A player's value in trade is only established at the time a deal is about to be made. Take a look back to deals made at trade deadline time. Numerous players like Paul Gaustad etc were moved for #1 picks.

It's ridiculous to decide what a player is worth when he isn't even on the market. Fortunately the Bowman's work at putting a roster together that can actually play and win on the ice and don't spend any time at all playing Fantasy hockey with their real live personnel who you just regard as commodities.
- RickJ

Just pointing out the obvious. Some real live personnel are going to be moved and it will show on the ice. The Hawks will need to catch lightning in a bottle again to acquire a Sharp-like player (Matt Ellison who) or find a desperate GM as Wiz pointed out. Maybe a Cam Barker-Leddy trade. Like him or not just remember what we gave up to get him. I remember all to well Feb 2010 and how the Wild fans were happy to get rid of Kim Johnsson (wisely) with Leddy a struggling Freshman prospect (maybe some upside) and get a big young Barker (PP QB haha).

Yea, but then who creates the scoring space for Toews, Kane, Sharp,Hossa in the top 6 come playoff time

we needed it from Byguflien/Ladd/Brouwer in 2010

we needed it from Bickell in 2013 and 2014

Bickell gone and who is the physical presence in the top 6? Matt Martin would surely be more of a detriment offensively than a benefit
- FourFeathers773

Shaw plays more of a PF game consistently throughout the season than Bickell does. To me, Bickell is the new Daze.

The point you don't get, and apparently never will is that Bickell doesn't need to be better than Sharp. He doesn't even need to be as good. He just needs to play hard every night and score 15-20. The team has more than enough offense with or without Shart.

People are so hung up on "losing" Patrick Sharp's 30 goals...big (frank)ing deal. What else does he do? Doesn't PK, doesn't play physical, doesn't play C (where he would best help the team), doesn't score in the gimmick. Bickell scores 15-20 in his LW spot and better depth = better team D...then you don't miss Sharp's 30 goals.
- Ogilthorpe2

I know where you are coming from, BUT....very hard for me to get behind a guy (Bickell) who arguably is their most inconsistent forward during the regular season. He has ONLY scored 15-20 1 year....2010-11, when potted 17.

Everyone can point to his playoff performance, alla Buff, but how many of those 7 goals came against STL and Minn then where was he against LA? The guy had 1 goal....1 point against LA. So while we can sit here and bash the hell out of Sharp, and rightfully so, you can also point to a guy who is paid 4 million a year to PRODUCE in the playoffs and fell flat on his face. Is he a power forward? Not a chance in hell. None.

What is also fascinating that while mouth pieces like Zawaski will crucify Versteeg.....Bickell had half the points in the regular season and was a TEAM WORST -6 upfront. I know, he is a big boy and sadly the ONLY big boy this organization has right now who is NHL ready, so god forbid they trade him....but.....

All Bickell does is float around, pull away from checks and fall in love with wrist shot. Yet, the one g-damn time he should have fired his wrist shot in game 7 late in the 3rd against LA he tried to throw a half zone saucer to Hossa on horrible ice....and we all know how that turned out.

Sharp has his faults...but to assume Bickell is going to contribute 15+ goals, and not be more of a disturbance in the top 6 then a helping hand, doesn't work for me.

Like Versteeg, if Bickell doesn't show up ready to play in camp, I wouldn't pass on dealing him if teams came knocking. Patrick Poulin was also a big boy. Size doesn't mean a thing, if guys with it, don't play up to it. Shaw plays bigger then Bickell 99.99999% of the time.

Here's the thing:

Hossa WAS hurt in the playoffs, lesser recurrence of disk issue from last year. So ya, that supports your "aging" hypothesis.

But no, he's still a very, very good hockey player, aging or no. And hey, there's the Hockey News saying the Hawks have the best forwards in the league (which I would assume has something to do with their top 6). Sarcasm intended.
- John Jaeckel

There were a lot of guys who disappeared in that Kings series who need to start showing up consistently on the score sheet if they want to be a part of this team in the future.

