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.
- TrueGrit

We might all be surprised, but based on all I have seen (and much of what I've heard) he is candidate 1A

New blog coming tonight

We might all be surprised, but based on all I have seen (and much of what I've heard) he is candidate 1A
- John Jaeckel

- Being a Winnipeg buddy of #19 didn't hurt his chances for a tryout.

- they know he will play for the NHL minimum

- he knows the Hawks system

- worst case scenario he mentors the young guys in Rockford.

No risk giving him a shot.

- Being a Winnipeg buddy of #19 didn't hurt his chances for a tryout.

- they know he will play for the NHL minimum

- he knows the Hawks system

- worst case scenario he mentors the young guys in Rockford.

No risk giving him a shot.
- RickJ

With the way his playing career ended up going, and with all this talk about personal demons and such...is Cam Barker REALLY the best guy to be mentoring the young guns?

We might all be surprised, but based on all I have seen (and much of what I've heard) he is candidate 1A
- John Jaeckel

JJ - Leddy candidate 1A to be traded, or Barker candidate 1A to make the team?

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 years did Steve Montador manage to perform on ice in the NHL?

By comparison to him, Barker truly is a Baryshnikov clone.

New blog coming tonight
- John Jaeckel

How many years did Steve Montador manage to perform on ice in the NHL?

By comparison to him, Barker truly is a Baryshnikov clone.
- RickJ

lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalal

Rick, don't you know I've been trying to erase old Clown Shoes from my mind ever since I saw him in the Indianhead?!!!!!!!!!!!

With the way his playing career ended up going, and with all this talk about personal demons and such...is Cam Barker REALLY the best guy to be mentoring the young guns?
- BlazinMike

I know absolutely nothing about his demons or issues and I doubt very much if anybody on here does either.

The team brass and many of the players know him. They probably don't see any harm in it. He's a huge longshot to play in the NHL again but probably wants to stay in the game somehow.

I know absolutely nothing about his demons or issues and I doubt very much if anybody on here does either.

The team brass and many of the players know him. They probably don't see any harm in it. He's a huge longshot to play in the NHL again but probably wants to stay in the game somehow.
- RickJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUkQ3gLaRfo

No hesitation , thats a nice thing ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUkQ3gLaRfo

oh here .


If Barker can play at all #7 D man , could be a brookbank + type.... Im ok with it

Chicago Blackhawks ‏@NHLBlackhawks 5m
Rundblad winds up and fires, Shaw redirects... Black leads 1-0 in second scrimmage.






Bladdddddy with the blast from the point .....

Chicago Blackhawks ‏@NHLBlackhawks 5m
Rundblad winds up and fires, Shaw redirects... Black leads 1-0 in second scrimmage.






Bladdddddy with the blast from the point .....
- mrpaulish

Did you conveniently miss this: ???
Chicago Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks · 52m

Shortly after a Leddy goal for Red, Saad waits... waits... dishes to Kane in front, goal. 2-1 White.

lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalal

Rick, don't you know I've been trying to erase old Clown Shoes from my mind ever since I saw him in the Indianhead?!!!!!!!!!!!
- savvyone-1

I said it immediately after Montador got the contract - worst signing Bowman has ever or will ever make.

Compared to that one, giving Runblad, Barker or my grandmother a chance is no issue at all.

I know absolutely nothing about his demons or issues and I doubt very much if anybody on here does either.

The team brass and many of the players know him. They probably don't see any harm in it. He's a huge longshot to play in the NHL again but probably wants to stay in the game somehow.
- RickJ

Not saying he cant/shouldnt be able to play. Just dont know if I would want him telling the youngsters "how its done" or whatever

With the way his playing career ended up going, and with all this talk about personal demons and such...is Cam Barker REALLY the best guy to be mentoring the young guns?
- BlazinMike

Who knows?

As it sits right now, there are 10 or 11 defenseman slated to contend for roster spots in Rockford this season. 7 or 8 guys will win roster spots in Rockford, and the rest will head to Indy.

As it sits right now, there are two possible guys for veteran leadership roles in Rockford - Cumisky and Miskovic. Is there really need for a 3rd guy in Rockford on the blueline to fill that role?

Or maybe Barker might fit that role in Rockford if Cumisky makes the big club?

At any rate, here's to hoping Barker has a nice showing in camp. Maybe he does enough to latch on with another team? Maybe he does even better and helps the organization - either in Chicago, Rockford, or perhaps even in Indy? I'm not going to hold onto hope that he'll help the organization, but if he could, it would be a nice surprise.

The team brass and many of the players know him. They probably don't see any harm in it. He's a huge longshot to play in the NHL again but probably wants to stay in the game somehow.
- RickJ

This.

