From today's skate - Kruger and Keith not there (rest day)

FORWARDS
SAAD TOEWS KANE
VERSTEEG RICHARDS HOSSA
SHARP. VERMETTE. TERAVAINEN.
DESJARDINS BICKELL SHAW

D PAIRS
HJALMARSSON VAN REIMSDYK
ODUYA RUNBLAD
CUMISKEY SEABROOK
- Marlowe

Any word on TVR in over Rundblad??

He made the Canadien Dollar shrink.He made trades using draft picks that basically add up to a Cup:30th overall, two seconds for Lord Stanley's Cup.
- wiz1901

I will give you all of our seconds for the rest of time for a Stanley Cup.

I will give you all of our seconds for the rest of time for a Stanley Cup.
- carcus

No.

Any word on TVR in over Rundblad??
- EnzoD

Q said TVR is available but they will likely go with the same lineup

I never could see how Oduya could stay unless the cap was going up to 75M.
No way I would give Desjardins 2. He is as replaceable as they come. imo. Not to say I don't think he has played well but I would give Kruger more even at the cost of Desjardins.

My team doesn't have either Rundblad or Cumiskey on it. They both suck.

IF the Hawks can move Sharp, Bickell and Versteeg, they will be fine. Only Sharp should garner a decent return. The rest? The value is cap space. Anything you get after that is a bonus.

Getting picks to replace the ones traded would be great but Bowman has already recouped those picks in my view. Signing Baun, Kero and Panarin did that. With the added binus that these players are more of a known quantity in terms of development. Add in TVR and possibly Reilly? It gets even better.
- Elbows15

If Desjardins doesn't like $750K on a one year deal he can take his game elsewhere. After all, Jimmy Hayes is an RFA - Bowman could offer sheet him for cheap.

No. Savard was injured with a broken foot, IIRC.
- Elbows15

You do recall correctly

Enjoy your weekend gents......hoping for another great effort tomorrow night.

I will say this......

This year has been such a joy to watch in the playoffs. In 2010 you could see the talent and the first one is always special.

In 2013 they were just a god damn juggernaut and the best team from start to finish.....

This year.....they have had so much adversity with a staff member dying, injuries, bad play, long inconsistent stretches, new guys jumping in and out of the lineup, questionable scratches, etc........that this season has truly been such a joy to watch. You can NEVER question the leadership or desire of this core. Outside of Jordan's bulls, we will never see this again in this town.......the hawks are doing what the Ditka bears of the 80s should have done.....win multiple titles.

3 wins to go......

You do recall correctly
- 6628

if you are around for game 4......shoot me a text and Ill buy you an adult beverage post game.

Hope all is well.

He's been cleared, 'Bows.

http://www.thescore.com/news/775119
- MartiniMan

Ah. I hadn't seen that. Still would be a concern to me. I was aware he was struggling with them for some time.

Interesting article on Richards. Especially when he has the perspective of a new guy coming in. Maybe this will help us understand why the Blackhawks may not always looked 'engaged' in January and February. Going all the way is a 100+ game marathon grind.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=769909

“I’m going to use a word that sounds bad, but really isn’t,” Richards said. “In the middle of the season -- December, January -- I almost felt some of our guys were bored. They’ve played a lot of hockey the last few years, they knew what it was about and, like I said before, they weren’t in it for the Presidents’ Trophy.

“Then, after that Minnesota series, I really began to see the next level. Sweep. Final four. You get extra rest, which is vital. So focused. Pretty crazy how hard these guys work. And what talent. I knew Duncan Keith was good, but never this good. Go down the line. Niklas Hjalmarsson. How about the kid last night? Teuvo Teravainen.

I really hadn't heard anything negative, but has there been anything positive yet in the talks? I hope they can keep him
- Yikes726

Only thing I saw was that he wanted to discuss it after this season. And that was around the start of the season.

The fact we have heard nothing at all about it is a good sign, imo. Agents aren't afraid to use the press as a negotiation tactic.

