Doesn't sound like a prospect to get overly excited about. He's not playing in one of the top leagues overseas.
- DarthKane

I'm not sure, at least he's not a Smurf:

http://committedindians.c...sts-blackhawks-red-wings/

Doesn't sound like a prospect to get overly excited about. He's not playing in one of the top leagues overseas.
- DarthKane

He is only 21, did you watch the Video? some Big guys take a little longer to figure out the skating and hand eye. He went from 20 games and 4 goals to 50 games and 25 goals and lead the league in PTS by 1.14 per game to 1.02. He was tied for 3rd in Goals and Tied for 2nd in Assists in the league. So what that tells me is his hands are OK if he is getting that many assists. And the Video does show some good speed and good acceleration for a big guy. He is also a LW/C which are needs for us more then RW.

He is only 21, did you watch the Video? some Big guys take a little longer to figure out the skating and hand eye. He went from 20 games and 4 goals to 50 games and 25 goals and lead the league in PTS by 1.14 per game to 1.02. He was tied for 3rd in Goals and Tied for 2nd in Assists in the league. So what that tells me is his hands are OK if he is getting that many assists. And the Video does show some good speed and good acceleration for a big guy. He is also a LW/C which are needs for us more then RW.
- kmw4631

And we do need to restock Rockford so he'd be worth a shot.

He is only 21, did you watch the Video? some Big guys take a little longer to figure out the skating and hand eye. He went from 20 games and 4 goals to 50 games and 25 goals and lead the league in PTS by 1.14 per game to 1.02. He was tied for 3rd in Goals and Tied for 2nd in Assists in the league. So what that tells me is his hands are OK if he is getting that many assists. And the Video does show some good speed and good acceleration for a big guy. He is also a LW/C which are needs for us more then RW.
- kmw4631

A couple small video clips doesn't translate into NHL or AHL success. I'm not saying he would be a bad signing, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a short term fix for Rockford. If you're looking for a prospect with size then Stan should sign Bondra.

A couple small video clips doesn't translate into NHL or AHL success. I'm not saying he would be a bad signing, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a short term fix for Rockford. If you're looking for a prospect with size then Stan should sign Bondra.
- DarthKane

Remember the Bear that could jump out of a pool - how did that work out for them. With you on this...

A couple small video clips doesn't translate into NHL or AHL success. I'm not saying he would be a bad signing, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a short term fix for Rockford. If you're looking for a prospect with size then Stan should sign Bondra.
- DarthKane

I agree that hard to tell shot and hands in a video. But speed you can. Moose in one video is not going to look real fast and another look slow (he is going to always look slow) I agree the other stuff you can try 10 times and it works once so on the Video it looks good (you don't see the other 9). The reason I think he may have some skill is how often do you see 6-5 FR at the top of there league in assists? Goals you do but not often Assists. Hard to get an assist sitting in front of the net. how does the WHL compare it SHL 2nd Div? They are 1.5 years apart in Age and Bondra has looked much better this year then last.

I'm guessing Crosby is held out of action until the Stanley Cup Final. If Crosby has another concussion shortly after last night's concussion, his career could be over....unfortunate situation.

It says he was in Nashville for game 4 against of round 1 and then spent the day with the Preds Swedes. That doesn't sound like a strong finish for the Hawks.

Only one single focus at this point for the Hawks drafting, coaching and marketing strategy. All of the NMCs/NTCs have left them no other choice but to focus on finding wingers that can unleash Krueger's untapped offensive potential. All other priorities need to be dropped.
- tredbrta

I think one of the top priorities has to be finding a backup goalie!

It says he was in Nashville for game 4 against of round 1 and then spent the day with the Preds Swedes. That doesn't sound like a strong finish for the Hawks.

