So - in effect (and I know this is a Rube Goldberg stretch): got Oduya for the opportunity to offer sheet Benn.

A good deal?
- StLBravesFan

Not a good way to look at it. Oduya was a TDL acquisition that was badly needed to improve the D which he did. You can't sit on your hands at the TDL and say "well maybe we can offersheet Benn this offseason"

Besides, unless someone vastly overpays based on his production thus far, the stars will match. They've already gone out and acquired some interesting pieces this offseason.

Not a good way to look at it. Oduya was a TDL acquisition that was badly needed to improve the D which he did. You can't sit on your hands at the TDL and say "well maybe we can offersheet Benn this offseason"

Besides, unless someone vastly overpays based on his production thus far, the stars will match. They've already gone out and acquired some interesting pieces this offseason.
- Walky

Yes - I said it was a stretch.

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

haha. you sure?

This is what TrueGrit is referring to, i believe. Columbus traded a superstar for a 2nd line center. There were, of course, other pieces. But Dubinsky has scored 20+ goals/100 pims. Initiates physical play while also standing up for teammates. Though flawed, he's a bona fide number 2 pivot. THEY do not grow on trees. A mediocre center like Gagner MIGHT flourish under our system..he MIGHT fail while costing us a useful player or two in exchange. I am allllll for improving this team at 2C and goalie. But think of the things that have to go right for that to happen. First, how many elite centers, for example, exist in the league? How many of those are available, how many of the available ones are available to you? Does your system have the pieces the team your trading with needs/wants? Can you afford this player?

Its not easy. Some of the best GMs look about the same as some of the worst this summer. Kudos to Kings GM for his aggressiveness-it paid off. Holmgren and Sather seem to be going all in to no avail-time will tell. Most assuredly, their fan bases prefer this approach. It is one that has been adopted by McD as well. That guy LOOOOOVES the big off season splash. They usually help his team in the short run, but tend to hamper his teams in the long run. If an elite goalie or bona fide 2C that fit our cap structure, was available and acquirable (without creating a major hole elsewhere in the line-up) I believe this front office would look to bring this player in. We brought in Campbell and Hossa. It worked. McD loves it. Didnt they go after Suter? I have no problem when they pony up for FA studs. But I dont mind when they hesitate on pulling the trigger for a Sam Gagne. He's not exactly that "missing ingredient" in the Brendan Shanahan mold.

I love you JJ. But I'm with TrueGrit on this. Things arent so bad. Our offense will score, our D is improved and we have the talent to fix the PP. Holes for sure. But fixing them? No easy task. The perfect piece wasn't there or wasn't available to us.
- miked23

Here is the bottom line....

There are not many bonafide 2nd line centers that most would be happy with which can be acquired without giving up prime prsopects plus Hammer etc..Actually there aren't many that appear to be available at all.

In the Nash trade Anisimov is a player who could turn out to be bona fide #2 center on a playoff team.

My top choice would be Stastny but that would involve giving up a prospect or two from the 2011 draft class...plus Hammer.

Gagner makes the most sense only because he is 22 yrs old and hockey logic says he isn't currently a top priority for the Oil. Also I have never heard of a GM being around to select 4 #1 picks in a row...So there is some pressure there.

Gagner could come in for a year and help....If Hawks like him he can be resigned...If not, then others should be more ready to take his place the following year.

It's kind a joke we are even talking about a second line center when another lower line pivot who could win faceoffs/Pk hasn't even been acquired.

So - in effect (and I know this is a Rube Goldberg stretch): got Oduya for the opportunity to offer sheet Benn.

A good deal?
- StLBravesFan

More accurate is...

Acquired Oduya which eliminated the opportunity to offer sheet any player of significant value.

More accurate is...

Acquired Oduya which eliminated the opportunity to offer sheet any player of significant value.
- Al

Do you then bypass making a trading involving draft picks because you may want to offer sheet a player in the future? What would have happened if Stan didn't acquire Oduya? Even if (big if) Stan signed a UFA defenseman the cost (cap wise) would have been a lot more than Oduya. It's not like offer sheets are the only way to improve the team, Stan still have the ability to make a trade. Sure, a trade made cost Hjalmarsson and a prospect or 2 but if the overall impact to the team is positive then what's the issue?

Do you then bypass making a trading involving draft picks because you may want to offer sheet a player in the future? What would have happened if Stan didn't acquire Oduya? Even if (big if) Stan signed a UFA defenseman the cost (cap wise) would have been a lot more than Oduya. It's not like offer sheets are the only way to improve the team, Stan still have the ability to make a trade. Sure, a trade made cost Hjalmarsson and a prospect or 2 but if the overall impact to the team is positive then what's the issue?
- DarthKane

I though the Hawks needed to acquire Oduya...I do think until proven otherwise he is more a #5 than a #3.

