The very nature of this sport allows for a dark horse-Which is usually the team that is playing the best at the time-To emerge the Champion.

The NBA on the other hand for the most part is anti climatic...94% of the teams that win the first two games of the Final win the series.... But people still watch which is exactly the opposite in the NHL.

The NBA Draft lottery show...not the selection show outdraws the NHL Final games on TV.

If the design is to get a fat TV contract and to grow merchandising the NHL is on the wrong course...Parity doesn't sell and really to think that it can be fixed that way is a joke.

If you look at the same period of time before the lockout as after the amount of repeat winners is almost the same. What creates parity is the phony made for TV point system-Most don't know if you look at the standings the Friday morning after US Thanksgiving usually all the same clubs will be in the playoffs except for maybe
2-4. That's a long way from April but that tid bit is true.

The NHL is on a scattered course and from a business standpoint 4 teams should removed today...But there needs to be a plan to grow the game and that all franchises follow, and the main goal shouldn't be to create parity.
- Al

AGREE!!

I think the Hawks will be too.
- John Jaeckel

Mcginn would be great but think he will be gone july 1st. Still think tlusty is realistic. Some offensive skill and language buddy for kempny

Of the 4 players that I thought would/could be moved only 2 are left...

AA and Kruger...Kruger coming off a serious injury and not his best season is more difficult sell theses days than AA.

Unless the Hawks have a course of meds to help Q get through the season-Someone needs to go so some winning know how and experience can be acquired.
AA can be dealt easier than Kruger.....

Q has had his foot to the floor board from Oct-April every season.....The vets better be training and resting up for a lot of hard miles unless a few moves are still to come.
- Al

Of the 3 players I said could be moved, only 2 are left.

I will not be surprised if the third still is, although Al's remaining two also are apparently possibilities.

I don't know if its a slow death, where would you guys have been this year if bread man had a Radulov head on his shoulders.
Good teams will always be good if they use the proper resources.
- puckhead17

Which goes back to the earlier (I think wise) point about winning championships over winning trades.

Now that said, Stanley had a couple of bad trades the last couple of summer, but I actually like the work he's done this summer. He moved contracts early, recouped picks, maybe got s 2nd round steal in deBrincat and got himself in a position now where he can wait a bit in free agency and get a bargain when the money dries up—and it will dry up quickly this year.

PLUS, if someone comes at him now about Crawford, AA or Kruger (each of which I think can still be dealt), he deals from a stronger position because his back is no longer to the wall.

Those Avs/Wings playoff games? Just wow.. Talk about bad blood! That Claude Lemieux guy!?!
- z1990z

It all started with Lemieux hitting Chris Draper from behind and Draper's face going into the top edge of the boards. I'll never forget the interview with Draper being asked about what he thought of Lemieux's hit - he ended it with "look at my face" - it was a bloody mess.

"Look at my face" has been my everlasting memory of Draper - saw him on the stage with the rest of the Detroit front office Friday night during the draft - first thing that came to my mind.

Pens need depth on d, Hawks needs a winger. What about kempe for sheary or rust, then sign cambell
- Brianandr1

I like Campbell AND Kempny in the Indianhead. Defense would be deeper than it has been in years.

ASSUMING 2, 4, and 7, have a restful, recuperative offseason, and they add Campbell, this might be the best Hawk defense of this era. So something to feel very good about, and all the more reason for Stanley to try to pull something off in the form of a productive winger, somehow, without a painful subtraction.

Then, this could be a VERY fun season in Chicago.

I like Campbell AND Kempny in the Indianhead. Defense would be deeper than it has been in years.

ASSUMING 2, 4, and 7, have a restful, recuperative offseason, and they add Campbell, this might be the best Hawk defense of this era. So something to feel very good about, and all the more reason for Stanley to try to pull something off in the form of a productive winger, somehow, without a painful subtraction.

Then, this could be a VERY fun season in Chicago.
- John Jaeckel

Any more on Campbell ? Legit he wants to be here on the cheap ?

