To a great extent the Hawks got away with rushing Leddy...They would be wise to give Clendenning at least the better part of this season in the AHL.

Trading Leddy should only be done to snag a bona fide top six forward from a rebuliding team. Like a Stastny trade for example and it would take more than Leddy alone.

If Bowman wanted to trade Leddy he could have it done by breakfast...

21 yr old puck rushers are something most teams would hold onto instead of trade...Unless they were positive his spot could be filled.

His contract status won't matter a bit unless he wants out... or someone writes an offer sheet. Otherwise the Hawks are in complete control no matter who the agent is....
- Al

Couldn't agree more Al. Leddy was thrown in the deep end last season and expected to be Brian Campbell. This would fall on the GM who didn't replace his best puck mover when he traded him for crap and then added more crap. You know the same guy who thinks Kane should be playing center.

And on top of that McCub is upset he got played by Suter's agent...boo hoo. McD is being exposed once again for the novice he is when it comes to the on ice/on the field product. Meanwhile we see the spin control continuing w/ all of the Clendenning/Saad talk coming from lil Bowman as of late. This will ramp up more when Doan passes on the Hawks in the next week or three.

If you do move Leddy you do it as part of a package to land a guy like Stastny - as Ogi has alluded to several times...a bona fide top 6 guy and a center for Hossa. A second line center which we've been hoping for what over two years now. You know sort of like the Bears and their quest for a left tackle - hey at least that helped get Angelo fired. We can always hope.

Was there really a plan for this summer or are they just throwing bags of money at a dartboard once in a while and seeing what's going to stick?

Just left room to allow for 1 injury
Pretty optimistic, eh?
- dpard

If the team is deep enough, one injury wouldn't be a huge impact...unless its Toews, then it doesn't matter how much space you have at the deadline.

Screw room for deals at the deadline, build a complete team from day one of the season and you don't have to worry about the deadline.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree about building a great team from the start, but things happen in a season you don't have control over, like injuries. It is good to have some money laying around just in case. But you can also build a real contender while losing salary, too. The flyers shed a lot of salary by trading Richards and Carter to get 4 young players on very reasonable contracts

Nope, not sure at all.
- EKolb13

Hi Eli. Happy Friday.

Hi Eli. Happy Friday.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hey Ogie! Happy Friday the 13th yourself.

Just left room to allow for 1 injury
Pretty optimistic, eh?
- dpard

Thats what the farm is for!

AFTER THEY WON THE CUP!

Get me another Cup and I'll deal (as a fan, of course) with another cap Hell.
- StLBravesFan

Head on down to 1901 W. Madison St., ask to speak to Rockwell Wirtz & tell him exactly that. I think we all agree here on your statement. Spending towards the cap won't get them a cup. Could help, could blow up in their faces. I'd like to take a rational approach and see what happens going into/through camp. No one is going to replace a GM now. If SB doesn't make 3-4 more (& correct) changes then sometime '12-'13 there could be a FO turnover.

I agree about building a great team from the start, but things happen in a season you don't have control over, like injuries. It is good to have some money laying around just in case. But you can also build a real contender while losing salary, too. The flyers shed a lot of salary by trading Richards and Carter to get 4 young players on very reasonable contracts
- tomcat24

So save $3-4 million now so that maybe you can pick someone up at the deadline? Why not just spend the extra dough now and when someone gets hurt you already have his replacement on the roster?

This is exactly why I'm in no hurry to dump Frolik. He's a versatile, NHL calibre player, who has shown a proclivity to show up big in the post season. If there's not a regular spot for him in the top 9, let him ride the pine most nights and keep him around as insurance. So what if he's overpaid and doesn't score "enough" for the $ he makes. I'd rather pay Frolik to be an insurance policy than have $4 million "on the ready" for a deadline deal that may, but more likely won't ever happen.

If he's dealt as part of, or to make room for a bigger move...fine, but I think it's silly to dump him just to dump him as many have suggested.

Won't really know until we see what happens to Lucas III.
- StLBravesFan

He was threatening to sign with the Heat....

He was threatening to sign with the Heat....



- CBHawks88

NBA ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

If the hawks can find some team that is high on Leddy, I say make a deal. While he still has unfulfilled potential, there is no saying if and when he will realize it. Seabrook was mentioned earlier as example of players taking time to develop. But, if you are in favor of keeping Leddy because you believe he will develop more, that may mean have to deal with mediocrity for 3-4 more years until that point. I for one am not willing to wait that long.

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.
- ArlingtonRob

Problem is, the time is now to win with this core. In four years, Hossa and Sharp will be nowhere near where they are at now, and Seabrook and Keith will be on the decline. If you can get a legit 2C right now in a package for Leddy, you have to do it.

So save $3-4 million now so that maybe you can pick someone up at the deadline? Why not just spend the extra dough now and when someone gets hurt you already have his replacement on the roster?

