Chicago Blackhawks 2011 Offseason

[apete6]

This is another one of those "I don't like his personality so I'll find whatever flaws I can with him" meatball arguments, isn't it.

 

 

Exactly. Except it's on an entirely different level of stupidity as the people who say that about Cutler for example

 

It really is dumb. Jurko from ESPN 100 was on this rant yesterday about trading Kane. He's been productive, is still really young, is a face of the franchise, and has been your most consistent performer since he's been here.

 

But, yeah, he's a small guy and a giant douchebag, so let's forget everything that he's done and get rid of him because we lost a series by 1 game that we had no business being in. I hate people.

[Prizefight]

Sadly, you should ignore all Chicago radio if you want good hockey discussion. The Saloon is awful, B&B(admittedly my favorite show) isn't interested, Danny Mac is a meatball etc.

 

Hockey probably has the best set of blogs both locally and nationally. Second City Hockey, for example, is fantastic.

[hawkeyecub]

Who wants to give a rundown of the young guys with a good shot at the roster for next year and what they bring?

[Soul]

I wish Mac would wise up a little.

 

He's one of the few who are interested enough in hockey to provide some useful insight, but he continues to go down these tangental, inconsequential paths that basically amount to the fact that someone rubbed him the wrong way, so now it's all about undermining that person at every turn.

[Prizefight]

Who wants to give a rundown of the young guys with a good shot at the roster for next year and what they bring?

 

 

Jeremy Morin. He will be the goods, very excited about him

 

I can type up a few paragraphs on my lunch break about some others

[hawkeyecub]

Who wants to give a rundown of the young guys with a good shot at the roster for next year and what they bring?

 

 

Jeremy Morin. He will be the goods, very excited about him

 

I can type up a few paragraphs on my lunch break about some others

 

That would be awesome. What's the deal with Kyle Beach at this point?

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

That would be awesome. What's the deal with Kyle Beach at this point?

[Flames24Rulz]

I know a lot of people hate the stat for forwards (I'm not exactly fond of it), but he was a minus 24 at Rockford this year. That's horrific.

 

I'm sure he'll get a chance to make the team next year. Worse comes to worse, he's at least one physical guy that we have in the pipeline and we're obviously lacking in that department. I'm just not as excited about him as others are.

[biittner77]

It's hard to imagine the package of players that it would take to make it worth trading Kane. You'd have to get 4 good players, who could give up that much and still have enough talent to compete- which would be the point of trading for Kane in the first place.

 

The other option I guess would be to trade him for someone like Kesler who offered less offense but much better defense. Again, why would any team do that?

[minnesotacubsfan]

but listening to the games on CBC, Kesler is soooooooooo good at the little things, like face-offs.

 

 

you know, the Theriot effect.

[biittner77]

but listening to the games on CBC, Kesler is soooooooooo good at the little things, like face-offs.

 

 

you know, the Theriot effect.

 

Unlike Theriot, he's also good at the big things like scoring goals.

[NewUserName]

It's hard to imagine the package of players that it would take to make it worth trading Kane. You'd have to get 4 good players, who could give up that much and still have enough talent to compete- which would be the point of trading for Kane in the first place.

 

The other option I guess would be to trade him for someone like Kesler who offered less offense but much better defense. Again, why would any team do that?

 

I think if you could get salary cap relief to resign Sharp. Plus a solid top 6 forward and a 3/4 line checking center, then trading Kane might make sense. Of course there may be room in the new cap to resign Sharp(if he gives a Blackhawk discount) and add a checking center and just keep Kane

[biittner77]

It's hard to imagine the package of players that it would take to make it worth trading Kane. You'd have to get 4 good players, who could give up that much and still have enough talent to compete- which would be the point of trading for Kane in the first place.

 

The other option I guess would be to trade him for someone like Kesler who offered less offense but much better defense. Again, why would any team do that?

 

I think if you could get salary cap relief to resign Sharp. Plus a solid top 6 forward and a 3/4 line checking center, then trading Kane might make sense. Of course there may be room in the new cap to resign Sharp(if he gives a Blackhawk discount) and add a checking center and just keep Kane

 

I don't see how that makes the team any better. A 3rd line Center and a second line forward are not likely to match the production of Kane.

 

The only way trading Kane makes any sense is if you think he's going to drink himself to death before he's 25.

[minnesotacubsfan]

but listening to the games on CBC, Kesler is soooooooooo good at the little things, like face-offs.

 

 

you know, the Theriot effect.

 

Unlike Theriot, he's also good at the big things like scoring goals.

 

they were talking more specifically about his play in the Blackhawks series, tho. Not the entire season.

[NewUserName]

but listening to the games on CBC, Kesler is soooooooooo good at the little things, like face-offs.

 

 

you know, the Theriot effect.

 

Unlike Theriot, he's also good at the big things like scoring goals.

 

they were talking more specifically about his play in the Blackhawks series, tho. Not the entire season.

 

I think the "little things" actually matter in hockey. Kessler has value even when he is not scoring.

