Michael Grosso ‏@RumorBreak 1m1 minute ago
*BREAKING*: Per source CGY has offered 2 2nd rounders + Backlund + prospects for Ben Bishop. Ball in TB's court. - fixed the typo.
- airmidget1

How does Tampa NOT take that deal???

I still think Winnipeg has a boatload of assets and young talent, but two sieves between the pipes. I dont think StanBo would think twice about trading Crow to the Jets if they took his full $6mil off the books. IDK JJ but I think Stan needs to act quickly in shedding this cap space. Seems like the GM's this year are all acting aggressively, making moves early and often....
- EnzoD

Would love to pluck one of their highly regarded D prospects from them. Maybe even a forward prospect. Would Chevy do that? Kind of doubt it...

A little more buzz growing about Campbell.

All of it NOT from team sources right now, however.

Stay tuned. Again, the guy doesn't need the money at this point, loves Chicago, and if he would do a $1 million or less AAV deal, why not?
- John Jaeckel

He could be the Brad Richards for this year...

Michael Grosso ‏@RumorBreak 1m1 minute ago
*BREAKING*: Per source CGY has offered 2 2nd rounders + Backlund + prospects for Ben Bishop. Ball in TB's court. - fixed the typo.
- airmidget1

Stan should call him up and say we'll take that deal for Crawford

Can't disagree here at all. The forward depth will really take a squeeze if Shaw is sent off. Bottom 6 will have Kruger and Desjardins and maybe Panik. Void is still another LW.

McGinn, Tlusty, Versteeg are cheap (cheaper) options as opposed to Ladd or say Boedker for example. Sign one of those guys as a LW and there is a slight improvement.
- 93Joe

Exactly.

A team with Desi-Kruger-Motte/Schmaltz/Hartman as its 3rd line and a bunch of scrubs as its 4th line has ZERO CHANCE of winning a Cup REGARDLESS of how good the starting goalie is(including Crawford at the top of his game).

A team with say Shaw/Ladd/Boedker/someone else you mentioned on a 3rd line and Desi-Kruger-Hartman/Motte/Schmaltz as its 4th line? Now thats a completely different story. Perhaps in that scenario we use Ladd/Shaw in the top 6 to spread out guys like Hossa/Panik/Panarin/Anisimov to the "3rd" line. Either way THAT is what a Cup contender should look like, and that difference in depth is worth moving Crawford and going with a cheaper option(like the Penguins just did).

I really don't understand how anyone can disagree with this...

How does Tampa NOT take that deal???
- EnzoD

Have to get Bishop to waive.

Exactly.

A team with Desi-Kruger-Motte/Schmaltz/Hartman as its 3rd line and a bunch of scrubs as its 4th line has ZERO CHANCE of winning a Cup REGARDLESS of how good the starting goalie is(including Crawford at the top of his game).

A team with say Shaw/Ladd/Boedker/someone else you mentioned on a 3rd line and Desi-Kruger-Hartman/Motte/Schmaltz as its 4th line? Now thats a completely different story. Perhaps in that scenario we use Ladd/Shaw in the top 6 to spread out guys like Hossa/Panik/Panarin/Anisimov to the "3rd" line. Either way THAT is what a Cup contender should look like, and that difference in depth is worth moving Crawford and going with a cheaper option(like the Penguins just did).

I really don't understand how anyone can disagree with this...
- SimpleJack

Bc they are a goalie themselves lol

JJ also mentioned Winnipeg as having interest.
- EnzoD

The Jets are a very interesting team to keep your eyes on and there is a trading history between them and the Hawks.

They need to cough up $$$ to sign Scheifele, Trouba and Lowry. And the pieces they probably would be very happy to part with are Pavelec, Burmistrov, Enstrom, Mark Stuart and Drew Stafford.

Wouldn't be surprised if Stanbo and Chevy have had discussions about Shaw and CC? Trouba is going to be a tough one for the Jets to get signed.

Have to get Bishop to waive.
- JRoenick97

Yzerman, "Hey Ben you're now the backup to Vasilevski. We have a trade on the table for you to go be the guy on an up+coming Flames team. Sound good?"

Bishop: "OK.... "

Eventually the contracts would catch up to them... Unfortunately, we are seeing this unfold a bit. Too much invested in seven guys is killer right now. If this team loses both Shaw and Crawford, then we take one step back, depending on the returns and signings. There is still time. Something should happen in the next 4-6 days.
- 93Joe

Until I'm shown otherwise from the talent the Hawks have hemorrhaged since the first cup win it's not how they can improve but how much less worse they can get year to year, cuz you know they will lose talent EVERY year. Not in the abstract but what our eyes have seen since 2010. .....The cap math insists on it.

Hey Fellas,

Stayed away from posting on the blog for a bit.

Glad the season is over and the moves can start happening!

