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

Czech media have been reporting for weeks he will play for a small contract to stay with the Hawks.

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.
- PatShart

$4mil to take runs at dmen and it cost you a pillar on defense for the next decade? Agree to disagree and past is the past, as you say. I'm very confident in one thing, if Stan had moved Rosi+Bickell after 2014 and signed Leddy to an extension, the Blackhawks are still playing right now. He barely resembles the #5D we saw in Chicago. I will repeat, he is the #1 D on a NY Islanders team that went to the 2nd round. Hawks have a soon to be Euro league Dman in exchange. These rehashing of old trades isnt productive and I'm over it (kinda), but diminishing Leddy's ability as a hockey player isn't productive either. Next topic please!

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.
- John Jaeckel

I think the FO knows this as well - prospects are just that. I think that is why they went after Kempny. They need a "today" guy.

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

Devil, as you know, there is talk. I just haven't heard it yet form the sources that indicate the Hawks are going in that direction. Yet.

Campbell on a sweetheart deal appeals to me and I'm sure Q a LOT more than any of the current or "proposed" options. Kempny? Meh, OK, add him in to the mix because he's probably not worse than Lurch or Gus. if he's OK-just solid—a la TVR, then add Campbell in, it is a much deeper and improved defense 1-6.

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.
- breadbag

I agree. But one thing people have to consider is the Hawks no longer are going to be able to do any TDL deals. They have emptied the system of elite-can't miss types. The only one left is probably Schmaltz.

The growth from within will probably be role playing wingers like Hartmann, Haggerty. They still have a HUGE question mark at L3-C, a 2nd line center who can't win faceoffs, the proverbial L1-LW challenge, need to sign 8 or 9 players with about 7 million dollars.

I think what we see today in Chicago is gonna change by the time the draft is over....A couple major players will be moved...WHO they are? Have no idea.

I think the FO knows this as well - prospects are just that. I think that is why they went after Kempny. They need a "today" guy.
- Return of the Roar

They need 2 of them IMO unless the one today guy they get is a legit Top 4 guy who can eat up big minutes all season.

$4mil to take runs at dmen and it cost you a pillar on defense for the next decade? Agree to disagree and past is the past, as you say. I'm very confident in one thing, if Stan had moved Rosi+Bickell after 2014 and signed Leddy to an extension, the Blackhawks are still playing right now. He barely resembles the #5D we saw in Chicago. I will repeat, he is the #1 D on a NY Islanders team that went to the 2nd round. Hawks have a soon to be Euro league Dman in exchange. These rehashing of old trades isnt productive and I'm over it (kinda), but diminishing Leddy's ability as a hockey player isn't productive either. Next topic please!
- EnzoD

While Leddy is NYI's Bobby Orr....he was CHI's Booby Orr. I'm with you as over it and all that...he was not going to be a top 4 here with who the Hawks had and I'm glad they chose Oduya over him at the time.

While Leddy is NYI's Bobby Orr....he was CHI's Booby Orr. I'm with you as over it and all that...he was not going to be a top 4 here with who the Hawks had and I'm glad they chose Oduya over him at the time.
- PatShart

One thing I do agree with you on, Oduya was the right choice and was perfect in Chicago. Better management of the Sharp mess (MOVE HIM SOONER) and Oduya is still in Chicago and we're possibly talking about a WCF matchup with the Sharks or Preds.

They need 2 of them IMO unless the one today guy they get is a legit Top 4 guy who can eat up big minutes all season.
- John Jaeckel

Yep. A guy like Schlemko, Polak, or Campbell in our dreams would be perfect.

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

Is it true Pokka's lack of skating ability will hold him back? or is it something with his blue line game?

One thing I do agree with you on, Oduya was the right choice and was perfect in Chicago. Better management of the Sharp mess (MOVE HIM SOONER) and Oduya is still in Chicago and we're possibly talking about a WCF matchup with the Sharks or Preds.
- kwolf68

I agree that Oduya is the one I really wanted back, and I'm sure they did too (based on the fact he waited so long to sign)

But until someone tells me what other solid offers the Hawks had for Sharp AND he would have agreed to go to said team, I won't criticize them moving/not moving him sooner for a "better" deal for the Hawks.

