Leddy goes nowhere...trust me...
- TrueGrit

the biggest issue i have with keeping Leddy is his next contract

He will be asking for a raise at a time we are trying to shed and find deals.

Sure, we could move oduya for Leddys next contract, but Leddy at this time, is not close to playing on the level of oduya

i would rather trade leddy now for a good return and re-sign oduya to the rumored deal he is willing to give the hawks to stay

We heard that before .... after we was assured San Jose not only had surpassed the Hawks, were the cream of the NHL but would win the cup .....
- paulr

Is that a sucker punch or a great counter punch? Ouch.

the biggest issue i have with keeping Leddy is his next contract

He will be asking for a raise at a time we are trying to shed and find deals.

Sure, we could move oduya for Leddys next contract, but Leddy at this time, is not close to playing on the level of oduya

i would rather trade leddy now for a good return and re-sign oduya to the rumored deal he is willing to give the hawks to stay
- FourFeathers773

Thats probably not what Stanbo is thinking. Likely trying to squeeze one more year out of both Oduya and Leddy on the blueline and then let Oduya move on as a 34 year old UFA to be replaced by a Dahlbeck or other. And if things aren't going so good, Oduya brings back a draft pick at the trade deadline; Leddy even more than that.

IMO Rozsival is the most likely candidate to go, followed by Versteeg.

Maybe?

I'm thinking that if training camp starts and a move hasn't been made, there has to be less certainty as to who is the odd man out to get the roster back under the cap ceiling.

It's possible that Bowman might be waiting for training camps and the pre-season to start. Maybe a team loses a player of some significance to a long-term injury that would justify that team to make a move for a player? That could be a forward or a defenseman, which means there really isn't any certainty as to who could be sent packing in a trade.
- EKolb13

I have no doubt that Stan is waiting to see who steps up in camp before making a decision. Last year Stan said he felt they has a couple defensemen in Rockford that were NHL ready, we'll soon find out if he still feels that way.

Leddy as a 3rd pairing defenseman on our team can easily be replaceed. However the reason for keeping Leddy would be his potential. I'm not advocating keeping Leddy, rather I'm just trying to consider the other side (I'm in the pro-Oduya camp). I agree with FourFeathers that the big factor is Leddy's next contract. If Leddy will accept a Cam Fowler type of deal then Stan should consider keeping him.

All this speculation on who stays & who goes, every one of us will probably be wrong! Stan will probably come up with one out of no where to surprise all of us!

All this speculation on who stays & who goes, every one of us will probably be wrong! Stan will probably come up with one out of no where to surprise all of us!
- wonthecup10

That's completely possible. Especially if Bowman does make a trade based on another team's need during the pre-season. It could end up being someone none of us expected to be moved.

I have no doubt that Stan is waiting to see who steps up in camp before making a decision. Last year Stan said he felt they has a couple defensemen in Rockford that were NHL ready, we'll soon find out if he still feels that way.

Leddy as a 3rd pairing defenseman on our team can easily be replaceed. However the reason for keeping Leddy would be his potential. I'm not advocating keeping Leddy, rather I'm just trying to consider the other side (I'm in the pro-Oduya camp). I agree with FourFeathers that the big factor is Leddy's next contract. If Leddy will accept a Cam Fowler type of deal then Stan should consider keeping him.
- DarthKane

The highlighted has probably been a factor all along.

However, what if it comes down to a team needing another forward because they have a forward that is going to be on the shelf for an extended time due to an injury in the pre-season?

Perhaps that is what Bowman is waiting on - a team with a need that could bring a better return than what he has been offered this summer?

I guess what I'm trying to relay is that once training camp starts, maybe the idea of trading a defenseman (Oduya/Leddy/Roszival) that we all have been throwing around all summer isn't the way Bowman solves the cap problem? It still could be the solution, but perhaps Bowman is still able to hold onto all of his defenseman and trades a forward instead because the offer for a forward becomes more improved by demand?