Only one single focus at this point for the Hawks drafting, coaching and marketing strategy. All of the NMCs/NTCs have left them no other choice but to focus on finding wingers that can unleash Krueger's untapped offensive potential. All other priorities need to be dropped.
- tredbrta

April fools day was last month.
We were fooled alright with first round exit
Now we see in the year ahead what coaches and players might exit.
Maybe a GM as well

I agree that hard to tell shot and hands in a video. But speed you can. Moose in one video is not going to look real fast and another look slow (he is going to always look slow) I agree the other stuff you can try 10 times and it works once so on the Video it looks good (you don't see the other 9). The reason I think he may have some skill is how often do you see 6-5 FR at the top of there league in assists? Goals you do but not often Assists. Hard to get an assist sitting in front of the net. how does the WHL compare it SHL 2nd Div? They are 1.5 years apart in Age and Bondra has looked much better this year then last.
- kmw4631

Bondra played so little at the end in Rockford there is no way to say anything concrete about his game. But you will notice this big guy and his skating stride.

I think one of the top priorities has to be finding a backup goalie!
- walleyeb1

There are some good options out there. Mike Condon would be one of the top guys on my list, he could probably be signed for a couple years with a cap hit under $1 million. Peter Budaj is another option, but he would cost more.

April fools day was last month.
We were fooled alright with first round exit
Now we see in the year ahead what coaches and players might exit.
Maybe a GM as well
- jhawk59

Lets hope Stan has figured out the way the league is going and start looking at bigger guys who can handle the game as it stands today. We are back to the quagmire/slug it out style. Better yet, size with speed.

Lets hope Stan has figured out the way the league is going and start looking at bigger guys who can handle the game as it stands today. We are back to the quagmire/slug it out style. Better yet, size with speed.
- z1990z

Guys like that are a dime a dozen.

He shouldnt be suspended. The slash Crosby received right before the cross check was worse in my opinion. If Crosby wasnt diving after the slash his face would have never been where it was to be cross checked. Its hard to say the Caps player was targeting Crosbys head when Crosbys head was at his waste level.
- mrpaulish

he has been dogging crosby all 3 games with some other nasty slashes and crosschecks...sorry not buying "no intention and the speed of the game"...he saw another opp to lay a stick and he did...his stick was extended up high that is not a defensive oh oh i gotta protect myself...

I understand that. But would anyone give a poop it Crosby was the one who hit Niskanen? There was no uproar when Crosby did Methot's finger. Crawford catches his lunch every game and no one gives a poop. Lindros couldn't take it, his brother couldn't. Looks like Crosby can't either. There's some who say Toews can't.

I don't wish Crosby or anyone else any harm and feel bad he's hurt. If it was up to me I'd suspend Ovi for a game for the thump on the helmet. That was intentional and way up high. Niskanen's play was defensive and reactionary. He didn't bury the stick in Crosby's face.

Superstar treatment is bullpoop. Make the rules and then enforce them. And let the best team win.
- 6628

Great points. And to add: If the league had been calling the penalties like the rules state since the lost season, including playoffs, perhaps some of this extracurricular activity doesn't occur. It seems like players know they can get away with more and some tend to go overboard. JMO.

I think one of the top priorities has to be finding a backup goalie!
- walleyeb1

Cal Petersen out of ND will sign here as free agent. Too much smoke around that for there not to be fire. Could sign elsewhere too though. Probably needs time in the AHL regardless. Plenty of backups will be available.... and none will be as good as Darling...

April fools day was last month.
We were fooled alright with first round exit
Now we see in the year ahead what coaches and players might exit.
Maybe a GM as well
- jhawk59

And James Tanner is on the short list for GM, right?

I seriously doubt Stan's job is in jeopardy in the next 12 months. Others would go first. Better chance Q walks or is shown the door. Too much respect for Scotty. Stan could always say he has had enough and walk away I suppose.

And James Tanner is on the short list for GM, right?

I seriously doubt Stan's job is in jeopardy in the next 12 months. Others would go first. Better chance Q walks or is shown the door. Too much respect for Scotty. Stan could always say he has had enough and walk away I suppose.
- tredbrta

Another 1st round exit and Stan will be shown the door... I guarantee it! Scotty will follow his son to the next NHL TEAM. To be honest with you , Stan is a big reason why the Hawks have been in Cap Hell for the last two years. You can"t give out 5 to 8 year mega contracts with no trade clauses in this cap era.

