Agreed.

This is all down the road, but this is a guy the Hawks brass should be keeping an eye on. All signs point to hm being available. Will he be dealt? Probably, but again, it's going to take a lot to land him.

I'm sorry you don't pass on a guy like Iginla. How many legit players does Calgary even have on their roster now? Mike Cammileri? Think Iginla couldn't be productive on a line with Toews/Hossa or Kane/Sharp? Isn't Iginla a....wait for it...PROVEN POWER FORWARD!?!

My god...the guy has scored 30 goals in how many years in a row? You think a Toews, Kane, Sharp, or Hossa would be terrorizing the league playing with the crap in Calgary right now?

It will take a lot, and Bowman needs to keep tabs on this, and be aggressive. You missed on Brodeur, Suter, and Parise...all guys they ADMITTED to making offers to. You aren't going to be in cap hell because Iginla isn't signed past 2013 season. So again...are you better TODAY with Iginla over Saad or Iginla over Leddy. Forget the prospects because what guy down there is the 2nd coming of christ? I don't see one, and honestly if they had one....he'd be up here right now, getting his sack tickled by Foley and Eddie O. Better yet is Saad part of your core moving forward?

I'll take PROVEN talent over HYPED talent ALL. DAY. LONG.
- SteveRain

Strongly agree here.

No real down side I can see with adding Iggy. No commitment past this season, now's the time to make this happen, by hook or by crook.

Darren Dreger‏@DarrenDreger

Kassian cleared Waivers.
- Sconnie

Hmmm, wonder if the Hawks now deal for him a la Karlsson or did they pass on a claim because they might have something else cooking?

JJ, i know this sounds absurd, but i would claim Kassian. actually i'd do both, him & neil, before you crown me , here is my thinking. SB knows that it is gonna get tougher as it goes on, he knows that his team has world class skill that lacks grit.
1st Kassian, he can play , he is arms & lengths way better skater than john scott was and is probably Stu Grimson tough, he goes on the 4th , W/WO bollig, Carcillo is gonna play somewhere, he's not gonna hurt you , Neil will also play 3rd line and can play. the casualties will come from, frolik, bickell , stalberg. i gotta think SB is already getting outrageous contract request from 25 & 29's agent where they possibly could be on the move, 1 being for Neil, the other being in a deadline package for a #2 center. now with the talant they have, add carcillo, kassian & neil in your line up, those guys will not hurt you and can play. i think those 3 against the sharks, blues , bruins , my flyers, ect. will definitly have teams thinking twice about running the hawks skill. i don't think you loose much subtracting a possible combo of 67,29, or 25 & possibly 52 while adding those 2 plus carbomb. i'm curious to your thoughts. & when you comin in?

Actually, wasn't Roussel with the Wolves this summer? Heard he looked pretty good in camp with Vancouver, actually.

And the all time Heavyweight champ in Beating Up Euros at the end of their shifts is . . . hands down . . . wait for it . . . Big Bad Kevin Bieksa.

- John Jaeckel

You are right again, Roussel had a FA try out with the Wolves and then Dallas signed him. Peter Marr interviewed him and he said he got kicked out of a rugby league in France as a teenager for being too rough so he took up hockey and came to Canada. He's a funny kid, likes the rough stuff.

Chris Kuc‏@ChrisKuc

Daniel Carcillo is practicing with #Blackhawks teammates.
- Sconnie

That's good, could have some bearing on why they passed on Kassian

RE: IGINLA

Is he what he was 3-5 years ago?

No.

Is he as bad as his numbers this year? No.

Steve is right, he has had almost zero talent around him the last couple of years. Guy has been an elite talent and a bizatch to play against down low for many years. I would think he has enough left in the tank, surrounded by the Hawk top 6 to be a huge asset come playoff time.

Hmmm, wonder if the Hawks now deal for him a la Karlsson or did they pass on a claim because they might have something else cooking?
- John Jaeckel

what do you mean deal for him a la Karlsson? isn't he an UFA now that he's cleared waivers for anyone to sign at their price?

Strongly agree here.

No real down side I can see with adding Iggy. No commitment past this season, now's the time to make this happen, by hook or by crook.
- FredoXV

Thanks....iginla down low on the PP would be a treat to watch.

