A year ago James Nill was an absolute hockey genius who ripped off Stan for Stephen Johns. This year has been rather challenging for the Stars and some of Nill's mistakes are becoming more evident. Granted, this have had a lot of injuries. But even when healthy the team isn't playing well.

Year over year the Hawks are in the group of contenders. Sometimes they lead the pack, sometimes hey don't. But they're always there. The group changes too, teams like Boston, LA, Dallas and St Louis come and go. This year the Wild and Blue Jackets are the newest shiny object, how will they fare in the long term? Stan has done a great job keeping this team in contention for as long as they have been.
- DarthKane

Yeah, well Nill and Jarmo and Fletcher didn't inherit Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith either.

But you do have to tip your cap to Bowman for the moves he's made the last 4-5 years, which viewed overall have been very good.

Interesting situation in Columbus. The Tortorella Effect seems to be kicking in about 2 years earlier than normal, but I suspect that's just a temporary blip, and the Jackets will continue their upward trajectory.

You can call them and the Wild shiny objects (while a lot of Hawk fans are kind of guilty of the same year after year with regard to Hawk rookies and prospects, no?)

But both are legitimately good teams who looked pretty damn good the last couple of years against the mighty Chicago Blackhawks. Unless I was watching some other games.

Bowman may well end up pushing back from the table 3/1 doing little or no business. But they are by God pursuing bigger moves to improve the team until they run out of time.
- John Jaeckel

As he should.
Good Morning John, hope all is well.

Stan really needs to huddle with Q because we know from past history some seemingly "good" acquisitions were not viewed as such by Q. And since Stan isn't pulling Q's puppet strings, it is critically important for him to get Q's nod of approval. What sense does it make trading away roster players (either with the big club or below) if Q sees the incoming talent as unusable in his eyes?

As he should.
Good Morning John, hope all is well.

Stan really needs to huddle with Q because we know from past history some seemingly "good" acquisitions were not viewed as such by Q. And since Stan isn't pulling Q's puppet strings, it is critically important for him to get Q's nod of approval. What sense does it make trading away roster players (either with the big club or below) if Q sees the incoming talent as unusable in his eyes?
- savvyone-1

I am sure any move of any significance at this deadline will be vetted through and stamped by Q. The only name out there I can see Q having any issue with is Vanek, and as I've been saying since the summer, the Hawks seem very interested in him. Have to think they're not sneaking that by the Stache.

Back at you, Sav.

Yeah, well Nill and Jarmo and Fletcher didn't inherit Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith either.

But you do have to tip your cap to Bowman for the moves he's made the last 4-5 years, which viewed overall have been very good.

Interesting situation in Columbus. The Tortorella Effect seems to be kicking in about 2 years earlier than normal, but I suspect that's just a temporary blip, and the Jackets will continue their upward trajectory.

You can call them and the Wild shiny objects (while a lot of Hawk fans are kind of guilty of the same year after year with regard to Hawk rookies and prospects, no?)

But both are legitimately good teams who looked pretty damn good the last couple of years against the mighty Chicago Blackhawks. Unless I was watching some other games.
- John Jaeckel

Columbus has been under the radar but climbing high. Wonder if Jarmo wants to add a guy like Duchene. Young team, needs a "1A/1B" center to join Alex Wennberg. The speed if Duchene is added... damn

Yeah, well Nill and Jarmo and Fletcher didn't inherit Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith either.

But you do have to tip your cap to Bowman for the moves he's made the last 4-5 years, which viewed overall have been very good.

Interesting situation in Columbus. The Tortorella Effect seems to be kicking in about 2 years earlier than normal, but I suspect that's just a temporary blip, and the Jackets will continue their upward trajectory.

You can call them and the Wild shiny objects (while a lot of Hawk fans are kind of guilty of the same year after year with regard to Hawk rookies and prospects, no?)

But both are legitimately good teams who looked pretty damn good the last couple of years against the mighty Chicago Blackhawks. Unless I was watching some other games.
- John Jaeckel

People seem to forget how Crawford almost single handedly got the hawks past a faster, more dominant wild team in the second round of 2014. Bickell helped a lot as well.

If we meet the wild this spring, we need some players to step up physically. That is a team that isn't afraid to play on or over the line.

Columbus has been under the radar but climbing high. Wonder if Jarmo wants to add a guy like Duchene. Young team, needs a "1A/1B" center to join Alex Wennberg. The speed if Duchene is added... damn
- 93Joe

Maybe Stan can land another Kimmo Timonen for his 4 minutes per game in Playoffs?
Ryan Garbutt? Trevor Daley looks good in Pitt.

