Since I'm bored there is no hockey until freakin' Sunday, here is my roster for next year.

Trade Sharp, Versteeg, & CC. Maybe Bicks...

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Sign #2C (Vermette for a team friendly deal?)- Kane
Bickell-Kruger-Shaw
McNeil-Danault-Desi
Baun

Keith-Seabs
Hammer-Johns
TVR-Cheap Vet
Paliotta

Darling
Raanta
- Dannyboy

No Teravainen? No Gustaffson? Nordstrom(Q loves him)?

Teravainen-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Sign #2C (Vermette for a team friendly deal?)- Kane
Baun-Kruger-Saad
McNeil-Danault-Desi
Nordstrom

Keith-Seabs
Hammer-Johns
TVR-Gustafsson
Paliotta

Crow
Darling

Sharp, Bickell, Versteeg, Shaw, and Raanta traded. Bickell gets moved with a prospect or Hawks eat part of his bloated 4 million. Raanta fetches a pretty good return. Versteeg gets a bag of pucks.

I like either Hossa or Saad on the third line. Hossa because it can give him less minutes, probably extending his career and saves him for the playoffs. I like Saad on the 3rd line too because he plays a good all around game AND plays more effective puck possession/playmaking away from other playmakers.

Baun is going to be pretty good.

Remind me of the rock solid decision process that caused him to miss games due to an off ice incident
- sgt1480

Should have clarified that his ON ICE mental toughness has been rock solid. But don't really think that going out and having a few drinks can be considered not being mentally tough. He was off work so he went out. Whats the big deal?

No Teravainen? No Gustaffson? Nordstrom(Q loves him)?

Teravainen-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Sign #2C (Vermette for a team friendly deal?)- Kane
Baun-Kruger-Saad
McNeil-Danault-Desi
Nordstrom

Keith-Seabs
Hammer-Johns
TVR-Gustafsson
Paliotta

Crow
Darling

Sharp, Bickell, Versteeg, Shaw, and Raanta traded. Bickell gets moved with a prospect or Hawks eat part of his bloated 4 million. Raanta fetches a pretty good return. Versteeg gets a bag of pucks.

I like either Hossa or Saad on the third line. Hossa because it can give him less minutes, probably extending his career and saves him for the playoffs. I like Saad on the 3rd line too because he plays a good all around game AND plays more effective puck possession/playmaking away from other playmakers.

Baun is going to be pretty good.
- Bjm84

Forgot about Gustaffson & TT (edited my original post after you responded). Not a big fan of Nordy. If the Hawks land Reilly, that is another pretty damn good dman prospect that could be playing right away next year too.

Forgot about Gustaffson & TT (edited my original post after you responded). Not a big fan of Nordy. If the Hawks land Reilly, that is another pretty damn good dman prospect that could be playing right away next year too.
- Dannyboy

Nordstrom is a good 13th defensemen because he can skate well, including speed, and plays a fairly smart game. He also throws what weight he has around. Yeah he's not going to score or setup plays but he does give you a similar Shaw dynamic with far less finish.

Nordstrom is a good 13th forward because he can skate well, including speed, and plays a fairly smart game. He also throws what weight he has around. Yeah he's not going to score or setup plays but he does give you a similar Shaw dynamic with far less finish.
- Bjm84

I have JO on my list as potential guys to move on. He can easily get north of $4M on the open market. Just won't work on this team next year without taking another body away from the offence.

Think we have to remember the wonder twins cap hit goes up $8.4M starting '15-'16.

If SB & Co feel they have a
- blackhawk24[young] guy who can step in with Hammer, be a RH shot (I'm looking at you, Mr. TVR) and not take away from Hammer's game, that saves over $2M in cap hit; $2.45M exactly for TVR.

That would be good for only one season since TVR is an RFA in '16.

If the Hawks aren't concerned about TVR being brittle they should be. Its too bad but the kid has less than 20 NHL games under his belt and a couple in the AHL. I don't see Stanbo relying on him to stay healthy and that leg injury was very serious.

