Isn't there a possibility that Dent could replace Kompon?
- EKolb13

I would bet against it but maybe he has a history with Q I don't know about.
Q has full control on who he picks.

This was Saad's first full year - he was up the whole 48 game season - not sure how much sooner he could have established himself.

Saying TT isn't ready for this coming year - and I don't think the is - doesn't jean he isn't a "can't miss" - maybe yes, maybe no, don't know yet - but I'm not sure anyone has said said he doesn't have the skates, the hands, and the vision to be an excellent NHL player. Don't know why he slipped so far - size and strength are an issue.

Still a prospect, sure, but I think unfair to be very negative on him.
- StLBravesFan

When I read media stating teuvo time yeah I will be.

I hope he pans out. I don't think he's a center. I'm just saying for as much publicity he gets you would have thought he was a 1st overall pick.

Bowman needs him to pan out and he very well could be 1 of 2 attempts by Bowman to replace Richards and sharp next year.

He might have to
- John Jaeckel

He should have last year considering where they finished. Hands were tied in the playoffs because the he couldn't trust a Morin/Nordstrom who had fresh legs.

The answer remains obvious: if you don't like what's being discussed - if you want to talk hockey - TALK HOCKEY - post something hockey related - chances are excellent you'll get appropriate responses.
- StLBravesFan

Double plus good retort.

Guess I won't post baby pics of my Brussels Sprouts.

Its tanking time. Hope these boys enjoy playing with a bunch of ELC guys.
- Elbows15

Okay, no need to jump on the "THE HAWKS WILL NEVER WIN ANOTHER CUP" bandwagon. The cap's going to go up in the next couple of years. Yes, the Hawks will have to make choices next year on who stays and who goes. But this isn't like last time, it's different. There's a few players that got paid 1-2 million than they should have, but please...

He should have last year considering where they finished. Hands were tied in the playoffs because the he couldn't trust a Morin/Nordstrom who had fresh legs.
- Al

To Q a defense did either of those guys prove anything? Nordstrom played a few games and then bombed. Morin played and took a bad penalty.

If there is a gripe it lies with region at f and Brookland in for Rozsival.

This is the 1st year saad was consistent and established himself.

Why did they entertain Kesler and sign Richards if teuvo was such a can't miss. A year in Europe. A nothing brief cup of coffee in march. Now all signs point to Rockford.

Point is maybe insisting he IS some star maybe we look at the team's who passed him by and wonder if their call was correct.

All.he is is a prospect. Not a savior. Not. A future star until.he proves otherwise.
- SteveRain

Haven't seen a single person say he was a savior. Also haven't seen a single person claim that he already is a star. You are creating a strawman to then shake your fist at and get angry about.

When I read media stating teuvo time yeah I will be.

I hope he pans out. I don't think he's a center. I'm just saying for as much publicity he gets you would have thought he was a 1st overall pick.

Bowman needs him to pan out and he very well could be 1 of 2 attempts by Bowman to replace Richards and sharp next year.
- SteveRain

Who cares about the publicity?

That's between McDonough and his lackies on the various press outlets.

A lot of the negativity toward him here seems to be a reaction to the publicity he's gotten - which is not his fault or responsibility.

I just see a tremendously talented kid (still) who has yet to prove himself on North American ice, and in an NHL system - and, with some added weight, strength, and experience, I would guess that he will.

Iv'e been debating hockey with some of you since 2007-08 on the daily herald board. When John took over this, I actively spent more time here (no offense Al ) as the DH site was asking for payment for a subscription to post.

What was once a lively, policed by ourselves board has become a nightmare. We lost a main stay to corporate, but the more I think about it...it was needed. I understand why some ex main stays do not post any more and only this board suffers from educated debate. Instead we get grab @ss of old movies or shows instead.

I sat this morning and saw the bombardment of posts of a select few trying to engage in what I'm gong to assume was premeditated posts as the content had gone stale. Why? I dont' know, but this junior high girl clique crap has to end.

It's hard to sternly debate in writing, as you can't decipher the tone of voice of the other person. We all are passionate fans of the Hawks, that much we have in common.

