Igor Eronko @IgorEronko

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

DING DING DING

A winner. I knew this would come to pass.

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

How are we affording Brian Campbell? The guy is still providing decent offense (top 50 of NHL D) and was the top minute man for Florida on the blueline. I get that he is 36 and not at his peak, but there are teams that will greatly outbid what Chicago can afford.

I also don't see how you spend money on a D like that and then leave the holes up front. This team badly needs a top 6 LW and some help for the third line and I don't think we can just hope Kane contributes to 45% of the offensive production of the entire team again. Campbell is a nice D for what he is, I just really think he is out reach.

Hopefully signing Kempny means the Hawks can get rid of Gustafsson - he can join his fellow booger eater Leddy in NY

How are we affording Brian Campbell? The guy is still providing decent offense (top 50 of NHL D) and was the top minute man for Florida on the blueline. I get that he is 36 and not at his peak, but there are teams that will greatly outbid what Chicago can afford.

I also don't see how you spend money on a D like that and then leave the holes up front. This team badly needs a top 6 LW and some help for the third line and I don't think we can just hope Kane contributes to 45% of the offensive production of the entire team again. Campbell is a nice D for what he is, I just really think he is out reach.
- breadbag

Panarin has been playing with his old teammates in the tournament, Shipachyov and Dadonov, and they both are UFA's who have stated their interest in playing in the NHL this year. Maybe he can sell one of them to join him on the Hawks.

Soupy essentially said on the D Kaplan show, if you have made enough money you have the luxury of telling your agent this is where I want to play, even if it is for less money. He has stated he would love to come back, so I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility...

Hopefully signing Kempny means the Hawks can get rid of Gustafsson - he can join his fellow booger eater Leddy in NY
- PatShart

I don't care if he eats paste like a 1st grader if he can log 25 minutes/game, run the PP, skate it out of trouble or make an accurate breakout pass, and be a driver of possession while putting up 40 points a year. That is a guy that has value on ANY NHL team, regardless his eating habits.

Hopefully signing Kempny means the Hawks can get rid of Gustafsson - he can join his fellow booger eater Leddy in NY
- PatShart

I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard. This will make me much happier when I teach again 9th period! Thanks!

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.
- savvyone-1

I hate to reign on the Stan bashing parade, but don't forget who brought Leddy to the Blackhawks, for Cam Barker...

Panarin has been playing with his old teammates in the tournament, Shipachyov and Dadonov, and they both are UFA's who have stated their interest in playing in the NHL this year. Maybe he can sell one of them to join him on the Hawks.

Soupy essentially said on the D Kaplan show, if you have made enough money you have the luxury of telling your agent this is where I want to play, even if it is for less money. He has stated he would love to come back, so I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility...
- Sundevil

I agree on Campbell as an option but he will likely stay in Florida and give it another shot at a deep playoff run with that young group, IMO. As for Panarin's Blackhawks Sales Pitch, I believe he was quoted as saying that he would NOT be trying to convince any KHL/Euro UFAs to sign with the Hawks bc "they have to do their own thing", or something to that extent.

Panarin has been playing with his old teammates in the tournament, Shipachyov and Dadonov, and they both are UFA's who have stated their interest in playing in the NHL this year. Maybe he can sell one of them to join him on the Hawks.

Soupy essentially said on the D Kaplan show, if you have made enough money you have the luxury of telling your agent this is where I want to play, even if it is for less money. He has stated he would love to come back, so let's not rule it out as a possibility...
- Sundevil

Campbell coming back is not impossible if he wants to take a decent sized pay cut to return to Chicago. The key as it is for every single Hawks' offseason scenario is getting rid of Bickell. If the Hawks are able to get rid of the entire $4M somehow (by adding whatever they need to), it wouldn't be impossible to sign Campbell for around $2.5-3M or so.

What would happen with Shaw at that point would remain to be seen, but it is one avenue the Hawks could decide to explore (bring in 4D at $3M or so and deal Shaw). Again, all comes down to how much of Bickell's $4M they can get rid of.

Panarin has been playing with his old teammates in the tournament, Shipachyov and Dadonov, and they both are UFA's who have stated their interest in playing in the NHL this year. Maybe he can sell one of them to join him on the Hawks.

