Here's another quote from the same person who reported it earlier. Since they were going after him, it's quite possible he was hurt much earlier in the series. But, given the Hawks' general unwillingness to share and/or admit to injuries, we'll never know.


- pdx2ord

So, intent to injure. Stay "classy" St Louis!

I know this is off-topic, but Chicago sports ... what the heck.

I too was upset with the pick at first, but then I began to use my brain rather than my heart and my opinion was completely swayed.

Given the circumstances of the players available on the board, there wasn't much of a discrepancy in talent. Buckner falling would have been nice, but that wasn't likely. Tunsil was too much of a risk off-the-field, and Jack is on the verge of having to need major surgery which players usually don't recover from very well if I'm not mistaken. Other than that, what other talents were there for the taking at #9? It's evident that the Bears traded up BECAUSE they felt that the Giants were a threat to take Floyd at #10, one pick ahead of the Bears. And we all know the last time the Bears got sniped with a pick (Aaron Donald two years ago). Ryan Pace and co. wanted their guy, and they made sure they'd be able to get him by forking over a measly fourth round pick (the pick they got for Bennett) to move up. As a result, the Giants apparently panicked and took a corner (or so some reports say).

You can never have enough pass rushers in this league, and the Broncos showed exactly that this past season. Of all the pass rushing options the Bears do have, NONE of them are home-grown, and none of them are that young. Floyd gives the Bears a new dimension, and considering that the team already has pass rush depth with the likes of McPhee, Houston, and Young, there shouldn't be too much pressure on Floyd to perform in his rookie season. I'm sure he'll be used in a situational role and will be eased in with his transition. He's still raw, so it's okay, but the talent is obviously there and oozing. A good defense starts and ends with the front-seven, and getting to the quarterback is the most important part. The Bears are attempting to shore up their linebackers, which was the biggest flaw in the team last season, and Pace has done a nice job completely revamping that aspect of the team.

Looking forward to tomorrow, there is still considerable depth along the d-line left, and the Bears should use their second round pick to add a defensive end to compliment Hicks. If Pace succeeds in this, I will give him full marks for his draft. He had a strong draft last year, and White didn't even play. I'm confident that him and Fox know what they are doing and that they are building the roster the right way.

The new season can't get here soon enough. I'm itching to see how it all plays out and how the team performs with a much-improved linebacker corps leading the defense, and another year in their brand new systems under their belt.

I don't think we win a SB or anything this year, but the playoffs are a legitimate target.
- TommyHawk

Hey Tommy hope you're well. Was pretty shocked - the kid plays all over the place, but had only what 4 sacks last season. Waiting to see what Pace does tonight with two picks. I hear you on Donald. Still not thrilled with the Fuller pick either when the safety from Alabama was on the board a couple years back but that was before Pace and Co.

And granted I have a lot more respect for a guy like Fangio who made chicken salad out of chicken sh-t with that defense last season.

I look at three pivotal moves the last two summers:

Leddy, Saad, Sharp/Johns.

What do the Hawks have to show for those three trades? Ville Pokka, Artem Anisimov and indirectly, (Jeremy Morin was re-acquired in the Saad deal) Richard Panik.

Overall, Stan is a net negative on those deals. Fairly substantially although he did save some cap room.

When i look at the deals form 2010-11, again, substantial cap savings, but pretty horrible net player return.

The thing about the trades of the last two summers is there is evidence he waited a LONG time to pull the trigger on Leddy and Sharp/Johns. And it is HARD to believe that he received lesser offers up to the point he dealt them in either case.

The problem with Bowman and this front office (post-Tallon) is they are slow to act and they have a reputation (deserved or not) throughout the NHL that they are difficult to trade with because they never seem to want to finalize anything for do value for value deals (which I have heard from both the Hawk organization and another NHL organization).

Interestingly, you can argue Anisimov, Dano and Morin were the best return of any of the three deals. The difference? Bowman and the FO KNEW he had to act quickly and take the best offer.

Maybe they learn from that and do the same this summer. If they wait, I believe 29 other GMs know you can wait them out and get them to cave for whatever they can get at the last minute (Sharp, Leddy, Bickell, etc).

And then they will talk about the Great Wave of Swedish D-Men coming, TT's brilliant offseason and becoming the Incredible Hulk, etc.

It's put up or shut up time for this FO.
- John Jaeckel

When you look at what they've given up and the return it makes you want to reach for an airsick bag. Dale was moved out because he wouldn't be McD's lackey and its become a clown show. Yes they've won two more cups but again that's with a core that was already in place.

