John Jaeckel: THURSDAY PM RUMOR UPDATE

First! That has never happened before - what do I win?

First! That has never happened before - what do I win?
- spudrock512

The same thing everyone else has won - nothing.

Thanks for the update JJ. In a way good news, as at some point we/they need to keep some youth to establish longer term windows.

First! That has never happened before - what do I win?
- spudrock512

Back from celebrating Marcus Kruger's 100th career point....what a week.

I thought Hawks looked very well and a huge win against Minnesota considering that may have been the worst game I have seen #2 play in quite some time. he was horrid. 19 has awoken...so hopefully this continues. Big win and keeps the faint dream of winning the division there, although I think I saw something like Minnesota plays 23 games in 40 something days?

On trades.....IMO this team is a top 9 forward away from being a VERY hard out....AND an additional physical D man away from being a true cup contender.

A top 9 forward will allow Q to float 81 back up to 19 but also giving enough depth to line 3 to being a scoring threat IF the rookies 48 or 67 run into problems amping up their games in the spring.

A physical d man would help 7 and stabilize the back end a little more. However, asking prices for D men just keep going up....doubt Bowman pays that price.

@BrianHedger 2m2 minutes ago
Talked to Hanzal after #Yotes skate. Sounds like he'd love a chance to chase the Cup ... but doesn't sound keen on playing LW.

Really like you keeping us in the loop John. Looking more and more like a couple of real depth type adds. I am good with that. Depends on what most of our competitors do really.

As it stands now. I like our chances somewhat. Not favorites to get out of the west, but behind Minny and the Sharks, I would place us as 3rd favorites. AND....we CAN beat those two teams in a 7 game series when playing well.

So, a couple of additions would be a help, but keeping Hartman, DeBrincat and Schmaltz is probably just as important overall!!!

Thanks JJ!!!

Palat

@BrianHedger 2m2 minutes ago
Talked to Hanzal after #Yotes skate. Sounds like he'd love a chance to chase the Cup ... but doesn't sound keen on playing LW.
- JRoenick97

Cool, Move Anisimov to LW....Hanzel to center. problem solved.

Palat
- kevndevries

He was never actually available.

This makes sense.....

Glass will allow them to expose a goalie in the draft. I still expect 50 to be dealt in the summer. Possibly at the draft.

A depth, battle tested veteran top 9 winger who can play a variety of roles makes sense. Counting on 8/67/48 all to be able to fight through a more grind spring game seems like a tall task. 38's game is already geared towards this. 14 proved last spring he can play that style. A veteran allows q to float 81 back up to 19/14 if he wanted to.

11/16/65 were hell on wheels last cup run. Curious to see if Q thinks 38 can slide in there and get that rolling and if 11 has enough left.

would love to see another veteran d man added, and maybe you get that internally if 32 has ANYTHING left, but the costs right now seem very HIGH for rental D guys.

Cool, Move Anisimov to LW....Hanzel to center. problem solved.
- hawk35

you aren't going to disrupt your top scoring line for Hanzal. Will not happen.

He was never actually available.
- Feds91Stammer

Could be, Hawks asked though.

MEN IN GREEN TIGHTS

Good point JJ about the toughness required to go 4 rounds in the playoffs, one of the reasons Desi was such a good signing a couple of years ago.

Could be, Hawks asked though.
- John Jaeckel

Oh of course. It is similar to Tatar and Nyquist. If you made a ridiculous offer they are available but it isn't like any of these guys were being "shopped" if you will.

Good point JJ about the toughness required to go 4 rounds in the playoffs, one of the reasons Desi was such a good signing a couple of years ago.
- Dieselhead

I said it earlier today on the other thread, source echoed it. They read here, BTW.

TB will be sorry if they don't deal a vet or 2, plus Bishop.

5 points out, 4 teams ahead of them.

6 RFA to sign, plus 4 UFA.

THN has them at 22% to make the playoffs.

Cool, Move Anisimov to LW....Hanzel to center. problem solved.
- hawk35

Or have Hanzal at 3C with Hossa+Hartman

Oh of course. It is similar to Tatar and Nyquist. If you made a ridiculous offer they are available but it isn't like any of these guys were being "shopped" if you will.
- Feds91Stammer

Agreed. Only thing is Holland needs defensemen, young NHL guys and prospects. Hawks have a couple of those they could part with. And Holland has a lot of good forwards.

@BrianHedger
Hanzal on #Blackhawks - "I don’t want to say I want to play for this team. Maybe I do when I get traded, but [we'll] see what happens."

Or have Hanzal at 3C with Hossa+Hartman
- EnzoD

That's what I'm thinking.

Or have Hanzal at 3C with Hossa+Hartman
- EnzoD

Best option I think.

Good point JJ about the toughness required to go 4 rounds in the playoffs, one of the reasons Desi was such a good signing a couple of years ago.
- Dieselhead

They traded Ben Smith for him.......

See if Hawks feel like they have to "get bigger"

In 2014 they lost to Kings and Bowman SR publicly admitted they were too small down the middle. last year San Jose came out of the west.

While we think here the west is wide open at 1901 w Madison I'm sure they are evaluating potential matchups to see how they stand up vs opponent. SJ, Anh, Minn, STL, Nash, Edm to start with.

Pittsburgh D men dropping like flies.......