The problem with summer sports.... baseball, NASCAR, etc...is that I have what they now call ADHD (my parents called it "sit down and shut up"), and with the exception of playoff hockey, I would have to be strapped in a straitjacket to sit in front of the TV for 6 hours at a time. Thank God for Rugby, and Aussie football..
- dcb1

Awesome

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.



For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

Still fun to talk about... would rather add/subtract and have Hjammarlsson's name in that trade

Still fun to talk about... would rather add/subtract and have Hjammarlsson's name in that trade
- brodydog29

Me too but that would probably add significantly more from our side.

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

I remember that one... and untill Wang sells to someone else... its a viable rumor!


XxNYIxX

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

we all know how well informed those ticket sales guys are...

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

I heard about the Rabbi rumor from a friend who works with the team too. I'd rather Strome not be included in any deal though...

Me too but that would probably add significantly more from our side.
- eichiefs9

I can't see them trading Strome for a 32 yr old forward who's prime years are pretty much behind him. I think Sharp still has some good years left in him I just don't think it makes much sense to include strome in that deal. My guess is the reason it hasn't been made is because Snow doesn't want to part with Strome

Here is your probably-not-going-to-happen-rumor of the day:

A guy I know a little, who's very close with a few guys I'm close with (yes, around this point in the post you should realize that I'm putting almost no stock in this rumor but F it, it's July and I'm bored and there's not much to talk about hockey-wise) is a senior sales exec for the Isles and has been for a very long time. Through my buddy, this guy apparently says that the Isles are working the phones with CHI for Oduya/Sharp and Grabner/Strome are the names he mentioned heading back the other way.

For reference, said sr. sales exec also once reported that Wang was in talks (years ago) to sell the Isles to an investment group of a bunch of Hasidic Rabbi's. So...yeah.

I don't doubt that there is at least some truth to this rumor, but obviously "negotiations" don't just mean that they're beating each other over the head with the four players I mentioned. Take it for what it is, a rumor you read on an internet message board. I'm near-positive this guy isn't just making crap up for the hell of it, but going on his track record and the fact that sales execs generally aren't clued in on front office trade negotiations, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in it.
- eichiefs9

Just for Sh!ts and giggles.. I wouldn't do this trade, The big fish in this deal is Sharp.. a great player who is signed for 3 more years.So thats a nice contract for a nice player. Oduya is no slouch, he is a very good d-men but he is 32 on the last year of his contract.
Strome is the gem on our side of the deal. he should not be moved in a package like this. We need defensive help and we should not be moving our hottest commodity for anything less then proven help on the back end if at all. Grabner I feel is worth more to us then what we can get back for him.
I realize that the Hawks are moving guys to free up payroll, but they are not dumping contracts.. they want legit talent at a fraction of what they are paying the guys they are moving... I think Sharp would look sweet next to JT... But I also think Nelson will too. And we dont have to get rid of anything to put Nelson in that spot.


XxNYIxX

Just for Sh!ts and giggles.. I wouldn't do this trade, The big fish in this deal is Sharp.. a great player who is signed for 3 more years.So thats a nice contract for a nice player. Oduya is no slouch, he is a very good d-men but he is 32 on the last year of his contract.
Strome is the gem on our side of the deal. he should not be moved in a package like this. We need defensive help and we should not be moving our hottest commodity for anything less then proven help on the back end if at all. Grabner I feel is worth more to us then what we can get back for him.
I realize that the Hawks are moving guys to free up payroll, but they are not dumping contracts.. they want legit talent at a fraction of what they are paying the guys they are moving... I think Sharp would look sweet next to JT... But I also think Nelson will too. And we dont have to get rid of anything to put Nelson in that spot.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I agree 100%

Just for Sh!ts and giggles.. I wouldn't do this trade, The big fish in this deal is Sharp.. a great player who is signed for 3 more years.So thats a nice contract for a nice player. Oduya is no slouch, he is a very good d-men but he is 32 on the last year of his contract.
Strome is the gem on our side of the deal. he should not be moved in a package like this. We need defensive help and we should not be moving our hottest commodity for anything less then proven help on the back end if at all. Grabner I feel is worth more to us then what we can get back for him.
I realize that the Hawks are moving guys to free up payroll, but they are not dumping contracts.. they want legit talent at a fraction of what they are paying the guys they are moving... I think Sharp would look sweet next to JT... But I also think Nelson will too. And we dont have to get rid of anything to put Nelson in that spot.


XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Pretty much agree with all of that. I think one of Lee, Nelson, or Strome could eventually be moved though. With Grabo/Kulemin here for the next 3-4 years it's going to be tough for all 3 to crack the roster full-time. Nelson and Lee I guess would be capable of filling 3rd line roles, but seems like a lot of wasted talent there.

I can't possibly imagine some move doesn't happen with the forwards before camp starts.

I can't see them trading Strome for a 32 yr old forward who's prime years are pretty much behind him. I think Sharp still has some good years left in him I just don't think it makes much sense to include Strome in that deal. My guess is the reason it hasn't been made is because Snow doesn't want to part with Strome
- Vukota

Just to play devils advocate ... Snow could make a dumb trade to immediately improve the team because he is desperate for a successful season.

I don't buy it. It's too unlike him.

Pretty much agree with all of that. I think one of Lee, Nelson, or Strome could eventually be moved though. With Grabo/Kulemin here for the next 3-4 years it's going to be tough for all 3 to crack the roster full-time. Nelson and Lee I guess would be capable of filling 3rd line roles, but seems like a lot of wasted talent there.

I can't possibly imagine some move doesn't happen with the forwards before camp starts.
- eichiefs9

I'd rather Nielsen as the second line center. I'm not sure if Strome is ready for that role yet. Frans has been good for the Isles.

I'd rather Nielsen as the second line center. I'm not sure if Strome is ready for that role yet. Frans has been good for the Isles.
- JimmyP

I agree but my guess is, at least to start the year, Grabovski is going to anchor the second line.

I agree but my guess is, at least to start the year, Grabovskis is going to anchor the second line.
- eichiefs9

Possibly. Frans might be on the block.

Possibly. Frans might be on the block.
- JimmyP

I disagree, but if I'm wrong it better be for a damn good defenseman. Frans' production, defensive acumen, shoot-out prowess, and beyond cap-friendly contract/term make him an expensive trade piece.

Strome is going to be a wing for a while yet, most likely, IMO- in fact, I'm thinking that if you've signed Grabovski for four seasons, and have no interest in moving Nielsen....you're projecting Strome as a RW, possibly permanently. That said.....
my problem with this, if there's any truth to it, is this: stop d*cking around with the forwards. If you want to move one or two OUT (which you should), move them, but get us a defensemen and maybe some prospects or 1st-3rd draft picks for next year in return. There's no need to move any forward who is less than 23 years of age either, because those guys are going to be your stars in a couple of years. Just get a defenseman- if they really want to move Oduya's contract, then offer them a 2nd or 3rd round pick, and if that's not good enough, try getting a defenseman somewhere else.

Forget about Patrick Sharp, that's just ridiculous (he's just too high end of a player to not cost far too many of the young horses you have in the stable- let the Flyers or Leafs do some stupid a$$ed sh*t like that), but if you can get Oduya for this year, you've got a guy who's playing for a contract...and then if you move out veteran forwards, you can move them out for more prospects and draft picks, because the major league club is pretty much as set as it's going to be. Trading Chicago a stable of good kids for those two players would be another fine example of the reason why Chicago wins, and we don't.

I disagree, but if I'm wrong it better be for a damn good defenseman. Frans' production, defensive acumen, shoot-out prowess, and beyond cap-friendly contract/term make him an expensive trade piece.
- eichiefs9

I like Frans. I think he's underrated. I'd rather not see him go, but unless they are going to put some centers on the wings they'll have to move some of them.

We'll have to wait and see when the roster is set. I can't imagine this is the planed roster for next season.

I agree but my guess is, at least to start the year, Grabovski is going to anchor the second line.
- eichiefs9

I agree due to Staples comments about Snow saying he believes Grabovski is a second line center. Frans point production is better. It's a tough sell to give someone more ice time on the second line and PP if they're not putting up better points. Guessing it'll be more of a wait and see thing at camp unless Snow thinks signing Grabovski makes Nielsen expendable. I'd hope the return would be significant.

