The top three centers from the 2010 cup run are still on the team...just saying.
- Ogilthorpe2

It's sucks that Sharp isn't that player any more.

Probably not too far off base...

I was thinking for awhile a center would go but I thought it would be Stastny...

O'Reilly has forced their hand and the Av's aren't usually a team that breaks the bank....
- Al

Yeah that sure is the way it seemed. In the summer everyone assumed they would move stastny and his cap hit to afford their young core like O'Reilly. Hard to believe what has happened. Now O'Reilly's dad is ripping management. Of course so did Stastny's dad and he is still there. I wish they would trade O'Reilly here but I agree about him going east

It's sucks that Sharp isn't that player any more.
- hawksbuzz

Nearly a point a game for a player who hasn't hit his stride yet is pretty good to me.

Probably more right than a feeling.
- hawksbuzz

Yeah I think all this is the main reason. Wonder how it looks for o'Reilly? Still think he is a great leader and a toews-light. I would take him on the Hawks no problem

The vultures will be swirling the Senators and Bryan Murray would try to sell snow to the Eskimos....So it will be the most agressive and best bait that will be able to get it a deal done.

There are two right wings that could likely be available....Alfredsson and Iginla..

I wouldn't reach for either, wrong position.
There is no way Bowman or Q. would switch Kane to left wing.
The game is still played with one puck and the power play isn't going to improve all that much with either.

The Hawks need a player to set up in front of the goalie...The other night Leddy scores because of a nice screen by Stalberg. Trouble is both Stalberg and Shaw struggle to consistently stand their ground and set a screen.

JJ's guy Zach Smith, or Neil might provide some options....Neither are going and anywhere in a fire sale.

There have been 0 proactive trades in the past two years before the deadline here...

Some would say there is no reason for any trades today....If so the players that are most attractive will likely be long gone before April 3.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

This is a very good perspective and entirely in line with the way Brian Murray operates. He does big deals but always acts proactively in relation to the market. Coming to the trade deadline a few years back he dealt Fisher, Kelly and others a couple of weeks early getting a jump on the market. Last year he acquired Turris in advance of the deadline when everything was quiet.

I believe Murray will be a big time seller and sooner rather than later.

Nearly a point a game for a player who hasn't hit his stride yet is pretty good to me.
- paulr

How do you know?

Yeah that sure is the way it seemed. In the summer everyone assumed they would move stastny and his cap hit to afford their young core like O'Reilly. Hard to believe what has happened. Now O'Reilly's dad is ripping management. Of course so did Stastny's dad and he is still there. I wish they would trade O'Reilly here but I agree about him going east
- tomcat24

They watch their penny's there and O'Reilly, like Jordan Staal probably feels like he could be a feature player somewhere else.

This is a very good perspective and entirely in line with the way Brian Murray operates. He does big deals but always acts proactively in relation to the market. Coming to the trade deadline a few years back he dealt Fisher, Kelly and others a couple of weeks early getting a jump on the market. Last year he acquired Turris in advance of the deadline when everything was quiet.

I believe Murray will be a big time seller and sooner rather than later.
- spatso

....Thanks, and where I sit the dynamics of the trade deadline haven't been rewarding those who wait until the last minute.

Bowman could deal from a position of strength now, but the adage of don't fix what isn't broken could be more his style.

How do you know?
- Ogilthorpe2

Every body, including you, say he isn't playing well ... imagine those point totals when/if he does!

Yeah I think all this is the main reason. Wonder how it looks for o'Reilly? Still think he is a great leader and a toews-light. I would take him on the Hawks no problem
- tomcat24

In reality, the better fit for this Hawks team would be Matt Duchene @$3.2M/year to fill the #2C position and then drop Bolland back to the #3C spot between Bickell and Shaw. And since Colorado wouldn't likely do that you ask them for Stastny and his huge contract. Either one would be superb playing the game the way the Hawks like to play.

And I would pay plenty for either one, not nearly as much for O'Reilly.

