The key would be that Bowman has to move two of those contracts without bring any salary back, or at least as little as possible. Also, I'd be just fine with bring back Brookbank on a one year deal at $2 million rather than handing him a two year deal in order to keep as much cap flexibility as possible for next summer.

FORWARDS
Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Brandon Saad ($0.764m) / Brad Richards ($2.000m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)
Bryan Bickell ($4.000m) / Andrew Shaw ($2.000m) / Jeremy Morin ($0.800m)
Kris Versteeg ($2.200m) / Marcus Kruger ($1.325m) / Ben Smith ($1.500m)
Joakim Nordstrom ($0.617m) / Peter Regin ($0.650m) /

DEFENSEMEN
Duncan Keith ($5.538m) / Niklas Hjalmarsson ($4.100m)
Nick Leddy ($2.700m) / Brent Seabrook ($5.800m)
Klas Dahlbeck ($0.613m) / Sheldon Brookbank ($2.000m)
David Rundblad ($0.785m) /

GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($6.000m)
Antti Raanta ($0.750m)

BONUS OVERAGE
$60,000
------
SALARY CAP: $69,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $67,977,628; BONUSES: $433,333
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $1,022,372
- EKolb13

We could accomplish the same thing if we could get rid of Versteeg and Rozy and keep Oduya, not sigh Brookbank. Possibly have Teravainen stay up. That would put us at $68 million.

Just because a player has talent and upside doesn't mean that it automatically translates into success...
- EKolb13

In regards to Runblad, they sent a second rounder for him and Mathieu Brisebois and you have to think it was not for bolstering the depth at the bottom pro end, but to give Runblad a chance.

Let's for a minute, look at this from Davie Runblads perspective.

He knows he has a chance to go to Sweden and get a paycheck, based on his past Junior performances.

He patiently waited in Phoenix for ice time and never really got it.

He goes to the Hawks, and at very least, plays in practice against a strong offensive arsenal.

But the same thing occurs HERE: no pro ice time.

So presently he knows the score...make the team play him or go home.

so.... do you all think he went home and took the summer off or is working his orbs off to be ready to compete for playing time?

The past has little to do with the present, and showing up.

Interesting. There's a page on whitesox.com where the SOX themselves, evaluate their top 20 prospects. It's brutally honest. I mean, they pull no punches on where these guys need to improve, what their weaknesses are. And it's damn refreshing.

I caught myself asking, would the McDonough-run Hawks EVER do this? Answer: no.

What's funny is, I know very few longtime fans who "appreciate" being told how wonderful everything is. I think part of that is, these guys paid their dues for decades watching a garbage team (for the most part) and now they;re like you know what, thanks, I'll enjoy this, but please stop telling me how great everything is, because I know how bad it can get.

And I think part of it is a broader appreciation of the rest of the league, the players who've come and gone, and the ability to separate the hype from the reality.

There ARE some newer fans who really yearn for knowledge of the game overall and don't get sucked in as much. And there are some older fans who lap up everything the organization has been putting down the last 6-7 years.

But . . . generally speaking it seems to be the newer fans who love Bowman and McDonough no matter what.
- John Jaeckel

I find myself in between. I don't know a lot about juniors or where these prospects come from. I do find myself taking the expert opinion on draft day and I read your/wiz's mock draft and rankings.

I am not a prospect hater. I completely understand the necessity of having a strong farm system to supplement huge deals to stars and being able to replace the non core guys. That's why I try to stay clear of forming a love for guys OUTSIDE the core because I what I do find on this board is very unobjective willingness to look at guys like Bolland, Oduya, Frolik, Kruger, Shaw, etc and not being able to accept the fact that those guys will always be turned around in 3-5 years and replaced.

I never thought this team would able to replace the Ladds, Buffs, Versteegs, and Niemi's and win so quickly. They did.....and that's why guys like Bickell, Shaw, Kruger, will be gone again and probably sooner rather then later.

I rely on guys who follow the Hogs closely to let me know what the eye test says compared to what the stat sheet says. I never get to get to a Rockford game or watch htem. However, when guys like Versteeg and Bolland came up....you could tell they could play. Same with Hammer. I'm hopeful lBowman has drafted that way or traded for those type of players who can step in.