Wiz,
Quick question on Panarin and Reilly. If they were draft eligible (and I know they aren't!) where would you expect them to be drafted? Both 1st rounders? Love to hear your thoughts on those two.
- PitMartin7

Omigosh- i just spent a long time answering you and lost it!

I have been very prejudiced against small and russian.

I had Mike Reilly going to Winnipeg #156th overall b/c he was 5 10 high school defender out of Shattuck-St. Mary's.

I didn't have Panarin picked at all. (I have sent you a PM with my 2010 Mock)
Funny though I had four Russians in the first rounding including a sleeper. two were SUPER GOOD players still in russia and two were with CHL teams:
10 Tarasenko
Alexander Burmistrov with Barrie Colts, Evgeny Kuznetsov and sleeper /flop Kirill Kabanov who was playing in moncton until he went home.
I didn't have a lot of russian drafted and not many were
Ivan Telegin, Stanislav Galiev & Maxin Kitsyn were in my second round and no other Russians until the every late 5th round...


Because his birth came early in terms of when the draft class starts Sept. 15th 2011-Sept 14th 2012, he was what's called an older draftee, who by all intenst should be stronger if not bigger, a bit more developed, or at least showing a higher level of production whereever he is playing.

So they both weren't on the radar, and panarin wasn't part of any internatioanla events, and BOTH actually needed much time to blossom.
it is diificult to predict who grows, who grew his game and there is more chance teams grab bigger more developed than quessing if some kid who doesn't speak english, will one day be the most improved player in the KHL (he won some award to that effect)

But now to attempt to answer what you are asking...you want me to say where a 23 yr. old small forward and a 21 year college defender slot RIGHT NOW upside wise in this class...
Let me start with Reilly.

I say he slots before my #19 or #20 infront of the other deemen of Jérémy Roy, Thomas Chabot, Nicolas Meloche, Noah Juulsen, Jakub Zboril, Vince Dunn, and even though someone may reach and take Oliver Kylington, based on his upside not his showings so far.

Now panarin is another matter. I look at the draft class and have a smaller wing in Mitch Marner at #5, and but i like so many of these forwards that maybe I could slot him 26-30, but having not seen him on the North American sheet, I might even not like him until slot 43 before I select Dante Salituro.

These prejudices still exist because in the big leagues BIG means big guys who can hurt these guys, dominate them physically.
It's nice to believe that Panarin will be a fireball dominat rookie scorer from year one, but I am not so sure if i am drafting if don't play safe with size.

i haven't looked at this in years, and omigosh, you know who i had the hawks taking 210 overall?

Trevor van Riemsdyk

No lie.

If Desjardins doesn't like $750K on a one year deal he can take his game elsewhere. After all, Jimmy Hayes is an RFA - Bowman could offer sheet him for cheap.
- RickJ

this thread would entertaining to say the least if that were to happen.

this thread would entertaining to say the least if that were to happen.
- Elbows15

I would fall down laughing...in honor of Jimmy Hayes, of course!

Enjoy your weekend gents......hoping for another great effort tomorrow night.

I will say this......

This year has been such a joy to watch in the playoffs. In 2010 you could see the talent and the first one is always special.

In 2013 they were just a god damn juggernaut and the best team from start to finish.....

This year.....they have had so much adversity with a staff member dying, injuries, bad play, long inconsistent stretches, new guys jumping in and out of the lineup, questionable scratches, etc........that this season has truly been such a joy to watch. You can NEVER question the leadership or desire of this core. Outside of Jordan's bulls, we will never see this again in this town.......the hawks are doing what the Ditka bears of the 80s should have done.....win multiple titles.

3 wins to go......
- SteveRain

We should all get used to this. I honesty don't think this team gives a crap about the regular season anymore. All that matters to them is getting in, and I don't think they care what seed they are. Whether that ever comes back to bite them like it did LA remains to be seen....

