Stans 2nd off-season

[PatrickSharpRules]

So its not exactly over and guys can be grabbed at the deadline but its his 2nd off-season and its the 2nd year in a row going into the season with a little lesser of a team. Obviously after the cup we got screwed by the cap and other factors, but we lost talent and depth that would have more than likely had us there again this past year. This off-season really hasn't gone how everyone envisioned either. Going into it we all knew we need a little toughness and had a huge gaping need for a 2nd line center.



That said, I can't stand what we did this off-season. 2nd line center is still a huge question mark. Our toughness was boosted, but on D we lost 2 unbelievably solid D-men. And we knew we had to move Campbell, but dammit its a huge loss that I think people are overlooking big time. Steve Montador is not exactly a fire starter, and you can compare all the stats of Lepisto to Campoli, but watching both of them play its very obvious to me...Campoli>Lepisto. To sum the point of this thread up, it is that again we are sitting with a roster that is weaker than the previous year.



Keith-Seabrook

Hammer-Campbell

Campoli-Leddy



^^^^IMO thats the best D in the league by a longshot.



Now we have:



Keith-Seabrook

Hammer-Leddy

Montador-Lepisto



That and we now have eyesores all over our offensive depth chart. Olesz, Stalberg, Kruger, and no 2nd line center. I don't mention Mayers, Carcillo, Mclean (if he ever plays) because the first 3 mentioned are going to be counted on for some important goals and points, I just don't see it happening.



So off-season wish list thread........maybe Stan should have taken a look in there, cause any of the names wished for in there trump what we got. I usually don't hate on moves until I see the results, but I couldn't be anymore disappointed with the 11' offseason. Stan....hope you have something left up your sleeve.

 

[roshinaya]

I don't share your pessimism. The depth on the D is improved. I think it was here someone showed that the current D core had more checks, blocked shots and points than the D core last year. And just normal seasons by Keith, Seabs and Hammer ought to help a lot on that department.



The added grit and toughness addressed a need that many of the star players thought they lacked. Judging by the comments from the players they are happy with the acquisitions and a sparkplug like Carcillo is what lacked on this team last year, both on the ice and off-ice that helps to keep the team loose even when facing adversity. The added experience and leadership will also help. The core is still young and any experience and calmness will help.



The Hawks was the 4th best offensive team last year with mostly scrubs on the bottom 6 and you make it sound they are worse off with Stålberg (second full year, looked to have found his niche towards the end), Olesz (could break-out offensively, but ought to be defensively good otheriwse) and Krüger (high hopes from management, but could need seasoning in the A, defensively responsible). Brunette will replace Kopecky's production and Frolik ought to replace Brouwer's. The move of Campbell might mean slight adjustments on the breakout, but I don't see any wholesale changes.



As a bonus these signings are also short-term and will not complicate the future if they turn out to not work, which is unlikely as some are either trying to get a good contract next year or retire on a solid note, maybe even a Cup win. Had Bowman listened to all the arm-chair GM's the Hawks would be burdened by another Campbellesque contract making it that much harder to adjust on the fly. And looking at the FA crop this year, it wasn't exactly bustling with talent and caused some mediocre talent getting paid far above their worth, both in money and term.



Having some cap flexibility will allow the Hawks to address needs much easier than before as they arise. It's clear Bowman is looking at the long-term success of this franchise and looking to build from within and targeting specific FA's to compliment that core.



Some see a worse team, I see a team that looks improved in areas that were needed and has a higher potential than last years team. Add to that a much longer off-season that has allowed the players to recharge and refocus and build an appetite.

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

I don't share your pessimism. The depth on the D is improved. I think it was here someone showed that the current D core had more checks, blocked shots and points than the D core last year. And just normal seasons by Keith, Seabs and Hammer ought to help a lot on that department.



The added grit and toughness addressed a need that many of the star players thought they lacked. Judging by the comments from the players they are happy with the acquisitions and a sparkplug like Carcillo is what lacked on this team last year, both on the ice and off-ice that helps to keep the team loose even when facing adversity. The added experience and leadership will also help. The core is still young and any experience and calmness will help.



