I don't doubt your knowledge. Commented on that a few days earlier, and to 6628's point there are folks on here who have connections. Fact. People can say what they want but I've met a few of these guys/gals and the proof is in the pudding as they say.

To your point about the NHLPA, no question about this and why I was screaming weeks/months ago that this would be a flat cap and was laughed at. Well.....problem is the stars will get their money, but they make up a very small portion of the union. The union needs levels in contracts and comparables so when everyone complains about "hometown discounts" it rarely happens, and why? Because the agent and player are being pressured by the union to maximize dollars to keep pushing for the future of other guys. So while some guys like a Kruger may take a raw deal to get paid down the line, you can't expect it from all guys, like Shaw to do the same. Or Saad. or Leddy.

So even voting in the 5% escalator the players need to make sure that its' worth it and the union reaps the rewards in player salaries but so many teams are now trying to hover to the mid of the pack and you have very few spending to the max of the cap.

lastly, what I routinely find laughable is when people claim Wirtz loses money on the Hawks. That's 100% propaganda like every other owner does to justify ticket price hikes, etc. The Hawks are raking in HUGE money and Wirtz will only try to show a small loss for tax purposes ON PAPER, but in reality, he's making HUGE money. That's THE reason he hired McDonough who proved he could sell a crap Cubs team on the field and pack an outdated facility by selling the event of being at a cubs game......
- SteveRain

I'll put it less eloquently. If Wertz isn't making money on the Hawks the NHL is beyond franked. There is a reason Hawks stores have popped up on Michigan Ave and in the burbs. The green is rolling in. They just divert some to pay very smart accountants.

1) That sure seems like a personal attack on another poster...I'll let Eli decide.

2) There have been about 5 posters just since January that have come here and claimed to have "insider information" or "sources in the Hawks Front Office"...laughable.

3) Only a simpleton with an IQ in single digits would believe the nonsense you are spewing about Keith as the one to trade. Keith is the best Defensemen in the league when considering on-ice performance and cap hit. Did you and your "sources" forget the nearly 60% of the game that game Keith played in the 2015 Conn Smythe Cup Win??

4) Where were your "sources" when other phonies were here spewing their opinion as fact so they could sit on a virtual high horse and feed their sad ego?

5) There is NO WAY that the Hawks' front office is leaking ANYTHING about trades right now, or else JJ (the one that is paid for his information with a blog that is running nearly 10 years) would have reported it.

6) I will not comment on the "insider information" any further after this post, but you aren't fooling anyone, pal. Give me a break and go do something better with your time than getting kicks off people asking you questions like you're getting intel from the Bowmans.

7) TRADING KEITH IS ASANINE. He runs the show. #2 plays 50% of the game every game and is a stud in every possible way to analyze the game of ice hockey....all at less than what David Clarkson makes in a season.

8) If you were a "true insider", you would not get so offended when someone calls you out on your BS. It wreaks of fraud and insecurity, something that is necessary to try and get your kicks on a blog acting like your posts are fact and not pure speculation. Give me a break, guy.

EDIT: This is a place for fans to discuss the Hawks. Whenever an "insider" comes here, he/she tries to act like a God amongst men. Their word is divine and cannot be questioned. It ruins the blog, and nobody is buying your crap. I'd love for you to continue posting as a passionate Hawks fan, which I am sure you are. I would bet my car that you dont know jack squat that any regular fan knows about what the FO will do this summer....trade Keith...
- EnzoD

Who knows who they will trade. Some guys here know more then the average bear, and some sources are instructed to leak a certain agenda to gain leverage in a situation.

However, the only way a change to a championship proven core, and to a player who he has not listed happens is if......the players asks to be dealt, the player has an injury OR the player is a disruption to the continuity of the team. Either it's recognized by management OR leaders of the team have gone to management and told them this has to happen for the better of the team.

I respect Duncan Keith's game as a player. I think at times he gets a massive amount of benefit of the doubt from media, fans, etc but he's earned it. So has Toews. So has Kane. So has many of these guys.

however, I think there is a LOT of smoke around this team that started in the summer of 2014 and never really simmered down. There is more to the Reiff suicide then what was released. I don't want to get into the gossip game, but if you step away and truly think about all the crap that has swirled around this team, and the Hawks solution of stone walling anyone who digs into, outside of 2 horrible press conferences (Notre Dame on Kane) and Seabrook regarding Sharp, the Hawks just don't fuel that fire.

