Agreed. The Hawks were a Game 7 overtime goal from making the Finals, and we know beating the NYR. BOOM...Cup. When you are THAT close massive overall is not needed. They have virtually the same team as last years very successful team, with an obvious upgrade in Richards over Handzus.

Also guys, They have until March and around 60 games to see how things are moving. Lots of time to tweak. I would like to see them use that time to play Morin, McNeil or some other of the young guys for a chunk of games to see how they do. The most impressive part of the Kings Cup run was the contributions of their younger guys playing some solid, productive minutes. I think sometimes we are spoiled by how good and talented the Hawks are, and we don't want to let young guys screw it up a little, but they need the chance to get better and gain valuable experience. Not too much too soon, but not to shelter them either...

The regular season should really be a tune-up and a trial period for the Hawks until the REAL hockey starts in April. Heck, even Clendening (especially if Leddy is moved) should get some minutes to grow and be evaluated. Then at least, you know by March which young guys can cut it (like Saad last year) and which guys you need to send down and look for veteran help.
- hawk35

Being up against (actually, over, as of right now) limits what they could do FA- and trade-wise - perhaps, if the estimated cap hadn't been reduced by $2MM, they would have been more in on Kesler or one of the other available centers (and maybe anyoffer without TT still wouldn't have been enough).

Plus - as much as we say "go for it this year and worry about next year next summer - Bowman has to understand the effects of this year's moves on next year's cap - with the Kane/Toews deals beginning, and Saad and Kruger still unsigned.

And - perhaps - a more aggressive and creative GM could have gotten more done - don't know.

Let's see who's improved and who hasn't.

Nearly every team in the western conference got better this off season, on paper. Many of them have gotten much better, on paper, and many of those gave the hawks fits last year.. SB did very little to improve the team this year. Especially to give them more size, strength, grit & grind, and to reverse the significant reduction of speed that was evident last year. Really hoped to have seen more activity by this time than what we have so far...
- fvineze

Fixed that up for ya.

I am a little late here, but my thoughts on Q are these:

Since I have been paying attention, the Hawks have had the following coaches--
Bill White
Bob Pulford
Eddie Johnston
Keith Magnuson
Bob Pulford (again)
Orval Tessier
Bob Pulford (again)
Bob Murdoch
Keenan
Daryl
Craig Hartsburg
Dirk!
Lorne Molleken ?
Bob Pulford (again)
Alpo Suhonen
Brian Sutter
Trent Yawney
Savard
and Q

I'm plenty happy with 2 cups, and WCF heartbreaking loss in 2014
, and the near total rebuild subsequent to the 2010 gutting of a championship team. Who knows, if we get rid of Q, Rocky might be tempted at Pulford again like his Dad was.

Nearly every team in the western conference got better this off season. Many of them have gotten much better, and many of those gave the hawks fits last year.. SB did very little to improve the team this year. Especially to give them more size, strength, grit & grind, and to reverse the significant reduction of speed that was evident last year. Really hoped to have seen more activity by this time than what we have so far...
- fvineze

Think the cap had anything to do with that? They are going to have to do something because they are over the cap. Agree on the other teams. But if nothing else I think Bowman has earned the right to a little patience from the peanut gallery.

The only thing I disagree with you on here is Versteeg. I guess you could say that at $2.2 mil he is low risk, but I would counter that with someone like Morin, McNeill, Hartmann, Danault, Carey, etc. who on entry level deals are all <$1mil in cap space and carry the same low risk.

If Q's main beef with players is being positionally sound and defensively responsible then Versteeg has to be at the bottom of anyone's list. Is his offensive side greater? Possibly, but not enough to offset the defensive liabilities. I would Posit that Morin may have a greater offensive upside than Versteeg and Maybe Mcniel as well.
- TheTrob

I think Bowman had an idea they would have some cap issues this year and next year as he got Tallon to eat some of his $$. However, lets remember also that according to LeBrun last fall nobody would touch Versteeg when Tallon made available. So while you could say Bowman overpaid with Olsen and Hayes, part of that overpayment very well could have been Tallon eating some money.

Versteeg has a better track record then the guys you mentioned and again, that's why I point to the low risk/high reward he could be in the bottom tier of the lineup....considering how top heavy it is.

