Free agent frenzy huh. Well we need a PP coach and a goalie coach
- hockey nut 28

For us it's Free agent coach frenzy.

I wonder how Peter Mueller would do with the Hawks. He is big and only 25 and had a respectable 8 goals and 7 assists this past year and can play center or wing which is something that Q always likes.
- FourOrr

Mueller would be interesting.

I thought Tallon made a pretty nice pick up of him last off season when Mueller was coming off a concussion.

I'm not expecting a splash, but at least pick up someone like that. The most fun we'll have today is just talking about all the "ifs" rather than the actual signings the Hawks make.

vet backup: Ellis/Mason

3rd pairing dman: Fistric/White

I would prefer Stanton or Olsen or anyone to paying these 2 bozos anything close to their last paychecks --I would prefer OVER patying

4th line center than can win faceoffs: Hendricks/Gordon

I don't see fixing face0ffs with Hendricks/Gordon ---the idea is speed / quick sticks over a specialist who cannot play the style that dicattes their attack...
- ikeane

Thoughts on the hawks pursuing Dan Cleary, hes got a winning pedigree, is a veteran, can play both sides of the puck... Thoughts?

If Raanta is going to be the back-up in Chicago, then I could see Hutton being brought back to split time in Rockford with one of Carruth or Simpson.

If the Hawks do bring in another vet to challenge Raanta for the back-up position, then it will be the loser of that challenge platooning with one of Carruth/Simpson in Rockford.

Early bet is that Simpson breaks camp with Rockford, and Carruth goes to Toledo.
- EKolb13

Like I said few times....Raanta is a $1.4 mill cap hit if he plays up here....He won't be in Chgo unless they are 110% sure he is ready...Otherwise he learns in Rokrd for $70k.

Mueller would be interesting.

I thought Tallon made a pretty nice pick up of him last off season when Mueller was coming off a concussion.

I'm not expecting a splash, but at least pick up someone like that. The most fun we'll have today is just talking about all the "ifs" rather than the actual signings the Hawks make.
- teh_HAWKZ

Mueller would be slow footed.

Thoughts on the hawks pursuing Dan Cleary, hes got a winning pedigree, is a veteran, can play both sides of the puck... Thoughts?
- Jagbears

Dollars...no room.

Thoughts on the hawks pursuing Dan Cleary, hes got a winning pedigree, is a veteran, can play both sides of the puck... Thoughts?
- Jagbears

Love that idea...but how much?

Thoughts on the hawks pursuing Dan Cleary, hes got a winning pedigree, is a veteran, can play both sides of the puck... Thoughts?
- Jagbears

Not sure what he is asking. If he is willing to take $2 mil or less I say sign him personally

I am prently watching the World Junior Championship game between Sweden and the USA at Christmas. I wanted to see get a Hartman fix (since I erased the Prospects game when he threw 6 big time hits prompting
Team Orrs Rychel to go after him...didn't he know it was "showcase all-star game?)

Things that have struck me so far.

Found it cool that Leaf's pick Tyler Biggs wore Big M's 27

and Hartman wore Mikita's 21.


Less than one minute in, Seth Jones got handcuffed by Swdish forecheckers and cough it...they aren't NHL caliber forecheckers...and that is why he dropped too.

I didn'thave to look for Hartman long....when USA goaler John Gibson made a save and play halted he seemed to come out of nowhere to let the the Swedish forward in front he should back off.

and he is lawys so close to whomever is carrying, he closes on the backcheck really well applies pressure pressure pressure.

Wm Karlssom level Hartman with middle zone hit - and I )of course ) was expecting some retaliltory stuff from him, but it didn't come...control. Nice.
- wiz1901

Couldn't be HAPPIER with the Hartman pick. Looks like a real GEM. Just hope he can play under control and not fall into the trap of running around looking to make a quick impression or a name for himself.

Thoughts on the hawks pursuing Dan Cleary, hes got a winning pedigree, is a veteran, can play both sides of the puck... Thoughts?
- Jagbears

HE'S PERFECT...would LOVE HIM BACK IN CHI

I don't see fixing face0ffs with Hendricks/Gordon ---the idea is speed / quick sticks over a specialist who cannot play the style that dicattes their attack...

- wiz1901

Seemed to work at this year's trade deadline. Zues does not have speed or does not play their style, but he worked pretty good for them. At leaset the two I mentionned are quicker than Zues and can still win faceoffs. No reason to have speed if you burn it chasing the puck cause you can't win a draw

Mueller would be slow footed.
- wiz1901

He might drag his buddy Kaner out too much as well. Let's not add anyone that could be a distraction to #88.

Like I said few times....Raanta is a $1.4 mill cap hit if he plays up here....He won't be in Chgo unless they are 110% sure he is ready...Otherwise he learns in Rokrd for $70k.
- Al

I agree with you Al. I think Raanta is Rockford bound. That's why I used the word "if."

Think the Stars will ne a force next year ?

Or think that trading your team into talent doesn't usually work ??? A la Pitttsburgh...
- mrpaulish

I don't really see how Dallas can be thought of as trading into talent. The only high talent guy they picked up is Seguin, and they gave up a better player in Eriksson to get him. Maybe that's not the outcome in 3 years but it sure is today. Horcoff is awful. Peverley is good but really a 3rd line center. Other than that that team is a wasteland at forward. You've got Benn, Eakins, and basically nothing. They still need a huge infusion of talent.

Saw the Rags are looking at Dominic Moore. Great faceoff guy, wonder if the Hawks could get him.
- ikeane

Good faceoff guy and good guy all around. He's just returning from a year off after retiring to be with his wife, who died from a rare form of cancer.


http://www.theglobeandmai...her-death/article9262910/

Good faceoff guy and good guy all around. He's just returning from a year off after retiring to be with his wife, who died from a rare form of cancer.


http://www.theglobeandmai...her-death/article9262910/
- Hemingways

Good read, good player, but sounds like he needs more time to cope before worrying about hockey.

Lol. 7 minutes until free agency and all I covet is a couple of real centers. Really just a 4th line face off winner PK guy which theHawks should be able to find.

Oh and an extension for Kruger.

#Blackhawks tendered qualifying offers to Kyle Beach, Marcus Kruger, Shawn Lalonde and Ryan Stanton.


Per Kuc

The cool thing is this year they actually have a bit of money to sign a player or two if they want.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 14m
Expect Emery to sign with Flyers. Expect a 1 yr deal. Strategic move to establish starter role and bigger $$ down the road.

#Blackhawks tendered qualifying offers to Kyle Beach, Marcus Kruger, Shawn Lalonde and Ryan Stanton.


Per Kuc
- mrpaulish

Um, why is the Kyle Beach experiment still happening?

Mueller would be slow footed.
- wiz1901

Slow as in Zus?

Um, why is the Kyle Beach experiment still happening?
- FourFeathers773

I don't know

Another year of LOSING on The Island

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 1m
#Isles have re-signed G Evgeni Nabokov to a 1-year, $3.25 million deal.