I appreciate your enthusiasm, but the team will need to gel with the new faces, but as you said, the Hawks will probably hover a little over .500 for a while before they hopefully take off.

Have you heard what the Hawks could be getting if they trade Bickell to Arizona? Pick or a player like Nicklas Grossman or Boyd Gordon (just looking at guys with some salary owed to them to swap)?
- Dannyboy

This guy....

Phaneuf and the target he wears.
- paulr

The new #1. Brilliant !!

Don't discount the Hawks moving Bickell to just about anyone if they sweeten the pot enough for the other team take on Bickell's salary.
- paulr

Fixed.

I would assume Toronto, Phoenix, CAR possibly a few others in this convo.

I love the amnesia we all have about Bickle. Guys played hard tough minutes for the Hawks, was really good in 2013, scored a HUGE goal against BOS, then took a home town discount to stay with the Hawks.
He dealt with injuries, and who knows what else, and everyone can't wait for the door to hit him in the a$$ as he heads out of town.
Were in a tough cap situation and yes we need to shed his salary, but don't act like this guy is a bum and never contributed.
- Boisy12

The fans that truly follow the Hawks know that Bickell has value, but they are also aware that he consistently has stretches where (for whatever reason) he disappears. Bickell at $4 million per, is what he is...

Fixed.

I would assume Toronto, Phoenix, CAR possibly a few others in this convo.
- John Jaeckel

I said Toronto only because they are on record as advertising to take on contracts other teams don't want.

For me personally and maybe others, I haven't followed new guys like AA, Dano, Daley, etc.. that much so I wouldn't say I'm selling them short, but interested/excited to see what they can do before calling them favorites to win again.

I'm hoping players like TT, Dano, & Panarin develop into good players to help subside the doubts. I'm definitely looking forward to see some of the new faces and see what they can do under Q's system.
- Dannyboy

Yep, Joel Quenneville is the exact right coach for this group of players. If there is a staff that can get them to come together as a team, its this one! Plus Toews, Hoss, Keith, Hammer and Seabrook are like coaches at this point in their careers and the staff trust them completely, as do the players.

I love the amnesia we all have about Bickle. Guys played hard tough minutes for the Hawks, was really good in 2013, scored a HUGE goal against BOS, then took a home town discount to stay with the Hawks.
He dealt with injuries, and who knows what else, and everyone can't wait for the door to hit him in the a$$ as he heads out of town.
Were in a tough cap situation and yes we need to shed his salary, but don't act like this guy is a bum and never contributed.
- Boisy12

Well said ...

I will go on the record now and say that the Hawks are the team to beat again this season. Coming out of the west will be difficult as ANA and LA got better, plus NSH could be very, very good. BUT, the Hawks and the Kings are the only two teams in the west that know what it takes to win a game 7 and close out the playoffs, everybody else is just "hoping", and there is a great value in the knowing and a detriment to just hoping.

When we ran into the Islanders in the Cup finals, they KNEW they were going to beat us, everything they did showed us that. We thought we had a chance, top to bottom, but as good as our team was and as strong as our leadership was, we were "guessing" against their "knowing". Coach Q, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, Hoss, Kaner and Bickell have all been part of THREE Cup championships, and they know they let one slip through their collective fingers in 2014. The 2011 team was the weakest in Chicago since 2008, and that team almost beat the Cup finalists in game 7 (with a rookie goalie), which would have given a good shot a winning another Cup.

This 2015 Blackhawk team may have a bunch of new faces, but there aren't any Boyntons, Campolis, Hendrys, Johnsons, Skilles, Scotts and Pisanis...so keep that in mind. Coach Q is the best in the game, he knows that it will take time to get everyone on the same page, but he will get there with this roster, and if our Special Teams can improve, then we have a great chance at repeating. We are strong and deep down the middle, we have the capacity to roll 4 lines, Daley will find his game in Chicago next to Hammer, and Crawford and Darling could be the best goaltending duo in the league.

