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

Alex Tanguay fits that mold and plays LW

Alex Tanguay fits that mold and plays LW
- Sundevil

Higgins would be a good choice too, if he's healthy. Solid bottom 6 LW and could play on the PK.

Higgins would be a good choice too, if he's healthy. Solid bottom 6 LW and could play on the PK.
- DarthKane

Its amazing how some of these just fall off the map.

I think most expected that Hejda, Paille, and Visnovsky would make the hawks roster last year and none of them really stuck anywhere despite being pretty solid in recent years. Most were surprised when they were cut/released but hindsight is 20/20 and they were clearly done

I fear Tanguay is just as done

Its amazing how some of these just fall off the map.

I think most expected that Hejda, Paille, and Visnovsky would make the hawks roster last year and none of them really stuck anywhere despite being pretty solid in recent years. Most were surprised when they were cut/released but hindsight is 20/20 and they were clearly done

I fear Tanguay is just as done
- hawkeytalkman

Nothing wrong with giving Tanguay a shot. Not sure what is left either. This feels like the Andrew Brunette show all over again....

Unless there are rules about how many PTOs you can have at training camp, I say invite as many as you can and see if any impress. You don't have anything to lose so why not. I guess a player on PTO could impress then ask for a salary we can't afford, but then again, how much leverage do they really have if they're hanging by a thread searching for an NHL job.

Elias and Ruutu are other LW PTOs to think about if we're throwing out names like Tanguay and Higgins. They could all be at the end of their careers with little to no tread left, but give them a chance and cut them loose if they don't prove anything. Management has to turn over every rock now if they truly don't trust the kids to play yet.

Unless there are rules about how many PTOs you can have at training camp, I say invite as many as you can and see if any impress. You don't have anything to lose so why not. I guess a player on PTO could impress then ask for a salary we can't afford, but then again, how much leverage do they really have if they're hanging by a thread searching for an NHL job.

Elias and Ruutu are other LW PTOs to think about if we're throwing out names like Tanguay and Higgins. They could all be at the end of their careers with little to no tread left, but give them a chance and cut them loose if they don't prove anything. Management has to turn over every rock now if they truly don't trust the kids to play yet.
- AEL_Fox

Elias has stated that he will only play for NJ, and if he cant he will retire

Trading TVR, if they do I hope it's for something of true value, for now he's probably one of the better 5th-6th defenceman in the league.

As far as Kempny let's see what we got once the season starts, I hear good things, but talk is cheap

Alex Tanguay fits that mold and plays LW
- Sundevil

Didn´t Powers or someone else tweet that Blackhawks ain´t interested in him?

Elias has stated that he will only play for NJ, and if he cant he will retire
- Sundevil

Good on him to be loyal and be of the rare breed of pro athlete who plays an entire career with one team.

Trading TVR, if they do I hope it's for something of true value, for now he's probably one of the better 5th-6th defenceman in the league.

As far as Kempny let's see what we got once the season starts, I hear good things, but talk is cheap
- BetweenTheDots

How about TVR and Svedberg for Leo Komarov.

Didn´t Powers or someone else tweet that Blackhawks ain´t interested in him?
- MjulQvist

didn't see that, but certainly could be true

Top prospects for Chicago Blackhawks
Forwards Nick Schmaltz, Vincent Hinostroza, Tyler Motte aim to seize opportunity this season:

https://www.nhl.com/news/...ects-30-in-30/c-281392578

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
- hawkeytalkman

Yeah, from what little (admittedly) I have seen of Schmaltz, he does not look unwilling to engage. Plays hard on the back check.

I wanna tell you guys something. When David Bolland was at the same level of development, his offensive abilities were much more heralded than he later realized. And, when I have seen Schmaltz, that was a comparable who came to mind. Same size, same stick, same position (probably), similar skills.

Remains to be seen if Schmaltz has anything like Bolland's tenacity, and he probably has a bit more skill, though Bolland could make plays offensively.

Its amazing how some of these just fall off the map.

I think most expected that Hejda, Paille, and Visnovsky would make the hawks roster last year and none of them really stuck anywhere despite being pretty solid in recent years. Most were surprised when they were cut/released but hindsight is 20/20 and they were clearly done

I fear Tanguay is just as done
- hawkeytalkman

Agreed....pass.....next!

