I was never as down on Soupy's contract as most people. I understood the overpay by a young team trying to woo the best FA D-MAN available. However, I did think he was overpaid enough that I agreed at the time with Stan dumping that contract when he had the chance. But man, in hindsite I think it was a mistake. Like you say, looking at the crazy money being thrown around at FA's now, and taking into account that they did nothing with the added cap space last year...I'm thinking that trade was a big mistake. Then when you add in what Stan took back in that trade and it becomes an Epic Fail for Stan.
- Ogilthorpe2

Say what you will about his lack of physicality, but I think opposing teams respected Campbell's skating ability, which gave everyone more space. He was good at the break out pass. He was under utilized in some ways, much like Brouwer.

Good Morning Eli
Greetings from Albuquerque.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ogi, do you fly commercial?

Albuquerque is a weird place. Been there a couple times. The airport was like an old folks home.

Ogi, do you fly commercial?

Albuquerque is a weird place. Been there a couple times. The airport was like an old folks home.
- eburgio

Yes.

It is a strange terminal. Not sure how long it's been for you, but they've done a lot of remodeling in the last year or so. Not quite as creepy as it used to be.

Yes.

It is a strange terminal. Not sure how long it's been for you, but they've done a lot of remodeling in the last year or so. Not quite as creepy as it used to be.
- Ogilthorpe2

Been about 18 months. Christmas a couple years back. Had to layover on the way home. Got off the plane and it was like rows and rows of elderly in wheelchairs.

Say what you will about his lack of physicality, but I think opposing teams respected Campbell's skating ability, which gave everyone more space. He was good at the break out pass. He was under utilized in some ways, much like Brouwer.
- eburgio

Yup, just look at what he did this past year. Led the league in minutes played, 49 assists, 4th in team scoring and won the lady bing trophy. Just goes to show how coaching and ice-time can affect performance. On the flip side, just look at what's happened to Frolik …

Brouwer is another who found somewhat of a niche in Washington and had a solid campaign even though his +- was not so good.

According to Jesse Rogers, Bowman was not asked 1 question during the hockey ops seminar.

Sounds like good news on the Hossa injury front...

Hossa working hard for return to Blackhawks
Saturday July 21, 2012, 7:08AM
Brian Hedger

CHICAGO -- Marian Hossa continues to show progress in his recovery from a concussion that knocked him out of the Chicago Blackhawks' loss to the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Meeting with reporters in person for the first time since a hit by Coyotes forward Raffi Torres in Game 3 of the series, Hossa said he's been working out hard off the ice for about a month and showing no symptoms.

"Lots of time has passed by and that helped me," Hossa said Friday afternoon at a media function prior to the start of the Hawks' annual fan convention this weekend at the Chicago Hilton. "I didn't have to rush anything and that was most important thing. After (it was decided) that I couldn't fly home to Slovakia, I just basically didn't do anything. I just relaxed and (at) some point I decided to try to do something, start working out. Things right now are on a level where I want to be and I'm happy where I am so far."

However, Hossa hasn't gotten back on the ice.

"I'm going to take my time and first do everything at the gym, cardio, and the time will come soon when I step on the ice and start doing things on the ice," he said. "The way I feel right now, I feel I will be ready for (training) camp. No (symptoms) right now. It could be different on the ice, when I get my first hit or somebody just (pushes) me ... but so far without the contact I can do everything at a high level."

That's good news for the Blackhawks, who missed out on signing free agent forward Zach Parise this summer and will again depend heavily on Hossa in their top six group of forwards. The 33-year old, a star two-way player, is coming off a season in which he missed one game in the regular season after being absent for large chunks of time the previous two years.

Hossa scored 29 goals and had 48 assists for 77 points in 2011-12 then got knocked out of the playoffs before he could record a point. The Blackhawks lost the series in six games.

Earlier this summer, when talking with reporters on a conference call, Hossa admitted he was angry with Torres for the hit that wound up drawing an initial 25-game suspension that also removed Torres from the postseason.

The suspension was appealed and eventually assessed at 21 games on July 2 by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

"(I'm looking) forward," Hossa said. "I can't control what happened in the past. I'm sure he's going to learn (by) sitting out 21 games."

Hossa is focused solely on his continued recovery and getting himself ready for training camp.

"I'm able to train at a high level right now and that's my goal," he said. "So far, so good. I'm happy where I am."

