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.
- EKolb13

Or maybe they are planning to be more active with waiver pickups this year?

Having those spots is a good thing - particularly in your scenario. SB may then be able to get a better primary return for whomever he trades by accepting another contract/s to stash.

Or maybe they are planning to be more active with waiver pickups this year?

Having those spots is a good thing - particularly in your scenario. SB may then be able to get a better primary return for whomever he trades by accepting another contract/s to stash.
- tredbrta

Having a couple open spots is good in general for flexibility.

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
- Dunnhawkey

So, Kane is excited about playing with Richards.....

So, Kane is excited about playing with Richards.....
- carcus

They also live in the same building and have spent time off the ice. This can only help them chemistry wise. Plus I know Kane seems to have matured a bit. Let's not discount the veteran leadership and presence Richards can have on both Kane and Saad.

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....
- tredbrta

I would hope the league has more integrity than to just pass players with "lingering injuries" (everyone in the league?) onto LTIR.

They also live in the same building and have spent time off the ice. This can only help them chemistry wise. Plus I know Kane seems to have matured a bit. Let's not discount the veteran leadership and presence Richards can have on both Kane and Saad.
- golfbard

I'm wondering if you missed the double entendre in his original quote as I presumed that was what he was going for...though maybe not.

Quick - who is a worse tryout invitee - barker or whitney?

I can't see either making the big clubs and playing significant minutes so who cares is the real answer I guess.

Maybe they are there to give the forwards confidence in practice or for practice to be ready for the Panthers

So, Kane is excited about playing with Richards.....
- carcus

bad joke, especially with your coach.

In case anyone is curious as to who is on teams Red, Black, and White, here it is: http://blackhawks.nhl.com...v2/ext/2014TCrosterv2.pdf

I'm wondering if you missed the double entendre in his original quote as I presumed that was what he was going for...though maybe not.
- stljam

I did not. I chose to ignore and educate.

Quick - who is a worse tryout invitee - barker or whitney?

I can't see either making the big clubs and playing significant minutes so who cares is the real answer I guess.

Maybe they are there to give the forwards confidence in practice or for practice to be ready for the Panthers
- stljam

If Barker was to show something and make the team, and sign to a league minimum contract, that would be a huge gain for a cap-strapped team. Actually a smart thing to do as an organization, invite players for try-outs.

Q said he thinks TT is responsible on both O and D Cue the madness. Also said versteeg already looks better could be trying to boost his trade value.

Hopefully training camp and the pre-season answers that question.
- EKolb13

Everyone (ok, hyperbole - not everyone) talks about the blue line depth.

Assuming no moves, great top-4, but questionable after that - you don't need Nester to understand that Leddy has issues, and the rest is older-can-he-do-it-again (Roszival), experienced but hasn't done it yet (Runblady and Cumiskey), and prospects.

Can they afford to let Oduya or even Leddy go?

Why so serious?

Quick - who is a worse tryout invitee - barker or whitney?

I can't see either making the big clubs and playing significant minutes so who cares is the real answer I guess.

Maybe they are there to give the forwards confidence in practice or for practice to be ready for the Panthers
- stljam

Both are bad. Neither will make the rosters.

In case anyone is curious as to who is on teams Red, Black, and White, here it is: http://blackhawks.nhl.com...v2/ext/2014TCrosterv2.pdf
- EKolb13

All 3 of those teams would make the playoffs in the Maple Leafs and Sabres division.

I would hope the league has more integrity than to just pass players with "lingering injuries" (everyone in the league?) onto LTIR.
- StLBravesFan

No offense but you preach a lot.

"Lingering injury" does not necessarily imply illegitimate.

Example: Anyone who has fractured an ankle or experienced a rotator injury (strain or partial tear) can probably attest to the fact that you can reach a point where activity is possible but further rest would help.

I'm sure many professional sports rosters have players (particularly older players) who could legitimately go on IR that continue to play. I would bet Hossa has played through some injuries in the RS that could have put him on IR. Now that he is older management should make sure he does not. If that also helps with the cap then even better.

No offense but you preach a lot.
- tredbrta

Let's leave the finger-pointing out of it, please.

Everyone (ok, hyperbole - not everyone) talks about the blue line depth.

