There is a certaain amount of time RFA's can talk to other teams...

UFA's have to get permission....Apparently that was the case with Detroit and the Hawks concerning Hossa.

Usually a team only buys the rights because they know they have a big shot of getting the player they desire signed.

Somehow word gets around between the UFA and interested teams.
- Al

Yes - I'm sure it's all kosher.

Do you guys think we should go after #2c or fix the holes in the defense first?

Do you guys think we should go after #2c or fix the holes in the defense first?
- southernhawk

In my opinion, the focus will be on the defense. There are some players available in the free agent market that could play in the top 2 parings, and others who can round out the 5-7 spots on the defense.

If a #2 center is going to be obtained, it will most likely happen in a trade, sometime between the draft and the start of free agency. There isn't a lot out there in the free agent market for something like that.

I guess it all depends if the Hawks make any trades around the draft. If they do, who they end up acquiring and who they end up losing could shift their focus in what this team might be looking for come July 1st.

Do you guys think we should go after #2c or fix the holes in the defense first?
- southernhawk

I think if Hossa is a go for next season, a #2 C is priority 1. If there is a chance he will be out for extended time, shore up defense and/or Goaltending.

I love it how Sabres fans come in here an always try to dump a smurf C on the Hawks in Roy, and now Leopold who isn't very good in the first place! If Kane is dealt, the return will be a lot more than other teams cast offs! At least it better be!!!
- nelli312

right on nel, boston is a player over the last couple of days, the names being floated are rask & lucic. and this is from a very good insider & rask's agent is chicago based & rask is his crown jewel.
so all those mopy sabre fans that want to dump garbage on the hawks for kane are nothing more than ducks farting in shallow water.
look, kane is 23, & will probably have several 30-40 goal seasons ahead. we are not going to take a 30 year old goalie straight up. a starting point if miller is in the deal has tyler myers included also +! that is what stan will be firm on a starting point or no deal even to talk about.
back to the bruins, bowman will be firm on rask & lucic. the bruins have plenty of toughness to sacrifice lucic but with hossa's uncertainty can lucic fill that void for goals. you know he's going right on the top line with #19. if hossa plays thats a hell of a good line. but there are those in the hawks inners that still think the bruins still have to add even more. why? rask has a high potential but is unproven & lucic 's top offensive output may be 20-25 goals realistically where a guy like kane could score 50 for the bruins so boston would still have to add another piece. this could be nothing more than morning coffee talk but it came from a good creditable source. this also has nothing to do with kanes celebrating hispanic heritage weekend better than most! this is strictly a hockey deal possibly being framed out by the 2 teams which could include more pieces each way. just hope this don't turn into another phil esposito trade where the hawks get burned again. but conceivably the hawks could start the season with suter, lucic, rask & staal on the club while subtracting players like kane crawford,and a combo of either sharp,bolland &/or hjalmer. will they be better? you tell me. but i do know that Aaa lot of teams are going to have some big names in play given the fact that most of them got bounced early. i was right about carbomb coming last july, now i just gave ya the eastern potential players.
stan bowman isn't as dumb as some of you think, & it pays to have buddy's spread around the league.im not sayin', but i'm sayin???? just wait & see till the day after the cup is won!! & time to bring up anothony rizzo!!

I think if Hossa is a go for next season, a #2 C is priority 1. If there is a chance he will be out for extended time, shore up defense and/or Goaltending.
- powerenforcer

Trade Keith for Getzlaf, resign oduya trade Boland + frolik to free money sign suter

I know the Hawks promoted Norm MacIver ( Good ol # 47) to replace Bergevin. But are they going to hire anyone to replace Maciver? The Hawks had an advantage in that there were several smart hockey people debating, and opining and coming to a conclusion. At one time there were 6 current, former, and future GMs. ( Tallon, Dudley, Cheveldayoff, both Bowmans and now Bergevin.) I'm not knocking MacIver. Supposedly he's been key in getting Olsen and Leddy. But I still would like to see some more Hockey smarts added to the front office.

That and Q's next assistant. Then we can get to all these silly trade ideas....

I know the Hawks promoted Norm MacIver ( Good ol # 47) to replace Bergevin. But are they going to hire anyone to replace Maciver? The Hawks had an advantage in that there were several smart hockey people debating, and opining and coming to a conclusion. At one time there were 6 current, former, and future GMs. ( Tallon, Dudley, Cheveldayoff, both Bowmans and now Bergevin.) I'm not knocking MacIver. Supposedly he's been key in getting Olsen and Leddy. But I still would like to see some more Hockey smarts added to the front office.

That and Q's next assistant. Then we can get to all these silly trade ideas....
- yahoodi

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Oh God Ogi what are you doing!!!!

