Blackhawks Hoist Lord Stanley's Cup Again!!

[GRADEN]

3rd time in 6 years with arguably (IMO) the least talented team in the last 6 years... This says a ton about the heart and determination of these guys. Drink, make love, and be merry till the cops say no more people!

Oh and my second son was born the night of Game 6 vs the Ducks while my first son was born during the beginning of the last cup.... Maybe we should just keep having kids lol


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[GRADEN]

Crow was amazing tonight, they had soooo many good chances throughout the game. Hossa's block on the empty side was a complete game changer IMO.

Stamkos had a sick move on the break away... Heck of a kick and stick save

I screamed and paused when I saw Toews go down on the skate to face... No one else saw it and I just screamed and cringed lol.... So glad no blade there

Y'all know my Kruger love here.... We better not Bolland this up...


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[TNBT]

Thanks for starting the thread, G. So pumped right now! Hoping everyone parties hard tonight!


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[GRADEN]

No problem.... Wish I was out there back home partying man.... Looks like good times


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[blumeany]

Well, as that one guy said on the WGN news (paraphrasing), the Hawks are so amazing they're making black people hockey fans!

But seriously, my wife - who is not a sports fan at all - watched with me and was actually picking up names and nuances of the game pretty fast. She says she prefers the pace of hockey vs. basketball and football. I kind of have to agree. Hockey does have their stops, but it seems like you get a lot more non-stop action than you do with bball and football. I'm still a novice when it comes to the game - still don't understand icing fully. But I'm learning, dammit. Nice thing about a dominant dynasty like this is that it does draw more fans and gets people more familiar with the game. As much as some die-hards might not like that, it's best for the team and the league. The $$$ from that sea of red sweaters you saw at the UC and in Wrigleyville will pay for this franchise to remain competitive.

All in all though, a great playoff run. Hawks were sort of the opposite of the Bulls - they stumbled, but then they recovered and took over like a seasoned, championship team should. And even though Crawford drove me nuts at times with some mind-bending goals allowed, he clamped it down when it mattered and saved his best game for last (with some help from the D, of course).

[JordansBulls]

3rd time in 6 years with arguably (IMO) the least talented team in the last 6 years... This says a ton about the heart and determination of these guys. Drink, make love, and be merry till the cops say no more people!

Oh and my second son was born the night of Game 6 vs the Ducks while my first son was born during the beginning of the last cup.... Maybe we should just keep having kids lol


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Was it 3 series that they didn't have the better record as well?

[GRADEN]

Yes they only had home ice vs minny.... Nash / Ana / tb all more points

Last year was funny bc every "easier" scenario came true and we got a lot of breaks and didn't win it....

Hate to bring it up guys.... But time to talk hard decisions because the draft is super soon

We HAVE to find a way to part with sharp or Bickell... This MUST happen. Sharp had 15 pts in 23 games and his value is gonna plummet as soon as this draft is over,... We need to move him.... Bicks a few HS's in the middle of a 4per... Ouch, he would be a nice fit on an islander team or someone like that needing an experienced playoff forward that hits.

We need to make room for the next core wave due their worth.... Shaw I believe is expendable as he would be a bigger part of other teams while Kruger is a huge part of our defense...


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[GRADEN]

Craig custance is prolly the dumbest hockey mind out there


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[GRADEN]

Richards, Regin, Carcillo off the books for total of 3.2 mill

Rozsival thank goodness his deal is up at 2.2 per

And Oduya's mega deal is done (3/10.125)

That's good cash coming off the books

This offseason is all about Saad guys.... He is worth 6.5-7 million IMO... I would throw an 8/ 55 deal at him immediately and then try and deal Bickell (next year is final year) and / or sharp (2 years left) to try and retain Kruger... I'd love to bring ADJ back for 1 year too as I love his grit.... Rasmussen as a prospect is a big deal too... We will need him. Other than maybe so minor moves we are looking good.... Here is the plan...

