You're making these things up in your head. They just came up short this year in a retooling year with half the roster changed, nobody ever repeats anyways, and we lost a close game 7 to a team that might be the best in the NHL. Get a grip man, things are never as bad as you make them out to be.
- SimpleJack

Not making it up in my head.....if you don't or can't see the arrogance from this organization I don't know what to tell you. Doesn't make me a "spoiled fan" I support this team in a financial mean so I'm pretty sure I'm "committed". This team flat out lied about the Ross situation. If they didn't know until the press did about his issues like they claim, which is IMPOSSIBLE considering the organizational ladder, then they need to clean house up there. They also badly mismanaged a news conference about Kane in South Bend and took a major public black eye for it.

Q and Bowman do at times have a taxing.conflicting relationship. It's a game of egos. Q didn't field the best lineup until game 5 or 6 and it cost the Hawks. The star players coasted a lot of the season, outside of Kane, and were out performed by a hungrier Blues team. Do honestly believe the problem with this team was not being able to roll 4 lines? I sure as hell don't just like I sure as hell don't think they enough D men and the playoffs just proved it. See Hitchcock's quote about Dallas D men coming in waves unlike Chicago? That's from a HOF coach....a guy who in the past has been pretty supportive of the Hawks.

I don't care if you question my posts as negative or whatever else, but I can question yours for being naïve in thinking that the cap isn't going to hurt this team this summer and it's going to take more then just rest of the core for this team to get back to championship form. And you what? That's ok......Bowman went all in and you can't blame for it, but what I can question is some bad deals to under performing players with short bodies of work that warranted pay increases that he gave out, and his willingness to hand out NMCs or NTCs like it's a beanie baby Sunday at Wrigley under the McDonough Cubs.

This team has a great core but to fill needs and resign key irreplaceable players like Shaw, he is going to have make some bold moves in what will be a buyers market....again....and history shows us in a buyers market like 2010, 2015 Bowman doesn't always succeed in making the correct move and getting the biggest return on his asset.

You do realize in that when he traded Sharp/Johns/Saad/Garbutt/Daley and let Oduya walk....all he has to show for it is Anisimnov, Scuderi's retained salary and Kruger at a ridiculous cap hit....correct?

This expansion draft is going to be ugly... Yet another way that Bettman is a pile of crap. You approve contracts w/ NMC's, and then you penalize teams during the expansion draft... You approve contracts (pre CBA), and then turn around a screw over every team who put those contracts into place (even though they were prior to CBA). The idea to penalize teams trying to circumvent the cap is all fine, but the hypocrisy of league management is laughable to retroactively burn those teams. Hossa' contract will become an issue just like Pronger's contract was (which may still be floating around out there)...
- Frenchy4488

Technically, wasn't Pronger an employee of the NHL, and not a player, when he was traded? Therefore, shouldn't Pho be penalized because his salary should not count toward the cap salary? Talk about circumventing the cap!

If a team is trying to resign players and gets to 9 or more...How can the league argue? Let's just say the Hawks resigned Shaw and extended Panik and Darling. And to get them to sign for less, they give them NMCs. It's possible...and I can't imagine the league would be able to fight it. Unless, there's a clause in the CBA that caps the number of NMCs on a team.
- CanOCorn

Expansion draft is likely next June. Shaw and Panik will still be ineligible for NMCs, can't have one until you are eligible for UFA status. Darling will still be under current contract, which has no NMC.

But to answer more the point of your question, if the hawks tried to sign, say, Erhoff, Rozsival, and Weise to contracts with NMC's, the league could just say no to whichever was last submitted. League has the right to reject any contract they view as an attempt as an effort to circumvent the rules. The same way they could punish the Devils for the Kovalchuk contract despite there being no specific rule against it; they could punish or reject contracts trying to manipulate stuff in regards to the expansion draft.

Not making it up in my head.....if you don't or can't see the arrogance from this organization I don't know what to tell you. Doesn't make me a "spoiled fan" I support this team in a financial mean so I'm pretty sure I'm "committed". This team flat out lied about the Ross situation. If they didn't know until the press did about his issues like they claim, which is IMPOSSIBLE considering the organizational ladder, then they need to clean house up there. They also badly mismanaged a news conference about Kane in South Bend and took a major public black eye for it.

