I see nothng on my twitter. Where does this infor come from?
- flamminghead

a hairdresser, apparently...and I'm not joking

Versteeg, Theodore, Howden is the deal about to be announced.
- Scooby_Doo

Laughable. Grab a Scooby snack and quiet down before you get whacked on the beak with a rolled up newspaper.

Not sure. I just figured he'd be in the deal. My hairdresser knows Versteeg, said he's trying to work out a deal with Canucks before the trade can be made.

No idea what he wants, but I'm guessing 4-5.
- Scooby_Doo

does your shrink know theodore

True. But aat least they would have confidence in their goalie. Especially in the reg. Season. Lol. Ttat does go a long way. But I'm still not happy at all with the lack of toughness in the top 6. And actually the top 4. Doan would help, too
- tomcat24

So realistically who is out there to add to their top 6 that makes them tougher. Doan is not realistic so who else?

So what if he was pissed. He played 7 games last year, had some good games, crapped the bed in others. People speak on this board as if Markstrom is a sure thing...seriously. Look, he may well turn out to be great, or he may be another Andrew Raycroft, Jim Carrey...if Tallon says I'm going to wait it out for Markstrom that move is a gamble too, maybe it will pay off, but the kid's played 8 games, and has not been lights out in them all, to say the least. Markstrom should worry more about not giving up 5 goals to Tampa on 34 shots than whether he's on the starting roster.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl..._/id/5452/jacob-markstrom
- k

The kid is said to be by many the best goalie in the world not in the NHL. And apparently he sees himself in that light as well. It's above my pay grade to say, but the two times I saw this kid I loved his game.

Who cares if he's pissed? Dale if the kid goes back to his homeland........ But as I posted earlier, if I'm Tallon and acquire Lu I keep Markstrom. Unless I'm given a really solid return for him, and like any player I'll move him.

I guess I see this kid with more game than you. If I'm most GM's and Dale takes Lou I'm calling to see what his plans are for Markstrom.

My point is the kid thought he was of NHL caliber last year but was 3rd on the depth chart. Now he's 4th with Lou in town.

agreed. I wouldn't be surprised to see Frolik in the deal, but something useful would have to be in the deal.
- Bieksa#3

Nothing useful was kind of the point. I don't (frank)ing want him.

So realistically who is out there to add to their top 6 that makes them tougher. Doan is not realistic so who else?
- Tuke17

Foligno.......oh wait he got traded for a #5 d man. How the heck did the Hawks NOT get Foligno for Hammer or even less??????????

does your shrink know theodore
- Bieksa#3

We all know my hairdresser doesn't know him.

Laughable. Grab a Scooby snack and quiet down before you get whacked on the beak with a rolled up newspaper.
- PanthersGoal

Waaay of topic, but can you tell me what a scooby snack is? I've been a fan of the Fun Lovin Criminals for a damn long time and they use that phrase in a song. I've asked around forever but nobody knows what that is.

The kid is said to be by many the best goalie in the world not in the NHL. And apparently he sees himself in that light as well. It's above my pay grade to say, but the two times I saw this kid I loved his game.

Who cares if he's pissed? Dale if the kid goes back to his homeland........ But as I posted earlier, if I'm Tallon and acquire Lu I keep Markstrom. Unless I'm given a really solid return for him, and like any player I'll move him.

I guess I see this kid with more game than you. If I'm most GM's and Dale takes Lou I'm calling to see what his plans are for Markstrom.

My point is the kid thought he was of NHL caliber last year but was 3rd on the depth chart. Now he's 4th with Lou in town.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think there is any doubt either Theodore or Clemmenson go the other way

Gillis is in less of a corner than you think. He's sitting on a full roster and $5 million to spare. He could hold out to the tdl if he really wanted to in an effort to see how badly playoff contending teams need a goalie. At that point the table are turned.
- moylander

He's has or will have to have a bug up his ass to move Lou. Whether now or going into the TDL, the distraction will way outweigh the benefits. My thinking is he's trying to get either really solid NHL player return or best possible pick/prospect combo. With proven talent, he can have a ready-roster. With picks/prospects, he can dive into other trade/FA options immediately.

