Vesey's agent told Scott Powers that the Blackhawks are on his short list.

I like where the Stan sits right now regarding his roster and cap space. As we all know, hawks in a tough spot re the cap, now and into the future.

He's hanging onto about $1.5m worth of wiggle room under the cap. Wait until late August to see if we can get Vesey. If not, start the season and try a couple guys at 1LW. See if anyone can grab the slot. If that doesnt work, we've got a shot at the russian Ship...signing him in December would mean we have more room, as that $1.5m goes further as the games are played. Then next step is to see how we look come trade deadline. If we're looking really good and we've held that $1.5m of room, it can be used for a $3-4 m player around the trade deadline. If we're looking like this is a rebuilding year, it can be used to set up the team and help the cap for next year.


$1.5m gives Stan lots of options. More wiggle room and options than we've had since maybe 2010.

JJ, reaching for straws here buddy, 1st I gotta think JT will have input since he had a revolving door of Clubfoots on his wing last year. 2nd, I think SB has moved on and sincerely wants to take a hard run at Jimmy Vesey first, he has also stated that he wants to give some kids a shot before going into the pool of players who are closer to Beer League status then they are as JT's LW. Time to let it play out for a bit.
Flieschmann? I would much rather be going into the season with Danault, Dano,and a 1st round pick this past draft vs.the left over crap.

Vesey's agent told Scott Powers that the Blackhawks are on his short list.
- golfbard

Not going to bet the farm on what the agent tells a reporter but its nice to hear the Hawks have a shot for whatever its worth.

UGH...if we're down to Fleischman as a choice for #1 LW....I'd rather go with the kids from Rockford and move Panarin up to play with Toews and Hoss.

Not going to bet the farm on what the agent tells a reporter but its nice to hear the Hawks have a shot for whatever its worth.
- hankscorpio

Its not like he is pumping up his value to drive up the price on another team. Regardless of where he signs, it will be an ELC with bonuses that he will have to earn

This isnt like when Ryan Suters agent came running to Stan to pump the market for a larger deal

Vesey's agent told Scott Powers that the Blackhawks are on his short list.
- golfbard

Well thats good news. I hope its not leverage though like Mike Reilly last year.

Well thats good news. I hope its leverage though like Mike Reilly last year.
- sofaking3

Just speculating.. Probably Bruins, Buffalo, Toronto, Blackhawks, and Penguins.

Just speculating.. Probably Bruins, Buffalo, Toronto, Blackhawks, and Penguins.
- 93Joe

makes sense they are the team linked with him the most.

Very very expensive rental. Without an extension, this is not a good move. Also, I question his character, both on and off the field.
- TexasFlood

Hey Texas, not a big fan of Chappie's off the field activities either. At the same time have to give Theo and Jed a ton of credit here. They've built the thing up and are going for it...there is no more wait til next year. Still think they're going to get another bat although another starter wouldn't be bad either.

Meanwhile the dumpster fire continues on the South side. Sale really made a whiny brat move over the weekend. Sure I'd cut up the unis if David Roberston was my closer as well. The kid is frustrated, but c'mon after the Drake La Roche crap...

As far as the possibility of bringing Flash back who knows what he's got left and folks were female dogging about Versteeg...

I don't think Stan has the assets to to get one of Winnipeg's top young guys (ie Ehlers). I was thinking along the lines of the guys you mentioned - Armia, Dano and Lowry, although there are others that could work.

I'm thinking Stan would have to part with a guy like Gustafsson or Pokka.

I wouldn't expect any of the guys from Winnipeg to be top 6, at least right away. But if some of our young guys don't step up a trade with Chevy might be an option.
- DarthKane

Next time you watch WPG keep and eye on Burmistrov. 2010 1st rounder by ATL, pre-WPG, so they probably value him but they didn't draft him at WPG. Last 3 yrs averaged between 15:30 and 16:30, 3rd line minutes. Just seems a cerebral player, usually see him playing center. Not so good at the dot nor are his advanced stats.

Reminds me of a guy Q would like. His game provides certainty.

Lowry seems like a really solid bottom 6 guy. Checks a few boxes, size, 200 hits, center or wing, plays a playoff style and a 1.1 hit.