Which goes back to the earlier (I think wise) point about winning championships over winning trades.

Now that said, Stanley had a couple of bad trades the last couple of summer, but I actually like the work he's done this summer. He moved contracts early, recouped picks, maybe got s 2nd round steal in deBrincat and got himself in a position now where he can wait a bit in free agency and get a bargain when the money dries up—and it will dry up quickly this year.

PLUS, if someone comes at him now about Crawford, AA or Kruger (each of which I think can still be dealt), he deals from a stronger position because his back is no longer to the wall.
- John Jaeckel

Agree-- Bowman is positioned better than previous off seasons-- at least in regard to not forced at the moment to deal--

Question--- Since the Hawks have some apparent line up openings in a somewhat win now scenario-- would that be appealing to a player like Vesey-- knowing he could be slotted with Toews and that he will get the same money on an ELC anywhere in the NHL-- BUT opt for the chance to play with the best core in the NHL for 3 season-- then go and get paid big money somewhere else or evan back home in Boston on his second contract? Kind of like a hockey mercenary

Maybe its not that simple-- or is it?

Any more on Campbell ? Legit he wants to be here on the cheap ?
- mrpaulish

Credible source? That'd be great. I know he really liked it here.

Of the 3 players I said could be moved, only 2 are left.

I will not be surprised if the third still is, although Al's remaining two also are apparently possibilities.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, please refresh my failing memory, who are your remaining 2?

#2. Been advocating that for years.
- tyweb69

Sure. They has to be greater benefit to the team's that draft and develop, all the while maintaining parity.

I know it sucks for you guys , but I don't want a system that benefits a team for winning more than simply winning in itself. There naturally comes enough benefits with that as it is.

Which goes back to the earlier (I think wise) point about winning championships over winning trades.

Now that said, Stanley had a couple of bad trades the last couple of summer, but I actually like the work he's done this summer. He moved contracts early, recouped picks, maybe got s 2nd round steal in deBrincat and got himself in a position now where he can wait a bit in free agency and get a bargain when the money dries up—and it will dry up quickly this year.

PLUS, if someone comes at him now about Crawford, AA or Kruger (each of which I think can still be dealt), he deals from a stronger position because his back is no longer to the wall.
- John Jaeckel

Are the hawks part of the "fail for nail" crowd. Had to reference the old catch phrase. Do you know if stan has asked?

Kane with toews can elevate both of their numbers. Nail with the two other russians could be potent. Hossa on the third line is like the tt-vermette-tt level depth that wins championships

Lets just say the roster stays as is ,

Plus Campbell and Matt Martin for the bottom 6.

Hows that look ?

D would be very solid.

Martin would be very effective .

Top 6 would have rotation 1lw all year.

Not idea but this is affordable

Apparently there was indeed a good chance to move Sharp before he was ultimately dealt to the Stars, but this option was negated when Stan found it suddenly imperative to trade Saad immediately. You may recall that when that transaction was consummated, Stan mentioned that he had already been negotiating with Columbus for Anisimov. Since the Jackets were seeking a #1 left winger, it stands to reason that Sharp would have initially been a key part of those negotiations. But when Saad became available, Columbus insisted upon him instead. Stan then demanded that Dano be included, others were thrown into the mix, and the rest is history.

And this, all Hawk fans should understand, is the real reason that Stan was forced to eventually accept the best offer he could get for Sharp. Under the circumstances, he did quite well, I would say.
- stanleyhawk

Stanley my memory is poor but are you saying that given the choice the Hawks moved Saad to CLB instead of Sharp? If so why, because Dano would be part of the deal only if it was Saad and not Sharp going?

Sure. They has to be greater benefit to the team's that draft and develop, all the while maintaining parity.

I know it sucks for you guys , but I don't want a system that benefits a team for winning more than simply winning in itself. There naturally comes enough benefits with that as it is.
- Jeropotato

That is socialism--- in sports there always will be winners and losers-- and if the quest for parity is over indulged-- the league will lose credibility-- and no more toughest trophy to win in all of sports the stanley cup -- just participation awards--

Are the hawks part of the "fail for nail" crowd. Had to reference the old catch phrase. Do you know if stan has asked?

