Wrist injury that doesn't allow your 3C to take faceoffs on his weak side. A wrist that will never be 100%...I know! 3 year extension for 2x what you made last year!!
- EnzoD

OK, slow down.

Kruger was replaced by Shaw a lot on his weak side last year and this year before the injury.

Who here has had surgery on anything and the area felt "right" 6 months later? Not me.

Nerves takes up to a year to fully regenerate. Kruger with—as some are alleging—his arm hanging off was 49% in the playoffs. Not great, not terrible, and he was really only just back form surgery.

Relax.

Also, while there is some confusion about when Kruger's NTC kicks in, the notion of this team trading him after the "odyssey" he went through last summer is far-fetched. Further, even if he were "damaged goods" (which I kinda doubt long term), then who's trading for him.

Like I said, come back from the ledge.

OK, slow down.

Kruger was replaced by Shaw a lot on his weak side last year and this year before the injury.

Who here has had surgery on anything and the area felt "right" 6 months later? Not me.

Nerves takes up to a year to fully regenerate. Kruger with—as some are alleging—his arm hanging off was 49% in the playoffs. Not great, not terrible, and he was really only just back form surgery.

Relax.

Also, while there is some confusion about when Kruger's NTC kicks in, the notion of this team trading him after the "odyssey" he went through last summer is far-fetched. Further, even if he were "damaged goods" (which I kinda doubt long term), then who's trading for him.

Like I said, come back from the ledge.
- John Jaeckel

IDK about ledge jumping, but I do know that the front office may have cost this team a championship with highly questionable navigation of the salary cap. Kruger is a vital piece of this team, no doubt. Kruger's public announcement that his wrist may never be 100% doesn't worry you a bit? You can call me a cliff jumper or a negative Nancy, but look at Boston. Questionable roster moves that remove KEY contributors (Seguin, Boychuk, Hamilton) eventually catch up to you and make you a non-factor for the Cup or a non-playoff team completely. You look at the last year+ for Stan and the Hawks with the losses of Saad, Sharp, Oduya and you cant help but see a similar trend/trajectory for this Hawks team. The ledge doesn't exist for me bc those 3 cups in 6 (now 7) comfort me. However, Stan better pull a rabbit out of his hat this summer or we are trending to Boston Bruins territory.

I think the Blackhawks are still setup to be a dynasty for a while, just got a rough first round matchup that could have easily been a Conference Finals matchup. Anyone ever consider re-configuring the Stanley Cup Playoffs? I found an article about just that in which I think their idea would make it much more fun.


http://franchisefantasyleagues.com/article.htm

IDK about ledge jumping, but I do know that the front office may have cost this team a championship with highly questionable navigation of the salary cap. Kruger is a vital piece of this team, no doubt. Kruger's public announcement that his wrist may never be 100% doesn't worry you a bit? You can call me a cliff jumper or a negative Nancy, but look at Boston. Questionable roster moves that remove KEY contributors (Seguin, Boychuk, Hamilton) eventually catch up to you and make you a non-factor for the Cup or a non-playoff team completely. You look at the last year+ for Stan and the Hawks with the losses of Saad, Sharp, Oduya and you cant help but see a similar trend/trajectory for this Hawks team. The ledge doesn't exist for me bc those 3 cups in 6 (now 7) comfort me. However, Stan better pull a rabbit out of his hat this summer or we are trending to Boston Bruins territory.
- EnzoD

what happened to the Dynasty?

kaner=gone

Seabrook, only has a NTC till july 1st and Kruger is still restricted so he can get traded. If you are not open to making tough decesions on what is best for the team and put individual players in front of what is best for the Organization then you should not be a GM. Is Seabs going to be upset? sure but when you try and get every penny out of a cap strapped org then you are 1/2 to blame for getting traded. Kruger assuming he has trade value now (he bickell'ed us) by saying his wrist may never be 100%. We made good on his deal. His contract is 10.5 Mil over 4 years, no one would say we did not do him right on his 2nd deal, factoring in how his 2015 season went. he helped us and we did him a solid back. hawks are even.
- kmw4631

If Kruger were legitimately damaged goods, who would trade for him? You raise Bickell as a comparator. Exactly.