Do I always agree with Wiz, John, or AL? nope. Do they have a LOT MORE insight to a LOT more things then the average joes on this board has? Yep. And so do some others, who I have met first hand. Is it hard to believe stuff based on sources without getting documented information? Yes, it is. However, that's how journalism works. Show me the next time when Bob McKenzie mentions a proposed trade who said it.

What I'm getting at is I'm done with the personal crap. I'm done engaging in what I think are spirited debates which may actually may not be the case. I hope those who took information off here and posted it on social media come forward. I enjoy reading, and will continue to read John's work, but at some point...if the girlish ways don't end, this board will be a ghost town.
- SteveRain

No offense taken nor needed to explain.
When I started the blog here there were a handful of people who read and cared...literally a handful.

I'm sure there is good cause but not sure specifically why you are upset.

I said a long time ago once this stuff becomes personal it slides downhill in a big way in a heart beat.

You need to try to do nothing to make your team worse for the coming year - a very real potential to go deep into the play-offs and compete for a Cup - and when you have that chance, you worry about the future in the future - go for the win now.

You can always try to be a seller at TDL if it doesn't work out.
- StLBravesFan

I'm unclear on the intent of your comments so I'm going to try to restate them into something I can understand. Tell me if I'm right. I don't want to offer my own opinions until I'm sure I understand yours.

1) "....try to do nothing to make your team worse for the coming year"
RESTATED: This team was good enough to make it to the WCF this year and can compete again in '14-'15 as it is currently constructed. NO changes necessary.

2) "You worry about the future in the future - go for the win now."
RESTATED: This team is good enough to win so don't F it up. Then, if things aren't going well as you had planned/hoped, you can try to fix it at the trade deadline.

How did I do?

Haven't seen a single person say he was a savior. Also haven't seen a single person claim that he already is a star. You are creating a strawman to then shake your fist at and get angry about.
- BreakoutHockey

Bowman said he wasn't trading him because he's a long term solution. The media built him into a star. Non stop stories teuvo time.

Didn't this kid get sent home from his national team?

Again I hope he pans out. Just have learned over the years more often then not prospects never live up to their perceived value. Top 6, 5 tool. It's the others that do. Ben smith Andrew Shaw. Big buff. Troy Brouwer.

Haven't seen a single person say he was a savior. Also haven't seen a single person claim that he already is a star. You are creating a strawman to then shake your fist at and get angry about.
- BreakoutHockey

I'm sorry, not trying to be rude, but were you paying attention last season? When they brought him up it was like the second coming. People already went out and bought his jersey, I've seen it. The fact of the matter is that the Hawks are betting a lot on him and every time the future of the hawks comes up, he continues to be the first thing they bring up.

Who cares about the publicity?

That's between McDonough and his lackies on the various press outlets.

A lot of the negativity toward him here seems to be a reaction to the publicity he's gotten - which is not his fault or responsibility.

I just see a tremendously talented kid (still) who has yet to prove himself on North American ice, and in an NHL system - and, with some added weight, strength, and experience, I would guess that he will.
- StLBravesFan

I agree and I would just change your last sentence to I hope he will.

Fair enough on publicity and that's probably why I hate it. It's very cub like. I'm having a horrible Anthony montanz Felix pie flash back.

I'm sorry, not trying to be rude, but were you paying attention last season? When they brought him up it was like the second coming. People already went out and bought his jersey, I've seen it. The fact of the matter is that the Hawks are betting a lot on him and every time the future of the hawks comes up, he continues to be the first thing they bring up.
- Crawford

THIS BIG TIME

To Q a defense did either of those guys prove anything? Nordstrom played a few games and then bombed. Morin played and took a bad penalty.

If there is a gripe it lies with region at f and Brookland in for Rozsival.
- SteveRain

bomb?, i am not so sure. Even the regulars make mistakes, Toews, Keith, Hammer, Sharp, .... and Shaw takes a mess load of bad penalties.

It is part of the learning process. Come on now, Versteeg sucked the wazoo in game 5, didn't play for game 6 and was back in for some unexplicable reason in game 7 and zeus was centering line 2 in Game 7. That is all on Q.

Yes, the rookies will make mistakes and bad decisions. Part of maturation and experience. The more these guys play against nhl pressure situations, the better they will be or don't. if don't, ship out.