The kid is said to be by many the best goalie in the world not in the NHL. And apparently he sees himself in that light as well. It's above my pay grade to say, but the two times I saw this kid I loved his game.

Who cares if he's pissed? Dale if the kid goes back to his homeland........ But as I posted earlier, if I'm Tallon and acquire Lu I keep Markstrom. Unless I'm given a really solid return for him, and like any player I'll move him.

I guess I see this kid with more game than you. If I'm most GM's and Dale takes Lou I'm calling to see what his plans are for Markstrom.

My point is the kid thought he was of NHL caliber last year but was 3rd on the depth chart. Now he's 4th with Lou in town.
- Mr Ricochet

IF the big IF, Luongo is on the club, it has been rumored that Tallon and Santos recommend Markstrom stay another season in San Antonio. That is not something Markstrom appears to wan to do. Dale is in a bit of a tight situation, not much, but a little. What's he gonna do with this kid, and is that injury he suffered last season a little more dicey than originally let on. Regardless, any POSSIBLE trade for a Luongo has to most likely involve Theodore going the other way. This organization loves Scott Clemmensen.

I would prefer Kipper, and am convinced he could be acquired from the Flames for a package of prospects.

That said, Lou would be a huge upgrade, one of the best goalies in the world, and would give him a chance to stick it to his old team. Talk about motivation!

And for those questioning Lou's guts, don't forget he won a Gold Medal with Team Canada, in a Olympic tourney loaded with the best players in the world. And he rescued Canada after Marty B flamed out. Lot's more pressure playing with the Canadian Maple Leaf on your sweater than the Orca of Vancouver.

He can't be held responsible for the Canucks loss to the Blackhawks in 2010. The Hawks were a better team.

Waaay of topic, but can you tell me what a scooby snack is? I've been a fan of the Fun Lovin Criminals for a damn long time and they use that phrase in a song. I've asked around forever but nobody knows what that is.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't know, but it was slightly smaller than Peter Puck.

Versteeg, Theodore, Howden is the deal about to be announced.
- Scooby_Doo

Zoinks!

The kid is said to be by many the best goalie in the world not in the NHL. And apparently he sees himself in that light as well. It's above my pay grade to say, but the two times I saw this kid I loved his game.

Who cares if he's pissed? Dale if the kid goes back to his homeland........ But as I posted earlier, if I'm Tallon and acquire Lu I keep Markstrom. Unless I'm given a really solid return for him, and like any player I'll move him.

I guess I see this kid with more game than you. If I'm most GM's and Dale takes Lou I'm calling to see what his plans are for Markstrom.

My point is the kid thought he was of NHL caliber last year but was 3rd on the depth chart. Now he's 4th with Lou in town.
- Mr Ricochet

If this is the case with Markstrom - and I'm not saying he won't be great, I'm just saying a prospect/potential star is just that, potential...and I remember when the Monster Gustavsson was called the best goalie not in the NHL too - then why is Tallon even taking Gillis' calls on this, which he admits he is? If Luongo is moved to Fla, i would not be shocked to see Theodore go to Van, so the depth chart stays the same and Markstrom can get plenty of action as a #1 in the AHL for one season, and take it from there, maybe backup the next year...

The kid is said to be by many the best goalie in the world not in the NHL. And apparently he sees himself in that light as well. It's above my pay grade to say, but the two times I saw this kid I loved his game.

Who cares if he's pissed? Dale if the kid goes back to his homeland........ But as I posted earlier, if I'm Tallon and acquire Lu I keep Markstrom. Unless I'm given a really solid return for him, and like any player I'll move him.

I guess I see this kid with more game than you. If I'm most GM's and Dale takes Lou I'm calling to see what his plans are for Markstrom.