Hell, if you could get him without trading Saad, who would be a better teacher then Iginla as to what it takes to be an elite NHL power forward.

RE: IGINLA

Is he what he was 3-5 years ago?

No.

Is he as bad as his numbers this year? No.

Steve is right, he has had almost zero talent around him the last couple of years. Guy has been an elite talent and a bizatch to play against down low for many years. I would think he has enough left in the tank, surrounded by the Hawk top 6 to be a huge asset come playoff time.
- John Jaeckel

Lot of chat on TSN/Sportsnet heading into CGY game last night about how flat Iggy's been this year. Former teammate turned talking head, Rhett Warrener, was openly critical...and VOILA...Iggy drops the mitts, rekindles the glory years, and hopes the chatter stops.

Always loved this guy's ability to flip the switch from being a tough, productive, hard-nosed competitor....to one of thee best athletes with the media that i've ever seen.

RE: IGINLA

Is he what he was 3-5 years ago?

No.

Is he as bad as his numbers this year? No.

Steve is right, he has had almost zero talent around him the last couple of years. Guy has been an elite talent and a bizatch to play against down low for many years. I would think he has enough left in the tank, surrounded by the Hawk top 6 to be a huge asset come playoff time.
- John Jaeckel

Thank you JJ.

He's an elite talent, who fit in perfectly. All speculation, but what a stamp Bowman could make......

what do you mean deal for him a la Karlsson? isn't he an UFA now that he's cleared waivers for anyone to sign at their price?
- Sconnie

Dunno, I think they were sending him down, were they not?

Just checked. Same deal as karlsson, they were sending him down. He is in Houston and is still Wild property.

JJ, i know this sounds absurd, but i would claim Kassian. actually i'd do both, him & neil, before you crown me , here is my thinking. SB knows that it is gonna get tougher as it goes on, he knows that his team has world class skill that lacks grit.
1st Kassian, he can play , he is arms & lengths way better skater than john scott was and is probably Stu Grimson tough, he goes on the 4th , W/WO bollig, Carcillo is gonna play somewhere, he's not gonna hurt you , Neil will also play 3rd line and can play. the casualties will come from, frolik, bickell , stalberg. i gotta think SB is already getting outrageous contract request from 25 & 29's agent where they possibly could be on the move, 1 being for Neil, the other being in a deadline package for a #2 center. now with the talant they have, add carcillo, kassian & neil in your line up, those guys will not hurt you and can play. i think those 3 against the sharks, blues , bruins , my flyers, ect. will definitly have teams thinking twice about running the hawks skill. i don't think you loose much subtracting a possible combo of 67,29, or 25 & possibly 52 while adding those 2 plus carbomb. i'm curious to your thoughts. & when you comin in?
- wonthecup10

Really trying not to be argumentative, but you want to break up the Hawks third line which has been for all intents and purposes very solid, to bring in Kassian? I am guessing the Hawks interest in Kassian opined by JJ was because of Bollig and Carcillo's injuries, not because they thought he could replace Bickell or Stalberg (not directly but through attrition of Kassian talking a 4th line job and someone movin gup). Guys that "can play" as you strongly state Kassian can don't get waived, especially at his price.

Not so sure you're right there. Saad plus a pick could get that done. Saad's value is at an all-time high. it is also possible—possible, mind you—it might not be this high a couple of years from now.

I'm not arguing for dealing him or dealing him for Iginla. Just saying, there are subtleties and wrinkles here that scouts and GMs know that a lot of fans don't.
- John Jaeckel

Would be full circle, with some assumptions made of course, that is Newendyke left for Iginla, now Iginla leaves for their next greatest thing?

BTW as far as value, same can probably be said for you and me...

Dunno, I think they were sending him down, were they not?

Just checked. Same deal as karlsson, they were sending him down. He is in Houston and is still Wild property.
- John Jaeckel

OK, makes sense, thanks for clarification

Strongly agree here.

No real down side I can see with adding Iggy. No commitment past this season, now's the time to make this happen, by hook or by crook.
- FredoXV

So you give away 2 guys that are top 6, top 4 in talent and ability for next 5 to 10 years. For a guy who plays 2 months and may or may not come back.

