Would love to see the teams on AA's list.
- Hank3Henshaw

If there were any real Blackhawks beat reporters they would get that list.

But, there is not.

Patience and remember;

No deals are better than bad deals.

My predictions would be minor signing or two, and AA is getting moved.

Compared to what people are getting in FA, AA's contract is a deal.

Hopefully Stan can convince someone else of that.
- vabeachbear

Absolutely this ^.

It's inevitable people freak out by the lack of activity on the 'Hawks end, but that's is SO MUCH more preferable than the team overpaying for mediocre talent just because they finally have a little bit of cap space to worth with.

Ideally, holes are plugged in within by developing your younger players as the 'Hawks need to do. It's those final pieces that are added through free agency. And quite frankly, there are very few solutions in this FA class.

Hopefully Stan's tricks up his sleeve are down the trade route.

Exactly. One year deals are perfect. The Hawks FO clearly doesn't think the window is closed (neither do I), so signing veteran guys to one year deals is just fine. The young guys that make the lineup will be fine, and the others can continue their development under Colliton (who is being seasoned to take the team over after Q). If the team bombs you just trade those veterans off at the deadline for assets.
- Hawks_49

1 year deals are great but when another team offers more term for the same or even less money the players will go for the security. If the Reaves signing and some of the other early ones are any indication of the market there are no cheap deals to be had.

Exactly. One year deals are perfect. The Hawks FO clearly doesn't think the window is closed (neither do I), so signing veteran guys to one year deals is just fine. The young guys that make the lineup will be fine, and the others can continue their development under Colliton (who is being seasoned to take the team over after Q). If the team bombs you just trade those veterans off at the deadline for assets.
- Hawks_49

Colliton is one of the biggest additions this franchise has made in quite awhile. Just like a player a coach at the minor league level must understand his role. Colliton seems to be that in spades. Develop, teach the organIzation's systems and make sure a culture of work/role/development is bought into by developing players.

If there were any real Blackhawks beat reporters they would get that list.

But, there is not.
- mrpaulish

That's a good point. We never get the team list info.

Why is it kept such a secret all the time?

LeBrun
The Blues are still interested in ROR; to some degree the Habs as well among other teams. The Sabres' believed ask of a 1st, 2nd and top prospect or young player still too rich for some ... Teams don't think ROR will be dealt once bonus is paid by Sabres

...follow up from his tweet that Sabres confirmed with the NHL that ROR’s bonus doesn’t have to be paid until midnight tonight.
- Marlowe

Really hope the Blues make that deal.

1 year deals are great but when another team offers more term for the same or even less money the players will go for the security. If the Reaves signing and some of the other early ones are any indication of the market there are no cheap deals to be had.
- John McDonough

This is my guess why the Hawks landed on Ward as their #2. He agreed to a 1 yr deal. I'm ok with over paying a bit for a guy who will take 1 yr.

He's a versatile winger who can play up and down the lineup. If they sign him, Kunitz certainly is not going to hurt the team in any way.
- Hawks_49

But at 39 (in September) - can he still get up and down the ICE?

I guess they want bottom-six experience to help the bottom-six youngster transition.

But on a one-year - ok.

Unlike Ward, whom I’m not ok with.

Really hope the Blues make that deal.
- BetweenTheDots

They'll have to pay that $7 M bonus that kicks in tonight at midnight.

They'll have to pay that $7 M bonus that kicks in tonight at midnight.
- Hank3Henshaw

Honestly there's no way the Blues will pay that bonus so nevermind

If the Hawks get Kunitz that would be a fantastic addition. Versatile guy who's been through it all. Another high quality locker room guy for the young guys to gain good habits from, and he can still produce on the ice at both ends.
- Hawks_49

He can still produce? How many pts did he have last season?

He can still produce? How many pts did he have last season?
- SimpleJack

29 points. Which is OK for a fourth liner, but this probably means a kid heads back to Rockford while the Hawks get older and slower. This is typical old white sox move, just piddling around the periphery because you have illusions that you can compete.

Hawks HAVE to find a way to get a Top 4 D-man and a good 2/3 center.

Zawaski:

Looking at these deals rolling in, Anisimov for $4.5 is pretty reasonable. If they have a large signing in mind and need the space, sure, but it’s tough to imagine getting a better player for the game money.

4th period:

Calvin de Haan continues to discuss options with multiple clubs. Talks are ongoing.

Zawaski:

Looking at these deals rolling in, Anisimov for $4.5 is pretty reasonable. If they have a large signing in mind and need the space, sure, but it’s tough to imagine getting a better player for the game money.
- mrpaulish

Is, for example, a Riley Nash better?

Honestly there's no way the Blues will pay that bonus so nevermind
- BetweenTheDots

Stan seems to have a long game in mind but if he thinks he could squeeze one last hurrah from the "current core" AA plus any D prospect not named Boqvist or Mitchell plus for 27 yr old ROR and his record setting FO won last yr and Hawks pay the bonus?

The swap would add 3 mil to the cap hit and give the Hawks their #2 C for 5 more yrs. As these signings go on ROR's cap hit looks more and more reasonable every day as does AA's.

Is, for example, a Riley Nash better?
- Marlowe

no

Is, for example, a Riley Nash better?
- Marlowe

It's close both centers are late 20s....Anisimov has been a better scorer in his career, but Nash is about 50% on draws so on that alone it would be an upgrade. I think both are good L3-C, but AA probably a bit more capable of playing Line 2, not sure about Nash. Nash had a "career year" last year, scoring 40 points.

AA is better, but if you flip them out, save money to upgrade elsewhere then you do it.

Stan seems to have a long game in mind but if he thinks he could squeeze one last hurrah from the "current core" AA plus any D prospect not named Boqvist or Mitchell plus for 27 yr old ROR and his record setting FO won last yr and Hawks pay the bonus?

The swap would add 3 mil to the cap hit and give the Hawks their #2 C for 5 more yrs. As these signings go on ROR's cap hit looks more and more reasonable every day as does AA's.
- Mr Ricochet

ROR would be a fine add.

Zawaski:

Looking at these deals rolling in, Anisimov for $4.5 is pretty reasonable. If they have a large signing in mind and need the space, sure, but it’s tough to imagine getting a better player for the game money.
- mrpaulish

Yes it does and should enhance the return on any trade for him.

Did Dreger just confirm Toronto won Tavares ?

on TSN ?

Did Dreger just confirm Toronto won Tavares ?
- mrpaulish

Not on twitter

Did Dreger just confirm Toronto won Tavares ?
- mrpaulish

Watching NHL-N, no evidence of this...but a L1-L2 center rotation of Matthews/Tavares is hilarious

It's close both centers are late 20s....Anisimov has been a better scorer in his career, but Nash is about 50% on draws so on that alone it would be an upgrade. I think both are good L3-C, but AA probably a bit more capable of playing Line 2, not sure about Nash. Nash had a "career year" last year, scoring 40 points.

AA is better, but if you flip them out, save money to upgrade elsewhere then you do it.
- kwolf68

I would agree here and that Nash may actually fulfill a 3C role with this team better than AA given the Hawks current makeup...and I like AA.

Random, unverified twitter dude makes a “fun” point:
The Blues signing David Perron after they losing him in the expansion draft when they could have kept him had they simply not protected Ryan Reaves or Vladimir Sobotka is *chef kiss*