Just read that Boyle wants to go back to Tampa...

Wish we could get him

Sorry, I'm not paying $20 for a blog that has 4 great writers and then a bunch of absentees. If that $20 will automatically block anything Tanner related, maybe I'd pay.

Ek doesn't care how awful the consumer experience is because the more the ads 'do' the more he gets paid.

Unfortunately Google will punish sites in SEO for this type of nonsense, and Ek's traffic will all be from inorganic returns.
- ObeseOprah

Please explain for the IT illiterate - Me.

Yes, I think I won many ipods and wal-mart gift cards.
- powerenforcer

He really needs to fix the malware on this mobile site

Boyle is pretty much an Eastern Conference guy

The great Jim Nill is going to buyout Niemi hahaha

What an amazing GM. Sure hope he doesn't try to "fleece" the Hawks again

I thought I saw the Blue Jackets might be buying out Hartnell. He wouldn't be a bad pickup to throw on LW for lines 2 or 3.

Boyle is pretty much an Eastern Conference guy

The great Jim Nill is going to buyout Niemi hahaha

What an amazing GM. Sure hope he doesn't try to "fleece" the Hawks again
- PatShart

Good point, but would love to see him in a Hawks sweater playing on the third line or something.

Please explain for the IT illiterate - Me.
- riozzo

Search engine optimization

Google rewards "better" and more updated websites and optimizes them / add them to the top of google results. I.e. The better the site, the more likely someone is to find it in google, the more traffic it gets.

Hockeybuzz, is not going to be done any favors by google placing it higher given its current construction (terrible, and not mobile friendly just to start)

Search engine optimization

Google rewards "better" and more updated websites and optimizes them / add them to the top of google results. I.e. The better the site, the more likely someone is to find it in google, the more traffic it gets.

Hockeybuzz, is not going to be done any favors by google placing it higher given its current construction (terrible, and not mobile friendly just to start)
- Slofire94

Thanks!

I proposed a Booner Jenner for Anisimov swap.

Cap savings ($1.6MM) and a more physical center down the middle who should be able to replace Anisimovs 20+ goals easily next to kane.

Anisimov is also a Tortorella favorite and he once said he was the best player he ever coached, talked about how smart he is

Add in the panarin chemistry and bingo
- Stan_Bowman

That's not a bad idea at all....get to work!

Please explain for the IT illiterate - Me.
- riozzo

Google is progressively cracking down on sites that have intrusive ads or poor consumer experiences. Google rules the internet world for now, you either play their game or figure out a way to make money a way without ads.

Boyle is pretty much an Eastern Conference guy

The great Jim Nill is going to buyout Niemi hahaha

What an amazing GM. Sure hope he doesn't try to "fleece" the Hawks again
- PatShart

Niemi could be a decent back-up at around $1 million (just not in Chicago).

McNeill re-signed for one year with the Stars. Hoepfully he gets a shot to play in the NHL this year.

Nate Thompson is a 4th line grinder that hasn't hit over 10 points in two years who is likely looking for $2m.
- L_B_R

If they could get him for 1m I would do it. Sort of like wingels. I would take him for 1m nothing more.

McNeill re-signed for one year with the Stars. Hoepfully he gets a shot to play in the NHL this year.
- DarthKane

The legend of McNeill.

I'm rooting for the dude.

How was Johns for the Stars this year?

Also...would love for Dallas to go back to the black sweaters. Just not feeling the Starbucks look anymore.

Realistically... what kind of shot does a) fortin, and b) debrincat have at making this team?
- jt19

Based on last year's camp performances, I'd say Fortin has a better shot than Debrincat.

Based on the Hawks' experience with rookies last year—and bear in mind, these two have ZERO pro experience between them—I would put the chances at being under 15% for Fortin and under 10% for DeBrincat.

Hawks lineup will be chock-full of guys with less than a full season of pro experience this year. Which is why guys with zero might stretch the limits of what will work.

Based on last year's camp performances, I'd say Fortin has a better shot than Debrincat.

