At this point in time, your house on the line, what is your best guess as to what the Blackhawks end up coming away with?
- PuckAndSticks

I have had many vices, but gambling has bnot been one.

That said: I'd bet Kesler

Maybe the Hawks are playing this card to pressure Vancouver?
- paulr

I just hope that after all this game of musical chairs, the Hawks aren't the ones left standing when the music stops.

You don't cross Billy Zane and live to tell about it
- furso27

damn right

Maybe the Hawks are playing this card to pressure Vancouver?
- paulr

Lets hope..... what a fan convention it would be to show off the new contracts for 88 and 19 and then parade Kelser out in his 17. Or 71 if Brookbank is still here..

We all know the big announcement at the convention will be the 88 and 19 contracts


And the return of Kyle Beach

nhl:
The Latest On Dave Bolland: via Darren Dreger tweets, At least 6 teams expected to talk to Bolland's agent, Anton... http://t.co/jvDy3SBdok

I just hope that after all this game of musical chairs, the Hawks aren't the ones left standing when the music stops.
- howiehandles

When the music's over, turn out the light.

I have had many vices, but gambling has bnot been one.

That said: I'd bet Kesler
- John Jaeckel

You really should start gambling. It's fun.

I have had many vices, but gambling has bnot been one.

That said: I'd bet Kesler
- John Jaeckel

Any timetable as to when a deal gets done on any of the big names FA's on the Hawks radar?

I didn't see this article on TT posted earlier, forgive me if it was.


http://espn.go.com/blog/c...inen-to-return-determined

Any timetable as to when a deal gets done on any of the big names FA's on the Hawks radar?
- ChicagoDave

I would expect Kessler and Spezza to be traded by the draft since each likely brings back a draft pick in the package.

Just heard Hawks back in on Spezza
- John Jaeckel

>Hearing anything about the Hawks checking in with Stastny?
>Denver media reporting that Stastny definitely wants to "see what's out there" and won't be signing with Colorado anytime soon -- though he could stay there

So lets blow the team up so we wont do anything in 3 years (first round exit in playoffs)...... Thats how GM's lose their jobs and Bowman will never do that. Did the Redwings ever make a huge trade, during their Bowman days, especially giving away their best prospect? No.

If this blog gets sooo frustrated over losing in game 7 of the WCF in OT, I can just imagine how it would be if we don't make the playoffs, or continually get out in the first round....
- BearsnHawks

Its not blowing up the team. It is trading an unknown for a known commodity so you can win the with group that is there today.

In 25 years the Wings have won 4 Cups. One post lockout.
Pittsburgh has won 3. One post lockout.
The Devils have won 3. None post lockout.
Kings and Hawks both have two post lockout.
Boston has 1 Cup and largely kept their core intact.
Anaheim has 1 that they won with a bunch of veterans and a few very talented young players and stellar goaltending.
Vancouver has kept their core intact and competitive but hasnt won anything. Same for San Jose.

Sitting on their hands because "the core" is a preposterous way to rationalize doing nothing. Moving assets, keeping assets, big tweaks, sweeping changes don't seem to have much bearing.

They need to try and win today while they have younger and hungrier players because the landscape could be totally and completely different in 2 or 3 years. What good has keeping Thornton and Marleau around or Boyle around as long as they have/did do?

NOTHING.

The Ducks moved Bobby freaking Ryan and still looked threatening.

Win today and deal with tomorrow when it comes.

SB to Mc'D:Nucs are not biting without TT or Saad
Mc'D: Hold on (picks up phone)
Mc'D to source on phone: We are in on Spezza
Instantly posted
SB to dad:So back to pick 28, its so fun to be GM

SB to Mc'D:Nucs are not biting without TT or Saad
Mc'D: Hold on (picks up phone)
Mc'D to source on phone: We are in on Spezza
Instantly posted
SB to dad:So back to pick 28, its so fun to be GM
- Cup-Bearer

Just heard Hawks back in on Spezza
- John Jaeckel

Hopefully this is just Stan saying "I have to take this call. You can send #17 to Anaheim and face him 5 times next year."

Wonder what the conversation was between Kesler and Benning.

Kelser - I want to ideally play for the Ducks, Penguins or Blackhawks.

Benning - Will you expand the list if the right deal isn't there.

Kesler - No.

Benning- If the deal isn't there, and it has to be the right deal, and you wont expand your list, are you prepared to stay with the team.

Kesler - ...................

Would love to be a fly on the wall of Bennings office. If Kes stays in Van, at least the Roxy keeps its best customer

A few things:

1) Bowman over-values his prospects and doesn't want to trade TT.

Debatable, certainly can be said in some situations.

2) Why do you think a projected top 6 player, for the next 10-15 years, should be traded for a guy who will be a two year rental?

(Because the Hawks' championship window is realistically over the next 2-4 years. AND TT might not be really ready for a couple more years.)