Trade bicks 4 million.... Give saad 50-55 mill ... Try and hold onto Kruger for at least another year.... Those are the only 3 things that really matter this offseason... After that u can fill in some d depth with a 1 year vet or 2


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[GRADEN]

Is Bicks deal 2 left or 1 and mutual option?


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[paulius33]

HOCKS!!! anyone here from chicago? did yall go to wrigleyville on Monday? **** was crazy lol


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[SpinninHouse]

Yep we need to trade Sharp and Bickell so we can re-sign Saad. Saad is a huge, huge part of our future.


It'd be nice to find cheap veteran ring-chasers like Brad Richards. Not sure who will be available.

Losing Vermette will be tough. Thankfully the emergence of Tuevo will help on offense. We'll need some creative cap work to have depth next season.




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[paulius33]

so glad to hear that saad is down to take a pay cut to stay with Chicago. what a guy


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[GRADEN]

I still play 2k8 hockey because the 15 year deal I can back end the money on a 30 year old superstar and only pay him half of what he is worth.... The new structure etc and all that is being said is just talk and happy times because when all is done he is going to get 50 million... At best it's 7/42 and more likely 45 or 8/50-55... He would be a 70-80 pt guy on any other team next season and a ton of GMs picking 3-8 this year would easily give us that pick for him


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[ADDinChicago]

so glad to hear that saad is down to take a pay cut to stay with Chicago. what a guy


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Let's slow our roll. I think he was caught with a mic in his face and in the moment. I'm sure his agent immediately called going "What the hell are you doing?!?!"

Jay Cutler got caught in a similar situation and we all saw the "discount" he took when the time came to actually sign.

Saad's a RFA as it is. He's going to get a huge offer and sign it and the Hawks will then match it.

[paulius33]

so glad to hear that saad is down to take a pay cut to stay with Chicago. what a guy


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Let's slow our roll. I think he was caught with a mic in his face and in the moment. I'm sure his agent immediately called going "What the hell are you doing?!?!"

Jay Cutler got caught in a similar situation and we all saw the "discount" he took when the time came to actually sign.

Saad's a RFA as it is. He's going to get a huge offer and sign it and the Hawks will then match it.

You're comparing an arrogant **** like Jay Cutler to a chill dude like Saad, who just won the Stanley Cup and has a chance to be a part of a dynasty?


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[GRADEN]

Guys let me tell u a quick story....when I lived in Chicago I had the opportunity through my company to do a big real estate deal with an 85' bear legend whom was close with MJ and all that.... He from all accounts was a sweet and charismatic guy that was just a good dude all around.... Nothing could have been farther from the truth, he was always late, just talked about getting tail all the time, and drank on our dime at only the nicest places he picked.... I remember being told by his buddy "thanks for the drinks" at japonais when I never offered.... It was a 540 bill and this is how he started our business relationship... Oh and the story of he and mj picking out girls made me sick...

My point is this... We don't know whom these guys are off the ice / field / court.... Honestly cutler seems like a douche on the field / interviews etc but from all I gather is a super nice guy and really cares about his guys...

Saad is not taking a discount, ADD is right let's slow our roll... We will still have to part with bicks / sharp / and maybe steeger to make a saad Kruger ADJ happen don't forget we signed Artemi Panarin too


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[ADDinChicago]

so glad to hear that saad is down to take a pay cut to stay with Chicago. what a guy


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Let's slow our roll. I think he was caught with a mic in his face and in the moment. I'm sure his agent immediately called going "What the hell are you doing?!?!"

Jay Cutler got caught in a similar situation and we all saw the "discount" he took when the time came to actually sign.

Saad's a RFA as it is. He's going to get a huge offer and sign it and the Hawks will then match it.

You're comparing an arrogant **** like Jay Cutler to a chill dude like Saad, who just won the Stanley Cup and has a chance to be a part of a dynasty?

Re-read what I actually said. Players, all PLAYERS, hire agents for a reason. And Cutler's just fine. Super nice guy.

[GRADEN]

Yea cutler is a good dude.... Overpaid, absolutely... But that certainly isn't his fault




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[GRADEN]

I get to see the cup tomorrow!!!! So excited


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