Q and Bowman do at times have a taxing.conflicting relationship. It's a game of egos. Q didn't field the best lineup until game 5 or 6 and it cost the Hawks. The star players coasted a lot of the season, outside of Kane, and were out performed by a hungrier Blues team. Do honestly believe the problem with this team was not being able to roll 4 lines? I sure as hell don't just like I sure as hell don't think they enough D men and the playoffs just proved it. See Hitchcock's quote about Dallas D men coming in waves unlike Chicago? That's from a HOF coach....a guy who in the past has been pretty supportive of the Hawks.

I don't care if you question my posts as negative or whatever else, but I can question yours for being naïve in thinking that the cap isn't going to hurt this team this summer and it's going to take more then just rest of the core for this team to get back to championship form. And you what? That's ok......Bowman went all in and you can't blame for it, but what I can question is some bad deals to under performing players with short bodies of work that warranted pay increases that he gave out, and his willingness to hand out NMCs or NTCs like it's a beanie baby Sunday at Wrigley under the McDonough Cubs.

This team has a great core but to fill needs and resign key irreplaceable players like Shaw, he is going to have make some bold moves in what will be a buyers market....again....and history shows us in a buyers market like 2010, 2015 Bowman doesn't always succeed in making the correct move and getting the biggest return on his asset.

You do realize in that when he traded Sharp/Johns/Saad/Garbutt/Daley and let Oduya walk....all he has to show for it is Anisimnov, Scuderi's retained salary and Kruger at a ridiculous cap hit....correct?
- SteveRain

Correct, but over simplification. The moves were driven by the need to generate cap space and Stan was dealing from a weak position (at no fault of his own).

I will be an interesting summer, I want to see how Stan addresses the team's needs with so little cap space to start.

There is still some potential there. A bit more seasoning and a coach who can live with an error or two or who will give him a good amount of playing time might do him some good.
- 93Joe

That sure the (frank) ain't Q.
Next.

Technically, wasn't Pronger an employee of the NHL, and not a player, when he was traded? Therefore, shouldn't Pho be penalized because his salary should not count toward the cap salary? Talk about circumventing the cap!
- powerenforcer

No. Pronger was technically still a player on the LTIR while also being an employee of the league. It felt really shady, but from a league stand point, it was no different that an active player taking a job as an actor for a commercial. Being an NHL player can happen at the same time you hold other jobs, you just can't have another job as a hockey player without retiring/ending your contract.

Side note since Pronger was brought up: would almost have been an interesting case next summer. You have to protect ALL NMC's, not just healthy players. So Coyotes would have to protect Pronger... except he is likely to just officially retire after season ends before draft because his contract will be finished anyways.

Technically, wasn't Pronger an employee of the NHL, and not a player, when he was traded? Therefore, shouldn't Pho be penalized because his salary should not count toward the cap salary? Talk about circumventing the cap!
- powerenforcer

Things like the emails that were court ordered released for the concussion situation and the entire pronger situation really help support the various conspiracy theories regarding the NHL and that's before we even get into the wheel of justice.

What was the old phrase...things that make you go hmmmmm

Panarin or Crawford after this season so rather than deal from ultimate point of weakness next summer, sell high on Crow and address the Blue line both in the present and future.
- EnzoD

Yeah, it's the only move that makes sense. Really is. Hossa ideally should be moved as for what he is now, a very good defensive player with probably 10-15 goals in him per year, he doesn't warrant the cap hit. Won't happen due to recapture.

Very curious to see where this cap ends up at. No Canadian playoff teams which will hurt HRR compared to previous years when Van, Mont, Ottawa, Calgary, Wpg were all in the playoffs. Also have a bad Canadian dollar so the huge TV deal wont hit as much.

So with a stagnant or very small increase leaves a buyers market and GMs love it. Look at what Snow did on the Island when he got Boychuck and Leddy in that climate. Teams will be circling and if Bowman wants to flip the tables you offer something like Crawford. I wouldn't discount Seabrook but a right handed, top pair, offensive producing D man with 3 cups and a HUGE leader on that team isn't replaced by a cost controlled D man and then you are left with said d man, keith, hammer, and TVR as your top 4?