Kane with toews can elevate both of their numbers. Nail with the two other russians could be potent. Hossa on the third line is like the tt-vermette-tt level depth that wins championships
- ikeane

If they are tired of Yakapov and wanted to do Yakapov for McNeil and one of the 10 picks from next year you have to consider it right . ?

Happy Sunday my Happy Humans

Stan definitely has some options on the table. With Q saying the youth/cheap vet option is the plan, there is some gamesmanship going on.

My bet is that Stan will not move any of the "high-priced guys" (Kruger, Crawford, Seabs) until someone inevitably goes down in training camp or that made for ESPN hockey tournament. If some team loses their #1 in a meaningless tournament, then the return for Crawford could be better than a high pick and depth. It could be the return of a TDL player like we saw when we emptied the vault for 30 games of Ladd.
- phantasmo

Q said that?

Hey JJ

Do you still think there is market to move CC??

If they are tired of Yakapov and wanted to do Yakapov for McNeil and one of the 10 picks from next year you have to consider it right . ?
- mrpaulish

They want defensemen, give em rundblad too

Are the hawks part of the "fail for nail" crowd. Had to reference the old catch phrase. Do you know if stan has asked?

Kane with toews can elevate both of their numbers. Nail with the two other russians could be potent. Hossa on the third line is like the tt-vermette-tt level depth that wins championships
- ikeane

You think Yak will suddenly develop a hockey IQ in the double digits playing on Chicago?

I know this is a bit of chicken and the egg arguement but I'll ask anyway?

Are past and present Blackhawks supporting cast ( Shaw, TT, , Krueger etc) over stated because they play on the Hawks? Or are they that good because they are that good.

The flip side to that would be that Yak is a better player than he appears because he is on the Oilers.

Not sure this can go both ways.

Hey JJ

Do you still think there is market to move CC??
- z1990z

Buyout period ends tomorrow.

Isles, dallas, arizona, buffalo all come to mind

Which goes back to the earlier (I think wise) point about winning championships over winning trades.

Now that said, Stanley had a couple of bad trades the last couple of summer, but I actually like the work he's done this summer. He moved contracts early, recouped picks, maybe got s 2nd round steal in deBrincat and got himself in a position now where he can wait a bit in free agency and get a bargain when the money dries up—and it will dry up quickly this year.

PLUS, if someone comes at him now about Crawford, AA or Kruger (each of which I think can still be dealt), he deals from a stronger position because his back is no longer to the wall.
- John Jaeckel

Succinct and easily understood. Add that the defense is better along with the forwards being worse, the core is rested and cap wise they are above water for the moment and I like the snapshot on June 26th of the direction taken.

Why does AA keep coming up as a trade possiblity (besides $$, of course). He is the 2st legit 2nd line center we have had since....uhhhhh......wait....errrr.....a long f'in time. Trading him would almost leave a bigger hole than #7.

In the short term, it can work because as long as there are teams with space, there will be player movement to those areas. And it may even look good on paper to the eyes of Gary Bettman, because parity will become almost to perfection level. But once that is attained, it has no where to go but off the cliff, as the players union will never agree to a wage structure that has no room for growth. And herein lies the importance of the relationship between the Salary Cap percentage increase in relation to annual salary inflation.
- Katana777

Excellent post! It seems that the players are already giving themselves raises every time they approve the cap escalator. Arizona is already paying $6M for $12.5M of cap space (17% of the total) that will never see an actual player. Makes me wonder how close to the cliff they really are?..

That is socialism--- in sports there always will be winners and losers-- and if the quest for parity is over indulged-- the league will lose credibility-- and no more toughest trophy to win in all of sports the stanley cup -- just participation awards--
- jb3333

That's easy to say from the winners table...but it sucked when Dallas, Detroit and Colorado year after year kept their team intact while adding the best free agents.