Just got a fairly lengthy update:

- Hudler was offered 1 yr. @ $1.25 million
- Vesey chose New York primarily because he felt there would be less pressure vs. Chicago where he would have been plugged in as 1LW and might have struggled, also he and Hudler had big concerns about any subsequent Hawk contracts—AND he did take to heart negative info. from his buddy, Captain Stairwell
- The "youth movement" stuff is mostly PR for now—Hawks were counting on getting either Vesey or Hudler, know they are in a pickle
- TVR is primary trade chip, Hawks are "scrambling" while sending out "we're not worried" PR vibes
- Expect the Hawks to place a bit more emphasis on "finding" some answer via veteran PTO

I heard a name elsewhere last night (as a suggested possibility), was intriguing, I have asked about it, will report what I hear back.
- John Jaeckel

very good. Coming from the playoff scratch and 4th liner last season.

Anyway, thanks for the input JJ. Hoping the Hawks ARE NOT looking at Tanguay or some other 40 y/o for a 1LW.

Just got a fairly lengthy update:

- Hudler was offered 1 yr. @ $1.25 million
- Vesey chose New York primarily because he felt there would be less pressure vs. Chicago where he would have been plugged in as 1LW and might have struggled, also he and Hudler had big concerns about any subsequent Hawk contracts—AND he did take to heart negative info. from his buddy, Captain Stairwell
- The "youth movement" stuff is mostly PR for now—Hawks were counting on getting either Vesey or Hudler, know they are in a pickle
- TVR is primary trade chip, Hawks are "scrambling" while sending out "we're not worried" PR vibes
- Expect the Hawks to place a bit more emphasis on "finding" some answer via veteran PTO

I heard a name elsewhere last night (as a suggested possibility), was intriguing, I have asked about it, will report what I hear back.
- John Jaeckel

I guess Vesey didn't agree with the Blackhawks anti-stairwell pooping policy:



I'm not a fan of trading TvR, I think he'll do well on the third pair. However, if he does get dealt I hope Gustafsson gets his ice time and not Svedberg.

I guess Vesey didn't agree with the Blackhawks anti-stairwell pooping policy:



I'm not a fan of trading TvR, I think he'll do well on the third pair. However, if he does get dealt I hope Gustafsson gets his ice time and not Svedberg.
- DarthKane

Completely agree.

I cannot emphasize enough how Svedberg is a near waste of time. IMO he should only be a super emergency, the sky is falling, option

I think you trade TVR for a good return before losing him via expansion and finally give Pokka his shot as he's ready or let Gustafsson fly

With the additions of Soup and Kempny, the TVR shopping makes sense. Especially if Kempny eventually earns a top 4 role during this season, giving them 5 genuine top 4 d-men.
Meanwhile, they have 5 of the necessary top 6 forwards on hand. And plenty of talent to fill the 3rd and 4th lines.
All in all, this year's starting roster looks better to my eyes than last year's.
- 35Tony0

I'm not sure. A solid 3rd pairing guy for 800k that Q trusts is not easy to find. Plus I don't think he can you much in return, certainly nothing 1LW worthy and cheap.

Do we think there's a good chance one of Pokka/Forsling/Svedberg/Gustafsson will step up? I guess we have to hope so...

Completely agree.

I cannot emphasize enough how Svedberg is a near waste of time. IMO he should only be a super emergency, the sky is falling, option

I think you trade TVR for a good return before losing him via expansion and finally give Pokka his shot as he's ready or let Gustafsson fly
- hawkeytalkman

I think he has better potential than the big man. Speed, offensive instincts, and like many young defenders, needs to improve his defensive game. He played what? 2-3 playoff games? One bad turnover cost the lead, otherwise his game wasn't that bad. I'm hoping all the young defensive guys get some decent playing time this season.

Could the Hawks maybe pluck away Palat from Tampa? He can play either wing. Salary cap problems are in the loom for them next season. Drouin looks like he will be a future LW for them. Problem is I don't see it because he is one their top 6 wingers and needs a raise next season.

TVR + Gus + 2018 pick

For

Palat

Could the Hawks maybe pluck away Palat from Tampa? He can play either wing. Salary cap problems are in the loom for them next season. Drouin looks like he will be a future LW for them. Problem is I don't see it because he is one their top 6 wingers and needs a raise next season.

TVR + Gus + 2018 pick

For

Palat
- 93Joe

Daydreaming on a Friday.

Could the Hawks maybe pluck away Palat from Tampa? He can play either wing. Salary cap problems are in the loom for them next season. Drouin looks like he will be a future LW for them. Problem is I don't see it because he is one their top 6 wingers and needs a raise next season.

TVR + Gus + 2018 pick

For

Palat
- 93Joe

Little chance the Bolts move pieces up front nor should they. Lots of folks myself included have them as the pick to win the Cup this year.

Daydreaming on a Friday.
- EKB13

More than usual

I wouldn't mind Hartnell or Palat. As long as Columbus eats $2.5M of Hartnell's salary.

Little chance the Bolts move pieces up front nor should they. Lots of folks myself included have them as the pick to win the Cup this year.
- acmidd28

See above


I still have them as a favorite in the East also AC. I like their team.

