Chris Hine ‏@ChristopherHine 3m3 minutes ago
One of my big takeaways from today (1/2). Fans are crying out for 4th D-man, but Hawks seem satisfied w/ where they're at on the blue line.
- pdx2ord

Fans are always right!

Anyone have a link to the presser?

Figured this type move might be a good way for Stan to fix depth. Seems like a smart move...given the options. One imperfect prospect for another, yet both teams filling needs
- grinder10

Hell no on someone else whose going to languish on the Hogs until he is "ready". McNeil is ready to be a Hawk per almost everyone whose seen him. The guy hits hard, can score (2nd on the Hogs currently), sticks up for teammates, and has heart. All the things the Hawks NEED next year!!! I'll be pissed if he is traded this off-season.

Hell no on someone else whose going to languish on the Hogs until he is "ready". McNeil is ready to be a Hawk per almost everyone whose seen him. The guy hits hard, can score (2nd on the Hogs currently), sticks up for teammates, and has heart. All the things the Hawks NEED next year!!! I'll be pissed if he is traded this off-season.
- Murph76

Congrats on acquiring Ron Hainsey

Norell, Dahlstrom, and maybe Forsling are likely the Swedish D-men Stan is referring to.

Forsling and Dahlstrom played on the same team in Linkopings

Dahlstrom 50 games 1G 7A +11 14 PIM
Forsling 48 Games 6G 15A +21 4 PIM

That Forsling deal will likely turn out to be the biggest steal of Stan Bowman's career as a GM. The kid is the real deal. Wonder if he would be ready for next season. Likely not, but he is a future top 3/4 D the Hawks will need.

Robin Norell played for Djurgardens IF.

51 games 2G 6A +1 16 PIM

Played 8 games for Rockford and had 2 assists with a +4 rating.

Congrats on acquiring Ron Hainsey
- BINGO!

Um ...huh? Hainsey is 35 (McNeil is in his early 20's), puts up subpar #'s (McNeil has 23 goals and 21 assists) and makes 3mil (McNeil is at 832k). This comment is ridiculous

Hell no on someone else whose going to languish on the Hogs until he is "ready". McNeil is ready to be a Hawk per almost everyone whose seen him. The guy hits hard, can score (2nd on the Hogs currently), sticks up for teammates, and has heart. All the things the Hawks NEED next year!!! I'll be pissed if he is traded this off-season.
- Murph76

I really want to see more of McNeil. How many games has he suited up for?

Big build, two way player. What are your thoughts EK?

Um ...huh? Hainsey is 35 (McNeil is in his early 20's), puts up subpar #'s (McNeil has 23 goals and 21 assists) and makes 3mil 9 (McNeil is at 832k). This comment is ridiculous
- Murph76

He's good at those I hope your assessment of McNeil is accurate bc Hawks need bodies for the bottom 6 this upcoming season. He didn't do much in his 1 game audition this year, but didn't look out of place either. Looks to be a decent 4th liner at worst in the NHL.

He's good at those I hope your assessment of McNeil is accurate bc Hawks need bodies for the bottom 6 this upcoming season. He didn't do much in his 1 game audition this year, but didn't look out of place either. Looks to be a decent 4th liner at worst in the NHL.
- EnzoD

Me too Enzo...me too.

Me too Enzo...me too. I hope he slots into the 3rd line, seems like he might be a good fit there.
- Murph76

Better as a C or winger?

I really want to see more of McNeil. How many games has he suited up for?

Big build, two way player. What are your thoughts EK?
- kinigitt

1 to my knowledge, absolutely NO idea why he was not given a longer audition. I believe Ek is somewhat of a fan as well.

Um ...huh? Hainsey is 35 (McNeil is in his early 20's), puts up subpar #'s (McNeil has 23 goals and 21 assists) and makes 3mil (McNeil is at 832k). This comment is ridiculous
- Murph76

That is the point, sir.

Better as a C or winger?
- kinigitt

He's a Center Move Kruger to 3C and maybe slot him in as our 4c?

That is the point, sir.
- BINGO!

Ah, some Wednesday afternoon comedic relief then

where's my buddy simplejack? wonder if he's still clamoring there aren't cap issues....because even players are admitting it...........

Shaw on his future: "I want to be back here and I think they want me back. A lot of cap issues... Just got to be patient and wait for it."

But hey, what does Shaw know...........

The 2 most intriguing things I took away from this press conference today are:

1. Teuvo.

Q saying he wasn't please with his inconsistency all year and not taking advantage of the opportunities.
Bowman saying Teuvo did everything that was asked to do for a young player.

Sounds like some different trains of thought here........

2. Shaw

Bowman saying they would like him back but wouldn't talk further about it.
q calling him irreplaceable.

