Neither is Duncan Keith.
- Tanuki

That means he's on the trading block, right?

That means he's on the trading block, right?
- EKolb13

Only if We can get Pirri and Skille back.

They lost that series because (among issues with centers and rolling only 2 1/2 lines) they kept giving up large leads: 2-goal leads in four of the games (IIRC), including 3 losses, INCLUDING game 7, and a one-goal lead in two others.

Poor defense? Sure. Because of fatigue (playing top forwards and defensemen to many minutes)? Sure.

But they were not able to protect early leads, they were not able to build on them, they were not able to put the Kings away, even in the wins.

THAT'S what they should feel bad about, not the deflected goal of a red shirt in OT of game 7.
- StLBravesFan

I guess the point was, they expected a win, despite the points you point out. They were a team which overcame diversity. When they did not (insert deflating balloon here)

Versteeg is getting married, I think.
- StLBravesFan

Steeger is betting married. I wouldn't read anything into Keith not being at the convention, but Leddy...

@bcampbell_51: At Midway airport getting ready to head North to Toronto for Verbeauty's wedding. I expect some major performance by Kris. Don't disappoint

Oh boy....see the craziness is still running wild.

Myers for Seabrook? In what delusional world does Myers even sniff Seabrook? Myers is 99.9% a bust. Maybe he rebounds in a change of scenery, but probably not.

Versteeg is at a wedding. His wedding. So nothing to see hear as to why he's not at the convention. Sure Leddy has some personal conflict and Keith as well. Again, I'm not against trading Versteeg but with a chance for a high reward low risk bounce back year, it's a hard to pass that up.

As far as clearing cap space goes...who the hell knows. I'm sure Stanley has done his homework and is weighing those trade offers as we speak. It'll be interesting to see which way he goes. Will tell a lot about his outlook for this season, next few seasons, and who internally they feel is ready for the show.

Lastly....is every Hawks press conference a way for McDonough to shower accolades upon himself and Rocky Wirtz? Every time the word "renaissance" is used and then.....everything is awesome.

Oh boy....see the craziness is still running wild.

Myers for Seabrook? In what delusional world does Myers even sniff Seabrook? Myers is 99.9% a bust. Maybe he rebounds in a change of scenery, but probably not.

Versteeg is at a wedding. His wedding. So nothing to see hear as to why he's not at the convention. Sure Leddy has some personal conflict and Keith as well. Again, I'm not against trading Versteeg but with a chance for a high reward low risk bounce back year, it's a hard to pass that up.

As far as clearing cap space goes...who the hell knows. I'm sure Stanley has done his homework and is weighing those trade offers as we speak. It'll be interesting to see which way he goes. Will tell a lot about his outlook for this season, next few seasons, and who internally they feel is ready for the show.

Lastly....is every Hawks press conference a way for McDonough to shower accolades upon himself and Rocky Wirtz? Every time the word "renaissance" is used and then.....everything is awesome.
- SteveRain

I am going to take your earlier statement of summer vacation to heart. See you guys on June 28th
Issuues to be resolved
Newly married Versteegs bounce back season/sale for bag of pucks
Sharps 5.9 million bargin/problem contract
Leddys godlike/bust never going to get better talent level
Oduya retention/salary release
Rozy molases slow Zeus like/vet leadership qualities
FO's bozos or beasts
Salary cap and TT
Crawford and Bickell bargin/outragous contracts.
JJ's awesome posts/hidden aganda
You have your work cut out for you!
ALL the best!

I am going to take your earlier statement of summer vacation to heart. See you guys on June 28th
Issuues to be resolved
Newly married Versteegs bounce back season/sale for bag of pucks
Sharps 5.9 million bargin/problem contract
Leddys godlike/bust never going to get better talent level
Oduya retention/salary release
Rozy molases slow Zeus like/vet leadership qualities
FO's bozos or beasts
Salary cap and TT
Crawford and Bickell bargin/outragous contracts.
JJ's awesome posts/hidden aganda
You have your work cut out for you!
ALL the best!

- Cup-Bearer

Yes sir.....that's why I just check in...shake my head....and try not to post anymore.

Oh boy....see the craziness is still running wild.

