One thing that came to light is that Kostka is a decent fill in for Rozsival ........... whereas Brookbank is a complete and total liability.
- RickJ

I thought the same thing. I thought Kostka looked good.

Yeah right now that 2nd line is the weak link. They will improve, though. Both Hossa and zus had a lot of time off and look rusty still getting over their injuries. Once the 3 start clicking this team will be hard to beat
- tomcat24

+1

Hahahahahahaha

Frolik now a folk hero. This is beyond hilarious.

The PK needs a few games to adjust regarding the new turnover in personal.

If Hossa hasn't found his legs by game 20 then that is a much larger concern IMO.
- fattybeef

Frolik has always been a hero, where have you been??

As Al pointed out, Frolik was a luxury we couldn't afford to keep. He was better than a bottom 6 six forward but not good enough to crack the top 6. Frolik had a very specific role on this team last year, and he fulfilled his role just as well as anyone else on the team did. While Frolik's role wasn't glamorous, but was important.

That being said, I'm not worried about how the team will be without Frolik. I'm sure what of the Rockford kids will grow into the role Frolik had. This team as a few question marks, but that's normal for the start of a season. With the exception of the first line each line seems to have a question mark. Who will be the long term 2C? Who will join Saad and Shaw on the 3rd line? Will Nordstrom hold down a spot on the 4th line and if not who will? There are answers to all of these questions, but it will take some time to work itself out.

We'd always love to sign players for less. But we have to have some faith that Stan and company know how to negotiate a contract. Bickell would have been a UFA and he held all the leverage, especially after his post season performance. If Bickell was willing to sign for $3.5 million then I'm sure it would have happened. But he signed for more and probably could have received $4.5-$5.0 million if he actually tested free agency.
- DarthKane

really, it is a tough call as there are plenty of examples of a player having a good season or one good post season, then getting signed for a sweet contract - only for everyone to say - what was the GM thinking. Even Crawford's 6mil contract is alittle too much. Emery was 17-1 with the Hawks's defense last year.
Plus everyone is saying Bickel is a power forward - hmmm. Kind of remains to be seen. He played on the 3rd line and learned a checking role the last few years and had a good post season. Now a new position - we will see. I don't mind the raise because he was making basically min for the last 3 seasons.
And i don't have faith in Stan concerning contracts, i am still in the mind set 500k can make a big difference in the quest for the cup.
Another observation, was Bickel playing for a contract? Why didn't Stan sign him earlier? Or i will try to be positive, Stan used the contract as motivation behind Bickel's playoff performance. Wowser

Malhotra recently signed a AHL deal with Charlotte (Carolina's farm team). Because of his eye injury, he's got the knock of his career being "over with." He's someone to keep an eye on I guess.

Really, I think it's too early to start talking about bringing in another vet. I doubt the organization goes out and gets anyone like this in the near future, unless there is a vet out there on waivers that the organization can't pass up on.
- EKolb13

Eye see what you did there. I agree that it's too early to bring in another vet. In an 82 game season and an Olympic year, the Hawks have plenty of time to work out the kinks before the playoffs. Also, you give the young guys time to develop at the NHL level now, so that when you need them in April, you're not bringing up an AHL kid with 4 or fewer games of NHL experience.

Everybody was sore when Saad started the season on the 1st line last year, and he obviously took some time to adjust, but what if he'd been left in the A to 'season' and didn't come up until Sharp or Hossa got hurt? He wouldn't have had as much pro experience come playoff time.

Hahahahahahaha

Frolik now a folk hero. This is beyond hilarious.

The PK needs a few games to adjust regarding the new turnover in personal.

