Ok boys, looks like we have turned the corner. Like many of you, I am eager for the next bit of news regarding camp and first game. Until then perhaps we can pass some of the time with a little game I used to play with my buddies on the South Side.

Native Chicagoan's know that the city is made up of different neighborhoods and suburbs, all of which have developed their own personalities and characteristics. Whether watching the news, having a beer at a bar downtown or reading a story in the paper, it became sport to try to identify where a person was from (neighborhood wise) by their behavior and attitude.

Anyhow, I would like to do the same with our roster and ask for your input. Throw out a player and lets see if there is any consensus as to where in the city they would be from characteristic wise.

For example:
Andrew Shaw, Hegewisch or Calumet City
Brandon Bollig, Joliet
Duncan Keith, Crystal Lake
Patrick Kane, Oak Lawn
Dave Bolland, Bridgeport
Brent Seabrook, Downers Grove
Dan Carcillo, Taylor Street

Figured for a lot of you born and raised in the Chicago area, you might have some fun with this...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=412924

They are heading to Oklahoma!
- nelli312

Just read Eberle, Hall and J.Shultz pulled out of the Barons lineup for tonight's game against Chicago.

Can't wait for the first Canucks-Hawks game.

Can't wait for the first Canucks-Hawks game.
- Nucker101

Absolutely!

Or Hossa in the summer of '14, IF his age seems to have caught up to him.
- hawks2010

Hawk will buy out olesz I would preume. Apparently all one way contracts count against the cap regardless of whethertheyare in the ahl

Hawk will buy out olesz I would preume. Apparently all one way contracts count against the cap regardless of whethertheyare in the ahl
- Bieksa#3

The consensus here till today as been Steve Montador.

According to TSN, an interesting provision of the new CBA:

Teams can only walk away from a player in salary arbitration if the award is at least $3.5 million.

E.g., the Hawks would have had to resign Niemi at the $2.5MM (wasn't it?) two years ago.
- StLBravesFan

Yes ....It is s significant from a players standpoint it gives them flexibility. Teams will not go down that road with smaller contracts.

Actually in the end the Hawks could have resigned Niemi for exactly the same amount he got in SJ...$2 mill.

Hawk will buy out olesz I would preume. Apparently all one way contracts count against the cap regardless of whethertheyare in the ahl
- Bieksa#3

Hawks can get to $64.3 mill with a couple of trades....Not an absolute need to buyout anyone. Doubtful it would be Olesz if they did.

Hope Leddy is not a top 4 guy or we're PHUCKED.

Hawks can get to $64.3 mill with a couple of trades....Not an absolute need to buyout anyone. Doubtful it would be Olesz if they did.
- Al

That is what I have been wondering. Buying out contracts is great for big market teams that have made big mistakes, but the hawks don't have any terrible terrible contracts that would be really worthy of buying out at this point. Obvious names come to mind, olesz, frolik, montador, but they really aren't terrible contracts as compared to other big market bad contracts. They aren't for a ton of money or long term so we don't seem to be helped out nearly as much as other teams with the buyout. Any ideas of what we would use our couple buyouts for.

Just saw the IceHogs play the MKE Admirals right before Christmas and it was a pretty good game. I'm with EKolb on Bollig--I thought he was a monster that night. Shaw looked pretty good that night too.

Anyone have any idea how soon they will pull the boys from Rockford? We were thinking of hitting the game on Jan 12. in Milwaukee if the kids are still going to be playing.

Hawks can get to $64.3 mill with a couple of trades....Not an absolute need to buyout anyone. Doubtful it would be Olesz if they did.
- Al

Can you put Olesz on roster and put him on long term injured reserve and get cap relief? That may be best move with him.

Why would they buy out Oduya? They just signed him.

And did I see someone mention a Hossa buy out in a year?

Can we go back to talking about the lockout?
- AceRatbang

Buying out Hossa is not out of the question.
The way I understand the buyout clause -we have 2 off seasons to exercise this clause on 2 players. Why would we waste this opportunity on players (Olesz, Frolic) who will be off the books anyway by then.
Hossa, on the other hand, will have several more years at a significant cap hit. He is also the oldest core player. Montador has to be considered too because he has 3 years left and he is too expensive for what he adds to the team.

i

Buying out Hossa is not out of the question.
The way I understand the buyout clause -we have 2 off seasons to exercise this clause on 2 players. Why would we waste this opportunity on players (Olesz, Frolic) who will be off the books anyway by then.
Hossa, on the other hand, will have several more years at a significant cap hit. He is also the oldest core player. Montador has to be considered too because he has 3 years left and he is too expensive for what he adds to the team.
- 67hawks

isn't the hawks owner a cheap wiener? Do you really think he will eat 25+ mill?

