Kane, Pirri, and 2nd round pick for Jason Spezza and their 3rd round pick

Brouwer trade was apparently a Q decision. JJ stated the Oduya signing probably has to do with Lidstrom retiring. Their is going to be a bidding war for Suter with Lidstrom gone. Oduya was pushed around because he was matched up with Leddy he needs a better pairing to be effective.

Also we got Phillip Danault for Brouwer and Danault is looking like a stud right now.
- scorerstouch

Brouwer would have helped (a lot) this year and next. Danault may be great some day, but he is likely still at least a year away from contributing and even further from making a major impact. Might be a good move long run, but hurts now. Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabs...all another year older and beat up while we wait or Danault. Wasted year.

Savards LTIR exemption still there. Khudobin is under contract, Rask is RFA. They'll sign Rask $3-4M and be done. Means no big moves, but should be enough to keep the core together.
- Double_A

The Bruins aren't going to fall apart but $5 mill in cap space, most of which falls into a blck hole if Thomas doesn't play is a big handicap.

The Bruins aren't going to fall apart but $5 mill in cap space, most of which falls into a blck hole if Thomas doesn't play is a big handicap.
- Al

Do Hawks take a risk on Thomas for the year? Especially if Boston just wants to dump him and we get him for virtually only a pick or two?

Definitely do-able, but Jackmans gonna get more then 3.5. It wouldn't affect your deal in question, but he's getting a raise. Especially if he's leaving St. Louis. He's been there his entire career and is one of their leaders. Deeply vested into the community too.
- mochoson

Probably right, though if you give him a third year to the deal, he might come down a bit in price.

Do Hawks take a risk on Thomas for the year? Especially if Boston just wants to dump him and we get him for virtually only a pick or two?
- FourFeathers773

I din't see the Hawks paying any goal tender $5 mill per unless Scotty Bowman is no longer here.

I din't see the Hawks paying any goal tender $5 mill per unless Scotty Bowman is no longer here.
- Al

So you essentially wipe out any of the Ryan Miller speculation too

Danault is familair with and used my trainer, Vince Malts (former Canucks draft pick from the 90s).

Vince has told me he's a really, really driven kid. He think's hes an NHL player, just doesn't know if the offense will translate.

I still think it's a bad deal giving up Brouwer to get him.
- mochoson

My friend does a great job of covering the Ice Hogs and he was more impressed with Danault than any player in Rockford this season.

He says that he wouldn't be surprised if Daneault could fill in for Bolland in October...He feels he is a definite NHL 3rd line checking center and my buddy is hard to impress. ..

So you essentially wipe out any of the Ryan Miller speculation too
- FourFeathers773

And Luongo and Kipper and whoever else will earn more than $3 mill next season.

Now something at the deadline for a rent a goalie could be a different story.

My friend does a great job of covering the Ice Hogs and he was more impressed with Danault than any player in Rockford this season.

He says that he wouldn't be surprised if Daneault could fill in for Bolland in October...He feels he is a definite NHL 3rd line checking center and my buddy is hard to impress. ..
- Al

We share similar views then. I've seen Danault play quite a bit, but just thought it was worth sharing the opinion of a hockey guy who's been drafted and now works behind the scenes with players and coachs and stuff.

Like I said, even if the offense never comes, he looks like an NHLer.

I din't see the Hawks paying any goal tender $5 mill per unless Scotty Bowman is no longer here.
- Al

Then I would prefer Scotty to no longer be here. He can take Stan with him.

We share similar views then. I've seen Danault play quite a bit, but just thought it was worth sharing the opinion of a hockey guy who's been drafted and now works behind the scenes with players and coachs and stuff.

Like I said, even if the offense never comes, he looks like an NHLer.
- mochoson

What was either coincidence or interesting...

Shortly after I wrote about Danault toward the end of the season when he was at Rockford....I hear a rumor Bolland is available.

What's interesting is that's the first time since 2010 I have heard any of the core being on the block.

The risk is Danault has to make the team and stay...He's too young to play in the AHL.

Of course many believe the 3rd line pivot could be Kruger's next season....

What was either coincidence or interesting...

Shortly after I wrote about Danault toward the end of the season when he was at Rockford....I hear a rumor Bolland is available.

What's interesting is that's the first time since 2010 I have heard any of the core being on the block.