Yeah I think all this is the main reason. Wonder how it looks for o'Reilly? Still think he is a great leader and a toews-light. I would take him on the Hawks no problem
- tomcat24

In reality, the better fit for this Hawks team would be Matt Duchene @$3.2M/year to fill the #2C position and then drop Bolland back to the #3C spot between Bickell and Shaw. And since Colorado wouldn't likely do that you ask them for Stastny and his huge contract. Either one would be superb playing the game the way the Hawks like to play.

And I would pay plenty for either one, not nearly as much for O'Reilly.

Hmmm, wonder if the Hawks now deal for Kassian a la Karlsson or did they pass on a claim because they might have something else cooking?
- John Jaeckel

Or maybe more because he sucks major ...and can't be a factor?

In reality, the better fit for this Hawks team would be Matt Duchene @$3.2M/year to fill the #2C position and then drop Bolland back to the #3C spot between Bickell and Shaw. And since Colorado wouldn't likely do that you ask them for Stastny and his huge contract. Either one would be superb playing the game the way the Hawks like to play.

And I would pay plenty for either one, not nearly as much for O'Reilly.
- RickJ

In a perfect world acquiring a 1 or 1A center and then dropping him down a slot is the formula...And then Bolland goes back to his old spot.

A couple of years ago I argued for the Hawks to try it. As bad as Huet was, he was much better than Niemi in shootouts. Seemed like a shootout with Niemi was an automatic L that year.
- Ogilthorpe2

Even O'lay's wins seemed like losses

The best description I've heard on O'Reilly's value is, "he is a first line center on a rebuilding team, a second line center on a vey good team, and a third line center on an elite team." An elite team naturally is deep at center, the Hawks are not deep at center. The only player on the Hawks that can play an effective second line center is our captain. This is a big hole on this team and is the priority when we discuss trading away roster players or promising young prospects. I see nothing coming through the system that can fill this void. Is there a center out there besides O'Reilly we could trade for that is not just a rental? He will be heading East unless the Av's are offered a deal they couldn't refuse. Then there is always Weiss?
- hawksbuzz

I bet this is the best description you have read...I call bullpoop.

The question was who do you prefer as your 2C. O'Reilly is a 2C. Bolland is a very, very good 3C.
- John Jaeckel

I will say it again...,and if O"Reilly goes someplace and is asked to actually be a number two centre...O'Reilly si NOT a number two centre in the NHL...rally bis more quick than fluid, not a real offensive generator... ismply a really good smart wall guy that passes the puck well...

I am about to stake my ability to evaluate players on this....

I like so many things about him, but refues to be sucked into a hype that makes him better than he is...

I am no GM, but I know if I was, I am not losing my job over thinking that he is more than he honestly is. like oh, so many of you are....

Not one part of O'reilly I don't know and will take credit for scouting him as an early 2nd rounder when NO ONE else did, but, come on, fellas, come to your senses!

Again, each and EVERY one of you is dreaming that he is this player that is a notch above Bolland.

I will say it again...,and if O"Reilly goes someplace and is asked to actually be a number two centre...O'Reilly si NOT a number two centre in the NHL...rally bis more quick than fluid, not a real offensive generator... ismply a really good smart wall guy that passes the puck well...

I am about to stake my ability to evaluate players on this....

I like so many things about him, but refues to be sucked into a hype that makes him better than he is...

I am no GM, but I know if I was, I am not losing my job over thinking that he is more than he honestly is. like oh, so many of you are....

Not one part of O'reilly I don't know and will take credit for scouting him as an early 2nd rounder when NO ONE else did, but, come on, fellas, come to your senses!

Again, each and EVERY one of you is dreaming that he is this player that is a notch above Bolland.
- wiz1901

I don't know much about O'Reilly but if he can win face offs and is somewhere between a 2C and 3C then he is a notch above bolland. Thing is he is going east so its a moot point anyways.

I will say it again...,and if O"Reilly goes someplace and is asked to actually be a number two centre...O'Reilly si NOT a number two centre in the NHL...rally bis more quick than fluid, not a real offensive generator... ismply a really good smart wall guy that passes the puck well...

I am about to stake my ability to evaluate players on this....

I like so many things about him, but refues to be sucked into a hype that makes him better than he is...

