Big mistake from a fans standpoint moving this thing from The Edge to Johnny's Ice House. .... The Edge can easily put 2,500-3,000 in with no obstructed view and parking galore. The Ice House allows a couple hundred to see the ice and the rest to look at the backs of their heads. And it's wise to bring a 45 to walk to and from your car.

I'm done with Prospect Camp, but would love to get a report on the 17 year old Finn and the two goalies drafted in the last round.

Never forget the first time I saw Niemi at prospect camp. It was at the Edge and a couple hundred of us saw him on one end and Crawford on the other during scrimmage, with Makarov looking like a man amongst boys. ...... That's the camp where Niemi beat out Crawford to be the Hawks' #2.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah, we always get to Johnny's really early to get front row seats. I have never felt unsafe outside there. Not the best side of town, but it's really in a quiet location away from everything else. I never really see anyone outside there who isn't there to go to Johnny's, and you can park right in front usually. Just my take on it.

I am also really looking forward to seeing TT and the goalies.

Big mistake from a fans standpoint moving this thing from The Edge to Johnny's Ice House. .... The Edge can easily put 2,500-3,000 in with no obstructed view and parking galore. The Ice House allows a couple hundred to see the ice and the rest to look at the backs of their heads. And it's wise to bring a 45 to walk to and from your car.

I'm done with Prospect Camp, but would love to get a report on the 17 year old Finn and the two goalies drafted in the last round.

Never forget the first time I saw Niemi at prospect camp. It was at the Edge and a couple hundred of us saw him on one end and Crawford on the other during scrimmage, with Makarov looking like a man amongst boys. ...... That's the camp where Niemi beat out Crawford to be the Hawks' #2.
- Mr Ricochet

I go to prospect camp more to see people than prospects..Unless you are going to sit there everyday for every minute it is tough to get a solid opinion. Nice to bring a young hockey player to watch though, but as far as establishing an opinion...

Depends who is playing with who and also if they are playing back to back games etc.
Most miss the age differences as well which is key.

Detroit will get Doan. They will seriously overpay to get him since they are the BIG losers in free agency so far. Four to five years at $6-7M is my guess.
- hawks2010

If he was younger I can see Detroit overpaying. I think Doan will sign with the team which he thinks is close to winning the Cup which may knock the Hawks out of the running unless SB can upgrade the talent.

I've changed my my mind on Lu , with this teams offense and Lu in net this would be a much more solid team
- southernhawk

I agree. It's undisputable. The only question is price.

If he was younger I can see Detroit overpaying. I think Doan will sign with the team which he thinks is close to winning the Cup which may knock the Hawks out of the running unless SB can upgrade the talent.
- jhawk159

Really? I think if the hawks sign Doan, then they become legit cup contenders. He is exactly what this team needs. A top 6 gritty player that can hit, get into the corners, win puck battles, and score goals when needed. He would be a considerably large missing piece. That may entice him into coming here.

I agree. It's undisputable. The only question is price.
- bloatedmosquito

Don't expect much in return

If he was younger I can see Detroit overpaying. I think Doan will sign with the team which he thinks is close to winning the Cup which may knock the Hawks out of the running unless SB can upgrade the talent.
- jhawk159

As much as I'd love to see Doan in the Indian Head, at this point I'd rather Stan just get off of his ass, stop waiting around or a guy who isnt coming here anyway, and put a package together to get a 2C...preferably Stastny.

Really? I think if the hawks sign Doan, then they become legit cup contenders. He is exactly what this team needs. A top 6 gritty player that can hit, get into the corners, win puck battles, and score goals when needed. He would be a considerably large missing piece. That may entice him into coming here.
- Wowo2282

I think a 100% healthy Toews and a sober Kane is exactly what the Hawks need.

Really? I think if the hawks sign Doan, then they become legit cup contenders. He is exactly what this team needs. A top 6 gritty player that can hit, get into the corners, win puck battles, and score goals when needed. He would be a considerably large missing piece. That may entice him into coming here.
- Wowo2282

I hope so but they still need a 2nd line center and another d-man preferably a physical one and have a question mark in goal with Crawford. Doan would definitely
fill one of the holes the Hawks have.

As much as I'd love to see Doan in the Indian Head, at this point I'd rather Stan just get off of his ass, stop waiting around or a guy who isnt coming here anyway, and put a package together to get a 2C...preferably Stastny.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree 100 % no big splash is needed. Just get off your ass & make a move or 2 to improve the glaring holes. Why in the hell does everyone BUT the organization see that?

Don't expect much in return
- Wowo2282

According to DK002 he could see McD going "all in" on Lu. Seems to be some confussion among the hawk faithful.

As much as I'd love to see Doan in the Indian Head, at this point I'd rather Stan just get off of his ass, stop waiting around or a guy who isnt coming here anyway, and put a package together to get a 2C...preferably Stastny.
- Ogilthorpe2

That would make sense with 20 teams competing to sign him. I hope SB was talking to Doan and his agent while the Suter/Parise thing was going on and laying the groundwork for a deal.

I hope so but they still need a 2nd line center and another d-man preferably a physical one and have a question mark in goal with Crawford. Doan would definitely
fill one of the holes the Hawks have.
- jhawk159

What´s wrong with Patrick Sharp? Last time that worked out pretty well. When Luongo goes to Florida or Toronto and Doan signs with another team, who´s the next in line? "Boredom´s not a burden anyone should bear.."

So what about Nick Leddy, Steve Montador, Michael Frolik and Jeremy Morin for Roberto Luongo and Keith Ballard?

