5.9 mil cap hit, long term, for a top 5-10 defender in the league is an unattractive contract?

Really? Since when?

And for what preposterous reason would you do such a thing? Unless Weber becomes magically available for significantly less than the league max do not understand at all how that makes them better.
- fattybeef

So unless trading Keith magically opens a spot filled by Weber there is no return from trading Keith that would make the Hawks better? Whether I think they should or shouldn't trade Keith is neither here nor there because it'll never happen. At least not in the next few years. But I certainly think he could bring enough in return to make it worth the Hawks while.

Exactly. Not busting on Scott, but how many times on this board did we wonder when he was going to take an instigator, why wouldn't he engage. Maybe Bollig not being a Dinosaur is to his advantage because he finds a dance partner every game. Whatever it takes to get guys like Kane and Hossa to get a little hate on, bottle it. Hossa had some nice hits last night, and Kane like you said Rick, grew about six inches. Also loved Shaw's act last night. Some neutral zone mistakes, but overall he was great.
- John Jaeckel

Not much good being the Heavyweight Champion if you can't book a fight with anybody, right?

I'm not that sure Bollig is even a very good fighter but he's a willing participant and seems to know when to step in without doing something really stupid.

I really liked the game last night on both sides. Good, tough physical battle and relatively clean, minimal stickwork. And aside from Sharp, Kane, Hossa, Shaw, and Oduya, I thought Bolland and Stalberg were pretty effective too.

Instead of hypothesizing about trading Keith, why not concentrate on how to manage the asset better? Lots of teams would be thrilled to have a player like #2, like about 15 teams who wouldn't burn his TOI candle at both ends. And who do you propose the Hawks replace him with Dion Phaneuf, John Michael Liles, Jason Garrison ?
- RickJ

Agree. Cutting down his TOI would be a big start. Let's say the Hawks did trade him, do you really think they will get anything equal or better in return for him? Campbell's contract needed to be moved to allow the Hawks breathing room, but look @ how much trading him hurt their defensive unit collectively. You would see the same thing if the Hawks were to trade Keith.

A lot of fans pound this guy, but he's playing against the top lines of every team on a nightly basis, the PK, and the PP. It seems that everybody is looking for him to make errors/mistakes, so when he does, they are magnified even more. Even this guy w 30% more oxygen in his blood gets tired lol

Oduya has panned out relatively well for the Hawks thus far. let's hope that he can take some weight off of not only #2's shoulders, but the entire defensive unit- and as a result, maybe you will see more consistent, and improved play from all of their guys on the blue line....(maybe even in goal too )

Agree. Cutting down his TOI would be a big start. Let's say the Hawks did trade him, do you really think they will get anything equal or better in return for him? Campbell's contract needed to be moved to allow the Hawks breathing room, but look @ how much trading him hurt their defensive unit collectively. You would see the same thing if the Hawks were to trade Keith.

A lot of fans pound this guy, but he's playing against the top lines of every team on a nightly basis, the PK, and the PP. It seems that everybody is looking for him to make errors/mistakes, so when he does, they are magnified even more. Even this guy w 30% more oxygen in his blood gets tired lol

Oduya has panned out relatively well for the Hawks thus far. let's hope that he can take some weight off of not only #2's shoulders, but the entire defensive unit- and as a result, maybe you will see more consistent, and improved play from all of their guys on the blue line....(maybe even in goal too )
- frafra

Oduya played big minutes last night..a little past 29 min.which is odd,because I thought D2K was the only d man who gets that privilege...wait?! Is that a privilege or punishment?!

JJ i thought Kruger looked pretty good last night again,little by little he is showing his elite passing skills

I'm not that sure Bollig is even a very good fighter

- RickJ

He dances every game he's iced, hasn't clearly lost yet, all while having a big dumb grin on his face.

That my friend, is a very good fighter.

Great win last night! But I don't think it means much if Toews won't be back for the playoffs. Has anyone heard if he's still skating with the team? Last I read had him stop skating last week. And now with Hammer having another "upper body" injury that means more Olsen, that's a concern to me.

I think I just had a seizure watching Patrick Kane hit people. Even if he chips in two hits a game it establishes his presence and I think it rejuvenates him too. Awesome game last night and a big two points. On Keith, I was reading the recap from the Blues blogger and he said Keith played his best game he seen Keith play against the Blues. Brunette scored...great, still think Hayes should be put on that line to go to the front of the net.

I think I just had a seizure watching Patrick Kane hit people. Even if he chips in two hits a game it establishes his presence and I think it rejuvenates him too. Awesome game last night and a big two points. On Keith, I was reading the recap from the Blues blogger and he said Keith played his best game he seen Keith play against the Blues. Brunette scored...great, still think Hayes should be put on that line to go to the front of the net.
- nickmo2699

Just goes to show that playing physical could be contagious. If you get two or three guys hitting before you know it other guys start chipping in and the team develops a sort of pack mentality as evidenced by Kane's hits last night.

Well, it's a 3.6 average unweighted....
- StLBravesFan

That would get you into most big schools i'm sure

Not much good being the Heavyweight Champion if you can't book a fight with anybody, right?

I'm not that sure Bollig is even a very good fighter but he's a willing participant and seems to know when to step in without doing something really stupid.