Based on the Hawks' experience with rookies last year—and bear in mind, these two have ZERO pro experience between them—I would put the chances at being under 15% for Fortin and under 10% for DeBrincat.

Hawks lineup will be chock-full of guys with less than a full season of pro experience this year. Which is why guys with zero might stretch the limits of what will work.
- John Jaeckel

And let me say, pre-emptively, I know I will get pushback on this. "Youth Movement!" and "if they're gonna play guys with less than a year, why not DeBrincat or Fortin?"

To which I will say, you can argue it til the cows come home—maybe one or the other earns a roster spot, maybe they don't. But I don't think the Hawks will have the luxury of carrying a kid who pretty much has a top 6 style game, to learn the ropes of the pro game this year on the NHL roster.

This is not (yet anyway) a rebuilding club.

You cough up the $20.00 a year and it works great. small price to pay for this content. And I hope JJ gets at least half my payment.

After all, where else can I go to get complemented and flamed by the same guy in the span of 10 minutes. and isn't Vopatsrash untreated worth the price of admission?
- riozzo

Seconded!
Much worth the $20.

Niemi could be a decent back-up at around $1 million (just not in Chicago).
- DarthKane

Speaking of which have the Blackhawks given Anton Forsberg a qualifying offer yet and how comfortable are we with him as our backup?

Nate Thompson is a 4th line grinder that hasn't hit over 10 points in two years who is likely looking for $2m.
- L_B_R

Who's saying he would be anything but a 4th line grinder with the Hawks—setting aside what his salary needs might be?

Yep, just pointing out how context in relation to cap hits / term need to be considered when people play armchair GM.
- L_B_R

Absolutely, which is why I am making so clear, there are many more options out there that can be pursued first.

Speaking of which have the Blackhawks given Anton Forsberg a qualifying offer yet and how comfortable are we with him as our backup?
- walleyeb1

I heard he'll have the first crack to be the backup.

JJ you didn't mention our very own ex 1 rounder Jack Skille in the description of fast but cant finish. Ditto for Stalberg & Froelik.
- weakglovehand

Add them to the list, for sure, actually Fro could finish a chance now and then

Speaking of which have the Blackhawks given Anton Forsberg a qualifying offer yet and how comfortable are we with him as our backup?
- walleyeb1

I didn't see his name mentioned amongst the players qualified, but I would be shocked if they did not re-sign him.

Forsberg's QO would be $715,000. I could see a 2 year deal for somewhere between $650,000 - $750,000.

I proposed a Booner Jenner for Anisimov swap.

Cap savings ($1.6MM) and a more physical center down the middle who should be able to replace Anisimovs 20+ goals easily next to kane.

Anisimov is also a Tortorella favorite and he once said he was the best player he ever coached, talked about how smart he is

Add in the panarin chemistry and bingo
- Stan_Bowman

Dunno if they do Jenner for AA, but I tweeted a thread this Am that outlines why Cbus makes a lot of sense as a suitor for AA. Cbus has 3-4 LW assets that potentially could help the Hawks, sooner or later.

Honestly, don't even care about faceoffs. Just a NHL center with a pedigree who can carry some of the scoring load.

AA can fill in if Toews goes down, basically in every facet of the game except for draws.

Some combo of Schmalz Dauphin and Kero is terrifying as the other three centers. Schmalz, Kooga and Dauphin is somewhat more digestable because you know Kooga can offer some stability.

IMO two proven NHL commodities up the middle is thin but only one would be an insane gamble unless they try to slot Kane in there again. And I would like to remind everyone, that terrible season, where he ripped off like 18 points in the last 17 games to back them into the playoffs was up the middle so maybe that isn't the complete end of the world.
- fattybeef

Then add as of today they only have a sure top 3 Dmen, some would say Murphy is a question mark as the 3rd of those 3, and you are thin at the all important up the middle and at defense positions.......... Doesn't mean they will open this way or that it wouldn't work but scary to be that thin at important (old thinking/pre hard cap?) positions.