Thanks for the link, D-Head. That water shortage must be impacting people's mental capacity out there.

That writer apparently cannot do simple math. This is nothing like 2010 and our core players are actually younger than the trash talking ducks and their posters/columnists. We have Teuvo coming, Panarin coming, Johns, TVR and on and on... Just as deep a farm system. Deeper than what was available in 11 and even deeper now with free agent signings.

Subtract Bickell and Sharp and you more than offset Saad. He will be signed without issue... If he gets offer sheeted for astronomical dollars than someone else will have cap issues. Who is there willing to take that chance when Saad plays with Toews and Hossa all year? If Saad is a reasonable deal the Bickell/Sharp subtractions could also pay for a combo of others like Krueger and Oduya. Trade Crow and you have even more space.

Bickell will probably have to be packages with a prospect (maybe a good one) to get someone to take his full cap hit. I think Sharp will actually generate a solid return.

What will be more entertaining is watching Murray try to work on a budget when your young d men start asking for $4-5m per year and whatever Kesler's ego will be demanding. Maybe Samueli will allow him to spend to the cap for a few years for staying under it for several more? Who knows? What we do know is your 150,000 fans and trickle of merchandize sales (compared to teams like the Hawks) will make the Ducks a long term budget team unless Samueli wants a business that continues to lose.... and the last several years prove he does not.
- tredbrta[/quote]

Maybe it's only me, but I find it sad/immature someone can't comment without bashing another team and/or fans. It's not called for. Hate it when Duck fans bad mouth King/Hawk fans or their team.

For your information, Ducks have plenty of money. Maybe you read the paper today and saw Broadcom is selling for, what, 38 billion or so. Don't think the owners of the Ducks worrying about money. Anyway, Ducks are about 12 million under cap. Everybody of importance is already signed, with a very deep farm system (rated top 5 last 5 years by Hockey News). Ducks aren't going to lose anytime soon. Take a look at the depth of their D, and their ages. All signed. Getz and Perry signed. Yes Kesler will be a UFA after next year, but doubt he'll get more then what he's making now. Believe it or not, players like playing in Southern California. Like living on the beach, like having incredible weather, and like being able to walk around without being mobbed. You can go ahead and bash us all you want, but I've learned a long time ago, if you feel the need to bash, it's out of insecurity/jealousy.

I think that the 2015-16 season will really tell us how good a coach Quenville is because he's going to have to develop young talent whether he likes it or not. Does Denault become Jeremy Morin 2.0? Are the young D coming up from Rockford going to turn out as well as TVR did early on? Let's just hope that we're complaining about a Cup hangover next October.
- Dieselhead

I agree. Just line shuffling isn't going to work. He's going to be dealt a new hand and I am looking forward to seeing how he plays it.

Hammer is 27 - Maroon's age. Kesler, Perry and Getzlaf are all over 30. Beauchamin is 35.

Hawks will get younger next year while subtracting Rosi, Bickell, Sharp probably at minimum... all of those players were playing with a low Return on Investment - particularly Bickell. The Hawks will get younger no doubt but if Panarin, Teuvo and a combination of other players provide positive ROIs (easier to do on ELCs) the Hawks will be on top again quickly. Next year will not look like 11 IMO. Could be exciting if we see more hunger and fire from the youngsters. This doesn't even consider the return in a Sharp or Crow trade. Risks yes. But there are those every year. Biggest IMO would be losing Crow and betting on Darling or a committee of goalies. That could cost a few years but would also give them more cap flex.
- tredbrta

Perry 30 as of 5/16
Getzlaf 30 as of 5/10
Kesler 30
Lindholm 21
Fowler 23
Vatanen 23
Silfverberg 24
Despres 23
Rakell 22
Palmieri 23
Andersen 25
Gibson 21
Sekac 22
Etem 22

Not even bothering with the other regulars that are 26-29, just the starters (other then Gibson) that are 25 and under. All under control of the Ducks.

I think that the 2015-16 season will really tell us how good a coach Quenville is because he's going to have to develop young talent whether he likes it or not. Does Denault become Jeremy Morin 2.0? Are the young D coming up from Rockford going to turn out as well as TVR did early on? Let's just hope that we're complaining about a Cup hangover next October.
- Dieselhead

I'll tell you this right now. NO

for the reason that Morin, very much like Pirri, was top 6 or bust.

