Chicago ALWAYS has the backs of Americans EVERYWHERE....

Much LUV to Boston
#STRENGTH
- philco28

Yeah I've been pretty sure for a while, but this article confirms it. All due to being signed post-TDL.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...expect-to-play-for-hawks/

Link to the sun-times article is in this one from PHT

Philco posted a link to the video of the interview with Leblanc a few pages back.
- prd797

Thanks. They better get him some time then and make a decision. I guess if Leblanc shows something then Bolland will be packing in the OS.

Kane is a floater. He is back checking more this year but there is no question that is his style. Several examples of this last night.

Gagner would be top 6 and probably be put out their with Kane (they were linemates in juniors). That would turn the 2nd line into a sieve.

At 4-5 mildo a year no way that makes sense.

Hammer in a trade (if he keeps this up) should bring someone much better than Gagner at both ends of the ice.
- tredbrta

Whether a floater or not (I tend to think he's a bit of a floater and a bit of a cherry-picker, but with loads of offensive talent), Kane is a guy who I could cite to that is NOT a player the Hawks would look to replace a guy like Hossa (who may, apparently, play forever) since their games and skillsets are so different. So, though each may eventually be in the Hall of Fame, one could not be looked at to "replace" the other. Hopefully this helps clarify my earlier posts who some may have mistaken as evidence for me being on the Brandon Saad for Hall of Fame committee... And, I'll stand on my earlier statements that Hossa's apparent nurturing of Saad speaks volumes of HOSSA's character, unlike the veteran QB in the NFL who doesn't feel it's "his job to teach the rookies how to play QB in the NFL."

Thanks. They better get him some time then and make a decision. I guess if Leblanc shows something then Bolland will be packing in the OS.
- tredbrta

Leblanc isn't going to jump into the 2nd line center role right away....... Leblanc has nothing to do with Bolland, at all.

heard he was recalled.
- ikeane

Olesz? Outstanding!

In Gagner's defense he is tough, just smallish. Gagner drops the gloves a couple times a year to defend his mates, and can throw a check. Kane is probably the least physical player in the NHL
- rollpards19

I think Ribeiro and a couple Russians would take that honor over Kane. He throws a check once in a great while. More importantly, he hasn't been backing down as much to physical play this year.... POs will tell all.

In Gagner's defense he is tough, just smallish. Gagner drops the gloves a couple times a year to defend his mates, and can throw a check. Kane is probably the least physical player in the NHL
- rollpards19

Kane >> Gagner.

On value to his team, Hammer >> Gagner.

That trade is a non-starter from the get-go.

Olesz? Outstanding!
- blackhawk24

He will be a part of the pink aces.... skating around with the ice crew cleaning up!!!

you guys certainly know how to rock a national anthem
- Fountain-San

Yes we do. And when it comes to what happened yesterday, the rest of the country has your back.

Captain Serious may be Canada's Captain in Sochi (if the NHL goes). He is an unbelievably talented, focused player, who is outstanding in all 3 zones. A GREAT leader. He would be a foundational player for every team in the NHL.

That said, Marion Hossa is the best player on the ice every time he steps on it. For either team.

Leblanc isn't going to jump into the 2nd line center role right away....... Leblanc has nothing to do with Bolland, at all.
- droe411

Agreed! And, I bet if someone read a post in the locker room that Bolland is, or should be concerned about Leblanc taking his spot, it would get one of the biggest laughs of the year. Bolland, if healthy, is a solid center who earns several millions of dollars a year in the NHL... Leblanc will be fortunate to ever be a full-time rostered player in the NHL. Everyone, including Leblanc, knows that.

Hey JJ, great post as usual. I know you leaned towards Bolland playing his last season in Chicago, do you feel Sharpie may join him on a train outta Chicago? With the injuries, and pre-injury goal posts, I could see a decent return come back for Sharp. Just a thought. Anything you can share about Dave Bolland and his potential exit from the Hawks?
- ikeane

I think it is possible but not likely. Bolland's role has been jeopordized his health problems, the emergence of Shaw/Kruger, and the system that includes a plethora of potential 2-3rd centers in McNeill, Denault, and now Leblanc.

A lot of people talk about Saad replacing Hossa, no way. From a performance perspective Saad is equaling the type of production on the ice we'd see from Sharp but NOT Hossa. The thing that Sharpie brings though is undeniable leadership qualities, proven consistency, and other intangibles. I'd only trade Sharpie for a can't turn down offer.

