Hawks Trade for Versteeg

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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="roshinaya" data-cid="214027" data-time="1384490738">
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Versteeg hasn't been that great in FLA (but who has?). Hope he can turn it around and I guess being a 3rd liner on the Hawks is more to his place than being a top line winger. All in all rather meh.</p>
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 </p>


Really? That's got to be one of the best third lines in the league now, filled with guys who can all play in other areas like PK and power play. Even better, from how I understand it, the cap hit remains at 2.2 for the remaining 3 years and that'll be what his trade cap hit is as well for the team that receives him if the Hawks were to trade him, which makes him extremely easy to move if they have to.</p>

 

[mikita's helmet]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bookjones" data-cid="214046" data-time="1384498343">


FYI, they've already sent out a release saying Mo and Mills are being sent back down.
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Mills, too? WTF!!!!!!

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bookjones" data-cid="214044" data-time="1384497807">
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Basically this.</p>


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It definitely came out of left field AFAIAC. On the face of it I don't like losing Olsen. He's a 1st Rder from only 4 Drafts ago and could hardly be considered a bust. He had a rocky season emotionally last year not being able to deal with re-making the The Show but man did that kid surprise me this past offseason when I would check his Twitter feed and see that he was training hard so it surprised me not at all to see him show up so fit at the Rookie Tournament in Ontario. And he had a good tournament. As I said on the Twiiterz tonight, he's in the best conditioning shape of his career IMO, he has had a good season w/the Hogs to-date IMO and definitely has turned his game back around, has his head in the game, attitude adjustment, etc. and he's still a very good NHL SAH d-man prospect. Also, he was showing maturity in making a conscious decision to take on a leadership role as an older player with so many newbies playing for the Hogs. On face value I might normally question asset management as I DO NOT like dumping 1st and 2nd Rders who haven't busted BUT. . .</p>


 </p>


All that said, good for Olsen and good luck to him as this affords him a better shot at hopefully breaking the NHL again (make it happen Tallon Cat!) because understand this, the Hawks are 101% planning on FINALLY signing Johns as soon as Notre Dame's season is over. And they have to. And they likely have to concede to giving him a roster spot guarantee basically to get it done.  Clenny is a PMD to Olsen's SAH so he hasn't leapfrogged Olsen positionally. It's Johns is who is leapfrogging Olsen and the Hawks have to leapfrog him to get him to sign likely since he'll otherwise be a free agent in August because he's not wanted to sign to-date and he's doing the Sr year of NCAA. Is that fair to Olsen as a 1st Rder who appears to be towing the line developmentally and rehabilitated his game and attitude? Nope, it sucks for him. But it's a business and a process and asset management that doesn't sit quite right just has to happen sometimes. Gotta start learning how to say goodbye to prospects in both trades and also just the statistics that say that most prospects obviously don't and can't numerically make the NHL.</p>


 </p>


Additionally in terms of the IceHogs pipeline of the future to add to Dahlbeck on the SAH front, the Hawks will have to sign Travis Brown of Moose Jaw next yr. as he reaches the 2 yr post-Draft signing deadline and he is having a PHENOMENAL season so far individually on yet again, another crappy Moose Jaw team. LOL, much like I bemoaned about his otherwise admirable offensive development last seas when I watched MJW gms, his defensive awareness and +/- leave something to be desired again this year but just like last seas and even MORE so, he's just tearing it THE **** UP offensively for a d-man this season. He's lead MJW in pts pretty much since the 2nd week of the season, is 2nd in scoring for all WHL d-men, and 17th overall currently for all WHL scorers.  Kind of like the whole "there's nothing more Pirri and Morin can prove in the AHL developmentally" line of thought so too can the same be said of Brown who is playing inhis 3rd season (more like 3.5th season, heh) in the WHL. I concede he needs much more sound defensive awareness development that will come with age but I don't think that can be gained with a 4th, overage season in 2014-15 on that MJW team so IMO he needs to be signed and assigned to Rockford next season. If MJW were better and he wasn't spinning his wheels on team that isn't going anywhere then maybe I'd consider it. Season's not over so I can't say where MJW will definitely end up but right now they look like last yr's unerwhelming team. Additionally, the other large SAH d-man prospect after Johns and Brown is Paliotta of Vermont who I'd imagine the Hawks as most tms do, will try to sign at least after the completion of his Jr yr which is this season. Paliotta also held his own in camps this past offseason. </p>


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With the announcement of Morin being sent down concurrent with this trade announcement we can pretty much say Mo's 100% trade bait though. He can't really prove anything more in the AHL and the Hawks know this and his game certainly hasn't regressed so I guess he'll just help Rockford until they trade him. Hogs do need some help after taking a nosedive for all of November so far. Guess the Organization doesn't see a future for him. . .which is a shame because man do I love his natural sniping tendencies and the old cliche "nose for the net".</p>
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 </p>


Hi!</p>


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I missed you, sugarplum.</p>

 

[mikita's helmet]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Grimson" data-cid="214050" data-time="1384499060">

Hi!