I'm just at the point where I'm not counting on it being one of Oduya/Leddy being moved any longer. It could come down to maybe there is a team that could use a contract like Versteeg for the first couple of months of the season? Or, as pointed out in a post just before this, maybe we all will be surprised as to who moves? Maybe an offer for Sharp comes along that is too good to pass up?

That's completely possible. Especially if Bowman does make a trade based on another team's need during the pre-season. It could end up being someone none of us expected to be moved.
- EKolb13

I forget who posted it but it was a reference during Free Agency about it being like Christmas, waiting to unwrap a present. Well we got nothing then and we are definitely going to lose someone very soon. I just don't see anything more than a prospect/pick coming back. A blockbuster trade would be nice if it addressed some holes but I think it would be high risk. Any moves will be based on performance in camp. Guys like Rosy, Versteeg and maybe Bickell or Leddy I think have to have solid showings

I forget who posted it but it was a reference during Free Agency about it being like Christmas, waiting to unwrap a present. Well we got nothing then and we are definitely going to lose someone very soon. I just don't see anything more than a prospect/pick coming back. A blockbuster trade would be nice if it addressed some holes but I think it would be high risk. Any moves will be based on performance in camp. Guys like Rosy, Versteeg and maybe Bickell or Leddy I think have to have solid showings
- Cup-Bearer

One season of Brad Richards at $2 million seems like a decent gift. At least on paper.

Yawn.

Bickell should fight more - seems to play better when he does - but he shoudn't be an enforcer. Shaw fights enough but is better as an agitator. Seabrooke should just steer clear now with his concussion issues.

Your idealism is sweet but doesn't fit with the NHL (yet). Filling a roster top to bottom with the type of player who will keep going to the corners, winning puck battles and going to the net when they are being constantly run at and suffering cheap shots etc is IMPOSSIBLE. That is why having a few players who can tussle is still necessary during that 82 game grind.

Fighting is still part of the NHL. Intimidation is still a factor on the ice. If the Hawks go through 8 games against the Blues turning the other cheek because no one responds in kind to Reaves and Jackman et al... it will end with an injured star or a Hawks team watching their backs instead of playing to win.

For the regular season at least - particularly with the makeup of teams in the Central - that element is still necessary until they finally ban fighting.

If some player like Johns doesn't fill this role then you will see something done via occasional call ups of Bass or Mashinter or some roster shuffling to get someone to handle it. Coaches and GMs can't afford to play lofty idealist yet.
- tredbrta

On the above, 100% Yes

Someone is still going to have to prove to me that FIGHTING creates intimidation - or stops aggressiveness in opponents.

Reaves, Jackson, Backes - do they really back off when someone on the other team drops his gloves?

Haven't seen it yet.
- StLBravesFan

John Scott vs. that turd and noted trouble-maker Westgarth. If you don't remember that fight look it up...I'm pretty sure Westgarth behaved himself the rest of that game after his face was re-arranged.

I believe McNeill could see some time in Chicago this season as a call-up to replace someone on the roster due to injury.

Unless Bowman moves out more than $3.3 million in cap space (Oduya's cap hit), I can't see Bowman being able to carry more than 13 forwards to start the season, with the ability to re-call a 14th forward or 8th defenseman for the oddball game or stretch of games here and there.

With the 13 forwards already under contract, there won't be much space and playing time to carry McNeill. It does McNeill no good to sit around the press box. He's better off playing full time minutes in Rockford.

I'd look for McNeill to push to be part of the Hawks roster full time in '15-'16.
- EKolb13

Thanks for the info Ek, appreciated as always.

On the above, 100% Yes
- Murph76

X2! Give me 3-4 guys like Shaw,Matt Martin,Roussell,Andrew Ladd ect. That should get er done as far as that aspect of the game.Al Secord was the model for the perfect type of shot gun rider who could play also. Boston isn't going to give us another gift so we have to develope our own. Looking forward to camp to see Mark McNeill & Phillipe Danault & what they can bring......If I hear another Bickell.......Oh Please, stop that !

