Skille, Wiz being offered?
When Jack Skille was recalled from Rockford on Friday the timing was curious. At least one source said Skille is a player being offered around the league by the Hawks in hopes of landing a center and defenseman before Wednesday's trade deadline.
It's believed the Hawks were talking to the Ducks about Chris Kunitz before Kunitz was traded to Pittsburgh on Thursday for defenseman Ryan Whitney. The Hawks offered Anaheim a defenseman that wasn't Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook or Brian Campbell.
It's possible the Hawks would consider moving James Wisniewski or Cam Barker in the right deal.
Anaheim center Sami Pahlsson and Tampa Bay center Jeff Halpern still are two players who might interest the Hawks. The problem with Pahlsson is he has been sidelined with mono.
Two defensemen who could be on the Hawks' radar are Atlanta'a Niclas Havelid and Anaheim's Steve Montador.
Backstrom resigned with the wild, technically off the block. Does this make a goalie trade with someone like Washington a better possibility?
Gentleman-
Saw your comments on Tim's latest 2 articles.
Real Wiz, where did you hear about the multiplayer dealer that got shot down?
Jacukel, like your list. I would put Pahlsson on the MEH or NO portion. Great, he can check. However, when a guy is a minus 5 of 6 years is he really the answer? Will anyone really be happy with Tallon if that's "It"? I mean, can we get Mike Eagles or Mike Hudson out of retirement if that's the trade that Tallon makes?
Where is the hockeypuck and chicohawk? I thought Chico would be all over this time of year...........
Gentleman-
Saw your comments on Tim's latest 2 articles.
Real Wiz, where did you hear about the multiplayer dealer that got shot down?
Jacukel, like your list. I would put Pahlsson on the MEH or NO portion. Great, he can check. However, when a guy is a minus 5 of 6 years is he really the answer? Will anyone really be happy with Tallon if that's "It"? I mean, can we get Mike Eagles or Mike Hudson out of retirement if that's the trade that Tallon makes?
Where is the hockeypuck and chicohawk? I thought Chico would be all over this time of year...........
Would it be insane to see what Joe Sakic is up to?
Remember this was the same paper that wrote the article in the summer saying the HAWKS were going to get Anze Kopitar from the KINGS in a 3way deal with the Senators for Khabibulin.
Obviously those lads get paid per rumour started .
'nuff said on that and let's hope our HAWKS don't give peanut brittle...er.. Marty Havlat a long term deal. Does anyone not find it a bit curious that he is playing some of his best hockey when he needs a new contract. Where have you been the last 2 years and 12 million dollars later ?
24 isn't going to chew on nails to prove his toughness, but he's been great when his legs and shoulder feel good. That's obvious to me. He had 2 or 3? shoulder surgeries and has had lower body problems (groin tear). Give me and him a break.
Curious? No. The surgery worked and he hasn't reinjured it. Not yet at least.
he is fragile, BUT if, and that's a big IF, he is finally over his shoulder ailments, this man is by far the best forward they have. I'm not naive not to think that money isn't motivating him, because it is. Also, this is finally a good Hawks team that he is playing with. Not a horse crap team from 2 years ago, or a surprise team last year. You can see it that he is enjoying himself and dominating games, and is proving to be the player that Tallon was hoping he got 3 years ago. Throw in not having to set up Jeff Hamilton or Tony Samillean and it's night and day.
Agree on the sun. They always come out of left field with rumors.
This is not like the earlier Ottawa Sun
'trade" rumor, that actually was legit until one of the three teams involved wanted to change the principal player of the deal on their side.
I printed the halvat discussion here, only because , as many of you surmised, IF he doesn't sign, HE GOES.
Plain and simple.
I think Halvat feels a connection with the kids, his linemates and the general resurgence and abundant fan adulation he now has in Chicago and he will be hard pressed to decide, and Zetterberg basically put the hammer down on team loyality, so Marty can stay, or go a disloyal greedy guy, if he doesn't sign.
