I'd upgrade Sharp and Bolland. Both guys played hurt - a lot. Sharp likely needing hand surgery this off season, still put a lot of goals in the net. Bolland, as usual, was money in the post season.

Stan........

I think we have found our talent evaluation problem, and it is Stan. That press conference did nothing but show how absolutely clueless that guy is about hockey. His comments about Kane as a center were the most revealing about Stan's thought process.

I don't pretend to be an expert by any means, but I also am confident that if I were the GM I would do a better job - and I would be happy to do it for what I make doing what I do for a living now (with a nice bonus clause of course, based upon outcomes). I will qualify that with saying that I am not aware of what the internal constraints may or may not be on Stan from above him - authority to spend as a one example. But c'mon....

You would think they would have at least scripted Stan a little better so as to do what they have done so well most of the year from a PR standpoint - say a whole lot of nothing and repeat all the appropriate cliches.

Frustrating.
- Return of the Roar

How hurt can Sharp be if he's going to play in the World Championships?

I wrote today both Q. and StanBo seem conflicted...I don't think they are sininging the same song.

And that will be my final music reference of the day...

Blackhawk management is searching for change. But how much will happen this summer? + XM Interview. My Fox Chicago:chttp://bit.ly/Izgg3k
- Al

>Al, one of your many keen insights over the past few days is that the Hawks did have a lot of trouble scoring in their last 15 games against top teams -- think you said Hawks averaged 2 goals per game
>Q and SBow in conflict reinforces this -- and big goal games against weak teams give the fan the impression, "Hawks don't have any trouble scoring."
>Playoffs and dreadful PP exposed that myth

JJ or Al ? Anyone know why Q was so stubbornly wedded to playing Bruno virtually EVERY NIGHT when it was obvious he a) wasn't producing and b) wasn't healthy.

WHAT THE PHUCK WAZZUP with that ?

Can't get your link to work..?
- ilinkhawk

I just retweeted...link

Let's try this link:http://bit.ly/Izgg3k Hawks on My Fox Chicago. Does Hawk management have a set plan for next season?

Q has repeatedly demonstrated favoritism and the only things he seems to leave alone for more than half an hour are the things that aren't working. There are good reasons that Ogie, others, and myself started calling for his head midway through the year.
- NewToHockey

>I find it amazing that no one asked Q why he began Period 3 of Game 6 juggling his lines and did it the rest of the period
>Hawks dominated the first 40 minutes and yes, trailed 1-0, but why start line juggling when you are dominating the play in every way
>No one challenged Q on this, no one
>It's 1-0 with a full 20 to go and Q blinked

>Al, one of your many keen insights over the past few days is that the Hawks did have a lot of trouble scoring in their last 15 games against top teams -- think you said Hawks averaged 2 goals per game
>Q and SBow in conflict reinforces this -- and big goal games against weak teams give the fan the impression, "Hawks don't have any trouble scoring."
>Playoffs and dreadful PP exposed that myth
- SnapitUpstairs

Thanks....And to not replace Campbell, and a net front player like Brouwer hurts goal production.

>I find it amazing that no one asked Q why he began Period 3 of Game 6 juggling his lines and did it the rest of the period
>Hawks dominated the first 40 minutes and yes, trailed 1-0, but why start line juggling when you are dominating the play in every way
>No one challenged Q on this, no one
>It's 1-0 with a full 20 to go and Q blinked
- SnapitUpstairs

Not an excuse, or reason, but Q. was feeling the heat and the Hawks didn't have much success scoring 5 on 5 the whole series.

Excellent choice of words on his part. Does not mean it is not advised, or won't eventually happen.

If you think like an attorney some times you can make a lot more sense out of what the truth actually may be from this organization.
- Return of the Roar

I dont think it is that bad since he told team Canada he would play this summer in the worlds.

Thanks....And to not replace Campbell, and a net front player like Brouwer hurts goal production.
- Al

Do you think Stan will bring Oduya back to fill that 2nd pairing d-man role? Oduya was solid in the regular season but wilted in the playoffs. I'm on the fence about bringing Oduya back, there may be better options out there such as Jason Garrison.

