This guy (who I think I heard here last year is reliable) just ran a tweet-per-team listing of the current trade rumors in the league.

https://twitter.com/RumorBreak

Looks like ANA and NSH possibly interested in Ladd.
- pdx2ord

Pretty sure that's Michael Grosso, who I know and compare notes with from time to time. A lot of his info. is very good.

The Schmaltz signing is huge. I have seen him play in person a few times when he came here to Omaha, with North Dakota. The game comes very easily to him. He enters the zone with the puck beautifully. He uses teammates very very well.
His growth from year one to year two was substantial. As a freshman he looked like a skinny kid who played on the perimeter and was constantly trying to get the puck to his brother Jordan, at the point.

As a sophomore he grew into hs body and was fantastic with the cycling and puck possession with his linemates, boeser and caggulia.

His back check when the puck was turned over was very very good.

I am psyched.
- Omahawk

I have not seen him play a lot, but when I did, this jumped out at me. And for a kid who is as skilled as he is, that is a very important and valuable attribute.

My belief has been, and I heard this hinted last year, that Schmaltz' development and projection may have made the decision on TT easier.

Again, not having seen him play enough at this point, I can't say he's NHL ready much less tp plug him in on the top line, but his development this year, either in Chicago or Rockford, will be worth watching. He is a nice prospect with all the right indicators, and probably the Hawks' best overall prospect.

I have not seen him play a lot, but when I did, this jumped out at me. And for a kid who is as skilled as he is, that is a very important and valuable attribute.

My belief has been, and I heard this hinted last year, that Schmaltz' development and projection may have made the decision on TT easier.

Again, not having seen him play enough at this point, I can't say he's NHL ready much less tp plug him in on the top line, but his development this year, either in Chicago or Rockford, will be worth watching. He is a nice prospect with all the right indicators, and probably the Hawks' best overall prospect.
- John Jaeckel

and I'm assuming he is the reason they felt they could trade Danault, Dano, and TT.

This guy (who I think I heard here last year is reliable) just ran a tweet-per-team listing of the current trade rumors in the league.

https://twitter.com/RumorBreak

Looks like ANA and NSH possibly interested in Ladd.
- pdx2ord

Thanks pd. Read most of them. Someone is going to take on that Nash contract? With the way he underperformed and with his injuries... I'd be a bit hesitant. Also read that he said the Hawks want a bottom pairing defenseman - of course we all knew that - hopefully they can find someone cheap depending on what goes down this week. Big week for hockey.

and I'm assuming he is the reason they felt they could trade Danault, Dano, and TT.
- vabeachbear

Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it. Trading Danault for example (along with a #2) for a couple bottom 6 guys who couldn't draw into the lineup consistently was mind-boggling, more now that they are saying they have some kids in Rockford who can play bottom 6 minutes. If those guys are capable now, then why weren't they capable 2 months ago? Maybe moving pieces like Danault and picks could have gotten the Hawks into position to beef up a suspect defense instead of trading for Weise or Fleishmann only to have Mashinter play over them. Whether this is on Q, Bowman, MCD or whoever it has to stop. Moves need to make some damn sense going forward.

The Isles are rumored to be interested in Bishop and Howard , but nothing on Crawford.

The Isles are rumored to be interested in Bishop and Howard , but nothing on Crawford.
- Danformo

Craw is a much better goalie than Howard and makes only a bit more. If the Isles really are interested in those two goalies, then I would have a hard time believing they don't like Crawford. The two teams have hooked up on trades in the past. Likely wouldn't cost the Islanders much given the cap help it would bring.

People saying they are getting a #1 for Crawford are not correct.

I think the Hawks could get maybe a #2 and a prospect of some sort. Not much more. Of course if the Islanders expect us to take back Halak and his huge salary the price would obviously go up, but that seems to defeat the purpose of what the Hawks want to do (get cheaper in net)

Craw is a much better goalie than Howard and makes only a bit more. If the Isles really are interested in those two goalies, then I would have a hard time believing they don't like Crawford. The two teams have hooked up on trades in the past. Likely wouldn't cost the Islanders much given the cap help it would bring.

People saying they are getting a #1 for Crawford are not correct.