Cups don't just come along. When you have this core of players you need to do whatever is necessary to put yourself in the best position to win it. And we've now seen Stan the man whiff twice out of the last three years. After 13 they knew they needed center depth/defense and could have moved either Bickell or Sharp. Crickets.

Two summers ago its Leddy...and now we have a guy who's slower than Rosy in the system in Pokka.

This season Stan knew since the parade he needed to fix the defense. But doesn't buyout Bickell and then resigns a guy that can't play while leaving Oduya to twist in the wind. The Sharp trade was BS. And how bout Daley nice turnover last night for the Pens.

The blueprint on the Hawks FO is out and has been for a while. They fold like an accordion. And don't worry about waiting them out they'll do that themselves. And as you mentioned the only time Stan doesn't flub a trade is when he's forced to act quickly.

I'd love to see the FO actually be held accountable, but its McD's team and nothing will happen while McD can play speed dial with Scotty B.

Isn't the Selke for the best DEFENSIVE forward?
- StLBravesFan

I dug more. He's a plus 34 but he's 63rd in Takeaways. Bergeron 7th.

When you look at what they've given up and the return it makes you want to reach for an airsick bag. Dale was moved out because he wouldn't be McD's lackey and its become a clown show. Yes they've won two more cups but again that's with a core that was already in place.

Cups don't just come along. When you have this core of players you need to do whatever is necessary to put yourself in the best position to win it. And we've now seen Stan the man whiff twice out of the last three years. After 13 they knew they needed center depth/defense and could have moved either Bickell or Sharp. Crickets.

Two summers ago its Leddy...and now we have a guy who's slower than Rosy in the system in Pokka.

This season Stan knew since the parade he needed to fix the defense. But doesn't buyout Bickell and then resigns a guy that can't play while leaving Oduya to twist in the wind. The Sharp trade was BS. And how bout Daley nice turnover last night for the Pens.

The blueprint on the Hawks FO is out and has been for a while. They fold like an accordion. And don't worry about waiting them out they'll do that themselves. And as you mentioned the only time Stan doesn't flub a trade is when he's forced to act quickly.

I'd love to see the FO actually be held accountable, but its McD's team and nothing will happen while McD can play speed dial with Scotty B.
- DK002

I'd say Bowman came out on top on the Anisimov trade. However I think it had more to do with Jarmo, who is definitely not part of the old boys club, feeling pressure to make a move as well.

Take comfort Hawks fans...Ryan Pace just outbowmaned Bowman with a horrid move trading up for a bust...and gave up his first pick in the 4th for Shea Mac 2.0. Yikes.
- DK002

Yeah, that's a major roll of the dice.

When you look at what they've given up and the return it makes you want to reach for an airsick bag. Dale was moved out because he wouldn't be McD's lackey and its become a clown show. Yes they've won two more cups but again that's with a core that was already in place.

Cups don't just come along. When you have this core of players you need to do whatever is necessary to put yourself in the best position to win it. And we've now seen Stan the man whiff twice out of the last three years. After 13 they knew they needed center depth/defense and could have moved either Bickell or Sharp. Crickets.

Two summers ago its Leddy...and now we have a guy who's slower than Rosy in the system in Pokka.

This season Stan knew since the parade he needed to fix the defense. But doesn't buyout Bickell and then resigns a guy that can't play while leaving Oduya to twist in the wind. The Sharp trade was BS. And how bout Daley nice turnover last night for the Pens.

The blueprint on the Hawks FO is out and has been for a while. They fold like an accordion. And don't worry about waiting them out they'll do that themselves. And as you mentioned the only time Stan doesn't flub a trade is when he's forced to act quickly.

I'd love to see the FO actually be held accountable, but its McD's team and nothing will happen while McD can play speed dial with Scotty B.
- DK002

You're right: Cups don't just come along. Two in the last four years - didn't just come along.

Failure last summer and at the TDL? Yeah - out in the first round this spring - but after two Cups in three years.

You could say it could/should have been better - gotten more for Leddy, Sharp, Johns - gotten better results after giving up Dano, Danault, Johns - be in a better cap position today - but don't we have to say something went right to get the two most recent Cups?

When you look at what they've given up and the return it makes you want to reach for an airsick bag. Dale was moved out because he wouldn't be McD's lackey and its become a clown show. Yes they've won two more cups but again that's with a core that was already in place.

Cups don't just come along. When you have this core of players you need to do whatever is necessary to put yourself in the best position to win it. And we've now seen Stan the man whiff twice out of the last three years. After 13 they knew they needed center depth/defense and could have moved either Bickell or Sharp. Crickets.

Two summers ago its Leddy...and now we have a guy who's slower than Rosy in the system in Pokka.

