hard to tell if Bergevin being in after a guy is actually a good sign or not, considering his recent track record.

JJ,

Have you heard anything concerning other potential Russian players? I've read a few things about Evgeny Dadanov and Vadim Shipachev, both of whom played with Panarin in SKA Saint Petersburg as I understand it. Both seem to have put up decent numbers in the KHL. Any chance the Hawks are interested?
- Glovig

Ivan Yakanov supposedly has a wicked wrist shot, could fill in at 1LW.

So let's say Uncle Rozy re-signs to be Kempny's company.

2/4/7/57/Kempny/Svedberg or Gustafsson and Roszival for your seven D.

So that means either Svedberg or Gustafsson in Rockford to start the year, and IIRC, Svedberg would have to clear waivers.

After that, Rundblad (who would also have to clear but has in the past), Pokka, Schilling, Forsling, Dahlstrom, Valleau, and Norell would be in the AHL, too -- and that's without any AHL defensive contracts to be given out yet.

I know there were rumors of Forsling having an European out clause if he doesn't make the Blackhawks, but I don't know if that was confirmed. If there isn't and he starts in Rockford, I'm putting my chips in that someone on the D side is getting traded.

So let's say Uncle Rozy re-signs to be Kempny's company.

2/4/7/57/Kempny/Svedberg or Gustafsson and Roszival for your seven D.

So that means either Svedberg or Gustafsson in Rockford to start the year, and IIRC, Svedberg would have to clear waivers.

After that, Rundblad (who would also have to clear but has in the past), Pokka, Schilling, Forsling, Dahlstrom, Valleau, and Norell would be in the AHL, too -- and that's without any AHL defensive contracts to be given out yet.

I know there were rumors of Forsling having an European out clause if he doesn't make the Blackhawks, but I don't know if that was confirmed. If there isn't and he starts in Rockford, I'm putting my chips in that someone on the D side is getting traded.
- HelloFriend

I understand the idea of bringing back Rozsival to help Kempny acclimate and I much as I don't mind Rozy as the #7 d-man I don't see it happening. Assuming Kempny sticks with the big club the top 5 D would be Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, TvR and Kempny which leaves only two spot available. I was hoping to not see Gustafsson or Svedberg again but barring a minor deal I would expect to see those two fight for the final 2 D spots with Pokka.

Too bad he can't wear #3 - because then he would be Three's Kempny.

Sorry, is it too early for crappy jokes?
- spudrock512

Nothing worse than Foley "tree tirdy- tree in the tird".

Pardon my ignorance on this, but when it comes to helping Kempny acclimate to North America and language buddies, how close is Slovak to Czech? With Hossa and possibly Panik both on the roster next year, would Rosival really be necessary?

Not that Rosival as a 7D is the worst thing in the world, but the tread is wearing thin on his tires to say the least.

So let's say Uncle Rozy re-signs to be Kempny's company.

2/4/7/57/Kempny/Svedberg or Gustafsson and Roszival for your seven D.

So that means either Svedberg or Gustafsson in Rockford to start the year, and IIRC, Svedberg would have to clear waivers.

After that, Rundblad (who would also have to clear but has in the past), Pokka, Schilling, Forsling, Dahlstrom, Valleau, and Norell would be in the AHL, too -- and that's without any AHL defensive contracts to be given out yet.

I know there were rumors of Forsling having an European out clause if he doesn't make the Blackhawks, but I don't know if that was confirmed. If there isn't and he starts in Rockford, I'm putting my chips in that someone on the D side is getting traded.
- HelloFriend

I was thinking the same. They have shopped Pokka in the past.

I understand the idea of bringing back Rozsival to help Kempny acclimate and I much as I don't mind Rozy as the #7 d-man I don't see it happening. Assuming Kempny sticks with the big club the top 5 D would be Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, TvR and Kempny which leaves only two spot available. I was hoping to not see Gustafsson or Svedberg again but barring a minor deal I would expect to see those two fight for the final 2 D spots with Pokka.
- DarthKane

I could see one of Gus or Sved (or maybe even Pokka depending on the return) being included in a trade this summer as a piece that helps the Hawks get something else for the roster.

Pardon my ignorance on this, but when it comes to helping Kempny acclimate to North America and language buddies, how close is Slovak to Czech? With Hossa and possibly Panik both on the roster next year, would Rosival really be necessary?

