Quenneville has opened the door for Morin to stick with the team. It's now up to Morin to understand what's expected of him and play according to those expectations. If he decides to stand around out of position when the opposition has the puck, or vacate his position to make a play, or lose his defensive coverage as he did this past season, he has no one but himself to blame when he is removed from the lineup for someone more willing, or cognizant of playing defensive hockey.
- paulr

Yup, that falls into the category of "if you do it our way you stay, if not you are headed down the highway."

I actually like what is being set up here - McNeill, Nordstrom, Carey and maybe even Danault all coming to camp looking for one other open roster spot, two of them if Morin screws up.

hope JJ is ok. he is usually really active on draft day but hasnt posted much this year. hope nothings wrong

Yup, that falls into the category of "if you do it our way you stay, if not you are headed down the highway."

I actually like what is being set up here - McNeill, Nordstrom, Carey and maybe even Danault all coming to camp looking for one other open roster spot, two of them if Morin screws up.
- RickJ

I'd like to see a rookie crack the lineup, be it Morin or whomever, though I will say from what I have have heard about McNeil, he really intrigues me. Then a veteran centerman and a 5 or 6 defenseman to balance out the depth and I think the Hawks will be set. A top end 2C, like Spezza or Stastny would be a nice to have but I can't see the Hawk cap being able to accomodate that unless another move is made.

I'd like to see a rookie crack the lineup, be it Morin or whomever, though I will say from what I have have heard about McNeil, he really intrigues me. Then a veteran centerman and a 5 or 6 defenseman to balance out the depth and I think the Hawks will be set. A top end 2C, like Spezza or Stastny would be a nice to have but I can't see the Hawk cap being able to accomodate that unless another move is made.
- paulr

Good morning, Paulie. I agree with this. One thing, though, is that the cap is only $2M lower than the highest estimate of what it would be, which is far less than the cost of the shiny 2C. It was always the case that getting a high-end 2C would have made it tough to add the veteran centerman and a bottom pairing defenseman without large changes to the team.

hope JJ is ok. he is usually really active on draft day but hasnt posted much this year. hope nothings wrong
- ikeane

Hopefully everything is ok! Maybe he is just pissed that Stan couldn´t pull this one either?!

I'd like to see a rookie crack the lineup, be it Morin or whomever, though I will say from what I have have heard about McNeil, he really intrigues me. Then a veteran centerman and a 5 or 6 defenseman to balance out the depth and I think the Hawks will be set. A top end 2C, like Spezza or Stastny would be a nice to have but I can't see the Hawk cap being able to accomodate that unless another move is made.
- paulr

Morning Paul. I'm with you on McNeill. Have never seen him play but what I read here also has me intrigued.

I was hoping if the Hawks did decide to deal any prospects that he and Hartman from the fwd group remained Hawks.

I'd love to see them target/acquire someone like Nielsen for 2C with some salary going back to the Isles. Maybe Stan still has something in mind.

Shaw will likely be the 2C to start the season which I've said why not on that since the '13 season...so why not now? He has shown good chemistry with Kane even before Saad was placed on a line with them in the playoffs.

If that is how things turn out and maybe he warms the seat for TT while 86 gets some games in at RFD. I hope Shaw is able to get better at the dot like Kruger did last year after working on it in the offseason.

On McNeill, he is the big body guy I'd love to see come in to camp and make it hard for them to send him back to RFD.

He might have posted something the thought police disagreed with and received a ban or they censored his most recent article
- molly2522

A LOT of posts have gone missing lately and are now on the sides of milk cartons. I doubt his are among them.

Good morning, Paulie. I agree with this. One thing, though, is that the cap is only $2M lower than the highest estimate of what it would be, which is far less than the cost of the shiny 2C. It was always the case that getting a high-end 2C would have made it tough to add the veteran centerman and a bottom pairing defenseman without large changes to the team.
- mohel

I read some random samples of last night's comments and couldn't believe the level of panic some Hawk fans showed. It's June 27, the draft isn't complete, free agency is around the corner, we don't know what moves, if any, are in store and one would think all other teams, not just the Sharks, have passed the Hawks by. Anaheim getting Kesler is still not a better team than the Hawks. No team boasts the core the Hawks have, yes some teams have more depth up the middle but those same teams do not have the strength on the wings and on defense the Hawks have.

As much as I despise the man, Brian Burke got it right when he said the most mistakes are made in situations where there is a deadline, like draft day, free agency and the trade deadline. The fact that Bowman doesn't buy into the panic is a good thing, or it may be a good thing, I think judging Bowman should happen after next season so we can accurately assess all his moves, and non moves.

A LOT of posts have gone missing lately and are now on the sides of milk cartons. I doubt his are among them.
- mohel

There are so many on here its hard for me to tell. Now it would be easy tell on the Blues thread.

