The numbers say they had about $2.5m after signing Campbell and with prospects up but capped at 22, so they technically could have offered more. So either they internally didn't want to over over $1.25-1.5m for roster flexibility or it's because they didn't believe he was worth much more than that - could be both, even. You can argue they're wrong in the latter regard, of course. If they were that worried about a $750k different, they would have just waived Rozsival.
- L_B_R

But . . . WHY was Rozsival re-signed (I believe before Campbell was signed, I could be wrong, not sure, regardless . . .)?

Because he's a great hockey player?

Or to serve as a language buddy/tutor for . . . Kempny? I have been told (and believe) the latter. Evidence and info. from someone in the know.

So you can argue there, well clearly Kempny isn't/wasn't ready. Or you can argue the Hawks felt the added investment in pretty much a non-factor on the ice in Rozy was worth it. Or somewhere in between.

But I know what my eyes tell me. Kempny is an athlete, he is mobile, he is dynamic, has a great point shot, and hasn't been that bad as far as his decisions and coverage so far.

No hard answers. And I believe there is more truth in the questions (especially WHY did they do this at one point, and that later) sometimes than in the "conventional wisdom" in the blogosphere.

Then. Why. Did. They. Go. After. Hudler. And. Vesey?

Over and out! LOL
- John Jaeckel

Because they filled the much needed holes on D, so then they hoped with what remaining money they could persuade a Hudler or Vesey as well? They had some cash. No point in not trying.

Where are Hudler and Vesey currently? Isn't Hudler injured and is a -3 in 2 GP? Vesey with 3 points?

Who knows what motivates a player to sign for a particular team or for a certain amount. We can always speculate, and it's easy to make educated guesses. Campbell signs here for a greatly reduced rate because a) his wife is from here and wants to come home and b) he has made a boatload of money in his career and a bit if a haircut isn't going to effect him in the grand scheme. Veesey, has his choice of 6 or 7 teams, all offering basically the same financial package and playing opportunities. He can go to his hometown team in BOS, play with his buddy Eichel in BUF, play with Hayes in NYR come to the Hawks and play with Kane, Toews, et. al. Play for TOR where his Dad and brother are, or any other reported reason.

All I'm saying is that money is not always the motivating factor.
- TheTrob

True. But it certainly is one factor. And, the GM has a limited amount of it to fill his roster so he needs to be careful.

FWIW: I also think one thing that scared off Vesey and Hudler was the high expectations of being that missing link to another Cup run; that's a lot of pressure, especially compared to where they both eventually signed.

Who knows what motivates a player to sign for a particular team or for a certain amount. We can always speculate, and it's easy to make educated guesses. Campbell signs here for a greatly reduced rate because a) his wife is from here and wants to come home and b) he has made a boatload of money in his career and a bit if a haircut isn't going to effect him in the grand scheme. Veesey, has his choice of 6 or 7 teams, all offering basically the same financial package and playing opportunities. He can go to his hometown team in BOS, play with his buddy Eichel in BUF, play with Hayes in NYR come to the Hawks and play with Kane, Toews, et. al. Play for TOR where his Dad and brother are, or any other reported reason.

All I'm saying is that money is not always the motivating factor.
- TheTrob[/quote]

Unless your name is Kane and Toews!

.....just kidding

But . . . WHY was Rozsival re-signed (I believe before Campbell was signed, I could be wrong, not sure, regardless . . .)?

Because he's a great hockey player?

Or to serve as a language buddy/tutor for . . . Kempny? I have been told (and believe) the latter. Evidence and info. from someone in the know.

So you can argue there, well clearly Kempny isn't/wasn't ready. Or you can argue the Hawks felt the added investment in pretty much a non-factor on the ice in Rozy was worth it. Or somewhere in between.

But I know what my eyes tell me. Kempny is an athlete, he is mobile, he is dynamic, has a great point shot, and hasn't been that bad as far as his decisions and coverage so far.

No hard answers. And I believe there is more truth in the questions (especially WHY did they do this at one point, and that later) sometimes than in the "conventional wisdom" in the blogosphere.


- John Jaeckel

They signed Rozsival two days before Campbell, but they'd already been talking to Campbell during the FA period so they knew they were getting him and for how much at that point (Campbell had already changed his twitter pic for example lol). I feel like ultimately we're both pretty much coming to the same conclusion: the FO obviously saw the defense as the highest priority - through getting a proven #4 and signing someone to help with Kempny who they see with potential - and focused on defense before addressing the forward depth (or ultimately not addressing it) in those specific ways. Discussion on whether it should have been done that way is valid, just appears to not be the opinion of the FO.

