Out of that group Shaw would be the only guy IMO that could play on all four lines. There are pieces missing on the top two lines and that is a power forward to play with 19 & 88 and a 2nd line center to play with 81&10. I don't have much hope that Stan can fill both those needs. If he can get a legit power forward to play with 19&88 I'd tell Sharpie that he's playing center whether he likes it or not. If he could be the 2nd line center on the Cup team why can't he be effective in that role again. It would be much easier to find a winger to play with Sharp and Hossa than a 2nd line center and possibly they could fill that role from the current roster.
- jhawk159

Agreed - Shaw can play on any line (I think mostly on a game by game basis, not a permanent top 6 guy). I like Shaw's energy and he had a nice first season. He's a tad small which sucks.

I'd like to see more of him before I anoint him the next best thing since sliced bread...... Then again I judge players harder than most even on my own favorite team...... I have Couturier, Read, and Schenn no better than 3rd liners for the flyers (this season) and despite 23 goals from read as a rookie I'm not sold he's the real deal. Who knows?

Out of that group Shaw would be the only guy IMO that could play on all four lines. There are pieces missing on the top two lines and that is a power forward to play with 19 & 88 and a 2nd line center to play with 81&10. I don't have much hope that Stan can fill both those needs. If he can get a legit power forward to play with 19&88 I'd tell Sharpie that he's playing center whether he likes it or not. If he could be the 2nd line center on the Cup team why can't he be effective in that role again. It would be much easier to find a winger to play with Sharp and Hossa than a 2nd line center and possibly they could fill that role from the current roster.
- jhawk159

Carcillo has proven he can slide thru the lines and be effective.
Why put Sharp at C? He is significantly better at wing. At C, I suspect his goal production would go down to about 25 goals (just like 2010) but also a few more assits and many will be howling that he started his downward spiral and not worth the money.
how about finding the right players and putting them in a position to succeed? for sharp, that is on wing.
How about Stan goes and gets Stoll - then bolland and stoll can figure out who is the better 2C?

If Boland wanted #2c. Last year all he had to do is say I want it...which I don't think he does .

Hard to know how to feel about the Mayers signing until I see how the rest of the roster shakes out. I sorta share Ogie's pain because it feels like we're headed right back down the same road. I thought Mayer's fate here was sealed with the playoff benching.
As unhappy as I am with the thought of starting the year with "Leaky" Crawford as our #1, I say no to Voukoun. Voukoun's got some miles and there's been some slippage in his game. Yes, some of it can be attributed to injury. I still say Lindback is ripe for an offer sheet. Would he be as impressive if he becomes a #1? To me, worth the gamble. I don't see how Nashville and LA can pay Lindback and Bernier the starter salary they would both command on the open market to be backups to stud goalies who are going to play 55-60 games.

Carcillo has proven he can slide thru the lines and be effective.
Why put Sharp at C? He is significantly better at wing. At C, I suspect his goal production would go down to about 25 goals (just like 2010) but also a few more assits and many will be howling that he started his downward spiral and not worth the money.
how about finding the right players and putting them in a position to succeed? for sharp, that is on wing.
How about Stan goes and gets Stoll - then bolland and stoll can figure out who is the better 2C?
- dpard

I think Carcillo can play on the top lines but not on a regular basis. I would move Sharp to 2nd line center only if Bowman can't acquire one like Staal. I don't think Kane is the long term answer at center and would be more productive at wing. The best scenario of course would be for Bowman to get a 2nd line center and this way Kane and Sharp can stay at their natural positions.

If Boland wanted #2c. Last year all he had to do is say I want it...which I don't think he does .
- southernhawk

Q may not have wanted Bolland at 2c either.

shouldn't we wait for Sharp to have an off year before his eulogy is written?
- dpard

He could play to his career average for the life of his contract and he's still overpaid.

Ogi - really?

an established player in his prime, really good wheels, 30+ goals/year, 30+ assists/year, plays on PP & PK. If his name wasn't sharp you'd be saying stan needs to go get a guy like this.
I'll agree his contract MAY be 1 year too long, but his salary is the going price nowadays for guys that produce those numbers, even at his advanced age.
He has shown zero slide in his ability. in fact, his production has gone up the past 2 years - yet many are predicting his downfall already? hilarious.
- dpard

Sharp is one of the more underappreciated players on this roster. But that's not unexpected on a team with 19, 88, 81, 2 and 7.

Sharp is one of the more underappreciated players on this roster. But that's not unexpected on a team with 19, 88, 81, 2 and 7.
- andru2797

not sure he'll be back

not sure he'll be back
- mrpaulish

Don't believe everything you read. Hossa will be 100% and ready to go come October.

I'm on the fence with the Mayers signing. I don't have quite the same, ahem, 'optimistic' view as Ogi but I think there is some merit to what he's saying. Look at the 4th line for the Devils...they've been the difference in the series they've played in so far. It would be nice to have some scoring come from that line. Throwing a line of Mayers, Bolling and maybe Bickell isn't going to get you much scoring. However, I don't know that signing an Adam Burish or Konopka get you any more scoring and you end up doubling your cap hit. Regardless, this team needs some snarl up and down the lineup and if this is the extent of it, we as fans will be disappointed.