Author: Brian Hedger | NHL.com Correspondent

This convention the Hawks hold every year is a good idea when things are going well. But a really bad idea when things aren't going so well.

The propaganda just seems so hollow.

But the kids porbably enjoy it so what the hell.

Positives?

As I've said, the defense is deeper and better than it was a year ago. That should help Crawford, but I also think Quenneville will not hesitate to go to Emery and no one from above will stop him (this time). And personally, I think Emery is a lot more consistent than Crawford.

I saw a brief shot of Kruger from the shoulders up on CSN last night and he looked to me as though he's put on a little mass.

*Hossa. What a stud that guy is. I hope Hawk fans appreciate what they have with this guy. An almost certain HOF'er and a great two-way player with a big heart. A quiet leader. And he will likely score his 500th goal in a Hawk sweater.

As for Kane, he looks to be in good shape. and you'd think if he has 1/10th the heart of Hossa or Toews then he's serious about his re-dedication and is out to prove the doubters wrong. If he has 1/10th the heart. That said, I can't assume he doesn't have a problem just because he says it. People with that problem always deny it up until the point where everyone around them forces them to. And he's not there yet, if indeed he has a problem.

I still don't think Jimmy Hayes is a full time NHL player but I also believe a full year of Carcillo, if he keeps his emotions in check, would be very good for this team. On the second line with Kane and Hossa. Shaw too but the marketing dept. is already making much too big a deal out of him.

I'll just say this, if there is a start to the season, they better play well, because the minute there's a slide, I think it's going to set some changes in motion.

And some of those changes maybe coming regardless.
- John Jaeckel

Like a lot what you say here JJ!

* Could not agree more on Hossa.

Sounds like good news on the Hossa injury front...
- Ogilthorpe2

Its was also good to see Toews looking like his old self. At the end of last year, I don't think he was fully recovered from the concussion.

Sounds like good news on the Hossa injury front...
- Ogilthorpe2

But apparently he hasn't skated yet.

This convention the Hawks hold every year is a good idea when things are going well. But a really bad idea when things aren't going so well.

The propaganda just seems so hollow.

But the kids porbably enjoy it so what the hell.
- bloatedmosquito

It's a good marketing tool, and there's nothing wrong with that.

This convention the Hawks hold every year is a good idea when things are going well. But a really bad idea when things aren't going so well.

The propaganda just seems so hollow.

But the kids porbably enjoy it so what the hell.
- bloatedmosquito

It's probably somewhat flaccid this year because not much has gone on so far this off-season. Good way for fans to meet the players though and yes, the kids can meet their hockey heroes. Sells the game don't you think.

Canucks don't really need to sell anything in our market.

Wow, all sort teams trying to get better:

-MTL tryingvo land Brown, Gagner (rumour)
- LA trying to land Nash
- Philly trying to land Weber
- Detroit making a pitch for Doan or Semin
- Rangers has offer for Doan

These are all teams that are as good or better than the Hawks and yet they are all trying to improve and get better.

I have Not seen any potential activity linked to the Hawks.

What is wrong with this management?? Why are we not doing anything??

If Brown or Getzalf or any players like that are available why are we not making a pitch? Why not make an offer sheet to E. Kane?

WHY, WHY, WHY....IS OUR TEAM THAT GOOD?

Wow, all sort teams trying to get better:

-MTL tryingvo land Brown, Gagner (rumour)
- LA trying to land Nash
- Philly trying to land Weber
- Detroit making a pitch for Doan or Semin
- Rangers has offer for Doan

These are all teams that are as good or better than the Hawks and yet they are all trying to improve and get better.

I have Not seen any potential activity linked to the Hawks.

What is wrong with this management?? Why are we not doing anything??

If Brown or Getzalf or any players like that are available why are we not making a pitch? Why not make an offer sheet to E. Kane?

WHY, WHY, WHY....IS OUR TEAM THAT GOOD?
- Hawkster

Brown who? Dustin? You think Kings will trade him? Detroit isn´t as good as Hawks. Would Gagner or Semin make Hawks better team, I don´t believe it. Don´t know about Getzlaf either.. I´ve heard there is some conserning issues with him and we already have Kane.