Not that Rosival as a 7D is the worst thing in the world, but the tread is wearing thin on his tires to say the least.
- Hawksfan37

I am neither Czech, nor Slovak, but my understanding is the two languages share a lot ands that they can basically understand one another speaking their native tongues.

To use an analogy: Italians and Spaniards can sort of follow each other as can Germans and the Dutch, the Czech/Slovak difference is not as bad. So I've been told.

If you want to bring Roz back, bring him back as a coach. We have no trade deadline options this year. We have traded away everything of value we can dump. We cannot future picks in 2017 so the team we goto camp with is for the most part the team we are going to have to ride with. Need a way better Vet defender then ROZ. Unless we hit on a Panik style move.

I don't know a lot about this kid, but I like the move. I look at it as he can't be any worse then the 3 headed turd monster that came up from Rockford. Plus if this further burries Rundblad in the system, god bless us all.

Figure he will be close to 925K with some sort of bonus pay-out and then will be re-evaluated to be extended. Hopeful he gets a fair shake to be a #4 with Hammer as I still think TVR is best suited as a #5. I am perfectly Ok with Rozsival coming back as a depth guy and would take old man 32 vs 5 any day of the week. Curious to see how this will effect Pokka, Svedberg, Gustaffson, etc as not many spots will be realistically open.

So 1 problem solved....next is the F position and how they fix that and add some depth. was disappointed reading Powers, who by the way is all over the map in a good way getting scoops on all these guys HUGE props to him on that, where Teuvo was talking about living at home, etc. I still get the sense he doesn't want to put in the work in the weight room to bulk up his size as that shoulder injury suffered vs STL isn't going to a rare occurrence come playoff time.

Really now the next big news to fall is where the cap number for 2016-17 lands and how Bowman navigates that.

Skeptical tinkering on the fringes will help the slide for Blackhawks. I believe changes are needed at the top first and foremost. Even with him they will be fielding worse roster year after year due to contracts they gave. And I give 50% chance Q will mess him up.
- vshun

And give Q a 38% chance to win a Cup...which he's done while in Chicago? I'll take it.

I don't know a lot about this kid, but I like the move. I look at it as he can't be any worse then the 3 headed turd monster that came up from Rockford. Plus if this further burries Rundblad in the system, god bless us all.

Figure he will be close to 925K with some sort of bonus pay-out and then will be re-evaluated to be extended. Hopeful he gets a fair shake to be a #4 with Hammer as I still think TVR is best suited as a #5. I am perfectly Ok with Rozsival coming back as a depth guy and would take old man 32 vs 5 any day of the week. Curious to see how this will effect Pokka, Svedberg, Gustaffson, etc as not many spots will be realistically open.

So 1 problem solved....next is the F position and how they fix that and add some depth. was disappointed reading Powers, who by the way is all over the map in a good way getting scoops on all these guys HUGE props to him on that, where Teuvo was talking about living at home, etc. I still get the sense he doesn't want to put in the work in the weight room to bulk up his size as that shoulder injury suffered vs STL isn't going to a rare occurrence come playoff time.

Really now the next big news to fall is where the cap number for 2016-17 lands and how Bowman navigates that.
- SteveRain

I'd take Runblad if it means never seeing Gustafsson again (or never see either is fine by me too)

I don't know a lot about this kid, but I like the move. I look at it as he can't be any worse then the 3 headed turd monster that came up from Rockford. Plus if this further burries Rundblad in the system, god bless us all.

Figure he will be close to 925K with some sort of bonus pay-out and then will be re-evaluated to be extended. Hopeful he gets a fair shake to be a #4 with Hammer as I still think TVR is best suited as a #5. I am perfectly Ok with Rozsival coming back as a depth guy and would take old man 32 vs 5 any day of the week. Curious to see how this will effect Pokka, Svedberg, Gustaffson, etc as not many spots will be realistically open.

So 1 problem solved....next is the F position and how they fix that and add some depth. was disappointed reading Powers, who by the way is all over the map in a good way getting scoops on all these guys HUGE props to him on that, where Teuvo was talking about living at home, etc. I still get the sense he doesn't want to put in the work in the weight room to bulk up his size as that shoulder injury suffered vs STL isn't going to a rare occurrence come playoff time.

Really now the next big news to fall is where the cap number for 2016-17 lands and how Bowman navigates that.
- SteveRain

Hey Rainman,

really liked the move by Stan and co. It's going to be interesting to see here going forward how things sort themselves out. Would love to keep Ladder, but know that's hardly a possibility.