His game wasnt tailored for bottom 6 checking and defensive responsibility. So if he wasnt scoring or creating offense, he wasnt playing

Danault on the other hand, while having some offensive upside being a first round pick and all, has always been pegged as a hustle, balls to the wall, gamer. A kruger/bolland type.

Danault has a motor that doesnt quit, as competitive as they come, and is better in his own end than the offensive zone. Danault will not have boom or bust expectations. He will be able to step in and be a depth role player because nobody will expect him to be and nobody is asking him to be a top 6 guy

Actually, I'm a Blackhawks fan. I wasn't looking to stir up poop, just thought that it was a good article. Relax.

I'm confident that the Hawks will be able to ice a competitive team for the next several years because Chicago is a desirable destination with Tazer as the captain and Wirtz committed to winning. The player I worry most about losing is Seabrook.

The writer's primary point is that Bettman wants parity in the league, and the salary cap, among other things is helping the league achieve that.
- Dieselhead

Sorry, but did you read the entire article? The writer was essentially savoring the demise of the Hawks this off season - win or lose Saturday. Totally classless and uninformed. The Bettman crap was simply a qualifier probably added by his editor.

Let’s root for the Blackhawks to put up a good fight, lose Game 7, and finally be broken into enough pieces to send them to the back of the line.

I'll tell you this right now. NO

for the reason that Morin, very much like Pirri, was top 6 or bust.

His game wasnt tailored for bottom 6 checking and defensive responsibility. So if he wasnt scoring or creating offense, he wasnt playing

Danault on the other hand, while having some offensive upside being a first round pick and all, has always been pegged as a hustle, balls to the wall, gamer. A kruger/bolland type.

Danault has a motor that doesnt quit, as competitive as they come, and is better in his own end than the offensive zone. Danault will not have boom or bust expectations. He will be able to step in and be a depth role player because nobody will expect him to be and nobody is asking him to be a top 6 guy
- FourFeathers773

Great post. Other than TT and say Panarin possibly, none of the next group are really billed as top 6 guys which is for the most part pretty set for next year.

As more of a bottom 6 guy Danault, Hartman, McNeil (whoever makes it) won't be counted on to be the offense, just provide some depth and chip in. The fact that they are also guys who are supposed to get the playing in their own end part will serve them better than Pirri, Morin and Hayes in terms of staying on Q's good side.

and they let go a faceoff violation late in the game that would have put the blackhawks down a man. i haven't seen any blackhawks fans mentioning that when criticizing the refs.
- nurk

Pretty clear it hit the shaft of Richards' stick my friend. Mention that.

Perry 30 as of 5/16
Getzlaf 30 as of 5/10
Kesler 30
Lindholm 21
Fowler 23
Vatanen 23
Silfverberg 24
Despres 23
Rakell 22
Palmieri 23
Andersen 25
Gibson 21
Sekac 22
Etem 22

Not even bothering with the other regulars that are 26-29, just the starters (other then Gibson) that are 25 and under. All under control of the Ducks.
- quackup

It was a response to the article but thanks for all the research. Actually, Samueli has been a billionaire for quite a while. Just like Kroenke, Plattner, Thomson, Harris (all wealthier than Samuelli) - also billionaires - and all run their teams on budgets. They have that money for a reason. Occasionally, you pull a guy like Pegula who will spend as an indulgence - just because he can - that is unusual and it won't last forever. Samuelli may actually give Murray the money to spend to the cap for a few years though. He can afford it even though the franchise will not support it. Enjoy while you can.

And if you don't want trash talk or bashing read your own team's thread.

Great post. Other than TT and say Panarin possibly, none of the next group are really billed as top 6 guys which is for the most part pretty set for next year.