I think the Hawks could get maybe a #2 and a prospect of some sort. Not much more. Of course if the Islanders expect us to take back Halak and his huge salary the price would obviously go up, but that seems to defeat the purpose of what the Hawks want to do (get cheaper in net)
- kwolf68

Bishop is a very good goalie and has shown he can win playoff series, but has never actually won the prize. I'd take both he and Crawford. However, the way Crawford played this season and in past playoffs demonstrate he is right up there with the best. Crawford would a great goalie for NYI.

Your expansion Draft primer for NEXT off season:

• Teams can protect three defensemen, seven forwards and one goalie OR any group of eight skaters, regardless of position, and one goalie.
• First-and-second-year professional players would be exempt, so you wouldn't need to use a protected spot on them.

Keith-Hammer
Kempny-Seabrook
Gustaffson-TVR


-Anisimov-Kane
-Toews-Hossa


OR

Keith-Hammer
Kempny-Seabrook
Gustaffson-TVR

-Anisimov-Kane
-Toews-Hossa
Shaw or Kruger


Teams will also be permitted to ask players to waive their no-movement clauses for inclusion in the expansion draft.
First-and-second-year professional players would be exempt
Panarin
Gustaffson
Rasmussen
Schmaltz
Kero (I don’t think those six games in 2015 will bump him to third year stars but not sure…)
Motte
Baun
Hartman (Same with Hartman, who saw nine games in 2014 he may be an available.)
Hinostroza

Each team must at have available NHL players REMEMBER they have to have 70 NHL games played in last year to this year and each NHL Team must expose at least two forwards and one defenseman who have played either 40 games in the previous season (2016-17) or 70 games in the previous two seasons (2015-17).
that is not the say that the Las vegas team might not find more interest in selecting third year pros who do not fill that requirement.
So at this juncture, TvR is the only rostered guy who fills the deeman / 70 games requirement.

Available nhl/minor pro status and third year pros:
Panik
Desjardins
Mashinter
Rundblad
McNeill
Svedberg
Garret Ross

The total salaries for the players made available by each team in the expansion draft must be at least 25 percent of the previous season's payroll for that team. Daly explained: "The other variation that makes this expansion draft different is we would contemplate having some thresholds based on salary to make sure that the expansion club can be competitive based on the ranges we have in the CBA. Teams would have some obligation to expose a level of salary. And in terms of drafting players, teams would have to draft a certain threshold of salary

Before you come to some decisions and post your opinion on the expansion here, I would read this terrific article that extensively breaks up the possible available in groupings.
The Las Vegas team won’t just take on a full team of fat loaded salaries.
You will notice that TvR is the only hawk name listed.

http://www.thehockeynews....ght-get-shipped-to-vegas/

I thought I read they removed that you had to expose 25% of payroll but you had to expose 3 players that played 40 games this coming year or 70 games over 2 years.

I thought I read they removed that you had to expose 25% of payroll but you had to expose 3 players that played 40 games this coming year or 70 games over 2 years.
- kmw4631

You may be correct....I am will amend this post when we get a definite, ok?

Bishop is a very good goalie and has shown he can win playoff series, .
- 93Joe

...just not make it all the way through the 16 games without having to remove himself.

I think he is BIG first, and good second.

He's an open ass for all I've seen.

and I am24 miles for the arena...

Hmmmm, While I do think that 3.1 is kind of an overpay for kooga, if you consider that Bolland got 3.5 several years ago and then a lot more (even after he stopped scoring and his bionic back fall apart) it is pretty reasonable.

For a defensive specialist that can play in basically all situations and take a beating, I don't mind giving him that money. At least they spent it on a guy who can do many things consistently well, even if he doesn't do anything tremendously well.

I think with more minutes and maybe Hossa spending some time on his right, you see an appropriate bump in points and minutes played. Also, he has been a very consistent player for the past few years and paying for what you know you will get is a pretty good thing in today's NHL and worth the premium.

Def not Bickell 2.0 and it is silly to say that.

...just not make it all the way through the 16 games without having to remove himself.

I think he is BIG first, and good second.

He's an open ass for all I've seen.

and I am24 miles for the arena...
- wiz1901

Wiz, do you think Vasilevsky can carry the reins from here on out if Bishop is shipped off? Kid looks to be ready but still needs to refine his game.

