Would you rather have

A:Shaw and Kruger at $6 million or

B: Ladd and Yak at 6. million

Shaw and Kruger to Edmonton for Yak and Maroon
- Colbyboy

Would that be Laad Yak and Maroon then??

Would you rather have

A:Shaw and Kruger at $6 million or

B: Ladd and Yak at 6. million

Shaw and Kruger to Edmonton for Yak and Maroon
- Colbyboy

I'd rather have Shaw and Kruger because I know they aren't a bust like Yakupov.

Yes, those shots can work wonders. But they don't work the same for everyone and they ALWAYS wear off and one probably builds up an immunity to them as they get more shots.

Take advantage of the relief you get from the shot, it doesn't address the root cause, to rehab yourself out of the herniation without the horrible pain that comes with it and see your chiropractor. One thing is sure a back will never improve/recover without an exercise program.

With 4-5 weeks of the most simple targeted exercises without weights (easily found on the internet) at home and at 40 yrs old I rehabed myself out of drop foot in 5-6 weeks, without a chiropractor. It works.....If it doesn't you need the very, very, very, very last resort, back/neck surgery.

And stay away from oxycotin. Took one and within 5 minutes I knew exactly why and how people get addicted to those things. I was flyin in 10 minutes and I was a teen in the 70's, if you know what I mean.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree with ALL of this-- surgery is the absolute last resort--- stretching-- yoga -- anti inflammation diet-- ice-- rest== lifestyle adjustment--

I have avoided the knife for 15 years-- since the first disc injury at 40--and still play hockey 2-3 times a week -- it is sore but manageable--

Dont you know that banning is theraputic?
- ikeane

No comment.

I think there is some validity to this, but the problem some may fail to observe is that there is NO replacement for Brent Seabrook in the org. and arguably none on the open market.

Hypothetically say you trade Seabrook and Shaw to Calgary for their number 6 and say... Jokipaka. And then sign Campbell. The D core is weaker. You have 2-3 experienced defensemen (2 and 4 and 51). The bottom 3 are an unproven Kempny, TVR, and Jokipaka. At least with 2, 4, and 7, you can split them up or unite and there will be some chemistry. Otherwise, your best D pair is 2 and 4 (without Seabrook) and a mash of 3-6. The guy is absolute value to the team.

Am I open to shopping him, yes, but ONLY if an experienced and cost controlled defenseman comes back (e.g. Hamonic).
- 93Joe

If your only concern is the 2016-17 season, I agree, you keep Seabrook. But, that contract, going forward, on an aging, slowing D-man, is going to be an albatross.
I think Stan needs to look at the future....if he can get a good, young, cost controlled D-man, or #1 pick, he has to consider it.

Would that be Laad Yak and Maroon then??
- bhawks2241

Depends on the Cap
But yes Maroon and Yak coming this way

I really think Kruger gets moved as does Shaw because the FO does not want to move Crawford or Seabrook and so the lesser of two evils

Something needs to give. I agree that Yak is a gamble but at 2.5 million its a calculated risk ....especially with the leadership on this team versus the Leadership in Edmonton.

The kid has talent

If your only concern is the 2016-17 season, I agree, you keep Seabrook. But, that contract, going forward, on an aging, slowing D-man, is going to be an albatross.
I think Stan needs to look at the future....if he can get a good, young, cost controlled D-man, or #1 pick, he has to consider it.
- tompo1015

I think the bolded is the most important in a return for #7. And the contract is a concern going forward, absolutely. I think it is best to utilize his remaining "good years" to win another cup. I believe you and I agree he provides intangibles on this team and is valued. My concern is, does his departure basically affect the whole team and the defensive chemistry? Q has a ton of faith in Seabrook and counts on him a lot. That is a difficult human to replace... Especially with Q.

I think there is some validity to this, but the problem some may fail to observe is that there is NO replacement for Brent Seabrook in the org. and arguably none on the open market.

Hypothetically say you trade Seabrook and Shaw to Calgary for their number 6 and say... Jokipaka. And then sign Campbell. The D core is weaker. You have 2-3 experienced defensemen (2 and 4 and 51). The bottom 3 are an unproven Kempny, TVR, and Jokipaka. At least with 2, 4, and 7, you can split them up or unite and there will be some chemistry. Otherwise, your best D pair is 2 and 4 (without Seabrook) and a mash of 3-6. The guy is absolute value to the team.

