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I have updated the following players on the Rumor Chart:Rumor Chart: Niemi, Kessel, Phaneuf, Oduya, Wisniewski, Eberle, Vermette, Ribeiro and Mike Green
Last night Gary Bettman announced to the 'Hawks crowd "You have a dynasty." The crowd went nuts, and it was hard to argue the point. Even if you took away the 2010 Cup, which was a very different team, and only look at the last three years, you can make a case that this team was one Game 7 goal away from winning three straight Cups, something that is not supposed to be possible in the salary cap era.
And there is no sign at all that the Hawks are finished winning this trophy. The core is crazy solid and locked up. And young. And they "act" like a dynasty. To be around this team you really get the sense that they are a perfect combination of arrogance and confidence. It is hard to tell where one starts and one ends. Jonathan Toews may be the best all around player in the game. I know people have been saying that for years, but I always felt that he was going to be the best all-around player before. But now he simply is.
They will lose Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya. Hearing they will likely buy-out Bryan Bickell. And Timonen will retire. Antoine Vermette will go unless he really wants to stay for much less.
And yet they have players coming who are learning from the greats in the best of scenarios.
Teuvo Teravainen is a star in waiting. Trevor van Riemsdyk showed he is ready. Ville Pokka, good friends with Teravainen, will be an absolute star defenseman.
What do you think?
Rumor Update....
On Antti Niemi....
I am hearing the Edmonton Oilers have big interest and I think he is the perfect fit. He is solid with experience, and one of his strongest parts of his game is reading when his defense is running around and freezing the puck. He is great at controlling pace.
On James Wisniewski,...
Didn't play much in Anaheim but I am hearing the Kings have strong interest. He brings the right kind of attitude to the Kings D.
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