The D manpower has been upgraded since the Q firing. de Haan, Maatta, Boqvist, Koekkoek all have been added since Q was let go. Give Q this defense, I’d argue there would be significant improvement.
- scottak

Maatta is playing about the same as Dahlstrom last year. KKKK is about the same as Forsling/Oesterle was (although he plays a little heavier). Jan Rutta vs Boqvist?

I'm not totally dismissing it, but to say it would be a significant improvement I think is just seeing what you want.

Yeah, unless Bryson had shown us on paper offers from other teams that were higher for the both of them, that can't be proven or said (tho it was claimed).

I just can't sign up for the idea that either of the players believed that by signing those deals they were putting nail in coffin for the team and that they would be playing on a middling to bad team for the remainder of their years here. Just doesn't seem to jibe with everything we know about them personally, including how they respond to losing.
- pdx2ord

There were no other offers they were still under contract. Their agent started at $12m. They were likely doing it "on the hope it continues forever" but they made sure they were getting paid. Stan said he expected the cap to make the contracts a good deal and of course we know what actually happened. Those were the highest contracts in the league for a while.

Anything we mention that we've read is speculation , possibilities . But Stan has made some awful decisions regarding some of his trades on the return aspect, panarin for saad or joker for Nylander
- Taylorst1

I'll keep the Panarin trade the way it is now and the Joker trade is too early to handicap. I think a guy like Savard would be doing better with him.

Maatta is playing about the same as Dahlstrom last year. KKKK is about the same as Forsling/Oesterle was (although he plays a little heavier). Jan Rutta vs Boqvist?

I'm not totally dismissing it, but to say it would be a significant improvement I think is just seeing what you want.
- Chunk

Maata is head above shoulders better than Dahlstrom

....talk about seeing what you want

Almost all contending teams that want to add at the TDL are up against the cap and can't afford to take on, for example, Saad's 6M without sending a salary back. As much as I would like to see the Hawks get a high pick and the next David Pastrnak from someone, it likely isn't happening.
- boilermaker100

That's very true, however with the LTIR that Chicago has they can afford to take on expiring contracts to help a team
They have 11 million coming off the books alone at the end of this year .

Maatta is playing about the same as Dahlstrom last year. KKKK is about the same as Forsling/Oesterle was (although he plays a little heavier). Jan Rutta vs Boqvist?

I'm not totally dismissing it, but to say it would be a significant improvement I think is just seeing what you want.
- Chunk

Your equating Boqvist & Rutta. Really?

Anything we mention that we've read is speculation , possibilities . But Stan has made some awful decisions regarding some of his trades on the return aspect, panarin for saad or joker for Nylander
- Taylorst1

If you want an experienced GM that has never made a bad trade, or personnel decision you will be looking for a long time.

That's very true, however with the LTIR that Chicago has they can afford to take on expiring contracts to help a team
They have 11 million coming off the books alone at the end of this year .
- Taylorst1

Which is taken up by ADB's increase and whatever they sign Storme and Kubalik for

Which is taken up by ADB's increase and whatever they sign Storme and Kubalik for
- LAHawk

And a #1 goalie.

If you want an experienced GM that has never made a bad trade, or personnel decision you will be looking for a long time.
- LAHawk

"Like"

If you want an experienced GM that has never made a bad trade, or personnel decision you will be looking for a long time.
- LAHawk

Tommy Ivan traded Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge for Pit Martin.

If you want an experienced GM that has never made a bad trade, or personnel decision you will be looking for a long time.
- LAHawk

Agree. Criteria for new GM.
1) Never made a bad trade
2) Never handed out a big or long term bad contract
3) Never hired a coach that did not work out
4) Never gave out a contract with NTC or NMC
5) Built one or more Stanley Cup winning teams

Good luck.

Agree. Criteria for new GM.
1) Never made a bad trade
2) Never handed out a big or long term bad contract
3) Never hired a coach that did not work out
4) Never gave out a contract with NTC or NMC
5) Built one or more Stanley Cup winning teams

Good luck.
- -Doh-

Half the board will apply and the other half will say they could do better.

Bob Pulford is still around. He can hire his son-in law Dean Lombardi as his assistant.
- LAHawk

I kinda miss good ole Mumbles.

I kinda miss good ole Mumbles.
- EbonyRaptor

Was funny when Rocky gave him a "job for life" and said he had an office and the sports writers were trying to figure out where it was after he hired McD.

I kinda miss good ole Mumbles.
- EbonyRaptor

He could also go behind the bench after he fires his coach. How many times did he do that?

I kinda miss good ole Mumbles.
- EbonyRaptor

Helluva player though. Isn't that one of the criteria's? He must have played the game?

Your equating Boqvist & Rutta. Really?
- scottak

I'm not talking about potential or comparing where they are/were relative to their ages. I'm talking about on ice production. Their numbers (fancy and traditional) are virtually identical. Same with Maatta and Dahlstrom.

May I remind everyone is Toews earning $10.5?

I'm not talking about potential or comparing where they are/were relative to their ages. I'm talking about on ice production. Their numbers (fancy and traditional) are virtually identical. Same with Maatta and Dahlstrom.
- Chunk

Sorry, I should qualify. Their numbers ON THE HAWKS are virtually identical.

May I remind everyone is Toews earning $10.5?
- rpeters01

Although maybe slightly overvalued right now, Toews is not the problem. He produces top 3 in points nearly every year, best face off guy on the team, best center, can play PP and Pk. And is the best defensive forward on the team.

Want to see how bad this team really is? Take away Toews and Lehner. This team would be worse than Detroit. Toews create tons of space for th skilled guys like Cat and Kane.

Tommy Ivan traded Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge for Pit Martin.
- rpeters01

Please don't....that STILL hurts!!!

#19 has ALWAYS earned his contract. Repeat, ALWAYS.

Which is taken up by ADB's increase and whatever they sign Storme and Kubalik for
- LAHawk

Yes I know that , but they have 12 million currently in available cap space due to LTIR that Chicago can easily use to take on expiring contracts and in the process get high draft picks and or high prospects in return.

Saad , Smith maatta , Gus and both goalies can be moved

Tommy Ivan traded Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge for Pit Martin.
- rpeters01

Yeah but he also got Gilles Marotte back.