yes..i think you risk it and sell high on panik..move him and let someone else give him a 3 year 8-9 mildo contract for his 40 point season...i just don't trust him, he produced in a contract year...now what...
- bogiedoc

One of Stan's famous "bridge deals". Plays well with Toews, plays the big and plays the body which help Toews as well. Just need someone on the other wing worthy of paying top wing in the NHL. See what Jersey wants for Kovalchuk's rights and go from there. They don't need Crow so that's out but, who knows maybe they'll take picks/prospects. IDK.

The Hawks need cost controlled depth forwards, that's exactly what Hartman and Schmaltz are. Plus, what would you expect in return for those guy? Shaw landed 2 second round picks, those guys will return considerably less.

Schmaltz disappointed in the playoffs, but he's worth keeping around and have him continue his development. I read that Hartman was sporting a cast after the playoffs, that explains why his performance dropped off. I picture Hartman as a consistent 15-20 goal scorer, let's keep him.

Panik could be the odd man out based on his contract situation. He could be dealt to get help on defense. I don't think Panik (or any of the other guys you mentioned) will bring back a top 4 defenseman, but Stan might be able to get a 3rd pairing guy with potential.
- DarthKane

Why do they need a 3rd pairing D man from somewhere else when they already have TVR, Gustaffson, Pokka and some Swedes in the system. Do none of these guys have any potential? That's what Rockford is there to do - develop a couple of these guys into NHL players. Nashville, Tampa, Anaheim and St. Louis are pretty proficient at that.

Boring is in the eye of the beholder


Everyone of those games was exciting, most were close, and just a lot of sour grapes from most of you. Not just beat, let's call it a thrashing. No soup for you. No goals on your home ice for an entire series for you, no Chelsea Dagger.

Final stats in the Series Johansen vs Toews-most of it head to head

Ryan- 1goal, 5 assists Plus 7!
Toews- 1 goal 1 assist -Minus 5!

Johansen is 5 years younger, on the right side of 27, on a much better contract, has lead his team to the second round for the second year in a row

Toews- has probably the worst contract in the NHL. 2 first round exits in a row. 1 goal in last 11 playoff games, both first round losses.

So in the past Toews was a great player. Heck look at his Individual awards ( all really team awards voted on by the Press). Hell the press gave him a top 100 all time voting but don't get me started. We live in the present and in the present Johansen has passed him and is likely to be a better player in the future as Johansen is younger and still improving.

So- Howdy Doody as passed Toews - hard to believe but watch the games.
- VopatsRash

That much better contract of Johansen's is now expired. How much do you think you will have to pay him going forward and for how long?

He definitely played extremely well in this series. But if I were you I'd watch carefully on what he does playing up against the Blues or subsequently Getzlaf or Kesler or McDavid. Those are tougher challenges and expectations than what he has met so far.

That much better contract of Johansen's is now expired. How much do you think you will have to pay him going forward and for how long?

He definitely played extremely well in this series. But if I were you I'd watch carefully on what he does playing up against the Blues or subsequently Getzlaf or Kesler or McDavid. Those are tougher challenges and expectations than what he has met so far.
- RickJ

You probably are right, those players will be much harder to play againts then Toews

That much better contract of Johansen's is now expired. How much do you think you will have to pay him going forward and for how long?

He definitely played extremely well in this series. But if I were you I'd watch carefully on what he does playing up against the Blues or subsequently Getzlaf or Kesler or McDavid. Those are tougher challenges and expectations than what he has met so far.
- RickJ

Remember though he matched up against Anaheim last year and did ok.

Solid read John. Great objective writing, as always.

Might be time to change some of the dynamics of the team a bit. PP is awful, PK can still use some work, speed is needed and of course size would be a welcome addition to this team. Help up the middle also with C's who can play wing.

Maybe look at a guy like Lowry, not him necessarily.

Wonder what will happen in Montreal? Elimination at the hands of the Rangers after going all in. Should be interesting.

JJ and most on here again showing NO respect for the Preds , like we were beaten by a rag doll . That team is good very good ,deep and will prove it going forward . Buckle up boys because you are not going to see a lot of movement over the summer .Crow will most definitely be moved ,IMO for a late 1st . Jhammer maybe because of his contract coming up ,for what who knows . But get ready for more young players ,that in JJ mind are no good . We will see as that is what's coming like it or not ..

i am with you have no idea of the specifics on this...to me this is just reactionary rhetoric...they got 109 points and #1 seed with this so called country club culture...
- bogiedoc

And they got bounced in 4 games by the #8 seed. Soooooooooo . . ?

