The hawks are more of a destination versus the dysfunction some want to make them out to be.

They treat their players well. Q is well respected/liked by players which matters more than being liked on a message board.

Packed house.

A lot of national love.

And contrary to belief, with their core they will always have a chance to win.

And playing a game in the ice and off as a competitor versus a team mate is a different thing. Thornton is a good guy, even if he bullied little Johnny. I wish Toews would show some balls now and then and not just eat his greens
- PatShart

I agree about Q....he is well liked by most players. Not every coach is liked by everyone, not even Mike Babcock which if TSN found out would probably shut down the network.

The packed house thing...eh.....so does every Canadian city so does NYR, San Jose, Boston, Philly, Wash, Pitts, and many more.....same with the way they treat guys....

The core thing is valid IF the window stays open.....but it's not hard to look around and see young teams like Edmonton, Toronto, Nashville, taking leaps forwards...and all that matters is winning.......

See I think you play Thornton with 88 and make 88 the shooter on that line. With the way he has been ripping shots off the last two seasons, I don't see that as a problem.
- fattybeef

I just don't think he will leave NoCal period. If I am wrong I will buy the first person that remembers this post lunch anywhere in Lake County.

I agree about Q....he is well liked by most players. Not every coach is liked by everyone, not even Mike Babcock which if TSN found out would probably shut down the network.

The packed house thing...eh.....so does every Canadian city so does NYR, San Jose, Boston, Philly, Wash, Pitts, and many more.....same with the way they treat guys....

The core thing is valid IF the window stays open.....but it's not hard to look around and see young teams like Edmonton, Toronto, Nashville, taking leaps forwards...and all that matters is winning.......
- SteveRain

The cap kills any team longevity. It took PITT awhile to get back. Hawks did what no others could do...cash in 3x

LA is done at 2. Tampa never won their Cup and now their players will start cashing in. This is WASH only shot.

I think Kane, Toews,Hossa, Keith, Seabrook,Hjarll, Craw get one more kick at the can within the next 1-2yrs

Move anyone around them.

Then Hossa will be retiring, Hjarll contract up, Crow near end of the deal.

Then will be the time to build with youth around Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook

I just don't think he will leave NoCal period. If I am wrong I will buy the first person that remembers this post lunch anywhere in Lake County.
- riozzo

And what if they don't want him back?

He has size, can win draws, and is a smart player

And what if they don't want him back?

He has size, can win draws, and is a smart player
- PatShart

Retires/signs with Sharks = no lunch

Signs anywhere but Sharks = lunch

hell it would be worth it to chat up hockey for a few hours...

Edit

Probably not but I'd reserve judgement on that until he's at least 35. He doesn't make $7 million a year either.

And, no, he is far from being "the problem" with this team.
- John Jaeckel

I agree. The thing with moving Seabs is without Seabs you have 2 natural right side defensemen. TVR and Rosi. Yikes!! TVR may go to Vegas in the expansion draft. If you are going to move Seabs you better have a plan in place to bring in a low cost #1 or #2 right side defender to replace him. That might be very very hard to find. Look at the decent UFA's. They are mainly left handers.

That is why I think you try to move Anisimov, Kruger and Hjalmarsson this offseason. That gives you mil 11.733 mil in cap space of which you can spend about $7mil to stay under the cap. If you resign Panik and Kempny your needs are 2nd line ctr, 1st line LW, 2nd right side defender. Through trades /siginings you could land one or two young talented players on their entry level contracts (or RFA's after their entry level contract) like Palat or Drouin. You can improve the team greatly .

???? Toews Panik
Panarin ???? Kane
???? Kero Hossa
???? ???? ????
fill in some of the ???? with Hayden, Schmaltz, Motte, Hartman, Hino, Debrincat, Jurco, Moose, Fortin, Tootoo, etc....

Keith Seabs
Kempny TVR
Forsling ????

Oduya? Campbell? Rosi? Pokka? Gus?

It does not look pretty. But if you can pick up a good low cost forward and a 2nd pairing defenseman through signing or trade it does not look so bad.

Or so good.

I don't see how signing AA was a mistake , after the year he had with Panarin and Kane he would of asked for more . At least we pait Seebs Toews Kane Keith for what they accomplished for the team .Panarin got paid for individual awards and hitting bonuses ,and oh ya some great international hockey .. I would trade him and Jhammer because he is close to a new deal ,and owed big money . For a top F/D in the 5 to 6 mil area take the cap savings and move on .

Retires/signs with Sharks = no lunch

Signs anywhere but Sharks = lunch

hell it would be worth it to chat up hockey for a few hours...