For the record if you go through Keith's rise to fame since 2010 you can catch glimpses of him being a very self centered @ss. Biggest example is in 2010 award ceremony were he excluded Seabrook from his speech. Without 7, 2 doesn't get his Norris.

As the Blackhawk turns........but the main focus here is that the cap lands somewhere between 71-74 depending upon escalator and that is a far cry from where many projected it to be and will leave to multiple high salary guys getting moved or not resigned.

Well, in keeping with the theme of Scotty Bowman's influence, Kruger was strongly suggested to the Hawks at the 2009 draft by Scotty Bowman—who'd seen the grades Detroit had on him, when Detroit's scouting in Sweden was head and shoulders above everyone.

Kruger's first full season, they played him at 2C a lot with Hossa on his right flank.

My belief always has been (and remains) that Kruger has some underrated setup skill. I believe the Hawks feel the same. But make no mistake. His primary role is always going to be that of a defensive, shutdown center and PK guy.
- John Jaeckel

Was not aware of the Scotty Bowman involvement on the scouting end. Love it! Thanks for the insight.

I'll put it less eloquently. If Wertz isn't making money on the Hawks the NHL is beyond franked. There is a reason Hawks stores have popped up on Michigan Ave and in the burbs. The green is rolling in. They just divert some to pay very smart accountants.
- bhawks2241

FWIW-- I stopped into the Hawks store on Michigan Ave on Friday rush hour on my way home-- NOBODY in there except for lots of staff-- The other times I have been there the place was absolutely packed-- I asked one of the staff if it had been this slow and they responded yes since the Hawks were eliminated from playoffs--

Well, in keeping with the theme of Scotty Bowman's influence, Kruger was strongly suggested to the Hawks at the 2009 draft by Scotty Bowman—who'd seen the grades Detroit had on him, when Detroit's scouting in Sweden was head and shoulders above everyone.

Kruger's first full season, they played him at 2C a lot with Hossa on his right flank.

My belief always has been (and remains) that Kruger has some underrated setup skill. I believe the Hawks feel the same. But make no mistake. His primary role is always going to be that of a defensive, shutdown center and PK guy.
- John Jaeckel

Have to accept old man Bowman and the Wings' scouting grades for obvious reasons. That said if a gun was held to your head, and the roster is near what it is today, does Kruger start as the 3C this year and get more offensive zone starts than the 30% he usually gets?

I'll put it less eloquently. If Wertz isn't making money on the Hawks the NHL is beyond franked. There is a reason Hawks stores have popped up on Michigan Ave and in the burbs. The green is rolling in. They just divert some to pay very smart accountants.
- bhawks2241

Oh no question.....blackhawks, wirtz beverage all got funneled to the same spot in the grand scheme of things.

No question he's making money but showing a loss, that's why every year I just laugh at how many defend him and this team and just fail to realize what truly is going on. They are there to make money. Period. Winning is next, but making money is all that matters.....

AND for those who dont' have season tickets, when it comes to playoffs you have 2 options to pay....1. you pay all upfront, or 2. you pay for rounds 1 and 2, and if they advance to round 2, you pay for rounds 3 and 4.

So how do you think losing in round 1 sits with this team, where even if they get booted in round 2, that money collected still is in house and at worst is applied as a credit towards season ticket balances that are due at end of june.

Cash on hand, not to mention lost dollars with merchandise, food, parking, advertising, and so on..........

Jay Zawaski, who has had the last few scoops from the FO, reporting today that trading AA may be the solution to the cap issue for this year to make room for Shaw.

Don't know how much weight to give this, but Hawk "reporters" usually aren't in the business of speculating, and often are the messengers of FO intentions.

FWIW-- I stopped into the Hawks store on Michigan Ave on Friday rush hour on my way home-- NOBODY in there except for lots of staff-- The other times I have been there the place was absolutely packed-- I asked one of the staff if it had been this slow and they responded yes since the Hawks were eliminated from playoffs--
- jb3333

Out of site, out of mind.

