People need to keep in kind that Sharp will be 33 in December, and has 3years left on his contract.

Unless a lottery team wants an expensive role model, or is having floor problems, Sharp has to be the/a last piece in a championship line-up - and why would Sharp approve a deal to a non-competitive team?
- StLBravesFan

Because some of us would like him to.

Extremely doubtful. The late night crew will soon pile on with their pseudo intellectual superior than all pile on. Follow that on with their shout on clever little gifs. And so it goes
- TexasFlood

Because some of us would like him to.
- HawkintheD

Jeez - never thought of that - ok, play on....

People need to keep in kind that Sharp will be 33 in December, and has 3years left on his contract.

Unless a lottery team wants an expensive role model, or is having floor problems, Sharp has to be the/a last piece in a championship line-up - and why would Sharp approve a deal to a non-competitive team?
- StLBravesFan

I would not be surprised if he still had some off-ice opportunities here in Chicago in the off-season if he were to go to a non-contender. Could be part of the modified NMC. He still would have a face many woman would long for......

- InvisibleOrange

Yes I did!

Jeez - never thought of that - ok, play on....


- StLBravesFan

Glad I could help!

I agree with the buffalo statement but not the Florida statement. There is getting to be some pressure on dale to produce another playoff team in Florida. I think he would trade for a quality top 6 forward that knows how to win, i think he trades next years pick though (which could be top 5 in a great draft class) and maybe a solid prospect or two.
- BearsnHawks

He could get a better offer than Sharp for the 1st pick. Younger especially. I don't see it. He could go sign a guy like Moulson for less.

I know there are a number here that think this or feel that his underwhelming performance in the regular season justifies moving him because of his cap hit, but I totally disagree.

Most of us have been complaining about the lack of size, depth and centers contributing to the Hawks downfall vs the Kings in the playoffs. You don't achieve that by subtracting the one player with size that was hitting pretty much everything in a black sweater.

Bickell may not have scored much in that series but he was pretty effective in the the first 2. If the Hawks have some more sizable forwards toward the end of his contract I could see them parting ways but right now I disagree that he is who the Hawks should be looking to get rid of.

Also, where the hell has Phil been?
- HawkintheD

I think Bickell was the reason we beat St Louis. After that series he stopped hitting people though and his hits are devastating. We need a big that can hit for the entire playoffs (like big buff did not just one series). I do like what he can do in the playoffs but after the St. Louis series he was limited to just standing in front of the goalie and the occasional hit.

JJ-
Kinda agree in some areas and disagree completely in others....Talent wise yes, Bowman inherited a great team from Tallon AND MIKE SMITH but he had to rebuild over half the roster after they won…..1) the 2nd Cup is largely in part built by Bowman. This idea Bowman has no stones in misdirected.....he has 4 of the top 30 forwards in league.....3 of top dmen in league so in his defense.....2) why does he need to make a big move every year. Someone posted a great quote yesterday or the day before.....Bowman has what other teams want so he's always holds the cards and doesn't have to be aggressive.....this statement is dead on.....and the results are what they are....while GM..2 SC's and 3 appearances in the WCF's show he hasn't had to have the "stones" every one thinks he needs.....Both organizations are top notch.....both have had success.....both have made the moves they needed to make in order to be successful....3) One makes minor tweaks because they can..the other has to make a big move because they have to....

4) As far as acquiring Gaborik or any other big name forward....who would you like the Hawks to give up? Hossa? Sharp? Bickel?....because that's what would have to go the other way in a hard cap year......

5) And again McDonough does not mettle in anything hockey when it comes to player moves......if he did Scotty Bowman would not be a part of this organization.
- UnnamedSource

1) That's a bit of a stretch. Tallon acquired: Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson, Sharp, Kruger, Hossa, Bickell. Smith acquired: Keith, Seabrook, Crawford. That's the core of the 2013 team.
2) To win Stanley Cups, to become the DYNASTY that the Kings are going to become if Bowman doesn't improve the team. Do the math.
3) One makes minor tweaks because a few too many fans are satisfied with getting to the WCF and great commercials. The other makes big moves because its deadly serious about winning. Again, do the math.
4) Who said ANYTHING about freaking Gaborik? Nice Straw Man. My example was CARTER. Where the KINGS stepped up and paid for a guy a couple of years back that the Hawks were unwilling to pay for. And guys like I guess you were staying it was an overpay then. A guy who destroyed Stanley's boys just a few weeks ago.
5) Are you a Hawk employees? Because there is NO WAY you know that otherwise. And i will tell you, there are people reading this blog who know at least as much as you do (if not more) who will tell you that your take on that has not always been accurate.