3) The Hawks model is to build through the draft and be patient with their prospects. This is to make the team good for the future. You seem to only care about today. Would getting 1-2 cups (if everything goes well and no major injuries occur) be satisfying enough for you in which we will become a 1st round exit team once Hossa gets too old and we have to go through cap hell again? I would much rather have a good possibility of being a team that will consistently have a chance at making the Stanley Cup Finals, or going deep in the playoffs, like they have done for the past 6 years.

4) Don't compare TT's situation to Toews and Kane, they both were entering the organization at different times with different plans. We all know the Hawks follow the Red Wing Model, so lets take a look at their players who entered the league after they were 19 (TT's current age):

Fedorov was 21
Lidstrom was 21
Zetterburg was 22
Datsuyk was 23

(All of whom entered while Detroit was BUILDING its championship clubs, not trying to maintain at a championship level. The players who came later, Leino, Filipula, Hudler, etc were complementary and not as good. This is the point you're missing. The Hawks best players are here now, not in the prospect pipeline. A great team can stay great a year or two longer with smart moves made when their window is open.)


Nyquist was 24 before he had more than 25 games in a season

Were all those player not "that good" and didnt play in the NHL because of that?
- BearsnHawks

Wonder what the conversation was between Kesler and Benning.

Kelser - I want to ideally play for the Blackhawks or Penguins.

Benning - Will you expand the list if the right deal isn't there.

Kesler - No.

Benning- If the deal isn't there, and it has to be the right deal, and you wont expand your list, are you prepared to stay with the team.

Kesler - ...................

Would love to be a fly on the wall of Bennings office. If Kes stays in Van, at least the Roxy keeps its best customer
- JMD007

Fixed. So funny how everyone in Vancouver except Jim benign is trying so hard to deal Kesler to Anaheim. Careful what ya wish for . . .

SB to Mc'D:Nucs are not biting without TT or Saad
Mc'D: Hold on (picks up phone)
Mc'D to source on phone: We are in on Spezza
Instantly posted
SB to dad:So back to pick 28, its so fun to be GM
- Cup-Bearer

Haha interesting theory

Its not blowing up the team. It is trading an unknown for a known commodity so you can win the with group that is there today.

In 25 years the Wings have won 4 Cups. One post lockout.
Pittsburgh has won 3. One post lockout.
The Devils have won 3. None post lockout.
Kings and Hawks both have two post lockout.
Boston has 1 Cup and largely kept their core intact.
Anaheim has 1 that they won with a bunch of veterans and a few very talented young players and stellar goaltending.
Vancouver has kept their core intact and competitive but hasnt won anything. Same for San Jose.

Sitting on their hands because "the core" is a preposterous way to rationalize doing nothing. Moving assets, keeping assets, big tweaks, sweeping changes don't seem to have much bearing.

They need to try and win today while they have younger and hungrier players because the landscape could be totally and completely different in 2 or 3 years. What good has keeping Thornton and Marleau around or Boyle around as long as they have/did do?

NOTHING.

The Ducks moved Bobby freaking Ryan and still looked threatening.

Win today and deal with tomorrow when it comes.
- fattybeef

That is fine for you opinion, luckily the Bowmans dont do things this way.

Knock Knock

Its not blowing up the team. It is trading an unknown for a known commodity so you can win the with group that is there today.

In 25 years the Wings have won 4 Cups. One post lockout.
Pittsburgh has won 3. One post lockout.
The Devils have won 3. None post lockout.
Kings and Hawks both have two post lockout.
Boston has 1 Cup and largely kept their core intact.
Anaheim has 1 that they won with a bunch of veterans and a few very talented young players and stellar goaltending.
Vancouver has kept their core intact and competitive but hasnt won anything. Same for San Jose.

Sitting on their hands because "the core" is a preposterous way to rationalize doing nothing. Moving assets, keeping assets, big tweaks, sweeping changes don't seem to have much bearing.

They need to try and win today while they have younger and hungrier players because the landscape could be totally and completely different in 2 or 3 years. What good has keeping Thornton and Marleau around or Boyle around as long as they have/did do?

NOTHING.

The Ducks moved Bobby freaking Ryan and still looked threatening.

Win today and deal with tomorrow when it comes.
- fattybeef

Yep. All your cap management and cautiousness will not be worth a bucket of spit when Hossa's gone, Keith's 35, another core guy's gotten his bell rung too many times, etc.

Hopefully this is just Stan saying "I have to take this call. You can send #17 to Anaheim and face him 5 times next year."
- DMCsPulledHammy

Canucks aren't exactly going to being contenders next year so I don't get that angle. I hope Benning/Linden aren't thinking that way either.

That is fine for you opinion, luckily the Bowmans dont do things this way.
- BearsnHawks

I lived in Detroit from 92-2006, you are categorically wrong about how Scotty and Devellano and Holland did things.