Regardless of what Q says, I still think that Mayers was benched because he didn't seek retribution on the Torres hit on Hossa.

Q may not have wanted Bolland at 2c either.
- jhawk159

True and seen him there when Kruger got hurt

I don't want fine, I want good or great. First move of the off-season and I'm already depressed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Jesus, Ogi. Mayers is a nice 4th line guy with a great team attitude. I hope signing him doesn't mean excluding the option of going after a Slater or a Campbell (or anyone else for that matter) but he's a nice 4th liner/depth forward that I hoped would be back. If nothing else, Carcillo, Mayers and Bollig would make for one tough 4th line. Carcillo, Slater and Mayers would be even better, with the PK ability, but I won't go so far as to say I'm depressed. Let's wait and see what happens with the more important moves (Suter, 2nd line center, top-6 size, blue line grit, etc.)

EDIT: Remember that one time when we had Madden centering Kopecky and Eager/Burish? And they were like running around and scoring goals, hitting guys, killing penalties...Remember that? Remember? Yeah, that was awesome.

I want Carcillo or someone to protect JT ..if he takes many more rape showers like he did in san Jose were in trouble

I want Carcillo or someone to protect JT ..if he takes many more rape showers like he did in san Jose were in trouble
- southernhawk

I just watched American History X again last night, speaking of rape showers. Is a prison rape shower another level of rape shower?

“The whole team gets better [with good goaltending],” Dudley said. “It took me a whole lifetime in hockey to realize that. But it puts confidence in your players and makes them all better.”

anybody in the hawks front office listening to the guy who helped build their cup winning team?? anybody???????????????????????

I want Carcillo or someone to protect JT ..if he takes many more rape showers like he did in san Jose were in trouble
- southernhawk

for the life of me, i still don't know how that happened. I was sitting about 8 rows behind the bench for that game and I'm watching everyone stand around. Probably the only time all year I uttered the words "thank god O'D was in there".

for the life of me, i still don't know how that happened. I was sitting about 8 rows behind the bench for that game and I'm watching everyone stand around. Probably the only time all year I uttered the words "thank god O'D was in there".
- eburgio

That's one of the few games I didn't see HOW did that happen did OD step in ...mayers?

I just watched American History X again last night, speaking of rape showers. Is a prison rape shower another level of rape shower?
- Kentxo

I'm sure it could be...

That's one of the few games I didn't see HOW did that happen did OD step in ...maywrs?
- southernhawk

I know that Keith and O'D were on the ice. Not sure about Mayers. I don't think he was. When Toews came out of the box (still can't believe he got a roughing penalty) Q put Mayers on Toews line.

i think JJ said the hawks were high on Flick and he had a chance to center 4th line next season - maybe this is a way to split the time on 4th C? mayers is a great example for flick to follow
- dpard

I think the best spot for Mayers would be as the 13th forward. He could play 30-40 games, suiting up against certain opponents or fill in for injuries. If Flick is going to be given a chance as the 4C then who better to be his mentor than Mayers?

Sharp is one of the more overrated players on this roster. But that's not unexpected on a team with 19, 88, 81, 2 and 7.
- andru2797

Fixed.

Fixed.
- Ogilthorpe2

is this the beginning of another looonnnggg summer of you wanting sharp gone?
is he too pretty? your woman hot for him?
i know, i know...over paid, over rated, can't/won't play defensive side, mediocre sniper at best, wrong side of 30, refuses to play C, not physical, kidnapped the lindberg baby.....did I miss any?

is this the beginning of another looonnnggg summer of you wanting sharp gone?
is he too pretty? your woman hot for him?
i know, i know...over paid, over rated, can't/won't play defensive side, mediocre sniper at best, wrong side of 30, refuses to play C, not physical, kidnapped the lindberg baby.....did I miss any?
- dpard

Guy led us in Tazer's absence too.

Ogie I generally I appreciate your posts and your perspective but this is (frank)ing ridiculous.

Mayer's was nothing but solid all year, despite a playoff benching and whoever issued it. I also recall you singing his praises a hand full of months ago. Save your hate for when Bowman blows some high calibre signings, because Mayers on the roster for another year is rock solid.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

I have no problem with Mayers on this team. I like Mayers. What I don't get is the timing. Why now? Why before July 1st? Exact same feelings I had when they extended Carcillo. Why are they locking up bit/role players before they even know if they could have signed someone better. Lots of options out there for support players...news flash...some of them might even be better/younger/faster/more offensively gifted than Carcillo and Mayers. It just has that feeling of the Hawks going down the same path as last off-season. Everyone knows this roster needed some changes, this does not feel like change, it feels like insanity.

It's early, I know.

Wait and see what else transpires?

I guess...no choice.

Early returns not promising in my book.

Guy led us in Tazer's absence too.
- philco28

$50 says you're about to get skewered that it was Kane not sharp who led when jt was out