Really? I think if the hawks sign Doan, then they become legit cup contenders. He is exactly what this team needs. A top 6 gritty player that can hit, get into the corners, win puck battles, and score goals when needed. He would be a considerably large missing piece. That may entice him into coming here.
- Wowo2282

Legit cup contenders? Not without an upgrade in net.

According to DK002 he could see McD going "all in" on Lu. Seems to be some confussion among the hawk faithful.
- bloatedmosquito

If "all in" is dealing olesz and frolik then sure have at it Stan Bowman. We've been through this a million times. Mike Gillis, whether you want to keep denying this or not, is NOT dealing in a position of strength. Lu wants out, Gillis wants him out, Lu will be a big distraction once the season starts, so he needs to deal him soon. Only 3 teams are actually showing any interest; Toronto, Florida, and the hawks. Florida has a young stud goalie coming up, so they are not going to overpay. Hawks have both netminders locked up. Sure they aren't anything special, but they are prepared to go into the season with them. Toronto is the only team that really makes a lot of sense, but does Lu want to go to another canadian market? Toronto is still looking to get Nash anyways.

Just admit it. Nobody is going to give the nucks a top 6 player or anyone of big value for an albatross of a contract. Think Brian Campbell here.........and at that time campbell was traded, the hawks were not handcuffed like Gillis is right now.

Why is it taking so long for a deal to happen? Sounds like gillis wants a whole lot (even though he is clearly being bent over a barrell by LU), and other teams are not stupid and willing to part ways with good players. Expect a bad contract going the other way, and maybe a project player like frolik.

What´s wrong with Patrick Sharp? Last time that worked out pretty well. When Luongo goes to Florida or Toronto and Doan signs with another team, who´s the next in line? "Boredom´s not a burden anyone should bear.."

So what about Nick Leddy, Steve Montador, Michael Frolik and Jeremy Morin for Roberto Luongo and Keith Ballard?
- MjulQvist

I'm glad you brought Sharp up. IMO if they can't land a legit 2nd line center he'd be the first guy I'd put there. He was the 2nd line center on the cup team but for some unexplained reason Q refused to play him there.

What´s wrong with Patrick Sharp? Last time that worked out pretty well. When Luongo goes to Florida or Toronto and Doan signs with another team, who´s the next in line? "Boredom´s not a burden anyone should bear.."

So what about Nick Leddy, Steve Montador, Michael Frolik and Jeremy Morin for Roberto Luongo and Keith Ballard?
- MjulQvist

Of all Canucks Ballard is the last one I would want on the Canucks, they guy is a pylon and considering his value his cap hit is worse than Luongo. I'm not opposed to getting Luongo if the deal is right (ie Bickell, Olesz and a pick).

But I would rather Stan start the season with Crawford/Emery and focus on acquiring a second line centre which is a more pressing need (IMO). As Ogi pointed out Stastny would be an excellent choice and I think Gagner would be a good Plan B (but I'm not sure how his arbitration effects that).

There's enough cap space to trade hammer & frolik for Luongo...&&&& sign Doan bam ...hows that team look

I'm glad you brought Sharp up. IMO if they can't land a legit 2nd line center he'd be the first guy I'd put there. He was the 2nd line center on the cup team but for some unexplained reason Q refused to play him there.
- jhawk159

Or he refused to play there.

I'm glad you brought Sharp up. IMO if they can't land a legit 2nd line center he'd be the first guy I'd put there. He was the 2nd line center on the cup team but for some unexplained reason Q refused to play him there.
- jhawk159

I preferred Sharp at centre over Kane, and I was confused why he didn't play centre until game 6 against Phoenix (which he really seemed to have chemistry with Hayes).

Legit cup contenders? Not without an upgrade in net.
- Tuke17

We get it.......corey crawford gave up 2 soft goals in overtime. He didn't play all that bad throughout the series, until the softies came at the end. Heck I don't like him very much, but i personally think there are other areas of need the hawks need to address that are more important.

Last I remembered, the hawks could NOT score on Mike Smith. Why? Well, they had no forecheck (an element that shane doan brings). Couldn't get the dirty goals around the net with all those loose pucks smith was giving up (shane doan is also good at cashing in on those opportunities).

There's enough cap space to trade hammer & frolik for Luongo...&&&& sign Doan bam ...hows that team look
- southernhawk

We'd still have to sign a other defenseman if we trade Hammer, unless we got one in return in the Luongo deal (ie Tanev).

There's enough cap space to trade hammer & frolik for Luongo...&&&& sign Doan bam ...hows that team look
- southernhawk

Hammer and Frolik = overpayment. Monty and Frolik is more like it.

Big mistake from a fans standpoint moving this thing from The Edge to Johnny's Ice House. .... The Edge can easily put 2,500-3,000 in with no obstructed view and parking galore. The Ice House allows a couple hundred to see the ice and the rest to look at the backs of their heads. And it's wise to bring a 45 to walk to and from your car.

I'm done with Prospect Camp, but would love to get a report on the 17 year old Finn and the two goalies drafted in the last round.

Never forget the first time I saw Niemi at prospect camp. It was at the Edge and a couple hundred of us saw him on one end and Crawford on the other during scrimmage, with Makarov looking like a man amongst boys. ...... That's the camp where Niemi beat out Crawford to be the Hawks' #2.
- Mr Ricochet

I was at that one as well, and my buddy and I were amazed at how good Niemi looked. I remember thinking that we really got a steal. Which is why I thought they would try and sign Fasth or similar to come to camp and challenge at least.

Hammer and Frolik = overpayment. Monty and Frolik is more like it.
- Ogilthorpe2