The better team won
DETROIT - Like them or hate them, the Red Wings are a great hockey team.
The Hawks didn't play badly in four of the five games, but Detroit's depth, transition game and attention to team defense was really something to appreciate.
The Hawks will get there someday, with a few tweaks here and there, particularly on defense, where there are question marks behind Keith, Seabrook and Campbell. You held your breath in this series every time Keith and Seabrook left the ice and, sure enough, Walker and Barker looked lost on the winning goal in overtime.
The Red Wings always seemed to have the puck in the series because the Hawks were way too careless with it.
Huet was sensational in the loss with 44 saves. He's the guy next year, folks, and maybe this was an indication of what he can do without Khabibulin looking over his shoulder.
Khabibulin is gone as a UFA, and I'm not sure the Hawks will re-sign Walker, another UFA.
Should the Hawks re-sign Havlat? I'm not so sure that's a slam dunk yes. Let's see how much he wants and for how many years before making that call. Maybe that $6 million is better spent on another scorer.
Should Pahlsson be re-signed as a UFA? I say no. His health is too iffy. Use that money to get another center in free agency, or trade for a No. 3 guy.
These are just early random thoughts a few hours after the game. It was a great, great season, but as Duncan Keith said a little while ago in the Joe Louis Arena dressing room, it's going to be a lot harder next year to duplicate it.
...you might as well call them the European(youropeeein) National team. There the biggest bunch of cheap shot artists in the game. Then, when it comes to fighting, they turn around with stupid looks on their faces and skate back to their pathetic bench, speaking swedish giberish to one another. They dont want any part of fighting. The ducks had it right, they grabbed hold of the pisswings jersey's and beat the crap out of them before they could skate back to their bench. Hawks should have done the same thing, it sure wouldn't have hurt their chance any, might have improved them. It's amazing how the puck just seems to follow the pisswings players around the ice..most of the time it's just blind luck. Bounces go their way, and so do the breaks. It's not skill it's amazing piss poor luck for the apposing team, and it's not the luck of the Irish. I love this hawks team, but we need a power forward that can play havic in the offensive and defensive zones....Tallon please find this player or players and unleash your dogs.
they already have that one power forward.....Byfugielin
I'm out till next year....thats all folks!!!
This is going to be the offseason that will make or break this team.
They have to decide who are the building blocks. Detroit has laid the foundation on how to be successful by being able to lock up guys to LONG TERM deals. Check out the core that Detroit has, and they aren't going anywhere, anytime soon. Columbus and St. Louis are rapidly progressing, and the central is going to be a war. It's imperative the Hawks dont' take a step backwards.
I seriously believe that Havlat is the key. They can lock him up, and you have a very scary core of guys IN their prime or ABOUT to reach their prime with Sharp, Toews, Kane, and Havlat. THen you hope that guys like Versteeg, and Bolland continue to develop. Ladd, is a very good 2 way player, and I was EXTREMELY impressed with Burish's center play. WHich makes Fraser expendable. Burish was one of FEW Hawks who actually played aggressive on the pentaly kill and didn't back off below the circles.
I know everyone loves Brouwer, and his hitting was impressive, but that skill level isn't there. Can he be replaced inhouse? I believe he can, so maybe he is allowed to walk.
Who knows what will happen with Barker. The guy drives me nuts. He is slower then hell, and gets lost in his own zone.
Any rumor/thought to Tallon opening negioations with Kane or Toews THIS SUMMER? It would be smart to sign one of those two NOW, before 7/1, and start to gauge how much money you will have down the line, so you can make trades of mid level players to free up money. Hopefully, somebody in the ivory tower thought of this.
DeToilet hasn't had a draft that is even average since 2002 ,maybe 2005.It's only a matter of time that the Blackhawks zoom past them.Holland is talked about in the media like he is some Genuis,no I dont think so,with Rocky Wirtz at the Helm and the Hawks scouts there's no question the Blackhawks will pass them quickly,with Blackhawks getting their own Plane that pretty much cemented them as the place to play in the NHL,DeToilet was just voted as the most dangerous city and top 5 most depressing!!!!Yeah who wants to live in Chicago it's too nice anyway
You're criticizing Holland because the team's past drafts have been so good, that they don't have to rush players to the NHL. That's the only reason the jury's still out on the Wings' 2006-08 draft picks. And because of the Wings' success, we haven't been in the position to have the 1st and 3rd overall picks in successive drafts. But if history--since about 1989--is any indication, the current Detroit prospects will have success too.