Morning Paul. I'm with you on McNeill. Have never seen him play but what I read here also has me intrigued.

I was hoping if the Hawks did decide to deal any prospects that he and Hartman from the fwd group remained Hawks.

I'd love to see them target/acquire someone like Nielsen for 2C with some salary going back to the Isles. Maybe Stan still has something in mind.

Shaw will likely be the 2C to start the season which I've said why not on that since the '13 season...so why not now? He has shown good chemistry with Kane even before Saad was placed on a line with them in the playoffs.

If that is how things turn out and maybe he warms the seat for TT while 86 gets some games in at RFD. I hope Shaw is able to get better at the dot like Kruger did last year after working on it in the offseason.

On McNeill, he is the big body guy I'd love to see come in to camp and make it hard for them to send him back to RFD.
- HawkintheD

Hello, D. I believe there will be posts on here either this coming season, or further down the road, that state how fortunate the Hawks are that they didn't trade player X back in the summer of 2014. Could be McNeill, TT, Hartman, or someone else. Could also be what a good move Stan made to get his guy last night. Doesn't mean that a trade would have been a bad thing, but this is a cliche for a reason - sometimes the best trade is the one you didn't make.

I read some random samples of last night's comments and couldn't believe the level of panic some Hawk fans showed. It's June 27, the draft isn't complete, free agency is around the corner, we don't know what moves, if any, are in store and one would think all other teams, not just the Sharks, have passed the Hawks by. Anaheim getting Kesler is still not a better team than the Hawks. No team boasts the core the Hawks have, yes some teams have more depth up the middle but those same teams do not have the strength on the wings and on defense the Hawks have.

As much as I despise the man, Brian Burke got it right when he said the most mistakes are made in situations where there is a deadline, like draft day, free agency and the trade deadline. The fact that Bowman doesn't buy into the panic is a good thing, or it may be a good thing, I think judging Bowman should happen after next season so we can accurately assess all his moves, and non moves.
- paulr

Agreed. Two summers ago the Hawks were coming off two first round exits, and the Hawks were ridiculed for not making big changes. A season later came the 17 seconds and few of those same posters would admit to their previous position. Many are in the same frame of mind now.

Hello, D. I believe there will be posts on here either this coming season, or further down the road, that state how fortunate the Hawks are that they didn't trade player X back in the summer of 2014. Could be McNeill, TT, Hartman, or someone else. Could also be what a good move Stan made to get his guy last night. Doesn't mean that a trade would have been a bad thing, but this is a cliche for a reason - sometimes the best trade is the one you didn't make.
- mohel

I'd be interested to hear why SB didn't get Kesler. It's not like the asking price was too high when the Ducks didn'tgive up any of their top 7 prospects. The loser in all this is Vancouver who have very little to show for one of their, some would say best, player.

Morning Paul. I'm with you on McNeill. Have never seen him play but what I read here also has me intrigued.

I was hoping if the Hawks did decide to deal any prospects that he and Hartman from the fwd group remained Hawks.

I'd love to see them target/acquire someone like Nielsen for 2C with some salary going back to the Isles. Maybe Stan still has something in mind.

Shaw will likely be the 2C to start the season which I've said why not on that since the '13 season...so why not now? He has shown good chemistry with Kane even before Saad was placed on a line with them in the playoffs.

If that is how things turn out and maybe he warms the seat for TT while 86 gets some games in at RFD. I hope Shaw is able to get better at the dot like Kruger did last year after working on it in the offseason.

On McNeill, he is the big body guy I'd love to see come in to camp and make it hard for them to send him back to RFD.
- HawkintheD

How are you D? I'm willing to wait to see what the Hawks do next season. Two cups and a bad goal away from the finals, and a clear path to the cup, I think Bowman has earned our trust.

I'd be interested to hear why SB didn't get Kesler. It's not like the asking price was too high when the Ducks didn'tgive up any of their top 7 prospects. The loser in all this is Vancouver who have very little to show for one of their, some would say best, player.
- paulr

The Ducks gave up a pretty good young, cost-controlled (under $2M, I think, for three years) center who out-scored Kesler last year. The Hawks have none of those to give.

Hello, D. I believe there will be posts on here either this coming season, or further down the road, that state how fortunate the Hawks are that they didn't trade player X back in the summer of 2014. Could be McNeill, TT, Hartman, or someone else. Could also be what a good move Stan made to get his guy last night. Doesn't mean that a trade would have been a bad thing, but this is a cliche for a reason - sometimes the best trade is the one you didn't make.
- mohel

Morning Mo! Turned out ok in the '13 season so hopefully it does this year. Whatever they do/don't do at 2C, they still need another center. Hopefully they are able to address that in trade or FA without giving up the farm (at least the guys on the farm I'd like them to keep).