This is an easy spin for the Hawks management, don't you think?
He will either have a contract or be on a plane, as teams want him, unlike Knabby who has only one possible suitor.
So who is the team that you believe wants Khabby?
I thought Washington was in the running - Theodore got pulled in his last game.
The Ottawa Sun posted about a month ago that Havlat and the Hawks were talking about a contract.
for those of you who dont know where this is coming from:
http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/2009/03/01/8575706-sun.html
SUNshine girls
They're usually dogs. If you want to look at them that badly, they're online with various Sun papers.
I'm speechless....maybe this is the way things are heading after Zettenberg's deal.
Since when did Pronger, his diminishing skills and his wife become the cure all?
I think that Bolland can be our legitimate 2nd line center. He has been great in the checking role with Havlat. Obviously a lot of the offense has been generated by Havlat's skill. But Bolland is always in the right place and has been able to finish his opportunities. And bear in mind that this is his first full season. On the other hand of that is Havlat. 8-10 years of him is unacceptable. I don't care if it is for $3 mil. He is injury prone and with a cap you just can't make that big of a committment to him based on ONE YEAR. Remember the last couple years when everyone was complaining about him because he was hurt? He is very talented but we just can't tie up that cap space and more importantly tie our hopes on him. I can see us getting a 3rd line center like a Bonk, Halpern, Pahlsson for a mid-round draft pick/Colin Fraser (Fraser is a good 4th liner but his lack of speed makes him expendable because we just move Burish over to C and insert Adams). No need to trade potential offensive weapons like Buff, Barker, Wiz for a guy that probably won't have that much of a affect on the game. Winning faceoffs is huge but it isn't like that directly costs us 1 or 2 goals a game. It is just that when it does lead directly to a goal it is so obvious. As far as a D-man, if we could trade Campbell for someone like Chris Pronger (very unlikely) or Jason Smith then I would be all for it. It wouldn't take much for me to push Campbell onto someone else. Lastly, as Habby has recently shown we can't count on him for the playoffs. I said we should have traded him earlier before he got hurt. He is the same as Havlat; very good when healthy and motivated. We can't afford to count on these guys. Get something and let them walk in free agency (unless Havlat wants to agree to a very short term deal at a much reduced rate).
i like skille. all the icehog games ive seen this year he was impressive. he reminds me of sharp early in his career. if you trade him it better be for some impact,not jeff halpern.
id move wiz,buff,habby,before i moved skille.
although skille and barker make over a million a year now and will only want more sooner then later.
i want to resign havlat as well but for 8 years? is this true? that seems scary. campbeel is here for another 6 years, and ive already seen enough of him. if hes here and keith is gone after next year well all be very unhappy.
i too cant believe how tallon messed up our cap so soon into this era. should he be fired? probibly.
Hopefully, we are in the twilight of Dale Tallon's run as GM. Unless he pulls off a move for a legitimate center and physical defenseman, he has to be fired at the end of the season. Every team around the Hawks (Vancouver, Calgary, Columbus, etc) is looking to make a move, but the Hawks are tied thanks to free spending Dale and his love for his prospects. If these teams do, the Hawks will be done in the 1st round.
Even more concerning for the Hawks is that the Wild are shopping Backstrom. A cheaper, younger version of a very good goalie is out there and will shrink whatever market there is for Khabibulin, IF the Hawks can even trade him.
I have no problem trading Skillie or Wisniewski. As somebody pointed out, Wiz looks very timid and his play has been marginal at best. With Hljarmmson and Johnson in the wings, you can easily give up Wisniewski.
I don't know....I dont' see how they make any moves here unless somebody takes a chance on Bulin, but the return will be marginal thanks to his recurring groin problems.
I just hope Tallon is NOT stupid enough to get on the podium at 5 pm on Wednesday and talk about how "we had some things going but we DIDN"T want to give away our kids..." or some other BS spin job. Woulda, coulda, shoulda mean jack $hit. Get something done, or keep your mouth shut.
