i just heard from him yesterday, not sure what's up with him. He is a great blogger, BTW
- John Jaeckel

Agreed...when he's actually blogging.

The man has been in deep cover for long stretches of time this season.

Witness protection?

Agreed...when he's actually blogging.

The man has been in deep cover for long stretches of time this season.

Witness protection?
- ArlingtonRob

Actually, dunno. I don't know Chris that well. But I have always found him to be unusually fair, legitimately insightful and devoid of self-promotion or "agendas."

A rarity.

I don't disagree there, but just amazing to me how quickly people forget how good he was with Richards and Kane until he broke his hand against the Capitals, and how good he was again with Vermette and Teuvo in the playoffs.

he's a risk, makes stupid decisions, is a horrible rapper, but he's a great versatile option to have on a team. Can play bottom 6 as easily as top 6 and not be uncomfortable. Lots of other guys have a MJAOR problem trying to do that. Fish out of water..........
- SteveRain

Hey Rainman...several of us here wouldn't mind seeing Versteeg back...again he's a safe option and knows the team and the system and can play up and down the lineup. And he won't cost a fortune. Plus he's two years out from the leg injury.
Completely concur that he looked good until he hurt his hand in the Classic. Didn't look too bad in the Finals either.

Hey Rainman...several of us here wouldn't mind seeing Versteeg back...again he's a safe option and knows the team and the system and can play up and down the lineup. And he won't cost a fortune. Plus he's two years out from the leg injury.
Completely concur that he looked good until he hurt his hand in the Classic. Didn't look too bad in the Finals either.
- DK002

If its Versteeg it better be for basically free

Svedberg has shown progress and him being recalled was because of that. I thought he played well against the Ducks.
- Dabearshawks

I'm a big Nik Sveddy fan. He's grown steadily in his various cameos. Hope he stays in the fold for a while longer.

I'm a big Nik Sveddy fan. He's grown steadily in his various cameos. Hope he stays in the fold for a while longer.
- philco28

Still amazed at the want for Versteeg

Why all of a sudden is he a viable playoff option? He was absolutely terrible in the 2014 postseason and he couldnt routinely stick to the lineup last year.

For being such a Q favorite, he wasnt enamored with him enough to play him in only 12 of the 23 games last postseason.

1G,1A in 12 playoff games last year

1G, 2A in 15 playoff games the playoffs before

Thanks for the memories, but hope he never comes back

The problem is we are still going to have to give up something of value to get him and is he really a upgrade over Shaw or Moose or sekac on the 4th line? We gave up a 3rd to get him off the books now we will probably have to give up a 3rd to get him back. we need to remember that kruger is coming back so somebody is going to sit that is playing everyday already.

- mrpaulish

Vik Sveddy FIXED

Vik Sveddy FIXED
- philco28

lol

I still think a defenseman is the top priority for the trade deadline. The teams best assets (i.e. first round pick) will likely be given up in the acquisition of another blueliner. That will leave Stan looking at the 2nd or 3rd tier of free agent LWs and that's where Versteeg would be.
- DarthKane

Grossmann

Grossmann
- Assman22

I think they need a defenceman with more speed then Grossman

I worry if the Ducks get Ladd plus the addition of Garbutt and Stewart that the Ducks might be able to hit the Hawks out of the playoffs this year. Especially with Bickell unable to help this year. I think Bickell's hitting was a factor in beating the Ducks last year. That'swhy I was hoping we could snag Buff. I would love the Hawks to get Ladd , he would be a great fit but just as Iimportant I don'twant the Ducks to get him.

Still amazed at the want for Versteeg

Why all of a sudden is he a viable playoff option? He was absolutely terrible in the 2014 postseason and he couldnt routinely stick to the lineup last year.

For being such a Q favorite, he wasnt enamored with him enough to play him in only 12 of the 23 games last postseason.

1G,1A in 12 playoff games last year

1G, 2A in 15 playoff games the playoffs before

Thanks for the memories, but hope he never comes back
- hawkeytalkman

It could be because so far this season, Versteeg has 32 pts in 55 games, and Kruger, Desjardins, Bickell, Dano, Danault, Mashinter, Sekac, Panik, and Rasmussen have a combined 31 pts in a combined 227 games.

