Bowman OK with his goaltenders
There's always a chance things can change before the March 3 trade deadline, but if Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman is to complete another deal it doesn't appear as if it will be for goaltending insurance.
Bowman gave Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi their second vote of confidence in the last month on Friday after trading Cam Barker to Minnesota for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.
"I understand why people are talking about goaltending, but we have the best goals-against average in the league," Bowman said. "We just don't give up many goals."
So scratch those Marty Turco rumors - at least for now.
Give Bowman credit for making a good trade in getting the veteran and versatile Johnsson and an excellent prospect in Leddy for Barker, who was making $3.1 million to play 13 minutes a night as the Hawks' sixth defenseman.
Barker was the third player taken in the 2004 draft behind Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin but never showed the potential to be a difference maker. He scored 40 points last season, but his foot speed remained his biggest problem.
The writing on the wall early in Barker’s Hawks career when two of his coaches, Trent Yawney then Denis Savard, said they didn’t see him as more than a fourth or fifth defenseman.
Barker got a nice three-year, $9.25 million contract last summer after he was one of the Hawks who failed to receive their qualifying offers on time. The Hawks were forced to overpay him to keep him.
Bowman killed three birds with one stone on Friday. He improved his defense for the stretch run and playoffs by adding the steady Johnsson, he helped rebuild the organization's depth on defense by acquiring Leddy and he created some salary cap relief for what’s ahead this summer.
Barker's money for two more years is off the books while Johnsson's contract expires after the season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Johnsson probably is strictly a rental, although it’s too early to say that for certain if Bowman can shed payroll in other ways.
None of the goalies available are better than Cristobal Huet and some rumored tenders are significantly worse....Marty Turco?
A vote of confidence from a GM quite often is the kiss of death. It appears Roloson and Vokoun could be moved before the deadline. And besides, if you were thinking of improving at that position, stating you're not happy with your goaltending would be like trying to sell your car and putting "runs like crap" on the for sale sign. I don't see them making a deal but what comes out of Bowman's mouth means nothing to me. It's hardly worth reporting.
The Hawks were set to put Barks back on the PP point and now he's been traded. Does that mean that Buff goes back to the PP point for an extended experimental run? I sure hope not. Q needs to get Buff back down low where he can get his nose dirty and be more involved in the game creating traffic. Let Hammer take a few runs at playing the PP point with Campbell or maybe Johnsson will get a look tonight.
As far as Cheli goes, I have to admit. He's doing pretty well with the Wolves. 20 points and +29 (leads the active roster). I am sentimental when it comes to Cheli and if we were to win it all it would be nice to have him be part of it. At his age though... Not sure how much he could provide over any of the other guys who are already on the team.
I'd still love to see the Hawks get Chelly for the playoff run
No one has picked up Chelios for a reason.
The Sharks sent tough guy Jody Shelley away to NYR. Because good teams don't need goons. Capice?
In talking with Doug Wilson back when he was in charge of player development at SJ he told me that size was misleading when evaluating players and teams. He pointed out at the time that the premier teams were the smallest teams (this was about 6 or 7 years ago).
Ideally, you would want a player that was small through his youth and was a late bloomer size-wise. In any event, SJ has built a quality program by putting greater emphasis on the more important aspects of the game.
No surprise they dumped Shelley.
Anything can happen - I am not fretting the goalie situation. It is what it is. If they can improve, that would be great. I hope they get some more offense, because we still need to score more than 2 goals a game. No matter how good our defense is, they are young and will make mistakes. Johnsson does help.
To think about, how many experts saw the Barker for Johnsson trade. I am thinking no one!!!!!!!! Just saying, anything is possible.
None of the "experts" in the media saw it, at least that I saw/heard on NHL network, etc.
I suspect too many media types make up rumors to have something to print/broadcast.
Tim, you're not one of them, imho.
Crazy idea here but I'll throw it out there anyway. Brian Campbell for Scott Niedermayer and another young defenseman from the Ducks right before the real trade deadline. Niedermayer's contract expires at end of this year. We shave Campbells huge contract off the books for next year and beyond. We obviously would be down to 5 d-men next year (Keith, Seabrook, Sopel, Hendry and Hjalmarsson) so would have to bring one up from the minors. But it would pretty much get us back on course salary cap wise.
Also, the Ducks appear to have a lot of salary cap space for next year and beyond, so they could absorb Campbell's contract.
I believe the only issue is Campbell has some type of limited trade clause in his contract.
My guess is we still need to shed like 7-10 million before next year.
