Off Season Wish List

[LordKOTL]

Too funny, my daughter started singing this today in the truck. I had never heard or seen this before, until today, and twice now.

When I see his name, I can't help but think two posters show up on his blog saying, "Hey that's my name too!"



Seriously, his disdain for skille this past season was borderline psychotic, in spite of the fact that Stalberg is pretty much the same player. Sometimes he can have the blinders on as much as HF50.



Anyhow, how about this for a trade (kinda pulled out of my arse here). Stalberg for Tomaš Tatar straight up? I was hoping we drafted him instead of Pirri.

 

[Tater]

When I see his name, I can't help but think two posters show up on his blog saying, "Hey that's my name too!"



Seriously, his disdain for skille this past season was borderline psychotic, in spite of the fact that Stalberg is pretty much the same player. Sometimes he can have the blinders on as much as HF50.



Anyhow, how about this for a trade (kinda pulled out of my arse here). Stalberg for Tomaš Tatar straight up? I was hoping we drafted him instead of Pirri.

I'm sorry sir, but I have a no trade clause.

 

[bookjones]

Ummm. . .I would like Brooks Laich for centering the 2nd line please. If it means finding someone who can block shots and stay at home for much less than Hjalmarsson's $3.5 mil and then putting those savings towards getting him then so be it. Thank you and that is all.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Ummm. . .I would like Brooks Laich for centering the 2nd line please. If it means finding someone who can block shots and stay at home for much less than Hjalmarsson's $3.5 mil and then putting those savings towards getting him then so be it. Thank you and that is all.

Most would agree. The tricky part is a worthy replacement but if Campoli is re-signed, everybody moves up and we need a new #6 Dman.



About Hjalmerson, Scotty has said his game could evolve to N. Lidstrom type game. So if that does play out (even close) it'd be a shame to lose Hammer. He did have a down year this year but all of the playoff games from last year take their toll diferently on different players (extereme burnout). I believe he'll be much improved this year whereever he plays. I look for the whole team to be so well rested and hungry they'll be very hard to beat this year.

 

[Ton]

Honestly, I would advise against trading Hjalmarsson. I also think we need to re-sign Brouwer.



We have 15 players signed (16 if you include Kruger next year), with $10M in space that allows $2M per player for the remaining 5 spots. I'm not too worried, if we have to trade someone like Hammer this off-season is an epic fail in my eyes.



3 of those 5 spots are important, IMO. Will $8M be enough for Frolik, Campoli, and Brouwer? If it is, you can easily fill out the last two with $1M type guys. One of them must be a center.



This is all based on if the cap will truly be at $62.2M next year of course, but I've also heard reports that it could be as high as $63.5M... with that in mind, we should be just fine.



I honestly doubt we'll be bringing in a big name this summer. Remember our team was exhausted and nearly beat the Canucks, we don't need a big improvement in order to make a serious run next year.



I would expect a big move to be made at the deadline if anything were to be done.

 

[R K]

Depends if you can find a good #2 Center IMO Tony. If one of those appears, with Leddy ready, I'd go for it and then try to use any extra money to find another physical D man.



Unless I get some one to bite on Campbell and he agrees to go there. Hjarlmarsson is trade bait for a bonafied #2.





That would be my main priority. And one of the main reasons they lost to the Canucks. For three games they had no #2 or #3 Center. Absolutely no depth at C what so ever.

 

[Tater]

Depends if you can find a good #2 Center IMO Tony. If one of those appears, with Leddy ready, I'd go for it and then try to use any extra money to find another physical D man.



Unless I get some one to bite on Campbell and he agrees to go there. Hjarlmarsson is trade bait for a bonafied #2.





That would be my main priority. And one of the main reasons they lost to the Canucks. For three games they had no #2 or #3 Center. Absolutely no depth at C what so ever.

This is just what I'm hoping for.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Ummm. . .I would like Brooks Laich for centering the 2nd line please. If it means finding someone who can block shots and stay at home for much less than Hjalmarsson's $3.5 mil and then putting those savings towards getting him then so be it. Thank you and that is all.

I have been screaming this FOREVER.....copycat.

 

[Ton]

I honestly don't think they need a 2nd line C, with Bolland here, maybe they can sign someone for around $1-$2M for the 3rd line C spot. We don't absolutely "need" a 2nd line C, we had more than enough offensive output from our guys this year. We just need a center who can play well defensively, take draws, and play the PK. Those two were bigger problems than any "2nd line C" would have fixed. Our PP needed improvement too, but we saw it get progressively better from the All-Star break and on, especially with Campoli and Frolik attained.



