By that logic, Saad should be a nothing player as well. Everyone passed him over once. Some twice.
- BreakoutHockey

Shaw too for that matter.

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.
- mohel

I do look for a better year from Bickell - healthy, coming into the season in getter game shape.

I do look for a better year from Bickell - healthy, coming into the season in getter game shape.
- StLBravesFan

Me, too. Same with Versteeg, although I am more confident in Bickell doing so. I am a unicorn after all.....

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).
- StLBravesFan

In my opinion Sharp and Leddy are the two most tradeable pieces fr cap relief and decent return even without leverage

Shaw too for that matter.
- HawkintheD

Stirring again I see .....

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.
- mohel

Oh, I completely agree. Crawford is going to be here because the Hawks haven't done a good/ any job? for their farm system when it comes to goalies. They don't have a replacement. God help us if Crawford gets hurt.

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).
- StLBravesFan

I agree with Crawford. It is what it is, we're tied to what we don't have. Bickell however, not so much. We can and should move him in the next year or two. Too much money.

Stirring again I see .....
- paulr

Take that back kettle!

Oh, I completely agree. Crawford is going to be here because the Hawks haven't done a good/ any job? for their farm system when it comes to goalies. They don't have a replacement. God help us if Crawford gets hurt.
- Crawford

I should also add that I have no desire to see him go. I am a fan, and have gotten past the Phoenix OT softies. I like how the guy battles, so I'll take him any day. I understand that others don't agree - that's just my two cents.

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).
- StLBravesFan

Agreed unless they think they go the inexpensive veteran route in goal like Detroit did with Vernon and hasek late in their careers.

I agree with Crawford. It is what it is, we're tied to what we don't have. Bickell however, not so much. We can and should move him in the next year or two. Too much money.
- Crawford

It is too much money if he has another regular season like last year again. If he puts 20 goals on the board and is a physical presence, I think his contract is fine given the money getting tossed around this summer.

Agreed unless they think they go the inexpensive veteran route in goal like Detroit did with Vernon and hasek late in their careers.
- SteveRain

Brodeur is out there, apparently....

Brodeur is out there, apparently....


- StLBravesFan

He'd be a big help. In 2005.

Which is what good or-gan-i-za-tions do.

So - between Toledo (if applicable) and Rockfish - is the development system up to the task?
- StLBravesFan

That would now be the NEW affiliation with the Indianapolis Fuel.

One more year guys and then the next two years will be a rebuild.

Cool with that, but these deals were hella stupid. No guarantees about cap increases going forward. 5% a year is only $3.5MM or so. Will take year three to get another $10MM + in space. $8MM has to go just to cover the wunderkinds. Then Saad, and whomever else they decide to keep.

Let's hope there is some actual talent development going on in Rocktown, and Raanta learns how to play the North American game, or it will be more like three or four years.

One more year guys and then the next two years will be a rebuild.

Cool with that, but these deals were hella stupid. No guarantees about cap increases going forward. 5% a year is only $3.5MM or so. Will take year three to get another $10MM + in space. $8MM has to go just to cover the wunderkinds. Then Saad, and whomever else they decide to keep.

Let's hope there is some actual talent development going on in Rocktown, and Raanta learns how to play the North American game, or it will be more like three or four years.
- Return of the Roar

I'm not as pessimistic as you, but this could indeed happen. One thing for balance, though, if I may.... The whole league, especially those near the cap (which are the real contenders) are or will be in a similar situation. Nobody will be able to build a team and keep it together for long. It will hinge on which front office plays the system the most efficiently. I think the Hawks will do okay, but I have a unicorn as an avatar, so.....

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

We have to go for it in 2014-15. If sharps traded that means next year is out of reach. If sharp is not traded, I'd bet dollars to donuts next year to be Hossa's last year and Sharp last as well, plus the rented 2C's last, which makes 2015-16 out of reach too. That means '16-17 SB better have 3 new top 6 forwards in his pocket or payroll otherwise offense isn't there for a 16-17 run.

That logically leaves this year as the only viable year but we need one more piece to compete with an even more bolstered WC in '14-15 . So expect a big dump of at least $6m in salary this summer with a $4m defenseman acquisition (where we faltered all last season and in the WCF).

I agree with Crawford. It is what it is, we're tied to what we don't have. Bickell however, not so much. We can and should move him in the next year or two. Too much money.
- Crawford

Bickel can be a force. The only problem, when he steps up his game to the next level, he seems to become a little more injury prone. He needs to learn to play at the higher level and not get hurt. Still trying to figure why he was not a force in the Kings series, hurt?

Bickel can be a force. The only problem, when he steps up his game to the next level, he seems to become a little more injury prone. He needs to learn to play at the higher level and not get hurt. Still trying to figure why he was not a force in the Kings series, hurt?
- Topshelf2010

Bickel COULD be a force, except he isn't.

One more year guys and then the next two years will be a rebuild.

Cool with that, but these deals were hella stupid. No guarantees about cap increases going forward. 5% a year is only $3.5MM or so. Will take year three to get another $10MM + in space. $8MM has to go just to cover the wunderkinds. Then Saad, and whomever else they decide to keep.

Let's hope there is some actual talent development going on in Rocktown, and Raanta learns how to play the North American game, or it will be more like three or four years.
- Return of the Roar

one year with a legit shot, then who knows? Still SB will need to make some smart moves and rookies need to surprise. We will need players to play above their payrate.

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

My point is audition time for young players shouldn't be in April/May.
Q had the pedal to the floor from Oct and the Hawks never really ever took control of the Division.

He needs to change as JJ said may not have a choice.
Coach like Babcock and Sutter...Use the regular season to work out kinks and to give kids time to learn...Not when the stakes and pressure is the highest.

Bickel COULD be a force, except he isn't.
- fvineze

he has his moments

One more year guys and then the next two years will be a rebuild.

Cool with that, but these deals were hella stupid. No guarantees about cap increases going forward. 5% a year is only $3.5MM or so. Will take year three to get another $10MM + in space. $8MM has to go just to cover the wunderkinds. Then Saad, and whomever else they decide to keep.

Let's hope there is some actual talent development going on in Rocktown, and Raanta learns how to play the North American game, or it will be more like three or four years.
- Return of the Roar

I have said that I, too, am thinking about two transition years after this coming season - to get the cap caught up and to get some kids developed.

But I'm happy with the Toews/Kane deals - would have been happier at $9.5, but - not stupid - had to do it, couldn't let them go lame duck into the new year.

As has been said - the cap will catch up, this will be the new norm for top echelon skaters - if (IF) Stan is as good as we hope he is....

I'm not as pessimistic as you, but this could indeed happen. One thing for balance, though, if I may.... The whole league, especially those near the cap (which are the real contenders) are or will be in a similar situation. Nobody will be able to build a team and keep it together for long. It will hinge on which front office plays the system the most efficiently. I think the Hawks will do okay, but I have a unicorn as an avatar, so.....
- mohel

It will definitely be interesting to see how this all plays out. Hopefully the prospect pool bears more fruit the likes of 20, 65, 28 and 16.

If what others say is true (and I haven't looked at the cap numbers yet), and the Hawks need to shed $3 million before the season starts, how do you envision it happening. No one is going to =give you a box of tape for Rozsival or Versteeg.
- John Jaeckel

Do we need anything for Versteeg except for him and his $2.2m gone