The strength of the Blackhawks is Forward depth, therefore I still believe one of Sharp or Bickell are going to be traded before Leddy or JO to get cap compliant. Now - Leddy being moved at the TDL is another story.

Looks like the Wangs got Dekeyser inked. 2 years 4.375 million. Seems like a lot for a guy who hasn't done much, but perhaps that's fair going rate for a young d-man these days.

Sure I agree, Leddy is on the short list of candidates for a move. But he isn't going to be given away. Removing Rozsival solves most of the problem. In fact, I expect him to suffer a debilitating, life threatening injury at some point in training camp.
- RickJ

And I heard that Stanley is shopping the next D savior you are all ready to write into the lineup, one David Rundblad.

Don't care what anyone calls it (a sniff, a taste or an extended tryout). The 50+ NHL games Rundblad has had have proven to other NHL clubs that he's not all what some thought he was over in the Swedish league.

I saw a guy on the ice that had very poor skating mechanics, not very strong on his blades and very much NOT what the prototypical Hawk D man might look like. That guy is going nowhere fast in the NHL and if what I heard is right, won't be part of the Hawks club come opening night.

I'm still of the belief that Dahlbeck could step up and solidify the defense. However, I don't think he's going to replace the offensive output that Leddy gives a team. Anyways, isn't Rundblad supposed to be a puck-carrying offensive type?
- EKolb13

Eli, see my just posted note about David. That guy couldn't carry the mail any more than my postman without his mail truck. BaD skating mechanics tells the story.

Given those comments about shallow depth and weakness on the blue line...and other have echoed the same thoughts...the idea of Leddy being the salary dump sacrificial lamb is pure folly. Their depth is at forward...Versteeg has to be part of any dump.

And I heard that Stanley is shopping the next D savior you are all ready to write into the lineup, one David Rundblad.

Don't care what anyone calls it (a sniff, a taste or an extended tryout). The 50+ NHL games Rundblad has had have proven to other NHL clubs that he's not all what some thought he was over in the Swedish league.

I saw a guy on the ice that had very poor skating mechanics, not very strong on his blades and very much NOT what the prototypical Hawk D man might look like. That guy is going nowhere fast in the NHL and if what I heard is right, won't be part of the Hawks club come opening night.
- savvyone-1

Curious trade by Bowman when you think about it. Giving up the draft pick doesn't bother me, but if the kid can't play who endorsed geting him and why so other than being drafted in the first round in 2009.

Maybe Runblad has a diploma from the Steve Montador Power Skating School and Stanbo was blown away by that?

Curious trade by Bowman when you think about it. Giving up the draft pick doesn't bother me, but if the kid can't play who endorsed geting him and why so other than being drafted in the first round in 2009.

Maybe Runblad has a diploma from the Steve Montador Power Skating School and Stanbo was blown away by that?
- RickJ

Bowman couldn't see that skating issue in Runblad's game? Had to see him in person, on tape, other scouts cross reference so as to get another opinion. Before I accept your prognosis, I wsj to see him in a few exhibitions. Nothing to loose. Nothing to gain, either, by trading him.

The comment about McNeil looking small.?.just like the Rundblad comment....wait and see him in a couple games. Still look small? Am avid weightlifter can be mean sometimes. Appears to have some defensive awareness and responsibility his own end of rink.

JVR has to play some games and feel confidant that the ankle is ok? Fournier is one to watch, interesting how all the dmen prospects pan out. Their TOI? With the big size, mean Johns and Clendening, Fournier & TVR not more than second pair sort in Rockford? This Whitney kid reportedly has some ability. See him once he leaves junior and the Quebec league. May be on par with Simpson and Carruth? Or better? I wouldn't mind giving Simpson and Carruth one more year to show development. I do not know they are so bad. How could a goaltender be in top form this early, anyway?

>TT has elite on-ice vision
>TT has most plays "run" through him when on the ice
>Both are characteristics of a high-end player
>At some point, we will see if TT can make high-end plays at the NHL level and play well enough on the other side of the puck to become a regular
>Actually shows just how strong a player Kane is
- SnapitUpstairs

This, times 100

if Bowman is shopping Rundblad because the hawks saw some defect in his skating, etc., then SHAME on them for not seeing that before coughing up a 2nd round pick for him. I think something's missing or inaccurate in that story, but . . .

As for the Hawks "making the judgement" on TT's readiness . . . ya think?

But let's face it, they DID when he had his little audition last Spring. And they chose not to keep him around for the playoffs. And the notion that they just didn't want to burn a year off his ELC is asinine.

If he could have legitimately helped a center-starved team at center, they would have kept him around. The truth is, he was too small, too inexperienced on NA ice, had not played at NHL speed and against NHL size. THAT, and that alone, is why they ended his audition, played the playoffs, then immediately went into "find a 2C" mode, first with Kesler and later with Richards.