I'd rather keep Hammer and attain a solid C that can play the PK than lose Hammer and create another hole in order to make room for a star player that we don't even need. If the need comes up, then you make a trade at the deadline -- not in the off-season.

 

[R K]

I don't see how you are creating a hole at all. You need another Physical D man,and Leddy is clearly ready and NOT physical. Seabrook can not do it all n his own in the Physicality Dept. Leddy will be far better than Hjarlmarsson IMO.



Bolland is not a 2nd line Center. He was massively productive with Havlat and Ladd on the 3rd line, and in the playoffs this year he was massively productive with Frolik and Bickell on the 3rd line.



You need a center for Hossa. No question. Also our LACK of depth at Center cost us in the playoffs.

 

[Shredder]

About Hjalmerson, Scotty has said his game could evolve to N. Lidstrom type game. So if that does play out (even close) it'd be a shame to lose Hammer. He did have a down year this year but all of the playoff games from last year take their toll diferently on different players (extereme burnout). I believe he'll be much improved this year whereever he plays. I look for the whole team to be so well rested and hungry they'll be very hard to beat this year.

That Lidstrom comparison by Bowman was cute and all, but we really need to let that go already. Not only is he not even close to Lidstrom defensively, he's even further away offensively. Lidstrom had 60 points as a 21-year-old rookie. Now 24, Hjalmarsson has just barely been able to eclipse half that in what amounts to 2.5 seasons.



I love his attitude as a player and I like having him on the team, but $3.5 million a year for a shot blocker is really, really steep and probably too much. I always thought he had some untapped offensive potential, but with Keith, Seabrook and Campbell on the team, he'll likely never realize it with the Hawks.



I'm quite solidly in the camp that thinks a quality second line center would do more for the balance of this team than a Hjalmarsson type.

 

[bookjones]

I have been screaming this FOREVER.....copycat.

Bubblelicious, you wound me with the name calling. Now look, there is enough Laich love and visions of what could be to have a permanent stud with skills down the center for Hossa for many, many of us to get our covet on! Let's just be united on this front and figure out how we can get a campaign percolating before July 1st that can get Stan's attention shall we?

 

[CLWolf81]

Theres always trading for Laich and their cap problems during draft time.

I'm sure the Caps could use Campbell or Hjalmarsson...

 

[Ton]

I just don't see why you would trade Hammer to bring in a "2nd line C" when you can just sign a guy to fill for the PK, faceoffs, and defensive responsibilities and keep Hammer. It doesn't make sense.



Dave Bolland is a top 2 center in this league. He would be just fine. Compare him to everyone's hero, Brooks Laich, who apparently is a "2nd line C", and you'll see Bolland is actually just as good as him.



We all know how good defensively Bolland is, but I think many overlook his offensive game. Compare his points per game with centers in the league, he falls in the same category as guys like Laich, Brassard, Connolly, Bergland, Jokinen, Bouchard, Weiss, Legwand, S. Koivu, Antropov, Fisher.... if those guys aren't top 2 centers, then who would be? After Dec 5th, which IMO was the end of Bollands slump, Bolland posted 33 points in the remaining 39 games of the season. Remember Bolland had a bad back to start the year and had some time to adjust. If Bolland paced that over the season he would have around 67 or 68 points to end the year. Even if he is on pace with last year, including his beginning of the season slump, he'll come out around 50 points for the year.



His time on ice per game is also similar to guys like Bergeron, M. Richards, Laich, Fisher, Jokinen, Brassard, Berglund, Connolly, etc.. etc..



What more do you want in a top 2 center? I don't know. Forget the whole "2nd line C" and just grab a C who can get his hands dirty and play the PK. We don't need to make a big splash, if we do, we should do it at the deadline. We have our top 2 centers on this team, Toews and Bolland. Depth at the center position is welcome, but we don't need another star player. We simply don't have the room, and to get rid of Hammer in order to make room for that is unnecessary when we already have a guy that can fill that role.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

That Lidstrom comparison by Bowman was cute and all, but we really need to let that go already. Not only is he not even close to Lidstrom defensively, he's even further away offensively. Lidstrom had 60 points as a 21-year-old rookie. Now 24, Hjalmarsson has just barely been able to eclipse half that in what amounts to 2.5 seasons.