Some where due to injuries, most were due to flat out not producing. Everyone is banged up in the NHL playoffs come conference final time. So I'm not going to pass the buck on any one guy. Guys are paid to due their jobs and when they don't score, they need to be looked at as part of the reason this team didn't win 16 playoff games last year.

A player's value in trade is only established at the time a deal is about to be made. Take a look back to deals made at trade deadline time. Numerous players like Paul Gaustad etc were moved for #1 picks.

It's ridiculous to decide what a player is worth when he isn't even on the market. Fortunately the Bowman's work at putting a roster together that can actually play and win on the ice and don't spend any time at all playing Fantasy hockey with their real live personnel who you just regard as commodities.
- RickJ

Agreed. They do shop guys to try and gain an idea of value but this whole trade this guy or that guy.....is old. We have all been through it since June. Oduya, Sharp, Versteeg, Leddy, Sharp, Leddy, Oduya, Leddy, Oduya, Sharp, Bickell, Versteeg, Versteeg,........

I'm sure Bowman will make his move out of the blue, that will be that, and we can get back to debating all the same narratives we do every year on here.

Bickell for either straight up is a favorable deal for the Isles. This guy arguably won the Smythe in 2013. Let's get slightly real. He gets bashed a lot around here but he is a fairly quality NHL power forward who is also a top 6 player on the Isle. Without question.
- John Jaeckel

Ugh....I can't even put power forward and Bickell in the same sentence. The body of work doesn't justify it. 1 season of 17 goals....

Yeah, he was banged up last year, but magically in 2013 with the carrot of money hanging in his face he somehow sacked up and contributed vs LA and was a CONSISTENT physical presence and scoring option. This year? Nope. After Minn and STL, he gave us all of 1 pt....which was a goal in a crucial 7 game series, where he mainly skated with 2 of the games best players.

He's an enigma. Like Buff, will the consistent light EVER go off for Bickell? I doubt it. Sadly, the hawks don't have a plan B in regards to a large bodied prospect who can skate...so we are stuck hoping that the 4 million per year gamble Bowman paid a guy, actually pays off.

Bickell has lots of potential, he just never reaches it...
- fvineze

Agreed......and if he doesn't come to camp ready to prove he's ready to elevate his game and consistency, then Bowman would be foolish NOT to shop his 4 million cap hit to somebody who may overpay based on his playoff reputation. A certain guy in Winnipeg got paid BIG dollars in a similar situation.

There were a lot of guys who disappeared in that Kings series who need to start showing up consistently on the score sheet if they want to be a part of this team in the future.

Some where due to injuries, most were due to flat out not producing. Everyone is banged up in the NHL playoffs come conference final time. So I'm not going to pass the buck on any one guy. Guys are paid to due their jobs and when they don't score, they need to be looked at as part of the reason this team didn't win 16 playoff games last year.
- SteveRain

No argument. Hossa, and his "advancing age" (so far) are not the problem however.

No argument. Hossa, and his "advancing age" (so far) are not the problem however.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed.....Hossa is NOT the problem.

I would, however, like to see Q rest him and Richards a LOT this season to have them as fresh as possible come April. Honestly, unless a very weak or banged up Packifc/Central team slides into the WC spot....what advantage does winning the division hold? Not much.....still have to face the same gauntlet of power house teams......so 2 pts in February to me is not worth taxing your chance at being fresh come April .

Agreed.....Hossa is NOT the problem.

I would, however, like to see Q rest him and Richards a LOT this season to have them as fresh as possible come April. Honestly, unless a very weak or banged up Packifc/Central team slides into the WC spot....what advantage does winning the division hold? Not much.....still have to face the same gauntlet of power house teams......so 2 pts in February to me is not worth taxing your chance at being fresh come April .
- SteveRain

Agreed about resting Hossa and Richards.

That requires, I think, a 14-skater forward roster, to protect against possible injuries - even if one of the 14 is in Rockford most of the year: Stan needs to create enough cap space to accommodate 14 forwards and 7 defenseman.

Ugh....I can't even put power forward and Bickell in the same sentence. The body of work doesn't justify it. 1 season of 17 goals....