I would fall down laughing...in honor of Jimmy Hayes, of course!
- CanOCorn

To his credit, he change the way he plays. He finally figured out that aircraft carrier turns gets you sent to the minors. Stops and starts are what separate players at this level. Uses his size, finally.

People who think players are only evaluated at the NHL level have no idea about how the process works. EVERYTHING is looked at. How they practice? Can incorporate coaching into their games? I also don't discount contract status in this day and age of the cap. I feel that plays a very important part in player evaluations.

And some times he takes a player being moved in order for things to click. On ice or off. Dan Cleary is a perfect example. The guy was wasting a bunch of talent until his ass was out of hockey and realized he better chang or he had a life of what could have been in front of him.

We should all get used to this. I honesty don't think this team gives a crap about the regular season anymore. All that matters to them is getting in, and I don't think they care what seed they are. Whether that ever comes back to bite them like it did LA remains to be seen....
- MartiniMan

I don't even think ist on a conscious level either MM. Its a long season. Its why the infusion of youth is so important to maintain long term success. Having some hungry kids around serves as a reminder of how special it is to be able to play at this level.

Interesting article on Richards. Especially when he has the perspective of a new guy coming in. Maybe this will help us understand why the Blackhawks may not always looked 'engaged' in January and February. Going all the way is a 100+ game marathon grind.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=769909

“I’m going to use a word that sounds bad, but really isn’t,” Richards said. “In the middle of the season -- December, January -- I almost felt some of our guys were bored. They’ve played a lot of hockey the last few years, they knew what it was about and, like I said before, they weren’t in it for the Presidents’ Trophy.

“Then, after that Minnesota series, I really began to see the next level. Sweep. Final four. You get extra rest, which is vital. So focused. Pretty crazy how hard these guys work. And what talent. I knew Duncan Keith was good, but never this good. Go down the line. Niklas Hjalmarsson. How about the kid last night? Teuvo Teravainen.
- scottak

Sounds to me like a guy who might consider wanting to come back next year on a cap-friendly deal (depending on how other player movement shakes out). Have you heard anything John about the potential of bringing back Richards for another year?

If Ryan Johnsen didn't garner an offer sheet I doubt Saad does. I personally think that will handled before it even gets to that point. There has been nothing to indicate that contract talks between Saad and the Hawks have been contentious.
- Elbows15

Alot of talk about offer sheets, but just because a player is an eligible RFA and other clubs show interest...

...that does not mean the targeted player will sign an offer sheet. The player in question may want to remain with his current team and is comfortable with the relationship he has with his current club.

Omigosh- i just spent a long time answering you and lost it!

I have been very prejudiced against small and russian.

I had Mike Reilly going to Winnipeg #156th overall b/c he was 5 10 high school defender out of Shattuck-St. Mary's.

I didn't have Panarin picked at all. (I have sent you a PM with my 2010 Mock)
Funny though I had four Russians in the first rounding including a sleeper. two were SUPER GOOD players still in russia and two were with CHL teams:
10 Tarasenko
Alexander Burmistrov with Barrie Colts, Evgeny Kuznetsov and sleeper /flop Kirill Kabanov who was playing in moncton until he went home.
I didn't have a lot of russian drafted and not many were
Ivan Telegin, Stanislav Galiev & Maxin Kitsyn were in my second round and no other Russians until the every late 5th round...


Because his birth came early in terms of when the draft class starts Sept. 15th 2011-Sept 14th 2012, he was what's called an older draftee, who by all intenst should be stronger if not bigger, a bit more developed, or at least showing a higher level of production whereever he is playing.

So they both weren't on the radar, and panarin wasn't part of any internatioanla events, and BOTH actually needed much time to blossom.
it is diificult to predict who grows, who grew his game and there is more chance teams grab bigger more developed than quessing if some kid who doesn't speak english, will one day be the most improved player in the KHL (he won some award to that effect)

But now to attempt to answer what you are asking...you want me to say where a 23 yr. old small forward and a 21 year college defender slot RIGHT NOW upside wise in this class...
Let me start with Reilly.

