Completely agree. Stan didn't seem to learn much from the Leddy experience and came up short in the Sharp deal. Woulda/coulda/shoulda says there must have been a scenario to move Sharp for cap space earlier in the summer and then resign Oduya. But he did move more quickly in dumping Bickell's salary last summer. I'm not sure how much TT would have helped this year; some, maybe, but he wasn't a good fit here.

I'm really curious about the deadline. I hope he gets Duchene or JVR, a legit LW that will be here next year too, and maybe a rental or two for the bottom six. Assuming Kruger goes. Wondering who goes in the summer. I'm guessing it'll be Crawford.
- matt_ahrens

Hey Matt enjoy your posts...the Bickell conundrum is an interesting one as well...we now know why Bickell's game has tailed off with his illness. But at the time I thought that contract was another bad one for Stan. And full marks to Bicks - if you watch the 2015 Cup run...he was taking the body left and right on opponents in those earlier rounds.

But could Bickell have been bought out that summer? And how would that have played into the Oduya/Sharp situation...also have to wonder if Sharp is moved for picks - capwise is Saad still here...who knows. I thought Stan did well under pressure to move Saad and get AA. But as we've seen Saad is a guy they've sorely missed.

So one would think Stan swings for the fences on Duchene here. Do we think Vanek could get it done? Sharp is an interesting thought as well as his game has picked up as of late. But the Stars are only 3 points out of a playoff spot...

Hey Matt enjoy your posts...the Bickell conundrum is an interesting one as well...we now know why Bickell's game has tailed off with his illness. But at the time I thought that contract was another bad one for Stan. And full marks to Bicks - if you watch the 2015 Cup run...he was taking the body left and right on opponents in those earlier rounds.

But could Bickell have been bought out that summer? And how would that have played into the Oduya/Sharp situation...also have to wonder if Sharp is moved for picks - capwise is Saad still here...who knows. I thought Stan did well under pressure to move Saad and get AA. But as we've seen Saad is a guy they've sorely missed.

So one would think Stan swings for the fences on Duchene here. Do we think Vanek could get it done? Sharp is an interesting thought as well as his game has picked up as of late. But the Stars are only 3 points out of a playoff spot...
- DK002

I think at the time during and after the 2013 playoffs, Bickell looked like he could be that middle six power winger who can net ~20 goals a year. I think that was what was going on in Bowman's circle at the time. To tell you the truth, even though I wasn't a fan of the contract, I would have signed him too.

If LA is offering what EK is reporting . I don't think we will be getting Duchesne. Don't think we could match their offer

Ek reports that the Kings are offering Muzzin and a top prospect for Duchene and Beauchemein?

Hard to see the Kings parting with Jake Muzzin.

I know it is speculation and words can get contorted, but is that a better offer than what the Hawks are supposedly offering? Player, prospect(s), pick(s)?
- 93Joe

How would that math works once Quick is back from LTIR? Duchene+Beachemein would be $10.5m added while Muzzin is only $4m, so even with another $2m in pro-rated space at the TDL, they can't fit it. Someone else would have to leave the Kings.

That being said, if true, the Avs should jump on that - Muzzin is probably the best d-man they'd be offered, a legit top pair guy.

I think at the time during and after the 2013 playoffs, Bickell looked like he could be that middle six power winger who can net ~20 goals a year. I think that was what was going on in Bowman's circle at the time. To tell you the truth, even though I wasn't a fan of the contract, I would have signed him too.
- 93Joe

Hey Joe,

I hear what you're saying - Bickell was hot at that point and was going to be rewarded...I didn't like the deal either based on one playoff run...again all in the past at this point - lot of questions that will never be answered. Interesting if the Kings rumor is true. I would think Sakic is going to wait and let the offers pile up.

