Pretty solid list. I'd move McNeill up a bit, I expect him to make waves this offseason. Also maybe move Pokka up a slot.
- nurk

McNeill should not be on this list. He is the highest pick from 2011 yet to play an NHL game, only 1 of 3 yet to make his debut = Kyle Beach.

I have watched him in the last few prospect camps and he is not a stand out. Good size, but that's about it. If he doesn't stand out this year in his 5th prospect camp against guys 4-5 years younger, you can write him off

Exactly Paul. Since I am a tree-hugger and all.
- kwolf68

Couldn't resist Kwolf...have a good weekend sir...

The problem is Bickell's career was laced with floating and inconsistency. To pay him based off a playoff stretch is now backfiring on Stan. It's that simple. Stan lost this one. And now he's stuck. The Hawks may very well lose Oduya or have to trade Crawford because of this player. Stan blew it on this signing. I'd love to rekindle those threads after he was resigned.
- kwolf68

Exactly......people hoping that Bickell plays "that way" all the time are wishing upon a star. Just like I am when you see good Versteeg show up. While those bursts show that the skill/consistency CAN Be there, history shows over a full season those same guys CAN NOT be consistent enough. Those are the players that are the most aggravating and confusing to coaches/gms.

I believe Mexico said it, and I 100% agree, it's all mental for those guys. The physical skill sets are there....but the ability to mentally prepare night in and night out and NOT take games or shifts off is what separates the pack.

I wish there were a filter to eliminate all non-hockey related posts ... yeah, that would be awesome.

So after Oduya's financial discussion loses steam, maybe we can get into other interesting Oduya info - like his favorite color, boxers/briefs, beer/wine, does he enjoy long walks on a beach. GEE, I can't wait.

Couldn't resist Kwolf...have a good weekend sir...
- DK002

will have a good weekend. U do the same.

I wish there were a filter to eliminate all non-hockey related posts ... yeah, that would be awesome.

So after Oduya's financial discussion loses steam, maybe we can get into other interesting Oduya info - like his favorite color, boxers/briefs, beer/wine, does he enjoy long walks on a beach. GEE, I can't wait.
- EbonyRaptor

Not sure why those are pertinent but I'll participate.

I love Philly fans.

I thought hell was going to AC in January every year for a convention. Nope. This board with Philly posts tops that.

Pizza delivery
- paulr

A lingonberry cannery.

McNeill should not be on this list. He is the highest pick from 2011 yet to play an NHL game, only 1 of 3 yet to make his debut = Kyle Beach.

I have watched him in the last few prospect camps and he is not a stand out. Good size, but that's about it. If he doesn't stand out this year in his 5th prospect camp against guys 4-5 years younger, you can write him off
- Sundevil

Agreed. I think that ship has sailed .Wouldn't be shocked to see him traded very soon.

Very curious to see what they do with Jeremy Morin. As a 13th forward I can live with him......as an everyday player.........

I love Philly fans.

I thought hell was going to AC in January every year for a convention. Nope. This board with Philly posts tops that.
- SteveRain

If there is one thing that really grinds my gears it is someone with a different opinion then mine. ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND IT.

McNeill should not be on this list. He is the highest pick from 2011 yet to play an NHL game, only 1 of 3 yet to make his debut = Kyle Beach.

I have watched him in the last few prospect camps and he is not a stand out. Good size, but that's about it. If he doesn't stand out this year in his 5th prospect camp against guys 4-5 years younger, you can write him off
- Sundevil

see; hyperbole

A lingonberry cannery.
- HawkintheD

Johnny O hasn't delivered pies as much lately. In 2012 he was a legend especially against Phoenix.

Not so much since then.......Hammer is ruining his ability to franchise out.

If there is one thing that really grinds my gears it is someone with a different opinion then mine. ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND IT.
- nurk

Reasonable posts OR just trolls?

You know that answer......

Exactly......people hoping that Bickell plays "that way" all the time are wishing upon a star. Just like I am when you see good Versteeg show up. While those bursts show that the skill/consistency CAN Be there, history shows over a full season those same guys CAN NOT be consistent enough. Those are the players that are the most aggravating and confusing to coaches/gms.

I believe Mexico said it, and I 100% agree, it's all mental for those guys. The physical skill sets are there....but the ability to mentally prepare night in and night out and NOT take games or shifts off is what separates the pack.
- SteveRain

And the knee and vertigo issues would be a problem for a consistent player. For a player that already has issues with consistency.... Would enough down time heal Bickell's knees enough? I think he took both braces off to start the playoffs and the 1st round was probably his best. Still nowhere close to past playoffs though.