YOu want to see bad mistakes, take a look at the give away that Keith had in game 6 in ot in 2010 flyers. Niemi bailed him out.

I'm unclear on the intent of your comments so I'm going to try to restate them into something I can understand. Tell me if I'm right. I don't want to offer my own opinions until I'm sure I understand yours.

1) "....try to do nothing to make your team worse for the coming year"
RESTATED: This team was good enough to make it to the WCF this year and can compete again in '14-'15 as it is currently constructed. NO changes necessary.

2) "You worry about the future in the future - go for the win now."
RESTATED: This team is good enough to win so don't F it up. Then, if things aren't going well as you had planned/hoped, you can try to fix it at the trade deadline.

How did I do?
- bwarner929

Not good.

Don't know how you get from what I said - and you quoted - to "no changes necessary".

You had said: "I think a bigger move - Sharp, Leddy, Rozy, Oduya, Versteeg, prospect package - needs to happen this year when the Hawks have just a LITTLE bit more leverage rather than waiting until next year when they don't, plus the extra hits of Saad and Kruger looming. Are we setting up for just 1 more Cup run in '14-'15 or longer term success? I hope the FO opts for the latter."

To me that meant make a big move now instead of waiting until next year - giving up talent to free cap space, give up on this year to build for the future.

I disagreed: said go for the win this year, because you have a chance.

Not good.

Don't know how you get from what I said - and you quoted - to "no changes necessary".

You had said: "I think a bigger move - Sharp, Leddy, Rozy, Oduya, Versteeg, prospect package - needs to happen this year when the Hawks have just a LITTLE bit more leverage rather than waiting until next year when they don't, plus the extra hits of Saad and Kruger looming. Are we setting up for just 1 more Cup run in '14-'15 or longer term success? I hope the FO opts for the latter."

To me that meant make a big move now instead of waiting until next year - giving up talent to free cap space, give up on this year to build for the future.

I disagreed: said go for the win this year, because you have a chance.
- StLBravesFan

Hi Sage. I think they need to go for it this year and do the 2015/2016 salary thing next year. As I've explained here many times, the market for someone they need to trade is dependent on the quality and contract of that player, and has little to nothing to do with whether the Hawks need to cut salary. So, go for it now and make your changes next summer. BTW, going for it now could still involve trading Sharp for another good center or two.

bomb?, i am not so sure. Even the regulars make mistakes, Toews, Keith, Hammer, Sharp, .... and Shaw takes a mess load of bad penalties.

It is part of the learning process. Come on now, Versteeg sucked the wazoo in game 5, didn't play for game 6 and was back in for some unexplicable reason in game 7 and zeus was centering line 2 in Game 7. That is all on Q.

Yes, the rookies will make mistakes and bad decisions. Part of maturation and experience. The more these guys play against nhl pressure situations, the better they will be or don't. if don't, ship out.

YOu want to see bad mistakes, take a look at the give away that Keith had in game 6 in ot in 2010 flyers. Niemi bailed him out.
- Topshelf2010

Oh I don't disagree on the veterans. Q has a jaded system.

Bowmans is eliminating those options as bolig has been kicked off the island.

Not good.

Don't know how you get from what I said - and you quoted - to "no changes necessary".

You had said: "I think a bigger move - Sharp, Leddy, Rozy, Oduya, Versteeg, prospect package - needs to happen this year when the Hawks have just a LITTLE bit more leverage rather than waiting until next year when they don't, plus the extra hits of Saad and Kruger looming. Are we setting up for just 1 more Cup run in '14-'15 or longer term success? I hope the FO opts for the latter."

To me that meant make a big move now instead of waiting until next year - giving up talent to free cap space, give up on this year to build for the future.

I disagreed: said go for the win this year, because you have a chance.
- StLBravesFan

Got it - fair enough.

I just don't think those 2 things are mutually exclusive and I obviously didn't mean that we would be moving ALL of the names I mentioned. But, I do think that only getting cap compliant this offseason may not be enough to STAY competitive moving forward.

I agree that the Hawks should be in the Cup mix again this year and that Bowman will hopefully do everything reasonably possible to tweak the roster. However, I don't think you can turn a blind eye to '15-'16 and beyond, especially since we now know the cap hit of the twins, even if we don't yet know the cap. Guessing the FO has a good idea.