As far as cost the Hawks signed Oduya to a more modest contract because he got an extra year and a NTC.

My statement spells out what the cost of trading those draft picks are...That's the only issue.

I wouldn't bet my lunch money Bowman would ever offer sheet anyone but now he does not have the opportunity.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I though the Hawks needed to acquire Oduya...I do think until proven otherwise he is more a #5 than a #3.

As far as cost the Hawks signed Oduya to a more modest contract because he got an extra year and a NTC.

My statement spells out what the cost of trading those draft picks are...That's the only issue.

I wouldn't bet my lunch money Bowman would ever offer sheet anyone but now he does not have the opportunity.
- Al

I think by year 3 of the deal Oduya will be a #5 defenseman, maybe even year to depending on how the other defensemen develop.

Bowman doesn't seem like the type to offer sheet anyone, that's just my opinion but I don't see it happening.

I though the Hawks needed to acquire Oduya...I do think until proven otherwise he is more a #5 than a #3.

As far as cost the Hawks signed Oduya to a more modest contract because he got an extra year and a NTC.

My statement spells out what the cost of trading those draft picks are...That's the only issue.

I wouldn't bet my lunch money Bowman would ever offer sheet anyone but now he does not have the opportunity.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

If you mean he should have traded prospects instead of picks I can understand that. But lamenting over not having the ability to sign an offersheet is not worth the time. Offer sheets rarely pan out and really you can't plan you're future on whether or not you can sign one.

That said, I don't know why they haven't used guys like Pirri or Lalonde who don't appear to have a place in this organization but still have some good talent and could be more useful elsewhere.

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.
- Walky

bolland can't win face-offs. it is a must for a shut down center, especially when killing power plays. Plus who knows how long Bolland's back will last.

I think by year 3 of the deal Oduya will be a #5 defenseman, maybe even year to depending on how the other defensemen develop.

Bowman doesn't seem like the type to offer sheet anyone, that's just my opinion but I don't see it happening.
- DarthKane

People rarely use offer sheets anyways because it gives you a bad rep in the GM "brotherhood" I mean it took forever for Weber to get one and that was only so Philly could force Nashville's hand. Look at other offer sheets, the one for Hammer was clearly because Wilson doesn't like us and wanted to either acquire Hammer or put the screws to the Hawks if he couldn't.

But you are correct, even if there wasn't a stigma, I doubt Bowman would use an offer sheet.

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

Dominic Moore

bolland can't win face-offs. it is a must for a shut down center, especially when killing power plays. Plus who knows how long Bolland's back will last.
- Topshelf2010

If by can't win you mean less than 50% then yes. But I think only Toews is over 50% on this team. Bolland seems to do pretty well in that role despite sucking at faceoffs.

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

Trade Leddy for Gagner, then sign Hannan. FIXED.

Trade Leddy for Gagner, then sign Hannan. FIXED.
- hawks2010

Oil don't want Leddy, they want Hammer. They have plenty of offense, not so much solid defense. Plus it would take some extra picks/prospects, plus you have to count on Hannan actually signing on to deal with this mess of a front office and coaching staff.

If you mean he should have traded prospects instead of picks I can understand that. But lamenting over not having the ability to sign an offersheet is not worth the time. Offer sheets rarely pan out and really you can't plan you're future on whether or not you can sign one.

That said, I don't know why they haven't used guys like Pirri or Lalonde who don't appear to have a place in this organization but still have some good talent and could be more useful elsewhere.
- Walky

Again all I did was point out the reality of trading 2nd/3rd round 2013 draft picks.

On a seperate issue I would have rather traded a player like Lalonde/Pirri but the other side has to want them.

The longer Lalonde/Pirri stay in the AHL and don't excel the less they are worth.

Pirri could play a regular shift in the NHL now, on a non playoff team and could turn out to be a decent player.

Offer sheets were hardly used because the compensation was so steep and added value is placed on draft picks in a cap world but...

With all the CBA stuff concerning limiting contract length this figures to be a time where some players like E. Kane or Benn could have an offer written on them.

Dominic Moore
- hawks2010

I have commented on this before...Unfortunately Moore has much bigger issues to deal with than playing hockey, his wife is very ill.

I am not sure he will play at all this season.

