IMO The Hawks are a top 3 team in the West

LA, Hawks, Quackers.. Dallas is doing some nice things, and still need to see how the Cancuks come out With that said.. their #1 key to winning the cup again.. Health.. They get a shorted ( yet sweeten) off-season to recover.. is it enough?

And to answer the question can Sadd replace 25.. Yes, Sadd recall was out on the PK, and PP.. VS was not.

better question... when is Nashville going to regret that deal they gave him? Feb 2014 to late as a guess..

Second Line Center
Grabowski
Problem Solved
- PEIHawkFan

Would be cool, but just don't see how. Even if you trade Brookbank, you need a 7th D at $600k,so Brookbank trade only reduces payroll by about $600k. Trading Carcillo only saves a smidgen, as you still need a 13th F.

When I added Grabowski at only $3m,I'm $1.3m over cap, and hard to find that $1.3 without trading so done like Oduya.

Someone show me how...with a 22 man roster (13F, 7D, 2G).

FORWARDS
Bryan Bickell ($4.000m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)
Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($3.000m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Andrew Shaw ($0.578m) / Marcus Kruger ($1.700m) / Brandon Saad ($0.894m)
Ben Smith ($0.563m) / Michal Handzus ($1.000m) / Brandon Bollig ($0.575m)
Daniel Carcillo ($0.825m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m) / Johnny Oduya ($3.383m)
Nick Leddy ($2.700m) / Michal Rozsival ($2.200m)
Sheldon Brookbank ($1.250m) /
GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($2.667m)
Nikolai Khabibulin ($2.000m)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,947,628; BONUSES: $382,500
CAP SPACE (22-man roster):- $1,265,128

Gotta find $1.27m out of here to afford Grabowski at $3m

Talk of a dynasty hinges on four main players, Toews, Hossa, Keith and Kane. If Toews continues to be the preeminent grinder absorbing the punsihment he has been, his career will be be shortened considerably and any talk of a dynasty ends.
- paulr

Throw Sharp in that dynastic mix, please. Also, our newly re-signed 4 million dollar 1st line winger will hopefully create some space for Toews, diverting some of the punishment and abuse, right? If Bicks has truly arrived, then "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades"...

You couldn't say that the Hawks are prohibitive favorites to repeat, IMHO, but certainly they have a chance, and are on a short list of likely contenders. Great time to be a Blackhawks fan!

Throw Sharp in that dynastic mix, please. Also, our newly re-signed 4 million dollar 1st line winger will hopefully create some space for Toews, diverting some of the punishment and abuse, right? If Bicks has truly arrived, then "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades"...

You couldn't say that the Hawks are prohibitive favorites to repeat, IMHO, but certainly they have a chance, and are on a short list of likely contenders. Great time to be a Blackhawks fan!
- Tugboat

I would love LaRose here. He is small but physical and brings good energy. I would feel better with one fresh face energy veteran signed from the FA market. The Hawks have experienced a net loss this offseason. Granted, not as severe as the 2010 capocolypse, but sstill a loss. It may be mitigated somewhat by the continuing improvement of players like Saad, Leddy, Kruger, and Shaw as well as having Zeus around from day one. But I'm afraid that staying the same is losing ground.

What I don't know is how LaRose's salary would fit. He made $1.9M last year and would likely sign for a little more. Unless he comes in at $1M or less, I just don't see Stan going into the year with less than $1M in cap space left for deadline moves and callups.

And while I am hopeful for the emergence of a few kids, the chance of repeating will be on the backs of vets. If not LaRose, what about Smithson? He is bigger and better at faceoffs and potentially cheaper. He doesn't score like LaRose, but is good at his role.

Second Line Center
Grabowski
Problem Solved
- PEIHawkFan

If Grabovski is signed the Hawks problems will have just begun. Grabovski wasn’t bought out just because he made to much money. He was bought out because he is unable to play in a system that requires he contribute in all three zones and from the defensive side of the puck. Grabovski did fine with Ron Wilson who coached a run and gun style. Then add in the attitude issues Grabovski has demonstrated in Montreal and in Toronto after he was bought out.

IMO The Hawks are a top 3 team in the West

LA, Hawks, Quackers.. Dallas is doing some nice things, and still need to see how the Cancuks come out With that said.. their #1 key to winning the cup again.. Health.. They get a shorted ( yet sweeten) off-season to recover.. is it enough?

And to answer the question can Sadd replace 25.. Yes, Sadd recall was out on the PK, and PP.. VS was not.

better question... when is Nashville going to regret that deal they gave him? Feb 2014 to late as a guess..
- victorymc98

Definitely think Saad can replace Vik on the 3rd line; if Bick is slotted to play on the 1st or 2nd (hope he is).

