http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2016/4/28/11532742/blackhawks-among-teams-interested-sign-khl-defenseman-michal-kempny-nhl-rumors-2016

Second City Hockey ‏@2ndCityHockey 3m3 minutes ago View translation
#Blackhawks among teams 'in the mix' to sign KHL defenseman Michal Kempny, per report

Another tiny guy (especially for D)
- pdx2ord

He got 2 shots on net from the point without hitting a shin pad, sign him up

Leddy-sized. If this Russian can skate well (like Panarin), I'm all in. At that size, plenty able to add some muscle and a few lbs (205-ish) and be plenty hard to play against.
- savvyone-1

Still can't fathom why Zaitsev/Vesey and other top wingers or Dmen wouldn't come to Chicago over Toronto.

Leddy-sized. If this Russian can skate well (like Panarin), I'm all in. At that size, plenty able to add some muscle and a few lbs (205-ish) and be plenty hard to play against.
- savvyone-1

According to Dreger, there is a belief that Kempny could be a top 4 or top 5 defenceman in the NHL as early as next season. BTW he's Czech.

My question is, was he in this condition in previous games. He had a horrible series, getting beat to pucks in his own end, tons of turnovers, and didn't have much on his shot. IF he was this injured previously, it irritates the hell out of me. IF he was that injured, then why play him? As much as Q (and several others) didn't like his game, Erhoff was available (unless Reaves really did some damage on that shot behind the net). If Seabrook can't walk, then he has no business in a game.

I know my entire argument here is based on a hypothetical, but if this was the case it makes the whole thing even worse.
- Chunk

Here's another quote from the same person who reported it earlier. Since they were going after him, it's quite possible he was hurt much earlier in the series. But, given the Hawks' general unwillingness to share and/or admit to injuries, we'll never know.

According to Dreger, there is a belief that Kempny could be a top 4 or top 5 defenceman in the NHL as early as next season. BTW he's Czech.
- walleyeb1

Ah, very cool. Let's hope Rozy can talk up the Hawks as a defenseman's paradise.

Which amounts to Short Term Gain (2015 Cup) Versus Long Term Pain
- Colbyboy

THANK YOU!!! I think that the choice between Oduya and Leddy made in the summer of 2014 was absolutely the right one. Hawks were in "win now" mode.

It's not that Leddy doesn't have a high upside. I think a Leddy-Johns duo, in a few years, may be a poor man's version of Keith-Seabrook. Possibly a very poor man's version.

Can someone with knowledge on the subject give a summary on all the Hawks prospects that could be players in the next few years? Potential upside? Who they are like on the current team (or on past Hawks teams)? When is their possible arrival?

For instance, it sounds like Schmaltz and Motte are two potential top 9 or even top 6 forwards, but is that next year or 3 years down the road?

Can someone with knowledge on the subject give a summary on all the Hawks prospects that could be players in the next few years? Potential upside? Who they are like on the current team (or on past Hawks teams)? When is their possible arrival?

For instance, it sounds like Schmaltz and Motte are two potential top 9 or even top 6 forwards, but is that next year or 3 years down the road?
- DMChi2010

Schmaltz is a projected Top 6 play making winger with nice mitts and vision. Motte looks more bottom six 200' player but I haven't watched him as often as I've seen Schmaltz.

Leddy-sized. If this Russian can skate well (like Panarin), I'm all in. At that size, plenty able to add some muscle and a few lbs (205-ish) and be plenty hard to play against.
- savvyone-1

Until Q does his mind F on him and runs him out of town

I don't blame Stan for this years demise I blame Q. I think he had the talent provided to him and refused to play the players

I think Q thinks he is Coach Belicek of the NHL wanted some form of GM control and bumped heads with the front office all year to the detriment of the team.

Still don't know how many guys in Rockford were traded because Q stated he would never play them [IE Johns possibly]

Would really like to know what the players thought of his coaching this year

Who the Hawks hoped TT would eventually play like
- Sundevil

Bingo.

Take comfort Hawks fans...Ryan Pace just outbowmaned Bowman with a horrid move trading up for a bust...and gave up his first pick in the 4th for Shea Mac 2.0. Yikes.

Take comfort Hawks fans...Ryan Pace just outbowmaned Bowman with a horrid move trading up for a bust...and gave up his first pick in the 4th for Shea Mac 2.0. Yikes.
- DK002

Is that code for something?

Horrible play by Daley to lose the game

Can someone with knowledge on the subject give a summary on all the Hawks prospects that could be players in the next few years? Potential upside? Who they are like on the current team (or on past Hawks teams)? When is their possible arrival?

For instance, it sounds like Schmaltz and Motte are two potential top 9 or even top 6 forwards, but is that next year or 3 years down the road?
- DMChi2010

I saw Motte play for Rockford and think he has a ways to go before cracking the big club lineup

My guess is they sign Vesey and plug him in next to Toews

Daley turnover to Oshie for Caps OT Win

Still can't fathom why Zaitsev/Vesey and other top wingers or Dmen wouldn't come to Chicago over Toronto.
- EnzoD

Money and or playing time is my guess.