At the halfway point we might be a little over .500, but this team could turn into a monster once the new faces adapt and the Kane situation is resolved. I'm predicting we will repeat!
- MexicoHawk

Nice ,enough with the doom and gloom .50/50 to make the playoffs is ridicules

The fans that truly follow the Hawks know that Bickell has value, but they are also aware that he consistently has stretches where (for whatever reason) he disappears. Bickell at $4 million per, is what he is...
- MexicoHawk

I agree with your optimism regarding this upcoming season Mex. I think comfort breeds complacency and that is what we saw of for stretches last season. With all the new faces and young blood vying to establish themselves as full time NHLers, I think the RS will be outstanding. Our forward group got much quicker and while the biggest loss is by far the power/speed/200ft game of Saad, we gain size in Anisimov and the skill of Dano/Panarin/TT SHOULD be fun to watch.

However, I completely disagree with your assessment of Big Bicks. Injuries or not, the contributions he makes on the ice throughout the regular season and playoffs should have him making $1mil as a big bruiser that can pretty much only hit and stand in the crease. It's not Bryan Bickell's fault he makes $4mil but he is FAR from a value player at $4mil. If he was making $1-2mil he wouldnt be getting 1/2 the flak he gets and he would also be in Carolina with Steeger

Smith has no where near the skill or heart of Dano
- mrpaulish

I'd put Ben Smith's heart level up pretty high. Skill? Low.

Hope Dano is all he's being cracked up to be.

Hey Fellas,

I'm sure updates will come in as they develop, but can anyone on here alert us (who don't have access to a radio or TV at work) as to what's going on during the meeting at 2? Thanks.

I'd put Ben Smith's heart level up pretty high. Skill? Low.

Hope Dano is all he's being cracked up to be.
- BlazinMike

Agreedx2

Haven't they already priced out everyone who is dangerous?

Next thing you know they're gonna keep people from bringing in fifths of booze...
- eggsegan

Remember, you will now need a plastic flask, not a metal one.

JJ/Al/Mex,

Any word from Notre Dame as to what will be said? Or should we expect a dog and pony show where they say nothing?

I just heard the Hawks have hired/consulted a p.r. firm/consultant to help guide them through the Kane mess.

Also that they have no leeway to suspend him as he has not been charged. There are apparently some in the FO hoping he will voluntarily take a leave of absence in order to get things cleared up.

They want the negative publicity to die. Rosenbloom is right this morning. They are in a really tough spot.

JJ/Al/Mex,

Any word from Notre Dame as to what will be said? Or should we expect a dog and pony show where they say nothing?
- golfbard

See immediately above

If Kane pays the girl off he's dead as guilty and shouldn't be allowed to play hockey.
- 2Real

Like Ribeiro?

I agree with your optimism regarding this upcoming season Mex. I think comfort breeds complacency and that is what we saw of for stretches last season. With all the new faces and young blood vying to establish themselves as full time NHLers, I think the RS will be outstanding. Our forward group got much quicker and while the biggest loss is by far the power/speed/200ft game of Saad, we gain size in Anisimov and the skill of Dano/Panarin/TT SHOULD be fun to watch.

However, I completely disagree with your assessment of Big Bicks. Injuries or not, the contributions he makes on the ice throughout the regular season and playoffs should have him making $1mil as a big bruiser that can pretty much only hit and stand in the crease. It's not Bryan Bickell's fault he makes $4mil but he is FAR from a value player at $4mil. If he was making $1-2mil he wouldnt be getting 1/2 the flak he gets and he would also be in Carolina with Steeger
- EnzoD

Mex never said anything about Bicks, it was me. The fact is that after the 2013 season, he was labeled as a top 6 power forward and could have gotten $5 + Mil from another team. Nobody complained when he signed at $4mil with the Hawks. I agree that he is not playing up to his contract, but I was just making the point that this what have you done for me lately bs is a little unfair.

See immediately above
- John Jaeckel

Thanks pal

My "preaching" on this topic is solely in the idea that the Hawks front office is somehow holding it's players to a higher ethical standard than the rest of the league. I'm sorry, but they're not. They're managing their brand as best they can in a difficult situation.

