I'll probably get chastised for this, but am I the only one who wants to see Kimmo play? Yes, he is a gigantic defensive liability, but I do not think there is anyone out there who wants to see him end his career in a suit and tie in the locker room. Do we know if Q is dressing him at least? How much damage can the guy really do at 37 seconds of ice time a game?
- BURDA13

Yes you are, and Consider yourself chastised!

As of now KT is not automatic . Hawks would have to petition for his name to be added or he has to make the game roster for 1 Final game.
- mrpaulish

If the Hawks win, you know that they'll petition to have Timonen's name on it.

If the Hawks win, you know that they'll petition to have Timonen's name on it.
- EKolb13

Agreed just saying he isnt automatic right now.

I'll probably get chastised for this, but am I the only one who wants to see Kimmo play? Yes, he is a gigantic defensive liability, but I do not think there is anyone out there who wants to see him end his career in a suit and tie in the locker room. Do we know if Q is dressing him at least? How much damage can the guy really do at 37 seconds of ice time a game?
- BURDA13

I have been thinking about KT as well but not for the reason you stated. This series is different from the previous ones. Opposing players are not running our defence with late hits which KT had trouble with. He still has more confidence with the puck than Runblad and could play a bigger role in this series.

most definately see your point...but the obvious question: he has not played an NHL game since Nov 26? Ad reports were his AHL rehab was not going great before the wrist injury....

can he just fit right in the SC finals on the road.....seems he would also see limited minutes....appears to be high risk low reward to me
- bogiedoc

Probably was a bit tentative because of the knee, which by now must be completely healed, and makes him a bit more confident.

Agreed just saying he isnt automatic right now.
- mrpaulish

Just so he's never automatic to ever lace 'em up again.

As of now KT is not automatic . Hawks would have to petition for his name to be added or he has to make the game roster for 1 Final game.
- mrpaulish

because of who he is, you would assume the NHL would grant that.

Agreed on the speed comment.

The only way I see him on the ice is in a Game 4 scenario where the Hawks can clinch. And only then because Q wants KT to be able to hold the Cup. It's one thing to get your name on it but it's another to skate around with it raised over your head.

All that being said, the Hawks won't be up 3-0 and Q wouldn't go that route because playing a lesser player "just because we want him on the ice to hoist the Cup" is A, bad luck, and B, somewhat disrespectful to the game. The Hockey Gods would not view that positively.
- DMCsPulledHammy

Clinching game. To 4 d man gets hurt. KT has to play real mins. Game lost over sentimental drivel. Let KT dress and come out to carry the cup (if it happens) after it is won like Jammer did.

I hate talk of clinching. This is a great Tampa team with an incredible leader in Stamkos. They are battlers and deserve serious respect.

Agreed just saying he isnt automatic right now.
- mrpaulish

When the Hawks win it, Timonen's name will be on there. I guess you can consider that "automatic."

Just so he's never automatic to ever lace 'em up again.
- blackhawk24

The rule is 41 regular season games or 1 SC final game. The Hawks could petition the league and get his name on the cup, just like they did with Jamal Meyers.
- Tanuki

Thanks T. Didn't know that. A petition will be far easier than watching him play again.

No he is definitely Cup eligible, but my point was to have him actually out there on the ice and not hidden away. Again, just me having some wishful thinking for the old vet
- BURDA13

Hide him. Far, far away.

I respect his career. The more his play this year is minimized the better it will be for his legacy.

Not to mention what it shows the future college FAs

They can point at TVR and say "look, we signed him as a college FA, we had roster room, like we do now. We played him and he won a cup as a rookie"

Kids would bust through their zipper trying to sign fast enough
- FourFeathers773

Excellent point. Not sure that is the purpose but it would be a great thing to say to Reilly.

RangerDanger is spitting on Hawks fans over hating Hayes but wanting Reilly on Cordell's thread. He is very bitter. It is delicious.

