At the deadline the Canes will be able to add up to $5.5 million in salary without sending any salary back.
- BINGO!

Was responding to the question should Chicago give up our #1 for a young established player with term left I assumed on their second contract...

Has been an excellent maintainer - retooled after the 2010 sell-off to get to the 2013-2015 run. Excellent job.

Different skill level required now - a almost-complete rebuild, not just filling in around a young a viable core like he did six and seven years ago.

Jerry Krauss was very good at doing one (the retool), not so hot at doing the other. Let's see what Stan can do.

Jury is still out for me.
- StLBravesFan

The comment was whether he deserved to be the GM of an O6 franchise. I think being the GM of a 3 times Cup winner says he deserves it. Now, whether he can be an effective GM in a rebuild situation is a different issue.

Though after having to trade half the 10 roster to win 2 more Cups afterwards indicates to me he is a bit more than a maintainer.

Krauss was the GM that made the trade to get Pippen and drafted Grant. Also acquired the pieces around Jordan, twice, for two 3-peats. I count that as building.

you wouldn't take a 2nd and a conditional 1st for a pending UFA goaltender? I mean, you kinda need those picks...
- BINGO!

Hawks gave up a 1st for Vermette (a rental 3rd line center).

If the Hawks deal Lehner it will be for a 1st / high rated prospect at a minimum. Several teams would love to have him on their team to solidify their goaltending and the Hawks can eat half Lehner's cap to make it more affordable.

They're very generous with their time.
- BINGO!

Not willingly you sick bastard.

If Chicago were looking to trade with Florida (seems to be an off and on rumor) I would try to see if Q wants a reunion with a couple former Hawks. Something like Saad and Crow (50% retained) for Montembeault, Tippett, and Weegar.

Just thoughts of trades that could benefit both teams. Monte is a young and decent backup, Tippett has a scoring touch, and Weegar is a good bottom 4 dman
- ikeane

Florida has less than $1 mil. in deadline cap space, $'s don't work

Do we know for sure that it was Pace on his own who decided that pick, or was he "pressured" to make the pick? Not trying to start something, but maybe Bettman had something to do with it.
- powerenforcer

Not one reaction to this? Sneaky-good post. Kudos!

Hawks gave up a 1st for Vermette (a rental 3rd line center).

If the Hawks deal Lehner it will be for a 1st / high rated prospect at a minimum. Several teams would love to have him on their team to solidify their goaltending and the Hawks can eat half Lehner's cap to make it more affordable.
- RedRevenge

If the Hawks are eating half the salary a top prospect needs to be included instead of a 2nd.

Not willingly you sick bastard.
- Elbows15

hey *I* didn't put the fence up.

Replaces Holm for depth maybe?
- Assman22

Being claimed off waivers means he has to stay in the NHL for a while, but I can't remember how long. I want say 10 games.
It's an interesting pick up, 5th round draft pick. Not Stan's usual MO of taking a former first rounder that needs a change of scenery.

If Chicago were looking to trade with Florida (seems to be an off and on rumor) I would try to see if Q wants a reunion with a couple former Hawks. Something like Saad and Crow (50% retained) for Montembeault, Tippett, and Weegar.

Just thoughts of trades that could benefit both teams. Monte is a young and decent backup, Tippett has a scoring touch, and Weegar is a good bottom 4 dman
- ikeane

FLA doesn’t need a goalie, they just paid Bob.

The comment was whether he deserved to be the GM of an O6 franchise. I think being the GM of a 3 times Cup winner says he deserves it. Now, whether he can be an effective GM in a rebuild situation is a different issue.

Though after having to trade half the 10 roster to win 2 more Cups afterwards indicates to me he is a bit more than a maintainer.

Krauss was the GM that made the trade to get Pippen and drafted Grant. Also acquired the pieces around Jordan, twice, for two 3-peats. I count that as building.
- Elbows15

He's also overturned a large portion of the roster since the beginning of last season. Most here, at least for today, think the team has improved and continues to improve. Seems like they're building.

Maybe picked him up to help out in Rockford cause he seems like a nothing.
- Elbows15

I'm excited here. Hope there's good weather for the parade.

We'll be coming back with virtually the same roster next year. Can just keep the picks and take a run at Lehner in the offseason again.

Lines up better to compete next season anyway. Aho will be 23 and entering his prime, Svechnkov will be turning 20, Necas 21, Hamilton will be back from injury, Marleau's cap hit will be off the books, etc. etc.
- BINGO!

Jake Bean--done!

Not willingly you sick bastard.
- Elbows15

Who are you to saying willingly or not? You speak goat?

Who are you to saying willingly or not? You speak goat?
- mohel

He brags about it

Maybe picked him up to help out in Rockford cause he seems like a nothing.
- Elbows15

Exactly my point. Keep calling up guys due to i jury and not because they’re ready. Gilbert has been trying to form a role for himself as a tough stay at home d-man which he is not. Kudos for the effort but his -8 is the reason they sent him back. Not ready yet. Needs marinading.

