Agreed.....keeping all four of their projected stars seems unlikely...especially when you have no depth and no D.
- UnnamedSource

I'm sure Mac Trades one of them sooner or later....but it has to be a good offer. How about Eberle for McDonough?

Hawks riding Zues to another cup.


Pirri will move on an be a solid NHLer somewhere else. Blackhawk fans have become the new Red Sox fans, that is the pompous know it alls myopic and arrogant...so be it.

All we learned from Pirri playing is that he is not the guy they want. That does not mean = he sucks and can't play. I know many like the path of least resistance intellectually, but, as I said all along, if you want to say that he is not the optimal guy they want as a support piece, would not argue that. If you want to point to his play, given his opportunity, and pick apart his play, he performed as would be expected for any rookie given his circumstances. Most importantly, he did NOT hurt his team at all in any game. I know that flys in the face of the narrative, so be it.

So in conclusion, before everyone gets all excited slapping their own backs on their assessment, lets clear up the semantics of the discussion.

Brandon Pirri did NOT show through his play that he was over his head in the NHL and could not hold his own up and down the rink. Visual evidence and statistics stare in the face of this conclusion.

Brandon Pirri simply is not the player the Hawks want to give the ice time too. Again this is their choice/decision.

No matter how many times some may want to repeat to the contrary, it just will not make it so.

In the mean time, unless some real alternative to Handzuis emerges, I would expect the Hawks to get out hawked by Colorado, St. Louis or San Jose in the playoffs. I know the Hawks won with Handzuis club will lecture me (based on the assumption the Hawks are just that good and so much better then everyone else) and they can carry Zues, I say, good deal, lets go back and add Nick Boynton to the squad, since he won a cup with us as well.

As a Hawk fan, I hope I am proven wrong, but I may be the only person here who objectively looks at other teams and recognizes the overall trends in hockey. And it is obvious that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and there are a handful of teams in the west that have adopted the Hawks style, while in some ways we have opted to move counter to it.

And the Olympics truly did suck this time around. Not just cuz US sucked, but the whole deal was so underwhelming. When TJ Oshie, who I love, his 4 shootout goals is the biggest story, then the costs of the injuries have far outweighed the other benefits.
- TrueGrit

Tough to repeat...Pirri/Zeus or not.

Pirri can come back up in about 2 weeks and there will be no cap implications...Point is in dealing him now is because he will likely bring more sooner than later but maybe not...

Bowman can hold on and use Pirri down the stretch and deal him in the summer as part of a bigger trade.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD

I'm sure Mac Trades one of them sooner or later....but it has to be a good offer. How about Eberle for McDonough?
- Jeropotato

Del Zotto was traded to Nashville...doubt they would trade any more D.

Very few non contenders at this point...maybe Callahan for Vanek....considering they are both UFA's
- UnnamedSource

If Vanek goes to Minny or the Blues that would help both a great deal.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD

I think his daughter goes out with someone on the Islanders...

But the point is the Rangers aren't going to trade with a division team unless a non contender or they get overpaid. There will be suitors for Callahan so they won't have to reach.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD
- Al

with all due respect al, sather doesn't care who he trades with

he traded gomez to montreal for McDonagh

he traded half the team to Columbus for nash with knowledge of the impending nhl re alignment assuring Columbus was coming East

ditto with gaborik for brassard, dorsett, etc
he traded for bryan mccabe from Florida a few years back as well

Absolutely....but he is a UFA...can't see a non playoff team giving up any assets for him...but there will be plenty of interest at free agency from MacT and company.
- Jeropotato

Understood. Not related to Cally, but is it your impression that the Oilers will need to pay a premium to get UFA's to come to Edmonton?

Tough to repeat...Pirri/Zeus or not.

Pirri can come back up in about 2 weeks and there will be no cap implications...Point is in dealing him now is because he will likely bring more sooner than later but maybe not...

Bowman can hold on and use Pirri down the stretch and deal him in the summer as part of a bigger trade.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD
- Al

I would be surprised if that happened. I don't think Bowman would do that Q, it's obvious coach has no use for him. Plus, if 37 was getting it done they wouldn't have made the trade with the Isles.