In the end I curb my enthusiasm towards prospects. they are just that...prospects. Until proven otherwise their value in regards to a trade chip may never be higher. lets hope Bowman has the pipeline packed because how quickly this team can turn around the depth/role guys internally will go a LONG ways in their chance to win another cup(s).

In regards to Runblad, they sent a second rounder for him and Mathieu Brisebois and you have to think it was not for bolstering the depth at the bottom pro end, but to give Runblad a chance.

Let's for a minute, look at this from Davie Runblads perspective.

He knows he has a chance to go to Sweden and get a paycheck, based on his past Junior performances.

He patiently waited in Phoenix for ice time and never really got it.

He goes to the Hawks, and at very least, plays in practice against a strong offensive arsenal.

But the same thing occurs HERE: no pro ice time.

So presently he knows the score...make the team play him or go home.

so.... do you all think he went home and took the summer off or is working his orbs off to be ready to compete for playing time?

The past has little to do with the present, and showing up.
- wiz1901

In your opinion, do you honestly see him getting a fair shake?

If he does equal to Johns or Dahlback, do you feel push comes to shove the Hawks would give Rundblad that spot over the younger guys?

IMO, he is just that...an unknown and if he's not part of the future and doesn't out play the prospects by a wide margin, assuming bowman deals a guy or two and frees up a spot, I dont' see him getting a roster spot over 1 of the prospects

However, when guys like Versteeg and Bolland came up....you could tell they could play. Same with Hammer.
- SteveRain

I want to put a word out of sympathy to my buddy Steven Kohn, whose Mom passed yesterday...
I recall him talking to some pro scout/Gm (I really & truly forget who he was) and being told:

You can have high hopes, great expectations for those drafted, but when they finally are given a chance at the major pro level, you can tell very quickly if they have the things in their game that show they are staying. "you could tell" pretty quickly that they were gonna be keepers.

We could accomplish the same thing if we could get rid of Versteeg and Rozy and keep Oduya, not sigh Brookbank. Possibly have Teravainen stay up. That would put us at $68 million.
- Canardhawk

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Bowman "punting" on Versteeg yet.

As for Tuevo, why keep him up when Bowman brought in Richards to fill that spot? Wouldn't it make more sense to let Tuevo ply his trade in Rockford instead?

I saw a VERY limited sample size of Rundblad and I didn't see a thing to get excited about. In fact, that game against Buffalo right his arrival, he looked AWFUL. He was very noticeable in a bad way.

what I am pointing to is you have 6 d men right now ahead of him. 1, maybe 2 has to go. From there, you have an organization very high on Johns and Dahlback, Maybe even Cledenning. I just don't see a long term spot for Rundblad.

I also see a team who added an old player Q is familiar from his Avs days. Why do that? they have a ton of defensive depth now....quality wise? Probably not great, but quantity wise? Probably more so then upfront.

Again, I see Rundblad as what was a panic move by Bowman who may not have thought of Kostika would have been claimed and was forced to add somebody who could have played ASAP had a top 6 gone down late last year. Thankfully, that never happened.....but it's just very odd that while we ready media pieces on Cledenning, hear WGN talk up Dahlback, Johns....you hear crickets on Rundblad. Tells me, he's not in the long term plans.
- SteveRain

Maybe Rundblad was a panic move but Bowman has indicated they tried to get him before.

The sampling size was less than limited. Did he play in 2 or 3 games? It is possible he had no real work or practice in PH and was out of shape and certainly not game ready.

Too many here simply writing him off. The talent was there - check out some of the highlights on youtube. Maybe the issue is with work ethic or he has just lost it through not playing in Phoeniz and Ottawa. See how he looks starting camp with everyone else. Hopefully, he is working hard this OS and comes in in great shape.

Bottom line. This could be a make or break camp for him. If he looks like he did after the trade this preseason - THEN he can be written off as a bad move. Still a chance though he could be a good pickup and a fit for our style.

I find myself in between. I don't know a lot about juniors or where these prospects come from. I do find myself taking the expert opinion on draft day and I read your/wiz's mock draft and rankings.

