MurcieOne

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 2, 2008 -> 04:33 PM) So Kane and Toews aren't the two best players in the world -- awesome, thanks for that insight. I'd argue that Toews has a shot in being in the tier directly below that, and Kane probably in the group below that. These are guys you build your team around. I don't really know what you're arguing at this point, either. I agree that the Hawks do need to bring in a top six forward but beyond that I'm pretty happy with the guys we have. Another top-three defenseman? Ehh, maybe, but if you're going to commit all that money to someone like Campbell -- and he's going to get a lot of money and at least four years -- you're going to be in trouble in the third or fourth year when Seabrook and Keith will be looking for their next extensions (not to mention Wisniewski and Barker contracts). A goalie? Most goalies are products of their systems, outside of the truely elite. I've seen people clamoring for Huet, but I've also read that he's more a system goalie than 'the next big thing'. Khabibulin and Lalime aren't long-term solutions and Crawford may not be either. Perhaps you wait until Ryan Miller becomes a free agent? I don't know -- the goalie situation is very difficult. Most of the improvements for next season are going to come internally. Kane and Toews will have a year under their belt; Byfuglian can focus fully on being a power forward; Bolland and Barker will be primed to make the team out of camp. There's so much more, I could go on -- it's the benefit of having such a young team. After Tallon did such a good job building up the farm, it'd be a shame to (basically) kick it to the curb at this point. Sure, a good portion of those guys we've talked about for the past couple seasons may never do a damned thing in the NHL, but there's also a decent percentage who will pan out(looking at it now, if I had to guess, I'd say Bolland, Kontiola, Byfuglian and Skille look like keepers -- none of them great NHLers, but all have a shot at being decent second-or-third line types). I think it's "rather laughable" that this is continuing. All I am saying, is that this team needs help going into next year. I agree with you... in their primes, Kane and Toews will be Type-A players - but I don't see them preforming at that level NEXT YEAR. I think it would be frivolous to assume that, and based on that I think you need to find them some veteran help. This franchise has some good young talent in the minors- "thanks, awesome insight." Bolland, Bickell, Brouwer, Skille, Versteeg, and Davis are probably the crop of young forwards that are most ready to make an impact within the next year. It's a talented group, but I think we'd all agree that there are no stars in that pool. Bolland is probably the best out of that bunch, and he's not a top line player (we agree I'm assuming per your "awesome insight"). That being said, I think he will be a good point producing 2nd line, a role I wouldn't expect him to fill NEXT YEAR. Regardless, I do think the odds are in our favor that one will contribute and play serious minutes, but thats NOT the type of mindset that teams who MAKE THE PLAYOFFS have going into the season. When GOOD teams have their young guys break out and contribute... its a pleasant surprise, not expected of them. So I just think it would make more sense to bring in some proven forward(s) talent to solidify the top six and take pressure off of Kane and Toews. (which i believe we both agree on). This franchise needs to make the playoffs next year, to build on the momentum of this year, thats my opinion. Based on that feeling I think that they need to find pieces outside of the organization to fill the holes that exist. There are NOT as many as holes as before - and this team is heading in a positive direction - but the best way to nurture the best two players that have come to Chicago since Roenick and Larmer... is to NOT ask them to carry the team in their second season. That just my opinion, of which i'll agree to disagree.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Mar 2, 2008 -> 09:31 AM) His new one does, ya, the one I have nothing to do with. Touche

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Mar 1, 2008 -> 03:24 PM) I disagree. The 'Hawks don't need any more toughness, they need some OLDER skill players that can show the young guys how to grow up. Richards would have been ideal but I understand why he came to Dallas instead of Chicago. Although, I wouldn't mind seeing a friend of mine in Chicago. Naw, his website sucks!