Edit
- riozzo

All this talk of lunch...now I am hungry.

All this talk of lunch...now I am hungry.
- DarthKane

Go have breakfast, it's early out by you

All this talk of lunch...now I am hungry.
- DarthKane

For you it would have to be somewhere on Granville Island

For you it would have to be somewhere on Granville Island
- riozzo

Granville Island is great, but not a place I can go to during the week (too far from my office).

Who do we have tonight??

Anaheim or EDM?

Pittsburgh or Wash?

Brian Hedger @BrianHedger
32m

Blashill on Schmaltz: "I’m anticipating he’ll be ready for our game against Latvia, but we’ll know more ... as we move through the week."

JJ, great reviews and dead on in most cases!

While I am in no way shape or form pumping the prospect tires because I am of the belief that they are not even close to being answers, I look forward to seeing Debrincat play. I think he will work well in our favor. He plays with an edge, and can score.

Now, as for the atrocity on West Madison. Bowman has this off season to truly show the League, the Fans and the hockey world, that he can right a ship and continue to bring this franchise to the promised land. I will say this, granted the rosters were very different as far as role players go, but the last time the Hawks have had back-to-back first round exits, they won the cup in the next season. Do I think they have the pieces to do that again? As I look at the current roster, the answer is HELL NO!

My fix:

Panarin to Philly for Wayne Simmonds and a Prospect
- Saves money off the Cap, gives Toews a Tough top LW that will also allow him to play off to the side of the Net on the PP. We as a team have skill, Simmonds brings the lunchpale mentality with a nice set of hands around the net.

Anisimov and Hartman to Colorado for Duchene, Prospect
- Hate seeing Hartman go, but I don't and never have believed he was a Shaw replacement.

Kruger to Calgary for Picks
- Salary Dump, a good option to round out the bottom six in CAL

Sign Micheal Stone, Brian Boyle and Kris Russell

Simmonds-Toews-Hossa
Kero-Duchene-Kane
Panik-Boyle-Schmaltz
????-Ras-????

Keith-0Seabs
Hammer-Russell
Stone-Kempny

Granville Island is great, but not a place I can go to during the week (too far from my office).
- DarthKane

One of my favorite restaurants in the world, "C", used to be right across from Granville Island, that was fifteen years ago, don't even know if it's there anymore.

Some of the lustre is off the Hawks now, they aren't seen by players quite the same way anymore—one rebound season and a different vibe around the team and that could change, because the market and media exposure is still desirable.

I don't see how signing AA was a mistake , after the year he had with Panarin and Kane he would of asked for more . At least we pait Seebs Toews Kane Keith for what they accomplished for the team .Panarin got paid for individual awards and hitting bonuses ,and oh ya some great international hockey .. I would trade him and Jhammer because he is close to a new deal ,and owed big money . For a top F/D in the 5 to 6 mil area take the cap savings and move on .
- oldduffman

Yep, 42 points playing with two of the best point producers in the world. He likely would have commanded north of $8 million per.

I respect the fact that you like Bowman and take a positive point of view. But that assertion is pretty much wrong.

If after 42 points, playing with those guys, Anisimov was anything but grateful, you tell him to go test the market and see if anyone gave him $5 million a year to go play in Arizona or something.

He's a nice enough player for what he does below the circles, and in that regard he supported the play and made space for those guys. But you miss the point.

PANARIN was really the addition that made that line special. You re-up with Brad Richards (on fumes) for less money, you probably get the same or likely more production.

SIGNING him was not the issue. He's a decent enough player.

Signing him for that kind of money when you didn't have to for another year, with a NMC, especially a guy whose consistency and commitment had been questioned with two previous teams, is highly questionable, especially when your cap situation was/is/and will be completely bollocksed up.

It's just not smart.

Some of the lustre is off the Hawks now, they aren't seen by players quite the same way anymore—one rebound season and a different vibe around the team and that could change, because the market and media exposure is still desirable.
- John Jaeckel

One thing people need to be wary of is trying to find a "pattern" or pathway to getting back o the cup. We've heard several times recently "look at how Pitt did it". "Look at how the Hawks did it in '13 after bowing out twice in the first round". Every year each team is different and the dynamics of the conferences and divisions change.

You have to acquire/build the best talent and abilities you possibly can. After that it comes down to the determination (on the part of everyone) required to get through potentially 110 games. you can't follow a blueprint. How many fast and skilled teams did NJ poop down when they were dominant. LA won twice using sheer force, smothering D and some higher end talent.

