I fully expect Jokiharju to start the season in Chicago and stay with the team. He may not be a superstar but he’ll be a contributor and continue to develop. Hillman will likely start in Rockford but I expect he’ll be called up before the trade deadline. I don’t see Rutta finishing the season in Chicago.
- DarthKane

Rutta will get traded to the 2019 Stanley Cup winner. If he's still on the team next spring, then the Hawks win the Cup. It's that simple of a formula. Call it the Daley-Kempny constant.

Enstrom would be a textbook StanBo smurf addition.
- EnzoD

I believe he signed in Europe already

I believe he signed in Europe already
- vandymeer23

There's rumours about him signing with MODO but nothing official. Assuming he and his agent are looking for an NHL contract and of not MODO would be his fallback option.

There's rumours about him signing with MODO but nothing official. Assuming he and his agent are looking for an NHL contract and of not MODO would be his fallback option.
- Justin Lowe

This is true. It is either NHL or MODO.

There's rumours about him signing with MODO but nothing official. Assuming he and his agent are looking for an NHL contract and of not MODO would be his fallback option.
- Justin Lowe

Justin its been unusual quiet and slow offseason. Not only for the BLACKHAWKs but for the whole league. Any idea why?

Justin its been unusual quiet and slow offseason. Not only for the BLACKHAWKs but for the whole league. Any idea why?
- Scott1977

When is the Traverse City tournament?

When is the Traverse City tournament?
- tvetter

Sept 7 - 11.

Chicago's roster should be announced next week.

Sept 7 - 11.

Chicago's roster should be announced next week.
- Justin Lowe

It can’t come fast enough.

It can’t come fast enough.
- DarthKane

Agreed.

Justin its been unusual quiet and slow offseason. Not only for the BLACKHAWKs but for the whole league. Any idea why?
- Scott1977

Not sure, Scott.

I thought with the decent increase in salary cap, it would have provided more opportunity for teams to make some moves.

I would suspect with more and more younger/core players being re-upped long-term by teams, there is less movement due to that.

Also, to a lesser degree, the impending Seattle expansion and possible lockout could factor in to GMs minds when making moves.

Agreed.
- Justin Lowe

You bring up a good point about the lack of right handed shots on the team, especially if Hayden doesn’t make the team.

I think a trade with Vancouver for Gagner makes more and more sense, not just because of the Kane connection. Gagner can play wing and centre, he’s not a star but could play on the 2nd or 3rd line. With Vancouver’s youth movement he doesn’t fit into the Canucks plan and shouldn’t be too expensive to acquire. It would be realistic for the Canucks to retain some salary too.

You bring up a good point about the lack of right handed shots on the team, especially if Hayden doesn’t make the team.

I think a trade with Vancouver for Gagner makes more and more sense, not just because of the Kane connection. Gagner can play wing and centre, he’s not a star but could play on the 2nd or 3rd line. With Vancouver’s youth movement he doesn’t fit into the Canucks plan and shouldn’t be too expensive to acquire. It would be realistic for the Canucks to retain some salary too.
- DarthKane

Why does he fit in with what shour be Chicago’s youth movement?

You bring up a good point about the lack of right handed shots on the team, especially if Hayden doesn’t make the team.

I think a trade with Vancouver for Gagner makes more and more sense, not just because of the Kane connection. Gagner can play wing and centre, he’s not a star but could play on the 2nd or 3rd line. With Vancouver’s youth movement he doesn’t fit into the Canucks plan and shouldn’t be too expensive to acquire. It would be realistic for the Canucks to retain some salary too.
- DarthKane

Please be red font sarcasm?? Gagner is a small, soft, and slow perimeter winger with 2 years left on a $3.1mil contract.

Saad-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden
Kunitz-Anisimov-Kahun/Sikura
Martinsen-Kruger-Kampf

Keith-Murphy
Gustafson-Seabs
Manning-Rutta/Joki

Please be red font sarcasm?? Gagner is a small, soft, and slow perimeter winger with 2 years left on a $3.1mil contract.

Saad-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden
Kunitz-Anisimov-Kahun/Sikura
Martinsen-Kruger-Kampf

Keith-Murphy
Gustafson-Seabs
Manning-Rutta/Joki
- EnzoD

Agreed not interested in Gagner.

Agreed not interested in Gagner.
- walleyeb1

He's just 2 years removed from a 50 point season. I'd be ok with it as long as it doesn't cost much, and Vancouver retains some salary.

He's just 2 years removed from a 50 point season. I'd be ok with it as long as it doesn't cost much, and Vancouver retains some salary.
- tvetter

So is Jagr....

