I think the consensus here (which is not to say that the front office shares this view)is that Sharp is gone next year - the question is this year.
- StLBravesFan

Id be amazed if he wasn't one of the guys moved next summer. He would make the most sense. I dont see any way around it.

Exactly three weeks until pre-season begins!

Hockey season is near!

Id be amazed if he wasn't one of the guys moved next summer. He would make the most sense. I dont see any way around it.
- SimpleJack

What if he offers to sign an extension in the offseason for 2.5-3 million per? Is it worth it to overpay him one year to have him at a bargain during future (albeit declining) seasons?

Exactly three weeks until pre-season begins!

Hockey season is near!
- TommyHawk

Not near enough.

What if he offers to sign an extension in the offseason for 2.5-3 million per? Is it worth it to overpay him one year to have him at a bargain during future (albeit declining) seasons?
- Sandus

Im not sure....we'd have to move Bickell and Shaw/Kruger, maybe others. And we wouldn't be able to get the quality in future assets that Sharp might potentially get us.

Im not sure....we'd have to move Bickell and Shaw/Kruger, maybe others. And we wouldn't be able to get the quality in future assets that Sharp might potentially get us.
- SimpleJack

Bickell and a two 2nds to the islanders for clutterbuck or matt martin

Bickell and a two 2nds to the islanders for clutterbuck or matt martin
- rangerdanger94

- DarthKane

- DarthKane

I have a suspicion that Bowman does not want to move Bickel. At least not this season. Bowman surely realizes that Bickel is extra motivated to have a productive season. While perhaps fans may see some games where he is not as motivated to play a physical brand of hockey, I say his scoring will be an altogether different situation. He has that big contract. He has not earned it. And Bickel said that he is working out harder, longer this summer because he wants to come prepared for a productive season.

Do you put a little bit of faith in his statement?

I bet Bowman 1). Admits to himself that the team needs Bickel to play if even only in the playoffs like he did in the playoff Cup season; and 2). Bickel is far more valued for what he can bring - size, skill, pugnacious when he wants to- than anything bartered for in a trade.

I have a suspicion that Bowman does not want to move Bickel. At least not this season. Bowman surely realizes that Bickel is extra motivated to have a productive season. While perhaps fans may see some games where he is not as motivated to play a physical brand of hockey, I say his scoring will be an altogether different situation. He has that big contract. He has not earned it. And Bickel said that he is working out harder, longer this summer because he wants to come prepared for a productive season.

Do you put a little bit of faith in his statement?

I bet Bowman 1). Admits to himself that the team needs Bickel to play if even only in the playoffs like he did in the playoff Cup season; and 2). Bickel is far more valued for what he can bring - size, skill, pugnacious when he wants to- than anything bartered for in a trade.
- jhawk59

Without looking at the cap I can see the potential Bickell brings to the team. But we can't ignore what he's being paid, a player's cap hit will be of equal consideration to their skill when it comes to who stays and who goes. While Bickell doesn't come close to being worth $4 million the truth is that it's not a terrible cap hit. I would still trade Sharp first, even then I could see Bickell going too.

I don't expect any big moves to be made before the drop of the puck in game 1, just enough to get under the cap. But I think his season will be a year-long audition for Sharp, Leddy, Oduya, Bickell and Versteeg.

- DarthKane

DK
Don't feed the TROLL!!!! Quick where the hell is that Troll Flow Chart?

I have a suspicion that Bowman does not want to move Bickel. At least not this season. Bowman surely realizes that Bickel is extra motivated to have a productive season. While perhaps fans may see some games where he is not as motivated to play a physical brand of hockey, I say his scoring will be an altogether different situation. He has that big contract. He has not earned it. And Bickel said that he is working out harder, longer this summer because he wants to come prepared for a productive season.

Do you put a little bit of faith in his statement?

I bet Bowman 1). Admits to himself that the team needs Bickel to play if even only in the playoffs like he did in the playoff Cup season; and 2). Bickel is far more valued for what he can bring - size, skill, pugnacious when he wants to- than anything bartered for in a trade.
- jhawk59

SB can be congratulated by his body of work so far. The team is solid and a contender for the cup, probably the favorite this season and most of last season. 29 other teams circle and fear game day that features the Hawks. Great time to be a fan.