The bigger ? is can he replace Fro on the PK. You alluded to it in your post. He saw time on the PK and was decent so hopefully he takes another step in his development and helps fill both roles.

Asking a lot but the other thing I'd like to see from Saad is a tad more physicality or at least what we saw in the playoffs. Barely ever saw him take the body in the regular season but thought he adjusted ok in the playoffs and threw a few nice hits.

If Grabovski is signed the Hawks problems will have just begun. Grabovski wasn’t bought out just because he made to much money. He was bought out because he is unable to play in a system that requires he contribute in all three zones and from the defensive side of the puck. Grabovski did fine with Ron Wilson who coached a run and gun style. Then add in the attitude issues Grabovski has demonstrated in Montreal and in Toronto after he was bought out.
- paulr

No I in TEAM

If Grabovski is signed the Hawks problems will have just begun. Grabovski wasn’t bought out just because he made to much money. He was bought out because he is unable to play in a system that requires he contribute in all three zones and from the defensive side of the puck. Grabovski did fine with Ron Wilson who coached a run and gun style. Then add in the attitude issues Grabovski has demonstrated in Montreal and in Toronto after he was bought out.
- paulr

All true but Carlyle has had issues with a lot of good players who are not his style of player.
Bobby Ryan ...Corey Perry for starters. Q is more like Boudreau than Carlyle. Toews a better role model than Phoneuf.

I think Grabovski fits because he would love to shove the Cup up Toronto's ass.

The dollars are more an issue than attitude. Hawks offense at times is run and gun and our defence is a lot better than the leafs allowing for a more quick ....all out program.

When's the new sked coming out ?
- philco28

Have to settle the Olympics issue first.

All true but Carlyle has had issues with a lot of good players who are not his style of player.
Bobby Ryan ...Corey Perry for starters. Q is more like Boudreau than Carlyle. Toews a better role model than Phoneuf.

I think Grabovski fits because he would love to shove the Cup up Toronto's ass.

The dollars are more an issue than attitude. Hawks offense at times is run and gun and our defence is a lot better than the leafs allowing for a more quick ....all out program.
- PEIHawkFan

Would love to see Grabovski here because I was thinking the same as you -this is a run and gun offense. Also I don't understand why so many are selling short on Pirri. I have a feeling that he is going to surprise. How many were predicting that Saad would become a first line player (and Calder trophy candidate) last year at this time?

Would love to see Grabovski here because I was thinking the same as you -this is a run and gun offense. Also I don't understand why so many are selling short on Pirri. I have a feeling that he is going to surprise. How many were predicting that Saad would become a first line player (and Calder trophy candidate) last year at this time?
- 67hawks

This. I think Pirri with Hossa and Sharp will be a dynamic line. You have to see what you have at some point. He can't do anything else in the AHL.

Lets hope so....because the cap the following year is going to be ugly....

54+ million tied up into 11 guys BEFORE you have to resign Shaw, Crawford and Hammer.

Lets not forget the wonder twins may want close to 9 million based on some of these long term deals coming out for guys far less talented....

I did enjoy my vacation in Alabama. Very relaxing.

Overall, I was pleased with the draft....Ecstatic that they dealt Bolland....A little puzzled by Frolik being trading.

Not going to get giddy over picks...unless they become NHL players, they can rack up all the points they want in juniors or AHL all day, doesn't equate to anything in the NHL. I'll trust the organization picked the right guys for the system and the position they were available.

Interested to see where Kruger comes in at....after that, Hawks will have very little cap room left to sign anyone, so it's time for guys like Piri, Smith, Morin, and Hayes to fill in the gaps...

Lets hope so....because the cap the following year is going to be ugly....

54+ million tied up into 11 guys BEFORE you have to resign Shaw, Crawford and Hammer.

Lets not forget the wonder twins may want close to 9 million based on some of these long term deals coming out for guys far less talented....
- SteveRain

That's assuming the cap is flat, though. If the cap jumps back up to 70 million like many are speculating, then that doesn't look as bad. And, if the Hawks were fortunate enough to win another Cup this year, then I think you could see even more older vets willing to take a discount to try to win a Cup with this team.

