That's a compliment to him but Marko Dano better get going pretty soon because Recchi played approx 1850 regular season and playoff games in the NHL. That's more than Gretzky and pretty close to Messier numbers.
- RickJ

He should be in the HOF...and it is a big compliment to Dano.

Wow! You're right! It's all in shambles!!!
I think you should go out an find a new, better, less in shambles team to follow.
- darkman

Probably more going to college than ever...I know there haven't been many in the past that get to the NHL that route but some good ones started there, like the few I mentioned, and did get to the NHL without going to college.

Still a very good accomplishment for a young kid to get a scholarship to program like Vermont.
- Al

Agreed. And you never know when a 20 year old kid could turn into a real player after a couple years in a very good college program. Or they can just wind up being like Drew Leblanc.

John Leclair turned into a big time player coming out of Vermont at about 22. Sharpy has had a pretty good career too.

Agreed. And you never know when a 20 year old kid could turn into a real player after a couple years in a very good college program. Or they can just wind up being like Drew Leblanc.

John Leclair turned into a big time player coming out of Vermont at about 22. Sharpy has had a pretty good career too.
- RickJ

Yep...Tim Thomas a late bloomer too..

Comments like these require a little reminder. Making trades a so wner of your fantasy football team is different than making trades in real life. A lot different. A real lot different.

When I trade players as fantasy football owner, I'm trading statistics, no more,no less.

Stan has a different job. He's asking a father to move his family. He knows which player shows up at 6:30 am the day after the season ends to start training for the next season. He knows which players are leaders, which are loyal, which are good teammates. Which can be happy in a 4th line role, which will quit on the team if put on the 4th line.

Blog comments are just fantasy. Stan has a real job.
- Cmonalready

Well said. You know if we are all on this blog and we all know or think we know that the longer this plays out the less the team will get for Sharp. You really dont think Stan, his Staff and the entire braintrust of the Hawks didnt take all this into account. There is ALOT involved in moving a player especially one who has helped this team win as many cups in 6 years as it did in the previous 84 before he arrived. A leader on this team and huge contributor.

On the flip side he is 33, He has a cap hit of 5.9, he did have an off year and there were rumors this year of maybe some problems in Sharps personal life. Regardless if they are true or not I guarentee GMs are taking that into account. He also has a NTC which also makes things more interesting. I agree its time for him to leave but this is a very involved situation for The Hawks, Sharp and any other team invloved.

Here's the truth - NOBODY, outside of the front office, knows for sure if there were deals from those teams. Everything else is hearsay and conjecture.
- darkman

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hawks should try to move Bickel and Anisimov (still don't know why they traded for him) for nothing. I'm sure there are a few teams willing to take a chance on those guys. That would free up over 7 millions and that leaves plenty of room to resign Oduya and Kruger as well as some wiggle room to bring up the young guys as replacements.
- belgrave

I've read it all now.

What about bringing back Versteeg and Sharp, moving Bickell and Crawford, and getting amazingly worked out hometown discounts from 27 and 16(which appear to already be set in stone just waiting for the looming trades to clear the space)...

Sharp(5.9) - Toews(10.5) - Hossa(5.3)
Dano(.9) - Anisimov(3.2) - Kane(10.5)
Panarin(.8) - Teravainen(.9) - Versteeg(2.2)
Desjardins(.8) - Kruger(2.8) - Shaw(2.0)
Tikhonov(1.0)

Keith(5.5) - Seabrook(5.8)
Oduya(4.1) - Hjalmarsson(4.1)
TVR(.9) - Rundblad(1.0)
Johns(.8)

Darling(.6)
Labarbara(.9)
(hopefully acquire a decent goalie prospect in the Crawford trade)

All added up thats 70.6 mil with almost a mil extra space to spare.