This season Stan knew since the parade he needed to fix the defense. But doesn't buyout Bickell and then resigns a guy that can't play while leaving Oduya to twist in the wind. The Sharp trade was BS. And how bout Daley nice turnover last night for the Pens.

The blueprint on the Hawks FO is out and has been for a while. They fold like an accordion. And don't worry about waiting them out they'll do that themselves. And as you mentioned the only time Stan doesn't flub a trade is when he's forced to act quickly.

I'd love to see the FO actually be held accountable, but its McD's team and nothing will happen while McD can play speed dial with Scotty B.
- DK002

DK,

Just my take. I don't think Bowman sucks, but i also don't think he's great. A year ago, he came off 2 very good years (the Leddy deal notwithstanding). Last summer, he made one pretty good move and another pretty bad one. Again, on the first case, he moved quickly and decisively. In the second, he waited and waited and it was pointed out on this board-time was not his ally. If WE knew it, you can be damn sure Jim Nill knew it. And every other GM. Just like the Leddy deal.

So is it him, or is it also a front office as a while that is overloaded with "functionaries." I don't know, likely both.

It strikes me that there could be a "hockey trade" or two out there for this team this summer and that could be the adjustment necessary along with a full summer of rest to get this team back in the Cup picture. But if they are in cap trouble again, if they don't get out ahead of the RFA issues, and they think they can wait other teams out, expect another panic move near 9/1.

You're right: Cups don't just come along. Two in the last four years - didn't just come along.

Failure last summer and at the TDL? Yeah - out in the first round this spring - but after two Cups in three years.

You could say it could/should have been better - gotten more for Leddy, Sharp, Johns - gotten better results after giving up Dano, Danault, Johns - be in a better cap position today - but don't we have to say something went right to get the two most recent Cups?
- StLBravesFan

Some things did go right.

But, to use a golf analogy, all Stan has to do is sink some putts. 19, 88, 81, 10, 2, 7, 4, 50 get him to the green year after year—and he did not acquire them.

I am not here to litigate the past—but you HAVE to learn from it. And not be arrogant or stupid.

Again, when he tries to wait other GMs out, it seems, he gets hosed. Everyone and their brother knows the Hawks' cap situation and knows no one is taking Bickell and knows the Hawk prospect pipeline is pretty dried up. No secret. When he gets out in front of situations, like he did with Saad, because he had an offer from Pittsburgh at minimum as well, he does pretty well.

Just learn from it, and don't assume some gullible GM will fall all over himself to do business with the Chicago Blackhawks or help them out. After 3 Cups, those days are over.

DK,

Just my take. I don't think Bowman sucks, but i also don't think he's great. A year ago, he came off 2 very good years (the Leddy deal notwithstanding). Last summer, he made one pretty good move and another pretty bad one. Again, on the first case, he moved quickly and decisively. In the second, he waited and waited and it was pointed out on this board-time was not his ally. If WE knew it, you can be damn sure Jim Nill knew it. And every other GM. Just like the Leddy deal.

So is it him, or is it also a front office as a while that is overloaded with "functionaries." I don't know, likely both.

It strikes me that there could be a "hockey trade" or two out there for this team this summer and that could be the adjustment necessary along with a full summer of rest to get this team back in the Cup picture. But if they are in cap trouble again, if they don't get out ahead of the RFA issues, and they think they can wait other teams out, expect another panic move near 9/1.
- John Jaeckel

Me?
I'm expecting another panic move near 9/1.
Indecision (again) on buying out Bickell since Stan likely thinks he's still trade-able.
Argument on keeping his pet (Rundblad) although we know he's not an NHL-er.
Waiting too long to provide Shaw with an RFA offer or squaring a deal ahead of time.
Indecision on what core piece to launch to get ahead of the Cap.
Should be interesting.

BTW, Good Morning John!

Me?
I'm expecting another panic move near 9/1.
Indecision (again) on buying out Bickell since Stan likely thinks he's still trade-able.
Argument on keeping his pet (Rundblad) although we know he's not an NHL-er.
Waiting too long to provide Shaw with an RFA offer or squaring a deal ahead of time.
Indecision on what core piece to launch to get ahead of the Cap.
Should be interesting.

BTW, Good Morning John!
- savvyone-1

Good morning to you, Sav and DK and Sage and everyone. New blog going up on this topic.

You're right: Cups don't just come along. Two in the last four years - didn't just come along.

Failure last summer and at the TDL? Yeah - out in the first round this spring - but after two Cups in three years.