What are everyone's thoughts regarding the Gustafsson situation?

If he's permanently in Q's doghouse, it sure seems as though the Hawks need another defender.

Svedberg is NOT a top 4 defender...and I doubt he ever will be.
- ArlingtonRob

Think they are showcasing Svedberg

I worry if the Ducks get Ladd plus the addition of Garbutt and Stewart that the Ducks might be able to hit the Hawks out of the playoffs this year. Especially with Bickell unable to help this year. I think Bickell's hitting was a factor in beating the Ducks last year. That'swhy I was hoping we could snag Buff. I would love the Hawks to get Ladd , he would be a great fit but just as Iimportant I don'twant the Ducks to get him.
- HamiltonHawk

We might not be able to withstand all those hits...

Are there any humans that can?

Fixed.
- ArlingtonRob

Hell yeah!!!

I worry if the Ducks get Ladd plus the addition of Garbutt and Stewart that the Ducks might be able to hit the Hawks out of the playoffs this year. Especially with Bickell unable to help this year. I think Bickell's hitting was a factor in beating the Ducks last year. That'swhy I was hoping we could snag Buff. I would love the Hawks to get Ladd , he would be a great fit but just as Iimportant I don'twant the Ducks to get him.
- HamiltonHawk

This is NOT a hitting team in the Q era. They want puck possession, defense, and speed. Ladd would be a great fit but I'm honestly not sure he would be a better addition than Boedker. His speed on 1LW would help create more scoring chances for 19 and 81. If we're out of the Drouin derby, I would hope for Boedker.

Steve, as a lifelong Laker's fan, Big Shot Rob did it more than once and in more than one season. Bickell had his moment in one playoff run. Big Shot Rob bailed the Shaq-Kobe teams out more than once.

But your analogy is in the right ballpark.

- DMCsPulledHammy

Boooo!

It frees TT to get a shot with 19/65 as Panik will be off that line by the 2nd period UNLESS he has a quick start. This may be 86's last legit shot at RW1 and people can't blame q if he fails again.........

As you said, we better see a lot more compete out of 86 then we have recently.....
- SteveRain

86 should be playing there to start. 14 should never be playing in the top 6.

We might not be able to withstand all those hits...

Are there any humans that can?
- SimpleJack

I was waiting for that. But are you not a little worried how the Hawks match up , size wise, . I know the Hawks game based a loton speed , but I ddon't think they are as fast as they once were

I wont be surprised if 29 is back up come playoff time.

Hossa will not get traded for the simple reason of cap recapture. No way the Hawks allow that situation to be out of their control (for as much control as they can have in the situation).

You can play around with the details here: http://war-on-ice.com/buy...ontractid=xhossama79-2010

The short of it is that Hawks have to find a way to either keep Hossa playing or have a legitimate reason to LTIR him until 2020 otherwise the cap ramifications would be really bad.
- dstainer

There are teams that are "poor" or "extremely careful with money". Because of this, they have a difficult time reaching the floor. A contract that costs $1mil/yr but adds $5.275mil to the books is valuable to floor seeking team as long as Hossa does not retire. As such, there would be no recapture.

Sure, dynamics of a team can change over time and perhaps the floor buffer eventually becomes a ceiling hindrance, but this "hypothetical Hossa trade" likely wouldn't happen for a few years yet. Thus making the projections much more accurate and promise of no recapture more assured.

I was waiting for that. But are you not a little worried how the Hawks match up , size wise, . I know the Hawks game based a loton speed , but I ddon't think they are as fast as they once were
- HamiltonHawk

The Hawks are a faster team than they were at the beginning of the season. If memory serves me right, I don't recall any team beating us in a series due to out hitting us

This is NOT a hitting team in the Q era. They want puck possession, defense, and speed. Ladd would be a great fit but I'm honestly not sure he would be a better addition than Boedker. His speed on 1LW would help create more scoring chances for 19 and 81. If we're out of the Drouin derby, I would hope for Boedker.
- Hawkytalk

I would be interested in Boedker but he has never shown he can score with any consistency, and he has been around awhile now. I know he hasn't played with great teams. I like his speed though n he probably fit in good with Toews-Hossa