[quote=BreakoutHockey]


Brookbank won me over, I will admit it. I would prefer not to have both Brookbank and Rozsival on the team next season. But I have no issue bringing Brookbank bank on a 1 year deal to be the 6/7 d-man.

The lack of a 2ne line center has been hidden by success...
Now the Hawks failed and the gap between them and everyone else has shrunk and will continue to do so unless they improve.

They will either add a 2nd line center, a power forward or a couple of strong vets for the bottom six because there isn't any choice.

The front office is well aware the bar is very high and the team is built to win Cups not just get into the playoffs....And the people committing a lot of money to season tickets expect the same.

Don't need any inside info to understand those points and demands by Kane are not needed to get some action this summer.

If Bowman stand pats he will be making his first huge mistake since becoming a GM and I can't see that happening.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Fantastic insight AL.

110% agreed. On all of it.

Control freak or whatever, The Hawks are doing well on the ice in the community and on the balance sheet and I would think McDonough deserves as much credit as anyone.
- paulr

Yes. McD does deserve credit. Organization identity and all that.

It does sound like his ego and style could be a problem though when things aren't going perfectly.... and no sports organization needs a micro manager who does not know the sport. We will see.

I fully agree with (1), but the point is its impossible to just simply acquire that caliber of a 2C without giving up too much, as has been stated. Kane needs to know this.

(2) completely relates to (1).

(3) If he were to hypothetically not win a Hart or Richard, but go on to win 2-3 more Stanley Cups and 1-2 more Conn Smythes, wouldn't he go on to be just as great in the lore of hockey?

Its one thing to be highly competitive and wish and even speak to the team about dreaming of having an elite 2C on the roster to play with. Its another to straight up leave the team and not resign because you dont have that ideal player, ESPECIALLY when he could be playing with Toews, one of the top 3 centers in the world....yet needs ANOTHER elite center on the 2nd line that somehow fits with the cap when we also have loaded talent at wing and on defense.
- SimpleJack

I don't think he even needs an elite center. He just needs a good center to get him the puck, and who can finish when Kane sets him up. Kane will make the good center great. And if they keep Saad on the line that good center will be even better.

I'd be in favor of bringing Brookbank back. He was solid in the playoffs.
- golfbard

Brookbank is a solid 6/7 dman.......not much more you could ask for.

Brookbank won me over, I will admit it. I would prefer not to have both Brookbank and Rozsival on the team next season. But I have no issue bringing Brookbank bank on a 1 year deal to be the 6/7 d-man.
- DarthKane

This! For a sixth D-man he was fine. I could see him being a good mentor. I definitely think he is a slight upgrade at this point over Rozy. I like that he brings physical play and shotblocking ability and can play on the PK.

The who's making the decision thing is more about Scotty than about McD......Scotty runs the show in terms of how a player fits and what type of player they need.....Scotty was the one who wanted Leddy included in the Barker deal. McD does not get involved in ANY hockey decisions......Scotty would have none of it if it were true.....Mcd Knows the plan the Bowmans set forth and as long as the numbers work than its a non issue......the only time he gets involved is off ice stuff when it has the potential to scar the brand.....Scotty LOVES Stephen Johns!
- UnnamedSource

This is going to be a fun offseason. Starting to ramp up.

I'm not going to criticize the moves until the dust has settled. Very curious to see how they work this all out. 19/88 extensions. Extensions for RFAs. Need to upgrade in some way the depth OR 2c, and whatever players they jettison off the roster.

