I think regardless of who is brought in, this coaching staff needs to find a way to get everyone on the same page with their defensive structure. .
- Chunk

They've given up a ton of shots for a few yrs now, but had Crow back there to clean this up. ...... The Hawks method of defense is to have the puck at the other end with speed/skill and a top 5 goalie on the back end.

Gets back to the speed/skill model to attack and defend. But yes, the in zone play was a clown show last yr, goalies included.

Taking Darling off their hands at no salary or cap cost would be the enticement, otherwise I don't think there would be any interest on Carolina's part.
- 67hawks

I know

I get that you gotta give to get, but I wouldn't move Saad either. He is still the right type of guy they need even if he had a down year. Speedy winger that goes to the net. They need to keep him.

Lol, I was at the first game they lost in Columbus. Panarin was hands down the most electric player on the ice. He is an incredible talent and he is the one who said he wasn't ready to talk about a contract extension so you are incorrect about a lot of things there.

The team with 3 hall of fame calibre players and the better coach won. On paper and behind the bench and on the ice Washington was better as they should have been.

Panarin was traded because in a years time he will cost 9 or 10 million and Saad will cost 6 for the next few. Pretty simple math.
- fattybeef

I don't understand fans who miss this. Yes Panarin is elite, few will argue that, but elite guys get 8-9-10 mil per and the Hawks can't fit that in.

No cap, indeed Panarin is the guy. Now whether StanBow could have managed the cap better and thereby fitting Panarin in is a whole other argument but he didn't.

Hey Everyone - I wanted to let you all know that I am dedicated to keep this board civil and as positive/fun as possible.

Goalie-33 has been temporarily banned for breaking CoC on this site.

If you have any issues with a specific poster - please do not let your emotions get the best of you and break any codes yourself (I won't be able to save you). Instead, just send me a PM.

The mods are watching this board more closely now so behave and have some fun out there.
- Justin Lowe

This place isn't much fun anymore i use to be a regular and now am looking for other places because of petty childish posters.

This place isn't much fun anymore i use to be a regular and now am looking for other places because of petty childish posters.
- SaskHawkFan

I know you are but what am i?

Now back to the good stuff.

Great insight and tips from JJ this morning. Stan is def working the phones and there are a lot of moving parts right now.

I would be very much against trading Brandon Saad. Why sell low on him now? I say he has a monster bounce back year.

Murphy and Anisimov's names I've heard out there as well. I've heard that they really want to clean up the RHD because they want to add one to play with Keith via trade/FA, one of Rutta or Murphy would likely go. I would like to see Murphy stay and move Rutta. Moving Murphy would free up even more cap space for the future though as Rutta's on a 1-year deal.
- Justin Lowe

I didn't really mind Murhpy's game and it was nice that he played reasonably OK on either side.

That being said if Jokiharju is in the line up and on the right side then one of those guys or the other probably has to go. Since Q will probs just toss them in the box anyway and 4 or 2.5 million sitting would be bad news bears.

Now back to the good stuff.

Great insight and tips from JJ this morning. Stan is def working the phones and there are a lot of moving parts right now.

I would be very much against trading Brandon Saad. Why sell low on him now? I say he has a monster bounce back year.

Murphy and Anisimov's names I've heard out there as well. I've heard that they really want to clean up the RHD because they want to add one to play with Keith via trade/FA, one of Rutta or Murphy would likely go. I would like to see Murphy stay and move Rutta. Moving Murphy would free up even more cap space for the future though as Rutta's on a 1-year deal.
- Justin Lowe

Seems like the readers skipped over the part where JJ mentioned Cam Ward wouldn't be coming to Chicago strictly as a backup and that signing him would push their goalie salaries to about $9M.

As much as listening to John Shannon irritates the hell out of me, he is as tight with Lou Lamorello as any press guy can be. So the other day on Fan 590 he stated quickly and quietly that there is a Corey in Lou's sights, Corey Crawford. To quote JJ, 'read into that what you will'.

You can throw in the Roenick for Zhamnov debacle too. Yuck!!
- hawk35

Correct..........that was worse than Panarin for Saad....... and I love Panarin too.

I've seen the Hull, Mikita, Savard days as a STH but nobody ignited the TEAM like Jeremy Roenick. He did it all and was totally mistreated by the organ I zation. He is my all time favorite Hawk.

I don't understand fans who miss this. Yes Panarin is elite, few will argue that, but elite guys get 8-9-10 mil per and the Hawks can't fit that in.

