Also, now that Buffalo has seven defenseman signed for next year. Would Frolik for Regehr make sense. Regehr makes $1.25MM more but is a physical D man which is a need. He only has one more year left too. Still could do Suter too if they traded Hammer. Would be difficult (but not impossible) to add to the top six though.

"...Bear in mind, Joel Quenneville is going to lean more toward experience—and probably even more so in this, his make or break year."

Prepare yourselves. If Q's in charge it's going to be Brunette and O'D version 2.0.

I have zero faith this organ-I-zation will make the right moves this summer.

Somebody wake me when they do something positive.

Prepare yourselves. If Q's in charge it's going to be Brunette and O'D version 2.0.

I have zero faith this organ-I-zation will make the right moves this summer.

Somebody wake me when they do something positive.
- Ogilthorpe2

At least McD hasn't changed the uniforms ----Yet(?)

At least McD hasn't changed the uniforms ----Yet(?)
- powerenforcer

I can see it now - alternative uniforms to honor the past - a Manor House coffee can replaces Chief Blackhawk.

Losing Mayers shouldn't be a concern as long as they understand the need to replace or IMO upgrade that position. It shouldn't be very hard to find a 4th line center who is physical, can play the PK, and win faceoffs. Konopka sounds about right. But there are many many others. Finding a 2C OR a top six forward with size is much harder to do. Finding a 2C WITH size is a pipe dream. So for me, I think someone like Ott (size and skill) would make more of an impact than someone like Stastny (center and skill).
- coldsteelonice

Mayers was 2nd best on the team in FO% at 56.1%, behind only Toews at 59.4%. Next best was Bolland at 48.4%, Sharpie at 47.8%, Kruger at 45.9%, and Kane at 42.2%.

I can see it now - alternative uniforms to honor the past - a Manor House coffee can replaces Chief Blackhawk.
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, like the one The Dude and Walter put Donny's ashes in! (O.K., so it was a Folgers can.)

I love it how Sabres fans come in here an always try to dump a smurf C on the Hawks in Roy, and now Leopold who isn't very good in the first place! If Kane is dealt, the return will be a lot more than other teams cast offs! At least it better be!!!
- nelli312

Agreed.

Great article. My only question is would you rather keep Kane at center and try and add a LW power forward instead of 2C? Both top six power forward and 2C are valuable commodities which are probably equivalent value in a trade. I just personally think lack of size in the top six is a bigger issue than lack of 2C. Someone like Ott would be ideal in that he could take faceoffs for Kane, but still play LW.
- coldsteelonice

I've been thinking the same thing. Dallas wanted Saad for Grossmann. Would they deal Ott for Saad?

Kind of depressiong read. This front office struggles putting together a balanced roster under normal circumstances. Throw in the uncertainties of the CBA and Hossa and I don't have too much faith we're going to hit October with much to be excited about.
- Hal9000y2k

unfortunately you summarized my feelings

the first two guys to go for cap space should be oduya and froelic

if both are back it shows stan has learned nothing about putting a balanced lineup on the ice

Thanks for the update.

This whole not knowing about Hossa and Montador sucks. It's bad enough that we have a GM who hasn't shown much in the way of savy moves, now he has to figure out a moving target. If Hoss isn't a solid green light by July 1, this team could have a lot of holes in it and they probably wouldn't know it until October.
- Lido_Shuffle

If Hossa's not ready for the start of the season, I have to believe Saad makes the team out of training camp again. I think the real tough decision for Bowman and co. is determining who has the higher ceiling: Stalberg or Saad.

If Hossa's not ready for the start of the season, I have to believe Saad makes the team out of training camp again. I think the real tough decision for Bowman and co. is determining who has the higher ceiling: Stalberg or Saad.
- hawks2010

i would take stalberg
you cant replace that speed

I've been thinking the same thing. Dallas wanted Saad for Grossmann. Would they deal Ott for Saad?
- hawks2010

Crawford, Saad, and a 1st for Ott and Lehtonen.

This is a much more likely scenario. Kane isn't going anywhere. With the stockpile of Centers in our system.. I would focus on two power wingers. You can play Kane or Sharp at the 2 Center. And you still have Kruger, Bolland, and even Frolik and Shaw who can play there.

I think the 2 Center position need is way overstated. Size is what is needed. And I am talking Ott type size... Not Stalberg type size. Guys who are big and play big. Again... why Stalberg is expendable. I like him. But he doesn't fit.
- ilinkhawk

This is why Kane for Nash just makes too much sense. Nash is a load; not as creative with the puck as Kane, but is the force in front of the net this team has needed forever, especially on the PP. Maybe they could throw in a pick with Stalberg, and get Brassard, too. (Brassard could be had since Columbus is in position to draft the top Center in this draft)

If you look at the list of UFA centers, there is a bunch of quality 3rd line centers available. This is why I believe Bolland and his cap hit is expendable. Moving his contract would pay for half of a potential Suter deal alone.