Please. The cap problems are going to derail this team, so the time to WIN is NOW. Get me a GM who can recognize a bust quickly, but still trade him when he has some value, and can manage the cap.
Something could happen tomorrow, I don't expect Tallon and Dudley to wait until the last minute on Wens. to do something. Tallon does have his hands full, when everyone he tries to deal with asks for Toews, Kane or Keith. Maybe finally some west teams will decide to deal, a week back they were all still in the frame of mind they could make the post season with current players. The sellers are now Toronto on down in the east, with LA PHNX COL and possibly STL in the west. I don't think Khabby is going anywhere.
I have heard anyone from:
Frolov to Jokinen to Ribero to Tkachuk to Pronger
Throw in Moore and Pauhlson, and my head is ready to explode.
I dont think he is going anywhere either, unless Bob Murray has had a sudden last minute
change of heart. Do expect tomorrows game with ANA to be a tough one, the Ducks have something to prove, and vs the hawks is a good place to start.
There is talk of a Halvat resigning for 8-10 years (oh my!) at less than 4 mil a year.
Whether you are for or against, you have to note the pattern of long term deals that Tallon has been involved in for the team and the outcomes so far.
Dream about Campbell leaving or that he and the coach are at odds. he's here for the long haul, no matter if they are relatively quiet by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday or not.
I am going to commend them if they were actually in discussions to acquire with Kunitz.
The Pahlsson mono takes him out of the mix, and I have mentioned repeatledy and been ignored antripov was moved to wing b/c he can't win face-offs.
D Moore is an intriguing guy but Burke is not letting him walk for bus fare.
This organization can EASILY sit back and feel they will not trade picks farm guys because they will be players. It is a natural conservative way to run a franchise.
Maybe they will just pay with 3rd rounders and get a Recchi and f/o guy and stand pat with the future as the answer (and the filled arena).
Wiz wil have to agree to a long term cheap deal to stay around past June no matter what any of us think of his play.
and Skille is being offered because he is gonna want a raise from the 1.275 he will make until 2010 .
Sorry for doubting you. Sweet christ. I love Marty Havlat, but 8-10 years?
What's your source on Havlat, Wiz? That would be the BEST thing the Hawks could do.
DISAGREE ABOUT SITTING BACK.
If they don't re-sign Havlat by Wednesday, they have to trade him. Because if they don't, he's gone. Someone's gonna pay him big time. Maybe even Detroit when they probably lose Hossa. Don't kid yourself. And don't think this team doesn't take a step back, regardless of who they "replace" him with.
I want to see McDonough sell THIS next year: "we're sorry we're a bubble team again, because we let our best player leave in free agency. But hey, you guys did get two more home playoff games out of it last year, come on! And LOOK, we went out and signed Paul Kariya!! One Goal. Let's shoot some commercials!!
If they re-sign him, the only moves they should make are BIG ones (provided it doesn't disrupt the core too much). Go out and get Pronger.
I hear you Jackuel. This team desperately needs Marty Havlat, and tallon has to evaluate what exactly he's asking for. It's obvious he's their best skilled forward night in and night out. However, if he's not signed by 7/1 they will be screwed, and I will hunt down Tallon at the convention when he's on Detroit.
Again, everyone can say what they want, but to me this lays squarely on Tallon. The 2 contracts that are going to kill this team for the next 3 years are Buff and Sopel. Knowing he had Sopel, why would he throw the whole bank at Campbell tying up even more money with Seabrook, Campbell, and Sopel? Throw in you would have to extend Keith, and you have a huge problem.
Dale Tallon is in OVER his head. Like I stated on the Barker blog, take a look at all the RFAs in 2009 and 2010 and tell me how the hell this team is going to be built for a legitimate run at the cup when in year one they are having cap problems?
Has idiot McDonaugh even realized this? Has anyone in Hawks management?
