OMG...how can ANYONE say that Toews is earning his 10.5 million???? Has to be one of the worst contacts in the entire NHL.
- Chisoxhawk

Not even the worse contract on his team...get a grip fella!!!

Why not? Because of something that happened years ago and he’s been fine since?
- gifman

Because 8 years is too much for just about any player in any situation. A lot, a LOT can happen in 8 years.

Because 8 years is too much for just about any player in any situation. A lot, a LOT can happen in 8 years.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yup. Carey Price looked about as "can't miss" as anybody for a long term deal. Now, In just the 2nd year of EIGHT at 10.5 per.....the Habs are regretting it already. The remaining six (especially the last 3-4) will be as ugly as Heck!!!

Any of these guys are replacements for #92, like immediately
- RickJ

Any of these guys are replacements for #95, like immediately. Fixed

Any of these guys are replacements for #95, like immediately. Fixed
- -Doh-

95>92, and I don’t mean mathematically.

95>92, and I don’t mean mathematically.
- Ogilthorpe2

Strome and Saad are skating today to see if they can play in Toronto,hopefully they can, then #95 and #92 can take a seat.

I say it’s going to be a very interesting off season between the pipes.
- DarthKane

I hope we don’t wait until the off season to get that nailed down.

Agree on Nylander. Also wondering why LA did the Kubalik trade if he was looking ready to bust out. I don't agree with calling the Hawks a crap team though.
- just69sayin

He indicated he wouldn’t sign with them, so they figured a pick was better than nothing.

95>92, and I don’t mean mathematically.
- Ogilthorpe2

I disagree, but I would hate to have to live on the difference. Right now they are both pretty bad.

I do think that 92 at 21 years old has more of a chance at a decent NHL career than 95 who is 24. I would keep throwing 92 out there (with a few press box exceptions) the rest of the year. Then have him hang around with Kane's group this summer and see if he figures things out.

However there is a down side to seeing so much of Kane. Being the best player on the team they try to emulate Kane, which we know they cannot. But small guys that can dangle the puck can be fooled into thinking they can do what Kane does. Stay on the perimeter, pull up on the half boards, float in the defensive zone, avoid contact, try saucer passes. You could see that with TT, Schmaltz, Sikura, Nylander. TT and maybe Schmaltz figured out they were not "Kane" after they were traded and they found their own identity.

Nylander should pay more attention to guys like Highmore and Kubalik. They go to the dirty areas, try to win board battles, play a 200' game, etc... He has the size, speed, skills, and hockey IQ to do that. Of course the question is does he have the will to do that.

I know the Preds have 3 games in hand,but it is still nice the Hawks have more points then they do.

Baertschi ($2,292 cap hit for this year and next) for Sikura ($750,000 cap hit for this year and next)? A couple of guys needing a change of scenery? Too much, too little? Does Vancouver need to retain some salary?

I know the Preds have 3 games in hand,but it is still nice the Hawks have more points then they do.
- LAHawk

Enjoy it while you can. The Preds next 3 games are at home against the Ducks, Sabres and Leafs.

I disagree, but I would hate to have to live on the difference. Right now they are both pretty bad.

I do think that 92 at 21 years old has more of a chance at a decent NHL career than 95 who is 24. I would keep throwing 92 out there (with a few press box exceptions) the rest of the year. Then have him hang around with Kane's group this summer and see if he figures things out.

However there is a down side to seeing so much of Kane. Being the best player on the team they try to emulate Kane, which we know they cannot. But small guys that can dangle the puck can be fooled into thinking they can do what Kane does. Stay on the perimeter, pull up on the half boards, float in the defensive zone, avoid contact, try saucer passes. You could see that with TT, Schmaltz, Sikura, Nylander. TT and maybe Schmaltz figured out they were not "Kane" after they were traded and they found their own identity.

Nylander should pay more attention to guys like Highmore and Kubalik. They go to the dirty areas, try to win board battles, play a 200' game, etc... He has the size, speed, skills, and hockey IQ to do that. Of course the question is does he have the will to do that.
- -Doh-

I am with you. Unfortunately Nylander has performed as advertized. But he is young he has talent..some skills sets can be further developed. But his "want to" and hockey IQ and "get the puck" mentality can't be practiced into him. I would send him to rock vegas when saad/strome return.

