Core Player list

[Diehardfan]

Why start now?

You also realize the Hawks and Bruins average out to just about the same size, right?

Actually, no I didn't. I just took a quick look and they are a lot closer than I thought. I think the Bruins are a heavier, at least they play heavier....as far as height, you're right...its very close.

A lot of people (myself included) thought Buff could be easily replaced. While he and Bickell are not the same player, I really wouldn't want to see him playing great in Florida or someplace.

 

[Capt. Serious]

I know Frolik has been solid on the PK & such but he's another one that needs to be dealt.

Too much money for a PK'er & a guy who couldn't put the puck in the ocean if he tried.

Guy gives 100% but 2.3 mil can be spent better elsewhere.

 

[DMelt36]

I know Frolik has been solid on the PK & such but he's another one that needs to be dealt.

Too much money for a PK'er & a guy who couldn't put the puck in the ocean if he tried.

Guy gives 100% but 2.3 mil can be spent better elsewhere.

I agree, but when you consider that Raffi Torres just got a 3-year deal worth $2 million per year, Frolik's deal doesn't seem so bad, does it?

Frolik could have added value after his performance in this postseason, though. That's another benefit of a deep run--all of your players look like gold.

 

[Gunzaan]

*core* players?

Toews
Kane
Hossa
Sharp
Keith
Seabrook


Although, if it weren't for the whole contract squeeze, I would consider Hjalmarsson a core guy too, but the most expendable core guy.

This.

And Hossa is soon to be off that list. Leddy and/or Hammer will replace him as "core."

Our farm system has a nice compliment of offensive talent. Not so much on the defensive side, nor the goaltending, although I wouldn't be surprised if the new goalie we just signed from Europe takes over for Crawford in two years.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Bickells had a great playoffs, but they have Hayes to do the exact same thing...bigger with better hands, too.


SEABS!!!

It'd be nice if Hayes played like he was 6'6" not 5'6".

 

[Franko725]

It'd be nice if Hayes played like he was 6'6" not 5'6".

You mean kinda like Bickell until this season?

 

[HawkWriter]

It'd be nice if Hayes played like he was 6'6" not 5'6".

If the Blackhawks are relying on Hayes to replace Bickell, they are in trouble. Hayes does not play as big as Bickell, not even close - regular or postseason Bickell. Toss in the fact that Hayes is poor on his skates compared to Bickell and just about anybody else, and he gets knocked off the puck pretty easily. I'm personally not a fan of J. Hayes as a prospect or his future in the NHL. I do like K. Hayes though as he is already a superior skater compared to his brother. Hayes upside is his size (while he isn't physical, it is still an advantage) and some soft hands around the net.

 

[DewsSox79]

If the Blackhawks are relying on Hayes to replace Bickell, they are in trouble. Hayes does not play as big as Bickell, not even close - regular or postseason Bickell. Toss in the fact that Hayes is poor on his skates compared to Bickell and just about anybody else, and he gets knocked off the puck pretty easily. I'm personally not a fan of J. Hayes as a prospect or his future in the NHL. I do like K. Hayes though as he is already a superior skater compared to his brother. Hayes upside is his size (while he isn't physical, it is still an advantage) and some soft hands around the net.

still too early. you should be a scout with your knowledge.

 

[HawkWriter]

still too early. you should be a scout with your knowledge.

My bad for having a thought on a prospect. Forgot that was frowned upon.

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

 

[DewsSox79]

My bad for having a thought on a prospect. Forgot that was frowned upon.

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

no prob. glad i could help

 

[HawkWriter]

no prob. glad i could help

I'm just glad that other people can have an opinion on Hayes and it isn't an issue. The second I give my opinion on him though...no good! Get over it.

 

[nwfisch]

HawkWriter gets trolled so easily :lol:

 

[HawkWriter]

HawkWriter gets trolled so easily :lol:

Fine by me. I post something like that and an idiot throws the thread off. No skin off my back.

 

[DewsSox79]

Fine by me. I post something like that and an idiot throws the thread off. No skin off my back.

If you didn't reply and just ignored the thread doesn't go off. No skin off my backzz.

 

[X]

Come on fellas. I need opinions and insights to further my hockey knowledge. I don't need a pissing match.


(besides, last time I was in a pissing contest, I wrote the emancipation proclamation in cursive, in the snow, and had enough left over to sign the damn thing. I win.)


Back to hockey.


Out of curiosity, I feel like Crawford made "the leap" this year...why do some of you not consider him a core player? Not saying he's not - just trying to understand rationale.

 

[DMelt36]

Come on fellas. I need opinions and insights to further my hockey knowledge. I don't need a pissing match.


(besides, last time I was in a pissing contest, I wrote the emancipation proclamation in cursive, in the snow, and had enough left over to sign the damn thing. I win.)


Back to hockey.


Out of curiosity, I feel like Crawford made "the leap" this year...why do some of you not consider him a core player? Not saying he's not - just trying to understand rationale.

Because the way that the Hawks have handled their roster in the last 5-6 years would seem to indicate that they're more concerned with the skaters on the ice as opposed to the man in net. In just a five year span, they've had Khabibulin, Huet, Niemi, Turco, Crawford all as the No. 1 guy.

They just don't seem like the kind of franchise that's going to throw a huge contract at a goalie to lock themselves up for multiple years.

Right after the Cup, when the Sharks sent an offer sheet to Hjalmarsson, it forced the Hawks to either match that offer. When the Hawks did, that pretty much ended any chances of Niemi coming back to town. When the Hawks have a choice, they go for a skater.

 

[Franko725]

Come on fellas. I need opinions and insights to further my hockey knowledge. I don't need a pissing match.


(besides, last time I was in a pissing contest, I wrote the emancipation proclamation in cursive, in the snow, and had enough left over to sign the damn thing. I win.)


Back to hockey.


Out of curiosity, I feel like Crawford made "the leap" this year...why do some of you not consider him a core player? Not saying he's not - just trying to understand rationale.

Some people just do not care for Crawford as a player. He tends to have a bad game from time to time, kinda like the other night. On those nights, even if the defense is as bad or worse in front of him, he still takes the blame.

I personally think Crawford has played extremely well this season. I blame some of his confidence issues earlier in the year on Q mind fucking him every chance he got. Instead of putting him right back out there after a bad night, he would instead put in Emery for a few games. Hard to build up your own confidence when your coach is not showing that he has any in you.

At this point in time, I would think that Crawford is a core piece, mainly because the Hawks don't really have anyone else to put in that spot for now. He might not be a solid core piece like Toews or Keith, but he is definitely in the mix. No idea where they would find someone else on the free agent market for what he is making right now that would put up similar production.

On a bit of a side note, I am not sure who else on the team would be a candidate for the Conn Smythe should the Hawks win the Cup. For awhile I was thinking that Bickell might be the guy, but honestly, Crawford has been as good in these playoffs as anyone on the team. Other than him having some issues in Game 4, a game in which he got the win, I cannot think of a game that the Hawks have lost this postseason that I would put on him.

 

[DMelt36]

Sharp could win the Conn Smythe if Crawford doesn't earn the trophy in the next few games. Still think it's the goalie's trophy to lose.

 

[Franko725]

Sharp could win the Conn Smythe if Crawford doesn't earn the trophy in the next few games. Still think it's the goalie's trophy to lose.

Couldn't agree more. I think whichever team wins, that goalie ends up winning it.

 

[dabynsky]

Unless the closing games of this series are like game 4 I think Rask probably wins it no matter what. I am guessing he gets a lot of votes based on what he did earlier, and if the tempo returns to game 1-3 pace, and the Cup Final.