As stated here before, his versatility is what Q loves most. Guy can slide into wing or center and you don't lose a beat. Knows his role...team guy, and most important can play and produce with highly skilled guys OR lower skilled guys and is a gamer.

If people can't see the disconnect here, I dont' know what else to type........

The 2 most intriguing things I took away from this press conference today are:

1. Teuvo.

Q saying he wasn't please with his inconsistency all year and not taking advantage of the opportunities.
Bowman saying Teuvo did everything that was asked to do for a young player.

Sounds like some different trains of thought here........

2. Shaw

Bowman saying they would like him back but wouldn't talk further about it.
q calling him irreplaceable.

As stated here before, his versatility is what Q loves most. Guy can slide into wing or center and you don't lose a beat. Knows his role...team guy, and most important can play and produce with highly skilled guys OR lower skilled guys and is a gamer.

If people can't see the disconnect here, I dont' know what else to type........
- SteveRain

Appears to me with the Rundblad resigning and his insistence on TT being in the future plans, that StanBo has a hard time admitting his analysis of a player was wrong. Clear to any paid NHL scout or casual NHL fan that David Rundblad didn't belong on NHL ice, yet, signed for 2 more years. TT was passed by everyone until 19 bc scouts and GMs all saw what we have been seeing for the last 2+years...a boy with skill and ZERO grit. What good is a player if his only positive impact on the game is with the puck on his stick in open ice?? Not much good, IMO.

Hell no on someone else whose going to languish on the Hogs until he is "ready". McNeil is ready to be a Hawk per almost everyone whose seen him. The guy hits hard, can score (2nd on the Hogs currently), sticks up for teammates, and has heart. All the things the Hawks NEED next year!!! I'll be pissed if he is traded this off-season.
- Murph76

Understood Murph.

I tried to be deliberate (and apparently failed) with my wording in that it doesn’t have to be McNeil or a specific guy, just that it makes sense for the Hawks to trade one guy on the cusp of ‘graduating’ but no room for another guy in a similar situation but in a position of need…like defense. Could be McNeil, Hartman or whomever—don’t know. But doing so makes sense in correcting some depth issues.

I agree that McNeil could fill some squares for the Hawks if they are satisfied with him—which I don’t know. His incentive/bonus-laden contract may not have helped him much in getting a look with the big club. His size could help, as I think the Hawks likely need a little more (providing they can skate & play Q’s way) as the NHL seems to be regressing toward more clutch & grab and WWE crap.

The 2 most intriguing things I took away from this press conference today are:

1. Teuvo.

Q saying he wasn't please with his inconsistency all year and not taking advantage of the opportunities.
Bowman saying Teuvo did everything that was asked to do for a young player.

Sounds like some different trains of thought here........

2. Shaw

Bowman saying they would like him back but wouldn't talk further about it.
q calling him irreplaceable.

As stated here before, his versatility is what Q loves most. Guy can slide into wing or center and you don't lose a beat. Knows his role...team guy, and most important can play and produce with highly skilled guys OR lower skilled guys and is a gamer.

If people can't see the disconnect here, I dont' know what else to type........
- SteveRain

Let's try it this way:

Q: Wow, look at that sunshine. I love the weather today here in Chicago.

StanBo: You know, the April showers we are seeing today are making the day a little less enjoyable.

JJ,

Your blogs are the main reason I come to this site. I only wish STL had a blogger half as good and committed as you. Great series between 2 bitter rivals. Hopefully the Blues won't have a letdown in the 2nd round. Enjoy your offseason and look forward to reading your blogs next season.
- hockeydood

Thank you my dood, Jammer's a good bloke, just stay on him about cranking em out regularly

Vesey is far and away the TOP NCAA free agent with Drake Cagguila behind him. I know we are after Cagguila and it was speculated that Vesey would look at us but he cannot do anything till Aug 15th.

in regard to EURO D free agents:

Linus Hultström, 23 5-11 181(R) SHL had 31 pts 52 games and 12 pts in 8 playoff games.

rumored to be signing with FL but looks like he is weighing his options

Hultström is an offensive defenseman with a good point shot. Excels on the powerplay and likes to join the rush. Skilled passer and overall a creative and smart defenseman. Defensively, there is room for improvement. (EP 2015) - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Fc6z4-zOI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03kEdq48pbc

The Penguins have signed free-agent defenseman Lukas Bengtsson to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Lukas Bengtsson, 22, had seven goals and seven assists in 30 regular-season games with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League in 2015-16, then added two goals and five assists in 12 playoff games.

Michal Kempny 25 6-0 194 (L) 21pts/59 4/11 in KHL

Nikita Zaitsev 24 6-2 196 (R) KHL 26/46 13/20-rumored to be signing with Toronto.
- kmw4631

I'd be happy if Stan signed either one.

