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'd go with G Zach Fucale. It'd be nice to have a good goalie prospect for once!!

Maybe. But I would imagine that her gig pays fairly decently as well.
- EKolb13

She should invest in some new glasses then

waitin................................

At least with training camp about to start there will be a ton of eyes on the team and we will know every time some one isnt on the ice or is taken off of the ice and the speculation will be running rampant until there is a deal or two made.





HHHHaaaawwwwwkkkkssssssssssssssssssss

I'd go with G Zach Fucale. It'd be nice to have a good goalie prospect for once!!
- hawks2010

Either of those prospects look good. You do not trade a proven NHL player in Leddy albeit still needing to become better......for a dman prospect. Which is why Tinordi is not involved in a trade. Unless something surprising occurs, like the trade broadened to include Sharp.

The sensible approach for Bowman is to try to win one more Cup with this core and most of the other cast. That should include a more proven Oduya than Leddy

If Leddy goes I just would like to receive a power forward type prospect in return. Or a genuine close to ready center prospect who is an offensive sort. But straight up for Leddy, that is wishful thinking as for the center. The power forward? Well, it makes sense if Bowman doesn't have faith that Bickel is going to be a long term Blackhawk.

Maybe Stan is watching how Bickel responds this season. Less disappearance act and more big scoring nights. Your guess is as good as mine if Bickel steps up.

And your guess is as good or better than mine whom goes and whom stays. A long term injury "suffered" by Rosival is the only thing I am thinking maybe happens.

It just baffles me that a guy as ugly as him can score a wife like this: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1715275/
- EKolb13

Well pretty big nose i would say.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this Johansen situation plays out. You'd have to think this might set the bar for Saad's next contract.
- EKolb13

Did you say trade Saad for Johansen?

Either of those prospects look good. You do not trade a proven NHL player in Leddy albeit still needing to become better......for a dman prospect. Which is why Tinordi is not involved in a trade. Unless something surprising occurs, like the trade broadened to include Sharp.

The sensible approach for Bowman is to try to win one more Cup with this core and most of the other cast. That should include a more proven Oduya than Leddy

If Leddy goes I just would like to receive a power forward type prospect in return. Or a genuine close to ready center prospect who is an offensive sort. But straight up for Leddy, that is wishful thinking as for the center. The power forward? Well, it makes sense if Bowman doesn't have faith that Bickel is going to be a long term Blackhawk.

Maybe Stan is watching how Bickel responds this season. Less disappearance act and more big scoring nights. Your guess is as good as mine if Bickel steps up.

And your guess is as good or better than mine whom goes and whom stays. A long term injury "suffered" by Rosival is the only thing I am thinking maybe happens.
- jhawk59

Just a few things to consider...

1. The Hawks are one of two teams that are over the cap that have to make a trade to get under the cap. Every GM knows this, thus it would stand to reason that none of them are looking to do Bowman any favors. This idea means that Bowman more than likely will not get full value back in a trade. I'm not saying that Bowman is going to get fleeced, but it does put Bowman in a somewhat weaker position where he has less leverage. As to how weak that is, we'll know once a trade is completed.

This might explain why a trade has not happened yet. Bowman may still be holding out for the best deal possible at the 11th hour when he has to absolutely make a move.

2. If Bowman does have less leverage, it's going to come down to the best return he can get for "X" player. That means you take the best prospect(s) and/or pick(s) you can get. If it is a defensive prospect in return for Leddy and it's the best thing Bowman can get, so be it.

3. I wouldn't count on the idea that someone is going to talk Rozsival (or anyone else) into "suffering" an injury just to go on LTIR just to start the season. This isn't Khabibulin we are talking about here, who had nothing left in the tank last season. The organization probably gave him the option of going on LTIR or get used to drinking your nights away in Rockford's finest dive bars. If I were him, I would have taken LTIR and kept drinking in Chicago too.

Unless Rozsival's ability completely drops off to the point of being unable to hold down a roster spot in the NHL, I wouldn't count on him being willing to just sit on LTIR to do the club a favor. Putting a player on LTIR probably isn't going to happen unless someone is actually injured.

4. Sticking a player on LTIR to start the season only solves the cap issue temporarily. There still needs to be a trade made because that player will eventually come off of LTIR. Once the season starts, the number of teams that are looking to add a player might increase or decrease. If there are fewer teams looking to add a player, that can't help Bowman in the leverage department.

