Hey gents. I've been gone for a while I just moved in the dead of winter (always fun) and Its been a while since Ive had a "for fun" internet connection. I like the way the team has been playing and another example of the fact you never know where your role players will come from. Smith, Shaw and Hayes are playing some really good hockey. I remember a couple months back the common denominators were Morin, Beach, maybe Olsen. Well Hello Shaw and Jimmy Hayes. I know old JJ mentioned a couple times how he liked Shaw during prospect camp.

Any how, Beucheman re-upped with the Ducks so I guess hes off the table and I've seen some discussions about erksine and some others from Washington. What about Hal Gil, he seems to be a good post season gritty dman. Thoughts???

How many goals can the Hawks get screwed out of ? Bruno's great hand-eye coordination is waived off by another poof who never played the game. F.O.

Lol...refs were from Vancouver ....

man i hope that washington stuff isn't true, i'd rather see us get gleason & ruuttu if we're going to fill the 2 needs from the same team!

man i hope that washington stuff isn't true, i'd rather see us get gleason & ruuttu if we're going to fill the 2 needs from the same team!
- wonthecup10

your lips to gods ears

I don't think they have the single blue chipper who is going to turn somebody's head— except maybe Saad, but i do think there are different opinions out there on him. Remember, 42 other players were preferred just 6 months ago.

From everything I am hearing this is a seller's market. No one is going to give the Hawks value for "castoff" prospects (like, say, Beach). They will have to step up and yes even to get a Jeff Halpern, give up a guy (or two!) who some might think was a good prospect.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, over the course of a couple months have read your comments (and those of others) re the prospects the Hawks have in their farm system. I'm not here to say you are offside with your views, but I do believe you are from the glass half empty side of the table, I'm not. Where we are in agreement is wanting to see the Hawks do whatever is reasonably necessary to win another Stanley Cup this year, and more going forward.Going all the way back to when I began watching the NHL (6 team league), blue chip prospects jumped right to the NHL from junior hockey, they spent little or no time down on the farm. The Dave Keons, Joe Sakics and Guy Lafleurs were the John Toews or Patrick Kane of their era - they jumped right in and became top players in the league. All NHL teams had minor league teams that were there to 'develop' a couple of NHL players for the long term but mainly to provide some extra bodies to call up in the event of injuries.

So what I'm here to say is that it doesn't really matter at all whether Rockford is in last place in the AHL or that only 3 or 4 of the players down there currently have a real shot at playing for a top echelon team like the Hawks or even anywhere else in the NHL. With hockey prospects, best to believe in the "many are called, few are chosen" thinking.

We are probably both surprised that Shaw and Hayes have graduated to the big team and appear to be here permanently, whereas Morin, Lalonde, Olsen, and Pirri are where they are - still learning and needing to get better. What's important is that these 2 kids were available internally to fill holes/improve the team. Stan didn't have to send a 4th or 5th pick somewhere to get a couple of bodies. And there is more new talent coming in Kevin Hayes, Stephen Johns, Rensveldt, Danault, Saad. Will they all make it - not likely but if a couple of them do, that's awesome. But we probably won't know about them for 3-4 years, just about the time guys like Sharp, Hossa and a few others are finished as prime time players.

Hey gents. I've been gone for a while I just moved in the dead of winter (always fun) and Its been a while since Ive had a "for fun" internet connection. I like the way the team has been playing and another example of the fact you never know where your role players will come from. Smith, Shaw and Hayes are playing some really good hockey. I remember a couple months back the common denominators were Morin, Beach, maybe Olsen. Well Hello Shaw and Jimmy Hayes. I know old JJ mentioned a couple times how he liked Shaw during prospect camp.

Any how, Beucheman re-upped with the Ducks so I guess hes off the table and I've seen some discussions about erksine and some others from Washington. What about Hal Gil, he seems to be a good post season gritty dman. Thoughts???
- mvp0207

Ha, moved last weekend, no Uverse til the 26th. Using my iPhone 4s as a hotspot and dreading the data bill.

JJ, over the course of a couple months have read your comments (and those of others) re the prospects the Hawks have in their farm system. I'm not here to say you are offside with your views, but I do believe you are from the glass half empty side of the table, I'm not. Where we are in agreement is wanting to see the Hawks do whatever is reasonably necessary to win another Stanley Cup this year, and more going forward.Going all the way back to when I began watching the NHL (6 team league), blue chip prospects jumped right to the NHL from junior hockey, they spent little or no time down on the farm. The Dave Keons, Joe Sakics and Guy Lafleurs were the John Toews or Patrick Kane of their era - they jumped right in and became top players in the league. All NHL teams had minor league teams that were there to 'develop' a couple of NHL players for the long term but mainly to provide some extra bodies to call up in the event of injuries.

So what I'm here to say is that it doesn't really matter at all whether Rockford is in last place in the AHL or that only 3 or 4 of the players down there currently have a real shot at playing for a top echelon team like the Hawks or even anywhere else in the NHL. With hockey prospects, best to believe in the "many are called, few are chosen" thinking.

