When I think of Hayes I'm looking for what Jordan Nolan and Dwight King did for LA in the playoffs.
- RickJ

This is the spot I think Bollig can fill. Skates well enough to do so, and unlike most other kids who have been brought up Bollig seems to have been given a role he's physically able to fulfill, accepted it, left alone in that role, improved doing so and as a result was effective.

It appears that ship has sailed, either due to a lack of interest from other teams, or Stan's hesitancy to pull the trigger for fear of getting fleeced. On one hand you read Hammer for Zack Smith or Gagner, then if you read the beat writers, there's talk of Hammer for a 3rd round pick. If it's the latter, which I don't fully believe, perhaps other GM's are trying to make Stan uncomfortable.
- eburgio

The only way they deal Hjalmarsson for a pick or a lower line player is if they are trying to clear cap space, which at this point seems unnecessary and therefore unlikely.

I will just say that Hjalmarsson is a top 4 defenseman on most teams and probably should be on this one until Nick Leddy shows he can be one in his own end or not on the power play. And if they want Corey Crawford to succeed this year, their chances are better with Hjalmarsson than without him or with a lot of alternatives.

That's why at this point I would be pretty surprised if they dealt Hjalmarsson. If they do and it doesn't tee up something else in terms of talent acquisition, it begs the question why?

Plea deal reached. Buff pleads guilty to careless boating. #cc -- James Turner (@heyjturner)

This is the spot I think Bollig can fill. Skates well enough to do so, and unlike most other kids who have been brought up Bollig seems to have been given a role he's physically able to fulfill, accepted it, left alone in that role, improved doing so and as a result was effective.
- Mr Ricochet

The one thing I wanted to see Bollig do better was win along the boards. At times he seemed to lack the know-how in terms of engaging in and winning scrums.

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.
- yahoodi

Great post!!!

FOR ELI


What did you think of Morin last year? He didn't light it up scoring 40 pts/69 GP. But plus 9 on a kind of bad team and 122 PIM.
- John Jaeckel

I think it took him a little while to acclimate himself after missing 10 months of hockey due to concussion issues. I think that has something to do with his production last season.

The main issues with Morin are his skating, and that he skates with his head down. I hope those have improved. Those will be big issues for him going forward, especially if he has issues with concussions or is going to keep up with the speed of the NHL game..

He's got a nose for the net and a good hard shot. He's willing to drive towards the net. He's a good physical guy too. He's willing to finish his checks, and will drop the gloves to stick up for a teammate. He doesn't impress me as a two way guy, but at the same time, he looks responsible enough when he's playing without the puck.

He could be a 2nd or 3rd line scoring forward, or he could just be a bottom 6 grinder. It all depends on how Morin improves his skating.

Eli - how many Hogs games do you attend a year?
- eburgio

I attended 15 last season. I usually hit about 20-30 games a season. How many I hit this season will depend on how heavy my school workload is.

The only way they deal Hjalmarsson for a pick or a lower line player is if they are trying to clear cap space, which at this point seems unnecessary and therefore unlikely.

I will just say that Hjalmarsson is a top 4 defenseman on most teams and probably should be on this one until Nick Leddy shows he can be one in his own end or not on the power play. And if they want Corey Crawford to succeed this year, their chances are better with Hjalmarsson than without him or with a lot of alternatives.

That's why at this point I would be pretty surprised if they dealt Hjalmarsson. If they do and it doesn't tee up something else in terms of talent acquisition, it begs the question why?
- John Jaeckel

If they would of landed Suter... i could of seen them dealing Hjalmarsson.. at this point if any defence got traded it would be Leddy... with the signing of I'll do ya!

Hayes has nice hands remember there was a time when Shaw got his call up that he and Hayes were the hottest 2 on the ice if he bangs and improves his foot work he could replace carcillo in the top 6.
- southernhawk

Don't hold your breath waiting for it.

Don't hold your breath waiting for it.
- EKolb13

I know he did okay last season, but penciling Carcillo into the top six just makes me shutter.

The one thing I wanted to see Bollig do better was win along the boards. At times he seemed to lack the know-how in terms of engaging in and winning scrums.
- John Jaeckel

Hopefully that will improve. He's only got 18 NHL games under his belt, so he's still getting acclimated.

Right now, Bollig is a huge improvement over John Scott.