If they don't sign him by Wed., and he keeps playing like he is, 7/1 won't matter. That'll just be the day it becomes official that he's gone. AND IF THE HAWK BRASS SAYS OTHERWISE AFTER 4/4, NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY'LL WANT TO SELL YOU THE OFFICIAL "ONE GOAL" BRIDGE.
I want to know where this 8 year contract talk is coming from today. Could it be West Madison Street? COuld it be the beginning of the post-deadline spin, leading up to Havlat skipping town. "Well, we offered him 8 years . . ."
And I don't put this all on Tallon. Actually, I smell Johnny Boy McDonough all over this. If ever there was a guy who would mortgage the future for a second round playoff appearance this year, it's him. This is is the same guy who OK'ed $100 mil. for the Cuban Strikeout King.
They gave him Al MacIsaac as his personal hockey pet. Gotta tell ya, my B.S. Meter was buried in the red that day. And he has all kinds of juice with Rocky because of ticket sales and the rebound of the perception of the franchise.
What they don't seem to realize is if this team goes back to being 9th in the conference next year and Havlat is ripping it up somewhere else, no amount of cute commercials and "Kaner/Tazer" promos are going to cut the foul taste in the mouths of Hawk fans. Even the ones who want to keep Khabibulin and Havlat, regardless of whether they walk.
And you know McDonough would be weighing in on whether they deal Havlat right now.
If I'm right, I'll bet Scotty Bowman is wondering exactly what he's gotten himself into. I hope I'm wrong and this team makes some smart moves over the next 48 hours.
I read on espn.com that the Hawks are in "serious talks" with Havlat. Which is fine. Sign this guy to a fair contract for both parties. Maybe low ball him a little, but offer him an out after 2 years to save against the cap. He'll still be in his prime, and make him prove that this year wasn't a fluke with his shoulder. He is BY FAR their best player, and I 110% agree with you, that if he walks/traded the Hawks are screwed. You aren't going to replace him inside, and I don't see how they do it outside? Think Havlat and his agent realize this?
I have no clue where the hell 8 yrs is coming from. I haven't see/heard/read that anywhere. Makes little sense, but then again, what does with this team?
The biggest problem is that Khabibulin is hurt. Throw Backstrom in the marketplace and what exactly will Tallon get for Bulin? Probably not much. Not to mention, Huet has looked like a god damn siv the past few outings. Maybe he's tired, but his positioning and fundamentals are god awful. Too many soft goals. However, the Hawks have to get something for one of these two, because both will NOT be back.
lastly, Sami Pahlsson? really? A guy who has had a negative +/- number for 5 of his 6 years, and is getting 1.425 for this year, and then a UFA? What the hell is that? IF they give up Skillie, Wiz, and somebody for this sack of crap, I may drive down to the UC and wait for these idiots in charge to come out. Are we a faceoff guy away from winning the cup? NO!!! SO if Sami Pahlsson is the answer......Then I better get one hell of a spin job from Sassone or some clone at the UC to justify this.
It may not be Tallon, and I agree on your take with McDonaugh. All this man does is sell tickets and wants an IMMEDIATE return. He acted like he was the MAIN factor when the Cubs won in 2007 by sparying himself down with champagne in Cincinnati. Please. The Campbell signing is so eerily familiar with the Soriano signing. No question, that is Johnny McD all over it.
2 days to go....Hopefully, Havlat is extended today, and then Tallon can start shopping for somebody other then a POS center.
In addition, you put Dave Bolland on a line without Havlat, and you think this guy has 15 goals? Please. The 2 breakaways vs Nashville, and the missed WIDE OPEN chance against Pittsburgh are more likely. He did make up for it with a fluke chip in, but still.
My point is, without Havlat, is Bolland a LEGIT 2nd line center? Probably not. Can he produce with a Versteeg and somebody else?
But hey, according to Dale he's the next Stan Mikita........
Bolland isn't there yet but he does have the talent to be the #2 centre. I definitly agree we are getting more out of him with Havlat playing on the same line. I think he will make more strides to top 6 forward material in the next year or two.