I believe the Blues would do the EXACT SAME THING. The difference? I don't think that Armstrong or the ownership would do anything more than make business decisions about their brand and their image. If a player benefits their image, they will keep him.

Remember Doug Gilmour. That trade to Calgary was the quietest trade of an All-star player that I've ever seen. Why? Because he was a jag bag who "allegedly" fondled a babysitter. Was he ever proven guilty? No. Did he pay her a settlement? Yes. Does that mean he was innocent? My guess is no.

Anyone who would suggest the Hawks are doing anything but managing their brand is deluded.
- eggsegan

So this is the cause of this grandstanding? Where was it said anywhere the Hawks are holding their players to a higher ethical standard than the rest of the league? Link to it.

The clear impression here is the new regime has set a higher ethical standard than the old guard and previous management teams. Not necessarily the rest of the league. I would say that - based on playoff results the last several years - they are expecting a higher competitive and professional standard (see the Nick Boynton release and Carcillo warnings) than much of the league.

Certainly a higher competitive standard than the Blues - no consequences there for year in and year out chokes. Backes should have been demoted and Hitch fired by now. Probably would have been here.

And the "managing the brand" discussion has been the most consistent topic here since Kane was accused. Back read a little and determine context before you need to vent your Hawk envy.

Bicks & McNeill for?
- Beaver-Warrior

a roll of quarters ... OK OK - make it a roll of nickels.

Mex never said anything about Bicks, it was me. The fact is that after the 2013 season, he was labeled as a top 6 power forward and could have gotten $5 + Mil from another team. Nobody complained when he signed at $4mil with the Hawks. I agree that he is not playing up to his contract, but I was just making the point that this what have you done for me lately bs is a little unfair.
- Boisy12

Mex has been defending Bickell throughout the last week so read back if you havent been frequenting the thread. $4mil was a fair deal for a supposed Top 6 Power Forward as you say. This is the NHL, the Show, the Big Time. This is 100% a "what have you done for me lately" kind of business. Bickell has been a healthy scratch or 10min/night player since the Boston series in 2013. "He is not playing up to his contract" is a huge understatement IMO and while I would LOVE for 2013 Bicks to re-emerge, lets try to be realistic with our expectations....

Bryan Bickell is still a big body that can skate relatively well for 6'4" 235lbs. he still has an outstanding snap shot and can lay a good body check occassionally. for the 20 points and poor puck possession numbers he brings, I'd value Bickell at a touch over $1mil.

Smith has no where near the skill or heart of Dano
- mrpaulish

Smith is also 27 years old. Not sure what his weight was at Dano's age but he is 5'11 205 now. Dano's size increase since being drafted is pretty impressive - around 30 lbs in 2 years. Let's see how he uses it.

Mex has been defending Bickell throughout the last week so read back if you havent been frequenting the thread. $4mil was a fair deal for a supposed Top 6 Power Forward as you say. This is the NHL, the Show, the Big Time. This is 100% a "what have you done for me lately" kind of business. Bickell has been a healthy scratch or 10min/night player since the Boston series in 2013. "He is not playing up to his contract" is a huge understatement IMO and while I would LOVE for 2013 Bicks to re-emerge, lets try to be realistic with our expectations....

Bryan Bickell is still a big body that can skate relatively well for 6'4" 235lbs. he still has an outstanding snap shot and can lay a good body check occassionally. for the 20 points and poor puck possession numbers he brings, I'd value Bickell at a touch over $1mil.
- EnzoD

The Hawks have been very fortunate in the last few years not having very many underachievers relative to salaries paid. Both of us can write out a long list of stiffs in the NHL who haven't 'earned' the salary they are being paid. Putting a value on Bickell makes no sense because for sure he is going to the bank with $8M large in the next 2 years. If he isn't banged up beyond repair, its Q's job to get the most out of him.

Backes should have been demoted and Hitch fired by now. Probably would have been here.
- tredbrta

Can't have one without the other. Backes is the player that carries the water for Hitch's messages/system in the room. He isn't going anywhere from his role until hitch is gone.