Too bad Stan didn't pony up Gustaffson +Tuevo for the Whiny (but super-talented) winger...he's been outstanding so far since being recalled
- EnzoD

I don't believe Yzerman would have bit. Shrewd man.

He waited out the little punk. Now he's playing for a trade when it counts.

And Q will promptly place 53 at 4LW in permanent marker
- EnzoD

4LW? Why aim so low? I thought he'd be 1LW for sure.

I don't believe Yzerman would have bit. Shrewd man.
- kinigitt

JJ reported Stevie Y's demands to be in the ballpark there but maybe Schmaltz instead of Tuevo. At the time, I had my doubts about Drouin. It certainly looks like he was correct in saying he belonged in The Show. He's got some dangles!!

Crawford gets snubbed again...

Holtby, Quick and Bishop are nominated for the Vezina.
- DarthKane

Is Shaw the type you offer sheet? I love the guy, but I don't know if you break the bank for him (which would have happened with Saad).

Up to around $3.6 million we'd get a 2nd round pick as compensation. From $3.6 to $5.5 it's a first and a third round pick.

I don't see anyone paying more than $3.6 million for Shaw. But if they did would you consider turning down a first and third to match?
- DarthKane

I'm not an expert on the fine points of the cap numbers and how to work them-- I admit though-- it would be very tempting to take the 1 & 3 picks-- but agree with you that it is doubtful anyone would offer over $3.6 million--

But I could see a rival GM doing the cap math to force Bowman to make a move he doesn't want to--- in an effort to weaken the Hawks even further--

IMO Bowman needs to act decisively and quickly--

Is it correct that teams can tender an offer sheet to RFA's starting July 1?

Any guesses on which rival teams will tender an offer to Shaw in a strategic attempt to disrupt the Hawks-- I would think that Panik will also get an offer sheet--

Bowman better make some moves on the early side and NOT wait too long--
- jb3333

Yup, July 1st. Doubt Shaw would get one right away. Kruger didn't, at least I didn't hear of one and he is at least as valuable as Shaw.

I'm not an expert on the fine points of the cap numbers and how to work them-- I admit though-- it would be very tempting to take the 1 & 3 picks-- but agree with you that it is doubtful anyone would offer over $3.6 million--

But I could see a rival GM doing the cap math to force Bowman to make a move he doesn't want to--- in an effort to weaken the Hawks even further--

IMO Bowman needs to act decisively and quickly--
- jb3333

Bowman can't do anything until the cap is announced for next season. Even then everything depends on how much Shaw wants for his next deal.

I'm not an expert on the fine points of the cap numbers and how to work them-- I admit though-- it would be very tempting to take the 1 & 3 picks-- but agree with you that it is doubtful anyone would offer over $3.6 million--

But I could see a rival GM doing the cap math to force Bowman to make a move he doesn't want to--- in an effort to weaken the Hawks even further--

IMO Bowman needs to act decisively and quickly--
- jb3333

Quickly, as in buying out Bickell first thing June 15th. Should have done that last year. JO likely would still be here and the 'Hawks would be playing in big-D on Friday.

JJ reported Stevie Y's demands to be in the ballpark there but maybe Schmaltz instead of Tuevo. At the time, I had my doubts about Drouin. It certainly looks like he was correct in saying he belonged in The Show. He's got some dangles!!
- EnzoD

I liked what little I saw of him last year, but it was a small sample size. Even in the Finals, he looked really dangerous with the puck, and liked how unselfish he was. Alsol wonder how much of that was fueled by the agent and Yzerman. Isn't his agent known for being difficult?

Not saying Drouin doesn't have some diva in him, don't know him at personally, but felt it was a nice chance for the Hawks to grab a guy with a higher ceiling, for a couple of nice, but not potentially special players.

Wonder how Stevie would have been as GM of the Hawks. Wasn't there a rumor, or maybe it was fact, that he asked Sr about coming to the Hawks as GM?

Quickly, as in buying out Bickell first thing June 15th. Should have done that last year. JO likely would still be here and the 'Hawks would be playing in big-D on Friday.
- blackhawk24

Thats what I was thinking to act quickly on--- waiting any further than the earliest possible time to buy out Bickell seems like a major mistake-- unless there is some other solution--

That shot hit the post and went in. If he didn't see it and it hit him he would have been out of position.
- 6628

Never watch the Hawk intermission thingy, but did after the 1st period the other night and have a new found respect for Konroyd. Guy is a complete company man so little to learn from him. But after the 1st he said what I thought, Crawford has to fight through that screen on the 40 footer from Paryako.

One man in front of him and the shot is from the blueline. Get down low enough to find the puck/shooter and get to the center of the crease. He started that sequence too far to his left and the puck sizzled past to his right.

