Ya gotta point, but the time and money and effort invested in attending a fan convention really isn't comparable to this type of web based forum.

Convention attendees seem to want to be near, proximity wise, to their "heroes". Perhaps they're autograph seekers or just really intense fans who want to be "close" to the guys.

I personally couldn't care less about meeting, or shaking hands with players or execs. I'm just pleased they're good at their jobs and provide me with entertainment.

I suppose I'm a bit obsessed with the game, and player personnel moves, but that's not much different than any other interest. I enjoy film and watching movies new and old, but I don't want to meet actors or collect their autographs.

Everyone is different though and to each their own. Like I said earlier, fan conventions are great for kids and marketing the game, and specifically the Blackhawks as a team, so in that sense I'm all for it.

Just not my cup 'o tea...
- ArlingtonRob

Well said. Could not agree more.

I guess Hjalmarsson just got married - Bickell is getting married - Seabrook is about to have a kd (actually, his wife is), Keith's wife just had one - all of this domesticity - hope it doesn't make them fat and happy and soft.

There is hockey to be played.

Article in today's Tribune about the ownership structures and succession plans of the five Chicago major league teams.

Apparently, the Wirtz family dynamic is more complex then we (I should say "I") knew.

http://my.chicagotribune....544/article/p2p-76820555/

Ya gotta point, but the time and money and effort invested in attending a fan convention really isn't comparable to this type of web based forum.

Convention attendees seem to want to be near, proximity wise, to their "heroes". Perhaps they're autograph seekers or just really intense fans who want to be "close" to the guys.

I personally couldn't care less about meeting, or shaking hands with players or execs. I'm just pleased they're good at their jobs and provide me with entertainment.

I suppose I'm a bit obsessed with the game, and player personnel moves, but that's not much different than any other interest. I enjoy film and watching movies new and old, but I don't want to meet actors or collect their autographs.

Everyone is different though and to each their own. Like I said earlier, fan conventions are great for kids and marketing the game, and specifically the Blackhawks as a team, so in that sense I'm all for it.

Just not my cup 'o tea...
- ArlingtonRob

This is about how I relate to this too, but I don't obsess much over the roster moves either (except insofar as I come to be a fan of particular players who I don't want to see leave. Still bummed about Frolik).

I've seen a few clips of the convention, which is more than enough.... Still somewhat concerned about depth down the middle (Kruger 2C? Saad? Sharp? Zeus in spots?), but basically just assuming and hoping the FO knows what they're doing, and waiting for first puck drop next year.

Bob Probert doesn't deserve a spot on that list any more than Brian Noonan.
- acmidd28

Yeah, well the problem arises when the team mangement stops paying and doesn't have many scouts or an ability to draft, when the Cenral Scouting Serivice lsit becomes the bible, because you don't have enough full time employess TO see the few quality upside sleepers in the drafts during these years.

You can add Enrico Ciccone or just about anyone as you move closer to the post Rocky years ending, they were lucky to have grown a few like Noonan who the took out of high school in the 10th round (179th overall)

Probert cleaned up his life in Chicago? That's news to me...
- ArlingtonRob

He lived about 11 blocks from me in Lincoln Park. He spent many a night in an Armitage Water hole near where I taught at LP HS, after all the cleaned up articles...It was the blow he ket himself away from, and always claimed that the customs arrest over the bridge was taking a hit for the owner's daughter who was also in the car...

For those of you who complained about Sharp's contract (except Ogi who has been reformed) how does it look now compared to Wheeler's deal?

Sharp was 5 years at $5.9 million. Wheeler is 6 years at $5.6 million, with a lower cap at the time of signing the deal.

I like Wheeler and I'd love I have him on the Blackhawks but he's no Patrick Sharp. The Jets did what they had to do to keep one of their best forwards but they overpaid.
- DarthKane

When I saw thise signing all I could think was how Hammer wasn't sticking around and taking 5 million....but I agree Jets do this or the deal with a roster hole, no what they want as they add the two youngsters at Dee (Jacob Trouba) and centre (Mark Scheifele), and try and build towards winning with smurf NIc Petan, JT Morrisey, Jimmy Lodge and JC Lipon, all excellent choice this year too..