If the Hawks think they have depth at D to deal from my guess is they wait until clubs get injured or their guys don't pan out through the preseason. That is when the Hawks will have the most leverage and in fact if they have an injury themselves they have the depth to cover openings.

Good blog in an extremely sloooooow time of year for the hockey.

Short of a Vesey signing, I think going with the lesser of a known evil at #1LW (early in the season) might be a "safe" move.

To expand on JJ's point, I think we might see Q hit "puree" with the line blender early in the year. Specifically, I would toy with Animimov on #1LW, Freddy at #2C, and see if the bottom two lines can hold their own as competent defensive units without Freddy.

The Hawks are not "the Hawks" without the solid possession game and multiple lines that create scoring chances. 1) Need to the Toews line humming and 2) need more faceoff W's at Line #2. I don't see a reason not to try early in the season.

Hey Texas, not a big fan of Chappie's off the field activities either. At the same time have to give Theo and Jed a ton of credit here. They've built the thing up and are going for it...there is no more wait til next year. Still think they're going to get another bat although another starter wouldn't be bad either.

Meanwhile the dumpster fire continues on the South side. Sale really made a whiny brat move over the weekend. Sure I'd cut up the unis if David Roberston was my closer as well. The kid is frustrated, but c'mon after the Drake La Roche crap...

As far as the possibility of bringing Flash back who knows what he's got left and folks were female dogging about Versteeg...
- DK002[/
Hey DK, long offseason to say the least. Just wonder how Chapman is received in the room, remember that blow up with Rizzo in Cincinnati a few years ago? He may have the potential to ruin which is reportedly good chemistry in the Cub clubhouse.

But I give Theo credit, two quality lefthanders added to the pen. Now if Heyward would start hitting. I get the feeling Theo is not done yet either.

Would be sweet to have tickets to the Cell and Wrigley the next four days!

Darth makes a good point that WPG might be a partner. Who knows what's going to happen with Trouba and even so they probably only go a legit 5 deep on the backend.

That Ehlers kid is fun. Gotta think the Jets want a bunch for what seems to be a probable top 6 guy for 10 years. With Schiefle, Ehlers, Laine and Kyle Connor on the way the have a really nice forward core.

Adam Lowry? Big (6ft 5in) bottom 6 guy who can play center or wing, 23 yrs old, 1.1 for two more years, will lay the body.

Armia I think can be had. Watched him a bit. Big kid seemed heavy footed but at 23 he can still develop. 2011 1st rounder of BUF.

Burmistrov? Eye test was much better than his advanced stats but at 24 he can play center or wing, think he's a natural centerman.

Dano!!!

All those guys are 1.5 per or less and are all bottom 6.

I still think the Hawks stand pat unless some value presents. With Tootoo and Lundberg in the lineup they only have to start one rookie. Probably at least get through camp and the preseason before they look to deal.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm of the belief that you can never have too many centers.
Toews-Anisimov-Kruger/Lowry-Rasmussen would be a great down the middle. He would check some boxes for the bottom 6, but is it a possibility that we already have too many bottom 6 guys to fill the roster from Rockford? Just gotta find that elusive winger for Toews, whomever that may be. Hoping they can sign Vesey in August.

Good blog in an extremely sloooooow time of year for the hockey.

Short of a Vesey signing, I think going with the lesser of a known evil at #1LW (early in the season) might be a "safe" move.

To expand on JJ's point, I think we might see Q hit "puree" with the line blender early in the year. Specifically, I would toy with Animimov on #1LW, Freddy at #2C, and see if the bottom two lines can hold their own as competent defensive units without Freddy.

The Hawks are not "the Hawks" without the solid possession game and multiple lines that create scoring chances. 1) Need to the Toews line humming and 2) need more faceoff W's at Line #2. I don't see a reason not to try early in the season.
- phantasmo

Good blog in an extremely sloooooow time of year for the hockey.

Short of a Vesey signing, I think going with the lesser of a known evil at #1LW (early in the season) might be a "safe" move.

To expand on JJ's point, I think we might see Q hit "puree" with the line blender early in the year. Specifically, I would toy with Animimov on #1LW, Freddy at #2C, and see if the bottom two lines can hold their own as competent defensive units without Freddy.