Seems like a nice thing on a resume.
- mohel

Not really, he didn’t win four.

He's also overturned a large portion of the roster since the beginning of last season. Most here, at least for today, think the team has improved and continues to improve. Seems like they're building.
- mohel

I am more than fine if they keep building. Trade and get more picks.

I am more than fine if they keep building. Trade and get more picks.
- Elbows15

Me, too. Just saying early evidence is that Stan is in fact building. Why mess with that?

Me, too. Just saying early evidence is that Stan is in fact building. Why mess with that?
- mohel

Early evidence? Stan has been building for at least 2 years. It is why I suspected their early picks were mostly on D-men. Needs those first before the forwards. They take longer to develop.

He's also overturned a large portion of the roster since the beginning of last season. Most here, at least for today, think the team has improved and continues to improve. Seems like they're building.
- mohel

The success of which activity is neither preordained nor assured.

Let's wait for some results - such as a Cup-competitive team - before passing judgment. As long as improvement continues, I'm willing to go along with Stan's Plan - and Stan.

We won't know success or failure for a couple of years.

Exactly my point. Keep calling up guys due to i jury and not because they’re ready. Gilbert has been trying to form a role for himself as a tough stay at home d-man which he is not. Kudos for the effort but his -8 is the reason they sent him back. Not ready yet. Needs marinading.
- Assman22

I meant sending Seeler to Rockford. I don't know why the Hawks need another slow footed D-man. They have enough.

Rather see Gilbert playing than sitting. If that was your point, I definitely agree.

Hockey is a funny sport. One week you’re clamoring for a tear-down, the next you’re wanting to be TDL buyers.

The Hawks are in a really good position if you ask me. Some may say the middle is the worst place to be, which is usually true, but I think circumstances would indicate that the youth influx coupled with production from our high end talents have blended into a perfectly stable concoction.

Goaltending has been lights out, as has been the case all year. It’s going to be difficult to move one of the goalies, but I vehemently believe that we have the best tandem in the league when Crawford is healthy. It’s a good problem to have. However Stan and Co. decide to address the position moving forward from a long-term POV I am comfortable knowing that either goalie is a fine solution. Crawford has been there and done that. In May, he’s one of the few across the league that can win a game by himself. If healthy, he’s still got a couple good years left in him. Lehner may have better numbers, but I trust Corey in the playoffs. I don’t envy Bowman on this one.

Our defense looks significantly improved. Significantly. Can’t wait to have de Haan back, and I’m looking forward to seeing what kinds of players Bo and Mitchell become shortly. No doubt in my mind this becomes a position of strength soon.

My sole concern is wing depth. Saad has been a beast, but not sure how we can afford him moving forward. The team is in a precarious spot here because if he’s moved, you have no veteran wingers in your top six and your bottom six lacks offensive production to compensate. Unfortunately the farm is weak on this front as well. Kubalik playing well, DeBrincat stepping up soon, and Saad continuing to look great is essential.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: I cannot wait for 19 to pass the torch to 77. This kid will be the face of the franchise this coming decade. Special.

I’m enjoying the ride for now, unknowing of what’s to come. But what I KNOW I can appreciate in the meantime:

(1) the greatness of 88. We are so fortunate to watch him play. An all time great.
(2) Toews continuing to play with vengeance. His demise was greatly exaggerated.
(3) fantastic goaltending. Imagine not having Lehner/Crawford and having to bank on a Mike Smith, Mrazek, Rittich, or Markstrom.
(4) our players having fun again. Smiling is contagious.
(5) the future. Always looking forward to the next wave of Indianheads.

Early evidence? Stan has been building for at least 2 years. It is why I suspected their early picks were mostly on D-men. Needs those first before the forwards. They take longer to develop.
- Elbows15

Agree again. The "early evidence" is that the building is successful so far.

Jake Bean--done!
- RaleighHawk

Realistic

And then Chicago could play the trade our prospects game
Bergevin has been after Beaudin. Although he has drafted a few dmen whom seem promising. Know a couple were in recently concluded WJC.

Drouin would be too big a fish to catch. Don't know if the kid.they have playing now (Podloski) is worth Beaudin. Probably Beaudin being a dman commands higher value.

There is no reason to think a prospects traded for each other actually occurs. But some lesser rated dmen have been deemed useful then later someone takes their job. Yet another team finds the dman useful. Examples:;Reilly, Scandella. Seeler

Another point is this: high hopes, future plans when you draft a kid. Then you see how the kid progresses as well as all your other prospects and you look at expansion + your NHL roster. Is Beaudin still the same player you envisioned him to become. Maybe. Don't really know. But I do know an option is to swap SOMEONE such as a prospect for a center IF you don't think you will see the players you like last to your #1 2020.

If you want to know why Bowman at one time was rumored interested in this kid, find his draft year and read wiz report on draftsite.com. This kid had an NHL hat trick for Montreal last game of last season. Was injured early this season - I think concussiin- but after returning before the Xmas holidays (thereabouts) he dresses each game although not scoring much.