If you think the 2002-2005 drafts have been average for the Wings, you certainly have some outlandish standards. In 2002 (no 1st-round pick): Jonathan Ericsson, Derek Meech, Valtteri Filppula, and Jiri Hudler; 2003 (no 1st-round pick): Kyle Quincey (now one of the Kings top dmen) and Jimmy Howard; 2004 (no 1st-round pick,): Johan Franzen; 2005: Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Jakub Kindl. So of the 9 players mentioned that are still with the Wings, 6 are playing and 2 are with the team as black aces. And Abdelkader (2), Franzen, Filppula, and Ericsson have all scored in the Stanley Cup finals.
Thats an incredible array of young stars coming, shut your face and stay on your own DeToilet paper sites idiot,those players are garbage Helm is a midget that is nothing more than a 4th line player,Franzen was picked the same year as Bolland,Barker and Brouwer,while they are 22 years old now he's 30 brilliant scouting,another example of your great organization maybe if chicken head Jim Nill would have listened to your scouting Swede Guru he wouldn't have picked McColluom instead on Jacob Markobson.Meech is another midget and Quincey is a border line NHLer,grow a Brain moron from White Trash town,where is Mo cheese by the way ahhahaha??
Detroits renaissance Center in downtown Detroit was rated as one of the top places to visit in the U.S. It's well policed and there's plenty to do with your pic of some wonderful hotels. Not sticking up for the wings but the city, despite it's short comings, does still have some life. I'm not all that sure I would want to live in some areas of Chicago either, every big city has it share of crime.
What your post infers
Most for Detroit and
Some areas for Chicago
I lievd mt entire lif in the city,,,and we are pretty sure where you live,
burby!
Actually I'm a Blackhawk fan living in Michigan. There are more of us out there than you might think. Started watching the hawks during the 70-71 cups finals and have been a fan ever since. I hate the wings more than anyone. So again I wasn't sticking up for the wings in any way shape or form. In saying that I think your putting blinders on if your saying Detroit has violent crime but Chicago does not. Their both violent cities with plenty of crime to go around. Personally I would not want to live in Chicago or Detroit........and thankfully....live in neither. Plus....I like getting in my car where a 20 minute drive actually takes twenty minutes....not an hour and twenty minutes, or longer. But thats just me.
So exactly what your point was escapes me but I always enjoy your posts.....see ya next year.
Deal Byfugielin at the draft for a couple of 2nd rounders for cap space to make room then replace him with Aliu,Beach and or Makarov
The one guy the hawks need the most is the guy you want to get rid of. This could be the guy the hawks are looking for...a power forward with size, speed, and skill. He just begining to show his potential....dumb idea. This guy could be a real force in years to come.
I dont mind the guy but the truth is space has to be made on the team for player's like Skille,Aliu,Beach and Makarov.Cap space has to be made as well and while I like Byfugulien I'm not absolutely sure he will continue to grow as a player and my fear is he will continue to GROW!!!Looking at the future I feel like one of two guys should be moved either Buffy or Versteeg,Versteeg is the smaller guy and Buffy is the slower(even though he not bad for a guy his size).Versteeg could probably get you a couple picks maybe a 1st and 3rd rd while Buffy could maybe bag you a couple of 2nd's.Skille,Beach,Aliu and Makarov look to be good long term playoff type players,while Versteeg and Byfuglien look real good but may comand too much cash so you may as well deal from an organizational strength!!!
I hate that hell hole more then anyone, but they have won, continue to win, and are the model franchise. Got to give them that.
The havlat watch has begun.....33 days to get that man signed. Excited that Tallon wants him back, and basically said goodbye to Khabibulin. I know Khabibulin39 should probably be put on suicide watch now.
Lets hope that all this resurgance doesn't go backwards next year. Time for the management to step up, and keep this exciting team together, and add the necessary parts to win the Cup.
Not to sell tickets, or bobbleheads, or see puck drops, conventions, heritage nights, winter classics, european trips, or whatever else Jay Blunk or McDonaugh will do, but to WIN. Yes, you technically over achieved this year, but that doesn't mean you sit back and do nothing.
