Morning Eli, MrP, southern and Ogie! I think the only thing heating up is the weather. Here is hoping today is not anoth day of complacency. I'll be sitting in the body shop today getting an estimate to remount the front bumper on my wifes truck. Someone must have hit it in a parking spot. Love the consideration.

On Hawks free agent pursuits, despite JJ's claims that Free agents don't want to play in Chicago, I am going to maintain my hope that Winnik and Hannan get signed by Stan. Winnik is listed as a C/LW so if "the Rat" were to be traded and Kruger isn't ready, I would think Winnik could fill in as #3 Center.

This "set" roster - simply on headcount - won't cut it. We all know that. SB couldn't pull the potential OTT deal, or one with EDM, or MTL for that matter. Wonder if JJ can find out one day what held either one of those up; if they were really on the table at all.

Just now on the CBA, eh? Gonna be a blood bath .... unless .... they decide to hold the line for another year and negotiate throughout the summer, camp and the season.
- blackhawk24

My optimistic hope is that Stan is waiting to see if he can land Doan. If he can he offloads some players. If he can't the game plan changes. I do think he is willing to start the season as is, but is Rocky? This is still a small team that was manhandled last year. Hoping to see a strong forechecking season from Carbomb and Shaw.

This "set" roster - simply on headcount - won't cut it. We all know that. SB couldn't pull the potential OTT deal, or one with EDM, or MTL for that matter. Wonder if JJ can find out one day what held either one of those up; if they were really on the table at all.

Just now on the CBA, eh? Gonna be a blood bath .... unless .... they decide to hold the line for another year and negotiate throughout the summer, camp and the season.
- blackhawk24

Extending the current CBA for a year makes the most sense considering the current economic conditions

Stan is standing with a lit match watching the franchise burn down and he is stating its not his fault. When will stan start blaming Tallon for the shortcomings of this team he put together

Morning Eli, MrP, southern and Ogie! I think the only thing heating up is the weather. Here is hoping today is not anoth day of complacency. I'll be sitting in the body shop today getting an estimate to remount the front bumper on my wifes truck. Someone must have hit it in a parking spot. Love the consideration.

On Hawks free agent pursuits, despite JJ's claims that Free agents don't want to play in Chicago, I am going to maintain my hope that Winnik and Hannan get signed by Stan. Winnik is listed as a C/LW so if "the Rat" were to be traded and Kruger isn't ready, I would think Winnik could fill in as #3 Center.
- ikeane

Good morning Keane I hope the estimate goes better than the hawks off season

This "set" roster - simply on headcount - won't cut it. We all know that. SB couldn't pull the potential OTT deal, or one with EDM, or MTL for that matter. Wonder if JJ can find out one day what held either one of those up; if they were really on the table at all.

Just now on the CBA, eh? Gonna be a blood bath .... unless .... they decide to hold the line for another year and negotiate throughout the summer, camp and the season.
- blackhawk24

My guess is owners won't go for that - gives players too much leverage the closer they get to Ann Arbor without a contract - owners really want that game, dot want players threatening to walk out just before.

Morning Eli, MrP, southern and Ogie! I think the only thing heating up is the weather. Here is hoping today is not anoth day of complacency. I'll be sitting in the body shop today getting an estimate to remount the front bumper on my wifes truck. Someone must have hit it in a parking spot. Love the consideration.

On Hawks free agent pursuits, despite JJ's claims that Free agents don't want to play in Chicago, I am going to maintain my hope that Winnik and Hannan get signed by Stan. Winnik is listed as a C/LW so if "the Rat" were to be traded and Kruger isn't ready, I would think Winnik could fill in as #3 Center.
- ikeane

Good morning , I think what we have now is what we will get . I think Bowman obviously thinks a fulll year of Shaw, Carcillo , Bollig and Brookbank will solve this teams physical problems and whoever the new assistant coach is will solve the special teams problems , and this is what we're going with. We'll see.

My main source of confusion is that I thought Q was promised an upgraded roster ?? Isn't that why he stayed and didn't take the Montreal job ?? wtf ? AL , JJ , am I missing something here ?

I agree with you here. Something that made Bickell play a little inconsistently was the fact that Q would shuffle him up into a Top 6 guy, where he thought he had to play more like the other guys instead of playing his style of game. If he's assigned a distinct role from Game 1 against Columbus, sure, his game will pay dividends throughout the season.

I also think that people undervalue Brookbank anymore, just because they would like to see a bigger signing. It might not look good in the headlines, but sure, I picking him up will show its worth.
- 1goalLordStanley

Contract year... Bickell has to show well to get paid here or anywhere. Same could be said for Stalberg.

Contract year... Bickell has to show well to get paid here or anywhere. Same could be said for Stalberg.
- fattybeef

hopefully this is true. Kinda like Ryan Dempter for my Cubbies, always dominates in his contract year. A lot of players have their best year in their contract year , hopefully this is the case with Bickell and Stalberg , If this is their contract year.

Contract year... Bickell has to show well to get paid here or anywhere. Same could be said for Stalberg.
- fattybeef

I was just wondering about Bickell's contract situation last night. If Bickell can have a decent year physically I can see him coming back as a bottom 6 forward on a reasonable short term deal. He'll be a UFA unless something changes in the CBA. I have no issue keeping Bickell as a 4th line forward and occasional 3rd LW when he goes on a streak.

