Kind of like the O'Reilly talk. That dude's rights will not come cheap, nor would his $ amount but in term of fixing one glaring hole and a second not as bad but always an issue (Faceoffs and Board Stremph) that is an insta-patch.

Pretty much solidifies the top six but would probably cost 1 NHL player and 1 very good prospect at a minimum.

Adding O'Reilly and Neil with subtracting one of each of the following (Stalberg / Bickell) (Frolik / Kruger / Shaw / Bolland) (Any TOP prospect in Rockford or otherwise) (Any B Prospect)

Would make them an incredibly difficult team to play against TODAY. Allows them to retain all irreplaceable players and on paper makes them definitely the best team in the West.

Not advocating that, not saying that it is even possible, wouldn't be disappointed with that, wouldn't be disappointed with them sitting on their hands but if those players are truly available it would seem silly not to consider throwing money and assets in the pot.
- fattybeef

I don't see any scenario where they trade Kruger, especially if they added someone like O'Reilly, because O'Reilly's contract would virtually guarantee Bolland is traded before next season.

I highly doubt the Hawks are in on O'Reilly, seems like too large of a move for Stan to contemplate and it would require another move or two after the season because of the shrinking cap.

From what I've read from Colorado Avalanche guys ( Adrian Dater, Jibble Scribbets.) Colorado's trade talks have been exclusively with Eastern Conference teams. Kind of makes this discussion hypothetical. if not moot. Personally, I think O'reilly's being kind of silly asking for 5 million after one good year where he scored 55 points. Steve Duschense is more than a fair comparison and offering him the same deal as Duchesne makes sense. And NOT playing should only drive the price down.

Colorado isn't gonna send him to a place where he can constantly make the organization look bad 6 times a year.

From what I've read from Colorado Avalanche guys ( Adrian Dater, Jibble Scribbets.) Colorado's trade talks have been exclusively with Eastern Conference teams. Kind of makes this discussion hypothetical. if not moot. Personally, I think O'reilly's being kind of silly asking for 5 million after one good year where he scored 55 points. Steve Duschense is more than a fair comparison and offering him the same deal as Duchesne makes sense. And NOT playing should only drive the price down.

Colorado isn't gonna send him to a place where he can constantly make the organization look bad 6 times a year.
- yahoodi

This is a safe, smart bet.

This is a safe, smart bet.
- John Jaeckel

Except for that whole realignment thing.

EDIT: Not meaning I disagree with the highlighted point, but meaning I disagree with the insinuation that the Hawks are going to be one of those teams that plays the Avs often (based on the last proposed realignment).

Could Bolland and Shaw be enough to get someone like

Krejci from BOS?

Havent they been looking to move him with their cap tie ups for next year?


Toews Hossa Saad
Krejci Kane Sharp
Kruger Stalberg Bickell
Carcillo Mayers/Bollig Frolik

???

Could Bolland and Shaw be enough to get someone like

Krecji from BOS?

Havent they been looking to move him with their cap tie ups for next year?


Toews Hossa Saad
Krejci Kane Sharp
Kruger Stalberg Bickell
Carcillo Mayers/Bollig Frolik

???
- FourFeathers773

I think that's an overpayment, although I like the idea of getting Krecji for the 2nd line. Also, while Krecji is more offensive then Bolland and Shaw we'd be giving up a lot of grit and defense in that deal.

I think that's an overpayment, although I like the idea of getting Krecji for the 2nd line. Also, while Krecji is more offensive then Bolland and Shaw we'd be giving up a lot of grit and defense in that deal.
- DarthKane

well i very much trust Kruger to take over the 3C at this point

then i think it comes back to just finding the 4C with size who can win faceoffs, which we are currently at anyways. however, we get the massive upgrade at 2C for a few years

well i very much trust Kruger to take over the 3C at this point

then i think it comes back to just finding the 4C with size who can win faceoffs, which we are currently at anyways. however, we get the massive upgrade at 2C for a few years
- FourFeathers773

I think Kruger could fill the 3C role too, but he needs some toughness with him (i.e. Shaw). I still think we haven't seen the best from Kruger, I believe his game will just continue to get better.