Yeah, he was banged up last year, but magically in 2013 with the carrot of money hanging in his face he somehow sacked up and contributed vs LA and was a CONSISTENT physical presence and scoring option. This year? Nope. After Minn and STL, he gave us all of 1 pt....which was a goal in a crucial 7 game series, where he mainly skated with 2 of the games best players.

He's an enigma. Like Buff, will the consistent light EVER go off for Bickell? I doubt it. Sadly, the hawks don't have a plan B in regards to a large bodied prospect who can skate...so we are stuck hoping that the 4 million per year gamble Bowman paid a guy, actually pays off.
- SteveRain

My point: Clutterbuck and Martin (who I REALLY LIKE as a player) are probably not worth Bickell+. Bickell should command Martin+. Fact is, Bickell is a guy who can give you quality minutes on the 2nd or 3rd line, complement skill guys, get you 17-18 goals a year.

I get the Byfuglien comparison. I think this was the first blog to ever actually draw that comparison. Know what? If a PF sleepwalks through the regular season and dominates in the playoffs, I'll take it.

Agreed about resting Hossa and Richards.

That requires, I think, a 14-skater forward roster, to protect against possible injuries - even if one of the 14 is in Rockford most of the year: Stan needs to create enough cap space to accommodate 14 forwards and 7 defenseman.
- StLBravesFan

That requires moving more than one current roster player. The ideal solution would be to move Rozsival and Versteeg and replace them with guys making no more than $1 million each. I'd probably start with Nordstrom taking Versteeg's roster spot. Maybe sign McBain or Brookbank on defense for $1,000,000. That leaves Stan about $1.4 million for the 14th skater. I know trading Rozsival and Versteeg is a pipe dream, but it makes me happy just to think about it.

My point: Clutterbuck and Martin (who I REALLY LIKE as a player) are probably not worth Bickell+. Bickell should command Martin+. Fact is, Bickell is a guy who can give you quality minutes on the 2nd or 3rd line, complement skill guys, get you 17-18 goals a year.

I get the Byfuglien comparison. I think this was the first blog to ever actually draw that comparison. Know what? If a PF sleepwalks through the regular season and dominates in the playoffs, I'll take it.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed on the return on Bickel...I like both of those guys Clutterbuck or Martin.

I don't agree on the return of goals by Bickell. Until proven otherwise, the want and desire to play at that level isn't there in the regular season and the fact he scored 17 goals 1 time in his career,. doesn't mean he's a lock to do it playing 82 games with 19&*1 for the reason that Bickell every year is always a guy on the verge of being benched because he's one of the "has to be better" guys Q talks about when looking at lines. There is no way in hell Bickell would stay on that line all year long. He would be off it by 10/31.

as far as "dominates" in the playoffs.....again......that's a dangerous line. Can you afford to carry a VERY HIGH cap hit for a low return 82 games a year, sacrificing a quality depth guy who is MORE consistent during those same 82 games, in hope that 29 keeps on scoring in the playoffs? We have seen this before, and 52 is no longer here because of it.

You were the first to make the comparison. I am just VERY sour on Bickell until proven otherwise. I just can't pencil him for a X because far too many times I go to games and he is UNNOTICEABLE in every facet of the game. For a guy that big, with some talent, he should be noticed every time he's on the ice. Sadly, he's not.

Big year for him and Versteeg IF this team wants to achieve glory. Otherwise, both better be gone this time next year.

Agreed about resting Hossa and Richards.

That requires, I think, a 14-skater forward roster, to protect against possible injuries - even if one of the 14 is in Rockford most of the year: Stan needs to create enough cap space to accommodate 14 forwards and 7 defenseman.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed, and that's why a guy like Brookbank was valuable because in a jam you could play him upfront.

I don't see them moving 2 guys......I'm already nervous if I have to watch Rundblad a lot this year.

Agreed, and that's why a guy like Brookbank was valuable because in a jam you could play him upfront.

I don't see them moving 2 guys......I'm already nervous if I have to watch Rundblad a lot this year.
- SteveRain

It does seem like Q likes a versatile D man that can be put in as a forward when required. Does anyone one know if any of the Rockford prospects have any offensive experience?