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.
- Ogilthorpe2

its tough to get fired if the assistants cant take the reigns for a few games so i guess this makes sense. q is really insecure it appears

right on nel, boston is a player over the last couple of days, the names being floated are rask & lucic. and this is from a very good insider & rask's agent is chicago based & rask is his crown jewel.
so all those mopy sabre fans that want to dump garbage on the hawks for kane are nothing more than ducks farting in shallow water.
look, kane is 23, & will probably have several 30-40 goal seasons ahead. we are not going to take a 30 year old goalie straight up. a starting point if miller is in the deal has tyler myers included also +! that is what stan will be firm on a starting point or no deal even to talk about.
back to the bruins, bowman will be firm on rask & lucic. the bruins have plenty of toughness to sacrifice lucic but with hossa's uncertainty can lucic fill that void for goals. you know he's going right on the top line with #19. if hossa plays thats a hell of a good line. but there are those in the hawks inners that still think the bruins still have to add even more. why? rask has a high potential but is unproven & lucic 's top offensive output may be 20-25 goals realistically where a guy like kane could score 50 for the bruins so boston would still have to add another piece. this could be nothing more than morning coffee talk but it came from a good creditable source. this also has nothing to do with kanes celebrating hispanic heritage weekend better than most! this is strictly a hockey deal possibly being framed out by the 2 teams which could include more pieces each way. just hope this don't turn into another phil esposito trade where the hawks get burned again. but conceivably the hawks could start the season with suter, lucic, rask & staal on the club while subtracting players like kane crawford,and a combo of either sharp,bolland &/or hjalmer. will they be better? you tell me. but i do know that Aaa lot of teams are going to have some big names in play given the fact that most of them got bounced early. i was right about carbomb coming last july, now i just gave ya the eastern potential players.
stan bowman isn't as dumb as some of you think, & it pays to have buddy's spread around the league.im not sayin', but i'm sayin???? just wait & see till the day after the cup is won!! & time to bring up anothony rizzo!!
- wonthecup10

nice writeup
so trade kane to a team like boston that will surround him with big physical players and

i still think it makes more sense to keep nick h but put him on the 5 and 6 pairing

subtract montador froelic oduya crawford and maybe kane or sharp pairing

put leddy and nick as the 5 6 pairing
get suter and a cheaper version of weber as his partner.this version of weber will not be as talented but should play as physical
i like wontheups trade and aquisitions but not sure how the hawks get staal

i hope you are right on stan being smarter then i give him credit for. i really dont want to go back to the pulford days

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.
- Ogilthorpe2

NO! That can't be.

In all reality, I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Brunette retired and became an assistant coach under Q.

I wouldn't like it. Not at all.

If anything, maybe Brunette could run the powerplay better than Kitchen?

NO! That can't be.

In all reality, I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Brunette retired and became an assistant coach under Q.

I wouldn't like it. Not at all.

If anything, maybe Brunette could run the powerplay better than Kitchen?
- EKolb13

If this happened, I'd be cancelling my season tickets!

Obviously Colorado is really high on him, but I would love to target Ryan O'Reilly as the number 2 center of the future. He is a take-away machine, 50%+ on draws, plays both special teams. I just really love his game. Don't know what it would take, or if he is simply untouchable. But the writter on HB for the Avalanche had an article the other day about how badly they need some skill on the right wing. Kane?
- nathanjf

They need a goal scorer not another passer... Which is why Sharp and Kruger OR Hammer OR prospect AND pick for Statsny would be a pretty great deal.

Or Sharp + Any Rockford player + conditional pick for Duchene's rights

Solves problems for both teams

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Remove the player part and I would be ok with that. His sole purpose would be to instruct players where the front of the net is and the art of standing in front of it. His two pet projects would be Bickell and Crawford. Teach Bickell how to park himself in front in the offensive zone. Show him tape of Shaw (half Bicks size) to show that standing in front of the net and scoring success are related. Then he can skate to the other end of the ice attach a leash to Crawford so he doesn't wander too far from the front of his net. The skating from one end of the ice to the other might be a painful process but maybe you're onto something.

They need a goal scorer not another passer... Which is why Sharp and Kruger OR Hammer OR prospect AND pick for Statsny would be a pretty great deal.

