I would hope so! I can't wait to see what we've got the day after the deadline, and it'll be nice to focus on just the damn hockey games!
- mohel

Which means, fortunately or unfortunately, the posts here go down from about 1,000 per blog to maybe 200.

Unless, of course, we start talking about this summer's RFA/UFA/Draft/Trades on April 4.

I'll just say this, the rumored deal I heard about with Montreal has a couple of highly valued Hawks going the other way, but what it brings back, IMO, makes the Hawks very, very formidable. A lot of posters here would have an aneurysm, while not appreciating the holes that get filled with the return and the relative expendability of the "star" and "future star" that go the other way.

A team that is worried about the cap or winning Cups 5 years down the line is not focused on winning one today—broad, but generally true.

I will feel much better about this team's playoff fortunes when it is more like the 2010 team—in character and style—than the 2012 team. That is not unachievable between now and 4/3. Bowman knows there are holes, and I give him/the FO/Scotty—whoever is really calling the personnel shots—credit for seeing it.

Remains to be seen if they can pull something off.
- John Jaeckel

Future Star- Leddy
Star - Bolland or Sharp

Excellent Job as always JJ! Would love to deal with philly and grab a guy like Wayne Simmonds. The guy has the ability to play on one of the Hawks top two lines and will definately bring physicality to the the top 6. Last night was a playoff game, and IF the hawks make the WCF and meet wth the ducks we could see four games like the one last night on the road to the golf course. Toews looked ready to play and had the jets last night. The suspense for this plentiful rumor blog is killing me.

Does Q want a team that is physical ? I'm starting to wonder. If he does then you tell guys like Bollig and Carcillo to hit everything in sight. It seems like they are being held back in that department .

One loss and everybody wants trades
Chill out people

Trading a kid like Leddy would be insane
He's the best skater since Paul Coffey and his upside is through the roof
Brookbank was terrible last night and Leddy seems more in tune with Rosie than Brbank

We have the deepest D in the Leaque so forgetting the theory of trading from strength ......leave it alone
We are among the leaders in Goals against and the same goes for Goals for

All the teams in contention are trying to add a Top 6 forward and a top 4 Dman
Daaa
We already have those pieces when Sharp and Hossa return soon

Add a piece or two .. Yes or ..... go for the home run with Iggy who adds grit,offence and is responsible in his own end. Just don't trade away the future by moving guys like Leddy
It's insane

[img][/img]

So... teams out of contention? FLA and WASH are the teams I'm thinking and I'm going to say:


4th Line Wing: Parros (FLA)
3rd/4th Line C: Hendricks or Beagle (WASH)


Just being bored on a thursday aft... but all 3 would be nice additions.
- TyCamScore

Ott is my first choice for acqusition, Hendricks is my second. I'd love for Stan to get both.

Future Star- Leddy
Star - Bolland or Sharp
- jimmy33

I can see Shaw being dealt or Saad

far as the star goes, a good guess is Bolland for sure, i think his time is up here, especially with krugs playing way better, plus Sharp has a nmc, i think it would be hjammer that gets moved as well as the habs from what i been reading are looking for D

I can see Shaw being dealt or Saad

far as the star goes, a good guess is Bolland for sure, i think his time is up here, especially with krugs playing way better, plus Sharp has a nmc, i think it would be hjammer that gets moved as well as the habs from what i been reading are looking for D
- Hawkeyes

Then it might be Hjalmarsson and Saad as they also need a LW

I can see Shaw being dealt or Saad

far as the star goes, a good guess is Bolland for sure, i think his time is up here, especially with krugs playing way better, plus Sharp has a nmc, i think it would be hjammer that gets moved as well as the habs from what i been reading are looking for D
- Hawkeyes

I'm all for trading anyone if it make the team better overall, but these are two guys I'd rather not deal. Right now (IMO) they are more valuable to us then Danault or TT because they've proven they belong in the NHL. Danault and TT may be excellent prospects, but you don't know what they'll actually be in the NHL until they're here. If we lack grit and toughness I can't see Shaw going anywhere, and Saad could be good here too. Both of their contract situations are excellent so they would be tough to trade.