Cal Petersen out of ND will sign here as free agent. Too much smoke around that for there not to be fire. Could sign elsewhere too though. Probably needs time in the AHL regardless. Plenty of backups will be available.... and none will be as good as Darling...
- tredbrta

Guy looks to be a solid prospect and a really strong character.

Where are you seeing these rumours about him testing free agency? Any are there specific rumours that he wants to come to Chicago?

Just curious as I haven't seen anything personally.

Another 1st round exit and Stan will be shown the door... I guarantee it! Scotty will follow his son to the next NHL TEAM. To be honest with you , Stan is a big reason why the Hawks have been in Cap Hell for the last two years. You can"t give out 5 to 8 year mega contracts with no trade clauses in this cap era.
- spanky

How many times has a GM jettisoned a top tier player rather than re-signing him to a long term deal with a NTC?

How many times has a top tier player accepted a long term deal without a NTC? Not including players in their RFA and are not eligible for NTCs.

Burns? Benn? Hedman? Stamkos? Byfuglien? Kopitar? Giordano? Kesler? Tarasenko? All have some type of NTC in their UFA years. Subban had one but it was voided after the trade to Nashville.

Voracek is the only guy I can think of that doesn't have any type of NTC.

Stan's biggest problem is that he's had to negotiate with more top tier talent than most or all other GMs. Has Stan been perfect? No, of course not. But simply saying that Stan should have signed the core to long term deals without NTC is not realistic based on the current environment. If the NTCs weren't there the core's cap hit would be even bigger.

How many times has a GM jettisoned a top tier player rather than re-signing him to a long term deal with a NTC?

How many times has a top tier player accepted a long term deal without a NTC? Not including players in their RFA and are not eligible for NTCs.

Burns? Benn? Hedman? Stamkos? Byfuglien? Kopitar? Giordano? Kesler? Tarasenko? All have some type of NTC in their UFA years. Subban had one but it was voided after the trade to Nashville.

Voracek is the only guy I can think of that doesn't have any type of NTC.

Stan's biggest problem is that he's had to negotiate with more top tier talent than most or all other GMs. Has Stan been perfect? No, of course not. But simply saying that Stan should have signed the core to long term deals without NTC is not realistic based on the current environment. If the NTCs weren't there the core's cap hit would be even bigger.
- DarthKane

Or he would have had to trade them like he did Saad.
Nice post Darth.

No supplementary discipline for Niskanen (per many reporters on Twitter).
- DarthKane

Kinda shocking to me.

How many times has a GM jettisoned a top tier player rather than re-signing him to a long term deal with a NTC?

How many times has a top tier player accepted a long term deal without a NTC? Not including players in their RFA and are not eligible for NTCs.

Burns? Benn? Hedman? Stamkos? Byfuglien? Kopitar? Giordano? Kesler? Tarasenko? All have some type of NTC in their UFA years. Subban had one but it was voided after the trade to Nashville.

Voracek is the only guy I can think of that doesn't have any type of NTC.

Stan's biggest problem is that he's had to negotiate with more top tier talent than most or all other GMs. Has Stan been perfect? No, of course not. But simply saying that Stan should have signed the core to long term deals without NTC is not realistic based on the current environment. If the NTCs weren't there the core's cap hit would be even bigger.
- DarthKane

Stan's biggest problem is that he has ZERO negotiation skills. He paid 19, 88, and 7 top dollar UFA AAV and traded our 1LW for the next decade over $1mil. Bowman needs to make this team great again, or he should be impeached.

I'm guessing Crosby is held out of action until the Stanley Cup Final. If Crosby has another concussion shortly after last night's concussion, his career could be over....unfortunate situation.
- EnzoD

They aren't making the SCF if he's not playing...

They aren't making the SCF if he's not playing...
- SimpleJack

Can I quote you on that? I'd tend to agree, but this Penguins team has that "IT" factor. You honestly think OTT or NYR will beat Pitt(even without Crosby)?