Or like I said on Ek's thread, getting off an Embraer TurboProp in some AHL burg within the next 24 months, never to be heard from again. The guy might end up nothing more than Jimmy Hayes Lite. Yes, that Jimmy Hayes.
- John Jaeckel

Who knows, maybe Jimbo and Kev will join future Austrian League HOFer Kyle Beach in a couple seasons.

Who knows, maybe Jimbo and Kev will join future Austrian League HOFer Kyle Beach in a couple seasons.
- prd797

Speaking of Beach - he was only able to finagle a month long try-out contract out of EC Salzberg.

Speaking of Beach - he was only able to finagle a month long try-out contract out of EC Salzberg.


- EKolb13

Meh, just a minor set-back. He'll have a contract soon and then the sky is the limit!

Heck, when's the HOF commencement speech? I want to know the dates so I can book the flight and the hotel in advance.

Who knows, maybe Jimbo and Kev will join future Austrian League HOFer Kyle Beach in a couple seasons.
- prd797

A lot of "sour grapes" around here.

There's a guy - good size, maybe needs to improve his skating - very good college year - maybe because of his line mates, maybe a cause of his line mates' success - and we're relegating him already to an AHL backwater or worse - and saying a 54th pick in next year's class could be better.

Jeez - let it go - no one has seen him play a minute of pro puck - we sound like the spoiled children we're accusing him of being.

A lot of "sour grapes" around here.

There's a guy - good size, maybe needs to improve his skating - very good college year - maybe because of his line mates, maybe a cause of his line mates' success - and we're relegating him already to an AHL backwater or worse - and saying a 54th pick in next year's class could be better.

Jeez - let it go - no one has seen him play a minute of pro puck - we sound like the spoiled children we're accusing him of being.
- StLBravesFan

Whether he signed for the Hawks or not, I wasn't very high on him Saint. Hasn't changed.

More annoyed that another Hawk 1st rounder isn't in the system anymore. But at this point, that draft pick looks like a fine trade-off to me and is definitely better than nothing.

Or like I said on Ek's thread, getting off an Embraer TurboProp in some AHL burg within the next 24 months, never to be heard from again. The guy might end up nothing more than Jimmy Hayes Lite. Yes, that Jimmy Hayes.
- John Jaeckel

Embraer

So far Hayes is nothing. Let me know when he has played a game and can be anyalized. Sick of hearing about this kid.
- BlazinMike

Hence my point. Brunnstrom was so over-hyped it wasn't even funny and it got worse with his hat trick in his first NHL game. In his second NHL season he had a whopping 2 goals and was out of the NHL the following year.

My bet is similar for hayes. I'll take the under vegas bet on 40 career NHL goals.

darn quote button isn't working wtfrank?

I agree with Ogi - Embraer

2015 and forward draft changes outlined -

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/559256

Figures they finally release this just after I post my article on the draft and now I have to redo it. I should have waited one more week. Oh well.

Thought you guys might appreciate this given the Hossa hit...

Torres to miss the start of the season.... http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=459885

darn quote button isn't working wtfrank?
- stljam

There have been glitches site-wide since early this afternoon.

By the way, Hayes ELC is $925k base salary

Bonuses could push his hit to $3.75 per


WOW, I'm amazed one good year of college hockey next to the Hobey baker winner got him that contract

By the way, Hayes ELC is $925k base salary

Bonuses could push his hit to $3.75 per


WOW, I'm amazed one good year of college hockey next to the Hobey baker winner got him that contract
- FourFeathers773

Look at what one good 23 game June run did for Bickell.

Look at what one good 23 game June run did for Bickell.
- StLBravesFan

Key contributor in 16 NHL playoff wins >> Entire NCAA season

Bickell also had an advantage in that the 'Hawks were (and still are) short on big wingers. Add in the fact he would have gone to UFA if unsigned. Hence the Bolly / Frolik trades at the draft to facilitate the signing.

Key contributor in 16 NHL playoff wins >> Entire NCAA season

Bickell also had an advantage in that the 'Hawks were (and still are) short on big wingers. Add in the fact he would have gone to UFA if unsigned. Hence the Bolly / Frolik trades at the draft to facilitate the signing.
- blackhawk24

Bickell has GOTTA be looking over his shoulder this season knowing what is down the pipeline next spring........that is.... Unless he's still sitting along the side of a riverbank somewhere in Canada ,with a blunt in his mouth ,a 6pack of Old Milwaukee at his side while casting a pole out in the water,which is how it looks like he plays most nights of the 82 game season,but then on the other hand it would be just our luck to trade that cat & then he turns into the next Phil Esposito! How true is this Matt Martin talk, or is it just Hockey Card GM talk? Any sources out of the Isle confirming this JJ?