If Hossa hasn't found his legs by game 20 then that is a much larger concern IMO.
- fattybeef

No one was saying Frolik was a folk hero. Frolik was important piece to the 2013 team and was huge in the playoffs. Only getting overpaid by 600 to 700k, is that totally out of whack? Not really. But the management thought what he brought to the team was replaceable and worth a fourth round draft choice. Maybe? Only time will tell. I just think Hawks have a better chance of going deep into the playoffs with him. Some bloggers think if we kept Frolik, it would have costed us some defense players. But yikes, we are deep in defense and could have sacrificed Brookbank

really, it is a tough call as there are plenty of examples of a player having a good season or one good post season, then getting signed for a sweet contract - only for everyone to say - what was the GM thinking. Even Crawford's 6mil contract is alittle too much. Emery was 17-1 with the Hawks's defense last year.
Plus everyone is saying Bickel is a power forward - hmmm. Kind of remains to be seen. He played on the 3rd line and learned a checking role the last few years and had a good post season. Now a new position - we will see. I don't mind the raise because he was making basically min for the last 3 seasons.
And i don't have faith in Stan concerning contracts, i am still in the mind set 500k can make a big difference in the quest for the cup.
Another observation, was Bickel playing for a contract? Why didn't Stan sign him earlier? Or i will try to be positive, Stan used the contract as motivation behind Bickel's playoff performance. Wowser
- Topshelf2010

I agree that $500,000 in cap space can make a big difference, especially as it accumulates over the course the of season. With Bickell Stan didn't have any leverage, Bickell was a UFA and he had a Stellar playoffs. Somebody would have paid him $4 million if Stan didn't. While I'm not a huge fan of Bickell's deal I don't hate it either. Overall I think it was a fair deal and Stan paid the market rate for Bickell.

Leddy and Kruger's deals were fair, with Leddy's being a bit on the high side and Kruger's on the low side. Hjalmarsson's deal was excellent, he would have been able to get at least $1 million more elsewhere. Letting Stalberg walk instead of paying $3 million per season was a smart move too. So overall I'd say Stan has done well with the current roster.

It will be interesting to see how he handles Shaw this summer and Kane, Toews and Saad the following.

Frolik has always been a hero, where have you been??

As Al pointed out, Frolik was a luxury we couldn't afford to keep. He was better than a bottom 6 six forward but not good enough to crack the top 6. Frolik had a very specific role on this team last year, and he fulfilled his role just as well as anyone else on the team did. While Frolik's role wasn't glamorous, but was important.

That being said, I'm not worried about how the team will be without Frolik. I'm sure what of the Rockford kids will grow into the role Frolik had. This team as a few question marks, but that's normal for the start of a season. With the exception of the first line each line seems to have a question mark. Who will be the long term 2C? Who will join Saad and Shaw on the 3rd line? Will Nordstrom hold down a spot on the 4th line and if not who will? There are answers to all of these questions, but it will take some time to work itself out.
- DarthKane

I wonder if the NHL allowed players to renegotiate their contracts (like the NFL does) who on this team do you think would have stepped up and renegotiated theirs to have kept Fro on this team (or Buff, Ladd, etc in past years)?

I wonder if the NHL allowed players to renegotiate their contracts (like the NFL does) who on this team do you think would have stepped up and renegotiated theirs to have kept Fro on this team (or Buff, Ladd, etc in past years)?
- powerenforcer

No, players cannot renegotiate their contracts.

The Hawks have eighty more games to figure out who will fill Stalberg and Frolik's skates for the part of the season that really matters - the playoffs.

Not a bad position to be in. Now they have a full stable of hungry rookies who will be competing for those two spots all year. Bringing on vets now is not only VERY premature, but sends a bad message to the rookies about their chances to make the NHL.

And please....lay off of Crawford already.... They have only played two games. I'm more worried about the PP and PK of a$$ they have been throwing out there. It's scheme and not people. Hopefully they figure at least one of those out soon.

No, players cannot renegotiate their contracts.
- DarthKane

I understand that, I thought I would open up a discussion on who everyone thought would do it IF they had the ability to do it. That is why I started the post with "I WONDER"

I understand that, I thought I would open up a discussion on who everyone thought would do it IF they had the ability to do it. That is why I started the post with "I WONDER"
- powerenforcer

I see.

