How hard was Toews pushing for him? Does this mean his next buddy Doan is top target?
- powerenforcer

Toews supposedly wants stability on his line

http://www.dailyherald.co...170213/sports/170219385/?

No, all I am saying there is a big difference in skill set between Shalunov and Panarin. And there is a body of work on Shalunov's time in North America. When he returned to Russia, there was not one tear shed over his departure.

Just remember, Rundblad looked like an all-star on the bigger surface with no contact - how did that work out???
- dahawks8819

Runblad is a finesse player and they always tend to be better on Big Ice Vs the same competition. they said that Pan would struggle due to his size and is a skill player. Maxim is 6-4 211lbs as a rule of thumb he should be better on the small ice vs the same competition. His last 2 games he has 3 more minutes in TOI then the 2nd highest FR and 7 mins more then 3rd leader on TOI. He put 13 SOG and was 23-15 at the DOT in those 2 games. So the little I can gather from that is his coach clearly thinks he there best FR. And his ability to put shots on goal is elite in the KHL. Elite skills in the KHL translate over to the NHL generally.

1) Thank you for doing that. I find the updates informative. Hawks need to maintain their spot as one of the top destinations for elite overseas talent.

2) Not bloody likely. Shalunov and his agent would never agree to this. He can always just stay in Russia & be paid handsomely & play top line minutes. Hawks will have to basically guarantee him an NHL roster spot to gain his services. There would likely be a euro opt out clause if he shows poorly in camp -- i.e. If he shows enough to warrant a middle 6 role he sticks otherwise he goes back home. His play this year has given him leverage, no way he's playing in AHL next year unless it's on a conditioning stint.

- Cufeni606

If I'm not mistaken, there may have been a recent article (Scott Powers?) conjecturing that Shalunov would want the same deal as Panarin and Kempny: have an NHL roster spot or go back to the KHL. No option to be sent to the AHL.

from mark lazerus:

After hitting a home run with Antoine Vermette in 2015 and swinging and missing with Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann in 2016, Stan Bowman has said repeatedly that he doesn’t expect to make any big trades before the March 1 deadline. As Joel Quenneville always says, we’ll see. But while Hawks fans dream of a Patrick Sharp reunion, or of an entirely unrealistic deal to land Colorado’s Matt Duchene, the best option is Dallas’ Patrick Eaves. The 32-year-old veteran winger is having a career season with 21 goals and 14 assists in 57 games. And he’s on a one-year contract at a bargain salary of $1 million, which even the Hawks could afford.

Eaves might not be a splashy pick-up, but the Hawks probably wouldn’t have to give up a first-round pick or a super-high-end prospect for him, and he could be the kind of sneaky, low-risk addition that puts them over the top, like Michal Handzus was in 2013. And he already comes with a built-in playoff beard.

Maybe. I just dont think they will. I can see them being very active around both expansion draft and normal draft so they can fit under cap.
- onehundredlevel

True, I'm not even advocating either/or. Just throwin stupid ideas out

If I'm not mistaken, there may have been a recent article (Scott Powers?) conjecturing that Shalunov would want the same deal as Panarin and Kempny: have an NHL roster spot or go back to the KHL. No option to be sent to the AHL.
- AEL_Fox

Isnt Shalunov not even an option until next season anyway?

Like even if his team misses the playoffs, he couldn't just come over to the Hawks and throw on an Indian Head sweater right away for a game, right?

Well, take Duchene off the list. They are not pursuing him anymore. By the way it was communicated, that does not preclude anyone else previously mentioned. Just him. Will see what I hear.
- John Jaeckel

That's about it JJ, I didn't pony up for all 4rounds anyway, I took the cheapest option for the playoff invoice, right now as it sets, with no moves, this team is 1round and out.
Bring up those 2kids from the juniors in march, let them get some experience and see a round of playoff hockey . It is a different animal in the playoffs, most teams HIT, something we don't do. The Ballerina crap stops when the chalice is on the table , the 2010,13&15 teams were equipped ,this one is not. When Richard Panik is your hit leader and the guy who is supposed to supply a good amount on the back end ,these days looks like he spends more time at 5 Guys, vs. the gym, some concerns there.
Ya know Bowman is gonna go dumpster diving, If no significant upgrade on Tazers line then Stand pat, let Rocky get his 3playoff home games and call it a season. Cubbie Time!!

That's about it JJ, I didn't pony up for all 4rounds anyway, I took the cheapest option for the playoff invoice, right now as it sets, with no moves, this team is 1round and out.
Bring up those 2kids from the juniors in march, let them get some experience and see a round of playoff hockey . It is a different animal in the playoffs, most teams HIT, something we don't do. The Ballerina crap stops when the chalice is on the table , the 2010,13&15 teams were equipped ,this one is not. When Richard Panik is your hit leader and the guy who is supposed to supply a good amount on the back end ,these days looks like he spends more time at 5 Guys, vs. the gym, some concerns there.
Ya know Bowman is gonna go dumpster diving, If no significant upgrade on Tazers line then Stand pat, let Rocky get his 3playoff home games and call it a season. Cubbie Time!!
- wonthecup10

Dont know if thats true. The 2015 Cup team wasnt a real big hitting team and they won it. Heck the Ducks pounded on the Hawks for 7 games and lost. This team appears to be coming together at the right time. Duchene would have been a fantastic grab, but the cost would have been steep.