I'm kinda on the fence with C2....those OT goals were brutally soft....but I still wonder if our PP wasn't so pathetic during the series, are we even discussing OT goals? No doubt defense needs to be improved, but the PP scoring cannot be overlooked. Kitchen needs to go.

Do you think Stan will bring Oduya back to fill that 2nd pairing d-man role? Oduya was solid in the regular season but wilted in the playoffs. I'm on the fence about bringing Oduya back, there may be better options out there such as Jason Garrison.
- DarthKane

I don't see how Oduya can be here if Hammer is..

Wrote about that today also...Hammer most likely big name to go imo.

Issue is the two players aren't interchangeable, different skill sets.

I'm kinda on the fence with C2....those OT goals were brutally soft....but I still wonder if our PP wasn't so pathetic during the series, are we even discussing OT goals? No doubt defense needs to be improved, but the PP scoring cannot be overlooked. Kitchen needs to go.
- Ultron

+1

See: Flyers

JJ, i know no one wants to think about bringing up more prospects next year after this season but... whatever happened to some of the bigger prospects like Beach and Morin? I figure beach is probably still a little young, but with size, scoring, and nhl experience, could morin be an option to fill Stalberg's spot if we dished him for a D-man?

Also, who are some legitimate 2nd centers even available from outside the organization? I know i personally would love to see the hawks nab ryan o'reilly from the avs while they still have depth t center, but that's probably a pipedream.

Thanks
- ChiHawk90

Beach and Morin are still there, as is Pirri. I think Morin is the one they are high on. Pirri, I believe, will be moved at some point. And I know they have actively tried to find a taker for Beach (that should tell you something).

I think the only Rockford guys with serious NHL potential next year are Morin and maybe Hutton as an emergency fill-in. If Saad makes the team just by showing up next fell—meaning he doesn't really light it up—nothing against him, it means the Hawks will have done nothing to improve the roster. Rookies, unless they really force their way onto the roster, are not what this team needs more of, any more of really. A great rookie goalie signed as a FA? Sure. But skaters? This team needs at least a couple of legitimate veterans, between the ages of 23 and 35, IMO.

JJ or Al ? Anyone know why Q was so stubbornly wedded to playing Bruno virtually EVERY NIGHT when it was obvious he a) wasn't producing and b) wasn't healthy.

WHAT THE PHUCK WAZZUP with that ?
- philco28

Keep a bookmark in the Bowman/Q situation. There may be another chapter yet to be written very soon.

I don't see how Oduya can be here if Hammer is..

Wrote about that today also...Hammer most likely big name to go imo.

Issue is the two players aren't interchangeable, different skill sets.
- Al

The question then becomes who is easier to replace (via free agency or trade) - Oduya or Hjalmarsson. As much as I like Hjalmarsson I just don't feel the Hawks are getting enough value for his contract. This certainly isn't Hjalmarsson's fault, he just signed the contract that was offered to him (by Doug Wilson). If I was given the choice I'd probably keep Oduya over Hjalmarsson, but I get the feeling that he's one of Bowman's pets.

The question then becomes who is easier to replace (via free agency or trade) - Oduya or Hjalmarsson. As much as I like Hjalmarsson I just don't feel the Hawks are getting enough value for his contract. This certainly isn't Hjalmarsson's fault, he just signed the contract that was offered to him (by Doug Wilson). If I was given the choice I'd probably keep Oduya over Hjalmarsson, but I get the feeling that he's one of Bowman's pets.
- DarthKane

I think you keep the more physical defenseman. I know Hammer was soft, but you still have to hope that he can pick up the physicality. The defense is just too soft and needs to get bigger. Oduya looked great at first, but not well suited for playoff hockey.

