JJ--

So now that Dallas signed Hudler, what do you think the Hawks plan is now? Promote someone from the Rock, or look for a trade?
- Hank3Henshaw

if the hawks wanted hudler...he had been signed alot earlier...they didn't and he ends up a star...oh well..

hope craw/darling stand on head again and have combined GA of 2.0 or less cuz they will not score this year with what they are going into camp with...

if you thought last year was brutal watching this team 5 on 5, just wait...from 2/1 until the end of the season this team could not score other than AKA72 vs the top teams...

One of my thoughts for the hawks is to play Kruger LW with Toews and Hossa. He may not have the offensive talent to sustain it, but think about in the Olympics when Kruger played a more advanced role and how he was scoring. It adds another dominant board/puck possession player to that line. It would be the best defensive line in hockey as well and it might open Toews up to do a little more on the offensive side.

I think Rasmussen is capable of playing 3C in a checking role. Saw no reason for him not to be playing in the playoffs. Lundberg projects as a nice 4C so why not try that?
- aoskilanec

If Kruger does get time at 2C, then I would agree that Rasmussen and Lundberg get first crack at 3C and 4C. Desjardins also has center experience so he's an option there as well. Actually, all 3 of Rasmussen, Lundberg, and Desjardins can play wing and center so that's flexibility which is especially good if they happen to be the 4th line (and whenever Tootoo isn't playing). And who knows, Schmaltz could develop faster than expected and move from wing to center sooner than planned.

As far as Kruger playing center for Toews, I think it's something to consider. However, my concern is that this would be easier to swallow if the other 3 centers can improve at faceoffs. Toews and Kruger are superior on faceoffs so putting them together would weaken center depth from a faceoff standpoint unless Q plans to double shift them.

I wonder if the big Russian kid in Dallas would be available now they signed hudler. I don't know if he can play left-wing or not but he seems to have good speed and hands and is huge. The problem is he's not putting up numbers so I don't if they are viewing him as a bust

https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/768540357139263488
- BURDA13

Hopefully Keith is ok, but I'm glad he's not playing.

I wonder if the big Russian kid in Dallas would be available now they signed hudler. I don't know if he can play left-wing or not but he seems to have good speed and hands and is huge. The problem is he's not putting up numbers so I don't if they are viewing him as a bust
- ikeane

Nichushkin is a RW, and considering his struggles and possible development setup due to injury, changing wings on him probably wouldn't be a great idea. Plus, if he was on the trade block, he's likely going to be a part of a package for a goalie. The Stars have a most specific need and the Hawks can't provide it.

Hopefully Keith is ok, but I'm glad he's not playing.
- DarthKane

Same here. I wish all Hawks players playing in the WCH could sit out from this tourney. I actually don't mind for Crawford to play. He can get some extra reps in early to work on mechanics and work out bugs, then get some more games off during the regular season so that Darling can get his reps and stay sharp.

Hudler to DAL for 1yr/$2MM?

Methinks he was not even being considered by the Hawk FO.

Plan B after Vesey looks more and more like "the kids can/will play" unless someone emerges from overseas.

An uninteresting summer so far to be sure.

if the hawks wanted hudler...he had been signed alot earlier...they didn't and he ends up a star...oh well..

hope craw/darling stand on head again and have combined GA of 2.0 or less cuz they will not score this year with what they are going into camp with...

if you thought last year was brutal watching this team 5 on 5, just wait...from 2/1 until the end of the season this team could not score other than AKA72 vs the top teams...
- bogiedoc

Agreed...

This season may be interesting in that several young players will likely get long looks, but overall scoring may drop significantly...

With no further changes this club will likely struggle to make the post season.

My hope is for unexpected success from an unexpected player...otherwise we all may witness a down year.

just reread the title of this blog post - One Player Away - and was thinking that maybe neither Vesey or Hudler were up for being that "one player." Even though the team has "the core" and a few other important players already, being that "one player" might feel like a lot of pressure for a rookie or an aging veteran. Vessel and Hudler might not even be top 6 players for their new teams next season. So whoever that 1LW is, I hope they can handle it.