This would be my ideal "most probably repeat roster". Essentially all you have(based off what we rolled out against TB in the SCF) is Panarin replacing Vermette on the 3rd line, and Dano and Anisimov(who looked great together in Columbus) replacing Saad and Richards on line 2 with Kane. Top line(hands down one of the top 5 lines in all of hockey the past few years) and 4th line(hands down the best 4th line in the NHL) remain the same(thus this lineup would roll 4 lines with dominant puck possession, what else is new, as good if not better than any other team in that department, not to mention an infusion of youth speed, and skill mainly on the middle 2 lines), An improved 3rd pairing on D returning with the leagues best top 4 gives us one of the leagues top 3 defensive cores, arguably #1.

Solid options to try and replace Crawford and those options will once again be protected by the previously mentioned elite defensive core and the elite team wide defensive structure the Hawks implement that includes their deep cast of backchecking 2way forwards. Collectively this will all do a great job of easing the transition for the Hawks goaltending, mainly Darling who the organization absolutely loves and who has shown he has everything it takes to take over as the #1. I like it. No other NHL team can show me a better projected/possible eventual opening night roster than this. Unless that hangover really gets to them a repeat is very probable baring untimely injuries. I wouldn't bet against this team, as difficult as repeats seem....

Hawks should try to move Bickel and Anisimov (still don't know why they traded for him) for nothing. I'm sure there are a few teams willing to take a chance on those guys. That would free up over 7 millions and that leaves plenty of room to resign Oduya and Kruger as well as some wiggle room to bring up the young guys as replacements.
- belgrave

Wow...

What about bringing back Versteeg and Sharp, moving Bickell and Crawford, and getting amazingly worked out hometown discounts from 27 and 16(which appear to already be set in stone just waiting for the looming trades to clear the space)...

Sharp(5.9) - Toews(10.5) - Hossa(5.3)
Dano(.9) - Anisimov(3.2) - Kane(10.5)
Panarin(.8) - Teravainen(.9) - Versteeg(2.2)
Desjardins(.8) - Kruger(2.8) - Shaw(2.0)
Tikhonov(1.0)

Keith(5.5) - Seabrook(5.8)
Oduya(4.1) - Hjalmarsson(4.1)
TVR(.9) - Rundblad(1.0)
Johns(.8)

Darling(.6)
Labarbara(.9)
(hopefully acquire a decent goalie prospect in the Crawford trade)

All added up thats 70.6 mil with almost a mil extra space to spare.

This would be my ideal "most probably repeat roster". Essentially all you have is Panarin replacing Vermette on the 3rd line, and Dano and Anisimov(who looked great together in Columbus) replacing Saad and Richards on line 2 with Kane. Top line(hands down one of the top 5 lines in all of hockey the past few years) and 4th line(hands down the best 4th line in the NHL) remain the same(thus this lineup would roll 4 lines with dominant possession as good if not better than any other team, not to mention an infusion of youth speed, and skill), An improved 3rd pairing on D returning with the leagues best top 4 gives us one of the leagues top 3 defensive cores, arguably #1.

Solid options to try and replace Crawford and those options will once again be protected by previously mentioned elite defensive core and the elite team wide defensive structure the Hawks implement that includes their deep cast of backchecking 2way forwards. Collectively this will all do a great job of easing the transition for the Hawks goaltending, maybe Darling who the organization absolutely loves and who has shown he has everything it takes to take over as the #1. I like it. No other NHL team can show me a better projected/possible eventual opening night roster than this. Unless that hangover really gets to them a repeat is very probable baring untimely injuries. I wouldn't be against this team, as difficult as repeats seem....
- SimpleJack

I like this a lot however I do like Crawford so if it was possible to instead keep Crawford and Sharp rid of Versteeg and Bickell and have both Oduya and Kruger sign for a combined total of a million less or more than what you have them listed with hometown discounts it seems like a small however still possible chance that a roster is filled that way instead keeping the 7 defenseman in Rockford for better growth and put Tikhonov in Versteegs spot and do not add that last back up forward and the roster according to league demands is full.

I like this a lot however I do like Crawford so if it was possible to instead keep Crawford and Sharp rid of Versteeg and Bickell and have both Oduya and Kruger sign for a combined total of a million less or more than what you have them listed with hometown discounts it seems like a small however still possible chance that a roster is filled that way instead keeping the 7 defenseman in Rockford for better growth and put Tikhonov in Versteegs spot and do not add that last back up forward and the roster according to league demands is full.
- akuroski

So something like this....