Or Sharp + Any Rockford player + conditional pick for Duchene's rights

Solves problems for both teams
- fattybeef

I love the idea of Statsney on this team (especially playing with Hossa). I wonder though if they would do it (Hawks mgment) knowing he would be paid more than JT and PK.

i still think it makes more sense to keep nick h but put him on the 5 and 6 pairing

subtract montador froelic oduya crawford and maybe kane or sharp pairing

put leddy and nick as the 5 6 pairing
get suter and a cheaper version of weber as his partner.this version of weber will not be as talented but should play as physical
i like wontheups trade and aquisitions but not sure how the hawks get staal

i hope you are right on stan being smarter then i give him credit for. i really dont want to go back to the pulford days
- molly2522

mol, it ain't me makin it up, the boston thing come right out of the east coast, you know , our line of work is a big fraternity, there are buddy's out there that are THIS close to the bruin people.it could be smoke or nothing.
if trades are going to be made out of here it's from a hockey stand point , not because of other crap. i am sure rocky verbally tanned juniors ass with a barber strap recently so i am sure he'll be fine. the key is trying to make that type of trade WITHOUT giving up kane. i'd love to see a looch,kane, toews line.
staal, you probably have to give up either sharp or??. and bank on signing suter. i still think the bruins have to add more. rask is unproven & looch adds muscle but only gets ya 20-25. isn't this why they drafted beach in the first place? what happened there. i give beach 1 more shot, he still could develope into a lucic type guy. i would hate to see it on another team.
you can't teach toughness and nick leddy ??? that is a guy i shop to teams , especially if we sign suter & keep hjalmersson.
i'd rather look at columbus , nash AND brassard coming here as 1. trades like that. nash is not the fighter looch is but he'll get 40 with toews and provide some meaness and brassard is your bonified young #2 center......for kane & leddy. thats my thought . a hockey deal for BOTH teams. crawford in front of a bigger meaner team with a D of seabs, kieth, suter, hjalmer, monty & say either olsen or shane obrien????? he'll be better!
if the boston thing has some validity i hope if were gonna part with kane, we better get more than rask & looch ( even though i'm a big fan of secord jr's!) otherwise it's the phil esposito trade all over again! kane will get 50 a year playing with that team!! JMO mol, but the bruins thing is not just some metal table top hockey grade school deal being talked about. remember A LOT of teams got bounce early , so there are A LOT of owners and gm's P O'D right now....including ours!
1 more thing mol, no matter what is said on these sites by some, stan bowman and his dad are NOT dumb, you don't win a dozen cups for nothing, they have alot of friends all over the place. there is reason they are where they are at and we are carrying 2x4's at a construction site and not either playing in the NHL or in a front office job! give em some credit and the benefit of the doubt some time!
ps, mol give me a shout, i got some updates from the hood ! later buddy!

Q's new assistant....drumroll please.....player/coach Andrew Brunette! Book it.
- Ogilthorpe2

If I had to bet . . . Tom Renney.

If I had to bet . . . Tom Renney.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, nice i'm a fan!! or brent sutter!!! oh please not brunette!!!

JJ, nice i'm a fan!! or brent sutter!!! oh please not brunette!!!
- wonthecup10

I don't see Sutter, but never know. Right now, I think it's Renney, long shot is Marc Crawford. I also would not rule out Barry Smith.

JJ, nice i'm a fan!! or brent sutter!!! oh please not brunette!!!
- wonthecup10

Lucic and Rask for Kane is what you say you're hearing.

If the Hawks have made up their mind not to bring Kane back then im ok with it , and i LOVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE Lucic , not sure if Rask is much better than Crawford , I still think if the Hawks are intent on movin kane they can get a very nice bidding war going between :

Boston , Buffalo , Montreal , Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , Tampa , and Florida.

The possibilities are almost endless

I don't see Sutter, but never know. Right now, I think it's Renney, long shot is Marc Crawford. I also would not rule out Barry Smith.
- John Jaeckel

Hi JJ! I was just about to ask about Barry Smith...do you really think Q would want him on the bench? If you could pick outta the three(smith crawford renney) what wiuld the order be? And i don't mean to be a picky brat,but when can we expect the Suter blog,where you mention the one thing the Hawks have going for them that you have not disclosed yet

I don't see Sutter, but never know. Right now, I think it's Renney, long shot is Marc Crawford. I also would not rule out Barry Smith.
- John Jaeckel

YES JJ! you're the man!! hope it is 1 of the 3 !
watch the boston thing JJ, ........there are some chicago ties there, but team people and reps will just give you a blank stare or a smirky smile if you ask. doesn't mean there isn't a crack in the wall that some water/info seeped through. personally i like the brassard/nash thought better! give em leddy, especially if we can get next to ryan suter!!

Lucic and Rask for Kane is what you say you're hearing.

If the Hawks have made up their mind not to bring Kane back then im ok with it , and i LOVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE Lucic , not sure if Rask is much better than Crawford , I still think if the Hawks are intent on movin kane they can get a very nice bidding war going between :

Boston , Buffalo , Montreal , Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , Tampa , and Florida.

The possibilities are almost endless
- mrpaulish

Why would Boston do that trade? I would take Lucic over Kane straight up, none the less for him and their future goalie for the next 10 years. Also, Rask is better than Crawford, much better.