I feel a lot of casual fans were more upset about the TT trade than the more "in tune" to the Hawks/hockey fans. Honestly, I'm glad they moved him. Rare flashes of good play, but he just didn't work in this system. He was taking up a spot for a guy that might fill the role better. I think he'll do better in a system like Carolina, where he can focus on just being an offensive guy and feel comfortable playing his natural position--which I'm sure they'll put him at.

I'm excited to see what moves the Hawks make. I think there is going to be a couple more big send offs coming.

Stan should call him up and say we'll take that deal for Crawford
- hawkss81

Backlund's cap hit is $3.575M. If they offered Chicago that and hypothetically they accepted, you're looking at Toews-Anisimov-Backlund-Kruger

Lot of money in 4 centers but it's VERY strong.

The Jets are a very interesting team to keep your eyes on and there is a trading history between them and the Hawks.

They need to cough up $$$ to sign Scheifele, Trouba and Lowry. And the pieces they probably would be very happy to part with are Pavelec, Burmistrov, Enstrom, Mark Stuart and Drew Stafford.

Wouldn't be surprised if Stanbo and Chevy have had discussions about Shaw and CC? Trouba is going to be a tough one for the Jets to get signed.
- RickJ

Schiefele is a stud and while Trouba has good upside, he took a step back this year offensively. I think Winnipeg can be a legit contender by 2018, especially if Laine is as good as advertised.

Kevin ODonnell Fox13
@ODonnellFox13
Reports out of Canada have a deal in the works for the #Lightning to trade Ben Bishop to the Calgary Flames.
- golfbard

Wow!!! Wow.......... If this deal goes down I can't see the Flames making it without inking the 7 footer to an extension that day. Very curious to see that number as it will be used for the never move Crawford camp to make their argument.

Also would mean the Pens just might find some real cap trouble (locker room too) is it may mean they have to hold on to MAF and his 5.5 hit and deal with exposing him in the expansion draft next year.

A bridge deal for Shaw just kicks the can down the road a season. I really don't understand the Hawks plans if they do this. Next season you have to pay Shaw and Panarin??? No way you can sign both next season unless you move a big salary. Then maybe. So then it is an empty promise to Shaw or you lose Panarin next offseason or move a big salary and every GM will know your up against it and you will have a Sharp 2.0 on your hands.

The more I look at this cap situation the more I realize how much trouble the Hawks are really in. It is either go with several young guys and watch Q implode or fill in the league minimum vets. The bottom 6 will look like 2011. Pisanis and Jake Dowells of the NHL
- bhawks2241

Yes, and that might be the best strategy. Continuously kicking the can down the road and figure it out next year, especially if it best positions the team for a Cup run in this coming year.

Kane was just the Art Ross Trophy winner and will win the Hart as NHL MVP. What other kind of Star COULD he be? Your bias and dislike of Kane is clear. Artemi Panarin has 1 year playing on Kane's wing and you want to trade arguably the greatest scorer in Blackhawk's history bc of a "so-called case"?? That's ludicrous, IMO. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but trading Kane would result in the Hawks' fanbase going on strike. Is Rocky going to give the 10million Hawks fans with 88 jerseys a free trade in for Panarin's 72?? 19+88 will never be traded, IMO. I love Panarin and think he is the real deal, but you dont trade the Art Ross+Hart Trophy winner bc of unfounded allegations.
- EnzoD

As I clearly said it's not just about those allegations it's his entire history of immaturity and lack of common sense. I take the events of last season as nothing more then a warning. Kane while a superstar on the ice is damaged goods and I don't want to be stuck with an Aaron Hernandez (granted that's a little harsh) but you get where I'm coming from. Will Kane be a Hernandez, I hope not but athletes today think they can get away with anything because they have money.

I still don't see any kind of change in Kane. He's too much of a Jekyll and Hyde. Give him enough of the sauce and he turns into a monster. He won't change and last off season proved he will never change.

Buffalo as a #2 for Crawford(if he goes). I would think Stan would try to get into this year's draft?

Crawford + Svedberg: 2016th 8th overall + Jake McCabe... as a starter?

Hawks then resign either Shaw or Ladd?

As I clearly said it's not just about those allegations it's his entire history of immaturity and lack of common sense. I take the events of last season as nothing more then a warning. Kane while a superstar on the ice is damaged goods and I don't want to be stuck with an Aaron Hernandez (granted that's a little harsh) but you get where I'm coming from. Will Kane be a Hernandez, I hope not but athletes today think they can get away with anything because they have money.

I still don't see any kind of change in Kane. He's too much of a Jekyll and Hyde. Give him enough of the sauce and he turns into a monster. He won't change and last off season proved he will never change.


