I tend to agree with the bolded above, but I would not mistake him for a deterrent by any stretch. He was after all on the ice when Torres hit Hossa in the playoffs wasn't he?
- Return of the Roar

Yes, and I was pissed beyond belief he didn't grab that phucking piece of schit and rag-doll him, ala Probert vs Darrin Kimble.

I love Carbomb too...but he's always on the borderline of taking that dumb penalty that can really hurt us. Just ask Flyers' fans.
- philco28

I have the same concern too, just about every shift.

The bright side of this is all Carbomb has to do is look at Matt Cooke and how he's turned over a new leaf.

Probably a safe bet he and Foley have been, ahem, advised to follow the talking points. The post-playoff elimination critique they put forth likely threatened some people.
- John Jaeckel

Probably a safe bet? That's what you call a sure thing.

I tend to agree with the bolded above, but I would not mistake him for a deterrent by any stretch. He was after all on the ice when Torres hit Hossa in the playoffs wasn't he?
- Return of the Roar

Torres is a spineless turtle,real hockey players will take note of his presence.

Doesnt happen if Carbomb is their. He has a sack and while people are still on the fence, I think Carcillo may be the one and only signing that I have applauded Stan for. Carcillo is the type of tough guy you need in your lineup. He is skilled enough to know his role in the top six, or you could stick him in the bottom six to really stir the pot.
- nickmo2699

Meh, Kind of disagree with that statement.

Number A. Thornton doesn't fight anyone... ever...

Number B. Thornton has done poop like that his whole career

Number C. Thornton is 6'4 230 I highly doubt (with the exception of a cheap shot) that Carcillo could have done anything about it or significantly sent a message to that large of a man

Number D. You need guys that are hard hitters but guys that aren't stupid. Brouwer could mash people but wasn't an idiot, Buff when he wanted to could mash people, again with out being an idiot (see Pronger in Cup Finals), Bollig can do what Brouwer did minus 1st line minutes and +20 goals. Mayers fits in there as well as the dude knows when to pick a fight and how to go about "enforcing" with out getting suspended or a misconduct.

Even with Shaw. Nice that he can irritate people and probably draw some idiot penalties from the other team but somebody who is massive (and a savvy veteran) will look at that little guy and laugh.

Positives to having Brookbank and Rozsival will be that they should be able to beat on people during the PK and selected minutes.

I have the same concern too, just about every shift.

The bright side of this is all Carbomb has to do is look at Matt Cooke and how he's turned over a new leaf.
- blackhawk24

Yea, have Carbomb wear a Pit uniform too.

Meh, Kind of disagree with that statement.

Number A. Thornton doesn't fight anyone... ever...

Number B. Thornton has done poop like that his whole career

Number C. Thornton is 6'4 230 I highly doubt (with the exception of a cheap shot) that Carcillo could have done anything about it or significantly sent a message to that large of a man

Number D. You need guys that are hard hitters but guys that aren't stupid. Brouwer could mash people but wasn't an idiot, Buff when he wanted to could mash people, again with out being an idiot (see Pronger in Cup Finals), Bollig can do what Brouwer did minus 1st line minutes and +20 goals. Mayers fits in there as well as the dude knows when to pick a fight and how to go about "enforcing" with out getting suspended or a misconduct.

Even with Shaw. Nice that he can irritate people and probably draw some idiot penalties from the other team but somebody who is massive (and a savvy veteran) will look at that little guy and laugh.

Positives to having Brookbank and Rozsival will be that they should be able to beat on people during the PK and selected minutes.
- fattybeef

Solid points fatty, your right, maybe not with Joe, but with Carcillo on the ice with Toews I think that is in the heads of opponents. They know that if they think giving Tazer a shot after the whistle or Big Hoss that Carbomb will fly in and stir up some shenanigans.

Today's Hawks column...


On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/WMAGsa

I watched both of the TSN and Sportsnet channel preseason preview/prediction shows last night here in Canada.

Both shows were a lot more optimistic about the Hawks fortunes this year than many of our posters. In fact, TSN final consensus for western final had Chicago vs LA with LA advancing.

Lots of Blackhawk tidbits from Keenan on Sportsnet show. Raised my eyebrows on his comment about moving Hasek (during Luongo situation discussion) because of upcoming expansion --really?
- 67hawks

Does anybody remember that the Kings just barely scraped themselves into the playoffs last year and got hot at the right time? Now they're the mid '70's Canadiens? Yes, they've got some good parts. Potty mouth Quick can take them a very long way. Kopitar's a class act. Brown can inspire. But I fully expect Penner to go back into hibernation, Richard's to do something at some point that reminds everybody he's a piece of crap, ditto Carter. I was at the Hawks game in LA last February and the Kings fans I talked to would have, at that point, traded Doughty for half a bag of pucks. So which DD shows up this year? I don't see the Hawks or LA in the WCF. St. Louis and maybe a dark horse are safer bets, IMO.

Tim Connolly would be a perfect Bowman pick up. He wins about 45% of draws, averages about 30 hits a year, and has a history of injury issues. Sign him up! Missed 4 games in 2011 with a "nasal injury."

Actually I hear Stan now:
"We decided to stand pat with our roster because, um, well, the chemistry....yeah, that's the tickect! The chemistry is so good going into the short season ,I didn't want to add new players who would not know the system Q has worked so hard to put in place. Yeah, yeah, that's it. Chemistry."

I hate you, Stan.
- Kentxo

Only way this would work would be for a three year deal around $2.8M with a no trade clause.

