There are still 13 teams under the cap floor. There are still moves to be made.
- EKolb13

^This.

However, given Stan's comments today, it sounds like he wants to throw the young kids in the ring and see what holes they can/cannot fill during the first half, then have some cap room at the deadline to use to fill said holes that remain.

Q also thinks Saad may be able to not only make the team, but be a big part of it.

Q and Stan on the same page?

I don't think he's a lock for greatness. He's got some upside. He's no guarantee that you make the playoffs or win a cup with him. However, he can't be any worse that Crawford.
- EKolb13

But with that rather tepid endorsement...what price should be paid to bring him in?

I'm not convinced that sending Saad to LA is a smart move...I don't want to see him lighting us up for a decade.

I agree, and I really don't want to help LA out. They're gonna be a pain in the backside for years.

Then again, J. Bernier beating his former club regularly would be nice motivation, and fun to witness...

...I may need to reconsider my stance.
- ArlingtonRob

I'd prefer Bernier over Emery. It might be fun watching Crawford and Bernier push each other. You might see improvement that way. Or it could go the other way.

[quote=Assman22Q also thinks Saad may be able to not only make the team, but be a big part of it.

Q and Stan on the same page?

Assuming that means top 6, right?

Hmm.... The return for Leddy would have to be pretty significant in my mind.... The kid is only 21 years old & was a workhorse last season. I loved the way Oduya/Leddy played towards the end of the regular season and I am curious to see how that duo plays in the upcoming season with more time to mesh/gel.


Too early to trade IMO unless it is an offer StanBo can't refuse.

^This.

However, given Stan's comments today, it sounds like he wants to throw the young kids in the ring and see what holes they can/cannot fill during the first half, then have some cap room at the deadline to use to fill said holes that remain.

Q also thinks Saad may be able to not only make the team, but be a big part of it.

Q and Stan on the same page?
- Assman22

Assman...

...one rule to live by.

Never take anything said by SB, or other GM's for that matter, literally or seriously.

An exception to that rule might be made with Brian Burke...he shoots from the hip.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
Jets sign Wellwood. 1 year, $1.6 mil.

There goes another depth centerman we could have gone after

2nd best faceoff man on WPG last year at 54%

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger
Jets sign Wellwood. 1 year, $1.6 mil.

There goes another depth centerman we could have gone after
- FourFeathers773

I didn't want him...Jets can have him.

Hmm.... The return for Leddy would have to be pretty significant in my mind.... The kid is only 21 years old & was a workhorse last season. I loved the way Oduya/Leddy played towards the end of the regular season and I am curious to see how that duo plays in the upcoming season with more time to mesh/gel.


Too early to trade IMO unless it is an offer StanBo can't refuse.
- CBHawks88

He also got manhandled in the playoffs

I didn't want him...Jets can have him.
- ArlingtonRob

+ 1 . Never wanted him either. I'd much rather have a guy like Arnott

He also got manhandled in the playoffs
- Sundevil

What d-man on this team didn't get manhandled in that series?

What d-man on this team didn't get manhandled in that series?
- CBHawks88

Seabrook and Hammer at times. That is exactly why they should move him though, they are too soft and small and he can bring a good player back our way.

Assuming that means top 6, right?
- Sundevil

Yes and if so, they'll have a top 6 with the same lack of physical presence....unless Carcillo is in there somewhere

Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Stalberg, Saad, Carcillo

+ 1 . Never wanted him either. I'd much rather have a guy like Arnott
- CBHawks88

Wellwood was 54% at the dot last year vs Arnott at 50%.

Arent we always clamoring over people other than toews to win faceoffs?

Wellwood would be an excellent 3rd or 4th line center if you planned on moving bolland up to 2C

Wellwood could also win you FOs on the 2nd unit PP. But I digress since he was just signed

He also got manhandled in the playoffs
- Sundevil

I'm not sold on Leddy, but I'm not sure you throw him under the bus either.

Am I wrong, or is the general rule that defensemen take longer to develop...often steady to great play isn't seen for 4 years plus.

That said, if the return is outstanding because another club wants him badly...then the Hawks need to listen. Then there's the garbage with his agent.... I have no comment regarding that melodrama.

So Clendening is the latest prospect for the Hawks brass to plug.

It's really impressive to see how SC worthy the 2015-16 Hwks might be.

Not so much now!

