John Jaeckel: HJALMARSSON 5 YEAR EXTENSION/Morrow/Rookie Tourney

JJ- I think it's great, and I can't believe it, but why would Hammer sign for such a small raise? Especially when so many in league are signing for crazy money, most undeservedly so. Did his wife play a role in this?

I really don't think Morrow has much left in the tank.

Love that theylocked up Hammer at a relative bargain. Easily top pair d man on most teams.

just ecstatic over this signing, big box checked at a great cap hit!

I love this deal for Hammer. Glad we got both him and CC locked up to avoid any nonsense next summer.

Let's get this season started already!

The thing to remember about Morrow is that he played the playoffs with a split knee cap.

He closed the last 10 games of the regular season with 13 points.

1 year at 1M would be a no brainer for Chicago IMO. Low risk high reward.

If that is his price I would hope the Penguins keep him for the third line. Trading Niskanen and Glass would be necessary for that to happen.

Also nice signing for Hjalmarsson

Great move on re-signing Hjalmarsson long-term at reasonable dollars.

No thanks on Morrow. Don't want a Brunette 2.0, would rather have Ben Smith on the roster than 2013 Morrow.

Love that theylocked up Hammer at a relative bargain. Easily top pair d man on most teams.
- golfbard

That's what I was just talking to a buddy about. I'm guessing w/Duncs getting older, and Seabs a hit away from Pronger-land, they may have told him his minutes will go up even more this year. Keep Duncs/Seabs fresh, maybe help extend their primes by a year or two.

John Jaeckel: HJALMARSSON 5 YEAR EXTENSION/Morrow/Rookie Tourney
- John Jaeckel

Of course Morrow would want to go to the Hawks. But why would they want him? He's done. And he's a total douche. They should pass.

Of course Morrow would want to go to the Hawks. But why would they want him? He's done. And he's a total douche. They should pass.
- Iggysbff

He's a guy you probably hate to play against but love him on your own team. I'd love him on the pp in front of the net.

This is a HUGE win for SB and the Hawks. Hammer could've gotten up to $6 mil a year on the open market in my opinion. Huge, huge signing. Nice move Stanley.

Good deal this time!

Great move on re-signing Hjalmarsson long-term at reasonable dollars.

No thanks on Morrow. Don't want a Brunette 2.0, would rather have Ben Smith on the roster than 2013 Morrow.
- BreakoutHockey

Interested to hear what the board thinks about the above second comment.

If Stan were to pull another rabbit out from his hat, bring Makarov over as an energy line player. Alright, just a dream. But I do believe that Makarov could have played in the NHL.

JJ- I think it's great, and I can't believe it, but why would Hammer sign for such a small raise? Especially when so many in league are signing for crazy money, most undeservedly so. Did his wife play a role in this?
- 1mbecker

This. Great signing for the Hawks but I don't get it. Hammer is a damn good defenseman which are hard to find. Supply and demand and all.
Then again, it's funny calling someone who makes $4+ mil a year "under paid".

Of course Morrow would want to go to the Hawks. But why would they want him? He's done. And he's a total douche. They should pass.
- Iggysbff

He would be an excellent veteran addition with leadership and not to mention this guy plays hard nosed and throws the body around. Another physical presence in the line up who can contribute scoring as well

He would be an excellent veteran addition with leadership and not to mention this guy plays hard nosed and throws the body around. Another physical presence in the line up who can contribute scoring as well
- FourFeathers773

Yes. I think Morrow at that price is a pretty low risk move. He might help the awful powerplay a little, too.

Absolutely love the Hammer deal. I guess this compensates for the over-payment of Crawford? I'm astonished that he basically took a pay-cut. Cheers to the 'Hawks front office on officially re-signing every vital piece that this organization has (aside for the big two) and no longer having to worry about other supporting cast members.

I would love for the 'Hawks to somehow find a way to end up with Morrow. He earned $4 million last season and could have gotten a one-year deal worth at least 3-3.5 million had he signed early on in FA. If the team could bring him in on a one-year flier at a dirt cheap contract that would be fantastic. I don't care how old he is, he could still play on the third line, kill penalties, bring grit and scoring, and play in front of the net. If need be he could play a top-six role as well. Let's hope that this is the cherry to Stan's off-season.

Absolutely love the Hammer deal. I guess this compensates for the over-payment of Crawford? I'm astonished that he basically took a pay-cut. Cheers to the 'Hawks front office on officially re-signing every vital piece that this organization has (aside for the big two) and no longer having to worry about other supporting cast members.

I would love for the 'Hawks to somehow find a way to end up with Morrow. He earned $4 million last season and could have gotten a one-year deal worth at least 3-3.5 million had he signed early on in FA. If the team could bring him in on a one-year flier at a dirt cheap contract that would be fantastic. I don't care how old he is, he could still play on the third line, kill penalties, bring grit and scoring, and play in front of the net. If need be he could play a top-six role as well. Let's hope that this is the cherry to Stan's off-season.
- TommyHawk

Dear Ogie, Eli, and Captain Serious, and JJ too:

After all of you feeling that SB screwed up by signing Crawford and would not be able to sign Hjalmarsson, I think all of us owe SB a big sorry you are a very smart GM!!!!!

Hell yeah! I didn't want to get into all the hand-wringing over CC's contract (I tend to think it will be an ok deal by mid-contract) and I was trying to give the benefit of the doubt to the FO. But this is GREAT news! Love the deal and the term.

Hammer could get $6m on a non-playoff team, $5m on a decent team, or $4m and have a chance at winning for the next 4 seasons.

The players do PLAY hockey - winning matters more then $ sometimes...

He would be an excellent veteran addition with leadership and not to mention this guy plays hard nosed and throws the body around. Another physical presence in the line up who can contribute scoring as well
- FourFeathers773

I agree. I know he is not what he was even two years ago but he still brings a ton of intangibles to the room. Play him part time up and down all lines, let him be physical and limit minutes until the playoff run at the end of the year. Question is can he skate well enough??? He can take Brookbank's salary and the Hawks can fill that last spot with one of Olsen, Kostka or Pekham.

I agree. I know he is not what he was even two years ago but he still brings a ton of intangibles to the room. Play him part time up and down all lines, let him be physical and limit minutes until the playoff run at the end of the year. Question is can he skate well enough??? He can take Brookbank's salary and the Hawks can fill that last spot with one of Olsen, Kostka or Pekham.
- Kentxo

Or Lalonde

Would love to see Morrow get invited and somehow stick around. While many Hawks are sporting two rings, it's always good to have some veterans in the locker room. As for Morrow supposedly being done.....people said that about Handzus when he was acquired.
Morrow could fill Mayers role, play half the games, sit the others in the press box and help make a push come playoff time.

Hammer could get $6m on a non-playoff team, $5m on a decent team, or $4m and have a chance at winning for the next 4 seasons.

The players do PLAY hockey - winning matters more then $ sometimes...
- kcNYI

The paranoid in me asks, why did he sign so cheap?

Maybe his lack of offensive stats says he's really NOT a Top-2 on another team, that his best place is #3, and the league knows it.

He lucked into a set of circumstances with the offer sheet - Wilson wanting to (a) stick it to the Hawks, and (b) hoping to wind up with either Hjalmarsson OR Nieme (which he did).

Just glad the top-3 are locked up and here for at least 3 more years (injuries excepted).