Kane is fine @2C IMO. I think a character/depth guy that can win 55-60% of draws, kill penalties and eat 15 minutes if necessary can serve their purpose and give some flexibility if injuries happen for cheaper.
- fattybeef

I dont think he could handle playing there for a whole season, I admidt he did play his best hockey when Toews was injured. I Took some grief for giving him grief on his play, but that was on a whole. He has at times last season and the season before taken plays off. He is a pro, getting paid to do what he does and yes Mr Kane it is a job so you have to show every shift not just when you feel like it.

Dude I hope you are right.

\

2nd line center?

Hockey logic tells me Gagner is available....Teams don't sign 22 yr olds to only a 1 yr contract extension if they are part of their long term plans.

Interesting when asked, Kane did not sound so sure he would be playing center.

Gagner isn't the perfect choice but has more offense than Kruger for now and would be probably a lot better than Saad. Kruger would do well as a 3rd line wing with Bolland and normally when a kid arrives from Jr's to the NHL he plays his regular position.

Without a meaningful deal for a ready made NHL forward chances are Saad will be in Chgo early on...

On Twitter@AlCimagla
- Al

And it's just that too Al - he's on a one year contract so there's a lot of flexibility if the Hawks acquired him.

I'm with you on this, there's not too many 2C options and your hockey spidey senses seem to be right on the Gagner front, the Oilers dealing him could be very possible.

And it's just that too Al - he's on a one year contract so there's a lot of flexibility if the Hawks acquired him.

I'm with you on this, there's not too many 2C options and your hockey spidey senses seem to be right on the Gagner front, the Oilers dealing him could be very possible.
- TyCamScore

I'm fine with making a trade for Gagner but and it is a big but...

If the asking price is Hammer which I think it would be...He can't be replaced by Olsen....And now there are mostly scraps left to fill that hole.

Gagner gives the Hawks 6 NHL ready forwards...Toews-Hossa-Kane-Sharp-Gagner-Stalberg or a couple of other options.

But Olsen isn't ready to play on the PK and eat up meaningful minutes on the blueline so a replacement for Hammer would have to be found...

I don't think Saad can play defense.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I'm fine with making a trade for Gagner but and it is a big but...

If the asking price is Hammer which I think it would be...He can't be replaced by Olsen....And now there are mostly scraps left to fill that hole.

Gagner gives the Hawks 6 NHL ready forwards...Toews-Hossa-Kane-Sharp-Gagner-Stalberg or a couple of other options.

But Olsen isn't ready to play on the PK and eat up meaningful minutes on the blueline so a replacement for Hammer would have to be found...

I don't think Saad can play defense.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

havent you heard? Saad can do EVERYTHING!

We like hot women in Blackawks jerseys
Lighthouses are cool
we like those little umbrellas that come with our Mi Tais
- blkhwkfn

We're looking down on Wayne's basement.
Only that's not Wayne's basement.
Isn't that weird?

Garth! That was a haiku!

I'm not following the ?
- Al

Saad makes line up at who's expense ?

Also, aside from the year he had his brain rattled, Morin was a PPG player in the World Juniors and smoked the U18 world Championships twice.

Obviously 10-11 was a shortened season which was problematic due to the nature of the injury he had, and this year looked like a rough one in Rockford. No scorers in the top 30 and they finished 12th which may or may not be indicative of his skill level which is probably more suited to playing at the NHL level with someone who can clear space for him.
- fattybeef

Totally agree.

If I were Quenneville, I would much prefer the guy with similar creedentials but a year more, and a year more pro, experience.

I also think Morin's game will translate better to having more skilled guys around him.

I don't doubt Saad will be in Chicago the early part of the season, mainly due to the fact that his 20th birthday and CHL/AHL transfer rules pretty much mandate it's Chicago or Saginaw until November (unless I'm mistaken).

He could learn and grow a lot in that time or more likely end up heading down I-90 when the leaves turn brown.

