2words or 1name John! TAYLOR HALL! ..... If NJ is willing to listen.
Sounds likeDrouin and Duchene are gonna be swapped for each other.
- wonthecup10

Doubt it. Duchene didn't enhance his trade value at the World Championships - did virtually nothing in the tournament. And Team Canada's coach is the Tampa coach so he got a first hand look at Duchene for 8 or 9 games.

Well I don't see the Hawks moving the breadman or AA,and I really don't know what the Hawks are going to do.They will probably sign a few Fa's from Europe.Are they really piss off enough to make a block buster deal? Trade a core player?I have no idea and nobody else knows as well except the Hawks brass.As fans we have our wish list or hear trade rumors on who could be dealt.Just about a month to go before the fun will start.

Yea, Kane can only thrive with someone as good as Anisimov... or Handzus
- kwolf68

I forgot Kane scored 106 points with Handzus centering his line!

Interesting post.

is Kruger THE problem? Is anyone?

The issue seems to be lots of big contracts and NMCs that hamstrings the team and forces the coach to (in turn) force fit players into roles they aren't ready for or ideally suited to.

Yeah, you could argue Kruger is overpaid. I think you can make the same argument, based on production over the las couple of regular seasons—and especially playoffs—about a LOT of guys on this roster.

Why, did they all mysteriously start sucking jun July 2015—or is it because the roster as a whole, 3 of the 4 lines, power play and penalty kill lack the necessary pieces, and so not just the team (come playoff time) but individual players suffer as well?

I'm the first to point out that Kruger—in his present role with this team—must be over 50% on face-offs, which he hasn't been. But there are also reasons why he centers the 2nd line on team Sweden in international play, and is always a key player on all the very good Swedish international entries–where "favortism by Q" does not factor in.

I will not be the least bit surprised if Kruger and his salary don't get jettisoned here in short order. All that said, if he ends up remaining in Chicago and even if the Hawks expanded his role and played him with scorers and gave him more offensive zone starts—I, for one, would not be completely surprised or discouraged. He HAS a lot more setup skill and ability to play an effective cycle game than many realize.

I still think it all comes down to moving a BIG contract (or two), dealing from areas of strength and depth to shore up some areas of weakness could quickly remedy the Hawks.

"Losing Kruger" to me is just a small scale salary dump and it's not like you don't lose some depth (at least) with the move.
- John Jaeckel

I was thinking yesterday watching that game, what if Kruger played 2C for the Hawks between, 88 and 72. If he is healthy and can get back up over 50% at the dot.

He sure looked much faster to me yesterday, yes I know the big ice is probably why.

I was also trying to figure out if he's what we think he is, how can he be 2C on team Sweden.

I'm looking at that game, and saying that team Sweden would beat the Hawks in a 7 game series right?

Just thought it pretty interesting how much more of a factor he is on the national scene

Your 2017 roster

Schmaltz - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Hartman - Kane
Hayden - Debrincat - Hossa
Fortin - Kero - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Seabs - Kempny ($2 mil per year for 3 years)
TVR - Forsling

Crow - Glass (or similar)

Press box - Rosi & Hino or Motte

cap space remaining about $500,000

Your 2017 roster

Schmaltz - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Hartman - Kane
Hayden - Debrincat - Hossa
Fortin - Kero - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Seabs - Kempny ($2 mil for 3 years)
TVR - Forsling

Crow - Glass (or similar)

Press box - Rosi & Hino or Motte

cap space remaining about $500,000
- -Doh-

Very REALISTIC and of course that would equal an early tee time!

any chance at all the hawks would move Keith?
- frafra

In a heartbeat for Drouin AND Palat....I'd hope.

Manson would be a waste here because Q would turn him into a ballerina as well. Remember the days when Hjalmarsson would light people up too........ not any longer. This team will never again be physically tough to play against until Q is gone. Our 2010 team of some physicality was the best we'll see around here for a while.
- Hawkytalk

Hammer stopped lighting up anyone after his suspension. Its not that he can't. Its that he won't IMO, because of the suspension.

The tough to play against mantra will return with a balanced team, higher FO% and puck possession cycling. Things seen in '10, '13, '14 and '15. I include '14 cuz the 'Hawks were a bounce away from the Final and IMOO, a chance to repeat, even w/o JO.

As an assistant, the Hawks will hire a former player with a pedigree and who is known as a teacher because that's what is needed to bolster the defense.

If you look at the teams left a point that is noticeable is the young dmen involved. The Preds have a great young blueline who have been tested and seasoned in the playoffs before. The Ducks..I think it was in Game 1 or 2 everyone on the Ananheim defense was 25 or younger and some with little or no post season experience.

Your 2017 roster

Schmaltz - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Hartman - Kane
Hayden - Debrincat - Hossa
Fortin - Kero - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Seabs - Kempny ($2 mil for 3 years)
TVR - Forsling

Crow - Glass (or similar)

Press box - Rosi & Hino or Motte

cap space remaining about $500,000
- -Doh-

Who did you shed to the Knights?

How would Kempny, an RFA that made 700k, played like 50gms and a whopping 8pts, get 2mil per?? (or was that the total deal?)

Even so, he wouldn't want that deal either if it was total

How would Kempny, an RFA that made 700k, played like 50gms and a whopping 8pts, get 2mil per?? (or was that the total deal?)