[17 Seconds]

What is expected to happen with Sharp at this point?

[TruffleShuffle]

It's hard to imagine the package of players that it would take to make it worth trading Kane. You'd have to get 4 good players, who could give up that much and still have enough talent to compete- which would be the point of trading for Kane in the first place.

 

The other option I guess would be to trade him for someone like Kesler who offered less offense but much better defense. Again, why would any team do that?

 

I think if you could get salary cap relief to resign Sharp. Plus a solid top 6 forward and a 3/4 line checking center, then trading Kane might make sense. Of course there may be room in the new cap to resign Sharp(if he gives a Blackhawk discount) and add a checking center and just keep Kane

 

good checking centers are a dime a dozen. the flyers brought in blair betts on a non-roster invite two years ago and he's been a great asset as a checker and on the PK. now if you want a john madden type who can chip in 20 goals and play great D, that's harder to find.

[biittner77]

Has anyone been reading the player profiles on SCH? Interesting discussion on Ben Smith. Given a choice of Pisani and Smith, who would you rather see on the fourth line?

[squally1313]

Has anyone been reading the player profiles on SCH? Interesting discussion on Ben Smith. Given a choice of Pisani and Smith, who would you rather see on the fourth line?

 

I'd go Pisani. It reminds me a lot of the backup catcher discussion. I think Smith is the better player, now and especially long term, but he's not going to reach that potential player 6 minutes a game. If there's no room for him in the top 3 lines, send him down and make him force the team to bring him back up. He'll be ready to push someone out of a top 9 spot soon enough, and we'll definitely enjoy his small cap hit when he gets there. I think it will be interesting to see how they handle Smith, Kruger, and Morin next year. Especially Morin....he was the most highly regarded prospect, but got a concussion (I believe) that put him out for a while. I'm guessing it will come down to training camp. They're the cheapest options, obviously, but you don't want to stunt their development when they can all be on the first line in AHL next year.

 

On a slightly different subject, anyone else with me in the belief that Sharp is a tad overrated, and it wouldn't be the worst idea to trade him? I'm not saying he sucks or anything, but you look at his basic numbers and see borderline star, while his more advanced numbers tell a different story. He's not good at the dot, awful defensively, and it seemed like 1/3 of his goals were on a wide open net on the PP, thanks to a cross ice pass from Kane/Hoss. I'd see if there's any good 2-way second line centers out there, hopefully getting paid a little less.

[NewUserName]

 

On a slightly different subject, anyone else with me in the belief that Sharp is a tad overrated, and it wouldn't be the worst idea to trade him? I'm not saying he sucks or anything, but you look at his basic numbers and see borderline star, while his more advanced numbers tell a different story. He's not good at the dot, awful defensively, and it seemed like 1/3 of his goals were on a wide open net on the PP, thanks to a cross ice pass from Kane/Hoss. I'd see if there's any good 2-way second line centers out there, hopefully getting paid a little less.

 

I will trade you Filppula for Sharp. I disagree with you assessment that he is awful at defense. I am not saying he is a selke candidate but he is not awful. The Hawks have a forward making 6.5 million who is not as good defensively. Also just the eye test it seems like Sharp is solid in the corners. I like Sharp as a player and would love it if the Wings make a move to get him after next season. Especially if he can be had for something close to what his cap hit currently is.

[TruffleShuffle]

when sharp was on the flyers i thought he was a good defensive forward.

[17 Seconds]

yea i think he's at least average.

[biittner77]

Has anyone been reading the player profiles on SCH? Interesting discussion on Ben Smith. Given a choice of Pisani and Smith, who would you rather see on the fourth line?

 

I'd go Pisani. It reminds me a lot of the backup catcher discussion. I think Smith is the better player, now and especially long term, but he's not going to reach that potential player 6 minutes a game. If there's no room for him in the top 3 lines, send him down and make him force the team to bring him back up. He'll be ready to push someone out of a top 9 spot soon enough, and we'll definitely enjoy his small cap hit when he gets there. I think it will be interesting to see how they handle Smith, Kruger, and Morin next year. Especially Morin....he was the most highly regarded prospect, but got a concussion (I believe) that put him out for a while. I'm guessing it will come down to training camp. They're the cheapest options, obviously, but you don't want to stunt their development when they can all be on the first line in AHL next year.

 

.

 

One thing you can count on with Quenville is he likes to juggle the lines. If his play warranted more minutes Smith would get them. What is Smith's potential? He brings energy which is what you want from the 4th line. Pisani isn't worth the extra money

[Prizefight]

Smith without question or hesitation. Cheaper, higher upside in all aspects.

[NewUserName]

I know he is another year older but has seemed to level off at a 25 point clip. Would the Hawks/fans be interested in bringing back John Madden. I think a guy who is solid in face offs and could play on the PK would be a good pick up for the Hawks, especially if he could be had at 1.5. I also think he would solidify any 3/4 line that he was playing on and really help young players adjust to those type of roles.