Marty, which way is it?
A couple things…
A day after Marty Havlat blasted Hawks president John McDonough, Marian Hossa said at his news conference on Thursday that his good friend Havlat had nothing but great things to say about the organization.
“He told me how great this organization is and they are pretty easy guys to work with,” Hossa said.
So which way is it, Marty?…
Tomas Kopecky was very impressive at Thursday’s news conference, talking about winning, playing strong defense and being a physical presence.
And when asked about playing in Chicago, Kopecky talked of looking forward to getting familiar with the city’s various ethnic communities.
How many guys would bring that up?…
The Hawks don’t think they overpaid for either Cam Barker or Kris Versteeg despite the mistake with the qualifying offers, and maybe they’re right.
Barker and Versteeg both got three-year, $9.25 million contracts, which averages out to a little more than $3 million a year. James Wisniewski just signed a contract in Anaheim worth $2.75 million a year. Barker was a first-round draft pick (third overall) and Wisniewski wasn’t.
Every time i mention this subject Wiz , the posters with blinders on are quick to dismiss and want to "move on" although as we skid sideways...
Something about the quote "doomed to repeat their mistakes" will no doubt come back at us again and again. I find McDonough untrustworthy and self centered and i think Rocky will rue the day he became part of this organization. You have to ask yourself why..we as a team keep shooting ourselves in the foot.
I wish i could just go back to when a the Hawks game being televised on "Hockey night in Canada" was what i lived for.
Same Wirtz different day!
By Len Ziehm, Sun-Times News Group
At least one former Blackhawks staffer doesn't think Dale Tallon should remain with the franchise after his demotion last week from general manager to senior adviser.
Rick Dudley, who had been Tallon's assistant before accepting a similar position with the Atlanta Thrashers last month, believes Tallon should remain a general manager. Tallon agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Hawks after losing the GM job.
''Dale had become the most successful general manager in the last five years,'' Dudley told Toronto radio station The Fan (590-AM). ''I don't think anybody built a team better than Dale did. Should Dale Tallon be a general manager in the National Hockey League? Absolutely.''
Dudley didn't suggest a future employer for Tallon, but he said there are possibilities.
''A couple teams are looking,'' he said. ''One of them I know pretty well. If I was them I'd make a phone call.''
Dudley, a longtime Tallon friend, said his departure was due in part to what he perceived as an uncertain front-office situation with the Hawks. Dudley had GM stints with Ottawa, Florida and Tampa Bay in the NHL before joining the Hawks staff in 2004.
''I didn't feel comfortable signing a multiple-year contract with Dale in the last year of his contract,'' Dudley said. ''Had I thought that Dale was going to remain, I would have been more likely to stay there. But I had the feeling our group wasn't going to stay together simply because we kept moving people in and out of one capacity or another.''
Dudley didn't think the mishandling of paperwork regarding eight restricted free agents was cause for Tallon's demotion and the elevation of Stan Bowman to Hawks GM.
''At least I hope not,'' Dudley said, ''because there's a chain of people (involved in that process). If someone was to take the fall, it should be a series of people. The GM is responsible, but that's the last thing he has on his mind at that time with the (NHL) draft having ended on June 27 and then free agency, when (the Hawks) were trying to sign Marian Hossa.''
Dudley didn't know who might be to blame, but said, ''It's such an important bookkeeping thing. You get receipts upon receipts on when you send things and when you receive them. Most (teams) go over it about 12 times, and all the things are done by somebody below the GM.''
Another outlook on the hawks front office by respected hockey columnist Eric Duhatschek
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/tallon-tries-to-paint-positive-pic...
The Wirtz phenom is unusual.
On one hand he is cheered like a Rock Star everywhere he goes cause he took over the team coinciding with Kane, Toews leading right at the start of a turn around. Before last season, this young team missed the playoff mark, but showed a lot of grit with rookies. Right around mid season, Khabby, Havlat, and many others were down with injuries and the Rockford rotation had new names on the ice every week. It was fun to watch this energy.
I thought 2 years ago, they did great considering the lack of experience and new Coach.