Think the cap had anything to do with that? They are going to have to do something because they are over the cap. Agree on the other teams. But if nothing else I think Bowman has earned the right to a little patience from the peanut gallery.
- 6628

Better question: Why did so many Western Conference teams feel the need to make lots of moves trying to improve?

A Because they're all trying to catch up to the front runners.

Better question: Why did so many Western Conference teams feel the need to make lots of moves trying to improve?

A Because they're all trying to catch up to the front runners.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed.....1. Kings.....2. Hawks...

However, I will say that the gap between the Kings and Hawks and the Stars/Ducks/Blues has shrunk a decent amount. Even Minnesota.

Look back to the Hawks playoff run and even LA.....neither team won a series in less then 6 games. hawks had a helluva time with STL and Minny. Anh had a helluva time with Dallas. LA....ran a gauntlet.

Point is, last year the west was very deep....throw in Kesler, Spezza, Hemsky, Vanek, and Stasny (Switched teams) to the returning lower tiered teams and you better hope the hawks enter the playoffs rested and healthy.

Agreed.....1. Kings.....2. Hawks...

However, I will say that the gap between the Kings and Hawks and the Stars/Ducks/Blues has shrunk a decent amount. Even Minnesota.

Look back to the Hawks playoff run and even LA.....neither team won a series in less then 6 games. hawks had a helluva time with STL and Minny. Anh had a helluva time with Dallas. LA....ran a gauntlet.

Point is, last year the west was very deep....throw in Kesler, Spezza, Hemsky, Vanek, and Stasny (Switched teams) to the returning lower tiered teams and you better hope the hawks enter the playoffs rested and healthy.
- SteveRain

I honestly think Hawks are favorites over the Kings as is right now. Sure, we will need to lose a rozy, versteeg, or leddy to get under the cap, but that will have minimal impact given their replacements. Not to mention bolligs spot will be replaced by a capable hockey player now, and we actually have a bona fide 50+ pt center on the second line in place of Handzus who was as devoid of offense as it gets last year, dragging down the whole line

and mind you, the "favorite" kings team still needed 21 games just to get to the cup final, a brutal road no doubt, but they were equally one bounce away from not making it out of any of the rounds. given that, they arent ahead of any team really IMO

Think the cap had anything to do with that? They are going to have to do something because they are over the cap. Agree on the other teams. But if nothing else I think Bowman has earned the right to a little patience from the peanut gallery.
- 6628

Not a big supporter of Stanley as everyone knows, but I agree......I think he saw this coming and he had to make moves for the long term. See Versteeg.

I think he's exploring all angles to get this trade done and I applaud him for not rushing into anything and holding out for the best possible return.

I honestly think Hawks are favorites over the Kings as is right now. Sure, we will need to lose a rozy, versteeg, or leddy to get under the cap, but that will have minimal impact given their replacements. Not to mention bolligs spot will be replaced by a capable hockey player now, and we actually have a bona fide 50+ pt center on the second line in place of Handzus who was as devoid of offense as it gets last year, dragging down the whole line

and mind you, the "favorite" kings team still needed 21 games just to get to the cup final, a brutal road no doubt, but they were equally one bounce away from not making it out of any of the rounds. given that, they arent ahead of any team really IMO
- FourFeathers773

Disagree...I can't put the Hawks ahead of LA. LA beat them, and I still think LA has better overall depth. Adding Richards will help, but as you mentioned you have to subtract a rostered player.

I will say I think the Hawks can beat LA in a series......but LA retaining Gaborik was a big move for them.

I'm a HUGE proponent of if the Hawks can't win the division and hopefully face a Pacific wild card team, then whenever that quest is done....they rest their top guys. NO use killing their guys to finish 2nd in the division. Home ice doesn't mean as much as it used to.

Better question: Why did so many Western Conference teams feel the need to make lots of moves trying to improve?

A Because they're all trying to catch up to the front runners.
- Ogilthorpe2

Good point.

Not a big supporter of Stanley as everyone knows, but I agree......I think he saw this coming and he had to make moves for the long term. See Versteeg.