I think size is going to be an issue. As it is now, with the inclusion of Panarin and Teravainen and assuming Shaw stays, we'd have 5 forwards at 185 lbs or less: Kane, Panarin, Shaw, Teravainen, Kruger. Yes I am betting Versteeg is again moved.

The hawks play a transition game but it's going to be mighty difficult to beat teams like LA, ANaheim, St Louis with that lack of size.
- Bjm84

BS. I hope you meant that sarcastically. The Hawks have proven that they can play and regularly beat the the "big" teams. It's not as much your physical size as it is how you play against bigger players. This whole argument that smaller players cant compete against bigger ones is crap.

Let's look at just a few, Kane, Parise, Tyler Johnson, St. Louis, Gaudreau, Zucarello, etc. etc. etc.

Look at the teams left in the playoffs and their ranking for height and weight:

Team HT WT
Hawks 21 29
ANA 9 1
NYR 29 26
TB 12 21
MTL 27 12
WSH 9 3

Doesn't really support your theory, Here is the total list: http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...by-height-weight-and.html

Ht/Wt really doesn't make a difference. You need Hockey PLayers, regardless of the size.

Desjardins will never be a 3rd liner. Shaw has scored more goals in one season than Dejardins has in his entire career. Not that there is anything wrong with being a good 4th line player. He shouldn't be signed for anything over a mill.
- Elbows15

Based on Dejardins numbers even a Mill could be steep. I could see a league minimum type deal or even a 2 way deal. Could be a decent 12-13 forward and save the Hawks some $$$. Certainly a better option than Carbomb.

Exciting to hear Panarin is outperforming Tarasenko so far at the IIHFs....

Forgot about Gustaffson & TT (edited my original post after you responded). Not a big fan of Nordy. If the Hawks land Reilly, that is another pretty damn good dman prospect that could be playing right away next year too.
- Dannyboy

Depending on what Seabs wants for an extension, he could get squeezed out if Johns emerges next season and takes Seabs spot the following season. I love Seabs but he's not DK or Hammer.

Here's my take. Sharp/Shaw/Steeger out. Saad/Krugs resigned. Oduya/Vermette back on discounts. I don't see TT making it at center, especially 2C in NHL at his size.

Saad/Toews/Hossa
Kane/Vermette/TT
Panarin/Kruger/Bicks
Hartman/Danault/Baun

Seabs/Keith
Hammer/Oduya
Johns/TVR or Reilly or Gus


CC/Darling

I don't think we'll see Desi back, although I liked the addition personally. Oduya will take a discount to retire here and $2.75-3.00 per is about right. Not paying for past performance. Paying for an aging d-man who missed time this year due to injury and will be a 3rd pairing guy most likely for the most, if not all, of the two year deal.

I see Bicks staying and Sharp/Shaw out the door. Just scratch Bicks all season til playoffs start and let the kids play
- Assman22

Isn't Oduya making $3.2MM now? He won't sign for less.

And - if he's not paired with Hjalmarsson next year - who will be?

Can't count on TVR - only about 20 NHL games under his - uhhh - skates, coming back off of an injury or two.

Can't count on Johns or Palliota - zero NHL experience.

I would assume that Oduya will be a 2nd pairing defenseman for most / much of next year.

BS. I hope you meant that sarcastically. The Hawks have proven that they can play and regularly beat the the "big" teams. It's not as much your physical size as it is how you play against bigger players. This whole argument that smaller players cant compete against bigger ones is crap.

Let's look at just a few, Kane, Parise, Tyler Johnson, St. Louis, Gaudreau, Zucarello, etc. etc. etc.

Look at the teams left in the playoffs and their ranking for height and weight:

Team HT WT
Hawks 21 29
ANA 9 1
NYR 29 26
TB 12 21
MTL 27 12
WSH 9 3

Doesn't really support your theory, Here is the total list: http://mirtle.blogspot.ca...by-height-weight-and.html

Ht/Wt really doesn't make a difference. You need Hockey PLayers, regardless of the size.
- TheTrob

Meh. I think that it does in the scope of a playoff run. For example, if the Hawks had played the Blues in the first round then that Wild series goes to a game 7.