2nd- Rocky IMMEDIATELY lifted the TV ban and Comcast placed as many games as it could on their schedule (20?). He moved aggressively to secure last season on Comcast, WGN, Versus, etc.
For breaking the policy of Bill and bringing games to Chicago's living room, Rocky Rocked.
He also seems to be hiring in ALL his own guys. I think he wants to clean house of any of his Dad's predecessors. The "Heavy" in this area is McDonough. We'll never know what specifics take place behind the scenes (Bowman factor), but McDonough will insist it's HIS call as President and take the boo's.
In the real business world I have seen this stuff occur dozens of times. The CEO will bring in a new Sr. VP for Operations or Marketing or Sales, and within 6 months the announcements are flying that "So and So" is leaving Company ABC to seek other "Opportunities". BS, the new guy is cleaning house and bringing in HIS people, regardless of how effective the past team is.
The Sports writers can mine for exact reasons, but bottom line is this is COMMON in the real private sector.
I am surprised at Rocky's aggressiveness. Seems he wants to erase a bad 30 years in 1-2 seasons. He said flat out in a recent article that his dad would not pay certain players "fair" market value, as he believes the 5 young free agents received according to stats and similar players around the league. This is the closest comments I have seen criticizing dad!
He is not dad. He's making a big splash to show Chicago and the League he is not his dad. The Winter Classic, TV, bringing back all older players to interest the older fans. The convention.
Now trade time is Stan's. Now next season's contracts are Stans. All the old guys are out or diminished roles. It's all the new regime from here on out and the owner hired McD to get it done. For Wirtz, he only has one neck to ring.
My only confusion is minor. Why do they keep signing forwards when they want depth on D? They just signed another Winger in Danny Bois. Are they NO Defensemen? Is the stacking of the deck for depth to unload Wingers for a ringer D-man?
Anyway, time will tell. Old Wirtz/Pulford went through coaches and GM's like changing socks. Alpo Suhonen, Lorne Molliken, Dirk Graham, Trent Yawney after Brent Sutter to Savard. Jeesh!
Interesting times for sure. The product on the ice is all that matters. The front office politics is a reality and will always trickle out, unconfirmed or not.
This is not Bill Wirtz team. Billy boy ran it into the ground and lost fans and floundered. Rocky deserves a chance. Rocky grew up around this team for decades and I think has a lot of personal interests (beside business) in restoring success and pride.
SL
Good insight..i enjoyed reading your post..however most owners/presidents know when to stay out of affairs or at least keep their good names away from the flames....like Detroit for example. The yankees were never a good example under George.
When you have or find good hockey people to run your organization the meddling is kept minimal because people know or appreciate their own limitations and trust the experts. By having Bowman there to feed him, i will bet good money McDonohugh thinks he is smart enough to impose his own will on decisions that he should have no business making.
We have all had bosses like that and a lot of us have been like that!!!!!
As For Rocky...the jury is still out for me...he is a breath of fresh air with the convention and the televised games but i see some of the old Wirtz(onas) ...hopefully im wrong
Copy on all that Boldirev,
Did you see the Press Conference Vid where McDonough specifically mentioned leading yet "Staying out of the way".
Let's only HOPE he does. Put YOUR team in Place John and stay out of the way. Rocky too has said similar, place good people, set expectations and let them run!
My fear is in his quest to right 30 bad years, he'll want to constantly tweak. There is no magic bullet to excellence. It's going to take TIME and WORK. Constantly changing out people and expecting instant success is unrealistic.
Leave Coach Q the the front office alone for 3 years. Let them work out the bugs and tighten their relationships.
The fans are mostly with you. We want to see games and an exciting team.
The past GM and coaching rotations never provided the stability for any strategy!
Time will tell! Now on to the Hossa drama!
You have to ask yourself what did Rocky Wirtz hire McDonough for? Was it to generate revenue and interest (PR)?
He has already caused so much controversy in such a small amount of time in his tenure that he rivals Bob Pulford`s 100 years in the hawks organization. The league is "giggling at us" as i wrote before and through our arrogance we refuse to believe it that we are slowly becoming a laughing stalk again.