Next years Hawk team will look alot different and I'm guessing will be a step below what we have seen the last few years. The moves that are made might bring back some draft picks, that is how FO's keep the pipe line flowing. Bickell and Sharp have more value than any other forwards we have and could bring a bottom 6 or prospect in addititon to picks. Guys like Shaw, Smith, Versteeg would get you a 2nd or less. Krueger is a tweener, we will see what he shows this year. Saad is now considered core and is not going anywhere. Our D corps look to contuinue to be a strength.

Bottom line is enjoy this season, I don't see any big name FA's taking sweatheart deals to play here and unfortunately that is all we will be able to afford. At least we will be able to watch Kane score in amazing sick ways and Towes continue his two way play. Of the two Towes will have more miles considering the game he plays so I hope he stays healthy for the term of his contract.

SB can be congratulated by his body of work so far. The team is solid and a contender for the cup, probably the favorite this season and most of last season. 29 other teams circle and fear game day that features the Hawks. Great time to be a fan.

Next years Hawk team will look alot different and I'm guessing will be a step below what we have seen the last few years. The moves that are made might bring back some draft picks, that is how FO's keep the pipe line flowing. Bickell and Sharp have more value than any other forwards we have and could bring a bottom 6 or prospect in addititon to picks. Guys like Shaw, Smith, Versteeg would get you a 2nd or less. Krueger is a tweener, we will see what he shows this year. Saad is now considered core and is not going anywhere. Our D corps look to contuinue to be a strength.

Bottom line is enjoy this season, I don't see any big name FA's taking sweatheart deals to play here and unfortunately that is all we will be able to afford. At least we will be able to watch Kane score in amazing sick ways and Towes continue his two way play. Of the two Towes will have more miles considering the game he plays so I hope he stays healthy for the term of his contract.
- Cup-Bearer

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.

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

I would be interested in what Sharp could bring at the trade deadline?Lets say the Hawks are under achieving come deadline chemistry is off and due to promise from Rockford is a deal made?

I would be interested in what Sharp could bring at the trade deadline?Lets say the Hawks are under achieving come deadline chemistry is off and due to promise from Rockford is a deal made?
- eagle50

I think the Hawks would get more back for Sharp in a TDL deal than after the season from a team willing to overpay for Sharp thinking he's the guy that puts them over the top. The problem here is that the Hawks should also be in contention so I don't think SB moves him once the season starts unless the Hawks are a middle of the pack team which they shouldn't be.

I think the Hawks would get more back for Sharp in a TDL deal than after the season from a team willing to overpay for Sharp thinking he's the guy that puts them over the top. The problem here is that the Hawks should also be in contention so I don't think SB moves him once the season starts unless the Hawks are a middle of the pack team which they shouldn't be.
- jhawk159

Or a player or two steps up and he becomes expendable
I still think stan places rosival on IR for the season if he can't trade him
Really hoping Johns has a god camp and forces the hawks to keep him on the club as the sixth defenseman. his physical game would be really nice to have on a nightly basis

I don't know about that. Regin would probably be ahead of him in the depth chart, but players such as Nordstrom, McNeill, Danault, and Ross would benefit more from playing regular minutes in Rockford rather than possibly playing part time with the big club. Especially if some of these players may be viewed as possible personnel replacements in '15-'16.

From what I've read about Bass, he's a defense-first type player who kills penalties and can play both wing and center who has a little bit of size to him (6' 210 lbs). He just might fit the system in Chicago. If he does, that keeps the kids working on what they need to work on in Rockford.

However, we still don't know how much room under the cap the Hawks will have to start the season. It's entirely possible that the Hawks could roll 13 forwards to start the season.
- EKolb13

...and he supposedly hits...a lot. That may be just the ticket for some spot duty vs some opponents. I wouldn't rule out seeing him for certain matchups.

SB can be congratulated by his body of work so far. The team is solid and a contender for the cup, probably the favorite this season and most of last season. 29 other teams circle and fear game day that features the Hawks. Great time to be a fan.

