Each poster should start their post today with what they think will happen between now and July 8th (two weeks):

A) Blockbuster (moving a core piece)
B) Minor (moving a secondary piece - Shaw/Kruger/McNeil/etc)
C) Nothing
- -Doh-

I dont think Stan has it in him to do a blockbuster.

Id say trades involving Freddy and or Shaw are probable .

If a blockbuster happens including the names above plus AA and or Crawford or Seabrook id be shocked

Id be happy if the Hawks somehow got into round 1 tonight and dropped one of the large contracts .

Just tweeted , thought we already knew this :

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 18s19 seconds ago
Florida signs Yandle to 7-yr deal
- mrpaulish

(Red font) BREAKING: Ducks trade anderson to Leafs for a pair of picks

Stan got out in front of the pack with the Bicks/TT move. Lets hope he stays the course and gets some moves done early today. The comment that the Hawks are comfortable with Darling speaks volumes. Maybe that is more from Bowman Sr. and his old Detroit model for putting a team together. The more I think about I can see Shaw/Kruger going in a package. If the Hawks really want a Ladd/Lucic/Brouwer type then CC will have to get moved as well.

Thats the catch and Stan needs to be making calls as to who he wants and what it will take money wise to bring them here. If I had my pick on that big LW it would be Ladd, Brouwer and then Lucic in that order. Somebody kicked around a Shaw/Kruger deal to the Oilers for Yak and Maroon. Yak might do really well playing on a line with 72 and 15. Then we could have the Russian 3! Throw back to the days when the Wings rolled the Russian 5 out there. Maroon is just a solid/big LW who will bring the needed grit.

Cheers to draft day and the fun of swirling rumors to come!!! Hope JJ had his coffee. Gonna be a busy day...
- z1990z

I really hope the blackhawks don't get rid of Shaw and Kruger, I'm not sure they can afford that. The forward depth with such a move would be pathetic lines 3-4 on some of the suggested lineups have been terrible, I don't think the blackhawks can afford to get any more top heavy by trading kruger+shaw for a 6 mil Lucic type.

It seems that Crawford has to be moved, I am not sure the goalie market is all THAT strong as far as elite goalies go, I don't watch much of the Penguins in recent years but MAF has been BRUTAL in recent playoffs, no way him and Crawford are comparable. If I am out looking for a goalie and Crawford is available, he is my first choice to add.

I would hate to see him go from the blackhawks but if they could add another 2 solid depth forwards with that money (or retain Shaw), I think it makes icing a decent squad much more feasible. Not sure with the addition of Kempny that they are as worried about D, I haven't watched him play but from what people are saying about him I think we have a solid top 5 with him, the big 3, and TVR. I personally don't think TVR gets the credit he deserves, he's a damn solid player and I thought a servicable number 4, although he doesn't add on offense.

I dont think Stan has it in him to do a blockbuster.

Id say trades involving Freddy and or Shaw are probable .

If a blockbuster happens including the names above plus AA and or Crawford or Seabrook id be shocked

Id be happy if the Hawks somehow got into round 1 tonight and dropped one of the large contracts .
- mrpaulish

A and B

I have been roasted for suggesting that Anisimov is not a great fit for this bunch. I think he's a great guy and I'm sure he's enhanced 72's experience with the Hawks off the ice.

I'm not questioning AA's offensive production. My issue is that he doesn't win enough faceoffs as a 2C and doesn't complement the speed game of 72/88. I think they could get a younger, faster guy that wins faceoffs and enhance the quality of line #2.

Really hopeful that Hawks are able to achieve some of the things that JJ laid out as I fear this current roster is probably the worst since '11.
- phantasmo

Better faceoff numbers would be great, but considering the amazing production out of the second line last year...

...I can live with Anisimov as is.

My honest thought is between A and B. I can see Anisimov and Kruger moved for a couple draft picks and a bottom 6 guy.

Free Agency the hawks sign Brouwer to a 3yr and Vernon Fiddler to a 1 yr deal to replace the PK and Faceoff capabilities of Kruger.
- nickmo2699

Isnt Peverley a UFA. May be a good piece too

B) Minor deals (Shaw or Kruger, McNeil, maybe Rockford guys or draft picks)

I dont think Stan has it in him to do a blockbuster.

Id say trades involving Freddy and or Shaw are probable .

If a blockbuster happens including the names above plus AA and or Crawford or Seabrook id be shocked

Id be happy if the Hawks somehow got into round 1 tonight and dropped one of the large contracts .
- mrpaulish

I would agree with the bolded.

At this point I'm really not shocked by anything in this cap-mad world

Isnt Peverley a UFA. May be a good piece too
- ikeane

Red Font?

And so it begins...

so does Stanley get moving and actually push a couple trades through or are we going to see a repeat of the Sharp/ Leddy moves...where Stan and Co. hold their cards too long/want too much and get hosed. Hoping its the former and not the ladder. After last summer's trainwreck of deals Stan needs to get it right this time around.

