Not going to happen and had no real influence on the Hawks winning the Cup...
Vermette would have been here anyway.
- Al

The roster who won the cup was over the [RS] cap. Trades were facilitated by Kane's LTIR status at the TDL.

The truth is, the Hawks could find a way to trade anyone on their roster. NMC, NTC, doesn't matter. For every guy who has been traded just after signing a new deal, there have been 50 traded in spite of a NMC or NTC.

But here's what it comes down to:

- The guy's profile and ability
- His cap hit
- The market for the player (AT HIS CAP HIT)
- How easily (or not) the Hawks can replace what he does and what that costs (or not)

I do think things like marketing, leadership, etc come into play with 19 and 88. Certain guys are just insane values: Keith, Hammer.

In the end, as I filter all of it through that, compare it against what I've heard, I will respectfully demur with Al, and say I don't think AA or Kruger are going anywhere. I think TT or CC very well could, and the chances of Shaw moving increase day by day.
- John Jaeckel

As you know I have always said NTC etc matter very little in the end except when an older vet is in the last year of his deal.

But what's different here is Crawford or Seabrook aren't going to be forced to go anywhere they don't want-It's similar to Sharp. Those players have won 3 Cups and have been good soldiers, so Bowman is limited again...Just like with Sharp.

If Shaw resigns then 2 of the 3 I mentioned could be gone.

I still say Bowman will look to role players first to move because the cap savings to trade a Seabrook and replace him with similar or same with Crawford isn't going to add up to much or any more than dealing the lesser names.

Also, don't be surprised if Shaw takes a friendly Kruger like deal...Shaw makes more money doing ad campaigns than anyone except Toews or Kane.

Kuc said he could make the team--call me a skeptic. A season from now would be impressive--this year...for a very young defenseman...very doubtful.

I do hope he's that good though.
- grinder10

It will be ugly then. I watched the kid play. NO I am not a hockey scout, but have a decent eye. He is not ready at all. In my mind, he's not even close to being ready, especially in his own end. Even on bigger ice against smaller players he struggles in his own zone, in board battles, I also caught him napping a couple times. I was NOT ready to anoint him a job in Chicago.

That said he's a damn fine skater, has terrific vision, puck control, does think the game fast. His style is a potential good fit in Chicago, but he's just a kid coming from Europe...he needs to taste those tasty forechecks coming from 210 pound bangers before I put him in the IndianHead.

The roster who won the cup was over the
- blackhawk24[RS] cap. Trades were facilitated by Kane's LTIR status at the TDL.

Your opinion...They didn't set it up so Kane could miss 6 weeks and have an operation.
They can't penalize a team for an injury....

Also, Vermette is here anyway, maybe Desi no, but they still were by far the best team considering they won using 4 dmen.

Hawks would of lost Niemi on waivers (probably)

Crawford was able to be sent down without risk .
- mrpaulish

You are 100% correct.

Igor Eronko @IgorEronko

Barry Smith told @rsportru #Blackhawks are very close to sign Czech D Michal Kempny #Avangard #KHL

Igor Eronko @IgorEronko

Barry Smith told @rsportru #Blackhawks are very close to sign Czech D Michal Kempny #Avangard #KHL
- jt19

I heard they have to wait for the WC tournament to be over with, before officially signing him (if they truly reached an agreement), is this true?

Igor Eronko @IgorEronko

Barry Smith told @rsportru #Blackhawks are very close to sign Czech D Michal Kempny #Avangard #KHL
- jt19

This guy is 25, so the maturity should be there. He also looks to be solidly built and from the little bit Ive seen on video the guy can shoot it. Still would love to find a way to add Soupy in the off-season KEEP the guys we have there...

A D-core of Seabs/Keith/Hammer/TVR/Soupy/Kempny/Gus/Sveddy is not half bad at all...that's not even considering Pokka or Forsling.

This guy is 25, so the maturity should be there. He also looks to be solidly built and from the little bit Ive seen on video the guy can shoot it. Still would love to find a way to add Soupy in the off-season KEEP the guys we have there...