Ok ,here is Stan Bowmans moves at the deadline.......ZERO, than the P.R. Gets spinning, deBrincat & Fortin get brought up, play in March. They get to play in the first round, in the mean time, everybody will have at least purchased one of the options of playoff tix , plus ponied up the 25% for next year, prolly with an increase also.
In the mean time while the Hawks are getting torched 4straight in the playoffs, Rocky's bean counters will be projecting the revenue for 2playoff home games because they will have slid out of the home ice advantage slots.
Then a couple of days after the end,Bowman will come out and say that "while they fell short,it was valuable playoff experience for the kids"! By then the Cubbies will be playing and the Hawk koolaid will be put back into the frig till June.
Lastly 19&88 will be a year older come Sept. and I willbe throwing my Cup of coffee against the wall again, same as I will prolly do when Bowman sits tight at the deadline and we see guys like Duchene, JVR and others go places with deals he prolly could have beat. Sound about right ????? Maybe??

Ok ,here is Stan Bowmans moves at the deadline.......ZERO, than the P.R. Gets spinning, deBrincat & Fortin get brought up, play in March. They get to play in the first round, in the mean time, everybody will have at least purchased one of the options of playoff tix , plus ponied up the 25% for next year, prolly with an increase also.
In the mean time while the Hawks are getting torched 4straight in the playoffs, Rocky's bean counters will be projecting the revenue for 2playoff home games because they will have slid out of the home ice advantage slots.
Then a couple of days after the end,Bowman will come out and say that "while they fell short,it was valuable playoff experience for the kids"! By then the Cubbies will be playing and the Hawk koolaid will be put back into the frig till June.
Lastly 19&88 will be a year older come Sept. and I willbe throwing my Cup of coffee against the wall again, same as I will prolly do when Bowman sits tight at the deadline and we see guys like Duchene, JVR and others go places with deals he prolly could have beat. Sound about right ????? Maybe??
- wonthecup10

Yeah because Bowman has proven he never tries to win and Rocky is just like his father and the McCaskey's.

Sure hope the Hawks hang onto DeBrincat and give him a long look...he got 5 more points this afternoon.

OHL numbers are often no indication of NHL success, but his numbers are getting absurd.

Don't care if he's of small stature, finding space/teammates and having great hands are enough to succeed.

Sure hope the Hawks hang onto DeBrincat and give him a long look...he got 5 more points this afternoon.

OHL numbers are often no indication of NHL success, but his numbers are getting absurd.

Don't care if he's of small stature, finding space/teammates and having great hands are enough to succeed.
- ArlingtonRob

I was just coming to post this. With his 2g/3a today he now has 42g/46a = 88pts in 44 games. That is ahead of the pace he has last season (101 pts in 60 games) which was ahead of the season before (104 pts in 68 games).

The question about him (other than his size) is whether he is the beneficiary of his line mates. Two seasons ago his line mates were Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome. Last year he still had Dylan Strome with him. This year he has Taylor Raddysh and has had Dylan Strome since AZ sent him back to Jrs a couple months ago. So - he has definitely had very good line mates ... but then so have they.

Sure hope the Hawks hang onto DeBrincat and give him a long look...he got 5 more points this afternoon.

OHL numbers are often no indication of NHL success, but his numbers are getting absurd.

Don't care if he's of small stature, finding space/teammates and having great hands are enough to succeed.
- ArlingtonRob

I am starting to get the feeling that I had back when Saad was finishing up his junior year.Back than I was watching intently hoping that Saginaw would get eliminated thus making the great Saad available......Saad wasn't exactly successful back then and most likely if Alex got the call we get the same result.The Otters finish their season 20 days before the Hawks so like then the hawks need to get into the second round as it is unlikely that Erie gets bumped in the first round.Not expecting much if the opportunity came about but I do love it when prospects come up for a look see.

Yeah because Bowman has proven he never tries to win and Rocky is just like his father and the McCaskey's.
- furso27

Not quite, if there is garbage left out there at 3pm trade deadline, what's the better option, just trying to say, possibly prepare for this. 1st round and out but atleast you kept 2players that might be in play.