More than usual

I wouldn't mind Hartnell or Palat. As long as Columbus eats $2.5M of Hartnell's salary.
- 93Joe

Would rather have Matt Clavert from CBJ and his low $2M tag. Hard-nosed winger and younger. Would be as good as the players around him.

More than usual

I wouldn't mind Hartnell or Palat. As long as Columbus eats $2.5M of Hartnell's salary.
- 93Joe

I'd like to have Harnell. However, he has 3 seasons left on his deal. Even if Columbus eats salary on his contract, I still wouldn't want it. If Hartnell was in the final season of that deal, that would be a different story.

It very likely could be fine right now, but he wanted a good excuse to rest up instead of playing in the world cup.
- breadbag

That was my point....If he isn't ready for camp then worry.
The upcoming exhibition is a NHL carnival to make money-I'm looking forward to watching but I could see reasons to skip if I'm a player.

When the nhl 30 in 30 seeies compares Nick Schmaltz to Teravainen

Completely agree.

I cannot emphasize enough how Svedberg is a near waste of time. IMO he should only be a super emergency, the sky is falling, option

I think you trade TVR for a good return before losing him via expansion and finally give Pokka his shot as he's ready or let Gustafsson fly
- hawkeytalkman

Think about it, Kempny is likely a fixture at LD on the 3rd pair, so then if TVR were dealt, your options are really Rozy and/or Pokka or Gustafsson at RD. Bear in mind, they did not sign Rozy to never play.

Conversely, all that considered, you have to wonder how many calls they're getting on TVR and Svedberg right now.

Would rather have Matt Clavert from CBJ and his low $2M tag. Hard-nosed winger and younger. Would be as good as the players around him.
- acmidd28

Haven't watched a lot of CBJ last year. Is he a top 6 or bottom 6 winger?

Would rather have Matt Clavert from CBJ and his low $2M tag. Hard-nosed winger and younger. Would be as good as the players around him.
- acmidd28

Has a lot of skill too, but small and injury prone.

Could the Hawks maybe pluck away Palat from Tampa? He can play either wing. Salary cap problems are in the loom for them next season. Drouin looks like he will be a future LW for them. Problem is I don't see it because he is one their top 6 wingers and needs a raise next season.

TVR + Gus + 2018 pick

For

Palat
- 93Joe

Palat is an absolute STUD.

He is the next Marian Hossa. I would kill to have him on the hawks but thats like asking for ice water in hell

Think about it, Kempny is likely a fixture at LD on the 3rd pair, so then if TVR were dealt, your options are really Rozy and/or Pokka or Gustafsson at RD. Bear in mind, they did not sign Rozy to never play.

Conversely, all that considered, you have to wonder how many calls they're getting on TVR and Svedberg right now.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly

Figure Kempny is a regular, its the perfect opportunity for Pokka or Gustafsson to integrate at the pro level (time sharing the #6 spot with Rozy)

I think Pokka or Gustafsson are ready for an extended shot here. 82 games? hell naw, but playing 40-50 games and getting acclimated to the pace/physicality/grind of NHL level hockey is perfect for either one IMO

Haven't watched a lot of CBJ last year. Is he a top 6 or bottom 6 winger?
- 93Joe

Probably bottom six so ultimately there will most likely be better options out there. All depends which teams come out of the gate flat with limited signs of playoff hockey ahead. Only way the Hawks will know what options they'll have with early trade or prorated deadline deal. I'm always critical of Stan and maybe I shouldn't be, but he has plenty of time and no big hurry to get better in this coming season. There will be moves to be made.

Haven't watched a lot of CBJ last year. Is he a top 6 or bottom 6 winger?
- 93Joe

Calvert is definitely bottom 6

Palat is an absolute STUD.

He is the next Marian Hossa. I would kill to have him on the hawks but thats like asking for ice water in hell
- hawkeytalkman

Tampa has watched (very up close, ha) what has happened to the Hawk vis a vis winning and cap results, and their players are all taking discounts to stay. Palat ain't going no wheres.

When the nhl 30 in 30 seeies compares Nick Schmaltz to Teravainen
- cnfan261311

Hard to tell if the skill is there, the one thing that is clear from the scouting reports thus far on Schmaltz is that he is far more willing to engage in the play at both ends of the ice than TT has ever shown

Teuvo Turtle Teravainen was his own worst enemy but refusing to get in there and bang around with the big boys. Schmaltz has at least shown that while he might not have the physical strength yet, he is willing to engage, at least from what I have seen of him lately

Tampa has watched (very up close, ha) what has happened to the Hawk vis a vis winning and cap results, and their players are all taking discounts to stay. Palat ain't going no wheres.
- RedFeather

They have a good team on the rise, picking players off from arctic tundra Russia, living in Florida, playing hockey, with no state income tax

Not hard to convince those guys to take discounts

Probably bottom six so ultimately there will most likely be better options out there. All depends which teams come out of the gate flat with limited signs of playoff hockey ahead. Only way the Hawks will know what options they'll have with early trade or prorated deadline deal. I'm always critical of Stan and maybe I shouldn't be, but he has plenty of time and no big hurry to get better in this coming season. There will be moves to be made.
- acmidd28

Thanks for info AC and hawktalkman. I recall him playing on the second line quite a bit a couple of seasons ago with Columbus. And your point is valid - there is no hurry, but I assume they want enough time for Toews and Hossa to build chemistry with their winger.