This is exactly why I'm in no hurry to dump Frolik. He's a versatile, NHL calibre player, who has shown a proclivity to show up big in the post season. If there's not a regular spot for him in the top 9, let him ride the pine most nights and keep him around as insurance. So what if he's overpaid and doesn't score "enough" for the $ he makes. I'd rather pay Frolik to be an insurance policy than have $4 million "on the ready" for a deadline deal that may, but more likely won't ever happen.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ok, ok...I'm with ya (again )
Spend to the damn cap every year! Go for the frickin cup! Be competitive and build the best team possible every year!

Do something, not a wing and a prayer. Make it look like you actually know what the heck you're doing instead of trying to sell some prospect as the next coming of.....

So save $3-4 million now so that maybe you can pick someone up at the deadline? Why not just spend the extra dough now and when someone gets hurt you already have his replacement on the roster?

This is exactly why I'm in no hurry to dump Frolik. He's a versatile, NHL calibre player, who has shown a proclivity to show up big in the post season. If there's not a regular spot for him in the top 9, let him ride the pine most nights and keep him around as insurance. So what if he's overpaid and doesn't score "enough" for the $ he makes. I'd rather pay Frolik to be an insurance policy than have $4 million "on the ready" for a deadline deal that may, but more likely won't ever happen.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree there. Frolik seemed to be very humbled by his lack of playing time during the season & played like a beast in the postseason.. We have seen that act before though. I just hope he can play to his potential on a nightly basis if he is still wearing a Hawks sweater come October.

NBA ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
- Ogilthorpe2

Amen.

NBA ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
- Ogilthorpe2

Not like NHL is any more exciting this time of year

Edit: Especially with StanBo at the wheel

Not like NHL is any more exciting this time of year

Edit: Especially with StanBo at the wheel
- CBHawks88

Still infinitely more exciting than the NBA on its best day.

Screw the cap! Spend Up to 2-3m below the cap each year, leaving room to make a tdl deal.
These are the blackhawks. Original six. How can they not go for a cup every year?
Let me answer.....a bean counter is running the team who thinks he is smarter than the average bear. Only problem is....he's not as smart as he thinks. Look at the results since he took over....speaks volumes
- dpard

1; A team can't just "screw the cap"; throw caution to the wind & just spend. It doesn't always work. It placates fans at first but winning ultimately satisfies. 2. There has to be a plan and I don't even know what that is, neither does anyone else, even JJ & Al. Making changes for the hell if it isn't effective. Activity & accomplishment sometimes are not congruent. 3. The proper players for whatever system is employed, must be acquired. Payroll could be at the cap, go over with bonuses (2010 'Hawks), or be $11M under the cap.

If we are talking about giving up Leddy,is Montador going to be ready?Clendening sure isn't.I do not see Stan giving him up due to some F'n rift caused by an agent.And if that is the the case,we are in trouble!If SB gives up his rising star,his first big move,it better be a solid hockey move!I agree that we have a lot in the system of his ilk,but Nick is cheap and getting better!Other than a big trade I say keep him.No way I trade him for Bernier!

Bernier hasn't played a 1/2 season in the NHL. Bernier by all logic can only be called a prospect or possible # 1 tender someday.

You might want to look up the stats for Pascal LeClaire and Steve Mason, also their contracts signed after EL too, before diving in head first on young goal tenders.
- Al

I wasn't comparing Bernier or Crawford to either LeClaire or Mason so they have no bearing on this. Comparing Benier & Crawford however clearly shows as of right now who the better goalie is. As for the contracts go Bernier has a cap hit of 1.25 and with such a small sample size (NHL level) unless he just completely lights things up wherever he ends up playing this season the cap hit for his next contract will still be pretty reasonable. Now if he does light it up this season his cap hit would still be pretty manageable and should really go no higher than 4 per at the absolute maximum. I am aware that Bernier hasn't played a half season in the NHL and that was why I compared their career stats.

Tuke...

I did examine Bernier's career at H-F.com, and you're correct that the prospect label is inappropriate. Since he's been the b/u for the Kings I hadn't really noticed him. Nonetheless, I'm still reluctant to make the deal sending Saad to LA for his services.
- ArlingtonRob

I agree with you there. I wouldn't send Saad in any deal for Bernier either but I do believe Stan has the prospects that can get a deal done. He may have to overpay a little but in the end it very well may be worth it compared to what he has now and the big question mark that is Crawford.

If we are talking about giving up Leddy,is Montador going to be ready?Clendening sure isn't.I do not see Stan giving him up due to some F'n rift caused by an agent.And if that is the the case,we are in trouble!If SB gives up his rising star,his first big move,it better be a solid hockey move!I agree that we have a lot in the system of his ilk,but Nick is cheap and getting better!Other than a big trade I say keep him.No way I trade him for Bernier!
- eagle50

Doesn't matter. If Leddy (or Hajlmarsson) is dealt, I'm sure Bowman would sign another defenseman, like maybe Hannan. There is still Olsen, who will most likely be in Rockford and would be recalled to fill in.

We will take frolik and leddy you guys can have morrow.

We will take frolik and leddy you guys can have morrow.
- NoobasaurusRex

Come back when you're ready to talk about Lehtonen.

We will take frolik and leddy you guys can have morrow.
- NoobasaurusRex

Hmmmm.... interesting.

What are your thoughts on Morrow? How much does he have left in the tank.