When I saw thise signing all I could think was how Hammer wasn't sticking around and taking 5 million....but I agree Jets do this or the deal with a roster hole, no what they want as they add the two youngsters at Dee (Jacob Trouba) and centre (Mark Scheifele), and try and build towards winning with smurf NIc Petan, JT Morrisey, Jimmy Lodge and JC Lipon, all excellent choice this year too..
- wiz1901

Hey there Wiz!! How ya been?

So you don't think Hammer is sticking around beyond next year? Can't they pay Hammer 5-5.5 and get rid of Oduya? Would really hate to see him go...I'm pretty sure most fans think of him as part of the core,I know I do

I guess Hjalmarsson just got married - Bickell is getting married - Seabrook is about to have a kd (actually, his wife is), Keith's wife just had one - all of this domesticity - hope it doesn't make them fat and happy and soft.

There is hockey to be played.
- StLBravesFan

Mr. & Mrs. Hammer.

Article in today's Tribune about the ownership structures and succession plans of the five Chicago major league teams.

Apparently, the Wirtz family dynamic is more complex then we (I should say "I") knew.

http://my.chicagotribune....544/article/p2p-76820555/
- StLBravesFan

Thought it was a good read till I got to the last paragraph. Hawks are still whining about losing money on paper.

Thought it was a good read till I got to the last paragraph. Hawks are still whining about losing money on paper.
- Beaver-Warrior

Yes - agree - maybe we need to send a boring accountant in there to find out what's really going on.

My guess is they certainly have positive operating income - except for maybe - MAYBE - last year's shortened season - certainly next year with the dap going down.

Between the Hawks, the UC, CSN - no one is missing a meal or a paycheck.

ArlingtonRob

Convention attendees seem to want to be near, proximity wise, to their "heroes". Perhaps they're autograph seekers or just really intense fans who want to be "close" to the guys.

I personally couldn't care less about meeting, or shaking hands with players or execs. I'm just pleased they're good at their jobs and provide me with entertainment.

I suppose I'm a bit obsessed with the game, and player personnel moves, but that's not much different than any other interest. I enjoy film and watching movies new and old, but I don't want to meet actors or collect their autographs.

Everyone is different though and to each their own. Like I said earlier, fan conventions are great for kids and marketing the game, and specifically the Blackhawks as a team, so in that sense I'm all for it.

Just not my cup 'o tea...
- ArlingtonRob

I attended the first one, and you are absolutley correct, there was such a HUGE influx of "Kane and Toews tinyboppers" flocking to where they were, lauging at every thing they said. I knew I was a dinosaur then, but I wanted to here the variuos sessions like when I finally pursued Bowman for a real answer, and being probaby on of three people in the audience who had REALLY attendedwas at the 61 Cup series (much like me meeting people who say they were at Woodstock ((and weren't)) and when you start asking various questions,you know they really weren't there---I wa sand am ready for any quiz)

Yeah, i waited for to have Bobby sign, but more to ask him how all this hubbub and his new elevation return to fold made him, feel, he as almost in tears of joy....

I also liked how they purposefully had Kaner and Tazer be in a session with Stan & Bobby and I figure that open panel seession was arranged to make sure they saw how the old guys carried themselves and knew how to be ambassadors and maybe they could learn a bit about the sacrifices, and on-ice trials. (also loved that when Bobby was asked which player he thought was similar to his style he said Hossa based on his over-all strength and scoring ability...)

But I really went there to talk hockey and I was never close to able to find fans who were as deep in as I was, with most just fans hawk lovers, but weren't invested deeply....
When I mentioned yo one of my early concern about kane his size, and defense, he said well he probably needs time because of just getting here form playing in London....he thought England.

So I felt like a wayward soul, feeling things differently, alone on an island that was crowded, and and speaking a different language, and with no interest of my stories...