You could say it could/should have been better - gotten more for Leddy, Sharp, Johns - gotten better results after giving up Dano, Danault, Johns - be in a better cap position today - but don't we have to say something went right to get the two most recent Cups?
- StLBravesFan

Hey Stlou, I hear what you're saying and love that we've won two in three but the chance was there to get 4 in a row. As John mentions you have guys that will get you to the green so sink some putts. A putt would have been bailing on Bicks and Runny and resigning Oduya who waited forever in hopes he could stay here.

And again its great getting two but the mantra is One Goal isn't it? The guy running the show doesn't seem to get it.

And yes Stan did aquire Vermette last year but that was a no brainer. What's more concerning is that he wanted a guy in Timonen that hadn't played in a year when Petry was available.

Look at the way the playoffs are setting up. If you had fixed your defense you roll through the West. And I think its a Hawks Caps finals.

Morning Savvy, John...

DK,

Just my take. I don't think Bowman sucks, but i also don't think he's great. A year ago, he came off 2 very good years (the Leddy deal notwithstanding). Last summer, he made one pretty good move and another pretty bad one. Again, on the first case, he moved quickly and decisively. In the second, he waited and waited and it was pointed out on this board-time was not his ally. If WE knew it, you can be damn sure Jim Nill knew it. And every other GM. Just like the Leddy deal.

So is it him, or is it also a front office as a while that is overloaded with "functionaries." I don't know, likely both.

It strikes me that there could be a "hockey trade" or two out there for this team this summer and that could be the adjustment necessary along with a full summer of rest to get this team back in the Cup picture. But if they are in cap trouble again, if they don't get out ahead of the RFA issues, and they think they can wait other teams out, expect another panic move near 9/1.
- John Jaeckel

I wrote a happy yet profanity-laced blog entry here when Bowman made all the trades ahead of everyone else earlier this summer... Something along the "**** Yeah He's ******* Going for the ******* Cup!!" variety.

I'm glad he went shopping and didn't wait forever. The down side is that he may have paid too much, yet if he and the FO identified the targets they REALLY wanted to try to put the team over the top, and they wanted to make sure they got EXACTLY who they wanted, then kudos to them.

Hopefully, the early shopping spree at the trade deadline this year is a result of getting hosed last year. I'm hoping Stan makes a hockey trade this summer and gets everyone of RFA signed sooner rather than later. Hopefully, it's a decent trade, and he certainly has the time now to talk to the other 21 GM's who are officially focused on next year.

Still, last year was an odd circumstance in dismantling a Cup-winning team. It sounds like GM's talk to each other all the time, according to Mex, but I would imagine that when your team is in the middle of a deep playoff run, you're probably not working the phones every day. So last year, the phones go quiet around April 15th, two months later there's a parade, and then there's only 10-12 days before the draft to re-establish potential markets for the players that everyone knows you have to trade. Plus, you're so elated at winning that the emotions potentially cloud your judgement...

Some things did go right.

But, to use a golf analogy, all Stan has to do is sink some putts. 19, 88, 81, 10, 2, 7, 4, 50 get him to the green year after year—and he did not acquire them.

I am not here to litigate the past—but you HAVE to learn from it. And not be arrogant or stupid.

Again, when he tries to wait other GMs out, it seems, he gets hosed. Everyone and their brother knows the Hawks' cap situation and knows no one is taking Bickell and knows the Hawk prospect pipeline is pretty dried up. No secret. When he gets out in front of situations, like he did with Saad, because he had an offer from Pittsburgh at minimum as well, he does pretty well.

Just learn from it, and don't assume some gullible GM will fall all over himself to do business with the Chicago Blackhawks or help them out. After 3 Cups, those days are over.
- John Jaeckel

If moves are made at/or prior to the draft that would signal lessons learned from last year. If not, the arrogance of not being able to admit past mistakes is in full effect and they will get worked over again after attempting to wait it out. GM's with a clear plan want roster and cost certainty early in Summer.

Such doom and gloom, it's going to be pretty much the same team. Don't see them as much worse. I'm going to wait and see how things play out in the off season. Be able to tell much more after we see what we end up with.
- walleyeb1

Thank you. I was not questioning the quality of the roster...I was questioning if my numbers were right about the salary cap. I could have told JJ it's not a better team, on paper, but I was hoping the guy who rights the blog would at least answer the question I asked...if my numbers were right or not?

The same team=the same results in all likelihood. It's not doom and gloom, it's realism. They need to improve the team to improve the results.
- John Jaeckel

The cap makes that very difficult. Three championships is terrific, and I love the cap. But we have to be realist and admit it will be difficult to improve with our cap situation. Go young and see how we are in a couple years. We can't win it every year.