I think Kruger could fill the 3C role too, but he needs some toughness with him (i.e. Shaw). I still think we haven't seen the best from Kruger, I believe his game will just continue to get better.
- DarthKane

Its been a nice surprise to see Kruger throw his body around more this year.

Everyone knows Kruger is about 185 lbs, with 170lbs of it being pure balls.

Adding Krejci I think makes our top 6 the runaway best top 6 in the league

Re: the shootout...i understand we want to score first and get the lead and put pressure on the opponent, but why not have 88 and 19 in the 2, 3 spots and have someone else leadoff ?

Re: the shootout...i understand we want to score first and get the lead and put pressure on the opponent, but why not have 88 and 19 in the 2, 3 spots and have someone else leadoff ?
- philco28

You'd better have someone who can score in the 1 and 2 slots, or you run the risk of #3 never getting off the bench. 19 and 88 are the two best they have.

You'd better have someone who can score in the 1 and 2 slots, or you run the risk of #3 never getting off the bench. 19 and 88 are the two best they have.
- MartiniMan

Figured someone would comeback with an impenetrable, reasoned retort like that

Figured someone would comeback with an impenetrable, reasoned retort like that

- philco28

My pleasure.

Re: the shootout...i understand we want to score first and get the lead and put pressure on the opponent, but why not have 88 and 19 in the 2, 3 spots and have someone else leadoff ?
- philco28

I prefer the philosophy of the best shootout player goes first because if you leave him for last, when it’s his time, your team might already have lost the game.

Edit:
(or what MartiniMan said)

You might be right about him being a star. But you also can't assume his being a star will guarantee the Hawks are ever this close again. There are those who want to believe—and have said as much—that the prospects including Saad will automatically replace this core.

IMO, the only guy who has shown that promise is Teravainen. Saad has 2 points in 12 games, playing alongside two likely Hall of Famers. Doesn't mean he's a bad prospect. Lots to like, making some pretty outstanding athletic plays, but there are some gaps in his game (in spite of all the ridiculous hype that's out there—he is not a complete NHL top 6 PF yet by any stretch). I will also tell you that he has had 10, 20, 30 game spurts in his career that blow people's doors off, then suddenly he gets "complacent." How many games, honestly, have you actually seen him play?

Promising young players get dealt for older stars all the time.
- John Jaeckel

I 100% totally agree with this. He still has quite a bit of growing to do and areas he needs to work on. But if the hawks were to trade him, I really hope its for a Ryan, Stasny etc and not a "the best years are behind him type" player. Because it will bite the hawks in the ass in the near future.

You'd better have someone who can score in the 1 and 2 slots, or you run the risk of #3 never getting off the bench. 19 and 88 are the two best they have.
- MartiniMan

This.

I prefer the philosophy of the best shootout player goes first because if you leave him for last, when it’s his time, your team might already have lost the game.
- fathermerrin

Yep...Martini Man said the same thing...DAMN...we need a viable 3...FFS Stache...get it sorted.

Agreed for the most part, but those are excuses as to why they didn't advance. They still were down 3-0 to Vancouver, and you could argue Vancouver airmailed in 2 of those games, and only really showed up in Game 6 (loss), and Game 7. It took a herculean effort by Toews to get them to OT in game 7. Sharp fires a one timer back door into Luongo's chest, Campoli turns it over...done. Great they showed up for 4 games. Where were they in games 1-3?

Last year...Hot goalies happen. Shaw was out, but if you are banking on Shaw to be a pivotal factor in your cup chances...mercy. I'll give you Hossa. Again though, they were the better team but they lost. Phoenix held Toews, Sharp, and Kane in check and Crawford flat out blew 2 games in OT by giving up goals Peewees don't allow.

The better team on paper doesn't always win. Chemistry is all well and fine, but great chemistry can also brood complacency. SHould we be shocked that with Carcillo's immediate return, Bryan Bickell turned in one of his better performances since 2010? Nope. Think he may have gotten a message? Think Frolik isn't thinking the same thing or been spoken to?

Bottom line...Stan Bowman has tried the exact same formular for past 2 years, and hasn't won a playoff series. And this is pretty much the EXACT same team with a few new role guys mixed in, so chemistry isn't the issue....

3 reasons the Hawks are 10-0-3

1. Corey Crawford is playing lights out
2. Better defensive zone coverage/PK emergence
3. Health...no major injuries.

At any time those 3 variables could morph back into what has killed this team the past 2 years.
- SteveRain

I feel like I am talking to a martian.

