Here is a little tid bit that has been in the back of my mind for a few days. That is is do you recall the month leading to trade deadine in 2010 how the team struggled and how in particular Versteeg played his worst hockey. Once the deadline ends, you will see the players exhale and relaxed and started playing better. Think we may be seeing some of that. Hard for guys to not know or hear they may be part of deals leaving the situation they are in.

Actually feel a bit sad for Bolland, don't think he does not know it too..
- TrueGrit

I will say that last night was the worst I have seen Stalberg in quite a while. Maybe rumors are freaking him out?

Oh Saad Christ......

If Clowe comes to CHI, I will fork out the money to get a customized jersey with his # on it & the letters "S-H-I-T-H-E-A-D" above it. Scum like him have zero place in this league. Not to mention he is a very average hockey player.

If Stan misses out on Iginla, I say we go for Ott or Roy.
- CBHawks88

I don't see Dougie making a trade with the hawks...

Seriously how are we moving a roster center and a prospect center when the Hawks have absolutely no depth at center
- Ballam

I really doubt Bowman will move a roster center, unless Hayes is considered a "roster center."

This I could see happening. Shaw replaces #25 on RW and Stalberg moves on, maybe even to Calgary where Feaster will pay him more money than the Hawks will.

Is UFA Stalberg + the Hayes Bros. too much for Iginla? (I don't think so).
- RickJ

I wouldn't lose any sleep over that deal.

I don't see Dougie making a trade with the hawks...
- UnnamedSource

+1

I don't see Dougie making a trade with the hawks...
- UnnamedSource

Thank god for that, eh? Bunch of bums outside of Pavelski

I really doubt Bowman will move a roster center, unless Hayes is considered a "roster center."
- EKolb13

Roster...sorta.

Center...no.

New poster, longtime reader so go easy on me. We all agree that we need grit and help down the middle. Same problem basically for years. Sharpie played there really out of position to help win the Cup. We now have Dainault and McNeill arguably the 2 best center prospects(not including Toews) in years and we are willing to ship out McNeill for a rental, maybe 2 years max out of Iginla. I know TT is supposedly great, but I heard him compared to Kane, we have him already. Unless we are planning on Kane going somewhere can we afford 2 of those guys on the same roster? Meaning do we have enough grit/protection. I say no. Our history with Euro forwards not so great either. If TT gets it done for Iggy grow a pair and do it, keep the centers if possible.. Too many good centers is a great problem to have and affords you the ability to offload that surplus for help elsewhere. For my money and fandom Iggy plus a Pyatt like pickup is huge for a long playoff run.
- Morganskaner88

welcome to the asylum....

Thank god for that, eh? Bunch of bums outside of Pavelski
- CBHawks88

Well...that Couture guy can kinda play...

Roster...sorta.

Center...no.
- ArlingtonRob

Wasn't there a time last year when Hayes and Shaw were considered "untouchable" by Stan&Co.? Funny how things change!

Ehhhh, not so sure.
- ArlingtonRob

I said it gives the team a chance to win. I didn't prescribe it as the end all, be all thing that gets the Hawks the Stanley Cup.

How can getting Iginla not improve this teams chances?

welcome to the asylum....
- bogiedoc

What are you in for . . . ?

you don't think, JJ, that the kings can offer more to get Iginla???

Roster...sorta.

Center...no.
- ArlingtonRob

I've had the opportunity to watch Hayes play center in Rockford. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Wasn't there a time last year when Hayes and Shaw were considered "untouchable" by Stan&Co.? Funny how things change!
- CBHawks88

Shaw still is.

Should be Sharp and not Kane between them IMO.
- UnnamedSource

Draws and dzone coverage for sure. Maybe overall.

you don't think, JJ, that the kings can offer more to get Iginla???
- KingsFan30

If they package Bernier, sure.

Because he doesn't stop pucks or take draws??

I said it gives the team a chance to win. I didn't prescribe it as the end all, be all thing that gets the Hawks the Stanley Cup.

How can getting Iginla not improve this teams chances?
- EKolb13

you don't think, JJ, that the kings can offer more to get Iginla???
- KingsFan30

I don't think they will or have. I heard they offered Toffoli and Pearson. The Hawks offer, as I understand it— is considerably better. Just saying—based on what I've heard.

I also just heard Boston is now in the lead on this.

I said it gives the team a chance to win. I didn't prescribe it as the end all, be all thing that gets the Hawks the Stanley Cup.

How can getting Iginla not improve this teams chances?
- EKolb13

Yeah, I suppose...guess I'm just not that excited about it. As I mentioned earlier, I'd be more excited about Glencross.

I really doubt Bowman will move a roster center, unless Hayes is considered a "roster center."
- EKolb13

Because Stalberg is a FA i would this Calgary passes on him....if your future down the middle is Toews- Danault- Krugman - 4C (Shaw?).....then where does McNeil fit in? Where does Chris Hayes fit in? Maybe move McNeil to a PF type of role. If your top six over the next three years is Iggy/Saad-Hossa-Toews......Sharp-Kane- Danault.......where does TT fit.....If Stalberg, Bickel, and Kruger are your third.....where do these guys go? Granted no one has a crystal ball but don't tell me there isn't a white board with all of the possibilities in some room somewhere on Madison.....

I've had the opportunity to watch Hayes play center in Rockford. It wasn't a pretty sight.
- EKolb13

Nor would I expect it to be...I don't think he's played the position since midgets.

Yeah, I suppose...guess I'm just not that excited about it. As I mentioned earlier, I'd be more excited about Glencross.
- ArlingtonRob

I'd be content if the Hawks got Glencross.

I hope Bowman does make a move for the hawks sake, for the fans sake, and for his sake. It's evident he was not qualified when he was hired and the move to bring both Bowmans in was simply a marketing (McD) move to create a buzz for the fans. Although the jury is still out, it seems he has done a great job at drafting.

It seems over and over the theme JJ keeps bringing up is the meddling from McD. This has caused a strain on the relationship with not only the coaching staff but more than likely a lot of other GMS around the league. Also, as many of you remember a few FA's this summer passed on the Hawks because of the rumblings around the league.

If the Hawks make a quick exit from the play offs and Stan is fired who want this job if there is in fact to many cooks in the kitchen. No GM candidate with a solid reputation would want it. Maybe Eddie O moves to GM which scares the heck out of me.....and should the rest of us. He has no proven track record but he would be more than willing to be a soldier under McD. I think a lot of our frustrations should be directed at him instead of Stan.......just can't believe this is allowed to happen to a great franchise and Rocky seems to be clueless.
- UnnamedSource

Everyone keeps saying this is a "great franchise". It isn't.

It is a long-time franchise with a rabid fan base in a top North American market - but is on the ice certainly the worst of the original six: only 4 SC in 80 years, only two in my lifetime (probably only one in the lives of most posters here), and only three other SC finals teams.

Great franchises don't run off or trade their greatest players - Hull, Esposito, Roenick, Chelios; great franchises don't squander potentially great teams because they don't want to pay the going rate. Great franchises don't continually have disfunctional ownership and front offices - which the Hawks have had in my 50+ years as a fan - and which, apparently, they continue to have.

Great franchises do not continue to take money from sell-out crowds and not put a winning product on the ice.

Make no mistake: I am a die-hard fan - but I certainly recognize that there is no wy this is a great franchise

so with Pitt probably out of the running, Boston saying no to requested players and LA not making an offer....are the hawks really bidding against themselves? sorry, just saw JJ say boston is in the lead - GOOD, let them have him and hope that stanbo fills the NEEDS the hawks have...an aged RW not being one of them