With the Cubs resurgence, Hawks have to battle to keep that fringe fan's dollars coming to them. Only so many/much of that a family is going to spend and McDonough fully realizes all things consider....he's probably 3rd or 4th on the ladder all thing being equal to brand loyalty. Bears and Cubs are in front, and Bulls have a very strong following as well, and while you could argue those aren't dollars that the Hawks are losign per se on a customer basis, it is on advertising, etc.

Only the Sox do they truly have a leg up on, but they rely on that fan base to cross over....no question.

Have to accept old man Bowman and the Wings' scouting grades for obvious reasons. That said if a gun was held to your head, and the roster is near what it is today, does Kruger start as the 3C this year and get more offensive zone starts than the 30% he usually gets?
- Mr Ricochet

I think you have to with Kruger the #3.. From 1-4 at the C spot it should 19, 15, 22 and 70. Moose is a good pick to fill that #4 C spot. Guy plays a solid game and is another big body at the C position. If we somehow find a way to keep a Shaw, a 3rd line of Shaw Kruger and TT looks pretty good. Its a great balance of grit and skill. TT showed some promise on the PK and his D awareness over all is good. It may take a while for the O numbers to catch up, his ability on D will be most welcome on the Kruger shut down line.

Jay Zawaski, who has had the last few scoops from the FO, reporting today that trading AA may be the solution to the cap issue for this year to make room for Shaw.

Don't know how much weight to give this, but Hawk "reporters" usually aren't in the business of speculating, and often are the messengers of FO intentions.
- Return of the Roar

Makes sense just curious how that impacts Panarin socially and being able to communicate to players and coaching staff.

Well, in keeping with the theme of Scotty Bowman's influence, Kruger was strongly suggested to the Hawks at the 2009 draft by Scotty Bowman—who'd seen the grades Detroit had on him, when Detroit's scouting in Sweden was head and shoulders above everyone.

Kruger's first full season, they played him at 2C a lot with Hossa on his right flank.

My belief always has been (and remains) that Kruger has some underrated setup skill. I believe the Hawks feel the same. But make no mistake. His primary role is always going to be that of a defensive, shutdown center and PK guy.
- John Jaeckel

I agree that Kruger is capable of more offensively. The role Krugs has been given is that of a shut down, defensive center. Kruger embraced the role and he excelled at it. I don't necessarily think Krugs is the next 2C, but he can certainly center the 3rd line in a more offensive capacity.

Jay Zawaski, who has had the last few scoops from the FO, reporting today that trading AA may be the solution to the cap issue for this year to make room for Shaw.

Don't know how much weight to give this, but Hawk "reporters" usually aren't in the business of speculating, and often are the messengers of FO intentions.
- Return of the Roar

Thats the same crap story that was floated on Bleacher Report. If it comes down to Shaw or AA, its AA I keep. If AA goes, its back to the goat rope of finding a legit #2 C to help Toews. Can someone post the numbers on what a Bickell buyout does in terms of money saved please..

Thats the same crap story that was floated on Bleacher Report. If it comes down to Shaw or AA, its AA I keep. If AA goes, its back to the goat rope of finding a legit #2 C to help Toews. Can someone post the numbers on what a Bickell buyout does in terms of money saved please..
- z1990z

His contract is a $4MM cap hit if playing in the NHL. We save only $925K in cap space if he is buried in Rockford. If he is bought out there is a $1.5 MM cap hit this season, and a $1MM cap hit next season.

I respect Duncan Keith's game as a player. I think at times he gets a massive amount of benefit of the doubt from media, fans, etc but he's earned it. So has Toews. So has Kane. So has many of these guys.

however, I think there is a LOT of smoke around this team that started in the summer of 2014 and never really simmered down. There is more to the Reiff suicide then what was released. I don't want to get into the gossip game, but if you step away and truly think about all the crap that has swirled around this team, and the Hawks solution of stone walling anyone who digs into, outside of 2 horrible press conferences (Notre Dame on Kane) and Seabrook regarding Sharp, the Hawks just don't fuel that fire.


- SteveRain

Can someone help a brother out, here? What happened in summer of 2014?

