High in draft says Florida to me. I know you said Uncle Dale really wants TT. Do you think Bolland, Leddy, and TT bring back Shore/Bjestad and the #2 overall, or something like that?
- ikeane

I think that anything to Florida needs to include Matthias.

That drop pass to Oduya which I believe was by him was money. His hockey IQ and work ethic are off the charts. That compensates for his lack of beef. I think if he can add some strength which could also help him on faceoffs, he could become even better.
- golfbard

Like the upside and thought him and Frolik on the PK and 5 on 5 were outstanding the entire playoffs. Love the fact that both he and Shaw are 5th rounders, young and solid contributors with a Cup under their belt!

Check this article out: http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

They spend 10-20 million more than they take in. Big reason they are not making the money they should be is from ticket revenue. Their ticket prices are not among the highest which is good for fans but impacts their bottom line. The Cup run helped make up for some lost games due to the lockout. They are a few years away from turning a profit. Read the article as it explains everything.
- golfbard

this is a line from the article:
This season's surge to the Stanley Cup Final hasn't made up for missed revenue from a lockout-shortened regular season, when the team continued to pay more than 100 non-player employees, but it has mitigated the pain.

Did NHL teams have to pay their non player employees during the lockout?

The kid is a prime time player...And this is one of the things that is making it easier to live with the fact that the same team is not coming back next season...Kruger is still young and is going to get better, he just has the work ethic and mentality to get better and better....I think the same holds true for Shaw and Frolik too....The one person I am worried about is Saad....JJ and others have mentioned that before a lot of scouts and coaches questioned his desire work ethic etc...he could possibly be a: (frank) it, I won a CUP , I don't care anymore type...not saying he will be like that, but more of a possibility that comes from him than Kruger
- captainserious

If coached properly I think he'll be ok. I'm not too concerned about the work ethic issue but it is out there. He has some serious upside and his development will be key going forward.

this is a line from the article:
This season's surge to the Stanley Cup Final hasn't made up for missed revenue from a lockout-shortened regular season, when the team continued to pay more than 100 non-player employees, but it has mitigated the pain.

Did NHL teams have to pay their non player employees during the lockout?
- captainserious

No, they didn't. But you don't become or stay a first class organization unless you do things like that.

So, will Henrik Karlsson get his name on the cup because he backed up in the first round?

I don't see the Hawks moving that high in the draft. And I can't see any team passing on the top 5 players in the draft, with the possible exception of Tampa and that would ONLY be if they got salary relief from Lecavalier's contract and the Hawks ain't doing that.

I think it's much more likely that Bolland gets moved for either a 2nd or a 3rd. The Hawks don't have either.

It's funny, I find myself somewhat amused by all the other teams frantically making moves trying to get where the Hawks are. Mirtle today theorized that the Flyers are preparing a huge offer sheet for Bobrovsky....That's absolutely hilarious.

Should be interesting.

Would love to get McKinnon...but sounds like Roy and the Avs have designs on either him or Drouin.
- philco28

McKinnon would be great. Looks like the Avs will grab him. Been some negative items coming out on Jones. I would be worried if they traded up and took him. Barkov, Drouin, McK all look like they would be with Hawks next year.

If coached properly I think he'll be ok. I'm not too concerned about the work ethic issue but it is out there. He has some serious upside and his development will be key going forward.
- golfbard

Definitely....If he Kruger,Shaw and Frolik can continue to improve it will obviously make this team even stronger than it already is...And to be honest with you, I can also see improvements from Bickell and Hammer as well..I think Keith Seabs and Oduya have maxed themselves, what you see is what you get from them the next 5 years or so...but hey, maybe I'm wrong, Chara is what, 36 and he is still a VERY VERY good Dman, despite this last playoff series

No, they didn't. But you don't become or stay a first class organization unless you do things like that.
- QStache

I think I read somewhere that Rocky was a hard liner along with Jeremy Jacobs, but hey, at least he payed his employees during the strike when he didn't have to

I don't see the Hawks moving that high in the draft. And I can't see any team passing on the top 5 players in the draft, with the possible exception of Tampa and that would ONLY be if they got salary relief from Lecavalier's contract and the Hawks ain't doing that.

I think it's much more likely that Bolland gets moved for either a 2nd or a 3rd. The Hawks don't have either.

It's funny, I find myself somewhat amused by all the other teams frantically making moves trying to get where the Hawks are. Mirtle today theorized that the Flyers are preparing a huge offer sheet for Bobrovsky....That's absolutely hilarious.

