What's Stan been doing?

[gmalis1]

Breakdown of Blackhawk free agent losses/trades:

Dave Bolland. Injury prone. Not good enough offensively. Not a top 6 center despite playing with Kane and Sharp. Not a good faceoff center. Not good enough on the penalty kill. Good enough as a bottom 6 center and is pesky defensively. $3.33 million too much to pay for him.

Michael Frolik. Couldn't repeat his back to back 20 goal seasons offensively with the Panthers for the Hawks. Became a fourth line defensive specialist and very good penalty killer along with Marcus Kruger. Good checker, good skater with enough speed. Just bad hands that couldn't finish. At most times, seemed like he couldn't score if the goal was the size of the Grand Canyon. Just not enough offensive ability to justify his $2 million salary.

Viktor Stalberg. Everyone knew this one was coming. Stalberg very unhappy with Q's playoff decisions to bench him for four games. Probably one of the fastest players in the NHL. But another player whose offensive ability wasn't that good. Defensively below average. Physical, but not physical enough. Just didn't seem to fit into the Hawks play in the latter part of the season and in the playoffs. Reminded me of Kris Versteeg. Great offensive potential that didn't score enough to offset his sometimes terrible defensive play.

Ray Emery. Good sport by sitting on the bench as Crawford's backup the past two seasons. Had a really nice record this past year, but played against most of the weaker opponents in the NHL. He did steal one game early in the season where he was terrific. Nice soft spoken guy, but I wasn't his biggest fan. He was serviceable and most of the time good, but is slow to react sometimes and slow to get back up after being down. Surprisingly better this season in shootouts than the season before where I thought he was awful and mostly beaten. Hawks will miss him only because he's probably the best of the backups and the Hawks don't have a Plan B without Emery at this point. That being said, if the Flyers think he will be their numero uno goalie, they are sorely mistaken. At this point, despite only being 30 years old, he's best as a backup. And with Mason and Emery, I still think the Flyers have problems in goal.

 

[HockeyDoug]

Not a big fan of Bickell's contract or Leddy's. I like Leddy long-term but I would have preferred a 3 or 4 year deal on a bigger cap hit for Leddy. Bickell will have a very difficult time living up to that contract. Never scored 20 as a pro. Playoff performances too random and too goofy to project onto a contract. Couldn't lose Bickell and Stalberg and since he and Q couldn't get along well, probably best it's Bickell that stays.

Handzus on a good contract for a million. They needed at least one veteran center.

I don't want Khabibulin, but they talk to him anyway. Stan needs to take my calls again.

Happy Roszival is around, but still waiting on the cap hit.

 

[averagejoe]

Real happy about Roszival. Smart D, and patient. I like him.
Handzus - not overly excited about him. Seems to lose interest at times. But we need a center. And he did come up big when we needed him.
Stalberg - he was one of my favorite Hawks. So I'm sad to see him go.
Glad that Bickell is staying.

 

[gmalis1]

IF, and that's a big IF, Bickell plays top line minutes with Toews and Kane or Toews and Hossa, watch Bickell's production skyrocket.

He's been hampered by playing third line minutes with Shaw and Stalberg this past season and Bolland and Stalberg two seasons ago. Hawks asked him to be more of a banger, but he has offensive skills with a very heavy accurate shot. I like that they signed him. And, looking at the ridiculous amount of money thrown at players with much lesser skills and stats, Bickell's signing wasn't so bad.

Handzus provides stability at center, maybe showing Kruger and/or Pirri how to play. Handzus can always be a fourth liner too...and he's terrific as a penalty killer.

I love the Rozsival signing. Thought he did a terrific job last season and especially in the playoffs. He's a smart defenseman, someone the Hawks need. And I like that the Hawks have all seven defensemen back for next season. Nice stability at the blue line.

Hawks signed Nikolai Khabibulin as the backup goaltender. This is a signing I DON'T understand. Sure the Hawks needed a backup after Emery bolted to the Flyers. But Habby is getting $2 million on a one year contract while Emery signed for $1.65 million.