Why does he fit in with what shour be Chicago’s youth movement?
- StLBravesFan

Vancouver is in full “blow it up” mode, Chicago isn’t. Stan will make a move to improve the team, this wouldn’t cost much. He’ll likely want to wait and see how the likes of Sikura, Hayden, Kahun and Ejdsell Farr before pulling the trigger on a trade. In the off chance that all 4 are NHL ready right now he won’t need to make a move. If most of them faulter Stan will look to do something.

Vancouver is in full “blow it up” mode, Chicago isn’t. Stan will make a move to improve the team, this wouldn’t cost much. He’ll likely want to wait and see how the likes of Sikura, Hayden, Kahun and Ejdsell Farr before pulling the trigger on a trade. In the off chance that all 4 are NHL ready right now he won’t need to make a move. If most of them faulter Stan will look to do something.
- DarthKane

Darth, I assume you have seen a lot of Gagner in Vancouver. How much do you think he could help the Hawks?

Vancouver is in full “blow it up” mode, Chicago isn’t. Stan will make a move to improve the team, this wouldn’t cost much. He’ll likely want to wait and see how the likes of Sikura, Hayden, Kahun and Ejdsell Farr before pulling the trigger on a trade. In the off chance that all 4 are NHL ready right now he won’t need to make a move. If most of them faulter Stan will look to do something.
- DarthKane

What need is there for Sam Gagner on the Hawks? Unless Seabrook is going the other way, then I'm game!

Vancouver is in full “blow it up” mode, Chicago isn’t. Stan will make a move to improve the team, this wouldn’t cost much. He’ll likely want to wait and see how the likes of Sikura, Hayden, Kahun and Ejdsell Farr before pulling the trigger on a trade. In the off chance that all 4 are NHL ready right now he won’t need to make a move. If most of them faulter Stan will look to do something.
- DarthKane

What need is there for Sam Gagner on the Hawks? Unless Seabrook is going the other way, then I'm game!

Vancouver is in full “blow it up” mode, Chicago isn’t. Stan will make a move to improve the team, this wouldn’t cost much. He’ll likely want to wait and see how the likes of Sikura, Hayden, Kahun and Ejdsell Farr before pulling the trigger on a trade. In the off chance that all 4 are NHL ready right now he won’t need to make a move. If most of them faulter Stan will look to do something.
- DarthKane

What need is there for Sam Gagner on the Hawks? Unless Seabrook is going the other way, then I'm game!

He's just 2 years removed from a 50 point season. I'd be ok with it as long as it doesn't cost much, and Vancouver retains some salary.
- tvetter

So is Jagr....
- EnzoD

What need is there for Sam Gagner on the Hawks? Unless Seabrook is going the other way, then I'm game!
- EnzoD

...with the natural hat trick .... nice work sir

On a different note:

And being 2 seasons away from a 50 point season --- technically speaking the season before the Hawks signed Andrew Brunette he had had a 46 point season.

Not sure, Scott.

I thought with the decent increase in salary cap, it would have provided more opportunity for teams to make some moves.

I would suspect with more and more younger/core players being re-upped long-term by teams, there is less movement due to that.

Also, to a lesser degree, the impending Seattle expansion and possible lockout could factor in to GMs minds when making moves.
- Justin Lowe

True Justin.

I also think that with the 2-3 "Big" name guys rumored to move...Karlsson, Patches types...it sort of puts a "stall" into all moves.

There may be 6-8-10 teams who at least want to be in contention to get one of these guys if possible. Many waiting for the price to drop.

The sellers want a King's ransom....and the buying GMs are rightfully not willing to part with 3-4 great prospects and picks for these guys.

This makes maybe half the league drag their heels on other trades, as they don't want to jeopardize the CAP space or trade the prospects it may take to land a bigger fish.

Once the BIG guys are settled away...I think you will see a rash of smaller mover to follow, as the teams that "Lost out" begin clammering to fill their rosters.

Anybody know when the CBA comes to an end, is it after the season or next? Maybe these guys are going to eat crow for the season, go on strike for a year, unless they hammer out a new agreement ahead of time.
Sure looks that way given Stan Bowman‘s in activity this summer. Looking at this lineup they are lucky to get 70 points this year. And maybe others agree but I don’t believe for one minute Corey Crawford will play at all this year. Especially if some of the blogs indicate that we are pinning hopes on 19-year-old kids as if we are supposed to be excited if they will make the team or not. The answer should be no, they need another 1 to 2 seasons to develop.
Talking about PTO defenseman why the hell are they not talking to Alexei Emelin?I sure would rather have him then some of the other names thrown out there.