I am no GM, but I know if I was, I am not losing my job over thinking that he is more than he honestly is. like oh, so many of you are....

Not one part of O'reilly I don't know and will take credit for scouting him as an early 2nd rounder when NO ONE else did, but, come on, fellas, come to your senses!

Again, each and EVERY one of you is dreaming that he is this player that is a notch above Bolland.
- wiz1901

O'R is only 20 and we want him to carry the load of a 2LC ?

Cooke's hit on Karlsson: looks like Cooke tried to get extra leverage on his hit with his knee in Kaelsson's back - unnecessary and dangerous - had the hit, didn't need the knee action.

How about skates and stick on the ice?

So wait - all this O'Reilly talk is predicated on winning the cup? And we won't care if they just jettison Sharp and/or Hossa if they win the cup? Weren't a few of us pretty raw about losing Byfuglien and Ladd? And we wont' be upset if we lose HOSSA? (Some here wouldn't be pissed at losing Sharp, but I for one disagree there)


Not trying to be a jerk, I enjoy the spirited banter - but I'm having trouble grasping the plan you're proposing.

The conversation started about trading Stalberg for Neil in the near future. Somehow this blended into other conversations about O'Reilly, and suddenly a multi-step process as created, moving Stalberg for Neil, and submitting an offer sheet for O'Reilly - and THEN acquiring draft picks through other trades to send back as compensation.

Now, if I have this right, the final steps involve winning the cup this season, and dismantling the team next season by moving one or multiple of Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, and Hjalmarsson. Do I have this correct?

You keep insisting that your plan here is "not difficult," but there are so many moving parts and variables at play here, that this is noting if not an extremely difficult scneario.

And what if this plan to acquire O'Reilly this season doesn't result in a cup - the main centeripeice to this entire scneario, which is a monumental "if?" Then are we fans placated enough by a valient effort as to ignore moving a major piece like Sharp or Hossa when Toews and Kane are still in their prime?


Again, I'm not trying to be condescending here, but if you can offer a few bullet points and a timeline to what' you've bene propsoing as a feasible (or even ideal) scneario, maybe I can grasp the whole thing a bit better - because right now it seems like Xbox Be a GM mode thinking at its finest.
- FredoXV

Thanks Fred, if I had to do this, I would be called a bully again. You saved me a ton of work.

After debating the areas of need for this team since the Cup win, it now seems to me that the highest priority area to address is improving the power play. The speed the current roster has draws lots of penalties.

When looking at where the PP is weak, they lack two basic things: a good point shooter to add to Leddy, and more importantly, a big guy with hands to park his butt in the crease.

Who is out there to fit those roles? That is where I think the focus should be.

I have heard and read that players don't like to practice shoot outs...not sure why that is.

I'm of the opinion most players don't like the shootout period.
- Al

I played baseball a long time, a great comparable is a home run derby. It is just artificial. It is more staged and not instinctive, plus it throws you mentally whether you are successful or fail.

Imagine ending extra inning baseball games with home runs or who hits it the farthest.

I played baseball a long time, a great comparable is a home run derby. It is just artificial. It is more staged and not instinctive, plus it throws you mentally whether you are successful or fail.

Imagine ending extra inning baseball games with home runs or who hits it the farthest.
- TrueGrit

Someday the point system will change and the shootout will either go or be diminished.

Beyond being a gimmick, an outright win should be worth more than shootout victory.

Give Bettman credit he has much of the world believing the salary cap is primarly responsible for the close playoff races....In reality it is mostly due to 3 point games.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

After debating the areas of need for this team since the Cup win, it now seems to me that the highest priority area to address is improving the power play. The speed the current roster has draws lots of penalties.

When looking at where the PP is weak, they lack two basic things: a good point shooter to add to Leddy, and more importantly, a big guy with hands to park his butt in the crease.

Who is out there to fit those roles? That is where I think the focus should be.
- Return of the Roar

I tend to agree...

Not sure who would be the guy but that is what I would be looking for.

I tend to agree...

Not sure who would be the guy but that is what I would be looking for.
- Al

Why not try Bickel back there?He has a good shot,could he be worst than 2?