It was Eugene Melnyk the Sens Owner in a TV interview.
- RickJ

Trying to drive the price down. Its been out there from other places, too.

There is an awful lot of chatter for there not to be some truth to the rumor.

And where did you read about what the Ottawa GM said.....the Internet.....that would make it the Internets words not his.
- eagle50

Do I really need to explain the difference between a quote and something said by "the internet?"

That's the assumption. Acquiring a LW with additional years on his contract means that the Blackhawks are going to shift the financial make-up of their roster; maybe it means moving Kruger or CC or ???
- matt_ahrens

Acquiring that cap hit would involve moving both at the very least. Especially if Panarin hits his bonuses again.

it's amazing how continuity and maturity finally has this team trending in the right direction. still think if they get a player to play with Toews they will be hell in a seven game series. Hossa on the third line is a luxury and a mismatch nightmare for any opponent.

scott darling is also playing like a man with a whole lot to prove.
- frafra

I'm only on page one of the new blog and already love the back and forth. These holidays when the futures market is open until noon suck for my Hockeybuzz reading fix.

Wholeheartedly agree with you here about Hossa frafra. A man among boys league wise against other 3rd lines and you can probably count on one hand the guys who can handle/stay with him at all. He might be my favorite professional athlete of any sport that I've had the privilege of watch play in my 59 yrs on planet Earth.

Total pro who never complains about anything, overcomes a devastating injury (thanks Raffi Torres), plays hard every night, works hard at ALL facets of his game and last but not least makes players around him better.

I mention all of this because he was asked (Chicago Sun-Times) over the last few days about playing on the 3rd line and he was answer was enlightening and yet simple........

"Its definitely a little different situation between the first two lines and the third line," said Hossa, who has been alternating between Dennis Rasmussen and Marcus Kruger as linemates and rookies Ryan Hartman and Tanner Kero. "But I'm at the stage, at that age, where I don't mind. I'm willing to play on the third line, to do whatever it takes to help the team win hockey games. It's about that balance."

Do I really need to explain the difference between a quote and something said by "the internet?"
- JRoenick97

Was trying to joke around a bit but sometimes I don't write so good. No offence meant.

2013 - Handzus
2015 - Vermette

There's a pattern and right now having 48 as your third line center won't be good enough. 19,15, (New Center), 16 will have the sound we are looking for.
- acmidd28

Haven't I read somewhere on this blog over the years, recited by seasoned hockey watchers that a Cup contender can NEVER have too many capable centers come playoff time?

Because the internet said. You cant put anything on the web that isnt true..
- z1990z

Because COL sucks, and they need to turn 1 asset into 3-4 that can contribute down the road.

You might have noticed a certain CHICAGO baseball team that traded MLB vets to teams in the playoff hunt and got picks and prospects in return. They turned the pics & prospects into Russell, Ruzzo, Bryant, Schwarb, etc.

Having Dutch on a team that's last in the West is a waste for the team, when they need to be stockpiling for 3-4 years from now, because that hot mess isn't winning next year. Or the year after that one.

Same reason it's a certainty the Avs want an "established defenseman" for Duchene? Because the internet "experts" say so.

While not a "legit" source in the eyes of other would be "experts" . . . I have heard (from someone I trust because their info. is usually correct—not an internet expert but someone who actually works in hockey) Sakic is open to trading Duchene and entertaining offers—and that the has spoken extensively with Bowman.

Also that he is keenly interested in Ryan Hartman. Also . . . that interest has put the kibosh on those talks for now.
- John Jaeckel

Nice to see everyone for the most part, being on board with keeping Hartman even if it means losing out on Dutch. Need cheap young guys like him as depth and to save on cap. There's other young NHL-ready guys you move before Hartman and I know Stan's MO isn't to trade multiple players for one but I'd rather lose Kero and Hino together than Hartman alone FWIW. Stan has to know he'll get a butt ton of picks for Corey this summer so those picks can/will be replenished later so trade 2018 picks in addition to Forsling and a young guy like Kero and/or Hino.

Was trying to joke around a bit but sometimes I don't write so good. No offence meant.
- eagle50

I thought that may be the case for a second, but I always assume the worst across the internet.

@RumorBreak

#BREAKING - Canadiens are currently creating a package for Duclair and Hanzal.

