Stanley Cup or Bust?

[LordKOTL]

I think the "purge" is taken out of context. The BOG has already come out and publicly stated the Cap should be between 73-75 mil. They would not have done that coming out of that meeting if that was not going to be the case.

That said the Hawks have 4 contracts that could be expendable and those equal about 15 million in Cap Space. Most would say they could probably lose at least two of those. So if losing two contracts, allowing guys like TT, Mcneil ect a shot are a Purge then maybe they are correct.

My definition of a purge is 2010 when 11 players from the SC winning team were gone.

Sharp -5.9 mil
Bickell - 4 mil
Oduya -- 3.4 mil
Rozival -- 2.2

I heard that the falling canadian dollar and the price of oil might make it closer to 70~72M. Ether way your numbers I would agree with--as well as who, but IMHO it will have enough of an impact that the 'hawks move from top contender to making the playoffs but a dark horse....at least for 2016...hence cup or bust this year.

 

[The Hawk]

No one runs away with the Cup.

However, I do find it hard to believe that any team could beat this team in a 7 game series based on how they are playing as of now.

The Cup is a very tough grind and goal-tending becomes a tough equalizer. I believe that the Hawks were the best team last year but lost in about the closest game I have ever seen to a team that was not as good as they were. I just enjoy what I have seen in the last four years or so. They are more than solid. They are excellent.

 

[R K]

I heard that the falling canadian dollar and the price of oil might make it closer to 70~72M. Ether way your numbers I would agree with--as well as who, but IMHO it will have enough of an impact that the 'hawks move from top contender to making the playoffs but a dark horse....at least for 2016...hence cup or bust this year.

I think of those four Sharp is probably the most important. Although with Mcneil (playing very well) and TT also as of late playing very well, there is going to need to be a slot. Especially for TT, who one year, sure, but more than 1 his game will falter, IMO. As for the D, Oduya will be hard to replace BUT you have Clendening, possibly Johns, Dahlback.

So even if you lose 2-3 starters I still don't believe that consists of a purge. It's the best thing about Depth.

 

[JimJohnson]

I think of those four Sharp is probably the most important. Although with Mcneil (playing very well) and TT also as of late playing very well, there is going to need to be a slot. Especially for TT, who one year, sure, but more than 1 his game will falter, IMO. As for the D, Oduya will be hard to replace BUT you have Clendening, possibly Johns, Dahlback.

So even if you lose 2-3 starters I still don't believe that consists of a purge. It's the best thing about Depth.

Don't the Hawks have quite a few strong prospects they can bring up if the "great purge" takes place?

 

[Ton]

I think of those four Sharp is probably the most important. Although with Mcneil (playing very well) and TT also as of late playing very well, there is going to need to be a slot. Especially for TT, who one year, sure, but more than 1 his game will falter, IMO. As for the D, Oduya will be hard to replace BUT you have Clendening, possibly Johns, Dahlback.

So even if you lose 2-3 starters I still don't believe that consists of a purge. It's the best thing about Depth.

Agreed on Sharp.

You'd have to think Bickell is the first on that list on his way out of here. I think with the depth on defense we have, you can afford to start bringing in some fresh faces. You can tell they are already trying to get a look at some of these d-men. They acquired Erixon, we've seen plenty of Rundblad, van Riemsdyk, Clendening, Dahlbeck, and still yet to see Johns. Of course, none of these guys should be replacing Oduya or Rozsival right now, but it sure does look like they are trying to find some viable options for the future. And quite honestly, I've been happy with the development of most of the defenseman we've seen up here.

As far as Cup or bust? Every year since 2010 is Cup or bust with this organization. The Hawks have had a really good stretch here, hopefully it continues. There are a lot of great teams in the NHL this year... and for some of the teams that haven't played great, they certainly have the potential to get hot at any moment (Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Boston, Philadelphia etc.. etc..) and give any of the top teams a run for their money if they get on a hot streak. As far as who is at the top, Anaheim and LA scares me the most but at the end of the day, I'm not too afraid of going up against anyone in a 7 game series.

 

[Variable]

They can replace Rozsival now if they want lol.

 

[R K]

Agreed on Sharp.

You'd have to think Bickell is the first on that list on his way out of here. I think with the depth on defense we have, you can afford to start bringing in some fresh faces. You can tell they are already trying to get a look at some of these d-men. They acquired Erixon, we've seen plenty of Rundblad, van Riemsdyk, Clendening, Dahlbeck, and still yet to see Johns. Of course, none of these guys should be replacing Oduya or Rozsival right now, but it sure does look like they are trying to find some viable options for the future. And quite honestly, I've been happy with the development of most of the defenseman we've seen up here.

As far as Cup or bust? Every year since 2010 is Cup or bust with this organization. The Hawks have had a really good stretch here, hopefully it continues. There are a lot of great teams in the NHL this year... and for some of the teams that haven't played great, they certainly have the potential to get hot at any moment (Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Boston, Philadelphia etc.. etc..) and give any of the top teams a run for their money if they get on a hot streak. As far as who is at the top, Anaheim and LA scares me the most but at the end of the day, I'm not too afraid of going up against anyone in a 7 game series.

agreed and with the awesome depth this organization has you will clear a space or two every year, or lose prospects.

 

[R K]

Don't the Hawks have quite a few strong prospects they can bring up if the "great purge" takes place?

Yes, which is the point that 2-3 players is not a purge when prospects are ready.

Mcneil
TT
Danault

All three of the above can be considered Centers, TT the only one in learning mode as a Center, but probably the most overall skilled.

D

Clendening
Pokka
Dalbach
Johns.

 

[The Hawk]

I think the "purge" is taken out of context. The BOG has already come out and publicly stated the Cap should be between 73-75 mil. They would not have done that coming out of that meeting if that was not going to be the case.

That said the Hawks have 4 contracts that could be expendable and those equal about 15 million in Cap Space. Most would say they could probably lose at least two of those. So if losing two contracts, allowing guys like TT, Mcneil ect a shot are a Purge then maybe they are correct.

My definition of a purge is 2010 when 11 players from the SC winning team were gone.

Sharp -5.9 mil
Bickell - 4 mil
Oduya -- 3.4 mil
Rozival -- 2.2

I do not see them losing Patrick Sharp unless it is in a trade. Bickell will be gone as will Rozival. But there are quality guys in the talent pool coming up. A team is a dynamic entity. This one is no different. I think that Saad is going to be the next great Hawk and perhaps Hossa will be traded except that I love the guy as much as any Hawk player who ever played for them.

 

[Midnighthawk605]

They won't run away with it, but it they will make it damn hard for anyone else to.

 

[Midnighthawk605]

Also, having someone like Bickell down in the office like tonight makes him worth every penny! He is super strong and can stand in when needed to get the good score, especially during playoffs. Think about it

 

[Variable]

Hopefully some other teams think about it too in the offseason.

 

[Midnighthawk605]

I hope not. He needs to just stay unnoticed and be there when it matters most.

 

[Rex]

Rozi is gone no matter what, should have been gone already (2 year deal was a stupid move)

but the problem with the Hawks and management, is that they give away NTC's like fucking candy.

Rundblad is the only defensemen in the top 6 that doesn't have a NTC
Hossa and Versteeg are the only top 6 forwards that don't have one either.

Bickell has one, so good luck moving him.

 

[roshinaya]

I agree that management give out NTC's like it's going out of fashion. If the player wants to have a NTC, then better be prepared to cut down on the salary demand. But it is what it is.