If I was Mike Babcock who I'm not, I would strip the C off Dion Phaneuf, ask Shanahan to go out and get Sharp for the Leafs, give the Hawks a decent draft pick and a minor league prospect in return and make Sharp the Captain of the team. Sharp's job then becomes representing one of the league's 4 most important cornerstone franchises in a professional manner, straightening out the dressing room and loser idiots like Kessel, Nazem Khadri, Phaneuf etc. and work in developing their kids like he is doing with TT.

Sharp obviously would agree to waive his no trade because he becomes one of the NHL's most visible players on a nationally followed team with endorsement opportunities coming out of his ying-yang. He might not win another Stanley Cup but the exposure and post hockey career opportunities would be massive for him.

Sure, the Hawks don't have the cap room to keep him, but he has value in the league.
- RickJ

Sharp definitely has value. Teams in the East would definitely want to out bid other teams for him

Sharp definitely has value. Teams in the East would definitely want to out bid other teams for him
- Elbows15

Sharp has the resume that struggling clubs desire...Veteran, Cups, Gold medals, AS games, consistent production, 200' game, wing/center...

...and his teammates in Chicago gave him an "A" several years ago, so he has respect from his peers.

He may be older...on the backside of his career...but any club looking for leadership could do alot worse.
----

In the meantime, I'd luv to see Sharp fill up the scoresheet a couple times during the finals.

Sharp has the resume that struggling clubs desire...Veteran, Cups, Gold medals, AS games, consistent production, 200' game, wing/center...

...and his teammates in Chicago gave him an "A" several years ago, so he has respect from his peers.

He may be older...on the backside of his career...but any club looking for leadership could do alot worse.
----

In the meantime, I'd luv to see Sharp fill up the scoresheet a couple times during the finals.
- ArlingtonRob

When I hear Guy Lafleur say that little punk Brendan Gallagher should be made Captain of the Canadiens, I know for sure Sharp has a home somewhere and teams will pay a decent price to acquire him.

And I think he is going to play well in this series. He was right on the forecheck that led to the Hawks 2nd goal in Game 1.

FYI...

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 3h3 hours ago

The guy in charge of maintaining the Amalie Arena ice in this ridiculous heat is named Miracle. That's fantastic. http://www.tampabay.com/n...s-a-balancing-act/2232361

Right on Tred. Flood wasn't trying to stir up anything with a few posts prior.

Read into it what you want but the context and intent is there. Here's a novel thought. If you don't want people to call you on something, don't call them out in the first place.

That way nothing happens instead of you writing some revisionist crap and crying foul after the fact.
- HawkintheD

And where exactly was that call out? TF posted something about old school and his OPINION that the Hawks were occasionally intimidated in the RS. The response came back pretty aggressively from 3 or 4 of you (all members of that other "forum") and included smarmy GIFs and smart ass comments.

TexasFlood finishes with an "I won't be back" message and you smarta$$ back to not "let the door hit you on the way out". Classless.

It only takes a few pages of reading to see the evidence... but I'm the revisionist.

And when has TF ever stirred poop up? Not when I'm around.

When I hear Guy Lafleur say that little punk Brendan Gallagher should be made Captain of the Canadiens, I know for sure Sharp has a home somewhere and teams will pay a decent price to acquire him.

And I think he is going to play well in this series. He was right on the forecheck that led to the Hawks 2nd goal in Game 1.
- RickJ

He sets the physical tone for the Hawks in the playoffs. Watch his first shift.

It was the one thing that stood out to me when I saw him live, grinder. Drove me nuts. Bicks does it too.
- Elbows15

Bickell has a lot. Remember, I'm probably the founding members of the anti-Bickell club--though I've definitely softened my stance at times when it seems he's earned the slack.

When he was brought up to essentially replace Brouwer, my familiarity with him definitely tempered enthusiasm. There was a reason he was in the minors so long. Inconsistent effort, not simply inconsistent results. We can live with the latter to a degree, but not the former. He, himself, alluded to those issues some time ago.

Think I lost my mind when he started that battleship turn crap earlier in the season and wanted him gone--shipped out in the middle of the night if possible. He has done better overall in the playoffs, and he is a definite weapon as a hitter (they need more than Ryan Reaves v2), but I think the Hawks can do better overall with their $ and roster position. He vacillates between being central cog in the Hawks machine to an absolute anchor...

To be clear Bows, I don't expect him to throw his body around for 82 games and the post-season. It's unrealistic to expect the body to handle it and be worth anything in the playoffs, but the effort in all the other areas and taking the hit when it's there and needed--like separating a guy from the puck--is what should be expected of Big Bicks.

Even the Kings model doesn't have goons per se. They have guys who can fight if needed but they fill a role aside from that within the team's structure.
- Elbows15

Outside of Hawks games, the Kings & Ducks should be worth a watch this year. Don't expect the Kings to stay down very long & they no doubt have something to prove to their rival.

The difference is (hopefully) that Stan has done a good job restocking the pipeline with quality prospects.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed Ogi. I think this will be much different than the last big purge

Bickell has a lot. Remember, I'm probably the founding members of the anti-Bickell club--though I've definitely softened my stance at times when it seems he's earned the slack.