Maybe if it is a sign and trade possiblity..Steve email me direct
Hard to do in the cap world. And if they're talking 7-8 years, that makes it even more problematic. If they're talking contract, it's to keep him. When he's healthy, he's dynnamite, and even when he's played hurt (like last year), he's still pretty good. They rorbably want some kind of trade/games played clauses in there. Could be what's holding it up.
But they better be talking hot and heavy with him right now. If they aren't, he'll be gone and next year we'll all get the chance to find out how good Jack Skille really is. (PASS!)
Anyone see the hot stove on hockey night in Canada? Campbell could be had for the right price.....bag of pucks and he's gone in my book. With that money you can make a trade for pronger. prongers contract expires after next season and then you have his money to re-sign kane, toews and keith.
KEEP-
Buff
Barker
Versteeg
Brouwer
Hjalmarsson
Niemi
DEAL-
Skille
Crawford
Kontiola
And, as much as this pains me because he has the heart of a lion (but paper knees) Wiz
The larger question remains: what do you do with Havlat if he isn't signed to an extension in the next day or so?
The Hawks do NOT need to tinker with their roster for the playoffs. Which is all Halpern, Pahlsson or Moore would be. Adding any of those guys does not put this team over the top.
1st round exit, 2nd round exit— who really cares when what's really at stake is whether this is a top seed with a legitimate shot at the Cup next year or a bubble team?
They need to be thinking much bigger.
Anybody else starting to get a little worried about this scenario. You've got Tallon, Scotty, Rick Dudley, Rocky, and even John McDonough now has his own personal hockey pet (Al MacIsaac).
I am starting to smell organizational gridlock. If nothing is done (extension or trade) on Havlat, it appears that's exactly what you have, fans.
I know I'm starting to sound like Barry Rozner. But who IS in charge? Why are we even talking about Jeff Halpern? There are much larger issues right this very second.
If the Hawks want to improve the team they'll have to give up someone they like. I hope it isn't Barker but if they get a center that will help the team for for the next 3 years it might have to happen. Wiz still seems like a number 6 or 7 defenseman so I don't think the Hawks would be too worried about him coming back to haunt them if traded. Who knows about Skille.......nobody has seen enough to form an accurate opinion at this point but in limited action he hasn't done anything defensively to hurt the team and he certainly isn't scared to shoot the puck.
A center would be nice but I still see Pronger as a perfect addition for the short term......if there is some way to make it happen financially. Eager does what he can to throw his size around and Buf will erratically do the same, but Pronger will obviously get far more ice time and would add the toughness in front of the net and along the boards that will be needed come April.
Pronger would be a significant add that COULD push this team up a notch. THEN, fine, go get Halpern or Moore or Antropov to win draws.
I got no probs whatsoever with those two being offered.
Skille is the second coming of Ken Yaremchuk as far as I'm concerned. look at him skate! Wheeeeeee!
Wisniewski keeps getting injured each year and now would be the time to offer him up now that he's been healthy for awhile this season.
I think that it's unfair to bash Tallon without any mention of the positives. It's not my job to defend him, but fair is fair. Name any GM who's plucked the talent he has for, literally, nothing. Versteeg and Sharp give Tallon top credentials in this market. Signing Huet, sure hindsight is 20-20, but maybe Dale thought that he could win this year and wanted a 1st string goalie instead of an older goalie in a contract year, who had been suspect the last 3 years or an untested kid from the minors. And if you really want to get silly about it, he's a good guy and a true Hawk. Can the same be said for the Dudleys and Scotty Bowmans of the world. I know winning is the bottom line, but it'd be nice to dance "with the girl what brung ya". We get angry when players leave teams for more money etc. How about we show some loyalty to him. Of course, if anyone mentions Savvy, my arguement takes a direct hit. Still, I think Tallon deserves to continue on, in place.