I am not a prospect hater. I completely understand the necessity of having a strong farm system to supplement huge deals to stars and being able to replace the non core guys. That's why I try to stay clear of forming a love for guys OUTSIDE the core because I what I do find on this board is very unobjective willingness to look at guys like Bolland, Oduya, Frolik, Kruger, Shaw, etc and not being able to accept the fact that those guys will always be turned around in 3-5 years and replaced.

I never thought this team would able to replace the Ladds, Buffs, Versteegs, and Niemi's and win so quickly. They did.....and that's why guys like Bickell, Shaw, Kruger, will be gone again and probably sooner rather then later.

I rely on guys who follow the Hogs closely to let me know what the eye test says compared to what the stat sheet says. I never get to get to a Rockford game or watch htem. However, when guys like Versteeg and Bolland came up....you could tell they could play. Same with Hammer. I'm hopeful lBowman has drafted that way or traded for those type of players who can step in.

In the end I curb my enthusiasm towards prospects. they are just that...prospects. Until proven otherwise their value in regards to a trade chip may never be higher. lets hope Bowman has the pipeline packed because how quickly this team can turn around the depth/role guys internally will go a LONG ways in their chance to win another cup(s).
- SteveRain

The nice thing is that the Hawks do not have to carry Nordstrom full time. He's in the last year of his ELC, so he should be able to be sent down without having to pass through waivers. It would be nice to carry him during the long road trips like the circus road trip in November.
- EKolb13

If on his last year of ELC look for Nordstrom to be the guy who gets sent back and forth to cut cap space.

[quote=SteveRain]I find myself in between. I don't know a lot about juniors or where these prospects come from. I do find myself taking the expert opinion on draft day and I read your/wiz's mock draft and rankings.

I am not a prospect hater. I completely understand the necessity of having a strong farm system to supplement huge deals to stars and being able to replace the non core guys. That's why I try to stay clear of forming a love for guys OUTSIDE the core because I what I do find on this board is very unobjective willingness to look at guys like Bolland, Oduya, Frolik, Kruger, Shaw, etc and not being able to accept the fact that those guys will always be turned around in 3-5 years and replaced.

I never thought this team would able to replace the Ladds, Buffs, Versteegs, and Niemi's and win so quickly. They did.....and that's why guys like Bickell, Shaw, Kruger, will be gone again and probably sooner rather then later.

You can tell I have little to do today after Carne Asada and Chile Rejenos and two margaritas...

but I was just wondering, about the Convention:


Eric Nesterenko shows up,
Ab McDonald shows up,

both older than Pat Whitey Stapelton

and son Mike Stapeton (hardly a hawk stalwart) shows up, but no dad.

I had the privilege of getting mightily hammered with Pat at the pre - NHL All Star game party (whatever year that was...) with Whitey and I ma just wondering is he now an crabby old guy who has ballooned in weight and doesn't want to see seen by the fans of yore?

Was he ever at one of these?

With Glenn Halll i understand, he never liked the spotlight and probably threw up in hotel room before coming downstairs the one year he did attend. (If they had publicized or known in advance he was coming I would have bought the ticket just to spend 20 seconds with him at the augograph table bedause he was truly a great.

But I am curiuos how your kid is going and you are not, Whitey?

It is all about how much rope they are giving Rundblad. Does his performance mean he so to speak hangs himself on his own rope? Of course he would look bad last season. Young dman and had not received adequate playing time, much less hardly any TOI before the trade.

It is unlikely he passes his test in Chicago. Yes I was aware his arrival in Chicago likely was for the reasons how you explained. I am merely arguing that he has a lot of talent and I personally hope he surprises. The odds are against that happening. He does have some North American experience, but not enough to make a difference.
- jhawk59

If he does come in to camp in shape and gets some confidence back he could be a great surprise that could solve a number of issues for Stan.

If on his last year of ELC look for Nordstrom to be the guy who gets sent back and forth to cut cap space.
- vabeachbear

Absolutely. It could very well work out that way. However, you can't discount that he started the season and was with the team at the end of the season into the playoffs. Nordstrom could very well make the team this season too.