I'm really not trolling....I know most of this board hates the guy....but is there any snowball's chance in Hades that Runny starts the year with the big club? The separation of "quality" on the current roster of #6D-#8D is not huge.

For those who know more of the "behind the scenes" efforts of the Hawks roster, is it out of the question to expect DR to significantly improve this year? I know people question his instincts and reactions, but isn't being a D-man one of the longest learning curves for development? One would think that if he "bought in" and trained with some of the leaders (2/4/7) this summer, he might be a better fit than some of the other guys that we keep trotting out.

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

kwolf, do you recall the Sonny & Cher song "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves?"

I hear another Blackhawks theme song to go along with "The Legend of Davey Bolland" (sung to the tune of "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald").

I will give you co-writing credit too -- tentatively titled "Kids, Castoffs, Prospects and Rejects" and sung to the tune of "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves."

Now we just have to work on the lyrics but the title is a beaut in my world!

Devil, as you know, there is talk. I just haven't heard it yet form the sources that indicate the Hawks are going in that direction. Yet.

Campbell on a sweetheart deal appeals to me and I'm sure Q a LOT more than any of the current or "proposed" options. Kempny? Meh, OK, add him in to the mix because he's probably not worse than Lurch or Gus. if he's OK-just solid—a la TVR, then add Campbell in, it is a much deeper and improved defense 1-6.
- John Jaeckel

Appeals to me as well. Maybe what Campbell has in mind is a deal like Brad Richards signed last year. Richards signed because he wanted a chance to win the Cup and because the Hawks had a glaring hole at C so he knew he would have a defined role. This year, Campbell knows the Hawks have a glaring hole at 4D and he would have a defined role on a team that is still a Cup contender (and that's no offence to Florida, whose young team I like a lot, but I think if you polled 10 random NHL executives they'd tell you the Hawks are more a contender than Florida).

Keith/Seabrook
Campbell/Hammer
Kempny/TVR
Gus or Sved

is heck of a lot more solid than what the Hawks iced this last year.

Is it true Pokka's lack of skating ability will hold him back? or is it something with his blue line game?
- tompo1015

Actually Savvy hates his skating. I am not as down on Pokka's skating as he is. I think he skates well enough. I don't think he's that good in his own zone for having prototypical size. Seems to have PowerPlay potential, but solid offensive/soft in D zone seems to be what the Hawks like.

Yep. A guy like Schlemko, Polak, or Campbell in our dreams would be perfect.
- Return of the Roar

I would like to add Polak, but he will likely find a decent salary elsewhere. Would be a good 3rd pair dman. Schelmko still interests me. He played for cheap in NJ and had a decent season on a meh team. Brian Campell or Sami Vatanen with Hammer would be great also.

(Wakes up front dream)

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..
- MjulQvist

If you think TVR's foot speed and stride aren't good, you're in for some real fun. I'm telling you this guy is nothing more than AHL quality unless Stan really starts scraping the bottom of the barrel or has to sell off far more than any of us are predicting. Won't see a Blackhawk sweater on him.

I agree that Oduya is the one I really wanted back, and I'm sure they did too (based on the fact he waited so long to sign)

But until someone tells me what other solid offers the Hawks had for Sharp AND he would have agreed to go to said team, I won't criticize them moving/not moving him sooner for a "better" deal for the Hawks.
- PatShart

I have no basis in fact bc the only inside sources I have are the voices in my head, but given how the situation played out (especially with Sharp+Keith rumors last year), I'm guessing that Sharp vetoed at least 1 potential trade destination that may have been a better return for Stan.

kwolf, do you recall the Sonny & Cher song "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves?"

I hear another Blackhawks theme song to go along with "The Legend of Davey Bolland" (sung to the tune of "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald").

I will give you co-writing credit too -- tentatively titled "Kids, Castoffs, Prospects and Rejects" and sung to the tune of "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves."