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Feb 29, 2008 -> 09:57 PM) Really? The situation we're in now is unlike any other situation we've had in the past. We have two bonafied top-six players and we have two bonafied top-four defenseman (not in all the NHL in either case -- just on a 'team'). To compare the two we have now to ABC is rather laughable. If you're comparing the other guys -- the complimentary players like Skille and Bolland -- that comparison isn't apt, either. Arnason, Bell and Calder were asked to be stars on a team. They were pretty decent second and third line players, but they were basically asked to be the three of our best players, and that's not (or wasn't) very fair to them. And we're not "relying" on Bolland, Versteeg and Skille. We're relying on the (afformentioned) Seabrook, Keith, Toews and Kane. If Toews doesn't miss those six weeks, is it really a stretch to think the Hawks would be anywhere from 4-8 points better than where they are now? I'd say the objective now would be finding one more guy who you can count on to net 25 a year. I think its "rather laughable" that you assume you can rely on a 19 and 20 year old to play consistently for an entire year and lead a team to the playoffs, with average 'D' play, below average goal tending, and below average coaching. Your right, you can rely on Seabrook, Keith - they're both 2-3 type defensemen, and you can rely on Kane and Toews (legitimate first line players) but you can't rely on ANYTHING else. While I hope I'm wrong, this core of players isn't good enough-yet to put a team on their backs. So while ABC weren't as talented as K-T are , they are still being relied upon to be our best players... where my comparison comes in. While the team is much better off now than they were then, and its highly probable that K-T will produce much more than ABC, wouldn't it make more sense to surround a 19 and 20 year old with veteran skill (not Lapointe) so that they can go through their lumps while the team still wins? Jonathan Toews is not Evegni Malkin, Patrick Kane is not Sidney Crosby, and Jack Skille is not Jordan Staal... this team needs help to take a BIG step next year.

who is pitching?

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Feb 29, 2008 -> 11:23 AM) The word I've read with Yall-mer-son is "raw". Some people even questioned why he was in the A already, so he appears to be well ahead of the curve. And someone please tell me why the Hawks need both a top six winger and a top six defenseman just to 'compete for a playoff spot' next year? The Hawks competing for a playoff spot this year -- sure, they're going to come up short, but they've been completely ravaged by injuries this season. The only other team (I'm sure there are others who've had it bad, mind you, but nowhere near as bad as the Hawks) I can think of is Colorado, who basically had their whole first line decimated for a string of games. Just reiterrating -- that's a ridiculous statement to make. If Tallon lands a legit top-six winger as well as Campbell (without losing anyone extremely crucial from this year's squad), I'd say the Hawks move into that middle tier of playoff teams. As I see it, I don't think the Hawks are over any barrell to land a top defenseman -- I'd be perfectly content going into camp with Keith, Seabrook, Wisniewski, Sopel, Hjalmerson, Barker and Hendry, with the Hawks perhaps bringing in another Sopel-type to compete with Hjalm and Hendry for the sixth spot. In any case, though, Tallon's got a big summer ahead. He's got a bunch of second-line/third-line types who he needs to find spots for. The first thing I'd like to see him do is trade Lang somewhere -- not because I don't like Lang. People have called him lazy this year... whatever. That's what he was in Detroit, too, you should've expected that. He's gonna end up with 20 goals and better than 50 points, that's perfectly acceptable production for what he is being paid -- and put Bolland on the second line, creating a third-line spot for Kontiola. After that, he's got to sort through the keepers. As I see it, these guys are here next season (these are in no way 'first' or second lines, either -- I'm just getting the guys down): Toews - Kane - Sharp Byfuglien - Bolland - Ladd Adams - Burish - Eager/Dowell You have a lot of guys vying for those three spots. Skille should probably be up here -- he doesn't need longer than a year in the A. I left off Havlat, but I'd probably keep him as well -- if you traded him you wouldn't get acceptable value in return and he'll be in a contract year coming off of shoulder surgery. I'd hope he has a big year and cut bait with him either at the deadline or just let him walk as a FA. There's also Jason Williams who's pretty good on the PP. There's also Kontiola and Versteeg as two more guys who have earned a shot at staying up here. Oh yeah, and then there's the draft -- it's supposed to be very deep, so the Hawks look well positioned to add another top prospect. Boy am I winded after this post. Sorry for the length, fellas. I understand what your saying, and we do have talent on this team already... but this team has relied on "developing" young players for awhile now... and we haven't (see Arnason, Bell, Calder) I think relying on Bolland, Versteeg, and Skille is a recipe for another season of dissapointment.

Brian Anderson played well i see... if he somehow finds his way, were going to have an interesting dilemma come April Owens Quentin and Anderson all vying for one spot. I like Jerry's new fro (not as much as Lovie's new goatee) but a fully realized Brian Anderson gives this team a bunch of opportunities.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 09:59 PM) How does Hajmer look? I obviously can't watch tonight. undersized, good skater.... he plays alot like Hendry, but I think Hendry has better vision and can skate a little bit better.