I dont know about you folks but i want the hawks to win the "The Stanley Cup" with the dignity and grace of former champions that i despised all these years including Montreal/ New York Islanders/Edmonton and Detroit. It wont happen with McDonough leading us as he is making us look like fools. His "I" comments littered with constant BS and condescending tones give me a glimpse into what Tallon had to go through when dealing with him..
Dale Tallon (and Dudley) are very smart and they knew the story would unravel as the real truth came out. This is the NHL and McDonough is not a hockey man...
PR ...Epic Fail!!!
Havlat ......what do you think about his comments now?
"You have to ask yourself what did Rocky Wirtz hire McDonough for?"
Maybe he did it to provide a buffer between himself and all of the "tough" personnel decisions he knew were coming up. If Rocky wanted to clear the house of all that remained of the previous regime, but not risk being seen as the bad guy for doing so, what better way to distance himself from those decisions than to have someone else do it? And who better to try (operative word TRY) to put a positive spin on a controversial decision than a marketing guru like John McD?
The hockey world is laughing at the ineptitude of our front office and your defending him like he is a relative!
answer that..
I really don't care what the rest of the "Hockey World" thinks of anything that the Hawks do. They can keep right on laughing. They'll likely stop laughing when the Hawks hoist the cup next spring. The bottom line is winning. If the moves that management have been making this off season result in a Stanley Cup Championship, that's all I care about.
The removal of the last remnants of the old regime was inevitable from the moment that WWW passed away. Right or wrong, whether we like it or not, it was going to happen. It always happens when new management takes over any business. That said, now that the deed is done, the pressure and responsibility is squarely on the shoulders of McD and Stan to make sure the team reaches their one goal. They've got their work cut out for them, I hope it was the right decision, because while I was skeptical of Dale's GM abilities, I'm not real confident of his replacement either.
From what Havlat said on twitter to what Rick Dudley alluded to and the 4 unnamed GM`s said in the Globe/Posts new story, Our GM could be a box of Oreos or a house plant....McDonough and Scotty Bowman have the final say.
Its what Tallon had to live with and its what BowJU agreed to. So you can go back to when McDonough was hired and you wont know what he interfered with or influenced!!!
BTW Typical Scotty Bowman "i wasnt involved or consulted with Tallons firing" RFLMAO.. I tell my friends that i dont need my wives opinion either and they believe me.
Besides do you thinks the cubs fans want this dishonest egomaniac back??
ps it is not about winning and losing only..otherwise we wouldnt be continuing to talk about it. I believe we havent heard the last yet..
“Think about that,’’ said one GM. “Bowman screws it up, they fire Dale, and then they make [Bowman] the boss. Does that make any sense?’’ An anonymous NHL general manager to Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe
Another GM to Dupont on Tallon's 2-year contract extension: “Nothing more than hush money.’’
Meanwhile, and this is brand-new scuttle, Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported on Sunday that various front office types around the league believed Tallon had been operating as a lame-duck GM since just after Thanksgiving when he tried to trade Nikolai Khabibulin to the Capitals for Michael Nylander. According to Brooks' sources, it was John McDonough who vetoed that deal.
All things considered, with not enough emphasis given to being a positive, well-liked teammate who stood up for his teammates, I would take Wiz over Barker and his questionable attitude and motivation regardless of where they were drafted.
So we're taking Havlat to task for hypocrisy for something the guy who replaced him said he said?
In the spirit of fairness it bears mentioning that Hossa lost more games to injury and scored fewer points than Havlat last year. Hossa had a head injury AND injured his knee in a monster collision toward the end of the regular season. It wasn't the first time Hossa has had a knee injury in his career. Unless we swap his knee for the heel, Hossa is certainly no latter-day Achilles; however, he does seem to bounce back quickly (or quicker) from injury, though, so I guess we're back to a calculated gamble based on relative durability.
Preceding comments notwithstanding, I agree that the the GM and Havlat drama has become counter-productive. It's ugly, but it's done--drop the puck and game on.
Honestly? I'd rather have Wiz than Barker, not so much based on head-to-head talent as much as addressing what the team has and what it needs.
