Big win last night...and hats off to the Ducks and their fans on a great season.
Have to give it up for Kesler who really came to play last night.

Loved Kaner's comments after the game "We haven't done anything yet, but its a great step." This speaks volumes about what this team is about.

We are really privileged to be watching the golden era of Hawks hockey folks. I for one thought I'd never see it in my lifetime.

Couple of thoughts here...Desi looked great last night moving up for Bickell. Any chance Bicks sits here? Versteeg in for more speed on the lower line? Probably not but one wonders...

Also any chance we're going to see TVR here in the next round?

Should be an interesting finals and a somewhat weird one here on the homefront (the wife is from Tampa)...

For a case book study, one only has to look back a the previous two purges

2010-Hawks did not ably "reload" and while they did make playoffs next two years, they were quickly dispatched both years

2013-The purge not as bad as 2010 and for the most part the Hawks came through unscathed. However, bringing back Handzus, who was well done, was a result of not being able to manage the 'reload" properly. Hawks lost to Kings mainly because of terrible center play

I think the purge coming up with be closer to what 2010 was an not 2013. The Hawks won't be losing just a couple bottom 6 wingers. They will be losing far more and what they lose will be similar in a lot of ways to 2010.

In the end, I do think the Hawks WILL rely on kids, that's going to be trying but also a lot of fun...Danault, Hartmann, Baun, Johns, TVR, Pokka, Panarin, Palliotta, McNeill, etc. And I am fine with that. However, I hope us Hawks fans let them develop and not throw them under the bus after the first 4 game losing streak.
- kwolf68

Bickell/Sharp/Versteeg at current levels of production does not equal even Ladd and Buff (much less the other names). Particularly where Ladd and Buff were in age and knowing they were getting better. Also, the prospects you mention mean we will not have to endure Pisani/Brunette types as replacements unless none of these kids hack it and then we are in real trouble.

Quenneville
Toews
Keith
Kane
Hossa
Seabrook
Crawford
Hjalmarsson
Kruger
Shaw
Saad

Sharp has 2 cups. Probably belongs on that list.

My opinion is Bickell had a minor concussion. His behavior makes me come to that conclusion
Kreuger looked like the hit by Kessler caused him some damage to his rib cage. Hope is just bruising and the days off heal the injury
Top four defense can carry the load in this series especially with the time off before it begins. Would Q insert TVR in place of Runblad for his 10 minutes of ice time per game?

Sharp has 2 cups. Probably belongs on that list.
- tredbrta

Him and Oduya IMHO.

No, but one can do the math. Saad may warrant a Johansen type deal but to realistically poach him an offer sheet will need to clear $5m and if it clears $6m? How many org's can pull that off right now - risk the picks and take the chance his production will drop with lesser linemates.

It may happen... but the chances aren't that great.
- tredbrta

A 22 year old power forward who skates as well as anyone in the NHL with 2 Cups on his resume? Considering the dogs out there who are getting paid, I could easily see a 6 million per offer.

Math? There is math.

If Saad is acquired by another team he won't be playing with bums. He'll immediately go onto another teams top line.

I can't pretend to know what the chances are he'll be sheeted, but to suggest it's unlikely (or even worse no way it will happen) is the definition of being naive.

You've see him play. With or without Toews, he's a player. I doubt very much if he was on the wing of John Tavares, Steve Stamkos, Nicklas Backstrom, Claude Giroux, Patrice Bergeron, Nathan McKinnon, etc. that team wouldn't get results.

Ah the paradigm of absolutes. Thing is, you do NOT know this. He could resign, but he also may well decide he is worth far more than the Hawks will (can) pay him. The Hawks are not in position of adding any new huge contracts to the books. They are trying to get rid of those type of deals.

In the 4 to 5 range? I think the Hawks are looking at keeping him
If his salary pushes up past 6, then I can see him wearing a new uniform.
- kwolf68

True...BUT...if the salary dictates 6 million or so, the Hawks would get a boatload of top picks as compensation wouldn't they? I thought it was something like a couple of firsts and a second. in either case, Hawks ink Saad....or get to restock very high picks. A win-win. hawks are fine...and will be next year too.