>There isn't a single player in the NHL that can't be better than he is right now
>Yet, few players analyze the holes in their game or have the courage to be bad at something until they are good at it
>Most just keep doing the minimum required to stay in the NHL -- even though the offseason is the only time players really have to take their games to another level
>So while most NHL players will spend the summer vacationing, Kane will be working very hard on his game
>Anyone who has played hockey at a reasonably high level knows what a drag it is to have a linemate who is far below the skill level of the other two forwards and does nothing to contribute to the line
>Kane loves hockey and wants to have some fun out there, too
>Still think #19 & #88 get 8/$75 million ($9.375 each)
>Think the number is more or less already done
>Think Kane might be just saying, "No more retreads, no more experiments, just a good NHL center."
>Not selfish after what he played with all regular season without a word

Brookbank won me over, I will admit it. I would prefer not to have both Brookbank and Rozsival on the team next season. But I have no issue bringing Brookbank bank on a 1 year deal to be the 6/7 d-man.
- DarthKane

I would keep Brookbank.

I saw what Rozsival could be in Handzus. I think he's about done and the Hawks need to find somebody to take him. I'm not even going to address the Rundblad thing.

This is going to be a fun offseason. Starting to ramp up.

I'm not going to criticize the moves until the dust has settled. Very curious to see how they work this all out. 19/88 extensions. Extensions for RFAs. Need to upgrade in some way the depth OR 2c, and whatever players they jettison off the roster.
- SteveRain

If Handzus' comments about TT are true then that leads me to believe the hawks will sign bottom six center who can move up if he struggles.....

>There isn't a single player in the NHL that can't be better than he is right now
>Yet, few players analyze the holes in their game or have the courage to be bad at something until they are good at it
>Most just keep doing the minimum required to stay in the NHL -- even though the offseason is the only time players really have to take their games to another level
>So while most NHL players will spend the summer vacationing, Kane will be working very hard on his game
>Anyone who has played hockey at a reasonably high level knows what a drag it is to have a linemate who is far below the skill level of the other two forwards and does nothing to contribute to the line
>Kane loves hockey and wants to have some fun out there, too
>Still think #19 & #88 get 8/$75 million ($9.375 each)
>Think the number is more or less already done
>Think Kane might be just saying, "No more retreads, no more experiments, just a good NHL center."
>Not selfish after what he played with all regular season without a word
- SnapitUpstairs

Agreed, and the fact Kane has put up the production he has with at least 1 guy being far below his skill level is amazing to me.

If Handzus' comments about TT are true then that leads me to believe the hawks will sign bottom six center who can move up if he struggles.....
- UnnamedSource

Agreed and again...I point to that Bowman quote. they are going to target a large body center OR a guy like Bolland/Stoll. I think they realized just how badly they missed Bolland in the lineup this spring.

Here is what I know.....Yes MCD is a control freak, yes he's a bit of a jerk......but he is not involved in hockey decisions.....he wants the best team out on the ice.....

He's not in the position he is today by being low key and timid.....that being said there is a lot things around the league he's had his hand in...
- UnnamedSource

Ive only met one person that actually worked for the man, and this person says he is the BIGGEST jerk you will ever meet.

Ive only met one person that actually worked for the man, and this person says he is the BIGGEST jerk you will ever meet.
- Jocelyn26

Most people in those positions are.......unfortunately.

Agreed and again...I point to that Bowman quote. they are going to target a large body center OR a guy like Bolland/Stoll. I think they realized just how badly they missed Bolland in the lineup this spring.
- SteveRain

I agree this is the way they will go....which again makes Frans Nielsen the perfect fit.

EDIT:

10-19-81
88-86-20
29-51-65
28-16-52/11

Nordstrom is your 1-90 RFD replacement

2-7
27-4
FA-Dahlbeck
Brookbank

I can't blame Kane for wanting a center that makes him better because anything that makes Kane better makes the whole team better.

He was right on Crosby's heels for the scoring trophy at the beginning of the year and then boom he was 13 points back.

I still would like to know how Kane feels about having Toewes as his center because if I was him and had a choice between Kesler and Toewes I would want Toewes along with Saad as my linemates.

