Because thats hard and the hawks will have to do things that people won't like. Theres no way we can continue having success if we keep doing the things that created and continued our success.
- Walky

No one said it's easy but this process is what has worked thus far. Of course they might not be as lucky with talent development but it's not like they are racing against the clock with two 33 year old players signed long term.

So Kane's contract ends in 2023, that should be more than enough time for Stan to find him a 2C. I'm sure Kane won't re-sign without a legit 2C.

I don't know a team like the Sharks Rangers or Blue Jackets could probably use a guy like Roszival. A little overpaid but a capable top 6 Dman which is something teams like that are lacking or lost. We might not get much back but these teams would be stupid not to shore up a hole for next to nothing. Yeah it helps the hawks but they will do something to fix themselves, no reason not to make yourself better because of it. Steeger is a little more complicated. But he is capable depth at a cheap price. Plus he's "fun". Both could also work for salary floor teams. Hell florida could take both so that they can trade Campbell since he wants out.
- Walky

The Sharks are in need of blue line depth. They have 4 proven NHL'ers right now.

Versteeg is tough. He's not going BACK to Florida. Perhaps they can send him home to Alberta to one of those teams.

The Sharks are in need of blue line depth. They have 4 proven NHL'ers right now.

Versteeg is tough. He's not going BACK to Florida. Perhaps they can send him home to Alberta to one of those teams.
- eburgio

Versteeg & rights to K. Hayes for a 4th rounder? Hmmmm.....

As I stated earlier, it's from Super Doosh Agent Allan Walsh. Why anyone takes that guy seriously is beyond me.
- eburgio

I don't follow the guy. I don't know who the guy is.

After reading that tweet I think he is extremely ignorant with his thought process and logic.

This is great, great news. I can't believe the negativity in this blog about the news and the cries over depth. Are you kidding me? You can find depth. You can develop depth. You can often sign depth for cheap.

When you can get a superstar, you do it. When you can get two, you do it. There's a limit to all things, obviously, but $10.5MM per year is hardly that limit.

Do you think other teams around the league are thinking, "Ha! Those suckers the Blackhawks! They're screwed!" I think they're thinking, "Yikes, with those two locked up, they're going to be Cup contenders for the next nine years."

Isn't this what JJ has been talking about?
From what I have read about his blogs and from what I get out of them is that he doesn't believe Chicago has the "right pieces" to replace guys like Sharp, Bickel, Oduya...the guys that had an impact on both cups with the prospect pool going forward.

I could be wrong, but definitely a tough situation going forward.
- RobitailleFAN20

Hawks were ranked 9th overall farm system last year by Hockey Prospectus. Here's what they said.

Chicago does not have a superstar prospect, or many big names beyond Teuvo Teravainen, but they are the deepest organization in the NHL when it comes to quality prospects. The Blackhawks have drafted so well beyond the first round, and some nice signings have helped them build a strong system despite routinely high NHL finishes and two Stanley Cups over the past four seasons.

Isn't this what JJ has been talking about?
From what I have read about his blogs and from what I get out of them is that he doesn't believe Chicago has the "right pieces" to replace guys like Sharp, Bickel, Oduya...the guys that had an impact on both cups with the prospect pool going forward.

I could be wrong, but definitely a tough situation going forward.
- RobitailleFAN20

Ummm, not . . . exactly.

Here's the problem, so many Hawk fans assume—based on having seen Teuvo Teravainen play, on tape, against boys, on European ice, maybe twice—that he will just waltz in and be the hawks 2C for the next ten years. well, maybe. But even if Stan Bowman wants to believe that, as long as JOEL QUENNEVILLE is head coach of the Blackhawks it matters only whether HE believes it.

Those thinking he and Stanley are always on the same page, could well be wrong. I hear differently honestly.

The notion that Teravainen was "ready" in april but the Hawks didn't want to burn a year of his ELC is asinine. OK? The other option, going into the Stanley Cup (not the Turner Cup) playoffs was Michal Handzus.

No, he wasn't ready. And that's because Q and the staff SAW that he wasn't ready. And this is why they tried to get Ryan Kesler, kicked the tires on Spezza, and ultimately settled on another retread, Brad Richards.

My concerns are as follows:

1) Teravainen's best NHL position could be right wing, therefore there would be no 2C To Be in the Hawk system. None.
2) Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman are TINY (as is Teravainen). This is already a small club, and they were outmuscled by an LA club that was just as fast and skilled.
3) Philip Danault and Mark McNeill will probably be adequate to useful NHL players. But likely 3rd-4th liners.
4) The team and some scouts like Johns and Dahlbeck, but there is some debate whether they're more than 3rd pairing guys.
5) Who's the next goalie, especially if they lose Raanta. They don't have crap.