Am I open to shopping him, yes, but ONLY if an experienced and cost controlled defenseman comes back (e.g. Hamonic).
- 93Joe

Joe, for the sake of argument lets say you moved Seabs straight up to CAL, anyone really, for a top 10 pick. They just got 7 mil lighter in debt column. But Seabs can't be replaced?

PITT won the cup with:

Latang, 29 yrs old, 7.2 hit.
Maatta, 21, 4.0 hit (gonna be a good one)
Schultz (bust out in EDM) 25, 2.0 hit (EDM retained money)
Cole, 27, 2.1 hit (journeyman never more than 12 points in a year).
Daley, 32, 3.3 hit (an abomination in Q's HOF eyes)
Lovejoy, 32, 1.2 hit. (journeyman never more than 18 points in a season)
Doumalin, 24, 800k hit. (95 regular season games)

That is a total of 20.1. For seven players and Murray at 620k.
Seabs, Keith, Hammer a total of 16.5 for three players.

Can Seabs be replaced? Can Keith be replaced? Can Toews be replaced? Can Crow be replaced? Can AA be replaced, Shaw? Can anyone be replaced?

Good to hear you got relief and I hope it stays that way for good.

On Monday I'm getting a Synvisc injection in both knees, having a tough time sleeping and I hope it works.
- Al

Good luck. I had one knee injected before. Not the panacea some make it out to be but I got a good 6 months of relief from it and will probably do it again at some point.

I'd rather have Shaw and Kruger because I know they aren't a bust like Yakupov.
- Dabearshawks

^^^^.

Career average of over 20 Goals and about 60 points/year while inflicting serious pain on the opposition. Power Forward that lays the body on the forecheck, has Top 6 skill/finishing ability, and establishes a net front presence. You can find plenty of those types of plays from Shaw + Keith too. I still want them on my team. Lucic would be a DREAM signing.

- EnzoD

AL SECORD!!!! 2016 ,I fricken hope so, enough of our guys gettin BIOTCH slapped and kicked in the ass by opposing players with no answer back especially in our own building! If it happens, "how ya like me now St.Louie! " I think McD and Scotty have seen enough of a club foot like Mashintor that is soft as a pillow,belongs playin ankle bender hockey with us, havin Q march him out there like he's Bob Probert re incarnated or something, enough of the Bow Shlit ,let's go out and get a Bonified tough guy that can play. By tough I mean top 5 fighter in the league, and I hope Q doesn't attempt to fit him with a skirt if he happens to make his way to Chicago.
27 years old 6x6, he'll be 33at the end, Ladd is 3 years older, but if they got in a tilt, Looch would come out on top. don't get,ewrong, I love Ladd but if this is serious, ya gotta go forLucic. Toews would certainly champion this move.

Agree with ALL of this-- surgery is the absolute last resort--- stretching-- yoga -- anti inflammation diet-- ice-- rest== lifestyle adjustment--

I have avoided the knife for 15 years-- since the first disc injury at 40--and still play hockey 2-3 times a week -- it is sore but manageable--
- jb3333

Having had rotator cuff tears in both shoulders, I can espouse the benefits of yoga, both in terms of building strength and range of motion. Much different than a back injury but still...I wish I had started doing it 30 years ago when I thought the only people who did yoga were weirdos. But even then I had to wait several months after each surgery to start...even the most basic poses (downward dog) puts a lot of weight and stress on a surgically repaired shoulder. Still do it a couple of times a week.

Joe, for the sake of argument lets say you moved Seabs straight up to CAL, anyone really, for a top 10 pick. They just got 7 mil lighter in debt column. But Seabs can't be replaced?

PITT won the cup with:

Latang, 29 yrs old, 7.2 hit.
Maatta, 21, 4.0 hit (gonna be a good one)
Schultz (bust out in EDM) 25, 2.0 hit (EDM retained money)
Cole, 27, 2.1 hit (journeyman never more than 12 points in a year).
Daley, 32, 3.3 hit (an abomination in Q's HOF eyes)
Lovejoy, 32, 1.2 hit. (journeyman never more than 18 points in a season)
Doumalin, 24, 800k hit. (95 regular season games)

That is a total of 20.1. For seven players and Murray at 620k.
Seabs, Keith, Hammer a total of 16.5 for three players.

