Why would Tavares take only $9M? He is going to have a payday far larger than that. Leader with incredible skills.

Just like Buffalo found no market for EKane at the Trade Deadline he is in for a surprise in Free Agency. He is not going to have teams lining up to throw money at him. Doesn’t help that recently he basically stated that his bad rep has nothing to do with his behaviour but exists because he is black. Well the Jets’ players despised him and the player that despised him the most was Big Buff, who just happens to be a very proud black man. There are people and players who are A-Holes whether they are black, white or polka-dot and I fear EKane is one. Concerns me that teams that have him don’t want to keep him.

As an aside our family still misses Big Buff wearing a Hawks’ jersey. When players needed to be moved Big Buff should not have been one of them. JR has always said the same thing.
- Z3Hawk

I know of several teams that are prepared to throw upwards of $13 million Tavares' way.

Or banned for posting links to enhance readers understanding of the game. Horribly mistaken as competition - Free the WIZ!
- riozzo

Free him all you want but if you were him would you bother coming back?

Was there ever a doubt that Marchand would be playing tonight?

Was there ever a doubt that Marchand would be playing tonight?
- 6628

Marchand is at that age where he needs to pick his spots. If he doesn't get enough rest, he might end up a step too slow and run straight into a career ending injury.

Was there ever a doubt that Marchand would be playing tonight?
- 6628

Not only that but he played 9+ minutes in the first period only. The Bruins really milked that upper body injury right to his being a game time decision. What BS -then he plays almost half of that period. Amazing recuperative powers that POS has.

If they trade Anisimov, I will GUARANTEE you that you will hear rants about how the Hawks need a center with size. Toews is the largest center and that's not good enough ... ya da ya da. And the ones doing most of the ranting, will be the ones that wanted him traded. I agree with you
- chuckdahammer

You of course are correct and I am in the crowd that would lament his loss. Therefore earlier in blog I suggested to hold him for the sake of competitivness. Right up to the next deadline. While it has been pointed out that his skating is an issue in certain situations, nontheless, I explained that it is more a matter of what he can provide a hungry playoff bound team than anything detrimental he brings to the action. So his pricetag may not be much less if you hold him for a while.

Anyone concur?

Re examine the team's shortcoming at that time. There will be two #1 from 2018, a #1 2019 around the corner, and some young guys classified in two categories - we will know more about their impact (when, how much impact) at the 2019 trade deadline. The categories are 1). current players from DeBrincat, Scmaultz, Forsburg, Hayden to 2). Up and coming: Forsling, Jokiharju, either Silula brothers, Highmore, any surprises (Carlsson, Brophy, Fortin, any collegiate). Snuggerud probably will garner a look but his future - much like I foresee Krys may become - is as a sort of secret offensive weapon on a third pair.

Moving anyone next deadline btw may be impacted by the possible delay in settling a new CBA. So could that affect the return on trade deadline transactions. Maybe. Still if i had a vote I trade him next deadline. The one exception would be if at the 2018 draft it means exchanging ONlY our bottom first for a higher first, or if someone actually took him so that we had an even earlier #1. You have to go after future core pieces (difference makers) when available.

Preds 3 Jets 0. Preds scored shirt handed twice on same penalty. SOG Preds 20. Jets 3

Preds 3 Jets 0. Preds scored shirt handed twice on same penalty
- glennjpawlak22

It is the time during the season when playing back to back and whether a team traveled to a road contest vs rested in their nice cozy own beds, can signify whom is the more tired or whom is the hungrier team.

But yeah both teams have the personnel to pull out ahead against any opponent. If you are watching the game maybe you could let the board know what players would be competing against Hartman for a spot in lineup. Watson, Fiala, Smith? Anyone press box or injured?

Not only that but he played 9+ minutes in the first period only. The Bruins really milked that upper body injury right to his being a game time decision. What BS -then he plays almost half of that period. Amazing recuperative powers that POS has.
- 67hawks

Marchant along with Backes and Chara represent a team to hate and root against. Grudgingly respect too for their ability to play any style playoff hockey brings out.