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.
- EKolb13

Great post. I think the odds are strong LTIR will be the near term fix - perhaps coupled with a release or dump trade of a Rundblad (as rumored here) if he continues to look horrid.... Bowman can then allow possible demand to increase for a Leddy type or even a Sharp. Maybe a team loses offense through injury or is simply failing to meet expectations and wants to shake things up with a move??? That is the best way for Bowman to get full value in the trade to get under the cap and you have to let the season get rolling for that to happen.

Several teams out east could be in that position. Less in the west. I could see San Jose or Edmonton making moves if they under perform expectations in the first quarter. Winnipeg could be there as well if they are really tanking. The Isles, Habs, Panthers, Leafs and Caps in the east.

Who knows?

As it sits right now, there are 10 or 11 defenseman slated to contend for roster spots in Rockford this season. 7 or 8 guys will win roster spots in Rockford, and the rest will head to Indy.

As it sits right now, there are two possible guys for veteran leadership roles in Rockford - Cumisky and Miskovic. Is there really need for a 3rd guy in Rockford on the blueline to fill that role?

Or maybe Barker might fit that role in Rockford if Cumisky makes the big club?

At any rate, here's to hoping Barker has a nice showing in camp. Maybe he does enough to latch on with another team? Maybe he does even better and helps the organization - either in Chicago, Rockford, or perhaps even in Indy? I'm not going to hold onto hope that he'll help the organization, but if he could, it would be a nice surprise.
- EKolb13

The other thing is that the organization isn't that close to the 50 man contract limit either are they?

Who knows?

As it sits right now, there are 10 or 11 defenseman slated to contend for roster spots in Rockford this season. 7 or 8 guys will win roster spots in Rockford, and the rest will head to Indy.

As it sits right now, there are two possible guys for veteran leadership roles in Rockford - Cumisky and Miskovic. Is there really need for a 3rd guy in Rockford on the blueline to fill that role?

Or maybe Barker might fit that role in Rockford if Cumisky makes the big club?

At any rate, here's to hoping Barker has a nice showing in camp. Maybe he does enough to latch on with another team? Maybe he does even better and helps the organization - either in Chicago, Rockford, or perhaps even in Indy? I'm not going to hold onto hope that he'll help the organization, but if he could, it would be a nice surprise.
- EKolb13

Runbladt, Cumiskey, Dahlbeck, Van Riemsdyk, Clendenning, now Barker - any of them good enough (or ready enough) to be 6/7 (or 5/6/7, if that opportunity arises) on a Cup-contending team?

Great post. I think the odds are strong LTIR will be the near term fix - perhaps coupled with a release or dump trade of a Rundblad (as rumored here) if he continues to look horrid.... Bowman can then allow possible demand to increase for a Leddy type or even a Sharp. Maybe a team loses offense through injury or is simply failing to meet expectations and wants to shake things up with a move??? That is the best way for Bowman to get full value in the trade to get under the cap and you have to let the season get rolling for that to happen.

Several teams out east could be in that position. Less in the west. I could see San Jose or Edmonton making moves if they under perform expectations in the first quarter. Winnipeg could be there as well if they are really tanking. The Isles, Habs, Panthers, Leafs and Caps in the east.
- tredbrta

Who goes on LTIR short term?

How easy is it to place an un-injured skater on LTIR?

How easy is it to place an un-injured skater on LTIR?
- StLBravesFan

Exactly the point I was trying to make.

The other thing is that the organization isn't that close to the 50 man contract limit either are they?
- RickJ

It's currently at 47. I guess if I were in Bowman's shoes, I'd leave a couple of slots open just in case the trade I have to make involves taking on a couple of contracts that may have to be stashed in the minors.

Runbladt, Cumiskey, Dahlbeck, Van Riemsdyk, Clendenning, now Barker - any of them good enough (or ready enough) to be 6/7 (or 5/6/7, if that opportunity arises) on a Cup-contending team?
- StLBravesFan

Hopefully training camp and the pre-season answers that question.

ESPN Chicago ‏@ESPNChiHawks 2m
Kane and Richards felt they clicked on the first day. Kane spoke highly of Richards’ passing ability.

Looks like Kane is happy hopefully they continue to build chemistry

Who goes on LTIR short term?

How easy is it to place an un-injured skater on LTIR?
- StLBravesFan

And how many veteran players are playing with lingering injuries? Khabibulin is a great example. I could see a player like Hossa with his past shoulder and back issues easily being a legitimate LTIR candidate - particularly early in the year. Same with Oduya's ankle/foot injury. Those can be very slow to heal and very easy to get a doctor to sign off on more rest for healing that kind of injury.

In Hossa's case I think they need to be more careful about being sure he is fresh for the playoffs and using IR will be one way to do it....