Even so, he wouldn't want that deal either if it was total
- PatShart

Michal Kempny Qualifying Offer
SALARY:$700,000
SIGNING BONUS:$92,500
BASE SALARY:$607,500
MULTIPLICATION FACTOR:110%
QUALIFYING OFFER:$668,250

I forgot Kane scored 106 points with Handzus centering his line!
- walleyeb1

It has more to do with who is on the opposite wing.

Who did you shed to the Knights?
- riozzo

Kruger.
Here is my reasoning. People say TVR. But we need to shed salary and we need right side defenders. There may need to be a side deal (like sending Vegas a 4th round pick) to get Vegas to take Kruger.

Anisimov is moved for pick(s)/prospect(s). We cannot take anything back.

It would be nice to sign Rutta and bury Rosi in Rockford as a player/coach. But realistically I think other teams will be able to offer Rutta a better contract than the Hawks.

How would Kempny, an RFA that made 700k, played like 50gms and a whopping 8pts, get 2mil per?? (or was that the total deal?)

Even so, he wouldn't want that deal either if it was total
- PatShart

How is Panik making $2.8mil?

My $2mil is just a guess. Defenders are in short supply. If the Hawks can sign him for less than $2mil per they have additional cap space. Any offer sheet $1.2 to $1.8mil and the signing team only gives up a 3rd round pick. So I think there will be teams in that neighborhood.

Interesting post.

is Kruger THE problem? Is anyone?

The issue seems to be lots of big contracts and NMCs that hamstrings the team and forces the coach to (in turn) force fit players into roles they aren't ready for or ideally suited to.

Yeah, you could argue Kruger is overpaid. I think you can make the same argument, based on production over the las couple of regular seasons—and especially playoffs—about a LOT of guys on this roster.

Why, did they all mysteriously start sucking jun July 2015—or is it because the roster as a whole, 3 of the 4 lines, power play and penalty kill lack the necessary pieces, and so not just the team (come playoff time) but individual players suffer as well?

I'm the first to point out that Kruger—in his present role with this team—must be over 50% on face-offs, which he hasn't been. But there are also reasons why he centers the 2nd line on team Sweden in international play, and is always a key player on all the very good Swedish international entries–where "favortism by Q" does not factor in.

I will not be the least bit surprised if Kruger and his salary don't get jettisoned here in short order. All that said, if he ends up remaining in Chicago and even if the Hawks expanded his role and played him with scorers and gave him more offensive zone starts—I, for one, would not be completely surprised or discouraged. He HAS a lot more setup skill and ability to play an effective cycle game than many realize.

I still think it all comes down to moving a BIG contract (or two), dealing from areas of strength and depth to shore up some areas of weakness could quickly remedy the Hawks.

"Losing Kruger" to me is just a small scale salary dump and it's not like you don't lose some depth (at least) with the move.
- John Jaeckel

I'd prefer to move AA and let Kruger center Kane and Panarin. He has no problem going to the net, is better (when healthy) on face offs, and can provide some defense to that line, which Panarin and Kane lack. Plus he doesn't mind playing along the boards.

I'd prefer to move AA and let Kruger center Kane and Panarin. He has no problem going to the net, is better (when healthy) on face offs, and can provide some defense to that line, which Panarin and Kane lack. Plus he doesn't mind playing along the boards.
- scottak

That'd be like trying to pound a square peg in a round hole. Kruger would be set up for failure, he's not really an offensive center. He wouldn't be able to sit in the crease and screen the goalie like AA does night in night out. Yeah he could probably win some board battles, but again nowhere near the way AA does.

Bernier not looking very sharp for the ducks...

Bernier not looking very sharp for the ducks...
- 93Joe

Looking like dead Ducks!

2goal 1st period lead for the preds...can they hold it...

pens and preds have played through some significant injuries...kudos to them...

but from my POV...prefer both the preds and ducks lose

I forgot Kane scored 106 points with Handzus centering his line!
- walleyeb1

Just think what Jumbo Joe could do for 88 and 72.
Yes he's old and slow, but still is a great passer and would do the dirty work down low. He sure would help the anemic PP as well. Wonder what he'd cost ??

Nifty little play by DeBrincat:

https://twitter.com/rache...status/866808299580260352

Just think what Jumbo Joe could do for 88 and 72.
Yes he's old and slow, but still is a great passer and would do the dirty work down low. He sure would help the anemic PP as well. Wonder what he'd cost ??
- Hawkytalk

I'm sure he'd like a chance to win a cup in Chicago. Duchene is who interests me the most... 60%+ on faceoffs, speed, around the net... Both give options for sure.

Just think what Jumbo Joe could do for 88 and 72.
Yes he's old and slow, but still is a great passer and would do the dirty work down low. He sure would help the anemic PP as well. Wonder what he'd cost ??
- Hawkytalk

That could be true. But he will not leave the West Coast. If he did it would not be for chump change. Even if you can move Anisimov and Kruger you would not have enough cap space to sign Thornton to a $3 mil/year contract.

Your 2017 roster

Schmaltz - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Hartman - Kane
Hayden - Debrincat - Hossa
Fortin - Kero - Tootoo

Keith - Hjalmarsson
Seabs - Kempny ($2 mil per year for 3 years)
TVR - Forsling

Crow - Glass (or similar)

Press box - Rosi & Hino or Motte

cap space remaining about $500,000
- -Doh-