Emery wanted starters minutes, but we all know he won't get that in Philly with Steve Mason on the team. And I don't see Emery getting the Flyers to the Cup Finals anyways. So, basically Emery took less money than Habby is getting from the Hawks. A real head scratcher there. Someone please explain that to me.

 

[gmalis1]

The nice thing about the Hawks winning the Cup, aside from the obvious, is that stupid fans aren't asking management to trade Patrick Kane. Remember last offseason? All sorts of speculation that the Hawks should trade Kane. What a ridiculous thought.

 

[anotheridiot]

The nice thing about the Hawks winning the Cup, aside from the obvious, is that stupid fans aren't asking management to trade Patrick Kane. Remember last offseason? All sorts of speculation that the Hawks should trade Kane. What a ridiculous thought.

The stupid fans that were considering trading Kane were looking at the best return of talent for that 6 million cap hit. You get rid of three 2 million dollar guys that are on your PK to save some money. It was losing one guy that brought back the best return. It was even clearer when Q stopped playing kane and toews together. Its all putting the video coaches to sleep with Q during the regular season, he is saving it for the playoffs.

All the "experts" are saying is if Bickell gets top line minutes he will double his output. I dont buy that either. He could wear himself out for the playoffs. We learned how Q used Big Buff, second and third line until it was time to get in Luongos head. The hawks sign and use guys for playoff mode, so we will probably see plenty of third line minutes for Bickell early in the season and he will be deemed not living up to his contract. Personally, I didnt think 4 million a year was a home town discount considering he made less than some minors guys on their entry contracts, but better Bickell didnt hear offers I guess. He sure has a wicked wrister, just hope he embraces a bigger enforcer role.

Bottom line we lost guys, but no where near the turnover we felt in 2010. At least Bowmans learned some lessons about building their own team.

Emery deserved a chance to play more for another team, but I think one or two playoff games early in the series would have kept him here.

 

[anotheridiot]

The Khabi signing was desperation. They want a vet behind Corey, Three #1's left and career minor leaguers, although I would not be surprised if Khabi gets beat out this fall.

 

[averagejoe]

I guess I'm one of those idiots. Kane has a great scoring touch. No doubting his talent. But he refuses to fight for pucks, challenge along the boards, and he stops skating at times. Frustrating. Shaw is the ame size and will go where Kane doesn't. If Kane had the heart of Shaw, he'd be the best player in the NHL. I love that Kane is a Hawk. But he's usually the first guy I criticize. Let me add that I think Kane is maturing. His comments on the ice after winning the Cup shown that he has matured significantly. That is nice to see.

As for Emery. He had a great season. But I feel he's had an inconsistent career. (More so than the "Bulin Wall.") That said, I'm kind of glad Emery moved on.

 

[gmalis1]

All right...cap evaluation time right now since they announced Michael Rozsival's contract at $2.2 million a year for two years.

The Hawks have about $2.5 million left in cap space. The current roster contains the usual Bickell-Toews-Kane, Sharp-Handzus-Hossa, Saad-Shaw-?, Carcillo-?-Bollig, and Hayes and Morin as the forwards. Defense is set with the same 7 as last year. Goalies are Crawford and Khabibulin of course.

I'm guessing with all the speculation that Brandon Pirri makes the team as does Ben Smith. Those two eat up another $1.432 million of cap space. That leaves only Marcus Kruger unsigned, with a little bit over a million left for him.

Of course, it's possible that from Smith, Pirri, Morin and Hayes, you only see two or three of them on the Hawks. Or, you could see someone else going bye-bye to clear up space and free up a roster spot.

Pretty sure no one would have a problem with either Bollig or Carcillo gone from the team. Carcillo has some skills, but he's been oft injured and has a target on his back, both with opposing teams and the refs. Takes some insanely stupid penalties at times. Brandon Bollig seems like a nice kid, he is really solid defensively, but boy...he has no offensive skills whatsoever. Still looking for his first NHL goal ever, even after two seasons of being in and out of the lineup.

If it wasn't for the fact that Q loves to have someone as a physical idiot on the ice most of the time, I would rally for both Bollig and Carcillo to be gone. But we all know Q, he won't part with that. I would love to see Ben Smith on the third line with Saad and Shaw, and then the fourth line with Kruger, Pirri and Morin/Hayes.