Probably a safe bet he and Foley have been, ahem, advised to follow the talking points. The post-playoff elimination critique they put forth likely threatened some people.
- John Jaeckel

I was stunned to hear an honest and objective list of the Hawks problems at the end of last season. Probably the first and only time the Hawks broadcasters will air the issues with the team.

I don't get Saad making this team. Is he going to take Carcillo's spot with Toews and Hossa? I don't see that as a good thing at this point. I also don't see him benefiting from bottom six minutes. How on Earth is this good for the kid's development?

I don't get Saad making this team. Is he going to take Carcillo's spot with Toews and Hossa? I don't see that as a good thing at this point. I also don't see him benefiting from bottom six minutes. How on Earth is this good for the kid's development?
- NewToHockey

Not really a shock to me at all...

Carcillo will be up and down the lineup.

The Hawks can use a big body that will go to the net, its not Jimmy Hayes so it's Saad's turn.

On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/WMAGsa

I don't get Saad making this team. Is he going to take Carcillo's spot with Toews and Hossa? I don't see that as a good thing at this point. I also don't see him benefiting from bottom six minutes. How on Earth is this good for the kid's development?
- NewToHockey

Why? Given the fact that they have made no deals for a veteran, who in camp should have filled that slot? Hayes, Pirri, etc. are no different. They were going to fill the roster to the max number. Saad was the logical choice of who was there. Not a surprise at all.

Not really a shock to me at all...

Carcillo will be up and down the lineup.

The Hawks can use a big body that will go to the net, its not Jimmy Hayes so it's Saad's turn.

On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/WMAGsa
- Al

Al: Hi There! You wrote at the very end that Olesz' contract has already been paid this year because he got hurt before the lockout. How does that help/hurt the Hawks for cap implications now that the season has started?

Al: Hi There! You wrote at the very end that Olesz' contract has already been paid this year because he got hurt before the lockout. How does that help/hurt the Hawks for cap implications now that the season has started?
- CaptainBlackhawk

He as to get full salary because he was hurt last year, but now sure the exact cap ramifications once he is cleared to play in Rockord.

I was stunned to hear an honest and objective list of the Hawks problems at the end of last season. Probably the first and only time the Hawks broadcasters will air the issues with the team.
- NewToHockey

It was a great candid appraisal. Hopefully they're allowed to continue to call what they see. Hated in 2003 when Stone was practically run out of the Cub booth for having the audacity to call the game as he was seeing it, i.e. stupid baserunning mistakes, relief pitchers not holding leads, poor fielding at critical times, etc.

Solid points fatty, your right, maybe not with Joe, but with Carcillo on the ice with Toews I think that is in the heads of opponents. They know that if they think giving Tazer a shot after the whistle or Big Hoss that Carbomb will fly in and stir up some shenanigans.
- nickmo2699

Don't disagree with that assumption. And while I can't stand the player, I do see value in putting him with those two for now.

He as to get full salary because he was hurt last year, but now sure the exact cap ramifications once he is cleared to play in Rockord.
- Al

Will not count against the cap. This will be the last year that a player can be buried in the AHL without counting against the cap. You are correct that he earned a salary while the lockout went on if he was injured prior, but it will not count against the cap.

Not really a shock to me at all...

Carcillo will be up and down the lineup.

The Hawks can use a big body that will go to the net, its not Jimmy Hayes so it's Saad's turn.

On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/WMAGsa
- Al

Maybe the condensed schedule has more to do with it than anything. Some guys may pick up nicks or just need breaks at a certain point.

Any updates on yesterday's waivers? JJ said the Hawks were looking at a couple players and I wondered if anyone was claimed. I figure one of Calgary's goalies will be picked up.

Will not count against the cap. This will be the last year that a player can be buried in the AHL without counting against the cap. You are correct that he earned a salary while the lockout went on if he was injured prior, but it will not count against the cap.
- HawkFan27

Same as last year then...

That's what I hoped. A shame, second operation on same knee but at least Olesz got paid.

Maybe the condensed schedule has more to do with it than anything. Some guys may pick up nicks or just need breaks at a certain point.
- fattybeef

I think this season in Rockford didn't bode well for Hayes or Morin....Saad was good there and if they need to a carry a forward it makes sense.



On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/WMAGsa

Same as last year then...

That's what I hoped. A shame, second operation on same knee but at least Olesz got paid.
- Al

Correct.

Would have to think that (IF healthy) Olesz will be bought out this summer because he won't be able to be buried. Have to wonder if the Blackhawks even let him play anywhere once he is healthy for this year.

To bring up another popular name on this board, I was thinking about Greasy Bob.

Chicago keeps being raised as a possible destination, How does this hurt Chicago? 10 years left on the deal at over $5 mil per. To get quality, you have to give quality (and no I am not talking about Kane, Toews, Sharp, or other top line players). However, I was thinking of a few pros to getting him if Stan can (not much fear there).

1) Lu in, Crawfish out. Now you are raising your overall cap hit about $3 mil a year to get a true #1 goaltender.

2) With Saad and other younsgters coming in, players like Stalberg may be attractive to Vancouver. (not making a proposal, just explaining my thought process). Getting rid of the extra bodies opens roster spots for when Saad, Morin, and other prospects are ready to make the jump.

3) There is no way Loungo is playing into his 40s. If I understand the CBA correctly, the punishment for early player retirement is for the initial team that signed them to this previous CBA loophole deal is the one who recieves the cap punishment. Say, Lu retires at 38, that is 5 years of cap hit that the Canucks get penalized for, not Chicago. Limits future cap manuverability for a conference rival.

Just my $0.02 on this.