I don't want to lose either really...and hope both their agents are reasonable. Bicks needs to work on his night in/out consistency. And Leddy needs to get in the weight room and get some snarl in his game below the dots in his own zone.
- philco28

Overall, thought it was better this year; didn't have big stretches where he was completely invisible. On nights he wasn't on the scoreboard he was still throwing big hits...

Let me say this -- a lot of you guys here were really high on Olsen when he was brought up . . . "the next Seabrook" -- big, tough, hits, etc.

Problem was/is -- no matter how nasty he was/is, you gotta catch 'em before you can hit 'em. Very poor footwork and slow 1st step and acceleration. Very limited lateral mobility.

I will say this again like a broken record: Leddy is the best skater on this club AND fastest skater. It's not something you can be "taught" when you are already in the league. You can get (marginally speaking) better but you have to not only have the in-born athletic abilities, you also have had to be taught the right way at an early age. Muscle memory.

I have watched ALL of the Hawks close-up and Leddy's footwork, speed, lateral mobility are THE best on the club. He's got very good hockey instincts. Part of his problem on the club was, as Al referred to it, being on a leash. And much of the time this year and in the playoffs you could see it. You knew when he had been given the OK to do his thing. And when he didn't. When it was the latter, he was much more uncomfortable on the ice.

The comment earlier about defending before the blue-line is SPOT ON -- however, I think Nick did this only 2nd to Keith. He defended before our blueline much more than Seabrook or Oduya. I think his timidity on the ice stemmed from what he was being told/coached was OK or not.

Now whether he stays or not -- well, I hope he does. But not for crazy money. No way he's worth $4M next season. But in the 2nd season after, he could be a bargain. Hjalmarsson situation except now with a reduced cap.

Hoping Stan finds a way to keep him and Bicks.
- savvyone-1

Goes back to what I said earlier - how good do the Hawks think Leddy is and how good do they think he can be in the future. If they think he has the ability to be a superstar, they keep him and find the money to do it with even though they won't like the price tag this early in his career.

Makes no sense to keep a 30 year old Oduya and let a potential Paul Coffey go over a couple million $. Johnny O is a 4/5 Dman and no more even though he excelled in the playoffs for the most part.

Or the other way to proceed is to dangle Leddy in trade - can he pull a top drawer forward or center in a package (and I'm talking a Huberdeau/Ryan Johanssen type).

Overall, thought it was better this year; didn't have big stretches where he was completely invisible. On nights he wasn't on the scoreboard he was still throwing big hits...
- HawkintheD

I thought everyone knew their role this season. Probably not a coincidence, that because of that, the team had success.

Overall, thought it was better this year; didn't have big stretches where he was completely invisible. On nights he wasn't on the scoreboard he was still throwing big hits...
- HawkintheD

Agreed D...but the test will be to stay consistent in a full season.

What do you think about yost's article?
- coldsteelonice

Unrealistic on numerous levels. Further I have heard ZERO about any Hossa trade.

Although I do get Rick's point.

Personally, I'm on the fence about Leddy.

If he ever put it all together, he would be tremendous. But I also wonder if he has what it takes mentally. There are rumors out there he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

He got better this year, but the way Q (didn't) use him in the Finals spoke volumes.

I respect the hell out of Q for holding his ground on playing youngsters. And as I understand it, his having he right to tell Stanley to take a flying leap on that issue was a condition of his sticking around last summer.
- John Jaeckel

Connfirmed....there is an ongoing internal discussion about his ability to grasp certain elements of the system and his play under pressure.

I think the question is ...Leddy was traded for in the 2010 season to help us win the 2013 cup who will be traded for to help us win the 2015 cup ?
- mrpaulish

Nicely stated. The Rat is one and perhaps Leddy.

Overall, thought it was better this year; didn't have big stretches where he was completely invisible. On nights he wasn't on the scoreboard he was still throwing big hits...
- HawkintheD

What up Detroit Rock City?

I thought everyone knew their role this season. Probably not a coincidence, that because of that, the team had success.
- eburgio

Great point! Think that held until Stalberg decided to break ranks in the playoffs...not that it ended up mattering.

What up Detroit Rock City?
- UnnamedSource

Hey US! Still wearing a permagrin from Monday's game and 2 Cups in 4 years. How about you/S?

Unrealistic on numerous levels. Further I have heard ZERO about any Hossa trade.
- John Jaeckel

Hossa will not be traded, he will be a Blackhawk for as long as he wants to.