AEL_FOX,

i am maybe the only person who would go see Rockford when conveniently at Wolves (next weekend i believe) just to concentrate on (prepare to be underwhelmed)
G Knott.

The burly kid skates well at least staight line speed seemed ok when i watched him earlier this season. I am intrigued to think how a kid with tremendous desire In Sikula's brother along with Knott and Highmore could prove invaluable bottom line pieces.

I am sure worththeCup would root for Knott too. Love having big size guys who will knock the opponent down

Btw what is your view on Brophy we drafted from Penn State. Quite a game his last time out. Next: vs Notre Dame and Gilbert in qualification to advance toward Frozen Four.

I know of several teams that are prepared to throw upwards of $13 million Tavares' way.
- BINGO!

For a guy who has won what? If he can't win to get that money, what do you think will motivate him when he gets that money? Sign him for that much and you basically throw your chance to win a SC away.

I know of several teams that are prepared to throw upwards of $13 million Tavares' way.
- BINGO!

critical thinking and rationality must be in short supply with those teams.

What teams and how do you know this?

Preds 3 Jets 0. Preds scored shirt handed twice on same penalty. SOG Preds 20. Jets 3
- glennjpawlak22

remember the bruins did that about 4 years ago...scoring 3 shorties...

Was there ever a doubt that Marchand would be playing tonight?
- 6628

bruins and marchand afraid of the big bad blackhawks...thats

bruins and marchand afraid of the big bad blackhawks...thats

- bogiedoc

I know. There is no doubt in my mind that the league had input. Reminded both teams that it was a nationally televised game and I would bet they suggested the weasel sit that game out. Like the hawks were going to go on the warpath. That path ain't on their GPS.

AEL_FOX,

i am maybe the only person who would go see Rockford when conveniently at Wolves (next weekend i believe) just to concentrate on (prepare to be underwhelmed)
G Knott.

The burly kid skates well at least staight line speed seemed ok when i watched him earlier this season. I am intrigued to think how a kid with tremendous desire In Sikula's brother along with Knott and Highmore could prove invaluable bottom line pieces.

I am sure worththeCup would root for Knott too. Love having big size guys who will knock the opponent down

Btw what is your view on Brophy we drafted from Penn State. Quite a game his last time out. Next: vs Notre Dame and Gilbert in qualification to advance toward Frozen Four.
- jhawk59

That would be nice to see Knott develop into a bottom 6 winger. Don't expect much out of him, to be honest, so maybe he tops at as a 4th liner who can win board battles, throw the body, and provide solid defense.

Tyler Sikura is intriguing as a potential 4th liner as well in the same mold as Knott but with a tad more offense. I feel that he earned his recently signed NHL contract and it wasn't purely as a leverage move to entice Dylan to sign out of college.

A future potential 4th line like Highmore flanked by Knott and Sikura could be in the cards if they all continue to develop well under Colliton. A home-grown banger line would be nice. The Hawks system, especially Rockford, is chock full of bottom 6 forwards so plenty to choose from.

Did you mean Evan Barratt at Penn State? I think you were thinking of Evan Brophey who is no longer in the Hawks system (according to HockeyDB, he's been playing in Austria the past 4 years). Don't know much about Barratt except that he plays with an abrasive intensity possibly somewhere between Shaw and Hartman. Someone earlier shared a video of him mocking Minnesota Golden Gopher Ryan Lindgren when they were both in the penalty box, then he obliterated Lindgren with a open-ice hit after they exited before scoring a goal I believe in that same shift.

Don't know the answer to your question but when the brothers played you have to consider it was a 6 team league.
- 67hawks

Yes the Hillman brothers played when there were only 6 teams in the league. However, those two clowns were instrumental in the Hawks not making it to to the finals in 62, 63. The Hilmann boys always killed the Hawks by taken dumb penalties in the playoffs.

THN did a mock draft for Seattle and have both Seabrook and Backes on the team. Darling drafted as well.

http://www.thehockeynews....n-the-mock-draft#cxrecs_s

You of course are correct and I am in the crowd that would lament his loss. Therefore earlier in blog I suggested to hold him for the sake of competitivness. Right up to the next deadline. While it has been pointed out that his skating is an issue in certain situations, nontheless, I explained that it is more a matter of what he can provide a hungry playoff bound team than anything detrimental he brings to the action. So his pricetag may not be much less if you hold him for a while.