After some first half of the season struggles when he was obviously squeezing the sawdust out of the stick Campbell picked it up. His defense improved when he got paired up with Hjalmarrson but it is hard to say whether one thing had to do anything with the other. His play in the playoffs was for the most part solid. He definitely was the Hawks best defensemen through the first two rounds. He had a terrible game four against the Wings but so did everyone else including the coaching staff. The turnover at the end of game two was a killer but stuff happens. The main thing is his arrow was going up at the end of the season and if Dale wouldn't have given him so much dang money the bashings he's taken over the year would have dropped by about 80%. With a year under his belt with Q and the Hawks I am hopeful that his goal scoring will shoot up again next season, especially on the PP.
After the Calgary series I thought Barker's needle was also moving up but he went backwards a bit when that series ended. But he stays as a #4 or #5 defensemen unless he gets crazy in contract talks. Figuring out the number six guy is way down the priority list at the moment but there appear to be plenty of candidates.
And yes, the hockey side of the house must make team decisions that the marketing guys work around and not vice versa. If they put a strong club on the ice the fans will watch no matter who is wearing the sweaters so keep the guys who can judge players in the captain chairs. Even if Toews and Kane are still on the roster the fans will disappear as fast as they returned if the losses start outnumbering the wins by a wide margin again. Winning is the best marketing plan for this team.
...and he can also appear to lose all cognitive thought at times. He is the type of player that needs to be comfortable (maybe next year he will be more than this year) and also needs to be used properly to limit the exposure of his weaknesses.
I can't recall, but I believe it was Helm that controlled the puck in the Hawks zone (during a Hawks power play) for about 30 seconds all by himself. If you watch that episode again, keep an eye on Campbell and how he reacts, which appeared to be a complete loss as to what he should do.
I'll bet Campbell has a better overall year nest season, especially if he is paired with someone who can fill the void (physicial stay at home defenseman) that he has in his game. He is also a guy, who you have to watch who he is on the ice against, because you can be exposed on the defensive zone easily.
Tim,
You are by far the best hockey writer in this city.
However, I have to differ with you regarding Keith, Seabrook and Campbell being the only defensemen without "Question Marks." First of all, I agree that Seabrook and Keith clearly are good defensemen. Campbell on the other hand is awful. He coughs up the puck constantly in his own zone and is a defensive liability. He may skate well, but that only goes so far.
Hjammer and Barker will be great on defense next year and in my opinion Campbell should be ranked well after them.
Unfortunately we are stuck with Cambell for many more years!!!!
I don't know if you are basing what you watched that defenseman id in the far past and ignored how their position has morphed or you just are caught up in the United Center new fan ignorance that spends far too much time booing Kane and Campbell.
Barker has a great cannon shot, far better than Campbell's popgun.
Hjammer is a truly surprise solid number five at this point.
No one on this board expected to see the steady ice water balanced play and understanding of situation from him, and excepted his errors as very fixable.
That's their positives. Campbell is an undersized puck carrier, who reacts to game conditions faster than both these guys in almost every situation.
I really do not want to spend time ripping them or boosting Campbell, but you are just way way way wrong in your ideas, and you will be lucky if most people take them serious enough to comment on them. me, I am easily amused/
Rafalski is basically the same player as Cambell except he cant skate as well is older and smaller but looks more solid defensively because of the Wangs forwards back checking.Rafalski is making 1 million less a year and cant throw hits and is starting to look his age,36 (young compared to Lidstrom 39)wow good thing the Wangs have all those young stars coming haahhaahahahaa,good job Holland better get off your ass and start watching some Hockey otherthan at Jerry Lewis or people will realize you are incompetent
TheREALWIZ,
I have been a blackhawks fan since 1966 and have had season tickets from 1978- through 1999. So I think my views of the Hawks have some validity.
in thinking Campbell is NOT a better defenseman than Barker or Hjarlmarsson.
As an fan whose season tickets started in 1962 (I have the ticket stubs and programs to prove it) I respect your still being a fan and your want of the team to continue improving.
Let me use one of your season ticket year teams to put your statement into perspective:
It would be like saying GREG FOX and PAT RIBBLE were better defenseman than BOB MURRAY
That is not to say that any is a star, but the guy you devalued is better tha the guys you propped up.
