Why would the Hawks have interest in a bottom 6 winger? Jones is a good depth piece, but wouldn't it be smarter to get a 4th line center who is +50% on draws?
- kwolf68

I agree we need a guy that can win draws as a center and a #6 d-man for cheap. I thought we want to give some of the young guys a chance? Pretty sure they all play wing (Morrin/Hayes) or should play wing (Pirri/Smith). Only guy I am fine with playing center, out of the young group, would be Leblanc.....

Somewhere in Finland, Antti Raanta is openly weeping.
- houseofcards74

And that matters, why? Is he the first professional athlete to have to compete for a job after signing a contract that will pay him over a million dollars a year?

I agree we need a guy that can win draws as a center and a #6 d-man for cheap. I thought we want to give some of the young guys a chance? Pretty sure they all play wing (Morrin/Hayes) or should play wing (Pirri/Smith). Only guy I am fine with playing center, out of the young group, would be Leblanc.....
- BearsnHawks

Leblanc's done nothing to show he's ready to play the NHL pivot. If any of the kids get a crack at it, it'll be Pirri. He's played well at center in the A for a few years now...

Time to crap or get off the pot...

If Emery is re-upped, Raanta will split time in Rockford, probably with one of either Simpson or Carruth sharing the games with him. Good bye Cater Hutton.
- EKolb13

I think Richards and Hutton are both gone (both UFA's) and it will be, like you said, Simpson or Carruth splitting time with him.

WHOA!! Now THAT"s hilarious!!!

Dude - you could be onto something there!

Alexei Burnside anyone?




- CaptainBlackhawk

STOP IT!!! YOU WILL MAKE ROENICK CRY AGAIN!!!!!!

Intersting player if 100% is Manny Maholtra.

VG defensively and vg on draws.

I heard awhile ago he was going to try to comeback from his eye problem.

I'd have no issues with this. Kid isn't flashy, but he's consistent and responsible. Just needs to win more draws (or at least not get thrown out of 75% of them...)
- FredoXV

I could envision a second line of Sharp - Kruger - Hossa. Sharp can help him by taking some of the draws.

Leblanc's done nothing to show he's ready to play the NHL pivot. If any of the kids get a crack at it, it'll be Pirri. He's played well at center in the A for a few years now...

Time to crap or get off the pot...
- FredoXV

My whole point is having at least two guys that can win 50% or better. Pirri, I believe, is pretty bad on draws and defense, more of a scorer. Leblanc won 50% of his draws in the two games he played for the Hawks (granted a low sample size but he was also good at draws in college).

If Emery is re-upped, Raanta will split time in Rockford, probably with one of either Simpson or Carruth sharing the games with him. Good bye Cater Hutton.
- EKolb13

Raanta needs time in Rockford and is cheap insurance...

I think Richards and Hutton are both gone (both UFA's) and it will be, like you said, Simpson or Carruth splitting time with him.
- BearsnHawks

Richards got "loaned" to a club in Germany the middle of last season. He was gone then.

Did I read this right? $3.5 million for Stanton?

More than likely, Stanton gets Bollig type money, for just above the league minimum.
- EKolb13

So right!!!

thats what I'm thinking
- UnnamedSource

I think it's a real and exciting possibility. As said before, he could stand to fill his frame out a bit (which should make him stronger at the dot) and concern himself with the offensive side of things more. But he's another "heart" player, a battler who I wouldn't underestimate, and if given this opportunity you can expect him to make the most of it and quite possibly excel.

Richards got "loaned" to a club in Germany the middle of last season. He was gone then.
- EKolb13

Sorry, missed that transaction. Any news on any of our RFA's yet? When is the last day to give a qualifying offer July 4th?

Sorry, missed that transaction. Any news on any of our RFA's yet? When is the last day to give a qualifying offer July 4th?
- BearsnHawks

Today, I believe.

Sorry, missed that transaction. Any news on any of our RFA's yet? When is the last day to give a qualifying offer July 4th?
- BearsnHawks

I haven't seen any news yet.

I hate to be that guy to bring up Hossa but I wanna bounce an idea off you guys. If there is an NHL expansion in the coming years, do you think the hawks are holding on to Hossa to put him into the expansion draft? Just a wild thought. I don't want people getting all up in arms about how he is going to be fine or he should have been bought out. Just a thought

Pavel Bure's dad?
- MnGump

It's Alex Zhamnov

Him


- CaptainBlackhawk

Trading current #13 for the old #13 (wasn't he captain for a few years when Amonte left?) and probably getting more value...

ALEX ZHAMNOV

Somewhere in Finland, Antti Raanta is openly weeping.
- houseofcards74

It was reported that one of the reasons Raanta signed was because of access to a goalie coach with the minor league team. He did not expect to be in the NHL right away. Best thing for him is to do what Niemi did - adjust to the smaller ice and NA game full time in the AHL first.

Trading current #13 for the old #13 (wasn't he captain for a few years when Amonte left?) and probably getting more value...

ALEX ZHAMNOV
- Nerko77

Mr. Zhamnov.. always brings a rousing discussion amongst Blackhawk fans!

I'm told the Hawk strategy going in to unrestricted free agency is to look for Michal Rozsival-like veteran players to approach them (perhaps including Rozsival) on potentially cap friendly short-term deals—with the hopes of winning a Cup or at least going far in the playoffs.

Given this strategy what about Matt Cullen from Minn? Might he come cheep to get another shot at a cup.

Mr. Zhamnov.. always brings a rousing discussion amongst Blackhawk fans!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Hey, at the time he wore the C i was getting day-of-the game student tickets for $7...

This stupid inflation....

I'm told the Hawk strategy going in to unrestricted free agency is to look for Michal Rozsival-like veteran players to approach them (perhaps including Rozsival) on potentially cap friendly short-term deals—with the hopes of winning a Cup or at least going far in the playoffs.

Given this strategy what about Matt Cullen from Minn? Might he come cheep to get another shot at a cup.
- PuckMaster

I like Cullen but he's like a 36 year old version of Pirri in my mind. Seem to have similar games and similar builds.

Jack Skille waived by the Panthers....the on ice human spaz.

The Hawks could replace Stalberg's speed with the great Jack Skille!!!! Parting ways with Florida, Hawks should jump on it!