Anyone concur?

Re examine the team's shortcoming at that time. There will be two #1 from 2018, a #1 2019 around the corner, and some young guys classified in two categories - we will know more about their impact (when, how much impact) at the 2019 trade deadline. The categories are 1). current players from DeBrincat, Scmaultz, Forsburg, Hayden to 2). Up and coming: Forsling, Jokiharju, either Silula brothers, Highmore, any surprises (Carlsson, Brophy, Fortin, any collegiate). Snuggerud probably will garner a look but his future - much like I foresee Krys may become - is as a sort of secret offensive weapon on a third pair.

Moving anyone next deadline btw may be impacted by the possible delay in settling a new CBA. So could that affect the return on trade deadline transactions. Maybe. Still if i had a vote I trade him next deadline. The one exception would be if at the 2018 draft it means exchanging ONlY our bottom first for a higher first, or if someone actually took him so that we had an even earlier #1. You have to go after future core pieces (difference makers) when available.
- jhawk59

I think the Hawks tried to move him at the last trade deadline and found there was no market. Anisimov has to be moved before next season or he will have declining value. Hawks’ fans seem to over-estimate his value in the eyes of other teams. He had higher value last summer when he should’ve been moved. He someone has 11 PP goals - this is not going to repeat itself. Selling feature. Anisimov is 3 Centre at highest. He makes a good chunk of money. One of the reasons I want Anisimov traded is I do not like how he is slotted. Always have thought he is too slow to play with Kane. If he is to be kept make it known he is staying and slot him 3 and leave him there. As I have also previously stated built in to his salary is the fact that he misses long stretches of games year after year. Arguably Hawks don’t miss him as they get quicker. At the end of day I still think you move him to get rid of the $.

I think the Hawks tried to move him at the last trade deadline and found there was no market. Anisimov has to be moved before next season or he will have declining value. Hawks’ fans seem to over-estimate his value in the eyes of other teams. He had higher value last summer when he should’ve been moved. He someone has 11 PP goals - this is not going to repeat itself. Selling feature. Anisimov is 3 Centre at highest. He makes a good chunk of money. One of the reasons I want Anisimov traded is I do not like how he is slotted. Always have thought he is too slow to play with Kane. If he is to be kept make it known he is staying and slot him 3 and leave him there. As I have also previously stated built in to his salary is the fact that he misses long stretches of games year after year. Arguably Hawks don’t miss him as they get quicker. At the end of day I still think you move him to get rid of the $.
- Z3Hawk

If you trade him this off season then you need a replacement. Where does that replacement come from?
How good is the replacement center? What do you trade (our assets) to gain a center in return.....unless you trade AA straight up for a center. Perhaps at the trade deadline next year you get as much value as you would this off season? That depends how much a team cou ld benefit from his service and if Bowman cou ld sweeten the deal insofar as to obtain something of greater value than a muddle round draft choice. So the longer you wait to trade him, his value will more likely decrease but it could also remain about the same. Trade deadline next year is unique due to expansion possibility and the CBA looms. At minimum Bowman should have some coals in the fire regarding AA future.

*NEW* blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=91656

I think the Hawks tried to move him at the last trade deadline and found there was no market. Anisimov has to be moved before next season or he will have declining value. Hawks’ fans seem to over-estimate his value in the eyes of other teams. He had higher value last summer when he should’ve been moved. He someone has 11 PP goals - this is not going to repeat itself. Selling feature. Anisimov is 3 Centre at highest. He makes a good chunk of money. One of the reasons I want Anisimov traded is I do not like how he is slotted. Always have thought he is too slow to play with Kane. If he is to be kept make it known he is staying and slot him 3 and leave him there. As I have also previously stated built in to his salary is the fact that he misses long stretches of games year after year. Arguably Hawks don’t miss him as they get quicker. At the end of day I still think you move him to get rid of the $.
- Z3Hawk

How fast do you really need to be when your role is to stand in front of the net?