Stay tuned Hawks Fans.... JJ are you hearing anything in regards to any moves possibly being made?
- BGKarras

Have heard nothing.

Agree with this, and it might actually be happening now.

Double edge sword though right? On one hand, they are being tasked with putting guys and Rockford and develop them. If they don't turn out to be NHL'rs (which what 95% of AHL'rs don't) they're labelled failures at developing their own.

This year was a bit of an exception, but usually there isn't a ton of spots open on the Hawks either. Especially Top 6.

Guys are being brought into Rockford now, and letting play a while. (McNeill, Danault, Hinostoza, Hartman), and I'm sure you'll see Hayden, Louis, Schmaltz, Radke, Knott all go through there as well. Realistically though what 1 or maybe 2 in any given year can make the big club. That sets up a pretty low hit rate.

Taking the argument that they should develop them and trade them for a piece the big club needs is a fair one, but again, how many spots every year are there for a vet either.

Saad drafted and went to a top 6 player - you can argue that he didn't spend time in Rockford, but honestly he would have been in Rockford a year earlier if he, because of age, didn't have to go back to the O.

Dalhbeck traded for a important piece.

They have used the model.

I think its easy to say they could have traded the Hayes', Pirris', etc earlier and got more. Its hard for me to believe that the other teams didn't realize how good they really were or weren't at an earlier time.
- vabeachbear

I think its easy to say they could have traded the Hayes', Pirris', etc earlier and got more. Its hard for me to believe that the other teams didn't realize how good they really were or weren't at an earlier time.

I talk to pro scouts and they watch many AHL games a year. I've said this before a few times-Everyone watches the same movie but the goal is to figure out how the movie ends first.

Scouts look for players who are pretenders-Who won't be effective NHL players even though they have been hyped. They also look for opportunities on young players that will play in the NHL and have nice careers but are in the wrong spot. Sometimes players are just too far down the depth chart at a certain position or they get on the wrong side of management. There are times when a young player gets labeled as soft or not very coachable...Sometimes that creates and opportunity for someone else.

There have been cases, especially with young defensemen, they have been over hyped and held onto too long-Olsen.... at other times held so long they won't clear waivers so they are dumped for whatever they will fetch.

That's been an issue here and the Clendening trade is a sign things may have changed somewhat as they dealt him before it was too late. Because chances are he doesn't make the club the following fall and would have to be dumped.

It's not easy to get the timing right on young players but there are many scouts trying to read the future and there are very few secrets.

Christ I hope its not to.bring 29 back up.
- mrpaulish

#freebickell

Could be a deal.

Could be Bickell coming back. Could be Bickell coming back because an interested team wants to see how he plays at the NHL level.

Could be another player coming up.
- John Jaeckel

Even with $950k coming off cap if tik is sent down,, do the hawks have enough to bring up bicks? Hope not. Would rather see danailt up and kero moved to LW to try it out

Have heard nothing.
- John Jaeckel

Thank you JJ

Even with $950k coming off cap if tik is sent down,, do the hawks have enough to bring up bicks? Hope not. Would rather see danailt up and kero moved to LW to try it out
- ikeane

The $950,000 coming off would equal Bickell's $950,000 coming back, and exceed any other Ice Hogs cap hit coming back.

The $950,000 coming off would equal Bickell's $950,000 coming back, and exceed any other Ice Hogs cap hit coming back.
- StLBravesFan

Mentally flipped that, thanks for setting me straight

#freebickell
- DarthKane

Yea free him to the Islanders

Hmm very interesting, Tik being waived, Danault or Bickell my guess

Someone mentioned here Hossa playing LW? I have to admit I like this idea considering he likes to carry the puck behind the net it would allow him an open blade to make a pass

And from what I saw in Dano his game was 10 times better on the right.

If it's Bickell want to see him paired with TT

Dano not on the ice

Indeed. Goalie moves were the most puzzling for GM. Getting rid of Nilsen and Raanta for no return. For comparison, look at what Rangers got back for trading their backup goalie.
I would trade Crawford last year and have Darling, Raanta and Nielson battle for starting and backup position. Saved money could be used for Saad, here is the answer to 1LW problem.
I think trading Crawford later might be an issue since pipeline of goalies is depleted now, plus he will not be as hit anymore and other GMs will see him for what he is, inconsistent goalie at best. I do not agree he is a clutch goalie either, if you compare his performance in last year playoffs against some eastern goalies, Holtby. Lundquist, Price. Heck in 2014 Quick was sharper in that final game 7 than him. I think he is the piece which should have been gone last summer and other goajies remained with perspective to fight for #1 slot.
- vshun

Holtby, Lundquist, and Price all had a nice view from their couch watching Crow carry the Cup around the ice over his head.

Yea free him to the Islanders
- mrpaulish

I didn't say HOW Bickell should be set freed. That certainly works for me.

Dano not on the ice
- mrpaulish

So you like him neat?

Dano not on the ice
- mrpaulish

Is Dano not on the ice or on the ice but not practicing on a line?

What are the chances we see Bickell and Mashinter on the same line?

I didn't say HOW Bickell should be set freed. That certainly works for me.
- DarthKane

Agreed

The last two years proved that the Hawks can flip the switch when they get to the postseason, but 3 deep playoff runs has really worn them down. If the reality is they are just too worn down this year to win, then I think that the longer the break the better to prep for 2016-17. Seriously. If only we all had a crystal ball to tell us the future.

I think we know by mid-January what type of season this will be. Are they even still in one of the WC spots at that time? Or have they finally figured out how to roll 4 productive lines and go on a winning streak? If it's either of these options, I think the front office will act appropriately. The worst may be if they still continue to be right on the bubble. Do they then mortgage the future in another push to go all the way?
- DMChi2010

Yeah, that worked out really bad for the Kings when they won their 2 Cups as the 6th and 8th seeds.

Getting in is never a bad thing, especially when you have playoff moxy experience and championship mettle attitude. Anything can happen at that point.

What are the chances we see Bickell and Mashinter on the same line?
- SimpleJack

Just the thought of this makes me sick to my stomach because I could see Q actually trying it...for several games...

Is Dano not on the ice or on the ice but not practicing on a line?
- DarthKane

Ugly Tracy says he isnt there

What are the chances we see Bickell and Mashinter on the same line?
- SimpleJack

Holy (frank)

Now ugly tracy tweeted

DANO NOT ON TOP 4 LINES .

So I dunno

Christ I hope its not to.bring 29 back up.
- mrpaulish

Why? He's getting paid big bucks either way, why not try and catch lightning in a bottle and see if he can start earning that $, and at the same time possibly ease the strain of the LW problem the club is obviously having.
If he sucks, you send him back down and are no worse for the wear.

Ugly Tracy says he isnt there
- mrpaulish

Did you see the new CSN commercial they did with her??

if the Jets are out of the playoff race would the Hawks be interested in Buff enough to enter the bidding?

Pro: Bickell had 14 points +6 in 12 games in Rockford, becoming their 2nd leading scorer. He also only took 3 minor penalties in 12 games.

Con: According to at least one poster who watches the Icehogs regularly, Bickell is the same guy as when we went down, which could basically mean that Bickell will forever be a player stuck in limbo. Too good for the AHL and not good enough for the NHL.

Pro: Bickell would take over a spot of a player that hasn't performed well at all(Desjardins, Mashinter....) and wouldn't make the team any worse on the bottom 6 than it is.

Con: Bickell still makes 4M.