I went to see the old guys, and actually would have gone again if the had any idea BEFORE the convention tickets went on sale that Glenn Hall was going to attend (and not painting his barn...he was just really the piece around that average Cup team with two stars and one offensiev up ice defender in Pierre that DID it...and was a champion.

I wonder if Stan has placed a call to mason Raymond's agent, seeing if he might be interested in a one year deal, to play for the best franchise in hockey then make a run at being a ufa next summer. While I'd like to see smith and pirri on the hawks, with the loss of stalberg and frolik, Raymond might be a really nice speedy fit on the 3rd line and perhaps penalty kill.

I wonder if Stan has placed a call to mason Raymond's agent, seeing if he might be interested in a one year deal, to play for the best franchise in hockey then make a run at being a ufa next summer. While I'd like to see smith and pirri on the hawks, with the loss of stalberg and frolik, Raymond might be a really nice speedy fit on the 3rd line and perhaps penalty kill.
- Omahawk

I agree that Mason could be a decent fit, but I think Stan will stay on course and the of Pirri, Smith, Morin and Hayes will make the team. If 2-3 guys have a terrible training camp or if somebody gets hurt then Mason could become a realistic option. I'm excited to see what these young guys can so, especially Smith and Morin.

I agree that Mason could be a decent fit, but I think Stan will stay on course and the of Pirri, Smith, Morin and Hayes will make the team. If 2-3 guys have a terrible training camp or if somebody gets hurt then Mason could become a realistic option. I'm excited to see what these young guys can so, especially Smith and Morin.
- DarthKane

Smith is going to be in Chicago. At this point I'd have to think he actually has a roster spot - one that is his to lose going into camp.

hello Eli...hey Ogi!!!
- UnnamedSource

Welcome back!

Smith is going to be in Chicago. At this point I'd have to think he actually has a roster spot - one that is his to lose going into camp.
- EKolb13

The fact that Smith was chosen to play in game 3 against Boston speaks volumes. In addition to Smith having a one-way (low cap hit) deal this year. I know some of the rookies may be in and out of the line up this year, but if he's healthy I expect Smith to play a full season and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Would not be surprised to see them carry just 21 or 22 players with The Rockford Shuffle back in play this year as well.
- MartiniMan

but you know the vet Icedogs mayhave to be passing through waviers

The fact that Smith was chosen to play in game 3 against Boston speaks volumes. In addition to Smith having a one-way (low cap hit) deal this year. I know some of the rookies may be in and out of the line up this year, but if he's healthy I expect Smith to play a full season and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.
- DarthKane

Indeed. It seems to me that Smitty is definitely in Q's plans.

With the signing of Winchester, I have to figure that the Hawks will promote two 'Hogs this fall. Odds are Smith is a safe bet to make the team. I would bet that the other will be Morin.

hello Eli...hey Ogi!!!
- UnnamedSource

What about the rest of us? Jerk.

Indeed. It seems to me that Smitty is definitely in Q's plans.

With the signing of Winchester, I have to figure that the Hawks will promote two 'Hogs this fall. Odds are Smith is a safe bet to make the team. I would bet that the other will be Morin.
- EKolb13

Smith and Morin are my choices two. Unless Q decides to have Bollig and Winchester ride a lot of pine and Pirri makes the team too. But it would work out well if 2 IceHogs this season and 2 next season.

but you know the vet Icedogs mayhave to be passing through waviers
- wiz1901

Was speaking more in terms of Morin/Hayes/Pirri, possibly LeBlanc.

Welcome back!
- EKolb13

Thanks Eli.....back from an adventurous week with the little guy....So have we penciled Beach on the top six yet????

Thanks Eli.....back from an adventurous week with the little guy....So have we penciled Beach on the top six yet????
- UnnamedSource

No. It hasn't come to that, yet.

However, Ogie is still throwing in Lalonde into trade proposals.

No. It hasn't come to that, yet.

However, Ogie is still throwing in Lalonde into trade proposals.
- EKolb13

For Getzlaf?