OMG! You either don't read well or don't comprehend well but that response is just crazy off base in terms of what I wrote. You may claim not to have an anti-Saad agenda but when you use two of my posts which were about COMPLIMENTING Hossa and his extraordinary character to denigrate the "Great Brandon Saad," a 20-year-old who I never said was "great" or worthy of mythical status, your agenda seems clear. And I didn't say anything about a compliance buyout or Hossa being one. But, if you have information that Hossa "WILL PLAY FOREVER" (which I predicted he will not, in fact, play forever), I'd be interested to hear it. Now I expect to be banned for not bowing to the great JJ. Pfffftttt!
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Pardon me for sharing facts and dispassionate opinion. If you're banned, it will be for overreacting and being insulting. Guys like you never seem to have a good filter for their own words and behaviors. This is otherwise not worth responding to.

I saw this floated in a thread a couple of days ago and thought it was correct. I did not know that he was ineligible for the AHL playoffs too.

By the way, did anyone see the cap hit that LeBlanc kid has?

http://capgeek.com/player/2460
- EKolb13

That number must be prorated for the remainder of the season. If he gets the whole enchilada this year, the Hawks must be signing him to an extension.

That's a fair amount of cheddar for an NCAA free agent that's 23.

Pardon me for sharing facts and dispassionate opinion. If you're banned, it will be for overreacting and being insulting. Guys like you never seem to have a good filter for their own words and behaviors. This is otherwise not worth responding to.
- John Jaeckel

You have no idea about "guys like me." I'll leave that at that. Good day, Sir.

I think it is possible but not likely. Bolland's role has been jeopordized his health problems, the emergence of Shaw/Kruger, and the system that includes a plethora of potential 2-3rd centers in McNeill, Denault, and now Leblanc.

A lot of people talk about Saad replacing Hossa, no way. From a performance perspective Saad is equaling the type of production on the ice we'd see from Sharp but NOT Hossa. The thing that Sharpie brings though is undeniable leadership qualities, proven consistency, and other intangibles. I'd only trade Sharpie for a can't turn down offer.
- Bjm84

Dunno about Sharp. As I pointed out earlier, before being personally assailed, there IS a valid argument for whether Hossa is worth the long-term doallar commitment. While Sharp's term is not as long, the AAV of his deal over the next four years is higher than, for comparison sake, Hossa's. Who's the better player? 81 by far. If there's a guy who Saad "replaces," although that's still not really relevant, it could be 10. I mean if the dollars are an issue, and all factors point to it being so for at least the next year or two, then really, who is expendable?

You have no idea about "guys like me." I'll leave that at that. Good day, Sir.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Your overreaction and finger pointing and lack of accountability are quite familiar. Oh, I forgot, you're a big shooter. Really, what would I know about that?

Kane >> Gagner.

On value to his team, Hammer >> Gagner.

That trade is a non-starter from the get-go.
- blackhawk24

Totally agree, was just responding to a guy who asked who we had that was a floater.

Olesz? Outstanding!
- blackhawk24

What happened to him? He was so solid those couple years in Florida.. looked like he would be a top 6 guy at some point.

Wasn't he a top 10 draft pick??

Your overreaction and finger pointing and lack of accountability are quite familiar. Oh, I forgot, you're a big shooter. Really, what would I know about that?
- John Jaeckel

I said, good day!

Captain Serious may be Canada's Captain in Sochi (if the NHL goes). He is an unbelievably talented, focused player, who is outstanding in all 3 zones. A GREAT leader. He would be a foundational player for every team in the NHL.

That said, Marion Hossa is the best player on the ice every time he steps on it. For either team.
- scottak

You'd find many hockey people disagreeing with this. Not to disparage Hossa in any way, fantastic player, but right now Toews is a better hockey player.

Agreed! And, I bet if someone read a post in the locker room that Bolland is, or should be concerned about Leblanc taking his spot, it would get one of the biggest laughs of the year. Bolland, if healthy, is a solid center who earns several millions of dollars a year in the NHL... Leblanc will be fortunate to ever be a full-time rostered player in the NHL. Everyone, including Leblanc, knows that.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

But, if he shows something, Bolland is probably gone as they will probably move Kruger or Shaw up to be that defensive center. Leblanc brings more long term depth but it would still be nice to have that 2c who can really work offensively with Kane.

And no, it isn't Gagner. Maybe one of the potential buyouts come from LA or NYR come OS.

You'd find many hockey people disagreeing with this. Not to disparage Hossa in any way, fantastic player, but right now Toews is a better hockey player.
- rollpards19

Right now, last 10 games or so. Yeah. I think it is a valid argument a lot of nights, Certainly as the years go by, it tilts more toward Toews at his relative age.

Really, they are the two best players on the club.

I said, good day!
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Last word, you win!

What happened to him? He was so solid those couple years in Florida.. looked like he would be a top 6 guy at some point.

Wasn't he a top 10 draft pick??
- kneughter

Played on bad teams, blew his knee out in the Spring of 2011. If healthy, he has the ability to be a decent two-way forward in the NHL.