming the former develop appropriately and turn into the top-6 we hope for.

Shaw plays that same type of game that could replace bolland. He's just as annoying, as just as border-line dirty as good ole Bolland is. I don't think it's a coincidence that Shaw was given that chance on the "3rd line" over Kruger to see while Bolland was given a chance up with Kane/Sharp. Shaw has proven to be a very important guy on this team.

Kruger still gets tossed around like a pin ball out there, but hes a tenacious guy. For the record, I'd keep Frolik OVER Stalberg today for 2 reasons: he's a better PK player, and he's very intelligent player. You dn't have to worry about Frolik making a costly play that leads to a goal. Stalberg.....not so muh
- SteveRain

You aint kidding. I dont care if Frolik isnt scoring. Hes a demon on the PK and he plays 110 mph every shift. I have no issues with moving Stalberg if it brings back a Neil or similar player.

Ahh...but look around the league:
Versteeg, Brouwer, Ladd are all top 6 forwards who have been producing elsewhere.
Buff is now a top 4 d man, and easily a top 6 forward if he wanted to play forward

Is there any guy 9-12 on this team RIGHT now that may have a top 6 forward?

Saad could be, so that gives you 5...Bolland is proving as of today, that he still isn't up for the challenge.
- SteveRain

Is there any guy 9-12 on this team RIGHT now that may have a top 6 forward?
I'm not following that one...??

Also if Brouwer, Versteeg or Ladd were on the team today I could make the case none of them would be on the top two lines here.

my god. CHI fans have got to be my favorite on this site. How are you not rubbing in how much the oilers suck and how good the blackhawks are??!! Why are you so humble?!?!
- TheNugeIsHuge

For a variety of reasons.

1. Edmonton kicked the Hawks butts last year.
2. The expectations that come with the no loss record start, makes us nervous.
3. As Chicago fans, outside of the Jordan years, and the 85 Bear's season, we're used to Lucy pulling the ball away just as we're about to kick it.
4. Speaking for myself, I see a lot of the young Hawks in your team. The Oil have more skilled players, and the Hawks had more physicality, but a young team about to do some damage in the future.
5. And most importantly, you're not Canuck fans. Every team has trolls and delusional idiots. It just seems like the Nucks have cornered the market. Imagine if their team had actually won a Cup!

Maybe I'm biased, but this is one of the more friendly boards, unless you come spouting off and looking for trouble. Sure, we've got homers like any other team, but we also have a good lot looking to discuss and debate. I'm not saying I always agree with everything on here, but there's nothing wrong with a difference of opinion, or a different viewpoint, as long as it's presented in the right way.

Wonder how much of that decision to move Brouwer was because of Q's propensity to put him in the doghouse. From a financial perspective, they only paid like .250M less to employ Brunette. That worked well...
- eburgio

That was an idiotic move.. Brouwer was a very physical 2 way player. He would look damn good playing with 19 and 81 right about now. That was like Lovie dumping Chris Harris for Adam Archuleta..