Hossa did not put up 3rd line numbers last year - his PPG (tied for 32 in the league for RWs) and all his underlying numbers say he's still outputting at a solid to great 2nd line level (which is more than fine sine Kane is the top RW on the team). The exaggeration of Hossa's decline to being a bottom 6 player just sound silly tbh.
- L_B_R

While I'd agree he did't put up 3rd line PPG, that is looking at it bit through "Rose Colored" glasses IMO. This points per game was 155th among all forwards (tbh, the position listed isn't always where guys play) which is mediocre. Plus his age right now being 37, he may bounce back a bit statistically, but decline is in his future. Last year, he didn't finish chances like a top player, but he still played great defensively.

There are tons of factors, but I think you can't ignore these facts. The last two seasons his goal scoring (per game) has declined. This season was his career low and the previous year was only slightly better than his rookie season. Last season was 1/2 his career average. People will blame last year on having no solid LW, but the season before he had his worst PPG in a Hawks uniform and worst since his second year in the NHL and that was with Saad/Toews.

Hossa could realistically find himself in the bottom 6 because ...

1) He could actually decline in play further (the trend is there in nearly all statistical categories)
2) The Hawks may have a rookie with enough scoring touch they want playing in the ozone rather than dzone, which could could bump Hossa to more of a checking role.
3) Q may try to spread scoring around and the Hawks have poor scoring depth in the bottom 6.

Hossa is still a great asset, but he is without question. The question will be how he declines and how soon he will retire.

We are not trading draft picks this year. Draft is in Chicago.
- kmw4631

I'm pretty sure if the Hawks feel they need to make a trade to win a cup, they will deal as needed, including draft picks. I'd say winning a cup > hosting the draft.

Colorado signed Ben Smith to a 1 year deal. No word on the cap hit yet.
- DarthKane

I heard he got a concussion signing the deal. Someone left a window open and he was hit by a stiff breeze.

Here we go again The move Crawford narrative to rescue all that ails the team...

Sorry, but not only would it be monumentally stupid to move him, but you still have to find another #1 AND #2 goalie with that $6MM before you can invest in anyone else.

Won't be enough left over, and your goalie situation becomes worse.

And then that pesky NMC thing which CC has already used to nix the deal to Calgary.
- Return of the Roar

sure i could be wrong just like every other poster here...including you...but if panarin has another huge year similar to last year and is looking north for 6 mildo for 6 plus years...then what...

but as i see this team going no where with out an increase in production from toews/hossa from their combined .63 pts/game and no one i can see picking up the slack...and what happens happens if kane/panarin drop off form their pace of 2.2 pts/game...

they better be very good defensively and craw better be vezina like again

Wings made a pitch but didn't make Vesey's short list:
http://www.mlive.com/redw...y.html#incart_river_index

They were told by a rep that Vesey prefers to stay closer to home.

Uh. Oh.

Ladd cost them Dano and a 1st; Weise and Fleischmann cost them Danault and a 2nd.

Who's left to give up this time - Schmaltz? Motte? It would probably have to be one of those, PLUS a first round pick for someone who could come in to play 1LW. It's not like the Hawks are loaded with top-6 prospects - or draft picks.

And we saw how well the TDL moves went last spring (didn't make it to summer).

Get your team done now - unless they think one of the kids can take over 1LW on October 12 (and I wouldn't be too confident of that), they need to do something else - they can't rely on a TDL move.
- StLBravesFan

Bingo! Landing Vesey helps ease the sting of losing other good prospects and picks for rentals. This time even moreso, since the 'Hawks didn't get the hardware and jewelry they sought.

Watch Vesey go through this dog/pony show and do zilch when he plays in the NHL.


I hope this kid turns out to be something. His best chance to get going would be to play with 19 and 88.

Wings made a pitch but didn't make Vesey's short list:
http://www.mlive.com/redw...y.html#incart_river_index

They were told by a rep that Vesey prefers to stay closer to home.

Uh. Oh.
- Marlowe

Rep was polite. What he meant: Dee-Troit-Sucks

They are a faint image of their recent dominant selves. Cuz if they were still good, Babcock would still be there.

Wings made a pitch but didn't make Vesey's short list:
http://www.mlive.com/redw...y.html#incart_river_index

They were told by a rep that Vesey prefers to stay closer to home.

Uh. Oh.
- Marlowe

Hmm, no, that's not good. But location might only be one consideration. Publicity, chance for a cup, learning from HOF caliber teammates, those would likely be considerations too and I think Detroit falls short there. Easier to say that it's a geographic thing than to say the team isn't good enough.