I think you keep the more physical defenseman. I know Hammer was soft, but you still have to hope that he can pick up the physicality. The defense is just too soft and needs to get bigger. Oduya looked great at first, but not well suited for playoff hockey.
- coldsteelonice

Honestly I'd be ok with letting Oduya walk and trading Hjalmarsson in order to acquire a new puck moving defenseman and physical defenseman. Hjalmarsson had laid a could good hits late in the season but he's never been consistent about it. Suter is an obvious target for defense, but should we have another $5 million defenseman? Garrison is a solid alternative and his slap shot would help on the PP.

I think you keep the more physical defenseman. I know Hammer was soft, but you still have to hope that he can pick up the physicality. The defense is just too soft and needs to get bigger. Oduya looked great at first, but not well suited for playoff hockey.
- coldsteelonice

Double post

I think you keep the more physical defenseman. I know Hammer was soft, but you still have to hope that he can pick up the physicality. The defense is just too soft and needs to get bigger. Oduya looked great at first, but not well suited for playoff hockey.
- coldsteelonice

As stated previously, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

If the Hawks go into the playoffs next year with three defensemen in their top 4 under 200 pounds a piece and Corey Crawford in net, they will be beaten like a rented mule and out in the first round . . . again.

As stated previously, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

If the Hawks go into the playoffs next year with three defensemen in their top 4 under 200 pounds a piece and Corey Crawford in net, they will be beaten like a rented mule and out in the first round . . . again.
- John Jaeckel

And if none of their top six are over 200 pounds they will fail to score goals off and on the PP as well.

As stated previously, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

If the Hawks go into the playoffs next year with three defensemen in their top 4 under 200 pounds a piece and Corey Crawford in net, they will be beaten like a rented mule and out in the first round . . . again.
- John Jaeckel

There were way too many times you'd see an opposing forward camped in front of the net and not being moved. Much longer than they should of been there.

Also you just knew if any part of our D not named seabrook went to the corners or behind the net and pressured, we werent coming out with the puck or keeping possesion. I'd like Oduya, only if he was paired with a big bodied D man

As stated previously, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

If the Hawks go into the playoffs next year with three defensemen in their top 4 under 200 pounds a piece and Corey Crawford in net, they will be beaten like a rented mule and out in the first round . . . again.
- John Jaeckel

Dump Hjalmarsson and Oduya for two of Barret Jackman, Jason Garrison, and Matt Carle.

Just curious, but how does any organization plan to approach this offseason. The Free Agent signing period usually starts 7/1, but with the uncertainty of the CBA, which doesn't expire until 9/15, how do you plan your acquisitions/dispositions without a firm cap number. Do most, if not all deals get made at or around the draft. How can a price be set for a 2nd line center of 2nd line D-man without a market. Are we going to see an NFL or NBA situation where teams are scrambling at the start of training camp to solidfy thier rosters.

Just curious, but how does any organization plan to approach this offseason. The Free Agent signing period usually starts 7/1, but with the uncertainty of the CBA, which doesn't expire until 9/15, how do you plan your acquisitions/dispositions without a firm cap number. Do most, if not all deals get made at or around the draft. How can a price be set for a 2nd line center of 2nd line D-man without a market. Are we going to see an NFL or NBA situation where teams are scrambling at the start of training camp to solidfy thier rosters.
- ksilvy58

Thought there was going to be a temporary cap number for the summer and that the owners are assured that after the new CBA, there may be a scaling of salaries. Can't remember where I heard/read that but you have a totally legitimate question.

As stated previously, repeating the same action over and over and expecting a different result is insanity.

If the Hawks go into the playoffs next year with three defensemen in their top 4 under 200 pounds a piece and Corey Crawford in net, they will be beaten like a rented mule and out in the first round . . . again.
- John Jaeckel

If they even make game #83...

BTW, didn't get a chance to write this previously: OUTSTANDING JOB thoughout the season. Definately will keep track of the rumblings here during the summer.

Speaking of what happened to the warm weather here in ChiTown anyway. I'm in PHX in mid-March, it's 80 here and a hail storm & 55 there.