And not Kovalchuk or any other big fish. C'mon.
The Hawks have the lowest SA/G average @ 24.3 (10 fewer than the highest @ 34.1).
That can be misleading. I'd like to see how scoring chances compare. All this tells me is we close guys down on the perimeter. There are nights when we have 40 shots but very few are in close.
I'm of the opinion that goalies are better when they see more pucks, in which case we might actually be hurting Huet and Niemi.
Well yesterdays trade was a nice distraction. It was good to talk about something else.
I think Bowman improved the goaltending yesterday by improving the defense and that's about the only way to go about it. If the team plays like they are capable of they can win with Huet or Niemi in between the pipes.
I wouldn't expect top contending teams to publicly announce theyt are actively pursuing a goaltender, or express their concern.
I would also answer the medai question citing the GAA.
The fact remains there are no short term playoff replacements that are any better an upgrade.
So forget about this brashear, wisniewski, or any other salary launch, because they are taking an impressive skill team to the dance with a nice hole patched in the last 24 hours.
IS Andy Sutton on the way from the Isles?
Not for anything major....
I agree on Buff
no show in every game bye bye prior to the draft.
Same with Versteeg.
Maybe both will play great and even bring bigger returns...........
"I agree on Buff
no show in every game bye bye prior to the draft" ???
If what you mean is building around the core and surrounding them with players that fit in terms of salary , talent, style etc than I agree.. but if this is a slam on Byfugliens play than i dont!
He creates scoring opportunities with his back and fore checking and instinctive play! He is 5th on SOG for these reasons and most are quality shots!
I was agreeing with John that IF this entire Cup run if one where Buff isn't able to do his job at the highest of levels and also pot a big goal or two, both he and Versteeg become Cap luxuries, when I see a bigger picture of the resignings of Hjarlmarsson, Niemi, Brouwer, ladd even the lower end cash grabs of Eager, Fraser, Burish (Madden) and in a year Seabrook.
ONE MUST ARGUE, how much value Buff is, and if his contribution weighs THAT MUCH MORE in the long term scheme than ANY or multiple signings of the above.
Bloggers here are always ready to rally for or against a certain player and my post was not trying to rip what Buff is, what he brings, and more a philosophy, if put on the CAP scale, how we ALL must start to see in players for the long term benefits in a winning Hawk team.
I think I have been very good to always slam guys when they are being traded in imaginery trades, more than not seeing the strengths and weaknesses (breakdowns) on ice.
Hell, I know any guy I try and rip on the roster is fifty times better at playing the game than I can observe it, so I try to watch a whole lot of different matches (believe me my wife thinks everyday that I am not watching and concentrating on house related issues is Valentoine's Day) and pull what I think I saw out of them and not isolate that on ice play from the entire match.
Thats what i thought you meant (and a whole lot more too)
I try to watch the little things/matchups too but its amazing how everyone has different opinions and sees different things..even the scouts are often mixed!
so im not surprised at all the disagreements here.
as i said its all about building around the core with economical guys that fit the system! If that includes or doesnt include the guys you mention than so be it!
hmmm - quality shots?
Tonights game proved it once again!
3 great scoring opportunities in the 3rd and each time robbed!
Rev – Buf had a good third period. But he did take a penalty and was a minus 2 for the game. Ouch.
Lets look at Buf and third period – Buf did have some good scoring chances, but he did not convert. It is a stretch to say that Buf was robbed. Buf didn’t get off good shots except for the one in the slot - - where it looked like Pavelec didn’t have to move too much to make the save. Buf did draw a penalty later with a strong move to the net and a good save by Pavelec - but not robbed as Buf got off a weak shot while getting hooked.. Buf had a few chances by the net, but it was a mess and i don't think he got off a good shot and if anything shoveled the puck towards the net. Also he lost a battle with Reasoner for the puck on the late pp where the Hawks were threatening and Atlanta's defense was dead tired.
Don’t get me wrong – Buf has great potential and could be a force – but he needs to work on it and want it. Most games he is a non-factor and doesn’t make the necessary plays. And he still needs to check and smash some people more - - scare the hell out of the opponents in stead of falling down on the ice. I saw that several times last night.
Yea yea - I am tough on big Buf - but this kid has potential and i hope he realizes that he is not playing to his potential. But i don't think he knows.
Buf had a great third period - it just proves he can be a force if he wants to be.
robbed? I don't know - i will have to go back and watch the tape.
Meaning he is often in a position to score !!
