get versteeg off this roster and it's still a good day in my book

get versteeg off this roster and it's still a good day in my book
- Sconnie

draft is in 3 hours and we don't know what the cap will be next year?????????????


something's not right......

yes, the red wings could say the same thing when we won the cup last year. did that make them serious contenders this year? no.
- Sconnie

'zactly

Bickell is another guy we should try and trade 4mil cap hit is alot for a 3rd liner

Not to dig too deep into this, but the Hawks play after New Years had me stunned by the run they made in the playoffs.
- ArlingtonRob

They really were merely an average team during that span. There IS enough moxie and heart on this team where they can overachieve, which I think they did given the glaring issues. Goal tending alone is the #1 reason the Hawks won either series v. St. L or Minny.

So is clinging to one lucky bounce in game 7.....Did Redwing fans say that last year when Seabrook's shot richoted off of Kronwall?
- SteveRain

I know , wtf

Such a stupid statement .

The Hawks were very very very lucky to force a game 7

Bickell is another guy we should try and trade 4mil cap hit is alot for a 3rd liner
- hawkshossa81

If they want, he is easily movable. If the Hawks get any smaller, may need to petition to play in a no check league.

I know , wtf

Such a stupid statement .

The Hawks were very very very lucky to force a game 7
- mrpaulish

that's just a very small part of my overall statement, my friend.

anyone listening to Silvy and Waddle ? joking how anyone has interest in NHLHawks draft/trades vs NBA/bulls.

Not to dig too deep into this, but the Hawks play after New Years had me stunned by the run they made in the playoffs.
- ArlingtonRob

Could have said the same about LA. Hawks should spend less time focusing on winning the division/conference and more time making sure they are ready for a long playoff run.

JJ,

More than ever, this board needs an 'Ignore' function.

If they want, he is easily movable. If the Hawks get any smaller, may need to petition to play in a no check league.
- kwolf68

Now you're talking... and TT could slide right into #2C at 170 lbs

that's just a very small part of my overall statement, my friend.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I know , its most of the beat writers that are pissing me off

The over dramatization of this team, and how horrible it is, is downright pathetic.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I said nothing of the sort. I agree they don't need to blow it up, but wish many on here (looking at you) would stop using the 'one bounce away'. That also includes Mark Lazerus, Stan Bowman, and countless others.

I think this team is very good and only minor tweaks, really, are needed. But they ARE needed. Center depth HAS to be addressed. It doesn't have to be a superstar, but someone capable.

I'm not clinging to anything. What I am stating is very simple:

This team is STILL (today) the most talented team in the NHL. If they make some minor teaks - just like the previous 6 seasons - they will be right in the thick of things to win the Cup.

They didn't need to give up an immense amount to get Keslor and destroy their cap for future years. And that is, precisely, the reason why they didn't.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I agree they have the talent BUT the talent window has continued to shrink each year and they aren't head and shoulders above everyone else.

If they add some decent pieces sure...but they are going to move $$ to do so and that balancing act is what Bowman will be judged on.

Again, if the price for Kesler was Saad and Bowman said NO, I am fine with that. Until that comes out, I am going to be pissed because a complete 2c is very hard to come by and in regards to OVERALL game....Kesler > Spezza, Stansy, Nielsen and god knows who else.

Starting off the year with Toews, Shaw/TT and Kruger is not acceptable. Adding even a shutdown 4c to that mix is STILL not acceptable IMO.

I said nothing of the sort. I agree they don't need to blow it up, but wish many on here (looking at you) would stop using the 'one bounce away'. That also includes Mark Lazerus, Stan Bowman, and countless others.

I think this team is very good and only minor tweaks, really, are needed. But they ARE needed. Center depth HAS to be addressed. It doesn't have to be a superstar, but someone capable.
- eburgio

Zack Smith for Leddy
Frans Neilson for Bickel

problem solved

I'm not clinging to anything. What I am stating is very simple:

This team is STILL (today) the most talented team in the NHL. If they make some minor teaks - just like the previous 6 seasons - they will be right in the thick of things to win the Cup.

They didn't need to give up an immense amount to get Keslor and destroy their cap for future years. And that is, precisely, the reason why they didn't.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I keep hearing that, but if that's the case, how do you explain last season? How do you explain our post season play? We only have 5 legit top six players, and calling Shart a good top six winger is, in my book, a stretch. We have no 2nd or 3rd line centers. We are thin at left wing. Bickell didn't even have his playoff performance. We have a good top 4 D, but will likely lose one, and our 5-6 D are nothing to right home about. We are NOT the most talented team in this league.

No rumor went awry here:

@DarrenDreger: Kesler's agent, Kurt Overhardt has high praise for Canucks GM Jim Benning. Says Benning worked very hard with the 2 teams given (Chi-Ana).

Also proves the message from the Hawk FO about cap space concerns was BS. They were in this deal until the end.
- Return of the Roar

It doesn't prove the cap concerns were BS, it just means that they didn't get them straightened out in time for Vancouver to take another deal. They were obviously looking at options to clear space (see Sharp rumors) but didn't get a deal there in place before Vancouver accepted another offer. It's not hard to understand. Vancouver knew that Chicago was never going to offer the NHL ready player they wanted. Look at the pieces being talked about in the trade:

Saad > Bonino in terms of ceiling, age, current contract but Chicago was never going to give up Saad

Bonino > Kruger in terms of points production, but they have different roles

Sbisa < Leddy but cheaper and could still be flipped/is on par with their current 3rd pairing guys

Either way, obviously the cap concerns were an issue and the Blackhawks not being about to move assets fast enough likely played a role in why they didn't get Kesler. So no, I don't think that excuse is BS at all.

Now you're talking... and TT could slide right into #2C at 170 lbs
- Sconnie

LOL. I know it. TT is an NHL winger. NOT center...his game is Patrick Kane lite from what I can tell. Not as gifted, but same style of player and I think TT actually has BETTER potential in his own zone (maybe one reason people are looking at him at Center, but at the NHL level 170 against the bruisers like Getz, Backes, Kopy, etc...not gonna cut it.

If you know me I AM NOT a Bickell fan overall, but the boy has size and does turn it on in the post-season. At 4 million per, that's not bad. Not sure why people are so anxious to move him.

Zack Smith for Leddy
Frans Neilson for Bickel

problem solved
- SaskHawkFan

No thanks.

Hey Hippie ,


just wait till we miss out on Spezza and Stastny
- mrpaulish

The place will be a nuclear wasteland once its announced that Olli Jokinen has been signed.

Sharp, Rosival, Clendening, & #27 for #1 overall is a STEAL...we can dream, cant we?
- EnzoD

Sure is. Other teams can beat that easily

If they want, he is easily movable. If the Hawks get any smaller, may need to petition to play in a no check league.
- kwolf68

Bickell only hits in Playoffs anyway I mean they prolly could sign a Ryan Malone type for half the salary of Bickell

Now you're talking... and TT could slide right into #2C at 170 lbs
- Sconnie

Putting on 20-25 lbs. in the offseason isn't terribly difficult. Just ask Big Buff.