It doesn't mean TT sucks or won't be good. It means playing in the NHL, much less as a top 6 centerman is no small task. And I agree with Snapper, it speaks volumes about Kane's talent and the ability to make the jump from junior in 2007.

But as I've said here before, and this is no "knock" on TT, Kane>>>TT

Patience . . .

if Bowman is shopping Rundblad because the hawks saw some defect in his skating, etc., then SHAME on them for not seeing that before coughing up a 2nd round pick for him. I think something's missing or inaccurate in that story, but . . .

As for the Hawks "making the judgement" on TT's readiness . . . ya think?

But let's face it, they DID when he had his little audition last Spring. And they chose not to keep him around for the playoffs. And the notion that they just didn't want to burn a year off his ELC is asinine.

If he could have legitimately helped a center-starved team at center, they would have kept him around. The truth is, he was too small, too inexperienced on NA ice, had not played at NHL speed and against NHL size. THAT, and that alone, is why they ended his audition, played the playoffs, then immediately went into "find a 2C" mode, first with Kesler and later with Richards.

It doesn't mean TT sucks or won't be good. It means playing in the NHL, much less as a top 6 centerman is no small task. And I agree with Snapper, it speaks volumes about Kane's talent and the ability to make the jump from junior in 2007.

But as I've said here before, and this is no "knock" on TT, Kane>>>TT

Patience . . .
- John Jaeckel

John, there might be something missing re Rundblad, don't disagree. Got it from someone very close to things but like all these tales, there is usually some juicy detail left out to save those who share these bits from any blowback.

I agree with regard to whomever made the call on this guy -- but then again, we have the Steve Montador case. My god, whoever made the call on THAT CLOWN should have been fired eeeeeeeeeemediately! Talk about not being able to skate. So this call on Rundblad doesn't/wouldn't surprise me.

And you are spot-on with your assessment of TT and the comments about Kane. It also speaks to Kane's commitment level and competitiveness. I posted not long ago on Kane playing in the summer. That guy seems to WANT to be the best and works hard. Yes, he has been given some incredible gifts but he also works much harder than many with lesser skills to be the best.

if Bowman is shopping Rundblad because the hawks saw some defect in his skating, etc., then SHAME on them for not seeing that before coughing up a 2nd round pick for him. I think something's missing or inaccurate in that story, but . . .

As for the Hawks "making the judgement" on TT's readiness . . . ya think?

But let's face it, they DID when he had his little audition last Spring. And they chose not to keep him around for the playoffs. And the notion that they just didn't want to burn a year off his ELC is asinine.

If he could have legitimately helped a center-starved team at center, they would have kept him around. The truth is, he was too small, too inexperienced on NA ice, had not played at NHL speed and against NHL size. THAT, and that alone, is why they ended his audition, played the playoffs, then immediately went into "find a 2C" mode, first with Kesler and later with Richards.

It doesn't mean TT sucks or won't be good. It means playing in the NHL, much less as a top 6 centerman is no small task. And I agree with Snapper, it speaks volumes about Kane's talent and the ability to make the jump from junior in 2007.

But as I've said here before, and this is no "knock" on TT, Kane>>>TT

Patience . . .
- John Jaeckel

Push a kid like TT too far, too fast and the result is likely what other teams experienced when they made that mistake of impatience - Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Huberdeau, Grigorenko are 3 prime examples, they just weren't ready.

And very good players that seem like they were drafted eons ago are still making their way up the ladder - STrome, Filip Forsberg, Danault, McNeill, Scott Laughton.

These kids will be ready when they are ready. Rush them and there is a very good chance you ruin them.

[quote=SnapitUpstairs]>TT has elite on-ice vision
>TT has most plays "run" through him when on the ice
>Both are characteristics of a high-end player
>At some point, we will see if TT can make high-end plays at the NHL level and play well enough on the other side of the puck to become a regular
>Actually shows just how strong a player Kane is
- John Jaeckel[/quote]

This, times 100

I was catching up and saw Snap's post and was going to comment. Don't have to, you both said it best. Completely agree

Push a kid like TT too far, too fast and the result is likely what other teams experienced when they made that mistake of impatience - Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Huberdeau, Grigorenko are 3 prime examples, they just weren't ready.

And very good players that seem like they were drafted eons ago are still making their way up the ladder - STrome, Filip Forsberg, Danault, McNeill, Scott Laughton.

These kids will be ready when they are ready. Rush them and there is a very good chance you ruin them.
- RickJ

This, times 100.

And these are the 2014 Blackhawks, not the 2004 Blackhawks.

This, times 100.

And these are the 2014 Blackhawks, not the 2004 Blackhawks.
- John Jaeckel

And right now the Hawks main need are 3rd and 4th line role players who ideally provide size, strength and depth rather than top 6 skill.

