This is what has me in

"Ok . whats going on ?" Mode


Hawks really could have beaten that offer even without TT .


So What are the Hawks going to do ? Seems like something ....
- mrpaulish

MP you got it buddy. They WILL do something. This wasn't - and probably never was - a very serious "entertaining".

No. No, it wasn't. Anaheim's offer was better then that offer.
- CaptainBlackhawk

That's what I'm saying. Hawks didn't want to give up a good young nhl player and neither did most people on here. Anaheim was willing to give up a very good.

Bruce Boudreau is their coach.....so all things being equal....Anaheim is behind LA & Chicago.....
- UnnamedSource

That I agree with....

Bickell....we shall see. Big bounce back year, like Verteeg, is needed from him.

CC? At 6 million is OK, but the length is what concerns me. It's him or bust because they can't develop a goalie in their system. Lets hope Raanta vastly improves. Or else if CC goes......it's OV-AH.

MP you got it buddy. They WILL do something. This wasn't - and probably never was - a very serious "entertaining".
- CaptainBlackhawk

They need help at Center .


They were not just a bounce away from winning a back to back cup.

They were man handled down the middle .

OWNED by the Kings .

Are you for real?

EVERYONE is saying Kesler was only going to Chicago or Van and wouldnt' waive for anyone else....So by math, lets see....2 teams, and you are 1...what is 1 into 2?

Second, Did Kesler win a Selke? I think he did. Is he usually over 50% at the dot? I think he is. Does he still score while shutting down top opponents? I think he does. So yeah, Toews lite is a valid comparison.
- SteveRain

As far as skill Kes IS Toews lite, but character, leadership, those intangibles Kesler is a peon to Toews.

There's still a significant chance that the Hawks upgrade their center ice position before the day is up.

While Kesler would've been a good fit for the hawks, because of his 2-way play, if you had Nick Bonino as the Hawks 2C this year, they would've been markedly improved over what they had. So, maybe the deal w/Florida goes down and they snag Bennett or Reinhart as the 2C of the future. Or maybe they swing a trade with someone else.

Welcome back from the sin bin again

Missed you on here my friend
- Dannyboy

Your thoughts and support are a ray of sunshine my friend

People realize there are other centers on the trade market and in UFA, correct?
- dan9189

Going to end up having way too high of a price tag for Bowman.

MP you got it buddy. They WILL do something. This wasn't - and probably never was - a very serious "entertaining".
- CaptainBlackhawk

I can you tell without question....they made an offer and at the end wouldn't budge from their offer.

They need help at Center .


They were not just a bounce away from winning a back to back cup.

They were man handled down the middle .

OWNED by the Kings .
- mrpaulish

... and still ended up one horrible bounce away from winning the Cup.

Yup. Down the middle was an issue. They know that and so does every other NHL team. Stan Bo will get a center or two - it's just not going to be the overpay for Kesler.

This is what has me in

"Ok . whats going on ?" Mode


Hawks really could have beaten that offer even without TT .


So What are the Hawks going to do ? Seems like something ....
- mrpaulish

I don't know that TT has a higher trade value than bonino. So not sure if the hawks could have blown that away. TT could be better than bonino someday. Bonino is already a top six.

They need help at Center .


They were not just a bounce away from winning a back to back cup.

They were man handled down the middle .

OWNED by the Kings .
- mrpaulish

Don't ruin it for guys like this.....

I can you tell without question....they made an offer and at the end wouldn't budge from their offer.
- SteveRain

They probably did make an offer. And weren't willing to probably give up some combination of a first, Leddy, Shaw, Saad. Saad probably was the non negotiable for both sides.

So what about the trade offer to Florida? That dead now since Kesler is a Duck??

There's still a significant chance that the Hawks upgrade their center ice position before the day is up.

While Kesler would've been a good fit for the hawks, because of his 2-way play, if you had Nick Bonino as the Hawks 2C this year, they would've been markedly improved over what they had. So, maybe the deal w/Florida goes down and they snag Bennett or Reinhart as the 2C of the future. Or maybe they swing a trade with someone else.
- eburgio

We have plenty of "future centers". Maybe Wiz can chime in on this one, but I don't think Reihhart or Bennett are locks to be immediate contributors. We need someone to slot NOW. I have no idea what Stanley is cooking with Uncle Dale.

Yes. Spezza, Statsny, Plekanec, Sartrelli, Nielsen etc.
- Bjm84

Other options, yes. But, how many will require similar/more salary to obtain/dump as Kesler, and what, if any, effect does it have on Kane's mood, so to speak?

Don't ruin it for guys like this.....
- SteveRain

.... again...

- They were one lucky bounce from winning another Cup.

- They know they need another center or two. Believe it or not, they actually know this. It's just not going to be the overpay for Kesler.

That I agree with....

Bickell....we shall see. Big bounce back year, like Verteeg, is needed from him.

CC? At 6 million is OK, but the length is what concerns me. It's him or bust because they can't develop a goalie in their system. Lets hope Raanta vastly improves. Or else if CC goes......it's OV-AH.
- SteveRain

You are right....the length isn't ideal but look at it this way.....by the time that contract is on it's second half a 6 million dollar cup winning goalie will be easy to move....

If the Hawks could get Uncle Dale to give them a bargain price for #1 overall would the Hawks take Ekblad or one of the Centers?? I would cry tears of joy if the Hawks moved Sharp, Rosival, Clendening for the 1st AND gudbranson

... and still ended up one horrible bounce away from winning the Cup.

Yup. Down the middle was an issue. They know that and so does every other NHL team. Stan Bo will get a center or two - it's just not going to be the overpay for Kesler.
- CaptainBlackhawk

What would have been overpay?

Leddy and a prospect and 27?
or
Kruger, a higher prospect (Not TT) and 27?
or
Teuvo a crap prospect AND 27?

I'm just curious what supposed overpay you are referring to?

Please enlighten us.

They need help at Center .


They were not just a bounce away from winning a back to back cup.

They were man handled down the middle .

OWNED by the Kings .
- mrpaulish

Minny gave them a run for their money too the series before.

I almost wish the Hawks would have lost in 5 to LA. I guarantee the attitude by everyone would me totally different.

What would have been overpay?

Leddy and a prospect and 27?
or
Kruger, a higher prospect (Not TT) and 27?
or
Teuvo a crap prospect AND 27?

I'm just curious what supposed overpay you are referring to?

Please enlighten us.
- SteveRain

Leddy, a prospect and 27 doesn't come close to the offer Anaheim gave.

Kruger, a higher prospect and 23 doesn't come close to the package Anaheim gave.

Teuvo and a crap prospect doesn't come close to the package Anaheim gave.

How about Leddy, Saad and a first. Would that have made you happy?

FO doing what it has done best during trade times - overvaluing its prospects.

... and still ended up one horrible bounce away from winning the Cup.

Yup. Down the middle was an issue. They know that and so does every other NHL team. Stan Bo will get a center or two - it's just not going to be the overpay for Kesler.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Bonino + Spiza + 27th is an overpay?

Can Bowman not make a trade unless it's a 1-1?

You are right....the length isn't ideal but look at it this way.....by the time that contract is on it's second half a 6 million dollar cup winning goalie will be easy to move....
- UnnamedSource

Agreed....depending upon the market.

I like CC, just not his deal. And I am VERY worried about the lack of organizational depth at goalie. That's a BIG burden on CC to carry, and if Raanta can't get consistent, Q will ride CC into the ground.