Been awhile since I posted but wanted to chime in on the potential trade discussion. Why couldn't the Hawks throw in a Brookbank or Kostka just to be able to increase the size of the contract coming back. If they threw in Brookbank, and the opposing team retained the 50% max of the incoming player, the Hawks could target a $2.9MM salary player, if they threw in Kostka they could target a $1.65MM salary player.

This assumes the Hawks would be willing to run with someone like Theo Peckham as the emergency 8th Dman callup, come playoff time.

But I think the Hawks could very pull off something like Pirri, McNeil, and Brookbank (And waive Regin) for someone like Michael Grabovski (with 50% contract retained). Just illustrating that they can get creative without having to trade a lineup regular.
- coldsteelonice

This assumes the Hawks would be willing to run with someone like Theo Peckham as the emergency 8th Dman callup, come playoff time.

The above would be really risky if injuries hit, because he is a big drop off.

Bowman paid for and Q committed to 8 dmen for the entire season and it is backward thinking to undo that at the most crucial time of the year.

I suppose if Bowman could get a very advantageous deal for a player he could see being here for awhile that could happen.

Otherwise maybe Pirri or Morin or but that's about it considering there is little cap space. Actually Pirri maybe too valuable as a trade chip to use for a rental.

Call me crazy, but I got up at 615 all 3 days to watch the USA team compete. Only saw a portion of the game vs Slovakia due to work, but watched the weekend games in the entirety.

I would be in favor of bringing back the World Cup play before the season, but injuries are always a concern....at least with this break you get playoff type hockey as guys are in shape, and their games are sharp. it's also nice for the guys not competing to rest....see Bickell, Crawford, and anyone else who has lumps.

Good for guys to get the big game experience, and I would bet that played off big for guys like Toews, Keith, and Seabrook who were all part of the 2010 Canadian team and HAD to win gold and ran the gauntlet......or maybe I'm crazy thinking that they leaned on that experience at all when down 3-1 to Detroit last year.

Players love it.....and if the players love it, then I'm in favor it.
- SteveRain

Olympic hockey against teams full of elite talent is often a great watch...

Two teams full of Jr players not good enough for the NHL and a lot old players....Well I would rather watch the Oil play the Sabres any day of the week.

The players love it but the people paying them hate it.

I loved the World Cup games and that's tough for players to give up a summer month.

Olympic hockey against teams full of elite talent is often a great watch...

Two teams full of Jr players not good enough for the NHL and a lot old players....Well I would rather watch the Oil play the Sabres any day of the week.

The players love it but the people paying them hate it.

I loved the World Cup games and that's tough for players to give up a summer month.
- Al

One of the problems with the Olympics is they come at the wrong time of the winter for the league - and the break is too long.

Olympics in February - after the Super Bowl, when the NHL should be playing and having their outdoor games without competition from "the" sport.

And the three week break is too long.

I understand players not wanting to give up a month in the summer.

Maybe people wouldn't object so much to a two-week World Cup tournament in December - or January - when interest in anything other than football is at its lowest.

I would hate to give up on international tournaments - they can be exciting hockey, they can be beneficial to Hockey.

One of the problems with the Olympics is they come at the wrong time of the winter for the league - and the break is too long.

Olympics in February - after the Super Bowl, when the NHL should be playing and having their outdoor games without competition from "the" sport.

And the three week break is too long.

I understand players not wanting to give up a month in the summer.

Maybe people wouldn't object so much to a two-week World Cup tournament in December - or January - when interest in anything other than football is at its lowest.

I would hate to give up on international tournaments - they can be exciting hockey, they can be beneficial to Hockey.
- StLBravesFan

Yep...In my Olympic rant that's a factor, the timing..

Prime time for the NHL outdoor games would have been Feb. not competing with NFL playoffs.

One of the problems with the Olympics is they come at the wrong time of the winter for the league - and the break is too long.

Olympics in February - after the Super Bowl, when the NHL should be playing and having their outdoor games without competition from "the" sport.

And the three week break is too long.

I understand players not wanting to give up a month in the summer.

Maybe people wouldn't object so much to a two-week World Cup tournament in December - or January - when interest in anything other than football is at its lowest.

I would hate to give up on international tournaments - they can be exciting hockey, they can be beneficial to Hockey.
- StLBravesFan

I think they should give a little if they're so darned interested in playing for their countries. There would still need to be a three week break, but why not start the season two weeks earlier (or end it later) so the schedule doesn't need to be so compressed?

I think they should give a little if they're so darned interested in playing for their countries. There would still need to be a three week break, but why not start the season two weeks earlier (or end it later) so the schedule doesn't need to be so compressed?
- mohel

I think they did this year: Blackhawk openning and ending dates -

This year - 10/1-4/12
2011-2012 - 10/7 - 4/7
2010-2011: 10/7 - 4/10

Not two weeks, but more than one.

I think they should give a little if they're so darned interested in playing for their countries. There would still need to be a three week break, but why not start the season two weeks earlier (or end it later) so the schedule doesn't need to be so compressed?
- mohel

Well............Most people can't tell their boss when they want to start work.

The summer would be the time but how much time off does the teams that go to the Final have now??

I can agree hockey should start later, like the beginning of November but that idea has been floated....Although it makes sense, to finish in July causes many issues.

Well............Most people can't tell their boss when they want to start work.

The summer would be the time but how much time off does the teams that go to the Final have now??