When he was brought up to essentially replace Brouwer, my familiarity with him definitely tempered enthusiasm. There was a reason he was in the minors so long. Inconsistent effort, not simply inconsistent results. We can live with the latter to a degree, but not the former. He, himself, alluded to those issues some time ago.

Think I lost my mind when he started that battleship turn crap earlier in the season and wanted him gone--shipped out in the middle of the night if possible. He has done better overall in the playoffs, and he is a definite weapon as a hitter (they need more than Ryan Reaves v2), but I think the Hawks can do better overall with their $ and roster position. He vacillates between being central cog in the Hawks machine to an absolute anchor...

To be clear Bows, I don't expect him to throw his body around for 82 games and the post-season. It's unrealistic to expect the body to handle it and be worth anything in the playoffs, but the effort in all the other areas and taking the hit when it's there and needed--like separating a guy from the puck--is what should be expected of Big Bicks.
- grinder10

I agree about the hits. If he could ever just stay on the right side of the puck consistently I would have been thrilled. Or get his ass to the net and stay there.

He has been an avhor to every line he has played on. Especially this season. TBF if he is playing in the top 6 he needs to be better. He was killing Kane in the ANA series. They weren't even covering him.

If I was Mike Babcock who I'm not, I would strip the C off Dion Phaneuf, ask Shanahan to go out and get Sharp for the Leafs, give the Hawks a decent draft pick and a minor league prospect in return and make Sharp the Captain of the team. Sharp's job then becomes representing one of the league's 4 most important cornerstone franchises in a professional manner, straightening out the dressing room and loser idiots like Kessel, Nazem Khadri, Phaneuf etc. and work in developing their kids like he is doing with TT.

Sharp obviously would agree to waive his no trade because he becomes one of the NHL's most visible players on a nationally followed team with endorsement opportunities coming out of his ying-yang. He might not win another Stanley Cup but the exposure and post hockey career opportunities would be massive for him.

Sure, the Hawks don't have the cap room to keep him, but he has value in the league.
- RickJ

Very, very interesting thought--and makes a ton of sense

I agree about the hits. If he could ever just stay on the right side of the puck consistently I would have been thrilled. Or get his ass to the net and stay there.

He has been an avhor to every line he has played on. Especially this season. TBF if he is playing in the top 6 he needs to be better. He was killing Kane in the ANA series. They weren't even covering him.
- Elbows15

We're seeing the flashes of madness...or perhaps he's inducing stroke-like symptoms with me. Hawks can do better for the money. I'd rather have a couple of reliable, responsible 210+ pounders at forward that can play with the Hawks, than one single 230 lb big-body that can't always be counted on. Baun could be one...we'll see

If I was Mike Babcock who I'm not, I would strip the C off Dion Phaneuf, ask Shanahan to go out and get Sharp for the Leafs, give the Hawks a decent draft pick and a minor league prospect in return and make Sharp the Captain of the team. Sharp's job then becomes representing one of the league's 4 most important cornerstone franchises in a professional manner, straightening out the dressing room and loser idiots like Kessel, Nazem Khadri, Phaneuf etc. and work in developing their kids like he is doing with TT.

Sharp obviously would agree to waive his no trade because he becomes one of the NHL's most visible players on a nationally followed team with endorsement opportunities coming out of his ying-yang. He might not win another Stanley Cup but the exposure and post hockey career opportunities would be massive for him.

Sure, the Hawks don't have the cap room to keep him, but he has value in the league.
- RickJ

No question he has value but Stan has no leverage: 18 months away from 30 plus goals and 1pt/gme guy to be moved for a pick/prospect. WOW!!

I don't know if captain/team leader as you are describing fits sharps DNA and personality.

No question he has value but Stan has no leverage: 18 months away from 30 plus goals and 1pt/gme guy to be moved for a pick/prospect. WOW!!

I don't know if captain/team leader as you are describing fits sharps DNA and personality.
- bogiedoc

Stan has leverage if more than ONE team is interested, or if that one team is VERY interested and may worry that other clubs want his services.

Regarding Sharp's fitness as a clubhouse leader...that's something players and coaches know more about, but he has been wearing an A for the Hawks, and his "scandals" didn't change his status.

So if the Hawks consider him a leader...well, perhaps he is and fans don't recognize it.

No question he has value but Stan has no leverage: 18 months away from 30 plus goals and 1pt/gme guy to be moved for a pick/prospect. WOW!!

I don't know if captain/team leader as you are describing fits sharps DNA and personality.
- bogiedoc

Finding the leverage is Stan's f'n job! If Jagr and Timonen can pull 2 draft picks each, Sharp sure as hell can return something of value in return.

And how many rungs does Sharp have to climb to be the leadership equal of Backes, Kronwall, Brown, Phaneuf, Koivu and a few other clowns in the league.

And where exactly was that call out? TF posted something about old school and his OPINION that the Hawks were occasionally intimidated in the RS. The response came back pretty aggressively from 3 or 4 of you (all members of that other "forum") and included smarmy GIFs and smart ass comments.