Now we just have to work on the lyrics but the title is a beaut in my world!

- savvyone-1

LMAO

I agree that Oduya is the one I really wanted back, and I'm sure they did too (based on the fact he waited so long to sign)

But until someone tells me what other solid offers the Hawks had for Sharp AND he would have agreed to go to said team, I won't criticize them moving/not moving him sooner for a "better" deal for the Hawks.
- PatShart

Now who the hell is gonna tell you this? Bowman?

It's really common sense. Waiting to the last hour the price is invariably going to go down. That's just how business works. He did the same thing with Leddy, waited too long, got taken. I think past experiences we can infer the same happened with the Sharp trade. And rumors abound at the draft about Sharp moving.

When the franchise is finally a pile of rubble we can join around the campfire and sing "Stan had no choice". The freaking guy should be held accountable the exact same way people are holding Tazer and Seabs accountable. Why can we beat up Seabs and yet ole Stan can do anything and the spin doctors explain it all away? Bowman has SUCKED as a GM for a solid year now. I'll re-arrange that view should find a way to manage the current mess the team is in. Not holding my breath I expect to see Crawford and Schmaltz traded for garbage just to save 2 million on the cap

I thought the gum under the barrel was scraped when they had to play Gustafsson. If Pokka is worse, hopefully this Kempny is adequate

Now who the hell is gonna tell you this? Bowman?

It's really common sense. Waiting to the last hour the price is invariably going to go down. That's just how business works. He did the same thing with Leddy, waited too long, got taken. I think past experiences we can infer the same happened with the Sharp trade. And rumors abound at the draft about Sharp moving.

When the franchise is finally a pile of rubble we can join around the campfire and sing "Stan had no choice". The freaking guy should be held accountable the exact same way people are holding Tazer and Seabs accountable. Why can we beat up Seabs and yet ole Stan can do anything and the spin doctors explain it all away? Bowman has SUCKED as a GM for a solid year now.
- kwolf68

And just ignore the fact Sharp would have to agree to any trade. Because that isn't a hurdle in itself. And I'm sure Sharp's agent was heavily involved when NTC's get waived for his clients best interest. Trades don't just happen over night.

So...find a good/cup contending team with the cap room to take a player with 5.9mil for two more years left - that wants to give you a top player/prospect in return when they don't have to.

Should have been a slam dunk, I get it.

Gustav Forsling most likely will play another year in Sweden. Keep in mind that he has played at pro level against men in Sweden for two seasons now. There he had really solid season this year and was top 2 dman for his team. But his play is best suited for a top 4 role and pp unit. He just ain´t ready for that at NHL level yet for team which is trying to be contender.

And just ignore the fact Sharp would have to agree to any trade. Because that isn't a hurdle in itself. And I'm sure Sharp's agent was heavily involved when NTC's get waived for his clients best interest. Trades don't just happen over night.

So...find a good/cup contending team with the cap room to take a player with 5.9mil for two more years left - that wants to give you a top player/prospect in return when they don't have to.

Should have been a slam dunk, I get it.
- PatShart

Two years at 5.9 for a top 6 winger is not grand larceny. Who said I was looking for a top prospect. Just move him for a couple low picks, who cares. Save resources (Johns). And oh yea, when you DO trade Sharp for players (Daley, Garbutt) perhaps we can find a way to NOT trade THEM off for players you then cut. Dumb Dumb Dumb.

If you want to place some of this idiocy on Coach Q I can buy that as well. Whatever the case, the Sharp trade and its subsequent moves was just mind-boggling. Only the biggest Bowman pucker lover would spin it any other way.

I thought the gum under the barrel was scraped when they had to play Gustafsson. If Pokka is worse, hopefully this Kempny is adequate
- PatShart

Hey Pat, if Pokka was better, don't you think Stan and Q would have at least given him a sniff up here? Much less skate him ahead of Gus?

IMO, Stan hasn't yet gotten to the bottom of the barrel but Pokka's not too far away.