I think Dumo has another level, I am super impressed with that kids game. Letang in my mind is top 5 in the league, Daley has looked solid in our system. Maatta worries me... Hawks proved last year you can win without a third pairing, and ours is at least an average 3rd pairing.
- stackthepads

And the bolts lost because they played their 3rd pairing too much. In the playoffs, let alone the SC finals, you play your best players as much as you can. Hawks pretty much benched their cruddy 3rd pairing while the bolts insisted on giving theirs playing time

And the bolts lost because they played their 3rd pairing too much. In the playoffs, let alone the SC finals, you play your best players as much as you can. Hawks pretty much benched their cruddy 3rd pairing while the bolts insisted on giving theirs playing time
- drummer829

IDK if I would say that's why they lost. I remember a number of mistakes from their top 4 guys like Stralman and Garrison that led to goals against.
Still, Chicago proved that lack of defensive depth doesn't mean a team can't compete.

A couple of tidbits from Yohe...

Ruth has shifted his focus to getting D depth. Was originally looking into forward depth but some of the WB kids played well enough that he believes a couple will stay and is no longer a need.

Lovejoy is expected back by late March.

Ruth is active in talks right now but nothing has come to fruition because of asking prices.

A couple of tidbits from Yohe...

Ruth has shifted his focus to getting D depth. Was originally looking into forward depth but some of the WB kids played well enough that he believes a couple will stay and is no longer a need.

Lovejoy is expected back by late March.

Ruth is active in talks right now but nothing has come to fruition because of asking prices.
- madmike71

Whatever he targets I hope he sticks to hockey trades.

Whatever he targets I hope he sticks to hockey trades.
- jfkst1

Agree! I dont like Hamhuis or Russell while were on the subject! Not sure what that leaves but hopefully he gets one over on somebody ala Scuderi for Daley!

The Hawks best trades would been sharp for picks. Resigned saad with savings from sharp. And maybe signed Soderberg in free agency. Actually think the cap hits would have been close on those moves. They really mismanaged their assets this year. Would have totally blown it if their reputation wasn't tops in the league which allowed them to land panarin.

Ladd is a good piece which might make a difference in a key series. The price is astronomical though as will hurt them with depth. Next year is going to be tough when they have lost a lot of assets and have to pay panarin.
- sditulli

Hawks could have easily resigned Saad at the price Columbus paid but probably less since their a better team. The Hawks took on two contracts in the sharp trade and didn't get anything from those guys. They also paid anisimov. Very easily could have put that salary into saad and been a better team

Only assumption I'm making is they could have moved sharp for picks. If they did that they may have had the cash for Oduya too.
- sditulli

Who plays 2C on this "better" team of yours? Bowman and the Hawks schemed and maintained 4 legit top 6 wingers(now with Ladd) WITHOUT Saad AND added a 2C.

- SimpleJack

he is right though except the sign panarin part since he is under contract until 2017 - 18 season

Who plays 2C on this "better" team of yours? Bowman and the Hawks schemed and maintained 4 legit top 6 wingers(now with Ladd) WITHOUT Saad AND added a 2C.
- SimpleJack

are you that stupid that you are saying your 2 c is better than malkin? or are you talking about depth and when centres are hurt?

are you that stupid that you are saying your 2 c is better than malkin? or are you talking about depth and when centres are hurt?
- martox

Are you drunk?

Are you drunk?
- SimpleJack

nah english is not my 1st language so am seriously asking you.

And yet, you are running your mouth about acquiring Hansen over Grabner, someone who would cost a heck of a lot more.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah because one is worthless and one isn't. You have to pay for quality.

We really need Pouliot, Maatta and Sprong to develop into good/very good players.....and quickly. If that happens I think they can compete for a cup with the addition of a decent FA or two. If not.....well.....fvck.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about Pouliot and Maatta these days.
- madmike71

Add Dumoulin, Sundqvist, Rust, Wilson, Simon, Murray, Jarry, and then yes we are hoping they all grow into their role on this team. It sure is cheaper and easier that way.

The Hawks best trades would been sharp for picks. Resigned saad with savings from sharp. And maybe signed Soderberg in free agency. Actually think the cap hits would have been close on those moves. They really mismanaged their assets this year. Would have totally blown it if their reputation wasn't tops in the league which allowed them to land panarin.

Ladd is a good piece which might make a difference in a key series. The price is astronomical though as will hurt them with depth. Next year is going to be tough when they have lost a lot of assets and have to pay panarin.
- sditulli

Losing Saad for nothing was really cushioned by getting Panarin for nothing. That was BS luck that seems to surround that team

The Hawks best trades would been sharp for picks. Resigned saad with savings from sharp. And maybe signed Soderberg in free agency. Actually think the cap hits would have been close on those moves. They really mismanaged their assets this year. Would have totally blown it if their reputation wasn't tops in the league which allowed them to land panarin.