He had his hiccups, but after Seabrook I'd say Campbell was our best defenseman in the playoffs. Keith, whom I think is better overall, looked tired all three series. Campbell coughed up the winning goal in game 2, but Keith gifted Franzen the puck behind the net for a quick score. If anything, Campbell quieted everyone who was up in arms about his performance for San Jose last spring. (Whatever the Sharks players have, it infects the whole team.)
In his contract's fourth year, Campbell will probably become as useful as Paul Coffey was late in his career (which, for those of us lucky to watch that season). Barker, after a stupendous second half, fell off in the playoffs, too. But we still led the playoffs in PP%, and that's what their strengths are.
Keith and Seabrook, thats the heart and soul of the hawks D. Period, end of story.
Keith looked tired?? perhaps due to the fact that he's out there mucking it up how many minutes a game??
Keith and Seabrook best D team in the world of hockey.
Keith and Seabrook...begining of whats only going to get better.
Keith and Seabrook.
I hate to give credit as well to Babcock but his coaching has improved the Wings also. He already knows he is going to get offense by default so he focuses the team on defense and back checking.
If you watch the Wings forwards they are always back checking and interrupting the opponents opportunities to set anything up from the Neutral zone. The Hawks are very weak on the back check and I believe a focus in this area would help substantially against the Wings and other good teams next year.
One other thing, I hope every player remembers over the summer the hits the Hawks took from Cleary and Kronwall (especially Kronwall) and they drill them every chance possible next year.
I hope he loses a few teeth playing the Hawks next year then well see if he's still a tough guy,maybe Beach,Burish,Eager or I would like to see Brouwer continue to step his physical game will do the deed
you can add stafford and burrowes to your list of guys who are deserving of a pounding.
YellowPages & Jacukel-- you guys are dead right about the hockey guys needing to direct the team and not the marketing.
Steve from Chicago-- Allaire is the knucklehead that has all the goalies going down all the time no matter what. We need someone with a little common sense.
It was Ladd's stupid flip up the middle that lead to the first goal and the Hawks elimination. Also Q's bumbling too many men penalty in the first showed how overmatched the coaching staff was a the most critical point in the season. No question Haviland and Tochetta can be upgraded with veteran assistants that Q picks who know the league and focus on the details. Let both Havlat and Khabi go. From now on the Hawks should not sign anyone past 28 to more than a one year deal. Allaire should be stolen from Anaheim as the goalie coach.
I was surprised they hung around when Q was brought in, but I suppose they didn't want to disrupt things more than they already had & overall, they had a great year that exceeded most expectations.
haviland also had coached a few of the hawks players when they were in rockford, so it made some sense in promoting him, but i agree that this is an area that can be improved.
as for allaire, I say if huet falters, they should look at trying to steal giguere from anaheim & get him to bring allaire along.
There are two forces at work here: Operations and Marketing
Operations has to deal with salary caps and free agency to put together the best team possible (the product).
Marketing is about promoting the product to make money.
Sometimes a media darling has more marketing value than actual value to the team's performance consequently marketing can trump operational objectives - just look at the Cubs.
Make no mistake, the Blackhawks are a business who's primary goal is to make money for the owners. The value of a media darling like Patrick Kane cannot be underestimated.
So, we can all play GM and offer opinions about what we would do and who we would keep or get rid of. But in the end, we are merely emotionally-driven fans and not business owners.
As far as I know there is not a blog out there where MBA's argue the finer points of business accounting for a sports franchise. However, you can bet that business accounting IS a major point of discussion behind closed doors at ANY sports franchise including our beloved Blackhawks.
And, sure, winning can generate revenue but it can also be a financial burden when the added cost of winning does not deliver a positive ROI. The Cubs and McDonough wrote the book on this - promote the darlings and not the results.
Maybe we temper our discussions with who's paraphernalia sales are most popular or generates the most sales in relation to on-ice performance.
That is going to be a huge issue going forward.
I've done some marketing work with the Red Wings and it's a whole different 'ballgame' in that organization. Seriously. The hockey side calls the shots. The on-ice product essentially sells itself. As it should.
What McDonough and JayBo might not fully understand is the hard core Hawk fan is much more cynical and marketing-resistant than the hard-core Cub fan
Hawk fans have been marketed to for years. But if the on-ice product is sub-standard, marketing will only piss them off.