 

I missed you, sugarplum.</p></blockquote>


Yeah she PMs me all the time about how much she misses you, too, but she has her pride, darn it!

 

[bookjones]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mikita's Helmet" data-cid="214049" data-time="1384499017">
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Mills, too? WTF!!!!!! :icon-smile:</p>
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 </p>


IKR? The horror! The horror!   [/Kurtz speak]   :icon-wink:</p>


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 </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Grimson" data-cid="214050" data-time="1384499060">
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Hi!</p>


 </p>


I missed you, sugarplum.</p>
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 </p>


Sugarplum? Well that's certainly a new one. Can't say you don't still find new ways to surprise me though naturally of course I know your overall love is ever enduring Moomintroll. {{smooches}}</p>

 

[mikita's helmet]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bookjones" data-cid="214052" data-time="1384501142">

IKR? The horror! The horror!   [/Kurtz speak]</p></blockquote>


Zackley!

 

[bookjones]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mikita's Helmet" data-cid="214053" data-time="1384502310">
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Zackley!</p>
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 </p>


 </p>


In any event I was sorta wrong. D'uh! The press release was about sending Mo and Alex Broadhurst back down. Because of all the frenzy from tonight I was blending in a tweet from Elliotte Friedman that I read hours ago stating that apparently Mills has been put on waivers which in translation is the same to me as the Hawks are sending him down to RFD too at least for a conditioning stint after being on LTIR. I assume he'll clear waivers. So I jumped the gun. My bad. </p>

 

[Pez68]

I have no idea what Dale is doing with that team in Florida. I don't see them getting better anytime soon.</p>


 </p>


The Hawks fleeced Florida in this trade. Versteeg is a decent second liner, great third liner. That third line for the Hawks is 2010 ridiculous. Hayes was too slow and soft to ever fit in on this team. Olsen has been surpassed in the depth chart. The Hawks basically gave up two pieces that will never have a regular spot on their team, for a PROVEN third liner, and key roleplayer from their Stanley Cup winning team... A guy who can also play the PK and PP. What's not to like?</p>

 

[cplmac]

What Pez said, I love this trade. Not a fan of giving up reasonable prospects but the Hawks aren't really in a team building phase, they are in a dynasty building phase. While Versteeg was largely a no show in the playoffs last year at times, he was an important piece of the puzzle getting us there. I'll be very happy to see him back in the Indian Head. Not only does this make us a better team right away, it adds chemistry that works. I don't see a down side to this trade.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I don't know how anyone can say Olsen has regressed. Here's a kid who played one year of NCAA hockey and then turned pro. I though Saturday he looked great and had a bomb from the point on the powerplay. Clendening is the only one who has surpassed him, and while we have a log jam on defense, we've left ourselves pretty dry now in the defensive pipeline for guys ready to move up.


I like Versteeg and I realize we have to move guys in order to get valuables back especially when we have great depth in the system. Just wish we would of moved someone else outside of Olsen but that's part of the game.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Trev" data-cid="214058" data-time="1384522428">
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I don't know how anyone can say Olsen has regressed. Here's a kid who played one year of NCAA hockey and then turned pro. I though Saturday he looked great and had a bomb from the point on the powerplay. Clendening is the only one who has surpassed him, and while we have a log jam on defense, we've left ourselves pretty dry now in the defensive pipeline for guys ready to move up.


I like Versteeg and I realize we have to move guys in order to get valuables back especially when we have great depth in the system. Just wish we would of moved someone else outside of Olsen but that's part of the game.</p>
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What are the ages of the Blackhawks top 6 defensemen?

It's not like you have a Wings situation in which you're replacing Rafalski and Lidstrom in 2 seasons.</p>

 

[puckjim]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BlackhawkPaul" data-cid="214059" data-time="1384522551">
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What are the ages of the Blackhawks top 6 defensemen?