Buff and " instinctive play"....hmmmmm
"I understand why people are talking about goaltending, but we have the best goals-against average in the league," Bowman said. "We just don't give up many goals."
too funny TS....but Its the only logical way to deal with the panic over a perceived media led issue!(blogs, newspapers etc)
on another note,I am not in favor of Tkatchuk but i have often thought we could use a Holmstrom type...as in a vet fwd who has been through the wars!
I like the idea of trading cap casualties for vets who can help out our young stars!
Wow - Bolderiv has somehow brainwashed Bowman. Dang it. Bowman citing GAA as reason not to improve the goal tending situation. Not sure if he believes it or just lip service.
Oh well - i am not too thrilled with the goalie situation. But that is good to bring another solid defensiveman that should help our goalie inadequacies.
Now we need more offense - we need to score more goals. We need someone to play with Hossa. Because right now, Hossa plays solid defensively but we need him and his line to have more offensive potentcy consistently. Sometimes, it seems Hossa has more offensive chances killing pk with Toews. Hossa does need to work on his shoot out attempts - no confidence in his shot in his last few chances. i thought he was money. Very disappointing.
And the second pp unit with Hossa - needs to crank it up a notch.
Coach Q better get his act together - - -last year we had four lines clicking. This year - Toews and Kane line play consistently awesome. But after that - it is too inconsistent.
So I really don't care about how Hossa does there.
It would be good to see him find a line combo that fits him a little better. He gets some good chances, but seems to me he has to do too much by himself. Kind of like Versteeg tries to do in the neutral zone. (Kidding, so don't turn up the flames.)
Keith Tkachuk is not a winner. '96 World Cup withstanding, he has not been a gamebreaker wherever he's been as captain in Phoenix or deadline acq. in StL or Atlanta. The day Winnipeg matched our offer sheet for him was a great day, beaten only by Philly's snatch of Chris Gratton.
Pass.
So there go our Blackhawks off to Vancouver. Not to play for their respected countries but for a giant hamburger chain and soft drink company. What a shame if this Blackhawk dream season is ruined because a key Blackhawk player is hurt in the name of Ronald McDonald!
There's as good a chance the other likely Cup contenders could have a key player injured in Vancouver.
It takes a lot of luck to win any championship. Notwithstanding talent, motivation, etc.
Who gets hurt, does the flu hit at a bad time, does someone chow down at the wrong eatery, etc.......None predictable or controllable by a GM, coach or players.
Moving Huet has to be a Herculean task with his salary. Niemi shows enough to make him a potential #1.
Turco? He's not having a good year, though better recently.
The trade Bowman did make I like. Having someone to give Keith/Seabrook a bit of a break will only help during the playoffs. Leddy leaves the potential for long-term upside, and getting rid of Cam's salary will help this summer.
Maybe Barker will blossom with the Wild the way he didn't here, since they play a different style. He's miscast with the fleet Blackhawks.
It will be interesting to see what Q does now that he has a defenseman who can play against the opponents top line. I hope that he doesn't just plug Johnsson into Barkers spot with Sopel. I'm sure that Hammer would like to take a break from covering for Campbell every shift.
if johnsson pans out, i'd like to see them keep him past this year and move salary another way. moving forward, i would like to see us take a serious run at kieth tkachuk on march 1st! why? to get some size and skill with a purpose on that second line, a good 2nd line center. i know he's been playing wing, but you play him with sharp and hossa! man thats a hell of a second line. right now we don;t have enough middle of the ice in front of the net nastinessneeded down the stretch. too many smurfs up front.right now i don't see us beating vancouver, sanjose or detroit and maybe even LA in a 7 game series.hopefully stans not done!
and launch Seabrook, Hjammer?
He would have to say to himself I love it with these guys and I want to stay for three more at half price, to it even be considered unless serious Hawk contracts where also launched, which as we have all stated OVER and OVER and OVER, are not that easy to lose.
Barker, Versteeg, even Sharp those are reasonable bait becasue of the dollars and lengths.
You basically are giving the receiving term a guy locked in adn ano-brainer that allows that GM to go about the business of signing others with no worry on how the deal impacts his club for a few years.
The other two big contracts bloggers here want so badly to remove are, pure and simple, less easy to lose.
He lost a step but still a good player. He wins faceoffs and has size. But i wouldn't give up too much for him.
you're complaining about trading the young guys for non-elite prospects and aging vets then you suggest bringing in Keith Tkachuk. it's not 2003, Tkachuk doesn't bring the same speed/goal scoring he once did.
our prospects are at the NHL level. any trade we make that gets rid of those guys for aging veterans goes against everything you were complaining about in your other post that i ranted about.
