Chicago may move Kane to left wing

Step One : Make the playoffs...

Alot of teams sputtering out of the gate, I just don't remember so much worrying. I don't think this Hawks team looks as good as last years.

The team needs to gel a little bit more, thats all, injuries have killed the chemistry for the most part, and the stars (keith, seabs, toews and kane) are all on down years right now, and goaltending is shaky as hell. By far this isnt as GOOD as a team as last year, but we can make the playoffs and still make a strong run to the cup finals again. Albeit a rough one.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:43 AM ET  11.10 by shiprock

Alot of teams sputtering out of the gate, I just don't remember so much worrying. I don't think this Hawks team looks as good as last years.

Really... When you lose basically 65% of your team, chances are it will not be as good as the Stanley Cup team.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:26 PM ET  11.10 by DannyP22

Really... When you lose basically 65% of your team, chances are it will not be as good as the Stanley Cup team.

Kill the cap.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:41 PM ET  11.10 by Hank Kingsley

Kill the cap.

I agree with Hank for the most part, but this isn't a cap issue, it's a mangement issue. Everyone knew this team was going to get dismantled, it shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone, and it isn't necessarily a cap related thing. (although i admit if there were no cap they would probably still have the bulk of their team)

As an example of what i mean, if the Flyers would have won the cup we would be fielding pretty much the same team minus Gags and Ash.

When you have a turnover of players like Chicago did, that's basically indicative of a GM going "all in". It worked out in the short term. They won the cup and are by no means a bad team.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:43 AM ET  11.10 by shiprock

Alot of teams sputtering out of the gate, I just don't remember so much worrying. I don't think this Hawks team looks as good as last years.

That's cos half of last year's team has been scattered around the league. The Hawks might be ok, tho. They kept the core of their team mostly intact. If they can add a couple of pieces over the next couple of years, they may be right back in it.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:41 PM ET  11.10 by Hank Kingsley

Kill the cap.

Cap the cap?

The 'Hawks will be as good next year as they were last year - once the rookies and new bodies get accustomed to playing in the NHL. They're still a very good team this year, in fact, they just have a bit of a hangover is all.

But I'm not sure how much the Cap is at fault for them having to dismantle. I was before last week, but I've since read the Hockey News article (unfortunately by Ken Campbell, but relevent in this case) where its stated that the 'Hawks lost $14 million in winning the Cup last year. If you lose that much money in a Stanley Cup winning year, what're the chances you can afford to sign everybody back, Salary Cap or not?

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 01:46 PM ET  11.10 by goCanada!

The 'Hawks will be as good next year as they were last year - once the rookies and new bodies get accustomed to playing in the NHL. They're still a very good team this year, in fact, they just have a bit of a hangover is all.

They'll be backup top by season's end

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 01:46 PM ET  11.10 by goCanada!

the 'Hawks lost $14 million in winning the Cup last year. If you lose that much money in a Stanley Cup winning year, what're the chances you can afford to sign everybody back, Salary Cap or not?

I did not see that article, but I recall another from last year that (at that time) over 20 of the teams in the league were losing money ...while the cap is causing many problems, the lack of a good TV contract is causing many more.
The League, in general, needs a steady source of revenue - like a nice TV contract.

The NHL was poised to overtake the NBA a several years ago, IMO, with fans and support - then shot themselves in the foot with the strike.
The NFL is going to shoot themselves next year with a possible lockout ( I hope not) - and is the NHL prepared to swoop in try to get some the TV shares? Doubtful... Buttram is too busy worrying about Phoenix, and the Union does not even have full-time director on board...yet

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:41 PM ET  11.10 by Hank Kingsley

Kill the trap.

I agree

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 02:29 PM ET  11.10 by BrownsBucksBlueJackets

the Union does not even have full-time director on board...yet

The coronation is imminent

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 02:14 PM ET  11.10 by yellowlighter

They'll be backup top by season's end

They might be but the vaulable bits they lost because of THE CAP will not be there in the playoffs and that will be when they fall short.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 04:26 PM ET  11.10 by Hank Kingsley

They might be but the vaulable bits they lost because of THE CAP will not be there in the playoffs and that will be when they fall short.

Hank, although I don't like the cap either, in principle it allows for the smaller market teams to maybe be competitive. That, and the fact that my leafs although the richest franchise will not spend enough to make a serious run even with no cap. So its a mute point with me.

Tonight a couple Yotes players started skating off before the great rendition of our National Anthem was over. For shame.
In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Thanks American and Canadiens for your service

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 07:23 PM ET  11.10 by torque1

Hank, although I don't like the cap either, in principle it allows for the smaller market teams to maybe be competitive. That, and the fact that my leafs although the richest franchise will not spend enough to make a serious run even with no cap. So its a mute point with me.

Principles be damned.

The cap is artificial and there is no evidence it allows small market teams to stay competitive.

On a regular basis.

QUOTE(#26):

Originally posted 09:18 PM ET  11.10 by Hank Kingsley

Principles be damned.The cap is artificial and there is no evidence it allows small market teams to stay competitive.On a regular basis.

I know, I know. I said "in principal" or if you like in theory the cap should work. I realize that its not turning out that way.
Heck, in 'theory', Communism was supposed to be perfect. In actuality it didn't work very well. Just ask my relatives.

QUOTE(#25):

Originally posted 09:14 PM ET  11.10 by shiprock

Tonight a couple Yotes players started skating off before the great rendition of our National Anthem was over. For shame.In Flanders fields the poppies growBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.Thanks American and Canadiens for your service

Amen. What a great sentiment. Thank you. Ditto from me to all Americans and Canadiens who served their countries, both then and now.

Is Chicago that bad, watching them tonight they seemed to not be together. But not as bad as Pittsburgh took it, wow!