Trade CC....get back a 1st round pick, maybe a top defensive prospect, save the cash, and then you can sign Shaw, extend Panarin, you lose Bickell's crap deal next summer, lose Scuderi's RSA and you are quickly coming back up to the contender surface....

Darling remind me a lot of Crawford. Just need a cheap inexpensive veteran to back him up who could steal the job if Darling implodes...similar to deal they gave Turco.

I just don't see Bowman pulling those strings. Instead he'll try to trade Bickell for the 9000 time, find no takers, let shaw walk, and light and this team gets weaker.

No. Pronger was technically still a player on the LTIR while also being an employee of the league. It felt really shady, but from a league stand point, it was no different that an active player taking a job as an actor for a commercial. Being an NHL player can happen at the same time you hold other jobs, you just can't have another job as a hockey player without retiring/ending your contract.
- Antilles

Potential big difference - still being paid by a team and the league at the same time while also being involved in decisions that affect all teams (not just league wide marketing for example)

Not making it up in my head.....if you don't or can't see the arrogance from this organization I don't know what to tell you. Doesn't make me a "spoiled fan" I support this team in a financial mean so I'm pretty sure I'm "committed". This team flat out lied about the Ross situation. If they didn't know until the press did about his issues like they claim, which is IMPOSSIBLE considering the organizational ladder, then they need to clean house up there. They also badly mismanaged a news conference about Kane in South Bend and took a major public black eye for it.

Q and Bowman do at times have a taxing.conflicting relationship. It's a game of egos. Q didn't field the best lineup until game 5 or 6 and it cost the Hawks. The star players coasted a lot of the season, outside of Kane, and were out performed by a hungrier Blues team. Do honestly believe the problem with this team was not being able to roll 4 lines? I sure as hell don't just like I sure as hell don't think they enough D men and the playoffs just proved it. See Hitchcock's quote about Dallas D men coming in waves unlike Chicago? That's from a HOF coach....a guy who in the past has been pretty supportive of the Hawks.

I don't care if you question my posts as negative or whatever else, but I can question yours for being naïve in thinking that the cap isn't going to hurt this team this summer and it's going to take more then just rest of the core for this team to get back to championship form. And you what? That's ok......Bowman went all in and you can't blame for it, but what I can question is some bad deals to under performing players with short bodies of work that warranted pay increases that he gave out, and his willingness to hand out NMCs or NTCs like it's a beanie baby Sunday at Wrigley under the McDonough Cubs.

This team has a great core but to fill needs and resign key irreplaceable players like Shaw, he is going to have make some bold moves in what will be a buyers market....again....and history shows us in a buyers market like 2010, 2015 Bowman doesn't always succeed in making the correct move and getting the biggest return on his asset.

You do realize in that when he traded Sharp/Johns/Saad/Garbutt/Daley and let Oduya walk....all he has to show for it is Anisimnov, Scuderi's retained salary and Kruger at a ridiculous cap hit....correct?
- SteveRain

Rain, that guy would be talking up the ship in a lifeboat off the Titanic. Don't waste your time.

Correct, but over simplification. The moves were driven by the need to generate cap space and Stan was dealing from a weak position (at no fault of his own).

I will be an interesting summer, I want to see how Stan addresses the team's needs with so little cap space to start.
- DarthKane

How wasn't the position Stan's fault? Didn't sign those guys and not trade Bickell a year earlier when it was evident the guy couldn't skate anymore and still had value?

The position he's in again..........is his problem by not managing the cap properly. To flip the market and go from a buyer's market to a seller's you have to have an asset somebody will pay for....and it's Crawford.

Rain, that guy would be talking up the ship in a lifeboat off the Titanic. Don't waste your time.
- 6628

Well played......moving on........

Potential big difference - still being paid by a team and the league at the same time while also being involved in decisions that affect all teams (not just league wide marketing for example)
- Jason Millen

Different in your eyes, perhaps. But clearly not in the eyes of the league, as they allowed it.

That sure the (frank) ain't Q.
Next.
- savvyone-1

Not a Q hater but I do agree with you that he didn't field his best lineup early on. I don't know what Weise did, but sitting a proven playoff guy was stupid. Guy comes in, and was arguably their best forward in games 5 and 6. Had jump and created havoc and scoring chances.