As I've said before, he "replaces" either Carcillo or Stalberg. He won't hit, create space or deter like Carcillo. He probably isn't going to be much better or as good as Stalberg. Doesn't play center.

And Al, for the record, Stalberg, Morin and Carcillo were ALL Bowman acquisitions. But they aren't shiny pennies. Saad is.

Without other improvements, Saad will get some ink and Olczyk and Foley will likely fawn all over him but he will have no meaningful impact (at least positive) on this team.

And it's just that too Al - he's on a one year contract so there's a lot of flexibility if the Hawks acquired him.

I'm with you on this, there's not too many 2C options and your hockey spidey senses seem to be right on the Gagner front, the Oilers dealing him could be very possible.
- TyCamScore

FWIW, a decent source out of Edmonton says the Oil has no plans to move Gagner right now.

Here's the other side . . . You could move Bolland to 2C (and Kruger to 3C) and likely get similar production: small, right handed centerman, 45% in the dot—without having to deplete the blue line or pay Gagner next summer to make the trade.

Saad makes line up at who's expense ?
- southernhawk

Carcillo or Stalberg.

He will score more than Carcillo, not do as much physically and without the puck. Not even close. He will score about the same or less than Stalberg. Stalberg has more experience and though still mistake prone will make more plays more consistently.

FWIW, a decent source out of Edmonton says the Oil has no plans to move Gagner right now.

Here's the other side . . . You could move Bolland to 2C (and Kruger to 3C) and likely get similar production: small, right handed centerman, 45% in the dot—without having to deplete the blue line or pay Gagner next summer to make the trade.
- John Jaeckel

I really think we see Bolland at the 2C role to start the year. His value as the 3C only comes out in the playoffs anyway. I know Q isn't in love with that idea, but I think he gets an earnest effort there this year. I think it helps assess whether Kruger can handle the 3C, and potentially develops a trade market for Bolland as a fringe 2C (provided he plays well). If you go back to the Cup year, there were several games he was on a line w/Kaner. Perhaps spot duty, but it's worth a shot. Obviously, nobody better is walking through that door!

Totally agree.

If I were Quenneville, I would much prefer the guy with similar creedentials but a year more, and a year more pro, experience.

I also think Morin's game will translate better to having more skilled guys around him.

I don't doubt Saad will be in Chicago the early part of the season, mainly due to the fact that his 20th birthday and CHL/AHL transfer rules pretty much mandate it's Chicago or Saginaw until November (unless I'm mistaken).

He could learn and grow a lot in that time or more likely end up heading down I-90 when the leaves turn brown.

As I've said before, he "replaces" either Carcillo or Stalberg. He won't hit, create space or deter like Carcillo. He probably isn't going to be much better or as good as Stalberg. Doesn't play center.

And Al, for the record, Stalberg, Morin and Carcillo were ALL Bowman acquisitions. But they aren't shiny pennies. Saad is.

Without other improvements, Saad will get some ink and Olczyk and Foley will likely fawn all over him but he will have no meaningful impact (at least positive) on this team.
- John Jaeckel

And Al, for the record, Stalberg, Morin and Carcillo were ALL Bowman acquisitions. But they aren't shiny pennies. Saad is.

I am aware but.....Draft picks seem to have a reserved status for StanBo....

Maybe that's why he has never traded any...And maybe that's why there isn't any meaningful additions this summer to talk about.

Kane is fine @2C IMO. I think a character/depth guy that can win 55-60% of draws, kill penalties and eat 15 minutes if necessary can serve their purpose and give some flexibility if injuries happen for cheaper.
- fattybeef

Yes, would be nice if we could get a guy like that....and they're out there we just have to make it happen. Not so sure about Kane at centre IMO, but I'm just a fan.

Totally agree.

If I were Quenneville, I would much prefer the guy with similar creedentials but a year more, and a year more pro, experience.

I also think Morin's game will translate better to having more skilled guys around him.

I don't doubt Saad will be in Chicago the early part of the season, mainly due to the fact that his 20th birthday and CHL/AHL transfer rules pretty much mandate it's Chicago or Saginaw until November (unless I'm mistaken).