X2! Give me 3-4 guys like Shaw,Matt Martin,Roussell,Andrew Ladd ect. That should get er done as far as that aspect of the game.Al Secord was the model for the perfect type of shot gun rider who could play also. Boston isn't going to give us another gift so we have to develope our own. Looking forward to camp to see Mark McNeill & Phillipe Danault & what they can bring......If I hear another Bickell.......Oh Please, stop that !
- wonthecup10

Will we ever be satisfied with our team? For years we've been complaining about the lack of a true second line centre. Now that we have one we're complaining that we don't have a physical tough guy on the 4th line (i.e. Bollig). No team will ever be 100% set in all areas, but I like our team's chances better now then I did a year ago.

http://uversechannels.att.com/channel-survey




If you are stuck in Uverse hell like me , please take 1 minute to fill this out and request the NHL Network.

They have the NHL Network already in their drop down menu for this survey so hopefully they are close to adding it back on .
- mrpaulish

Done. Thanks for posting.

Will we ever be satisfied with our team? For years we've been complaining about the lack of a true second line centre. Now that we have one we're complaining that we don't have a physical tough guy on the 4th line (i.e. Bollig). No team will ever be 100% set in all areas, but I like our team's chances better now then I did a year ago.
- DarthKane

Yep! We will be 1 of the last partners to leave the dance again this year!lets see what shakes out the 1st week of oct.every 1 of those guys I mentioned before got a start somewhere, here's hoping McNeill &Danault are ready to get theirs now.

Yep! We will be 1 of the last partners to leave the dance again this year!lets see what shakes out the 1st week of oct.every 1 of those guys I mentioned before got a start somewhere, here's hoping McNeill &Danault are ready to get theirs now.
- wonthecup10

I've been saying for a while that this he is the prospect I am more looking forward to, even over TT. Teravainen may have more top end offensive potential, but I like McNeill's overall game.

One season of Brad Richards at $2 million seems like a decent gift. At least on paper.
- EKolb13

Ya, one of those practical gifts like socks or tighty whitey's. Santa used to toss a few bills in those to make them more exciting. So Richards is a wait and see, hopefully there is a suprise there. If nothing else an upgrade to Zeus.

We heard that before .... after we were assured San Jose not only had surpassed the Hawks, were the cream of the NHL but would win the cup .....
- paulr

Just giving you more bulletin board material. Lets be clear, I stated that San Jose played a style more similar to the Hawks cup winning teams then the Hawks team of last year. No where did I say cream of NHL, was my gut pick based upon style. They like the Hawks, lost in 7 games to the Kings who won the cup.

Glad your summer was good.

Thats probably not what Stanbo is thinking. Likely trying to squeeze one more year out of both Oduya and Leddy on the blueline and then let Oduya move on as a 34 year old UFA to be replaced by a Dahlbeck or other. And if things aren't going so good, Oduya brings back a draft pick at the trade deadline; Leddy even more than that.

IMO Rozsival is the most likely candidate to go, followed by Versteeg.
- RickJ

I think that is the general consensus on who most people would like to see go if given the choice.

Just giving you more bulletin board material. Lets be clear, I stated that San Jose played a style more similar to the Hawks cup winning teams then the Hawks team of last year. No where did I say cream of NHL, was my gut pick based upon style. They like the Hawks, lost in 7 games to the Kings who won the cup.

Glad your summer was good.
- TrueGrit

Semantics. You did predict them to win the cup, and bragged about your recent acumen at making such predictions. How is predicting them to win the cup not insinuating that they're the cream of the crop?

You made a prediction...Own it.

Now, me...I've never been wrong.

Semantics. You did predict them to win the cup, and bragged about your recent acumen at making such predictions. How is predicting them to win the cup not insinuating that they're the cream of the crop?

