As far as Leddy - I'm thinkin' McCub wants the kid gone after the stuff with Sheehy and Suter last summer. Anyone catch the wet kisses being thrown by Telander in the SunTimes this morning? Basically if it wasn't for McCub none of this would have happened. Sorry Rick but anyone with a marketing degree could have done what McCub did. Heck anyone without a marketing degree for that matter. The Hawks were bad for years and that allowed them to draft high and put the team together...it wasn't because of the one goal crap.

I really enjoyed Corey's coming out party on Friday because I'm sure it made McD squirm...

You could easily see the Hawks making several moves today to once again make a huge splash like McD wants.
- DK002

I just read the article, to some extent I agree with this, but to imply that the team is good because McD inherited great draft picks because of the dark days is almost like the arguments people have made that Q is getting too much credit and most any coach can win with the talent on this team.

In the fall of 2008 I met a former Hawk who now lives in the area. He and I were having a conversation shortly after Savard was fired and Q was brought in. The word around hockey was that McD was control freak and showed no loyalty to anyone and there was criticism that Savard was fired so soon after the start of the season and that they wanted to bring in their own guy. A radical departure of what was the "Hawk way" of the past.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Even with Stan doing the drafting and trading, do you see the Hawks winning two SCs with Savard behind the bench? I loved the guy as a player, but I don't see it.

Yes indeed...but if Bicks has been getting by on $541 k...i'm sure $3 mil/yr and a spot on the champs should tide him over nicely.
- philco28

I hear ya but Bickell alone will not be making that decision. His Agent will want that additional commission that extra $1M (or more) will bring. And I'm sure the agent will remind Bickell that it is a business and that the Hawks didn't give Bickell a 'discount' when they gave him his last contract but instead gave him only a minimum. His agent will also show him that an extra $1M a season over for or five years will make a significant difference to his retirement. As a fan I hope you're right and that he gives the Hawks a discount and stays, but if there is a large difference between what is offered on the open market and what the Hawks are willing to pay, I can't see Bickell staying in Chicago.

I can see Bickell landing back with the hawks. But I don't blame him for testing free agency. He had one hell of a playoff run.

What's the right choice? Stay with the Hawks.
- vancity787

I think that Bickell and his agent will try and get a sense of what teams "possibly' would pay, and quickly get back to the Blackhawks to use that as a bargaining point...

I am sure the hawks would wish Bickell well and let him continue his acreer elsewhere without looking back in regret, if this gets into tall dollars...

Agreed...but he's been surviving just fine on what's been making and if he gets

$2.5 to $3 mil season...i'm sure he'd feel like Bill Gates and still be with the team that raised him and where he's happy.

MONEY AIN'T EVERYTHING.
- philco28

Says he who has millions.

I saw you in that Lamborghini - with the two 18-year olds with you.

What are the chances of Stan and company making a big move like moving into the top 5 in the draft? I say not likely. Leddy is an ok player but why would the canes want him over say a young guy like Nurse? Its fun to talk about but it just is not realistic. If this front office had proven anything over the last 3 or 4 years its that they can't or won't make big moves. Expect something much smaller or nothing at all

Says he who has millions.

I saw you in that Lamborghini - with the two 18-year olds with you.


- StLBravesFan

Liar! The lambo is a two seater ..... ummm, oh yeah you may be right .....

I think Bickell knows he is a "product of his enviroment" and will be stupidity generous in his discount.

Here it is my biggest day, and I manage to get ticked off when I hear another "expert" Corey Prohman (who by the way IF I ever sound like him, and give the impression I have never dated and all I do is spend even waking minute making judgemenst on 17 year olds, I will pay for you all to hire the outfit guy to end me!)

Anyway, his highness says the Finnish kid, Sasha Barkov, is a "tier" (geez use my idea, will ya? and wrongly i maight add) below the top three.

Nothing could be further form the truth.
Just because he doesn't see the "flash" he isn't possible as good? How about he has the "power?"

He may go before four.

My thoughts, as opposed to his, were verified when I heard Dale Tallon say, he is willing to try and move up, or even move down to FOUR....

Think on that if there where a tru top tier of three, why would you jumo out?

Ok, I am ready.

I think Edmonton is going to make the first acquistion, and I betcha they get Coburn and overpay... Philly over pay? Novel
- wiz1901

Outfit guy: that proves it - you ARE from Chicago.

I hear ya but Bickell alone will not be making that decision. His Agent will want that additional commission that extra $1M (or more) will bring. And I'm sure the agent will remind Bickell that it is a business and that the Hawks didn't give Bickell a 'discount' when they gave him his last contract but instead gave him only a minimum. His agent will also show him that an extra $1M a season over for or five years will make a significant difference to his retirement. As a fan I hope you're right and that he gives the Hawks a discount and stays, but if there is a large difference between what is offered on the open market and what the Hawks are willing to pay, I can't see Bickell staying in Chicago.
- paulr

The list is a long one of guys who never were much before or after but had one great playoff run. The Hawks can't and won't overpay Bickell - $3M max over 4 years is what I think is the ceiling.