So you give away 2 guys that are top 6, top 4 in talent and ability for next 5 to 10 years. For a guy who plays 2 months and may or may not come back.
- TrueGrit

yes, you don't get something for nothing... do you want to win a cup now or 'contend' for 5-10 years

Okay - let's do some math here -

Olecz's cap hit is $2.25M if he stays burried in the minors under the new CBA (NHL Cap hit minus AHL salary) - to assume LTIR next season is foolish. But, for the sake of argument, let's say they use the amnesty buyout on him.

Montador is another curious case - I will concede that he's likely to remain on LTIR, retire, or be subject to an amnesty buyout this summer. So there's your minus $2.75M.


At this point, given the current roster, pending UFA's and RFA's, the team is at $54,397,462, and has the following breakdown:

Saad Toews Hossa
Sharp Bolland Kane
Caricillo Shaw _____
Bollig ____ Frolik

Keith Seabrook
Oduya Hjalmarsson
______ Brookbank

Crawford
_______


Hense, you have just about $9.9M to fill four "dressed" roster spots (including a back-up goalie), and up to three "scratched" roster spots.

That's $9.9 for 7 players.



Now factor in that Leddy and Kruger both need re-ups. I'll place a solid wager that both of them average a $2M deal (I'm guessing Kruger could be had cheaper than Leddy, maybe a $1.8M for Kruger, 2.2 for Leddy - and that's being conservative, IMO).

So the team has $9.9M to fill seven roster spots. Let's then say $4M of that is eaten up by Leddy and Kruger. Now, we are left with $5.9M to fill five roster spots.

Now let's say we move a lower line forward's deal (Let's be ambitous and say that someone takes Frolik's bloated $2.33M hit for no salary coming back). Getting a little better - we now have $8.31M to fill six roster spots.

That averages out to be $1.385 per player. Here's the roster now:


Saad Toews Hossa
Sharp Bollad Kane
____ Shaw _____
Bollig Kruger Carcillo

Seabrook Keith
Oduya Hjalamarsson
Leddy Brookbank


Crawford



So we're still left without two bottom six forwards, a back-up goalie, and three scratched roster spots, including the coveted quality depth defenseman, and three "scratch" guys, all who must average of $1.3M to fill each of those spots.

See where I'm going with this? Let's say O'Reilly is signed at a conservative $4M. That brings the total team cap room down to $4.3M, with five players left to sign. That' brings the space down to about $862K per player.


Unless they move a significant piece (like Bolland for instance), AND a lot of other variables fall into place (namely someone agreeing to take all of Frolik's deal)- there's no way the 'Hawks can fit O'Reilly into the fold.

My underlying point, Wish for O'Reilly in one hand, crap in the other...
- FredoXV

Win Cup

Trade or amnesty Sharp or Hossa instead. Hammer could be moved. Bolland could be moved. Would not be difficult for them to shed salary.

Replace with not quite ready prospects like they did 2 years ago and hope for the best. Super small window, Sharp is visibly slower, Toews has concussion history, gotta strike while the iron is hot.

Really trying not to be argumentative, but you want to break up the Hawks third line which has been for all intents and purposes very solid, to bring in Kassian? I am guessing the Hawks interest in Kassian opined by JJ was because of Bollig and Carcillo's injuries, not because they thought he could replace Bickell or Stalberg (not directly but through attrition of Kassian talking a 4th line job and someone movin gup). Guys that "can play" as you strongly state Kassian can don't get waived, especially at his price.
- PhatJoeSki

I'm sayin it's a low risk move, not for 25 or 29, But i am thinkin that 1 of those guys may be on the move possibly for Chris Neil as i stated for reasons in my prior post. i'm not sayin break up the team but you don't get a shot at a guy like that every day that when you plug him in it will keep other players honest. & he's a way better skater than clubfoot scott! plus the Wild fans are pissed that their GM waved this guy in the first place since they have some of the same issues as we do when it comes to protecting our stars. they only have Konopka if i recall.
plus Joe let's be real, this team will get throttled by the Bruins & a few others in the east with the current make up. they have the skill but perimiter play don't win cups, especially against teams in the east!

So you give away 2 guys that are top 6, top 4 in talent and ability for next 5 to 10 years. For a guy who plays 2 months and may or may not come back.
- TrueGrit

Sorry...you are speculating.