The Hawks was the 4th best offensive team last year with mostly scrubs on the bottom 6 and you make it sound they are worse off with Stålberg (second full year, looked to have found his niche towards the end), Olesz (could break-out offensively, but ought to be defensively good otheriwse) and Krüger (high hopes from management, but could need seasoning in the A, defensively responsible). Brunette will replace Kopecky's production and Frolik ought to replace Brouwer's. The move of Campbell might mean slight adjustments on the breakout, but I don't see any wholesale changes.



As a bonus these signings are also short-term and will not complicate the future if they turn out to not work, which is unlikely as some are either trying to get a good contract next year or retire on a solid note, maybe even a Cup win. Had Bowman listened to all the arm-chair GM's the Hawks would be burdened by another Campbellesque contract making it that much harder to adjust on the fly. And looking at the FA crop this year, it wasn't exactly bustling with talent and caused some mediocre talent getting paid far above their worth, both in money and term.



Having some cap flexibility will allow the Hawks to address needs much easier than before as they arise. It's clear Bowman is looking at the long-term success of this franchise and looking to build from within and targeting specific FA's to compliment that core.



Some see a worse team, I see a team that looks improved in areas that were needed and has a higher potential than last years team. Add to that a much longer off-season that has allowed the players to recharge and refocus and build an appetite.

Man everytime you reply to one of my posts you completely change your view on things to conflict with mine. Anyone on here knows I'm not a "DOOM" fan, never have been never will be. In fact when I sat at the UC with literally handfuls of other die hard fans 5 years ago I learned what actual DOOM was. I also learned in game 3 of the Nashville series when you stated our year was over what YOU think "DOOM" was, 3 weeks later I was at this certain parade.......Still for some reasons I'll reply to your post.



First off I really can't see an argument that a D-core with Campbell/Campoli doesn't beat out Montador>Lepisto. Really I feel Campbell was traded with the definite hope of Campoli stepping up into his role, knowing the huge risk of him wanting too much, now we have neither.



The bold: Brunette does not hit, barely plays D, don't think he saw a minute of PK last year, and is a pure offensive guy, yet he's only supposed to replace a guys production who did all the other important things...... this is why I am not all hyped up about what we did this off-season. As for Frolik replacing Brouwer, again doesn't hit, barely plays D, and again all he is supposed to do is score? We are surrounding the core with guys who wish they were the core, hockey is won by everyone playing the two way game.



Another big thing is our offensive D. When we lost Madden, Ladd, Versteeg we lost a ton of help on the defensive side, it was not replaced and still has yet to be replaced. That was exposed many times last year and I am hoping there is at least a slight improvement this year. Glad the fourth line is going to be tough and our stars will play at ease, but we all know having a line of nutcases does not prevent injuries. Hopefully we'll have much less than last year, but right now going into this season I have my fingers crossed that Ben Smith is what we think he is and that this actual off-season really helps out.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

My biggest fear that Stan has not addressed (and no I didnt expect him to personally contact me about it, smartasses) is a seasoned goalie...as it stands right now, we have a 2nd yr #1, and a completely unproven rookie back-up. Anything happens to Corey, the team is fucked. Sorry, you guys can spout all his FEL or SEL numbers at me all you want....neither of those leagues compare to the NHL, and you know it. He has a grand total of 67 minutes of NHL experience, with a gaa of 5.37 and a sv% of .850....doesnt give me a warm fuzzy at all.

 

[winos5]

What's not to like?



Stan fixed the cap issues.



Got us a real 4th line that other teams are going to hate playing against.



Sharp is the #2 center going forward, barring a significant trade. Your not going to get quality without giving it up, so be careful what you wish for. Get used to Sharp on the 2nd line qwith Hossa.



By re-signing Frolik and signing Brunette the top 9 forwards are stacked. This team will role 3 offensively gifted defensively responsible lines (much like the Stanley cup team).



Campoli, good riddance. Not for $3 million per. Lepisto easily takes his 5th/6th slot and if it doesn't work out we have prospects that fit that slot they can tryout (Connelly, Stanton). The additions of Montador and O'Donnel give the defense excellent depth.



Stan's moves this off season are genius. Even if they aren't I'll give him the Bowman prodigy benefit of the doubt until it shows me otherwise. As much as I liked DT, I have very little criticism to date for Stan.