When the Hawks win it, Timonen's name will be on there. I guess you can consider that "automatic."
- EKolb13

From Wilson's blog....

http://www.todaysslapshot...ead-to-more-offer-sheets/

Player agent Steve Bartlett was on Buffalo’s WGR 550 on Thursday morning.

On how compensation for offer sheets has been reduced to a certain degree, and if he thinks there will more action in that market for restricted free agents:

“Well, as I said way back when the Vanek one kind of broke through that barrier, I think the biggest disincentive in years past were that teams just figured everybody was going to match. But the reality is the tighter the cap, the tighter teams are against the cap, it does open up more and more opportunity for a player to get an offer sheet and the team, no matter how much they would like to keep him, will not be in a position to match.

“So if I was guessing, I don’t think there’s going to be a huge explosion of them, but I think there may be more and more situations where a player with a team who can’t afford to even pay him what would be considered reasonable market value may have to turn to hoping he can get an offer sheet in order to get that because his own existing team can’t afford to match or meet the offer that he may get.”

Source: WGR 550/ Transcript: Nichols

The source is an agent. I'm sure he hopes it will happen.

Wilson adds.... Chicago looks like a team that is vulnerable on the surface but they aren’t. They have moveable assets, namely Patrick Sharp, that will create the much needed space for Brandon Saad. Brandon Saad will be a Chicago Blackhawk for a long time, end of story.

I think Wilson and JJ are probably the best bloggers on HB.

If the hawks go up 3-0 maybe we him get time over a 12th FWD.

Let 23/29 sit and roll 7 d-men so KT can finish his career on ice. It would be a nice touch...

but that said... if we arent up 3-0 or 3-1, i doubt he is on ice.
- gnosox1986

People - I swear I'm not superstitious, and it's fun to dream of a sweep, but let's not jinx the Hawks with these dreams.

Tampa is a VERY good team, and even if Chicago wins Saturday, Tampa can still come back and take both games at the United Center even when Q gets the last change. It's going to be a battle the whole way, and the Hawks have defied all of my expectations this year, but it's no guarantee they will win the Cup.

The talk about Kimmo... why in hell would Q do anything that decreases his chance to win? If it's 3-0, go for the sweep. It it's 3-1, close it out in Tampa Bay. There will still be a parade back in Chicago either way, even though we are all (naturally) dreaming about seeing the boys lift the Cup at home in Game 4 or 6.

Clinching game. To 4 d man gets hurt. KT has to play real mins. Game lost over sentimental drivel. Let KT dress and come out to carry the cup (if it happens) after it is won like Jammer did.

I hate talk of clinching. This is a great Tampa team with an incredible leader in Stamkos. They are battlers and deserve serious respect.
- tredbrta

Ditto. Just laying out a scenario that probably won't happen.

From Wilson's blog....

http://www.todaysslapshot...ead-to-more-offer-sheets/




The source is an agent. I'm sure he hopes it will happen.

Wilson adds.... Chicago looks like a team that is vulnerable on the surface but they aren’t. They have moveable assets, namely Patrick Sharp, that will create the much needed space for Brandon Saad. Brandon Saad will be a Chicago Blackhawk for a long time, end of story.

I think Wilson and JJ are probably the best bloggers on HB.
- tredbrta

Hawks no-movement group (Barring a ridiculous return)
-Toews
-Kane
-Keith
-Hammer
-Saad
-Seabrook

Anyone else, even Hossa, should be on the table during trade talks this summer. Saad is explosive, big, and young. No chance Stan lets him walk. Also, I think we can expect the Regular Season top-6 put back together and I think putting HossBoss back with 19-20 will give Hedman-Stralman more trouble on the cycle with another bigger body.

I do worry about Versteeg-Richards-Kane defensiveley against either Stamkos' or Johnson's line so we shall see how Q decides to go in game 2 without controlling the matchups....

Excellent point. Not sure that is the purpose but it would be a great thing to say to Reilly.

