Off Season Wish List

[puckjim]

I don't see the appeal either with Konopka. The fourth line needs to be a player that will play smart, win face/offs, do spot duty on the third line in a pinch and be a good PKer, Konopka is none of those things. One goon is enough on this team. Yes, some sandpaper is needed but they should also be able to play and not be a detriment to the team.

If I'm reading the stats correctly, Konopka had the second highest face-off percentage in the league.



He's EXACTLY what this team needs.

 

[JOVE23]

If I'm reading the stats correctly, Konopka had the second highest face-off percentage in the league.



He's EXACTLY what this team needs.

How do you address his 500+ PIMs and the inevitable extra work on the not-so-great PK squad?

 

[puckjim]

How do you address his 500+ PIMs and the inevitable extra work on the not-so-great PK squad?

I would tell whichever fucking coach in charge of the PK to fix it.



Of his 307 penalty minutes, 31 were minor, 25 were major.



It's a byproduct of having a tough guy on your team.



Something this team doesn't have and desparetely needs.

 

[Shredder]

If I'm reading the stats correctly, Konopka had the second highest face-off percentage in the league.



He's EXACTLY what this team needs.

If it's really faceoff skills you want, why not just keep Ryan Johnson? He won roughly 63% of his draws with the Hawks and he'll probably come cheaper too.



I think faceoffs are very important indeed, but not so important that you can be allowed to suck at everything else.

 

[puckjim]

If it's really faceoff skills you want, why not just keep Ryan Johnson? He won roughly 63% of his draws with the Hawks and he'll probably come cheaper too.



I think faceoffs are very important indeed, but not so important that you can be allowed to suck at everything else.

We need the physical presence.



Ryan Johnson couldn't intimidate a wet cat.



Got to find a way to get some sandpaper in the lineup.



The Hawks are desperate for that.

 

[MassHavoc]

Laich may be overpriced

7:13AM ET

Brooks Laich | Capitals

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Brooks Laich could test free agency this season, but there's a reason some teams might be scared off. The New York Post's Larry Brooks thinks Laich is a second- or third-line forward, but he'll demand first-line money. So he suggests the Rangers stay away, although they are probably focused on bigger fish (i.e. Brad Richards) anyway.



If the Caps really want to keep Laich, they shouldn't have trouble doing so. And given his leadership with the club, they may see if they can get him to accept a reasonable deal. But given the lack of solid forwards on the free agent market, Laich might be in great position to leverage an above-market deal.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

Laich may be overpriced

7:13AM ET

Brooks Laich | Capitals

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Brooks Laich could test free agency this season, but there's a reason some teams might be scared off. The New York Post's Larry Brooks thinks Laich is a second- or third-line forward, but he'll demand first-line money. So he suggests the Rangers stay away, although they are probably focused on bigger fish (i.e. Brad Richards) anyway.



If the Caps really want to keep Laich, they shouldn't have trouble doing so. And given his leadership with the club, they may see if they can get him to accept a reasonable deal. But given the lack of solid forwards on the free agent market, Laich might be in great position to leverage an above-market deal.

If I were the Bowman I would call up Laich and his agent and show them the Ring, and then ask them to look at what he has to show for from D.C. He's got nothing. Take a pay cut and help us win it all again, or at least be very deep in the playoffs, the Caps have proven they can't and now they say their sticking with Boudreau, I'd be out of there ASAP.

 

[Rex]

I'm all for Konopka on the 4th line.

 

[Larmer83]

I'm not sold on Konopka. IMO, any center the Hawks pick up must be an excellent PKer. From the Isles centermen last season in 4 vs 5...



BAILEY- SH TOI/gm 2:21, Goals against on per 60 minutes=4.78

NIELSEN- SH TOI/gm 2:59, Goals against on per 60 minutes=5.44

KONOPKA- SH TOI/gm 1:32, Goals against on per 60 minutes=10.6



In the previous year at Tampa, in 74 games Konopka averaged 4 seconds in short handed time on ice per game.

 

[PatrickShart]

I'd rather see the Hawks go after a retread/older center on a 1 year deal on the cheap...Handzus, Arnott...both have faceoff percentages over 50% last year...can play on a second line with Hossa and keep Bolland with Bickell/Frolik on the third line.



Let Kruger play on the 4th line and on the PK...get him about 10-12min a game. Spell him on the other lines when Bolland gets hurt and work his way to a top 3 line the following year.