My point is the kid thought he was of NHL caliber last year but was 3rd on the depth chart. Now he's 4th with Lou in town.
- Mr Ricochet

He's a nut job, big boozer.

But what goalie isn't.

He's a nut job, big boozer.

But what goalie isn't.
- Scooby_Doo

Cool, maybe Chicago can trade for him and P. Kane show him around to the best bars in chi-town...woohoo!!

CC had one so-so season and we're basing everything on 2 soft goals. When in fact there was no guarantee the 'Hawks would have won either or both of those 2 games. Fortifying the team defence - striving towards the 2010 teams' approach - with CC in net is OK.

They have the cap space to do it. Just acquiring Moore, Winnik and Hannan to go along with Brookbank and full seasons of Shaw, Oduya and Carcillo can work wonders.
- blackhawk24

There are quite a few teams that wish they were in that position! Not a bad fall back plan. ..... I agree with what you've posted the last few days. Absent a #2 center filling the faceoff, grit, size and PK problems would be a great offseason, and as you say it's well within reach.

I think Bollig needs to be in the discussion as well with Shaw and Carcillo. Kid played his role well, showed solid IQ and now has a full offseason to prepare. I love this kid's mindset, abilities and willingness to play a role.

So few Hawks are given a role and explained what's expected of them. Instead Q has a player back and forth from the 1st to the 4th lines. Not so with this kid, and it showed what can be done with a defined role that is stuck to by management and accepted by the player.

...and when Lou craps the bedsheets in the playoffs? Now what? If CHI dealt for that deal, then he fails again, it will be 10x more difficult to trade him from CHI as it is from VAN.

Comparing to Hoss is ludicrous. Let's see: Top 2-way player & leader & champion vs 4-time running playoff choke & too big a talker to the press (TT). The only thing similar is their cap hit on a >10-year deal.

Z.Smith for Hammer was a win-win. OTT gets a great VALUE 4D, CHI gets a really good checking centre. Hammers spot can be back filled inexpensively; e.g. Hannan or Clark. Add'l money saved could have signed Pyatt or can still now acquire Winnik.

I think you're reaching on this JJ to make Lou's risk level look less than it is. Can he thrive? Yes. You bet. Are you willing to bet 6-7 years and $44M worth of salary in addition to having less overall monies to fill other positions, such as 2C, 3L and 5D?

Lastly, are all CHI's goalie options outside the organization exhausted? For instance, Bishop from OTT (OK overpay for him) to come in and compete for a job? Bernier from LA for a 1st and a prospect? Miller, pick & prospect from BUF for Kane? OK, that's a stretch and more of a TDL deal.
- blackhawk24

On a night in and night out basis, who makes (or would make) the Hawks a tougher team to beat Hossa or Luongo? As far as comparing what happened to Luongo in past playoff series' is useless. He didn't lose the cup final all by himself. The Bruins flat out outplayed the Nucks in several of those games especially #7. As for playoff comparisons between Hossa & Luongo goes let's not forget that Hossa hasn't exactly lit it up since he's been in Chicago. As for who is the bigger talker in interviews goes who cares?

I would love to see Bernier in the Indian head and I do think Stan could put together a package for him but 1) it will in all probability be a bigger deal with a 1st, roster player, & a solid prospect, & 2)still leaves the hawks with a largely unproven goalie for the upcoming season. Lu makes the hawks a better team right now and possibly for the next 3 years. Yes his contract is long but does anyone think either him or Hossa are actually going to play them out? I believe neither of them play longer than another 4-5 years (especially Hossa).

Cool, maybe Chicago can trade for him and P. Kane show him around to the best bars in chi-town...woohoo!!
- k

Not too many bars in CHI he's (Kane) allowed in......seriously

I would prefer Kipper, and am convinced he could be acquired from the Flames for a package of prospects.

That said, Lou would be a huge upgrade, one of the best goalies in the world, and would give him a chance to stick it to his old team. Talk about motivation!