Hmm, no, that's not good. But location might only be one consideration. Publicity, chance for a cup, learning from HOF caliber teammates, those would likely be considerations too and I think Detroit falls short there. Easier to say that it's a geographic thing than to say the team isn't good enough.
- matt_ahrens

Hope you're right. I've thought from the beginning he wanted to play in Boston. Hope he has the right stuff to play further away from home and confidence to go for the Hawks.

Hope you're right. I've thought from the beginning he wanted to play in Boston. Hope he has the right stuff to play further away from home and confidence to go for the Hawks.
- Marlowe

I still think he's going to Boston and I think that's always been his plan. But he's playing a negotiating game like any good Harvard business guy.

Hmm, no, that's not good. But location might only be one consideration. Publicity, chance for a cup, learning from HOF caliber teammates, those would likely be considerations too and I think Detroit falls short there. Easier to say that it's a geographic thing than to say the team isn't good enough.
- matt_ahrens

Didn't Suter also say he wanted to be closer to home but chose the Wild over the Hawks. Isn't Madison closer to Chicago than it is to the Twin Cities? Regardless, I agree, saying geography and getting closer to home are easier responses to say publicly.

Geography isn't the end-all-be-all. Ladd and Hamonic both claimed to want to get closer to home but Ladd elected to move further away while Hamonic stayed put in New York.

I still think he's going to Boston and I think that's always been his plan. But he's playing a negotiating game like any good Harvard business guy.
- kwolf68

I agree, if what they say is true, mom wants him close to home than Boston it is. He could of played hockey anywhere but chose Harvard which is where, ding ding ding Massachusetts, he's a mama's boy. I see him as a Bruin this year

I agree, if what they say is true, mom wants him close to home than Boston it is. He could of played hockey anywhere but chose Harvard which is where, ding ding ding Massachusetts, he's a mama's boy. I see him as a Blackhawk this year
- BetweenTheDots

Fixed

Rep was polite. What he meant: Dee-Troit-Sucks

They are a faint image of their recent dominant selves. Cuz if they were still good, Babcock would still be there.
- blackhawk24

It'll be pretty funny to hear what they say if he chooses Chicago after that comment to Detroit though.

I agree, if what they say is true, mom wants him close to home than Boston it is. He could of played hockey anywhere but chose Harvard which is where, ding ding ding Massachusetts, he's a mama's boy. I see him as a Bruin this year
- BetweenTheDots

Yes, but what third round pick is going to turn down the backup plan of getting a business degree from HARVARD. If I were a collegiate athlete, and I wasn't a guaranteed shot at the NHL, I'd definitely pad my options with a great education, not even taking into account the hometown Massachusetts argument.

So, wit diz kid we're contenders and witout him we're blowin bubbles? Gimme a break.

Vrbata off the table - signed with Arizona.

Vrbata off the table - signed with Arizona.
- pdx2ord

Good...so Stan won't even be tempted.

So, wit diz kid we're contenders and witout him we're blowin bubbles? Gimme a break.
- hocktock

Not that extreme but if he can step in at 1lw and put up say 45-50 pts and play a solid two way game that slots other forwards in there correct spots. 1LW is a huge hole if he can fill it that makes this team a lot better. Need an example? Remember that Panarin kid? Hawks don't likely don't make the playoffs without him. The hope is. Vesey can come in and fill a Huge void. Again not Panarin level but 45-50 pts would be gravy.

It'll be pretty funny to hear what they say if he chooses Chicago after that comment to Detroit though.
- stashu

Agreed, but a quick googling shows there are more and cheaper flights between BOS and CHI than DET and BOS, plus if you had to travel to a city, wouldn't you pick CHI over DET?

Agreed, but a quick googling shows there are more and cheaper flights between BOS and CHI than DET and BOS, plus if you had to travel to a city, wouldn't you pick CHI over DET?
- JRoenick97

Cheap flights are not of interest to folks earning seven-figures. Besides, who cares. Detroit is no longer a good team. 'Hawks sales pitch is: 19, 72, 81 & 88.

And no other team can match those four players.

Vrbata off the table - signed with Arizona.
- pdx2ord

Off what table? The 3-legged table that needs replacing. Thankfully, Bowman and company ignored this perimeter playing floater. One of Bowman's best moves he has made this off-season (to NOT sign Vrbata).

Wings made a pitch but didn't make Vesey's short list:
http://www.mlive.com/redw...y.html#incart_river_index

They were told by a rep that Vesey prefers to stay closer to home.

Uh. Oh.
- Marlowe

His agent also said chances are he signs with an Eastern Conference team, starting to not look good for the Hawks

Off what table? The 3-legged table that needs replacing. Thankfully, Bowman and company ignored this perimeter playing floater. One of Bowman's best moves he has made this off-season (to NOT sign Vrbata).
- kwolf68

As a goal scorer, he reminds me of the ballplayer who hits a 440' solo shot in the 8th inning of a 9-2 game.