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

I really hope your wrong. I like what Morin brings to the table and I never want to see Versteeg in a Hawks uniform again. I don't buy the knee BS, he's a stupid player who makes dumb decisions on the ice time and again. There were times in the postseason where he not only looked like he should be in the press box, but in the AHL. I think he's done and if SB can do one thing at the draft next week, I want him to deal Versteeg for anything (picks, player, cash, bag of pucks, etc).

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.
- SteveRain

>I think there is a 50/50 chance TT gets dealt
>If you are going to deal him, this summer is the only chance to get max value unless he becomes a NHL star (and you won't deal him then)
>And, is he a NHL center? or a Kane-like wing? (if he lives up to hype)
>With Saad untouchable, TT is the only high-end chip in a trade for a high-end 2C if the Hawks go in that direction (unless Sharp becomes that chip)

This poops starting to annoy me. I love Kane, but when i read stuff like this it really makes him look like a selfish wiener. So he needs to win a Hart Trophy, or he needs to score the most goals in the league? Or what? He'll leave? Really? Does he really think thats gonna happen on a team with such deep offensive talent like the Hawks? Put him with Toews(as legit of a center as you'll find) for a full season, i bet my life he still wont win Hart or score the most goals. Just too many other Hawks players that are gonna score and put up points. If he wants those trophies then he might as well just go play for a lesser team that needs to count on him for the full scoring load, seriously.

I know these are rumors and these statements aren't word for word what Kane has said, but if any of this is remotely true than its very disappointing. Disappointing that Kane cant see the difference between building a solid overall team with the cap situation in mind to get as close as possible to winning Stanley Cups....and building a dominant line around him with a superstar center(which would require creating too many other holes on the roster) just so he can rack up his own points. Jealousy of Toews? Overinflated Ego? Idk what it is but every time i read this poop it gets more and more agitating.
- SimpleJack

Jürgen Klinsmann irritates me to no end. I think he is arrogant, stubborn and does not know his cliches.

However, he made a fantastic point about "goal scorers" and "offensive talent" earlier in the year when before the whole Landon Donovan thing was going full throttle and kind of indicated that he wouldn't make the squad. (Donovan said he didn't care about personal stats and just wanted his team to win)

So the response was something to the effect of, a goalscorer who is not concerned about how many goals he makes has no business being a goalscorer and should consider another profession.

You want guys to do what is best for the team without being a disruption... Which the player in question has done by all accounts, especially the last few years. You also want offensively gifted players to be a little selfish like that. The player should be concerned with how many goals or assists he makes.

And at the end of the day Center is an abysmally weak position for this club due to Patrick Sharp forgetting he played there or Q being Q. They need to get stronger there regardless of any players demands anyway.

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.
- SteveRain

Given the choice for a 6/7 Dman, I'd go Brookbank. Rozy had a bunch of hooking and holding penalties when he was chasing and a step slow - that's not going to get better.

>I think there is a 50/50 chance TT gets dealt
>If you are going to deal him, this summer is the only chance to get max value unless he becomes a NHL star (and you won't deal him then)
>And, is he a NHL center? or a Kane-like wing? (if he lives up to hype)
>With Saad untouchable, TT is the only high-end chip in a trade for a high-end 2C if the Hawks go in that direction (unless Sharp becomes that chip)
- SnapitUpstairs

I agree that TT future in the NHL is a RW.

Very curious to see who they deal and what they get back. Agreed on Sharp being the chip if they choose to keep TT. That may be the internal debate right now.

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

Yeah, but there were people from Indiana there too.

(ok now im done with the joke, it was fun while it lasted)

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

He's an RFA isnt he? So they either have to sign and trade him, or trade his rights?

Yeah, but there were people from Indiana there too.

(ok now im done with the joke, it was fun while it lasted)
- BlazinMike

Yes - thank you for the last hour-and-a-half.

>I think there is a 50/50 chance TT gets dealt
>If you are going to deal him, this summer is the only chance to get max value unless he becomes a NHL star (and you won't deal him then)
>And, is he a NHL center? or a Kane-like wing? (if he lives up to hype)
>With Saad untouchable, TT is the only high-end chip in a trade for a high-end 2C if the Hawks go in that direction (unless Sharp becomes that chip)
- SnapitUpstairs

Don't have the cap space to get a high-end 2C for only non-rostered chips - will need to move some substantial salary out if it's TT.

Man there is some serious tin foil hat stuff going on in here today.

Man there is some serious tin foil hat stuff going on in here today.


- InvisibleOrange

I agree that TT future in the NHL is a RW.

Very curious to see who they deal and what they get back. Agreed on Sharp being the chip if they choose to keep TT. That may be the internal debate right now.
- SteveRain

I still want to deal both of them either together or in 2 deals to really get a few good players to help both now and in future. Of course it is looking more likely they just do nothing but a minor deal for a depth center or a 4th liner

How about - whoever called it - the meeting worked - or Kane just grew up - or something - but no issues in a couple of years now.

Who cares if McDonough is a jerk? Players think ALL of the "suits" are jerks.

It seems that we want to give McDonough much too much credit for trying to screw up this team - he's doing his job as President of the "company" and it's marketing director - unless there is proof that he has tried - and succeeded - in thwarting any hockey decisions, I'm ready to just stop worrying about him.