As far as D men goes....ugh......outside of 2/4/7 I just gave up caring because they all blended in and were all equally as bad. Thought 57 progressed as the series went t on but I don't know if he's a top 4 guy.....I liked 52 earlier on but his game went to hell and he made some bone headed plays like the play leading up to Brouwer's goal in game 7. 32 is done. 43 needs to become a WWE superstar because he's horrid, and 5......well 5........I can't wait until Bowman gets my Martellus Wallace clip sent to him when he's talking to Butch about pride in his bar.....You know what they say about pride.........that's Bowman in regards to Rundblad. Cut. Him. Loose. Admit the mistake.

Different in your eyes, perhaps. But clearly not in the eyes of the league, as they allowed it.
- Antilles

Going to get stones thrown at me, but I hope you guys win the cup. Would rather lose to the champion, add some more spice to this rivalry, then see you guys bow out this round. Not a fan of Dallas.

Plus I travel to STL so it's good for business if you guys win.....

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 8s8 seconds ago
#Blackhawks announce Artem Anisimov had surgery on his right wrist. Team doctor expects full recovery in 6-8 weeks.
- DarthKane

Jesus...

Hossa - bum knee(s)
Anisimov - bum wrist
Teravainen - bum shoulder and bum courage
Kane - black finger someone on this board saw (broken?)
Toews - bum hip flexor
Kruger - recovering wrist
Shaw - bum back
Keith - bum divorce alimony
Seabrook - bum back
Hjalmarrson - black and blue all over
Rozsival - probably bum ankle
Rundblad - bum
Crawford - bum concussion

Am I forgetting anyone?

Yeah, it's the only move that makes sense. Really is. Hossa ideally should be moved as for what he is now, a very good defensive player with probably 10-15 goals in him per year, he doesn't warrant the cap hit. Won't happen due to recapture.

Very curious to see where this cap ends up at. No Canadian playoff teams which will hurt HRR compared to previous years when Van, Mont, Ottawa, Calgary, Wpg were all in the playoffs. Also have a bad Canadian dollar so the huge TV deal wont hit as much.

So with a stagnant or very small increase leaves a buyers market and GMs love it. Look at what Snow did on the Island when he got Boychuck and Leddy in that climate. Teams will be circling and if Bowman wants to flip the tables you offer something like Crawford. I wouldn't discount Seabrook but a right handed, top pair, offensive producing D man with 3 cups and a HUGE leader on that team isn't replaced by a cost controlled D man and then you are left with said d man, keith, hammer, and TVR as your top 4?

Trade CC....get back a 1st round pick, maybe a top defensive prospect, save the cash, and then you can sign Shaw, extend Panarin, you lose Bickell's crap deal next summer, lose Scuderi's RSA and you are quickly coming back up to the contender surface....

Darling remind me a lot of Crawford. Just need a cheap inexpensive veteran to back him up who could steal the job if Darling implodes...similar to deal they gave Turco.

I just don't see Bowman pulling those strings. Instead he'll try to trade Bickell for the 9000 time, find no takers, let shaw walk, and light and this team gets weaker.
- SteveRain

Steve

I'm not sure the math on trading CC works. One of the things I hope to explore this summer is the cap situation of the central teams. I would think the Hawks have to get an experienced goalie to replace him (think only 4mm difference on CC vs new guy). Shaw, panik, Rasmussen (or other) is at least a 2mm raise. Kruger cap raise of 1.5mm. Net zero. So trading CC allows you to resign shaw and absorb Kruger's raise.

I realize I am missing a lot of parts - hence the summer work I want to do.

Not making it up in my head.....if you don't or can't see the arrogance from this organization I don't know what to tell you. Doesn't make me a "spoiled fan" I support this team in a financial mean so I'm pretty sure I'm "committed". This team flat out lied about the Ross situation. If they didn't know until the press did about his issues like they claim, which is IMPOSSIBLE considering the organizational ladder, then they need to clean house up there. They also badly mismanaged a news conference about Kane in South Bend and took a major public black eye for it.