Did you say trade Saad for Johansen?
- paulr

No. I get a wild idea here and there that's a little out there, just like everyone else. However, I know better than that.

Just a few things to consider...

1. The Hawks are one of two teams that are over the cap that have to make a trade to get under the cap. Every GM knows this, thus it would stand to reason that none of them are looking to do Bowman any favors. This idea means that Bowman more than likely will not get full value back in a trade. I'm not saying that Bowman is going to get fleeced, but it does put Bowman in a somewhat weaker position where he has less leverage. As to how weak that is, we'll know once a trade is completed.

This might explain why a trade has not happened yet. Bowman may still be holding out for the best deal possible at the 11th hour when he has to absolutely make a move.

2. If Bowman does have less leverage, it's going to come down to the best return he can get for "X" player. That means you take the best prospect(s) and/or pick(s) you can get. If it is a defensive prospect in return for Leddy and it's the best thing Bowman can get, so be it.

3. I wouldn't count on the idea that someone is going to talk Rozsival (or anyone else) into "suffering" an injury just to go on LTIR just to start the season. This isn't Khabibulin we are talking about here, who had nothing left in the tank, and the organization probably gave him the option of going on LTIR or get used to drinking your nights away in Rockford's finest dive bars.

That probably isn't going to happen unless someone is actually injured.

4. Sticking a player on LTIR to start the season only solves the cap issue temporarily. There still needs to be a trade made because that player will eventually come off of LTIR. Once the season starts, the number of teams that are looking to add a player might increase or decrease. If there are fewer teams looking to add a player, that can't help Bowman in the leverage department.
- EKolb13

This is why I think there is going to be a bigger deal than most are thinking. Include Sharp, and now it is not a salary dump, but a "blockbuster" trade. It's not a trade to get under the cap.

This is why I think there is going to be a bigger deal than most are thinking. Include Sharp, and now it is not a salary dump, but a "blockbuster" trade. It's not a trade to get under the cap.
- powerenforcer

Maybe? Who knows how it's going to shake out?

I'd venture to guess that Bowman probably has some deal already in place to ship Rozsival out for some lower round pick or "future considerations." Doing that get Bowman under the cap ceiling with a roster of 22 and a drop in the bucket for cap room.

That wouldn't be my ideal situation, but it gives Bowman just enough room and time to make the trade he really needs to make.

No risk seeing if he's got anything, but he'd really have to surprise to get even an AHL deal. Guy has been washed up for a while.

Funny bit though that in the Barker-Leddy+ trade, Fletcher only got less than 100 total games of Barker before they got sick of him and got little else.

Say what you will about Leddy (and I tend to say a decent amount...), but that has still been one of Stanley's best trades.
- prd797

Apparently Barker had a nagging ankle injury that he finally fixed. He had a decent season and looked good from I heard in the KHL.

Do I think he'll end up back in the KHL. Yes. But I applaud the guy for coming back and giving it another try with the Hawks.

Apparently Barker had a nagging ankle injury that he finally fixed. He had a decent season and looked good from I heard in the KHL.

Do I think he'll end up back in the KHL. Yes. But I applaud the guy for coming back and giving it another try with the Hawks.
- TyCamScore

I am not among the naysayers with this Barker move. His career went straight downhill after he left here -how can a player become that bad so quickly? I think that coming back to where he had some success may resurrect his confidence and his career. He is still young enough to make that happen.
And I don't look at this as pushing out a prospect -this will make prospects work harder for spots and this is good for the organization.

Apparently Barker had a nagging ankle injury that he finally fixed. He had a decent season and looked good from I heard in the KHL.

Do I think he'll end up back in the KHL. Yes. But I applaud the guy for coming back and giving it another try with the Hawks.
- TyCamScore

Fair point Ty.

Certainly am not hoping for him to fail as it only helps the Hawks organisation if he figures it out. Just feels very unlikely that he'll finally do so after years of being mediocre or worse.

I'd definitely be happy for a few positive surprises in camp

RE: BARKER

Might be just hoping for lightning in a bottle. Might be that coupled with the possibility Leddy will be dealt.

My understanding is Barker has battled personal issues but he is basically a good kid. One thing that I have heard from two players is he has a great, great point shot and he can run a power play. Speed and footwork have been his issue. Can play tough and physical. Not a bad 6-7 option if he is healthy and has his demons under control. Probably a longshot though or he goes to Rockford.