Fallacy watch: since when is a player's draft position indicative of a player's comparative ability?
Kopecky is not a tough guy by any stretch of the imagination. He's not a punishing hitter, not a great skater, and he can't fight. When someone suggested that he was brought to Chicago because he's Hossa's buddy, I laughed it off as humorous cynicism, Chicago-style.
After I thought about it, I couldn't think of any other reason why Kopecky is here.
I suppose now one could say that Kopecky's relationship with Hossa is worth a million bucks, and say it with a straight face.
You are correct.
The Hawks had TOO MANY DEFENSEMAN of similar size and abilities and they used on who they didn't see as a long range guy due to age to fill a huge need for the play-off.
(First, think how lucky we are that our team has enough talent to use roster guys as trades for "patching." Most teams CANNOT do that.
Barker was not as good defensively as Wiz and wasn't willing at this point to see hwen to put it all on the line. But Wiz's knees were a risk, and he was getting up there and even with his recup times for the various time out after surgeries was starting to be battle worn.
(We will be saying that same thing oR the team will be using it in their evaluation of him as this 3 deal deal ends, as smaller guys get dinged if they play a quick twitch hard hitting style)
Barker has lots to improve on.
Expect his shot which is simply a cannon. Wiz didn't has his shot.
Barker is really quick when on the point and is not slow in offensive decisions he has to make from there. He's the real deal on that end.
Sure he can learn to carry the bisquit better.
It is in his own zone that he should indecision and in the playoffs at times was slow to react,"thinking" isn't of just "doing", because he hasn't gotten the "doing" part defined.
I have to believe each one of these kids knows that the second dance in 2010 isn't gonna find them waltzing through with no adversity.
And I have to believe barker and all of them are gonna be working mighty mighty hard to get stronger faster and ready to challenge, not just rest on their abilities and performances of 2009 playoff.
I am with you....Barker gets tossed if after the next year there is no noticable improvement in his defensive game.
It is kinda ironic, how in there first prospects camp together, he and Seabrook looked like our future super tandem...
When i hear McDonohugh say something humble and not condescending. (like all of his quotes so far) He thinks (ok he knows) he is smarter than everyone and politically rubs it in your face. I have never heard someone come off so greasy and dishonest in such a long time.
ok if you never read any of the links i post here do yourself a favor and read this TSN draft conversation exert from Brian Burke that where too Riske to air!!! included trade conversation etc
http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2009/06/brian-burke-nhl-draft.html
are much more exciting to talk about than discussing our corrupt and dishonest management team LOL!
I suggest we talk about line combos or the active roster to be. Maybe which players currently being paid are not good fits to our team going forward!!
Everyone knows he is a character player...But the fact is Kropecky does the little things well and is a defensive/energy player despite playing on a very deep team the last 2 years, he played an average of 77 games... that speaks of his value
Madden and Kopecky are the type of role players that teams need to be cup contenders. Their offensive numbers aren't going to be much but when the games get tight defense makes all the difference. I know posters have said Kopecky can't fight and that's true but most of the Wings didn't either and look how successful they have been. I think playing physical doesn't necessarily mean fighting so yes Kopecky can play physical. The fighting part not so much.
I was talking to RealwIZ EARLIER THIS WEEK and I suggested that however Bowman wants to structure this team, it won't happen overnight. But I think it is a fair guess that both Bowman's have some ideas, or preferences how to improve the team. The team needs to be able to withstand challenges to injuries and opponent's strategy, as well as possibly our own player(s) subpar performances. I'm talking playoffs here, and above all else, we could go out quickly if there is a tough match up or a really hot goaltender.
So here's what I think Bowman's want to do (and I'm basing this as much upon the veterans being able to get the job done traditionally over decades of NHL hockey, as I am basing it also on what we saw from all components of our team's game in last season's playoff.