I think he's exploring all angles to get this trade done and I applaud him for not rushing into anything and holding out for the best possible return.
- SteveRain

Totally agree on not rushing in. Maybe he has a target. Also not the best thing to wait too long either. But fans at least owe him a little patience. He is in a tough spot and it looks like it's going to get tougher before it gets easier.

Disagree...I can't put the Hawks ahead of LA. LA beat them, and I still think LA has better overall depth. Adding Richards will help, but as you mentioned you have to subtract a rostered player.

I will say I think the Hawks can beat LA in a series......but LA retaining Gaborik was a big move for them.

I'm a HUGE proponent of if the Hawks can't win the division and hopefully face a Pacific wild card team, then whenever that quest is done....they rest their top guys. NO use killing their guys to finish 2nd in the division. Home ice doesn't mean as much as it used to.
- SteveRain

In the same regard, LAK also lost Willie Mitchell. No great loss, but losing Mitchell is a bigger loss than us losing an Versteeg, Rozsival, or Leddy

Is True Grit still alive? I miss the way him and UnnamedSource used to go at it. Always kept it interesting during times like these where theres basically no news to be reported and even the rumors are few and far between and even when they come, they are not really anything anyway.

I'm just bored. Need some entertainment

I am a little late here, but my thoughts on Q are these:

Since I have been paying attention, the Hawks have had the following coaches--
Bill White
Bob Pulford
Eddie Johnston
Keith Magnuson
Bob Pulford (again)
Orval Tessier
Bob Pulford (again)
Bob Murdoch
Keenan
Daryl
Craig Hartsburg
Dirk!
Lorne Molleken ?
Bob Pulford (again)
Alpo Suhonen
Brian Sutter
Trent Yawney
Savard
and Q

I'm plenty happy with 2 cups, and WCF heartbreaking loss in 2014
, and the near total rebuild subsequent to the 2010 gutting of a championship team. Who knows, if we get rid of Q, Rocky might be tempted at Pulford again like his Dad was.
- DirkGraham

Totally reminded me of that Seinfeld bit with George Steinbrenner listing his general managers, with Billy Martin playing the role of Bob Pulford!

More Kane beer league hockey

http://www.nhl.com/ice/ne...728502&navid=nhl:topheads

Great rule in that league - "games are running time with a horn that blows every 75 seconds to remind players to change. Failure to do so results in a penalty shot"

Short shifts boys, lol.

Is True Grit still alive? I miss the way him and UnnamedSource used to go at it. Always kept it interesting during times like these where theres basically no news to be reported and even the rumors are few and far between and even when they come, they are not really anything anyway.

I'm just bored. Need some entertainment
- BlazinMike

4 weeks or so until training camp, there is always the ever popular sites like watchingpaintdry.com or waiting4helltofreezeover.net. I'm partial to the new trade site bagofpucksforyoureleftover.com

Disagree...I can't put the Hawks ahead of LA. LA beat them, and I still think LA has better overall depth. Adding Richards will help, but as you mentioned you have to subtract a rostered player.

I will say I think the Hawks can beat LA in a series......but LA retaining Gaborik was a big move for them.

I'm a HUGE proponent of if the Hawks can't win the division and hopefully face a Pacific wild card team, then whenever that quest is done....they rest their top guys. NO use killing their guys to finish 2nd in the division. Home ice doesn't mean as much as it used to.
- SteveRain

gotta disagree with you...

LA won on a fluke goal in game 7 and for my money,

Richards + Morin/Regin/Rasmussen/my grandmother is way, WAY better than Handzus + Bollig.

Keep in mind all Richards has to do is assist on 30 Kane goals, and even without scoring a goal he would double Handzus's scoring from last year.

gotta disagree with you...

LA won on a fluke goal in game 7 and for my money,

Richards + Morin/Regin/Rasmussen/my grandmother is way, WAY better than Handzus + Bollig.

Keep in mind all Richards has to do is assist on 30 Kane goals, and even without scoring a goal he would double Handzus's scoring from last year.
- dsav123

The Hawks were a flawed team last season, scarey at times both awesomely and shameful.

Did the Hawks have enough in sheer will to tie up the series? yes.

