2012 Offseason Thread

[chilly666]

i took a little time to decipher this craptacular season of ups and downs.

now onto what this team desperately needs. a 2nd line center and 2-3 defenseman who can play both ends of the ice.

Wants

Matt Carle (PHI) - good offensive d-man who can man the point on a power play along with playing decent in his own zone (**** joe corvo)

Brandon Prust (NYR) - plays a regular shift while fighting along with being able to play a shut down role along with bolland. i think those two and shaw could make for one hell of a 3rd line.

Sheldon Brookbank (ANA) - gritty defenseman that we need to clear the front of out net. can also help offensively, not matt carle numbers, but an upgrade over our current 3rd pairing guys


Maybe

Chris Kelly (BOS) - a center who is decent in the faceoff circle while putting up some points. could maybe be a good fit with two wingers like hossa, kane and sharp.

Jarret Stoll (LA) - one of the top faceoff guys in the league while being able to be a shut down guy and play the point of the power play as well. if brought in, could move bolland up to 2nd line or keep bolland on 3rd line. stoll has an offensive game, his numbers this season don't show it as the kings couldn't score into a soccer net some nights.


will add more ideas in the near future...these are just guys who are UFA's only

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

I've always like the Brookbank Idea.
Dont know about Prust.. I think Carcillo already fits that role.
Although I wouldn't mind having both.

[chilly666]

the both thought is what i was going for...having bollig, carcillo and prust would be awesome especially because they can play a regular shift and being toughness to our team. plus prust can play the pk, which is a need as well.

[kam]

Those are all good options. I would love to see Prust as a Blackhawk, very underrated penalty killer on top of everything else he brings.

What about Carkner or Shane O'Brien? Carkner is better than Ottawa gave him credit for, he is all D but thats what we need 1 or 2 of. I was also thinking Zanon until I saw what that slug makes. There are a lot of guys on the list I would like to have but as usual, they will go with the turds.

If Commadore ends up a Blackhawk I'm done with the team until he's gone.

[chilly666]

also one player that should be looked at is zenon konopka if mayers doesn't get re-signed. the reasons for him are simple...he wins faceoffs, fights, plays pk and is a team player like mayers.

as for carkner, i doubt the hawks want a guy like carkner on the back end. idk if carkner has the wheels for the style of play that the hawks play. o'brien is useless...he doesn't do anything well anymore. he was an offensive machine while playing tough. since he went to colorado, he lost his balls and his offensive game as well.

[kam]

Originally Posted by chilly666

also one player that should be looked at is zenon konopka if mayers doesn't get re-signed. the reasons for him are simple...he wins faceoffs, fights, plays pk and is a team player like mayers.

as for carkner, i doubt the hawks want a guy like carkner on the back end. idk if carkner has the wheels for the style of play that the hawks play. o'brien is useless...he doesn't do anything well anymore. he was an offensive machine while playing tough. since he went to colorado, he lost his balls and his offensive game as well.

Forgot Konopka, hell yes.

Probably right about Carkner but I still like Shane O'Brien as a Blackhawk. Brookbank, sure why not. There are quite a few guys on the list I would much rather have then the current player but I'm scared to death to see what the clowns in the front office are going to go after, the exact opposite of what we are wanting and needing I'm sure.

[chilly666]

i'd take brookbank over o'brien by a country mile personally. every time the hawks have played the ducks, i've grown to hate brookbank a little more each time (that includes back to his milwaukee admirals days). while with o'brien, i barely notice anymore.

just my opinion though

as for konopka, i can't believe i missed him in my 1st post

[kam]

Corvo would be a good pick up.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I would rather have O'Brien over Brookbank but I wouldn't mind having him over Olsen, Lepisto and Hjalmarsson though. especially if he could get back to his old self.

[chilly666]

the wrong asst coach got canned

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today the team has relieved Assistant Coach Mike Haviland of his duties.

[Active Stick]

I was shocked when I read that. I thought for sure Kitchen would be gone.

Then again, it does seem like Kitchen has been getting way more heat for the terrible PP than Haviland has for the PK. The PK has sucked dong for two years in a row now and from what I've read, that was something Haviland was in charge of.

Hopefully they bring in a good replacement.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Haviland was a sacrificial lamb.
someone had to go, however i agree they picked the wrong coach.

[chilly666]

there is now one less draft pick that has to be signed before the june 1st deadline as mirko hoefflin has signed in germany.

that leaves 4 left...the one that should be signed is mac carruth from portland of the whl...we need goalie depth so bad.

[Maggie3and Me]

On the coaching situation, I agree with the three of you.

Kitchen and the PP has been atrocious. Other teams knew what we were going to do before our own players.

It never hurts to be a friend of the boss in any circumstance, especially in the hockey world.

[chilly666]

the best news.....Sami Lepisto is going back to Europe!!!!!

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Originally Posted by chilly666

the best news.....Sami Lepisto is going back to Europe!!!!!

I was actually surprised at myself for the lack of disdain for him. I actually thought he played better than some of our regulars. He also showed some emotion which is something you cant say for Leddy, Oduya..etc..