1). Trading for a veteran who can either pair with Campbell, or be the better (steady) player on the third tandem. It is a lot of pressure on Hjalmarsson, who likely is going to be used as the third more trusted d-man and on the third pair. It is possible Hammer could turn up on the second pair, but I think they want to try to have one good d-man on each pair, so Hammer is preferred on third pair. Then, where does that put Barker. Well, Bowman will want to see how he progresses. By Christmas there could be a veteran d-man added. Versteeg, some prospects (but won't trade away a plethora of them) and maybe a player off our third/fourth line is trade bait. Although unlikely this (upcoming) year, Bufuglien or even either Beach or Aliu (if they excite some GM) could go but we would expect a pretty good d-man in return.
2). Trade deadline: This makes sense because all but about 20 GP have ben played, so maybe you can take that salary cap hit at this time. You can replace a Fraser or a Burrish with someone cheaper from Rockford, like Brophey, Pelletier, Dowell. That saving may be necessary to pay for a 2nd d-man coming over in a trade. One of the d-men acquired by trade -- most likely the trade deadline acquisition, is only here for the balance of the season and playoffs. Sort of a rental player. Bowman's know depth and strength on defense is above all necessary. I don't see us making a huge trade to get a really great goalie; therefore, as strong a defence as possible to help Crawford and Huet hold the fort. And it should be Crawford, too, as he is more ready than Neimi. Long term Niemi is the better athlete.
Lots of hockey to be played and some players who could get moved, their performance will help Bowman's decide whether to move them. Question becomes, how easy to move them...in light of salary cap and timing of a trade. I do know this: some teams are always interested in two for one deals, because they can insert that extra player to fill a need for this year and maybe beyond. That is where a Skille comes in. Regular line and PK -- he's fast and will battle for puck. Skille sits too long and languishes at Rockford, his value goes to nothing. He had better score 40 goals at Rockford or get significant playing time, because by trade deadline he is more a failed prospect than anything else as concerns a deep Chicago roster. Remember, too, that he was Tallon's draft, not anything to do with Bowman's.
Just wondering, too, if Bowman's like to make the top two lines as strong offensively (tlent wise) and then have as strong a checking and as strong an energy/checking line? This may mean a decision on where some players fit in long term. So then while a player intrigues and has a high value (and is signed), does this mean a Versteeg gets moved. Don't know Bowman's thinking, but timing has a lot to do with everything. And, I think, organization will miss Dudley because he had some input into players coming here (Tallon pulled trigger on Versteeg trade from Boston due originally to Dudley scouting ?). Also wondering how much Bowman's will truly pay attention to Tallon's scouting report. Not that anyone is like totally enemies, just that I suspect at least Scotty is very strong -minded/independent/my way. And whatever Scotty thinks, McDonaugh will get more and more involved insofar as Scotty gets his way. That's what McDonaugh calls "empowering" his employees to do their job. Rubs people the wrong way, perhaps, but if Bowman's do their job well, we all will be celebrating.
Regarding Hjalmarsson...the concern with him is the upcoming sophomore season (dont wanna say jinx) how he handles after 34 games. ( only 21 this year plus playoffs)
I was very impressed as everyone here was with his poise and hockey IQ but how much can we count on him to improve and also Barker for that same reason. There is no guarantee he wont regress a bit and our backend could ultimately suffer.
The more i think about it, maybe acquiring a vet Defenseman should be a priority and anything we give up in return including but not limited to draft picks, salary hogs or non core players should be explored..(Kaberle maybe) Sharp, Sopel and Skille plus a 2nd rounder (and a case Jack Daniels for Burke)
maybe somebody can get this to macissac who will go over BowJU/s head and pass it on to Scotty who can with permission from McD, delegate to BowJU to explore it!
I think thats how it works now!
It's July and I can still remember 10 soft goals scored on Huet.
A Peewee goalie with good form could have saved all 10.
Wiz, right on about the Huet & Crawford post.
To be a number one,would think that you play more games than the NHL goalie on the SAME TEAM as you are?
and a starter plays the majority, right?
Huet shared time with Theodore in 2005-06 but was the back up as he played less
Huet won 18 games & had a terrific 2.20
Huet played in 42 games in 2006-07 won 19 2.81 GAA (not entire games ..he was pulled or came in as relief too)
In 2007-2008 Huet played less games than Price (who won 24) & Huet won 21 and the had almost matching 2.56 GAA
Montreal wanted to play the big kid, Carey PRICE, so they launch Huet to Washington
After Huet arrived in Washington,he DID play almost as many games than the back up Brent Johnson & Olie Kozlig.