[quote=SteveRain]I find myself in between. I don't know a lot about juniors or where these prospects come from. I do find myself taking the expert opinion on draft day and I read your/wiz's mock draft and rankings.

I am not a prospect hater. I completely understand the necessity of having a strong farm system to supplement huge deals to stars and being able to replace the non core guys. That's why I try to stay clear of forming a love for guys OUTSIDE the core because I what I do find on this board is very unobjective willingness to look at guys like Bolland, Oduya, Frolik, Kruger, Shaw, etc and not being able to accept the fact that those guys will always be turned around in 3-5 years and replaced.
- wiz1901[/SteveRain]


I never thought this team would able to replace the Ladds, Buffs, Versteegs, and Niemi's and win so quickly. They did.....and that's why guys like Bickell, Shaw, Kruger, will be gone again and probably sooner rather then later.

Still didn't receive a response...damn you technology.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Bowman "punting" on Versteeg yet.

As for Tuevo, why keep him up when Bowman brought in Richards to fill that spot? Wouldn't it make more sense to let Tuevo ply his trade in Rockford instead?
- EKolb13

IF Versteeg rebounds and gives them 15+ goals on the 3rd line it's a huge WIN for Bowman. It's a high reward, low risk move. 2.2 million for what Versteeg could be, is a steal. Need that proven depth talent to help Q roll 4 lines.

I don't see Versteeg going anywhere. I also dont' think there is any market for him either.

Tons of talent? I would think if he were that talented Phoenix wouldn't have traded him, and he would have forced the Hawks hand to play him more then 1 game or the limited amount we saw last year.

I think he's a border line 7th D man until he proves otherwise. He has a low cap hit, or else he would be jettisoned ASAP.
- SteveRain

Phoenix has some great young talent of D. Rundblad wasn't going to move Yandle or OEL. Those are their puck carriers. Tippet wanted physical stay at home types filling out the bottom pairings and Rundblad wasn't that.

The Blues had a pretty decent draft record and picked him in the 1st round. Ottawa, also a damn good judge of amateur talent, jumped to trade for him with the pick used to draft Tarasenko.

He is not a write off or bust yet.

Wait... I thought Teravainen was a center?
- Jocelyn26

Not just that, but the Hawks' 2C this year, an all star and hall of famer—as a center—this year.

You can tell I have little to do today after Carne Asada and Chile Rejenos and two margaritas...

but I was just wondering, about the Convention:


Eric Nesterenko shows up,
Ab McDonald shows up,

both older than Pat Whitey Stapelton

and son Mike Stapeton (hardly a hawk stalwart) shows up, but no dad.

I had the privilege of getting mightily hammered with Pat at the pre - NHL All Star game party with Whiety and I ma just wondering is he now an crabby old guy who has ballooned in weight and doesn't want to see seen by the fans of yore?

Was he ever at one of these?

With Glenn Halll i understand, he never liked the spotlight and probably threw up in hotel room before oming downstairs the one year he did attend. (If they had publicized or known in advance he was coming I would have bought the ticket just to spend 20 seconds with him at the augograph table bedause he was truly a great.

But I am curiuos how your kid is going and you are not, Whitey?
- wiz1901

Keep postin', Wiz!

Phoenix has some great young talent of D. Rundblad wasn't going to move Yandle or OEL. Those are their puck carriers. Tippet wanted physical stay at home types filling out the bottom pairings and Rundblad wasn't that.

The Blues had a pretty decent draft record and picked him in the 1st round. Ottawa, also a damn good judge of amateur talent, jumped to trade for him with the pick used to draft Tarasenko.

He is not a write off or bust yet.
- tredbrta

Yeah. Jarmo (the Columbus GM then the Blues chief scout, wanted Taresenko very badly and we all had Tarensko as a top three guy save he was in Russia) and traded with Ottawa mostly because they desired that slot, not a knock on Rundblad.
After becomeing Seantors property he had like a 11 goals and 50 points in 55 games seaosn in Sweden.
Ottawa thought that lightning in the bottle was going to happen a second time very quickly like Karlsson and it didn't happen.

In the 20 odd games with ottwa in a weak bottm pairing he was hardly steller defensively and his four points and minus in the double digits were clear indications he needed time or wasn't going to ever be a true NHL defender.

