Things will start to happen this week. ....

Things will start to happen this week. ....
- UnnamedSource

Cryptic.

Things will start to happen this week. ....
- UnnamedSource

The NHL buyout period starts tomorrow.

Calm the (frank) down.


And if Leddy is moved into the top, no other move will matter. That is a team barely making the playoffs and a first round bounce.
- Elbows15

I'm calm - sniffing the glue helps - but I'm also right.

EDIT TO ADD : watching the Heat go down also helps.

I'm calm - sniffing the glue helps - but I'm also right.
- StLBravesFan

Looks like you picked the wrong week to stop stiffing glue"

I'm calm - sniffing the glue helps - but I'm also right.
- StLBravesFan

So am I. If they move Leddy into a top 4 position, they are going nowhere. Its the worst move they can make. And I would lose all faith in Bowman's ability to do anything.

So am I. If they move Leddy into a top 4 position, they are going nowhere. Its the worst move they can make. And I would lose all faith in Bowman's ability to do anything.
- Elbows15

You probably are right.

You are a top 3 team no doubt
- VANTEL

Thanks. I expect some great battles with LA over the next few years. Boston is probably the other top team. I wonder what happens with the Avs this year? They will still be good but everything went right for them this year

You probably are right.
- StLBravesFan

i am not comforted by it. If that helps.

te=Glenman12]Looks like you picked the wrong week to stop stiffing glue"
One of the best movies ever a co-worker and I were just talking about that today. For some reason the tv show Soap, too

i am not comforted by it. If that helps.
- Elbows15

I'm not comforted by my prediction: I wish I could be more confident of the "replacements", whether from Rockford or from FA signings.

Someone earlier said that some web site determined the Chicago prospect list to be 4th best in the league or something - but how many will be NHL ready in October - and if not then, when?

Things will start to happen this week. ....
- UnnamedSource

I think there will be a lot of movement around the league over the next few weeks, especially around the draft. I just hope the hawks are one of the teams involved

So - the NBA trophy is presented to - THE OWNER.

The NHL gets it right: it gets presented to the players who actually won it.

So - the NBA trophy is presented to - THE OWNER.

The NHL gets it right: it gets presented to the players who actually won it.
- StLBravesFan

Its a crappy trophy anyway. No history. Just make a new one next year.

The NHL buyout period starts tomorrow.
- EKolb13

Hawks have no buyouts left.

Not that I want Saad going anywhere, BUT is this a Bickellesque thing where we love games 5-7 Saad and base everything off that? It's ok if he gives us 40 pts in the regular season as long as he shows up in the playoffs? If so I'm not so inclined to think he's untouchable. Granted I think he's going to be a fantastic player but he was on a milk carton for about 6 weeks. I know he's young yada yada yada, I can already hear the arguments at me, just playing devils advocate here.
- Morganskaner88

Please don't compare a 21 year old Saad to a 27 year old Bickell. Saad was in his first full season in the NHL, while Bickell is entering the prime of his career. Saad had 19 goals, 28 assists, and was a +20 (playing most of the season on the 3rd line). Bickell had 11 goals, 4 assists, and was a -6.
To put it in perspective, Sharp had 14 goals, 17 assists, and was a +5 in his first full season(and he was 23).

What is a non-starter now may not be a non-starter in a few weeks. I'm pretty sure that Tyler Seguin was a non-starter not too long before being traded. One things I learned in sales, if you don't feel embarassed by your first proposal, you're asking for too little.
- NewToHockey

Boston wanted to get rid of Seguin because they couldn't control his partying. They had to put 2 guys outside his room, at night, during last season's playoffs trying to control him.

2C- what about a deal for Mark Scheifle of the Jets a very cheap contract and with a GM that probably still has interest in some hawks players

2C- what about a deal for Mark Scheifle of the Jets a very cheap contract and with a GM that probably still has interest in some hawks players
- goaler11

Can you see the Jets trading him? He is their future.

Can you see the Jets trading him? He is their future.
- Elbows15

I'm sure they'd have interest in Patrick Sharp+ though, Maybe sharp and TT or Sharp and Leddy

Boston wanted to get rid of Seguin because they couldn't control his partying. They had to put 2 guys outside his room, at night, during last season's playoffs trying to control him.
- BearsnHawks

That wasn't my point. At one point, Seguin was untouchable; then he wasn't. The why of it is irrelevant. If GMs never ask about people who were at one time untouchable, they would never know when those statuses change.

