Paulish....

I'm a sox fan, but follow and watch the cubs all year, every year (I luv having 2 teams in town). I do not dislike the Cubs and find the x-town angst silly. As a matter of fact, the first pro game I ever attended was Cubs vs. Padres in '69.

My 2 cents on the Cubs TD situation....

Dempster's fine and he'll bring a nice return, although I'm not sure why he's being overly picky regarding LA or ATL, especially if ATL can bring a better return to the Cubs.

The Cubs are sitting pretty with Garza...they don't need to deal him now. As a matter of fact, I think they may do better waiting until the offseason, or even next years deadline. The concerns with waiting are the usual, bad injury or performance problems.

I actually think Maholm might bring a nice return if the Cubs choose to deal him.
- ArlingtonRob

Rob, here is where you are wrong. Because he is a free agent at the end of the season, the team that trades for him has nothing other than a short term rental for his services. There is no guarantee that he will re-sign there movving forward. For this reasonthe Cubs are not going to get a "top" prospect for him, but more of a mid-level one. Garza has more value in terms of what he will return because he has one more year remaining on his contract, so the recieving team will control him for another season after this one.

Stan has nothing to lose to even throw an offer sheet out for a dollar less than the third round tier requirement. Emery is on a two way deal.

I am betting Lack wants to play NHL hockey, and Gillis can't guarantee him that.

No better spot to be in than signing a hungry talented goalie eager to prove his value and to push C2 as well as be an upgrade over Emery for reasonable money.
- Return of the Roar

If the Hawks had the appetite StanBo most likley could get the 3rd round pick back...

He did similar for Burke a few years ago...Once again...If there is some urgency.

Lack looks like a NHL goalie in the waiting and is only 24....

Doing an article for Monday for My Fox Chicago which will have a mail bag section.

Anyone wanting to ask me a Blackhawk question please email them to:
[email][email protected][/email] by Friday.

I will do my best to answer as many as possible...

Thanks,

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

If the Hawks had the appetite StanBo most likley could get the 3rd round pick back...

He did similar for Burke a few years ago...Once again...If there is some urgency.

Lack looks like a NHL goalie in the waiting and is only 24....
- Al

And I am guessing a hungry 24 year old making $67,500 in the AHL would kill for a chance to prove himself.

This would be what we would call at work a "hire of opportunity".

It is based upon the new offer. So as long as the offer amount is $1,110,249 or less per year, there is no comp required.
- Return of the Roar

And for that amount Gillis would match and I don't think it would hurt the Canucks that much.

I'd like to get Lack, I think he has a solid future. But it's not the end of the world to start the season with Crawford. I'm all for giving him a chance to bounce back and I think he can do it.

And for that amount Gillis would match and I don't think it would hurt the Canucks that much.

I'd like to get Lack, I think he has a solid future. But it's not the end of the world to start the season with Crawford. I'm all for giving him a chance to bounce back and I think he can do it.


- DarthKane

But also for that amount, why not go for it? You can keep him as the number 2, until Crawford fails and play the hot hand until you find a clear-cut starter.

Remember, if they match, they are then FORCED to do something with Luongo, the leverage they had (if any) is then diminished. And again, if they are calling Schneider THE guy, what purpose does Lack really serve in Vancouver?

But also for that amount, why not go for it? You can keep him as the number 2, until Crawford fails and play the hot hand until you find a clear-cut starter.