A D-core of Seabs/Keith/Hammer/TVR/Soupy/Kempny/Gus/Sveddy is not half bad at all...that's not even considering Pokka or Forsling.
- kwolf68

Don't forget about Rozy!

This guy is 25, so the maturity should be there. He also looks to be solidly built and from the little bit Ive seen on video the guy can shoot it. Still would love to find a way to add Soupy in the off-season KEEP the guys we have there...

A D-core of Seabs/Keith/Hammer/TVR/Soupy/Kempny/Gus/Sveddy is not half bad at all...that's not even considering Pokka or Forsling.
- kwolf68

You can forget about Pokka.
That guy will never be NHL caliber D.

It will be ugly then. I watched the kid play. NO I am not a hockey scout, but have a decent eye. He is not ready at all. In my mind, he's not even close to being ready, especially in his own end. Even on bigger ice against smaller players he struggles in his own zone, in board battles, I also caught him napping a couple times. I was NOT ready to anoint him a job in Chicago.

That said he's a damn fine skater, has terrific vision, puck control, does think the game fast. His style is a potential good fit in Chicago, but he's just a kid coming from Europe...he needs to taste those tasty forechecks coming from 210 pound bangers before I put him in the IndianHead.
- kwolf68

His upside could be something like John Klingberg is now. Good offensive-minded dman with powerful shot, which might be his strongest single attribute. He was way better in his own end this year than last. In regular season he was +21 with Linkoping. Guess everyone has seen this but here is highlights from WJC´s 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3o56YbCbRs

Don't forget about Rozy!
- Dannyboy

You can forget about Pokka.
That guy will never be NHL caliber D.
- savvyone-1

Savvy. I am not high on Pokka either to be honest.

Don't forget about Rozy!
- Dannyboy

Now with 2 wheels, needing bearing replacements too?
Hmm, a 2-wheel shopping cart . . .

As you know I have always said NTC etc matter very little in the end except when an older vet is in the last year of his deal.

But what's different here is Crawford or Seabrook aren't going to be forced to go anywhere they don't want-It's similar to Sharp. Those players have won 3 Cups and have been good soldiers, so Bowman is limited again...Just like with Sharp.

If Shaw resigns then 2 of the 3 I mentioned could be gone.

I still say Bowman will look to role players first to move because the cap savings to trade a Seabrook and replace him with similar or same with Crawford isn't going to add up to much or any more than dealing the lesser names.

Also, don't be surprised if Shaw takes a friendly Kruger like deal...Shaw makes more money doing ad campaigns than anyone except Toews or Kane.
- Al

Al, I've looked at several sites (Crain's, Opendorse, etc.), and I don't see any appreciable marketing / endorsement income for Shaw. Anecdotally, I only recall seeing him in some of those BMO Harris ads.

According to Crain's, Blackhawk marketing income leaders:

Kane - $1,300,000
Toews - $1,200,000
Hossa - $150,000
Keith - $250,000
Crawford - $150,000

Compared to other sports, hockey players make almost nothing.

Savvy. I am not high on Pokka either to be honest.
- kwolf68

I guess you have to throw him into the mix because he is Chicago property. Just saying that foot speed, skating stride are not good at all. Stan made it sound/seem like we were getting back a star-in-the-making IIRC when he made a last-second launch of #8. Truth of the matter is, I think the guy is a fringe AHL player at best.

Al, I've looked at several sites (Crain's, Opendorse, etc.), and I don't see any appreciable marketing / endorsement income for Shaw. Anecdotally, I only recall seeing him in some of those BMO Harris ads.

According to Crain's, Blackhawk marketing income leaders:

Kane - $1,300,000
Toews - $1,200,000
Hossa - $150,000
Keith - $250,000
Crawford - $150,000

Compared to other sports, hockey players make almost nothing.
- StLBravesFan

Look at the gap in numbers from Toews/Kane and the other three...haha. That's wild.