But Kruger looked like a pretty good player in Round 1 only just back from surgery. Not exactly Bickell.

And there really is almost no precedent for dealing a guy right before a new deal kicks in—especially not after he took homer discount for a year. They signed him for some good hockey reasons, and aside form maybe SOME concern over his face-offs going forward, why do they decide now to deal him? The only thing you can suggest that's changed is Panarin bhit his bonuses. But they knew that would happen in all likelihood, when they signed Kruger.

The temptation to dismiss Kruger has always been strong on this board. But one thing is clear—he, like Hossa, Toews and a few others—is completely agreed on by Q, Stanley and Scotty as an important piece.

We can compare points and goals all we want, but Kruger does a few very important jobs very well that some of the more glamorous guys on the roster don't.

what happened to the Dynasty?

kaner=gone
- Fountain-San

The Dynasty is 3 Cups in 6 seasons and 5 WCF in that time, all while navigating the salary cap. Anything else troll?

$5 Million for a guy with less than 40 career goals in 330 games?

IDK about ledge jumping, but I do know that the front office may have cost this team a championship with highly questionable navigation of the salary cap. Kruger is a vital piece of this team, no doubt. Kruger's public announcement that his wrist may never be 100% doesn't worry you a bit? You can call me a cliff jumper or a negative Nancy, but look at Boston. Questionable roster moves that remove KEY contributors (Seguin, Boychuk, Hamilton) eventually catch up to you and make you a non-factor for the Cup or a non-playoff team completely. You look at the last year+ for Stan and the Hawks with the losses of Saad, Sharp, Oduya and you cant help but see a similar trend/trajectory for this Hawks team. The ledge doesn't exist for me bc those 3 cups in 6 (now 7) comfort me. However, Stan better pull a rabbit out of his hat this summer or we are trending to Boston Bruins territory.
- EnzoD

A bit. Not much. I had surgery last May, still don't have 100% feeling returned in the area. He was a pretty effective player for just being back from major surgery in the playoffs. So no, I am not real worried honestly.

OK, slow down.

Kruger was replaced by Shaw a lot on his weak side last year and this year before the injury.

Who here has had surgery on anything and the area felt "right" 6 months later? Not me.

Nerves takes up to a year to fully regenerate. Kruger with—as some are alleging—his arm hanging off was 49% in the playoffs. Not great, not terrible, and he was really only just back form surgery.

Relax.

Also, while there is some confusion about when Kruger's NTC kicks in, the notion of this team trading him after the "odyssey" he went through last summer is far-fetched. Further, even if he were "damaged goods" (which I kinda doubt long term), then who's trading for him.

Like I said, come back from the ledge.
- John Jaeckel

No ledge to come back from, simply quoting Kruger's response to Chris Kuc:

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

I'm not surprised by this, but don't see it as the end of the world either.

$5 Million for a guy with less than 40 career goals in 330 games?
- BINGO!

Who are you talking about?

Who are you talking about?
- John Jaeckel

A certain poster here suggested Dale Weise could get $4-5 million per year this offseason.

A bit. Not much. I had surgery last May, still don't have 100% feeling returned in the area. He was a pretty effective player for just being back from major surgery in the playoffs. So no, I am not real worried honestly.
- John Jaeckel

I agree that he has a very high hockey IQ, great compete level, can win draws, and can match up with the opposition's top line. I would also agree that Kruger-Hossa together as a defensive-focused 3rd line is something that Q could go back to next season. I'm a Kruger fan, but I have my doubts about whether or not Stan can make this team a legit top 5 team in the NHL again. Plugging in AHLers or league-minimum UFAs brings the Hawks to the exact same level they were at before the TDL this year..above average. Time will tell.