However I think Stalberg is gone, unless he can show he can be a big body in front of the net. I don't have anything against Stalberg, there are just too many similar wingers on the roster.

I'll catch y'all later , have this Bull s h i t sensitivity training all day , no phones or electronic devices.....

I'll catch y'all later , have this Bull s h i t sensitivity training all day , no phones or electronic devices.....
- mrpaulish

Just remember, it's ok for a man to cry.

We'll be thinking of you.

I was just wondering about Bickell's contract situation last night. If Bickell can have a decent year physically I can see him coming back as a bottom 6 forward on a reasonable short term deal. He'll be a UFA unless something changes in the CBA. I have no issue keeping Bickell as a 4th line forward and occasional 3rd LW when he goes on a streak.

However I think Stalberg is gone, unless he can show he can be a big body in front of the net. I don't have anything against Stalberg, there are just too many similar wingers on the roster.
- DarthKane

Hayes, Danault, Bollig, Smith, Flick or McNeil will have to step in and fill that void either with hugeness/mashing or hockey smartness --- They have guys in the pipe to replace Bickell possibly but not so much Stalberg's skating ability / potential

I'll catch y'all later , have this Bull s h i t sensitivity training all day , no phones or electronic devices.....
- mrpaulish

No, you don't need it - I'm OK, You're OK.

I'll catch y'all later , have this Bull s h i t sensitivity training all day , no phones or electronic devices.....
- mrpaulish

What the (frank) kinda horse poop is that...

From Spector's hockey

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: The Jets and right wing Evander Kane are working on a long-term deal which could six years in length.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nothing like negotiating a six-year deal for Kane to prove how much he “hates” playing in Winnipeg.

From Spector's hockey

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: The Jets and right wing Evander Kane are working on a long-term deal which could six years in length.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nothing like negotiating a six-year deal for Kane to prove how much he “hates” playing in Winnipeg.
- moylander

Morning Eli, MrP, southern and Ogie! I think the only thing heating up is the weather. Here is hoping today is not anoth day of complacency. I'll be sitting in the body shop today getting an estimate to remount the front bumper on my wifes truck. Someone must have hit it in a parking spot. Love the consideration.

On Hawks free agent pursuits, despite JJ's claims that Free agents don't want to play in Chicago, I am going to maintain my hope that Winnik and Hannan get signed by Stan. Winnik is listed as a C/LW so if "the Rat" were to be traded and Kruger isn't ready, I would think Winnik could fill in as #3 Center.
- ikeane

Good morning Ian.

Jason Arnott

Seems like a pretty good experienced UFA option that could fill into the 2 hole between Sharp and Hoss, no?

I'll catch y'all later , have this Bull s h i t sensitivity training all day , no phones or electronic devices.....
- mrpaulish

Have fun getting in touch with your inner self.

So JJ, I remember reading you said many UFAs are turned off of the idea of signing with Chicago. Does this tie StanBos hands for a trade only? Should we expect a deal before the convention (makes sense rather than face an ocean of boos at the convention for lack of movement)
- ikeane

Maybe, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Jason Arnott

Seems like a pretty good experienced UFA option that could fill into the 2 hole between Sharp and Hoss, no?
- GuyForget

I think at this point, Arnott probably doesn't have enough in the tank to be a top 6 guy. He could reasonably spot there for stretches. I guess it can't be any worse than what we already have.

Just heard this from a Hawk source re: the hawks plans for the COnvention and dealing with fan disappointment at NO MOVES:


"They will do their best to keep selling Saad, And for that matter all our "amazing prospects" There will be a ton of Hossa talk and how well he is supposedly doing.

There will be talking about how the team got tougher, and a full year with Carcillo, Shaw, Bollig, will help "tremendously"."

Hayes, Danault, Bollig, Smith, Flick or McNeil will have to step in and fill that void either with hugeness/mashing or hockey smartness --- They have guys in the pipe to replace Bickell possibly but not so much Stalberg's skating ability / potential
- fattybeef

You can shorten that list to Hayes, Bollig, Flick and McNeill. Smith lacks the bigger body and Danault is not a "heavy hitter."

"They will do their best to keep selling Saad, And for that matter all our "amazing prospects."
- John Jaeckel

The sheep here in Rockford have been buying that crap for a while now...

Al...

What's your gut telling you regarding the Hawks doing....anything...at this point in time.

The roster seems basically set...Hawks had no RFA's and the UFA's weren't going to return anyhow...Oduya excluded of course.

Much of the angst this offseason has seemed misplaced due to the set nature of the roster.

Trades seemed like the only possible route to upgrading the roster, and we've seen zilch to this point.

Thought there might be some movement prior to the Convention, but not so sure now. I suppose there's still time before camp is supposed to start.

And the CBA...I'm getting a bad feeling now...
- ArlingtonRob

A trade would be the only way to go now to make a big impact.

I thought there would be a couple of significant additions by now, at least before Friday.

Brookbank is a good add but more is needed.

Evidently, unless something breaks soon...

Saad will be the big addition, and Bowman will hope a full year from Oduya and Shaw will be enough.....Maybe as long as injuries aren't excessive and other things workout too, like Crawford, the Hawks will be better.

Maybe...