How many teams the the NHL actually have 6 "top 6 forwards" on their team? I haven't examined this closely but there's probably not too many that have more than 4. Some could argue that Stalberg could be top 6 as well, so I think having 4-5 "top 6" forwards isn't too bad.
- DarthKane

You are correct but there is a huge difference between having 5 instead of 4.

The Hawks have 4...

This summer is do or die for Stan for sure...but the jury is still out, albeit they're almost ready to pass judgement.
- andru2797



Very interesting that you have these senior level executives with loads of experience of the game leaving Chicago. Must be hard to work for someone who has little experience and was given the job based on a family name.
- roenick

That makes no sense. These people are not leaving for lesser or equal roles. They are leaving for big promotions and more money. If anything, the argument that Stan and Company knows what they are doing since they are grooming so many GMs is a hell of a lot stronger than your argument.

That whole " I don't want to play forward " thing is so overblown. Who cares what players say. Just like Patrick Sharp supposidly doesn't want to play Center. bla bla.. or as you say "meh".. If you think stats are irrelvant in the NHL. I am not sure we can have a rational discussion. The actual fact is, they do matter.

Let's look at some other facts-
- He absolutely dominated the playoffs two years in a row and should have won the Conn Smythe and at minimum was top 3 in consideration
- He has an absolute rocket from the point. Something we lack especially on pp
- Top 5 in scoring D last 2 years - includes 18 games being injured this year (but stats don't matter so maybe this doesn't count )
- Led the NHL D in takeways with Atlanta
- We have been absolutely manhandled physically the last 2 years. He is well known to be one of the most imposing physical players in this league.

I agree that sometimes he has shown up out of shape and overweight. He isn't the perfect player. You are crazy if you don't think he would have dramatically helped this team the last 2 years. He is an elite talent, that puts up elite numbers and gets paid accordingly. Ask any opposing fan from teams we have played the last 2 years who they were glad to see go. Your glasses have blinders on...
- ilinkhawk

It isn't overblown at all, it was spoken from his mouth into a microphone and broadcast over the airwaves on multiple occasions. Name me an NHL player not a piece of garbage who publicly said "I don't want to play this position, I don't like to stand in front of the net and score goals"

Also he only played well in one playoff run... The Cup run... And it wasn't in the first round against Nashville... Havlat and Toews carried the team in 08-09, congratulations on following the team pre-Cup

I don't think out shooting Phoenix the way they did and taking 5 games to overtime is being man handled... Nor would I consider going 7 games deep with the team that ended up winning the Western Conference... Those are significant numbers as well.

THE HAWKS HAVE BEEN TOP 5 IN THE LEAGUE THOSE TWO YEARS IN SCORING! That really isn't the problem.

An elite talent with a bad attitude. Again no thanks.

And at the time he would have been a 5/6 defender... You don't pay those +3million, which was his cap hit.. And you don't deal with the woe unto me... Tell me how that makes sense from a management perspective when you have only X amount of dollars to spend? You cant because it doesn't

Elite talents do their best to win and be the best player they can be, not show up to camp out of shape, over weight and content with being the big fish in a little pond.

Here are the issues -

...however, doesn't a 25-19-88 and 10-11-81 top six sound pretty attractive?

Bolland is more easily replaced than Sharp.

Yes, he plays well in the clutch.
.
- FredoXV

1. Still not big enough up front. They need more muscle, not more skill
2. Ahhh.....no. Because it;s a false choice and most importantly:
3. He plays well in the clutch.

That makes no sense. These people are not leaving for lesser or equal roles. They are leaving for big promotions and more money. If anything, the argument that Stan and Company knows what they are doing since they are grooming so many GMs is a hell of a lot stronger than your argument.
- coldsteelonice

First part yes, second part...ahhhh...no.

Toews/Kane/Downie
Ott/Sharp/Hossa
Bolland/Bickell/Shaw
Kruger/Carcillo/Bollig

That is an offensive squad we all could live with without having to spend huge dollars pursuing the Staals and Thorntons of the world, and likely having to subtract to add.

Downie is RFA making $1.8MM, Ott is under contract at $2.95MM through 2014. Get them together for less than $5.5MM cap hit - give Dallas Stalberg or Hammer and/or some prospects. Then dump Oduya and sign Suter. Should still be cap left over for a mid season goalie assessment.
- Return of the Roar

That's almost exactly what I posted last night. Although you forgot Frolik. Stalberg and Hammer for Ott. Let Oduya walk and sign Suter. I opted for a 4th line center and 6th defenseman instead of Downie. Figure Bickell, Carcillo, or Shaw will have to fill that top six physical presence. It would still be very tight if the cap doesn't go up much.

First part yes, second part...ahhhh...no.
- Return of the Roar

Not saying I agree, but that's a much better argument than the first.

That is something Tallon did here on more than one occasion.
- Al

Beat me to it.

For those who want sharp gone, simple question....who replaces his scoring? Sure ain't bolland.
Bolland made a name for himself annoying the sedins, less than good on face offs, and has a penchant for taking bad penalties. If he were able to return a top six or 3/4D, I'd have no problem seeing him go.

For those who want sharp gone, simple question....who replaces his scoring? Sure ain't bolland.
Bolland made a name for himself annoying the sedins, less than good on face offs, and has a penchant for taking bad penalties. If he were able to return a top six or 3/4D, I'd have no problem seeing him go.

"Stan" also said Niemi and Hjalmarsson weren't going anywhere. Among other things.
But if you want to take the organization's plans based on what "Stan" says publicly, especially right now, have at it. I also have a bridge I'm trying to sell, if you're interested.
- John Jaeckel

If this bridge is in Cleveland, I'll pass.

Too Small, not enough offensive upside to be a threat on a turnover. Bolland can and can capitalize bc he is a proven SCORER! Kruger can so called pass but that means nothing when your third line is basically defensive players that arent exactly the top finishers on your team.
- nickmo2699

Bolland's never scored 20 goals in an NHL season. Come on. I like the guy as a player. But Kruger has upside. We know what Bolland is and isn't. You want your C to set up plays more so than finish them, in theory at least and Kruger is superior to Bolland there.

I don't think it's an easy choice on way or the other. Sometimes you have to go with the upside player in order to make other things happen for your team. Coming off his first healthy season in the last four, Bolland might never have more value.

People talk abut Kruger like he's been around forever. We forget he has less than one full NHL season under his belt, and he got progressively better and better over that time. And he will get bigger. And when he does, he will get better.

For those who want sharp gone, simple question....who replaces his scoring? Sure ain't bolland.
Bolland made a name for himself annoying the sedins, less than good on face offs, and has a penchant for taking bad penalties. If he were able to return a top six or 3/4D, I'd have no problem seeing him go.
- dpard

Especially if Hossa can't come back. Neither Sharp nor Kane would be likely to go anywhere. I have heard two names who are or will be in play this summer. Neither are top 6 forwards.