I agree due to Staples comments about Snow saying he believes Grabovski is a second line center. Frans point production is better. It's a tough sell to give someone more ice time on the second line and PP if they're not putting up better points. Guessing it'll be more of a wait and see thing at camp unless Snow thinks signing Grabovski makes Nielsen expendable. I'd hope the return would be significant.
- Cptmjl

This past year. Grabovski has scored over 20 goals 3 times and over 50 points 3 times. Nielsen had a career year last year and hit those numbers for the 1st time in his career. I have no problem with Nielsen on the 3rd line. Great depth down the middle either way

This past year. Grabovski has scored over 20 goals 3 times and over 50 points 3 times. Nielsen had a career year last year and hit those numbers for the 1st time in his career. I have no problem with Nielsen on the 3rd line. Great depth down the middle either way
- Vukota

I agree. I have no problem with it either as long as that third line sees some ice time comparable to the second. The thing to think about is how these signings were made though. Kulemin whose point production has dropped off pretty dramatically since his 30 goal season with Toronto agreed to sign under the one condition that he plays on the same line with Grabovski. Now, granted these two guys could find that chemistry they had in the past but I wouldn't sign off on them for the second line just yet.
Now if we had a coach with any brains he'd roll the second and third lines with fairly equal ice time if we do wind up having the depth we all hope for. Either way it's not a bad situation. Depth is always good and if those two can find that chemistry again it can be huge for this team.

I agree. I have no problem with it either as long as that third line sees some ice time comparable to the second. The thing to think about is how these signings were made though. Kulemin whose point production has dropped off pretty dramatically since his 30 goal season with Toronto agreed to sign under the one condition that he plays on the same line with Grabovski. Now, granted these two guys could find that chemistry they had in the past but I wouldn't sign off on them for the second line just yet.
Now if we had a coach with any brains he'd roll the second and third lines with fairly equal ice time if we do wind up having the depth we all hope for. Either way it's not a bad situation. Depth is always good and if those two can find that chemistry again it can be huge for this team.
- Cptmjl

I think both lines will play about the same by the time the games end. If Kulemin continues to slide then all bets are off. If he is not producing he will not stay on that 2nd line long

Pretty much agree with all of that. I think one of Lee, Nelson, or Strome could eventually be moved though. With Grabo/Kulemin here for the next 3-4 years it's going to be tough for all 3 to crack the roster full-time. Nelson and Lee I guess would be capable of filling 3rd line roles, but seems like a lot of wasted talent there.

I can't possibly imagine some move doesn't happen with the forwards before camp starts.
- eichiefs9

I feel like Grabovski and Kulemin are more direct threats to Nielsen and Bailey...responsible forwards defensively who have put up some decent offense in the past, but aren't lighting up the scoresheet. That could sum up all four players (although I still contest how solid Bailey is defensively). I think plugging in Grabo for Nielsen is a slight, but acceptable downgrade, while Kulemin for Bailey is an upgrade. If anyone's on the block, I think it'd be the two forwards who these new additions could naturally replace. That said, having both Nielsen and Grabo down the middle would be nice.

I don't like the idea of trading any of Strome, Nelson or Lee...at least not yet...because the organization has put in all that time developing them...why ship them off before seeing the results of all that work? It was kind of frustrating to put the time in with Nino just to see him shipped off right when he was ready to contribute. With these three, there's no reason to repeat that since they don't have the baggage Nino had. Keep them and see what they can do. We're not winning the cup next season, so might as well experiment a bit.

I think both lines will play about the same by the time the games end. If Kulemin continues to slide then all bets are off. If he is not producing he will not stay on that 2nd line long
- Vukota

We will see how that works out? Hopefully he produces and we don't have to cross that bridge. Nielsen has better point totals by the way in shorter time in the NHL

We will see how that works out? Hopefully he produces and we don't have to cross that bridge. Nielsen has better point totals by the way in shorter time in the NHL
- Cptmjl

With the forwards as currently constructed, I think you have a lot more balance...particularly on the defensive side of things. If Kulemin doesn't produce offensively, he's still a good defensive forward. It's almost an interchangeable second and third line...with either being able to provide secondary scoring or perform a shutdown role. If you have Kulemin-Grabovski-Strome/Lee or Strome/Lee-Nielsen-Grabner out there (assuming Nelson is the frontrunner for the first line LW), you have an almost equal chance of scoring or defending.