Q and Bowman do at times have a taxing.conflicting relationship. It's a game of egos. Q didn't field the best lineup until game 5 or 6 and it cost the Hawks. The star players coasted a lot of the season, outside of Kane, and were out performed by a hungrier Blues team. Do honestly believe the problem with this team was not being able to roll 4 lines? I sure as hell don't just like I sure as hell don't think they enough D men and the playoffs just proved it. See Hitchcock's quote about Dallas D men coming in waves unlike Chicago? That's from a HOF coach....a guy who in the past has been pretty supportive of the Hawks.

I don't care if you question my posts as negative or whatever else, but I can question yours for being naïve in thinking that the cap isn't going to hurt this team this summer and it's going to take more then just rest of the core for this team to get back to championship form. And you what? That's ok......Bowman went all in and you can't blame for it, but what I can question is some bad deals to under performing players with short bodies of work that warranted pay increases that he gave out, and his willingness to hand out NMCs or NTCs like it's a beanie baby Sunday at Wrigley under the McDonough Cubs.

This team has a great core but to fill needs and resign key irreplaceable players like Shaw, he is going to have make some bold moves in what will be a buyers market....again....and history shows us in a buyers market like 2010, 2015 Bowman doesn't always succeed in making the correct move and getting the biggest return on his asset.

You do realize in that when he traded Sharp/Johns/Saad/Garbutt/Daley and let Oduya walk....all he has to show for it is Anisimnov, Scuderi's retained salary and Kruger at a ridiculous cap hit....correct?
- SteveRain

And Panik. Not sure how or if he is in the club's plans, but don't count him out yet. Also, you are welcome to your opinion but success has a cost. It inflates players value beyond what they are worth. (see: Bickell, Bryan) The team has paid these players for a combination of things. 1) Stanley Cups. 2) STANLEY CUPS!

That's all that matters. Teams want players that have tasted the success of winning Stanley Cup(s) and will pay to get it sometimes. (see: Bolland, David)

Sure the contracts are inflated, but you can't operate a business like it won't succeed in the future. And if you want players to come play for you, you have to take care of them monetarily, since that's what players want at the end of the day most of the time.

As for the Kane and Ross situations, sure the Hawks botched them. I would love to hold any team/corporation to a higher standard, but the first thing teams protect is themselves. Damage control isn't that at all. It usually does more harm than good. But the one thing that does help is time. McD and the FO HAD to address the Kane situation and well, didn't do a good job at all. But, in the end, they let the system play out and we don't know what happened, but just from the way it ended up and the way the prosecutor was talking, sounds like Kane was right. Not being a fan boy, I don't know what happened, but coming from someone running for office and who doesn't fear prosecuting sexual assault cases to just up and discredit the victim, that's pretty telling.

Ross should have been cut immediately, the only thing I can think with him is...let it play out in the courts and then let him go at the end of the season. Not right, but again, teams circle the wagons.

I've learned that walking away from a team isn't going to work because I can guarantee you that there is something that will make you want to walk away from EVERY team in the league. Every team is covering up something.

Not a Q hater but I do agree with you that he didn't field his best lineup early on. I don't know what Weise did, but sitting a proven playoff guy was stupid. Guy comes in, and was arguably their best forward in games 5 and 6. Had jump and created havoc and scoring chances.

As far as D men goes....ugh......outside of 2/4/7 I just gave up caring because they all blended in and were all equally as bad. Thought 57 progressed as the series went t on but I don't know if he's a top 4 guy.....I liked 52 earlier on but his game went to hell and he made some bone headed plays like the play leading up to Brouwer's goal in game 7. 32 is done. 43 needs to become a WWE superstar because he's horrid, and 5......well 5........I can't wait until Bowman gets my Martellus Wallace clip sent to him when he's talking to Butch about pride in his bar.....You know what they say about pride.........that's Bowman in regards to Rundblad. Cut. Him. Loose. Admit the mistake.
- SteveRain

Putting the team in a 3-1 smacks of arrogance.
I think it was Maria that used the "evil genius" moniker.
We can call it whatever but we've seen this film before.

IMO, to the uninformed or maybe casual fan, it DOES look like Q is sorting things out and then makes some magical changes to get magical results.