Would love to see Brouwer back over Lucic. I hated when they moved him out in the first place...He was solid with the Caps and certainly was a difference maker for St. Louis last season - especially in the playoffs.

The other move I'd like to see them make is getting Soupy back to solidify the bottom of the blueline which was a mess last season after the top 3. Really like that Stan signed Kempny and this would certainly help especially if CC is moved. But again buyers market on goalies we'll see what they do.

I dont think Stan has it in him to do a blockbuster.

Id say trades involving Freddy and or Shaw are probable .

If a blockbuster happens including the names above plus AA and or Crawford or Seabrook id be shocked

Id be happy if the Hawks somehow got into round 1 tonight and dropped one of the large contracts .
- mrpaulish

I think CC is dealt and there is much bemoaning how little they got in return for a 2x cup winning goalie. This board will implode. I am thinking they get a prospect or 2 and a 2nd for CC, or a low 1st (doubtful in the buyers market)

Just realized Chicago doesn't have a first round pick. Woof.

Anyway, its clear the Hawks have to do something. But, with their reactionary history I don't know how much faith I would put into them at this point. Also, with how restrictive the cap is there isn't a lot they can do to improve in a meaningful way. MAYBE add a LW to help out Toews if they can free some money.

Similar to Ladd though Lucic is not a get up the ice, tape to tape guy like Saad or Sharp. And it has been demonstrated numerous times that regardless of on ice personal, and regardless of their special skill set, Q wants his defenders to make that home run pass.

Could be another ugly year of hockey in Chicago. With the exception of Kane and Panarin doing fun things every few shifts.

I think CC is dealt and there is much bemoaning how little they got in return for a 2x cup winning goalie. This board will implode. I am thinking they get a prospect or 2 and a 2nd for CC, or a low 1st (doubtful in the buyers market)
- ikeane

This is how I feel. Not possible to get a "fair value" return. Just hope the Iceberg on Madison doesn't move too slow to get something worthwhile back.

Quotes down. Good one Golfbard....!

And wouldn't be interesting that on the 3rd anniversary of 17 seconds, the 'Hawks lay the groundwork for #17 to sign as a UFA here one week from today.
- blackhawk24

Thanks man... and good call on that.

Isnt Peverley a UFA. May be a good piece too
- ikeane

Retired? Had an unfortunate cardiac problem.

How is moving a player with an NMC any different than trading Kruger after his bridge deal concession with respect to the message it sends to remaining and future players?

Still seeing things pretty much status quo with a few minor deals.

There really is no scenario returning Shaw, a power forward and another defenseman without a huge hole created elsewhere in the lineup.

can someone explain to me when Krugers 1.475 signing bonus is paid and Seabs 4.5 mil signing bonus and if its paid and what happens if they are paid on July 1st and we trade them on July 2nd? Seabs at 50 mil over 8 years and Kruger at 7.6 over 3 years is closer to market. IE 2.6 actually payout and 6.25. I wonder if we could have a an agreement in place and trade them after its paid.

JJ.

I mentioned on your last blog that I thought one CAP friendly move that helps BOTH teams would be a Seabrook to Edmonton deal where Nurse and some package of Driesidel, Yakopov, RNH, picks/prospects come back. Oilers would get there STUD D-man to build around. Hawks could get 2-3 cheaper bodies and some prospect depth. You see any fit here???? To me, Oilers would benefit greatly and may be willing to put a valuable package together for us....
- hawk35

Don't the Oilers love Nurse? I don't see them parting with him, and I especially don't see Seabs drawing him AND any of those guys from the Oil.

Each poster should start their post today with what they think will happen between now and July 8th (two weeks):

A) Blockbuster (moving a core piece)
B) Minor (moving a secondary piece - Shaw/Kruger/McNeil/etc)
C) Nothing
- -Doh-

I think Crawford needs to go. It's not that I want him to go. I'd love if there was a way to manage the cap and keep Crawford and the rest of the gang together but it's not realistic. Crawford has earned his contract, there would surely be a team out there that would gladly take a proven goaltender who has already won two cups and shown he could carry this team during large stretches of mediocre play. The question is what the return would be and as JJ said it is a buyer's market for goaltenders right now. Nobody is going to overpay and as some have optimistically theorized that a team like Edmonton would give us the #6 pick for Crawford, it won't happen that easily. We all owe Crawford a great deal of credit and as sad as I would be to see him go this is the only move that provides significant cap relief besides moving a combination of two or more other roster players.