I'm sure Mac Trades one of them sooner or later....but it has to be a good offer. How about Eberle for McDonough?
- Jeropotato

If I am the Rangers I would want more. McDonagh is a legit #1 D-man. Eberle, while talented hasn't really put it all quite together yet.

JJ, your last paragraph has Steve Ott written all over it. on second thought, he plays too tough for Q"s liking which confuses the frick out of me regarding Brandon Pirri.
small, shys away from contact & stays on the outside: Q's type of player! what gives?

If Vanek goes to Minny or the Blues that would help both a great deal.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD
- Al

I hope the Blues trade for Vanek.

with all due respect al, sather doesn't care who he trades with

he traded gomez to montreal for McDonagh

he traded half the team to Columbus for nash with knowledge of the impending nhl re alignment assuring Columbus was coming East

ditto with gaborik for brassard, dorsett, etc
he traded for bryan mccabe from Florida a few years back as well
- FourFeathers773

Sather has been more wrong more than right in the last 10+ years...

He wanted Nash and others...He wanted the prize and paid to get it. This time he has a player who will be valued by others.

He won't trade in his own divison to give up a rental player to help someone he could face a few weeks later.

Unless Sather has no choice or there is drastic overpayment.

He won't have to bend over to trade an upcoming UFA....Especially one who is a heart and soul guy. His biggest challenge will be getting into a bunker and digging in because Ranger season tix holders could care less if they lose Callahan as a UFA if he can help them win this season.

Callahans' prorated cap hit right now is slightly over $1 mill...I think Sather will have his pick of a few suitors if he chooses to deal.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD

Yakapov or Eberle for a 3rd liner heading into free agency? I swear people post without thinking.
- Jeropotato

Your Oiler bias is hardly showing at all.

JJ, your last paragraph has Steve Ott written all over it. on second thought, he plays too tough for Q"s liking.
- wonthecup10

I would be surprised if that happened. I don't think Bowman would do that Q, it's obvious coach has no use for him. Plus, if 37 was getting it done they wouldn't have made the trade with the Isles.
- UnnamedSource

If here Pirri will be a Black Ace you can book that...And if needed before the playoffs he will be brought back.

I think the "Q has no use for him" comment is a bit strong....He didn't excel in his last call up....But if not dealt he could be used again.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD

- Ogilthorpe2

Almost Ogi, almost.

I hope the Blues trade for Vanek.
- Elbows15

The Hawks front office hopes the opposite.

The player that can go many places including to the Rangers is Vanek.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD

Understood. Not related to Cally, but is it your impression that the Oilers will need to pay a premium to get UFA's to come to Edmonton?
- mohel

Oh yeah...any UFA signing will be an over pay for sure. Just the way it goes up here.

If here Pirri will be a Black Ace you can book that...And if needed before the playoffs he will be brought back.

I think the "Q has no use for him" comment is a bit strong....He didn't excel in his last call up....But if not dealt he could be used again.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD
- Al

Jesus Al. How many (frank)ing times you going to re-post that. Have a heart already.

If I am the Rangers I would want more. McDonagh is a legit #1 D-man. Eberle, while talented hasn't really put it all quite together yet.
- Elbows15

Yeah, Eberle plus a good prospect like Klefbom, but really, the Rangers should really hang onto him and address scoring another way.

Your Oiler bias is hardly showing at all.
- Ogilthorpe2

I don't think any non playoff team should trade an asset of value for an impending UFA. Different if you need him for a legit run at the cup.

If here Pirri will be a Black Ace you can book that...And if needed before the playoffs he will be brought back.

I think the "Q has no use for him" comment is a bit strong....He didn't excel in his last call up....But if not dealt he could be used again.

Finishing fourth in the Olympics shouldn't be compared to kissing your sister, it's more like not getting a handshake:http://bit.ly/1gYNPfD
- Al

Fair enough

Jesus Al. How many (frank)ing times you going to re-post that. Have a heart already.
- Elbows15

You aren't in mourning....Don't tell me your heartbroken and didn't think the US could lose today.

Yeah, Eberle plus a good prospect like Klefbom, but really, the Rangers should really hang onto him and address scoring another way.
- Jeropotato

Especially since half the league is looking for #1 D-man.

Almost Ogi, almost.
- Elbows15

Can't come soon enough.