Not sure why people take what a GM says at face value. JJ was spot on. As a lawyer, I do that kind of stuff all the time. Client approves a settlement offer and I go back to the opposing side and say my client rejects it and make a counter offer to see if I can get more. I don't just run to the other side and say we accept. You work your hand to get the best outcome. You don't just tell everyone what is going on. A GM would be dumb if he went out and said oh yeah we are exploring a trade for this guy and these pieces are involved. This is a business run by very experienced and shrewd businessmen. They know how to play the game better than most that is why they run NHL franchises.
- bhawks2241

That reply was to me, and I said it was definite gamesmanship by Bowman. I was not taking it at face value.

CLASSIC GM speak... Do not say a damned thing. And this is the exact response I expected. No red font required. We'll find out a lot more in the next 36 hours.
- blackhawk24

yup

CLASSIC GM speak... Do not say a damned thing. And this is the exact response I expected. No red font required. We'll find out a lot more in the next 36 hours.
- blackhawk24

Agreed. Perfect non-answer.

With TT gone, Schmaltz knew he had a very good chance of stepping right into the line up.
- z1990z

I know this is a stretch bc Schmaltz has not played a game in the NHL but posters on here that know more about him, can he possibly step in this year and give the same level of production as TT, at least offensively?

Not disagreeing. The point I was trying to show was that TT, Danault, and now McNeill might be gone in a small time frame.

But you're right - there has to be concern with development or not drafting that well. Definitely drafting 20-30 is part of it for sure.
- 93Joe

To be fair, some lower-round picks have worked out pretty well:

Saad (2), Shaw (5), Kruger (5)

But I don't think any of these 3 saw much development time in Rockford (except for the lock-out year before January).

With TT gone, Schmaltz knew he had a very good chance of stepping right into the line up.
- z1990z

Pretty much. Maybe they also feel he has more to offer than Teravainen.

Thats part of the job...
- mrpaulish

It certainly is. I would love to be a GM of an NHL team....that would be a fantastic job. I would leak false rumors every chance I got!

That reply was to me, and I said it was definite gamesmanship by Bowman. I was not taking it at face value.
- JRoenick97

My bad! That was meant as a general comment going off what you said. I knew what you were saying I was agreeing and elaborating!

I know this is a stretch bc Schmaltz has not played a game in the NHL but posters on here that know more about him, can he possibly step in this year and give the same level of production as TT, at least offensively?
- bhawks2241

You can put me in that crowd of not knowing anything about Schmaltz. He did put up good numbers in his last season at college and played well in the tournament. The key is finding the right mixture of vet/youth to put together the bottom 6. Pitt showed it can be done. Chemistry. Got to find that chemistry.

You can put me in that crowd of not knowing anything about Schmaltz. He did put up good numbers in his last season at college and played well in the tournament. The key is finding the right mixture of vet/youth to put together the bottom 6. Pitt showed it can be done.
- z1990z

I watching most of UND's games in the playoffs. Schmaltz was impressive at the college level. Will that turn into NHL success? We'll have to wait and see.

I wouldn't even trade Bonino for AA and Kruger. There's just no point in trading malkin from a Penguins perspective unless the other team is offering the moon. Pens don't have any cap issues and fleury will be gone sooner or later opening up more cap space. They also have almost the same exact team coming back, so why mess with that?

Only way I see JR actually listening would be if the Hawks put Hammer, AA, and schmaltz as part of the deal. Not to mention probably a 1st rounder for a couple years.

Would anyone here trade a 3rd round pick for Yakupov?

Apparently that's the cost to acquire him.

He's an RFA after next season, and his current cap hit is $2.5 mil.

Taking a chance on him and letting him play with Panarin, while moving Kane up to the first line to help Toews out and allows Hossa move (and excel) to the third line could be a great way for the team to have very potent depth on the right side.

Of course, this doesn't solve the question mark on the left side and the 'Hawks are tight against the cap as is, but figure that a player with Yak's potential and could be had on the cheap might be a route worth exploring.

Tracy :

Bowman on Schmaltz: "We're thrilled he made the decision he was ready for pro hockey. We’ve felt that way for a while here..." #Blackhawks
- mrpaulish

To be fair, some lower-round picks have worked out pretty well:

Saad (2), Shaw (5), Kruger (5)

But I don't think any of these 3 saw much development time in Rockford (except for the lock-out year before January).
- StLBravesFan

Just to add more to your point - These players were drafted by a different management regime, but also Brouwer (7) and Byfuglien (8). They worked out pretty well also. Seems like a lot of hit or miss nowadays.

Would anyone here trade a 3rd round pick for Yakupov?

Apparently that's the cost to acquire him.

He's an RFA after next season, and his current cap hit is $2.5 mil.