Ladd is a good piece which might make a difference in a key series. The price is astronomical though as will hurt them with depth. Next year is going to be tough when they have lost a lot of assets and have to pay panarin.
- sditulli

I think they have been trading futures away for a couple of years now - they were stacked! Hayes walked away free, Morin wanted out, John's traded, Saad & probably more that I don't even know. Then they lost quality players as well trying to restock which now Dano has gone. It's ok for them they had all that & won.

As I said earlier the real test starts this year as it's the first year of the big 2 contracts. I can see them not winning this season & going down the path of the Pens selling everything to win while the iron is hot - without Kane's exceptional start to the season they are a bubble team. Lucky Panarin chose them!

I think they have been trading futures away for a couple of years now - they were stacked! Hayes walked away free, Morin wanted out, John's traded, Saad & probably more that I don't even know. Then they lost quality players as well trying to restock which now Dano has gone. It's ok for them they had all that & won.

As I said earlier the real test starts this year as it's the first year of the big 2 contracts. I can see them not winning this season & going down the path of the Pens selling everything to win while the iron is hot - without Kane's exceptional start to the season they are a bubble team. Lucky Panarin chose them!
- Aussiepenguin

ye they really are lucky.

Hawks could have easily resigned Saad at the price Columbus paid but probably less since their a better team. The Hawks took on two contracts in the sharp trade and didn't get anything from those guys. They also paid anisimov. Very easily could have put that salary into saad and been a better team

Only assumption I'm making is they could have moved sharp for picks. If they did that they may have had the cash for Oduya too.
- sditulli

Hawks could of never resigned Seabrook if they Re-signed Saad. It is as one or the other and they made the smart choices

I agree, but sadly this team is playing like a mediocre team WITH Crosby and Malkin, which I cant understand for the life of me. Injuries is part of it, coaching another, asset mismanagement another, so I guess it all adds up to a poorly run organization.
- Weisenheimer

ALERT ALERT!!!!!! SAMMY HAS 2 ACCOUNTS. THIS BEING THE OTHER

Our only choice now is to hold onto our futures so we can start having some semblance of life post-Malkin/Crosby and hope that through hockey trades and UFA signings we can ice a contending team. We don't have the pieces for high end rentals anymore.
- Victoro311

The thing is why do that when you have 2 of the greatest players playing great hockey? A cup is a cup & if you sacrifice the future to win now you still win! If you sit back & hold off because you want to compete after Sid & Geno, then trade them restock the cupboards & don't waste their (frank)ing time! Let them try & win somewhere else.

I see your point but you should try & win when you are holding a lot of the cards required to win. The only thing is that past trade deadlines our GM's have been taken by fools gold!

I honestly feel bad for the oilers. even though they get a crosby player in mc david they are still overwhelmingly in last. if they get matthews I am gonna flip honestly cuz they don't deserv any more superstars that they can ruin.

If we traded for bfuglien and Ladd we would be a contender.

It would have taken Sprong and both 2nds to beat chicagos offer for ladd alone. It would take Murray pouliot and 2018 1st to even be in conversation for big buff.

Of course buff isn't even in the market but chose him because their isn't a top 4 dman on the mkt right now. Damages goods like Hamhuis are costing two seconds
- sditulli

That would have been the absolute destruction of our future for 2 rentals that are in rally not the difference between a cup and no cup. The Jets would have fed off those 2 deals for the next 2 decades. Terrible idea

I agree, but sadly this team is playing like a mediocre team WITH Crosby and Malkin, which I cant understand for the life of me. Injuries is part of it, coaching another, asset mismanagement another, so I guess it all adds up to a poorly run organization.
- Weisenheimer

Throw on ice leadership in there as well. We are one of the worse disciplined teams due to no leadership. Sids a great player but he lacks the qualities on a captain that will guide his team - he will drive the ship for sure, but there will be speeding fines, red lights & basic all round reckless abandon on the road!

When Dupuis was on the ice he led the team in those qualities Sid lacks in my opinion. The team really needs a Richards type player who can control a team & let Sid do his thing on the ice. Settle players like Tanger & Geno when they get baited.

I don't necessarily disagree with this but we have had so many post season disappointments that I don't think we actually know what a good post season is like anymore.
Conversely other dynasties like Los Angeles and Chicago pretty much never have horrible letdowns in the post season.
- jfkst1

Especially when they don't make them!

Not sure of the contract lengths or $, but how about Giordano for Flower after Murray proves himself (next game ), picks to even up the value which I think maybe with Flower? So Giordano + for Flower?

Not sure of the contract lengths or $, but how about Giordano for Flower after Murray proves himself (next game ), picks to even up the value which I think maybe with Flower? So Giordano + for Flower?
- Aussiepenguin

he is 32 at 4 mil. I honestly why you want to trade flower so bad IF murray proves himself and it proves there will be no loss between him and flower then you can trade flower. but I think it will be a year or two before murray can take flowers starts. I belive in murray BUT he has to prove himself first in the nhl before I choose to trade flower cuz it could have catastropic consequenses if murray can't handle it.