I really liked the game last night on both sides. Good, tough physical battle and relatively clean, minimal stickwork. And aside from Sharp, Kane, Hossa, Shaw, and Oduya, I thought Bolland and Stalberg were pretty effective too.
- RickJ

The next step will be to find a way to get a 4th line that can play about 8-9 mins in some games and forecheck....

It didn't matter the score... Bollig had to take that instigator otherwise his value is diminished.

Oduya had a number of bad turnovers and its only a matter of time before they start getting victimized by those.


- fattybeef

You need glasses.

And when was the last time an almost 30 year old with 11 years left on his contract dealt?

EDIT: Keith is 28. Jeff Carter is 27. Don't I look like an idiot this morning?
- EKolb13

Just a scenario. But hey, Keith has been amazing these past 2 years though. Kool aid alert.

Campbell and Carter both got traded. It's possible.

I always thought positively of Keith. But I think as Hawks fans we need to be honest with our players. As great as he has been, does anyone really think he is gonna get back to 2010 form? Just sayin'
- robhawks

My point is that most teams in the NHL would love to have their top pairing D man at a 5.5 hit (according to cap geek) for the rest of his career. That is a phenomenal bargain for a player of his caliber.

For Example:
Doughty - 7mil/year
Green - 5.2/year expires this summer
Lidstrom - 6.2/year
Phaneuf - 6.5/year
Weber 7.5/year
Campbell 7.1/year
Bouwmeester - 6.68/year
Boyle - 6.6/year
Timonen - 6.3/year
Chara - 6.9
Buff - 5.2/year

And again, my biggest contention, is how does moving Keith in the current cap era benefit them either roster wise or salary wise? I don't get the logic. Who replaces him? At what salary?

Not many of the Hawks defenders or forwards for that matter have been managing the puck well. When Hossa or Kane came back for it and went through the neutral zone with speed good things started to happen.

This is more absurd than the trade Kane idea. Good thing that never happened.

You need glasses.
- philco28

No I actually watched the game. They were fortunate not to get burnt on any of them... Which... If he continues to play more than 20 minutes a night will eventually happen.

Talk about looking at a player with rosy glasses. Remember how awesome Frolik was at the end of last year? Until you realize what happens with a bigger sample size. I'm not saying he is a bad player but the praise is a little absurd... Maybe if he actually hit someone he'd be better...

I did see that last night. It really was a special moment.
- EKolb13

It was even better seeing him level that butthead Backes.

So unless trading Keith magically opens a spot filled by Weber there is no return from trading Keith that would make the Hawks better? Whether I think they should or shouldn't trade Keith is neither here nor there because it'll never happen. At least not in the next few years. But I certainly think he could bring enough in return to make it worth the Hawks while.
- Hal9000y2k

The trade Keith talk is flawed in this way...

Anyone who can comes in and fill the same role will be more expensive than Keith....Cap hit wise which is what matters.

The Hawks will reshuffle their defense again this summer but I doubt Keith is going anywhere.

It was even better seeing him level that butthead Backes.
- philco28

Kane is has shouldered an additional load since Toews has been gone and he hasn't disappeared when he hasn't scored a goal.....Not nearly a problem in my book.

Nice theory, but wrong. It's psychological. And he is a better fighter than you give him credit for.
- John Jaeckel

Can't believe Bollig got a 10 min. misconduct on the play. His 'conduct' was phucking stellar. PHUCK THE ZEBRAS.

Can't believe Bollig got a 10 min. misconduct on the play. His 'conduct' was phucking stellar. PHUCK THE ZEBRAS.
- philco28

This instigator rule is ruining the sport.

No I actually watched the game. They were fortunate not to get burnt on any of them... Which... If he continues to play more than 20 minutes a night will eventually happen.

Talk about looking at a player with rosy glasses. Remember how awesome Frolik was at the end of last year? Until you realize what happens with a bigger sample size. I'm not saying he is a bad player but the praise is a little absurd... Maybe if he actually hit someone he'd be better...
- fattybeef

Oduya's been SUPERB since arriving. I agree that if he continues to see 29 minutes a night, fatigue will lead to errors, but he's the most responsible d-man IN HIS OWN ZONE that i've seen wearing a Tomahawk...in a long time.

This instigator rule is ruining the sport.
- nickmo2699

It's a funny rule...so funny in fact...i didn't even know that a 10 minute misconduct is automatically assessed in addition to the minor for instigating.

Today's thoughts...

Hawks stay tough and are winning playoff like games. Crawford back in the saddle? SiriusXM audio link today on Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/ztlLYb

@AlCimaglia

Oduya's been SUPERB since arriving. I agree that if he continues to see 29 minutes a night, fatigue will lead to errors, but he's the most responsible d-man IN HIS OWN ZONE that i've seen wearing a Tomahawk...in a long time.
- philco28

What happened to Jordan Hendry?

Sharp failed again in the shootout last night and for a guy that refers to himself as "The Sharpshooter," i wonder why he doesn't SHOOT. The deke is not his forte. Stick to sniping Sharpshooter !!!!

What happened to Jordan Hendry?
- nickmo2699

He was replaced by Theo Epstein.

He was replaced by Theo Epstein.
- Ogilthorpe2

Seriously tho, I really didnt hate his game.