Yes, your constant bashing of Toews continues. Look at the stats, he is what he always has been. scores high 20s low 30s in goals every year - this year, his assists just went down. Not because he was doing anything different, it is because no one could finish like years in the past. Plus, with Kruger's injury he was playing more PK.

We get that you hate Toews and you think he is overrated. But, if Toews would have taken as many shots as Kane did at the same % his shot rate was at, he would have scored 44 goals. I am sure that would have made you happy - unless you would complain that Tazer shots too much and needs to pass more.
- spudrock512

To be fair, i think the reason toews does not take as many shots as Kane is because he cant create as many shots as kane. Getting shots on net isnt like taking a shot in basketball. Kane creates way more shot chances for himself and others. Toews is a great player but cant create shots like Kane can so I dont think its a fair argument to say "kane takes more shots so he scores more, if toews took that many he would too" because yea kane getting more shots means more goals....but getting those shots is part of the equation. Toews cant get it on net as much because he is not as good on offense

Can't trade Darling at the deadline unless a better backup is in the picture.
- Al

Again, not the point. They have to know what they have in order to make an offer on a contract before he is UFA. You play Darling and make a decision by the TDL. If he doesn't sign you move him for value. Enough of these fire sales or losing young assets for little value. Maybe the Swede being signed on a one way deal was to grant them that possible option as a back up? They will need to make a decision with Darling this year. He is obviously the best option within the system to replace Crow - whenever that is.

Hooefully that means Ladd is still in the building.
- mrpaulish

what's the better deal?

ladd at 5 million for 5-6 years
OR
Shaw at 4 million for 3-4 years

Hildebrand was 1st team All American. Could be more than depth.
- tredbrta

All due respect, Drew LeBlanc won a Hobey Baker award, and he's playing in Europe.

what's the better deal?

ladd at 5 million for 5-6 years
OR
Shaw at 4 million for 3-4 years
- SteveRain

Neither - they are both too high.

The one guy the Hawks have traded that will haunt them will be Saad, until they can close that 1LW hole with 19. There's nothing a GM can do when you have X amount to spend and players wants Y. Too bad, because we saw in the cup run a young kid who finally put it all together and blossomed into a power forward. he had a pretty decent year on a crap team in Columbus.

As much as some rip on 15, I though without him 88/72 don't have the years they did. Very underrated player. Liked him in the return. I was never, or will be, a huge fan of Dano. Maybe he becomes a good nHL player but I dont' see him IMO becoming the star everyone hoped him to be, much like TT.

And for the love of god, this whole Q bashing on prospects has to stop. You aren't moving 88/81 off of RW. So if guys like dano or TT can't adjust to a LW spot OR be a very serviceable bottom 6 player then what good are they? Exactly why they were used to acquire better assets/cap space in Ladd and Bickell's $$ gone.

As far as Garbutt goes, he was a nice player, but hardly worth crying over. Sekac was a train wreck but it did free up LT cap space.

Daley...again.....didn't fit, and I beiieve he saw TVR standing in his way for top 4 minutes, and being expected to playing a constrained game which isn't his style. Just like Campbell, and jus t like Leddy based on his playoff benchings. As Al has pointed out, the cup win takes some sting out of the sharp return, but overall Bowman got fleeced but had zero leverage and had to move Sharp to make the cap work, as Kruger and Oduya, for awhile, sat by and waited......

Time will tell if I'm wrong, but I dont' plan on ever regretting the day Dano or TT left the Hawks organization.
- SteveRain

AA is a good fit for that line so far. He battles on the boards, goes low and provides net front presence for the other two to work their magic. Combine that with his PK ability - solid addition. At the very worst, he is a very good 3C on this team.

Depends upon how many unshredded groin fibers Ward has left in his legs.
- Return of the Roar

One of best memories was game 6 in 2011 when Frolik deked on the PS and Schneider fell into the net in pain as his groin stretched. Then from my seats you can see directly into the tunnel for the visistors bench and seeing that light go on.....and seeing Roberto come out....it was like a WWE match.

If only Patrick sharp could have lifted that damn back door pass on the PP in OT in game 7.....the one time he didnt' airmail the net.........

Yo Zo..........

Indeed Francis is showing how corrupted the cap system is the same way Detroilet showed the way it needed tweaked due to front loading.