As to your 3 reasons, those reasons apply to every team...duh!

I guess, like my wife, I have no idea what you really want at the end of the day. Are you looking to blow up the roster, SB or just need to complain about something?

Not sure if you ever played sports and at any high level, but chemistry is more than guys getting along. Most teams with great on ice chemistry have 3 to 5 clicks outside the rink. Many of which would never get along outside of work.

At the end of the day, I just do not accept most of your premiss. Regarding many of these things. You think Bickell is playing good cuz Carcillo is coming back? And that Frolic is dragged down in a dungeon and threatened. Do you know how juvenile and farther from the truth this drama is that you believe.

Chemistry is from top, Q, whether forced or not, do not care either way, has given guys roles and jobs. That is how you build TEAM. Not doing the isolating, here is our Core, they are perfect, and everything bad they do is because we don't have the guys we had here in 2010.

And don't mean to be a Richard, but regarding Phoenix series, my point was you lost players, key players. You don't think Shaw made a difference, look at team record from when he started playing? No correlation there at all. Don't look at facts. And CC giving up soft ones, again could not process the fact that your core could not punch in a single PP goal in a series. You score 1 in any three games you win the series. That was the failure, not your goaltending.

CC is not asked to be Broduer, just keep his team in the game so they have a chance to win. He did that job. He just is not allowed to skate down and shoot on the other teams goalie. Yeah I know there are plenty here who love to skewer CC, easy target. But he is not why you lost the series.

Anyways, go ahead and rant as though you are an entitled fan, a whiny sports parent, who commands everyone follow your brilliance. Just because you say it louder and hear echoes does not make it so. But you are free to believe what you like. While you wait for the team to build a team canada roster and look for answers outside the team, I will enjoy whatching these guys make a run this year. I know they will never be good enough for your taste, but that is your right.

Yep...Martini Man said the same thing...DAMN...we need a viable 3...FFS Stache...get it sorted.
- philco28

If a player has a moderate amount of skill, can't he be taught to at least be presentable in a shoot-out situation?

Its been a nice surprise to see Kruger throw his body around more this year.

Everyone knows Kruger is about 185 lbs, with 170lbs of it being pure balls.

Adding Krejci I think makes our top 6 the runaway best top 6 in the league
- FourFeathers773

I'm not worried about Kruger's size, he's almost identical to Bolland in that regards. Its more about how he uses his size because I think that while they are both good defensively they play a different game.

If a player has a moderate amount of skill, can't he be taught to at least be presentable in a shoot-out situation?
- StLBravesFan

You would think...right. Q has talked about how valuable those extra points in shootouts will be during this mini-season and he has talked about how they practice shootout drills...yet we still haven't found someone outside the core, to emerge and run with it. For that matter...many teams have guys than can deke the shorts off goalies...but outside of 19 and 88...we don't. WTF ?

Talk about a hands of stone crew.

I prefer the philosophy of the best shootout player goes first because if you leave him for last, when it’s his time, your team might already have lost the game.

Edit:
(or what MartiniMan said)
- fathermerrin

Has anyone ever considered a shootout goalie,I know that your back-up may be coming in cold,but he may very well be a better shootout guy?

Has anyone ever considered a shootout goalie,I know that your back-up may be coming in cold,but he may very well be a better shootout guy?
- eagle50

I can't think of any specific examples, but I'm pretty sure it's been done.

I can't think of any specific examples, but I'm pretty sure it's been done.
- MartiniMan

It has been done...think the Leafs tried it with Curtis Joseph.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=253404

It's too gimmicky for my liking. I don't want to pull a goalie that has invested 65 minutes of sweat and heart...for a guy coming in cold off the bench. Dance with who brung ya'.

I don't see any scenario where they trade Kruger, especially if they added someone like O'Reilly, because O'Reilly's contract would virtually guarantee Bolland is traded before next season.

I highly doubt the Hawks are in on O'Reilly, seems like too large of a move for Stan to contemplate and it would require another move or two after the season because of the shrinking cap.
- Hemingways

Don't disagree with that at all.

Danault is a Bowman guy, they may want to work him in that slot.

But you are probably right.