Off Season Wish List

[R K]

I thought we should've signed Asham last season, after watching how he played against us in the Cup Finals and earlier in the playoffs.

A lot of hockey people suggested it. Including some related to the current team. One of those guys you love to hate IMO, but would want him on your team. Burrish, Eager, Bieksa come to mind.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Would I be correct in assuming that we might see Beach at some point next year given all the extra cash we have?

 

[roshinaya]

Would I be correct in assuming that we might see Beach at some point next year given all the extra cash we have?

I would think that's a possibility. With the Brouwer trade it could be implied that they feel that some of the guys in the minors could be ready to make the next step. A big winger with a scoring knack could work on the top line with Toews and Kane. Question is if Beach has matured and isn't a dumb douchebag that would hurt his team more than help it. This is truly his chance to show if he's got what it takes to be an NHL player.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Yea those are my thoughts as well. I jnow he didn't have a good year in Rockford last year but he was playing on a pretty bad team. Id like to see him get a shot playing alongside NHL players before I pass my final judgment.

 

[whiteevo]

edit:



**** me i can't read, carry on.

 

[nana]

People often forget how much of a warrior Madden was during the 5-minute penalty kill against Nashville... arguably the turning point of the Hawks' Cup Run. I remember thinking Madden, Bolland, and Sopel were absolute beasts in killing that off and giving the Hawks the chance to win.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

More nonsense about Bolland.



For the record, I'd prefer Bolland slotted with on the 3rd line as a checking center.



Three years ago, he centered Ladd and Havlat and that was hardly the 3rd line. A case could be made his line was the best performing line for the Hawks in the playoffs. Two years ago, it was Versteeg and Ladd. Last season it was Pisani to start and Bickell joined them as the season progressed. Shortly after Pisani went down in LA, Hossa moved with Bickell and Bolland. That line tore it up for a couple of weeks until Bolland was concussed. After Bolland was injured, Bickell disappeared. Then there was the Frolik thing in this past playoffs.



The constant with Bolland is that he has almost always gone up against the oppositions top line whether his wingers were Ladd, Havlat, Versteeg, Bickell, Pisani, Hossa, or Frolik. I'm guessing he had more regular wingers than Toews and Sharp combined.



Is the health of Bolland and the lack of depth at center a concern? Absolutely. But revisionist history on "chemistry with Hossa" or "Bolland's play on the 2nd line" does not move the conversation in the proper direction. At least in my not so humble opinion.

I'm sorry you feel it is nonsense, but I can only call it as I see it. when he is playing amongst the top 6, he is just not the same player. However, when he is thrown out there on the 3rd line, usually against the other teams #1 line, he is a fricking beast.

 

[Variable]

I don't know about looking finished. While his game wasn't the same after the Limo he completely took Frasers job away from him during the finals and played 4th line Center on the way to another Cup



He made 1.2 mil last year so I'd say that was 4th line pay, which the Hawks could afford now.



I'd take him, his THREE Cups and Centering abilities for our 4th line.

Colin Fraser only played I think 2 or 3 games in the entire playoffs and I think that was in the first round against Nashville. And I got nothing against him, but saying "he took Fraser's job away from him" says more about Madden and him at his stage of his career than it does about Fraser. Taking Colin Fraser's job shouldn't be really seen as something to....brag about I guess.

 

[R K]

Colin Fraser only played I think 2 or 3 games in the entire playoffs and I think that was in the first round against Nashville. And I got nothing against him, but saying "he took Fraser's job away from him" says more about Madden and him at his stage of his career than it does about Fraser. Taking Colin Fraser's job shouldn't be really seen as something to....brag about I guess.

I disagree. Fraser was a very good 4th line center for this team. Far better than Dowell.. That said Madden, even though having issues after the limo incident, was right there to replace him. Again 3 Cups, good PK and good FO. I won't under estimate him.