Sharp(5.9) - Toews(10.5) - Hossa(5.3)
Dano(.9) - Anisimov(3.2) - Kane(10.5)
Panarin(.8) - Teravainen(.9) - Tikhonov(1.0)
Desjardins(.8) - Kruger(2.5) - Shaw(2.0)


Keith(5.5) - Seabrook(5.8)
Oduya(3.5) - Hjalmarsson(4.1)
TVR(.9) - Rundblad(1.0)
Johns(.8)

Crawford(6.0)
Darling(.6)

All added up thats 72.5 mil which would still, despite your suggested ideas to squeeze things in, be over the cap and not possible. Highly, HIGHTLY doubtful(though it would be amazing) both Crawford and Sharp will be back.

Or they can just trade Sharp and Bickell which probably is easier to do than Anisimov a new longer deal.
- Al

You would think so, but I'm starting to wonder........................

Agreed. And you never know when a 20 year old kid could turn into a real player after a couple years in a very good college program. Or they can just wind up being like Drew Leblanc.

John Leclair turned into a big time player coming out of Vermont at about 22. Sharpy has had a pretty good career too.
- RickJ

Slick Vic!

What about bringing back Versteeg and Sharp, moving Bickell and Crawford, and getting amazingly worked out hometown discounts from 27 and 16(which appear to already be set in stone just waiting for the looming trades to clear the space)...

Sharp(5.9) - Toews(10.5) - Hossa(5.3)
Dano(.9) - Anisimov(3.2) - Kane(10.5)
Panarin(.8) - Teravainen(.9) - Versteeg(2.2)
Desjardins(.8) - Kruger(2.8) - Shaw(2.0)
Tikhonov(1.0)

Keith(5.5) - Seabrook(5.8)
Oduya(4.1) - Hjalmarsson(4.1)
TVR(.9) - Rundblad(1.0)
Johns(.8)

Darling(.6)
Labarbara(.9)
(hopefully acquire a decent goalie prospect in the Crawford trade)

All added up thats 70.6 mil with almost a mil extra space to spare.

This would be my ideal "most probably repeat roster". Essentially all you have(based off what we rolled out against TB in the SCF) is Panarin replacing Vermette on the 3rd line, and Dano and Anisimov(who looked great together in Columbus) replacing Saad and Richards on line 2 with Kane. Top line(hands down one of the top 5 lines in all of hockey the past few years) and 4th line(hands down the best 4th line in the NHL) remain the same(thus this lineup would roll 4 lines with dominant puck possession, what else is new, as good if not better than any other team in that department, not to mention an infusion of youth speed, and skill mainly on the middle 2 lines), An improved 3rd pairing on D returning with the leagues best top 4 gives us one of the leagues top 3 defensive cores, arguably #1.

Solid options to try and replace Crawford and those options will once again be protected by the previously mentioned elite defensive core and the elite team wide defensive structure the Hawks implement that includes their deep cast of backchecking 2way forwards. Collectively this will all do a great job of easing the transition for the Hawks goaltending, mainly Darling who the organization absolutely loves and who has shown he has everything it takes to take over as the #1. I like it. No other NHL team can show me a better projected/possible eventual opening night roster than this. Unless that hangover really gets to them a repeat is very probable baring untimely injuries. I wouldn't bet against this team, as difficult as repeats seem....
- SimpleJack

This is probably pretty close to what they are thinking in the scenarios where JJ has reported that Crawford may have to be moved.

There are worse situations, but don't like the backup first because he's not good enough, and two because he signed with someone else. You only have an extra mil to play with, so a goalie coming back would have to make very little.

Like those lines a lot though.

Yep...Tim Thomas a late bloomer too..
- Al

Marty St Louis

My son is participating in a clinic at UVM(he will be a high school sophomore) The building is really quiet right now. And they have a wall dedicated to their "successful" attendee's. Great to enjoy without a throng of people around. There have been a bunch more lesser known NHL's from UVM as well.

