Hold on tight. The ride could get bumpy.
Before we get started, I've updated yesterday's roster projection below, incorporating the likely signing of Brian Campbell, which I heard late last night was "99% done."
THE ROSTER, 9AM JULY 1
Bold=rumored being shopped Italic=Euro free agent, likely to make team 10/1 Underline=signing "imminent"
FORWARDS Toews Kane Hossa Panarin Anisimov Kruger Desjardins Panik Rasmussen Lundberg X X X Mashinter
DEFENSE Keith Seabrook Hjalmarsson Campbell Kempny Rozsival van Riemsdyk
GOALIE Crawford Darling
RUMORS
Minneapolis hockey writer Michael Russo reported yesterday that the Hawks have contacted Thomas Vanek's agent—this has been corroborated by one of my sources.
In addition to Vanek, I have heard (repeatedly now) the Hawks intend to pursue Jamie McGinn and/or Jiri Hudler.
Just for context, should the Hawks sign one of these players, they would be plugged in at LW on Jonathan Toews' line.
Additionally, the Hawks have inquired with the Oilers about Nail Yakupov, and are mulling an offer to Josh Jooris for a lower line role.
Still hearing persistent rumors the Hawks are "quietly" shopping Corey Crawford, and still hearing a persistent trade partner—going back to February 2015, and from 3 independent sources—the Buffalo Sabres.
Finally, with the impending signing of Campbell, and yesterday's signing of Michal Rozsival, the Hawks are now aggressively shopping Trevor van Riemsdyk.
As dismaying as this might be to some Hawk fans, I was told the plan is to have Rozsival flank fellow Czech import Michal Kempny much of the season, for the purposes of language and acclimation to North American ice, which would literally push van Riemsdyk to the press box for half a season or more.
My sense is the Hawks don't wish to trade TVR—more a case of "we might as well see what's out there," in return for a valuable depth defenseman with very affordable, two-season cost certainty.
That's all I have this morning. Will check back in with more as it breaks.
JJ