The only person who should (if it were possible) renegotiate his contract would be Frolik himself. But in all reality why would Frolik ever do that? I'm sure Frolik would have wanted to stay in Chicago and take on more responsibility. But since that could not happen I'm sure he's happy with still making $2.33 million and playing a bigger role in Winnipeg.

I see.

The only person who should (if it were possible) renegotiate his contract would be Frolik himself. But in all reality why would Frolik ever do that? I'm sure Frolik would have wanted to stay in Chicago and take on more responsibility. But since that could not happen I'm sure he's happy with still making $2.33 million and playing a bigger role in Winnipeg.
- DarthKane

In theory, it's a nice gesture that I could see many of the players on this team making, but in reality, many of them are already playing for less than the market equivalent of players of their caliber. That's probably why the Hawks are as stacked as they are. It seemed like an overpayment to give Seabrook and Keith 5-6 million dollar contracts when they were signed to extensions, but that's a steal for a top-pairing defenseman these days. Hjalmarsson and Oduya could probably also be making 4-5+ elsewhere. Leddy and Handzus reupped on the cheap and half of the currently rostered forwards are making a million or less.

I would think he won't be out of a job for long.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Can we please hire him to come coach the power play?

In theory, it's a nice gesture that I could see many of the players on this team making, but in reality, many of them are already playing for less than the market equivalent of players of their caliber. That's probably why the Hawks are as stacked as they are. It seemed like an overpayment to give Seabrook and Keith 5-6 million dollar contracts when they were signed to extensions, but that's a steal for a top-pairing defenseman these days. Hjalmarsson and Oduya could probably also be making 4-5+ elsewhere. Leddy and Handzus reupped on the cheap and half of the currently rostered forwards are making a million or less.
- Lash8

In the cap era a team will always need some players (usually young guys) to outperform the value of their contracts. Last year it was Bickell, Kruger, Saad, Shaw, and Crawford. It's a bit early to say who will do it this season, but my money is on Shaw and Saad again, if we get lucky maybe Nordstrom, Smith and Kostka can as well.

Lot of folks upset with the PK thus far, and for good reason - but I don't think we're remotely close to the proper time to discuss going outside the organization to fill this need.

Nordstrom is green, but he has a lot of tools that fit the bill. He needs to be given time.

Failing that, I think there's some pretty solid options on this squad for more regular PK work - Shaw and Saad in particular.

In that vein of discussion, Dave Bolland will be missed. A guy that knows how to play when the stakes are biggest.
- RickJ

Yes! Toronto will like him a lot as long he can stay healthy enough to play at close to 100%.

No one was saying Frolik was a folk hero. Frolik was important piece to the 2013 team and was huge in the playoffs. Only getting overpaid by 600 to 700k, is that totally out of whack? Not really. But the management thought what he brought to the team was replaceable and worth a fourth round draft choice. Maybe? Only time will tell. I just think Hawks have a better chance of going deep into the playoffs with him. Some bloggers think if we kept Frolik, it would have costed us some defense players. But yikes, we are deep in defense and could have sacrificed Brookbank
- Topshelf2010

Again...The bigger problem is if Frolik can't be replaced by a club that has drafted many players in recent years that never were projected to be scoring stars.

That's why I mentioned a 21 yr old Euro player who was able to make the club out of camp with the specific design of being a feature PK player.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Can we please hire him to come coach the power play?
- FourFeathers773

Lots of hands in that pot already...

ya keepinig Bickel was a good move, but have signed him for a little less. But i also don't mind him getting paid too as he did play two seasons for 500k and was huge last year.