FORWARDS
Bryan Bickell ($4.000m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)
Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($3.000m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Andrew Shaw ($0.578m) / Marcus Kruger ($1.700m) / Brandon Saad ($0.894m)
Ben Smith ($0.563m) / Michal Handzus ($1.000m) / Brandon Bollig ($0.575m)
Daniel Carcillo ($0.825m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m) / Johnny Oduya ($3.383m)
Nick Leddy ($2.700m) / Michal Rozsival ($2.200m)
Sheldon Brookbank ($1.250m) /
GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($2.667m)
Nikolai Khabibulin ($2.000m)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,947,628; BONUSES: $382,500
CAP SPACE (22-man roster):- $1,265,128

Gotta find $1.27m out of here to afford Grabowski at $3m
- Cmonalready

Not happening....once they resign Kruger, they are done...unless there is a veteran will come here for REALLY cheap $$...1 million or less....and 1 million may be pushing it....

Is a Veteran at 1 million worth sending 2 of the following Hayes, Morin, Piri, and Smith down? Don't think so....

That's assuming the cap is flat, though. If the cap jumps back up to 70 million like many are speculating, then that doesn't look as bad. And, if the Hawks were fortunate enough to win another Cup this year, then I think you could see even more older vets willing to take a discount to try to win a Cup with this team.
- QStache

OK....so 16 million to sign 11 guys? Figure 14 million to sign 10 guys once Kruger signs....

So how do you fit the other 10 guys under14 million when potentially 3 WILL take up at least 10 million and probably a LOT more in Shaw...Crawford...and Hammer?

Maybe a newspaper guy should address this......AND...if that is the case...then what? Somebody with a BIG contract has to be getting moved....

Not happening....once they resign Kruger, they are done...unless there is a veteran will come here for REALLY cheap $$...1 million or less....and 1 million may be pushing it....

Is a Veteran at 1 million worth sending 2 of the following Hayes, Morin, Piri, and Smith down? Don't think so....
- SteveRain

Not sure if he qualifies as an energy guy, but what about Matt Halischuk in Nashville? He is UFA and he's always been noticeable when I've seen him play. He can slide up and down the lineup, but historically more of a bottom six guy.

We need to start talking about a "5th center", not "2C". Whenever the talk is about 2C, it is described as a big team hole, unable to be filled by a rookie (Pirri or other).

But in reality, the way Q moves his lines around, we are talking about a "5th center". Pirri or some other rookie can fill that role.

I love the vision of Zues centering Sharp and Hoss. Smart, opportunistic, seasoned line will cause all sorts of trouble. Any speed concern is overcome by smarts and experience.

I'd like to see Krueger get some 2C time, see if he has that upside. If we are going to test Krueger, who better for training than Sharp and Hoss. Sharp ability to take some faceoffs for Krueger is a plus.

I liked Shaw at wing on the 3rd line, which has the plus of a second draw man on the line for draws in our zone. But he can certainly center the 3rd and 4th lines. I'd like to see him for a couple games at 2C, though his energy seems ill suited for that role.

Q will mix and match and find the right combination. Then when he finds the right combination, he will mix and match some more.

If Pirri makes the team, he will be our "5th center". That feels pretty comfortable to me.
- Cmonalready

And THAT, in a nutshell, is why I hate him.

http://m.thn.com/?content=3e257d0b009ad528a506bf207e55bdb3§ion=columns-rory_boylen
- danimal6777

Just redirected to front page of THN . . .

And THAT, in a nutshell, is why I hate him.
- Q...argh

He's won 2 cups, and all his mixing and matching has proven to work.....or am I missing something?

OK....so 16 million to sign 11 guys? Figure 14 million to sign 10 guys once Kruger signs....

So how do you fit the other 10 guys under14 million when potentially 3 WILL take up at least 10 million and probably a LOT more in Shaw...Crawford...and Hammer?

Maybe a newspaper guy should address this......AND...if that is the case...then what? Somebody with a BIG contract has to be getting moved....
- SteveRain

I think your math is off. I looked at CapGeek and added up the contracts for the 11 guys signed in 2014-15 and it comes in just a shade over $48 million (for the record, that is for Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Saad, Bickell, Keith, Seabrook, Oduya, Rozcival and Leddy). So, that's roughly 22 million for 12 guys (assuming Kruger comes back around $2M and that is 20 for 11 guys).

Not great, but really not that bad either.

Will be tough to repeat. Short turn around and an Olympic year which will mean another condensed schedule AND a lot of hockey for players like Hossa and Rozy. Not to mention another 3-6 Hawks that could make their respective national teams. If we're healthy at the right time and relative fatigue isn't an issue we're just as dangerous a team over a 7 game series.

Will be tough to repeat. Short turn around and an Olympic year which will mean another condensed schedule AND a lot of hockey for players like Hossa and Rozy. Not to mention another 3-6 Hawks that could make their respective national teams. If we're healthy at the right time and relative fatigue isn't an issue we're just as dangerous a team over a 7 game series.
- nathanjf

LET'S DO THIS!