You made a prediction...Own it.

Now, me...I've never been wrong
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't let Elbows read that I am sure he will have a comment about this.

Thats probably not what Stanbo is thinking. Likely trying to squeeze one more year out of both Oduya and Leddy on the blueline and then let Oduya move on as a 34 year old UFA to be replaced by a Dahlbeck or other. And if things aren't going so good, Oduya brings back a draft pick at the trade deadline; Leddy even more than that.

IMO Rozsival is the most likely candidate to go, followed by Versteeg.
- RickJ

I really like and hope the way you are thinking about those defensemen is correct. How Stan Bowman feels about the defensemen is something that can become even more complex than presently.

Of course all fans on this site are practically waiting with baited breath to speak out on how Leddy takes the next step in development - or not. And if at some point during the season or around the time of the 2015 Entry Draft (at which time a lot of major moves league - wide occur), can it be ascertained whether Leddy deserves much more in a new contract.

Then you have the headache about Oduya.

I do not have any reason to think not that Oduya could still be strong and not show slippage due to age, but he is worth something worthwhile because he is an experienced puck - moving veteran. The return on a Sharp and an Oduya, however, is not going to be as much as some might hope for should both be moved after next season. Sure there will be interest but they have expensive contracts and are close to if not then on the down slide of their career. I would not expect a top prospect in return. I would suggest a draft choice is what would come Chicago's way in that bartering.

Some have suggested on this site that Seabrook could also eventually go. A high priced defenseman might have to be trimmed due to salary cap is probably the big concern here. I sure hope Seabrook stays. Trimming Oduya and or Leddy might be enough cost cutting in terms of dollars from the defense position.

Whatever Stan Bowman does, he will have to face the music whether his guy from an earlier trade sticks around. What is particularly interesting here is what I alluded to earlier in this post. About how decisions become toughest when the issues at hand become more complex.

By this I mean that there are more descent, maybe even good dmen prospects in the pipeline; many of them will be playing on a farmclub team this season. Now I realize that there are only so many slots available in Chicago on the blueline. And it is uncommon to have four or five first and or second year dmen on the same defense.

But Stan Bowman will be watching and evaluating how Dahlbeck, Johns, TVR, and Foirnier come along. Clendenning is in a situation where he has to show you, prove to Bowman that he has finally stepped up his game to a higher level and this is totally the defensive side of the game for him. Then, is he really any better than bringing in Cuminsky for a few games should there be injuries? I would bet Clendenning could get traded.

Clendenning to me represents a player Bowman long ago really fell in love with and hopes would develop. Same with Leddy. In fact, probably Clendenning, too, is another Bowman really hopes could be a great draft choice. Well, Bowman has to face the music ....at least in his own mind he will probably have to move one or both of them. Both are offensive and project on a #3 pair.

One dmen that stands out to me is Johns. Only because he is the roughest, meanest of the dmen prospects. I would hope he becomes a regular third pair in Chicago. But if Johns sticks and Dahlbek actually is a sort of Hjalmarsson good, well who needs Leddy, Clemdenning and the other dmen prospects just keep developing. If a prospect turns out to be really good, he gets bits and pieces of opportunities and eventually will take someone's job.

Then too there are a couple of Swedish dmen who reportedly show much
promise: Dahlstrom and Norell. Never have there been so many descent dmen prospects in the Chicago pipeline. I know that Eli and others will keep us informed as to their thoughts on the prospects. So Bowman has a lot of dmen and who knows how many turn up in the NHL. Leddy, Oduya? Decision making for Bowman could get complex. Lots of dmen. Oh yeah, what pleasant surprise if Rundblad works out. Exactly the quarterback on defense style Chicago needs. His confidance as well as Q's confidance in him is the storyline there.

I really like and hope the way you are thinking about those defensemen is correct. How Stan Bowman feels about the defensemen is something that can become even more complex than presently.