In Washington, he became"the Knabby",where he took the reigns in the playoff, other goaler(s) sat, so if you count the Washington playoff as a starter due to lack of confidence in the other starter, he became the man as Knabby did in our playoff run this last April-May.
Kolzig played in 54 games & won 21
Huet played in 52 total games for two teams 21wins(Montreal) & 11 more in Washington plus two playoff wins there,
so I guess this ONE season in the league, he could be called a starter and is highest win total was 32 games
So the era of Huet brings a goalie who,from 2005-present has been basically a back up or tanden guy,not a starter.
82-52 games (Huet's HIGHEST TOTAL games played in a season)= Crawford gets 30 NHL games on the job training to show his stuff OR Huet blossoms into a workhorse guy who plays stellar as a true starter and has enough in the tank to cruise into the playoffs fresh and fired up.
This is a controversial issue and of course i have an alternate take. A lot has been said of his short comings in his 2 way game and that he disappears from time to time. His maturity (20 years) has been questioned and his size is an issue as well for a lot of people and lastly he was drafted by Dale.
But on a deep team last year, very different from his rookie year he put up the same numbers (70 vice 72 points) as teenager . I suspected he was hiding an injury in the last 25 games of the season as he didnt seem himself (limited explosion to his game)
my bottom line...every team needs a well balanced diversified team and we have many two way players (Toews Bolland Hossa Versteeg Madden etc) but we need these pure offensive players as well to form a balanced team. We have seen in stretches what kane brings to the table and this offense dynamo is only going to get better as the team around him does. Plus we have Beach/Aliu to replace roster spots of similar players like Ladd/Buff.
For Kane supporters (me) the only hope is that he scores 40 goals and costs too much in compensation for a team to consider signing him. Multiple draft picks plus the size of the contract is a very expensive venue that could inflict long term damage in this salary cap era for a team willing to mortgage its future well being on a kid who may not live up to the contract!
See we agree on some things.
Besides, it's way too early to say that he won't eventually mature into a more responsible defensive player than he is now. If/until then his offensive prowess is too valuable of a commodity to just let go, regardless of how many picks you get back in return. Besides, there is no guarantee how high any of those first round picks would be.
For better or worse, Kane will always be compared to Toews because they broke into the league together. I cannot think of a less fair comparison. Toews has spoiled us. Players this young, that are as responsible and mature as he is, just don't come along very often. Unfortunately for Kane this sets the bar unrealistically high for him to be able to match. Don't punish Kane for Toews' freakishly "beyond his years" maturity level. I'm sure Kane will continue to develop more of an all around game as he continues to grow up, but until then, you can never have too many snipers with the pure offensive ability of #88.
Nice post Wiz, All the talk i`ve heard about Huet and their was plenty over the years was that he deserved to be a starter especially from the "insiders" mackenzie/Mcquire on TSN.
This guy has always put up good numbers from LA, Mon, Was to Chicago but their always seems to be something missing and he has settled into as you called him a tandem goalie. I dont think one great playoff year (wash) changed that thinking a whole lot and he isnt an elite goalie by no stretch but he sure benefited (5.65 mill) when one team fell in love with him.
I agree with the Crawford playing time , havent they put the time in with this guy? he is ready for an extended shot!!
All I have is one question. Where is Scards during all this?
I predict Scards returns opening day.
Heaven's to Finland.
Or against the Washington Cap Pistols.
Almost forgot about our buddy scards. Amazingly, I am still able to post here after I ripped that guy for all his BS preachings, and got my comments removed.
The Hawks play the Devils twice this year......What is he going to do with himself?
Don't bring him up... Pullleeeeeze!
Science Advisor for Sarah Palin's run in 2012.
I can't beat that one. Truly funny! I guess since he didn't get any of us to by his book about the biased against creationism in the Cleveland museum, he figured he didn't really know enough about hockey to actual say more than he did.