Edit: Just read Bubble's post and I think I agree. I'd like to see a depth signing at goalie and make Salak earn his shot at the roster.

 

[MassHavoc]

I think sometimes you get a lot of addition by subtraction. And I don't mean players, I mean last year we had an over abundance of skill at every position but there was no balance. I think we still have an extremely large amount of skill but have added a good deal of grit, probably just the right amount to balance. Last year we needed a more hitting and "grit", at least that's what everyone kept saying, and a lot of players ended up trying to go out of their game and do those sorts of things which made things unbalanced and uncomfortable. I think while we definitely lost a bunch of skill, in doing that we gained not only grit but balance and the ability to shift several positions and players back into their normal comfort zone in terms of style of play. You don't have to rely on stalberg, frolik, leddy, keith, ect.... to be the guys who are the strong heavy hitters. They can now concentrate on what they do best, not over thing things, and not have to wear out their skill game trying to be physical. Do I wish we would have kept Soupy, of course. Campoli, while he was a nice spark he was not a special player who basically we were able to replace with a 775k guy. Brouwer was actually to me the toughest blow because he had a very nice mix of the skill and grit, and with him not being relied upon for hitting so much next year I think he would have thrived, expect him to have a great season next year. So yes, you or correct, overall the skill of the team is down but I think the balance is way up and this is a much more rounded team. We saw how necessary that was against Van with Bolland out, we became more one-dimensional. Not that bolland is a top physical guy but he brings a lot of the peskiness that a guy like Carcillo does allowing Bolland to do a lot more things that he does.



I hate losing skill of course, but the moves made make sense and more importantly cleared a lot of space for on the fly fixes with injures and especially that key pick up for the playoff run come trade deadline day.

 

[PatrickShart]

The core is in place -

Toews, Kane, Hossa, Bolland, Sharp (who will now stay here with Campbell being moved)...as well as Seabrook, Keith, Hjarllmarsson



Youth - that may be a part of the core - Leddy, Kruger, Smith...with Morin



But they upgraded their toughness/bottom 6 immensley. Do not discount what may have been lost with the skill of Campbell but the leadership/attitude O'Donnell, Montador and Brunette will bring. Or the snarl/edge Carcillo will bring. With a guy like him, your own team will be on edge as well as the opponents.



As far as the Campoli/Lepisto debate....just wait to see where/how Sami fits in.



I think Campoli's game was raised in the Hawks system and don't think the same may not happen with Lepisto. He's very fast and is an excellent outlet passer. Moving the puck is most important in this system. Everything Stan has been saying was Campoli's camp was asking for a ton of money....and Lepisto wanted to be a Hawks. He took less than he made last year to come to CHI.



Campoli is better on the PP than Lepisto....but defensively, Sami is head above shoulders than Campoli.

 

[CLWolf81]

Bingo... Plus, if I remember, I know some people were bitching last year about our defense, too, about how they weren't being defensive enough. (You know who you are) So, if you don't like Lepisto, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Kerfuffle]

The whole 'missing a 2nd line center' is an overblown discussion anyhow. Sharp is our 2nd line center and does fine there. People think just because a guy is a labeled 'winger' that he somehow forgets how to skate when he moves to play center. I'm comfortable with Sharp in that role.

 

[mikita's helmet]

I thought Stan had an excellent off-season. The only thing that would make it perfect is if we sent the rights to sign Campoli along with an Olesz or Krüger or a couple of prospects to the Rangers for Dubinsky. Otherwise, I'm more than happy going forward with Sharpie at center and the depth this team has.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I think stan had a great two offseasons! Scott last year... Carcillo and Mayers this year! Sean Avery is a FA next year... can't wait! Lol... only kidding... well kinda.

 

[mikita's helmet]

I think stan had a great two offseasons! Scott last year... Carcillo and Mayers this year! Sean Avery is a FA next year... can't wait! Lol... only kidding... well kinda.

Stu, Stu, Stu...

 

[PatrickSharpRules]

Ahhh, just what I wanted some legit discussion. These boards have been a-boring lately.



