Somebody pages back had a great post about all the stars from previous runs....I am in 100% agreement on that post. Fantastic job, to whomever you are.

The core will supplemented with cost effective players who as long as they are contributing will be here. THe moment they become too expensive, or drop off, or replaced in house for a cheaper version...they will be gone for picks or prospects to keep the system churning.

Jimmy Hayes and Olsen were expendable because they were blocked by other prospects in the system and guys already on the roster. TT will not be. I don't think Hartman will either...Not sure on the likes of the Hayes or McNeil. Time will tell.

A guy who no doubt will be gone, and it's too damn bad because I think he's finally figuring it out how to be a very solid bottom 6 player is...Brandon Bolig. He's played very well of late, and one of the few who brings the physicality every night.
- SteveRain

Bollig?...Who in Rockford can replace his skill set for small dollars?

Maybe, he'll FINALLY get a win.
- philco28

I was just looking forward to more posts from fvineze.

Like many others, I don't see this trade happening. I dont' doubt Bowman called asking what the price would be, but that's probably as far as it got. Remember, Florida was shopping Versteeg for a long time before Bowman pulled the trigger on that. The asking price Winnipeg wants for Ladd is hilarious.

From a Jets perspective, why would they want Bryan Bickell? Why? Salary is high, he's not a legit top 6 player, he had knee surgery over the summer, and was out how long with another injury to his other knee? No thanks. And before everyone gets on the magical bus tour that has Bryan Bickell scoring all those key playoff goals last year...great. That was a very small sample size for a guy playing for a NEW Contract. You know who also did that once upon a time? Dustin Penner.

The Hawks value picks. Not trading a top pick. The hawks value TT highly. Yeah, Hossa looks good now, but will he look young 2 years from now? Probably not. He will probably be a fringe top 6 player, or great 3rd line player...and I love Hossa. And lets forgot....kane hasn't signed anything yet. I think he and Toews will, but what if Kane wants to go back home and build a winner in Buffalo? It could happen...not likely, but possible.

Hawks need to get their PK in order, find the right combinations and hope that guys like Bickell, Leddy, Handzus, Crawford find their games and consistency.
- SteveRain

Versteeg was traded about 3 weeks after Tallon's statement that players who didn't want to be there would be dealt. I doubt he was shopped that long.

Bickell has had some other decent stretches. The reason the Jets would want him would be TT or the rest of the package they would get along with him. Chevy may also look at Bickell as a piece to move for even more picks/prospects down the road.

Really cannot see it happening. SB will stand pat and look for another push next year with a healthy Bickell and TT potentially joining the lineup.

I hope they can extend Kane and Toews as soon as the window opens at a price that will allow them to make some more moves in free agency the next few off seasons.

I was just looking forward to more posts from fvineze.
- DarthKane

He's played well since returning...but is 0-5. Facts are facts.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Corey Crawford will have a new mask and pads for #Blackhawks' outdoor game vs. Penguins on March 1. Hasn't decided what will be on mask yet.

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 11s
Bryan Bickell on #NHLDucks, who've won 18 of 19: "They're on a high. Hopefully we can bring them to our barn & push 'em around." #Blackhawks

Why Q doesn't let Raanta have a few more or even a few in a row seems odd. The guy clearly cannot tolerate rookies. Saad was an extreme exception it seems.
- steelhead

Saad.....Shaw....Leddy.....Kruger......Bollig......Bickell.....Brouwer....Versteeg.
.....Stalberg......etc

Because Crawford is the starter - will (and should) play most games.

Back-up goalie is for back-to-backs or unusually heavy periods of games.

Which is why some of us (well, me) thought Rasnta would be better served working on his game PLAYING in Rockford.
- StLBravesFan

Q can give Raanta every 3rd or 4th game while Crow is "coming back" from the groin. Maybe even more. Crow hasn't been terrible but he has let in some bad ones at crucial times. Looks more like 12 than 13. So does this roster in general. We know they can easily turn the corner though and I still can only see 1 or 2 teams beating them in the playoffs.

Pirri is hurt. My argument is that both Morin and Pirri could have gotten more work in the first half of a season following a cup. Particularly over Bickell and Zus who have not shown much coming back from their injuries.

One way to work things out is to work the younger players in for energy when there are slumps. Remember Shaw and Saad in 12. I guess Shaw is another rookie that Q played so he obviously can do it if he has to.
- steelhead

Not if he has to; he'll play whoever he thinks gives the team the best chance to win. That often is players who have experience. A couple more examples - Leddy (who is still only 22), Kane, Toews, Hammer, Crawford, Niemi, Bolland. All young players who showed the coach they could deliver. Right or wrong, Q does not believe Pirri or Morin can help the team. It isn't some rule that he won't play young guys - he won't play guys who can't/won't play his system better than someone else, whatever the age.

Versteeg was traded about 3 weeks after Tallon's statement that players who didn't want to be there would be dealt. I doubt he was shopped that long.

Bickell has had some other decent stretches. The reason the Jets would want him would be TT or the rest of the package they would get along with him. Chevy may also look at Bickell as a piece to move for even more picks/prospects down the road.

