God forbid Toews should go down for any length of time. Our 4C would be the only legitimate center on the team.
- Q...argh

There is plenty of time for the Hawks to clear cap space and then go out and upgrade the team. You do relaize the Hawks need to tweak the lineup, not get a star player right?

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

We're (frank)ed. It's been fun boys.

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

UT OH

We're (frank)ed. It's been fun boys.
- CBHawks88

YUP

THAT was a helluva play. I think, overall, Sharp doesn't commit to the defensive end of the ice like he did in 2010 and before. He doesn't play ANY PK anymore. Not sure if that's because he doesn't want to or Q doesn't trust him
- eburgio

He doesn't play PK because Q is playing him differently than he was in 2010. I don't think it's about trust, but Q deploys him more in an offensive way than ever before and instead relied mostly on players with less 5v5 TOI to man the PK (Handzus, Kruger, and Smith). Toews, Hossa, and Saad saw time on the PK too of course, but less time than the other 3 and as a 2nd/3rd units TOI. Why tire out another top 6 guy on PK duty when you need to have some player ready to throw out on the ice after? If you'll notice, it was usually Sharp and Kane that took the next shift after a PK was done.

On this note, Keith and Seabrook's usage the last two year (especially this year) were much more offensively minded while Hjammer and Oduya took the defensive zone starts. It's not because Q doesn't trust 72, it's because balancing usage to play up the strengths of your roster is just smart.

Do I think Sharp is as good defensively as he was in 2010? I can'[t really say. I just don't agree that he's given up on it at all. He's responsible in his own end and can hold his own in the defensive zone. That's all I ask of a guy who contributes the number of points he does every year.

Wow. You normally don't see this...

Don Maloney re: Mike Ribiero: Mike had some real behavioral issues we felt we could not tolerate going forward
- eburgio

From Don Maloney... that is a kiss of death. Ribeiro is going to be playing for a lot less if he keeps playing at all.

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

If they apply the Rogers money this year the cap will be just over $70M.

OFF TO BUSINESS DINNER.

CATCH UP WITH Y'ALL TONIGHT

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

>Bye-bye Sharp
>And bye-bye getting max value for him

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

Now the fun begins...

I am wondering the same thing.....Doubt they would move J Staal or Skinner. What else is there?

Sharp is also VERY close to the Staal brothers so he might waive to go there.
- SteveRain

I still like Jordan Staal and Cam Ward for Sharp, Leddy and Crawford even though it won't happen.

Thunder Bay connection with Sharp and the Staals.

Tallon has 2 signed defenceman (Campbell and Jovocop) and 3 RFA's - Olsen, Kulikov and Gudbranson. It's almost like he has to take Ekblad.

From the replies to the tweet, it appears drugs are in order. One person replied, 'yeah, but what was his Corsi rating'.
- eburgio

Wasn't he arrested a few years ago?

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 14s

With 21 players on the roster, @capgeek has the #Blackhawks payroll at $69,479,295. So a $69M cap is trouble for Chicago.

There is plenty of time for the Hawks to clear cap space and then go out and upgrade the team. You do relaize the Hawks need to tweak the lineup, not get a star player right?
- paulr

Agreed, but you still have to move at least 1, maybe 2 pieces. They are OVER the cap right now by 400K.

Aren't the only team, but badly misjudged or misled. Not a good place to be IN. Other GMs NOW you have to deal, lose some leverage.

He rotates I believe. Before they got barkov he played a lot of center
- FourFeathers773

Yea I knew he had played C...interesting idea to go after bjugstad and if they do indeed plan to switch Hurb back to C then that's a possible trade target.

Bjugstad would be the exact type of player to go for...cheap, talented, big strong kid. Would he come in and put up 60+ points centering Kane and Saad? Maybe more...maybe that...maybe less. If Less...it only cost us minimal to find out and we'll just roll with the Center rolodex as we may do anyway. BUT, if he blossoms then we are set. I'd like to make a run at Mark Scheifele, though doubt the Peg would move him. Again, cheap, young and talented...

I still like Jordan Staal and Cam Ward for Sharp, Leddy and Crawford even though it won't happen.

Thunder Bay connection with Sharp and the Staals.

Tallon has 2 signed defenceman (Campbell and Jovocop) and 3 RFA's - Olsen, Kulikov and Gudbranson. It's almost like he has to take Ekblad.
- RickJ

Tallon will trade the pick to Vancouver who will take Reinhart.

I still like Jordan Staal and Cam Ward for Sharp, Leddy and Crawford even though it won't happen.

Thunder Bay connection with Sharp and the Staals.

Tallon has 2 signed defenceman (Campbell and Jovocop) and 3 RFA's - Olsen, Kulikov and Gudbranson. It's almost like he has to take Ekblad.
- RickJ

Agreed.

I think bjugstad is expendable

Huburdeau with be a center in that top 6 somewhere
- FourFeathers773

No chance, Huberdeau is a wing on that team, and needs to bounce back, or will be headed elsewhere. He skated 4th line and was scratched for...God forbid...Pirri down the stretch.

Teams die for big centers, who can move and score. The Panthers have 2 of them that are 21 and under.

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

And the God of Parity did declare there shall be no dynasty in Chicago.

Agreed, but you still have to move at least 1, maybe 2 pieces. They are OVER the cap right now by 400K.

Aren't the only team, but badly misjudged or misled. Not a good place to be IN. Other GMs NOW you have to deal, lose some leverage.
- SteveRain

This sucks bad.

@capgeek: Sources say the upper limit has been set at $69M.
- DarthKane

Well, that sucks. Blackhawks are at $69,479,295 accoring to CapGeek already. Goodbye Oduya, Rosival, and/or Leddy.

If I could pick any forwards to move for relief, it's be Bollig first and then Versteeg. Nordy with some weight can fill in for Bollig and Morin has more upside that Versteeg.

Now the fun begins...
- EKolb13

I would guess Rozsival is dealt and Brookbank is re-signed to make is cap compliant.

>Bye-bye Sharp
>And bye-bye getting max value for him
- SnapitUpstairs

At least Sharp, and maybe Oduya.

Need to clear some room.

Bye, Bye Stasny. Bye Bye #2 center.

Hello 1-2 depth player, maybe 2 of them and maybe a return of THE brookbank.

There is plenty of time for the Hawks to clear cap space and then go out and upgrade the team. You do relaize the Hawks need to tweak the lineup, not get a star player right?
- paulr

Well that's just silly.

How is the Cap so low? Several outdoor games, new TV deal... WTF.