Can they finally buyout Bickell...? They could use that 3mil. Still would be a cap penalty the following season. They also need to find a way to hang onto Shaw. And does CC get moved here to free things up? Should be an interesting June/July here.

Still would have loved to see TT moved for Drouin.

If you want to bring Roz back, bring him back as a coach. We have no trade deadline options this year. We have traded away everything of value we can dump. We cannot future picks in 2017 so the team we goto camp with is for the most part the team we are going to have to ride with. Need a way better Vet defender then ROZ. Unless we hit on a Panik style move.
- kmw4631

Please explain the "hit" on Panik? His 8pts in 30gms?

One thing to remember is our international scouting staff has been very good. Ranta, Gus, Moose, Sved, Panarin have all been better then what was expected of them when you factor how highly they were regarded as Free agent prospects.

also Gus is 24 (3/14), Sved turned 25 today, TVR turns 25 7/24, Kempny turns 26 on 9/8. So Sved TVR are all within 10 months of each other so thinking we are going to get a lot more of of those guys might be a reach. IE Kempny was the best 1 or 2 defenders on a good Czech team at 25, What have the others guys done to this point? I think he will be our 4 best defender irrelevant of where he slots as long as he is on the Left side.

I could see one of Gus or Sved (or maybe even Pokka depending on the return) being included in a trade this summer as a piece that helps the Hawks get something else for the roster.
- Hawksfan37

I'd be fine with that. I would like to see what Pokka could do at the NHL level before dealing him but if the return helped the team now I'd be fine with it.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 4m4 minutes ago
There is word of a snag in Vadim Shipachyov's status. He may have to fulfill another year in Russia before coming to the NHL.

Nothing worse than Foley "tree tirdy- tree in the tird".
- roenick

I'll gladly take that buffoonery over 'Panger' any day

Please explain the "hit" on Panik? His 8pts in 30gms?
- PatShart

6 5X5 Goals in 30 games playing 10 minutes per game. in 80 games that would be 16 5X5 goals at 10 minutes. if he bumps to 15 minutes 5x5 in the top 3 lines. that would be 24 5x5 goals in 80 games. So yes I think we hit on him. Plus he has size, and speed and reasonable young plus production. And he was one of our better forwards in the Blues series.

6 5X5 Goals in 30 games playing 10 minutes per game. in 80 games that would be 16 5X5 goals at 10 minutes. if he bumps to 15 minutes 5x5 in the top 3 lines. that would be 24 5x5 goals in 80 games. So yes I think we hit on him. Plus he has size, and speed and reasonable young plus production. And he was one of our better forwards in the Blues series.
- kmw4631

Personally I liked what it cost to get him too - Morin, who wasn't going to see NHL ice with the Hawks.

I understand the idea of bringing back Rozsival to help Kempny acclimate and I much as I don't mind Rozy as the #7 d-man I don't see it happening. Assuming Kempny sticks with the big club the top 5 D would be Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, TvR and Kempny which leaves only two spot available. I was hoping to not see Gustafsson or Svedberg again but barring a minor deal I would expect to see those two fight for the final 2 D spots with Pokka.
- DarthKane

Would be nice to see Pokka get a couple looks. I think Gustafsson could still be a serviceable 3rd pairing guy. Schlemko signed cheap in Jersey last season. If there is room, most likely not, get him cheap. That'll be a solid D-Corp: Keith/Seabrook hjalmarsson/TVR/Kempny/Schelmko/Gustafsson. Just thinking aloud.

6 5X5 Goals in 30 games playing 10 minutes per game. in 80 games that would be 16 5X5 goals at 10 minutes. if he bumps to 15 minutes 5x5 in the top 3 lines. that would be 24 5x5 goals in 80 games. So yes I think we hit on him. Plus he has size, and speed and reasonable young plus production. And he was one of our better forwards in the Blues series.
- kmw4631

Why not play him 60 min a game if it's simple math that equals production?

Teuvo has been more productive if you break down the math/TOI/gms played in his career and is younger.

Panik has 25g in 181 career games, and because he gets more ice time, he'll get that in 82gms next year?

I hope the guy does well, but I'd like to see him hit 12 in a full NHL season first before expecting 25 out of him

I'd take Runblad if it means never seeing Gustafsson again (or never see either is fine by me too)
- PatShart

I think Gus has offensive upside but his defensive game needs work. At least he's more raw.

Rundblad is just a fringe NHL player and you know what you are getting there....and it's isn't anything good......