Last night was a perfect example of how the Hawks can be taken out of a game.
A team with that much speed, and offensive creativity can easily wear out their opponents, and it has happened on more than a few occasions this year. For the latter part of the 2nd and beginning of the 3rd, it actually looked like that was the way the game was going.
Then Anaheim started forcing the play out along the boards, and putting bodies on everyone. Just like Phoenix did last year in the playoffs, and what Col. did when they beat the Hawks 2 weeks back. When the Hawks face that style of pressure, they have a rough time as there are no comparable "bangers" in their line-up. Having Carcillo on ice for 2 minutes, and the double shifting late was baffling. There were some bad plays that led to goals, but i think last night's loss rests squarely on Q.
Carcillo isn't doing it? Rotate Bickell into that spot for some shifts. Bolland can't do anything? Give Kruger some of those shifts. And for the love of whoever, do SOMETHING with the powerplay. Give those lower line guys that are working their asses off some "reward" time, Change the D pairings, Make Keith stop shooting....
I'm not sure of the answer, but that first PP last night never even set up... in 2 minutes. That is inexcusable, and it has been this way for 2 seasons.
Sorry for being all over the place with this. The world is not ending, but last night's game was won by a team that, by all appearances, is the more well rounded team.
Without some minor tweaks to the roster / lineups another early exit is entirely probable.

/ poorly voiced rant

There are two guys the Hawks are after now—one is a 4th line wing, the other a 3rd/4th line C—both are highly valued by their current clubs (both of which however are out of playoff contention).

You add these two guys to this team for say Frolik or Carcillo, a couple of prospects or a late round pick, and this is going to be a tough, tough, balanced team in the playoffs. Because you are adding a penalty killing C who is 50%+ at the dot, tough as nails and a true destroyer 4th line wing who has some passable skill and can skate.
- John Jaeckel

Makes sense. Too many teams in contention now, so it's a sellers' market.

2nd line issues probably can't be resolved until offseaon

Makes sense. Too many teams in contention now, so it's a sellers' market.

2nd line issues probably can't be resolved until offseaon
- KingB

My info. is the Hawks pretty much know they will have to overpay somewhat to get the guy(s) they want.

My info. is the Hawks pretty much know they will have to overpay somewhat to get the guy(s) they want.
- John Jaeckel

They may know they have to overpay...but are they willing to?

My info. is the Hawks pretty much know they will have to overpay somewhat to get the guy(s) they want.
- John Jaeckel

is that in both scenarios you mentioned...meaning Montreal being one and non contention team deals the other

My info. is the Hawks pretty much know they will have to overpay somewhat to get the guy(s) they want.
- John Jaeckel

I believe with most teams yes but not with Montreal.
Montreal is a playoff team so I do not think that they would have to overpay on this deal. It would be to fill needs for both teams.

I believe with most teams yes but not with Montreal.
Montreal is a playoff team so I do not think that they would have to overpay on this deal. It would be to fill needs for both teams.
- Greek7

I agree...that's why I asked if it was both scenarios..

Quick note: HAWKS Brandon Saad at Sunrise Chevy, Friday March 22nd from 6-8pm.Bring your own items to be signed. Don't forget your camera. Sunrise is on North Ave in Glendale Heights

If the 2 teams, Montreal and Chicago are continuing talks as has been reported and Scotty Bowman has been heavily scouting then something must be brewing

JJ from Yesterday


Two rostered Chicago players, 3 rostered Montreal players. All under 25 except one of the Chicago guys. Have not heard anything about AHL players but would not rule that out either.

This has been an ongoing conversation since the summer and might go in to next summer but the contract status of one of the players might force something before the TDL.
- John Jaeckel




Now or in the offseason, this deal makes sense for both teams. Remember who Leddy's agent is! A Dman like Leddy with his speed is tough to give up but if you can not sign him you have to make a deal like this!

My guess:
Bolland(26) and Leddy for Eller(2nd line center), Weber and Tinordi( 6'6 D man) size on the back end

Tinordi Analysis from Hockey's Future

Tinordi possesses multiple talents that cannot be learned, such as an NHL pedigree and gargantuan stature. When at his best, he makes a habit of overpowering his opponents. He thrives when protecting the area around his net and in the corners. Tinordi skates well for his size, brings grit and toughness in the mold of a defensive defenseman, as well as leadership capability.

I'm all in for getting some added toughness. Realistically the toughness has to be added to the first or second lines. I don't see the added value of trading for a tough grinder and putting him on the fourth line to play 5 minutes.

If the Hawks could pull something off like this:

Get Ott and M. Martin for some combination of Stalberg, Kruger, high draft pick, prospects like McNeill, Pirri, or something like this. Then do it!!!!!!!! (Not sure if its doable, just a suggestion)

For those of you that don't think Ott or Martin couldn't play on the top two lines think again. Toews/Hossa and Kane/Sharp have been playing with Saad, Carcillo, Slow-mo Hayes, and Five minute wind-up Bolland.

Personally, if those players were obtained, my top two lines would be:

Toews-Hossa-Martin
Ott-Kane-Sharp

Now that's sexy. Also, Ott could pound anyone thinking of hitting Kane. Martin could pound a lot of guys on the boards to get that puck for Hosa and Toews to work their magic.