Next years Hawk team will look alot different and I'm guessing will be a step below what we have seen the last few years. The moves that are made might bring back some draft picks, that is how FO's keep the pipe line flowing. Bickell and Sharp have more value than any other forwards we have and could bring a bottom 6 or prospect in addititon to picks. Guys like Shaw, Smith, Versteeg would get you a 2nd or less. Krueger is a tweener, we will see what he shows this year. Saad is now considered core and is not going anywhere. Our D corps look to contuinue to be a strength.

Bottom line is enjoy this season, I don't see any big name FA's taking sweatheart deals to play here and unfortunately that is all we will be able to afford. At least we will be able to watch Kane score in amazing sick ways and Towes continue his two way play. Of the two Towes will have more miles considering the game he plays so I hope he stays healthy for the term of his contract.
- Cup-Bearer

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

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. .
- RickJ

I just have to state that the Paul Gaustad trade was an aberration.

You had a Nashville club still trying to win over and hold onto the fan base/season ticket holders and very much in need of a really strong playoff performance.
They felt long term they did have a nice group of long term potential prospect replacements ( ...and do) but needed that bevy of trades Mike Fisher, Gausted, etc.
to insurance a playoff run.
It wasn't enough then, or with the additions the summers after.
You could start to argue that thinking continues on to today with their signings and big trade.
And Trotz got fired which i am pretty sure was a final straw of frustration in the failings.

No one should have given a first rounder for Paul Gausted.

I don't think you are gonna find many suckers to take that deal but look what the loan of Vanek to Sabres yielded...or the playoff disappearing vanek's continued payouts.

so maybe a sucker for a scorer, but not for a unproven guy even a 18-20 goal guy... no first rounders...not happening.

I think the Hawks would get more back for Sharp in a TDL deal than after the season from a team willing to overpay for Sharp thinking he's the guy that puts them over the top. The problem here is that the Hawks should also be in contention so I don't think SB moves him once the season starts unless the Hawks are a middle of the pack team which they shouldn't be.
- jhawk159

I don't know if I necessarily agree iwth this thinking.

At the draft with UFA close, if you can secure a real scorer, and negoticate an extension , you are probably much better off then attempting to shop through the UFAs who will be REALLY priced outrageous.

Sharp helps someone whether he is traded tomorrow or at the draft or in the summer.

If Sharp agrees to come play with your team, he most certainly is gonna give you a 2016-17 season with the intention of a contract.

Sharp at the dealine only requires a slight cap adjustment and you are corretc that at the draft teams KNOW what they want to do long term and will be open to talking...

Bickell and a two 2nds to the islanders for clutterbuck or matt martin
- rangerdanger94

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.

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

Bickell for Martin and a pick wouldn't be a bad deal for us either. We gain $3 million in cap space over the next 2 years and $4 million in the 3rd year. Plus, Martin is a physical forward that would be needed to replace Bickell in the bottom 6. Martin also played a little on the PK (0:41 minutes / game) that could be a bonus skillset that Q could expand upon.

Bickell for Martin and a pick wouldn't be a bad deal for us either. We gain $3 million in cap space over the next 2 years and $4 million in the 3rd year. Plus, Martin is a physical forward that would be needed to replace Bickell in the bottom 6. Martin also played a little on the PK (0:41 minutes / game) that could be a bonus skillset that Q could expand upon.
- DarthKane

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

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

Maybe Martin can...who knows. That's the thing during a salary cap crunch, sacrifices have to be made. Trading Bickell means we lose a physical forward, trading Sharp means we lose a goal scorer. No matter what Stan does there will be an impact on the team, he just needs to find a way to minimize it. I'm not advocating trading Bickell, I'm just saying that a Bickell for Martin + wouldn't be the worst salary dump Stan could do.

Bickell for Martin and a pick wouldn't be a bad deal for us either. We gain $3 million in cap space over the next 2 years and $4 million in the 3rd year. Plus, Martin is a physical forward that would be needed to replace Bickell in the bottom 6. Martin also played a little on the PK (0:41 minutes / game) that could be a bonus skillset that Q could expand upon.
- DarthKane

I could Iive with that especially if the pick we get is in the 2nd round