The comment/rhetoric came from someone in position to know what goes on day to day and what the attitudes are.

Remember though he matched up against Anaheim last year and did ok.
- VopatsRash

92 is a solid player. High offensive IQ and a top line C with size and speed. Stats tell one story and Stanley Cups tell another. Playoffs are a completely different animal from the regular season.

JJ and most on here again showing NO respect for the Preds , like we were beaten by a rag doll . That team is good very good ,deep and will prove it going forward . Buckle up boys because you are not going to see a lot of movement over the summer .Crow will most definitely be moved ,IMO for a late 1st . Jhammer maybe because of his contract coming up ,for what who knows . But get ready for more young players ,that in JJ mind are no good . We will see as that is what's coming like it or not ..
- oldduffman

You know more than I do evidently, maybe even more than the Hawks do right now. So, much respect.

As for no respect to Nashville, no, I have pointed out several times on the thread and in the blog, the Preds deserved a ton of credit, as did LaViolette.

You just don't like what I'm saying about the Hawks. That's pretty obvious.

Tough.

You know more than I do evidently, maybe even more than the Hawks do right now. So, much respect.

As for no respect to Nashville, no, I have pointed out several times on the thread and in the blog, the Preds deserved a ton of credit, as did LaViolette.

You just don't like what I'm saying about the Hawks. That's pretty obvious.

Tough.
- John Jaeckel

JJ..

Would you move Q now? Does anything change with Q there and some new AC? Not sure it does.

Remember though he matched up against Anaheim last year and did ok.
- VopatsRash

Man, thanks for enlightening us.

If you made serious dough (doubtful) or had a trust fund (meh, possible), you could put a whole lot of money on Jonathan Toews at 28 years old being finished.

But the FACT is, he had a pretty serious back injury in the WCH and played through it all year—ahh, maybe you didn't see PK laying cross checks on his lower back the whole series. Would've required not being transfixed RyJo.

So, who knows, back's a real tricky thing and he could be done. Or he isn't. And in a year or two, you'll look like a Pred fanboy who got way out over his skis over Ryan Freaking Johansen.

Who knows?

I thought this was a great response from Bowman.

JJ..

Would you move Q now? Does anything change with Q there and some new AC? Not sure it does.
- z1990z

He's one of the top 3 coaches in the game, proven.

The roster is not one of the top 3 in the game (anymore).

As shocking as our loss was, how bout Minny? Geezus. And Montreal out again early.

Hawks go play in the KHL. I'd bet my entire life savings (not much thank you Ohio State University!) they'd win at least one game in the KHL playoffs with the same roster and level of play they showed against the stomach vile yellow (absolutely awful jersey) Predators!


Edit: Lol idk what happens man but they played like they need an International Ice Surface.

Legit question, can Datsyuk come back to the NHL this year or next? 40 yr old Datsyuk is probably still better than Anisimov...lol
- EnzoD

I found it:
1. $5 - Million Fine
2. Following years cap reduced by $5.0M
3. Loss of Draft Picks
4. Any game where your over= Loss (that part is not worse than the last 8 games...)
5. StanBo Suspended

All in Article 26. They can also take punitive action against the signed player if they choose.
All in Article 26.

Must be a slow sports day for me....

Guess my dream of the Hawks showing a bit of salary cap testicular fortitude can't happen.

He's one of the top 3 coaches in the game, proven.

The roster is not one of the top 3 in the game (anymore).
- John Jaeckel

So Stan has to hit on everything he does this summer. And Q needs to adjust as well. I mentioned this before. Q may not have the same roster, but he has to figure out how to maximize it. And he had no answer for the Preds. Little chunk of fail on everyones plate. For sure this teams needs an identity. We have none. Nobody fears us. Time to find that again.

He's one of the top 3 coaches in the game, proven.

The roster is not one of the top 3 in the game (anymore).
- John Jaeckel

Nobody disputes how great Q is , but without knowing the full extent of the injuries and any internal issues, this series seemingly screams a breakup is needed.

Nobody disputes how great Q is , but without knowing the full extent of the injuries and any internal issues, this series seemingly screams a breakup is needed.
- 333inthe3rd

I agree there. Q wins when the horses are running well.. when they dont?

So Stan has to hit on everything he does this summer. And Q needs to adjust as well. I mentioned this before. Q may not have the same roster, but he has to figure out how to maximize it. And he had no answer for the Preds. Little chunk of fail on everyones plate. For sure this teams needs an identity. We have none. Nobody fears us. Time to find that again.
- z1990z

This team probably needs a little more size and nasty. With a PP where the players move themselves a little more often. There is blame all around, and maybe this team does need some soul searching.