Only person who got a huge chorus of super louding tonight was John McDonough.
Nice classly opening presntation eneding with a video of the hawks season and playoff run, and as the lights came on each alumni player threw and player (s) autographed ball cap into the crowd down from the balcony.
I would like to see the Hawks pick up an enforcer. Now that Greenoop is gone which bum is going to protect all the cash that's locked in talent.
I'll take a bad mo fo on D as well but where is a good pugilist. Old Time Hockey!!
From the "thirdmanin.con ..
I love when you try to suppress untruths and they just keep coming back at ya....
John McDonough might want to get back on a line with Barry Rozner and someone else who'll wax his ego and promote the 'McDonough Factor.' In an interview on the Fan590 in Toronto earlier this week, former Blackhawks assistant GM Rick Dudley, who left the organization to take the same job with the Atlanta Thrashers last month, told The Fan that in recent months McDonough had been getting more and more involved on hockey operations side. You can grab the interview here. Dudley is a stand-up guy; highly-respected around the league and as the guy now in Atlanta who'll be doing a lot of Don Waddell's legwork and networking with other general managers, I can't imagine he'd risk burning a bridge in telling lies or half-truths about the Hawks. McDonough probably has a different take on that though.
Yup, what Dudley means is McDonough was telling Tallon what the negotiation were gonna be limited to. How many years he could sign Halvat for, for what money.
Rozner only reacts to contorversey like he knew "for some time" that this and that" were happening after the fact. Pot stirrer.
You and I, we know and say what we heard when we hear it, not three weeks ago Dudley and Tallon were talking behind tallon's back and the someone tattled to McDonough.
You know Roz, report it then.
Tim as the beat guy is in a ticklish position to keep access and he has to be much more diplomatic the a fan or a website that doesn't have weekly press meeting with team brass.
What happened with Greenoop?
I looked it up and the Hawks didn't resign him and he signed with Toronto. Why didn't they sign him? Oh yeah, they're overloaded with enforcers. JK
Eager and Burish and NOT enforcers. Eager fights like b*tch, cheap shots and tries to slams guys to the ice when they're bigger and stronger then him. You'll see him go after the smaller guys that are willing to fight and then act like a bada** for doing so. Sorry, Ben, hockey people see right through you. No respect for a guy like that. I do like Burish for what he is, not an enforcer though. I actually like Eager's offensive game for a 4th liner.
was a big time puncher but he really didn't even skate well enough to get average minutes with the Memorial champion Windsor team.
I loved the days the Hawks had Behm Wilson(minus the give aways)Al Secord,Curt Fraser(all three could contribute),Mike Peluso and Stu Grimson never really did it for me.Management has stated a few times that they believed they are tough enough with Brouwer,Byfuglien,Burish,Eager,Ladd,Fraser,Seabrook,Barker and now Kopecky.I liked Walker last year in this role but he went on to much greener pastures.Aliu and Beach if they replace Versteeg,Sharp or whoever could be dealt will also help out.The Blackhawks proved in the playoffs they are far from soft.If Sopel can somehow be moved a player similar to Walker would be nice but not really necessary.
Where is it written that Richard Greenop will ever play in the NHL? Come on.
Greenop does not skate well enough to play more than one shift a game.
Ladd, Madden and Kopecky would be a very LARG checking line! But would they be too slow..?
will play with Bolland and one of the guys who has to be a top two line to be effective (maximized?), ala Hossa Versteeg Kane Sharp....Q will continue to mix and match game plan to try and give the opposition match up fits as Hossa plays with Toews Kane and then Buff Brouwer Versteeg replace him, and then Kane drops elsewhere and they move Verstteg or Hossa back to the RW. There are a few wings that are comfortable on both sides.
There will be games when Madden drops to the 4th energy line, etc.
They ARE loaded for bear / bruin, bird,/penquin, oand winged wheel.
And solely based on Sharp's "tea tickle" on Lidstrom, he deserves a little bit more equal valued imaginary trade rumors for the fans and press.
Now that Chicago is winning, I think it is a destination of choice for many players. Kopecky wanting to explore the ethnic sides of Chicago may have come from his experience with the European Union of Hockey, aka DET.