I disagree there... it took ten years before Chara was Chara. NYI and OTT both did not see it coming. You cannot teach size. Is Sveddy a Chara? You just cannot say no yet.
- RedFeather

HUH?

I hope you arent serious. Chara and Svedberg have literally nothing in common outside of size and below average footspeed

Chara always had a bone bruising edge and intimidation factor to his game. He could light you up with a big hit or drop the gloves and bloody you if he needed to protect the skill players.

I also dont know how you say Ottawa didnt see it coming. They did. Melnyk is just cheap arse and had to pick between Wade Redden and Chara. He picked Redden in one of the largest mistakes ever in the history of the franchise.

Chara also showed good offensive production in Ottawa, posting three straight 39+ point seasons

Chara is an awful comparison for Svedberg just because Svedberg is tall. Svedberg has no intimidation factor, no physicality, and no offensive prowess.

For those who keep track of who the captains are for each team, the Blues just announced Pietrangelo as the new captain replacing Backes. The Oilers are expected to name McDavid as the next captain; I'd be surprised if they didn't.

Other teams currently without captains:
Hurricanes (I'd say either Faulk or J. Staal get named)
Predators (either Fisher or Josi)
Jets (either Wheeler or Stuart)
Panthers (Ekblad?)
Leafs (JVR?)

And I believe Kopitar was already named Kings captain to replace Brown, but can't remember if that was ever made official.

If Kruger is your 2C, you're gonna have a bad time.
- JRoenick97

AHH come on.... don't be so pessimistic......... Krueger's 2C promotion and 3M contract just might vault him to 5-8 goals and same assists. WOO HOO !!!

Van Riemsdyk & Svedberg for
Leo Kamarov

Hudler to DAL for 1yr/$2MM?

Methinks he was not even being considered by the Hawk FO.

Plan B after Vesey looks more and more like "the kids can/will play" unless someone emerges from overseas.

An uninteresting summer so far to be sure.
- Return of the Roar

Uninteresting not really, but the continued FAILURES of our genius capologist GM is headscratching.
Let's see..........
Hudler---- LOSS
Vesey------LOSS
TT-------- -LOSS
Shaw ---- -LOSS
Danault ---LOSS
Dano ------LOSS
Saad ------LOSS
Sharp -----LOSS
Steven Johns ----LOSS

Campbell ----- WIN ???
Panarin ------ HUGE WIN.. until there's not enough CAP money to sing him either.

Oh Nevermind........ I'm sure somebody else can finish off the list, too depressing.....but yes we do have 3 CUPS and a the HOF Coach !!

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 4m4 minutes ago
The Blackhawks haven't expressed interest in Alex Tanguay as of today, according to a source.

Uninteresting not really, but the continued FAILURES of our genius capologist GM is headscratching.
Let's see..........
Hudler---- LOSS
Vesey------LOSS
TT-------- -LOSS
Shaw ---- -LOSS
Danault ---LOSS
Dano ------LOSS
Saad ------LOSS
Sharp -----LOSS
Steven Johns ----LOSS

Campbell ----- WIN ???
Panarin ------ HUGE WIN.. until there's not enough CAP money to sing him either.

Oh Nevermind........ I'm sure somebody else can finish off the list, too depressing.....but yes we do have 3 CUPS and a the HOF Coach !!
- Hawkytalk

Man have we become spoiled fans.

3 cups in 6 years? I'm not complaining. Matter of fact, most people could only dream that their teams are that successful.

Could Bowman have handled the Sharp situation better? Absolutely. He waited too long, and Dallas called his bluff.

Dano? Danault? It's so funny, because if Stan sat at the deadline and made no moves, everyone here would have raised pitchforks suggesting that he's not serious about winning. You have to give to get, and unfortunately, the 'Hawks didn't win this year, so those trades were deemed "losses".