Brown who? Dustin? You think Kings will trade him? Detroit isn´t as good as Hawks. Would Gagner or Semin make Hawks better team, I don´t believe it. Don´t know about Getzlaf either.. I´ve heard there is some conserning issues with him and we already have Kane.
- MjulQvist

Anything would be better than banking your impovement on unproven guys like Saad or Hayes. The team has failed the last two years and usually that should mean some sort of changes is required to fix or improve your deficiencies. To do nothing is being delusional and having your head in the sand.

Anything would be better than banking your impovement on unproven guys like Saad or Hayes. The team has failed the last two years and usually that should mean some sort of changes is required to fix or improve your deficiencies. To do nothing is being delusional and having your head in the sand.
- Hawkster

Well there is still time for that.

And i think improvment starts with guys like Keith, Kane and Crawford - not Saad or Hayes.

Well there is still time for that.

And i think improvment starts with guys like Keith, Kane and Crawford - not Saad or Hayes.
- MjulQvist

I hope so

Wow, all sort teams trying to get better:

-MTL tryingvo land Brown, Gagner (rumour)
- LA trying to land Nash
- Philly trying to land Weber
- Detroit making a pitch for Doan or Semin
- Rangers has offer for Doan

These are all teams that are as good or better than the Hawks and yet they are all trying to improve and get better.

I have Not seen any potential activity linked to the Hawks.

What is wrong with this management?? Why are we not doing anything??

If Brown or Getzalf or any players like that are available why are we not making a pitch? Why not make an offer sheet to E. Kane?

WHY, WHY, WHY....IS OUR TEAM THAT GOOD?
- Hawkster

What? So a rumor will pass as "doing something" in your eyes? Here you go

-Hawks weighing trade for Luongo.
-Bowman preparing BIG offer for Doan.
-Hawks in on Semin.

Feel better?

So far all those teams you mentioned that are "trying" to get better haven't done jack- with the exception of the Flyers who offer sheeted Weber and if that gets matched they go back into the "Quiet summer" pile.

It's not the amount of Negativity on this board that's so upsetting. Well maybe it somewhat is. It's the whole black and white of it all. Either you think Stan sucks, McDonough's ruining everything and the Hawks are somehow in the toilet, or you're a rse glasses wearing, koolaid imbibing homer. And that's it. And both views are retarded. The answer lies somewhere in the middle. I understand that doesn't jibe well with internet billboard speak. But for crying eye, how about inserting some reality into the damn conversation.

The only teams that have made significant "changes" to their team are Carolina, Minnesota, and Dallas. Three teams that haven't made the playoffs or been significant
in anyway. They "Needed" to make big changes. and frankly, I'm no more scared of them than I was before. Maybe when Minnesota's kids start filtering through and filling in the key roles... maybe.

But the truth is when you go through the season with lots of rookies like Leddy and Kruger and Shaw, you sort of owe it to yourself to see how much they improve with that time you invested in them. And with the exception of Jordan Staal, who the Blackhawks couldn't acquire, I'm not sure there's a center that changed teams that I can pound my fist and say "damn, should have got him...."

And while I'm on my soapbox and preaching ( for which I apologize. I think people here read enough of my comments that I don't talk down to anyone and I respect most everyone here.) let me just add one more thing: Those of you who think it's a laugh riot or accurate to call new assistant coack Jamie Kompon---"tampon". You're not funny. You're not cute. You're not original. And you're hardly accurate. The only thing you are doing is perpetuating the perception that people who post on internet websites are mouth breathing, illiterate human scum. In short, you're better than that. Please stop.

Brown who? Dustin? You think Kings will trade him?
- MjulQvist

He'd look awfully nice in the Indian Head


Though, to be fair, do the Hawks really need a guy with a confirmed drinking problem?

He'd look awfully nice in the Indian Head


Though, to be fair, do the Hawks really need a guy with a confirmed drinking problem?




- InvisibleOrange

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4plPGRG8o

Rogers just wrote an article entitled, "Defensive-minded Brookbank a Key Addition"

Rogers just wrote an article entitled, "Defensive-minded Brookbank a Key Addition"
- rollpards19

What a (frank)innn joke.

What a (frank)innn joke.
- mrpaulish

Brookbank is not that bad....
.....
But we need more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4plPGRG8o
- NewToHockey

Hands down one of the funniest movies ever.
I remember my sister taking me to see that & friday the 13th at the drive in. Pretty cool when you're 8. Heck, id go see that double feature now.