Parise Would Be A Devil Of A Blackhawk

[Captain Iago]

And here's my fear... It's all in Bowman's hands and I have no confidence that he will do the right things. We can really turn this team back into a monster if he can wrangle a Top 4 Dman (of the right skillset) and a backchecking, distributing 2nd line center with some size, but I have no delusions that he'll do either.

I don't think it is this year. Q won the power struggle; he'll get the team he wants.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I'm all for having prospects in the wings and ready to play the positions that we need in 2-3 years. The problem is that the Hawks still need to win these next couple years.

So why not sign free agents now and build a winning team and therefore give the prospects even more time to develop and then let those players you signed walk because you won't "need" them anymore? It's not foolproof, but waiting around for prospects that might get injured or something else isn't what I want the Hawks doing now.

This is a team that can win a lot of games. They need to make some signings to fill out the roster and then they have options.

 

[LonghornBob]

I'm all for having prospects in the wings and ready to play the positions that we need in 2-3 years. The problem is that the Hawks still need to win these next couple years.

So why not sign free agents now and build a winning team and therefore give the prospects even more time to develop and then let those players you signed walk because you won't "need" them anymore? It's not foolproof, but waiting around for prospects that might get injured or something else isn't what I want the Hawks doing now.

This is a team that can win a lot of games. They need to make some signings to fill out the roster and then they have options.

:woot:

How do you "thank" something more than once?

 

[DMelt36]

I'm all for having prospects in the wings and ready to play the positions that we need in 2-3 years. The problem is that the Hawks still need to win these next couple years.

So why not sign free agents now and build a winning team and therefore give the prospects even more time to develop and then let those players you signed walk because you won't "need" them anymore? It's not foolproof, but waiting around for prospects that might get injured or something else isn't what I want the Hawks doing now.

This is a team that can win a lot of games. They need to make some signings to fill out the roster and then they have options.

You're acting like they haven't made the playoffs in the last two seasons. Yeah, another first round exit will not be acceptable. But expecting a team that just had 100+ points in the regular season to break the bank in FA is unrealistic. They might add one big name, which I'd prefer to be on defense.

There are guys in the system that have spent enough time in the minors and, I believe, need to be tested in the NHL to decide if they're worth keeping around. Hayes, Pirri and Smith are three forwards who could do that. Not the same story on defense, where pretty much all the guys are a year or two away, at least, save Olsen and Leddy--and they're already in Chicago.

 

[LonghornBob]

I don't know exactly why, but I'm a believer in Hayes. Maybe it's his size. I like him and think he's an eventual top 6 guy, but for sure top 9.

I wasn't a believer in Pirri but he has played well and all my buddies think he's the tits. I may have underestimated him. We'll see.

Smith confuses the shit out of me. He looked great in the playoffs a few years back, he is a proven winner from his collegiate days, and he handles the puck like a champ, but he appears injury prone and hasn't put it together like I thought he would. Maybe those two killer goals early on put me in a trance. Either way I'd like to see him get a shot and then cut or traded if he doesn't pan out.

Speaking of all that, let me just say Kyle Beeyotch. What a pisser that is. I thought when we drafted that kid he was bound to have his name etched on a few Cups. At this point I'm thinking he'll be lucky if he plays long enough to open a sports bar. Damned prospects who don't live up to my expectations. :-/

 

[tbo41fan]

I am also a big believer in Hayes...I think he can blossom into a dustin penner type player

Sent via Tapatalk on Droid RAZR MAXX

 

[DMelt36]

I don't know exactly why, but I'm a believer in Hayes. Maybe it's his size. I like him and think he's an eventual top 6 guy, but for sure top 9.

I wasn't a believer in Pirri but he has played well and all my buddies think he's the tits. I may have underestimated him. We'll see.

Smith confuses the shit out of me. He looked great in the playoffs a few years back, he is a proven winner from his collegiate days, and he handles the puck like a champ, but he appears injury prone and hasn't put it together like I thought he would. Maybe those two killer goals early on put me in a trance. Either way I'd like to see him get a shot and then cut or traded if he doesn't pan out.

