Maybe. However, how much longer is Kesler going to be top end talent? Can he remain healthy?
- EKolb13

Everyone has questions like that behind them: you pays your money and you takes your chances.

Don't know that I would/wouldn't do the deal - as I said, if this was our all-out effort for a sole Cub, probably yes - 2 in 4 - maybe more likely to roll the dice with the young potential.

Okay, look at where the Hawks are drafting. What more do you expect, other than role players, bottom 6 help and bottom 2 paring defensemen.

There hasn't been a lot of top end talent that has passed through Rockford. So who's to say that Dent, or Rockford in general will (frank) it up?

Look at the first round picks since the Hawks moved their operations to Rockford. Beach was a head case from the get-go. Skille couldn't count to twenty without taking his skates off. Both bad first round picks by Tallon. Toews and Kane, they were destine to go straight to the show. Olsen was a late 1st round pick, and look where he is now. No one was fingering him to be top paring talent in the first place. McNeill and Danault just started their pro careers this season. Teravainen could get his first taste of North American Hockey later this month. Kevin Hayes and Hartmann could get their first taste of pro hockey later this month as well.

So again, I ask...what are you basing your argument on?
- EKolb13

Ok, you're going defend rockford till you die, so we will leave it at you have your opinion and I have mine

And their draft placement in the rounds is irrelevant. By your logic saad should haven't panned out to be a top six quality forward and guys like byfuglien and brouwer should have never been more than fringe nhl depth guys given where they were drafted

Wonder how much the outdoor ice will slow down people like Kane and Crosby. Did wonders to keep a slow paced Winter Classic.

We've had four straight days where the sun's come out over here...that never ever happens.
- prd797

Sun? Sun?

Seems to me I've heard that word - can't picture it, tho....

Bagpipes are always a nice touch.


And that's damn disappointing that Crow's mask got lost...

Those black jerseys are classic. I know Ogi is digging them!

Ok, you're going defend rockford till you die, so we will leave it at you have your opinion and I have mine

And their draft placement in the rounds is irrelevant. By your logic saad should haven't panned out to be a top six quality forward and guys like byfuglien and brouwer should have never been more than fringe nhl depth guys given where they were drafted
- FourFeathers773

Saad could possibly pan out in the top 6. As for Brouwer and Byfuglien, who was looking at them being top end NHL talent when they were drafted?

Bagpipes are always a nice touch.


And that's damn disappointing that Crow's mask got lost...
- prd797

Did he check e-bay?

Bagpipes are always a nice touch.


And that's damn disappointing that Crow's mask got lost...
- prd797

He has been hilarious about it too. Got off the some good lines the last couple of days.

Those black jerseys are classic. I know Ogi is digging them!
- HawkintheD

Those black jerseys are classic. I know Ogi is digging them!
- HawkintheD

Don't like the crest. Looks like an iron on.

- Ogilthorpe2

How can you not love those jerseys? I'm over them.

Maybe. However, how much longer is Kesler going to be top end talent? Can he remain healthy?
- EKolb13

I am worried about an injury for sure. I really think we would have a really good shot at a couple of more Cups with Kesler in this lineup, until the end of the 2016 season. After that I still like our chances with a lineup of Toews, Kane, saad, shaw, kruger, danault, mcneill, hartman plus maybe sign a free agent for the top 6

- Ogilthorpe2

Couldn't resist.

How can you not love those jerseys? I'm over them.
- YzermanIsTheMan

I like them too, but then again pretty much all versions of their jersey look pretty damn nice.

How can you not love those jerseys? I'm over them.
- YzermanIsTheMan

They suck.

Saad could possibly pan out in the top 6. As for Brouwer and Byfuglien, who was looking at them being top end NHL talent when they were drafted?
- EKolb13

And that's exactly my point ekolb. I'm not trying to make this me vs you, but saying "look at their draft position" just crutches the fact that rockford has never done anything to take guys to the next level whether they were taken in round 1 or round 5

I'm not saying rockford is useless, they just can't develop elite guys

I am worried about an injury for sure. I really think we would have a really good shot at a couple of more Cups with Kesler in this lineup, until the end of the 2016 season. After that I still like our chances with a lineup of Toews, Kane, saad, shaw, kruger, danault, mcneill, hartman plus maybe sign a free agent for the top 6
- tomcat24

Aside from that, any predictions on the game tonight?

Don't like the crest. Looks like an iron on.
- Elbows15

Yep, the chrome is pretty stupid looking IMO. And the arm stripes don't extend all the way around, which looks really corny.

Don't like the crest. Looks like an iron on.
- Elbows15

Agreed.

I like them too, but then again pretty much all versions of their jersey look pretty damn nice.
- Nucker101

Original Six jerseys usually rock outside of Montreal and Rangers. But yeah, Hawks have always had awesome jerseys. Loved their Winter Classic jerseys when they faced Detroit a few years back.

you don't have any top 6 players to offer back, definitely no deal

And that's exactly my point ekolb. I'm not trying to make this me vs you, but saying "look at their draft position" just crutches the fact that rockford has never done anything to take guys to the next level whether they were taken in round 1 or round 5

I'm not saying rockford is useless, they just can't develop elite guys
- FourFeathers773

Has Chicago sent an "elite guy" to be developed in Rockford?

They suck.
- Beaver-Warrior

They suck awesomeness through a straw, I agree. But, yeah, a lot of my friends back in Chitown aren't too happy with them, though.

LaFontaine just resigned as head of hockey operations...