I can agree hockey should start later, like the beginning of November but that idea has been floated....Although it makes sense, to finish in July causes many issues.
- Al

NBA does it - starts in November, slow schedule until after football, finishes by middle of June.

Of course, hockey probably takes more of a physical toll than basketball, more between-game rest would be desirable.

If I am not mistaken, it was actually the NHLPA that really pushed for inclusion on the Olympics this time around. Hear an interview recently that highlighted that fact. Didn't hear the beginning of the interview as to who it was though the person speaking was very adamant about it. FWIW.

I think they should give a little if they're so darned interested in playing for their countries. There would still need to be a three week break, but why not start the season two weeks earlier (or end it later) so the schedule doesn't need to be so compressed?
- mohel

Wow. Where is the sunshine?

Been awhile since I posted but wanted to chime in on the potential trade discussion. Why couldn't the Hawks throw in a Brookbank or Kostka just to be able to increase the size of the contract coming back. If they threw in Brookbank, and the opposing team retained the 50% max of the incoming player, the Hawks could target a $2.9MM salary player, if they threw in Kostka they could target a $1.65MM salary player.

This assumes the Hawks would be willing to run with someone like Theo Peckham as the emergency 8th Dman callup, come playoff time.

But I think the Hawks could very pull off something like Pirri, McNeil, and Brookbank (And waive Regin) for someone like Michael Grabovski (with 50% contract retained). Just illustrating that they can get creative without having to trade a lineup regular.
- coldsteelonice

The only way Peckham is the 8th D-man is if every other D-man in the organization is dead. Plus, every rec player in the area turns them down on a contract.

The only way Peckham is the 8th D-man is if every other D-man in the organization is dead. Plus, every rec player in the area turns them down on a contract.
- Elbows15

This.

Been awhile since I posted but wanted to chime in on the potential trade discussion. Why couldn't the Hawks throw in a Brookbank or Kostka just to be able to increase the size of the contract coming back. If they threw in Brookbank, and the opposing team retained the 50% max of the incoming player, the Hawks could target a $2.9MM salary player, if they threw in Kostka they could target a $1.65MM salary player.

This assumes the Hawks would be willing to run with someone like Theo Peckham as the emergency 8th Dman callup, come playoff time.

But I think the Hawks could very pull off something like Pirri, McNeil, and Brookbank (And waive Regin) for someone like Michael Grabovski (with 50% contract retained). Just illustrating that they can get creative without having to trade a lineup regular.
- coldsteelonice

I thought the cap "expansion" rules didn't affect the Hawks because whatever cap space the Hawks have comes from an LTIR replacement.

Wow. Where is the sunshine?
- Elbows15

The horn is off...

This.
- EKolb13

Its not rocket appliance Eli. A team beyond desperate for defensive helps says. 'You go away"

The horn is off...
- mohel

Someone pissing on your Cheerios again?

This assumes the Hawks would be willing to run with someone like Theo Peckham as the emergency 8th Dman callup, come playoff time.

The above would be really risky if injuries hit, because he is a big drop off.

Bowman paid for and Q committed to 8 dmen for the entire season and it is backward thinking to undo that at the most crucial time of the year.

I suppose if Bowman could get a very advantageous deal for a player he could see being here for awhile that could happen.

Otherwise maybe Pirri or Morin or but that's about it considering there is little cap space. Actually Pirri maybe too valuable as a trade chip to use for a rental.
- Al

To your bolded, has any team had to rely on its 8th defensemen and then won the cup? To my bolded, if you think the rental player is the piece you need to win a cup, how is Pirri not worth that?

Someone pissing on your Cheerios again?
- Elbows15

Nope, it's all good. How's it going?

I get it....people are scared guys will get hurt. Well, they can get hurt in the NHL just as easily.

I also find myself hating team Canada more and more with that arrogance brewing from them....

Tell you what Backes and Kesler can play for the Hawks any day, and I would ecstatic. Love watching those 2 guys battle and compete. Not impressed by Parise and Brown, and truth be told....I'm ecstatic Suter took the money from Minny instead of coming here. He hasn't stood out at all...NcDonough has been more impressive then Suter.
- SteveRain

Last sentence is gold. Agree completely.

Nope, it's all good. How's it going?
- mohel

It goes. It just (frank)ing goes.

Last sentence is gold. Agree completely.
- 6628

Not really a surprise though. McDonough is a very good player and has been. He just isn't flashy so he doesn't get all the ink. Kind of surprising considering he plays in NY.

If I am not mistaken, it was actually the NHLPA that really pushed for inclusion on the Olympics this time around. Hear an interview recently that highlighted that fact. Didn't hear the beginning of the interview as to who it was though the person speaking was very adamant about it. FWIW.
- Elbows15

Players want it no doubt...If they get hurt they still get paid.
Could increase their marketability for endorsements...

I think they should give a little if they're so darned interested in playing for their countries. There would still need to be a three week break, but why not start the season two weeks earlier (or end it later) so the schedule doesn't need to be so compressed?
- mohel

This year in particular, how early could they start it? Last year was one of the latest ending date ever because of the lockout.

Players want it no doubt...If they get hurt they still get paid.
Could increase their marketability for endorsements...
- Al

They aren't completely mercenary: I'm sure there's a large element of "playing for your country".

Let's not get completely cynical.

This year in particular, how early could they start it? Last year was one of the latest ending date ever because of the lockout.
- NewToHockey

Very true - I was talking more about future Games, though.