Crawford, Saad, and a 1st for Ott and Lehtonen.
- Ogilthorpe2

Done...

This is why Kane for Nash just makes too much sense. Nash is a load; not as creative with the puck as Kane, but is the force in front of the net this team has needed forever, especially on the PP. Maybe they could throw in a pick with Stalberg, and get Brassard, too. (Brassard could be had since Columbus is in position to draft the top Center in this draft)

If you look at the list of UFA centers, there is a bunch of quality 3rd line centers available. This is why I believe Bolland and his cap hit is expendable. Moving his contract would pay for half of a potential Suter deal alone.
- hawks2010

I prefer to keep Kane and build around him with size... with 3 - 4 mil per guys..
6 mil is high enough as it is. 7.8 mil for a select few. I don't put Nash there.

Again.. my chips are Stalberg, Hammer, Bolland and prospects.

Also, now that Buffalo has seven defenseman signed for next year. Would Frolik for Regehr make sense. Regehr makes $1.25MM more but is a physical D man which is a need. He only has one more year left too. Still could do Suter too if they traded Hammer. Would be difficult (but not impossible) to add to the top six though.
- coldsteelonice

Flames fans will tell you that the sedins raped Regehr ever time on this ice.

Gotta tell you guys, I am going to do another Suter blog before too long. There are A LOT of signs pointing him to Chicago. Not a done deal, but there are three-four undeniable advantages the Hawks have, one big one I have not discussed yet.

Crawford, Saad, and a 1st for Ott and Lehtonen.
- Ogilthorpe2

Sounds like a good deal for both sides since Dallas has their goalie of the future in Jack Campbell, who will likely be ready to start in a 1-2 years from now, and allows them to reload while Ott and Lehtonen fills big needs of the Hawks NOW.

Prepare yourselves. If Q's in charge it's going to be Brunette and O'D version 2.0.

I have zero faith this organ-I-zation will make the right moves this summer.

Somebody wake me when they do something positive.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah... I like how alot of the comments are last off season was a pass, and this is really the offseason that counts... It's the identical talk as we had going into last offseason with the so called "Cap purge"... I as you don't have faith.. Maybe we can get Stan to read some of these threads??

Gotta tell you guys, I am going to do another Suter blog before too long. There are A LOT of signs pointing him to Chicago. Not a done deal, but there are three-four undeniable advantages the Hawks have, one big one I have not discussed yet.
- John Jaeckel

The man has an insatiable craving for deep dish?

Gotta tell you guys, I am going to do another Suter blog before too long. There are A LOT of signs pointing him to Chicago. Not a done deal, but there are three-four undeniable advantages the Hawks have, one big one I have not discussed yet.
- John Jaeckel

Sounds juicy. I can't wait to read it!

Gotta tell you guys, I am going to do another Suter blog before too long. There are A LOT of signs pointing him to Chicago. Not a done deal, but there are three-four undeniable advantages the Hawks have, one big one I have not discussed yet.
- John Jaeckel

You a 100% fan of this? He is going to be expensive. I get the whole Oduya/Hammer reduction vs Suter. But I think this team needs some nastiness on the blue line. I prefer 2 new guys in the 3.5 range vs one Suter. And at the expense of some top 6 size, I am not sure how much this helps (if that is the case). We still have Crawford..

And again... always a bit skittish about how good a guy is when he has such incredible talent around him 1. Pekka Rinne 2. Weber 3. Trotz's system..

This is why Kane for Nash just makes too much sense. Nash is a load; not as creative with the puck as Kane, but is the force in front of the net this team has needed forever, especially on the PP. Maybe they could throw in a pick with Stalberg, and get Brassard, too. (Brassard could be had since Columbus is in position to draft the top Center in this draft)

If you look at the list of UFA centers, there is a bunch of quality 3rd line centers available. This is why I believe Bolland and his cap hit is expendable. Moving his contract would pay for half of a potential Suter deal alone.
- hawks2010

Brassard sucks at the dot and I doubt Stan trades two top 6 forwards. If it's Kane/Hammer for Nash/pick, then I'm in.

You a 100% fan of this? He is going to be expensive. I get the whole Oduya/Hammer reduction vs Suter. But I think this team needs some nastiness on the blue line. I prefer 2 new guys in the 3.5 range vs one Suter. And at the expense of some top 6 size, I am not sure how much this helps (if that is the case). We still have Crawford..

And again... always a bit skittish about how good a guy is when he has such incredible talent around him 1. Pekka Rinne 2. Weber 3. Trotz's system..
- ilinkhawk

Top 6 size? Have you ever seen hjalmarsson without his pads on. The guy has noodle arms, not a very big guy, nor plays that physical either

Top 6 size? Have you ever seen hjalmarsson without his pads on. The guy has noodle arms, not a very big guy, nor plays that physical either
- Wowo2282

I agree. What exactly is your point? I never said Hammer was physical..