Re: NHL (Blackhawks included) offseason thread

[jersey cubs fan]

Interesting that we're still trading guys. Coupled with Bowman's comments, it seems one of two things is true:

 

1) he's lying and they were/are still in cap hell and he just wants to keep playing with other GM's from a position of strength

2) he wants to get enough under the cap to make a different move

 

#1 seems more likely, but I guess #2 could be possible, as well.

 

#1 does not seem likely to me.

 

I think #1 is extremely likely. Why else would he go about saying those quotes after the Buff trade?

 

Because they actually didn't need to make any moves but have still chosen to make deals.

[sneakypower]

maybe it's #2 and they're targeting Ilya

[Flames24Rulz]

Interesting that we're still trading guys. Coupled with Bowman's comments, it seems one of two things is true:

 

1) he's lying and they were/are still in cap hell and he just wants to keep playing with other GM's from a position of strength

2) he wants to get enough under the cap to make a different move

 

#1 seems more likely, but I guess #2 could be possible, as well.

 

#1 does not seem likely to me.

 

I think #1 is extremely likely. Why else would he go about saying those quotes after the Buff trade?

 

Because they actually didn't need to make any moves but have still chosen to make deals.

 

The Buff deal, I can certainly understand that. The other two look like straight up cap dumps, though.

[Flames24Rulz]

maybe it's #2 and they're targeting Ilya

 

Another monster contract? I think that's a huge pipe dream.

[kujay]

maybe it's #2 and they're targeting Ilya

 

Another monster contract? I think that's a huge pipe dream.

 

Yeah that's not happening unless he takes a Hossa/Detroit deal.

[sneakypower]

(i wasn't being serious)

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Hockey's future ranks him as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Thrashers' system (ranked No. 7 overall) and would be tied for first in our system.

 

That's highway robbery for Ladd's RFA rights.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Buff deal, I can certainly understand that. The other two look like straight up cap dumps, though.

 

Versteeg looked like getting value for an overpaid player.

Ladd was dumping a free agent they weren't going to resign. All they traded were the rights to him, generally that shouldn't be much.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

These weren't "dumps" we got extremely good value for him.

 

So far, all of these moves make the most sense in the "our cap is $55.2 million and we intend on resigning Hjalmarsson and Niemi no matter what" scenario.

[Guest]

Hockey's future ranks him as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Thrashers' system (ranked No. 7 overall) and would be tied for first in our system.

 

That's highway robbery for Ladd's RFA rights.

#7 overall prospect in hockey?

 

If so, there could be option #3:

 

3) he genuinely feels these moves improve the overall strength of the organization.

[Drew Doughty]

i think he meant that ATL was ranked #7 overall, not Vishnevsky.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Sorry, no, the Thrashers system is No. 7 overall, and he is their No. 2 prospect.

 

The depth in the Blackhawks system is insane right now. They will be up to the gills in NHL-quality players for years. Not first-pairing or first-line guys, but solid guys like Versteeg and Ladd and Byfuglien were for us.

[UMFan83]

maybe it's #2 and they're targeting Ilya

 

I know you're kidding but that's the last thing the Hawks need. Trade all our depth and get a top line player.

 

We would have been fine just shedding buff and versteeg from our top 4 lines and replacing them with prospects. But now we're really starting to getting into areas where it will be really tough to replace our depth.

 

Dammit Toews, why'd you have to be so awesome in the playoffs?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Right now, I'd say we still look to be a match for the contenders in the conference. We're no longer clearly superior to teams like Vancouver, but we're still even with them. And that's a one-year reload and then back to dominance next year, imo.

[UMFan83]

Right now, I'd say we still look to be a match for the contenders in the conference. We're no longer clearly superior to teams like Vancouver, but we're still even with them. And that's a one-year reload and then back to dominance next year, imo.

 

I agree with the latter part of your post about reloading, but I don't know if I can predict next year. Obviously we're a playoff team with our top lines, and we've kept the D mostly in tact, assuming we keep Hammer. But considering how close the margin of error was in the Vancouver and SJ series....we won out with our depth. We could have lost both of those series last year...now all that depth is gone. I don't think I can predict how well we'll go until midway through the year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Right now, I'd say we still look to be a match for the contenders in the conference. We're no longer clearly superior to teams like Vancouver, but we're still even with them. And that's a one-year reload and then back to dominance next year, imo.

 

I agree with the latter part of your post about reloading, but I don't know if I can predict next year. Obviously we're a playoff team with our top lines, and we've kept the D mostly in tact, assuming we keep Hammer. But considering how close the margin of error was in the Vancouver and SJ series....we won out with our depth. We could have lost both of those series last year...now all that depth is gone. I don't think I can predict how well we'll go until midway through the year.

 

That's kind of why he said they were even with the other contenders.

[Magnetic Curses]

i think we're building a lot more depth for the future.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Right now, I'd say we still look to be a match for the contenders in the conference. We're no longer clearly superior to teams like Vancouver, but we're still even with them. And that's a one-year reload and then back to dominance next year, imo.

 

I agree with the latter part of your post about reloading, but I don't know if I can predict next year. Obviously we're a playoff team with our top lines, and we've kept the D mostly in tact, assuming we keep Hammer. But considering how close the margin of error was in the Vancouver and SJ series....we won out with our depth. We could have lost both of those series last year...now all that depth is gone. I don't think I can predict how well we'll go until midway through the year.

 

The margin of error is always narrow in hockey, though. I don't think it's as simple as "it was close and we lost a player so now we'll lose." We were a good team that caught some breaks and a hot streak, and we'll need to do that again.

[Soul]

Right now, I'd say we still look to be a match for the contenders in the conference. We're no longer clearly superior to teams like Vancouver, but we're still even with them. And that's a one-year reload and then back to dominance next year, imo.

 

I agree with the latter part of your post about reloading, but I don't know if I can predict next year. Obviously we're a playoff team with our top lines, and we've kept the D mostly in tact, assuming we keep Hammer. But considering how close the margin of error was in the Vancouver and SJ series....we won out with our depth. We could have lost both of those series last year...now all that depth is gone. I don't think I can predict how well we'll go until midway through the year.

 

The margin of error is always narrow in hockey, though. I don't think it's as simple as "it was close and we lost a player so now we'll lose." We were a good team that caught some breaks and a hot streak, and we'll need to do that again.

 

You're being too modest. Last year's Hawks were fantastic, not some lucky break cinderella.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Burish signs with the Stars

[Magnetic Curses]

Burish signs with the Stars

 

we're really going to have to get to know some new players next season, aren't we?

[NewUserName]

I didn't accuse you of anything. I just mocked the idea that these are "significant" losses for the Blackhawks.

 

Would we prefer to keep them in a capless world? Sure. But I'm not particularly worried about them.

 

as a Wings fan I would love to have a capless world:)

[Hairyducked Idiot]

You're being too modest. Last year's Hawks were fantastic, not some lucky break cinderella.

 

Even fantastic teams need luck to never get beat 4 out of 7 against other good teams.

[17 Seconds]

i knew bowman was posturing, but he still looks like a moron.

 

"these guys will be chicago blackhawks next season"

 

and then trades him the next day.

 

i expect sharp or bolland to be next.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

i knew bowman was posturing, but he still looks like a moron.

 

"these guys will be chicago blackhawks next season"

 

and then trades him the next day.

 

i expect sharp or bolland to be next.

 

I'm very positive about the offseason right now. If we lose Sharp, Bolland or Hjalmarsson, I'll be very disappointed. Niemi can go, though, if he's signed to a big offer sheet or gets a big arbitration award.