For this sad sack, it's frustration-city with the guy. I know all about the 800 wins and the 3 Cups. I also know he's had a stacked lineup since taking over the good ship Blackhawk. And I'd argue that had some thing been done differently, we might be talking about the 5 or 6 CUPS including at least 1 b-t-b Cup runs instead.

I still point to the post-season-ending interviews with Toews, Kane, Keith where things were alluded to that point the finger right back at Q. None of those guys are going to come out publicly and state those feelings, certainly not those guys making the biggest $'s. Listen and read between the lines. I hope Q's post-season sit down with Bowman, Blunk, McD takes him to task for this year.

How wasn't the position Stan's fault? Didn't sign those guys and not trade Bickell a year earlier when it was evident the guy couldn't skate anymore and still had value?

The position he's in again..........is his problem by not managing the cap properly. To flip the market and go from a buyer's market to a seller's you have to have an asset somebody will pay for....and it's Crawford.
- SteveRain

Stan's been in this position in 2010, 2013, 2015, and again in 2016.

It's easy to say Stan should have traded Bickell earlier, but we don't know if that was a legitimate possibility and what the cost would be. Stan had to take back $4.2 million and lose Johns just to offload Sharp (who still contributes) and his $5.9 million cap hit. It's scary to think what it would have cost the team to trade Bickell.

How would you have managed the cap differently? I'm not suggesting you couldn't find better ways but keep in mind that Sharp and Bickell have NTCs which complicate matters significantly.

I guess my point is that we'll never know what could have been done differently. Were there better options for Sharp? Was there a reasonable trade for Bickell? Could Toews, Kane and Kruger all have signed for less? Could Stan have got more for Saad? Lots of people seem to think the answer to all of these questions is yes but we will never know for sure. At this point it makes more sense to focus on the future then worry about the past.

Yeah, it's the only move that makes sense. Really is. Hossa ideally should be moved as for what he is now, a very good defensive player with probably 10-15 goals in him per year, he doesn't warrant the cap hit. Won't happen due to recapture.

Very curious to see where this cap ends up at. No Canadian playoff teams which will hurt HRR compared to previous years when Van, Mont, Ottawa, Calgary, Wpg were all in the playoffs. Also have a bad Canadian dollar so the huge TV deal wont hit as much.

So with a stagnant or very small increase leaves a buyers market and GMs love it. Look at what Snow did on the Island when he got Boychuck and Leddy in that climate. Teams will be circling and if Bowman wants to flip the tables you offer something like Crawford. I wouldn't discount Seabrook but a right handed, top pair, offensive producing D man with 3 cups and a HUGE leader on that team isn't replaced by a cost controlled D man and then you are left with said d man, keith, hammer, and TVR as your top 4?

Trade CC....get back a 1st round pick, maybe a top defensive prospect, save the cash, and then you can sign Shaw, extend Panarin, you lose Bickell's crap deal next summer, lose Scuderi's RSA and you are quickly coming back up to the contender surface....

Darling remind me a lot of Crawford. Just need a cheap inexpensive veteran to back him up who could steal the job if Darling implodes...similar to deal they gave Turco.

I just don't see Bowman pulling those strings. Instead he'll try to trade Bickell for the 9000 time, find no takers, let shaw walk, and light and this team gets weaker.
- SteveRain

I think if you evaluate the value of CC and Seabrook to both the Hawks and their respective market value by position it really becomes quite simple. CC was by far more valuable to the Hawks last year versus Seabrook. CC outright carried the team for a good stretch.

From a market perspective it is far easier to find value in G and teams can get away with not spending a boat load. Look at Matt Murray of the Pens as a great example - he looked great last night and out dueled Holtby (who makes 6.1) and and has a cap hit of $206,000 i.e. 2 way contact.

You can argue that top 4 D is a much more valuable commodity, and in seabrook's case a top 2, but clearly in decline and Stan should consider selling high before the NMC kicks in and deal him at the draft. They presumably have the Czech Kempny coming in and can fill in with another vet to round out a more balanced top 6. Versus G if you were to bring in a 2 way or league minimum guy on D you get...well Rundblad only cheaper. It seems like a no brainer to me if you had to choose.

