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

Fair point.

Turtles like Kronwall and Torres, who have no value as fighters, will not be deterred by the likes of Bollig. I will also say the league is hypocritical for slamming Torres the way they did and never touching Kronwall.

But think about this. It's true.

Guys whose reputation depends on manning up, however, will be deterred by Bollig. Especially guys like Tootoo, Cooke, Carcillo (if he were on another club), HAVE TO think twice before pulling something with Bollig out there because they cannot as easily walk away.

Same sort of applies to guys like Weber or Lucic or Thornton. No one on Buffalo stood up to Lucic when he ran Miller. No one on the Hawks stood up to Thornton when he ran Toews. Not saying Bollig can be out there in all those situations. But he is maybe a good enough hockey player that he can be out there a fair amount. Had he been out for Buffalo that night, Lucic would have had three choices, not to hit Miller, turtle like a little bizatch or take a beating. Having a guy like Bollig on the ice has to enter into a lot of guys' thinking before they pull crap. Ask anyone who has ever played or fought at a high level.

Remember when Boogard came up? Jim Vandermeer was the Hawks' tough guy until Boogard destroyed him. Vandermeer was never the same as a fighter again.

Although guys who can play and fight are increasingly more rare, they still make a difference. Add to that that Bollig can deliver a big, clean hit—another plus.

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.
- HawkFan27

How long is the Gomez/Redden clause buyout grace period good for? Once healthy is Chicago able to buy him out then?

Today's Hawks column...


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- Al

As always, a good read. There sure is a whole lot of "if'ing" with this team isn't there?

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.
- DarthKane

Told the Hawks will make no claims

Told the Hawks will make no roster moves of any sort
- John Jaeckel

Fixed: Closer to your sources JJ?

Fair point.

Turtles like Kronwall and Torres, who have no value as fighters, will not be deterred by the likes of Bollig. I will also say the league is hypocritical for slamming Torres the way they did and never touching Kronwall.

But think about this. It's true.

Guys whose reputation depends on manning up, however, will be deterred by Bollig. Especially guys like Tootoo, Cooke, Carcillo (if he were on another club), HAVE TO think twice before pulling something with Bollig out there because they cannot as easily walk away.

Same sort of applies to guys like Weber or Lucic or Thornton. No one on Buffalo stood up to Lucic when he ran Miller. No one on the Hawks stood up to Thornton when he ran Toews. Not saying Bollig can be out there in all those situations. But he is maybe a good enough hockey player that he can be out there a fair amount. Had he been out for Buffalo that night, Lucic would have had three choices, not to hit Miller, turtle like a little bizatch or take a beating. Having a guy like Bollig on the ice has to enter into a lot of guys' thinking before they pull crap. Ask anyone who has ever played or fought at a high level.

Remember when Boogard came up? Jim Vandermeer was the Hawks' tough guy until Boogard destroyed him. Vandermeer was never the same as a fighter again.

Although guys who can play and fight are increasingly more rare, they still make a difference. Add to that that Bollig can deliver a big, clean hit—another plus.
- John Jaeckel

What I would do to see that big boy in our lineup. Heard from my buddy in Boston that the Bruins were not to pleased with the shape big Luc was in when he showed up to camp. A trade to nail Lucic would be Incredible!!!! He has the skill, big body, and most importantly the meaness to protect and stand up for his teammates.

Can you Imagine a line of:
Lucic-Toews- Hossa

Fair point.

Turtles like Kronwall and Torres, who have no value as fighters, will not be deterred by the likes of Bollig. I will also say the league is hypocritical for slamming Torres the way they did and never touching Kronwall.

But think about this. It's true.

Guys whose reputation depends on manning up, however, will be deterred by Bollig. Especially guys like Tootoo, Cooke, Carcillo (if he were on another club), HAVE TO think twice before pulling something with Bollig out there because they cannot as easily walk away.

Same sort of applies to guys like Weber or Lucic or Thornton. No one on Buffalo stood up to Lucic when he ran Miller. No one on the Hawks stood up to Thornton when he ran Toews. Not saying Bollig can be out there in all those situations. But he is maybe a good enough hockey player that he can be out there a fair amount. Had he been out for Buffalo that night, Lucic would have had three choices, not to hit Miller, turtle like a little bizatch or take a beating. Having a guy like Bollig on the ice has to enter into a lot of guys' thinking before they pull crap. Ask anyone who has ever played or fought at a high level.

Remember when Boogard came up? Jim Vandermeer was the Hawks' tough guy until Boogard destroyed him. Vandermeer was never the same as a fighter again.

Although guys who can play and fight are increasingly more rare, they still make a difference. Add to that that Bollig can deliver a big, clean hit—another plus.
- John Jaeckel

Bollig is a plus - no question. Just a shame there aren't a few more physical forwards on this team. I'm still leery of the Hawks' up front "muscle" being Carcillo, Shaw and Bollig.

Would really like to see more than some flashes of Stalberg doing his Hoss impersonation from last year. If that guy could ever get it all together....

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.
- HawkFan27

I don't know if they will need to buy him out....one year left only.

He will play in Rockford when healthy.

As always, a good read. There sure is a whole lot of "if'ing" with this team isn't there?
- Beaver-Warrior

Yep, especailly if you want to take a more optimistic view.

No surprsises with the roster or that they won't make a waiver claim.
It has been apparent Bowman is very comfortable.


