On twitter, Toperzer suggested that with the Cap problems the Blackhawks have, that Saad may be available, due to him looking for a new contract this summer.
- cap1681

He would help but I feel it would take a little more to get him

On twitter, Toperzer suggested that with the Cap problems the Blackhawks have, that Saad may be available, due to him looking for a new contract this summer.
- cap1681

That just seems completely unreasonable. The Hawks are a well run organization, I'd think they'd move a host of older big money guys before considering moving Saad. Edit-- not too mention, what would they want, draft picks, prospects? Just cant comprehend this one.

All that said... Saad to Pittsburgh would be the ultimate justice for the re-draft complainers.

On twitter, Toperzer suggested that with the Cap problems the Blackhawks have, that Saad may be available, due to him looking for a new contract this summer.
- cap1681

Don't you dare tease me with that kind of talk.

I bet the Hawks would sooner part with Hossa and Sharp than Saad.

I have watched the game. I am a season ticket holder dating back to pre-crosby. I know the game. And one thing I also know, is that Marc Andre Fleury has an issue with stopping routine shots. I don't know why he has this particular issue, but what I know is that he tends to give up the most deflating goal at the worst possible time. In a sport where games are often decided by 1 goal, surrendering this type of goal is brutal.
We arent questioning his athleticism, skill set, etc. We are questioning his results. Soft goals--those directly attributed to him misplaying a puck whether behind the net or letting it squirt between his arm and side-- are HIS fault and no one elses. They are the reason the "fleury-bashers" are fired up with him.

He is so polarizing because those who support Fleury never admit ANY of his shortcomings and immediately attack those who are not fans of Fleury. You ask your goaltender to make all of the routine saves. Elite goalies then also make some ridiculous saves on breakaways, one timers, etc that no one can reasonably expect. Fleury is maddening because he makes these saves then 5 minutes later, allows something to trickle between his pads and go in. That in many cases is more crushing than if the opponent had just scored on the breakaway in the first place
- Amanion

pretty much spot on imo. In an 82 game season you can overcome it. In a 7 game series, not so much.

Don't you dare tease me with that kind of talk.

I bet the Hawks would sooner part with Hossa and Sharp than Saad.
- usethe1-2-2

Yeah... Sharp is gone before Saad.

Not good enough to be an upgrade. Are we trying to "replace" Dupuis or possibly upgrade with the newfound cap space? I'd say bring in Loktionov as a low risk move and then make a deal for a good NHL ready prospect.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I agree with that, that would definitely be a best case scenario.
Whoever we end up trading for I hope we sign Loktionov anyway. I haven't seen him play much but he seemed to do well for the Canes last year and I feel like he hasn't reached his full potential yet. Could be a steal if it works out.

I believe I stated exactly what his short comings are, over playing shots and not being able to handle the puck at all. MAF doesn't let in anymore soft goals than any other tender. I specifically remember Marty letting in a few leakers in his prime against Wayne Primeau, whom we all know sucks. It happens to even the best goalie in the history of the game. Roy was ran out of MTL, Flyers style because of letting in a few leakers at a bad time. It happens, that's why you have got to assess a goalie on skill, not stats. MAF is a top 5 netminder in this league, and he should have the full support of this fan base. But he doesn't because people don't like his teeth.


F Teeth
- nbartley9

i believe you blamed his shortcomings on his teammates lack of support no

i believe you blamed his shortcomings on his teammates lack of support no
- all-pgh

I believe that they are the catalyst for HIS shortcomings, but regardless they are still on MAF. HE should not have altered his game because of lack of support, but I guess that's just being human. Trying to over compensate for others shortcomings is still an error in judgment on his part.

F Starters

no, no I wasn't. I was suggesting moving Beau Bennett on the fact that he has potential to be good, but has injury history, and it's not a headache i want to deal with, and would much rather have one of the leagues best snipers on Geno/Sid's wing than an oft injured winger that hasn't proven anything yet.
- j.boyd919

So would a lot of people, but taking on Kessel at 8/yr seems a bit risky in itself. What if he gets hurt? Lets assume BB plays 90% of the rest of the season and can develop into a 25+ goal scorer. Next year he will make a fraction of Kessel and be a solid top 9 player. I would much rather have that + Sutter over Kessel.

Don't you dare tease me with that kind of talk.

I bet the Hawks would sooner part with Hossa and Sharp than Saad.
- usethe1-2-2

Don't shoot the messenger....

pretty much spot on imo. In an 82 game season you can overcome it. In a 7 game series, not so much.
- all-pgh

I had this argument against MAF with his terrible goals. A few ppl posted videos of much worse examples by Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and others. For as much as MAF has failed to stop goals recently, 87 and 71 have failed much more to score goals in the playoffs. Besides for all the MAF haters, name a realistic option that the Pens could have done to get a better goalie for the same price or cheaper.

I agree with that, that would definitely be a best case scenario.
Whoever we end up trading for I hope we sign Loktionov anyway. I haven't seen him play much but he seemed to do well for the Canes last year and I feel like he hasn't reached his full potential yet. Could be a steal if it works out.
- Id_Puck_Me

I think he'd have about a 30% chance of working here. But since he is essentially free, why not!

