Id do that in a heartbeat
- vandymeer23

I'd do it just for the contract length. Bozak just 2 years remaining.

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

Have heard Bozak in a couple rumblings from JJ in the past. I think the fear with Bozak is he isnt the biggest and come physicality time will he be able to take on a Getzlaf or Kesler or Kopitar in a 7 game grind?

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

Mashinter is utter crap! We already have guys on the team who can fight. Desjardin, supposedly Lundberg, and McNeil if he makes it. That being said, Q is clearly against fighting these days and I'm sure these guys will be asked to refrain like last year. Our beloved Hawks are intentionally soft as baby poop.

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

I'd take that deal in a heartbeat. I love Bozak. Very solid two-way game, can win faceoffs, score, backcheck, push possession. I think he is better than Anisimov overall. AA does a way better job of getting in front of the net and getting those garbage goals, but I'd gladly send him on his way if Bozak was coming to the Hawks.

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

What I see in Bozak over AA is the fact that Bozak is one of the better face-off center-men in the game. Anisimov struggles in that department. They're both similar offensively in regards to production but Bozak probably does a better job of generating offense than AA does, but on the contrary, AA is a lot better defensively.

It's a toss-up, and I think both players are about the same in value, but the x-factor here is that AA is Panarin's language buddy, and after moving Tik last season, there won't be any other Russians on the team for Panarin to be comfortable with. Not to mention, Desjardins is a pretty darn good fourth liner at his cost too.

I'd have to pass on the deal, but the savings would be nice.

What I see in Bozak over AA is the fact that Bozak is one of the better face-off center-men in the game. Anisimov struggles in that department. They're both similar offensively in regards to production but Bozak probably does a better job of generating offense than AA does, but on the contrary, AA is a lot better defensively.

It's a toss-up, and I think both players are about the same in value, but the x-factor here is that AA is Panarin's language buddy, and after moving Tik last season, there won't be any other Russians on the team for Panarin to be comfortable with. Not to mention, Desjardins is a pretty darn good fourth liner at his cost too.

I'd have to pass on the deal, but the savings would be nice.
- TommyHawk

What if we sent Svedberg instead of Desi?

My prediction for the Campbell contract:

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

Brian, here's your incentive. 1.5 M for 1 year and then you come upstairs for as long as you want.

With the Rozy and Mash signings - the Hawks have 10F, 7D and 2G. Current salary cap is $67.8M, meaning there is $5.2M cap space.

So let's play the what if game ...

1. Hawks sign Campbell for $2M and send Svedberg ($750K) to Rockford - net increase of $1.25M so now the cap space is ($5.2M - $1.25M = ) $3.95M

2. Hawks sign E.Staal for $2M which brings cap space down to $1.95M.

3. Hawks promote Hartman ($865K) and McNeill (~$800K) which leaves $285K cap space and this roster:

Staal-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-AA-Kane
Desjardins-Kruger-Panik
McNeill-Rasmussen-Hartman
Mashinter

Keith-Seabrook
Campbell-Hjalmarsson
Kempny-TvR
Rozsival

Crawford
Darling
- EbonyRaptor

This came up near the end of the last blog, and I thought was a very good way to look at the signings (bigger picture) as I too was furious when I saw them (moreso Mash) but this makes a lot of sense given how much every bit counts.

I'd still love to see a big contract move out, but this could be "worst case scenario" if we can't get a big contract out and if Staal is willing to play ball...

Awesome great news! Would be a good 3rd line guy.
- 93Joe

Or second line: he (Colborne) put up numbers comparable to AA's last season, without the benefit of the league's top pair of wingers.

Or first line: he can apparently also play left wing!

What if we sent Svedberg instead of Desi?
- JRoenick97

Not sure it makes that much of a difference for me. Desjardins has more value to the 'Hawks than he does on the market. No point in moving him, especially at his very affordable rate. Svedberg - at this point - is still raw. Don't know what you'll have in him, but doesn't look like he'll get much of a chance this season with the team barring injury.

If the trade is "close" in terms of value, I would just stay put with what we have since it doesn't make much sense to make a trade just to do so. AA was fine at 2C last season.

Unless the 'Hawks severely need an upgrade (like 1 LW), that's the only move I would consider to move AA. But then it leaves you short up the middle.

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

Wow, guarantees, no less. You sound like a certain Presidential candidate.

Strickland


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

If true, and Andy is a legit guy, then the Hawk D should be outstanding. But team D really depends on a lot on the forwards.

According to James Mirtle:

Sounds like Colorado has something big brewing. Might involve Ladeskong.

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

Pass. Anisimov might be better than Bozak and Desjardins is a very useful player.

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.
- EnzoD

Enough already about your hate for mash. Everyone knows how you and others feel but evidently those that know better as they are hockey professionals see something in him that you dont

Russo:
Some of the teams I hear that have at least reached out to Thomas Vanek: #lakings, #coyotes; #blackhawks; #canucks

Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 6m6 minutes ago
Some of the teams I hear that have at least reached out to Thomas Vanek: #lakings, #coyotes; #blackhawks; #canucks

Vanek wouldn't be my first choice as a UFA signing...but it all comes down to cost.

Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 6m6 minutes ago
Some of the teams I hear that have at least reached out to Thomas Vanek: #lakings, #coyotes; #blackhawks; #canucks

Richards can still play - I Agree
- wiz1901

What happened to Ralph Jarratt out of the WHL? I thought he was projected, last year, to be a first round pick, for this years draft.

Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 6m6 minutes ago
Some of the teams I hear that have at least reached out to Thomas Vanek: #lakings, #coyotes; #blackhawks; #canucks
- TommyHawk

Great minds think alike...

Vanek wouldn't be my first choice as a UFA signing...but it all comes down to cost.

Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 6m6 minutes ago
Some of the teams I hear that have at least reached out to Thomas Vanek: #lakings, #coyotes; #blackhawks; #canucks
- DarthKane

Pure goal scorer but he is lazy and would be in Q's doghouse for that fact

Oh yeah, and that waive thing. Buffalo?? Not seeing it.
- Return of the Roar

Isn't CC a Montreal native? He'd be closer to home and be able to play in or against the Canadiens more often. I'd think he might love to be in that division.

I wonder if the Blackhawks reached out to Vanek

No to Vanek, yes to Landeskog.

I wonder if the Blackhawks reached out to Vanek
- ikeane

I don't think so....