I've read it all now.
- mvp0207

You say that but you know it will be topped...or bottomed depending on how you look at it.

Was it a ridiculous or crazy request? Something you've seen requested before?
- Dannyboy

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.
- John Jaeckel

Well son of a..... they will just have to take Bickell then.... #redfont

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.
- John Jaeckel

Wondering if Dale's hands are tied a bit after the Bolland move...mgt. taking a more active role there? Meanwhile another day gone and Sharp/Bickell still here...

Bet they wanted Stan to include Runblad and there was no way he was going to do that...

Waiting is also the most dangerous part.

Every day that goes by increases the chance the Kruger and/or Oduya decide enough.

That's your potential return for Sharp - 16 and 27.
- StLBravesFan

Very well stated. SB will have a lot more work to do if both 16 & 27 bolt.

What's the rule on how a player has to sign an offer sheet if presented one? I know the current team has 7 days after one is signed.

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.
- John Jaeckel

Son of a female dog... He's never going to be traded

Very well stated. SB will have a lot more work to do if both 16 & 27 bolt.

What's the rule on how a player has to sign an offer sheet if presented one? I know the current team has 7 days after one is signed.
- blackhawk24

That would be a huge loss if both go and not much quality on the fa market. I would imagine danault would come up to "replace" kruger but there is no one in the system to replace JO. Maybe schlemko signs in that case.

Saw on another hawk site that someone suggested semin on a prove it deal to replace sharp if he is traded. Talent is a yes for me, attitude and effort are a huge no.

Well, Liam Coughlin is from Boston and likely has many contacts in the NE...guess he wanted to attend BC or BU, so perhaps that was his "in" to a scholarship at Vermont.
- ArlingtonRob

He didn't have great grades, and the Oilers knew when they drafted him, he needed further long term development, as did Boston area native Mark Kelley, the hawks chief scout.

I also read a post where someone claining to be his cousin said that is the route that the Oilers want him to take. Another year in BCHL, one at VT then if all goes well they want to bring him up through the Edmonton system.

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.
- John Jaeckel

This probably kills even more leverage with other teams if the deal is potentially dead.

It sounds like the Hawks are trying to accommodate Sharp, but when's enough is enough?

Is Sharp being a royal pain in the ass and screwing the Hawks? Not blaming anyone but just throwing the question out there.

Umm, just something that would indicate to FL he wasn't super excited about being there, more to do with geography than anything.

But . . . my understanding is this morning that Florida management isn't going for it so the deal is on hold or dead.
- John Jaeckel

To keep Oduya at $4M and Kruger at $2.5M, we have to move $10M… that's Sharp/Crawford and Bickell, assuming no salary comes back.

1) If we retain even $1M on Bickell (who also has a NTC…), then we have to move Versteeg and fill the spot with an ELC. I assume Versteeg will be moved, just to squeeze that extra $1.275M in savings out.

2) If they hand the reins to Darling, then moving Crawford, Bickell w/ $1M retained, and Versteeg get the Hawks to be cap-compliant.

3) If a cheaper NHL goalie comes back in the Crawford deal, they still have to move Sharp and Bickell…

Any way you slice it, keeping Oduya and Kruger will cost the Hawks a lot, given the probable returns on all the other trades… I would bet that Kruger takes precedence over Oduya given Oduya's age… Perhaps feelers have been put out on Ehrhoff, Schlemko, etc. in the event they can't keep Oduya.

Three of the last 4 Stanley Cup Champions (excluding the 2013 Hawks) have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that all you need to do is make the playoffs. If the Hawks keep Kruger and let go of Oduya, getting to the trade deadline and just being in the playoff picture has to be the goal, given what will be a weaker defense. Then maybe someone else gets moved at the trade deadline for a true #4D, even if that D-man is a rental… This could be Sharp, if he's still here (and has recovered some sort of scoring form), or it could be Crawford if Darling is given more of a look in the first half of the season and proves to be a true #1…

Bowman has made some great moves in tough situations (especially the Saad situation), but he's got to realize he must start selling much higher. And stop handing out the NTC's and NMC's like they are candy...