Ftr I'm not arguing against anything when it comes to Kempny as a player - I really like what we've seen of Kempny so far and think he'll likely be top 4 in terms of TOI at ev (Campbell may edge him a bit because of his PP time).

Then. Why. Did. They. Go. After. Hudler. And. Vesey?

Over and out! LOL
- John Jaeckel

Vesey they could have signed after Campbell - I recall they were pretty upbeat on that happening - so were several of the pundits....

Perhaps they thought Vesey was in the bag at an ELC cap hit for this year - which was why they felt they could give Soupy $2MM AND solve 1LW....

Because they filled the much needed holes on D, so then they hoped with what remaining money they could persuade a Hudler or Vesey as well? They had some cash. No point in not trying.

Where are Hudler and Vesey currently? Isn't Hudler injured and is a -3 in 2 GP? Vesey with 3 points?
- teh_HAWKZ

Vesey with 3 goals - 2 of them GWG.

Hudler has an illness (?) and is on IR.d

Then. Why. Did. They. Go. After. Hudler. And. Vesey?

Over and out! LOL
- John Jaeckel

Because he might have gotten one of them with the cap money he still had remaining. Vesey on an ELC obviously would fit. When that didn't work out Stan offered Hudler what he could and Hudler found it inadequate and signed elsewhere for more. No harm in trying.

Pretty spot on and near mirrored what I said late last night in the previous blog before JJ put up this one.

Toews is venturing down the path of being one of the worst contracts in the NHL, if it isnt already.

Sorry, but being a smart, hard to play against center, who grinds cycles well isnt worth $10.5 mil when he scored 58 points last year and has 2 points in 7 games this year.

Make the excuse of his linemates all you want for his lack of production the last two year, but guess what, the coin he demanded and is receiving states that he should be able to carry a line pretty much by himself.

Totally agree and this team will not make the playoffs with Toews becoming somewhere near a point per game center. Kane and Panarin are carrying his behind and did so last year as well. What the heck has happened to his offensive abilities. Heck he has problem catching passes that are right on his tape !!
Something is not right with our CAPTAIN....... and it's beginning to have a trickle down effect. It can't be Hossa's diminishing skills, nor the loss of Saad. I'm tired of backing him any longer. Get on your horse Mr. Captain and show the younger players HOW TO LEAD !!!

If he was so dependent on having high octane linemates, then he shouldnt have gotten that contract. Crosby for years had NOTHING on his line and still found ways to score 100 pts. For about 3 years his best linemate and chemistry was Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz

So Toews needs a HOF in his prime Hossa to be successful? Or an up and coming power forward stud in Saad? Wouldnt every center in the league like to have that luxury. Bottom line is Toews needs a rude wake up call, whether its Q, Stan, or a reporter calling him out in the media.

We might struggle to make the playoffs and if he continues with 2/3C production, he will be a big reason why. Its not like he exactly lit up the playoffs vs StL last season either. Hell, at this point, Joe Thornton at 37 with bald tires for knees has thoroughly outplayed Toews and his mega contract, not only offensively, but he has evolved into a selke player as well at about $4 mil cheaper. And this is supposed to be the thick of Toews' prime...
- hawkeytalkman

Overall, this team has many of the same problems that last year's team did. Poor breakouts (last year due to only one guy being able to make a tape to tape pass or escape with his feet) and a poopty penalty kill.

This year, they have the personal on the back end to both skate the puck out or make a tape to tape pass. However, the defensive zone coverage of the forwards and the manner in which they exit the zone is haphazard at best. There is also a hesitancy from Kempny and Forsling to move the puck in a positive direction. That is to be expected to a certain extent.

From Rad Brichards to Brandon Saad and many players between, it seems like there has been a rather steep learning curve for the forwards (and defenders, see Oduya, Johnny) to reach an acceptable level of consistency.

Even if they were to trade for a LW or a new 2nd line center or whatever fantasy trade is proposed, there will still be a period of adjustment that may or may not end up providing a positive outcome. Weise and Flash are two recent examples of this.

Right now, the easiest thing to fix in order to earn some points is going to be the PK. Allowing free point shots is unacceptable and the root of the problem there. With that, they ought to be able to buy the rest of the guys enough time to hopefully get their feet under them.

With the cap constraints and the excessive amount of NMCs that have been bestowed upon these guys, it will be very difficult to make any type of meaningful acquisition. So hopefully they address they problems they can sooner rather than later and were going to have to suffer through some of the growing pains as viewers while the new guys figure it out.