Should be interesting.
- yahoodi

Bolland, regardless of his warts, won't be given away for picks that are 2-4 years away. Centerman are valuable commodities in today's NHL. Trade Bolland and sign who to replace him - a piece of crap like Tyler Bozak who is looking for $5M/year?

Bolly stays unless he's part of a bigger package that returns something the Hawks really want or covet.

Bowman to be on the Score in a few minutes..

It's funny, I find myself somewhat amused by all the other teams frantically making moves trying to get where the Hawks are. Mirtle today theorized that the Flyers are preparing a huge offer sheet for Bobrovsky....That's absolutely hilarious.

Should be interesting.
- yahoodi

Holmgrem realizes his used his 2 buyouts right? That guy is nuts! But hats off to him, always looking to try and improve his team...took some guts to buy out Bryz...actually it took guts to admit that mistake....Good job Holmgrem

Love it when Wiz gets all riled up...the guy is a legend
- captainserious

We're due any time now for one of Wiz' legendary 'stream of consciousness' posts...the kind that are littered with gems of info/gossip for Blackhawk fans yet have a little bit of Hunter S. Thompson 'GONZO' style journalism in them.

McKinnon would be great. Looks like the Avs will grab him. Been some negative items coming out on Jones. I would be worried if they traded up and took him. Barkov, Drouin, McK all look like they would be with Hawks next year.
- tredbrta

What's the dirt on Jones ?

I love Drouin. Hawks like Seth Jones and another player. Will fill in later.
- John Jaeckel

I'm very wary of Seth Jones. I would be hesitant to ship significant assets to get him.

Bowman to be on the Score in a few minutes..
- Glenman12

Stan or Scotty?

Stan or Scotty?
- captainserious

Stan

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...an/177/52321#.Ucr6Ffm1Et4

Ryan Wilson's post says Carolina is looking for a top 4 D-man. Leddy is currently on the cusp in terms of overall d-man, call it 4B, with much higher potential, but his value as an offensive d-man is easily top 4.

Last I checked Carolina had trouble scoring. Perhaps they might be interested in a guy like Leddy for their first round pick?

Then trade Bolland, Pirri, and TT to Flordia for Matthias and their first round pick.

What's the dirt on Jones ?
- philco28

Mostly has to do with a questionable work ethic.

Check this article out: http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

They spend 10-20 million more than they take in. Big reason they are not making the money they should be is from ticket revenue. Their ticket prices are not among the highest which is good for fans but impacts their bottom line. The Cup run helped make up for some lost games due to the lockout. They are a few years away from turning a profit. Read the article as it explains everything.
- golfbard

It also helps that the revenue from parking and concessions (particularly liquor concessions) at the UC is "hidden" and not counted as revenue for the Hawks, even though the Hawks are certainly responsible for that revenue. Wirtz is making money hand over fist on the Hawks yet he's still able to demonstrate annual losses, which I'm sure helped the owners' case when it came to the CBA.

I do agree with you that they could charge more for tickets, though as a STH from the days before the Hawks got good again, it's tough to swallow the big annual increases.

I'm very wary of Seth Jones. I would be hesitant to ship significant assets to get him.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm not weary persay if Jones but I like the top forward prosoects better.

We're due any time now for one of Wiz' legendary 'stream of consciousness' posts...the kind that are littered with gems of info/gossip for Blackhawk fans yet have a little bit of Hunter S. Thompson 'GONZO' style journalism in them.


- philco28

You nailed it with that Hunter S. Thompson line....Wiz is the Hunter S. Thompson of the NHL...seriously, I can't get enough of the guys posts in this thread...And when he mentioned his goal light in his house that shoots out across the street...GOLD!!!comedy at its best!!!

So, will Henrik Karlsson get his name on the cup because he backed up in the first round?
- beingaflamesfan

No!

Nor does he deserve to be on the cup.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ryan-Wilson/Hurricanes-reportedly-looking-for-a-Top-4-Defenseman/177/52321#.Ucr6Ffm1Et4

Ryan Wilson's post says Carolina is looking for a top 4 D-man. Leddy is currently on the cusp in terms of overall d-man, call it 4B, with much higher potential, but his value as an offensive d-man is easily top 4.

Last I checked Carolina had trouble scoring. Perhaps they might be interested in a guy like Leddy for their first round pick?

Then trade Bolland, Pirri, and TT to Flordia for Matthias and their first round pick.
- Bjm84

If this scenario plays out could you imagine having 2-3 first round oicks after winning the cup ?

That's dynastic !