Daley turnover to Oshie for Caps OT Win
- EnzoD

He's no Gustafsson that's for sure

Money and or playing time is my guess.
- 93Joe

Don't these UFA's have to be on an Entry Level Contract salary structure? But with bonuses like how Panarin's deal was structured? As for playing time, Hawks roster has 4 +6 D holes and Top 6 Wing hole

Don't these UFA's have to be on an Entry Level Contract salary structure? But with bonuses like how Panarin's deal was structured? As for playing time, Hawks roster has 4 +6 D holes and Top 6 Wing hole
- EnzoD

I think you may be correct on the money aspect. I don't disagree with your second assertion. I guess what I was trying to get at is with Q and his trust factor. I should have clarified.

Got to like that Nashville's doing it on the cheap this year. (click on the image to enlarge)

Schmaltz is a projected Top 6 play making winger with nice mitts and vision. Motte looks more bottom six 200' player but I haven't watched him as often as I've seen Schmaltz.
- EnzoD

You see Schmaltz as top 6? Or others project him as top 6?

Daley turnover to Oshie for Caps OT Win
- EnzoD

Yep a joke play. Now Pens fans can back off.

Also, still trying to find WHY the love for Thom Wilson. What a joke that guy is. Did HE EVER touch the puck tonight? All he did was try to start poop with Malkin and then took a knee run at a 5'9 170 pound kid.

Wilson is a meathead and not a good hockey player either. It's bozos like this that make me miss Bob Probert. Wilson is a tool and a bully. At least Probie would go after people who may hit him back. Wilson is a fraud.

Yep a joke play. Now Pens fans can back off.

Also, still trying to find WHY the love for Thom Wilson. What a joke that guy is. Did HE EVER touch the puck tonight? All he did was try to start poop with Malkin and then took a knee run at a 5'9 170 pound kid.

Wilson is a meathead and not a good hockey player either. It's bozos like this that make me miss Bob Probert. Wilson is a tool and a bully. At least Probie would go after people who may hit him back. Wilson is a fraud.
- kwolf68

The more I have seen of Wilson this year, the more I think he is trying to go the way of Matt Cooke. Poor Matt. All that misplaced

The more I have seen of Wilson this year, the more I think he is trying to go the way of Matt Cooke. Poor Matt. All that misplaced
- Jason Millen

I wonder if Tom Wilson beat up kindergarten girls when he was in fourth grade? The guy sucks. I remember people wanting him in Chicago last summer. WHY? He never touched the puck. He stinks. and is an idiot. Connor Sheary? Really? taking a knee run at him? Good god...I hope this tool bag NEVER ends up in Chicago, he stinks.

Take comfort Hawks fans...Ryan Pace just outbowmaned Bowman with a horrid move trading up for a bust...and gave up his first pick in the 4th for Shea Mac 2.0. Yikes.
- DK002

I know this is off-topic, but Chicago sports ... what the heck.

I too was upset with the pick at first, but then I began to use my brain rather than my heart and my opinion was completely swayed.

Given the circumstances of the players available on the board, there wasn't much of a discrepancy in talent. Buckner falling would have been nice, but that wasn't likely. Tunsil was too much of a risk off-the-field, and Jack is on the verge of having to need major surgery which players usually don't recover from very well if I'm not mistaken. Other than that, what other talents were there for the taking at #9? It's evident that the Bears traded up BECAUSE they felt that the Giants were a threat to take Floyd at #10, one pick ahead of the Bears. And we all know the last time the Bears got sniped with a pick (Aaron Donald two years ago). Ryan Pace and co. wanted their guy, and they made sure they'd be able to get him by forking over a measly fourth round pick (the pick they got for Bennett) to move up. As a result, the Giants apparently panicked and took a corner (or so some reports say).

You can never have enough pass rushers in this league, and the Broncos showed exactly that this past season. Of all the pass rushing options the Bears do have, NONE of them are home-grown, and none of them are that young. Floyd gives the Bears a new dimension, and considering that the team already has pass rush depth with the likes of McPhee, Houston, and Young, there shouldn't be too much pressure on Floyd to perform in his rookie season. I'm sure he'll be used in a situational role and will be eased in with his transition. He's still raw, so it's okay, but the talent is obviously there and oozing. A good defense starts and ends with the front-seven, and getting to the quarterback is the most important part. The Bears are attempting to shore up their linebackers, which was the biggest flaw in the team last season, and Pace has done a nice job completely revamping that aspect of the team.

Looking forward to tomorrow, there is still considerable depth along the d-line left, and the Bears should use their second round pick to add a defensive end to compliment Hicks. If Pace succeeds in this, I will give him full marks for his draft. He had a strong draft last year, and White didn't even play. I'm confident that him and Fox know what they are doing and that they are building the roster the right way.

The new season can't get here soon enough. I'm itching to see how it all plays out and how the team performs with a much-improved linebacker corps leading the defense, and another year in their brand new systems under their belt.

I don't think we win a SB or anything this year, but the playoffs are a legitimate target.