Getting a guy like Tatar goes a long way in terms of really helping the balance of the 4 lines. If we can nab Palat ever better.

Thanks for the continuous updates JJ!

Palat or Tatar is an upgrade. Shame to see 19 not get the guy he petitioned for, but we all know that money will not allow it. Go for Palat or Tatar and add a depth defenseman. Bigger need is a top 6 LW. Hopefully, that is the priority.

... and please stay away... very, very far away from Iginla and Vanek. Your young guys aren't worth these players.

Kero and Scmaltz recalled

Palat or Tatar is an upgrade. Shame to see 19 not get the guy he petitioned for, but we all know that money will not allow it. Go for Palat or Tatar and add a depth defenseman. Bigger need is a top 6 LW. Hopefully, that is the priority.
- 93Joe

Either is win/win. Tatar played on a line with Hoss at WHC. Those two and Toews would look nice.

Seems THE Hawks have dropped the Duchene acquisition. Time we tell. Often these deals are re-looked.
My problem is, Kruger is an over pay at $3 million and I am hopeful he is moved and they figure out how to pay Duchene.


When Kruger in the lineup he's next to invisible and when not it's a hole the Hawks have covered.
It's a horse we have beaten to death.

This is not Vermette or Ladd this is about the future and the need for speed.

Palat or Tatar is an upgrade. Shame to see 19 not get the guy he petitioned for, but we all know that money will not allow it. Go for Palat or Tatar and add a depth defenseman. Bigger need is a top 6 LW. Hopefully, that is the priority.
- 93Joe

Still hopeful they could land one of those two - it would certainly upgrade the lines in general with everyone slotting down a bit.

In regard to Dutch let's be honest you know Sakic is asking for the moon. He may not move Dutch or Landy until the summer.

Depth defensive would be nice as well...but I'm also wondering if they would have enough to get say palat and boyle as well.

Wonder what the Coyotes want for Duclair. Would bring speed and scoring to #1 lw without defense of tatar/palat

... and please stay away... very, very far away from Iginla and Vanek. Your young guys aren't worth these players.
- 93Joe

Stan is going for a longer term home run if it exists
He's not going Vanek or Iginla. Trust me.

Stan is going for a longer term home run if it exists
He's not going Vanek or Iginla. Trust me.
- Colbyboy

Soooooooooooooooooo............... we are getting Palat!!!!
Palat

Soooooooooooooooooo............... we are getting Palat!!!!
Palat
- BGKarras

It will depend on Tampa Bay being a seller at the DL. Not sure thats' been determined yet.

Kero and Scmaltz recalled
- ikeane

I mentioned this two days ago. I said they would keep Vinny and Forsling for cap space before deadline.

Wild Card in the East has 5 more points than the First place team in the Atlantic...
Wow

Runblad is a finesse player and they always tend to be better on Big Ice Vs the same competition. they said that Pan would struggle due to his size and is a skill player. Maxim is 6-4 211lbs as a rule of thumb he should be better on the small ice vs the same competition. His last 2 games he has 3 more minutes in TOI then the 2nd highest FR and 7 mins more then 3rd leader on TOI. He put 13 SOG and was 23-15 at the DOT in those 2 games. So the little I can gather from that is his coach clearly thinks he there best FR. And his ability to put shots on goal is elite in the KHL. Elite skills in the KHL translate over to the NHL generally.
- kmw4631

Maxim Shalunov is not now, nor has he EVER been considered an elite talent. He was a 4th round draft pick - that does not shout "elite". And if he is such a dominant player, how is his KHL team missing the playoffs this year??

And the people on this site are making a really bad assumption - just because he is listed as 6'4" and 211 pounds - that does not mean he plays a physical game.

The biggest knock on him in the AHL was his compete level against physical competition - and the KHL is two or three levels down from the AHL, so I don't see how Blackhawk fans are salivating over this player.

He is putting up nice numbers in an inferior league, against lesser competition, on a bigger ice surface - let's pump the brakes here. If he signs an NHL contract, nothing will be guaranteed to him - he is going to have to prove he can play here - and everything they saw from him the first time in Rockford said he had a long way to go.

I mentioned this two days ago. I said they would keep Vinny and Forsling for cap space before deadline.
- onehundredlevel

Capfriendly now shows them with 4.1 million at trade deadline. Oduya at 3.8. I see a trade at deadline for him.

Kero and Scmaltz recalled
- ikeane

But not Hino and Forsling ... hmmm ... I suppose they don't need them coming out of the bye week because Forsling was the 7th d-man anyway and they have enough forwards without Hino. Probably nothing more to it than that.

It will depend on Tampa Bay being a seller at the DL. Not sure thats' been determined yet.
- Colbyboy

Yeah man your right. It's just that time of the year where all of as fans stop and ponder what if?
I gotta be honest even if Stan doesn't make a deal I would not be upset. I would rather keep the kids instead of trading them for some rentals or over the hill forward. This is a great learning experience for the kids which will be beneficial down the road.