Dean Miner WV
I would definitly keep Barker. He has been very effective on the PP with good hands, good puck movement and an accurate shot that is often tipped or creates rebounds. Contrast his play on the PP to Wiz's. Wiz's does not have the touch or finesse for the PP and is not able to get his shot through enough to be effective. shot accuracy an issue as well.
I agree with dch6859. The Hawks tend to overvalue their forwards ability. Brouwer, Blunden, Skille, etc, etc. The list goes on for years and includes Arnason, Bell, Calder, Krivo, all the way back to Roenick, who was a great pick. Luckily they were able to trade for Sharp and Versteeg. And don't bring up Kane or Toews. Anyone with a draft update edition of The Hockey News could have picked them.
I've been saying since after the days of Roenick and Savard , Hawk management has overvalued the offensive talent in this organization. With maybe the exception of Kane and Toews, every other forward has at best 2nd line ability. Most are 3rd liners. The Hawks do not have a player that can take over a game like a Crosby, Malkin, Ovetchkin, etc. How in all the drafts and trades management by accident cannot find a player of this calibre? Are the scouts really that bad? Something has to happen to change this cycle.
dch6859: "The Hawks do not have a player that can take over a game like a Crosby, Malkin, Ovetchkin"
...and neither do MOST of the league!
let the kids get past 23 years of age, and we'll be able to see what they have become, ok?
Hawks draft record and developement record on forwards is horrendous. Bolland looks like a good 3rd line, low end 2nd line Center. Blunden, Brouwer , Skille and the rest of picks are not showing much promise and except for Beach I don't see a top six guy coming. I hope I'm wrong and will always hope that a Nathan Davis or someone at Rockford is tearing it up. I have not checked the stats in awhile. There record on drafting top six forwards is very poor.
No credit to be given for Kane or Toews as most of the people on this blog could have made those picks.
Anahiem has room to add another defenseman. Kunitz certainly looked the part as the missing link on the Pen's scoring line, what they were missing.
Good lines take that mess, and although Kunitz continues to work at improving his first two steps of quickness, he didn't look slow against the Hawks and Huet.
Pahlsson mono might make him a better fit in June as an UFA, but anyone with a half of ounce of sense thinks the Hawks can resign their OWN free agents, even with the cutting loose of Knabby.
(Anyone think Knabby isn't ready, or is it a Billy Guerin rest when he says, he will not play this week?)
The hawks cannot possibly keep Barker and Wisniewski, attempt to resign Halvat and very quickly their nucleus.
I applaud Tallon IF he was talking to the Ducks for Kunitz.
With such a strong young nucleus here, Pronger starting for at least a year just is such a good fit to bring nasty to a backline taht needs some to answer the barrage the youngsters have, up until this point, taken game in and out.
I commend the forwards for the restraint but after awhile you need more than Eager to answer and a backliner has more occasion to be up close and personal with opposing forwards who are taking liberties on our under 23 group.
I suspect a lower level face off specialist(ala Halpern) will be all Tallon will accomplish if he really doesn't grasp that although he does have the youngest team but patience sometimes let's true opportunities to change the teams slip away.
Pittsburgh last year and now is the best, most recent example, and not even Kunitz puts them back in contention.
There are more players available then one would imagine IF you have cap space....
Had only 16 goals this year (but around 37 pts in 48 gp). Despite not having the best center, Skille has been around long enough in the AHL that if he was a really good talent, he would have shown more. He also would have been recalled soon and for an extended stay if he was better. It isn't even that he is not as good as the top six forwards presently in Chicago; if a player is that good, he gets recalled and given playing time.
Skille may be a descent second line player at best. More likely a good third line player. Not a difference maker. Essentially a failed draft choice if you expected a top player, a big scorer. That is Tallon's fault for drafting him. If Tallon counted more upon his scouts than himself in selecting Skille, then the onus is still upon Tallon. Steve Rain post and others are so correct when they say that Tallon should be shown the door. We cannot risk waiting on Tallon to make the correct moves. Tallon may go by committee (see also Dudley, Bowman's) but still Tallon has the final word (supposedly). He managed to mess up the salary cap; this hurts his ability to make moves now, and how can we trust him, anyway? Previos to the salary cap let's not overlook that Tallon didn't foresee the league's trend to skating and toughness. As for that salary cap -- see Bufuglien and Sopel large contracts -- and Huet could have been had for at least one mill /year less.
