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.
- StLBravesFan

Stan might have went to Sharp and told him to work on his faceoffs on the offseason or you might need to find a new home. I know, this is an ancient discussion, but he may be our high scoring center going forward with the emergence of Saad and Bickel on LW

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

You want to know who is really (frank)ed by the cap number. The Bruins. They are going to have 4.5 million of dead space because of the bonuses Iggy earned this season.

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

Not me...well aware of it.

Stan might have went to Sharp and told him to work on his faceoffs on the offseason or you might need to find a new home. I know, this is an ancient discussion, but he may be our high scoring center going forward with the emergence of Saad and Bickel on LW
- wizardofi

Correct me if I am wrong, but Sharp IS pretty good on the dot. I seem to recall him being +50percent. Still, with his salary he gawn.

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

Which have no bearing on next season.

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

Even I'm not that cynical: I think they were all-in, based on JJ's comments, and the logic of it.

I always assumed it would be basically Sharp + for him! even if it took separate deals to get it done.

Yes on the division thing - as long as they finish top-3 in the Central, they'll only have to face one of LA/Annie.

But the Central is getting tougher - even so, Hawks should be able to outlast Minnie and Dallas in the regular season.

The Weekes issue is interesting: wonder what happened - did Crawford have any input? Did they see a deterioration in his play? A lack of progress in Raanta?

For answers to these and other burning questions - don't look to your daily beat reporters.

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

If Stan waives Rundblad we are back under the cap, waiver claimed or not. I'm sure there are better ways, but they will be more difficult. Does he take the high road?

Stan might have went to Sharp and told him to work on his faceoffs on the offseason or you might need to find a new home. I know, this is an ancient discussion, but he may be our high scoring center going forward with the emergence of Saad and Bickel on LW
- wizardofi

Even I gave up on this notion. If the Hawks revisit this now...I'll be pissed.

Should've be the case from 2011 onward.

Stan might have went to Sharp and told him to work on his faceoffs on the offseason or you might need to find a new home. I know, this is an ancient discussion, but he may be our high scoring center going forward with the emergence of Saad and Bickel on LW
- wizardofi

This could certainly be the case. He could also tell him that 2C is the only opening in the Top 6, and it is his if he wants it; otherwise, third line.

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

Ahead of them was a team that only had more points because the Hawks were not good at OT/SO last year as well as career high shooting % from some of their forwards and another team that over achieved by their goalie having a career year that is likely not going to be repeated (as his career numbers suggest).

COL is still extremely weak on the blue line with less bottom 6 depth than the Hawks and STL is still lacking real offensive threats while having Elliott and a rookie as their goalie tandem. MIN is more scary imo because their blue line is solid if not spectacular and their forward core is fairly balanced. They also play a style of hockey that seems to slow down the Hawks. I would still pick the Hawks to best them in a 7 game series.

If Stan waives Rundblad we are back under the cap, waiver claimed or not. I'm sure there are better ways, but they will be more difficult. Does he take the high road?
- wizardofi

But then a kid has to come up for 7D, and that salary will be at least that of Rundblad.

Ahead of them was a team that only had more points because the Hawks were not good at OT/SO last year as well as career high shooting % from some of their forwards and another team that over achieved by their goalie having a career year that is likely not going to be repeated (as his career numbers suggest).

COL is still extremely weak on the blue line with less bottom 6 depth than the Hawks and STL is still lacking real offensive threats while having Elliott and a rookie as their goalie tandem. MIN is more scary imo because their blue line is solid if not spectacular and their forward core is fairly balanced. They also play a style of hockey that seems to slow down the Hawks. I would still pick the Hawks to best them in a 7 game series.
- L_B_R

I don't think the Blues or Avs will be better next year during the regular season. The Wild are going to be the ones to watch though.

Which have no bearing on next season.
- Elbows15

Not improving the roster from this prior season just might lead to similar results in the coming season.

Seems like a somewhat logical assessment.

But then a kid has to come up for 7D, and that salary will be at least that of Rundblad.
- mohel

Could run lean without a 7D/13F. I hope this is not the case.

But then a kid has to come up for 7D, and that salary will be at least that of Rundblad.
- mohel

Rundblad IS a kid.

Not improving the roster from this prior season just might lead to similar results in the coming season.

Seems like a somewhat logical assessment.
- ArlingtonRob

There wasn't much roster change between 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 but the results were very different. Who knows what will happen next year.

Even I'm not that cynical: I think they were all-in, based on JJ's comments, and the logic of it.

I always assumed it would be basically Sharp + for him! even if it took separate deals to get it done.

Yes on the division thing - as long as they finish top-3 in the Central, they'll only have to face one of LA/Annie.

But the Central is getting tougher - even so, Hawks should be able to outlast Minnie and Dallas in the regular season.

The Weekes issue is interesting: wonder what happened - did Crawford have any input? Did they see a deterioration in his play? A lack of progress in Raanta?

For answers to these and other burning questions - don't look to your daily beat reporters.
- StLBravesFan

Lotta good stuff there, Sage. Especially about the beats.

Not improving the roster from this prior season just might lead to similar results in the coming season.

Seems like a somewhat logical assessment.
- ArlingtonRob

handzus is gone. And the season hasn't started yet. So it really isn't...yet.

Ahead of them was a team that only had more points because the Hawks were not good at OT/SO last year as well as career high shooting % from some of their forwards and another team that over achieved by their goalie having a career year that is likely not going to be repeated (as his career numbers suggest).

COL is still extremely weak on the blue line with less bottom 6 depth than the Hawks and STL is still lacking real offensive threats while having Elliott and a rookie as their goalie tandem. MIN is more scary imo because their blue line is solid if not spectacular and their forward core is fairly balanced. They also play a style of hockey that seems to slow down the Hawks. I would still pick the Hawks to best them in a 7 game series.
- L_B_R

Perhaps...

...but I still think the Hawks took a step or 2 back. The playoff run was a nice gift to help us forget how average the club was for the latter half.

Time will tell...

Rundblad IS a kid.
- Elbows15

Just pointing out that losing his $750K cap hit won't help, since the replacement will cost at least that. Ass.

handzus is gone. And the season hasn't started yet. So it really isn't...yet.
- Elbows15

I suppose Handzus being off the roster improves next years club by default, but I'll stick with my original statement...with all due respect.

If Stan waives Rundblad we are back under the cap, waiver claimed or not. I'm sure there are better ways, but they will be more difficult. Does he take the high road?
- wizardofi

Bowman coughed up a 2nd round pick for him....he is not being waived!

Perhaps...

...but I still think the Hawks took a step or 2 back. The playoff run was a nice gift to help us forget how average the club was for the latter half.

Time will tell...
- ArlingtonRob

Just before the bottom fell out of the regular season they had three games where they dominated in all aspects. I wonder what happened after that third game at the end of December.

Gotta run guys...

Chat witcha tomorrow.

Bowman coughed up a 2nd round pick for him....he is not being waived!
- bogiedoc

I don't think so either. I was just showing how easy it would be to deal with the cap issue we are presently in