Playing against teams with size and a heavy forecheck when you don't your own to keep it honest is a problem. Yes the Blackhawks have shown THEY CAN beat the bigger teams, only because of the way they play and balance. If size didn't matter then LA doesn't win last year. If Anaheim wins this year, it too will be the size.

Getzlaf announced on a radio station game 1 is sunday at noon

so 2:00 central time?

I do have to say, you are really close to what lotsa folks think Saad and Kruger are going to get. $4.5M for Saad and $2.75M for Kruger each seem very reasonable.

However, where does this thinking come from that Desjardins and JO are going to sign for less money than they made this year? Desjardins is going to take a 40% pay cut? Why, cuz he feels lucky he's here? JO is going to take nearly a 20% pay cut for the same reason? Would you take a 20-40% pay cut to stay at your company?
- blackhawk24

I agree with your assessment of JO. I think the demand for quality d men is high and he may see some strong offers - making it difficult to swallow a large discount to stay here.

On Desjardins... character role player who has lost a few steps from a few years ago. He could very easily take a 40% cut to stay in the league. He knows teams have cheaper, younger options available. He needs to be even cheaper to stay in the NHL. I'd like him as a 12-13 serviceable forward at or close to the league minimum. If someone offers more than let him go.

2011-2012 Sharks 76 4 13 17 4 47 0 0 3 80 5.0
2012-2013 Sharks 42 2 1 3 -6 61 0 0 0 51 3.9
2013-2014 Sharks 81 3 14 17 -8 86 0 0 1 95 3.2
2014-2015 Sharks 56 5 3 8 -2 50 0 0 1 43 11.6
2014-2015 Blackhawks 13 0 2 2 1 7 0 0 0 16 0.0

Isn't Oduya making $3.2MM now? He won't sign for less.

And - if he's not paired with Hjalmarsson next year - who will be?

Can't count on TVR - only about 20 NHL games under his - uhhh - skates, coming back off of an injury or two.

Can't count on Johns or Palliota - zero NHL experience.

I would assume that Oduya will be a 2nd pairing defenseman for most / much of next year.
- StLBravesFan

Oduya could sign for less and he'll have to if he wants to stay here. System fits him perfectly and he gets to contend for a Cup perennially. Johns/Hammer would be a great pairing. I've wanted to see Hammer paired with a physical d-man since 2011. Like it or not, Hawks will have to play young guys next year with little to no NHL experience. Oduya will eventually get pushed down to 3rd pairing and replace Rozy. Hawks will have Paliotta, Gus, TVR, and maybe Reilly going for the 6th spot.

If the Hawks aren't concerned about TVR being brittle they should be. Its too bad but the kid has less than 20 NHL games under his belt and a couple in the AHL. I don't see Stanbo relying on him to stay healthy and that leg injury was very serious.
- RickJ

OK, maybe not TVR. Wishful thinking on my part.

But those who believe JO is going to take less than his current $3.375M cap hit when there are other D-men out there who are no better, making more are fooling themselves. It could be argued JO already gave the 'Hawks a break on his current deal, say by $500k/year. JO can easily get $4.5M on the open market. Is he going to take MORE than $1.5M AAV less than that to stay here? Doubtful.

Looks like the Hawks may poach another college guy: Mike Reilly from Minnesota via him possibly not signing with the Jackets.

I agree with your assessment of JO. I think the demand for quality d men is high and he may see some strong offers - making it difficult to swallow a large discount to stay here.

On Desjardins... character role player who has lost a few steps from a few years ago. He could very easily take a 40% cut to stay in the league. He knows teams have cheaper, younger options available. He needs to be even cheaper to stay in the NHL. I'd like him as a 12-13 serviceable forward at or close to the league minimum. If someone offers more than let him go.

2011-2012 Sharks 76 4 13 17 4 47 0 0 3 80 5.0
2012-2013 Sharks 42 2 1 3 -6 61 0 0 0 51 3.9
2013-2014 Sharks 81 3 14 17 -8 86 0 0 1 95 3.2
2014-2015 Sharks 56 5 3 8 -2 50 0 0 1 43 11.6
2014-2015 Blackhawks 13 0 2 2 1 7 0 0 0 16 0.0
- tredbrta

Like I said a month ago, Desjardins is of absolutely no priority to Stanbo as far as a new contract is concerned. He's 29 with 15 total NHL goals.