Morning Mo! Turned out ok in the '13 season so hopefully it does this year. Whatever they do/don't do at 2C, they still need another center. Hopefully they are able to address that in trade or FA without giving up the farm (at least the guys on the farm I'd like them to keep).
- HawkintheD

Well, they are over the cap right now, so adding salary means losing at least that much, too. I really believe they will get a real live professional center (a bottom sixer) and that some changes are coming. The fact that so many were freaked out that they didn't happen last night is puzzling to me, but I guess people react in their own way.

The Ducks gave up a pretty good young, cost-controlled (under $2M, I think, for three years) center who out-scored Kesler last year. The Hawks have none of those to give.
- mohel

They did, his name is Brandon Saad, the difference is Saad fit into the Hawks future plans and Bonino didn't fit into Anaheim's future plans. That is pretty telling. Otherwise I agree with you.

Reeds. If Leddy is still here opening night I am going to make Rob look like Mr. (frank)ing Sunshine.
- Elbows15

I can't wait

How are you D? I'm willing to wait to see what the Hawks do next season. Two cups and a bad goal away from the finals, and a clear path to the cup, I think Bowman has earned our trust.
- paulr

I've been out on the roof since the Ducks got Kesler, pacing back and forth while cursing Stan's name loudly.

I think the new cap number has possibly sped up the timeline for some of the prospects. We'll see after FA signing period and camp what the roster looks like to begin the season.

In addition to Hartman and McNeill am interested to see more of Matt Carey and hopefully Danault can continue to make some strides.

Morin will be with the big club and possibly Nordy too to start the season. I liked what I saw from Morin at the end of the season and hoping he also continues to arc upward offensively while embracing the defensive responsibilities.

They did, his name is Brandon Saad, the difference is Saad fit into the Hawks future plans and Bonino didn't fit into Anaheim's future plans. That is pretty telling. Otherwise I agree with you.
- paulr

Well, I would say Anaheim could afford a center swap and the Hawks couldn't, which might be what you're saying as well. I'm not losing sleep over not having Kesler, and the off-season is still young.

I can't wait
- 6628

Well, they are over the cap right now, so adding salary means losing at least that much, too. I really believe they will get a real live professional center (a bottom sixer) and that some changes are coming. The fact that so many were freaked out that they didn't happen last night is puzzling to me, but I guess people react in their own way.
- mohel

It always amazes me and cracks me up a little too.

Not that Batman and Robin were getting $12mil anyway, but with the announcement about the Cap last night, what's your guess on what they settle in at.

Toews anyway, we know Kane's headed to Buffalo because Kesler wasn't acquired.

Not happy about losing out on Kesler, but Bowman wouldn't move TT or Saad. No way you're going to move Saad. The kid is going to be a beast. As mentioned the Ducks sent Bonino a good young center with a very low cap hit back to Van.

For the Hawks the center position still remains the glaring weakness and Kesler fit that need like a glove. I can certainly understand why fans are upset myself included. But Ducks had cap space to deal with and we didn't and that is the reality.

At the same time where's the aggressive creative GM that we need? Bowman's the capologist - the one who overpaid Bollig/Bickell/Crawford and hands out NMCs like they were a free lunch.

Cap comes in at 2mil lower than most thought...something has to give today one would think...moving a player or three to give them some flexibility to look at some depth signings...or maybe Stan plays the we like our team route again...

Didn't understand moving up last night...wanted them to take Bleackley, instead a real head scratcher...hopefully Stan makes some moves today - we'll see how it all shakes out.

hope JJ is ok. he is usually really active on draft day but hasnt posted much this year. hope nothings wrong
- ikeane

what is there really to say? His silent response is appropriate considering the Hawks did nothing noteworthy.

Hello, D. I believe there will be posts on here either this coming season, or further down the road, that state how fortunate the Hawks are that they didn't trade player X back in the summer of 2014. Could be McNeill, TT, Hartman, or someone else. Could also be what a good move Stan made to get his guy last night. Doesn't mean that a trade would have been a bad thing, but this is a cliche for a reason - sometimes the best trade is the one you didn't make.
- mohel

Good morning, Mo, Hawk, Paul - up early on this fine Saturday morning - eagerly awaiting the days (non?) events?

Perhaps you're right, Mo, about the moves they didn't make - and maybe we're looking at Shaw starting at 2C, and an alter-cocker hanging on at 4C (please leave Smith at 4W) - and we should be looking at a transition year or two coming up until the cap catches up with the cap hits, and McNeil, TT, Hartman, whomever prove reliable players.

Could get surprised with Shaw, Morin, whoever at 4C and go for a nice run the next two years.

But as long as 88/19 are resigned, and go along with whatever the plan is....