Personally, I'm already tired of the GM talk - tuen the page already. I'm excited to see what this season brings: will Huet raise eyebrows or shake heads? Is there a trade on the horizon? I know Junior said he doesn't need to make a big splash - but I buy that as much as a McDonough demotion being sold as a promotion...
Agree, I'm tired of the GM talk as well. Time to focus on the team. For the teams sake and ours I hope Stan does a good job.
As far as Dale goes at least the new regime is keeping him in the organization and extending his contract. On the surface he doesn't seem as upset as I thought he'd be. While some say he's being paid to keep quiet and say the right things I think he genuinely wants to see the team do well and will be a part of a cup winning team in the next couple of years.
I've banned myself from anymore Uncle Barry columns talking about the immortal Trent Yawney, Dale Tallon misfires, or Marty Havlat being a jag. I can't handle it. The guy runs a smear column, and if I were RETIRED (sorry tape2tape), I would start my own smear campaign of Barry to his editors, by sending letters daily that would rival one Andy DuChean's quest for a legit prison library in "Shawshank".
Agree on the GM talk. This team is loaded, and I am very excited to see them in person. Also excited to see if the hype some of these prospects showed in the camp, proves to be legit in the preseason vs NHL players.
If they have to trade a guy to keep the big 3, so be it. That's the reality of the salary cap era, but lets the leave the cap assumptions of where it's going to be in 2010, to the professionals.
I am anxious to hear the company line all weekend, celebrate the Indianhead I wear on my heart, and see Dale Tallon iwth alist of my favorite Euro propsects for next season's draft, which also looks as rich as this last one but think in Euro players, where he has been (huruhp) "re-assigned."
We have all probably done the samething at one point in our lives...emotionally say what we really mean vice sugar coating it when circumstances change!
If you (TIM S) where suddenly fired ill bet your views of the Herald would change and you might say somethings that are exaggerated but closely resemble the truth! (as you or Havlat for that matter see it at the time)
I think we can cut him some slack!
I'll try and be serious for once. That is of course assuming you ARE in fact still reading my drivel. (Sorry there's that sarcasm sneaking in again)
But seriously,
Martin Havlat was injured. A lot. When healthy there is no doubt he is a great player. The best player on the team for most of last year, and yes, I appreciated it. If Marty would have been durable enough to play 3 full seasons the way he did last year, we would not be having this discussion. It would have been Marty for 12 years not Hossa, there is no doubt in my mind. When you're injured as frequently as Havlat was, and especially now that he has a concussion history, it is a major risk to sign him to a long term contract. Deciding to go instead with a similarly talented, more physical player, with a better track record for durability is not personal. It is sound decision making. Anytime you sign a guy for 12 years it's a risk, but Hossa's history suggests that he is a better bet than Havlat to stay healthy. Havlat is not a dumb guy. Unless money is his only motivation (?), there is no way he would rather play for the Wild than the Hawks this year. Unfortunately and ultimately his durability issues ended up being his downfall in Chicago. I'm sure he was frustrated, who wouldn't be. He went from being on a young team on the rise to...well let's be nice and just say they're a team. But for him to take this personally, and to take cheap shots at his former team on his way out the door, just because he couldn't stay healthy enough, long enough to secure a long term deal from the team of his choice is not very classy or worthy of my respect. And while we're talking respect, how respectful of his new team is Marty being by continuously talking about wishing he was still a Hawk? Was there an element of truth in his "exaggeration" as you imply? Perhaps, but we'll never know for sure. The thing is, it doesn't matter, because regardless of whether or not you believe him ( you obviously do to some extent), the Hawks had more than enough logical reason to make the decision that they did. You said I HAD to show proper respect to the players on this team who have earned it. I did respect every facet of Marty Havlat the player. As I said, before, when he was healthy, there was no one on the Hawks better than him. He is an elite talent who carried the Hawks on his back at times last year. I did however lose all respect for him as a man the second decided to take the low road out of town. So it comes down to this. Farewell to Marty Havlat the stud player, good riddance to Marty Havlat the "man".