Saad has not proven a damn thing. Other then potentially being good. Would you be willing to put your job on the line for a deep playoff run with a team that you built that has proven to be FLAWED the 2 past seasons? I didn't think so. That;s what Stanley Bowman is staring at right now. All the commercials, marketing in the world, can't over take a flop again on the ice. This team is far too talented to be bounced early again, but as of RIGHT NOW not good enough to go more then 2 rounds.

Leddy may have more upside then Saad. Leddy has made HUGE strides and has been a pleasant surprise. He;s a top 4, but not a top 2...yet. He has more offensive awareness then Foley's love child, Keith.

I never said Saad AND leddy. I said it would take 1 of those plus a pick, plus a prospect. So lets make sure you are quoting facts and not trying to spin things to make you correct...as usual.

Win Cup

Trade or amnesty Sharp or Hossa instead. Hammer could be moved. Bolland could be moved. Would not be difficult for them to shed salary.

Replace with not quite ready prospects like they did 2 years ago and hope for the best. Super small window, Sharp is visibly slower, Toews has concussion history, gotta strike while the iron is hot.
- fattybeef

I have a real hard time believing that Hossa/Sharp will be part of the buyouts this summer. Blackhawks still have to pay that money (the buyout amount) even though it won't be on the cap...and that would be a lot of dough due to the length of their current agreements. Toss in how good they are and the replacement candidates...you don't use a buyout on these two.

I have a real hard time believing that Hossa/Sharp will be part of the buyouts this summer. Blackhawks still have to pay that money (the buyout amount) even though it won't be on the cap...and that would be a lot of dough due to the length of their current agreements. Toss in how good they are and the replacement candidates...you don't use a buyout on these two.
- HawkFan27

Unless you have a 22 year old center locked up long term and if they win a Cup whoever they can... management will be forgiven.

JJ,
Thanks for the prospect stats, and speaking of prospects Stephen Johns (Notre Dame) and Justin Holl (Univ. of Minnesota) are going to be playing in the Hockey City Classic, Sunday at Soldier Field.



http://www.hockeycityclas...d1-1.websitetestlink.com/

Sorry...you are speculating.

Saad has not proven a damn thing. Other then potentially being good. Would you be willing to put your job on the line for a deep playoff run with a team that you built that has proven to be FLAWED the 2 past seasons? I didn't think so. That;s what Stanley Bowman is staring at right now. All the commercials, marketing in the world, can't over take a flop again on the ice. This team is far too talented to be bounced early again, but as of RIGHT NOW not good enough to go more then 2 rounds.

Leddy may have more upside then Saad. Leddy has made HUGE strides and has been a pleasant surprise. He;s a top 4, but not a top 2...yet. He has more offensive awareness then Foley's love child, Keith.

I never said Saad AND leddy. I said it would take 1 of those plus a pick, plus a prospect. So lets make sure you are quoting facts and not trying to spin things to make you correct...as usual.
- SteveRain

No I will stand corrected on your clarification. No spin here needed.

There are 29 teams with flaws after every season, actually 30, but nobody looks at those flaws when you hold a cup.

The big assumption many make is that everything has to be just perfect to win and that it always comes from the outside.

You want to win a series or two this year, teach your core how to score 3 power play goals a series. That is their flaw.

I have a real hard time believing that Hossa/Sharp will be part of the buyouts this summer. Blackhawks still have to pay that money (the buyout amount) even though it won't be on the cap...and that would be a lot of dough due to the length of their current agreements. Toss in how good they are and the replacement candidates...you don't use a buyout on these two.
- HawkFan27

I agree. If the Hawks buy out anyone it will be Montador and Olesz (assuming they can). I don't think we need to be too worried about the cap next season, at most we may lose one of Stalberg or Bickell and that's not really monumental. I don't expect a lot of spending this summer, after next season Bolland's contact is up and a year later Toews and Kane. Stan will want to leave enough long term cap space to re-sign Toews and Kane, and I think we'll see Bolland traded or re-signed in the summer (hopefully re-signed).

I have a real hard time believing that Hossa/Sharp will be part of the buyouts this summer. Blackhawks still have to pay that money (the buyout amount) even though it won't be on the cap...and that would be a lot of dough due to the length of their current agreements. Toss in how good they are and the replacement candidates...you don't use a buyout on these two.
- HawkFan27

Not this summer, but get another year out of them and then reassess. There will be one more opportunity the following summer.