Myers for Seabrook? In what delusional world does Myers even sniff Seabrook? Myers is 99.9% a bust. Maybe he rebounds in a change of scenery, but probably not.

Versteeg is at a wedding. His wedding. So nothing to see hear as to why he's not at the convention. Sure Leddy has some personal conflict and Keith as well. Again, I'm not against trading Versteeg but with a chance for a high reward low risk bounce back year, it's a hard to pass that up.

As far as clearing cap space goes...who the hell knows. I'm sure Stanley has done his homework and is weighing those trade offers as we speak. It'll be interesting to see which way he goes. Will tell a lot about his outlook for this season, next few seasons, and who internally they feel is ready for the show.

Lastly....is every Hawks press conference a way for McDonough to shower accolades upon himself and Rocky Wirtz? Every time the word "renaissance" is used and then.....everything is awesome.
- SteveRain

To use your term: the craziness is still running wild.

That's his job: to market the Company, to put the Company in a favorable light.

You present an image of growth and progress.

To use your term: the craziness is still running wild.

That's his job: to market the Company, to put the Company in a favorable light.

You present an image of growth and progress.
- StLBravesFan

To an extent but he over does it IMO. Always have. Always will. When the good times are rolling he's front and center. When they aren't, he's tucked away in the tower.

The man is a master at marketing. NO question about it. I just dont' like the guy, think he's a phony, and I'll leave it at that.

Glad 19/88 are here for the L.T, and find it hilarious and sad that people think and posted we should have traded Kane, or should trade kane down the road. Ummm....no.

We have seen a closer look at Toews WILL be compared to Kane. We haven't even seen all the tools this kid has, and the fact he's hell bent on improving every off season, you haven't heard a peep about his off ice issues in the past 2+ years vs other "core members", I think it's time EVERYONE moves on and accepts like most young adults the light bulb for Kane went off a lot later then say....Toews.

Give it 2-3 years and these deals will be an absolute steal for the Hawks. The only thing they lose out on, is IF they ever wanted to buy 1 or both out, the 44 million in bonus $$ they can't touch.

To an extent but he over does it IMO. Always have. Always will. When the good times are rolling he's front and center. When they aren't, he's tucked away in the tower.

The man is a master at marketing. NO question about it. I just dont' like the guy, think he's a phony, and I'll leave it at that.

Glad 19/88 are here for the L.T, and find it hilarious and sad that people think and posted we should have traded Kane, or should trade kane down the road. Ummm....no.

We have seen a closer look at Toews WILL be compared to Kane. We haven't even seen all the tools this kid has, and the fact he's hell bent on improving every off season, you haven't heard a peep about his off ice issues in the past 2+ years vs other "core members", I think it's time EVERYONE moves on and accepts like most young adults the light bulb for Kane went off a lot later then say....Toews.

Give it 2-3 years and these deals will be an absolute steal for the Hawks. The only thing they lose out on, is IF they ever wanted to buy 1 or both out, the 44 million in bonus $$ they can't touch.
- SteveRain

I don't like McDonough either - he does seem to like to be in the limelight when things are going well - but the renaissance of the franchise is due to more than just what we see on the ice - or the obvious "put the home games on TV" moves - corporate sponsorships, community involvement, promotions - he did very well with those at Cubs Park, he's doing very well on West Madison.

And - no question about the rest of your post.

I don't like McDonough either - he does seem to like to be in the limelight when things are going well - but the renaissance of the franchise is due to more than just what we see on the ice - or the obvious "put the home games on TV" moves - corporate sponsorships, community involvement, promotions - he did very well with those at Cubs Park, he's doing very well on West Madison.

And - no question about the rest of your post.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed. He will continue to do well here with the Hawks, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him have his eye on a bigger prize. A corporate job in the NHL or NFL....a new challenge so to speak.

We shall see....well off to vacation mode. HOpe something happens here soon so we can actually talk about the event instead of speculating and debating to the 10000th about who goes vs who stays, etc.

You know what really burns me is that the NHL didn't put in some type of discount for home grown players in the last CBA. with the exception of being able to add another year that really isn't much. would have been nice to have say a francise player exemption or a cusion of some sort for players that your organization has developed and drafted.
- SaskHawkFan

I agree completely with this there should be a break for Teams that draft and develop well.