You know more than I do evidently, maybe even more than the Hawks do right now. So, much respect.

As for no respect to Nashville, no, I have pointed out several times on the thread and in the blog, the Preds deserved a ton of credit, as did LaViolette.

You just don't like what I'm saying about the Hawks. That's pretty obvious.

Tough.
- John Jaeckel

No big deal .As I said when the year started youth movement is on the way ,and they won the west over 82 games . Sure they were swept in the playoffs ,just part of the learning curve .It's a tough game .It's not that I don't like what you say , just don't believe it is gospel .We shall see ,keep up the good work .

I have zero faith Stan and Co. will get it done. Wasn't part of the original narrative that Dale was responsible for Hossa's "ridiculous" contract, and then when they won a couple Cups, Stan and Co. took credit for his signing.

Look at the deals they've signed these guys. It's going to be the anchor around their necks and they sink unless they make some tough decsions, thrown in with a little luck.

They need a fresh face in the GM spot, without any outside influences, or tied to any of these players. Not going to happen, but should.

Great read JJ.

Remember when Bill Torrey said his biggest regret managing the Islander dynasty was not moving out some of his great players soon enough (or words to that effect)?

Stand pat at your own peril Hawks organization. Worshipping sacred cows for too long leads to long term decline. The refusal or inability to compete in this series and subsequent loss should make the diagnosis an identified disease not just a few annoying symptoms that can be treated painlessly with a couple of aspirins.

This 23 man roster is not good enough, fast enough, big enough or tough enough. Gonna take some time but it can be fixed. Fail to address it and you will likely become another version of the current Vancouver Canucks.
- RickJ

>Yep
>Not good enough, fast enough, big enough, or tough enough
>Current roster got exposed by teams like Winnipeg and late in the year, Panthers -- teams with youth (Jagr aside), speed, and size
>Roster must change, coaching approaches must change, players must change
>Otherwise, a year from now, the "excuses and promises" machine will still be in action

Man, thanks for enlightening us.

If you made serious dough (doubtful) or had a trust fund (meh, possible), you could put a whole lot of money on Jonathan Toews at 28 years old being finished.

But the FACT is, he had a pretty serious back injury in the WCH and played through it all year—ahh, maybe you didn't see PK laying cross checks on his lower back the whole series. Would've required not being transfixed RyJo.

So, who knows, back's a real tricky thing and he could be done. Or he isn't. And in a year or two, you'll look like a Pred fanboy who got way out over his skis over Ryan Freaking Johansen.

Who knows?
- John Jaeckel

I think the health/food choices may have played a role as well as a potential injury.

Toews came out and said after looking at the last few seasons, he needs to reevaluate and potentially change up his preparation for the next year. This, to me, sort of falls in line with the rumor from last year regarding the potentially unhealthy relationship he developed with a healthy living lifestyle.

Obviously just speculating here, but I know these guys have some of the best nutritionists and doctors you could ask for. They teach them how to shop and what foods to look for and the proper way to prepare them so you get the maximum benefit. Going beyond that (as some have hinted Toews has) seems like it could be somewhat excessive. Nothing wrong with wanting to be as healthy as possible, but it's unhealthy to obsess about health.

Toews had glimpses of his old self at points during this season. If he wasn't scoring, he was doing things that don't get recorded on the scoresheet. Then he would disappear for long stretches.

I think he's lost his game, but I don't think he's done in the league.

What I observe about him is that his seriousness/intensity could cross over into the realm where it begins to affect his game negatively. Obviously not the comparing here, but I know when I get too much in my own head and uptight about mens league, I play awful. When I'm more loose and having fun, I don't think as much and just react and the game comes to me easier. I'm sure there's an aspect (at least a sliver) of the same thing at their level.

Maybe the Hawks take the C away and remove the pressure that comes with it? Let him just be a guy and find his game, without having that microscope on him.

You know more than I do evidently, maybe even more than the Hawks do right now. So, much respect.

As for no respect to Nashville, no, I have pointed out several times on the thread and in the blog, the Preds deserved a ton of credit, as did LaViolette.

You just don't like what I'm saying about the Hawks. That's pretty obvious.

Tough.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed. I'm sure the Weber and Jones deals weren't popular at the time, but Poile knew he needed to change how they did things, and get more athletic while also adding more offensive talent. That's a very good team, and could see them playing in the finals if they don't suffer a letdown after beating their boogeyman.