It does seem like Q likes a versatile D man that can be put in as a forward when required. Does anyone one know if any of the Rockford prospects have any offensive experience?
- Cup-Bearer

I'm sure every coach would like a guy who can play defense and forward. But there aren't too many guys who can do that well. Brookbank is still an option if Stan can make a move (or two) before Calgary signs him.

Shaw plays more of a PF game consistently throughout the season than Bickell does. To me, Bickell is the new Daze.
- powerenforcer

I'd like to see how he does this year healthy. Not using injury as an excuse, but he should be judged after this season.

I'd like to see how he does this year healthy. Not using injury as an excuse, but he should be judged after this season.
- vabeachbear

I think his could be a year long audition for a few guys, including Bickell and Versteeg. If they both play well, say about 40 points, I would expect them both to survive the next cap purge.

I'd like to see how he does this year healthy. Not using injury as an excuse, but he should be judged after this season.
- vabeachbear

I think Bowman has to make decisions - somewhat based on Bickell's and Verteeg's camp / pre-season performances - before October 9.

At least their performances (or lack thereof) will be a factor in the final roster decisions.

Shaw plays more of a PF game consistently throughout the season than Bickell does. To me, Bickell is the new Daze.
- powerenforcer

So what honestly?

This team is not in danger of missing the playoffs barring some major injuries, until then, he shows up when he needs to, and thats all Im concerned with

There are enough go-to guys on this team that we dont need to lean on Bickell for 20+ goals

Would it be nice for him to earn his paycheck in the regular season? Absolutely. But I dont think anyone here is complaining about his contract in the playoffs

Shaw plays more of a PF game consistently throughout the season than Bickell does. To me, Bickell is the new Daze.
- powerenforcer

Daze had 5 seasons of 30 goals or more by the time he was Bickell's age. People like to throw Daze out there as an underachiever, but really he would've been a super consistent scorer if he wasn't made of glass. Eight consecutive seasons of 20+ goals, even when injured. Bickell's career high is 17.

Daze had 5 seasons of 30 goals or more by the time he was Bickell's age. People like to throw Daze out there as an underachiever, but really he would've been a super consistent scorer if he wasn't made of glass. Ten consecutive seasons of 20+ goals, even when injured. Bickell's career high is 17.
- Sandus

Exactly and if Daze didn't decide to drive from Montreal to Chicago in a car with a bad back.....he probably would have been far more consistent.


People are blinded by Bickell's playoff run and fluke year in 2010-11. Fact is, Bickell, is as much to blame as a sharp/hossa/whoever else in regards to NOT showing up vs LA. 1 pt?

Here's the other thing on Bickell....

Guys like Hossa and sharp SHOW UP in the regular season on a nightly basis. Bickell doesn't

Let's hope Bickell shows up this year....consistently.

Exactly and if Daze didn't decide to drive from Montreal to Chicago in a car with a bad back.....he probably would have been far more consistent.


People are blinded by Bickell's playoff run and fluke year in 2010-11. Fact is, Bickell, is as much to blame as a sharp/hossa/whoever else in regards to NOT showing up vs LA. 1 pt?
- SteveRain

I don't get this notion of "not showing up" that I keep hearing from people. They won 3 games in a playoff series against a very very good team that won the Stanley Cup. Were there moments when they were outmatched? Sure. Were there moments when LA was outmatched? Absolutely. I just fail to see how a 4-3 series loss in overtime translates to "half the team didn't show up."

As far as I'm concerned, the Hawks had their moments and Los Angeles had theirs, and it worked out better for one team than the other. Simple as that.

I don't get this notion of "not showing up" that I keep hearing from people. They won 3 games in a playoff series against a very very good team that won the Stanley Cup. Were there moments when they were outmatched? Sure. Were there moments when LA was outmatched? Absolutely. I just fail to see how a 4-3 series loss in overtime translates to "half the team didn't show up."

As far as I'm concerned, the Hawks had their moments and Los Angeles had theirs, and it worked out better for one team than the other. Simple as that.
- Sandus

If Bickell, Hossa, and Sharp produce like they are capable of....Hawks may have won the series.

yes, Hawks had their chances, but guys are paid to produce in the playoffs. Some of these guys didn't.