Remember, if they match, they are then FORCED to do something with Luongo, the leverage they had (if any) is then diminished. And again, if they are calling Schneider THE guy, what purpose does Lack really serve in Vancouver?
- 1goalLordStanley

Personally, I'm not a big fan of offer sheets because they don't usually work. There's no way Gillis will let Lack (and top notch goalie prospect) go for absolutely nothing. I have no problem offer sheeting Lack, but it needs to be for more so Stan would have to get those draft picks back from Chevy.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of offer sheets because they don't usually work. There's no way Gillis will let Lack (and top notch goalie prospect) go for absolutely nothing. I have no problem offer sheeting Lack, but it needs to be for more so Stan would have to get those draft picks back from Chevy.
- DarthKane

Can't trade any player who you matched an offer sheet with for one year.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of offer sheets because they don't usually work. There's no way Gillis will let Lack (and top notch goalie prospect) go for absolutely nothing. I have no problem offer sheeting Lack, but it needs to be for more so Stan would have to get those draft picks back from Chevy.
- DarthKane

As the line goes, this in regards to SB, "you have 2 strikes and no balls".

And for that amount Gillis would match and I don't think it would hurt the Canucks that much.

I'd like to get Lack, I think he has a solid future. But it's not the end of the world to start the season with Crawford. I'm all for giving him a chance to bounce back and I think he can do it.


- DarthKane

Gillis has had time to evaluate Lack so...

Schneider replaces BobbyLu and Lack replaces Schneider...
Otherwise he will trade Lack to the Maple Leafs or parts unknown but probably not Chgo.

Gillis has had time to evaluate Lack so...

Schneider replaces BobbyLu and Lack replaces Schneider...
Otherwise he will trade Lack to the Maple Leafs or parts unknown but probably not Chgo.
- Al

So SB has to have complete faith in CC. Cuz if he doesn't have the CC faith and can't go back to Chevy to get the 2nd rounder back to OS Lack say at $2M+, then he's just not very creative or aggressive.

As the line goes, this in regards to SB, "you have 2 strikes and no balls".
- blackhawk24

THIS!

Can't trade any player who you matched an offer sheet with for one year.
- Return of the Roar

That's not what I'm suggesting. I'm saying trade somebody (i.e. Frolik hypothetically ) to Winnipeg for our 2nd and 3rd picks back so we have the picks necessary for compensation should Gillis not match.

That's not what I'm suggesting. I'm saying trade somebody (i.e. Frolik hypothetically ) to Winnipeg for our 2nd and 3rd picks back so we have the picks necessary for compensation should Gillis not match.
- DarthKane

I would say trade with NY if they gave up a 5th for Scott then frolik would pull 2 1st rounders

I would say trade with NY if they gave up a 5th for Scott then frolik would pull 2 1st rounders
- southernhawk

Ha ha! That would be good, but the problem is that the picks have to be our own and not another team's.

Paulish....

I'm a sox fan, but follow and watch the cubs all year, every year (I luv having 2 teams in town). I do not dislike the Cubs and find the x-town angst silly. As a matter of fact, the first pro game I ever attended was Cubs vs. Padres in '69.

My 2 cents on the Cubs TD situation....

Dempster's fine and he'll bring a nice return, although I'm not sure why he's being overly picky regarding LA or ATL, especially if ATL can bring a better return to the Cubs.

The Cubs are sitting pretty with Garza...they don't need to deal him now. As a matter of fact, I think they may do better waiting until the offseason, or even next years deadline. The concerns with waiting are the usual, bad injury or performance problems.

I actually think Maholm might bring a nice return if the Cubs choose to deal him.
- ArlingtonRob

Agree on Garza, they don't need to deal him now with him being under contract but it may get you more in return giving him up with 1.5 years left instead of .5 at next years deadline.

*Dempster though until he is moved for a nice return will be Enemy #1 if the Cubs have to tender him for a pick now when it was quite obvious the Cubs had a nice deal in place with the Braves.

Oh well.

Maholm does look good and maybe you can get a younger mid level guy with more years remaining .

We'll see.

I agree on the 2 baseball team thing. I don't hate the Sox at all. Really wish Chicago was mature enough to enjoy both baseball teams. Been to a ton of Sox games , love the new park.

Ha ha! That would be good, but the problem is that the picks have to be our own and not another team's.
- DarthKane

Yeah I know...ive given up on Stan making this team better ....he is a pitiful excuse of a gm

Agree on Garza, they don't need to deal him now with him being under contract but it may get you more in return giving him up with 1.5 years left instead of .5 at next years deadline.