But i am not sure that his game is in front of the net - he will have to learn and it will take some time. Bickel's game (last season) kind of reminds of Sharp a little, kind of floating around on the perimeter looking for a shot and will go to the net if the puck is there. But he doesn't camp out. We will see how he does.
- Topshelf2010

Do you really think after seeing player after player get top dollar signing Bickel for a little less would've got the deal the done??? Bickel took a huge discount to stay with the hawks. As for Frolik...he was a luxury and you can't keep a player like this who is significantly overpaid in a year of a hard cap....and again you and a few others are making the assumption the Hawks will miss him on the PK after two games....one of which was against the best PP unit last year....the other game the PP goal was a gift....and both teams the Hawks hadn't played in two years......this is maddening...

The board is already in midseason form.....

I agree that $500,000 in cap space can make a big difference, especially as it accumulates over the course the of season. With Bickell Stan didn't have any leverage, Bickell was a UFA and he had a Stellar playoffs. Somebody would have paid him $4 million if Stan didn't. While I'm not a huge fan of Bickell's deal I don't hate it either. Overall I think it was a fair deal and Stan paid the market rate for Bickell.
Leddy and Kruger's deals were fair, with Leddy's being a bit on the high side and Kruger's on the low side. Hjalmarsson's deal was excellent, he would have been able to get at least $1 million more elsewhere. Letting Stalberg walk instead of paying $3 million per season was a smart move too. So overall I'd say Stan has done well with the current roster.

It will be interesting to see how he handles Shaw this summer and Kane, Toews and Saad the following.
- DarthKane

totally agree with your assessment. it is funny, we probably could have signed Bickel for 1.5mil or less during the season. But the assumption is that Bickel is worth 4mil plus because of a strong playoff series. he did come up big playing against the other teams weaker lines (not sure if always the case) or maybe we should say advantegeous matchups. Bickel did move up to the first line against boston and was ok, but he did not put up the numbers (but was also hurt). He also seem to be up against tougher checking lines. Overall, Stan did well and was super lucky with Hjammer. Do we really need a 2mil cap hit goalie? Ya, can we say leddy's 2.7mil for a #6dman is a little pricey. But i like the kid, he can skate. He needs to be a little more consistent. I would rather keep Leddy over Frolik anyways.

Again...The bigger problem is if Frolik can't be replaced by a club that has drafted many players in recent years that never were projected to be scoring stars.

That's why I mentioned a 21 yr old Euro player who was able to make the club out of camp with the specific design of being a feature PK player.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Al...have you heard any internal rumblings about management's thoughts on Hayes, Smith and Nordstrom? Realistically I know it's too early to draft any real conclusions, but that doesn't mean management isn't thinking about planning around these three rookies.

The Hawks have eighty more games to figure out who will fill Stalberg and Frolik's skates for the part of the season that really matters - the playoffs.

Not a bad position to be in. Now they have a full stable of hungry rookies who will be competing for those two spots all year. Bringing on vets now is not only VERY premature, but sends a bad message to the rookies about their chances to make the NHL.

And please....lay off of Crawford already.... They have only played two games. I'm more worried about the PP and PK of a$$ they have been throwing out there. It's scheme and not people. Hopefully they figure at least one of those out soon.
- Return of the Roar

yep - 80 games and i like Nordstrom, but hopefully it doesn't take a toll on the key performers. and rookies in the playoffs can become a liability. Depends on Q.

The Hawks have eighty more games to figure out who will fill Stalberg and Frolik's skates for the part of the season that really matters - the playoffs.

Not a bad position to be in. Now they have a full stable of hungry rookies who will be competing for those two spots all year. Bringing on vets now is not only VERY premature, but sends a bad message to the rookies about their chances to make the NHL.

And please....lay off of Crawford already.... They have only played two games. I'm more worried about the PP and PK of a$$ they have been throwing out there. It's scheme and not people. Hopefully they figure at least one of those out soon.
- Return of the Roar

3 years and running on the pp, hmmmmm

I guess I need to mentally prepare myself for Michael Frolik love all year....


....as it was Rusty Olesz last year......

...Getzlaf trades the year before.....