Tough save no doubt but you ain't gonna win many series this close with a .907 SPG and not stopping pucks like the one Paryako got past him.

I liked what little I saw of him last year, but it was a small sample size. Even in the Finals, he looked really dangerous with the puck, and liked how unselfish he was. Alsol wonder how much of that was fueled by the agent and Yzerman. Isn't his agent known for being difficult?

Not saying Drouin doesn't have some diva in him, don't know him at personally, but felt it was a nice chance for the Hawks to grab a guy with a higher ceiling, for a couple of nice, but not potentially special players.

Wonder how Stevie would have been as GM of the Hawks. Wasn't there a rumor, or maybe it was fact, that he asked Sr about coming to the Hawks as GM?
- howiehandles

Doubt Yzerman was even remotely close to trading him. Firstly, he wasn't going to give in to Allan Walsh and some snotty nosed kid; he couldn't and had the support on that from all of the managers and owners around the league.

Secondly, once Drouin was sitting at home any of the offers he may have been considering went lower.

Stevie Y doesn't take any crap from anybody and there is a ton of respect for him in hockey circles. And when he finally had to trade Marty St.Louis, he still took Glen Sather to the cleaners in the deal. He can be the GM in Chicago anytime.

JJ reported Stevie Y's demands to be in the ballpark there but maybe Schmaltz instead of Tuevo. At the time, I had my doubts about Drouin. It certainly looks like he was correct in saying he belonged in The Show. He's got some dangles!!
- EnzoD

No way to know for sure and who knows where Ladd would have ended up if we put up for JD.

Crawford gets snubbed again...

Holtby, Quick and Bishop are nominated for the Vezina.
- DarthKane

CC had to be 4th right? Or did Schneider get voted over him too?

more I think about it more I think Bowman may deal off 50.

Checked the cap site and Panarin has same 2.575 cherry for next year in bonuses as this year, which he hit. So if he hits again + his raise to say 5 AAV, which isn't unreasonable given his production and talent, that's an increase of 7.5+ million JUST to him before trying to extend Shaw past the 1 year friendly deal.........

Amazing no beat writers went down this road....actually not surprised, but this just doesn't look like a 1 year issue but a 2 year issue AND good ole 86 is a RFA at end of next year as well.......

No wonder those bags under SBs eyes continue to get larger.......
- SteveRain

I don't think they will because there are 21,000 there every night expecting the playoffs...Without Crawford this past season and they would have been a coin toss to beat out the Wild...

Crawford's a $6 mill cap hit, not easy to move and the really bad teams don't usually rebuild with a very expensive goalie...Tallon was the last to do it Khabby and that didn't work out well at all...Except for Khabibulin.

Never watch the Hawk intermission thingy, but did after the 1st period the other night and have a new found respect for Konroyd. Guy is a complete company man so little to learn from him. But after the 1st he said what I thought, Crawford has to fight through that screen on the 40 footer from Paryako.

One man in front of him and the shot is from the blueline. Get down low enough to find the puck/shooter and get to the center of the crease. He started that sequence too far to his left and the puck sizzled past to his right.

Tough save no doubt but you ain't gonna win many series this close with a .907 SPG and not stopping pucks like the one Paryako got past him.
- Mr Ricochet

Wasn't that another high deflected shot off a Hawks stick?

Most disturbing take away:

Center Marcus Kruger on his injured left wrist: "It might never be as good as it was."
#Blackhawks
- walleyeb1

Honest and not a shock to me...Not good for a center especially.

Is it correct that teams can tender an offer sheet to RFA's starting July 1?

Any guesses on which rival teams will tender an offer to Shaw in a strategic attempt to disrupt the Hawks-- I would think that Panik will also get an offer sheet--

Bowman better make some moves on the early side and NOT wait too long--
- jb3333

Actually other teams can start to talk to an RFA before July 1.

Doubt Yzerman was even remotely close to trading him. Firstly, he wasn't going to give in to Allan Walsh and some snotty nosed kid; he couldn't and had the support on that from all of the managers and owners around the league.

Secondly, once Drouin was sitting at home any of the offers he may have been considering went lower.

Stevie Y doesn't take any crap from anybody and there is a ton of respect for him in hockey circles. And when he finally had to trade Marty St.Louis, he still took Glen Sather to the cleaners in the deal. He can be the GM in Chicago anytime.
- RickJ

Drouin will be in Tampa next year - especially if Stamkos is gone.

JJ reported Stevie Y's demands to be in the ballpark there but maybe Schmaltz instead of Tuevo. At the time, I had my doubts about Drouin. It certainly looks like he was correct in saying he belonged in The Show. He's got some dangles!!
- EnzoD

I'll take Fabbri for Schmaltz................