The Hawks are not "the Hawks" without the solid possession game and multiple lines that create scoring chances. 1) Need to the Toews line humming and 2) need more faceoff W's at Line #2. I don't see a reason not to try early in the season.
- phantasmo

Only my opinion, but I don't think we'll see Kruger on Kane's line for one really good reason. Q wants Kane out there on offensive zone draws while typically wants Kruger out there for defensive zone draws. To me, if you put Kruger on Kane's line, you are hampering one or the other. Either you are stopping Kruger from being a go to guy to shut things down defensively, or you are taking away offensive opportunity from Kane by making him play more defense (where he is still just average defensively).

If AA slides to Wing, I really think it makes more sense to put a different guy at 2C, especially maybe a youngster who you also don't mind seeing more offensive zone starts rather than D zone starts where they are forced to play more D.

????-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Fleischmann-Kruger-Panik
Desi-Moose-TooToo

Schmaltz/Hartman/McNeill/etcetc

Signing Fleischmann leaves you in the same boat you're already in, just with less money to work with, if you ask me. Still need a #1 guy to fit in with the style of Toews and Hossa, assuming you don't want to move Hossa down.

Kane has proven that he can play with just about any center there is, so Anisimov could be an answer up there.
- roots_gamble

Call me crazy, but I don't think there will be zero rookies in the opening night lineup - specifically Schmaltz. Doubt the plan was to have him eat nachos in the PB

UGH...if we're down to Fleischman as a choice for #1 LW....I'd rather go with the kids from Rockford and move Panarin up to play with Toews and Hoss.
- tompo1015

There doesn't seem to be much market for these fringe veteran NHLers. First Versteeg signs overseas now Santorelli. A guy like Fleischmann will have to take what he can get if he wants to stay in the NHL.

There doesn't seem to be much market for these fringe veteran NHLers. First Versteeg signs overseas now Santorelli. A guy like Fleischmann will have to take what he can get if he wants to stay in the NHL.
- DarthKane

This year more and more teams are dealing with cap space crunch and these are the guys most impacted. The rebuilding teams with the most space have young players they are bringing in and the contenders have less appetite to tie up cap in these low upside projects.

UGH...if we're down to Fleischman as a choice for #1 LW....I'd rather go with the kids from Rockford and move Panarin up to play with Toews and Hoss.
- tompo1015

I agree, that's what I was trying to say, let's see the kids , hopefully Vesey chooses Chicago.

Stoked for Aroldis! Sometimes kids need to learn a life lesson, hopefully he realized and learned a good lesson here. To those that have a problem with it, change the channel or cheer for the Sox!hopin he has a lights out second half and the Cubs re sign him, Rodon ,while a good pitcher isn't the answer when a team is close to the cherry!

UGH...if we're down to Fleischman as a choice for #1 LW....I'd rather go with the kids from Rockford and move Panarin up to play with Toews and Hoss.
- tompo1015

That's what I'm thinking. Why not put one of the kids with hands with Toews and Hoss? Those 2 are defenseivly solid. Let a kid learn as long as he works hard. Money's already paid. Let him work for the spot.

GO KIDDIES

@generalfanager

We have confirmed David Rundblad NOT bought out by #Blackhawks. Sides mutually terminated contract. Rundblad thus $0 on Hawks cap this year.

Why not try McNeil or Bau . At 4th line LW move desjardin to 3 line C. And try Kruger at LW

There doesn't seem to be much market for these fringe veteran NHLers. First Versteeg signs overseas now Santorelli. A guy like Fleischmann will have to take what he can get if he wants to stay in the NHL.
- DarthKane

I anticipate the Blackhawks will invite a few veterans to camp on try out contracts, maybe Fleischmann will be one of those.

Call me crazy, but I don't think there will be zero rookies in the opening night lineup - specifically Schmaltz. Doubt the plan was to have him eat nachos in the PB
- Sundevil

Schmaltz making the team out of camp would be great because it means he's likely farther along in his development than many people think and the Hawks could use his brand of creativity / playmaking in the bottom 6. However, considering the last two drafted Hawks prospects to make the team out of camp and stay were Toews and Kane, it might be slightly different come October. This may be the best year yet to do it and Schmaltz is one of the more talented prospects to try over the years, though the Teravainen route with some time in Rockford may be more likely. I totally agree that there will be young forward prospects / rookies make the opening night roster, though.