Somethings gotta give between now and the draft in Chicago. McD is known to make a big splash. Wouldn't be surprised if something significant happened by Christmas if they are still hovering around .500. I'm sure Stan and the board members have at least a half dozen irons in the fire.
- walter34

Krueger, Crawford, Seabrook would be the list......... oh wait, they all have NM Clauses !!! Bowman should go first for these deals.

Krueger, Crawford, Seabrook would be the list......... oh wait, they all have NM Clauses !!! Bowman should go first for these deals.
- Hawkytalk

Been saying that for A Loooonnnggg time now,wait Peter Chiarelli is already at the neighborhood Walgreens getting the proper items to bend Bowman over to fleece him out of Brent Seabrooke at some point this season !

Krueger, Crawford, Seabrook would be the list......... oh wait, they all have NM Clauses !!! Bowman should go first for these deals.
- Hawkytalk

I agree 100 % with you on Bowman going first.

Been saying that for A Loooonnnggg time now,wait Peter Chiarelli is already at the neighborhood Walgreens getting the proper items to bend Bowman over to fleece him out of Brent Seabrooke at some point this season !
- wonthecup10

Toews is a target - Bowman is a Target - gee, if we only still had Leddy, and if only Saad and Kane had taken less money, and if only Jim Nill hadn't taken advantage of a bad Blackhawk situation, and....

Ya wanna run Stan and Q and an over the hill Toews out of town? Ya wanna blame them for everything bad, without giving credit for anything good? You're ok with revisionist history that forgets three Cups? You're welcome to your opinions.

But the vitriol, anger, endless female doging about the same things all the time is very tiresome.

This team is very iffy right now - bad decisions, some avoidable, some unavoidable because of the cap - yeah - have put this team on the playoff bubble, in my opinion.

But don't forget: this is the first hockey team - first maybe in any sport - who was up against a hard cap from the day they won their first Cup - Bowman and his team had to figure out how to keep a competitive team on the ice without looking to any other franchise's history - Q had to figure out how to keep winning while losing multiple key pieces every year.

And they managed 3 Cups and a couple of WCFs. It may all have caught up with them at this point - maybe time for new management - maybe - but send them off with a little class

But c'mon - and Eli, ban me if you must - there's a lot of idiocy here recently.

Etem back on waivers today

Etem back on waivers today
- ikeane

There's a reason why the Canucks and the Ducks punted on him. Then again, perhaps it could be something Q could fix?

Anyone have any insight on Etem?

There's a reason why the Canucks and the Ducks punted on him. Then again, perhaps it could be something Q could fix?

Anyone have any insight on Etem?
- EKB13

Fast, bottom six LW. Low cap hit. NHL experience. Played for three teams so far. Isnt afraid of the crease. Started out in a socal roller hockey league before being drafted

There's a reason why the Canucks and the Ducks punted on him. Then again, perhaps it could be something Q could fix?

Anyone have any insight on Etem?
- EKB13

He finished the season strong last year with the Canucks but I wouldn't pick him up only to drop somebody else. When Desjardins comes back somebody else would have to go down too. I just don't think he's worth it.

Danault just put the Habs up 2-1 on the Islanders late in the 3rd.

Danault just put the Habs up 2-1 on the Islanders late in the 3rd.
- DarthKane

Two for Pirri for the Rags - 4-2 (4 goals in a row) over the Bruins.

Two for Pirri for the Rags - 4-2 (4 goals in a row) over the Bruins.
- StLBravesFan

Hayes and Vesey have scored for the Rangers too.

Been saying that for A Loooonnnggg time now,wait Peter Chiarelli is already at the neighborhood Walgreens getting the proper items to bend Bowman over to fleece him out of Brent Seabrooke at some point this season !
- wonthecup10

Chiarelli huh? The same guy who traded Taylor Hall for Adam Larson and essentially Tyler Seguin for Loui Erickson?

I think it's safe to say Stan can cross the items you're thinking of off his list.

Hayes and Vesey have scored for the Rangers too.
- DarthKane

I'm watching hockey between innings - so the Hayes goal, missed the Vesey.

That's Vesey's 4th in 7 games, then.

Chiarelli huh? The same guy who traded Taylor Hall for Adam Larson and essentially Tyler Seguin for Loui Erickson?

I think it's safe to say Stan can cross the items you're thinking of off his list.
- HawkintheD

If his past trades are any indication then Chiarelli will give the Blackhawks McDavid for Seabrook.

I'm watching hockey between innings - so the Hayes goal, missed the Vesey.

That's Vesey's 4th in 7 games, then.
- StLBravesFan

Yup. 4 goals and 5 points (so far) in 7 games.