Taking a chance on him and letting him play with Panarin, while moving Kane up to the first line to help Toews out and allows Hossa move (and excel) to the third line could be a great way for the team to have very potent depth on the right side.

Of course, this doesn't solve the question mark on the left side and the 'Hawks are tight against the cap as is, but figure that a player with Yak's potential and could be had on the cheap might be a route worth exploring.
- TommyHawk

If they are willing to dump him for a third it says a lot. Sounds like they just want to get rid of him. I wouldn't waste my time given the cap hit.

Would anyone here trade a 3rd round pick for Yakupov?

Apparently that's the cost to acquire him.

He's an RFA after next season, and his current cap hit is $2.5 mil.

Taking a chance on him and letting him play with Panarin, while moving Kane up to the first line to help Toews out and allows Hossa move (and excel) to the third line could be a great way for the team to have very potent depth on the right side.

Of course, this doesn't solve the question mark on the left side and the 'Hawks are tight against the cap as is, but figure that a player with Yak's potential and could be had on the cheap might be a route worth exploring.
- TommyHawk

If we were not up against the cap I would in a heartbeat if that was true. Wonder if the Oilers would retain half the hit?

I wouldn't even trade Bonino for AA and Kruger. There's just no point in trading malkin from a Penguins perspective unless the other team is offering the moon. Pens don't have any cap issues and fleury will be gone sooner or later opening up more cap space. They also have almost the same exact team coming back, so why mess with that?

Only way I see JR actually listening would be if the Hawks put Hammer, AA, and schmaltz as part of the deal. Not to mention probably a 1st rounder for a couple years.
- drummer829

My bad! That was meant as a general comment going off what you said. I knew what you were saying I was agreeing and elaborating!
- bhawks2241

No worries my friend.

If we were not up against the cap I would in a heartbeat if that was true. Wonder if the Oilers would retain half the hit?
- bhawks2241

In exchange for a 3rd round pick, I doubt it

Would anyone here trade a 3rd round pick for Yakupov?

Apparently that's the cost to acquire him.

He's an RFA after next season, and his current cap hit is $2.5 mil.

Taking a chance on him and letting him play with Panarin, while moving Kane up to the first line to help Toews out and allows Hossa move (and excel) to the third line could be a great way for the team to have very potent depth on the right side.

Of course, this doesn't solve the question mark on the left side and the 'Hawks are tight against the cap as is, but figure that a player with Yak's potential and could be had on the cheap might be a route worth exploring.
- TommyHawk

The price to acquire is certainly eye-opening... Maybe Stan can get them to retain some of that salary

If Hawks can get yak for a 3rd and $1mil retained, I'd give him a shot ($1.5 for a year isn't a horrible risk IMO) Prolly a pipe dream

Panarin-AA-Yak could be an intriguing line 2, allowing Kaner to step up w/ Toews

Lazarus , another Blackhawks employee ......

Why comment on the rumors at all ? makes no sense
- mrpaulish

I don't know the guy, but I know one Hawk employee who refers to him as such

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 1m1 minute ago

Unless Vegas is an above average revenue generator, expansion will likely have negative impact on NHL salary cap. HRR split will be 31 ways.


Maybe Stan is considering this as well.

You can put me in that crowd of not knowing anything about Schmaltz. He did put up good numbers in his last season at college and played well in the tournament. The key is finding the right mixture of vet/youth to put together the bottom 6. Pitt showed it can be done. Chemistry. Got to find that chemistry.
- z1990z

He has all the tools to be a very good player. He'll need to hit the weights and bulk up. If I had to grade Schmaltz in areas of his game...

Vision: A+
Skating: B
Stickhandling: A
Defensively: B
Faceoffs: B-
Shot: B- (he's a pass first type of guy)

I don't know the guy, but I know one Hawk employee who refers to him as such
- John Jaeckel

You can tell just by listening to him . Its pathetic.

Kuc too .

Tracy too .

Zawaski is approaching that level , but I bet he gets kinda black listed now since he posted his disapproval of the TT deal .

I guess there isnt any use of anyone that asks them real questions anyways since GMs and HCs and front office people are basically politicians anyways ....

The price to acquire is certainly eye-opening... Maybe Stan can get them to retain some of that salary

If Hawks can get yak for a 3rd and $1mil retained, I'd give him a shot ($1.5 for a year isn't a horrible risk IMO) Prolly a pipe dream
- Frenchy4488

Maybe instead of retain 1M we could do a 3 rounder and Runblad for Yak. That would clear 1M off our books so it would be basically the same as if they would retain money. They are still getting what they want in a 3rd round pick, and they could maybe use Runblad on their 3rd pairing, and we get a player that could work well here.