Of course all fans on this site are practically waiting with baited breath to speak out on how Leddy takes the next step in development - or not. And if at some point during the season or around the time of the 2015 Entry Draft (at which time a lot of major moves league - wide occur), can it be ascertained whether Leddy deserves much more in a new contract.

Then you have the headache about Oduya.

I do not have any reason to think not that Oduya could still be strong and not show slippage due to age, but he is worth something worthwhile because he is an experienced puck - moving veteran. The return on a Sharp and an Oduya, however, is not going to be as much as some might hope for should both be moved after next season. Sure there will be interest but they have expensive contracts and are close to if not then on the down slide of their career. I would not expect a top prospect in return. I would suggest a draft choice is what would come Chicago's way in that bartering.

Some have suggested on this site that Seabrook could also eventually go. A high priced defenseman might have to be trimmed due to salary cap is probably the big concern here. I sure hope Seabrook stays. Trimming Oduya and or Leddy might be enough cost cutting in terms of dollars from the defense position.

Whatever Stan Bowman does, he will have to face the music whether his guy from an earlier trade sticks around. What is particularly interesting here is what I alluded to earlier in this post. About how decisions become toughest when the issues at hand become more complex.

By this I mean that there are more descent, maybe even good dmen prospects in the pipeline; many of them will be playing on a farmclub team this season. Now I realize that there are only so many slots available in Chicago on the blueline. And it is uncommon to have four or five first and or second year dmen on the same defense.

But Stan Bowman will be watching and evaluating how Dahlbeck, Johns, TVR, and Foirnier come along. Clendenning is in a situation where he has to show you, prove to Bowman that he has finally stepped up his game to a higher level and this is totally the defensive side of the game for him. Then, is he really any better than bringing in Cuminsky for a few games should there be injuries? I would bet Clendenning could get traded.

Clendenning to me represents a player Bowman long ago really fell in love with and hopes would develop. Same with Leddy. In fact, probably Clendenning, too, is another Bowman really hopes could be a great draft choice. Well, Bowman has to face the music ....at least in his own mind he will probably have to move one or both of them. Both are offensive and project on a #3 pair.

One dmen that stands out to me is Johns. Only because he is the roughest, meanest of the dmen prospects. I would hope he becomes a regular third pair in Chicago. But if Johns sticks and Dahlbek actually is a sort of Hjalmarsson good, well who needs Leddy, Clemdenning and the other dmen prospects just keep developing. If a prospect turns out to be really good, he gets bits and pieces of opportunities and eventually will take someone's job.

Then too there are a couple of Swedish dmen who reportedly show much
promise: Dahlstrom and Norell. Never have there been so many descent dmen prospects in the Chicago pipeline. I know that Eli and others will keep us informed as to their thoughts on the prospects. So Bowman has a lot of dmen and who knows how many turn up in the NHL. Leddy, Oduya? Decision making for Bowman could get complex. Lots of dmen. Oh yeah, what pleasant surprise if Rundblad works out. Exactly the quarterback on defense style Chicago needs. His confidance as well as Q's confidance in him is the storyline there.
- jhawk59

- Very premature to think Johns is a candidate to play defence with the big club any time soon. Huge adjustement for a 30 game a year college boy. Maybe he is a better player than I think he is. If you rush him unnecessarily, he will get his lunch handed to him in the Western Conference and turn into a Matt Walker type player. Be patient and turn him into a Johnny Boychuk instead.

- Clendenning, nice offensive skills but small guy. Unless he can bring a Brian Rafalski game to the NHL, he won't last long in Chicago or the NHL. He can stay in Rockford until he plays so well that the Hawks have no choice but to bring him up.

- Seabrook - Hawks won't move him until/unless the cost of a new contract becomes too prohibitive. Cornerstone player on defence, cheap by today's standards.

So, I'm back to keeping Leddy and Oduya for this year, promoting Dahlbeck and moving out one or both of Rozsival and Versteeg.