If this number is Sharp at 5.9M and Bickell at 4M minus retention at 1.5M, that's only 8.4M. So your final number is $6.9M after shedding Versteeg, Morin and Tropp. Maybe Oduya and Kruger come in at less than $6.9M, but we're still over the cap by a couple of million. That means someone like Shaw is on his way out...
- DMChi2010

Under my scenario the current salary is at, $73,505,962 - $7,900,000 = $65,605,962

$71,400,000 - $65,605,962 = $5,794,038 under the cap.

BTW NHLXM is doing a one hour Blackhawks Stanley Cup right now.

Well said.

These guys are just "Blackhawk bros" here to share their enthusiasm and affection for John and us band wagoners you know....

Oduya obviously wants to stay. For whatever reason that is his priority. Maybe it is his girlfriend or maybe he doesn't need more $$$. Maybe both. Hammer didn't. Why wouldn't JO?
- tredbrta

I believe when someone bashes your team or the fans of the team it's a sign of respect, comes from a place of envy and jealousy. I should know I can't stand the RedWings or the Packers

Drew LeBlanc is no longer an option at center for Blackhawks.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...leblanc-signs-in-germany/

Spell check, troll alerts, and general contempt for the blogger and the rest of the thread (except for nurk of course ). You're the whole package today. What a contribution to the thread!
- tredbrta

should i bring up mohammed atta and columbine instead?

And the knee and vertigo issues would be a problem for a consistent player. For a player that already has issues with consistency.... Would enough down time heal Bickell's knees enough? I think he took both braces off to start the playoffs and the 1st round was probably his best. Still nowhere close to past playoffs though.
- tredbrta

Time heals all wounds, but how long can we go with the knee excuse for him? If they are THAT bad he needs to get them cleaned out over the summer and rehab. Versteeg has done this twice.

That's the aggravating thing to me about Bickell. Fix your body. The Hawks pay you to be an asset for their team, not so you can go bass fishing all summer.

Exactly......people hoping that Bickell plays "that way" all the time are wishing upon a star. Just like I am when you see good Versteeg show up. While those bursts show that the skill/consistency CAN Be there, history shows over a full season those same guys CAN NOT be consistent enough. Those are the players that are the most aggravating and confusing to coaches/gms.

I believe Mexico said it, and I 100% agree, it's all mental for those guys. The physical skill sets are there....but the ability to mentally prepare night in and night out and NOT take games or shifts off is what separates the pack.
- SteveRain

IMHO, this concept is significantly undervalued by people. Tons of guys have a ton of talent. Not nearly as many work as hard and are as focused to turn that talent in the maximum output.

Reasonable posts OR just trolls?

You know that answer......
- SteveRain

but sh arp to philly is a good hockey post because he likes the story of sharp back to philly, flyers cap be damned

Both Johns and TVR are young and have potential, but both suffered multiple serious injuries in their first seasons as pros...those two with Runblad backing them up isn't exactly SC depth. So Erhoff provides Q with a TON security and matchup options!

Fair to WHO? Mitt Romney?

So figure he has $15-20 million banked. he will never have to worry about a thing financially for the rest of his days on earth. -JJ

Quotes not working AGAIN.

FWIW, if his cumulative NHL earnings are $23M, his take home pay has certainly been less, probably half that. He has to pay taxes, agent, business manager, etc. Plus many cities now levy a tax on athletes for the away games that teams play in their city.

$12-15M in take home would be more reasonable, and out of that comes living expenses, multiple residences, moving expenses, etc. More likely JO has $5-8M in the bank. Not bad, but not good enough to set up multiple generations of little JOs.

Wow...when over 50% of humans on the planet live off of less than a $1 a day, and a child dies every 4 seconds from something other than natural causes, you can describe $23 million as not a lot, at least by NHL standards???

Wouldn't the natural response be something like, "thanks Johhny-O for putting things other than money at the top of your priorities?!?!" The expression "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" has been around for a long time for a reason. And there is MUCH more to life, and yes that includes one's work, than paper money that only has value because some guys in silk suits tell us that it does!

So thanks Johnny for staying in CHI, your transplanted home, winning Stanley Cups, being treated like royalty and being paid about $4 million dollars a year...you're one hell of a guy!
- MexicoHawk

Yes I can. That is the definition of using a standard.

Also, please enlighten us as to how the gift horse proverb applies here, because apparently it doesn't mean what I think it means.

Curious here how everyone would re-rank the top 10 “prospects” given some of the new additions?

My guess:
1. Dano
2. Panarin
3. Pokka
4. Johns
5. Schmaltz
6. Danault
7. Knott
8. McNeill
9. Hartman
10. Gustaffson
- Bjm84

Q seemed to really like Kyle Baun last year. I think he's in the top 10.