IMHO, this concept is significantly undervalued by people. Tons of guys have a ton of talent. Not nearly as many work as hard and are as focused to turn that talent in the maximum output.
- stljam

Agreed and if you look at the Hawks BEST players they are the guys who rarely take shifts/games off during the regular season.

We can all point to tons of guys throughout the league where you see the skill but then player blends back into the back ground because they can't/won't/don't understand how to be a professional.

That's why guys like Hossa are INVALUALBE to teams. How many times do we read about players on the Hawks gushing over Hossa and how if "he can do it at 36....I at 20 whatever should as well". It's infectious in a good way.

it also works the other way where if you get a lazy, negative veteran he can quickly infect young players.

but sh arp to philly is a good hockey post because he likes the story of sharp back to philly, flyers cap be damned
- flyershockey

I don't disagree with you. I don't see how it works, but John reports what John hears. I had some Philly fan tell me there have been rumors of Philly being interested from sources or news guys not affiliated with the Hawks. So who the hell knows......

What athletes earn is obscene and these salaries continue to rise. They have lost touch with reality when they become offended when management offers fall a few millions short of their expectations and get to pick where they want to collect these millions.
If I could be as fortunate as Patrick Sharp I would go and play in Siberia for $6M per.
When Richards and Erhoff take these "discounts" as they still collect money from previous buyouts, I just shake my head.
- 67hawks

A very short life time as a player. My earning work life is 40ish years. An NHL player averages something like 3 years. They bank about half of their gross, after paying agents, managers, taxes, etc. They deserve every dime they make.

Fair to WHO? Mitt Romney?

So figure he has $15-20 million banked. he will never have to worry about a thing financially for the rest of his days on earth. -JJ

Quotes not working AGAIN.

FWIW, if his cumulative NHL earnings are $23M, his take home pay has certainly been less, probably half that. He has to pay taxes, agent, business manager, etc. Plus many cities now levy a tax on athletes for the away games that teams play in their city.

$12-15M in take home would be more reasonable, and out of that comes living expenses, multiple residences, moving expenses, etc. More likely JO has $5-8M in the bank. Not bad, but not good enough to set up multiple generations of little JOs.
- scottak

We are under the assumption that Oduya owns 51% of Swedish Fish Co. as well as less lucrative businesses. He also probably has endorsement deals in USA and Sweden.

A lingonberry cannery.
- HawkintheD

ok D how bout this...Eat the Lingonberries Johny Oduya eats - Straight from Sweden...

I completely understand that. But it is to my understand that Oduya does not own any businesses. Just because Bizz/OEL have business ventures it doesn't mean every NHLer does. I know that Magic Johnson owns a baseball team now. Just because he owns a baseball team doesn't mean every ex NBA player owns a baseball team.
- nurk

Major Pizza delivery business

We are under the assumption that Oduya owns 51% of Swedish Fish Co. as well as less lucrative businesses. He also probably has endorsement deals in USA and Sweden.
- nurk

also assuming because he has 2 rings and a silver medal, his investments have tripled. we are using the reasonable assumption theory.

Sorry, there is no defence to this attempted argument. Athletes are ridiculously paid in a world of MASS INEQUALITY! Think about it, the finest teachers and scientific researchers make in a year what Oduya makes in a month...something is wrong with any society that is "okay" with that because there are VAST consequences of such inequality, such as perpetual violence! Inequality is the #1 cause of crime and violent crime!

I believe when someone bashes your team or the fans of the team it's a sign of respect, comes from a place of envy and jealousy. I should know I can't stand the RedWings or the Packers
- BetweenTheDots

And after several hundred posts by each... "envy and jealousy" looks a lot more like juvenile, obsessive hatred of the blogger and the thread regulars.

Not that it still isn't funny.

Time heals all wounds, but how long can we go with the knee excuse for him? If they are THAT bad he needs to get them cleaned out over the summer and rehab. Versteeg has done this twice.

That's the aggravating thing to me about Bickell. Fix your body. The Hawks pay you to be an asset for their team, not so you can go bass fishing all summer.
- SteveRain

I'm seriously doubting the knees can even get back to where they were.

And after several hundred posts by each... "envy and jealousy" looks a lot more like juvenile, obsessive hatred of the blogger and the thread regulars.

