We say it a few times a year but this is definitely one of the times to give thanks to JJ for the work he does. Thanks.

damn right


- FourFeathers773

Haha, so Billy Zane was actually pretty good in the Chicago Lyric Opera's production of the Sound of Music.

>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
- SnapitUpstairs

Not yet

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
- Hemingways

Bolland was a demon in his prime, but that back is not good and he didn't even play a full season last year. Its a shame. Helluva player when healthy.

We say it a few times a year but this is definitely one of the times to give thanks to JJ for the work he does. Thanks.
- Hemingways

Thanks buddy, means a lot because I know we've had differences of opinion, cheers!

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

Benning sees a Ducks team that has some excellent top line talent, and a bunch of nice youth. They just lost a couple of vets and some goaltending depth.

They really are a team that needs a decent offseason to maintain their status, although they have tons of cap space. They could be a team that drops significantly in the standings if they don't play their cards right.

Bolland was a demon in his prime, but that back is not good and he didn't even play a full season last year. Its a shame. Helluva player when healthy.
- z1990z

I would pass on Bolland, unless he came relatively cheap

Karan Thakur ‏@KThakur20 3m

Believed that Thornton is staying. He wants to finish his career with the Sharks. Still expect Havlat to be bought out though #NHL

I would pass on Bolland, unless he came relatively cheap
- John Jaeckel

And short term.

I would pass on Bolland, unless he came relatively cheap
- John Jaeckel

Wonder if he would come back on a lesser deal if he did not get money he is looking for?

Wonder if he would come back on a lesser deal if he did not get money he is looking for?
- z1990z

uNCLE dALE WILL pay him

uNCLE dALE WILL pay him
- mrpaulish

Florida... great place if you look at it the right way. Million dollar NHL'er in a town full of gorgeous tanned up ladies...

@YahooSportsNHL: It's official: Kings announce they've re-signed sniper Marian Gaborik to 7-year deal.

Nick Kypreos is about to be on 670 THE Score.....

@YahooSportsNHL: It's official: Kings announce they've re-signed sniper Marian Gaborik to 7-year deal.
- DarthKane

$?

@YahooSportsNHL: It's official: Kings announce they've re-signed sniper Marian Gaborik to 7-year deal.
- DarthKane

lol

7 Years for Mr. Glass ? WOW

Someone will give Bolland 5 years . OMFG

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.
- John Jaeckel

So true. What's the backup plan if Toews gets another concussion and is out longer term? Is Teuvo your new center? It sure would be nice to have a Kesler in the event that happens.

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.
- John Jaeckel

But TT will be in his prime!

The Wings brought in lots of veterans during their Cup years, and they did trade away a fair amount of younger guys. The landscape was different then because there was no cap—so a lot of guys the Wings brought in were free agents, and that kept a lot of their prospects down in the minors longer.

Detroit let their guys marinate forever in the minors.

The cap takes away that luxury. You have to fish or cut bait sooner on your prospects. You talk about TT being a top 6 guy for the next 10-15 years. Well 15 years is a long career and maybe a stretch. But beyond that, he wasn’t remotely ready to be a top 6 guy in March, so will he be in October?

Doubtful. Or will the Hawks have taken that far enough of a step back that he is suddenly good enough? That would be a bad thing.

2nd line center in 2014-15? Why then was he not used in the 2013-14 playoffs when the Hawks desperately needed someone in that role? Qr will six months or even 12-18 months change that all that much? Or is he minimum 2 years away from being a 2C on a Cup contending team. Or is he a RW ultimately? And then, who does he replace?

The Hawks are stacked at wing and they probably lead the league in 175 pound forwards. So there is an argument that although he will be a good player, somewhere, he might not be really needed in Chicago, at least not any time soon.

But TT will be in his prime!
- dsav123

In the Swedish beer league...

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 33s

I believe that Gaborik's 7-yr deal is worth around $4.9 M or $5 M a year. I am working to confirm.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 33s

I believe that Gaborik's 7-yr deal is worth around $4.9 M or $5 M a year. I am working to confirm.
- mrpaulish

but a 7 year deal???????????????????

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

I lived in Chicago, during those years, and was constantly disappointed with the team (minus the years with roenick, chelios, and belfour). What 19 year old, top prospect in their system, whom was projected to be a top 6 forward, and everyone in their organization was very high on did they trade?

I am all for the Hawks getting better and am fine if they trade Leddy, McNeil/Danault/Clendening/Nordstrom/Morin, and this years first for Kesler.

I just dont want them to trade TT in a Kesler deal and i think (i dont have sources like you, and i base this from what i have seen Stan do/say past 4 years) the hawks view TT the same way.

but a 7 year deal???????????????????
- z1990z

Thats awful.

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.
- John Jaeckel

Seriously though - I finally see the light there and I know we have disagreed on that in the past.

Hossa has 2 years I think where he can maintain the level he did this year. Maybe 3 if Q stops eating stupid for lunch and plays him reasonable minutes and gets him off the penalty kill.

Keith I think will be fine until 34 or 35 and once his legs start to go than the window will be close to slamming shut.

Seabrook and Toews both major concussion history. Seabs maybe 4 more years, though I'd argue hes slipping now. Maybe a longer summer helps.

I think the group of Toews Kane Seabrook Keith Hossa Hammer and throw Saad in there has 5 years. Maybe 7 or 8 if managed appropriately say like Popovich does to win 2 or god willing and the creek don't rise 3 more Cups. Then they're where Detroit is now.

To do that they need halllppppppppppppp. Either with the equivalent of a Stoll or healthy Dave Bolland OR a very good second line center so they can just score more goals than the other team. I don't see it working any other way.

The last thing the Hawks need is another roster short on scorers, short on centers and short on useful hockey players to the point where he has to do his best Tom Thibodeau impression (Or Sutter from the 90s) and run his team in the ground and shorten Hossa's usefulness and wear more tread off of Toews and Kane's and Keith's prime years.