Assuming no moves, great top-4, but questionable after that - you don't need Nester to understand that Leddy has issues, and the rest is older-can-he-do-it-again (Roszival), experienced but hasn't done it yet (Runblady and Cumiskey), and prospects.

Can they afford to let Oduya or even Leddy go?
- StLBravesFan

My belief is that the Hawks can afford to part with Leddy go and try somebody, or multiple somebodies in his place - either from the prospect pool or a UFA brought in on a two-way deal.

If that happens not to work so well, that gives Bowman time to let the cap accumulate and hopefully make a move at the trade deadline to fill that hole for the playoff run.

No offense but you preach a lot.

"Lingering injury" does not necessarily imply illegitimate.

Example: Anyone who has fractured an ankle or experienced a rotator injury (strain or partial tear) can probably attest to the fact that you can reach a point where activity is possible but further rest would help.

I'm sure many professional sports rosters have players (particularly older players) who could legitimately go on IR that continue to play. I would bet Hossa has played through some injuries in the RS that could have put him on IR. Now that he is older management should make sure he does not. If that also helps with the cap then even better.
- tredbrta

Gee - why would I take offense to that?

In case anyone is curious as to who is on teams Red, Black, and White, here it is: http://blackhawks.nhl.com...v2/ext/2014TCrosterv2.pdf
- EKolb13

Eli, thank you for posting that lineup.

Anyone else (besides me of course) think it's interesting (and curious?) that Leddy is with Hjalmarsson on the Red team? Maybe to give Stanley and Q a better look at the 2014 version of Leddy with Hjalmarsson during camp?

I know it's something SteveRain has asked for during the course of the season -- let's see Leddy with a consistent stay-at-home guy for at least 20 games to see how he responds instead of a revolving door of guys that HE has to cover for.

Eli, thank you for posting that lineup.

Anyone else (besides me of course) think it's interesting (and curious?) that Leddy is with Hjalmarsson on the Red team? Maybe to give Stanley and Q a better look at the 2014 version of Leddy with Hjalmarsson during camp?

I know it's something SteveRain has asked for during the course of the season -- let's see Leddy with a consistent stay-at-home guy for at least 20 games to see how he responds instead of a revolving door of guys that HE has to cover for.
- savvyone-1

Team Black features Seabrook/Oduya/Rundblad and Team White has Keith/Roszival. I'm not going to read too much into it until there are games against actual opponents.

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
- mrpaulish

You can't be serious. Barker was a bust on the scale of Kyle Beach. Both had tons of hype. Both were horsebleep from the go. Both had all kind of issues. And if those two fought for an hour nobody would win. At least that's what I saw. And I never saw the booming point shot either. Brookbank like? Barker punches like a girl. Now maybe he's more mature and realizes what he pissed away. At least his head would be out of his ass. But I'm closer to 70 than 50 and I could skate rings around him today. He is easily the biggest dissapointment I've seen after hearing the hype.

Good to be back, heard most of you did well on your keyboard physicals yesterday and are ready to get back at it.

As many point out, somebody WILL be moved during camp. I would bet they wait till last week, just to be sure no injury bug sneaks up on a certain player or position.

Just love this time of year. Can't wait for first cool front to move thru central Florida.

My belief is that the Hawks can afford to part with Leddy go and try somebody, or multiple somebodies in his place - either from the prospect pool or a UFA brought in on a two-way deal.

If that happens not to work so well, that gives Bowman time to let the cap accumulate and hopefully make a move at the trade deadline to fill that hole for the playoff run.
- EKolb13

That may be what Bowman is thinking but I'd be surprised.

Moving Leddy now with the idea of picking up a significant defensive replacement at the deadline assumes somebody good is available and at what cost? The past trade deadlines indicate it costs #1 picks at least and you wind up with an overpriced player or a guy on an expiring contract. Loathe to do that.

I think Leddy's future contract demands are the biggest concern to them and they are looking hard to see if there is a long term in house replacement for him at a much more reasonable cost for a couple years.

All that BS aside, I still can't see awarding roster spots to the likes of Versteeg, Rozsival, Regin etc and dumping Leddy ffor cap reasons. They want something good back in return. There are teams out there that have crap on their blueline, Leddy would be a significant upgrade for them. What are they willing to give back?