Reminds me a lot of . . . Peter Forsberg.
- John Jaeckel

Huh... I could have sworn you were going to say Kane.

Great point! Think that held until Stalberg decided to break ranks in the playoffs...not that it ended up mattering.
- HawkintheD

Also a good point

Huh... I could have sworn you were going to say Kane.
- ilinkhawk

I was thinking Tyler Arnason...or Rusty!

Unrealistic on numerous levels. Further I have heard ZERO about any Hossa trade.
- John Jaeckel

I love Hossa but his contract and health scare me. If you could get a solid return its got to be worth considering.

By the way, thanks for a great year of blogging. I disagree sometimes but always enjoy reading.

With all due respect, Rick, I don't think Scotty needs to ask Rozsival.
- John Jaeckel

I had a migraine when I wrote that.

But, players and coaches and managers have a unique way of communicating things about young players and their ability to grasp and perform. Physical skills are one thing, ability to perform at the top of the food chain under the most stressful circumstances is another. Toews is my benchmark - plenty of players with as much or more natural skill but few if any deliver more when circumstances demand it.

I'll agree, Bickell has earned a raise. As to how much of a raise, that's debatable. I certainly don't think he's worth more than $2.5 million per season.

He'll end up getting more than that, I know. I'm just concerned that after Bickell gets his big pay day, he reverts to the Bickell of old, and essentially becomes another Dustin Penner. And a poor man's version of Penner to boot.
- EKolb13

If you put him with Toews and Kane for a year and LEAVE him.... I highly doubt you will be disappointed. If you hide him on he checking line... Of course he isn't going to do much in line of offense. Make no mistake... His big value to this team comes playoff time. Tough to win the Cup without players like him.

I had a migraine when I wrote that.

But, players and coaches and managers have a unique way of communicating things about young players and their ability to grasp and perform. Physical skills are one thing, ability to perform at the top of the food chain under the most stressful circumstances is another. Toews is my benchmark - plenty of players with as much or more natural skill but few if any deliver more when circumstances demand it.
- RickJ

LOL, totally agreed.

Connfirmed....there is an ongoing internal discussion about his ability to grasp certain elements of the system and his play under pressure.
- UnnamedSource

Source...do you work for the club ?

Source...do you work for the club ?
- philco28

Nope

Nope
- UnnamedSource

Just wondering cuz you had written about internal stuff being confirmed...just curious....cool gig if you can get it.

If you put him with Toews and Kane for a year and LEAVE him.... I highly doubt you will be disappointed. If you hide him on he checking line... Of course he isn't going to do much in line of offense. Make no mistake... His big value to this team comes playoff time. Tough to win the Cup without players like him.
- ilinkhawk

If he reverts to the Bickell I've seen throughout the years, it doesn't matter about his ability or potential. I've seen Bickell regularly walk the dog on most nights. Bickell knew this time when his contract was up, he had to preform to earn. That's what he's done this season and in the playoffs.

The question is if he keeps up the level of effort he did this season, or does he rest on the laurels of this past season or does he revert to showing up on the ice, standing around with his thumb up his ass and just collect an inflated paycheck?

Nope
- UnnamedSource

So do you think Q gets forced out now for mishandling pretty much everyone on the team?

If he reverts to the Bickell I've seen throughout the years, it doesn't matter about his ability or potential. I've seen Bickell regularly walk the dog on most nights. Bickell knew this time when his contract was up, he had to preform to earn. That's what he's done this season and in the playoffs.

The question is if he keeps up the level of effort he did this season, or does he rest on the laurels of this past season or does he revert to showing up on the ice, standing around with his thumb up his ass and just collect an inflated paycheck?
- EKolb13

Thats for Stan to decide. How much is he willing to pay to find out the answer to your question.

If he reverts to the Bickell I've seen throughout the years, it doesn't matter about his ability or potential. I've seen Bickell regularly walk the dog on most nights. Bickell knew this time when his contract was up, he had to preform to earn. That's what he's done this season and in the playoffs.

The question is if he keeps up the level of effort he did this season, or does he rest on the laurels of this past season or does he revert to showing up on the ice, standing around with his thumb up his ass and just collect an inflated paycheck?
- EKolb13

That's the big question, but if he plays solid hockey during the reg. sked and does what he did again in the playoffs...i'll be happy with that.

What a phuck'n playoff by 29...the last part on a bum knee.