I love his attitude as a player and I like having him on the team, but $3.5 million a year for a shot blocker is really, really steep and probably too much. I always thought he had some untapped offensive potential, but with Keith, Seabrook and Campbell on the team, he'll likely never realize it with the Hawks.



I'm quite solidly in the camp that thinks a quality second line center would do more for the balance of this team than a Hjalmarsson type.

Very true!



I'm not delusional and realize Hammer will probably never reach that caliber of player. At some point he could have a career year and maybe get 1/2 of the offensive #s that lidstrom has put up. But it would be very difficult for him to do it with the D corp this team has.

 

[bookjones]

Theres always trading for Laich and their cap problems during draft time.

I'm sure the Caps could use Campbell or Hjalmarsson...

But if you trade for Laich, it's all moot at the deadline since he's a UFA this year and there's no guarantee you can re-sign him. Better not to give up anything to the Caps for him when he's a free man in two weeks no? I need to stop talking about this since it's just my "Wish List" and thinking about the fact that Stan/Hawks likely won't get him---hell, probably aren't even targeting him in reality just depresses me. Tis a pity too since Laich has developed a better two-way game that would mesh perfectly with Hossa's stellar two-way game. It's like visions of goddamn fucking sugar plums dancing in my head. {{{sighs}}} Nevertheless I am CONVINCED they're not getting the sweet $5.3 mil cap hit value on Hossa's contract (when he's healthy which I expect to improve since this is his first offseason in 4 years of any length) unless you get a quality Centre for him to completely cement the 2nd line as a force.

 

[PatrickShart]

I just don't see why you would trade Hammer to bring in a "2nd line C" when you can just sign a guy to fill for the PK, faceoffs, and defensive responsibilities and keep Hammer. It doesn't make sense.



Dave Bolland is a top 2 center in this league. He would be just fine. Compare him to everyone's hero, Brooks Laich, who apparently is a "2nd line C", and you'll see Bolland is actually just as good as him.



We all know how good defensively Bolland is, but I think many overlook his offensive game. Compare his points per game with centers in the league, he falls in the same category as guys like Laich, Brassard, Connolly, Bergland, Jokinen, Bouchard, Weiss, Legwand, S. Koivu, Antropov, Fisher.... if those guys aren't top 2 centers, then who would be? After Dec 5th, which IMO was the end of Bollands slump, Bolland posted 33 points in the remaining 39 games of the season. Remember Bolland had a bad back to start the year and had some time to adjust. If Bolland paced that over the season he would have around 67 or 68 points to end the year. Even if he is on pace with last year, including his beginning of the season slump, he'll come out around 50 points for the year.



His time on ice per game is also similar to guys like Bergeron, M. Richards, Laich, Fisher, Jokinen, Brassard, Berglund, Connolly, etc.. etc..



What more do you want in a top 2 center? I don't know. Forget the whole "2nd line C" and just grab a C who can get his hands dirty and play the PK. We don't need to make a big splash, if we do, we should do it at the deadline. We have our top 2 centers on this team, Toews and Bolland. Depth at the center position is welcome, but we don't need another star player. We simply don't have the room, and to get rid of Hammer in order to make room for that is unnecessary when we already have a guy that can fill that role.

I'd want a center that can play 82 games. Something Bolland has only done once in 4 years. The fact that he has had back and now concussion issues isn't good for a hockey player. Next up.....groin and knee injuries.

 

[R K]

Not to mention a Center than can play with Hossa.



If the top line is Sharp-Toews-Kane and the 3rd line is Frolik-Bolland-Bickell, Whos the 2nd line Center, Johnson? really?



And again Tony you said leaving a hole somewhere else by dealing Hjarlmarsson? I don't get the hole he'd be leaving as it's quite clear Leddy is ready to step in as he did. I'd want a D man with punch, and other than Seabrook we don't have one.



I'd also deal Campbell first but with that 7mil tag not sure how many of "his teams" would be willing to bite and or what horrible contract would be coming back.

 

[PatrickShart]

Wallin from SJ signed in the Swedish league...Ian White is a UFA



I'd still try the Hjarllmarsson/plus for Pavelski

 

[CLWolf81]

I'd still try the Hjarllmarsson/plus for Pavelski

That's a fair trade just about straight up if maybe you add a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick in there going to San Jose...



Pavelski makes $4M a year til 2014.