I guess you have to throw him into the mix because he is Chicago property. Just saying that foot speed, skating stride are not good at all. Stan made it sound/seem like we were getting back a star-in-the-making IIRC when he made a last-second launch of #8. Truth of the matter is, I think the guy is a fringe AHL player at best.
- savvyone-1

Another dead horse trade. Pokka is all we got left from Leddy. They'll probably hang on for dear life with Pokka. Another 11th hour, here give us a 23 year old PowerPlay QB d-man and we'll send you some STUFF.

Igor Eronko @IgorEronko

Barry Smith told @rsportru #Blackhawks are very close to sign Czech D Michal Kempny #Avangard #KHL
- jt19

I have not caught a Czech game at the Worlds so I cant comment on Kempny. Is it possible he could slot in next to Hammer, Seabs or Keith and let TVR stabilize the 3rd pair this fall?? That would be ideal

I have not caught a Czech game at the Worlds so I cant comment on Kempny. Is it possible he could slot in next to Hammer, Seabs or Keith and let TVR stabilize the 3rd pair this fall?? That would be ideal
- EnzoD

Still completely unproven no matter the eye test. If they "HIT" on him maybe. If they don't, same ole' same ole'. Give me this kid and some Campbell's Soup and I'm happy as hell.

Still completely unproven no matter the eye test. If they "HIT" on him maybe. If they don't, same ole' same ole'. Give me this kid and some Campbell's Soup and I'm happy as hell.
- kwolf68

TVR on his natural RHD on pairing #3 and a guy like Campbell or maybe Kempny with one of the big 3 and all of sudden the Hawks defense depth isn't looking so terrible....depending on who slots in at #6D.

What I think would make sense is Mason plus, say, a 2nd round pick for Crawford.

Why I think it makes sense for the Flyers: they are a good team, with a GREAT young coach, a great young defenseman, a team on the rise.

If/WHEN the Flyers make the playoffs next year, their goaltending situation is SO much better to make a deep run with Crawford and Neuvirth versus what they have now, it's not even debatable man!

Sure, if the Flyers really think Neuvirth is THE GUY who can take them to the Promised Land, then it's not a great move.

But if they have any doubt, then the move makes some sense, maybe a lot of sense, because Corey Crawford IS that guy. The "great team in front of him" argument—which I used to champion right here—ended in 2014-15, when the Hawks defense started to show some cracks, Corsi For other teams went up, quality chances went up, Crawford SHINED. He really carried the team through much of that season, and despite a first round hiccup versus Nashville, he was lights out against Minnesota, Anaheim and especially Tampa. This year, were it not for the injury late in the season, he and Holtby were the only two locks as Vezina finalists. The Hawks defense was even worse this year. Across almost all statistical measures, yet Crawford had his best year.

You add $1.8 million in cap hit, true, but you swap out a guy who is just way to unreliable and really is at best a 1B—at best—for a legit top 5 goalie.

For the Hawks, it's a cap move.

So that's the rationale. Thanks for discussing it rationally. Cheers. I went to school in Pottstown, I know Norristown well, was just kidding.
- John Jaeckel

A potentially cheaper route both in cash and picks would be Reimer. The guy played extremely well for a terrible team, played even better when he moved to the Sharks. He's unrestricted and probably will cost 2.75-3.25/yr. The missing checkbox would be playoff success, that's a big one.

That being said, I still say you hold onto Crawford for as long as you can.

If Oduya could have waited for stan to sign him this year we may still be playing. If they sign kempny? and stay healthy we can build from inside. I can't believe stanco doesn't have a 1, 3, 5 year plan. The big variable is the cap. Why anyone thinks it's going up in this financial climate is beyond me.

Does anyone know if Rocky is a Pro-Bettman, or Anti-Bettman owner?

Another dead horse trade. Pokka is all we got left from Leddy. They'll probably hang on for dear life with Pokka. Another 11th hour, here give us a 23 year old PowerPlay QB d-man and we'll send you some STUFF.
- kwolf68

Truth kwolf, truth!

Sort of like Stan running up to the express check-out at the grocery store, seeing that pack of Blackjack Gum thinking, hmm, I like licorice so this ought to be good. Great idea but after a few sticks, not so great anymore. YMMV.