The return I heard was pretty high. It IS a seller's market. Do you want your GM to better your team for the playoffs as your team is 4th in the conference or continue a love affair with Jeremy Morin or Brandon Pirri (just examples).
- John Jaeckel

The bigger question is this - how much will Halpern and Erskine really elevate the team enough to outweigh the loss of who may go in exchange.

EK...i hope you ARE RIGHT. He's wasted a lot of money in the last few years.
- philco28

He was talking about making Konerko a player/manager. That tells me he's lost his damned mind! I hope he's out of there before he destroys what is left of that team!

Man you old fogies... I just love watching pitchers standing at the plate and crapping in their pants trying to lay down a bunt. The DH is a good thing.
- Dannyboy

Just because one guy Struggles at one facet of the game doesn't mean someone else should be allowed to do it for him. Either you're in the game, or you're not. You play the field, you pick up the bat. It's as simple as that. Otherwise, why not just have 9 DH's and 9 DF's? (Designted Fielders). Maybe Toews should be allowed to shoot a penalty shot awarded to Scott just because Scott sucks at hockey. Maybe they also should have allowed Designated Free Throw shooters in the NBA because Shaq was no good at it. It's just a silly gimmick.

I have a feeling the end of Kenny Williams in Chicago isn't too far off.
- EKolb13

Kenny should have been gone several years ago. One of J. Reinsdorf's best qualities is often his worst as well...Loyalty.

Yes indeed they did...and I predicted it too. I said 78 wins last year before the season while most thought they would compete. But I had it backwards...thought they would pound the ball with bad pitching...and it was the opposite.

That team was unwatchable overall.
- ArlingtonRob

They were HORRIFIC. The 3 players i mentioned and Gavin Flop made my stomach turn pretty much the whole year. Thank God the Hawks are nicely into a Renaissance

Just because one guy Struggles at one facet of the game doesn't mean someone else should be allowed to do it for him. Either you're in the game, or you're not. You play the field, you pick up the bat. It's as simple as that. Otherwise, why not just have 9 DH's and 9 DF's? (Designted Fielders). Maybe Toews should be allowed to shoot a penalty shot awarded to Scott just because Scott sucks at hockey. Maybe they also should have allowed Designated Free Throw shooters in the NBA because Shaq was no good at it. It's just a silly gimmick.
- Ogilthorpe2

I couldn't have said it any better! Really, I couldn't. It's a damn good point I wish I would have thunk up myself!

He's an evil GENIUS.
- philco28

I would simply call him evil...

Don Fehr, my friend. I also believe this will ultimately be the end of Bettman.
- John Jaeckel

Based on that prediction, is it bad that I am now rooting for another lockout if it means Bettman is out?

Also, I agree with Rob that Fehr is evil, but far from a genius.

His stance is always the same, which is to not budge until all of his demands are met, all others affected be damned.

They were HORRIFIC. The 3 players i mentioned and Gavin Flop made my stomach turn pretty much the whole year. Thank God the Hawks are nicely into a Renaissance
- philco28

Phil,

You're a Hawk fan...and a Sox fan...in Ontario? What gives?

I would simply call him evil...
- ArlingtonRob

He is a honey badger, an acid spewing honey badger who leaves destruction in his wake.

Based on that prediction, is it bad that I am now rooting for another lockout if it means Bettman is out?

Also, I agree with Rob that Fehr is evil, but far from a genius.

His stance is always the same, which is to not budge until all of his demands are met, all others affected be damned.
- kingcong39

See my post above.

Based on that prediction, is it bad that I am now rooting for another lockout if it means Bettman is out?

Also, I agree with Rob that Fehr is evil, but far from a genius.

His stance is always the same, which is to not budge until all of his demands are met, all others affected be damned.
- kingcong39

I would think so. I don't think Hockey could afford another lockout. It could really set the sport back for a number of years if that happened.

He is a honey badger, an acid spewing honey badger who leaves destruction in his wake.
- John Jaeckel

Now that is hilarious....LOL

I would simply call him evil...
- ArlingtonRob

I've always despised the man. He's like the worst BLACK CLOUD known to any sincere sports fan. When he's getting a lot of face time on television and you see his name in the papers a lot....you just know there is a Bad Moon Risin'.

I would simply call him evil...
- ArlingtonRob

I would characterize virtually all Union leadership as evil.