*Dempster though until he is moved for a nice return will be Enemy #1 if the Cubs have to tender him for a pick now when it was quite obvious the Cubs had a nice deal in place with the Braves.

Oh well.

Maholm does look good and maybe you can get a younger mid level guy with more years remaining .

We'll see.

I agree on the 2 baseball team thing. I don't hate the Sox at all. Really wish Chicago was mature enough to enjoy both baseball teams. Been to a ton of Sox games , love the new park.
- mrpaulish

It's over 20 years old - not exactly a new park any more.

Agree on the two-team town: we don't have enough championships in this city to be upset if the "other" baseball team wins one, enjoy the ride.

It's over 20 years old - not exactly a new park any more.

Agree on the two-team town: we don't have enough championships in this city to be upset if the "other" baseball team wins one, enjoy the ride.
- StLBravesFan

haha, It will allays be new ! My old great Aunt used to take me to the"old" Comiskey . So the "new" park is always "new" to me I guess...

Gillis has had time to evaluate Lack so...

Schneider replaces BobbyLu and Lack replaces Schneider...
Otherwise he will trade Lack to the Maple Leafs or parts unknown but probably not Chgo.
- Al

The blueprint is here, Al. http://www.hockeybuzz.com...rible-Situation/164/45785

What Lack wants is a one way contract and the Canucks want a two way cuz they have Schnieder and Lou.

So you offer sheet Lack with a one way. The Canucks either match and go with 3 goalies on the NHL roster. Or match and move Lou who will have even less value than before the Weber thing and the offer sheet to Lack.

Hawks may not get Lack or Lou, but they make life difficult for Gillis.

Yeah I know...ive given up on Stan making this team better ....he is a pitiful excuse of a gm
- southernhawk

Much like we preach that our prospects need to spend time developing in the AHL I think Stan needed more time to develop as well (not necessarily in the AHL). To me Stan seems a little gun shy, especially to make a deal with anyone who's not a former Blackhawk employee. We need a GM with more experience and a better network of connections in hockey.

The blueprint is here, Al. http://www.hockeybuzz.com...rible-Situation/164/45785

What Lack wants is a one way contract and the Canucks want a two way cuz they have Schnieder and Lou.

So you offer sheet Lack with a one way. The Canucks either match and go with 3 goalies on the NHL roster. Or match and move Lou who will have even less value than before the Weber thing and the offer sheet to Lack.

Hawks may not get Lack or Lou, but they make life difficult for Gillis.
- Mr Ricochet

I hear you but better be moving quickly cuz Tronto is hungry for a goalie and Gillis knew he would be in this situation for awhile.

I am a belever that you only pick fights you know you can win...So Bowman has to make sure he can get a pick back and then take a swing.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

So SB has to have complete faith in CC. Cuz if he doesn't have the CC faith and can't go back to Chevy to get the 2nd rounder back to OS Lack say at $2M+, then he's just not very creative or aggressive.
- blackhawk24

...Or doesn't value Lack.

Lack played in Chgo last year so I'm sure the Hawks have a strong opinion.

I agree the 'Hawks don't make a move for Lack just for the sake of screwing with the 'Nucks. It doesn't put the Nucks in that big of a pickle to be worth it.

On the other hand, if the Hawks did end up with Lack .. they're stuck in a similar position with 3 goalies one 1 way contracts.

Although I like Lack and have seen him play (plus his .925 save% in two years in the AHL is promising).. is he clearly that much better than Emery or Craw? And is he worth sitting in the NHL instead of developing more in the AHL?

Would be kind of like the '06 Hawks starting with too many goalies again...

...Or doesn't value Lack.

Lack played in Chgo last year so I'm sure the Hawks have a strong opinion.
- Al

Yes, he Lacks value.