Can Seabs be replaced? Can Keith be replaced? Can Toews be replaced? Can Crow be replaced? Can AA be replaced, Shaw? Can anyone be replaced?
- Mr Ricochet

And PITT has 2 Hart trophy winners up front that make all four guys on the ice better when they play with them. Hawks have only one of those.

Spot on. I had three cortisone shots in my disks that didn't work but had one in my shoulder that did. The thing about back surgery is you are going to need to do core exercises afterwards anyway so why not do them before to see how you feel. I've had back issues for 26 years now and since I've been doing core exercises (about 2 years now), the pain is 90% less. It's still there (it will never go away), but it's not debilitating to the point where I spend 2 to 3 days in bed.
- DMCsPulledHammy

This needs to be understood. One guy gets complete relief, next guy gets some, 3rd guy no relief and they all have the SAME problem. Two guys with the very same pinched nerve/blown disc, one doesn't feel a thing the other guy wants to put a bullet in his own head the pain is so bad.

Each and every person is wired differently, period. Your doc, therapist or anyone else can't be the lead man in your recovery. Only you know what hurts, how bad, what exercise works for you, makes it worse, how to sleep, ice-heat combo, meds. Trial and error no ONE size fits all cuz no two are alike.

Good to hear you are "better" (a subjective term), which for many (most) means just being able to function. As you mention better to do those core exercises when healthy cuz you'll have to do em when you're not and it's harder then.

Yes, those shots can work wonders. But they don't work the same for everyone and they ALWAYS wear off and one probably builds up an immunity to them as they get more shots.

Take advantage of the relief you get from the shot, it doesn't address the root cause, to rehab yourself out of the herniation without the horrible pain that comes with it and see your chiropractor. One thing is sure a back will never improve/recover without an exercise program.

With 4-5 weeks of the most simple targeted exercises without weights (easily found on the internet) at home and at 40 yrs old I rehabed myself out of drop foot in 5-6 weeks, without a chiropractor. It works.....If it doesn't you need the very, very, very, very last resort, back/neck surgery.

And stay away from oxycotin. Took one and within 5 minutes I knew exactly why and how people get addicted to those things. I was flyin in 10 minutes and I was a teen in the 70's, if you know what I mean.
- Mr Ricochet

IMHO, spot on in regards to cortisone and Oxy.

My experience with back/neck surgery is very different. Some surgeries should be a last resort (think fusion). Some surgeries are minimally invasive, lower risk and can have wonderful benefits (think microscopic discechtomy performed by a neurosurgeon).

Rehab/PT is huge. Focus on core and hamstrings to loosen up your lower back. Building strength and stability in the impacted areas is also big in my experience.

If anyone has specific questions on this stuff and going through it, feel free to pm me. I'm happy to share what worked for me and things I noticed though I am not an expert and you should decide what is best for you.

And PITT has 2 Hart trophy winners up front that make all four guys on the ice better when they play with them. Hawks have only one of those.
- PatShart

Yea cuz Toews is a hack. .........Ain't one of em can't be replaced Kane being the toughest to do so.

And I don't know what the hell the Hart, Ross or Toe Blake trophy is and won't ever care.

Thanks!

Honestly, I owe all of you a debt of gratitude as well. The long hours of coursework, research, commuting, house hunting, and everything else in between, I haven't had much time to have a social life. It has been everyone here that has provided comradery, friendship, and somewhat of a sense of normalcy (what is "normal" anyways?) that has kept me sane and kept me moving forward.

Without everyone in the thread, I'd probably be in a padded room by now.
- EKB13

Hopefully I speak for all, OUR pleasure.

I'd rather have Shaw and Kruger because I know they aren't a bust like Yakupov.
- Dabearshawks

or and both are quicker than Ladd

Joe, for the sake of argument lets say you moved Seabs straight up to CAL, anyone really, for a top 10 pick. They just got 7 mil lighter in debt column. But Seabs can't be replaced?