As more of a bottom 6 guy Danault, Hartman, McNeil (whoever makes it) won't be counted on to be the offense, just provide some depth and chip in. The fact that they are also guys who are supposed to get the playing in their own end part will serve them better than Pirri, Morin and Hayes in terms of staying on Q's good side.
- HawkintheD

I will take some bottom 6 bangers with some speed... a couple of the new adds have that - Baun looked like it. Sounds like Kero too. Would like a little more size and snarl. Johns may add that. Paliotta as well if he makes it. TWT but the depth and quantity favors the Hawks. A few will stand out and stick.

It was a response to the article but thanks for all the research. Actually, Samueli has been a billionaire for quite a while. Just like Kroenke, Plattner, Thomson, Harris (all wealthier than Samuelli) - also billionaires - and all run their teams on budgets. They have that money for a reason. Occasionally, you pull a guy like Pegula who will spend as an indulgence - just because he can - that is unusual and it won't last forever. Samuelli may actually give Murray the money to spend to the cap for a few years though. He can afford it even though the franchise will not support it. Enjoy while you can.

And if you don't want trash talk or bashing read your own team's thread.
- tredbrta

If you read my thread, I said I hate it when DUCK fans do it also.

Sorry, but did you read the entire article? The writer was essentially savoring the demise of the Hawks this off season - win or lose Saturday. Totally classless and uninformed. The Bettman crap was simply a qualifier probably added by his editor.
- tredbrta

Yes, I read the entire article. Did you read the last line?

Someday. And maybe that someday is Saturday. But it’s fun to think about what comes next if it’s not.

I take that to be an anticipation to the crowning of a dynasty here in Chicago.

Sorry, but did you read the entire article? The writer was essentially savoring the demise of the Hawks this off season - win or lose Saturday. Totally classless and uninformed. The Bettman crap was simply a qualifier probably added by his editor.


Let’s root for the Blackhawks to put up a good fight, lose Game 7, and finally be broken into enough pieces to send them to the back of the line.
- tredbrta

I didn't bother to visit the discussed "hit piece" but was wondering....

...are comments accepted? If yes, I think an appropriate response would be the following...

Let's root for the "author" to jam a pen in his eye, and blindly walk in front of a bus, thereby ending his ability to present more insipid nonsense.

Too harsh?

I didn't bother to visit the discussed "hit piece" but was wondering....

...are comments accepted? If yes, I think an appropriate response would be the following...

Let's root for the "author" to jam a pen in his eye, and blindly walk in front of a bus, thereby ending his ability to present more insipid nonsense.

Too harsh?
- ArlingtonRob

Possibly a bit, but I like where your going.

I didn't bother to visit the discussed "hit piece" but was wondering....

...are comments accepted? If yes, I think an appropriate response would be the following...

Let's root for the "author" to jam a pen in his eye, and blindly walk in front of a bus, thereby ending his ability to present more insipid nonsense.

Too harsh?
- ArlingtonRob

Good idea. On it.

Yes, I read the entire article. Did you read the last line?



I take that to be an anticipation to the crowning of a dynasty here in Chicago.
- Dieselhead

Glad you did and honestly like your positivity and agree. However, the author clearly IMO was referencing his earlier statement about the inevitable break up of the Hawks as contenders... win or lose. It was snark - just like the earlier "smelly Chicago fans" column. That was supposedly satire. Wish Royko was around still to respond. He was a master.

Hey, if one of you sees Q, tell him you're welcome. Who knew he read the Ducks' blog comments here on HB merely a couple of hours before gametime?
- yzermaneely

All 4 posts?

Perry 30 as of 5/16
Getzlaf 30 as of 5/10 About Done
Kesler 30 Done before you got him
Lindholm 21 Good
Fowler 23 Good
Vatanen 23 Good
Silfverberg 24 Cheater
Despres 23 Look at Kesler
Rakell 22 Who
Palmieri 23 Blah
Andersen 25 Getting worse
Gibson 21 TAJ?
Sekac 22 Did you mean Joe Sakic? Retired
Etem 22 What is an Etem?
You forgot about D-Bag Perry. Doesn't she have a concert tour this summer?

Not even bothering with the other regulars that are 26-29(I wouldn't either if I was you), just the starters (other then Gibson) that are 25 and under. All under control of the Ducks.
- quackup

[quote=PaulNewman]

Wow. Such a crappy Duck team and they've taken your Hawks to a game 7.