Yep, 42 points playing with two of the best point producers in the world. He likely would have commanded north of $8 million per.

I respect the fact that you like Bowman and take a positive point of view. But that assertion is pretty much wrong.

If after 42 points, playing with those guys, Anisimov was anything but grateful, you tell him to go test the market and see if anyone gave him $5 million a year to go play in Arizona or something.

He's a nice enough player for what he does below the circles, and in that regard he supported the play and made space for those guys. But you miss the point.

PANARIN was really the addition that made that line special. You re-up with Brad Richards (on fumes) for less money, you probably get the same or likely more production.

SIGNING him was not the issue. He's a decent enough player.

Signing him for that kind of money when you didn't have to for another year, with a NMC, especially a guy whose consistency and commitment had been questioned with two previous teams, is highly questionable, especially when your cap situation was/is/and will be completely bollocksed up.

It's just not smart.
- John Jaeckel

In general, I think you are being fair in assessing AA as a player. The only thing you left out is that he seems to be quite brittle; I think its illusionary to think he can stay healthy and play 82 regular season games plus another 20+ in the playoffs. That was another reason not to hand out both the term and NMC on the new deal.

But I do think he is one guy that can be persuaded to waive the "I'm not going anywhere" clause in his contract. You never know, he might just fall in love with Las Vegas or Denver or Phoenix or Buffalo or Newark or Montreal.

Some of the lustre is off the Hawks now, they aren't seen by players quite the same way anymore—one rebound season and a different vibe around the team and that could change, because the market and media exposure is still desirable.
- John Jaeckel

Since the Hawks cleaned out their lockers....which seems like months ago.....

--Bulls made a run only flame out....

--NFL draft happened, and this town is and will always be a Bears town. They dominate headlines good or bad. That won't stop.

--Cubs are a trainwreck right now so if that continues it will garner buzz, if they wake up it will also garner buzz.

--Sox if they get hot, but most likely who will be traded come July....

Point is the Hawks have slipped away from the casual fan's attention. They will try to ramp it up at the draft, but most likely the convention....and then see where they land come fall for training camp/start of the season.

You think MTL may be interested in Anisimov? They need C, size...he has Radulov, Markov there

Listening to Stellek and Simmer this morning they had a guest on at 0800 talking about the Rangers and their regret in the series. What was interesting was the discussion of Kevin Hayes and his nickname hasey. A play was made on it to infer LAZY. Also, no mention of his bean town buddy Vesey. From my untrained eyes, those two not opting for Chicago might be a good think long term. Hays is truly gaining a reputation as a part time player hence his 3rd line spot. Vesey stands still without the puck and plays minimal D. I could envision Vesey being in Q's doghouse quickly....
- riozzo

I cannot stand Stellek and Simmer. They are both horrible at interviews and just plain awful on the air. I was shocked they were not fired after their first season last year. Much preferred Hockey This Morning with Mike Ross and Mick Kern. Heck I'd even take Scott Laughlin back in the mornings.

Since the Hawks cleaned out their lockers....which seems like months ago.....

--Bulls made a run only flame out....

--NFL draft happened, and this town is and will always be a Bears town. They dominate headlines good or bad. That won't stop.

--Cubs are a trainwreck right now so if that continues it will garner buzz, if they wake up it will also garner buzz.

--Sox if they get hot, but most likely who will be traded come July....

Point is the Hawks have slipped away from the casual fan's attention. They will try to ramp it up at the draft, but most likely the convention....and then see where they land come fall for training camp/start of the season.
- SteveRain

Trainwreck is a bit harsh

You think MTL may be interested in Anisimov? They need C, size...he has Radulov, Markov there
- PatShart

If I was Radulov's agent I would be talking frequently to George McPhee about what my client can bring to LV as a free agent. Screw Bergevin and the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge; its all about the money and a lower tax rate for my client at his age.

In general, I think you are being fair in assessing AA as a player. The only thing you left out is that he seems to be quite brittle; I think its illusionary to think he can stay healthy and play 82 regular season games plus another 20+ in the playoffs. That was another reason not to hand out both the term and NMC on the new deal.

But I do think he is one guy that can be persuaded to waive the "I'm not going anywhere" clause in his contract. You never know, he might just fall in love with Las Vegas or Denver or Phoenix or Buffalo or Newark or Montreal.
- RickJ

The only thing I had a problem with was Foley openly ripping the guy and singling him out while he was just back from a high ankle sprain. Very tired of Foley's spin-atrics and who he will/wont' call out. Getting very old and again......I LOVE national Eddie O....if only we could get him on a nightly basis it would be best for all.