A certain poster here suggested Dale Weise could get $4-5 million per year this offseason.
- BINGO!

$4milx4years. Book it BINGO!

If Kruger were legitimately damaged goods, who would trade for him? You raise Bickell as a comparator. Exactly.

But Kruger looked like a pretty good player in Round 1 only just back from surgery. Not exactly Bickell.

And there really is almost no precedent for dealing a guy right before a new deal kicks in—especially not after he took homer discount for a year. They signed him for some good hockey reasons, and aside form maybe SOME concern over his face-offs going forward, why do they decide now to deal him? The only thing you can suggest that's changed is Panarin bhit his bonuses. But they knew that would happen in all likelihood, when they signed Kruger.

The temptation to dismiss Kruger has always been strong on this board. But one thing is clear—he, like Hossa, Toews and a few others—is completely agreed on by Q, Stanley and Scotty as an important piece.

We can compare points and goals all we want, but Kruger does a few very important jobs very well that some of the more glamorous guys on the roster don't.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, I've compared his role to the "Draper" role during the reign of the Red Wings. Very dominant bottom line and PK force.

That said, I'm gravitating towards Enzo that this could be a marginal Hawks team next year who might feel accomplished by securing a playoff spot in a division where everyone is getting better, not dropping value pieces every summer.

A certain poster here suggested Dale Weise could get $4-5 million per year this offseason.
- BINGO!

Hey if someone wants Weise at even $3 million per, they can have him. He's a fourth line player on a good team.

Well I agree with you but I was called out yesterday for being a negative nancy by some mouth piece. Amazing how people can ignore numbers and try to spin bs.

See what bowman says or doesn't say today.....
- SteveRain

Yesterday's media event is the one I pay the least attention to...
Bowman will never talk down a prospect and most of the kids he mentions never really break a sweat Chicago.

JJ, I've compared his role to the "Draper" role during the reign of the Red Wings. Very dominant bottom line and PK force.

That said, I'm gravitating towards Enzo that this could be a marginal Hawks team next year who might feel accomplished by securing a playoff spot in a division where everyone is getting better, not dropping value pieces every summer.
- phantasmo

It's a fair argument, and I have said, the piece(s) they need to part with may raise some eyebrows and cause some consternation. All that said, I don't think it's him for a few good reasons.

Yesterday's media event is the one I pay the least attention to...
Bowman will never talk down a prospect and most of the kids he mentions never really break a sweat Chicago.
- Al

Yep. And I think the Swedish Cavalry comments are just to say: "we know we have a huge hole on D—but you're not gonna see us sweat either."

Hey if someone wants Weise at even $3 million per, they can have him. He's a fourth line player on a good team.
- John Jaeckel

I know it's unlikely, but hopefully Stan can trade away the negotiation rights to a couple of the UFAs and grab a few extra late round draft picks.

Does anyone know how the term black aces came about? I heard it had something to do with eddie shore but the person didn't know any more than that.
- Jason Millen

Hey Jammer, I know in Chicago the guys who came up for the playoffs after their season was over used to wear black sweaters as opposed to the red or white that the regular players would have on and they called those guys black aces. I'm not aware of any reason other than that, but perhaps they were given a black sweater for a particular reason that pre-dates me. Maybe Wiz can help.
I had a few wayward high school days hanging with those guys after practice as some were in the big city for the 1st time and as athletes had a pocket full of money.

OK, slow down.

Kruger was replaced by Shaw a lot on his weak side last year and this year before the injury.

Who here has had surgery on anything and the area felt "right" 6 months later? Not me.

Nerves takes up to a year to fully regenerate. Kruger with—as some are alleging—his arm hanging off was 49% in the playoffs. Not great, not terrible, and he was really only just back form surgery.

Relax.