Yes I did!
- TexasFlood

The good thing about Sharp for Nielsen and Martin aside from getting a 2C and a gritty winger is that the Hawks would also save 2.2 mil in cap space. Maybe they get NYI to throw in a 2nd or 3rd round pick and maybe it would work. Then they can use the cap savings to help sign Toews and Kane.
- jhawk159

I think the hawks would rather have draft picks or a young prospect that has tremendous upside. You can get similar to Martin in free agency and I think the Hawks want more, out of a #2 center than Nielson

JJ,

I never said those deals don't work out, I said in trades with big names involved you rarely ever see "a fair trade" so to speak where value is traded for equal value. I want Kesler in a Hawks jersey, I will make that crystal clear. But why the hell would the Hawks offer Sharp or TT or both? Kesler has all the leverage here, if I'm Bowman I'm offering a guy like Bickell and a prospect that isn't TT. That's it. If you don't like our deal, fine then move on and try and get a better deal. Doubt you (Vancouver) will find it.

I think you misunderstood that post.
- dan9189

Fair enough. And trust me, if they send Sharp and TT they get more than Kesler back. Cheers. My bad.

Not up to Kesler to decide what a reasonable offer is. The point is an NTC is an agreement between a club and a player that they are committed to each other for the length of the contract. It provides stability for both. If all of a sudden the player decides to essentially break that commitment, then why should the team respect the player's wishes. The player is saying, I don't want to play for you any more and I'm going to tell you where I want to play. Call it a Gillis move if you want, but there is no need to submit to this player's demands. You don't go where we want to send you, then you don't play.
- bazz

No, no need to submit to a player's wishes or demands. They will probably play like Luongo. In Kesler's case, that results in a deal at a lesser value to the Nucks or no value at all if Kesler walks as a UFA.

OTOH, you make a deal like the Hawks did for Bolland - possibly taking less but sending him where he wanted to go. Are the benefits measurable? Organization seen as player friendly, classy etc....

As someone who watched Pulford and Dollar Bill pull this garbage themselves or via their minions for decades I'd say it means a lot.

I really doubt Benning and Linden go in that direction. Worst case, Benning holds out until the trade deadline next season to see if injuries up the market for Kesler somewhat.

I think Bickell was the reason we beat St Louis. After that series he stopped hitting people though and his hits are devastating. We need a big that can hit for the entire playoffs (like big buff did not just one series). I do like what he can do in the playoffs but after the St. Louis series he was limited to just standing in front of the goalie and the occasional hit.
- BearsnHawks

And therein remains Bryan Bickell with his devastating 45 foot wrist shot which takes forever to launch. Ever notice this dude on pre game warmups? Talk about a beast. Will he ever consistently play like one? Hmmmm. . .

That's why you tell Kes, you open up your list or you stay home. Hey, we just spent something like $20 million for people not to work for this organization, what's another $5 million.
- bazz

Yep, your owners love/will love that.

I think Bickell was the reason we beat St Louis. After that series he stopped hitting people though and his hits are devastating. We need a big that can hit for the entire playoffs (like big buff did not just one series). I do like what he can do in the playoffs but after the St. Louis series he was limited to just standing in front of the goalie and the occasional hit.
- BearsnHawks

I thought he was pretty effective in the MN series too. His scoring dried up vs LA but he was still throwing hits consistently.

Mostly saying I have no problem with the team shopping Sharp. If there were a long line of RFD hands that could replicate #29 and what he does, then fine shop him too. But that's not the case and I also think a healthy Bickell should contribute more this next season for the regular part of it as well.

Pinot Noir, preferably OR or French...no f'ing merlot!
- HawkintheD

I like Pinot's as well....also like Malbec....


