Evidently the Hawks front office felt they couldn't find anyone with Mayer's experience to play for close to the minimum.

I wouldn't sweat it....You just endured a far worse hockey player on the roster for almost two seasons....Mayers should not be a big issue.
- Al

Now go get konopka to play C sign bollig ..4th. Line Mayers.Konopka.Bollig

On nights mayers is out replace with carcillo otherwise carbomb floats on 1st 2nd line

Now go get konopka to play C sign bollig ..4th. Line Mayers.Konopka.Bollig
- southernhawk

I have been on the Konopka train for quite awhile....He can win faceoffs and fight some..Don't know if Hawks will take a swing at him.

And Sharp? One point and -2 in 6 playoff games...didn't exactly light it up after Toews return.
- Ogilthorpe2

and when sharp couldn't score, he kept working at getting more shots off and took the body. what did kaner do? kept trying to play 1 on 3.

and when sharp couldn't score, he kept working at getting more shots off and took the body. what did kaner do? kept trying to play 1 on 3.
- dpard

BAZINGA

I'm glad we got sharpie I would hate to see him playing against us

Don't believe everything you read. Hossa will be 100% and ready to go come October.
- andru2797

Got a source? Mine says that's possible but not guaranteed right now. He's making slow progress but still having symptoms.

Are you saying he's completely symptom free right now?

His kid is playing for the Chicago Mission next year and Marty Lapointe is listed as an asst coach for the team which was just recently put on their website so unless that is suddenly changing?
- Invest

Nope, you might be right, my info. was really sketchy

I can't believe he would have missed Teemu Pulkkinen...he's one of the more intriguing prospects the Wings have and I think may end up being a better all around player then Nyquist.
- andru2797

I didn't miss Pulkkinen, the Wings guy brought him up. Whatever.

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.
- eburgio

Burish will sign with the Florida Panthers....heard it here first.

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.
- Hal9000y2k

Hawks can't offer sheet anyone this year; they would have to go the trade route. I would take a chance on Lindback in exchange for Stalberg; would help both teams IMO.

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.)
It does, unless Hayes AND Bollig both end up back in Rockford, or Carcillo isn't ready to start the season.
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.
- Kentxo

Don't worry bowman will fix us up just fine

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.
- Ogilthorpe2

Or maybe they are going with the known commodity on the cheap so they can pool their resources to make a run at Suter. Not saying they're right, but I have a feeling this is what they're doing. Plus, they might be looking at only one year deals again with the thought that their prospects will be ready after next year. Not saying this is right, but it is the CONSERVATIVE approach of a conservative GM.

So many variables now to tell...

I would think Bollig would be back.

My point was at 38 it doesn't make much sense to have Mayers play center. I am for his signing but think he would be best at wing....That doesn't mean he shouldn't take some faceoffs but that position is a challenge for someonce close to 40.

Also let's hope we don't have to see Mayers forced into a PP role....One that he never played throughout his long career.

I would like to see another faceoff/defensive specialist added that could help on the forecheck and play on the PK.
- Al

Burish, please!!!! (Though Kane doesn't need any more party buddies...)

Don't worry bowman will fix us up just fine
- southernhawk

That is exactly what has me worried.

What's the deal with Dubinsky? Was he hurt? he only played 9 playoff games and had a poor regular season. I heard he mostly played wing, though his FO% was still high. He hits and has scored 20+ goals in the past. Anyone know what gives and if he would be a target for a trade?
- Kentxo

Gotta believe he will be a part of a Nash deal this summer.

kaner & hammer for bobby ryan & lydman &pick or prospect
sign stoll & allen
package as you will for cam ward.....2013 1st, kruger,pirri, lalonde, crawford
if craw left over - get pick for him from tampa? columbus?
frolik for pick
fits under cap - more than enough moving parts for Q to mix and match
working in a few rookies

stals / toews / ryan
sharp / stoll / saad
shaw / bolland / hossa (take load of Hoss and see if saad cuts it)
bollig / flick & mayers / carcillo
bickell and prospect shuttle

seabs / keith
allen / lydman (lydmans contract expires in a year - allows leddy to move up to #4)
leddy / monty (assuming monty is healthy - sign FA for depth)
FA ($1.5ish)
olsen - rockford shuttle

cam ward
emery

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

He was a later bloomer so he has fewer minutes which is in his favor... However...

Solid center > Sharp. Also, a guy who relies on speed and over 30 is a bad combination. Could be the next Finnish flash... Could also roll down the hill in 2 years.

I wouldn't have paid him that much but whatever.

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

Or look at the NUMEROUS interviews where Q specifically says he likes Bolland in the shutdown role.

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

In "Guy" you mean Patrick Kane right?

But a team high 24 SOG....but ran into a cat named Mike Smith.
- philco28

SOG = getting a girls number but not taking her home and that number being fake

Evidently the Hawks front office felt they couldn't find anyone with Mayer's experience to play for close to the minimum.

I wouldn't sweat it....You just endured a far worse hockey player on the roster for almost two seasons....Mayers should not be a big issue.
- Al

13th veteran forward who can win draws and kill penalties and add some jam... Perfect as long as they add at least 1 more competent center who can win draws or Kane / Bolland morph into magicians there.

Evidently the Hawks front office felt they couldn't find anyone with Mayer's experience to play for close to the minimum.

I wouldn't sweat it....You just endured a far worse hockey player on the roster for almost two seasons....Mayers should not be a big issue.
- Al

Plus I see the signings of CarBomb and Jammer ($1.425M between them) as a sign of a larger plan in place. To get replacements on the open market for those 2 likely would have cost $1M more. That extra $1M can go towards a 2C and the defence.

His kid is playing for the Chicago Mission next year and Marty Lapointe is listed as an asst coach for the team which was just recently put on their website so unless that is suddenly changing?
- Invest

He is going. Family is staying.

Plus I see the signings of CarBomb and Jammer ($1.425M between them) as a sign of a larger plan in place. To get replacements on the open market for those 2 likely would have cost $1M more. That extra $1M can go towards a 2C and the defence.
- blackhawk24

Agreed.

Seems like Bowman is making sure the bottom 6 guys he wants are back so come July 1, he can focus on a big move or two for the top 6.