It's a lot easier to persuade someone to ride the L to Wrigley in 80-degree weather to swill Chardonnay and watch Soriano whiff three times, than to load up the SUV after work in freezing weather and schlep down to 1800 West to watch a bubble team.
So they better not get too wrapped up in their press clippings, and they damn well better listen to the Bowmans et al, ie stay the hell out of the way.
As much as I HATE the Redwings I admire their franchise and especially their owner.
For the Illitch's hockey is a passion. Selling pizza is their business.
How can you really hate the Red Wings or the organization? This isn't the old Minnesota North Stars, the Broad Street Bullies, or the Big Bad Bruins we're talking about. The team is fine. It's the obnoxious Red Wings fans that I can't stand.
Seriously. It's sad.
I seem to remember the Pistons winning the NBA title in '04 (having won their division six of seven years, including another finals appearance) after being the team the Bulls needed FOUR attempts to break; the Tigers appearing in the World Series after a loooooong wait; The Tigers were one of the original 8 AL teams, and have won more World Series than the Sox or Cubs (only 1 less than both combined); of course, the Lions are the NFL's lone minor-league franchise, though the Bears have only 1 more Super Bowl ring; and Detroit people also have MSU and Michigan, which, well, I don't have the stomach to compare to U of I and Northwestern.
I'm not defending Detroit. I'm just saying 'know what it is you're talking about' before a Detroit fan comes in here and makes you look ignorant.
Seth Helgeson 6' 3" 220lb's defenceman Sioux City,big, mean sounds like a guy that would fill a need down the road.
He is in the middle of my fourth round around where Columbus picks, so unless the Balckhawks reached (doubtful) or traded up, they would have to hope he last maybe 7 picks farther then I slotted him.
Sick isn't it?
Good Lord, some of you people are posting blogs like the Hawks went 20-62 during the regular season and missed the playoffs by 30 points. The Hawks were beat by the best team in hockey. The Wings go 9 forwards deep and 4 defensemen deep. That's really hard to match up. Anaheim almost beat them because of their defense and ridiculously good goaltending.
Back to the Hawks. I do think Huet can be equal to what Khabibulin did in a contract year if he is the guy that plays all the time. Backup goaltending will be iffy with Crawford and others.
Keith, Seabrook, and Campbell did make mistakes, but I think that was because they were pressing since the forwards rarely help out defensively. I do think Hjalmarsson played pretty well for a kid. Barker was so-so. I cringed whenever Walker had the puck. So, I would say a couple d-men on the back end will help. Sopel, gone.
Up front, some of the forwards don't hit anybody. And the ones that do hit, couldn't hit an empty net 50% of the time. If Havlat had the chances that Fraser had, the Hawks win game 5. I say bring back Havlat if he doesn't want too much money, but he isn't much of a checker. Fraser, gone. Eager, gone. Pahlsson, keep only if he REALLY cheap. Hopefully Beach will be ready next year because they need more size. Byfuglien can't match up with Zetterberg AND Franzen. Kane, Bolland, Toews, Versteeg, Burish, Sharp, Ladd, Brouwer, and Byfuglien is the young core they can build around.
I have to say that I was pretty happy with the season, and I look forward to next season.
All the Hawks defensemen are shaky, especially Keith & Seabrook, not just the other guys.
Not one of these 6 D-men will ever clear anybody from in front of their goalie. I'd estimate that 75% of the goals scored against the Hawks in the playoffs have been because their goalie couldn't see the shot. If Khabibulin or Huet happened to get lucky and the unseen puck hit them, their D were always so far away from the net that it was an easy rebound goal for the other team's forwards with no one around to tie up their sticks.
The Hawks, as a team, run around in their own zone, 3 guys going after the guy with the puck, guys on the opposing team left all alone, lazy no-look passes, weak clearing attempts, etc.
The coaching staff leaves a lot to be desired, this team keeps making the same fundamental mistakes over and over again. Do they watch video? If they do, why aren't any of these coaches pointing out these basic corrections to these guys?