Phil,

You're a Hawk fan...and a Sox fan...in Ontario? What gives?
- ArlingtonRob

My late Pops brought us here in '70 on a job transfer, and we never moved back, and i cling strongly to my Chicago birthright. Massive Bears fan as well. Definitely a Sox fan as opposed to the Shrubs because i've always liked the A.L. just a bit more.

I would characterize virtually all Union leadership as evil.
- Ogilthorpe2

I wouldn't totally agree with that. I come from a union background. That's all I'm going to say though. I'm not mixing my sports with politics.

No sir, I won't do it.

I wouldn't totally agree with that. I come from a union background. That's all I'm going to say though. I'm not mixing my sports with politics.

No sir, I won't do it.
- EKolb13

My late Pops brought us here in '70 on a job transfer, and we never moved back, and i cling strongly to my Chicago birthright. Massive Bears fan as well. Definitely a Sox fan as opposed to the Shrubs because i've always liked the A.L. just a bit more.
- philco28

For what it's worth, I'm a Cubs fan. I did marry a girl from Bridgeport though, and I am constantly antagonized by my inlaws over my affiliation.

Wow! That's the most cynical take I've heard so far. I sure hope you're wrong since the game is just now coming around. Expanded TV exposure, overall high quality of play, great competition, ect.

But the hiring of Fehr did give me heartburn...
- ArlingtonRob

Can I disagree with the overall high quality of play comment?

Here's why I disagree : I am a fan of speed, skill, and high impact hitting.
When play returned the season after the lockout, the game was as fast or faster than I ever remembered it being.
Everything was done at a supersonic pace, including hitting.
Yes, there was less hitting, mainly because slow guys couldn't catch the rocketeers on skates, but when hits did occur, they were huge.

In the years since, the pace of play has seemed to slow tremendously, players are being impeded more and more as they attempt to skate or enter the offensive zones, lead blocking (as I call it) has returned and is barely being called, and there has been a general relaxing of all penalties being called.
As a result, it appears like everyone is walling things up at center ice and in front of the goaltender, and the play now is all dump it in and wall hockey.

Just my perspective, but I much preferred how the game was played during the return season, and the one after.
I desperately wish they would go back to that.
It was great fun to watch and all of my non hockey friends really enjoyed watching. Now, not so much at all.

Regarding the CBA, I just hope cooler, more intelligent heads prevail. The last lockout isn't far removed, and the league is still recovering. I have no trouble with players getting what they can, but the league has many faltering clubs and a bad deal could result in contraction.

Hopefully the players realize that contraction means FEWER JOBS.

For what it's worth, I'm a Cubs fan. I did marry a girl from Bridgeport though, and I am constantly antagonized by my inlaws over my affiliation.
- EKolb13

It's all good EK...do you think Epstein will finally be the guy to turn them around?

I've always despised the man. He's like the worst BLACK CLOUD known to any sincere sports fan. When he's getting a lot of face time on television and you see his name in the papers a lot....you just know there is a Bad Moon Risin'.
- philco28

If any of you have ever seen the great, and underrated, movie called The Cooler with William Macy, that's what Don Fehr is to a T.

Can I disagree with the overall high quality of play comment?

Here's why I disagree : I am a fan of speed, skill, and high impact hitting.
When play returned the season after the lockout, the game was as fast or faster than I ever remembered it being.
Everything was done at a supersonic pace, including hitting.
Yes, there was less hitting, mainly because slow guys couldn't catch the rocketeers on skates, but when hits did occur, they were huge.

In the years since, the pace of play has seemed to slow tremendously, players are being impeded more and more as they attempt to skate or enter the offensive zones, lead blocking (as I call it) has returned and is barely being called, and there has been a general relaxing of all penalties being called.
As a result, it appears like everyone is walling things up at center ice and in front of the goaltender, and the play now is all dump it in and wall hockey.

Just my perspective, but I much preferred how the game was played during the return season, and the one after.
I desperately wish they would go back to that.
It was great fun to watch and all of my non hockey friends really enjoyed watching. Now, not so much at all.
- kingcong39

King...I agree with you. My comment was just a general perception of the current game, but your specifics are accurate.

It's all good EK...do you think Epstein will finally be the guy to turn them around?
- philco28

I hope so! It seems the Cubs have the right ownership. If Theo is what everyone says he is, then it can't be all that bad.