Please see:

Versteeg, Kris.
- CBHawks88

Well, Bickell had 25 points in 78 games during the 2013-14 season, including the playoffs. In comparison, Versteeg has 32 points in 78 games for the Blackhawks. They're pretty similar in terms of production, even if Bickell's came at a more important time of the playoffs. They're both coming off bad knee injuries, there is a 1.8m price difference, so I'd say currently neither contract is great but pretty similar for how effective they were as a whole.

I'd still take Bicks over Versteeg on my roster, but this year was a wash for both for the most part.

There's been so much idiocy spewed, you'd be better off turning your computer off now. Go enjoy your Friday night doing something else. Go now, before you get sucked into the moron vortex.
- Ogilthorpe2

And I've spewed a lot of it.

I don't care about losing Kessler; I was hoping they could do something somewhere - but with the league screwing up the cap situation, that's going to be difficult.

I'm so angry with the league over the cap situation - with all due respect to Paul if this happened in a normal business - where an error caused multiple parts of the business to have to scramble in days just to stay ahead of their budget - heads would roll - at high levels.

But - I'm going to stop posting about it, and look forward - hopefully, progress can still be made this summer.

>If the Hawks get the #1 and pick the top C
>Sets up a competition for 2C between at least: the pick, TT, Carey -- who's training with Kaner -- and maybe more
>I'm not so worried about having the best team on paper for next year, but rather being strong for years to come after the 19/88 deals are inked
- SnapitUpstairs

Sam Reinhart would solve alot of issues - centerman, entry level contract, internal competition as you describe, salary cap fix as a by-product of the acquisition.

Hey everyone! TGIF!!! Woooo!!!

We get Kesler and Spezza yet?

No one gives a (frank) about the regular season. Bicks, unlike Sharp, shows up when it matters most.
- CBHawks88

If all of the players played with that attitude then there wouldn't be any playoffs.

Well, Bickell had 25 points in 78 games during the 2013-14 season, including the playoffs. In comparison, Versteeg has 32 points in 78 games for the Blackhawks. They're pretty similar in terms of production, even if Bickell's came at a more important time of the playoffs. They're both coming off bad knee injuries, there is a 1.8m price difference, so I'd say currently neither contract is great but pretty similar for how effective they were as a whole.

I'd still take Bicks over Versteeg on my roster, but this year was a wash for both for the most part.
- L_B_R

Not even close. It isn't just about overall point production. Bickell is somewhat responsible in both ends, and opens up space for guys like Toews and Kane. Versteeg is a liability on both ends and leaves a lot to be desired offensively.

Hey everyone! TGIF!!! Woooo!!!

We get Kesler and Spezza yet?
- HawkintheD

I think we did

If all of the players played with that attitude then there wouldn't be any playoffs.
- kissthecup22

Sure there would - but every team in the league would be below .500.

Sam Reinhart would solve alot of issues - centerman, entry level contract, internal competition as you describe, salary cap fix as a by-product of the acquisition.
- RickJ

The likelihood of the Hawks getting the #1 pick is slim. Tallon would want more back than Sharp + Leddy + the 27th pick, and I don't know if Bowman has the pieces he'd want to move to get it done.

Sam Reinhart would solve alot of issues - centerman, entry level contract, internal competition as you describe, salary cap fix as a by-product of the acquisition.
- RickJ

If this is the strategy especially with the Cap # the league announced today, ok, sounds like a plan anyway.

I do think there will be potentially a bit more RFD flavoring in the lineup next year; at the very least if Morin isn't traded he may get a regular shift along with Nordy and hopefully they are able to purge 32 and 23.

And I've spewed a lot of it.

I don't care about losing Kessler; I was hoping they could do something somewhere - but with the league screwing up the cap situation, that's going to be difficult.

I'm so angry with the league over the cap situation - with all due respect to Paul if this happened in a normal business - where an error caused multiple parts of the business to have to scramble in days just to stay ahead of their budget - heads would roll - at high levels.