Tallon was great as color commentary with Foley. He is gets along with the players -- like a kid that never grows old -- but we will all grow old without a serious Cup contender if Tallon stays. Tallon looks like he naturally fits in, having a good time with anyone -- I keep thinking of an old early 1990's video where he is either talking or playing pool with JR.
McDonough will naturally see first the sales side and not Tallon's mismanagement. But there ought to be, and maybe there is someone whispering the facts into McDonough's ear. Rocky, you will deserve your name for unflattering reasons if you keep Tallon around. A rocky franchise that was in the dark ages under Pulford...don't let your marketing success go to your head and be so blind about the job Tallon has done. The facts are already evident. Tallon must go.
Yes, McDounough and Rocky, I want to get your attention. I'm not here to be your friend; I'm posting here because, like you, I am a fan and I am tired of the terrible drafting record and mediocrity (at best) that this proud franchise should not be swimming in. So how can I get your attention...
Maybe those folks who print Blueline -- or whatever the new name is called -- should hold a news conference and make a big stinking noise to wake up the hockey ownership in Chicago! I heard one of those folks say that it cost the Blackhawks $50,000 and they lost to the battle to distribute that publication. I will add that maybe it wan't a total victory, as they aren't in front of the gates. Anyway, loyal fans to keep pouring into your venue deserve a winner. Tallon is not the right person as GM. Get out your glasses and take a closer look.
hockeypuck, great post, most fans see the success they have and immediately assume Tallon has done a great job. You spelled out the missteps he's made perfectly. Unless they win the Cup this year (which I am amazed that there are lots of fans and even Sassone believes is possible), they have lots to worry about the next few years because of Tallon's cap mismanagement. First the bad contract extensions given to Sopel, Byfuglien, and you can even debate Seabrook's and Sharp's last season. Then I was worried if they kept Tallon on after last season with cap room and a guy like McDonough around who wanted to build on all the positive momentum that Tallon would mis-spend the money, and sure enough it happened. The Huet signing was ridiculous and unnecessary, and just my opinion the Campbell contract was a big mistake. I'm not debating Campbell has contributed to the success of the team this year. My issue is you don't give that contract to a defenseman who really only is an offensive specialist. For that money you expect a Lidstrom type or even a Dan Boyle type (that's the guy they should have targeted, but it wouldn't have made as much of an impact with the casual fan). For all his contributions this year, also consider the cap impact down the road. What happens with Duncan Keith after next year? Even with Khabibulin and Havlat's contract dropping off the books after this season, will they have enough cap room to sign / trade for the second line center and physical scoring forward they lack that would make them a legit Cup contender, along with signing Keith/Toews/Kane to extensions eventually?
I get it, most fans are short-sighted and only worry about the current season. Nothing wrong with that, this team is playing the best hockey this town has seen in a long time. I just want to see a Cup here, and don't think as currently constructed it will happen. They're close, but I don't think Tallon's the guy that will get it done. for the same reasons hockeypuck pointed out.
I would definetly not include Skille or Wiz in a trade for any of the playerrs named above.
Come on, if we are to move young talent like this we better get something solid in
return. Kunitz would have been a good player. Halpern or Palhsson should only get some
mid round draft picks. Go Hawks!
Tim,
I hope your wrong about Barker & Skille ! If any Def. should go I'd say Wiz (Cam has way to much up-side) and I say the same for Skille if given a chance for the long haul. Where I think Buff can be a head case at times BUT I think he'd have MORE trade value seeing he can play both Def. and Off.
GO HAWKS !
EB.Com