TT, Shaw, Saad ... unfortunately, there's this concept called the "salary cap", and quite frankly, when you accumulate too much good talent, you're not going to be able to retain all of it.

That's why the team looks to avenues like the KHL, or players like Vesey, etc. Talent they can bring in on the cheap and hope that voids are filled.

Campbell and Kempny were added, and now the defense is arguably the team's biggest strength after being a 4th man short in the post-season.

Hudler would have been a nice addition, but oh well. Onwards.

We can't continue to look in hindsight. The top-end talent on this team is still the best in the league, and we're still going to contend with what we have. Let's appreciate the success(es) of this team and look forward to training camp right around the corner. The team has a little flexibility, and SHOULD they decide to go into camp with the roster as is, okay. They have the ability to add in the season should they decide to do so.

Stephen Johns ... that gave me a good laugh.

Yes sir Dr Rick....I just tweeted....don't get why Letang didn't get the call...Unless health issues. He's the perfect skill set to replace Keith.
- Al

I would have picked Letang right from the start for his skillset. But Babcock knows Bouwmeester well and he loves those LH/RH pairings on D.

But I think it also tells people how Hockey Canada regards PK Subban and Taylor Hall (now that Benn is out too).

Hudler to DAL for 1yr/$2MM?

Methinks he was not even being considered by the Hawk FO.

Plan B after Vesey looks more and more like "the kids can/will play" unless someone emerges from overseas.

An uninteresting summer so far to be sure.
- Return of the Roar

Did Jim Nill have the inside track because of the Detroit connection?

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 4m4 minutes ago
The Blackhawks haven't expressed interest in Alex Tanguay as of today, according to a source.
- TommyHawk

He was good. If he has anything left it might work out for a while.

New blog up

Uninteresting not really, but the continued FAILURES of our genius capologist GM is headscratching.
Let's see..........
Hudler---- LOSS
Vesey------LOSS
TT-------- -LOSS
Shaw ---- -LOSS
Danault ---LOSS
Dano ------LOSS
Saad ------LOSS
Sharp -----LOSS
Steven Johns ----LOSS

Campbell ----- WIN ???
Panarin ------ HUGE WIN.. until there's not enough CAP money to sing him either.

Oh Nevermind........ I'm sure somebody else can finish off the list, too depressing.....but yes we do have 3 CUPS and a the HOF Coach !!
- Hawkytalk

As stated before, you can say the same thing about old Cup winning players who departed, Byfuglien, Campbell (1st time), Steeg, Ladd.

Where does all the money come from for these players? This is the problem with a cap system when other teams value your Cup-winning experience players for their own teams, may times as C's or A's...

No way we can pay Shaw the same money for what is role was on the team. No way we could keep Sharp in the core when he gave great 3rd line depth for a cup run at nearly $6mil. Just doesn't happen.

For as many people bashing for "not coming to the game early enough at Forward" you know they signed Campbell literally the first day he was available basically? They signed Kempny over many other teams, very early in Free Agency.

As far as forward, sure they went hard a Vesey. Do you think Stan sat around drawing pictures with hearts and Vesey on them while he waited for 2 weeks for a player at the league minimum that would simply replace another league minimum player on the roster? Doubtful. For all the names people are throwing out on the boards as alternatives, do we know how the internal pro-scouting team viewed them as a fit with the team? Not at all.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still not 100% comfortable with the roster construct myself at this point, but anymore you will not have a "perfect" team in this league, nor the ridiculous depth we have seen on some previous teams.

For all the Schmaltz's and Motte's on the rosters provided. Don't be surprised to see Hartman and Hinostroza ahead of them, simply because they have played the grind of a professional year already, the internal coaches know what they have with them and they have had a taste of the show. More reliable option to start with, while the new guys ease their way into things. This isn't the NCAA anymore and it is a big jump from there to the AHL.