The risk is Danault has to make the team and stay...He's too young to play in the AHL.

Of course many believe the 3rd line pivot could be Kruger's next season....
- Al

But if as reported, Bolland is truly a Q guy, Bolland's availability status may have changed since then.

What was either coincidence or interesting...

Shortly after I wrote about Danault toward the end of the season when he was at Rockford....I hear a rumor Bolland is available.

What's interesting is that's the first time since 2010 I have heard any of the core being on the block.

The risk is Danault has to make the team and stay...He's too young to play in the AHL.

Of course many believe the 3rd line pivot could be Kruger's next season....
- Al

Bollands a guy I dont give up unless someones overpaying. I dont care what the cap looks like. You don't move a guy like him unless you get fair value.

I din't see the Hawks paying any goal tender $5 mill per unless Scotty Bowman is no longer here.
- Al

For ONE year, though...???? It's only costing a bigger cap hit (Crawford going back to Boston).

Boston gets rid of their "pain-in-the-ass" headache in Thomas and gets a slightly above average goalie (in Crawford) to split time with Rask (saves about $2.333M used then to sign Rask)...two goalies for the price of one!!!

Chicago gets rid of a bad contract (Crawford) and takes a one year run at a Cup with a very good goalie in Tim Thomas.

I would then trade Pirii and a 4th round pick 2012 (or 2nd round pick 2012) to Ottawa for Robin Lehner (as future number 1 goalie).

2012-13
-----------
Thomas/Emery

2013-14
-----------
Lehner/????


Thoughts???

I din't see the Hawks paying any goal tender $5 mill per unless Scotty Bowman is no longer here.
- Al

Too bad. Thomas would be a nice one season stop gap.

But if as reported, Bolland is truly a Q guy, Bolland's availability status may have changed since then.
- Ogilthorpe2

Exactly becasue that was before the outing on HNIC concerning Bowman and Q.

I've reposted it a few times, but one deal I saw that was very interesting eas

Hammer
Frolik
Bolland

for

Nash
Dorsett

250k difference in salary going back and forth, more then fair IMO.
- mochoson

Columbus would never do that . . . in . . . a . . . million . . . years.

Just read the blog ... but I'm curious ...

Are there any players that Columbus and NYI aren't trying to acquire???

In the last two weeks I think I saw just about every trade scenario possible, except the one that will actually take place.

I thought Sutter was going to be here. But now with the Lidstrom announcement I honestly think he will now be a Redwing.

In the last two weeks I think I saw just about every trade scenario possible, except the one that will actually take place.

I thought Sutter was going to be here. But now with the Lidstrom announcement I honestly think he will now be a Redwing.
- mvp0207

Do the Hawks have cap space for Suter ... that D would be insane if you added Suter to the mix?

Danault is familair with and used my trainer, Vince Malts (former Canucks draft pick from the 90s).

Vince has told me he's a really, really driven kid. He think's hes an NHL player, just doesn't know if the offense will translate.

I still think it's a bad deal giving up Brouwer to get him.
- mochoson

Danault as a pro will be in the Kruger/Bolland category, but he has more speed and will likely be better on draws. His passing is outstanding, very creative. Another NHLer he reminds me A LOT of is Mikhail Grabovski.

Columbus would never do that . . . in . . . a . . . million . . . years.
- John Jaeckel

Your saying Howson wouldn't do that? The same Howson that currently has Wiz and Tyutin signed to an almost identical combined cap hit that the Hawks have Keith and Seabrook signed to? The same Howson who went into last season with his tentative goalie tandem as Steve Mason and Mark Dekanich?

You give him way to much credit.

Bollands a guy I dont give up unless someones overpaying. I dont care what the cap looks like. You don't move a guy like him unless you get fair value.
- mochoson

To me the issue is simple...Bolland by himself doesn't land the Hawks an established top 2nd line center so he has to be part of a package and is still risky...

Except for Staal there aren't any 3rd line centers I would rather have than Bolland.

Danault as a pro will be in the Kruger/Bolland category, but he has more speed and will likely be better on draws. His passing is outstanding, very creative.
- John Jaeckel

The hope is that that creativity translates. If not, he will still be a more then serviceable player, which is all you can really hope for now a days with a low first rounder.