Ah the paradigm of absolutes. Thing is, you do NOT know this. He could resign, but he also may well decide he is worth far more than the Hawks will (can) pay him. The Hawks are not in position of adding any new huge contracts to the books. They are trying to get rid of those type of deals.

In the 4 to 5 range? I think the Hawks are looking at keeping him
If his salary pushes up past 6, then I can see him wearing a new uniform.
- kwolf68

Based on last year's compensation levels, if the offer is over about $5MM to about $6.7MM, the compensation back to the Hawks would be a 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd in the 2016 draft. The picks must be the offering team's own picks in 2016, not picks received back in a trade.

I would think that compensation level would cause a potential suitor to think twice.

Bickell/Sharp/Versteeg at current levels of production does not equal even Ladd and Buff (much less the other names). Particularly where Ladd and Buff were in age and knowing they were getting better. Also, the prospects you mention mean we will not have to endure Pisani/Brunette types as replacements unless none of these kids hack it and then we are in real trouble.
- tredbrta

If those are the ONLY 3 we lose, no sweat. This team is moving on without them anyway.

But that won't be the only 3 players moved in my view.

Hawks in 6, finally winning one on home ice. Book it.

Bickell/Sharp/Versteeg at current levels of production does not equal even Ladd and Buff (much less the other names). Particularly where Ladd and Buff were in age and knowing they were getting better. Also, the prospects you mention mean we will not have to endure Pisani/Brunette types as replacements unless none of these kids hack it and then we are in real trouble.
- tredbrta

Good Lord, thanks for those painful memories. But you're absolutely right about the kids. However, despite the inevitable mistakes and growing pains you'll have with them, I think they'll be fine.

Based on last year's compensation,mid the offer is over about $5MM to about $6.7MM, the compensation back to the Hawks would be a 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd in the 2016 draft. The picks must be the offering team's own pucks in 2016, not pucks received back in a trade.

I would think that compensation level would cause a potential suitor to think twice.
- StLBravesFan

Yes. That's the ONE thing keeping an offer out, but if a team has extra picks, then they may make a run. If a team expects to be good (and thus giving up a low #1) then a move on Saad is an absolutely possibility.

You could easily get back a #2...just trade a guy on your roster like Kimo Timmonen. ...3rd can be easy and ANYONE would give up a low 1 for Saad.

A low 1, 2 and 3 is not THAT high a price to pay for a player like Saad.

I am not voting him off the island...just saying that's one angle that has to be considered (losing Saader).

A 22 year old power forward who skates as well as anyone in the NHL with 2 Cups on his resume? Considering the dogs out there who are getting paid, I could easily see a 6 million per offer.

Math? There is math.

If Saad is acquired by another team he won't be playing with bums. He'll immediately go onto another teams top line.

I can't pretend to know what the chances are he'll be sheeted, but to suggest it's unlikely (or even worse no way it will happen) is the definition of being naive.

You've see him play. With or without Toews, he's a player. I doubt very much if he was on the wing of John Tavares, Steve Stamkos, Nicklas Backstrom, Claude Giroux, Patrice Bergeron, Nathan McKinnon, etc. that team wouldn't get results.
- kwolf68

Sure absolutely anything can happen with Saad but it takes an offer sheet that he is willing to sign and bring back to the Hawks. His agent is probably out in the market trying to line up teams that would do a sheet. And Matt Belesky probably thinks he's worth $5M/yr long term too but doesn't mean he is going to get it.

If I'm a GM, I spend $6M/yr on a great #1 center or defenceman before I do a left winger. And that isn't a knock on #20.

Maybe James tanner should pop in the tape of last nights game to see that leadership really does matter.

Good Lord, thanks for those painful memories. But you're absolutely right about the kids. However, despite the inevitable mistakes and growing pains you'll have with them, I think they'll be fine.
- TexasFlood

I think the reason they'll be fine is there are so many of them competing

Wingers: Panarin, Hartmann, Baun, McNeill. That's not to include holdover like Nordy and the continued development of TT

Centers: Danault is really the only one unless TT shifts there. This is possibly our only hitch in the giddy up. Danault projects bottom 6, so if TT can't handle the rigors of L2-C, then the Hawks are in a bit of a quandary.