Kruger, Saad, Shaw, Oduya and Leddy are ALL going to want to be paid. I can see Danault and McNeill sort of/MAYBE replacing Kruger and Shaw. After that?

I don't follow the guy. I don't know who the guy is.

After reading that tweet I think he is extremely ignorant with his thought process and logic.
- RobitailleFAN20

He represents a large contingent of Eastern Euro players...Milan Michalak, Onrej Pavalec, Marty Havlat, Jaro Halak. He also reps M-A Fleury, Jon Drouin, etc.

He only posts something when he has an agenda. He was all up in arms that the Sharks didn't dress Havlat vs the Kings in Game 7. Screamed bloody murder for days over it

Hawks were ranked 9th overall farm system last year by Hockey Prospectus. Here's what they said.

Chicago does not have a superstar prospect, or many big names beyond Teuvo Teravainen, but they are the deepest organization in the NHL when it comes to quality prospects. The Blackhawks have drafted so well beyond the first round, and some nice signings have helped them build a strong system despite routinely high NHL finishes and two Stanley Cups over the past four seasons.
- dan9189

Their opinion. The system was highly ranked back in the (not too distant) days of Dylan Olsen, Skille, Lalonde, Aliu and Sweatt too. Where are those guys?

Please stop and think about this.

$10.5 per for each huh?

welp, ok

Their opinion. The system was highly ranked back in the (not too distant) days of Dylan Olsen, Skille, Lalonde, Aliu and Sweatt too. Where are those guys?

Please stop and think about this.
- John Jaeckel

Sabres have the top rated prospect pool. Knowing what you know today, would you trade places?

Their opinion. The system was highly ranked back in the (not too distant) days of Dylan Olsen, Skille, Lalonde, Aliu and Sweatt too. Where are those guys?

Please stop and think about this.
- John Jaeckel

I never remember those guys being ranked high at all.

So Kane's contract ends in 2023, that should be more than enough time for Stan to find him a 2C. I'm sure Kane won't re-sign without a legit 2C.
- DarthKane

Wonder what the $ would have been if they'd gone out and gotten Kesler. We'll never know. But I have a feeling they would have come in for less. Because their TEAM would have been improved, and their jobs would have been easier. That is, in fact, why Kane lobbied for Kesler. Whether you choose to believe it or not.

Their opinion. The system was highly ranked back in the (not too distant) days of Dylan Olsen, Skille, Lalonde, Aliu and Sweatt too. Where are those guys?

Please stop and think about this.
- John Jaeckel

I think the point is that its not highly ranked based on potential to have great players, its highly ranked because there are a lot of guys who are almost guaranteed to be at least replacement level players. A lot of other organizations go looking for the next best thing, the hawks take your Krugers and your Shaws and turn them into quality depth players. And then in all likelihood flip them for picks and or the next round of depth guys or if they need a replacement for a more skilled player, use those prospects/picks to acquire one.

Wonder what the $ would have been if they'd gone out and gotten Kesler. We'll never know. But I have a feeling they would have come in for less. Because their TEAM would have been improved, and their jobs would have been easier. That is, in fact, why Kane lobbied for Kesler. Whether you choose to believe it or not.
- John Jaeckel

Kesler

I never remember those guys being ranked high at all.
- dan9189

Well, Aliu and Sweatt and Lalonde all had high-end projections and were considered steals where they were picked. Skille was a 7th overall selection. Olsen was a first round choice.

And I believe hockeysfuture had the Hawks' system in the top 5 at that time 9( know, i was writing for them then).

And . . . where are Beach and Makarov, the jewels from 2008?

My 2015 roster. If TT can man 2C we will be fine not resigning Richards, coming in around 74 mil. Yes, top heavy and too much raiding the farm...

Kane, Patrick » $10,500,000
Toews, Jonathan » $10,500,000
Hossa, Marian » $5,275,000
Bickell, Bryan » $4,000,000
Shaw, Andrew » $2,000,000
Smith, Ben » $1,500,000
Teravainen, Teuvo » $894,167
Morin, Jeremy » $800,000

Seabrook, Brent » $5,800,000
Keith, Duncan » $5,538,462
Hjalmarsson, N. » $4,100,000

Crawford, Corey » $6,000,000
Raanta, Antti » $750,000

Richards, Brad » $4,000,000
Kruger, Marcus » $2,000,000
Saad, Brandon $3,000,000
Regin, Peter » $900,000
McNeil $863,000
Danault $863,000

Johns $800,000
Dahlbeck $1,300,000
Oduya, Johnny » $4,000,000
Brookbank, S $1,500,000

$76,883,629

Ummm, not . . . exactly.

