Posted by andru2797 on 6/30/2011 1:43:00 PM (view original):

Posted by jiml60 on 6/30/2011 1:35:00 PM (view original):
On paper maybe the Blackhawks look like a 6-10 team that barely made the playoffs but they are still a dangerous team to meet in the playoffs, remember they were an errant pass away from eliminating the mighty Canucks.

I still believe if Bickell, Kopecky, Seabrook, Bolland and Sharp are all healthy and played all series, the Hawks would have won that series.

To clarify, I think Vancouver had the better team, but the Hawks were clearly in Lu's head. Missing Bolland the first 3 games was huge.

Lu is the best worst goalie I have ever seen.

Word is 4 years 11 million for Montador...2.75 per...not a terrible deal, but this tells me they see him as a #4.

Me thinks you hawks fans are putting way too much stock in Campoli, Leddy, and Scott. Crawford is going to get torched if this trio rounds out your 5-7 on Defense. The top 2 lines are solid with Keith-Seabs, Hjarlmarsson-Montador. Assuming the Hawks sign Campoli and Montador. Montador really should be a 3rd liner IMO and would fit nicely there with Leddy. What you really need in FA is a solid 2nd pairing dman that plays physical to partner with Hammer.

Assuming you get a decent 2nd line Center in FA.... the 3rd & 4th lines are still VERY weak and still lacking in physicailty. Its A LOT of youth (and not top prospect, plug em in and play, types like Kaner and Toews were). I think you are putting a lot of stock in young players.... Smith and Kruger have under 20 games between them, Bickell is going into his 2nd pro season, Bolland has a career high 47 points in 3 seasons. Frolik a career best 45 points in 3 seasons... I know you think he is awesome... but in 28 games with the hawks he scored 9 whopping points. Thats not a good - at all. Its Stalberg's 2nd season now too... and he disappointed with only 24 points in 2010-11.


Sharp(71)-Toews(74)-Kane(73)
Stalberg (24)- ???- Hossa(57)
Frolik(38)-Bolland(37)- ???
Bickell(37)-Kruger(0)-Smith (1)
Olesz (17)

I think Hawks fans are banking on 'too many' things to go right.... They still have no depth to help with injuries, which by the way, happen to all teams (like the pens losing sid and malkin, yet played great -or the flyers lost Pronger all year and they were fine). The Hawks still lack physicality which means no one to protect the marquee players. This will lead to even more injury. As I said earlier - Banking on 6-7 youngsters to be great this season is HIGHLY unlikely... maybe one breaks out (imo its stalberg).... maybe none. definitely not 5 or 6. Thats why I don't think anyone in their right mind would think this team is competitive enough to win a stanley cup.

I like the Montador signing, but could have done without the 4th year.  He'll fit nicely with either Leddy (breakout season in 2011-12, btw) or Hammer and adds some grit to the team.  Campoli will get one year or walk, IMO.  There are 3 d-men gonna be ready by 2012 or 13 and we need to keep a slot or two open.  I wouldn't mind letting him go to add another bigger d-man for about the same money.

Hawks are in great shape now, cap-wise, and can really make a splash if they sign Erik Cole.  I'd be really happy if that happened, as he'd be a nice addition to the team.  He'd be a big upgrade over Brouwer.

I am toying with the idea of going to the rookie camp if possible.  I'm dying to see some of the youngsters we have. 

Hawks have five available contract slots and have just under $15M to spend.   We should do just fine with that.

moy, you could look at it from another perspective too.

The Hawks were a top-10 team in goal differential, and 4th in goals scored last season with only Vancouver, Detroit and Philadelphia in front of them. They did that with missing Hossa (17), Bolland (21), Kane (9), Campbell (17) and a 3rd d pairing (started the season with Boynton/Hendry/Scott). Granted every team has injuries, but you can't say the Hawks were one of the healthier teams in the league either. Taking a team that was a top-5 team in every offensive category, subtracting Kopecky and Brouwer and adding Frolik, Campoli and Olesz and more experience for Bickell, Stalberg, Smith, Kruger and Leddy makes them as good, if not better from an offensive point of view.

Defensively is where the team lacked, not showing any intensity in their own zone most nights and having a non-existant PK. Steve Montador helps in both those regards as he's a physical upgrade over Campbell. Keith and Hjalmarsson being better also will help. I don't disagree they need one more depth defenseman, but I think their top 4 will be fine the way it is.

As for goaltending, I don't think many people will argue that Crawford playing 60-65 games is better than ANY games from Marty Turco. Salak is afcorse a wild card so we'll have to wait and see.

As it stands I think the team is better than it was last season. the simple fact that Fro, Campoli, Leddy and Stalberg played a full season with the team is already a better start than having 11 new faces at camp who have no chemistry.

Of course I will reserve judgement as to how much better they are until Stan is done. I'll let you know Monday :-P

Looks like the Montador thing may not be quite done.  Maybe he won't get the 4th year.

I got $11.2 mil and 6 open contracts..... 1 D, 5 F.

You guys should get Leino.... if the flyers F'd up resigning him.

I'd like Leino.  I loved what I saw of him in the Finals.  What kind of money does he want?

no idea.  we want to pay between 3 - 3.5mil.  I think he is thinking 4-5 after the last few contracts for laich and ehrhoff were inked.  

carchidi just said negotiations w/ leino are not going well.  

Posted by mudbone1969 on 6/30/2011 5:57:00 PM (view original):
Looks like the Montador thing may not be quite done.  Maybe he won't get the 4th year.

Its official.  4 years

Yep....just confirmed.  The clock is ticking on Campoli.

Montador is a nice, honest, blue collar d-man who'll stick up for his teammates. He had a great 1st half in Buffalo and a horrid 2nd half that led to bench city in the playoffs.

He's a solid guy who fills a role. Great to have on your team as long as you aren't counting on him for 22-24 or more minutes a game.