I think that the 2015-16 season will really tell us how good a coach Quenville is because he's going to have to develop young talent whether he likes it or not. Does Denault become Jeremy Morin 2.0? Are the young D coming up from Rockford going to turn out as well as TVR did early on? Let's just hope that we're complaining about a Cup hangover next October.
- Dieselhead

Quenneville is already proven himself to be an excellent coach, his record and achievements bear that out and have already secured him a place in the HHOF. What 2015-16 will tell us is if Quenneville is as capable a teaching coach as he has proven to be a coach of a highly talented contending team.

I'll tell you this right now. NO

for the reason that Morin, very much like Pirri, was top 6 or bust.

His game wasnt tailored for bottom 6 checking and defensive responsibility. So if he wasnt scoring or creating offense, he wasnt playing

Danault on the other hand, while having some offensive upside being a first round pick and all, has always been pegged as a hustle, balls to the wall, gamer. A kruger/bolland type.

Danault has a motor that doesnt quit, as competitive as they come, and is better in his own end than the offensive zone. Danault will not have boom or bust expectations. He will be able to step in and be a depth role player because nobody will expect him to be and nobody is asking him to be a top 6 guy
- FourFeathers773

Outstanding analysis, FF.

For the rest of the Toews/Kane era, finding the supporting cast at lower prices is key. Making a run at the Cup requires the superstars to produce, and if you get some of the supporting cast to chip in (Byfuglien in '10 and Bickell in '13) more than what is expected, you're on your way to being a legitimate contender.

Like Saad, Shaw, and Kruger on ELC's in '13, you need Teravainen, Panarin, and Danault in '16 or '17. It seems like there's always a few good rookies on the Cup-winning team (Seguin & McQuaid in Boston and Toffoli & Pearson in LA).

Quenneville is already proven himself to be an excellent coach, his record and achievements bear that out and have already secured him a place in the HHOF. What 2015-16 will tell us is if Quenneville is as capable a teaching coach as he has proven to be a coach of a highly talented contending team.
- paulr

This... I think Q can be a good teacher, but the level of his patience is what concerns myself, and probably many of us on here.

That aside, after reading/catching up on the thread, I personally don't have much worry about the team next season. The hawks core is arguably top in the nhl, and the Hawks issues year in and year out has been forward depth.

I will be concerned when we see the huge production drop in Hossa

Wow. Such a crappy Duck team and they've taken your Hawks to a game 7.


- quackup

Who said they were crappy?

This... I think Q can be a good teacher, but the level of his patience is what concerns myself, and probably many of us on here.

That aside, after reading/catching up on the thread, I personally don't have much worry about the team next season. The hawks core is arguably top in the nhl, and the Hawks issues year in and year out has been forward depth.

I will be concerned when we see the huge production drop in Hossa
- purepone

Is a coach's patience tempered by the position he is in? With the roster Q has had since he got here, his focus was on winning, not on teaching a player the basics like how to position himself when defending. The prevailing argument of some posters here is that it was Quenneville's responsibility to work with players to teach them basic fundamentals that should have be learned at the lower levels of the sport. Yes he has to teach them how to play his system but they had to earn their position on the team with a certain skill set already in place, like Shaw or Kruger.

I have no idea if Quenneville has the ability to put winning aside for development? If he doesn't the question will be do these young players get developed in the minors or do the Hawks make a coaching change to get the right type of coach in? I'm guessing the players will be in the minors.

Is a coach's patience tempered by the position he is in? With the roster Q has had since he got here, his focus was on winning, not on teaching a player the basics like how to position himself when defending. The prevailing argument of some posters here is that it was Quenneville's responsibility to work with players to teach them basic fundamentals that should have be learned at the lower levels of the sport. Yes he has to teach them how to play his system but they had to earn their position on the team with a certain skill set already in place, like Shaw or Kruger.

I have no idea if Quenneville has the ability to put winning aside for development? If he doesn't the question will be do these young players get developed in the minors or do the Hawks make a coaching change to get the right type of coach in? I'm guessing the players will be in the minors.
- paulr

#Qhatesthekids

#Qhatesthekids
- Ogilthorpe2

That's the mantra.