Heard Chi would be interested in Gionta.

Any truth to that??
- soad_live

Have not heard that

Heard Chi would be interested in Gionta.

Any truth to that??
- soad_live

Last thing the Blackhawks need is an undersized winger with a $5mil cap hit.

You think?

Does Chi has a 2nd round pick left?
- soad_live

Our 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2013 went to WPG for Oduya

Last thing the Blackhawks need is an undersized winger with a $5mil cap hit.
- HawkFan27

Haven't heard and doesn't make much sense to me.

That is an astute comment regarding contracts ending this year for some Icehog players. No doubt teams have seen AHL thoroughly with the strike being the reason extra attention given to viewing your own guys and the competition in the AHL.

So in just one example you ask your self -- you are GM of a weak team like Ottawa or Columbus -- if I am trading for a Stalberg or whomever off Chg roster/even that coveted #1 in strong draft year -- what Rockford plaYER CAn play for my team and fill a hole I have? Because I am going to have this player included as the final piece in deal. The new Columbus GM probably has a plan already in place regarding his three #1 drafts 2013. Probably has to take a center one of those choices who can lead a moribund team out of the wilderness. So what Rockford guy maybe fills a role with my new look team next fall?

Do I want BIG BOY (hAYES), a great shot/offensive guy with a little snarl in Morin, and so now I have a prospect with development time and even a taste of NHL. With the Columbus guy it is a matter of if he wants to create competition for a role on his team with an inexpensive add by taking a flyer on the Rockford player because he already knows that Brassard is not going to be his #1 center & he doesn't even see Brassard as his #2 center. He will sign or draft a center, SO WHERE DOES HE GET A WINGER to compete for a job. Chg is one possibiity.

A player like Stalberg can be marketed in Columbus. But Stalberg is not really what an Ottawa wants.

Btw do you recall Brassard was AN ESPECIALLY QUICK OFFENSIVE GUY WHO COULD PLAY AT HIGH SPEED - in his draft year scouting report? Has Brassard been maybe somewhat timid due to the physicality of NHL and its larger size players?

Now let's look at Stajan. Is he a possible keeper next year? Look at NYI. Need a center. Is Broadhurst looking mighty good?

But Garth Snow uses all these AHL type players in the NHL. Would he be adverse to a Morin or whomever. DK. But I will be interested if both a deHahn and T Hickey is on that defense next year.

Probably GM's are mulling over lots of ideas. The only idea I am sold on is that ROR is not moving to Chg.

Heard Chi would be interested in Gionta.

Any truth to that??
- soad_live

Is he expendable? What happened - did he flunk out of the French immersion classes he enrolled in when they made him captain of the team and Bergevin is PO'd about it? Or is it that he's 5'5" tall?

Is he expendable? What happened - did he flunk out of the French immersion classes he enrolled in when they made him captain of the team and Bergevin is PO'd about it? Or is it that he's 5'5" tall?
- RickJ

Or is it that he's 34, overpaid, coming off an injury plagued season and in obvious decline ?

Fortunately for MacDonald it wasn't Hitch who fell on his knee. That would have been career ending.
- RickJ

Career ending?? MacDonald would be lucky to hear anything other than "code blue"...

Or is it that he's 34, overpaid, coming off an injury plagued season and in obvious decline ?
- philco28

Lou Lamorello will grab him to play with his brother if he's really on the block.

Lou Lamorello will grab him to play with his brother if he's really on the block.
- RickJ

A move back to NJ would be a good one for Gionta...that's obvously where he made his name.

If Morin and a second gets Brassard...Please and thank you. This kid is a good player and he can 1. keep up with the hawks pace and style 2. He has a good skillset that would allow Bolly to go back to 3c 3. Shaw can move to the top line with Hossa and Tazer

Shaw can move to the top line with Hossa and Tazer
- nickmo2699

That might be interesting.

And Game 4, where I believe he gave up 4, was his first start in 6 weeks.
- John Jaeckel

Game 5 OT winner was a big rebound off the Joe's famously lively end boards, right to a Red Wing and in.

The Line of

Bickel
Stalberg
& Shaw are getting paid 1.9 million this year total. Bolland being paid 3.375 million

I know these numbers will change and I am not knocking Bolland but this line which is often our best is the real deal at under 2 miilion.

A move back to NJ would be a good one for Gionta...that's obvously where he made his name.
- philco28

How about Morrow, haven't heard his name mentioned in a while. He checks a lot of our boxes.

Just want to say, I don't really check out other team blogs but I wanted to see what Esplen said about the Canucks loss yesterday. What I have to say is, wow JJ you are 1000% better writer and blogger than most of the other teams on this site.

Keep up the good work. Can't take a writer like you for granted, that's for sure.

How about Morrow, haven't heard his name mentioned in a while. He checks a lot of our boxes.
- hockey nut 28

We're not the Cubs, this is not a career graveyard.

We're not the Cubs, this is not a career graveyard.
- nickmo2699

Maybe the Cubs under Jim Hendry. Not now.

Just want to say, I don't really check out other team blogs but I wanted to see what Esplen said about the Canucks loss yesterday. What I have to say is, wow JJ you are 1000% better writer and blogger than most of the other teams on this site.

Keep up the good work. Can't take a writer like you for granted, that's for sure.
- teh_HAWKZ

Your right and look at the fans reaction to the Blog...Ian's blog on this game was way off the mark
He thought the bangers should have played more. Bottom line ...the whole Canuck Team was slow and tired last night.


Who was on the ice for the first 2 Coyotes goals? Lapierre, Kassian, and Wiese. Lapierre and Kassian were pretty much responsible for each goal (Wiese is a total non-factor in all ways). Exactly why should they be playing more? They were horrible and deserved to sit down with Ballard on the end of the bench...not that many/any other Canucks player was much better

Maybe the Cubs under Jim Hendry. Not now.
- furso27

Sorry, baseball talk does not belong here. The Cubs now are a minor league team. Lets just say its going to be a long summer.

Just wondering, any word on why Brassard left the game last night? Injury long/short term?

Sorry, baseball talk does not belong here. The Cubs now are a minor league team. Lets just say its going to be a long summer.
- nickmo2699

you brought it up, brah

you brought it up, brah
- furso27

Touche

Just wondering, any word on why Brassard left the game last night? Injury long/short term?
- Studebakerhawk

upper body.. supposedly re-evaluated today.

Your right and look at the fans reaction to the Blog...Ian's blog on this game was way off the mark
He thought the bangers should have played more. Bottom line ...the whole Canuck Team was slow and tired last night.


Who was on the ice for the first 2 Coyotes goals? Lapierre, Kassian, and Wiese. Lapierre and Kassian were pretty much responsible for each goal (Wiese is a total non-factor in all ways). Exactly why should they be playing more? They were horrible and deserved to sit down with Ballard on the end of the bench...not that many/any other Canucks player was much better
- PEIHawkFan

Esplen now covers his blog quality with photos of scantily clad ladies! It's kinda like Playboy ... Nuck fans go to the site and pretend they read the article.