Idk about you guys but I would consider sharp, hawks need that 5.9 offloaded and swapping him for martin would make sense if they wanted to go that route. Pretty much for them they are picking their poison. Sharp for martin (maybe a 3rd round is all I'd add) or they can lose a few of their young/role guys

Edit: and also sign loktionov for the year

So would a lot of people, but taking on Kessel at 8/yr seems a bit risky in itself. What if he gets hurt? Lets assume BB plays 90% of the rest of the season and can develop into a 25+ goal scorer. Next year he will make a fraction of Kessel and be a solid top 9 player. I would much rather have that + Sutter over Kessel.
- sammy87

I see your side the arguement, definitely. And to each their own opinion. A Kessel trade would never happen, so we are all just talking hypothetically. But yeah I understand both views... It would be a huge risk... but I'm all about the "no reward with taking a risk" kinda mindset. Not to mention, it'd be fun to watch.

I had this argument against MAF with his terrible goals. A few ppl posted videos of much worse examples by Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and others. For as much as MAF has failed to stop goals recently, 87 and 71 have failed much more to score goals in the playoffs. Besides for all the MAF haters, name a realistic option that the Pens could have done to get a better goalie for the same price or cheaper.
- sammy87

Ray Em... hahaha I cant even pretend that makes sense.

Idk about you guys but I would consider sharp, hawks need that 5.9 offloaded and swapping him for martin would make sense if they wanted to go that route. Pretty much for them they are picking their poison. Sharp for martin (maybe a 3rd round is all I'd add) or they can lose a few of their young/role guys

Edit: and also sign loktionov for the year
- znagle

Just don't see how that helps the Hawks long term.

Just don't see how that helps the Hawks long term.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

They would have cap space to use this summer. Sharp still has 2 years after this one on his deal.

Edit: Forgot that Kane and Toews deals kick in next summer. The Hawks are going to be extremely screwed if the cap doesn't go up. If they don't do any moves, they will have 3.2 Mil to sign 3 Forwards and 2 defensemen just to get to 20 players, one of which is Saad.

On twitter, Toperzer suggested that with the Cap problems the Blackhawks have, that Saad may be available, due to him looking for a new contract this summer.
- cap1681

Love it.

Saad for Sutter and a 2nd

Still, not happending. Blackhawks would want to shed UFA contracts, not RFA contracts. ie, Sharp.

They would have cap space to use this summer. Sharp still has 2 years after this one on his deal.
- cap1681

Oh gotcha, my bad...thought he was a UFA as well. He's probably one of the few guys I would be okay getting over the age of 30. But Martin alone won't get it done..

Martin, Pouliot, Spaling, and 1st for Sharp and Saad. haha okay, not really (when Palmer brings his best, we all get a bit more looney.)

Don't you dare tease me with that kind of talk.

I bet the Hawks would sooner part with Hossa and Sharp than Saad.
- usethe1-2-2

The hawks would move Hossa in a second if they could move that contract. That will be an albatross in the next year or two. He is already starting to slow down and his cap hit will continue to count against their cap whether he retires or not.

Cool stuff from HCMJ on Dupuis off the ice involvement - "As a coaching staff, we would like him to be very involved. We are going to put together some sort of job description in the next week or so."

Love it.

Saad for Sutter and a 2nd

Still, not happending. Blackhawks would want to shed UFA contracts, not RFA contracts. ie, Sharp.
- s0rcerer1984

They couldn't fit Sutter under their cap though unless they made other moves.

in general, I wonder if the Dupuis news coinciding with GM meetings makes it more likely we see a deal relatively soon.

They couldn't fit Sutter under their cap though unless they made other moves.

in general, I wonder if the Dupuis news coinciding with GM meetings makes it more likely we see a deal relatively soon.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

The Hawks will need a 2nd line C next year as Brad Richards is on a 1yr deal. I was thinking Sutter's $3.3M isn't a bad value for that role, but I do see your point. They'd still have to move some other salary around.

Regardless, its a pipe dream for the Hakws to trade Saad. Would be nice though...

Oh gotcha, my bad...thought he was a UFA as well. He's probably one of the few guys I would be okay getting over the age of 30. But Martin alone won't get it done..

Martin, Pouliot, Spaling, and 1st for Sharp and Saad. haha okay, not really (when Palmer brings his best, we all get a bit more looney.)
- YouMeAndDupuis9

hahaha but they NEED his cap hit gone, that's where martin comes into play because they will essentially gain 6 million next year while having more defense for a nice cup run this year. If I'm GMJR I play some hard ball with them and say straight up deal, then maybe after a while give them a 3rd as well. But I think a straight up swap helps both teams perfectly

I had this argument against MAF with his terrible goals. A few ppl posted videos of much worse examples by Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and others. For as much as MAF has failed to stop goals recently, 87 and 71 have failed much more to score goals in the playoffs. Besides for all the MAF haters, name a realistic option that the Pens could have done to get a better goalie for the same price or cheaper.
- sammy87

Im not placing blame soley on mafs shoulders, i was just agreeing that he has a knack of letting in soft deflating goals. Sure even the best do it but not with his consistancy. Then there is that whole time spent chasing in their own zone aftrr his indesisive puckhandling turnovers.
As far as who could replace him, its a moot point. I suppose its all a moot point because now we're married to him for better or worse.