No cap, indeed Panarin is the guy. Now whether StanBow could have managed the cap better and thereby fitting Panarin in is a whole other argument but he didn't.
- Mr Ricochet

And TBH I think Saad can be a force if they flip him to the right side and he can attack the goal rather than just go to the outside then you'd start to see some special things.

The one problem I have with the Saad /Panarin deal is that Panarin has gained a lot of value since. He would bring back a lot more than Saad now (even during his contract year).
- 67hawks

Good point. .......... Hawks keep Panarin last yr for a run at the playoffs and move him this yr for a haul, probably more than Saad. But the Hawks have a history and knowledge of Saad and at 6 mil per for a young power forward that return fits their particular needs?

Lol, I was at the first game they lost in Columbus. Panarin was hands down the most electric player on the ice. He is an incredible talent and he is the one who said he wasn't ready to talk about a contract extension so you are incorrect about a lot of things there.

The team with 3 hall of fame calibre players and the better coach won. On paper and behind the bench and on the ice Washington was better as they should have been.

Panarin was traded because in a years time he will cost 9 or 10 million and Saad will cost 6 for the next few. Pretty simple math.
- fattybeef

Yep.......... very simple math for our very simple management staff.... which includes our "brilliant" and simple capologist. Oh yeah........ and a last place team to boot.

I didn't really mind Murhpy's game and it was nice that he played reasonably OK on either side.

That being said if Jokiharju is in the line up and on the right side then one of those guys or the other probably has to go. Since Q will probs just toss them in the box anyway and 4 or 2.5 million sitting would be bad news bears.
- fattybeef

If Jokiharju is in the Chicago line-up at 19 - with no pro experience - then they are doing a disservice to his hockey - and personal - development.

Has it been determined whether or not he can go to Rockford this coming season or must he go back to Finland?

Seems like the readers skipped over the part where JJ mentioned Cam Ward wouldn't be coming to Chicago strictly as a backup and that signing him would push their goalie salaries to about $9M.

As much as listening to John Shannon irritates the hell out of me, he is as tight with Lou Lamorello as any press guy can be. So the other day on Fan 590 he stated quickly and quietly that there is a Corey in Lou's sights, Corey Crawford. To quote JJ, 'read into that what you will'.
- RickJ

i have this bad feeling that Cam/Forsberg share goal duties in CHI and Crow is on LTIR.

And TBH I think Saad can be a force if they flip him to the right side and he can attack the goal rather than just go to the outside then you'd start to see some special things.
- fattybeef

Indeed, I'm a Saad guy. His speed/size combo is elite, his finish isn't, 2 way game is excellent and has the back class of 2 cups. ....... Despite his poor yr this is a guy I'm not worried about and yea we might see the kid finally bust thru the 60 point barrier and help big in that way.

Great foundation by any measure.

i have this bad feeling that Cam/Forsberg share goal duties in CHI and Crow is on LTIR.
- jt19

Well then...Jack Hughes come on down! Or Kaapo Kakko. Draft him for the name alone.

i have this bad feeling that Cam/Forsberg share goal duties in CHI and Crow is on LTIR.
- jt19

Heard this is a possibility as well.

I just don't see someone like the Islanders dealing for Crawford considering he hasn't been on the ice since December.

Maybe if they do some extensive health checks on him with their doctors... but they best get moving fast because I would think they would want to solidify a goalie (like Hutton) to play along with Greiss on Sunday.

i have this bad feeling that Cam/Forsberg share goal duties in CHI and Crow is on LTIR.
- jt19

Yes, with hopes that he comes off the LTIR at some point and eventurally becomes the starter they need again. But if the plan is to deal CC away because reasons and Ward is in 1A/1B situation with Forsberg for the whole year, then I am afraid it is gonna be a short season once more.

Seems like the readers skipped over the part where JJ mentioned Cam Ward wouldn't be coming to Chicago strictly as a backup and that signing him would push their goalie salaries to about $9M.

As much as listening to John Shannon irritates the hell out of me, he is as tight with Lou Lamorello as any press guy can be. So the other day on Fan 590 he stated quickly and quietly that there is a Corey in Lou's sights, Corey Crawford. To quote JJ, 'read into that what you will'.
- RickJ

Not questioning JJ's sources but a move for 3 yrs for Ward at a cap hit more than his last one or to be the Hawks' #1 makes little to no sense. Not that they wouldn't do something like that but it's plain dumb.

Lou after a Crow makes sense. He understands the value a of a top tier #1 and with his history of giving up an 8(?) for Schroeder and IIRC he was the guy behind acquiring Andersen in Toronto.