JJ? Al? Wiz? Any specific situations that you can talk about? Did McD stop them from getting a legitimate 2C last year - or from having only 2 legitimate centers on the team? Or from giving Q the tools to roll four lines? Or....
- StLBravesFan

Thank you. I think this whole McD thing is completely horse poop.

I really hope your wrong. I like what Morin brings to the table and I never want to see Versteeg in a Hawks uniform again. I don't buy the knee BS
- dan9189

I just don't understand how the little we saw of Morin has completely won your heart & mind. I am not advocatinf any specifics except the Hawks need now guys to win and roll four Cup lines...no learning guys who are really later when they are 21, but veteran presence for the BLUES WILD AND STARS games next Spring.
If we have a Pearson drafted two years ago in his second or third eleigibilty year, then I am fine trying him out...same with Morin, but the proof is in the graded results each in and game out...and I am not sure that Morin graded out like that in my mind...

I just don't understand how the little we saw of Morin has completely won your heart & mind. I am not advocatinf any specifics except the Hawks need now guys to win and roll four Cup lines...no learning guys who are really later when they are 21, but veteran presence for the BLUES WILD AND STARS games next Spring.
If we have a Pearson drafted two years ago in his second or third eleigibilty year, then I am fine trying him out...same with Morin, but the proof is in the graded results each in and game out...and I am not sure that Morin graded out like that in my mind...
- wiz1901

So with this said, are you against plugging in Teuvo into the 2C spot this year for however long that lasts? It seems inevitable that IF he's still in the organization he will be on this roster.

Don't have the cap space to get a high-end 2C for only non-rostered chips - will need to move some substantial salary out if it's TT.
- StLBravesFan

>Sharp
>Or TT, Oduya, Versteeg, and picks for Spezza at 50% cap hit

So with this said, are you against plugging in Teuvo into the 2C spot this year for however long that lasts? It seems inevitable that IF he's still in the organization he will be on this roster.
- SteveRain

Teuvo if he's playing next year has to start off with limited minutes. If the organization is counting on the kid to play 2C minutes, next season is already doomed.

So with this said, are you against plugging in Teuvo into the 2C spot this year for however long that lasts? It seems inevitable that IF he's still in the organization he will be on this roster.
- SteveRain

Unless he can come in and be a standout right away I'd have to think TT is a future player for the Hawks or an asset to be used for a trade or as part of a package for a trade.

Curious to see what you guys think here . . . What about bringing in Curtis Lazar of Ottawa. He's on an elc so pretty cheap. He's most likely a 3rd line center next year- and eventually could be a great 3rd line center or 2nd line center. Obviously they would still need to make a move for a second line center because he would not cut it next year, but then Shaw can play wing and he can be a cheap 3rd line center. For those who are not firmiliar he's basically a cross between Dave Bolland and Mike Richards. Thoughts?

Teuvo if he's playing next year has to start off with limited minutes. If the organization is counting on the kid to play 2C minutes, next season is already doomed.
- CaptainBlackhawk

The question keeps getting asked - but not answered - can TT (assuming he does get the 2C spot) be an effective line-mate to Kane?

Does Kane (again, IF TT works out) become less of a pass-first wing and more of a goal-scoring wing?

I think I can actually see Wes McCauley and Dan OHalloran in the crowd.

Probably waiting for a Jonathon Quick autograph.... or maybe Dean Lombardi to drop off their checks?


- tredbrta

No, Bettman paid them off before the playoffs started.

hmmm...something has to give...

Stanbow says Kane and Toews signed by 7/1

Draft is 6/27/28

and free agency begins 7/1...

According to speculation Kane is linking his extension to the center problem being fixed...ok....and he wants to pursue individual awards....ok...

So....

1. Stanbow not likely to solve center woes via free agency: not much there, its expensive and that means Kane is not signed by 7/1

2. So odds are something gives during the draft with trades and not the minor tweaking that is the public line..

3. If no major deal is done to fix the second line center problem for kane...

does it mean the kane/toews "togetherness" is over as Toews signs and Kane plays the waiting game come 7/1??

I don't get into that crap.


Everyone on here will claim they were one of the 5-10K fans in attendance in 1999 or 2000 and blah, blah, blah, blah. Only that person REALLY knows if they are lying. That's why I dont' get into it with other fan bases when they talk about Hawks fans being band-wagon fans.

Truth is a lot of them are, but you know what....who cares? I can't blame anyone for not spending money on a team when they suck. That's their decision and doesn't make them any more or less of a fan then anyone else.

This run the Hawks are on is like the Jordan Bulls. May never see it again in my lifetime.
- SteveRain

Steve you are right on. We would by $15 seats and upgrade after each stoppage. The Hawks, although loved, were hapless. I remember security saying they did not mind our up grades because it made the stadium look occupied on tv. Just stay out of rows 1 & 2

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?
- StLBravesFan

I guess a better way of saying what I mean is this......The Hawks have been a cap team during this whole era (I realize a couple years they were a bit under), so they can't spend any more than is currently the case. If Kane is saying he wants a good 2C, he's really telling them to re-allocate the resources from another area of the roster - the lower lines and the defense. Because he and Toews would need to settle for at most $7.5M each to offset the whole 2C salary (given cap increase next year).

The question keeps getting asked - but not answered - can TT (assuming he does get the 2C spot) be an effective line-mate to Kane?

Does Kane (again, IF TT works out) become less of a pass-first wing and more of a goal-scoring wing?
- StLBravesFan

Well, TT is more of a pass-first guy himself.