Maybe, Maybe not. Williams will be 35. Gaborik 33 and not playing for a contract. mitchell will be 38. Carter has a history of feet problems. Stoll is 32.
- Elbows15

I saw today that Mitchell will not be back there.

effective backdoor finisher should make you smile
- wiz1901

Oh no you didnt.

Yea, total speculation either way. We'll find out soon enough. He's a dynamo in his own end...I'd rank him Top 5 in the NHL, wins draws and has enough offensive punch to create chances for his wings. He WAS the perfect fit, but the numbers just didn't work out and the Hawks were not prepared to move TT, and I am cool with that.

However, if we bring him in then it not only necessitates the moving of Sharp (which is still possible to happen), but very likely two other players including Oduya...his cap hit with our salary combined with the resources given away was too much and I'm cool with Stan on this.

MY ISSUE with Stan is he even went that direction to begin with. He should tell Kane to relax...he'll get his center, but not one at 5 MILL per.
- kwolf68

He actually is more of a shoot first center. And he puts up his best numbers on the wings with the twins. I am not saying he sucks, just there is a bit more to his numbers that you see at first glance.

How do we know he hasn't?

And - how much of the chase for Kesler had to do with Kane: the most prominent top 6 center on the market - an obvious play for a team heeding a 2C whether it's star wanted him or not.

I would guess they'll mollify Kane somehow - with a legitimate (but not star-power) 2C, or a plan to solve the problem.
- StLBravesFan

Because of the pursuit if Kesler. I think that's pretty obvious.

so whatever happened to Bowman being on a mission? what's the mission now?
- Tazer_19

Apparently, the mission...

...was business as usual.

"Mr. Bowman?...Brad Richards returning your call, line 2."

I'm not sure it was that disappointing a day. Stan got the guy he wanted in the draft, the Cap number is a bit lower than hoped, and I am looking at how Stan is going to get out of the minor cap issue and improve the team going forward. Getting Kesler today would have been a disaster capwise.
- wizardofi

Not if Sharp and Leddy were traded...

Bonino had 49 points last year. Kesler had 43, and 49 in his previous full season. I know he plays defense, but crap. Add in that Bonino has a cap hit of 35 cents for the next three years. I don't see what the Hawks have to match that anyway.
- mohel

BINGO!


THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED - THE HAWKS HAD NO BONINO THEY COULD OFFER. This was about getting the PP guy with size that at least appeases the fan base with more than them waiting for tt or Kruger or throw ins to make them forget.

I saw today that Mitchell will not be back there.
- mohel

Meh. Regehr isn't much younger.

Apparently, the mission...

...was business as usual.

"Mr. Bowman?...Brad Richards returning your call, line 2."
- ArlingtonRob

Brad Richards, Vinny, Riebero are all toast. No need to worry with them. At least I hope.

If Brad richards wants to sign a deal for 11.45/hr Ill take a chance.

How do we know he hasn't?

And - how much of the chase for Kesler had to do with Kane: the most prominent top 6 center on the market - an obvious play for a team needing a 2C whether it's star wanted him or not.

I would guess they'll mollify Kane somehow - with a legitimate (but not star-power) 2C, or a plan to solve the problem.
- StLBravesFan

Could be that they wanted to finish second, while satisfying Kane that they've heard him.

Another point about some posts from tonight (not by you, Sage).... Assuming the Ducks got a lot better; the Kings and Ducks need to get past each other first, while the Hawks need to get out of their own division first.

Because of the pursuit if Kesler. I think that's pretty obvious.
- kwolf68

Ok, I'll say it again:

Hawks need a 2C - Stan realizes it.

Kesler was the most prominent top-6 center on the market - half of the league was in on the chase.

Hawks would have been - and SHOULD have been - playing for him whether Kane suggested it or not.

The obvious first play of the off-season.

Maybe, Maybe not. Williams will be 35. Gaborik 33 and not playing for a contract. mitchell will be 38. Carter has a history of feet problems. Stoll is 32.
- Elbows15

I thought it was announced that Willie Mitchell was not returning to the Kings?

Meh. Regehr isn't much younger.
- Elbows15

And might not be able to beat Handzus in a race in which Regehr gets a head start.

Brad Richards, Vinny, Riebero are all toast. No need to worry with them. At least I hope.

If Brad richards wants to sign a deal for 11.45/hr Ill take a chance.
- kwolf68

The point being...so was Handzus the day the Hawks acquired him from SJ.

I thought it was announced that Willie Mitchell was not returning to the Kings?
- ArlingtonRob

He's not, there is "no room."

The point being...so was Handzus the day the Hawks acquired him from SJ.
- ArlingtonRob

I'd rather they gamble on Shaw/TT/Smith/whoever than hope for lightning in a bottle with another old guy.

Could be that they wanted to finish second, while satisfying Kane that they've heard him.

Another point about some posts from tonight (not by you, Sage).... Assuming the Ducks got a lot better; the Kings and Ducks need to get past each other first, while the Hawks need to get out of their own division first.
- mohel

Very true...and they've done nothing to improve their postion, which was 3rd last year.

And might not be able to beat Handzus in a race in which Regehr gets a head start.
- mohel

This may have been the Kings last hurrah. There is some age on some of their key players.

I'd rather they gamble on Shaw/TT/Smith/whoever than hope for lightning in a bottle with another old guy.
- L_B_R

I won't disagree with this, but that idea doesn't make be optimistic going forward.

2C remains a massive hole in the lineup.

Very true...and they've done nothing to improve their postion, which was 3rd last year.
- ArlingtonRob

So were the Kings.

This thread is getting ridiculous...

...hope JJ has some thoughts in the AM.

This may have been the Kings last hurrah. There is some age on some of their key players.
- Elbows15

And I've heard somewhere that repeating in this league is quite difficult, although some here forget this fact....

Apparently, the mission...

...was business as usual.

"Mr. Bowman?...Brad Richards returning your call, line 2."
- ArlingtonRob

Not much Bowman can do, unless he decides to move some people out.

So were the Kings.
- Elbows15

True, but I'm only concerned with the Hawks and their dreadful division record last year.

Not much Bowman can do, unless he decides to move some people out.
- Hawks82

Correct, so get on with it SB...

...as the saying goes, better to trade a guy a year early, rather than a year late.