Get cap compliant and make maybe 1 more move to open up another slot for a prospect, creating a little cap wiggle room and offering a bit of roster and cap flexibility, both at the deadline and moving into next season when HOPEFULLY they continue to compete.

I think we generally agree - didn't mean to pick a fight by rewording your comments.

Hi Sage. I think they need to go for it this year and do the 2015/2016 salary thing next year. As I've explained here many times, the market for someone they need to trade is dependent on the quality and contract of that player, and has little to nothing to do with whether the Hawks need to cut salary. So, go for it now and make your changes next summer. BTW, going for it now could still involve trading Sharp for another good center or two.
- mohel

Agreed. Decision of now vs later and return now vs return later is a huge variable.

Based on Sharp's social media @ss kissing today I think he's far too comfortable and not be moving Imo.

Hi Sage. I think they need to go for it this year and do the 2015/2016 salary thing next year. As I've explained here many times, the market for someone they need to trade is dependent on the quality and contract of that player, and has little to nothing to do with whether the Hawks need to cut salary. So, go for it now and make your changes next summer. BTW, going for it now could still involve trading Sharp for another good center or two.
- mohel

Agree - I'm not in favor of doing nothing - or moving Sharp just for cap space - may gave to do that next year - but yes, for a center and (incidentally) some cap space - good.

Agreed. Decision of now vs later and return now vs return later is a huge variable.

Based on Sharp's social media @ss kissing today I think he's far too comfortable and not be moving Imo.
- SteveRain

Probably true on Sharp this year. Could be Oduya that goes, although I'm in the "Leddy on the second pairing scares the crap out of me" group. I doubt it is Rozy or Versteeg, given their contracts versus the poor year each had. I'd just like them to maximize talent this year and worry about next year's cap next summer. If Sharp puts another 30+ in the net, there will be plenty of market for him.

Hi Sage. I think they need to go for it this year and do the 2015/2016 salary thing next year. As I've explained here many times, the market for someone they need to trade is dependent on the quality and contract of that player, and has little to nothing to do with whether the Hawks need to cut salary. So, go for it now and make your changes next summer. BTW, going for it now could still involve trading Sharp for another good center or two.
- mohel

Two years ago, I would be completely against Sharp getting traded. Now? I'm completely on board. They need to move him when they can get the most bang for his buck. I don't see them moving him this year, but next year, he'll be gone. It's hard to replace the highest scoring player. But it'll be interesting to see how Patrick Kane does with a somewhat decent center. If I were Crawford and Bickell, I'd be sweating it out. Although, it's hard to ignore the fact that almost all "elite" goalies in the NHL are now being paid high dollar amounts. Except for Niemi... which still hurts.

Two years ago, I would be completely against Sharp getting traded. Now? I'm completely on board. They need to move him when they can get the most bang for his buck. I don't see them moving him this year, but next year, he'll be gone. It's hard to replace the highest scoring player. But it'll be interesting to see how Patrick Kane does with a somewhat decent center. If I were Crawford and Bickell, I'd be sweating it out. Although, it's hard to ignore the fact that almost all "elite" goalies in the NHL are now being paid high dollar amounts. Except for Niemi... which still hurts.
- Crawford

Any new goalie who is good won't come from the system, unless Raanta makes a large jump. That means to get a good replacement they need to trade for a young one on an ELC or his first standard deal (where he'll be an RFA). Otherwise they have to go the UFA route, which will cost what Crawford makes. So, I think Crow will be here.

Bickell does indeed have pressure on him, because players will need to go next year.

Two years ago, I would be completely against Sharp getting traded. Now? I'm completely on board. They need to move him when they can get the most bang for his buck. I don't see them moving him this year, but next year, he'll be gone. It's hard to replace the highest scoring player. But it'll be interesting to see how Patrick Kane does with a somewhat decent center. If I were Crawford and Bickell, I'd be sweating it out. Although, it's hard to ignore the fact that almost all "elite" goalies in the NHL are now being paid high dollar amounts. Except for Niemi... which still hurts.
- Crawford

Can't trade Crawford: no goalies in the system - INCLUDING Raanta - anywhere close to being ready.

Can't trade Bickell: no one in the show big enough to play like he can (but often doesn't).