That goal by Ladd was a goal scorers goal... one thing he has over Ruutu that I have noticed thus far, is skating ability. Rudy wasnt a very strong skater.

its like trading Buehrle, Vasquez, Contreras, Floyd and Danks for Zambrano, Hill, Marquis, Dempster, and Lilly. edit: only less gay.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 08:49 PM) Phoenix re-signed Bryz to a 3 year deal IIRC. About $4M a season. Montoya will be the backup from next season, and be the Mike Smith to Marty Turco. Was a great deal by Don Maloney, because they also got Hossa from the Rangers, and they'll target Hossa from the Penguins when he hits FA. For the Hawks to make the playoffs next season, they'd need to sign Brian Campbell (or a similar #1 D-Man) and at least 1 top line winger IMHO. Don't know if they can do that. Your right dbaho they did, Wayne has that team heading in the right direction.... they're further along than we are at this point. The future looks brighter here than before, but your right - i don't they can fill all of their holes in 1 offseason.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 08:42 PM) And Phoenix got Al Montoya very cheaply at the deadline, which I wasn't too happy about. If there's a can't miss goalie prospect in the top 10 picks in the upcoming draft, that's the way the Hawks need to go IMHO. A Carey Price type of prospect mind you. Maybe that signals that they aren't going to sign Bryzgalov long term... he might be gettable? The Hawks need to make the playoffs next year.... in a league where more teams than not make the playoffs, 7 years is wayyyyy to long for a playoff drought. The Rocky-buzz has been a nice start, but if they are going to re-capture the hearts of fans in this city... they better start winning.

I cant imagine how Crawford is going to be able to have a long career in this league with his style of play. He plays a stand-up style ala Jim Craig 1980.

This is going to get uglier.... im guessing 8 or 9 GA

QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 07:47 PM) This game is off to a frantic pace. I like watching it, but I'm not sure it's the best kind of game to get into with Dallas. very true, great analysis Stoney!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Feb 28, 2008 -> 07:16 AM) I don't see the Hawks firing Savard anytime soon. He's made progress with the team record-wise, and without getting the superstar player, its hard to expect much more from this group at this time, especially if you factor in the huge amount of injuries. Maybe if they get off to a slow start next year, but I just don't see it happening at this point in time. If the teams falters out of the gate... Savvy will be gone before halloween.

Samsonov in Carolina: 20 games 9+9=18 he's also a +10! for reference... he had 0+4=4 in 29 games for us to begin the season and a -7 rating. ugh.

Achilles shoulder... oh well. This opens up some chances for a guy like Kris Versteeg to play more, show what he's got. Just think the Penguins could've had Havlat over Marian Hossa.... their loss i guess (im joking). I think that if the Hawks pick up Bryzgalov instead of the Coyotes... we make the playoffs, I still cant believe they got him for nothing. still, what a game tonight I was actually glued to my radio, love how Burish came off the bench to protect Kane... this core is going to really develop into something someday if we can keep em off IR.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Feb 26, 2008 -> 10:51 AM) Who does Montreal have in goal that would make them deal Huet? Carey Price.... he was a hero for the WJC team last year, he is going to be a stud someday.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Feb 25, 2008 -> 09:51 PM) Hmm... Richards. What is Tampa Bay looking for? Havlat or Khabibulin would have to go the other way, but what else -- a first-rounder and a prospect? Richards hasn't been a whole lot better than Havlat this season, although unlike Havlat he's a good bet to stay healthy. He's had one really outstanding season and the rest have been pretty good but not out-of-this-world (bunch of 70 point seasons). Probably not worth the $7.8 (that number is correct, yes?) million, but having Toews and Richards locked in as your top two centers would be pretty nice. The numbers may be deceiving, Brad Richards may not be having a "out of this world" season point wise, he hasn't played on a line with St. Louis, but he's a legit two-way player (despite his +/- and while he's not as gifted as Vinny LeCavalier, he can still make plays with his hands and he has great vision (almost kane-like ). I think when Richards has an off-night, he brings more to the table than Havlat does when he's not playing his best.

The Hawks have made an offer for Brad Richards, which Burnside describes as the "best offer available." I'm not sure what to make of that.... I'm guessing the deal includes Havlat, Lang and/or Khabibulin who might have more value this deadline because he only has 1 year left on that contract. Could you imagine what the Hawks top 6 will look like next season if the Hawks nab Richards and/or Staal? Some combination of Sharp Kane Toews Richards Staal Byfuglien Lang thats how you score consistently, thats how you make the playoffs year-in-year-out.

Sharpie 31 Goals in 60 games... wouldn't have guessed that at the beginning of the year.

this could get really ugly.

This guy is sooo talented.... Im jealous of all the amazingly creative ideas he comes up with.

Hawks better not play the way they did in the third period when they travel to Anaheim.... they're gonna get their brains beaten in.