This is why I think there is going to be a bigger deal than most are thinking. Include Sharp, and now it is not a salary dump, but a "blockbuster" trade. It's not a trade to get under the cap.
- powerenforcer

When Sharp does go, either now or later, I would like to see the kid, TT, get his audition with Toews and Hossa as Saad did. Not saying it would stick, but would be a good way to see what if he can add anything alongside 2 very solid two way guys.

When Sharp does go, either now or later, I would like to see the kid, TT, get his audition with Toews and Hossa as Saad did. Not saying it would stick, but would be a good way to see what if he can add anything alongside 2 very solid two way guys.
- DirkGraham

Agreed. What better "teachers" on the ice.

When Sharp does go, either now or later, I would like to see the kid, TT, get his audition with Toews and Hossa as Saad did. Not saying it would stick, but would be a good way to see what if he can add anything alongside 2 very solid two way guys.
- DirkGraham

Saad had one big advantage to get that NHL start, he had/has the body of a man, not of a teenaged boy.

RE: BARKER

Might be just hoping for lightning in a bottle. Might be that coupled with the possibility Leddy will be dealt.

My understanding is Barker has battled personal issues but he is basically a good kid. One thing that I have heard from two players is he has a great, great point shot and he can run a power play. Speed and footwork have been his issue. Can play tough and physical. Not a bad 6-7 option if he is healthy and has his demons under control. Probably a longshot though or he goes to Rockford.
- John Jaeckel

I know a lot of guys with very good point shots (myself included). However, that doesn't make them, nor me, an NHL-caliber player.

Unless Barker has attended Mikhail Baryshnikov's or Anna Pavlova's ballet school while in the mother land and has made some miraculous improvements to his foot speed and skating mechanics, all this talk about Cam Barker making a return is foolish hogwash.

Saad had one big advantage to get that NHL start, he had/has the body of a man, not of a teenaged boy.
- paulr

Like I said, as an audition which may or may not stick, I think playing with those guys would be the best way for him to demonstrate his game. I'd like to see if his puck distribution strengthens Toews and Hossa's scoring, which it might.

On another note regarding TT, a kid that skated a lot with him this summer told me the best NHL projection comparison he can think of for him is Igor Larionov. Which I found interesting.

It's going to be really interesting to see how this Johansen situation plays out. You'd have to think this might set the bar for Saad's next contract.
- EKolb13

For sure Bawd

RE: BARKER

Might be just hoping for lightning in a bottle. Might be that coupled with the possibility Leddy will be dealt.

My understanding is Barker has battled personal issues but he is basically a good kid. One thing that I have heard from two players is he has a great, great point shot and he can run a power play. Speed and footwork have been his issue. Can play tough and physical. Not a bad 6-7 option if he is healthy and has his demons under control. Probably a longshot though or he goes to Rockford.
- John Jaeckel

Barker had a problem with giveaways as I recall. If he can ever clean that up, his offensive skills would be a huge re-addition to the pp.

I know a lot of guys with very good point shots (myself included). However, that doesn't make them, nor me, an NHL-caliber player.

Unless Barker has attended Mikhail Baryshnikov's or Anna Pavlova's ballet school while in the mother land and has made some miraculous improvements to his foot speed and skating mechanics, all this talk about Cam Barker making a return is foolish hogwash.
- savvyone-1

How many PTO's make the big club? Maybe one or two in Calgary or Carolina. Not many I would think make contenders, can't hurt tho

Saad had one big advantage to get that NHL start, he had/has the body of a man, not of a teenaged boy.
- paulr

And to think that you worried about my observations.

I know a lot of guys with very good point shots (myself included). However, that doesn't make them, nor me, an NHL-caliber player.

Unless Barker has attended Mikhail Baryshnikov's or Anna Pavlova's ballet school while in the mother land and has made some miraculous improvements to his foot speed and skating mechanics, all this talk about Cam Barker making a return is foolish hogwash.
- savvyone-1

Cam Barker is a story of redemption and battling demons. An AHL job, and some normalcy is the goal. With all his warts, he is like most 6 or 7 guys around the league as it stands. Can't argue his talent and his size.

Q said it best though yesterday, in that everyone knows that somebody will be dealt. Tough part of the business, but it is what it is. I hope it is not Leddy, but in the face of all of my insistence that he won't be dealt, I now have my doubts.