And let's not forget there are plenty of teams who are having cap issues themselves, which narrows down the list of teams that would be willing to cough up big for Bryan. Leafs will chase David Clarkson and maybe even Nathan Horton before they chase Bickell.

The list is a long one of guys who never were much before or after but had one great playoff run. The Hawks can't and won't overpay Bickell - $3M max over 4 years is what I think is the ceiling.

And let's not forget there are plenty of teams who are having cap issues themselves, which narrows down the list of teams that would be willing to cough up big for Bryan. Leafs will chase David Clarkson and maybe even Nathan Horton before they chase Bickell.
- RickJ

But there are teams with cap room and stupid GMs more than willing to use it .... like Calgary, Edmonton, Florida, Nashville .....

I hear ya but Bickell alone will not be making that decision. His Agent will want that additional commission that extra $1M (or more) will bring. And I'm sure the agent will remind Bickell that it is a business and that the Hawks didn't give Bickell a 'discount' when they gave him his last contract but instead gave him only a minimum. His agent will also show him that an extra $1M a season over for or five years will make a significant difference to his retirement. As a fan I hope you're right and that he gives the Hawks a discount and stays, but if there is a large difference between what is offered on the open market and what the Hawks are willing to pay, I can't see Bickell staying in Chicago.
- paulr

Excellent points Paul


Hopefully, the Hawks can 'sweeten the deal' with those so called endorsement opportunities that have talked about.

Says he who has millions.

I saw you in that Lamborghini - with the two 18-year olds with you.


- StLBravesFan

You caught me

You caught me



- philco28

I'll take the yellow Lambo!

It is fun to speculate on the big Hawk moves, but I expect all that will happen is something like Bolland and a 5th for a middle 2nd and 3rd. Like the 45th and 75th pick. Really hoping for the trade into the top 5, though

I'll take the yellow Lambo!
- paulr

I'd be happy just borrowing what's on the hood for 3 or 4 hours.

It is fun to speculate on the big Hawk moves, but I expect all that will happen is something like Bolland and a 5th for a middle 2nd and 3rd. Like the 45th and 75th pick. Really hoping for the trade into the top 5, though
- tomcat24

Throw in Pirri and Lalonde and that should get it done...

I'd be happy just borrowing what's on the hood for 3 or 4 hours.
- Q...argh

Stop bragging.

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: Bickell camp and Hawks have made progress on talks, closer to a deal, but still not done at this point. #Blackhawks

It is fun to speculate on the big Hawk moves, but I expect all that will happen is something like Bolland and a 5th for a middle 2nd and 3rd. Like the 45th and 75th pick. Really hoping for the trade into the top 5, though
- tomcat24

And based on what Wiz is saying about this draft, this wouldn't be bad. Big moves generally are all talk but rarely happen with Stan and Co.

And based on what Wiz is saying about this draft, this wouldn't be bad. Big moves generally are all talk but rarely happen with Stan and Co.
- Kentxo

Yeah that is true but this could be the time to go big. But with those picks we should get some talent

Throw in Pirri and Lalonde and that should get it done...
- HawkintheD

He hasn't cracked the top two pairings here.

Top pair in Ottawa?
I don't know if you could play Karlsson and another offensive together....it might be nice going up-ice but you need more than speed to defend...
- wiz1901

maybe a dumb question but:
if Leddy was in the draft at his current skill level, where would you have him?

I'd be happy just borrowing what's on the hood for 3 or 4 hours.
- Q...argh

3or 4 hours!!!! You're a better man than me, I only need 45 seconds ....

Agreed...but he's been surviving just fine on what's been making and if he gets

$2.5 to $3 mil season...i'm sure he'd feel like Bill Gates and still be with the team that raised him and where he's happy.

MONEY AIN'T EVERYTHING.
- philco28

Well the next time your job offers you a lower salary than you and more importantly, other companies feel you're worth, maybe you'll understand Bickell's situation.

If money isn't everything in this situation, it's a good 90% of everything.

Stop bragging.
- StLBravesFan

I think Bickell knows he is a "product of his enviroment" and will be stupidity generous in his discount.

Here it is my biggest day, and I manage to get ticked off when I hear another "expert" Corey Prohman (who by the way IF I ever sound like him, and give the impression I have never dated and all I do is spend even waking minute making judgemenst on 17 year olds, I will pay for you all to hire the outfit guy to end me!)

Anyway, his highness says the Finnish kid, Sasha Barkov, is a "tier" (geez use my idea, will ya? and wrongly i maight add) below the top three.

Nothing could be further form the truth.
Just because he doesn't see the "flash" he isn't possible as good? How about he has the "power?"
He may go before four.

My thoughts, as opposed to his, were verified when I heard Dale Tallon say, he is willing to try and move up, or even move down to FOUR....

Think on that if there where a tru top tier of three, why would you jumo out?

Ok, I am ready.

I think Edmonton is going to make the first acquistion, and I betcha they get Coburn and overpay... Philly over pay? Novel
- wiz1901

All the video I've seen of Barkov make him look huge. And his skating seems good too. With the Finnish hockey smarts to go with it? He'd be a great pick after the big 3 names..