Danualt trade? Ladd Trade? Rungblad? Scuderi? Bickell contract?


Contracts of Kruger Seabrook & Crawford are horrid.

Stan has lived off Tallons core guys. Stan has been terrible on alot of moves.

People seem to forget how Crawford almost single handedly got the hawks past a faster, more dominant wild team in the second round of 2014. Bickell helped a lot as well.

If we meet the wild this spring, we need some players to step up physically. That is a team that isn't afraid to play on or over the line.
- kinigitt

And you forget the Darling won the Nashville series when Crawford was BRUTAL!!!

$17,680/day for 7 days is $123,760, not $477,360. Am I missing something?
- hockbomb

She's extrapolating all the way to deadline day. That's where the $477k comes about.

Maybe Stan can land another Kimmo Timonen for his 4 minutes per game in Playoffs?
Ryan Garbutt? Trevor Daley looks good in Pitt.

Danualt trade? Ladd Trade? Rungblad? Scuderi? Bickell contract?


Contracts of Kruger Seabrook & Crawford are horrid.

Stan has lived off Tallons core guys. Stan has been terrible on alot of moves.

- Goalie-33

The Sharp deal was lousy, no 2 ways about it. But Q's stubborn deployment (or lack thereof) compounded the matter.

Danault trade... same deal. Not ideal, and followed up by more Q grumbling.

Ladd trade was good. I'd do it again.

Scuderi seemed to me like Stan saying "Ok, you dont want a fast puck moving defenseman because he doesn't play "your way", you'd rather have a stay at home Vet. Here you go, good luck"

Kruger and Seabrook are integral pieces to winning playoff games. You can't buy that kind of determination. Market price deals, if you factor Kruger playing for half price for 1 season.

Crawford's deal is good. I don't know what the hell is wrong with it.

Bickell was a free agent that was proving to be a clutch playoff performer (we don't win a cup in Boston without Bickell). Who knew he'd contract a serious disease? I honestly believe that if Bickell remained healthy that contract would be viewed as a steal. Big guy, fearless, wicked wrist shot. 2013 Bickell would look awful nice on Toews wing right now.

So yeah, a couple "oh poop" cap clearing moves and somehow Stan is a bum that is coasting off of "isn't making the playoffs this year with lots of young talent" Dave Tallon's trades + picks.

This discussion has been put to bed already a few times.

The Sharp deal was lousy, no 2 ways about it. But Q's stubborn deployment (or lack thereof) compounded the matter.

Danault trade... same deal. Not ideal, and followed up by more Q grumbling.

Ladd trade was good. I'd do it again.

Scuderi seemed to me like Stan saying "Ok, you dont want a fast puck moving defenseman because he doesn't play "your way", you'd rather have a stay at home Vet. Here you go, good luck"

Kruger and Seabrook are integral pieces to winning playoff games. You can't buy that kind of determination. Market price deals, if you factor Kruger playing for half price for 1 season.

Crawford's deal is good. I don't know what the hell is wrong with it.

Bickell was a free agent that was proving to be a clutch playoff performer (we don't win a cup in Boston without Bickell). Who knew he'd contract a serious disease? I honestly believe that if Bickell remained healthy that contract would be viewed as a steal. Big guy, fearless, wicked wrist shot. 2013 Bickell would look awful nice on Toews wing right now.

So yeah, a couple "oh poop" cap clearing moves and somehow Stan is a bum that is coasting off of "isn't making the playoffs this year with lots of young talent" Dave Tallon's trades + picks.

This discussion has been put to bed already a few times.
- kinigitt

One would think right? Deals in hindsight tend to afford a great deal of clarity too.

He must not be a Crawford fan as he might be the only person oustisde of Fvineze still crying about that deal.

The Sharp deal was lousy, no 2 ways about it. But Q's stubborn deployment (or lack thereof) compounded the matter.

Danault trade... same deal. Not ideal, and followed up by more Q grumbling.

Ladd trade was good. I'd do it again.

Scuderi seemed to me like Stan saying "Ok, you dont want a fast puck moving defenseman because he doesn't play "your way", you'd rather have a stay at home Vet. Here you go, good luck"

Kruger and Seabrook are integral pieces to winning playoff games. You can't buy that kind of determination. Market price deals, if you factor Kruger playing for half price for 1 season.

Crawford's deal is good. I don't know what the hell is wrong with it.

Bickell was a free agent that was proving to be a clutch playoff performer (we don't win a cup in Boston without Bickell). Who knew he'd contract a serious disease? I honestly believe that if Bickell remained healthy that contract would be viewed as a steal. Big guy, fearless, wicked wrist shot. 2013 Bickell would look awful nice on Toews wing right now.