Here's the problem, so many Hawk fans assume—based on having seen Teuvo Teravainen play, on tape, against boys, on European ice, maybe twice—that he will just waltz in and be the hawks 2C for the next ten years. well, maybe. But even if Stan Bowman wants to believe that, as long as JOEL QUENNEVILLE is head coach of the Blackhawks it matters only whether HE believes it.

Those thinking he and Stanley are always on the same page, could well be wrong. I hear differently honestly.

The notion that Teravainen was "ready" in april but the Hawks didn't want to burn a year of his ELC is asinine. OK? The other option, going into the Stanley Cup (not the Turner Cup) playoffs was Michal Handzus.

No, he wasn't ready. And that's because Q and the staff SAW that he wasn't ready. And this is why they tried to get Ryan Kesler, kicked the tires on Spezza, and ultimately settled on another retread, Brad Richards.

My concerns are as follows:

1) Teravainen's best NHL position could be right wing, therefore there would be no 2C To Be in the Hawk system. None.
2) Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman are TINY (as is Teravainen). This is already a small club, and they were outmuscled by an LA club that was just as fast and skilled.
3) Philip Danault and Mark McNeill will probably be adequate to useful NHL players. But likely 3rd-4th liners.
4) The team and some scouts like Johns and Dahlbeck, but there is some debate whether they're more than 3rd pairing guys.
5) Who's the next goalie, especially if they lose Raanta. They don't have crap.


Kruger, Saad, Shaw, Oduya and Leddy are ALL going to want to be paid. I can see Danault and McNeill sort of/MAYBE replacing Kruger and Shaw. After that?
- John Jaeckel

Ok.
Yeah I remember a thread talking about that topic I just couldn't remember what exactly was said.

I enjoy reading your blogs. It's nice reading something about hockey and they actually know what's going on with not just their team they follow but other teams as well.

I love reading about a teams prospects/pipeline and future.

Do you by any other chance write for any other sites or newspapers?

I think the point is that its not highly ranked based on potential to have great players, its highly ranked because there are a lot of guys who are almost guaranteed to be at least replacement level players. A lot of other organizations go looking for the next best thing, the hawks take your Krugers and your Shaws and turn them into quality depth players. And then in all likelihood flip them for picks and or the next round of depth guys or if they need a replacement for a more skilled player, use those prospects/picks to acquire one.
- Walky

That's the logic. Yes. Point is, i think you guys all assume a higher hit level than what is actually the case in NHL drafting and talent development. See my post immediately above. ALL those guys had NHL player written all over them. what happened?

Wonder what the $ would have been if they'd gone out and gotten Kesler. We'll never know. But I have a feeling they would have come in for less. Because their TEAM would have been improved, and their jobs would have been easier. That is, in fact, why Kane lobbied for Kesler. Whether you choose to believe it or not.
- John Jaeckel

I never said I didn't believe the Blackhawks went after Kesler. For the record I believe they did.

I was just making a joke because the 2C issue appears to be resolved but only for 1 season. Stan hasn't addressed the 2nd line centre situation yet and I was joking that 8 years would be enough time for him to find one.

Ok.
Yeah I remember a thread talking about that topic I just couldn't remember what exactly was said.

I enjoy reading your blogs. It's nice reading something about hockey and they actually know what's going on with not just their team they follow but other teams as well.

I love reading about a teams prospects/pipeline and future.

Do you by any other chance write for any other sites or newspapers?
- RobitailleFAN20

Thank you. I wrote for hockeysfuture for quite a while. Have been asked by a couple of other publications to help out but I am loyal to HB and they treat me well.

I never said I didn't believe the Blackhawks went after Kesler. For the record I believe they did.

I was just making a joke because the 2C issue appears to be resolved but only for 1 season. Stan hasn't addressed the 2nd line centre situation yet and I was joking that 8 years would be enough time for him to find one.
- DarthKane

Gotcha

Hey everybody. This is good news to see. $10.5 mil seems a bit hard to swallow but I think in the long term it will pan out fine. I don't think we will have to gut the team or anything so... Bright days ahead for the Hawks with 19 and 88!!

Well, you are simply wrong. Aliu and Sweatt and Lalonde all had high-end projections and were considered steals where they were picked. Skille was a 7th overall selection. Olsen was a first round choice.

And I believe hockeysfuture had the Hawks' system in the top 5 at that time 9( know, i was writing for them then).

And . . . where are Beach and Makarov, the jewels from 2008?
- John Jaeckel

Fine whatever, Tallon was awful at drafting I get it. But I don't remember pre-2010 any articles about the Hawks having a "great farm system". Anyone with a brain knew the system stunk and aside from Bickell they didn't have much. We'll agree to disagree.