Third line: Bolland-Shaw-Bickell


This is a line up ready to kick arse in the playoffs.

C'mon - be real. A WCF appearance is an accomplishment for any team (assuming the team isn't, then, subsequently swept).

Now, everything else aside, you've been on me in the past for what you perceive as a pro Bowman stance, while I've maintained that I'm aligned more toward the 'wait and see' approach regarding this FO. If this team isn't improved in a way that makes me believe it has pushed in all of her chips for this post season by the TDL I will definitely see Bowman as more a detriment than positive force for the organization.
- nathanjf

As someone who was critial of Bowman at the deadline last year...

I would like to hear what you believe would be considered pushing in all your chips??

Kane double shifts to a -4. Hawks give one away late but can learn from loss to Anaheim - My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/ZWzogb

@AlCimaglia

Whats up with the Stalberg and Bickell extensions ?

Ok...I admit it the hawks winning is a all a mirage and they are just a bunch a skirts who have no chance vs the big bad rough and tough ducks or kings or ohhh those scary thugish bruins. Quit now..hang it up...shut down the season and the blogs unless Stanbow finds a physical savior off someone elses roster.

Geez four days of of this...see ya monday nite!
- bogiedoc

No doubt, you wonder why some people even watch the games!!!!

I'll just say this, the rumored deal I heard about with Montreal has a couple of highly valued Hawks going the other way, but what it brings back, IMO, makes the Hawks very, very formidable. A lot of posters here would have an aneurysm, while not appreciating the holes that get filled with the return and the relative expendability of the "star" and "future star" that go the other way.

A team that is worried about the cap or winning Cups 5 years down the line is not focused on winning one today—broad, but generally true.

I will feel much better about this team's playoff fortunes when it is more like the 2010 team—in character and style—than the 2012 team. That is not unachievable between now and 4/3. Bowman knows there are holes, and I give him/the FO/Scotty—whoever is really calling the personnel shots—credit for seeing it.

Remains to be seen if they can pull something off.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah totally different than trading for pieces.

I can get on that bus and aside from Kane and Toews (maybe Keith and Hossa from an economics and intangible standpoint respectively) I wouldn't mind seeing them move bigger pieces for a platoon that better fit in the system and equip them to win. If last night did prove anything it is rolling 4 lines will be absolutely positively essential for this team to have a chance for success.

Moving an important player and a prospect/piece to round out their depth chart makes an absurd amount of sense. Especially with how they have adapted to playing with a shorter roster.

The 4 days off should provide them with time to assess and pull the trigger. At a minimum I would like to see Hayes off the roster and someone who can skate and play D in his stead.

If the 2 teams, Montreal and Chicago are continuing talks as has been reported and Scotty Bowman has been heavily scouting then something must be brewing

JJ from Yesterday


Two rostered Chicago players, 3 rostered Montreal players. All under 25 except one of the Chicago guys. Have not heard anything about AHL players but would not rule that out either.

This has been an ongoing conversation since the summer and might go in to next summer but the contract status of one of the players might force something before the TDL.
- John Jaeckel




Now or in the offseason, this deal makes sense for both teams. Remember who Leddy's agent is! A Dman like Leddy with his speed is tough to give up but if you can not sign him you have to make a deal like this!

My guess:
Bolland(26) and Leddy for Eller(2nd line center), Weber and Tinordi( 6'6 D man) size on the back end

Tinordi Analysis from Hockey's Future

Tinordi possesses multiple talents that cannot be learned, such as an NHL pedigree and gargantuan stature. When at his best, he makes a habit of overpowering his opponents. He thrives when protecting the area around his net and in the corners. Tinordi skates well for his size, brings grit and toughness in the mold of a defensive defenseman, as well as leadership capability.
- Greek7

That's not a bad deal at all. Considering it's very likely Bolland will be another victim of the salary cap it would be good to get another quality centre back in Eller. Shaw has done well in the 3C role so there would be a void there either. Leddy would be missed, he could go on to be an all-star, but Tinordi would give us that toughness we lack. Its a good move talent-wise and a good move cap-wise.

I'm all for trading anyone if it make the team better overall, but these are two guys I'd rather not deal. Right now (IMO) they are more valuable to us then Danault or TT because they've proven they belong in the NHL. Danault and TT may be excellent prospects, but you don't know what they'll actually be in the NHL until they're here. If we lack grit and toughness I can't see Shaw going anywhere, and Saad could be good here too. Both of their contract situations are excellent so they would be tough to trade.
- DarthKane

Here is where it gets interesting. Hammer has been the best defender by far all year... Does that make Seabrook expendable? Come playoffs they can either rotate 5 in the back or they get a veteran in return.