PITT won the cup with:

Latang, 29 yrs old, 7.2 hit.
Maatta, 21, 4.0 hit (gonna be a good one)
Schultz (bust out in EDM) 25, 2.0 hit (EDM retained money)
Cole, 27, 2.1 hit (journeyman never more than 12 points in a year).
Daley, 32, 3.3 hit (an abomination in Q's HOF eyes)
Lovejoy, 32, 1.2 hit. (journeyman never more than 18 points in a season)
Doumalin, 24, 800k hit. (95 regular season games)

That is a total of 20.1. For seven players and Murray at 620k.
Seabs, Keith, Hammer a total of 16.5 for three players.

Can Seabs be replaced? Can Keith be replaced? Can Toews be replaced? Can Crow be replaced? Can AA be replaced, Shaw? Can anyone be replaced?
- Mr Ricochet

Good evening Mr. R. From a business standpoint, anyone is replaceable. There I would agree with you. I like that you provided the defense of the Penguins as an example because that is relevant in my opinion. The way the team (Chicago) is currently structured is not a top-notch and arguably worse than last season (so far). I also think your point from previous blogs "to get less worse and to stop the hemorrhaging" is very important and relevant also. The Penguins rolled 4 lines and assisted the defense on every shift and that should be taken into account.

If we take Seabrook out of the equation, the team, arguably, gets more worse so to speak. If he is strong and healthy and not playing babysitter, we know he can play and compete at a high level. The core, with all three captains, hammer, and Kane can be replaced, but the chances of winning decrease dramatically. So where I stand with this is IF Seabrook is being shopped, it has to be For and NHL ready player, defenseman of course who can contribute. Another thing is that they just gave him the 'A' and a new raise which makes me think one reason is he stays put. Moving him does create some nice cap room and maybe a 1st round pick, but is it worth reading a guy who knows how to win and is probably the pillar in the locker room? I'm not against the idea entirely, I just think the Hawks become a way worse team if he is shipped.

NBA Draft tonight....awesome....


EDIT: I've been doing a bit of reading up on the Derrick Rose trade (yes I know its a hockey blog but its still a Chicago Sports blog) and the consensus is a pretty poor return for the former MVP. Anyone with more basketball knowledge care to weigh in on the D-Rose trade return?
- EnzoD

Couldn't care less. One thing about the Bulls: Get that poop off the ice!

@TSNBobMckenzie

Gudas gets a four-year deal with PHI. AAV is in the range of $3M to $3.5M.

Reeves , ott, Torres
- Abadseed

Hat trick!

Agree with ALL of this-- surgery is the absolute last resort--- stretching-- yoga -- anti inflammation diet-- ice-- rest== lifestyle adjustment--

I have avoided the knife for 15 years-- since the first disc injury at 40--and still play hockey 2-3 times a week -- it is sore but manageable--
- jb3333

I go to put a sock on one morning. The toes on my left foot won't curl up, I'm feeling no pain. Foot kinda won't work. Go to my doc, can't put a sock on, he says you completely blew a disc, you have drop foot, foot wont work gotta lift the leg at the knee to walk.

Go to the neurosurgen he shows me the MRI, annihilated/smooched/smashed/disc running up and down the spine, can have you in surgery next week. But he says:

1. Some never come out of surgery, you die.

2. You come out of surgery crippled. (wife changes my diapers)

3. I do the surgery and nothing changes.

4. I do the surgery and you're cured.

5. You can try and rehab out of it, it works for some.

6. Go home talk it over with your wife he says.

7. Pick up a 30 pack on the way home.

8. 15 beers in, no way am I taken a chance with the wife changing my diapers, dyin is ok, but not that.

9. 5 of the most simple exercises over 5 weeks, wake up on morning and my foot is working.

Simple as that. I would exhaust every option then it would be surgery, and only then.

Edit: Congrats on keepin on. No other choice, but that don't make it easy.

or and both are quicker than Ladd
- wiz1901

I would hope so, considering both are under 6' 180lbs while Andrew Ladd is 6'3" 210lbs....

@TSNBobMckenzie

Gudas gets a four-year deal with PHI. AAV is in the range of $3M to $3.5M.
- DarthKane

If anyone was ever built to play for the Flyers this mean nasty SOB was. Underrated skill IMO. That new coach from North Dakota liked him and used him nicely IMO.