Campbell has to be the worst one out of all of them at playing in his own zone, huge waste of money at $7 mil a year for 6 more years. Every time this guy skates the puck out of his zone, all the forwards ahead of him have to hit the brakes at the blueline, then he dumps the puck into the corner at the slightest chance someone steps up on him, then other team easily gets the puck back and out of their zone because no Hawks can beat them to the puck because they have to break their momentum, so not to go offsides. His salary will prohibit other current players whose contracts are up, this summer and next, from being afforded because of his huge cap hit, unless the Hawks can unload him to some other team. It was so Cubs-like that this guy got voted in as an all star game starter, what a joke. Very similar to last summer with the Cubs and undeserving players like Fukudome getting voted in. McDonough influence.
Hjalmarsson has a lot of praise heaped on him and I don't see why, him & Campbell together as a pair are brutally too passive. He looks like he goes out of his way to avoid contact. Wisniewski was night and day better than this guy, gave him up for Pahlsson, another wasted roster spot.
Seabrook is good for at least 2-3 dumb mistakes every single game, some end up costing you the game. He does some good things too, but he is far from being considered a top 2 defenseman. He makes a lot more than what he is truly worth too.
Keith, people should stop suggesting his new deal (after next season) should be at an inflated value of $6 mil per year, stop putting thoughts into these guys' heads. Unless he was playing hurt this playoff season, he was nothing special defensively and he didn't look like he had the speed he is supposed to have when he needed it most. He was getting beat on 1 on 1's with guys beating him to the outside with speed way too often. And this guys gets caught out of position in his own zone more than any of them.
The Red Wings figured out how to jam up the Hawks break-out plays after a game or two. So many outlet passes were getting intercepted or not getting to the forwards cleanly.
Just as the Wings made it very difficult to skate puck into their zone by clogging up the their blue line, it was the complete opposite by the Hawks, they conceded their blue-line routinely.
This all comes back to the Wings having a better coaching staff, not just better talent. Put some of these lesser known guys on the Wings on other teams and I doubt they would be as effective.
Quenneville's career play-off record was shown to be right in .500 range. I don't think any of his Blues or Avalanche teams got past the conference finals. He's a point "A" to point "B" guy, not the point "B" to point "C" guy that the Hawks' brass mistakenly think he is.
A lot of work needs to be done this summer with some tough calls to make personel-wise. Just because Huet had a nice bounce-back game, he still doesn't give me any confidence to be the guy to take you far in the play-offs. Crawford & Niemi didn't exactly tear it up in the AHL either.
I can't believe what I'm reading on various posts by Hawks fans.
Trade Kane? Give me a break. The kid's 20 yrs old. He's a future superstar. You can't teach what he's got.
Versteeg has to be back as well. Sure, he commits dumb errors but he's 23 and a rookie. The kids got talent, personality and heart!
Go Hawks!
No one expected this team to even win a playoff round in October so bumped in the conf finals was a few weeks of extra hockey to enjoy.
Any GM worth a grain of salt will leverage the exposure some of these players got in the playoffs and make moves accordingly. Havlat and Bulin bumped up their stock by taking the Hawks deep into the the playoffs and will likely get offer sheets that are more than they are worth.
On the flip side Tallon needs to consider trade scenarios for ANY player on this team other than maybe Toews, Seabrook, Keith.
I'm not saying dump these guys for a used puck bag but if some team blows you away with an franchise player in exchange for a combo of Kane, Bolland, Buf, Ladd, Eager, Versteeg, Barker, HJam who helped their stock with a deep playoff run you need to listen. Especially in a salary cap enviornment where you know you may not want to lock up every one of these guys long term. I love watching Kane and the kid can score but are you going to want to lock him up for $7MM+ a year in a few years???
has world class skill but it is only seen in flashes.
- if he wants the big bucks long term, he is going to need to learn to bring that skill more consistently & actually pose a threat every time he is on the ice, not just the "potential" of being a threat.
part of the problem is he is still young, immature & learning what it takes - at times he appears to be overconfident & tries to make the impossible play, other times he appears lazy & indifferent. he needs to lose the bad stuff & focus on improving his decision making & effort.
I would certainly listen to anyone who has offers to make on any player including kane, but i think the hawks are going to give him every opportunity to improve & overcome his weaknesses. As long as he continues to show improvement, i don't think he is going anywhere soon, simply because the upside is still so high with him. but it isn't necessarily a bad thing for him to know that if he wants the big bucks, the expectations are going to be big as well.