I was thinking about the Clint Reif thing the other day, too. They had his family out on the ice when they won in 2015, and they wore CR stickers, but I feel like I never heard anything else about it. No dedications at the parade by any of the speakers that I remember.

Of course, I'm a Chicagoan living in NYC, so I don't follow everything and see everything on CSN Chicago, either.

I think you have to with Kruger the #3.. From 1-4 at the C spot it should 19, 15, 22 and 70. Moose is a good pick to fill that #4 C spot. Guy plays a solid game and is another big body at the C position. If we somehow find a way to keep a Shaw, a 3rd line of Shaw Kruger and TT looks pretty good. Its a great balance of grit and skill. TT showed some promise on the PK and his D awareness over all is good. It may take a while for the O numbers to catch up, his ability on D will be most welcome on the Kruger shut down line.
- z1990z

Another weird bout of Q (frank)ery. Moose sent back to Rockford while Mashinter dressed. Could Moose play wing? Wouldn't he be an instant upgrade there?

Can someone help a brother out, here? What happened in summer of 2014?

I was thinking about the Clint Reif thing the other day, too. They had his family out on the ice when they won in 2015, and they wore CR stickers, but I feel like I never heard anything else about it. No dedications at the parade by any of the speakers that I remember.

Of course, I'm a Chicagoan living in NYC, so I don't follow everything and see everything on CSN Chicago, either.
- DMChi2010

Versteeg brought up Clints son CJ onto the stage and gave him the Championship Belt.

http://www.cbssports.com/...-belt-to-clint-reifs-son/

Who knows who they will trade. Some guys here know more then the average bear, and some sources are instructed to leak a certain agenda to gain leverage in a situation.

However, the only way a change to a championship proven core, and to a player who he has not listed happens is if......the players asks to be dealt, the player has an injury OR the player is a disruption to the continuity of the team. Either it's recognized by management OR leaders of the team have gone to management and told them this has to happen for the better of the team.

I respect Duncan Keith's game as a player. I think at times he gets a massive amount of benefit of the doubt from media, fans, etc but he's earned it. So has Toews. So has Kane. So has many of these guys.

however, I think there is a LOT of smoke around this team that started in the summer of 2014 and never really simmered down. There is more to the Reiff suicide then what was released. I don't want to get into the gossip game, but if you step away and truly think about all the crap that has swirled around this team, and the Hawks solution of stone walling anyone who digs into, outside of 2 horrible press conferences (Notre Dame on Kane) and Seabrook regarding Sharp, the Hawks just don't fuel that fire.

For the record if you go through Keith's rise to fame since 2010 you can catch glimpses of him being a very self centered @ss. Biggest example is in 2010 award ceremony were he excluded Seabrook from his speech. Without 7, 2 doesn't get his Norris.

As the Blackhawk turns........but the main focus here is that the cap lands somewhere between 71-74 depending upon escalator and that is a far cry from where many projected it to be and will leave to multiple high salary guys getting moved or not resigned.
- SteveRain

Steve--- regarding the smoke around this team-- Reif suicide etc-- I don't really follow the gossip or personal antics of the players off ice-- and don't really care much about it-- but that incident with Reif was the most upsetting IMO--

Generally if it impacts the team performance ON ICE then it is of interest to me-- and the Reif incident seemed to rally the boys to the Cup that year--

I dont recall a Seabrook presser about Sharp?

Are you suggesting a disconnect with Seabrook and Keith? BTW I agree with you if not for Seabrook-- Keith is not likely a Norris winner

For the most part 2, 7, 10, grew up together as Hawks transitioning from single life to married and then with children-- while 19 - 88 are still single-- they must have been influenced by the 3 'veteran' hawks-- and 19 seems to be the polar opposite of 88 publicly--

So wonder who the first will be to write the Hawks insider book-- Vertseeg?

Zawaski on the score right now...

possible TT with Bickell in a deal to get Bickell out of town. Allows them to hang onto Shaw and possibly sign Soupy back.

Zawaski on the score right now...

possible TT with Bickell in a deal to get Bickell out of town. Allows them to hang onto Shaw and possibly sign Soupy back.
- DK002

Craig Custance posted that earlier as well.