Really like the way he has played so far and he's from nickel mining country Ontario where they make them tough. But he will almost for sure be in a different uni next season.

Meh. I think that it does in the scope of a playoff run. For example, if the Hawks had played the Blues in the first round then that Wild series goes to a game 7.

Playing against teams with size and a heavy forecheck when you don't your own to keep it honest is a problem. Yes the Blackhawks have shown THEY CAN beat the bigger teams, only because of the way they play and balance. If size didn't matter then LA doesn't win last year. If Anaheim wins this year, it too will be the size.
- Bjm84

LA winning last year was because they were better down the middle and controlled the dot, and still won because of "a bounce". They were not dominant by any means. If Anahiem wins this year it will be because they are better, not bigger.

Looks like the Hawks may poach another college guy: Mike Reilly from Minnesota via him possibly not signing with the Jackets.
- fattybeef

Nothing attracts young talent more than a winning team, with winning Management, winning coaches and winning players.

OK, maybe not TVR. Wishful thinking on my part.

But those who believe JO is going to take less than his current $3.375M cap hit when there are other D-men out there who are no better, making more are fooling themselves. It could be argued JO already gave the 'Hawks a break on his current deal, say by $500k/year. JO can easily get $4.5M on the open market. Is he going to take MORE than $1.5M AAV less than that to stay here? Doubtful.
- blackhawk24

I'm certainly not in the camp of thinking Oduya will play for cheap just to stay in Chicago.

Good player but replaceable. I also don't think the Hawks want to have 3 defenceman on the north side of 30. See Andre Markov for what happens when you hold onto a defenceman past his best years and give him a contract for too much money and term.

I see the chatter here but is Mike Reilly really considering the Hawks ?

Any legit D prospect should be considering the Hawks ,probably play really soon

I'm certainly not in the camp of thinking Oduya will play for cheap just to stay in Chicago.

Good player but replaceable. I also don't think the Hawks want to have 3 defenceman on the north side of 30. See Andre Markov for what happens when you hold onto a defenceman past his best years and give him a contract for too much money and term.
- RickJ

Agreed Ricky. Especially if the Hawks win this year , that wou;d be two Cups for Mr. Oduya and then it would be time for him to get one last pay day. Good for him

Reviews are already in for McCann's "Wed randoms" post. And by the comments, the reviews are not...too...good...

Bowman and his staff have done a great job not only in keeping this team competative for the past 5 years but in not doing what many GMs, and almost all fans do, and that is panic at the first sign of trouble. While fans clamour at the TDL for the team to make crazy bold moves, and many teams make all kinds of crazy trades seemingly in a panic, Bowman doesn't get all bent out of shape and instead makes calculated moves or in many cases, non moves. Lucky for us Hawk fans Bowman and his staff don't act like airport windsocks, changing their opinion or strategy with every win or loss but instead have the ability to see the big picture. Many have said this is the golden age to be a Hawk fan with excellent on ice personell, with exceptional coaching, an outstanding Front office that manages the team and the business as well as or better than anyone and of course a top end owner who not only corrected all his father messed up but who is willing to continue to ensure this team is competative.

I like our team .... indeed!
- paulr

Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap !! !!! !!!


Hawks are about to go 8-3 in their next 11 games.......

Agreed Ricky. Especially if the Hawks win this year , that wou;d be two Cups for Mr. Oduya and then it would be time for him to get one last pay day. Good for him
- mrpaulish

RJ brought up a good point; 3 D-men North of 30 years old. That could bite if the 'Hawks pony up too many years and dollars. I simply see an easier path to effectively knock $2.5M off the cap hit total and not leave the cupboard bare. To boot, with all the teams out there desperate for defence and if SB can time it just so, he can trade JO's rights to someone more than a week before FA opens and maybe even score a 5th rounder in return. Hell, didn't he get a 5th rounder from someone for JOHN SCOTT?