Good read, Al. Very much agree. However, I would argue that someone like Pirri or Morin would be worth a 4th line rental. They really haven't proven themselves capable of cracking an NHL lineup and you know they are never going to turn into stars, so I'd say its 50-50 that they become mediocre NHL caliber players. Worth the risk, IMO.

Additionally, I wanted to ask your thoughts on the potential return for the top tier prospects (McNeill, Danault, TT, Clendening). Could one of those fetch a top 6 rental like a Clarkson? And if so, would you do a McNeill for a Clarkson?

I REALLY want Clarkson (plan A) or Morrow (plan B). With Saad on the 4th line and filling in on the top 6 in case of injury.
- coldsteelonice

You guys should NOT trade McNeil
He's the guy I wanted the Sabres to draft a couple years ago, but somehow we got lucky enough for Armia to fall all the way to us
But McNeil is exactly what u guys are looking for...
Big, tough, can score... And a center!
And he's been progressing nicely- he played on Canada's WJ team this year, so that should tell ya how talented he is...
You guys may even see him in Chicago after his season in Juniors is over this year
I think trading a guy that can be a nice part of your team for the next decade would be a bad move...
But I sure would like him on the Sabres if ya really wanna move him!

I think the problem with that is the Hawks probably shouldn't trade Leddy until the draft. If they are going for it this year I think they need him. Unless Stan has a trade coming in of another puck rusher to replace Leddy....
- droe411

And this is the conundrum - Stan has reached the point where progress requires value for value to get ahead.

I'm still anxiously awaiting either:

1. "We like our team"
2. " We think the addition of Jochen Hecht gives us the final critical piece to make a serious run"

Dear lord...

Marty Hossa? Really?

The regular season means.....NOTHING. Lets all remember that. There is no point to rush Patrick Sharp back, or force hossa to play, if your team is comfortably in the playoffs. Yes, I know the race for the top seed is still very much in doubt, but all any of us should care about are 2 things:

1. Will Stan Bowman make a trade or two or three, to shore up this roster for the playoffs.
2. The health of the team

Don't look now but Sharp will be out at LEAST the 4-6 weeks stated here, not the BS mythical 2-3 weeks some goof on twitter was spewing.

And..Dave Bolland sucks. Enjoy the weekend.

But doable, unless Stalberg and Leddy get crazy.
- droe411

It would be great if StanBo can get someone to take Monty off our hands - maybe a playoff contending team short on d-men. Then we could save the second amnesty buyout for the next season to gain some room to re-up with Hammer, Toews and Kane.

And this is the conundrum - Stan has reached the point where progress requires value for value to get ahead.

I'm still anxiously awaiting either:

1. "We like our team"
2. " We think the addition of Jochen Hecht gives us the final critical piece to make a serious run"
- Return of the Roar

I'm dead serious....I'd dangle Bolland to a team in the East right now....See if you can pry back a ransom. Or at worst deal his @ss at the draft.

Always an excuse....he doesn't get top 6 minutes, his back hurts, blah, blah, blah...wha the apologists needs to do is admit the obvious....the guy is a pile and should be dangled as part of a package for a top 6 player. Shaw and his cronies on the 3rd line seem to be doing pretty OK w/o the magnificent Dave Bolland centering them.

You guys wouldn't happen to be in the market for a puck moving D guy or a world class checking center would you? Leddy or Bolland???
- Return of the Roar

Prob not Leddy, we have too many defensemen like that already...
Bolland could be an option
Why do u guys wanna get rid of him though?
Isn't he pretty solid for u guys?
I remember when you won the cup a few years back, he played a big role going up against the Sedins
That's the kind of guy u want heading into the playoffs
Ott is like that too, but I think you'd wanna add a guy like Ott w/out giving up Boland in the process
The two of them on the same line would give other teams top forwards fits

>Think the schedule may force SBow to try and move quick, too
>18 games left: 12 home, 6 road
>But 5 back to backs -- including 4 in April
>And one those BTBs Mon/Tues
- SnapitUpstairs

That doesn't matter anymore: at worst, they finish second seed, no matter how the last 18 play out. Last 5 matter to be healthy and ready for the play-offs.

Like play Det/SJ/Dallas/CBJ in first round: should - SHOULD- win.

But then: Van/StL/LA in the second round - no lock there.