And yes another sign of living in reality for StanBpwPops&McD in admitting what "might" be a mistake or mis-evaluation in moving TT out.
- Mr Ricochet

Mr. R you have been on fire the last week I've been in jail! You are spot on with the Daley situation, IMO. I'm not sure how NHL-ready Schmaltz is, but I do think that Tyler Motte has a really good shot at making this team. He was impressive at the World Championships and looks like a scrappy 200ft winger that isnt a slouch offensively, but can be trusted on the PK and in his own zone. I really like yesterday's trade (given the circumstances) and whether it's Shaw or Ladd, I think keeping even one of those players over TT was a no brainer for Stan.

Does anyone think Laddy would take Bickell's exact deal? $4milx4 years? He would then be 34 at the end of the deal and could get another decent contract for his last 3+ years in the league. Either way, I am very intrigued by the many directions that StanBo+Co can take this summer to address 2LW (Panarin is the real 1LW) and/or 4/5D with Bickell's $4mil off the books. Stan was able to give himself some negotiating leverage by shedding that cap hit EARLY in the offseason, and I think that will be huge as far as what he can do over the next few months.

Reimer is not a better goaltender than Cam Ward and never has been. He is a good 35 game a year G who usually finds a way to get injured.

And Q likes goaltenders who make themselves look big between the pipes. The Hawks have zero interest in Reimer IMO.
- RickJ

Interesting!! I don't agree or disagree but admit I'm a Ward fan even if the numbers say I probably shouldn't be. I don't think one can fully gauge Reimer fairly yet as he's played on some horrid Leaf clubs and put up some excellent save percentages doing so. And yes he's never started more than 35 games, a concern. Reminds me a bit of Lehner in Buffalo. Lotta talent there that finds ways to not play more than 30-35 games but their talent is worth taking a chance on.

What we do know is Ward has the stones to stand in the crease and win a cup. Few who ever played can say that.

I'm sure you understand there are times your thoughts aren't easily followed and the bolded is one of those times, what does it mean? Is it that 98% here should thank you for posting at a fan blog to enlighten those not in your league but not to engage? No red font intended.
- Mr Ricochet

i'll help on last bolded one i posted:
25 Ondrej Pavelec
My point on the Winnipeg's 25 Pavelec is I was pretty sure no on e was pivcking him up in fantasy hockey as a sleeper back-up as his number hve never been consostent as his play.
He has proved that he is giving his number one job away to the 2nd year Connor Hellebuyck.

I hope that helps.

As far as posting and bolding what i write:
Do I want you to thank me for taking time out of my schedule to post.
Nope.
But certainly don't want to feel my presence here (or your presence here) is unsettling...

what's the better deal?

ladd at 5 million for 5-6 years
OR
Shaw at 4 million for 3-4 years
- SteveRain

Ladd at 5m x 5 would be excellent.

One of best memories was game 6 in 2011 when Frolik deked on the PS and Schneider fell into the net in pain as his groin stretched. Then from my seats you can see directly into the tunnel for the visistors bench and seeing that light go on.....and seeing Roberto come out....it was like a WWE match.

If only Patrick sharp could have lifted that damn back door pass on the PP in OT in game 7.....the one time he didnt' airmail the net.........
- SteveRain

It is no surprise why Ward's deal is in the $3MM range now. He is officially trade bait. His shelf life is limited and he is well past his prime. Even at $3MM, anyone signing him as a "value" #1 is signing Halak 2.0.

Hooefully that means Ladd is still in the building.
- mrpaulish

I would have to think if they can't afford to keep Shaw, there is no chance on Ladd. Ladd is gonna get a decent contract.

what's the better deal?

ladd at 5 million for 5-6 years
OR
Shaw at 4 million for 3-4 years
- SteveRain

Ladd to me. I honestly think ladd would consider 5 years at 4.5...22.5 million vs 25 million i dont think breaks the deal honestly. He has made 31 million already. I dont think that the difference of 53 and 56 is going to change the way he lives very much and it sure helps the hawks out.

http://www.spotrac.com/nh...ndrew-ladd/cash-earnings/

Yes, your constant bashing of Toews continues. Look at the stats, he is what he always has been. scores high 20s low 30s in goals every year - this year, his assists just went down. Not because he was doing anything different, it is because no one could finish like years in the past. Plus, with Kruger's injury he was playing more PK.