I like Bolland in that 2nd line center role. I'd rather have Bolland with Hossa and Sharp than Tkachuk. You realize its going to take one heck of a deal to get the Blues to trade Tkachuk to us. I'd rather not see Byfuglien, Bolland, Brouwer, or Versteeg playing for the Blues for the next 10 years. come on dude.
look past the big names. look at how it helps the team. tkachuk is slow, old, and waaaay past his prime. there's no upside in loading up on rentals unless they bring an intangible (cup wins) to the table. tkachuk doesn't do that either.
we can make moves in the off-season. i'll take our chances with a smallish but fast team in the playoffs. if we bring in a bunch of stiffs we cant play our transition/puck movement game. nor can they get back quickly enough to help on defense when Campbell, Keith come up into the offensive zone.
Try spelling thoses names from memory.
Would you give up Byfuglien, Skille and a 3rd round pick for any of those guys? I would.
Tkachuk is not the 2003 version. But he is a tough guy that comes to play every night.
Byfuglien plays like he did in the playoffs last year (and that's an IF), I would not take three Tkachuks for him.
We Hawk fans have not seen enough long playoff runs to appreciate what a war of attrition the playoffs are.
If Bowman makes another move, it should be (and most likely will be) for yet another defenseman: a big, physical veteran to be the 7th guy.
You CAN NOT have enough healthy size, experience and depth on the blueline going in to the playoffs. And that's another reason you don't trade Buff. You might need him to skate 8-10 minutes a night on D at some point. Is it ideal? No, but what else do you do late in the playoffs? Think Detroit wanted to put Chelios out there late in the WCF against the Hawks? The guy could barely get up and down the ice anymore. But they had to. And it helped.
Whether posters here realize it (or want to realize it), Byfuglien likely isn't going anywhere for that reason alone. But there's more.
Look at how the Hawks beat Calgary and Vancouver last year: by decimating their defenses. And Byfuglien had a LOT to do with that (as did Brouwer, Ladd and Eager). Not to mention getting in Luongo's kitchen and head. My guess is (sorry Dean!) he will have the same effect this year— even though he is whipping boy number 2 or 3 behind Huet and maybe Campbell.
If this is the year you go for it and forget the future as Jacukel has said, Buff better bring it every shift. They got a new D man now, and like JHAWK said- if they play like they can they can win with either goalie. I agree. And I wouldn't want to give up much, but the front of the net on the PP can be the difference. And Tkachuk always scores from in front of the net, at least when playing the hawks. I know he's washed up 5 on 5 and I know he loses his cool now & then with a bad penalty, but the hawks need hands with a pair of stones in front of the net. Do you guys trust Buff enough to be that guy? Not sure I do based on what I've seen this season. Of course, not sure Tkachuk would keep a lid on his temper, if even for a cup. But someone better show up. And if Buff doesn't, then I agree that he should be the first one under the bus this summer.
DB has played well throughout the year and its just on here where he is chastised and it will get worse for him since Barker is not here now!
So the Blog has only Huet Byfuglien and Versteeg!
Its getting a little lite on scapegoats!~
If Buff fails to deliver in the playoffs, I think he should be the first guy dealt in the offfseason.
Buff WAS, possibly, my favorite player, but contrary to Boldirev's assertion that he's a backchecking and forechecking tyrant, I don't think God gave him the speed to carry around 260 lbs to stickcheck. Also, I don't think he was given those gifts to take 70 games off a year and I'm sure that it's not what management had in mind when giving him 3 million per. He will believe his own hype and turn in some better shifts in the tournament, but that will just serve to make the criticism of him warranted.
you dont watch the games too closely..what did he do vs atlanta???
3 very good scoring opportunities in the 3rd and key back check in front of our net on a 2 on 1 also in the 3rd to stop a clear shot in the slot!!
it's about time he took off his panties
Now, for the last time, are you going to the game in C'bus tomorrow? :)
I'll be there.
But if he has another playoff run like last year his trade value should increase. Would you trade him at that point or do you think the Hawks should give him another year?
Buf probably thinks he is playing well and no need to change.
But next year - Buf's contract year. A major incentive for the big man. I think he will be a big force next season. This year, he did start out very good skating wise, but he still lacks something. You can see when Buf turns it up a notch or is determined to make the play, but you don't see it too often.