And for those questioning Lou's guts, don't forget he won a Gold Medal with Team Canada, in a Olympic tourney loaded with the best players in the world. And he rescued Canada after Marty B flamed out. Lot's more pressure playing with the Canadian Maple Leaf on your sweater than the Orca of Vancouver.

He can't be held responsible for the Canucks loss to the Blackhawks in 2010. The Hawks were a better team.
- scottak

Have you been watching what has gone on in the last week? Flames aren't moving Kipper for prospects

JJ

On a scale of 1-10 ,10 being highest where would you rate how serious the Blackhawk's are in obtaining Luongo

There are quite a few teams that wish they were in that position! Not a bad fall back plan. ..... I agree with what you've posted the last few days. Absent a #2 center filling the faceoff, grit, size and PK problems would be a great offseason, and as you say it's well within reach.

I think Bollig needs to be in the discussion as well with Shaw and Carcillo. Kid played his role well, showed solid IQ and now has a full offseason to prepare. I love this kid's mindset, abilities and willingness to play a role.

So few Hawks are given a role and explained what's expected of them. Instead Q has a player back and forth from the 1st to the 4th lines. Not so with this kid, and it showed what can be done with a defined role that is stuck to by management and accepted by the player.
- Mr Ricochet

I'll even take it another step - and what I posted on CapGeek for my armchair GM roster - and rip off one of JJ's thoughts: Trade Leddy. Can CHI get EDM to bite on Leddy & Bickell for Gagner? Gagner I know is not the biggest centre and he isn't the ideal FO guy, however in a 2C role:

** Sharp goes to 1L.
** Kane goes to 1R or 2R. Hoss is 2R or 1R.
** Bolly stays at 3C.

Those 3 guys right now can get locked and loaded in their natural positions, with less wondering "whose gonna play the role of 2C today"?

Then CHI does this:

** Sign Hannan to offset the loss of Leddy. He's the 5D LHS to go with Brookbank as 6D RHS.
** Sign Winnik for 3L, keep him slotted with Bolly @ 3C and Frolik at 3R.
** Sign Moore as 4C. Seems like overkill but CHI has historically been short at Centre.

These 3 moves fortifies the defence, taking TOI pressure off DK especially. Hammer is the blocker and JO is the mover on the 2nd pairing. Brookbank & Hannan are steady 14-16min TOI 3rd pairing guys.

Winnik is a tough LW'er, can take the draw at times and is good on the kill. Moore is a good FO guy (55%) can can slot into other centre roles for special situations. Kruger, Shaw, Mayers and Carcillo can then be moved in and out of several positions through out the lineup.

Hayes and Bollig start in the minors and are emergency call ups. Same for Olsen. CC and Emery stay in the nets.

See: "Post Parise/Suter Apocalyptic ChiHawks Roster" on the armchair GM pulldown at CapGeek.

IF the big IF, Luongo is on the club, it has been rumored that Tallon and Santos recommend Markstrom stay another season in San Antonio. That is not something Markstrom appears to wan to do. Dale is in a bit of a tight situation, not much, but a little. What's he gonna do with this kid, and is that injury he suffered last season a little more dicey than originally let on. Regardless, any POSSIBLE trade for a Luongo has to most likely involve Theodore going the other way. This organization loves Scott Clemmensen.
- PanthersGoal

Firstly, congrats on a great season and seemingly bright future. I think I speak for many when I say it was great to see Tallon have on ice success as he loaded up on the farm. Awesome story down in Florida!!!

Agreed, I was a bit off on the depth chart. Indeed one of the two rostered goalies would go back to Vancouver.

As far as Markstrom from Tallon's standpoint, and I've never read this, but since the kid is from Sweden the concern is he goes back. I'm just extrapolating on that in theory.

But, would that be the worst thing? Kid goes away for a couple years and is a #1 and comes back as a starter for the Panthers. Tallon doesan't have to fight the kid to play in the AHL and the kid still gets big minutes vs solid competition.

Not sure of the contract stipulations in that circumstance though.