Defense: TVR, Johns, Pokka, Paliotta. This "could be shaky" if we lose Johnny Oduya. Then that's 4 kids for 3 spots. Real risky, and with TVR's injury issue that's another issuer. I believe a dependable veteran should be acquired to stabilize this unit

All told the Hawks have plenty of kids competing for spots and there is room for error for the most part. Things are a bit dicey at C and W, but the potential is there to be solid.

Yes. That's the ONE thing keeping an offer out, but if a team has extra picks, then they may make a run. If a team expects to be good (and thus giving up a low #1) then a move on Saad is an absolutely possibility.

You could easily get back a #2...just trade a guy on your roster like Kimo Timmonen. ...3rd can be easy and ANYONE would give up a low 1 for Saad.

A low 1, 2 and 3 is not THAT high a price to pay for a player like Saad.

I am not voting him off the island...just saying that's one angle that has to be considered (losing Saader).
- kwolf68

I agree with all this. But how many teams have the picks and space to make it happen?

I guaranteed a Hawk win yesterday because Coach Q and the Hawks FINALLY chose to play their style in game 6. So I wouldn't label Q as "infallible" just yet. He is a winner, and a sure-fire HOF coach, but not without his prejudices and his faults. Game three, in hindsight, was a "giveaway" to the Ducks by removing Vermette and Teravanien from the lineup; both players have been key parts of the Hawk's success. Versteeg hasn't been the same player since injuring his hand, and Nordstrom has NEVER showed that he belongs in a playoff game.

For the first five games of the series, Q and the rest of the Hawk coaches spent too much of their time fussing over what the Ducks did so well, and not enough on what the Hawks needed to do. With game 6 a must-win situation, Q had his team simply play their game and take it to the Ducks for as long as they could, he repeated the plan last night and the rest is history. Joel Queneville and the Chicago Blackhawks became a match made in heaven because Q applied his no nonsense, defence first attitude to a team of young, talented players. At the same time, Q allowed these young players to maintain their identities and their own unique gifts, but in a way that put team defence first. Thus, Q is largely responsible for the Hawks being in 3 Cup Finals in 6 years, a truly remarkable feat considering the ridiculous salary cap system imposed upon this league! However, he could not have done it without the Hawk's team core.

Further, Q and the Hawk's core have achieved all of this without truly exceptional goaltending. I like Niemi, but he was just coming into his own during the 2009/10 season, and was the only reason many of those playoff games were even close (think Philly in particular). Niemi had to take over the net because Cristobal Huet and Khabibulin both forgot how to play goal. Corey Crawford has been a work in process, and as a credit to Corey, he has become a good NHL goaltender. BUT, last night's game was the POSTER CHILD of Q's success in Chicago. If there was ever a game that proved that a Q-led Blackhawks team can win with most any goalie, last night was it! While Crawford faced a lot of shots, most were from the outside and most of the rebounds that he gave up were controlled by Hawk skaters, the trademark of Q's team defence when it is working. With a minute left in the 2nd period, and the Hawks leading 4-0, Crawford GAVE ANA hope and a chance by giving up a brutal goal by once again playing off of his knees instead of up on his skates. There is no way that goal from the corner could have gone in if Corey simply stood up and hugged his post, as he is taught to do. This is exactly why Crawford has his detractors, he competes well, can make the big save, but continues to allow SOFT goals, often at the most unfortunate times (first/last minute of periods). He is what he is, which is a good goalie and a competitor, but not the focus of our team, let alone our team defence.

The centre of this team, its heart and soul, is the core of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Hammer and Seabrook who possess not only elite talent, but elite HEARTS that want to win and know how to! Players who spend their careers with these guys, take on their qualities, just look at Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger, Patrick Sharp (who would probably be a high scoring prima donna on other teams), Johnny Oduya and Bryan Bickell. Bowman did a wonderful job of going out and getting this core players like Scott Darling, Teuvo Teravanien, Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette, and Andrew Desjardins to fill in the gaps and bring a combination of talent and CHARACTER! Brad Richards is now 8-0 in game 7's in his career. He had two key assists last night...do you think that is a coincidence? Desjardins skated 19 minutes last night making smart play after another, and how good will Teuvo be next year with this experience under his belt? Sure Bowman missed on Timmonen badly, but he shouldn't have been put into this brutal situation by a league that only cares about preserving the number of teams (or adding more) and profits!