You might have noticed a certain CHICAGO baseball team that traded MLB vets to teams in the playoff hunt and got picks and prospects in return. They turned the pics & prospects into Russell, Ruzzo, Bryant, Schwarb, etc.
- scottak

Say what? Can't trade picks in MLB. They did trade Shark/Hammel for Russell/McKinney and that's where the truth ends. Traded Cashner for Rizzo late in the offseason because Rizzo was Theo/Jed's draft pick they loved from their Red Sox days. Both guys were at about the same point in their careers at the time. As far as Bryant and Schwarbs, Cubs sucked so badly they got high draft picks(like Colorado will in this upcoming draft) and chose those two, much to the chagrin of experts. Who's laughing now?!

I'm only on page one of the new blog and already love the back and forth. These holidays when the futures market is open until noon suck for my Hockeybuzz reading fix.

Wholeheartedly agree with you here about Hossa frafra. A man among boys league wise against other 3rd lines and you can probably count on one hand the guys who can handle/stay with him at all. He might be my favorite professional athlete of any sport that I've had the privilege of watch play in my 59 yrs on planet Earth.

Total pro who never complains about anything, overcomes a devastating injury (thanks Raffi Torres), plays hard every night, works hard at ALL facets of his game and last but not least makes players around him better.

I mention all of this because he was asked (Chicago Sun-Times) over the last few days about playing on the 3rd line and he was answer was enlightening and yet simple........

"Its definitely a little different situation between the first two lines and the third line," said Hossa, who has been alternating between Dennis Rasmussen and Marcus Kruger as linemates and rookies Ryan Hartman and Tanner Kero. "But I'm at the stage, at that age, where I don't mind. I'm willing to play on the third line, to do whatever it takes to help the team win hockey games. It's about that balance."
- ILGolfer

Not to say that Hawk fans don't appreciate Hossa, but I will submit that Hawk fans and NHL fans in general don't appreciate him enough—both for his overall body of work, but for how good and complete player he still is at 38.

So, unscientific poll:

Does he make the HHOF? (my vote: yes)

Does #81 go up into the rafters? (again, yes)

Just thinking last night about what a gem this guy is.

Laying the groundwork? Talks about leaving Krugs exposed for the expansion draft.

@MarkLazerus
Somehow both under-appreciated yet overpaid, Marcus Kruger could become the #Blackhawks' next cap casualty. Story: bit.ly/2mfpOI3

Haven't I read somewhere on this blog over the years, recited by seasoned hockey watchers that a Cup contender can NEVER have too many capable centers come playoff time?
- ILGolfer

Agreed. Center and defense depth are huge.

In light of Kruger's not taking many draws (we'll see how long term that ends up being) the need to add some face-off ability is huge. Vermette potted a couple of huge goals in the 2015 playoffs, but that 60%+ in the dot was HUGE at the end of close games when the Hawks were protecting leads, especially in the D-zone. Toews can't take every draw. Anisimopv is highly unreliable, as is Kero.

So I do think there is a lot, and maybe more than some are willing to believe, to the rumors that the Hawks have been hard in pursuit of Cs who can also play W, particularly Duchene and Hanzal. C's who win lots of draws, too.

Not to say that Hawk fans don't appreciate Hossa, but I will submit that Hawk fans and NHL fans in general don't appreciate him enough—both for his overall body of work, but for how good and complete player he still is at 38.

So, unscientific poll:

Does he make the HHOF? (my vote: yes)

Does #81 go up into the rafters? (again, yes)

Just thinking last night about what a gem this guy is.
- John Jaeckel

couldn't agree more. talk about Hawk contracts that are a bargain, Hossa's is right there with Keith and Hjalmarsson. I hope he can play out his entire contract because I believe he is a player who will be like selanne/jagr and remain productive with age.

hall of famer, hell yes.
81 retired by the blackhawks, hell yes.
lets hope he can help the hawks win that 4th cup here soon!

Not to say that Hawk fans don't appreciate Hossa, but I will submit that Hawk fans and NHL fans in general don't appreciate him enough—both for his overall body of work, but for how good and complete player he still is at 38.

So, unscientific poll:

Does he make the HHOF? (my vote: yes)

Does #81 go up into the rafters? (again, yes)

Just thinking last night about what a gem this guy is.
- John Jaeckel

Something else to note JJ, Hossa really seemed to help Toews (and Kane) when he came aboard. Toews really looked up to him and seemed to learn quite a bit from him. You could notice if and when Hossa missed games during a 2 year stretch, the entire team was flat and deer-in-headlights at times. Hossa does little things that don't show up on the stat sheet on the ice and on the bench between shifts. He's all fundamentals and is a joy to watch game in and game out. IDK if he'll end up in the HOF or rafters but for now I'm going to relish watching him play each and every game while I can.