They sent him to Phoenix midseason (December I believe) when Kyle Turris refused to take bridge contarct money in Phoenix.

In two years, he played 20 games in Phoenix.

In the 20 odd games with ottwa in a weak bottm pairing he was hardly steller defensively and his four points and minus in the double digits were clear indications he needed time or wasn't going to ever be a true NHL defender.

- wiz1901

It's laughable for those that think this guy can even replace Leddy, whom so many hate -- yet on a weak team, Rundblad can't even find a home and he's supposed to find one on a team with one of the best defensive groups?



You Leddy haters slay me with astute hockey know-all.

In your opinion, do you honestly see him getting a fair shake?

If he does equal to Johns or Dahlback, do you feel push comes to shove the Hawks would give Rundblad that spot over the younger guys?

IMO, he is just that...an unknown and if he's not part of the future and doesn't out play the prospects by a wide margin, assuming bowman deals a guy or two and frees up a spot, I dont' see him getting a roster spot over 1 of the prospects
- SteveRain

Rundblad is the same age as Dahlbeck and Johns and drafted higher than both (and not by Mike Gillis).

I actually like the math here. They have 3 older prospects fighting for 1-2 spots. The 3 players also know where the competition stands and may work that much harder because of it.

The do end up with a waiver question if Rundblad really under performs but if he is equal to or out performs Johns and Dalback they get to give them more work in Rockford without a waiver risk.

The move for Rundblad basically gives them 3 chances of an internal replacement for a traded D man instead of 2.... and that is not counting long shots like Clendening or Van Riemsdyk getting a spot.

Giving Q his pet Kyle Cumiskey could hurt Rundblad more than anything. If he decides Kyle gets a spot then Rundblad goes. I really hope Cumiskey stays in Rockford and they give the kids work here but Q is more likely to pull a Zus over Pirri situation unless someone really stands out.

Not just that, but the Hawks' 2C this year, an all star and hall of famer—as a center—this year.
- John Jaeckel

When I mentioned this I was told by MANY on this board that this was never the inference by anyone on this message board.

It's laughable for those that think this guy can even replace Leddy, whom so many hate -- yet on a weak team, Rundblad can't even find a home and he's supposed to find one on a team with one of the best defensive groups?



You Leddy haters slay me with astute hockey know-all.
- savvyone-1

I've been pretty critical of Leddy at times, but I've seen steady improvement year after year and there is much upside there. You can't teach his natural ability. Does he need to improve around the net and in his puck decisions? Absolutely. But all that said, he's still a fairly competent NHL defenseman. And he can get much better.

When I mentioned this I was told by MANY on this board that this was never the inference by anyone on this message board.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Don't remember, but it's been said elsewhere for sure. And I DO SUSPECT SOME HAVE AT LEAST IMPLIED IT HERE.

Yeah. Jarmo (the Columbus GM then the Blues chief scout, wanted Taresenko very badly and we all had Tarensko as a top three guy save he was in Russia) and traded with Ottawa mostly because they desired that slot, not a knock on Rundblad.
After becomeing Seantors property he had like a 11 goals and 50 points in 55 games seaosn in Sweden.
Ottawa thought that lightning in the bottle was going to happen a second time very quickly like Karlsson and it didn't happen.

In the 20 odd games with ottwa in a weak bottm pairing he was hardly steller defensively and his four points and minus in the double digits were clear indications he needed time or wasn't going to ever be a true NHL defender.

They sent him to Phoenix midseason (December I believe) when Kyle Turris refused to take bridge contarct money in Phoenix.

In two years, he played 20 games in Phoenix.
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz.

So this is basically Rundblad's make or break opportunity. Hope he is treating it that way. He shows something in camp he either sticks with the Hawks or gets a chance off of waivers with another club. He shows nothing then he is Hawk property in the AHL or back in Sweden until his deal is up.

Worst case. Hawks eat $900k (not on the cap) or lose him to another team.

Like I said the math works. The pressure is on him and not the Hawks.

I wonder who that 2nd rounder we gave up to Phoenix turned into? Any idea?