Soupy essentially said on the D Kaplan show, if you have made enough money you have the luxury of telling your agent this is where I want to play, even if it is for less money. He has stated he would love to come back, so I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility...
- Sundevil

I think there is still a big difference between less money and what the Hawks can afford. He would have to be cool with coming for "a lot less money". I wouldn't bank on it.

I hate to reign on the Stan bashing parade, but don't forget who brought Leddy to the Blackhawks, for Cam Barker...
- LaheysBRandy

That move really is no longer relevant. The value in making a good move (like Barker for Leddy) is to actually BENEFIT from it. We ended up giving Leddy away for mostly trash. So in essence, the good move made really doesn't matter.

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.
- Al

I am not saying, or accusing, they set it up. If Kane were not injured and put on LTIR, other salary moves would be needed to get Vermette in and under the cap. Desi could happen either way since SJ retained some of his salary while taking on all of Smith's.

What I am forecasting is the salary cap will carry through the playoffs when the next CBA is written.

I think there is still a big difference between less money and what the Hawks can afford. He would have to be cool with coming for "a lot less money". I wouldn't bank on it.
- breadbag

Lets see how things shake out, maybe the money will become available...if the Hawks believe moving into next year with kids, castoffs, prospects and rejects is the way to go then god help their delusions.

That move really is no longer relevant. The value in making a good move (like Barker for Leddy) is to actually BENEFIT from it. We ended up giving Leddy away for mostly trash. So in essence, the good move made really doesn't matter.
- kwolf68

It's relevant because after that move, then won these two things called Stanley Cups that apparently are taken for granted by Chicago while others actually appreciate how hard they are to win just one.

And they won one after by getting rid of the mouth breather and keeping Oduya - the much better choice.

That move really is no longer relevant. The value in making a good move (like Barker for Leddy) is to actually BENEFIT from it. We ended up giving Leddy away for mostly trash. So in essence, the good move made really doesn't matter.
- kwolf68

We got a lot of good hockey out of Leddy while he was here, I don't think you can discount that. Those 4 years with the Hawks made it a good trade in itself and the Hawks definitely benefited from it.

It's relevant because after that move, then won these two things called Stanley Cups that apparently are taken for granted by Chicago while others actually appreciate how hard they are to win just one.

And they won one after by getting rid of the mouth breather and keeping Oduya - the much better choice.
- PatShart

They won a single Cup without Leddy and they gave away a 25minute a night top 4 OFD (at age 23) for a 2nd round bust with bricks in his skates. Also, could have easily kept Leddy over Bickell+Rosival who both had a negligible impact on the 2015 cup win. Stan could have found a dirt cheap bender to take runs at dmen like Bickell did in 2015.

We got a lot of good hockey out of Leddy while he was here, I don't think you can discount that. Those 4 years with the Hawks made it a good trade in itself and the Hawks definitely benefited from it.
- breadbag

Leddy did play some good hockey and as a 23 year old with his experience and value Bowman got raped on that deal when he traded him off. A player with Leddy's credentials should have yielded FAR more than an average prospect and a couple career AHLers.

Oh but lets keep with the meme...Stan's hands were tied.... maybe because HE tied them himself. WTF did he expect? Leddy's value to INCREASE the longer he waited? Dumb

They won a single Cup without Leddy and they gave away a 25minute a night top 4 OFD (at age 23) for a 2nd round bust with bricks in his skates. Also, could have easily kept Leddy over Bickell+Rosival who both had a negligible impact on the 2015 cup win. Stan could have found a dirt cheap bender to take runs at dmen like Bickell did in 2015.
- EnzoD

Bickell just got done actually helping the team win the second cup, while Leddy was a glorified #5 on this team - and was going to be that the following 2yrs on their way to their third cup. Weren't going to pay him what he wanted and didn't earn.

As far as the trade....win some, lose some. Hawks won another Cup after the trade with the cap space and keeping Oduya (the better and right choice), so I'd say it worked out pretty well for the Hawks.

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

That is pretty bold statement you have there. Is that foot speed and skating stride reasons you think so or what? Because it is not like TVR is the fastest or prettiest skater there but still Q has some serious man crush on him..

Lets see how things shake out, maybe the money will become available...if the Hawks believe moving into next year with kids, castoffs, prospects and rejects is the way to go then god help their delusions.
- kwolf68

I'm not saying it is impossible, but I wouldn't say it is likely. A lot of things would need to go right to fit Campbell in and address the needs of the team up front. I'd wait until we actually see the Cap # that comes out about 5-6 weeks.