I say he slots before my #19 or #20 infront of the other deemen of Jérémy Roy, Thomas Chabot, Nicolas Meloche, Noah Juulsen, Jakub Zboril, Vince Dunn, and even though someone may reach and take Oliver Kylington, based on his upside not his showings so far.

Now panarin is another matter. I look at the draft class and have a smaller wing in Mitch Marner at #5, and but i like so many of these forwards that maybe I could slot him 26-30, but having not seen him on the North American sheet, I might even not like him until slot 43 before I select Dante Salituro.

These prejudices still exist because in the big leagues BIG means big guys who can hurt these guys, dominate them physically.
It's nice to believe that Panarin will be a fireball dominat rookie scorer from year one, but I am not so sure if i am drafting if don't play safe with size.

i haven't looked at this in years, and omigosh, you know who i had the hawks taking 210 overall?

Trevor van Riemsdyk

No lie.
- wiz1901

Thanks! Always appreciate your views. Sounds like Reilly would be a great pickup for us if we get him. I thought Panarin looked pretty good in the recent world championships. He has some moves and a nice shot.

Sounds to me like a guy who might consider wanting to come back next year on a cap-friendly deal (depending on how other player movement shakes out). Have you heard anything John about the potential of bringing back Richards for another year?
- Hawksfan37

Never know...I believe Richards will continue to be paid by the Rangers. The buyout will net Richards over 20M dollars for the next decade or so.

I'd say that gives Mr. Richards some financial flexibility to play for whomever he chooses.

All of us should be so lucky.

I havent read back, but whats the theory on Bickells injury?

Bickell makes it sound like a concussion and Q outright comes out and says he never had a concussion

Seems odd

Alot of talk about offer sheets, but just because a player is an eligible RFA and other clubs show interest...

...that does not mean the targeted player will sign an offer sheet. The player in question may want to remain with his current team and is comfortable with the relationship he has with his current club.
- ArlingtonRob

Yeah, can you imagine a newly signed free agent sitting his ass down in the dressing room of the Oilers or Maple Leafs and soon realizing he has 5 or 6 years ahead of him playing with those clowns. Its an important part of the decision. Sometimes more money isn't worth the grief.

True.

The market is based on supply and demand.

What I am hearing is that Crawford could go this summer . . . or next . . . but that will depend on what the market is, and how much salary the Hawks need to shed in order to do two specific things:

Sign Brandon Saad. And sign Brent Seabrook.

The dollars for Saad will likely be recouped this summer. Patrick Sharp on an American Airlines 737 to Miami, something like that, a bag of pucks and/or a bad, lower dollar contract coming the other way.

I am no longer hearing Oduya will do a cap friendly deal to stay. I would now say odds are, he’s gone.

But this summer? Crawford’s value will likely be extremely high and you can talk about Eddie Lack or Robin Lehner or Craig Anderson or Niemi, but Crawford would be the prize chip coming off this season and playoffs, at his age. And that’s not to say those guys suck. It’s all about perception in the present moment.

I think a lot depends on what is offered, what they can get for Sharp, IF they can get anything for Bickell.

I also think if a team offer sheets Kruger, he will be gone. The Hawks will qualify him at a level where a team would only give up a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him and can offer him more salary. If I was a team looking to upgrade forward defense, PK, faceoffs, boom. It’s a no-brainer.

Philip Danault does not step in and just replace all of what Kruger does but he is good enough to grow into that role.
- John Jaeckel

Geez, im all for moving Sharp for clearing space, but you would hope the return is better than the way that sounds

I havent read back, but whats the theory on Bickells injury?

Bickell makes it sound like a concussion and Q outright comes out and says he never had a concussion

Seems odd
- FourFeathers773

A beat said maybe either vertigo or migraines

When asked if he had passed the concussion tests Q said of course he did he didn't have a concussion.

Weird stuff goin on right now