Hmmmm, While I do think that 3.1 is kind of an overpay for kooga, if you consider that Bolland got 3.5 several years ago and then a lot more (even after he stopped scoring and his bionic back fall apart) it is pretty reasonable.

For a defensive specialist that can play in basically all situations and take a beating, I don't mind giving him that money. At least they spent it on a guy who can do many things consistently well, even if he doesn't do anything tremendously well.

I think with more minutes and maybe Hossa spending some time on his right, you see an appropriate bump in points and minutes played. Also, he has been a very consistent player for the past few years and paying for what you know you will get is a pretty good thing in today's NHL and worth the premium.

Def not Bickell 2.0 and it is silly to say that.
- fattybeef

EVERYONE on this Hawks team is "kinda" overpaid except for Hammer, who was merely matched on that offer from San Jose as well as Keith and Hossa, whose term continues until the next century.

Toss in the fact 7 or 8 guys have NMC and it's hard to find ANY bargains the Hawks are getting.

I thought I recalled JJ saying in earlier blog that cap would be 74.0 if escalator was agreed to...and that was my understanding to....so how is it all of a sudden going to be lower?

I thought I recalled JJ saying in earlier blog that cap would be 74.0 if escalator was agreed to...and that was my understanding to....so how is it all of a sudden going to be lower?
- onehundredlevel

73,800,000


So almost 74.

I thought I recalled JJ saying in earlier blog that cap would be 74.0 if escalator was agreed to...and that was my understanding to....so how is it all of a sudden going to be lower?
- onehundredlevel

That was before Daly announced it would be flat. Brooks at NYPost estimates that with the escalator the NHLPA approved it will be at $72.8M -- http://www.milehighhockey...te-to-increase-salary-cap

EDIT: we should find out on Wednesday when the board of governors meets.

73,800,000


So almost 74.
- mrpaulish

My bad , Marlowe has it right in the above article.

My bad , Marlowe has it right in the above article.
- mrpaulish

MrPaulish - I wish it was your number as for the beloved Hawks every dollar is sacred.

The Isles are rumored to be interested in Bishop and Howard , but nothing on Crawford.
- Danformo

I've heard nothing but I also wouldn't rule it out either

I've heard nothing but I also wouldn't rule it out either
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ! Love your blog all year round but especially right around this time of year. Thanks for sharing, updating and keeping it interesting. Best blog for the Blackhawks bar none.

Craw is a much better goalie than Howard and makes only a bit more. If the Isles really are interested in those two goalies, then I would have a hard time believing they don't like Crawford. The two teams have hooked up on trades in the past. Likely wouldn't cost the Islanders much given the cap help it would bring.

People saying they are getting a #1 for Crawford are not correct.

I think the Hawks could get maybe a #2 and a prospect of some sort. Not much more. Of course if the Islanders expect us to take back Halak and his huge salary the price would obviously go up, but that seems to defeat the purpose of what the Hawks want to do (get cheaper in net)
- kwolf68

Two things...1) JJ said it was talked about. And he's been right on quite a few things.
2) Why are you so definite in your first statement and wishy washy in your second? I don't mind people giving their opinions, but this drives me crazy. NO WAY this is going to happen...I THINK this is. Actually, none of us know until it happens. Or doesn't.

I've heard nothing but I also wouldn't rule it out either
- John Jaeckel

Are the Hawks still working at trying to keep Ladd?

Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it. Trading Danault for example (along with a #2) for a couple bottom 6 guys who couldn't draw into the lineup consistently was mind-boggling, more now that they are saying they have some kids in Rockford who can play bottom 6 minutes. If those guys are capable now, then why weren't they capable 2 months ago? Maybe moving pieces like Danault and picks could have gotten the Hawks into position to beef up a suspect defense instead of trading for Weise or Fleishmann only to have Mashinter play over them. Whether this is on Q, Bowman, MCD or whoever it has to stop. Moves need to make some damn sense going forward.
- kwolf68

Spot on Kwolf. It made no sense to move players at the TDL when you didn't fix the problem which was the defense. Q can serenade us until he's blue in the face that the Hawks didn't win because they couldn't roll 4 lines. Not putting Mash in there for a start would have helped. But the TDL trades made no sense when Bowman didn't address his biggest need going back to last summer, which was a #4 dman. Meanwhile you lost Dano and Danault...for nada unless they somehow find the money for Ladd.