Buying out Hossa is not out of the question.
The way I understand the buyout clause -we have 2 off seasons to exercise this clause on 2 players. Why would we waste this opportunity on players (Olesz, Frolic) who will be off the books anyway by then.
Hossa, on the other hand, will have several more years at a significant cap hit. He is also the oldest core player. Montador has to be considered too because he has 3 years left and he is too expensive for what he adds to the team.
- 67hawks

All buyouts will be strategic plays. This is not cut for sake of cut. The only way you buyout Hossa is if he is done playing, in which case, you would not anyways. Depth will be key this short season, and added bodies on blue line and forward will be great. Would love to see some goalie depth added....

All buyouts will be strategic plays. This is not cut for sake of cut. The only way you buyout Hossa is if he is done playing, in which case, you would not anyways. Depth will be key this short season, and added bodies on blue line and forward will be great. Would love to see some goalie depth added....
- TrueGrit

This. On both points.

You're right on with the idea of a Hossa "buyout." There won't be one.

It's very possible that the Hawks could be dressing 7 defenseman all season and could carry 8 on the roster. It wouldn't be hard to alternate Montador (provided he is healthy and not bought out) and Brookbank on the 4th line wing to get them minutes.

iisn't the hawks owner a cheap wiener? Do you really think he will eat 25+ mill?
- Bieksa#3

Wirtz ate two years of Huet's salary, and Olesz's salary last season. His team is usually in the top ten in salary.

Why would you think he's cheap?

OK, Aside from the whole "meathead" narrative (put forth mostly by those who've never played any (or any meaningful) hockey—ie, with actual physical contact), what is the big problem with Bollig as a 4th liner/PK guy?

Please provide specifics.

Because here is the argument for why he should be:

1) he plays pretty good positional hockey, including defense
2) he hits people
3) he can really fire the puck
4) he is fearless and pretty effective as a fighter, while not hurting you 5 on 5
5) he is a pretty good PK guy
6) very positive and well-liked by teammates
- John Jaeckel

7) He only costs 575k

Can you put Olesz on roster and put him on long term injured reserve and get cap relief? That may be best move with him.
- TrueGrit

or stay in Rockford...I didn't read that changed in new CBA.

That is what I have been wondering. Buying out contracts is great for big market teams that have made big mistakes, but the hawks don't have any terrible terrible contracts that would be really worthy of buying out at this point. Obvious names come to mind, olesz, frolik, montador, but they really aren't terrible contracts as compared to other big market bad contracts. They aren't for a ton of money or long term so we don't seem to be helped out nearly as much as other teams with the buyout. Any ideas of what we would use our couple buyouts for.
- LuckyStrikeW

I think like you and until I see what happens this season with a couple of players....Stalberg is one, I am not on the buyout bandwagon.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Hope Leddy is not a top 4 guy or we're PHUCKED.
- philco28

I think that might have been his poorest showing of the season. Plus without covering for Clendening, Leddy will be better.

or stay in Rockford...I didn't read that changed in new CBA.
- Al

I thought it goes to anything over $900K in salary on a one-way contract goes against the cap.

Hey Al!

When can we expect some blogs to be back up Fox Cicago? It was great having two great blogs to read between yours and JJ!

I thought it goes to anything over $900K in salary on a one-way contract goes against the cap.
- StLBravesFan

This is how I understand it as well.

I thought it goes to anything over $900K in salary on a one-way contract goes against the cap.
- StLBravesFan

That's what I heard too. And here it is:

http://sports.nationalpos...lights-of-their-new-deal/

"Any player on a one-way contract who plays in the American Hockey League with a salary in excess of the NHL’s minimum salary plus $375,000 will have the excess amount charged against his team’s salary cap."

In my mind that does make Olesz a buyout candidate. Unless they find a gig for him in Europe, he will count $2.2M against the cap if he is playing in the AHL.