I'm excited to see Kempny play. The footage of him shows instincts and plays both ends well. HUGE addition by Bowman. Also looking forward to seeing Forsling in camp. Most likely will head back to Sweden, but there seems to be good potential there.

My guess is Hartman, Schmaltz, and McNeill see the most ice time as rookies and are rotated throughout the season in the bottom 6.

Yeah, from what little (admittedly) I have seen of Schmaltz, he does not look unwilling to engage. Plays hard on the back check.

I wanna tell you guys something. When David Bolland was at the same level of development, his offensive abilities were much more heralded than he later realized. And, when I have seen Schmaltz, that was a comparable who came to mind. Same size, same stick, same position (probably), similar skills.

Remains to be seen if Schmaltz has anything like Bolland's tenacity, and he probably has a bit more skill, though Bolland could make plays offensively.
- John Jaeckel

Bolland

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

Good player for sure. Really worked to get where he is now. Gotta respect that. Man, I know it's a pipe-dream and will almost never occur, but a line of Palat-Toews-Hossa would be absolutely DIRTY IMO. Great two way play, speed, and noses for the net.

The next Hossa? Idk man, Hoss is an anomaly in my opinion.

Bolland
- Ogilthorpe2

He is having his (cap) number retired for the Coyotse this season. Love it!

http://www.lighthousehock...ronger-bolland-humor-fake

Yeah, from what little (admittedly) I have seen of Schmaltz, he does not look unwilling to engage. Plays hard on the back check.

I wanna tell you guys something. When David Bolland was at the same level of development, his offensive abilities were much more heralded than he later realized. And, when I have seen Schmaltz, that was a comparable who came to mind. Same size, same stick, same position (probably), similar skills.

Remains to be seen if Schmaltz has anything like Bolland's tenacity, and he probably has a bit more skill, though Bolland could make plays offensively.
- John Jaeckel

I've noticed that Schmaltz uses a long stick so I assume that's what you mean about same stick as Bolland. For those who are experts at appropriate stick dimensions for players, is a long stick advantageous for a player with Schmaltz's skillset? For some reason I feel that too long of a stick can be a disadvantage.

What do you think the odds are that Sharpie comes back in 2017 on a friendly "end my career here" deal?

Good on him to be loyal and be of the rare breed of pro athlete who plays an entire career with one team.
- AEL_Fox

...great player....

I've noticed that Schmaltz uses a long stick so I assume that's what you mean about same stick as Bolland. For those who are experts at appropriate stick dimensions for players, is a long stick advantageous for a player with Schmaltz's skillset? For some reason I feel that too long of a stick can be a disadvantage.
- AEL_Fox

A shorter stick is supposed to make it easier to stick handle. But I really think it is what each player just prefers to use.

Not that I am a good player at all (I'm actually quite horrible), but I always just left the stick they way it would come, basic retail length (roughly 63" depending on company model etc). I am not very tall and I had a teammate tell me I should cut the stick to the tip of my nose while in my shoes, or chin in my skates. I did this, and I felt like it was way worse as before because it effected the lie of my stick. It felt like I was loosing every buck under my blade, when stick handling or receiving a pass. I just went back to the way it way and it just felt great.

I know Hossa uses a really long stick, and he is a master, not just offensively, but also removing other players from the puck with his stick.

I'm excited to see Kempny play. The footage of him shows instincts and plays both ends well. HUGE addition by Bowman. Also looking forward to seeing Forsling in camp. Most likely will head back to Sweden, but there seems to be good potential there.

My guess is Hartman, Schmaltz, and McNeill see the most ice time as rookies and are rotated throughout the season in the bottom 6.
- 93Joe

I know they have an agreement that he can go back to Sweden if he doesn't make the club, but is he better back there then in Rockford?

I assume he makes more money, and plays against men, so that's better, but just wondering about learning the system and being able to step in, if it isn't better to play here.

What do you think the odds are that Sharpie comes back in 2017 on a friendly "end my career here" deal?
- ItHossaGood

Ask Kaner

What do you think the odds are that Sharpie comes back in 2017 on a friendly "end my career here" deal?
- ItHossaGood

As much as I would like that I don't see it happening. Sharp will still be able to command $3 - $5 million per season on a 3 year deal.

Maybe Sharpie takes a $1.5 - $2.0 million deal with Chicago, but he would be leaving a lot of money on the table. It was different for Richards because of his buyout and Campbell just came off a $57 million and his wife is from the area.