Laying the groundwork? Talks about leaving Krugs exposed for the expansion draft.

@MarkLazerus
Somehow both under-appreciated yet overpaid, Marcus Kruger could become the #Blackhawks' next cap casualty. Story: bit.ly/2mfpOI3
- Marlowe

Yea... could be .

If TT can be traded, I mean, I recall a year ago some people here saying TT was a lot better than Drouin . . . don't you?
- John Jaeckel

I think TT can be a serviceable player over his career but he's never going to be that guy that charges into the corner with a snarl on his face me thinks. But I digress, how many of you see the highlight reel last 45 seconds of OT yesterday when Drouin basically kept the puck the whole time and skated 400' or so and scored the game winner?

I know its only one goal and I'm sure Stevie Y. wants him to work on some things but right there is the reason he wasn't going to get traded last year, in my opinion anyway.

big IF... but if the Hawks did get Duchene...imagine being able to split up Toews, Hossa, Panarin, Anisimov, Kane, and Duchene into three different lines? again...mismatch nightmare for opponents.

Not to say that Hawk fans don't appreciate Hossa, but I will submit that Hawk fans and NHL fans in general don't appreciate him enough—both for his overall body of work, but for how good and complete player he still is at 38.

So, unscientific poll:

Does he make the HHOF? (my vote: yes)

Does #81 go up into the rafters? (again, yes)

Just thinking last night about what a gem this guy is.
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely agree. We were watching the game Sunday and maybe 3 or 4 times, we paused the game and rewound it about 20 seconds merely to appreciate more completely some simple (or not so simple) thing Hossa just did. Board work, possessing the puck, back checking, positioning, seeing the ice, when to shoot, etc... He is a treasure. I know this is heresy to mention, but I watched Hull and Mikita and Hossa would be in the same conversation among the greatest Hawks ever.

I think TT can be a serviceable player over his career but he's never going to be that guy that charges into the corner with a snarl me thinks. But I digress, how many of you see the highlight reel last 45 seconds of OT yesterday when Drouin basically kept the puck the whole time and skated 400' or so and scored the game winner?

I know its only one goal and I'm sure Stevie Y. wants him to work on some things but right there is the reason he wasn't going to get traded last year, in my opinion anyway.
- ILGolfer

I heard a lot about the Hawks targeting Drouin last year, nothing so far this year. Palat seems to fit their shopping list a lot better right now. And his is the name I've heard this year in connection with TB.

Drouin has great hands a very strong lower body/low center of gravity. He can make some things happen. Overall game and attitude seem to have improved though I have to admit to not following the Bolts all that closely this year.

Yea... could be .
- mrpaulish

No question if they believe in Kero and can sign him at a reasonable contract for a few years.

Posted these lines last night. Toews has been saying forever he just want the same linemates to get some consistency and chemistry going. Look at what it has done. Keep that going as long as it is working. My wish list:

Panik-Toews-Schmaltz
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Palat-Kruger-Hossa
Hinostroza-Kero-Hartman

If it does not end up working you can mix and match. You really struggle with defensive matchups against those lines IMO. You can easily roll all 4 lines. It wouldn't mess with the chemistry those guys have had going much. They are playing very well right now. I am just hoping Tampa loses all three of their games before the deadline to really put the playoffs at a stretch. I could see adding a Boyle too. I just think the above gives us the best chance to win any series.

Not to say that Hawk fans don't appreciate Hossa, but I will submit that Hawk fans and NHL fans in general don't appreciate him enough—both for his overall body of work, but for how good and complete player he still is at 38.

So, unscientific poll:

Does he make the HHOF? (my vote: yes)

Does #81 go up into the rafters? (again, yes)

Just thinking last night about what a gem this guy is.
- John Jaeckel

Just another thing to ponder - Didn't Havlat retire recently also?

big IF... but if the Hawks did get Duchene...imagine being able to split up Toews, Hossa, Panarin, Anisimov, Kane, and Duchene into three different lines? again...mismatch nightmare for opponents.
- frafra

Interesting thought. In that case Duchene would play center which would help the faceoff situation having him and Toews be the two main faceoff guys. So take the 3 next best offensive players and create 3 lines leaving Kruger to center a defensive 4th line. So who are the 3 next best offensive players - Hartman, Panik and Schmaltz (course, one of Hartman or Schmaltz would probably be gone in the acquisition of Duchene)?

Panarin-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Duchene-Kane
Hartman-Anisimov-Hossa
Rasmussen-Kruger-Kero/Hino