It's not like you have a Wings situation in which you're replacing Rafalski and Lidstrom in 2 seasons.</p>
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Keith: 29</p>


Seabrook: 27</p>


Hammer: 25</p>


Leddy: 21</p>


Oduya: 31</p>


Rozsival: 34</p>


Brookbank: 32</p>


Kostka (Whoever the **** that is): 27</p>


 </p>


The Blackhawks have plenty of organizational defensive depth.  Olsen was never ever going to play for the Blackhawks.</p>


 </p>


Two guys with alleged NHL futures for a proven NHL vet?</p>


 </p>


This trade was easy, peasy, Japanesey</p>

 

[WiHawksFan]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pez68" data-cid="214055" data-time="1384505074">
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I have no idea what Dale is doing with that team in Florida. I don't see them getting better anytime soon.</p>


 </p>


The Hawks fleeced Florida in this trade. Versteeg is a decent second liner, great third liner. That third line for the Hawks is 2010 ridiculous. Hayes was too slow and soft to ever fit in on this team. Olsen has been surpassed in the depth chart. The Hawks basically gave up two pieces that will never have a regular spot on their team, for a PROVEN third liner, and key roleplayer from their Stanley Cup winning team... A guy who can also play the PK and PP. What's not to like?</p>
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 </p>


I guess I don't remember him playing PK during his time here on the Hawks. Is this something her started doing in FL?</p>

 

[thanson1990]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Trev" data-cid="214058" data-time="1384522428">
<div>


I don't know how anyone can say Olsen has regressed. Here's a kid who played one year of NCAA hockey and then turned pro. I though Saturday he looked great and had a bomb from the point on the powerplay. Clendening is the only one who has surpassed him, and while we have a log jam on defense, we've left ourselves pretty dry now in the defensive pipeline for guys ready to move up.


I like Versteeg and I realize we have to move guys in order to get valuables back especially when we have great depth in the system. Just wish we would of moved someone else outside of Olsen but that's part of the game.</p>
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Olsen was god awful last year in Rockford.  They have Clendening, Johns, Dahlbeck, and Svedberg ahead of him on the organizational depth chart right now and, when healthy, 8 capable D on the NHL roster.  Plus Brown in Moose Jaw.  The Hawks have drafted well and built an org. stacked on the back end, making Olsen expendable.</p>

 

[winos5]

<span style="color:#ee82ee;">Can't wait for the new limo photos....</span></p>


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<span style="color:#000000;">Seriously though, I like it.   Olsen wasn't going to play here anytime soon and Hayes didn't bring what they wanted in his brief try out.   Can't help but think Morin is next to go.   Lefeaveernbbre was an obvious dump of a player who will never see the NHL.</span></p>

 

[Tater]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WiHawksFan" data-cid="214061" data-time="1384524277">
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I guess I don't remember him playing PK during his time here on the Hawks. Is this something her started doing in FL?</p>
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 </p>


He sure did play some PK on the Hawks.</p>


 </p>


All hail....?                                                             <span style="font-size:8px;">Too soon?</span></p>

 

[WiHawksFan]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tater" data-cid="214064" data-time="1384525125">
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He sure did play some PK on the Hawks.</p>


 </p>


All hail....?                                                             <span style="font-size:8px;">Too soon?</span></p>
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 </p>


I must be getting old....can't remember back four years.</p>


 </p>


Thanks</p>

 

[R K]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Trev" data-cid="214058" data-time="1384522428">
<div>


I don't know how anyone can say Olsen has regressed. Here's a kid who played one year of NCAA hockey and then turned pro. I though Saturday he looked great and had a bomb from the point on the powerplay. Clendening is the only one who has surpassed him, and while we have a log jam on defense, we've left ourselves pretty dry now in the defensive pipeline for guys ready to move up.


I like Versteeg and I realize we have to move guys in order to get valuables back especially when we have great depth in the system. Just wish we would of moved someone else outside of Olsen but that's part of the game.</p>
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 </p>


 </p>


He's regressed and those who watch him and have for the last two years have had him passed by with at least 4 dmen.  Doesn't mean he's not good or doesn't have potential but like Morin he'll never crack the Chicago line up and Clendending and Svedberg blew by him in Rockford.</p>


 </p>


Good deal from Stan and Tallon gets a potential 2nd pair dman at some point, maybe.  Steeg is here for one thing, to help with the PK.</p>


 </p>


Once Kostka and Mills return I suspect they'll go to Rockford.  As of right now the Hawks are right up against the Cap.</p>

 

[Tater]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WiHawksFan" data-cid="214065" data-time="1384525283">
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I must be getting old....can't remember back four years.</p>


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Thanks</p>
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 </p>


I had to reply, because it's so rare that I actually remember something myself.</p>

 

[winos5]

At least we got good value for Olsen and Hayes rather than loosing them for nada like Stanton.   Good luck in their careers.   Welcome home Versteeg!!!!</p>