I'm dead serious....I'd dangle Bolland to a team in the East right now....See if you can pry back a ransom. Or at worst deal his @ss at the draft.

Always an excuse....he doesn't get top 6 minutes, his back hurts, blah, blah, blah...wha the apologists needs to do is admit the obvious....the guy is a pile and should be dangled as part of a package for a top 6 player. Shaw and his cronies on the 3rd line seem to be doing pretty OK w/o the magnificent Dave Bolland centering them.
- SteveRain

I have a feeling Bolland is getting dealt at the draft.

Prob not Leddy, we have too many defensemen like that already...
Bolland could be an option
Why do u guys wanna get rid of him though?
Isn't he pretty solid for u guys?
I remember when you won the cup a few years back, he played a big role going up against the Sedins
That's the kind of guy u want heading into the playoffs
Ott is like that too, but I think you'd wanna add a guy like Ott w/out giving up Boland in the process
The two of them on the same line would give other teams top forwards fits
- jdfitz77

Ott adds two things Bolland lacks - face off win pct and a little more size/net presence. Gives Quenneville more line options for different teams.

And this is the conundrum - Stan has reached the point where progress requires value for value to get ahead.

I'm still anxiously awaiting either:

1. "We like our team"
2. " We think the addition of Jochen Hecht gives us the final critical piece to make a serious run"
- Return of the Roar

Hecht won't make a dumb mistake & is a solid PK guy
And he won't cost ya more than a 3rd or 4th
He's not a sexy name, but he'd be a good addition for u guys
Buffalo fans just bash him bc we don't need to be playing a guy that has no future here when one of our young guys can be getting valuable icetime

You guys should NOT trade McNeil
He's the guy I wanted the Sabres to draft a couple years ago, but somehow we got lucky enough for Armia to fall all the way to us
But McNeil is exactly what u guys are looking for...
Big, tough, can score... And a center!
And he's been progressing nicely- he played on Canada's WJ team this year, so that should tell ya how talented he is...
You guys may even see him in Chicago after his season in Juniors is over this year
I think trading a guy that can be a nice part of your team for the next decade would be a bad move...
But I sure would like him on the Sabres if ya really wanna move him!
- jdfitz77

They have Danault, McNeill, and Pirri who are all Center prospects. I'd rank them in that order. I like McNeill, but I'd rather get a key player who can boost the Hawks chances to win the cup. I don't believe you can get quality players for career AHLers like some people do. I'd also consider Jimmy Hayes. He's further along, but has a lower upside than Danault and McNeill. I personally don't think Pirri will net you much more than a 4th liner.

I have a feeling Bolland is getting dealt at the draft.
- EKolb13

And you are more then welcome to come to my Bollus Party with Savvyone. I hope you are right, but I don't think Bowman has the stones to deal him. He'll probably extend him for 5 million, and I'll need to be put in a room with padded walls.

The guy has been given a HUGE opportunity this year, and has bombed...badly. He is now 100% replaceable, and honestly....it's a miracle Kane is producing like is playing with this guy. Just imagine if he had some skill on his line instead Bollus and Hayes.

Hecht won't make a dumb mistake & is a solid PK guy
And he won't cost ya more than a 3rd or 4th
He's not a sexy name, but he'd be a good addition for u guys
Buffalo fans just bash him bc we don't need to be playing a guy that has no future here when one of our young guys can be getting valuable icetime
- jdfitz77

Our team's issues are not in the bottom six though. They may have the best bottom six in the NHL. It is the top six and the PP where the problems lie.

No true 2C, no ability to gain/retain puck possession against physical teams, and no one to get their butt in front of the goalie on the PP.

Ott adds two things Bolland lacks - face off win pct and a little more size/net presence. Gives Quenneville more line options for different teams.
- Return of the Roar

Interesting,
Like I said before though...
I'd be shocked if Ott was traded, the offer would really have to blow us away I'd think

And this is the conundrum - Stan has reached the point where progress requires value for value to get ahead.

I'm still anxiously awaiting either:

1. "We like our team"
2. " We think the addition of Jochen Hecht gives us the final critical piece to make a serious run"
- Return of the Roar

So you think trading Leddy for Ott makes the Hawks better??? I STRONGLY disagree with you. Keep ridiculing SB's every move cause i'm sure as hell glad he doesn't do THAT move.

None of theplayers mentioned are worth Leddy, but if the return of real player si strong I am ready to receive a new hawk player for him.