 

[the canadian dream]

I disagree. Fraser was a very good 4th line center for this team. Far better than Dowell.. That said Madden, even though having issues after the limo incident, was right there to replace him. Again 3 Cups, good PK and good FO. I won't under estimate him.

Seeing that Colin is being bought out by the Kings (if it hasn't already been done) I would take him back here at his cheap price tag. But I guess the roles Colin has on teams is one that you give to players off the farm.



I liked Colin when he was here and thought he played his small role rather well. Also thought he was one of those dressing room guys that helped keep things loose. At least that is the impression he gave me.

 

[roshinaya]

Wherever Fraser played after being moved from the Hawks no one was impressed by him and thought he was awful. That said, I wouldn't mind him as the Dowell replacement. But I do hope the Hawks manage to get a slightly more quality 4th liner.

 

[R K]

Seeing that Colin is being bought out by the Kings (if it hasn't already been done) I would take him back here at his cheap price tag. But I guess the roles Colin has on teams is one that you give to players off the farm.



I liked Colin when he was here and thought he played his small role rather well. Also thought he was one of those dressing room guys that helped keep things loose. At least that is the impression he gave me.

I was often down on Fraser but after watching Dowell last year I recanted some of my disdain for him. He was a decent 4th line Center.

 

[Samurai]

Cross Laich off of the list...

Capitals Sign Brooks Laich to 6-Year Deal

 

[Ton]

Wow... $4.5M per year... Caps got ripped off. I don't think I would be comfortable if the Hawks gave him that kind of money for the next 6 years. Considering it was probably somewhat of a "hometown discount" we would be paying even more too especially if there was a bidding war for his services (you bet your ass their would be).

 

[bookjones]

Cross Laich off of the list...

Capitals Sign Brooks Laich to 6-Year Deal

FUUUUUCK!!!



This is because excepting the 1 game he played for the Sens, he has played every single game of his NHL career in WSH. To not even bother testing FA when he knew he was one of only a few Centres entering as UFAs on the 1st clearly means he considers WSH his home and where he wants to be a lifer. So Richards is going to NY (not that I wanted him and whatever longass expensive contract he's gonna get) and Laich is staying put, and since the Pens will never give up my boy Staal then clearly Stan needs to deal with the Devil in Wilson and get some sort of trade going for Pavelski damnit---

 

[roshinaya]

It's shaping to be an ever worse UFA class than it already was. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea by Stan to dismantle the team now.

 

[bookjones]

It's shaping to be an ever worse UFA class than it already was. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea by Stan to dismantle the team now.

Pretty much. I think next year's is supposed to be a better class. I am all about trades now for a 2C.

 

[mikita's helmet]

So here's an article predicting that Andrew Brunette will sign with the Hawks. He's got good hands (18 goals last year with the Wild isn't bad) isn't afaraid to go to the net and has some grit to his game. He could fit well with Toews/Kane, going to the corners, going to the net or he could play on the 2nd line with Hossa/and fill in the blank center. He could also play on the 3rd liine with Bolland and Frolik if need be. Definitely good insurance if Sharp/Morin/Bickel get hurt during the season.



I know he's 37, but if we sign him for a reasonable K for a couple of seasons, it might work out.



http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567543

 

[PatrickShart]

Depending on the health/physicals....these guys may be decent "stop gap" players until some more Rockford players are ready -



Tim Connolly - 30yrs old - last 4yrs -

237gms - 55g - 139a - 194pts - +16



Plays PP...PK...



The bad - injuries. Missed 91gms over the last 4 years. But a 2yr-6mil deal may not be too bad for a 2nd line center/point producer....





Tomas Fleischmann - 27yrs old - last 4 seasons -

262gms - 64g - 85a - 149pts



Was having a really good year before the pulmonary emboli with COL(22gms-8g-13a-21pts)...but not sure how that injury hurts him. May get on the cheap as well, due to that?

 

[mikita's helmet]

I've always liked Connolly, when he's healthy.



He could definitely feed Hossa some sweet passes and he can bury the puck, too.