Understood Murph.

I tried to be deliberate (and apparently failed) with my wording in that it doesn’t have to be McNeil or a specific guy, just that it makes sense for the Hawks to trade one guy on the cusp of ‘graduating’ but no room for another guy in a similar situation but in a position of need…like defense. Could be McNeil, Hartman or whomever—don’t know. But doing so makes sense in correcting some depth issues.

I agree that McNeil could fill some squares for the Hawks if they are satisfied with him—which I don’t know. His incentive/bonus-laden contract may not have helped him much in getting a look with the big club. His size could help, as I think the Hawks made need a little more (providing they can skate & play Q’s way) as the NHL seems to be regressing toward more clutch & grab and WWE crap.
- grinder10

Ah, gotcha Grinder...and apologize if there was any misunderstanding. Honestly, McNeil is the the one guy I really don't want them to part with and hope makes the big club next year. They should have had him up instead of that trainwreck Mashinter.

I'd be happy if Stan signed either one.
- DarthKane

StanBo: Hey Jimmy its Stan Bowman. How would you like to play on a line with Toews and Kane AND be adored by millions of die-hard Hawks fanatics with 300+ consecutive sellout crowds and a chance to play for the Cup every year?

Vesey: Where do I sign!?

TT...the same age...his first full season with the hawks (essentially a rookie) same output as Fabbri around 40 points in the same number of games..

BUT its time to throw TT overboard...and this does nothing to resolve the cap problems. yeah he is not the a physical mix it up guy but talent like his can still find a place in this league and excel....will he I don't know and nobody else does here either..
- bogiedoc

I don't think it is a question of blame or scapegoating or get rid of this guy or that guy as addition by subtraction.

Insanity, however, is doing something the same way over and over again and expecting a different result.

If, as expected, the Hawks are fairly close or hard up against the cap, what do they do? Just get rid of the "worst" guy and expect to get Bobby Orr in return?

They have no Marko Danos left to trade. The farm is stripped. You can't deal Hossa, Kruger DOES have a NTC next year according to General Fanager (FWIW). And even if he didn't, there is almost no way they deal a guy after just signing a new deal with him.

I still maintain, unless they really luck out and unearth a d-man overseas, they will likely have to cut some salary somehow (either in a trade or a buyout) and possibly deal one of a small handful of NHL assets that have value to another team. That's where TT's name comes in.

Appears to me with the Rundblad resigning and his insistence on TT being in the future plans, that StanBo has a hard time admitting his analysis of a player was wrong. Clear to any paid NHL scout or casual NHL fan that David Rundblad didn't belong on NHL ice, yet, signed for 2 more years. TT was passed by everyone until 19 bc scouts and GMs all saw what we have been seeing for the last 2+years...a boy with skill and ZERO grit. What good is a player if his only positive impact on the game is with the puck on his stick in open ice?? Not much good, IMO.
- EnzoD

Yeah I agree....it's tough to fathom how many people just can realistically look at this roster, the pending UFAs/RFAs, the cap situation and still believe just because with rest things are going to be entirely different next year. yet, I am singled out for being too hard or too negative or whatever buzz word comes to mind.

Yet you read ACTUAL player quotes talking about how hard of a year it was because the bottom 6 was constantly shuffled with rookies, trades, etc and chemistry was never formed. Well what the hell do people on this board think is going to change that next year when you have to implant a lot of guys making NHL debuts, etc? It's going to be tough and frustrating for the core to absorb...again.

That's the bottom line. I could give 2 qs what people think about my posts, but when those posts are then backed up with player quotes, etc maybe those leaving in a fictional world need to come to grips with reality. Are the Hawks going to be a playoff team? Of course. Will they realistically have a shot at a 4th cup in this run? Probably not.

The bottom line is they have 69 million tied to 17 guys including overages, bonuses, retained salary. Your cap number will fall between 71 and 74. As john and many of us others have routinely pointed out shipping out Bickell wont' be easy and if you buy him out, you are still looking at a very similar cap issue next summer If Shaw takes a bridge deal AND Panarin will need to be resigned and if he duplicates this season his same bonuses will hit and his AAV for the following year could be as much as 5-6 million.

Now it's time sit back and wait for the cap number to be finalized the draft to hit. Draft only exciting for us in the sense of Hawks trades since picks are miniscule.

I don't envy Bowman's spot but he has a LOT of tough calls to make and his priority 1 is trying to free up cap room ASAP and see if Bickell for 1 year with a cherry and minimal retained salary is something that is doable. Otherwise he has to go to Wirtz and admit wrong doing and get authorization to buy him out.

Let the fun begin........