what position are Hawks drafting?
- mvp0207

There's only one position for women in the movement - prone.

Stokelay Charmichael.

Not saying that Pirri was the answer, but I called it at the time he came back. When Handzus was out, Kane was challenging Crosby for the scoring title. He came back and Kane's production stopped dead that game. While I'm sure we all loved what he brought last post season, bringing back Handzus this past year was probably Stan's worst personnel move to date.
- NewToHockey

The reluctance to get him off that second line in games 2 3 and 4 vs the Kings cost the cup this year. It was boneheaded and stubborn. He came off that line and hawks almost came back and won that series.

So let's ponder worst case scenario that Kane has actually demanded or made it very clear he wants a true #2 center to play with. And we don't get one, which looks pretty likely at this point. Maybe we add a center but it will likely be a lower priced one after we trade Rozy or Leddy if Sharp isn't traded.

And if Kane refuses to sign an extension, that puts us in a difficult situation. If he's hell bent on testing (leaving) FA next summer, do you at least shop him now or at the trade deadline to see what you could get? It's hard to imagine that happening but at the same time you cannot allow a huge resource like that to leave without any compensation. I can understand the let's go for it one more year idea, but I'd have to seriously look at dealing Kane.

That said, typical disclaimer that none of us know what the hell is really going on.

While I'm sure we all loved what he brought last post season, bringing back Handzus this past year was probably Stan's worst personnel move to date.
- NewToHockey

Khabibulin though.

Bluejacket's head scout Ivan Drago just announced their pick, and I think mumbled something about "I must break you" under his breath.
- Hemingways

Khabibulin though.
- L_B_R

Yeah, that was a bad one...

Not saying that Pirri was the answer, but I called it at the time he came back. When Handzus was out, Kane was challenging Crosby for the scoring title. He came back and Kane's production stopped dead that game. While I'm sure we all loved what he brought last post season, bringing back Handzus this past year was probably Stan's worst personnel move to date.
- NewToHockey

I'm not sure Kane and Zus combined for a point together all year, I know at one point late in the year they hadn't despite playing together a ton.

Also, if you look back at when they acquired Versteeg, they had been on that great tear where they looked unbeatable. As soon as he arrived we went flat.

Khabibulin though.
- L_B_R

Good point.

flyers select kapanen

Becuz they didn't give $6m to a marginal goalie, $4m to a no show LW, $2.2m to a player that should have remained just a fond memory...
- fvineze

No, they gave $5.0 to really bad goalie, and $7.25 to an average D-man.

So let's ponder worst case scenario that Kane has actually demanded or made it very clear he wants a true #2 center to play with. And we don't get one, which looks pretty likely at this point. Maybe we add a center but it will likely be a lower priced one after we trade Rozy or Leddy if Sharp isn't traded.

And if Kane refuses to sign an extension, that puts us in a difficult situation. If he's hell bent on testing (leaving) FA next summer, do you at least shop him now or at the trade deadline to see what you could get? It's hard to imagine that happening but at the same time you cannot allow a huge resource like that to leave without any compensation. I can understand the let's go for it one more year idea, but I'd have to seriously look at dealing Kane.

That said, typical disclaimer that none of us know what the hell is really going on.
- Hemingways

Doesn't Kane now have an NTC? I thought one kicked in either last summer or this summer.

Khabibulin though.
- L_B_R

Pathetic move. Way too much for a piece of crap mercenary who melted down in 2008 when the team needed him and we had to go with Patrick Lalime and STILL only missed the Playoffs by 3 points that year, even though Toews missed 18 games and we won THREE of them. Khabby played pathetic hockey, stole millions from Chicago. Why he was asked back was mind boggling.

Not the kind of guy they would go after Southie. And its EK. He is never right.
- Elbows15

I think lil bowman jr does some thing dumb....like get this guy....just to say he did it....all by his little self

So let's ponder worst case scenario that Kane has actually demanded or made it very clear he wants a true #2 center to play with. And we don't get one, which looks pretty likely at this point. Maybe we add a center but it will likely be a lower priced one after we trade Rozy or Leddy if Sharp isn't traded.

And if Kane refuses to sign an extension, that puts us in a difficult situation. If he's hell bent on testing (leaving) FA next summer, do you at least shop him now or at the trade deadline to see what you could get? It's hard to imagine that happening but at the same time you cannot allow a huge resource like that to leave without any compensation. I can understand the let's go for it one more year idea, but I'd have to seriously look at dealing Kane.

That said, typical disclaimer that none of us know what the hell is really going on.
- Hemingways

Lets just assume for a moment that Bowman got absolutely schooled in this Kesler trade.

You actually expect him to make a competent trade for Kane?

Not saying that Pirri was the answer, but I called it at the time he came back. When Handzus was out, Kane was challenging Crosby for the scoring title. He came back and Kane's production stopped dead that game. While I'm sure we all loved what he brought last post season, bringing back Handzus this past year was probably Stan's worst personnel move to date.
- NewToHockey

I agree, but he was a center, that paid his dues and was/is on a positive trajectory.

