Real simple:

1) The Hawks know they won't lose Kane if they don't address 2C with a huge upgrade, and won't do so because they simply cannot afford to.

2) The Hawks don't care that they'll lose Patrick Kane, and won't address 2C

I highly doubt #2 is happening.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I'm guessing these are options?...as you see it.

I'm not suggesting the Hawks "need" to make a huge move to acquire a Kesler or a Spezza.

Would I like either of those guys on the roster? Sure...but I realize it would be a costly move to both the cap and the roster, so it's unlikely.

But I do hope the Hawks find a way to improve at the center position by acquiring a veteran or 2. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't see an answer coming from Rockford just yet.

Regardless, it could be an interesting off-season...

...and does anyone know when next years cap number is to be released?

Jake Allen is our goalie. Brian Elliott is a good backup who can fill in if Allen doesn't work out.

The Blues are good, and will get better. Goaltending will be an issue though if Allen doesn't pan out, but he has a lot of potential.

The Blues & Blackhawks were very even in play in their series.
- carcus

Maybe.....two losses in the closing moments in game one and two could lead one to believe we were close to sweep.....

Jake Allen is unproven...Brian Elliott has the experience......nice players on the team...Backes, Oshie, Tarasenko.....still don't have a superstar or two that can carry them...

I wonder if Stan and company still like mikael grabovski as was rumored a few years ago. If so he could be right in their wheelhouse on a short term affordable deal.

Maybe.....two losses in the closing moments in game one and two could lead one to believe we were close to sweep.....

Jake Allen is unproven...Brian Elliott has the experience......nice players on the team...Backes, Oshie, Tarasenko.....still don't have a superstar or two that can carry them...
- UnnamedSource

Just as close as the Blues were to sweeping the Hawks.....

I wonder if Stan and company still like mikael grabovski as was rumored a few years ago. If so he could be right in their wheelhouse on a short term affordable deal.
- Omahawk

My money would be on Grabovski staying in Washington.

Just as close as the Blues were to sweeping the Hawks.....
- carcus

Maybe.....

Maybe.....
- UnnamedSource

My money would be on Grabovski staying in Washington.
- DarthKane

Grabovski and Ovechkin.....with Trotz....comedic entertainment.

Just as close as the Blues were to sweeping the Hawks.....
- carcus

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

My money would be on Grabovski staying in Washington.
- DarthKane

Trotz is gonna love Mike Green. He was made to play trotz's system.

/sarcasm

Real simple:

1) The Hawks know they won't lose Kane if they don't address 2C with a huge upgrade, and won't do so because they simply cannot afford to.

2) The Hawks don't care that they'll lose Patrick Kane, and won't address 2C

I highly doubt #2 is happening.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I bet you Mike Richards would be made available to a team inquiring about a 2C. He's coming off a "bad" season, so his trade value would probably be lower than usual. The Kings already have Kopitar, Carter, & Stoll down the middle and don't want to pay nearly $6 mil for what would be for them a 3rd/4th line center.

He probably could be had for Nick Leddy and an ok depth prospect.

I bet you Mike Richards would be made available to a team inquiring about a 2C. He's coming off a "bad" season, so his trade value would probably be lower than usual. The Kings already have Kopitar, Carter, & Stoll down the middle and don't want to pay nearly $6 mil for what would be for them a 3rd/4th line center.

He probably could be had for Nick Leddy and an ok depth prospect.
- tkecanuck341

Years left on that contract would suggest otherwise.....I've heard rumors he will be bought out.....

Grabovski and Ovechkin.....with Trotz....comedic entertainment.
- UnnamedSource

That will be entertaining.

I know the hot topic is the 2C role, but I think we need a veteran centre for the 4C spot and somebody to replace Handzus on the PK. Does anyone know much about Adam Hall? On paper he sounds like a decent fit. He averages just under. 3 minutes of PK time per game (which is a lot for a forward), 59.6% on faceoffs and only made $600,000 last season.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't expect Hall to be more than a 4th liner or 13th forward. But would he be a suitable Handzus replacement?

Years left on that contract would suggest otherwise.....I've heard rumors he will be bought out.....
- UnnamedSource

Squashed by Lombardi. Richards is either getting traded or staying put.

Years left on that contract would suggest otherwise.....I've heard rumors he will be bought out.....
- UnnamedSource

It wouldn't be worth trading for M Richards. But if he gets bought out it would be worth exploring signing him as a free agent. He'd probably have some extra motivation to be LA too. I wouldn't break the bank for Richards, but he'd be worth a look.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.
- Elbows15

I don't need help sleeping.