I don't like the idea of moving Anisimov right now, I feel like he was a really really important piece of the puzzle for us last season. As many changes as we have seen over the years he was the best 2C we have had in this organization for a long time and perfectly complimented the Kane/Panarin perimeter styles with his hardnosed work ethic and net front presence that this team sorely needs. I also don't think he's even reached his prime yet. He also showed a penchant for finishing plays with precision around the net, he has a scoring touch to go with everything else and hoping to see him improve on his already stellar numbers with a healthy wrist this season. IMO you prioritize keeping this guy. I loved Anisimov coming back as much as it sucked to lose Saad, and IMO AA exceeded my expectations and they locked him up already. You don't sign a guy that quick if he's not part of the future plans.

It would be unfortunate to lose Kruger or Shaw as they are both important role players. Kruger has played ball the past 2 years with his contract and now whether you agree or not deserves his $3 million for doing so. He also dealt with the serious wrist injury last season and may perform better this year. Either way guys like him don't grow on trees, people love to whip on him and his cap hit but the guy has been helping us win hockey games since he became a part of this team and while his benefits don't often show on the score sheet or in the statistics anyone who has been paying attention realizes what this guy brings to the team consistently is the type of stuff that helps you win Stanley cups. Period. Not every team in the NHL has a third line center they can trust to shut down and disrupt other teams scoring lines with the efficacy that Kruger has shown time and time again. Q trusts him and we know that means in a lot in the big scheme of things.

Kruger's importance to the team is almost equal to Shaw's and he's another guy that Q covets and for good reason. He brings the type of grit and jam this squad is sorely lacking in general and he brings that tough as nails gritty quality you need, ESPECIALLY during the playoffs. Shaw's longevity should be questioned as he plays the game with a reckless abandon for his own well-being but for the time being he is a very valuable part of the squad. If he goes his grit needs to be replaced and it's not going to be cheap to find a player who brings what he does to the table. Heart and soul type of player and he leave a gaping hole if he were to go.

If Shaw or Kruger go, we lose important role players. If Crawford were to go we lose our confident, consistent #1 goaltender we have really taken for granted the past few seasons. Regardless of the what the Hawks brass think about riding Darling in Crawford's absence, we haven't seen enough to know with any certainty that Darling can perform as well and handle the pressure a full season brings. A move for Crawford would imply they think they can improve the overall roster with the extra cap space and there may be some weight to that theory, as 6M off the books would be huge for keeping the team together as is and possibly adding a complimentary piece or two.

I don't think we have enough talent in the Rockford cupboards to rely on some kids coming in and plugging the holes. We have a huge hole on our second pair of D and at this point moving any of the big three we have on defense would be absolute lunacy. You will never find replacements for Seabrook, Keith or Hjalmarsson without paying more for less. Is Seabrook slowing down? Maybe. Is there someone out there who could replace him for less money? No. Say what you want about him but there's no way to replace what he does for this team, you don't move him. Also if we can only protect 3 defensemen during the expansion draft, do we even want to make a big splash for that #4 ? We may see the same thing we have for the past few seasons, with less than ideal pieces filling out bottom 3 of our blueline and that might just have to be okay whether we like it or not.

Panarin needs to stay, he was a steal of a find and those types of acquisitions do not happen often. Every other team in the NHL was jealous of us having him last year especially at the price and his bonus is well worth it. We need to make some room and lock him up long term, do whatever it takes the guy needs to stay. There will be changes, this is the only thing we know for sure. Just have to hold onto our butts and hope for a smooth ride. There's no way in hell we will ever see Malkin in the Indianhead. Smokescreen or just nonsense, they may or may not have inquired, who cares we all know it will never happen.

Sorry for the rant guys, just wanted to add my two Canadian pennies so take it all with a huge grain of salt. We still have a lot to be happy about and excited about and maybe Bowman pulls off some magic here, we gotta maintain some degree of optimism. Hope you guys are all having a great summer thus far

Kruger and Seabs are getting more then they would get on the FA market so we have more then been fair to them in every way. Yandle got 44 mil and Seabs got 55 mil. Getting a guy to sign a undermarket deal and then trade them is different. that is not the case with either of these guys.

I missed it last night, but:

Good luck with your back, John - you're too young for chronic back issues.

And - congratulations, Eli - a long haul, hope you and you're much-better half move forward into your next life phase with success and happiness.
- StLBravesFan

Uhhhh, thx Sage, but no

This might be the new normal:

Rumbling: FLA preparing eight-year, $60M-ish extension for Aaron Ekblad. He can sign any time after July 1. Team and agent decline comment.

http://www.todaysslapshot...ing-60m-extension-ekblad/

Kruger and Seabs are getting more then they would get on the FA market so we have more then been fair to them in every way. Yandle got 44 mil and Seabs got 55 mil. Getting a guy to sign a undermarket deal and then trade them is different. that is not the case with either of these guys.
- kmw4631

Considering what Yandle just got, I'm not so sure such is true about Seabrook.

Considering what Yandle just got, I'm not so sure such is true about Seabrook.
- Chunk

My prediction is nothing will happen and Shaw is gone. Enter stage right your Rockford rookies to fill the bottom six and Coach Q taking a stronger heart medication.