Did they fail miserably in depth, not being able to hold on to multi two goal leads? unfortunately yes.

LA had the answer to the Hawk team game and were the better team, no argument, they brought it when they had to. The Hawks,Ducks and Sharks did not. All had chances.

There was an obvious void in the #2 center position and within the bottom 6 forwards. Richards for now is the affordable answer at #2. With the human Bowling ball gone, there is a chance for bottom 6 improvement. The season will dictate what happens to Vsteeg/Bic/Rozy/Leddy. The boys will get their shot and that should include TT later this year.

The real question is what happens on the PK, as Darth alluded to. It was a strength and Zeus was a big part of that. The guy who steps up and fills that vacancy will be our full time bottom 6 guy.

So SB, like the way he has performed or not, has some choices within the cap, it all comes down to the players performances and injuries. The Hawks should be the favorite this year for the cup but there still are some real questions, was Hayes a huge mistake? Can Richards be that guy for Kane? Does SB move the right piece(s) before/during/after the season.

Dead time of year but it is the unknowns which have kept the summer blogs interesting. Looking foward to what is to come.

The Hawks were a flawed team last season, scarey at times both awesomely and shameful.

Did the Hawks have enough in sheer will to tie up the series? yes.

Did they fail miserably in depth, not being able to hold on to multi two goal leads? unfortunately yes.

LA had the answer to the Hawk team game and were the better team, no argument, they brought it when they had to. The Hawks,Ducks and Sharks did not. All had chances.

There was an obvious void in the #2 center position and within the bottom 6 forwards. Richards for now is the affordable answer at #2. With the human Bowling ball gone, there is a chance for bottom 6 improvement. The season will dictate what happens to Vsteeg/Bic/Rozy/Leddy. The boys will get their shot and that should include TT later this year.

The real question is what happens on the PK, as Darth alluded to. It was a strength and Zeus was a big part of that. The guy who steps up and fills that vacancy will be our full time bottom 6 guy.

So SB, like the way he has performed or not, has some choices within the cap, it all comes down to the players performances and injuries. The Hawks should be the favorite this year for the cup but there still are some real questions, was Hayes a huge mistake? Can Richards be that guy for Kane? Does SB move the right piece(s) before/during/after the season.

Dead time of year but it is the unknowns which have kept the summer blogs interesting. Looking foward to what is to come.
- Cup-Bearer

no use crying over spilled milk at this point, but we got hosed pretty bad in game 7 with both an offsides AND a high stick on the carter goal. one that should have never of counted...

no use crying over spilled milk at this point, but we got hosed pretty bad in game 7 with both an offsides AND a high stick on the carter goal. one that should have never of counted...



- FourFeathers773

AND gave up a 2 goal lead AND gave up a lead with 7 minutes left....

gotta disagree with you...

LA won on a fluke goal in game 7 and for my money,

Richards + Morin/Regin/Rasmussen/my grandmother is way, WAY better than Handzus + Bollig.

Keep in mind all Richards has to do is assist on 30 Kane goals, and even without scoring a goal he would double Handzus's scoring from last year.
- dsav123

La is very good down the middle and why the won. Stoll is very underrated.

I will agree on the upgrades over Handzus and Bolig.

Still think they are better not by a lot, but enough.

key to Richards is not over playing him. Not sure his body can handle an 82 game ride with a ton of minutes. Hope I'm wrong.

AND gave up a 2 goal lead AND gave up a lead with 7 minutes left....
- StLBravesFan

yeah.....breaks happen. The blown leads are what really pisses me off. Especially game 2....and if Seabrook scores to make 3-0, Hawks are probably heading to LA up 2-0 in the series.....

I still haven't watched game 7 again. saw it in person, and every time I see the highlight of the Kings jumping around I get pissed.

Is True Grit still alive? I miss the way him and UnnamedSource used to go at it. Always kept it interesting during times like these where theres basically no news to be reported and even the rumors are few and far between and even when they come, they are not really anything anyway.

I'm just bored. Need some entertainment
- BlazinMike

Entertainment can be frowned upon.

Entertainment can be frowned upon.
- Canardhawk

https://www.youtube.com/w...er_embedded&v=K3klJvTHGJA