TexasFlood finishes with an "I won't be back" message and you smarta$$ back to not "let the door hit you on the way out". Classless.

It only takes a few pages of reading to see the evidence... but I'm the revisionist.

And when has TF ever stirred poop up? Not when I'm around.
- tredbrta

You sure have a fascination with this "other forum" you keep mentioning. Let me ask you something: Is this the only hockey related web site that you ever visit? Is it somehow wrong in your eyes to belong to more than one Internet forum?

What's funny is that you keep accusing others of attacking people when you routinely lay in to people all the time for no other reason than they cheer for the other team.

And where exactly was that call out? TF posted something about old school and his OPINION that the Hawks were occasionally intimidated in the RS. The response came back pretty aggressively from 3 or 4 of you (all members of that other "forum") and included smarmy GIFs and smart ass comments.

TexasFlood finishes with an "I won't be back" message and you smarta$$ back to not "let the door hit you on the way out". Classless.

It only takes a few pages of reading to see the evidence... but I'm the revisionist.

And when has TF ever stirred poop up? Not when I'm around.
- tredbrta

It does indeed. Throw comprehension into the mix and you have a winner.

Just because you're not around doesn't mean something hasn't happened either.

Oh yeah, speaking of classless, you've done worse but to Ogi's point, the way you address posters from other teams who have an opposing thought or one you don't care for would certainly qualify.

I'm petty sure Patrick Sharp gets more respect around the league from G.M.'s than he does on this board where he is just an expensive contract to dump for cheap. Not many teams have a player with his name twice on the Stanley Cup.

Don't you think the Habs would rather have Sharp skating on right wing for a couple of seasons instead of Dale F'n Weise? The Rangers have employed Marty St. Louis well past his best before date. How about the Winnipeg Jets, Florida, Ottawa, Calgary, Colorado, Detroit looking to get to the next level and needing a very competitive veteran to help their kids along?

I wouldn't even be that surprised if Stanbo held on to #10 thru next season. He has more value than the national association of scrap dealers think.
- RickJ

Rick,

I agree with much of this. Disagree with some.

Sure, here and elsewhere, fans construct trade scenarios that assume other GMs are in the business of taking bad contracts off the Hawks' hands.

I believe there will be a market for Sharp, and I also absolutely believe he will be dealt, very likely before the end of this month. Likely to one of the teams you mention: Florida, Montreal, Winnipeg would be leading contenders

That said, to my eye, while he's still a serviceable player, and will probably be a 20+ goal scorer next year and beyond, he does appear to have lost some things.

And don't forget how Leddy was mercilessly droned on and crucified on these boards last year Tred. But I'm sorry, or boy Rundblad needs more time and be judged more objectively? Please. A total train wreck.

And how many pucker up and hyperventilate when he's on the ice?
- TexasFlood

Well, speaking just for myself, I know one thing that puckers up uncomfortably when he's on the ice.

If this is actually true it is beyond ridiculous.
http://patch.com/illinois...d-leave-blackhawks-game-0

Asked to leave for cheering too loudly...SMH


- Anaarkey

Read that. Also wondering just what experience Officer Small speaks from with regard to "playing for the Stanley Cup" at Amalie?

Try leading by example then...
- HawkintheD

Interesting interchange to say the least. Let he who is without guilt be the first to cast a stone.

Rick,

I agree with much of this. Disagree with some.

Sure, here and elsewhere, fans construct trade scenarios that assume other GMs are in the business of taking bad contracts off the Hawks' hands.

I believe there will be a market for Sharp, and I also absolutely believe he will be dealt, very likely before the end of this month. Likely to one of the teams you mention: Florida, Montreal, Winnipeg would be leading contenders

That said, to my eye, while he's still a serviceable player, and will probably be a 20+ goal scorer next year and beyond, he does appear to have lost some things.
- John Jaeckel

True. He may likely never be a 30 goal scorer again but the only guy rumored to potentially be on his way out with a bad contract is Bick...in my eyes anyway.

Hopefully the Hawks can make that happen too at the draft.

Interesting interchange to say the least. Let he who is without guilt be the first to cast a stone.
- John Jaeckel

Don't believe I was the first, but cast one I did.

So..is anyone nervous as hell about tonight or what?

Should we expect Tampa to come out like game 1 and try to blast the Hawks quickly with a few goals and then go into a shell? Or will they try and get a few goals and try and keep the pressure on? A few people seem to think that the Hawks started to figure out Tampa as the game went on...and that is why Tampa couldn't keep coming on that strong...Someone mentioned that the Bolts took away the boards, and later through the game the Hawks were taking the puck up the middle out of their zone, and that it was a Q period 2 adjustment

I know this is dumb and so captain hindsight, but if the Hawks come out lethargic like they did against Anaheim in game 5, they can kiss game 2 goodbye..Really hoping Crow puts together another great game and obviously I want the Hawks to win, but I wouldn't mind seeing Steeg continue his great play from game 1, and would like to see Toews line do some damage as well

Is there something wrong with the board or my computer.

Looks like when their were reply's you can't see the original comment.

Catching up reading like 8 pages was really confusing, although looked like there was some kind of disagreement going on........................................