So yeah, a couple "oh poop" cap clearing moves and somehow Stan is a bum that is coasting off of "isn't making the playoffs this year with lots of young talent" Dave Tallon's trades + picks.

This discussion has been put to bed already a few times.
- kinigitt

Right on. A lot of people here think Stan has to "win" every trade. For every good deal made there's probably going to be a bad one. Just how it is.

Colorado has 32 points with 29 games left to play.

You've gotta think they're going to blow up that team.

Maybe Stan can land another Kimmo Timonen for his 4 minutes per game in Playoffs?
Ryan Garbutt? Trevor Daley looks good in Pitt.

Danualt trade? Ladd Trade? Rungblad? Scuderi? Bickell contract?


Contracts of Kruger Seabrook & Crawford are horrid.

Stan has lived off Tallons core guys. Stan has been terrible on alot of moves.

- Goalie-33

You mention the crummy trades he has made, though he has made some good ones...getting Leddy (trading away Leddy for garbage later so that's a wash, still he did land Leddy for a pylon), Oduya move, drafting Saad, drafting Shaw, Panik, his European pipleine he has cultivated (Panarin, Kempney, Forsling-a nice trade from the Canucks) and the current young guys making some noise.

That said I do think Stan is overall an average GM and often times is too reactive instead of proactive...he hits on some things and misses on some things (like most GMS), but Crawford, Kane, Hossa, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hammer, and others were already on the roster when he showed up. NO GM has inherited that kind of core group in quite a while.

So while I think it's not quite right to say he is a terrible GM, those who think he can do no wrong also fail to see the entire perspective.

I think Stan can write the story depending on how he transitions from an aging core to a new team. If he is able to navigate the aging of this team without the Hawks falling into the abyss then he may well have the final say. However, if he flames out then the idea he was a product of former GM's core guys will take on more merit.

I think Stan can write the story depending on how he transitions from an aging core to a new team. If he is able to navigate the aging of this team without the Hawks falling into the abyss then he may well have the final say. However, if he flames out then the idea he was a product of former GM's core guys will take on more merit.
- kwolf68

Good point.

I'd add that as much as he infuriates me sometimes, this core benefitted from Quenneville's disciplined approach. We see a lot of hugely talented top 5 draft picks fizzle under a junky coach and system, only to be given away to another team after a few years.

For the record, Ondrej Palat is a 60 point a year player (in 75-80 games) who is +77 over parts of five seasons. And a natural left wing.

Duchene's body of work and skills speak for themselves.

The Hawks are not trading Niklas Hjalmarsson for either of them (or anybody), as much as some keep "theorizing" that as though it's somehow an incontrovertible fact.

Take the time to look at the Hawks' contracts—not to mention the overall logical disconnect of dealing a core piece to get better for a Cup run this year—you'll pretty quickly realize who they can trade and who they can't.

And that adding a player like either mentioned above would probably only help the Hawks—if Bowman can pull it off.
- John Jaeckel

Palat has also gotten some Selke votes. I'm not sure why TB would come off him unless they are just that desperate to shed salary and acquire assets.

I still think Duchene is the guy you throw the kitchen sink at and deal with the consequences later. I can't believe they would trade him in the division but at this point the Avs probably have to take the best they can get if they're really going to blow it all up and start over again.

Dutch probably puts them over the edge regardless of what they give up. Certainly, the top team in the west. Being able to load up two lines or run Toews AA and Dutch all up the middle would be tough for any team to contain.

I still think 75% of their success in the post season hinges on how dominating Duncan Keith can be. If he isn't jumping the zone and eating guys up in the corners then they may have trouble against deeper teams.

Two weeks ago Seabs would have been high on the list to go. His 11 save performance shows his continued value.
hard to get rid of anybody in the core leading up to a playoff run because of the experience and familiarity. If Darling signs, I see Crow moved this offseason. I see a lot of people heading for the ledge with a comment, but I remind everyone of how wonderful Niemi was and CC couldnt fill his skates. Sometimes these tough choices work out. In Stan we trust.
- ikeane

You mean adequate, except for the Sharks series where he was pretty great, otherwise that Hawks team allowed like 24 shots per game and scored all of the goals. They probably could have won the same amount of games with a mens league goalie.

Dutch probably puts them over the edge regardless of what they give up. Certainly, the top team in the west. Being able to load up two lines or run Toews AA and Dutch all up the middle would be tough for any team to contain.
- fattybeef

I love the idea, but the sheer unfairness of it just has me scratching my head trying to figure out how much quality has to go to Denver in exchange. That's like Pittsburgh having Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, then picking up Jamie Benn and Tarasenko, and still clearing the cap for a run.