Then providing none of these get traded I would find a center to put between Hossa and Sharp. Then if and when TT comes up, I would slide him between those two because I think that both of them are defensively responsible and need a center that can get them the puck in good scoring position.
- kissthecup22

The problem is Kane won't stay with Toews...Q changes lines constantly. Getting a bona fide #2 center is better for the team overall. We've seen musical chairs with this position over the last several seasons and Bowman has failed to address it. Hossa went through the same problem where we went through so many guys including Kane himself. Stan has been able to tweak and add around the core and removed a couple of parts for salary dumps...now he needs to bring a major piece in. Can he get it done? A week and a half until the draft.

I agree this is the way they will go....which again makes Frans Nielsen the perfect fit.

EDIT:

10-19-81
88-86-20
29-51-65
28-16-52/11

Nordstrom is your 1-90 RFD replacement

2-7
27-4
FA-Dahlbeck
Brookbank
- UnnamedSource

I don't argue with your sound logic.

Agreed and again...I point to that Bowman quote. they are going to target a large body center OR a guy like Bolland/Stoll. I think they realized just how badly they missed Bolland in the lineup this spring.
- SteveRain

>Saw Scotty's centermen comments
>Hawks know that the league trend is big centermen or centermen that play big
>Bolland played big in the playoffs and used the "expanded rules" much to his advantage
>Wonder how good the new Swede C is? 3C?
>Wonder if they use TT as part of a deal for a higher end C -- as Saad is untouchable -- and should be

I agree this is the way they will go....which again makes Frans Nielsen the perfect fit.

EDIT:

10-19-81
88-86-20
29-51-65
28-16-52/11

Nordstrom is your 1-90 RFD replacement

2-7
27-4
FA-Dahlbeck
Brookbank
- UnnamedSource

You still need to get Versteeg in there. Unless somebody comes and asks for him, doubtful that happens, he will be on this roster. Too much of a high reward/low risk cap hit. They KNOW what they get from him when he's healthy. That's what they are banking on, and under their doctor may be closer to getting that reward.

>Saw Scotty's centermen comments
>Hawks know that the league trend is big centermen or centermen that play big
>Bolland played big in the playoffs and used the "expanded rules" much to his advantage
>Wonder how good the new Swede C is? 3C?
>Wonder if they use TT as part of a deal for a higher end C -- as Saad is untouchable -- and should be
- SnapitUpstairs

Bolland very well could have been difference vs the Kings. I think they realized it and will correct that fix. I think TT may get a chance at 2c and they may use Shaw as a fall back knowing Kane can produce with him (limited sample size).

I am hoping they look bigger then this, but if I had to bet money....this is where I think they end up. 3c, and a large bodied veteran winger.

I will know wait for Olgie to recover from shock that I complimented Bolland.

You still need to get Versteeg in there. Unless somebody comes and asks for him, doubtful that happens, he will be on this roster. Too much of a high reward/low risk cap hit. They KNOW what they get from him when he's healthy. That's what they are banking on, and under their doctor may be closer to getting that reward.
- SteveRain

Then replace 11 with 23 (or 32 if he changes back).

But they at least were able to meet up with the 1 million people in the surrounding bars. Quite a day
- BlazinMike

I think we've run out of people in the Chicagoland area.

Then replace 11 with 23 (or 32 if he changes back).
- DarthKane

I don't think he, Morin, can go back down. So somebody off this roster has to go. I just dont' think it will be Versteeg. Could be Morin.

I don't think he, Morin, can go back down. So somebody off this roster has to go. I just dont' think it will be Versteeg. Could be Morin.
- SteveRain

I figure there's a good chance Morin will be dealt.

One thing strikes me as odd with the whole "I'll (we'll) take less if you get a real 2C" meme. During the time frame relevant to the boys, the Hawks have always been a cap team that is trying to maximize their talent and go for the Cup. Why is there a sense now that one or both of them needs to pressure them into doing what they already do? Also, they are going to have to take a serious discount in order for there to be room on the roster for one extra "star" salary.
- mohel

Could it have to do with Kane's terrific start - right with Crosby in scoring, lots of Hart talk - and then the second half fall off, basically with Handzus at 2C?