Isle's Martin for a couple years has been a just a female dog of a checker.
Think one game this year he had 12 hits...

I really think no rostered guys are going anywhere until the GM & staff can evaluate their performances in regard to this year's post season.

Much wasted talk/type about what seems a distant action.

They have Danault, McNeill, and Pirri who are all Center prospects. I'd rank them in that order. I like McNeill, but I'd rather get a key player who can boost the Hawks chances to win the cup. I don't believe you can get quality players for career AHLers like some people do. I'd also consider Jimmy Hayes. He's further along, but has a lower upside than Danault and McNeill. I personally don't think Pirri will net you much more than a 4th liner.
- coldsteelonice

If you guys did want Ott,
McNeil could be a guy we want. I know we had intentions of drafting him, but Armia fell in our lap somehow
If we decide to go into a full re-build, then maybe Ott could be had

None of the players mentioned are worth Leddy, but if the return of real player si strong I am ready to receive a new hawk player for him.

Isle's Matt Martin, for a couple years, has been a just a female dog of a checker.
Think one game this year he had 12 hits in one I watched...

I really think no rostered guys are going anywhere until the GM & staff can evaluate their performances in regard to this year's post season.

Much wasted talk/type about what seems a distant action.
- wiz1901

one last volley:
IF STEVE OTT WAS such a great face-off man, why doesn't he play the pivot OR take most face-offs when he on the ice, etiquette ?????

I have a feeling Bolland is getting dealt at the draft.
- EKolb13

I've been one of Bolland's biggest supports, but I'm starting to realize that due to the cap situation he won't be around much longer.

I've also been one to argue that Bolland deserves a shot on the 2nd line. While I don't think Bolland's done a bad job he could certainly do much better. In the short term (while Bolland was injured) Shaw seemed to have more chemistry with Kane than Bolland does. I was wrong about Bolland being on the 2nd line, clearly he should be on the 3rd.

I hate to say it but I think Bolland won't last beyond his current contract.

Our team's issues are not in the bottom six though. They may have the best bottom six in the NHL. It is the top six and the PP where the problems lie.

No true 2C, no ability to gain/retain puck possession against physical teams, and no one to get their butt in front of the goalie on the PP.
- Return of the Roar

How is trading your one good PP QB going to improve the powerplay? You want to see MORE of Keith on the PP? You think Roszival and Brookbank playing 10 minutes a night, and Keith and Seabs playing 30, will be good for the defense?

I think a 4th line center who is good at faceoffs and PK is a must.

Our team's issues are not in the bottom six though. They may have the best bottom six in the NHL. It is the top six and the PP where the problems lie.

No true 2C, no ability to gain/retain puck possession against physical teams, and no one to get their butt in front of the goalie on the PP.
- Return of the Roar

Sounds like McNeil is exactly the guy you're looking for... But is he ready to actually produce for u guys?
I bet he at least gets a look when his season in Juniors is over

If you guys did want Ott,
McNeil could be a guy we want. I know we had intentions of drafting him, but Armia fell in our lap somehow
If we decide to go into a full re-build, then maybe Ott could be had
- jdfitz77

I don't think I'd want Ott for McNeill, personally. It would be decent value, I just don't believe Ott is top 6 material on a championship team. Clarkson or Morrow or D. Brown (not happening obviously) is the kind of guy I want to see.

Sounds like McNeil is exactly the guy you're looking for... But is he ready to actually produce for u guys?
I bet he at least gets a look when his season in Juniors is over
- jdfitz77

I don't think McNeil is ready yet, he needs a couple seasons in Rockford before he'll be ready for Chicago. Danault is probably closer to being NHL ready and I think he'll probably need a year in the AHL too.

I don't think McNeil is ready yet, he needs a couple seasons in Rockford before he'll be ready for Chicago. Danault is probably closer to being NHL ready and I think he'll probably need a year in the AHL too.
- DarthKane

If SB fails and doesn't get a 4th line center, I COULD see Danault getting a look at the 4th line since he's good at PK and faceoffs.

one last volley:
IF STEVE OTT WAS such a great face-off man, why doesn't he play the pivot OR take most face-offs when he on the ice, etiquette ?????
- wiz1901

He does take most face offs when on the ice
He's taken the 2nd most faceoffs on our team, and his 56.7 winning percentage is very good

You are way off base here