Care to elaborate? Very curious.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

>Toews himself admitted he did not put on a pair of skates this summer until 2 weeks (or less) before training camp
>Toews also said that he had things he needed to work on
>Some of things I believe Toews needs to work on are:
>Reestablishing himself as an open ice threat off the rush 5 on 5 -- JT was very dynamic in open ice in his early years -- his game has stagnated into a series of predictable moves below the goal line (The TVR assist in Game 6 in which JT came with serious speed behind the puck has to happen much more)
>And JT needs to be the open ice 1 on 1 threat he was when younger
>I would encourage JT to practice carrying the puck crossing over at the highest speeds possible
>Also work a lot on speed changes -- JT crossed the blueline at the same speed an awful lot -- easy for the defender to gauge his gap control
>Shot creation -- Kane can now create his own shot in any situation from any area on the ice -- JT needs to improve his overall puck protection and "tight-space" movement sequences to do so
>An area of skating Toews excels in but underutilizes is his mohawk moves -- JT would be smart to borrow a page from Crosby on this skating move -- and add some speed to his mohawks -- would help him escape tight quarters, puck protect and create chances
>Shooting -- Toews while a deadly 5-hole shooter -- can improve greatly in many other areas
>JT seldom, if ever. shoots in stride, does not really have a one-timer, and though he did have an awesome top-shelf slapshot goal this year in the regular season his "clapper" is well below par with his superstar level as an overall player
>There are some overall shot mechanics JT can improve on, too -- but I'm not going to mention them now
>Below the goal line play -- JT needs to add new escape moves into his overall "tight quarters" situations with the puck
>One specific move that would benefit JT greatly is the "chuck" of the defender with the free bottom hand
>That is -- JT pushing the defender away from him with his bottom hand (his left) while controlling the puck with his top hand (his right) to escape
>JT can also learn new passes to himself using the back of the net and/or the backboards
>Additionally, JT can work on using head fakes on the defender to set up escape spin moves
>As I said previously: JT is a great player. Rooting for him to become even greater.

Wasn't that another high deflected shot off a Hawks stick?
- Al

No, rocket blast from the point that went in clean. Steen provided the screen and was the 2nd goal....... The first goal was a beauty tip from a Boumeister blast from the point. Deflected down and bounced of the ice at about the circle.

Drouin will be in Tampa next year - especially if Stamkos is gone.
- StLBravesFan

I say so too. With or without Stamkos.

Drouin will be in Tampa next year - especially if Stamkos is gone.
- StLBravesFan

Would love to find out what was being offered around the league for Drouin. Eventually we'll here some names but my guess is everyone was low balling Yzerman.

Time will tell but this could be the old adage that the best trades are the ones you don't make......... If I'm Yzerman I let Stamkos walk instead of giving him 12-13-14 per with term.

He did skate with the Lightning this morning by the way.

>Toews himself admitted he did not put on a pair of skates this summer until 2 weeks (or less) before training camp
>Toews also said that he had things he needed to work on
>Some of things I believe Toews needs to work on are:
>Reestablishing himself as an open ice threat off the rush 5 on 5 -- JT was very dynamic in open ice in his early years -- his game has stagnated into a series of predictable moves below the goal line (The TVR assist in Game 6 in which JT came with serious speed behind the puck has to happen much more)
>And JT needs to be the open ice 1 on 1 threat he was when younger
>I would encourage JT to practice carrying the puck crossing over at the highest speeds possible
>Also work a lot on speed changes -- JT crossed the blueline at the same speed an awful lot -- easy for the defender to gauge his gap control
>Shot creation -- Kane can now create his own shot in any situation from any area on the ice -- JT needs to improve his overall puck protection and "tight-space" movement sequences to do so
>An area of skating Toews excels in but underutilizes is his mohawk moves -- JT would be smart to borrow a page from Crosby on this skating move -- and add some speed to his mohawks -- would help him escape tight quarters, puck protect and create chances
>Shooting -- Toews while a deadly 5-hole shooter -- can improve greatly in many other areas
>JT seldom, if ever. shoots in stride, does not really have a one-timer, and though he did have an awesome top-shelf slapshot goal this year in the regular season his "clapper" is well below par with his superstar level as an overall player
>There are some overall shot mechanics JT can improve on, too -- but I'm not going to mention them now
>Below the goal line play -- JT needs to add new escape moves into his overall "tight quarters" situations with the puck
>One specific move that would benefit JT greatly is the "chuck" of the defender with the free bottom hand
>That is -- JT pushing the defender away from him with his bottom hand (his left) while controlling the puck with his top hand (his right) to escape
>JT can also learn new passes to himself using the back of the net and/or the backboards
>Additionally, JT can work on using head fakes on the defender to set up escape spin moves
>As I said previously: JT is a great player. Rooting for him to become even greater.
- SnapitUpstairs

A lot of great points in here Snap.

And I think watching a little of John Tavares wouldn't hurt him either.