Rocky Wirtz is a great owner, perhaps the best in all of professional sports. John McDonough and team run the business of Blackhawk hockey very well. Stan and Scotty Bowman lead a top notch front office, and Coach Q leads an excellent coaching staff, operating in a dream location. But its the combination of Q as coach and Toews as Captain that make this ship sail so well. Q has taught the Hawk's core how to win, the Hawk's core do everything to win hockey games, which every other player on the team picks up on. It's a symbiotic relationship that features strength from the top right down to the best 4th line in hockey, perhaps in hockey history!?!

If Bowman had enough money to add two more average Defensemen to this team, they might not have lost a single playoff game this season, and certainly would have won another Cup last year! So, as it always is, it's a team effort from the best "team" in all of professional sports! So off to the Cup finals against a VERY GOOD and very young/fast Tampa team put together by Steve Yzerman, so you know that they possess character as well. Its going to be another tough, great series of hockey where the Hawks are going to have to rely heavily on their core and a certain 4 defensemen to win.

One last thought, how about Andrew Shaw last night. His "box score" doesn't show much, but what an important game he played. He's become such an integral part of the Hawk's overall success! Here's to a young man who no one wanted for the longest time and now the Hawks simply can't let him get away...CHARACTER!

Sure absolutely anything can happen with Saad but it takes an offer sheet that he is willing to sign and bring back to the Hawks. His agent is probably out in the market trying to line up teams that would do a sheet. And Matt Belesky probably thinks he's worth $5M/yr long term too but doesn't mean he is going to get it.

If I'm a GM, I spend $6M/yr on a great #1 center or defenceman before I do a left winger. And that isn't a knock on #20.
- RickJ

No argument Rick. I don't know what other teams have and what they are thinking.

The one place the Hawks have amazing depth is on wing, so a huge offer to Saader would mean he probably walks and the Hawks add those picks.

And part of the move to get Saad would be to cherry pick the champs and give your fan base a PR shot in the shorts. We won't know till we know. I hope he stays, but also am prepared for the possibility of him moving on.

I agree with all this. But how many teams have the picks and space to make it happen?
- 6628

THAT I don't know. I am sure there are at least a few. Their willingness to do a sheet is the question.

I think the reason they'll be fine is there are so many of them competing

Wingers: Panarin, Hartmann, Baun, McNeill. That's not to include holdover like Nordy and the continued development of TT

Centers: Danault is really the only one unless TT shifts there. This is possibly our only hitch in the giddy up. Danault projects bottom 6, so if TT can't handle the rigors of L2-C, then the Hawks are in a bit of a quandary.

Defense: TVR, Johns, Pokka, Paliotta. This "could be shaky" if we lose Johnny Oduya. Then that's 4 kids for 3 spots. Real risky, and with TVR's injury issue that's another issuer. I believe a dependable veteran should be acquired to stabilize this unit

All told the Hawks have plenty of kids competing for spots and there is room for error for the most part. Things are a bit dicey at C and W, but the potential is there to be solid.
- kwolf68

Pokka and Paliotta aren't going to be playing anywhere to start the year other than Rockford...Johns should be on the team opening night unless he totally craps the bed during the offseason and during training camp...I still don't see the Hawks playing that many young guys..Hartman will maybe get a whiff of the NHL next year, but will mostly be in the AHL...Danault might make the team out of training camp...might...The Hawks are going to sign 2-3 cheap veteran players..They will NOT play 4 d-men that are rookies, and another 4 forwards that are rookies

Pokka and Paliotta aren't going to be playing anywhere to start the year other than Rockford...Johns should be on the team opening night unless he totally craps the bed during the offseason and during training camp...I still don't see the Hawks playing that many young guys..Hartman will maybe get a whiff of the NHL next year, but will mostly be in the AHL...Danault might make the team out of training camp...might...The Hawks are going to sign 2-3 cheap veteran players..They will NOT play 4 d-men that are rookies, and another 4 forwards that are rookies
- captainserious

I never said they'd play 4 D rookies. 2, 7 and 4 are SET. However, I could see 57 and Johns in there + a dependable veteran on D.