Speaking of all that, let me just say Kyle Beeyotch. What a pisser that is. I thought when we drafted that kid he was bound to have his name etched on a few Cups. At this point I'm thinking he'll be lucky if he plays long enough to open a sports bar. Damned prospects who don't live up to my expectations. :-/

That's why I think those top 3 guys need a shot with the parent club this year, for many of the reasons you listed.

I don't see offense as a problem with this team. They were one goal behind Vancouver for most goals scored in the West, and that's including a down year for Kane and a big chunk of injuries taking games from Toews.

Adding a 2C would be cool, because I don't see a prospect that can do that right now. But a power forward? See if Hayes can do that. Need some fellow grinders to fill out your third line? Ben Smith could be that guy. I imagine that Pirri could skate on a wing if needed in a 3rd/4th line role. Don't see him as a 2C.

I'm going to say it all summer long: Add a defenseman. That's your team's biggest weakness right now. If that means you have to move Hjalmarsson to clear cap space, do it.

Defense is what needs to improve on this team. I understand that goalies are a part of that, but it seems that position is already determined.

 

[HawkWriter]

I am also a big believer in Hayes...I think he can blossom into a dustin penner type player

Sent via Tapatalk on Droid RAZR MAXX

The only issue with Hayes (besides his feet and staying on them) is that he does not play close to his size. Really wish he had more of a snarl in his game and that goes for Bickell as well. If those two played like a bunch of assholes, that would go a long way in helping the Blackhawks next year.

 

[tbo41fan]

The only issue with Hayes (besides his feet and staying on them) is that he does not play close to his size. Really wish he had more of a snarl in his game and that goes for Bickell as well. If those two played like a bunch of assholes, that would go a long way in helping the Blackhawks next year.

Agree...they both play like they are kane's size

Sent via Tapatalk on Droid RAZR MAXX

 

[TheChicagoFan]

You're acting like they haven't made the playoffs in the last two seasons. Yeah, another first round exit will not be acceptable. But expecting a team that just had 100+ points in the regular season to break the bank in FA is unrealistic. They might add one big name, which I'd prefer to be on defense.

There are guys in the system that have spent enough time in the minors and, I believe, need to be tested in the NHL to decide if they're worth keeping around. Hayes, Pirri and Smith are three forwards who could do that. Not the same story on defense, where pretty much all the guys are a year or two away, at least, save Olsen and Leddy--and they're already in Chicago.

I'm not saying that Bowman should go out and try to get Parise and Suter.

But what I am saying is that he needs to try to do whatever it takes to win right now. Drafting and having good prospects is great, but I don't want 5 different prospects rotating their time on the Hawks.

Get some veteran talent (but not too old) and then in 2-3 years you can ship them out and have the young guys come in.

 

[LonghornBob]

I don't want to wait either. Will Kruger, Hayes, Shaw and Pirri be a great young core in three years after they get their legs under them and get some experience in the big show that will complement the guys we have?

Maybe.

The problem is that you just don't know. Injuries, salary cap issues, contract renegotiations... any of those things could ruin that little plan in a hurry.

In three years Hossa will be on social security and who knows what his concussion thing will be like. He might get racked tomorrow and once you have one, the rest come in bunches. By that time Sharp will be on the downside, Keith won't be a spring chicken, and who knows what the bottom end of the roster will look like.

Personally I think we have every chance to win a Cup if we can get a solid 2nd line center with some size, and a top 4 defender who can keep people away from our pipes. We've a good young group of stars, we've got some veteran leadership, and there's no point in risking all that on the hope in a few years a gaggle of young kids will produce some top 6 and top 4 talent. Make some moves, spend some money, and win now. We can.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

I'm all for having prospects and the Hawks have some really good guys. The problem is that the current Hawks have some young players (Toews, Kane, Leddy) that are good and they need to build around them before those players get old while waiting for the prospects to get good.

I like Saad, Pirri, Shaw, and Hayes. They're probably going to be great players. But this is a team that has good players right now and the Hawks need to fill out the roster to win games like they could be doing with the current core.