Hawks ? Habs ?


I kinda get the feeling that if the Hawks do deal with the Habs it wont just be a salary dump deal. Might be a couple of players going each way .

And right now the Hawks main need are 3rd and 4th line role players who ideally provide size, strength and depth rather than top 6 skill.
- paulr

It'd be nice to have a bottom 6 center with size/strength. Mainly a 3rd line type

Eli, see my just posted note about David. That guy couldn't carry the mail any more than my postman without his mail truck. BaD skating mechanics tells the story.
- savvyone-1

Bowman brought him in for some reason. Whether it be he was buying Rundblad at a wholesale because the value was there, or perhaps he was looking far enough forward to prepare himself to lose someone due to the uncertainty of where the cap ceiling would be set at when the trade was made in the first place?

The latter of the two ideas could explain why Mashinter got a contract at the time that he did.

If you look at it with the idea that Bowman was preparing to cover his ass in case the cap ceiling wasn't going to go as high as $71 million, it makes some sense.

Furthermore, Cumiskey was brought in after the cap was set. That adds to the idea that if Leddy was moved, there would be some competition, or at least multiple options to try and plug in on the cheap to fill that role if it came down to it. I guess you could think the same thing with Labrie and Bass being brought in this summer to contend with Mashinter after the trade of Bollig.

I'm not saying that Rundblad or Cumisky can replace the upside, or perhaps even the production of Leddy. What I'm thinking is that the team is stuck in a hard cap situation, and if the idea is to win now then talent and upside will get trumped by experience and ability. That's if you want to make it an argument of who's more important in helping the team win now: Leddy or Oduya.

Unless Bowman opts to trade Roszival and is going to start this season with a roster of 22 and nearly no cap room, then they both could stay. If I were in Bowman's shoes, I wouldn't do things that way. I'd rather have enough cap room to let it grow some in order to find a rental player that fits the team at the trade deadline, and have the room to shuttle a few select players back and forth from Rockford to see if they could stick.

From Verdi's Q&A with Dineen on the Blackhawks website:

Are you in charge of the power play?

That would be my prime responsibility, but special teams require combined effort. Joel is very secure in his position; he asks for opinions. Of course, in the end, he wins because he’s the boss. It’s good to work for a friend, but he didn’t bring me in because I’m a friend. I’m not going to jump on the tube and just float down the river.

This sounds more scary than promising...

Hawks ? Habs ?


I kinda get the feeling that if the Hawks do deal with the Habs it wont just be a salary dump deal. Might be a couple of players going each way .
- mrpaulish

If Stan is willing to deal Leddy to Montreal then they have some decent prospects I wouldn't mind snagging. Their 2nd round pick from 2013, Jacob de la Rose, would be a nice acquisition.

We're getting real close to camp here...and our first preseason game against the Wings I believe...yes...It'll be nice to see Richards out there between Saad and Kane.

TT should start the year at the Rock and get some seasoning.

Meanwhile Stanley still needs to move a player to get under the cap. Tic Toc...

If Stan is willing to deal Leddy to Montreal then they have some decent prospects I wouldn't mind snagging. Their 2nd round pick from 2013, Jacob de la Rose, would be a nice acquisition.
- DarthKane

I know - worry about next year next year - but Leddy's qualifying offer next year would be $3.4MM - which means his cap hit would be at least that - probably more, if he progresses this year. That's a lot going into a very cap-constrained situation next year.

Makes him very tradable now from the Hawks standpoint, potential or not, no?

If Stan is willing to deal Leddy to Montreal then they have some decent prospects I wouldn't mind snagging. Their 2nd round pick from 2013, Jacob de la Rose, would be a nice acquisition.
- DarthKane

After hearing that the youth pool is not that deep on the D end and Goalie position, I wonder if any prospects brought back from any deal should consist of players that could help there. It all starts with defense in the transition game. So I have to agree with a previous poster, would rather move Versteeg or Rosy and keep Leddy, probably wishful thinking tho

This Whitney kid reportedly has some ability. See him once he leaves junior and the Quebec league. May be on par with Simpson and Carruth? Or better? I wouldn't mind giving Simpson and Carruth one more year to show development. I do not know they are so bad. How could a goaltender be in top form this early, anyway?
- jhawk59

The time for the organization to sign Whitney was before the draft. The organization declined to give him a contract, which means he was eligible for the draft again. Obviously the organization felt nothing was there and decided to move on. No other organization took a chance on him at the draft either.

As for Simpson and Carruth, both have one year left on their ELC's. Given that the organization brought in two new UFA goalies into the organization, I don't believe that there is much faith in either Simpson or Carruth at this point. At any rate, they're here for the season - probably in Indy to play out their deals unless they show otherwise.

Hawk colors

Hawk colors
- Beaver-Warrior

Time to paint the ice?