As for the Kane and Ross situations, sure the Hawks botched them. I would love to hold any team/corporation to a higher standard, but the first thing teams protect is themselves. Damage control isn't that at all. It usually does more harm than good. But the one thing that does help is time. McD and the FO HAD to address the Kane situation and well, didn't do a good job at all. But, in the end, they let the system play out and we don't know what happened, but just from the way it ended up and the way the prosecutor was talking, sounds like Kane was right. Not being a fan boy, I don't know what happened, but coming from someone running for office and who doesn't fear prosecuting sexual assault cases to just up and discredit the victim, that's pretty telling.

Ross should have been cut immediately, the only thing I can think with him is...let it play out in the courts and then let him go at the end of the season. Not right, but again, teams circle the wagons.
- CanOCorn

What I really don't get is the team re-instating Ross right away. Also the wording on the press release was really poor imho. It baffled me at the time and still does, especially after the events of last summer and fall.

Jesus...

Hossa - bum knee(s)
Anisimov - bum wrist
Teravainen - bum shoulder and bum courage
Kane - black finger someone on this board saw (broken?)
Toews - bum hip flexor
Kruger - recovering wrist
Shaw - bum back
Keith - bum divorce alimony
Seabrook - bum back
Hjalmarrson - black and blue all over
Rozsival - probably bum ankle
Rundblad - bum
Crawford - bum concussion

Am I forgetting anyone?
- DMChi2010

One thing I will say is that after Keith showed up this past fall with a bad knee he though would get better over the summer with rest, you hope they ran guys through some physicals at years end who were getting treatment so they can be 100% by October. That's 5 months away....

Hossa's knee is one that comes to mind....considering he's had knee injuries before. Kane had a hand injury a few yeas back.

You forgot Bickell....he needs to be Old Yellered.......

What I really don't get is the team re-instating Ross right away. Also the wording on the press release was really poor imho. It baffled me at the time and still does, especially after the events of last summer and fall.
- Jason Millen

Everyone keeps talking about how McDonough protects the brand...well, this is all a part of it. Admitting wrong, to corporations, looks bad and opens them up to lawsuits. Saying nothing leads to backroom deals and people just moving on.

And Panik. Not sure how or if he is in the club's plans, but don't count him out yet. Also, you are welcome to your opinion but success has a cost. It inflates players value beyond what they are worth. (see: Bickell, Bryan) The team has paid these players for a combination of things. 1) Stanley Cups. 2) STANLEY CUPS!

That's all that matters. Teams want players that have tasted the success of winning Stanley Cup(s) and will pay to get it sometimes. (see: Bolland, David)

Sure the contracts are inflated, but you can't operate a business like it won't succeed in the future. And if you want players to come play for you, you have to take care of them monetarily, since that's what players want at the end of the day most of the time.

As for the Kane and Ross situations, sure the Hawks botched them. I would love to hold any team/corporation to a higher standard, but the first thing teams protect is themselves. Damage control isn't that at all. It usually does more harm than good. But the one thing that does help is time. McD and the FO HAD to address the Kane situation and well, didn't do a good job at all. But, in the end, they let the system play out and we don't know what happened, but just from the way it ended up and the way the prosecutor was talking, sounds like Kane was right. Not being a fan boy, I don't know what happened, but coming from someone running for office and who doesn't fear prosecuting sexual assault cases to just up and discredit the victim, that's pretty telling.

Ross should have been cut immediately, the only thing I can think with him is...let it play out in the courts and then let him go at the end of the season. Not right, but again, teams circle the wagons.

I've learned that walking away from a team isn't going to work because I can guarantee you that there is something that will make you want to walk away from EVERY team in the league. Every team is covering up something.
- CanOCorn

I dont' disagree. The only thing I would say about all teams vs Hawks, very few come off as some pristine organization and taut themselves that way in the general public. So when you apply that method that's all well and fine, but when crap hits the fan like it did in August we get those very awkward press conferences, and the Hawks claming up.

I do agree that the Kane scenario is what it is. The only thing I ever asked for is that somebody get justice rather that be kane or her. Not sure anyone ever got it and I never saw any settlement news....so that is a good sign that Kane was in the right in the eyes of the law. Something grey line probably happened but we will never know. for sure.