You mean adequate, except for the Sharks series where he was pretty great, otherwise that Hawks team allowed like 24 shots per game and scored all of the goals. They probably could have won the same amount of games with a mens league goalie.
- fattybeef

Oh come on Niemi isnt that bad. Wierd style but lightning fast legs and good instincts. Dallas is a goalie/defenseman graveyard with the way they play. Niemi did a pretty bang up job as a Shark. People like to dump on him.

Still.... Crawford is without question a better goalie. Less quickness, more mental fortitude.

G'Morning DK.

I think the point is more while Stan hasn't always been able to get max value for some of his trades, the Hawks have a team that's been competitive and a contender every year since 2010...ok maybe 2011's a stretch but that was a severe gutting.

While I'm not a fan of garbage...I mean Garbutt, he and Daley could have been useful players for the Hawks. It didn't work out but sometimes that's how it goes.

As far as a #4 dman, it's too bad Oduya could't be signed and I wish Stan had decided to let Rundblad go chase his dream in Switzerland a year early as well; but I think if you buy into the idea that Stan passed up two second rounders because he thought Sharp would fetch more, I think you have to give Stan the benefit of the doubt that he was trying to acquire Hamhuis last year which had been reported in a few places I believe.
- HawkintheD

Hey D, what's done is done. It still gets to me - golden era of Hawks hockey and with this core every year you've got a chance.
I know he was trying to get Hamhuis, but it didn't happen and we saw the results. He knew since the parade he needed to fix that and he whiffed. Just think we really had a shot at back to back titles if the defense is figured out.

In any case...it seems he finally got it when he moved Shaw for picks this spring at the draft. So I'm really interested/hopeful to see what he does here at the deadline.

Oh come on Niemi isnt that bad. Wierd style but lightning fast legs and good instincts. Dallas is a goalie/defenseman graveyard with the way they play. Niemi did a pretty bang up job as a Shark. People like to dump on him.

Still.... Crawford is without question a better goalie. Less quickness, more mental fortitude.
- kinigitt

Agreed. Niemi made some clutch plays in that playoff run. He was above average.

Hey D, what's done is done. It still gets to me - golden era of Hawks hockey and with this core every year you've got a chance.
I know he was trying to get Hamhuis, but it didn't happen and we saw the results. He knew since the parade he needed to fix that and he whiffed. Just think we really had a shot at back to back titles if the defense is figured out.

In any case...it seems he finally got it when he moved Shaw for picks this spring at the draft. So I'm really interested/hopeful to see what he does here at the deadline.
- DK002

Stan learned the hard way that when you're a consistent top dog, other GMs don't want to help you much.

I am sure any move of any significance at this deadline will be vetted through and stamped by Q. The only name out there I can see Q having any issue with is Vanek, and as I've been saying since the summer, the Hawks seem very interested in him. Have to think they're not sneaking that by the Stache.

Back at you, Sav.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, do you feel that the acquisitions of Daley, Garbutt, Weiss, and Fleischman were vetted through and stamped by Q? It sure didn't appear that Q was pleased with any of those guys.

I love the idea, but the sheer unfairness of it just has me scratching my head trying to figure out how much quality has to go to Denver in exchange. That's like Pittsburgh having Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, then picking up Jamie Benn and Tarasenko, and still clearing the cap for a run.
- kinigitt

I don't think it matters TBH. And while everyone gets hard about Toews and Kane retiring as Hawks I think half way through those mega deals you see them out the door for an crap ton of picks.

The worst thing they could do is fade into mediocrity like Detroit has while getting absolutely nothing for guys like Zetterberg who are just going to waste away during the twilight of their career.

After Keith is done, or physically not able to maintain near the pace we've grown accustomed to, then this teams chances of winning a Cup decrease drastically and may as well try to reload and rebuild without having to be garbage for 5 or 6 years. Or worse bad but not bad enough to get any lottery picks.

Oh come on Niemi isnt that bad. Wierd style but lightning fast legs and good instincts. Dallas is a goalie/defenseman graveyard with the way they play. Niemi did a pretty bang up job as a Shark. People like to dump on him.

Still.... Crawford is without question a better goalie. Less quickness, more mental fortitude.
- kinigitt

yes he is.

If a Palat or Duchene trade is possible I hope we can keep those guys. Palat is an RFA after this season... I am curious if we can get a "Panarin-like" bridge deal to keep him. Obviously, not $6M... maybe $4.5M after some chess pieces are moved? He can easily get $5M on the open market.