Also, while there is some confusion about when Kruger's NTC kicks in, the notion of this team trading him after the "odyssey" he went through last summer is far-fetched. Further, even if he were "damaged goods" (which I kinda doubt long term), then who's trading for him.

Like I said, come back from the ledge.
- John Jaeckel

That's a bad injury to completely recover from and be as good as new...I think Kruger was just being honest. That doesn't mean he won't be effective, might not matter all that much except for the faceoffs which could be an issue....He wasn't a sniper.

Some talk on possibly moving TVR-I think there would be interest but he is signed at a good pay rate for 2 more years- He should gain more confidence and get better.
He would be tough for me to part with but not untouchable.

Can we get back to reality and stop playing in video game world?

Seabrook isn't going anywhere. You don't give him an extension, with a movement clause, and the "A", and 6 months later say "Bah Bye" unless the player wants out. There has been no indication of that yet.

Guys who are not going anywhere are 2, 4, 7, 19, 81, 88, 72, 15, 16 (the artist formerly known as #22), 50, and 86.

Yes, 86 will be here as StanBo is now backed into a corner. The value on 86 has plummeted over the past year especially with the playoffs he had. I think the days of other GM's saying "I want 86 as part of the deal for my top 6" are gone.

I don't see Crawford being moved (although I think it would be smart) as I think it would be a sign to the locker room that a step back is being taken. Darling may be a good tender, but what signal does it send to the team when they guy who's been there for 2 cups, and been a major factor, is being moved?

IMHO, there will continue to be tinkering around the edges to improve the club. I don't see any way out of the cap issues, unless the price of oil mystically gets to $100 a barrel again.

A certain poster here suggested Dale Weise could get $4-5 million per year this offseason.
- BINGO!

He will probably get something in and around 2 mil.

JJ, I've compared his role to the "Draper" role during the reign of the Red Wings. Very dominant bottom line and PK force.

That said, I'm gravitating towards Enzo that this could be a marginal Hawks team next year who might feel accomplished by securing a playoff spot in a division where everyone is getting better, not dropping value pieces every summer.
- phantasmo

I think they sign Shaw to a one-year cap-friendly deal this year with the plan that they WILL ship off a piece of the core at the end of next year in order to make room for a longer Shaw contract (a la Kruger) and room for Panarin's new contract when it kicks in.

Let Gus, Sved, and TVR have another year of development next year and see what they have in Schmaltz and Motte. Expect a first-round exit in 2017.

Then make final adjustments in summer of 2017 for a legitimate run in 2018.

EDIT: Evaluating next year may be more realistic after all the core members have a legitimate summer for the first time since 2012. I.E. - Does Hossa's offense pep up a bit? Does Seabrook improve his foot speed with rest and good off-season workout? Does TT put on some muscle and use it for hockey strength? If there are problems next year, you can't blame them on the core being totally gassed.

Can we get back to reality and stop playing in video game world?

Seabrook isn't going anywhere. You don't give him an extension, with a movement clause, and the "A", and 6 months later say "Bah Bye" unless the player wants out. There has been no indication of that yet.

Guys who are not going anywhere are 2, 4, 7, 19, 81, 88, 72, 15, 16 (the artist formerly known as #22), 50, and 86.

Yes, 86 will be here as StanBo is now backed into a corner. The value on 86 has plummeted over the past year especially with the playoffs he had. I think the days of other GM's saying "I want 86 as part of the deal for my top 6" are gone.

I don't see Crawford being moved (although I think it would be smart) as I think it would be a sign to the locker room that a step back is being taken. Darling may be a good tender, but what signal does it send to the team when they guy who's been there for 2 cups, and been a major factor, is being moved?

IMHO, there will continue to be tinkering around the edges to improve the club. I don't see any way out of the cap issues, unless the price of oil mystically gets to $100 a barrel again.
- DMCsPulledHammy

TT still is very young and at his price tag there will be considerable interest.