And no, I don't believe we were close to sweeping the Hawks. (Hawks either in regards to sweeping the Blues) But it was a really close series and very evenly matched.

Am I chopped liver!!!
- UnnamedSource

I know...me too!!

I don't need help sleeping.

And no, I don't believe we were close to sweeping the Hawks. (Hawks either in regards to sweeping the Blues) But it was a really close series and very evenly matched.
- carcus

Season is over. Time to look to the next one.

Squashed by Lombardi. Richards is either getting traded or staying put.
- tkecanuck341

He is signed through 2019-2020, he will be 30 next season and coming off of a subpar season....he also makes 5.75 million.

If LA is not seriously considering a buyout then they should be....

Based on all the info if I were a GM I would offer nothing more than mid-level picks....

He is signed through 2019-2020, he will be 30 next season and coming off of a subpar season....he also makes 5.75 million.

If LA is not seriously considering a buyout then they should be....

Based on all the info if I were a GM I would offer nothing more than mid-level picks....
- UnnamedSource

Players have to pass through unconditional waivers before they can be bought out. That means there would have to be no teams in the league that would take guaranteed Richards for 6 years. That is very unlikely to happen, especially when there are teams like Calgary, San Jose, or Vancouver going through rebuilds and won't have salary cap issues for the foreseeable future.

The Kings don't have cap issues at the moment. They have approx $10 million in space only need to sign Gaborik and one 5/6 defenseman, which is more than enough. If all Lombardi gets is mid-level pick offers, then the Kings will have the best 4th line center in the league next season.

Players have to pass through unconditional waivers before they can be bought out. That means there would have to be no teams in the league that would take guaranteed Richards for 6 years. That is very unlikely to happen, especially when there are teams like Calgary, San Jose, or Vancouver going through rebuilds and won't have salary cap issues for the foreseeable future.
- tkecanuck341

Why would a team claim him when they could sign him for less?

Players have to pass through unconditional waivers before they can be bought out. That means there would have to be no teams in the league that would take guaranteed Richards for 6 years. That is very unlikely to happen, especially when there are teams like Calgary, San Jose, or Vancouver going through rebuilds and won't have salary cap issues for the foreseeable future.

The Kings don't have cap issues at the moment. They have approx $10 million in space only need to sign Gaborik and one 5/6 defenseman, which is more than enough. If all Lombardi gets is mid-level pick offers, then the Kings will have the best 4th line center in the league next season.
- tkecanuck341

LA needs to sign more than that for next season, but they should be fine. LA's issue is at the end of the following year, they have several key free agent and depending on what happens with the cap not all can be kept.

Players have to pass through unconditional waivers before they can be bought out. That means there would have to be no teams in the league that would take guaranteed Richards for 6 years. That is very unlikely to happen, especially when there are teams like Calgary, San Jose, or Vancouver going through rebuilds and won't have salary cap issues for the foreseeable future.

The Kings don't have cap issues at the moment. They have approx $10 million in space only need to sign Gaborik and one 5/6 defenseman, which is more than enough. If all Lombardi gets is mid-level pick offers, then the Kings will have the best 4th line center in the league next season.
- tkecanuck341

If a team knows he will be bought out why would they claim him off of waivers and be stuck with him for 5 years...

.....and as far as being the best 4th line center in league...I don't know about that but what I do know is he'll be the most expensive 4th line center in the league. Tell how that's smart in a salary cap era??? Tell me another 4th line center with a big cap hit like that??? Also, good GM's are great at forward thinking.......after next season you have 8 Kings under contract......what does that mean? You're going to either bring some kids up or you're going to have to spend some money.....either way...taking a chance Richards will miraculously rebound from subpar season and be worth the money he makes is a huge risk.

Love how JJ is back tracking from his "the hawks will have a new 2c come next season" to "it will be in house by committee" status quo

Nothing against JJ but I find this blog to be highly suspect in terms of rumor credibility anymore.
- FourFeathers773

Well I guess almost everyone knew Hawks will have a new 2c next season. That wasn´t even a rumour that was a fact. At least if you considered Handzus second line center like Q did.

But it is funny see how people react when JJ has a rumour. If JJ mentioned Hawks are in Kesler sweeps everyone acts like Kesler will be a hawk. And when JJ says that they probably won´t bring any big names or stays with the core almost everyone takes that like a fact. At least I don´t remind JJ claiming anything happening for sure.

Why would a team claim him when they could sign him for less?
- Elbows15

Because if a team like Columbus wants him, then they will have to enter a bidding war with Chicago to get him as a free agent. If they grab him on waivers, then he's a Blue Jacket, just like that.