He could learn and grow a lot in that time or more likely end up heading down I-90 when the leaves turn brown.

As I've said before, he "replaces" either Carcillo or Stalberg. He won't hit, create space or deter like Carcillo. He probably isn't going to be much better or as good as Stalberg. Doesn't play center.

And Al, for the record, Stalberg, Morin and Carcillo were ALL Bowman acquisitions. But they aren't shiny pennies. Saad is.

Without other improvements, Saad will get some ink and Olczyk and Foley will likely fawn all over him but he will have no meaningful impact (at least positive) on this team.
- John Jaeckel

I don't know, I don't think they seemed to happy at the end of last year. They were even pretty critical on the air which is rare. They might like him, but I doubt they say he's a good NHL player. Of course we'll just have to wait and see.

And Al, for the record, Stalberg, Morin and Carcillo were ALL Bowman acquisitions. But they aren't shiny pennies. Saad is.

I am aware but.....Draft picks seem to have a reserved status for StanBo....

Maybe that's why he has never traded any...And maybe that's why there isn't any meaningful additions this summer to talk about.
- Al

Except the two picks for Oduya, a move that I still think was a good one.

FWIW, a decent source out of Edmonton says the Oil has no plans to move Gagner right now.

Here's the other side . . . You could move Bolland to 2C (and Kruger to 3C) and likely get similar production: small, right handed centerman, 45% in the dot—without having to deplete the blue line or pay Gagner next summer to make the trade.
- John Jaeckel

I'd rather see Kruger at 2C. Better vision to spread the puck. Bolland isn't going to bring anything in that position that Kruger can't do equally well or better. Bolland makes his money playing that shutdown center on the third line. Outside of that, his usefullness is pretty limited.

Carcillo or Stalberg.

He will score more than Carcillo, not do as much physically and without the puck. Not even close. He will score about the same or less than Stalberg. Stalberg has more experience and though still mistake prone will make more plays more consistently.
- John Jaeckel

Yes and if Stalberg isn't played as a top six for at least two months it was a mistake to not deal him this summer.

Carcillo can't play on the 3rd line...Shaw can play on any line.

So first interesting decision will be what to do with Carcillo??

Obviously Bowman wanted him back so much he was resigned to a 2 yr extension while still on crutches.

We like hot women in Blackawks jerseys
Lighthouses are cool
we like those little umbrellas that come with our Mi Tais
- blkhwkfn

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

Except the two picks for Oduya, a move that I still think was a good one.
- John Jaeckel

That doesn't really count....Not players he has already selected...That's what I meant.

Carcillo or Stalberg.

He will score more than Carcillo, not do as much physically and without the puck. Not even close. He will score about the same or less than Stalberg. Stalberg has more experience and though still mistake prone will make more plays more consistently.
- John Jaeckel

Would it make more sence to scratch Frolik for Saad and keep car bomb and stalberg in the line up?

SSHHEETTT! can someone tell me why brian bickells mug has been all over CSN the last week? another marketing ploy??
- wonthecup10

A new advertisement for the dental surgery place that had Keith as their spokesman last year?

Would it make more sence to scratch Frolik for Saad and keep car bomb and stalberg in the line up?
- southernhawk

We were responding as if Saad would be a top six forward.

We were responding as if Saad would be a top six forward.
- Al

We were responding as if Saad would be a top six forward.
- Al

Would it make more sence to scratch Frolik for Saad and keep car bomb and stalberg in the line up?
- southernhawk

Nope, as Frolik is likely third or fourth line LW, and that is a role Saad is likely not suited for nor does that experience help him vs. being a top 6 guy at Rockford.

As a season ticket holder who has unfortunately already paid for my tickets I just cannot believe that all the other teams are improving and Bowman does nothing. Does anyone want to buy my tickets?
- Maggie

Where are the seats? Everyone should stop being so negative. The sky isn't falling.