Baertschi ($2,292 cap hit for this year and next) for Sikura ($750,000 cap hit for this year and next)? A couple of guys needing a change of scenery? Too much, too little? Does Vancouver need to retain some salary?
- -Doh-

Baartschi is 27, he is what he is, I am hoping Stan can swing a deal with Toronto for Jeremy Bracco, who is totally blocked as a forward (cause he has to play on an offensive line) by the Leafs.

Show that stat to Bergevin, then trade Crawford for Denault.
- Dieselhead

well ya know they have the "greatest goalie ever" Price for $10.5 mil for the next 7.

The capitalist owners think socialism is good on the buy side, monopoly is good on the sell.
- StLBravesFan

worketh out of two sides of their wallets....indeed!!

Oh, will we ever stop talking about his contract.

It’s too high. Yes. Not sure it was avoidable at the time - and the league economists all thought the cap was going to keep increasing by double-digit percentages each year - but it’s cost8ng the Hawks - say - $4MM pet year too much cap hit.

But last season and this, he is definitely play8ng like a top-line Center. Scoring? Point per game last season, same this season after the first 11 games, he’ll wind up with 25-45-70 or better, skating like he did in the Cup years, 200 foot game again, winning FOs...

When can we stop worrying about his contract? We know it’s costing the Hawks - we know he’s not worth $10.5MM - but it’s there - and he’s not a bust. Plenty of worse deals out there. Time to recognize what he’s providing - now, not 5 years ago - and that is top-line play.
- StLBravesFan

and let me add players like toews and seab signing contracts like this in their late 20's and early 30's are paid for what they did not what they were going to do as age takes away performance. kane is a completely different player; he floats, not on the pk unless empty netter chance, he is a winger not a center and he is both a playmaker and scorer...thats not toews game..

With Strome and Saad knocking at the door, who else wants to see:

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
Debrincat - Strome - Dach
Caggiula - Carpenter - Saad
Highmore - Kampf - Smith/Nylander

With Strome and Saad knocking at the door, who else wants to see:

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
Debrincat - Strome - Dach
Caggiula - Carpenter - Saad
Highmore - Kampf - Smith/Nylander
- catrisc

but #3 has to play defensive/top line shut down role...none of thos 3 are play makers or creators; saad would certainly under his breath female dog about this..

With Strome and Saad knocking at the door, who else wants to see:

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
Debrincat - Strome - Dach
Caggiula - Carpenter - Saad
Highmore - Kampf - Smith/Nylander
- catrisc

Can the Hawks make a smaller move to acquire a third line center? For example:

To CHI: Derrick Brassard

To NYI: Dylan Sikura and a pick

This frees up some further cap space for the islanders to tool up at the deadline. Plus they have the pick they could use in a further deal

Can the Hawks make a smaller move to acquire a third line center? For example:

To CHI: Derrick Brassard

To NYI: Dylan Sikura and a pick

This frees up some further cap space for the islanders to tool up at the deadline. Plus they have the pick they could use in a further deal
- nickmo2699

Not Stan's m.o. the last couple of seasons. He is looking for cost controlled players and to accumulate picks, not looking for rentals to finish out the season.

Baartschi is 27, he is what he is, I am hoping Stan can swing a deal with Toronto for Jeremy Bracco, who is totally blocked as a forward (cause he has to play on an offensive line) by the Leafs.
- LAHawk

He's got talent for sure but he is a very slow skater

Can the Hawks make a smaller move to acquire a third line center? For example:

To CHI: Derrick Brassard

To NYI: Dylan Sikura and a pick

This frees up some further cap space for the islanders to tool up at the deadline. Plus they have the pick they could use in a further deal
- nickmo2699

How about Zack Smith for Artem Anisimov?

How about Zack Smith for Artem Anisimov?
- mohel

After last game, if Stan doesn't get a first for Smith, another Bowman fail!

Hey Tyler, I think you should post a poll every morning:

What is the state of the Hawks HB board today:

Blow it up, we suck

Don't do anything stupid Stan

Bring in some rentals and go for it, because season ticket holders won't renew if you don't