We get that you hate Toews and you think he is overrated. But, if Toews would have taken as many shots as Kane did at the same % his shot rate was at, he would have scored 44 goals. I am sure that would have made you happy - unless you would complain that Tazer shots too much and needs to pass more.
- spudrock512

Can't agree he looked off all year. It was not just the lack of a steady LW. He looked sluggish all year. Snapitupstairs also hit on it a month or so ago. Toews has not really improved himself in any area of his game. It has been stagnant. Kane on the other hand continues to get better. I know Toews came in more developed but he should be able to work on and develop some new moves/or skills.

I would have to think if they can't afford to keep Shaw, there is no chance on Ladd. Ladd is gonna get a decent contract.
- breadbag

Gotta be one or the other thats even if Ladd will settle for 5m per.

And I would bet my left nut if that AAV starts creeping further north, Hawks start talking about moving his rights, and go back to Ladd with longer term to offset a workable AAV

Doesn't sound like Ladd is lookgin to break the bank as much as find a winner, and a place his family is comfortable living in.......hawks check off a LOT of his wishes but just wonder if 4.5-5 million gets it done. Don't see how they go higher then that.
- SteveRain

They are certainly prepared to respond if Shaw's demands are out of line. I think it will come down to both AAV AND term with him. I'm not surprised at all they have some hammering out to do.

I would have to think if they can't afford to keep Shaw, there is no chance on Ladd. Ladd is gonna get a decent contract.
- breadbag

Disagree because they aren't really comparable players. Hawks have a cost/value calculation on each—and it's likely different. Remember, if they chose to go after Ladd (or anyone) after dealing Shaw's rights, they might have all the money earmarked for Shaw to work with in addition to the room earned yesterday.

They are certainly prepared to respond if Shaw's demands are out of line. I think it will come down to both AAV AND term with him. I'm not surprised at all they have some hammering out to do.
- John Jaeckel

Neither am I and this sniffs of Saad all over again. False thinking he's a lock to sign here.

Man, how much have things changed when I'm turning in to a Stanley apologist.

My take on last summer: A+ on the Saad deal with CBJ. Did his homework, quietly went out and cultivated multiple bidders. Got the best deal. The Sharp/Johns thing, ultimately, I put on Q and his stubbornness, because of they handle Daley differently, that story perhaps ends quite differently, and better.
- John Jaeckel

A 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a very strong draft would have been the compensation for Saad from CBJ. That 1st was Zach Werenski.

I don't think AA and Dano are a bad return. A+ though is generous IMO. Stan could have gotten CBJs 2nd 1st rounder or another high pick in the deal. That would have been an A+.

As I posted earlier. Simply adding a performance clause to the trade would have helped (it would have been nice to see on TT as well). eg. Saad nets 30 plus goals gets them another pick. Hard to imagine that not being plausible... Particularly when Paliotta was added to the deal and Stan had to eat contracts coming back. They need to be accumulating quantities of picks if they are going to keep the system healthy.

Neither am I and this sniffs of Saad all over again. False thinking he's a lock to sign here.
- SteveRain

Big difference being no real spectre of offer sheet involved.

Is he {Motte} anywhere close to being NHL ready?
- z1990z

In the handful of games I saw Motte play in at Rockford, I was fairly impressed with him. However, Motte looked like he could use some time at the AHL level to settle in a bit more and adjust to the pro level.

Unless Motte makes some huge leap development-wise by the start of training camp, I'd expect him to be learning to ply his trade in Rockford next season.

Ladd at 5m x 5 would be excellent.
- mrpaulish

5 years for Ladd is too long. Year 4 and 5 that contract will look bad. 2 or 3 years would be much better. The last thing they need to do is screw the cap up in the future by giving long term contracts to aging players.

Big difference being no real spectre of offer sheet involved.
- Return of the Roar

Never know....4+ million could be possible. If Kruger got 3 million have to think Brisson is looking at, at least 3.5-4+.

If cap lands at 73 million Hawks have a little over 8 million to use, including all bonuses, RSA, etc.

Seeing that every dollar counts, the biggest overpaid Hawk is David Rundblad at 1.05 million. This guy isn't even a NHL player and nobody wants him. What is his buyout amount?

1. Continue to clear cap space, ie Shaw and/or Crawford.
2. Resign Panarin
3. Sign Ladd/Boedker
4. Campbell on a 1yr
5. Matt Martin (Please! 365 hits last season)
6. Sign McGinn 3LW
7. Luke Schenn??? Maybe?
8. Sign Schmaltz

If the price for Crawford is a #1 pick and depending on where the pick is, I would take it. I would also see what the return is for Shaw. If we move Crawford we have 15 mil to fill out the roster.



- gifman

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