But I'm not coaching.

 

[anotheridiot]

Carcillo showed more being on the Kane Toews line and being on the ice to knock someone into the boards that was hassling kane and toews. Thats his job, but he wants to be a complete hockey player, thats not his talent level. Bollig has a shot like Bickells, he throws it at the net from the blue line more often than not, should get a cheap goal or rebound to this line mates, but he seems to always do it when he is one on 5 during a change. Bollig and Hayes were the reason I was not that worried about Bickell getting a 24 million dollar deal somewhere. But its a big difference being on this team with the likes of Kane Toews, hossa, sharp, keith, seabrook and being one of those top 6 guys on another team and having that pressure on you. Bickell had surgery on a thumb and still has his knee in a brace. I dont think he is gonna be getting top line minutes for long early in the season.

I agree on that analysis of Kane not digging for pucks in the corners, but he did more of that late in the season and even though the hawks won the cup again on speed and talent, I still want to see someone head hunting these teams that decide to run kane and toews into the boards at the blue line. The other teams top lines hardly get hit during the season by hawks, I want to see some punishment being returned by hawks. At least you know Bollig will hit somebody.

Krueger was awesome on the PK, but other teams know he is pass first offensive player, if he just shot more he would be getting more calls. If we get equal PK and more scoring from Smith or Pirri then losing him wont be a big deal, but thats a big if. They need to get this talent up to the nhl, they might not even be able to sign Beach again. Eventually you gotta move some nhl ers off the roster to get these guys who are ready up before we lose them.

 

[JBM73]

Just a quick note on Khabibulin's contract - it's $1.7 in base salary with an additional $300k in potential performance bonuses. Haven't been able to track down the details of those.

While the salary is a bit higher than I would have expected, I like the signing. He's shown he still has enough left in the tank to be a 20-30 game back-up and even start for stretches if Crawford gets hurt. Also, as a known commodity to the Hawks, there shouldn't be any chemistry issues. Having a solid back-up will be even more important in 2013/14 due to the condensed schedule as a result of the olympics.

 

[averagejoe]

I still want to see someone head hunting these teams that decide to run kane and toews into the boards at the blue line. The other teams top lines hardly get hit during the season by hawks, I want to see some punishment being returned by hawks. At least you know Bollig will hit somebody.

I used to feel that way. (Still wish the Hawks would at least try knock guys off stride as they carry the puck.) But after sitting through the Wild series, Wings series, Kings and then Bruins and then see the Hawks get out-hit in every series - and criticized for it - it just proves that you don't have to hit to win in this league. You don't need a John Scott, Bollig, or Carcillo-type guy taking up a roster spot just for the sake of adding to the team "hit" stats (or fighting majors). Hawks won with speed, skill, and puck-control. And they did it despite a woeful PP, below-average faceoff wins, and coming out on the short end of the "hit" stats.

They may have changed the face of hockey.

 

[anotheridiot]

Carcillo to the kings for some kind of late round pick depending on games played.

Never liked the Carcillo signing, but he came in wanting to protect the talent, got hurt twice, decided he wanted to be a complete hockey player and never found the ice again.

 

[anotheridiot]

I used to feel that way. (Still wish the Hawks would at least try knock guys off stride as they carry the puck.) But after sitting through the Wild series, Wings series, Kings and then Bruins and then see the Hawks get out-hit in every series - and criticized for it - it just proves that you don't have to hit to win in this league. You don't need a John Scott, Bollig, or Carcillo-type guy taking up a roster spot just for the sake of adding to the team "hit" stats (or fighting majors). Hawks won with speed, skill, and puck-control. And they did it despite a woeful PP, below-average faceoff wins, and coming out on the short end of the "hit" stats.

They may have changed the face of hockey.

Thats what I meant, just give enough back. The games they lost in the playoffs were the games they were closer on the hit parade. Just off stride is a good analogy, let them know you are out there, and at least know if you are hitting the hawk talent guys, their talent guys are gonna get rocked too. Yes there were plenty of times a would be checker ends up in the glass as a hawk skates past, but thats once to maybe 35 times the hawk was lit up. I dont want a team of goons, just want to even it up a bit.