Versteeg brought up Clints son CJ onto the stage and gave him the Championship Belt.

http://www.cbssports.com/...-belt-to-clint-reifs-son/
- Lido_Shuffle

Thanks!

Zawaski on the score right now...

possible TT with Bickell in a deal to get Bickell out of town. Allows them to hang onto Shaw and possibly sign Soupy back.
- DK002

I think you have to make that deal if we keep Shaw and sign Soupy. Keith/Seabrook, Soupy/Hammer, Kempey/TVR...I can live with those pairings.

Tough to lose TT but you have to give to get. Losing Bickell and his contract is a win/win. TT gets replaced by one of the younger Rockford guys.

Sign me up.

Anyone have an update on Schmaltz? If I recall they are working out his bonus structure?

Zawaski on the score right now...

possible TT with Bickell in a deal to get Bickell out of town. Allows them to hang onto Shaw and possibly sign Soupy back.
- DK002

I'd be great to trade Bickell + Hartman/Ross/AHL forward, but that's not going to cut it.

TT is a good forward in that he has high hockey IQ and vision and earned Q's trust by being good defensively, but he's never going to be strong along the boards. Look at the Hawks versus the most physical team they've faced in a while: St. Louis. TT had 1 assist in the STL series while Shaw had 4 goals and 2 assists. Shaw is actually a better centerman than TT to me, and he's so much more versatile. Plus, there are no top-6 spots for TT, and I also thought Shaw did better at 1LW than TT.

Plus, in one year, TT will want a raise to get to $3M AAV, at least. I would rather have Shaw at $3-3.5M AAV for a few years rather than TT, or lose TT next year when the cap is stagnant again and you're trying to lock up Panarin.

Not having to buy out Bickell (counting against the cap $1M this year and $1.5M next year) and not having to give TT a raise next year to $3M means you save $2M this year and $4.5M next year. Since Bickell is not on the roster, those cap savings this year must be partially used to call up a player to replace TT. The big savings are next year when Panarin is due!

Who knows who they will trade. Some guys here know more then the average bear, and some sources are instructed to leak a certain agenda to gain leverage in a situation.

However, the only way a change to a championship proven core, and to a player who he has not listed happens is if......the players asks to be dealt, the player has an injury OR the player is a disruption to the continuity of the team. Either it's recognized by management OR leaders of the team have gone to management and told them this has to happen for the better of the team.

I respect Duncan Keith's game as a player. I think at times he gets a massive amount of benefit of the doubt from media, fans, etc but he's earned it. So has Toews. So has Kane. So has many of these guys.

however, I think there is a LOT of smoke around this team that started in the summer of 2014 and never really simmered down. There is more to the Reiff suicide then what was released. I don't want to get into the gossip game, but if you step away and truly think about all the crap that has swirled around this team, and the Hawks solution of stone walling anyone who digs into, outside of 2 horrible press conferences (Notre Dame on Kane) and Seabrook regarding Sharp, the Hawks just don't fuel that fire.

For the record if you go through Keith's rise to fame since 2010 you can catch glimpses of him being a very self centered @ss. Biggest example is in 2010 award ceremony were he excluded Seabrook from his speech. Without 7, 2 doesn't get his Norris.

As the Blackhawk turns........but the main focus here is that the cap lands somewhere between 71-74 depending upon escalator and that is a far cry from where many projected it to be and will leave to multiple high salary guys getting moved or not resigned.
- SteveRain

What I noticed for the first time this year was the relative lack of Keith presence in the locker room with the reporters before and after the games. You would think last year's Conn Smythe winner would be front and center, as he was in their marketing materials, but he was rarely a part of it. Whether because he is not a "great quote" or PR is afraid he'll not spout the approved platitudes, etc., who knows? My eyebrows went up when he flat out refused to talk to the reporters at least once after a loss. Not really what you need from your "A."

The kid does not even turn 18 until later this month.

That said, between chatter surrounding Shipchayov and now Rubstov, it sure looks like the FO is looking for a cheap ELC center that speaks Russian.

Tells me AA is the guy that may be on the move.
- Return of the Roar

Isn't Rubstov still eligible for the NHL Draft due to his age?