It's kind a joke we are even talking about a second line center when another lower line pivot who could win faceoffs/Pk hasn't even been acquired.
- Al

Totally agree. How bout hiring a face off coach. Face offs like most of hockey is 50% technique and the other 95 % is desire and determination.

Gagner is a non starter, you might as well keep Kane at C and add a bigger winger on that line.

Totally agree. How bout hiring a face off coach. Face offs like most of hockey is 50% technique and the other 95 % is desire and determination.

Gagner is a non starter, you might as well keep Kane at C and add a bigger winger on that line.
- TrueGrit

bigger winger....Either or for me...More likely to be neither.

Faceoffs are about technique and desire....Few were better than Mikita and I'm sure he would lend a hand but as far as I know that has never happened.

I'm not following the ?
- Al

Who gets left of the NHL roster for Saad? Hayes, Bollig?

Changing the topic a hair, I get the feeling that the Hawks will now obtain Luongo (and I guess his handsome brother too) in the next few days. Gillis knows this albatross is lingering far too long. The sooner he cuts ties the better.

You will see Olesz and or Montador go the other way.

I get these hunches...go ahead and laugh in my face, berate me, etc...but after Nash Deal, the asking price has dropped and its time to end the speculation.

bigger winger....Either or for me...More likely to be neither.

Faceoffs are about technique and desire....Few were better than Mikita and I'm sure he would lend a hand but as far as I know that has never happened.
- Al

Strength, hands, quickness, low center of gravity all factor in. Some faceoffs are like sword play with rapiers, some are like jiu jitsu or sumo.

Changing the topic a hair, I know get the feeling that the Hawks will now obtain Luongo (and I guess his handsome brother too) in the next few days. Gillis knows this albatross is lingering far too long. The sooner he cuts ties the better.

You will see Olesz and or Montador go the other way.

I get these hunches...go ahead and laugh in my face, berate me, etc...but after Nash Deal, the asking price has dropped and its time to end the speculation.
- TrueGrit

I will say this for your hunch. I think Mike Gillis' price will have to go down a bit now—if he wants to deal Lu before the season starts.

The Nash thing proves that a player with a NMC can affect the market for his services. Gillis has few suitors, fewer still if Lu vetoes a deal.

All that said, I think, in fact I'm 95% certain, there's going to be a lockout and play will not take place before 12/1.

I will not be surprised if Luongo goes to the highest bidder on 2/25 or thereabouts, and by then there could be numerous bidders.

The Hawks would have to pay a higher price than any other team for Lu and that's why I think Bowman will continue to talk about how happy he is with his team rather than improving it.

Strength, hands, quickness, low center of gravity all factor in. Some faceoffs are like sword play with rapiers, some are like jiu jitsu or sumo.
- John Jaeckel

...And a big factor is brains...

Toews said it over the weekend..He's great at cheating and not getting caught.

Despite the fact that this roster could probably use a few more complimentary pieces, I still think one of the biggest problems for the last two years has been the compete level and dedication of the team and the allocation of ice time.

How many times have we complained here that the Hawks only gave a 40 minute (or less) effort. As far as I'm concerned once is too many times. Its also painfully obvious that the star players are the ones quitting on the team. How can you call them a core when they don't give two craps about winning the game?

As far as allocation of ice time, Q has been absolutely terrible. How many times have we seen Keith and Seabrook skate 28-30 minutes in a game that was obviously in hand. How many times has he been reluctant to play the fourth line despite having a lead. If you want a team with 3 forward lines and 2 defense lines might as well sign a bunch of superstars and have a 16 skater team.

This team has a problem in its mentality and execution which has showed no signs of improvement in the last two years. Frankly I doubt any amount of roster moves will fix this problem. We just have to wait around until Rocky gets as fed up with this crap as we are. Unfortunately I'm beginning to wonder if McD isn't Grima Wormtongue.
- Walky

Yep, yep, yep and yep! This team has very, very little compete level. Simply watching them refuse to dump when the opposition lines 3-4 up at the blueline v our top 6 tells me everything I need to know. It tells me my tickets go up on the Ticket Exchange because I refuse to support a soft perimeter club.

It was there for all to see v Vancouver when they were down 3-0 and Seabs got his head mushed by Torres. The team came to life and took that series to OT in game 7. It's there, but the team will not pay a price. Where was that effort during the whole season when they made the playoffs on the last day due to Dallas losing and giving the Hawks the 8th seed?

That dog effort carried over to 2011/2012 and there is zero reason to believe anything has happened that will change that.

The organization is dysfunctional and needs a culture change.