Stan sent a pretty clear message I think when he said they will be looking for growth from within. I'm thinking his goal is to start the season with a bit of wriggle room for mid-season moves and the TDL.

Lets see how things shake out, maybe the money will become available...if the Hawks believe moving into next year with kids, castoffs, prospects and rejects is the way to go then god help their delusions.
- kwolf68

I would not be so pessimistic about next year. The FO has a lot of options. The signing of Kempny, which will likely be a two year ELC at or below $1MM/year, is a sign that the D can be put back together at a minimum of expense, leaving the final spot available for a big discount to a vet with something left in the tank, or the rooks like Svedberg/Gus only needing to fill one spot instead of two.

Once the D is patched up, you have X/Toews/Hossa, Panarin/AA/Kane, X/Kruger/X, X/Desi-Ras/X. If Shaw takes a one year QO at $2MM, and you can hold on to Panik for under $1.5MM, you still have Weise and Fleischmann as options (both of which made less than $1MM each), whatever may become of TT or Ladd (not likely), and the rest of the FA market to fill the holes with.

I just don't see them worrying beyond next season, focusing only on filling role player positions with cheap contracts to avoid requiring trades. Until expansion becomes more in focus it is really all owners can or should do.

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

From Stanley's lips to Kuc's ears.

I'm calling serious BS.

My 10 year old kid could make the team in theory. And he's almost the same size as Forsling. Rundblad could make the team. Rozy could make the team with one leg.

Getting very "wary" of the spin coming out of 1901 via their beat reporters and bloggers this summer. The Great Next Wave of Swedish Defensemen. Pffffffft.

I would love to be surprised. Experience and what I know of these guys tells me, none of them are difference makers or upgrades this year. Not even remotely close.

That move really is no longer relevant. The value in making a good move (like Barker for Leddy) is to actually BENEFIT from it. We ended up giving Leddy away for mostly trash. So in essence, the good move made really doesn't matter.
- kwolf68

Yeah, my point isn't really that the move matters to the team today, it's just that I believe Stan has done a great job of icing a team that can compete for the Cup every year over the last 6 years, and it is frustrating to see people bash him and the front office because the Blackhawks got KO'ed in a 1 goal game 7 to a team that is now the Cup favorite.

I think the Blackhawks had to get rid of Leddy, who was a bottom 6 dman and resident whipping boy when he was here, couldn't get great value because they decided to hold on to him fora cup run (although let's wait and see on Pokka), and then won a Cup the following year. It is just frustrating to see all of the complaining that goes on here when the Blackhawks continue to ice a solid team year after year.

Leddy did play some good hockey and as a 23 year old with his experience and value Bowman got raped on that deal when he traded him off. A player with Leddy's credentials should have yielded FAR more than an average prospect and a couple career AHLers.

Oh but lets keep with the meme...Stan's hands were tied.... maybe because HE tied them himself. WTF did he expect? Leddy's value to INCREASE the longer he waited? Dumb
- kwolf68

I'm not saying he got a good return trading Leddy, but the cost of Cam Barker for 4 years of Leddy was a great benefit for the team. Hawks won that trade in a huge way, even if they had lost Leddy for nothing.

I would not be so pessimistic about next year. The FO has a lot of options. The signing of Kempny, which will likely be a two year ELC at or below $1MM/year, is a sign that the D can be put back together at a minimum of expense, leaving the final spot available for a big discount to a vet with something left in the tank, or the rooks like Svedberg/Gus only needing to fill one spot instead of two.

Once the D is patched up, you have X/Toews/Hossa, Panarin/AA/Kane, X/Kruger/X, X/Desi-Ras/X. If Shaw takes a one year QO at $2MM, and you can hold on to Panik for under $1.5MM, you still have Weise and Fleischmann as options (both of which made less than $1MM each), whatever may become of TT or Ladd (not likely), and the rest of the FA market to fill the holes with.

I just don't see them worrying beyond next season, focusing only on filling role player positions with cheap contracts to avoid requiring trades. Until expansion becomes more in focus it is really all owners can or should do.
- Return of the Roar

If Panik wants more than 1mil - you wish him well on his way back to Europe