We are probably both surprised that Shaw and Hayes have graduated to the big team and appear to be here permanently, whereas Morin, Lalonde, Olsen, and Pirri are where they are - still learning and needing to get better. What's important is that these 2 kids were available internally to fill holes/improve the team. Stan didn't have to send a 4th or 5th pick somewhere to get a couple of bodies. And there is more new talent coming in Kevin Hayes, Stephen Johns, Rensveldt, Danault, Saad. Will they all make it - not likely but if a couple of them do, that's awesome. But we probably won't know about them for 3-4 years, just about the time guys like Sharp, Hossa and a few others are finished as prime time players.
- RickJ

Kevin Hayes, Stephen Johns, Rensveldt, Danault, Saad will never, not in a million years, equal Hossa, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, Toews

They will fill some holes, replace guys like Bolland, maybe Hammer (maybe), maybe Saad is a decent 2nd line wing. The Hawks have a LOT of guys like these: Nordstrom, Morin, McNeill, maybe Flick or Paradis.

Everyone is HIGH on Shaw and Hayes, but they will come back to earth. Shaw could be a borderline special player, a glue/sandpaper type you win with and that's great. Hayes could be a Brunette type guy, the guy they thought Beach could be.

But the Hawks have zero blue chippers who should be considered untouchable for the right deal, or even a decent deal that gives them a shot at the Cup. Further, the depth of projectable middle line guys should make them comfortable dealing.

man i hope that washington stuff isn't true, i'd rather see us get gleason & ruuttu if we're going to fill the 2 needs from the same team!
- wonthecup10

It seems (and none of us know for sure) that the price for Erskine and Halpern are even high. Gleason (my top choice) and Ruutu might be out of reach for what the Hawks have or are willing to give. That being said, Halpern would fill a role on the PK and let Shaw be on the wing full time. I would be a fan of that pick up. Then go after Gleason.

I and others have brought up Hal Gil's name a few times in the past 2 weeks. Some argued that he'd be O'D 2.0---another slow, aging D who can't skate. Might be right but i feel like he would be a good third option if Gleason or Allen don't pan out.

[quote=John Jaeckel]
Good point about the depth. Wth Shaw and Hayes, the Hawks are not dealing from a position of weakness. Imagine if Shaw and Hayes had come in and layed an egg and the Hawks were struggling mightily with Sharp out. Teaams would have them over a barrrel during negotiations.

It seems (and none of us know for sure) that the price for Erskine and Halpern are even high. Gleason (my top choice) and Ruutu might be out of reach for what the Hawks have or are willing to give. That being said, Halpern would fill a role on the PK and let Shaw be on the wing full time. I would be a fan of that pick up. Then go after Gleason.

I and others have brought up Hal Gil's name a few times in the past 2 weeks. Some argued that he'd be O'D 2.0---another slow, aging D who can't skate. Might be right but i feel like he would be a good third option if Gleason or Allen don't pan out.
- Kentxo

Looks like Carolina got back a defenseman from NJ when they dumped that dog Poni last night. Never heard of the guy, but if he's an NHL'er it gives them a body to fill if they move Gleason or Allen.

Ha, moved last weekend, no Uverse til the 26th. Using my iPhone 4s as a hotspot and dreading the data bill.
- John Jaeckel

Pretty comprehensive win last night JJ...nice to see 88 get on the sheet...and a very nice tic tac toe from 25 to 88 to 19 for the icebreaker. Razor was rock solid behind a 6 man d-corp that played one of its best games of the year. Very pleased with the team effort and hope we can encore in Music City. GO HAWKS !!!!

[quote=John Jaeckel]
Yep, there should be nobody outside the core group considered untouchable as the bait to get back what they need for the playoffs this year, which I think should be 2 defenceman.

Yep, there should be nobody outside the core group considered untouchable as the bait to get back what they need for the playoffs this year, which I think should be 2 defenceman.
- RickJ

Tough game to watch last night...
I will keep my view on the Panthers making the playoffs as guarded...

I will aslo keep my opinion that ....If all the stars don't liineup for them by next season there will be at least a handful of terible signings that took place over the summer by Tallon he won't be able to unload.

Kopecky has to be near the top of the list of most overpaid players and Begenheim, Santorelli and a couple of others are not far behind.

The pixie dust could be wearing off and Theodore looked like the familar Theodore.

Hawks were fairly good considering the flow of that game was agonizing to watch.

As far as the goal waive off....The NHL hardly evers overturns an on ice call like that one. My guess is they don't have the technology in place to do so....

What should happen is a no call on the ice unless ref is 100% sure....If that was the case last night Bruno's goal probably would have counted.

Good point about the depth. Wth Shaw and Hayes, the Hawks are not dealing from a position of weakness. Imagine if Shaw and Hayes had come in and layed an egg and the Hawks were struggling mightily with Sharp out. Teaams would have them over a barrrel during negotiations.
- Kentxo

The position in the standings helps with that as well. You have to figure the Blues and Wings are thinking somewhere in the back of their heads "We just went 8-2 and pretty much gained no ground. When will they come back to Earth?"

At what point does the Hawks continuing to pile up standings points despite at times mediocre play turn into a psychological advantage? Same with the kiddie corps. Assuming Shaw and Hayes remain productive, that's five rookies in two years for a plug and play system. I would love for the Hawks to get inside the heads of the rest of the league the way the Wings were a few years ago.

John
Usually I agree with you but Sharp and Keith were never thought to be a top 6 forward or top 2 defenseman. We don't know what these players that you mention may become in 2 or 3 years. But I agree with you is that if we do get someone that we need and is signed for a bit longer and not a rental then I would trade anyone. For a rental I might be hesitant on Danault, Morin, Saad, Mcneil and Lalonde. Everyone else is available for a rental.