But - I'm going to stop posting about it, and look forward - hopefully, progress can still be made this summer.
- StLBravesFan

I do find it curious...in a bad way...that the cap wasn't set until several hours prior to the entry draft, a day of huge importance to all clubs.

If this is a trend, perhaps the draft should be pushed back to give clubs the chance to assess their rosters and budgets for the coming season.

If all of the players played with that attitude then there wouldn't be any playoffs.
- kissthecup22

They do have that attitude. Hence, why they finished 3rd in the division. This team knows how to "flip the switch." If you watched any games this year, it was pretty apparent the intensity and hunger wasn't there in the RS.

I think we did
- Kentxo

Awesome!

You back in the states Kent?

Steak Knives? Sweet!
- PhilMeister89

You have to pay the FedEX overnight shipping to get them.

Is the draft at 6? (CT) or is it at 7?

I do find it curious...in a bad way...that the cap wasn't set until several hours prior to the entry draft, a day of huge importance to all clubs.

If this is a trend, perhaps the draft should be pushed back to give clubs the chance to assess their rosters and budgets for the coming season.
- ArlingtonRob

Why do that when you can have a huge clusterf$ck going on instead 2 hours before the draft?

Sam Reinhart would solve alot of issues - centerman, entry level contract, internal competition as you describe, salary cap fix as a by-product of the acquisition.
- RickJ

I don't believe for a NY second that SB and Co. would make such a bold move. I'm more and more convinced that the Hawks are simply going to ride this core of players until they're finished...after that who knows.

Sam Reinhart would solve alot of issues - centerman, entry level contract, internal competition as you describe, salary cap fix as a by-product of the acquisition.
- RickJ

Why is the KNOB Pierre Maguire on the TSN draft show?

The likelihood of the Hawks getting the #1 pick is slim. Tallon would want more back than Sharp + Leddy + the 27th pick, and I don't know if Bowman has the pieces he'd want to move to get it done.
- L_B_R

Add TT and a 3rd.

Playoff points. The discussion was career playoff points. Try to keep up.

Sharp .62 PPG
Bickell .59 PPG
- Ogilthorpe2

yes i was aware of the discussion but on pure value to the team 4 mil for a big lazy winger that has all the tools to be a 30 goal, 200 hit player but doesnt want to compete for a full season...yes he is very valuable in the playoffs but i was referring to overall value by taking into account both seasons....both of them are very frustrating

Not even close. It isn't just about overall point production. Bickell is somewhat responsible in both ends, and opens up space for guys like Toews and Kane. Versteeg is a liability on both ends and leaves a lot to be desired offensively.
- CBHawks88

Versteeg is as responsible as Bickell in both ends, imo (Bicks was benched a couple of times in the RS after all), it's his neutral zone control that was has always been sub par. Versteeg did play PK and checking line minutes in the past, after all. Add on the knee injury impacting his play and thus decision making, I give him a little flack for this year. Next year will be very telling. I give the same flack to Bickell too, though, considering I mentioned he too was coming off a bad knee injury. And I mentioned I'd take Bickell easy, I just think his contract wasn't good for this past year. Both could be good for next year. We don't know until it's, you know, next year.

That said, I'd still trade Versteeg in a heartbeat right now and I wish he hadn't been acquired because I feel he blocked Morin's progress.

Add TT and a 3rd.
- Ogilthorpe2

Too much IMO.

I don't believe for a NY second that SB and Co. would make such a bold move. I'm more and more convinced that the Hawks are simply going to ride this core of players until they're finished...after that who knows.
- ArlingtonRob

This sounds like the plan.

Is the draft at 6? (CT) or is it at 7?
- TommyHawk

6 central. NBC sports channel.

Add TT and a 3rd.
- Ogilthorpe2

I might do it, but I doubt Tallon takes that deal (or hasn't been offered more) or that Bowman would offer TT since he's so high on him.

Personally, I do think TT has the ability to make the big show this year (after some time in the Rock) and would do well to be between Sharp and Hossa. I'm in the minority on that though, I know.