I agree completely with this there should be a break for Teams that draft and develop well.
- kissthecup22

Won't happen.

NHL owners are in a place that NBA owners would DIE (kill?) to be in - a hard-cap situation, knowing for certain exactly how much money the players will make in total.

Won't happen.

NHL owners are in a place that NBA owners would DIE (kill?) to be in - a hard-cap situation, knowing for certain exactly how much money the players will make in total.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed.

Anyways, it will be at least another 7 years before any party can opt out of the CBA. So I wouldn't expect any real change as it is.

Steeger is betting married. I wouldn't read anything into Keith not being at the convention, but Leddy...

@bcampbell_51: At Midway airport getting ready to head North to Toronto for Verbeauty's wedding. I expect some major performance by Kris. Don't disappoint
- DarthKane

No Versteeg, Leddy or Keith:
http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=99090&navid=DL|CHI|home

Toews and Kane taking the hometeam discount - could have commanded max. lol What an agent? After this year, we are F'd for a few years. SB sticking to the plan- which ofc, no one really knows.

Toews and Kane taking the hometeam discount - could have commanded max. lol What an agent? After this year, we are F'd for a few years. SB sticking to the plan- which ofc, no one really knows.
- Topshelf2010

Wtf are you talking about ?

Steeger is betting married. I wouldn't read anything into Keith not being at the convention, but Leddy...

@bcampbell_51: At Midway airport getting ready to head North to Toronto for Verbeauty's wedding. I expect some major performance by Kris. Don't disappoint
- DarthKane

Keith's sister getting married.

Keith's sister getting married.
- bwarner929

That's a fair enough reason to miss the convention. Keith will attend plenty more conventions in the future.

At least we can have fun with the Leddy situation.

Won't happen.

NHL owners are in a place that NBA owners would DIE (kill?) to be in - a hard-cap situation, knowing for certain exactly how much money the players will make in total.
- StLBravesFan

They would still know what that number is - it would be a simple discount formula for resigning in-house players. They'd be rewarded (reduced cap hit) for drafting and developing well. Wouldn't be hard - but won't happen under this CBA.

The only incentive now is that they can offer 1 more year in contract length when resigning your own UFA's.

The even BIGGER point is that you have no cap space to allow for short term injuries.

Whether you gave 20,21,22,23 on the roster (and I don't know whether or not the CBA mandates a minimum roster or not) - you can't be so close to the cap that you have zero flexibility in recalling players: multiple short term injuries occur all of the time in this league.
- StLBravesFan

I found this on the NHL website and it surprised me because I thought that you had to have a minimum of 22 players on the roster at all times:

23-man Roster
There may be a maximum of 23 players on each Club's playing roster at any one time from the commencement of the NHL regular season through the trade deadline. Prior to the start of the season, each Club must submit to the NHL its "Opening Day Playing Roster" which shall be comprised of not more than 23 players. Each Club must have a roster of at least 20 players, composed of 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Players on Injured Reserve do not count in the 23-man limit.

Then I tried to figure out how the waiver rules work as far as who has to clear waivers and who doesn't but they didn't make any sense to me.

Agreed.

Anyways, it will be at least another 7 years before any party can opt out of the CBA. So I wouldn't expect any real change as it is.
- EKolb13

You are both right and sometimes I tend to forget that the competition between teams starts with the Owners and the front office. I'm sure that the teams in smaller markets love it when the better teams are trying yo stay under the cap and have to jettison talent.

Agreed. He will continue to do well here with the Hawks, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him have his eye on a bigger prize. A corporate job in the NHL or NFL....a new challenge so to speak.

We shall see....well off to vacation mode. HOpe something happens here soon so we can actually talk about the event instead of speculating and debating to the 10000th about who goes vs who stays, etc.
- SteveRain

Would love, LOVE, for McD to take over for Bettman. He could market the sport unlike any other!!

Wtf are you talking about ?
- mrpaulish

iguess you missed this headline: Kane, Toews could’ve commanded $13.8M cap hits, says agent

Would love, LOVE, for McD to take over for Bettman. He could market the sport unlike any other!!
- hawks2010

And us Hawks fans could stop debating about how he does or does not interferre with hockey decisions