Bickell has GOTTA be looking over his shoulder this season knowing what is down the pipeline next spring........that is.... Unless he's still sitting along the side of a riverbank somewhere in Canada ,with a blunt in his mouth ,a 6pack of Old Milwaukee at his side while casting a pole out in the water,which is how it looks like he plays most nights of the 82 game season,but then on the other hand it would be just our luck to trade that cat & then he turns into the next Phil Esposito! How true is this Matt Martin talk, or is it just Hockey Card GM talk? Any sources out of the Isle confirming this JJ?
- wonthecup10

Maybe? Regardless as to how Bickell does this coming season, his cap hit could be the thing that gets Bickell dealt come June/July of 2015.

Does anyone know if Chicago will participate in one of those pre- camp prospect tournaments - for example, the Traverse City Tournament.

The games would be only about a week away? The NYR playing in Traverse City may feature Kevin Hayes. Imagine Chicago in that group of teams. You could boo vociferously when Hayes is skating. But in recent years that is not the Tournament Bowman has put the prospects through and through.

Maybe? Regardless as to how Bickell does this coming season, his cap hit could be the thing that gets Bickell dealt come June/July of 2015.
- EKolb13

Good Morning Eli,
I defer to you as the resident rockford expert who do you think would be a replacement for bickell if he was dealt?

Bickel would be wise to get his act together on a regular basis thus season. That contract will pay out but where will he play out during the remainder of the contract?

The "B" in Bickel might as well be an "N" should he display motivational issues this season. Then pundits may say that "this Bickel is not worth a plugged nickel."

Good Morning Eli,
I defer to you as the resident rockford expert who do you think would be a replacement for bickell if he was dealt?
- BGKarras

Now?

There really isn't a power forward ready in Rockford to do that. McNeill would be the closest thing, but I wouldn't expect him to be seriously competing for a roster spot until next season. And the organization might just view McNeill as that replacement for Bickell next season.

Beyond McNeill, the other kid that would have been in Rockford this season that could of fit that "power forward" description signed with the Rangers yesterday.

As of now, I wouldn't expect Bickell to be traded, unless there was a similar player coming back in that trade.

Now?

There really isn't a power forward ready in Rockford to do that. McNeill would be the closest thing, but I wouldn't expect him to be seriously competing for a roster spot until next season. And the organization might just view McNeill as that replacement for Bickell next season.

Beyond McNeill, the other kid that would have been in Rockford this season that could of fit that "power forward" description signed with the Rangers yesterday.

As of now, I wouldn't expect Bickell to be traded, unless there was a similar player coming back in that trade.
- EKolb13

Hey man thanks for the info i didnt think we would have anyone down in the system that fits the mold of Bickell i just wasn't sure.

Now?

There really isn't a power forward ready in Rockford to do that. McNeill would be the closest thing, but I wouldn't expect him to be seriously competing for a roster spot until next season. And the organization might just view McNeill as that replacement for Bickell next season.

Beyond McNeill, the other kid that would have been in Rockford this season that could of fit that "power forward" description signed with the Rangers yesterday.

As of now, I wouldn't expect Bickell to be traded, unless there was a similar player coming back in that trade.
- EKolb13

Bickell - and Versteeg, if he's still here (and I thinkhe will be) - have to come into camp with good knees and in as close to game shape as possible.

I'm willing to give both the benefit of the "injury doubt" for last year, but it's important that both prove to be completely unhampered by last year's injuries and get off to good starts.

Hey man thanks for the info i didnt think we would have anyone down in the system that fits the mold of Bickell i just wasn't sure.
- BGKarras

Anytime.

Bickell - and Versteeg, if he's still here (and I thinkhe will be) - have to come into camp with good knees and in as close to game shape as possible.

I'm willing to give both the benefit of the "injury doubt" for last year, but it's important that both prove to be completely unhampered by last year's injuries and get off to good starts.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed. Especially with the highlighted. It might just be the way the organization is viewing it too.

Bickell has GOTTA be looking over his shoulder this season knowing what is down the pipeline next spring........that is.... Unless he's still sitting along the side of a riverbank somewhere in Canada ,with a blunt in his mouth ,a 6pack of Old Milwaukee at his side while casting a pole out in the water,which is how it looks like he plays most nights of the 82 game season,but then on the other hand it would be just our luck to trade that cat & then he turns into the next Phil Esposito! How true is this Matt Martin talk, or is it just Hockey Card GM talk? Any sources out of the Isle confirming this JJ?
- wonthecup10

You betchya! I wasn't defending him outright for his play this past season. But that playoff run in 2013 did get him an extra payout.

The 'Hawks really need his physical presence in the RS.