Really cannot see it happening. SB will stand pat and look for another push next year with a healthy Bickell and TT potentially joining the lineup.

I hope they can extend Kane and Toews as soon as the window opens at a price that will allow them to make some more moves in free agency the next few off seasons.
- steelhead

What moves in free agency do you expect? You need to pay attention....the way the current team is built the Hawks will not be major participants in free agency. They've been stockpiling their picks and prospects for the past few years. 1-3 spots will open each year and either a prospect or depth type player will those holes. Going forward there will be money tied up with Kane & Toews and the rest of the top six. You also have to allocate money for Saad, Leddy, Kruger. The top six is full for the future....Hossa, Toews, Kane, TT, Sharp, Saad......your bottom six....Bickell,Shaw, Versteeg, Kruger, Smith, Bollig......maybe 2 of those spots open up. On the defensive side Dahlbeck is ready for the 6 or 7th spot depending on what happens with Leddy and Oduya....Brookbank and Kostka are gone next year.....you also have prospects that will be ready in the next 2-3 years...Nordstrom, Danault, McNeil, Clendening, and a few others.....hate to burst anyones bubble but the Hawks will be sitting out free agency day....maybe sign a depth veteran before camp and will be trades to fill needs on the bottom six.....they don't need scoring.....they will look for vets who either are cheap or in the last year of a contract who can win face offs and play on special teams.

Not if he has to; he'll play whoever he thinks gives the team the best chance to win. That often is players who have experience. A couple more examples - Leddy (who is still only 22), Kane, Toews, Hammer, Crawford, Niemi, Bolland. All young players who showed the coach they could deliver. Right or wrong, Q does not believe Pirri or Morin can help the team. It isn't some rule that he won't play young guys - he won't play guys who can't/won't play his system better than someone else, whatever the age.
- mohel

Edit - Source with a more complete list, so, what he said...

Q can give Raanta every 3rd or 4th game while Crow is "coming back" from the groin. Maybe even more. Crow hasn't been terrible but he has let in some bad ones at crucial times. Looks more like 12 than 13. So does this roster in general. We know they can easily turn the corner though and I still can only see 1 or 2 teams beating them in the playoffs.
- steelhead

When a team stops scoring or it slows down all the focus is on the goalie...None of the goals versus the Av's were on Crawford....And he was the best player on the ice versus Montreal.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw

What moves in free agency do you expect? You need to pay attention....the way the current team is built the Hawks will not be major participants in free agency. They've been stockpiling their picks and prospects for the past few years. 1-3 spots will open each year and either a prospect or depth type player will those holes. Going forward there will be money tied up with Kane & Toews and the rest of the top six. You also have to allocate money for Saad, Leddy, Kruger. The top six is full for the future....Hossa, Toews, Kane, TT, Sharp, Saad......your bottom six....Bickell,Shaw, Versteeg, Kruger, Smith, Bollig......maybe 2 of those spots open up. On the defensive side Dahlbeck is ready for the 6 or 7th spot depending on what happens with Leddy and Oduya....Brookbank and Kostka are gone next year.....you also have prospects that will be ready in the next 2-3 years...Nordstrom, Danault, McNeil, Clendening, and a few others.....hate to burst anyones bubble but the Hawks will be sitting out free agency day....maybe sign a depth veteran before camp and will be trades to fill needs on the bottom six.....they don't need scoring.....they will look for vets who either are cheap or in the last year of a contract who can win face offs and play on special teams.
- UnnamedSource

Agreed, with a possible exception. I think in a few years the Hawks will be in good enough cap space to take on a decent player, especially the vet that wants to win type of guy. That would be available if/when the prospects falter. With that exception I think you've accurately portrayed the Hawks' plan.

What moves in free agency do you expect? You need to pay attention....the way the current team is built the Hawks will not be major participants in free agency. They've been stockpiling their picks and prospects for the past few years. 1-3 spots will open each year and either a prospect or depth type player will those holes. Going forward there will be money tied up with Kane & Toews and the rest of the top six. You also have to allocate money for Saad, Leddy, Kruger. The top six is full for the future....Hossa, Toews, Kane, TT, Sharp, Saad......your bottom six....Bickell,Shaw, Versteeg, Kruger, Smith, Bollig......maybe 2 of those spots open up. On the defensive side Dahlbeck is ready for the 6 or 7th spot depending on what happens with Leddy and Oduya....Brookbank and Kostka are gone next year.....you also have prospects that will be ready in the next 2-3 years...Nordstrom, Danault, McNeil, Clendening, and a few others.....hate to burst anyones bubble but the Hawks will be sitting out free agency day....maybe sign a depth veteran before camp and will be trades to fill needs on the bottom six.....they don't need scoring.....they will look for vets who either are cheap or in the last year of a contract who can win face offs and play on special teams.
- UnnamedSource

Agree although they could look to find a vet on defense...6/7/8 man.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw

Not if he has to; he'll play whoever he thinks gives the team the best chance to win. That often is players who have experience. A couple more examples - Leddy (who is still only 22), Kane, Toews, Hammer, Crawford, Niemi, Bolland. All young players who showed the coach they could deliver. Right or wrong, Q does not believe Pirri or Morin can help the team. It isn't some rule that he won't play young guys - he won't play guys who can't/won't play his system better than someone else, whatever the age.
- mohel

It is the perception of some posters who marry themselves to a prospect who is more or less a fringe player at this time. You will see comments about them not being a "Q guy" or Q doesn't like them when in reality they are not playing up to expectations of a coach who has won two stanley cups in 4 years.....during this time Q has played and given opportunities to several young players as you've mentioned. Some have stuck and others have been inconsistent......and as others have mentioned this is not a team that gives out chances....this is a team that expects to win and if you can't cut it...then you will be in RFD.

When a team stops scoring or it slows down all the focus is on the goalie...None of the goals versus the Av's were on Crawford....And he was the best player on the ice versus Montreal.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw
- Al

Crow still sits too deep in his net. He could learn a thing or two from Raanta about being more aggressive in coming out to challenge.

Agree although they could look to find a vet on defense...6/7/8 man.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw
- Al

Correct..a BBank or Rosi type who signs a month before camp opens....any major free agents will not be wearing a Hawk sweater....

It is the perception of some posters who marry themselves to a prospect who is more or less a fringe player at this time. You will see comments about them not being a "Q guy" or Q doesn't like them when in reality they are not playing up to expectations of a coach who has won two stanley cups in 4 years.....during this time Q has played and given opportunities to several young players as you've mentioned. Some have stuck and others have been inconsistent......and as others have mentioned this is not a team that gives out chances....this is a team that expects to win and if you can't cut it...then you will be in RFD.
- UnnamedSource

Or even Winnipeg...

Agreed, with a possible exception. I think in a few years the Hawks will be in good enough cap space to take on a decent player, especially the vet that wants to win type of guy. That would be available if/when the prospects falter. With that exception I think you've accurately portrayed the Hawks' plan.
- mohel

I agree.....a veteran who wants to win a cup who will give the Hawks a major discount....thats the only way.

Or even Winnipeg...
- mohel

What if the Hawks got the Jets to eat half of Froliks salary........

Crow still sits too deep in his net. He could learn a thing or two from Raanta about being more aggressive in coming out to challenge.
- philco28

And I bet he will. They'll probably learn from each other; maybe Raanta will learn about the angles on the North American ice and individual players from Crow.

When a team stops scoring or it slows down all the focus is on the goalie...None of the goals versus the Av's were on Crawford....And he was the best player on the ice versus Montreal.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw
- Al

That floater from the blueline that killed the Hawks momentum on Tuesday was on Crawford.

What moves in free agency do you expect? You need to pay attention....the way the current team is built the Hawks will not be major participants in free agency. They've been stockpiling their picks and prospects for the past few years. 1-3 spots will open each year and either a prospect or depth type player will those holes. Going forward there will be money tied up with Kane & Toews and the rest of the top six. You also have to allocate money for Saad, Leddy, Kruger. The top six is full for the future....Hossa, Toews, Kane, TT, Sharp, Saad......your bottom six....Bickell,Shaw, Versteeg, Kruger, Smith, Bollig......maybe 2 of those spots open up. On the defensive side Dahlbeck is ready for the 6 or 7th spot depending on what happens with Leddy and Oduya....Brookbank and Kostka are gone next year.....you also have prospects that will be ready in the next 2-3 years...Nordstrom, Danault, McNeil, Clendening, and a few others.....hate to burst anyones bubble but the Hawks will be sitting out free agency day....maybe sign a depth veteran before camp and will be trades to fill needs on the bottom six.....they don't need scoring.....they will look for vets who either are cheap or in the last year of a contract who can win face offs and play on special teams.
- UnnamedSource

Actually, you need to pay attention. I said nothing about being a "major" player in free agency. I was saying a decent deal with Toews and Kane may give them the flexibility to address some issues in free agency. Mainly depth for the bottom 6 but maybe surprise us with a quality free agent that wants a real chance at a cup. Iginla did it with the Bruins.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Corey Crawford will have a new mask and pads for #Blackhawks' outdoor game vs. Penguins on March 1. Hasn't decided what will be on mask yet.

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 11s
Bryan Bickell on #NHLDucks, who've won 18 of 19: "They're on a high. Hopefully we can bring them to our barn & push 'em around." #Blackhawks


- philco28

Maybe a soft serve ice cream cone?

What if the Hawks got the Jets to eat half of Froliks salary........
- UnnamedSource

Then I would take him tomorrow. That said, I agree with the notion of not getting all nostalgic about guys that have left the Hawks. But Frolik was here just last year, is not old, and fits a need. It would not, though, remove the need for a center.

And I bet he will. They'll probably learn from each other; maybe Raanta will learn about the angles on the North American ice and individual players from Crow.
- mohel

Think we have a good tandem for sure that compliment each other well.