Agreed on Barker,he has to step up his commitment,Hjammer was great,if Sammy will sign for 3.8 for two years that would work.I dont think he was completely over his mono.Havlat for 15 (3 years is fine)otherwise bring in either Makarov,Skille,Beach or Aliu.Hopefully Dale will know if Havlat is resigning or not and if he isn't turn his negoitiaing rights into a 3rd and 5th pick if he not coming back.Walker I dont mind if he came at about 1.8 for 2 years.Danis Pepin has to be signed or lost real soon get it done Dale/Stan
I think at the end of the day, the Hawks are missing another Defensive-minded guy as good as Keith and Seabrook and then two scorers. . .
Be it Havlat or someone else or two new Forwards, the Hawks need more firepower to get over the hump. . .
I'm fine with resigning Havlat, but I think they need to really take a look at what 13M can get them. . .if they can turn Havlat and Habby money into three or even four players, then they must do that instead of signing Havlat and two other middle of the road guys. . .
Obviously, we'll have to see who's available on July 1st, but I wonder if we can start flipping some of these prospects for players as well. . .it's sure to be a crazy offseason and see where we end up for a hopefully more exciting '09-'10 season. . .
Two words.... Rocky Wirtz.
Every move he has made since taking over the organization looks like it has been the right one. He's bringing back the old legends. Televising games. Chicago is excited about hockey again.
I have no doubt that as long as he's around, the future will be bright for the Hawks.
InsideChicagoSports.com has a very interesting piece on Rocky and how Ricketts should be following his example.
Definitely worth a read.
http://insidechicagosports.com/2009/05/19/tom-ricketts-need-only-look-ro...
* Bolland seems to be on the best line no matter who are the wings. He is a keeper and will only get better.
* Kane ... frustrating - but you can't teach some of those skills - he can win games
* Toews .... a horse
* Versteeg... you can fix his short-comings (decision making) - good skill and heart
* Campbell .... a defensive Kane
* Havlat... keeper at the right price
* Seabrook & Keith ... they must stay
Very pleased that we went down with our boots on.....the overtime was a bonus thanks to Kaner and Huet's late heroics.....but i wonder...
did anyone notice Kaner waited to give his hot dog fist pump RIGHT IN FRONT of the Wings bench. I hate that sh*t.....Burish chirped to Lidstrom and got burned.....that type of stuff haunts you...
I would have thought much higher of him. If he just skated back to his own bench/teammates with a very determined look of 'we are not done yet'.
The issue is the cap in 2010. If the cap goes down as everyone expects and you have Kane and Toews to pay then your options are different in 2009.
Khabby Gone
Havlat Only at a sane price
Versteeg stays. You can work on bad decision making you can't teach grit and heart. he has heart
Walker gone if they can find a large D to take his place
Barker....keep...he has a point shot they need
One thing everyone seems to miss is that Coach Q was very good for this team but he also made mistakes. Losing his mind in game 4 spread to the entire team. I wonder if our goaltending would have been more solid if Khabby and Huet would have been platooned in the playoffs. It worked all year why stop in the playoffs especially since Khabby was shaky at times.
Biggest need is size for next year. They need some guys with knuckles that can send warnings when people take liberties with our stars.
Face it, after what Huey did last night... Habby's not going to be coming back. I don't have a problem with Huey, I watched last year take the Caps, from out of a playoff spot to winning the Division. Chris can play goalie.
Havlat... I would love to see back in the Indian Head, but I agree that it would have to be a "good" deal for the Hawks. No way should he get the $ that he did for the last contract.
Bolland... needs to be back. I would rather see him re-signed over Versteeg. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see Steeger back too, but Bolland first.
I'd let Walker, and Barker go...
The only thing that worries me will be when Kane, Towes, and Keith are up.
"Havlat... I would love to see back in the Indian Head, but I agree that it would have to be a "good" deal for the Hawks. No way should he get the $ that he did for the last contract."
How is Hossa worth $7.5 million but Havlat is not worth $6 million?
So he should take a paycut so the Hawks can overpay Kane, or reward Versteeg for his inability to get the puck deep against the trap?
Hawk fans, get real.
Huet just might have solved some problems for us last night. Khabibulin can take his groin and go to the KHL or L.A. or wherever.
That's $7 million worth of cap room. If they lose Havlat, who will replace him? And if they can't, how good do you think this team can be next year?
it's not just his goals (many of which were huge), it's what he does in all three zones.