But water under the bridge. Now we have 2 centers...and ironically, hoping TT can minimally produce and contribute as much as Pirri showed he could last year, and likely will next year in florida.

Doesn't Kane now have an NTC? I thought one kicked in either last summer or this summer.
- NewToHockey

Oh man, yes he does. That would totally blow if he decided to leave and we got nothing.

Pathetic move. Way too much for a piece of crap mercenary who melted down in 2008 when the team needed him and we had to go with Patrick Lalime and STILL only missed the Playoffs by 3 points that year, even though Toews missed 18 games and we won THREE of them. Khabby played pathetic hockey, stole millions from Chicago. Why he was asked back was mind boggling.
- kwolf68

Ancient history...time to move on.

Pathetic move. Way too much for a piece of crap mercenary who melted down in 2008 when the team needed him and we had to go with Patrick Lalime and STILL only missed the Playoffs by 3 points that year, even though Toews missed 18 games and we won THREE of them. Khabby played pathetic hockey, stole millions from Chicago. Why he was asked back was mind boggling.
- kwolf68

That's leaving out the rumor he quit on the team in the WCF of 2009.

‏@TramyersCSN
Now are they talking to each other… RT @Russostrib: Fletcher on the phone. So is Stan Bowman, #blackhawks GM

Ancient history...time to move on.
- ArlingtonRob

It was ancient history, but was rekindled when Khabby came in and stole more millions from Chicago. He was a loser the moment he stepped foot in Chicago. I HAD let it go and moved on, but our genius GM decided to bring him back.

Take away the names and faces, a 2C minimum produces 40 point seasons. Basically, he is good for a point every other game on average. Playing with Kane, likely more. We had a 2C that went 50 games between goals and was barely a plus. How important is an extra goal, every other game, (what we did not get with Zues), in the playoffs?

Q's decision to stick to that decision will go down as the pivotal moment in turning the hawks fortunes back to mediocrity. I am talking about his decision in Mid december to go with Zues, just look at the teams record from that point on. And when we all fret Kane leaving after next year, (now losing out on Kesler), this will have been a key event in him even considering it.

Zues was -8 in playoffs, Regin, or Smith as a regular 2C or just a center in the rotation, how could they have been worse. I mean, Smith replaced Zues in games 3-6 of Blues series and they won...and Smith had 2 or 3 points in those games...weird...
- TrueGrit

(frank) - he's gone - he ain't comin' back - Hawks have bigger problems right now than whether Pirri was or wasn't the blown answer.

I think lil bowman jr does some thing dumb....like get this guy....just to say he did it....all by his little self
- southernhawk

It won't be him. He has way too much baggage.

Take away the names and faces, a 2C minimum produces 40 point seasons. Basically, he is good for a point every other game on average. Playing with Kane, likely more. We had a 2C that went 50 games between goals and was barely a plus. How important is an extra goal, every other game, (what we did not get with Zues), in the playoffs?

Q's decision to stick to that decision will go down as the pivotal moment in turning the hawks fortunes back to mediocrity. I am talking about his decision in Mid december to go with Zues, just look at the teams record from that point on. And when we all fret Kane leaving after next year, (now losing out on Kesler), this will have been a key event in him even considering it.

Zues was -8 in playoffs, Regin, or Smith as a regular 2C or just a center in the rotation, how could they have been worse. I mean, Smith replaced Zues in games 3-6 of Blues series and they won...and Smith had 2 or 3 points in those games...weird...
- TrueGrit

lQ just needed to play ths Rockford guys with his eye 9n the prize.Everyone here knew that reat was at a premium after a cup run and a olympic year.It was discussed here repeatedly yet Q decided to drive the horses and be damned with resting as full bore goal was position.Very Mike Kennen of him if you ask me.Not saying Pirri was a long term solution but what the F, bench him later while he gave a stud a break.Just imo.

Lets just assume for a moment that Bowman got absolutely schooled in this Kesler trade.

You actually expect him to make a competent trade for Kane?
- Hawks82

All this talk about Bowman failing or getting schooled or blowing it by not getting Kessler is delusional and must stop.

First, we are OVER the cap right now. How are we getting another $5 mil of room for Kessler?

Second. We do not have a young center to trade, who was the centerpiece of the deal Vancouver chose. We don't know if TT was on the table at any point, but we know he didn't put up 50 points in the NHL last year like Bonino did. Stan can't force another team to make a deal. Stan also hopefully is smart enough not to take on $5 mil in additional salary to go over the cap before making a trade to free up that much room. If Sharp refuses to waive his NMC there is nothing the Hawks can do.

Vancouver chose a different offer. Their GM said the Hawks were in it to the end. How that's a failure on Bowman's part is ridiculous.

I'm not sure Kane and Zus combined for a point together all year, I know at one point late in the year they hadn't despite playing together a ton.
- Hemingways

They did, but Zus was on the ice for only one of Kane's goals. Kane produced the most with Saad, Shaw, Pirri, and Versteeg.