Not that it still isn't funny.
- tredbrta

it is funny to invoke the names of mass murderers too

We are under the assumption that Oduya owns 51% of Swedish Fish Co. as well as less lucrative businesses. He also probably has endorsement deals in USA and Sweden.
- nurk

Ur funny, still hung-up on the finance issue....

ok D how bout this...Eat the Lingonberries Johny Oduya eats - Straight from Sweden...


- DK002

Don't knock the Lingonberries until you try them. Make sure to wash it down with some good old fashioned Glogg too.

also assuming because he has 2 rings and a silver medal, his investments have tripled. we are using the reasonable assumption theory.
- flyershockey

Seriously, u still on the finance issue also?

Sorry, there is no defence to this attempted argument. Athletes are ridiculously paid in a world of MASS INEQUALITY! Think about it, the finest teachers and scientific researchers make in a year what Oduya makes in a month...something is wrong with any society that is "okay" with that because there are VAST consequences of such inequality, such as perpetual violence! Inequality is the #1 cause of crime and violent crime!
- MexicoHawk

Uh wut

Ur funny, still hung-up on the finance issue....
- Ur Not Me

i responded to someone that posted about it...its not that difficult to follow along.

Seriously, u still on the finance issue also?
- Ur Not Me

one of this writers major reasons for oduya taking less money with this hawks is the fact that hes a "wealthy" guy and then assumes 15-20 mil banked. its a pretty big issue.

Sorry, there is no defence to this attempted argument. Athletes are ridiculously paid in a world of MASS INEQUALITY! Think about it, the finest teachers and scientific researchers make in a year what Oduya makes in a month...something is wrong with any society that is "okay" with that because there are VAST consequences of such inequality, such as perpetual violence! Inequality is the #1 cause of crime and violent crime!
- MexicoHawk

This "short career" stuff does not hold water with me. One year of Kane or Toew's take home pay is more than I can make in several lifetimes.

Sorry, there is no defence to this attempted argument. Athletes are ridiculously paid in a world of MASS INEQUALITY! Think about it, the finest teachers and scientific researchers make in a year what Oduya makes in a month...something is wrong with any society that is "okay" with that because there are VAST consequences of such inequality, such as perpetual violence! Inequality is the #1 cause of crime and violent crime!
- MexicoHawk

Think about this, if you got rid of currency, would there be crime?

i responded to someone that posted about it...its not that difficult to follow along.
- nurk

I gotcha, but is it really necessary to comment back on something meaningless?
This whole financial thing is going in circles.....

This "short career" stuff does not hold water with me. One year of Kane or Toew's take home pay is more than I can make in several lifetimes.
- 67hawks

there are 2 guys in the nhl that make kane and toews money. their names are patrick and jonathan. in any sport, its like society in general. a small % make a big majority.

...and here it is....


- MartiniMan

Hartman is a player that the Hawks should be keeping. He too has a real shot at making the Hawks out of camp this year, and if not, then during the season or next year at the latest. What you need to watch on that video are not only the hits, but his body and stick positioning...he puts himself into positions to be around the puck and make plays...he's a well coached hockey player and has a real future IMO. And if the Hawks spent a 1st round pick on a guy who never scores more than 15 goals a season (he has the talent to generate more) but plays for us for 6+ years being a physical presence and has + Corsi numbers, its well worth it IMO. What Shaw has brought to this team would also have been worth a high draft pick. Far too often the "great skill/high potential" 1st round guys end up being Kyle Beach.

one of this writers major reasons for oduya taking less money with this hawks is the fact that hes a "wealthy" guy and then assumes 15-20 mil banked. its a pretty big issue.
- flyershockey

Regardless of what the writer thinks,
Do u think Oduya is wealthy?
I do, bc he's made millions, regardless of what is net gross.

it is funny to invoke the names of mass murderers too
- flyershockey

It works for South Park. and if the shoe fits... you and your boy certainly have the obsessive qualities. Wow! That really struck a nerve for you. Someone else make the same comparison? Therapist or local law enforcement? Sorry, should have assumed after the 4th or 5th day.

Think about this, if you got rid of currency, would there be crime?
- powerenforcer

Probably, I saw the way you were looking at my chickens.