.....long walks on the beach, holding hands.....yada yada yada

- HawkintheD

1) That's a bit of a stretch. Tallon acquired: Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson, Sharp, Kruger, Hossa, Bickell. Smith acquired: Keith, Seabrook, Crawford. That's the core of the 2013 team.
2) To win Stanley Cups, to become the DYNASTY that the Kings are going to become if Bowman doesn't improve the team. Do the math.
3) One makes minor tweaks because a few too many fans are satisfied with getting to the WCF and great commercials. The other makes big moves because its deadly serious about winning. Again, do the math.
4) Who said ANYTHING about freaking Gaborik? Nice Straw Man. My example was CARTER. Where the KINGS stepped up and paid for a guy a couple of years back that the Hawks were unwilling to pay for. And guys like I guess you were staying it was an overpay then. A guy who destroyed Stanley's boys just a few weeks ago.
5) Are you a Hawk employees? Because there is NO WAY you know that otherwise. And i will tell you, there are people reading this blog who know at least as much as you do (if not more) who will tell you that your take on that has not always been accurate.
- John Jaeckel

I think that is why the Hawks have a crowded executive office for checks and balances. Did it work for the Kings? Yes.... However, the Hawks don't make spur of the moment trades or big franchise changing trades because multiple people have a say. Does the Redwing model require drastic changes when making the conference finals? I don't think so. It is all about promoting form within and not trading the farm for a 2 year rental player who will be 32 at the end of his contract? Doubtful, especially with how many checks and balances the Hawks have. If he can be had for Some B level prospects and Leddy sure, but once TT becomes part of the conversation I dont think the Hawks will bite because of how much value they put into their young players that aren't about to hit waivers. I also think Sharp could be had but not sure if Vancouver will deal for him because of his age.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Islanders as a good fit for Sharp. From what I have read they are looking for a veteran guy with some term to play with Tavares and Okposo and they have a ton of cap space. Sharp fits that description perfectly and we have recently had dealings with them.
- Anaarkey

Sharp to the Isles has been mentioned. I think he brings more value to their lineup than Nielsen. If we can pull Nielsen plus from them it makes some sense. Just depends what the "plus" is... The cap space alone is a boost.

Pinot Noir, preferably OR or French...no f'ing merlot!
- HawkintheD

I no longer imbibe. But I used to be quite wine aficionado. My favorite grapes/varietals:

Pinot Noir, Barolo, Super Tuscans, zinfandels.

Best bottle of wine I EVER had though, was a $30 1997 Folie A Deux Cabernet.

The Pinots from the Willamette Valley were always amazing.

Depending on the year, pretty much all Barolos (and Barbarescos) are incredible. Some years are merely better than others.

Extremely doubtful. The late night crew will soon pile on with their pseudo intellectual superior than all pile on. Follow that on with their shout on clever little gifs. And so it goes
- TexasFlood

1) That's a bit of a stretch. Tallon acquired: Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson, Sharp, Kruger, Hossa, Bickell. Smith acquired: Keith, Seabrook, Crawford. That's the core of the 2013 team.
2) To win Stanley Cups, to become the DYNASTY that the Kings are going to become if Bowman doesn't improve the team. Do the math.
3) One makes minor tweaks because a few too many fans are satisfied with getting to the WCF and great commercials. The other makes big moves because its deadly serious about winning. Again, do the math.
4) Who said ANYTHING about freaking Gaborik? Nice Straw Man. My example was CARTER. Where the KINGS stepped up and paid for a guy a couple of years back that the Hawks were unwilling to pay for. And guys like I guess you were staying it was an overpay then. A guy who destroyed Stanley's boys just a few weeks ago.
5) Are you a Hawk employees? Because there is NO WAY you know that otherwise. And i will tell you, there are people reading this blog who know at least as much as you do (if not more) who will tell you that your take on that has not always been accurate.
- John Jaeckel

About McDonough meddling: JJ, I'm going to say the same thing I said about the Sharp bad-guy comments -

How come we can't ever get any more than innuendo about this? How about some specifics - not asking you to reveal sources, but maybe a specific incident or two where some meddling occurred?

Sharp for Nielsen and Matt Martin.
- jhawk159

Done!

And therein remains Bryan Bickell with his devastating 45 foot wrist shot which takes forever to launch. Ever notice this dude on pre game warmups? Talk about a beast. Will he ever consistently play like one? Hmmmm. . .
- TexasFlood

Haha, the hawks are not about big hitters, they would rather have a team of smaller skill based players ala the detroit model. Bollig is nothing more than a 4th line fringe player.