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.
- Return of the Roar

Odds are we will not get a top-notch LW, unfortunately. However if there is a very improved defense and some good depth signings, then the team isn't looking that bad. No one wants CC gone, but the money movement makes the most sense, aside from AA.

Hell yes. Our top 6 D is vastly improved now.
- Hawks_49

Keith - Seabrook
Campbell - Hjalmarsson
TvR - Kempney
Rozsival
Gustafsson

I like it...

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

On the surface it seems that way. To get a 2L in return, with decent cap savings, in the same move could be difficult.

Brandon Mashinter is not an NHL player, cannot hit anyone, cannot win a fight, and Toews was in 2 fights when he was "deterring" last year. I have ZERO problem with Rosi as a 6/7D and mentor/interpreter for Kempny. Brandon Mashinter is an absolute joke. He is NOT EVEN A 4th liner in all advanced statistics, and the eye test results are even worse from an objective observer. Absolutely terrible, and like I said at the end of the last blog, INK in #53 at 4LW and watch Q run 3 lines.

Mashinter's HERO Chart

http://public.tableau.com...WHWWHJ?:display_count=yes
- EnzoD

He can hit he just does flybys like most of the nhl these days. And he's not a horrible fighter just doesn't do it enough. Also Toews is two fights is the reason why he was called up.

Keith - Seabrook
Campbell - Hjalmarsson
TvR - Kempney
Rozsival
Gustafsson

I like it...
- DarthKane

Keith Hammer

Seabrook Soupy

Keith - Seabrook
Campbell - Hjalmarsson
TvR - Kempney
Rozsival
Gustafsson

I like it...
- DarthKane

I like your optimism that Q would put 2 and 7 back together.

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.
- Chunk

A RW who scored 50+ pts last season, plays responsible. He would fit well alongside Kruger on the 3rd line. Stempniak or Colbourne would be great depth adds.

Some recent news on Colbourne--- looks like he was unqualified by Calgary to avoid arbitration -- because they couldn't pay him-- 25 yo - 6'5 225 19 goals 44pts-- But he is a hometown kid for Calgary--

IMO this is the kind of player the Hawks should target--

http://www.calgarysun.com...borne-commit-to-negotiate
- jb3333

Yeah, I doubt he leaves, but would like him here. Seems he's gonna try to work in out with the mighty Flames.

My prediction for the Campbell contract:

1 year with base salary of 1.5M + incentives to reach up to 3.5M.
- Hawks_49

INCENTIVES!!! NO, STAN, NO!!

He can hit he just does flybys like most of the nhl these days. And he's not a horrible fighter just doesn't do it enough. Also Toews is two fights is the reason why he was called up.
- vandymeer23

He serves no purpose and with Q playing 53 over real hockey players in the playoffs and now Bowman let him back on the roster. Awful

Mash and Rozi are good cheap insurance and placeholders for now. Putting them in the roster for league minimum and bumping Sved and Baun off frees an additional $200k. Hawks are not done yet.
- Marlowe

Svedberg would have to clear waivers if we sent him down. Maybe he'll end up being a trade piece.

He can hit he just does flybys like most of the nhl these days. And he's not a horrible fighter just doesn't do it enough. Also Toews is two fights is the reason why he was called up.
- vandymeer23

He was in the lineup when Toews fought. And he does a fly-by bc the puck has already been moved 3+ seconds before he gets there. He's franking terrible, but w/e.

On the surface it seems that way. To get a 2L in return, with decent cap savings, in the same move could be difficult.
- blackhawk24

Might net them enough to sign one from elsewhere tho.

My prediction for the Campbell contract:

1 year with base salary of 1.5M + incentives to reach up to 3.5M.
- Hawks_49

PLEASE no bonuses. We have enough problems with 72's, no need to make it worse unless it is a 2M bonus for posting 50 points AND winning the cup.

And the Blue Jackets just bought out Jared Boll. He is a real goon that can actually catch NHL players to inflict a solid body check. Also, he actually wins fights. If Q and Toews want a goon in the lineup, FINE, go get a NHL quality Goon. Mashinter is an AHL goon.
- EnzoD

Boll isn't a goon he's a solid enforcer type a goon is someone with like 5 career points and 200 pim. Boll has always been a good player willing to answer the bell, but yes he would be my choice hopefully he gets a deal for like 675,000 and beats out Mashinter. Also who ever said Baun would whoop on Mashhinter is sorely mistaking if they are talking about in a fight.

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.
- Chunk

I'd take a low risk low cost ticket on him--

PLEASE no bonuses. We have enough problems with 72's, no need to make it worse unless it is a 2M bonus for posting 50 points AND winning the cup.
- tyweb69

I'd prefer no bonuses, but Campbell is a legitimate top 4 defenseman. I foresee Stan giving him bonuses for certain incentives. The Hawks are a "Do well for me now, we'll deal with the money next summer" kinda team as far as bonuses go.

Keith - Seabrook
Campbell - Hjalmarsson
TvR - Kempney
Rozsival
Gustafsson

I like it...
- DarthKane

Actually I do too and I believe it would be our best D core since 2013 and if Kempney is what we think he can be it may well be the BEST defense collectively we've ever had.

Forward is still an issue. Who is L3-C? Wingers are in short supply. Mashinter to possibly fill some first line minutes?

A RW who scored 50+ pts last season, plays responsible. He would fit well alongside Kruger on the 3rd line. Stempniak or Colbourne would be great depth adds.
- 93Joe

For some reason I thought I remembered him playing LW last year. Still would add scoring punch on the bottom six. I believe he was signed on a PTO by NJ last year, so shouldn't command too much.

No one wants Kruger or Anisimov.
- Newgod77

Well not Boston ,they are building a lottery team ..17 seconds Baby !!!

No Boll. Stop it. He has scored more than 7 points 1 time in the last 8 years.
- -Doh-

That's not his job.

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)
- AEL_Fox

Not mad at that line up Fox

Hi JJ,

Leafs fan here but always enjoy your blogs. I like McGinn (at 3.5 or so x 3-4) for either
the Leafs or Hawks. He will be 28 when the season starts, but he gets about 40 pts
per season & plays w/ some sandpaper, but does not take many penalties.

Let me know what you think of this trade proposal:

TOR - Anisimov (4.55 x 5 yrs) & Desjardins (.800 - ufa after 2017)
for
CHI - Bozak (4.20 x 2 yrs) I personally think the Leafs get the better player, but
Hawks save 1.15M on the deal....maybe not enough for Hawks to lose AA...let me
know waht ya think.

PLEASE no bonuses. We have enough problems with 72's, no need to make it worse unless it is a 2M bonus for posting 50 points AND winning the cup.
- tyweb69

Hope the incentives are if he wins the Norris and Conn Smythe!

Hi JJ,

Leafs fan here but always enjoy your blogs. I like McGinn (at 3.5 or so x 3-4) for either
the Leafs or Hawks. He will be 28 when the season starts, but he gets about 40 pts
per season & plays w/ some sandpaper, but does not take many penalties.

Let me know what you think of this trade proposal:

TOR - Anisimov (4.55 x 5 yrs) & Desjardins (.800 - ufa after 2017)
for
CHI - Bozak (4.20 x 2 yrs) I personally think the Leafs get the better player, but
Hawks save 1.15M on the deal....maybe not enough for Hawks to lose AA...let me
know waht ya think.
- paulozz

Id do that in a heartbeat