- gifman

Again, what exactly did Kane do last summer? Nothing illegal, just ask the DA. Based on the facts and evidence tampering by the accuser, it is more likely that the accuser was trying to scam/defame
Kane, rather than any kind of sexual assault. "So-Called case." Enough said.

Let me be blunt.

On a team with one top 6 left wing, who is going to be one of the better (best) offensive players in the league for ten years, a great guy in the dressing room, I would keep that player over a good goalie like Corey Crawford.

Crawford is more easily replaced. Period.
- John Jaeckel

No argument from me, but can CC be moved for that space? Can anyone be moved for that space? Can that space be made?............If not Panarin for Patrick Laine on an ELC for 3 years? Would Peg do that, would the Hawks?

Michael Grosso ‏@RumorBreak 1m1 minute ago
*BREAKING*: Per source CGY has offered 2 2nd rounders + Backlund + prospects for Ben Bishop. Ball in TB's court. - fixed the typo.
- airmidget1

Calgary is stupid to trade for Bishop. Bishop has had leg injuries for the past 2 post seasons. Calgary should go after Crawford with that deal.

As I clearly said it's not just about those allegations it's his entire history of immaturity and lack of common sense. I take the events of last season as nothing more then a warning. Kane while a superstar on the ice is damaged goods and I don't want to be stuck with an Aaron Hernandez (granted that's a little harsh) but you get where I'm coming from. Will Kane be a Hernandez, I hope not but athletes today think they can get away with anything because they have money.

I still don't see any kind of change in Kane. He's too much of a Jekyll and Hyde. Give him enough of the sauce and he turns into a monster. He won't change and last off season proved he will never change.


- gifman

You just stooped to a very low level try to put what Kane did(or didn't do, who knows) on the same level as a proven/guilty murderer/gangster, wondering if Kane can help himself from becoming a monster like that. More than "a little harsh" That was a stupid thing to say.

The Jets are a very interesting team to keep your eyes on and there is a trading history between them and the Hawks.

They need to cough up $$$ to sign Scheifele, Trouba and Lowry. And the pieces they probably would be very happy to part with are Pavelec, Burmistrov, Enstrom, Mark Stuart and Drew Stafford.

Wouldn't be surprised if Stanbo and Chevy have had discussions about Shaw and CC? Trouba is going to be a tough one for the Jets to get signed.
- RickJ

I thought I read that Trouba was out in WPG. I'll try to dig that up.

A little more buzz growing about Campbell.

All of it NOT from team sources right now, however.

Stay tuned. Again, the guy doesn't need the money at this point, loves Chicago, and if he would do a $1 million or less AAV deal, why not?
- John Jaeckel

If you can get Soupy back for that sign me up. Definitely adds some extra to the bottom of the defense, lefty shot and knows the system.

And as Darth Kane has mentioned what about Versteeg...another cheap return to the nest?

So some possible landing spots for CC gone. Would hate to move him but its the Cap. Agree completely on Panarin John. You already lost Saad who you still haven't replaced. And what about Ladd? Is he willing to take a bit less to stay here in Chicago?

Stan has his work cut out for himself the next week or so. Let's hope he's ready to pull the trigger like he did on TT/Bicks.

Sorry if you think Toews is above any type of criticism but he isn't.
- bhawks2241

I don't think Toews is above any type of criticism. I do think your line of critical thinking is wrong here, however. Toews' offensive game was just fine considering the revolving door of garbage that played on left wing(Garbutt, Tikhonov, Dano, Panik, etc) Not to mention Hossa only scored 13 goals this season. The fact Toews scored 28 goals is a testament to his individual skill.

Kane has seen a boost in his offensive game the past three seasons because of a few reasons:

1. He starts 70% of his shifts in the offensive zone.
2. Kane sees a ton of ice time on the PP.
3. Anisimov and Panarin have complimented him perfectly to give him the space he requires to make plays.
4. Because Kane spends so much time in the offensive zone, he expends less energy, and can stay on the ice longer, which creates more opportunity.

Toews has seen a bit of a dip in his offensive game because of a few reasons:

1. He is starting about 56% of shifts in the offensive zone.
2. His linemates were atrocious this year(and Toews only finished with 8 less assists than he did last season with Saad on his LW. 28 goals both years)
3. He spends some time on the PK, which actually helped him produce 7 shorthanded points this year(4G,3A).
4. His average shift times are shorter because he spends more time in the defensive zone, using energy to break up plays and get the puck back up the ice so that the Kane line can jump on in the offensive zone.


Both players played their roles at a very high level, and it helped the Hawks mask a whole bunch of weaknesses. To say that Toews isn't working hard enough on his offensive skill development is just misinformed.

But has another one been added?
- John Jaeckel

Interesting thought, JJ. How so?.... But there is no denying leverage for moving Crow, or any goalie, decreases with each goalie signing. TOR got their man and CAL too?