I'm glad you guys got confidence in the moves but I still got question marks. And Fuffle the 2nd line center is not overblown, if we had depth there we more than likely get past Vancouver in the 1st round with someone stepping in for Bolland.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Bingo... Plus, if I remember, I know some people were bitching last year about our defense, too, about how they weren't being defensive enough. (You know who you are) So, if you don't like Lepisto, I don't know what to tell you.

Yes, Last year our D was not the same and put us in holes that we could not get out of many times which cost us games, points and playoff standings not to mention Grit was the biggest key, D also comes with Grit. Stan addressed those issues IMO. I have looked at people post comments on TSN, on any blog that is made of the Hawks retooling and prediction on a better season, the only negetive comments are coming from fans with teams have faltered against us. One being Vancouver and some others. And fans that have prased our moves have been from fans of teams that are respectable and have one.

 

[The Count Dante]

Bickell needs to learn what Buff took 2 years to learn.... issue pain and you are the biggest guy out there.



I think the keey here this year, prior (read as Cup) we were a puck possession team. And over-course, who wouldnt want to be again? But as the roster starts to solidify, I am hoping for a more dump and chase forechecking game over the finesse game. The sexy dancers can still stance, but I would like to see a more 200' foot game, nice East to west setups on the break out and play a "Hoosiers" hockey...set it up, work the forecheck. Simple hockey.

 

[Ton]

Since when is the Sharp moving back to center? Last I heard, they were going to give every opportunity for Kruger to make the team, which would give Sharp a chance back at wing.



Anyway, I think PSR has a lot of legit concerns: The D has certainly been downgraded talent-wise, however in the event of an injury we have more than a handful of options. Also, depending on Leddy's development and how the new additions fit, this D-core could be just as good as it has been in the past. But that said... there is also the risk that Leddy isn't ready and the additions don't perform. To me, it looks like everyone is slotted in the correct location -- no more luxury of playing a #1 defenseman on our second D-pairing or top four defenseman playing on our bottom pairing.



As far as the eye sores, Olesz is a solid 3rd line player, he is just overpaid. Stalberg is not as bad as many made him out to be. If he kicks this year off anything like the end of last season he'll be effective. And as far as Kruger/no 2nd line C... well if Kruger makes the team we do have a 2nd line C: Bolland. Kruger put on 15-20 pounds since the end of the season, his main issue wasn't the fact that he was soft, it was the fact that he was weak. If he can keep himself stronger on the puck, he'll be a nice fit for our 3rd line.



A few more random things to add: Bickell needs to step up and fill the role that Brouwer departed with. Brunette doesn't need to be defensively savvy if he's playing on a line with Bolland and Hossa, he just needs to be productive. Carcillo needs to play smarter if he wants to be in the line-up every night. It might take an injury or two in order for Ben Smith to truly get his shot and shine.



There are a lot of "if's" going into the season, but I'm more comfortable with this because Stan left some Cap room to work with. If some of these things start to sour, he still has the flexibility to make a trade.



I wouldn't call Stan a genius for any of these moves, but so far he has been solid. Genius is poaching Marty Havlat for Mark Bell, or Patrick Sharp for Matt Ellison.

 

[Kerfuffle]

There are a lot of "if's" going into the season, but I'm more comfortable with this because Stan left some Cap room to work with. If some of these things start to sour, he still has the flexibility to make a trade.

Not really - after they resign Sharp what are we left with? He's going to command about $5.5-$6M per.

 

[CLWolf81]

Not really - after they resign Sharp what are we left with? He's going to command about $5.5-$6M per.

This is why there's a lot of players with 1-yr contracts on this team. It also gives the kids and some of the players in Rockford time to get ready for next year.



Thats also not to say the cap won't go up next year either, especially with the new tv contract coming. Either way, we're far more than ready to prepare for the years ahead.

 

[Rex]

Not really - after they resign Sharp what are we left with? He's going to command about $5.5-$6M per.

I doubt he gets 6 a year. even if he gets 5-5.5 a year, that's only a 1-1.5 raise on the cap...it's not like the full amount will be added to the cap.

 

[Ton]

Not really - after they resign Sharp what are we left with? He's going to command about $5.5-$6M per.

It doesn't matter, we have nearly $3M in cap space right now with a full roster. Sharps contract won't take effect until after this season, which we'll have 16 players under contract for about $50M -- not including Sharp