As an aside if Lou is talking about Crow does that mean he's comfortable in Crow's health?

Would you rather have Saad at $6 million for two years or one of the current top two or three free agents (if we're lucky) at $6.5 million for five or six years?

If Saad goes in a trade and a comparable forward does not come back, who plays with #19?

In the weakened state of the Hawks roster, they pretty much have to replace any key forward or defenseman dealt to another team with the return of the same, unless they really are in rebuild.

Lastly, a good part of the Hawks defensive problem last year was everything leading up to the goaltenders, including the lack of consistent two-way focus in the forward corps. The backups were horrific as well, but something has to be done so that four of the six are not Gustafsson, Oesterle, Forsling and no-defense #6 to be named later.

Heard this is a possibility as well.

I just don't see someone like the Islanders dealing for Crawford considering he hasn't been on the ice since December.

Maybe if they do some extensive health checks on him with their doctors... but they best get moving fast because I would think they would want to solidify a goalie (like Hutton) to play along with Greiss on Sunday.
- Justin Lowe

From your Hawk sources?

Seems like the readers skipped over the part where JJ mentioned Cam Ward wouldn't be coming to Chicago strictly as a backup and that signing him would push their goalie salaries to about $9M.

As much as listening to John Shannon irritates the hell out of me, he is as tight with Lou Lamorello as any press guy can be. So the other day on Fan 590 he stated quickly and quietly that there is a Corey in Lou's sights, Corey Crawford. To quote JJ, 'read into that what you will'.
- RickJ

All the "unsaid" things said by management, including Q, seem to trend toward the Hawks really trying to figure out next season without CC.

Im enjoying that other teams have cap issues and no cups to show for it.

Still like the thought of JVR as a Hawk.

If Bowman makes a trade it will probably be on Saturday.

LBR, does this make sense to you. They think there is a better chance than not Crow can't go. They like Forsberg long term, at least the possibility, as well as the 23 yr old Fin they just signed, Lankanin, and the Russian, 24 yr old Nalimov. Both those guys have put up really good numbers in Liiga and KHL repspectively and have done so for a couple yrs... They also drafted Gravel for 5-6 yrs out possibilities.

So they are looking to add any vet who will take a 1 or 2 yr deal with a lower cap hit, term more important that cap hit. Ward has said yes to a 1 or 2 yr deal and the others won't so he's their guy.

Crow can go great, Ward backs him up for 1 yr. Crow can't go Ward backs up Forsberg until Forsberg shows he can't be the #1 or is not ready and Ward steps in, for 1 yr.

No Ward is probably not as good as Bernier, Halak, Hutton or maybe even Lethonen but none of those will take a 1 or 2 yr deal but Ward will and at a lower hit.

To summarize Ward fits in that he's a reasonable option should he be forced into action and most importantly he will take a lower term so that when they have a better picture on Forsberg, Lankanin or the Russian he's not there gumming up the works taking a roster spot or 3-4 mil in cap space in 2-3 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

If Crawford cannot go, then Ward is going to be a slightly better Glass backing up Forsberg imo. Doesn't particularly help much but I guess it's better than nothing? Ward's just one of the worst goalies in the NHL for like a decade and it's weird to me people are so happy with him.

Also, idk if Ward is worse than some of those guys - Hutton hasn't ever been a good backup, last year's abnormal performance is clouding people's opinion of him; Lehtonen hasn't had an average season in 4 years; Bernier is somewhat inconsistent, two good years followed by 2 mediocre. Halak is the most consistent not bad of that group, I guess.

Not questioning JJ's sources but a move for 3 yrs for Ward at a cap hit more than his last one or to be the Hawks' #1 makes little to no sense. Not that they wouldn't do something like that but it's plain dumb.

Lou after a Crow makes sense. He understands the value a of a top tier #1 and with his history of giving up an 8(?) for Schroeder and IIRC he was the guy behind acquiring Andersen in Toronto.

As an aside if Lou is talking about Crow does that mean he's comfortable in Crow's health?
- Mr Ricochet

Uncle Lou L. tells people nothing, he just goes and does it and answers questions later. He acquired Corey Schneider from Vancouver for the pick that turned out to be Bo Horvath and yes he snapped up Freddie Anderson from the Ducks. Marty Brodeur showed him that you don't win nuthin in the NHL without a top drawer netminder.

The situation with CC is a bit mystifying. Without him or somebody of equivalent calibre between the pipes, the Hawks go nowhere in the Central Division.