Per a thread I posted on Twitter just now, the Hawk rumors have been flying the last couple of days. I will try to encapsulate all of them by saying this—what I heard yesterday from my main source is:
1) the Hawks are in full exploration/investigation mode
2) they have a tight cap, but
3) they also have needs (Top 6 LW, defensive depth—which has now become "a priority," and a secondary face-off option for defensive zone and penalty kill draws—assuming Marcus Kruger will in fact be traded)
The big point is it may be hard to pursue anything meaningful in free agency without making a trade or two as well. So we can speculate, or rather fixate, on thus rumor or that. But the reality is, the Hawks need to be looking at a lot of scenarios and a lot of players. And my sense is, many even in the Hawk organization are not fully aware of the breadth and scope of the exploration. You can connect the dots there.
Stan Bowman was clever and creative in the two big trades he pulled off last week—he may need to be that or moreso over the next two weeks.
Could the top 6 LW acquired also be that secondary face-off option—a natural left winger who is also effective in the dot. Those guys are out there.
On Patrick Kane's left wing, do the Hawks want, as some have reported to try to replicate the OHL Magic of the London Knights circa 2007, and bring in a Sam Gagner opposite Kane? Or do they want to—as I've heard from two sources— bring in a power left wing to create space down low, finish chances and pose some intimidation to opponents wanting to push Kane around?
I would suggest it's not an either or at this point, the Hawks may be exploring both scenarios. Which, time and resources permitting, would be the smart thing to do.
On defense, I am hearing, in addition to Karl Alzner (reported elsewhere, but apparently a valid rumor), the Hawks are looking at Michael Del Zotto (first reported here yesterday—a favorite of Ulf Samuelson), and New Jersey's John Moore (via trade), and also the true health status of non-tendered Wild defenseman Christian Folin and even that of Simon Despres.
I was told no moves are imminent on defense (at least)—that the Hawks rather are "doing due diligence"— or in other words, exploring a lot of possibilities.
Because the more possibilities Bowman and his staff can uncover, the more creative they can get.
Interesting times. More as I hear it.
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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