RangerDanger is spitting on Hawks fans over hating Hayes but wanting Reilly on Cordell's thread. He is very bitter. It is delicious.
- tredbrta

if you're a Hawks fan and support them on this site, better do it when he is taking a poo cuz he will let you hear it if he reads it.

Guys a scrub.

if you're a Hawks fan and support them on this site, better do it when he is taking a poo cuz he will let you hear it if he reads it.

Guys a scrub.
- otiscleetus

From Wilson's blog....

http://www.todaysslapshot...ead-to-more-offer-sheets/




The source is an agent. I'm sure he hopes it will happen.

Wilson adds.... Chicago looks like a team that is vulnerable on the surface but they aren’t. They have moveable assets, namely Patrick Sharp, that will create the much needed space for Brandon Saad. Brandon Saad will be a Chicago Blackhawk for a long time, end of story.

I think Wilson and JJ are probably the best bloggers on HB.
- tredbrta

I noted this at the end of the last blog:

The Hawks not only need to account for Toews/Kane/Saad/Kruger increases, but they also have to account for being about $3MM over next year's estimated cap of $71MM TODAY - because of the Kane LTIR allowing them to get Vermette, Desjardins, Timmonen, they are over THIS year's cap by almost $5MM.

So - they have to drop to allow for:

Kane and Toews - $8.5MM
Saad - $3MM (?)
Kruger - $1MM (?)
Cap excess - $3MM

That's $15MM net of replacement salaries.

Richards, Timmonen, Vermette gets you about $5MM, net.
Sharp nets you $5MM.
Oduya gets you $2.5MM net (I don't see how they can have him coming back).
Versteeg gets you $1.5MM net.

That's about $14MM in savings.

And if the players don't approve the escalator....

People - I swear I'm not superstitious, and it's fun to dream of a sweep, but let's not jinx the Hawks with these dreams.

Tampa is a VERY good team, and even if Chicago wins Saturday, Tampa can still come back and take both games at the United Center even when Q gets the last change. It's going to be a battle the whole way, and the Hawks have defied all of my expectations this year, but it's no guarantee they will win the Cup.

The talk about Kimmo... why in hell would Q do anything that decreases his chance to win? If it's 3-0, go for the sweep. It it's 3-1, close it out in Tampa Bay. There will still be a parade back in Chicago either way, even though we are all (naturally) dreaming about seeing the boys lift the Cup at home in Game 4 or 6.
- DMChi2010

No matter what is written on this blog by JJ or anyone else commenting, has ZERO effect how the players will play the game or Q strategy

I noted this at the end of the last blog:

The Hawks not only need to account for Toews/Kane/Saad/Kruger increases, but they also have to account for being about $3MM over next year's estimated cap of $71MM TODAY - because of the Kane LTIR allowing them to get Vermette, Desjardins, Timmonen, they are over THIS year's cap by almost $5MM.

So - they have to drop to allow for:

Kane and Toews - $8.5MM
Saad - $3MM (?)
Kruger - $1MM (?)
Cap excess - $3MM

That's $15MM net of replacement salaries.

Richards, Timmonen, Vermette gets you about $5MM, net.
Sharp nets you $5MM.
Oduya gets you $2.5MM net (I don't see how they can have him coming back).
Versteeg gets you $1.5MM net.

That's about $14MM in savings.

And if the players don't approve the escalator....
- StLBravesFan

Add Bickell to the outgoing, keep Versteeg and Desi, add about 4 AHL guys and you are there.

Excellent point. Not sure that is the purpose but it would be a great thing to say to Reilly.

RangerDanger is spitting on Hawks fans over hating Hayes but wanting Reilly on Cordell's thread. He is very bitter. It is delicious.
- tredbrta

I dont think RangerDanger is that bad

Tomburton, PeteV, Slimtj, and jimbro are the ones who are the over top bad homers. You listen to them and they make it sound like no other team belongs playing in the same league as the rangers

I can have good hockey talk with RangerDanger

F ing grow up!!
- meyrman

- carcus

Hey, he's on your team