Kevin Allen ‏@ByKevinAllen 56s

3 signings by Blackhawks today: Antti Raanta, Ben Smith and Jeremy Morin. All for two years.

agreed.... I put it at 68.7m
- ChicagoDave

Over 70 million....

leading up to the draft I was completely optimistic that Stan would buck his conservative trend and make a big move for a 2C....with Kesler gone and the cap supposedly lower than expected next year....my optimism is fading quickly....
- EnzoD

Much as Kesler would fit, I think the more prudent thing to do is get a more cost effective center that could fit in our line 2. Ryan Kesler is not the only guy. Making a play for a Neilsen, Turris, etc...would get us a cheaper, but talented player while protecting the cap and protecting our best prospects.

I am TotALLY fine with Stanley missing on Kesler, if he has a good backup plan, which actually may be better for this organization in the long run. I have little faith in Bowman to trade with anyone other than 3 or 4 GMs, but lets see how it plays out

STOP with that sort of correct rationale!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Everyone is so bent out of shape about what the Hawks don't have they completely overlook what the Hawks DO have.

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus · 2m ·

#Blackhawks sign Jeremy Morin to two-year contract extension.


BOOM! There we go... check mate.

Thanks US. You are following my logic here.

So you're telling me they can find an actual 2C who is a rather good player.. and keep Sharp, TT and Saad and NOT destroy their cap?
- CaptainBlackhawk

exactly.... leddy and a 1st doesn't intrigue any "rebuilding" team like Ottawa / Arizona / NYI?

It's going to be announced by today by all reports.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Also - it has always been announced in late June. There's nothing unusual going on.

The Islanders need blue line help more than anything.....so maybe Leddy or Oduya and a prospect...
- UnnamedSource

oduya but is Nielsen even available?

THat's the question....we can package oduya to Washington for Backstrom as well....

Well did I call it or didn't I? The ducks get Kesler, and we get another Blowman dumpster dive special. screw this it's 2011 all over again, except now everybody's starting to pass us by.
- Q...argh

HAHAHA WHO has passed the Hawks by? The last person to suggest that was embarrassed by his prediction.

Balance of power has now officially shifted in the West to Cali.
- Return of the Roar

About time for your bowman "FAIL!" avatar again?

About time for your bowman "FAIL!" avatar again?

- darkman

Nah, some things speak better for themselves.

>You can bet the Hawk brass is putting it to Bettman right now
>Why not get Fehr on your side in this, too?
>The NHLPA would love the cap to be as large as possible
>Makes that "cap basement" go up and helps inflate salaries
- SnapitUpstairs

You betcha...

And again, why 19/88 contracts are HUGE for this CBA to slide in the next tiered guys in the league. Maximize earnings from top to bottom.

Looks like we re-signed Morin....2 year deal...
- Fooseshark

I hope he enjoys the press box.

With Smith, Morin, and Raanta all signed today, one would have to think the Hawks will be active tonight, right? I'll still be amazed if Bowman actually does something..

Bottom line is we STILL NEED C HELP!!!!! A piece needs to go. To say Shaw and TT can hold the #2 spot is a rediculous assumption. Now is the prime time to move Sharp. Get a damn legit C Stanley!!!
- z1990z

Yep...this sums up my attitude as well.

Your thoughts and support are a ray of sunshine my friend
- UnnamedSource

Tried to give you some support here, but my message somehow disappeared.

Much as Kesler would fit, I think the more prudent thing to do is get a more cost effective center that could fit in our line 2. Ryan Kesler is not the only guy. Making a play for a Neilsen, Turris, etc...would get us a cheaper, but talented player while protecting the cap and protecting our best prospects.

I am TotALLY fine with Stanley missing on Kesler, if he has a good backup plan, which actually may be better for this organization in the long run. I have little faith in Bowman to trade with anyone other than 3 or 4 GMs, but lets see how it plays out
- kwolf68

Turris is now Ottawa's #1C with Spezza likely being dealt...i doubt we have a chance at landing him

Thanks US. You are following my logic here.

So you're telling me they can find an actual 2C who is a rather good player.. and keep Sharp, TT and Saad and NOT destroy their cap?
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yes.....I've always believed retooling the bottom six....meaning Shaw at wing and adding a center that can float between 2C and 3C at certain points during the season, giving the Hawks flexibilty....while maintaining cap flexibility is the way the Hawks will go.......and getting better depth wise on D.

Kevin Allen ‏@ByKevinAllen 56s

3 signings by Blackhawks today: Antti Raanta, Ben Smith and Jeremy Morin. All for two years.
- mrpaulish

all expected at about the right terms

As I heard ...Vancouver got their 3 pieces including the 2 younger players they wanted...
My thought was it would be the 10the pick but the Ducks ended up only having to give a later 1st round pick. That I found surprising but it isn't so easy to move a $5 million player as it sometimes appears.

Now with lower cap.... tonight will be even more interesting...
Anyone who believes Sharp is the last player the Hawks would want to trade should never leave home with any money or credit cards.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Come on, Al....Everything the media says is always right.

Yes.....I've always believed retooling the bottom six....meaning Shaw at wing and adding a center that can float between 2C and 3C at certain points during the season, giving the Hawks flexibilty....while maintaining cap flexibility is the way the Hawks will go.......and getting better depth wise on D.
- UnnamedSource

Well.. I'm not sure you should be typing such logic on a day like today. You don't agree with the fact that the Hawks should have traded Leddy, Saad and a first and destroyed their cap for future seasons.

Damn you!

any news on the cap hit for morin?

STOP with that sort of correct rationale!
- CaptainBlackhawk

This may shock you but I agree with Paul on this statement.

I just don't see it happening if that cap is below 70. They will be f'd.

Turris is now Ottawa's #1C with Spezza likely being dealt...i doubt we have a chance at landing him
- EnzoD

I am just tossing out names. Turris is at 3.5, Neilsen is at 2.75...both are capable, talented players who would (you'd have to think) flourish with Kane and Saad on their wing.

So my point is I don't "necessarily" want THOSE two players, but players LIKE them, though I have always thought we should have been in on Neilsen. Turris has maturity issues, but seems to have grown out of them.

any news on the cap hit for morin?
- ChicagoDave

I'm guessing $1M since Smith got 1.5.