They will either play 6-7 young guys or 6-7 scrap heap veterans or a combination of the two.

A 22 year old power forward who skates as well as anyone in the NHL with 2 Cups on his resume? Considering the dogs out there who are getting paid, I could easily see a 6 million per offer.

Math? There is math.

If Saad is acquired by another team he won't be playing with bums. He'll immediately go onto another teams top line.

I can't pretend to know what the chances are he'll be sheeted, but to suggest it's unlikely (or even worse no way it will happen) is the definition of being naive.

You've see him play. With or without Toews, he's a player. I doubt very much if he was on the wing of John Tavares, Steve Stamkos, Nicklas Backstrom, Claude Giroux, Patrice Bergeron, Nathan McKinnon, etc. that team wouldn't get results.
- kwolf68

And look at the cap and management styles of all of the teams those players play on. Is Garth Snow giving up picks (not even sure he has them to give and they must be his to write an OS)? Flyers have cap issues? Avs are a budget team. Bruins - cap issues. Yzerman giving up picks?I'm not attacking you but that isn't math if you haven't looked at each teams cap structure and history.
Plus, any team looking for a scoring wing can spend less on Beleskey or Justin Williams and give up zero picks this summer. That shortens the list even more.

I agree he would be a target and maybe more so because of the Hawks cap issues. My opinion though is, if it was going to happen, it would have happened with Marcus Johansen last year. Teams know the importance of picks now in the cap era and offer sheets are riskier than ever for high profile players.

What would worry me more would be a spiteful asshat like Bob Murray - who has cap space and a deep prospect pool - deciding he doesn't need the picks and wants to hurt the Hawks. He could grab Saad and basically gain back the space by letting Kesler walk as a UFA. However, Murray loves his picks and I can't see it happening with their cap issues of the past and ownership.

True...BUT...if the salary dictates 6 million or so, the Hawks would get a boatload of top picks as compensation wouldn't they? I thought it was something like a couple of firsts and a second. in either case, Hawks ink Saad....or get to restock very high picks. A win-win. hawks are fine...and will be next year too.
- hawk35

RFA OFFER COMPENSATION

$1,110,249 or below None
Over $1,110,249 to $1,682,194 Third-round choice
Over $1,682,194 to $3,364,391 Second-round choice
Over $3,364,391 to $5,046,585 First-round and third-round choice
Over $5,046,585 to $6,728,781 First-round, second-round and third-round choice
Over $6,728,781 to $8,410,976 Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice
Over $8,410,976 Four first-round choices

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!

And look at the cap and management styles of all of the teams those players play on. Is Garth Snow giving up picks (not even sure he has them to give and they must be his to write an OS)? Flyers have cap issues? Avs are a budget team. Bruins - cap issues. Yzerman giving up picks?I'm not attacking you but that isn't math if you haven't looked at each teams cap structure and history.
Plus, any team looking for a scoring wing can spend less on Beleskey or Justin Williams and give up zero picks this summer. That shortens the list even more.

I agree he would be a target and maybe more so because of the Hawks cap issues. My opinion though is, if it was going to happen, it would have happened with Marcus Johansen last year. Teams know the importance of picks now in the cap era and offer sheets are riskier than ever for high profile players.

What would worry me more would be a spiteful asshat like Bob Murray - who has cap space and a deep prospect pool - deciding he doesn't need the picks and wants to hurt the Hawks. He could grab Saad and basically gain back the space by letting Kesler walk as a UFA. However, Murray loves his picks and I can't see it happening with their cap issues of the past and ownership.
- tredbrta

the point of me listing those centers was not to show you the teams I thought would make a run at Saad. It was to diffuse the idea that Saad is ONLY a product of playing with toews. My point to listing those centers was to show that should Saad get an offer, the team will be placing him on the wing of a very capable 1st line center and the results the Hawks got from him would likely be replicated elsewhere. Of course I don't think he's going to Boston.

I did have to LOL at your last paragraph...THAT too has crossed my mind