I'd like to see Baun thrive as well and make the team within the next few years as a regular. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the penalties that spelled his demise last year were of the "rookie mistake" variety that goes away with coaching and experience rather than him being chronically undisciplined. He doesn't come off as a loose cannon. Hartman on the other hand could be described that way.
- AEL_Fox

Yes, you are correct.
Baun isn't a loose cannon by any stretch.
IDK if you could expect him to get that coaching here (or in Rockford); my guess is he's either figured it out on his own (you'd think getting sent down after 2 games would get your attention) or he won't be around much longer.

Believe he's only signed for the upcoming year, so he's got that fire underneath him to make it this year.

Thanks for the input, bud.
- JRoenick97

Tough to be happy as a Bruins fan....

If/When Soupy signs, there's another logjam of D in Rockford. The question is if a prospect trade happens before the year starts or after.

Wow. Weakest bottom 6 in the league.
- busmaster

As stands yes.

However, if we can get creative and spread out the depth, that might not be the case. I think its time to split up Panarin and Kane. Give Kane guys like Schmaltz and Panik to play with, he'll make them look good i guarantee. Then you've got a Toews/Hossa line and a Panarin/Anisimov line. Still leaves Desi and Kruger for the 4th line.

Just an idea, i think spreading out the depth like that and breaking up Toews, Kane, and Panarin into 3 lines might be our only hope.

Heard just now Hawks still quietly exploring moving CC. Buffalo is the persistent team mentioned.
- John Jaeckel

Again, how much net cap savings do you really get after you find a second goalie? Do we get Lehner in exchange? The guy who couldn't pull the train even after being reunited with his AHL head coach who lobbied to sign him?

I am guessing not enough to sign a stud top six LW, and certainly not enough to offset the loss of talent in the net.

If Q is running the show, and he thought Darling was the answer, don't we think he would have played him more last year?

Oh yeah, and that waive thing. Buffalo?? Not seeing it.

If/When Soupy signs, there's another logjam of D in Rockford. The question is if a prospect trade happens before the year starts or after.
- HelloFriend

Trouble with that logjam at D in Rockford is few, if any, are overly promising prospects.

Yes, extend him for cheap and if not then gotta let him go the F/A route. BE thinking of HIS replacement NOW. If Darling has a big year chances are the Hawks have a big year.
- kwolf68

Agreed. Maybe a 3 year deal @ 1.25M AAV would be acceptable to Darling. This is with the assumption Crawford is being traded.

Panarin has to be priority.

Trouble with that logjam at D in Rockford is few, if any, are overly promising prospects.
- kwolf68

Pokka

Pokka
- savvyone-1

Wait.....who did we trade for him again? I forgot....

Did anyone hear any details on McNeill"s contract, term, $$$ etc...
- walleyeb1

I heard he received a qualifying offer but I don't think he accepted it yet.

Strickland


Sounds like former #panther Dman Brian Campbell is headed back to #Blackhawks on a short (likely 1 yr) deal #NHL

Strickland


Sounds like former #panther Dman Brian Campbell is headed back to #Blackhawks on a short (likely 1 yr) deal #NHL
- mrpaulish

Hell yes. Our top 6 D is vastly improved now.

Heard just now Hawks still quietly exploring moving CC. Buffalo is the persistent team mentioned.
- John Jaeckel

Just picks? Fits a McD narrative since draft is here next year.

Still no top 6 LW.....but Mashinter is back. I'm getting my spot for the parade right now.

E Kane?
- stan-ley-cups

PASS

still mad about Sweeney drafting 3rd round players in Round 1? Lol.
- EnzoD

Obviously......that and some obscure 17 seconds.

I missed it the other day and it has probably already been talked about but I guess Hawks passed on

Mathieu Brisebois
Matt Fraser
Garrett Ross
Ryan Haggerty

Not surprised at all to hear them let Ross go, after the run in with the law he had, the writing was pretty much on the wall.

Does anyone have any objections to Stempniak? I know he's a bit older, but he played really well with Boston last year. Always around the net and has a good shot (which he can elevate). He might fit well as a 2-3 LW.

PASS
- blackhawk24

I would if they would east a little salary. E Kane is a very talented player, slight head case, but one who can thrive and score 30 goals with the right team/situation.

Just picks? Fits a McD narrative since draft is here next year.
- blackhawk24

And they have no room to take salary back unless it's attached to a top 6 LW.

Still no top 6 LW.....but Mashinter is back. I'm getting my spot for the parade right now.
- tompo1015

Patience. This may take well into the summer.

As stands yes.

However, if we can get creative and spread out the depth, that might not be the case. I think its time to split up Panarin and Kane. Give Kane guys like Schmaltz and Panik to play with, he'll make them look good i guarantee. Then you've got a Toews/Hossa line and a Panarin/Anisimov line. Still leaves Desi and Kruger for the 4th line.

Just an idea, i think spreading out the depth like that and breaking up Toews, Kane, and Panarin into 3 lines might be our only hope.
- SimpleJack

I agree that if we put all of our top players on the 1st and 2nd lines, then our bottom lines are really two 4th lines rather than prototypical 3rd and 4th lines given our lack of depth. I would support spreading out the top players across 3 lines, something like:

1LW-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-2RW
Panik-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Rasmussen-4RW

1LW could be McGinn or Staal
2RW could be Schmaltz
4RW could be Lundberg, Motte, McNeill, Hartman, Baun, or Mashinter (and this group could be the candidate pool for the 13th forward)

E Kane?
- stan-ley-cups

Please god no.

Heard just now Hawks still quietly exploring moving CC. Buffalo is the persistent team mentioned.
- John Jaeckel

I called Buffalo for CC in the latter pages of John's thread Making Sense of It All.
I know, you're happy for me.

My prediction for the Campbell contract:

1 year with base salary of 1.5M + incentives to reach up to 3.5M.