I know he did okay last season, but penciling Carcillo into the top six just makes me shutter.
- eburgio

So does Hayes. For a big guy, he doesn't use his size and strength like he should.

The only way they deal Hjalmarsson for a pick or a lower line player is if they are trying to clear cap space, which at this point seems unnecessary and therefore unlikely.

I will just say that Hjalmarsson is a top 4 defenseman on most teams and probably should be on this one until Nick Leddy shows he can be one in his own end or not on the power play. And if they want Corey Crawford to succeed this year, their chances are better with Hjalmarsson than without him or with a lot of alternatives.

That's why at this point I would be pretty surprised if they dealt Hjalmarsson. If they do and it doesn't tee up something else in terms of talent acquisition, it begs the question why?
- John Jaeckel

Hannan is still out there. Plus other D as well who can come close to Hammer. I'm sure Hammer has value around the league. Not enough for a end line center, Though. Leddy might. But if u deal Hammer you can throw in another player or picks to sweeten it. Prospects, too

Hannan is still out there. Plus other D as well who can come close to Hammer. I'm sure Hammer has value around the league. Not enough for a end line center, Though. Leddy might. But if u deal Hammer you can throw in another player or picks to sweeten it. Prospects, too
- tomcat24

I don't know that hannan and/or Brett Clark are any better than Hammer, but both play that style and both could probably be had for a smidge more (combined) than Hammer is getting now. With the available capspace, I'm all for moving Hammer if that improves other areas.

But maybe Hannan and Clark gave the middle finger to the McOrganization

Morin was billed as a natural finisher from what I remember, got his bell rung, and looks like he has had to make some adjustments playing against men. My biggest issue with him was how he was skating with his head down (not dissimilar to Kruger) and opening himself up to get railed. If his hands are half as good as advertised he should be able to nudge out a space @ LW esp with revolving door there.

I don't know that hannan and/or Brett Clark are any better than Hammer, but both play that style and both could probably be had for a smidge more (combined) than Hammer is getting now. With the available capspace, I'm all for moving Hammer if that improves other areas.

But maybe Hannan and Clark gave the middle finger to the McOrganization
- eburgio

I don't think we need anymore cap space...Bowman.. altho likes caps space.. just doesn't know wht the phuck to do with it.

So who do you guys think will be our 7th defenceman? or do we see a revolving door this year?

I don't think we need anymore cap space...Bowman.. altho likes caps space.. just doesn't know wht the phuck to do with it.
- wolverine19

I wasn't suggesting more cap space needs to be created, I was saying there's a way to adjust what has been earmarked for Hammer, and use Hammer as a trade chip. If they are concerned about replacing what hammer brings, two options were just listed.

EDIT: Seems simple enough when discussing, doesn't it?

So who do you guys think will be our 7th defenceman? or do we see a revolving door this year?
- wolverine19

Brookbank. Unless Montador isn't ready to go. If he isn't, you could see a mix of Olsen, Stanton and Levin getting looks.

So who do you guys think will be our 7th defenceman? or do we see a revolving door this year?
- wolverine19

This is the least of their problems. They did zero to address any needs in the offseason, instead banking on the rest of the division getting worse. If the team struggles 20 games in, it should be Bowman going before Q or both, which I am ok with.

This is the least of their problems. They did zero to address any needs in the offseason, instead banking on the rest of the division getting worse. If the team struggles 20 games in, it should be Bowman going before Q or both, which I am ok with.
- furso27

That and counting unproven rookies / second year players making a jump or significant contribution.

Brookbank. Unless Montador isn't ready to go. If he isn't, you could see a mix of Olsen, Stanton and Levin getting looks.
- EKolb13

Please not Stanton. From what little I've seen of him, I really did not like watching him play.

Please not Stanton. From what little I've seen of him, I really did not like watching him play.
- Walky

What turns you off about Stanton?

Brookbank. Unless Montador isn't ready to go. If he isn't, you could see a mix of Olsen, Stanton and Levin getting looks.
- EKolb13

That's Q-speak!

I love watching coach Q interviews, if you ever want to learn how to say a lot without revealing anything just watch one.

In other news, just got a twitter text from Chris Kuc who retweeted from Dreger "Rick Nash trade to NY Rangers in process now. Details to follow."