 

[the canadian dream]

I would rather have Kruger logging minutes and playing top forward minutes on the farm than him logging useless 4th line minutes with the Hawks. Useless for his style that is. He isn't a 4th line player PMX. Get him some adjusting time on the farm and make him a call up player when we need help. Just don't see what the point is playing Kruger on the 4th line. We need muscle and toughness and defensive awareness on the 4th not a European style player who likes to dish the puck and push on offense.



Just me though. I like the thought of what Kruger could be as he has shown flashes. But he isn't NHL ready yet. He needs to work on his skating.

 

[PatrickShart]

I think thru the course of the year, he could gain more minutes. Chances are if they sign a retread/vet he and Bolland will miss games, and Kruger would get more time.



He's already proved he can play the PK, get minutes there as well.



Who knows...its all just us talking. I think chances are he'll be with the big club and probably centering for Hossa come game 1

 

[the canadian dream]

I think thru the course of the year, he could gain more minutes. Chances are if they sign a retread/vet he and Bolland will miss games, and Kruger would get more time.



He's already proved he can play the PK, get minutes there as well.



Who knows...its all just us talking. I think chances are he'll be with the big club and probably centering for Hossa come game 1

Lets just cut to the chase PMX...enough of this lolly gagging (although i know you like to gag on lollies). I am right and youuuuuu are wrong. It's as simple as that.



TCD = 1 PMX = 0

 

[CLWolf81]

Of his 307 penalty minutes, 31 were minor, 25 were major.



It's a byproduct of having a tough guy on your team.



Something this team doesn't have and desparetely needs.

I'd rather it be from my winger than my center. That's one big issue I have with Zenon being here. Good faceoff winners are better off being either on the ice or on the bench and not in the box during a critical part of a game.



If he can handle PKs, which from Larmer's evidence shows that he can't, I just can't see what good it would do...

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Konopka is another of the "big, aggresive player that takes way too many stupid penalties" mould, thanks, but no thanks. I agree the team needs grit, but not when the sandpaper sits in the box way too often. Next.

 

[MassHavoc]

I just want everyone to get some rest, they looked tired all year. Hopefully they can recover and come back strong, rested and healthy.

 

[puckjim]

Konopka is another of the "big, aggresive player that takes way too many stupid penalties" mould, thanks, but no thanks. I agree the team needs grit, but not when the sandpaper sits in the box way too often. Next.

Aggressive players get penalties. Konopka led the league in PIM's, yet was 20th in minor penalties.



One ahead of Kopecky.



Ideally, you want an enforcer type to be able to contribute something besides the ability to fight.



Konopka's FO% is outstanding, so he's not just a palooka.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Aggressive players get penalties. Konopka led the league in PIM's, yet was 20th in minor penalties.



One ahead of Kopecky.



Ideally, you want an enforcer type to be able to contribute something besides the ability to fight.



Konopka's FO% is outstanding, so he's not just a palooka.

There is a huge difference between agressive and stupid, Konopka falls in the 2nd category, that little bit of trade off isn't worth it IMO. You try to make 20th in minor penalties sound like it isnt that bad....20th out of how many players in the league? And Koke-pepsis penchent for Special person penalties irks my shit too.



Oh he of stats out the butt, how many majors/misconducts did Konopka have compared to Kokepepsi?



Konopka 82gms 9pts -14 307PIMs 56shots

Kopecky 81gms 42pts -13 60 PIMs 178shots



the highlited number to me is the more important of the bunch

 

[puckjim]

There is a huge difference between agressive and stupid, Konopka falls in the 2nd category, that little bit of trade off isn't worth it IMO. You try to make 20th in minor penalties sound like it isnt that bad....20th out of how many players in the league? And Koke-pepsis penchent for Special person penalties irks my shit too.



Oh he of stats out the butt, how many majors/misconducts did Konopka have compared to Kokepepsi?



Konopka 82gms 9pts -14 307PIMs 56shots

Kopecky 81gms 42pts -13 60 PIMs 178shots



the highlited number to me is the more important of the bunch

I guess my point is that for someone that leads the league in PIM's, most of Konopka's penalties were not minor penalties.



Of course he's not a point producer. What he would provide is a something the Hawks lack: A big physical guy that can intimidate, as well contribute in another area.



The Hawks are butter soft and this must be addressed.



Konopka can fill a need and likely won't be too expensive, but you never know.



Kopecky had a career year and is likely gone.



There is no such thing as a home town/play-wherever-Hossa-is discount.

 

[PatrickShart]

Hard to win faceoffs from the penalty box. Regardless of minors/majors...he spent 300 min in the box.



Pass