A sunny outlook! Today- On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - FOX Chicago http://bit.ly/WMAGsa

I don't know if they will need to buy him out....one year left only.

He will play in Rockford when healthy.
- Al

If he plays in Rockford next year, a certain amount of his cap hit will count against the cap.

If he plays in Rockford next year, a certain amount of his cap hit will count against the cap.
- HawkFan27

Yes I know...I think same is true if he plays in Europe

Bowman will evaluate, there may be another need. But unless forced they won't buy anyone out.

Waivers action: James wright claimed by Jets from Panthers, Brian Strait claimed by Islanders from Penguins.

With as much as the Isles are claiming folks (past 4 days they picked Keith Aucoin, Hickey, and Strait) up I would love to see Frolik put on waivers to see if they can offload his salary that is not matched by porduction. I have a feeling Hawk's brass wants to see what he can do though...yet again.

Yes I know...I think same is true if he plays in Europe

Bowman will evaluate, there may be another need. But unless forced they won't buy anyone out.
- Al

I think they buy him out. Makes sense from a cap point of view for next year and from a salary point of view...each would be less if you buy him out. No need to have him in the AHL or Europe if the Blackhawks are just going to cut ties with him after the year. Especially when in the AHL it could mean getting another prospect a shot.

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.
- ikeane

If I remember correctly, both teams are punished if the player retires early. If this is the case, Lu is an absolute no go in CHI for me. We already have Hoss and Keith on such contracts.

Like it or not, we're going into the season with Crow and Emery and couple very young guns. The "good" news I guess is that we have less Brunette, Morrison, O'Donnel types.

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.
- ikeane

When has Detroit in recent memory spent big money on a goalkeeper?

Last time the Hawks did it they spent it on Khabibulin and Huet.

My guess is they don't drop big dollars on a a goalie anytime soon. Because that is the Detroit way and they have been burnt by it in recent history. And don't tell me that Huet sucked... He didn't... He was top 5 in the league at last statistically and pretty darn good in the playoffs before coming here... They are a bit nervous about signing veteran keepers, as they should be, IMO.

When has Detroit in recent memory spent big money on a goalkeeper?

Last time the Hawks did it they spent it on Khabibulin and Huet.

My guess is they don't drop big dollars on a a goalie anytime soon. Because that is the Detroit way and they have been burnt by it in recent history. And don't tell me that Huet sucked... He didn't... He was top 5 in the league at last statistically and pretty darn good in the playoffs before coming here... They are a bit nervous about signing veteran keepers, as they should be, IMO.
- fattybeef

All of this. Any goalie moves will be for an up and coming rookie or a 1A type guy. Never going to see a marquis goalie wearing an Indianhead with the Bowmans running the show.

Told the Hawks will make no claims
- John Jaeckel

just claims or any moves at all?

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

i'm a huge carcillo fan, i feel the same way! speaking of matt cooke, i have all the respect in the world for that guy. he knew it was coming the 1st time he played the bruins, so did the coaches, that is why thornton was on the ice the same time cooke hit the ice! matt skated right over to thornton and basically said" i'll answer the bell ,let's get this over with"! do you think that clown torres will do the same thing? better yet will Q have the stones to throw bollig, carcillo AND seabrooke on the ice when torres is out there for the 1st time?? Hmmmmmm?

just claims or any moves at all?
- furso27

in blackhawks universe, they are one and the same

I don't know if they will need to buy him out....one year left only.

He will play in Rockford when healthy.
- Al

Olesz will have to be one of their amnesty buyouts this summer. If they bury him in the AHL or Europe in 2013-14 he will count $2.225M against the cap, something they can't afford next year with the cap decreasing to $64.3M.

in blackhawks universe, they are one and the same
- FourFeathers773

Hence my correction to JJ's post above

I think they buy him out. Makes sense from a cap point of view for next year and from a salary point of view...each would be less if you buy him out. No need to have him in the AHL or Europe if the Blackhawks are just going to cut ties with him after the year. Especially when in the AHL it could mean getting another prospect a shot.
- HawkFan27

Maybe so but....GM's don't like to see a problem stay on the books for any longer than need be.

From everything I heard Olesz is not a problem child...

Olesz will have to be one of their amnesty buyouts this summer. If they bury him in the AHL or Europe in 2013-14 he will count $2.225M against the cap, something they can't afford next year with the cap decreasing to $64.3M.
- MartiniMan

Like I said earlier ...

We are assuming no one else will presents a bigger need to be bought out.

I won't bet on Olesz just yet....Let's see how Monty plays this year and a couple of others.

A sunny outlook! Today- On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - FOX Chicago http://bit.ly/WMAGsa

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.
- blackhawk24

Bollig did grab Torres after the Hossa hit.

Remember? After that hit, Phoenix ended up on the power play because Bollig jumped Torres and Raffi just kinda turtled.

Like I said earlier ...

We are assuming no one else will presents a bigger need to be bought out.

I won't bet on Olesz just yet....Let's see how Monty plays this year and a couple of others.

A sunny outlook! Today- On the Blackhawks: "Optimistically Speaking" - FOX Chicago http://bit.ly/WMAGsa
- Al

Are you thinking Hossa Al? Maybe I am reading into it, but his mammoth termed contract coupled with possible declined production may make him a more viable candidate.

If Bickell doesn't perform in his contract year, Olesz could see time in Chicago next year IMO