Doan offerred 30 mil for 4 years...ehhh....= ludicrously stupid. These owners don't need a lock out. They need some serious couch time!

I would love to get Leddy on the Bruins, He and D. Hamilton would make a formidable D pairing in a few years. Not to mention he could learn from one of the games best Dmen in Chara. I think a Krejci for Leddy swap could be made, with other parts added if necessary. The Bruins get a young PMD who would thrive in their system. Blackhawks get their #2 center to play alongside Hossa, its a win win for both teams. Krejci would really boost Hossa's production.

But with that rather tepid endorsement...what price should be paid to bring him in?

I'm not convinced that sending Saad to LA is a smart move...I don't want to see him lighting us up for a decade.
- ArlingtonRob

If you see JJ write about Saad, he isn't convinced that Saad isn't the next messiah.

One of JJ's post from the last thread:

This is why I get impatient with fans who get all over the moon based on some junior numbers— they are buying the Stan Bowman/organizational excuse for NOT acquiring competent NHL players HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.

This is the same garbage the organization fed us ten years ago when it was all about Ruutu (the greatest player outside North America, the next Peter Forsberg), Yakubov, Vorobiev, Babchuk, etc.

I am telling you there's a valid reason Saad fell out of the top 10 and to 43rd overall. It's not that 29 other GMs, and 12 of them TWICE, were that stupid. Or that Bowman was that smart.

It's because Saad has historically dominated against weaker, smaller competition. When he gets in against bigger, better kids, he becomes closer to average. He's big, he can skate, he looks the part, well-schooled but I haven't seen anything really special in his hands or shot to tell me he's going to be a big time scorer in the NHL—yet. That's why it's also important to him to let him mature at his own pace and not destroy him mentally by expecting him—Good Lord—to be a top 6 forward in the NHL next year.

I haven't seen enough of Saad myself to support an honest idea. Bernier can play in the NHL. He's a former AHL all-star goalie. I'd take a chance with trading Saad for Bernier. I'd think it's got to be easier and less time consuming to develop a forward then it is a goalie.

I didn't want him...Jets can have him.
- ArlingtonRob

+1

I would love to get Leddy on the Bruins, He and D. Hamilton would make a formidable D pairing in a few years. Not to mention he could learn from one of the games best Dmen in Chara. I think a Krejci for Leddy swap could be made, with other parts added if necessary. The Bruins get a young PMD who would thrive in their system. Blackhawks get their #2 center to play alongside Hossa, its a win win for both teams. Krejci would really boost Hossa's production.
- fudd1689

Done - and we will throw in Frolik as a thank you gift.

Assman...

...one rule to live by.

Never take anything said by SB, or other GM's for that matter, literally or seriously.

An exception to that rule might be made with Brian Burke...he shoots from the hip.
- ArlingtonRob

I'm aware, thanks Rob. And I know "actions speak louder than words" but so far Bowman's actions and words are on the same level.

I would love to get Leddy on the Bruins, He and D. Hamilton would make a formidable D pairing in a few years. Not to mention he could learn from one of the games best Dmen in Chara. I think a Krejci for Leddy swap could be made, with other parts added if necessary. The Bruins get a young PMD who would thrive in their system. Blackhawks get their #2 center to play alongside Hossa, its a win win for both teams. Krejci would really boost Hossa's production.
- fudd1689

You now have my attention...

What are you thinking for a package?

Wellwood was 54% at the dot last year vs Arnott at 50%.

Arent we always clamoring over people other than toews to win faceoffs?

Wellwood would be an excellent 3rd or 4th line center if you planned on moving bolland up to 2C

Wellwood could also win you FOs on the 2nd unit PP. But I digress since he was just signed
- FourFeathers773

He also is very inconsistent. He has a couple good seasons and then takes a season off. Arnott has the intangibles you look for as well.

He also is very inconsistent. He has a couple good seasons and then takes a season off. Arnott has the intangibles you look for as well.
- CBHawks88

If Wellwood and Brunette had a foot race, wouldn't it be too close to call a winner without a photo finish?

You now have my attention...

What are you thinking for a package?
- EKolb13

Krejci, Krug, 3rd for leddy and Stalberg.

Or a Major trade could be

To Bos: Kane & Leddy
To Chi: Krejci, TT(assuming he would play) Caron, 2nd

A little overpayment on Bos. end but we would get that electric top line winger we need to play with Lucic and Seguin.