 

[HockeyDoug]

I'm very content with the offseason. I'm not a fan of Bickell's dollars or length and I think Leddy's deal is too rich for a bridge but Handzus, Roszival, and Kruger are on good deals. Khabibulin's deal is a little expensive, but only by a negligible amount for a veteran goalie.

Carcillo is gone, and that's good. He was not very effective at all, moving him is fine. With all the rookies fighting for ice time, they'll have to step up physically to get a leg up on the other one so I don't think he'll be missed. Besides, the Hawks may end up with Nolan or Clifford. Can't imagine Lombardi is happy that they're trying to get more money than a QO gives them.

I'll miss Stalberg, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a better 4 years than Bickell until I consider where he landed. Nashville might be one of the worst spots for him offensively and defensively. Trotz has a habit of backing the bus over his players twice a year and a veteran like Stalberg will make an easy target.

Bowman is sitting at around 1.5-2 million in cap space. He'll need half of that to handle the shuttle back and forth from Rockford and he'll probably sign another veteran forward to near league minimum. They'll still be able to make a minor move at the deadline if one of the prospects can't fill in a regular shift.

 

[gmalis1]

I'm excited about the upcoming season. Of course, who wouldn't be after coming off a Stanley Cup Championship season.

In the salary cap era, teams always lose some players. In the NHL, that's a given. Your star players get raises or you sign a mediocre free agent to a ridiculous contract and boom, you blow up your payroll.

Hawks are now in a great position with what seems to be a wealth of talent at the AHL level...and at different levels beyond. I love how this franchise is developing players so that at each year down the road we can see one, two or three being brought up to the big team.

Losing Carcillo won't make anyone lose any sleep. Really, who cares? The Hawks certainly won't miss his 1 goal and 2 assists. As an enforcer, he was so-so. And the past two seasons he couldn't stay on the ice due to health reasons. Add to that the typical untimely penalty and trading him saved the team $875,000.

What that means is that money saved with the money they still had remaining allows the Hawks to now bring up AHL leading scorer Brandon Pirri and Ben Smith to the active roster.

Pirri will probably get every chance to be the second line center with Hossa and Sharp. Smith will probably be another agitator along with Shaw and Saad on the third line.

Jeremy Morin looks to make the team, along with Jimmy Hayes. Both are potential fourth liners along with Handzus and Kruger. Although if Pirri falters, you could find Handzus OR Kruger centering the second line.

You still have Brandon Bollig as an "enforcer" type, filling the Carcillo role as needed. I like Bollig, but I wish he could have some (any) offensive upside to his game which would justify putting him out on the ice more often.

I like the flexibility Q will have with this team. Since he likes to mix and match on the fly, I think he will have even more options than usual on different line combinations offensively this season.

Should be a great season...probably not as successful as the last, but that's a tough act to follow.

BTW, will the Hawks lead the league in players named "Brandon"? After all, they will have Saad, Bollig and Pirri on the team. That's a lot of Brandons!

 

[HockeyDoug]

haha, watch out. PHI and PHX each have a pair of Brandons in the system, they're only one away from catching up.

 

[JBM73]

With the trade of Carcillo to LA, rumors are swirling about the Hawks pursuing Jagr and Morrow, if one of them is willing to take a discount to play for a team that has a real shot at the Cup. Also, Hawks are still looking to move Brookbank.

 

[averagejoe]

With the trade of Carcillo to LA, rumors are swirling about the Hawks pursuing Jagr and Morrow, if one of them is willing to take a discount to play for a team that has a real shot at the Cup. Also, Hawks are still looking to move Brookbank.

To be honest, I thought the Handzus signing was a stretch. I don't hate him, but he seemed to disappear at times. And he's one of the oldest Hawks. There are things to like about Jagr and Morrow, but I don't feel that their "positives" will help the Hawks significantly. If given the choice, I'd reluctantly take Jagr. Morrow is an injury risk.

 

[anotheridiot]

Reupped with Kyle Beach yesterday on another one year deal.

Handzuz did alot to solidify this team, and Bollands demise over the season made him necessary. The disappearance in the playoffs was due to a wrist issue, either fractured or broken, heard different reports.