All the million and one posts and much ado about a lot of bs. I contributed to it as well.

It seems obvious to me that:

1). Seabrook, the only big body, big minutes all around game with emphasis on willingness to play physical....is not going anywhere. Not many of these type in the NHL. I know that for one or more reasons both Keith & Seabrook had some poor playoff performance. But know this: their skill and their game has not disappeared. They are still darn good. One more Cup run with all core players...except maybe Sharp

2). The objective #1 is another Cup and therefore you do not wish to trade Sharp. Only if a #2 center or a legitimate big physical winger is coming our way for Sharp.....then consider maybe this sort of trade. I had suggested a trade in last blog because it may bring back what the team needs. But I am not certain the Tampa players are worth it for Sharp. Johnson & Killorn.

3). If there is a desire to trim salary due to salary cap, Oduya has trade value. And as a #4 dman his next salary/contract will not fit that slot. I actually like Dahlbeck chance to become a solid NHL dman more than Leddy. But I want to see Bowman's faith and how long is his leash for Leddy's smarts and ability to take next step. And whether TT can be a special player.

If I had to bet I say TT is going to be very good just not immediately. The biggest issue with him as far as I am concerned is his size and being another skill but not big size Chg forward. His scouting report translates into NHL success eventually. But I refuse to say now how much he will score (too early to predict that)

4). Bickel is "maddingly" inconsistent. But big size capable players are hard to develop and worth keeping if only for playoffs. Morin could be a useful scorer but eventually probably is moved....because there are a few prospects who can be energy type their first couple years in the NHL AND whom play better defense. Skate better too. But if Morin scores some his skating wouldn't be the biggest obstacle in Q 's mind. Sure, skating matters but Q is going to use whomever he likes best, defensively, in bottom line roles over the scoring prowess of a Morin.

Lastly. Best to rotate Raanta with LaBarbara so that Raanta gets lots of action/development. It is a prudent financial move as far as the team salary cap must be addressed.

Let Kane play with Sid and Malkin Kesler play together

I'm sure they'd have interest in Patrick Sharp+ though, Maybe sharp and TT or Sharp and Leddy
- goaler11

I have no doubt than Stan is entertaining trading a few roster players, but I don't think he'll actually trade many. When it's all over I think Sharp will be here next season. On defense one of Leddy or Oduya could be gone, I'd say it's 50/50 at this point (for the record I'm in the keep Oduya camp). I wouldn't be surprised to see Rozsival moves too, a cash strapped team will take on his low salary / high cap hit. The only forward I see going is Morin, possibly in a trade with a defenseman. I wouldn't be surprised if Versteeg is dealt, but I expect him to stick around.

Stan will make moves, he just won't give up much on the roster.

On a side note about Versteeg, one thing to consider is that the small teams like Florida don't spend as much on their medical staff as big teams like Chicago. This may have had an impact on his recovery from his surgeries. I'm not saying it did 100%, but it's something to consider.

I have no doubt than Stan is entertaining trading a few roster players, but I don't think he'll actually trade many. When it's all over I think Sharp will be here next season. On defense one of Leddy or Oduya could be gone, I'd say it's 50/50 at this point (for the record I'm in the keep Oduya camp). I wouldn't be surprised to see Rozsival moves too, a cash strapped team will take on his low salary / high cap hit. The only forward I see going is Morin, possibly in a trade with a defenseman. I wouldn't be surprised if Versteeg is dealt, but I expect him to stick around.

Stan will make moves, he just won't give up much on the roster.

On a side note about Versteeg, one thing to consider is that the small teams like Florida don't spend as much on their medical staff as big teams like Chicago. This may have had an impact on his recovery from his surgeries. I'm not saying it did 100%, but it's something to consider.
- DarthKane

Thanks for the interesting analysis on how money is allocated for medical staff.

I too expect Versteeg will return but a possibility that Rosival could be moved. And maybe Brookbank is an inexpensive contract plus the preresiquite veteran for one more season.