I know some names have been mentioned in this post...but what defenseman would you target in free agency? Any thoughts?
- onehundredlevel

Here is the top 40 or so based on current salary. No one on this list really floats my boat.

PLAYER TEAM AGE POS HANDED
1. Erik Karlsson SJS 28 D Right
2. Tyler Myers WPG 28 D Right
3. Alexander Edler VAN 32 D Left
4. Niklas Kronwall DET 37 D Left
5. Anton Strålman TBL 31 D Right
6. Jake Gardiner TOR 27 D Left
7. Braydon Coburn TBL 33 D Left
8. Dan Girardi TBL 34 D Right
9. Michael Del Zotto STL 28 D Left
10. Ron Hainsey TOR 37 D Left
11. Carl Gunnarsson STL 31 D Left
12. Adam McQuaid CBJ 31 D Right
13. Ben Lovejoy DAL 34 D Right
14. Patrik Nemeth COL 26 D Left
15. Jan Rutta TBL 27 D Right
16. Alex Petrovic EDM 26 D Right
17. Luca Sbisa NYI 28 D Left
18. Deryk Engelland VGK 36 D Right
19. Ben Chiarot WPG 27 D Left
20. Roman Polák DAL 32 D Right
21. Jordie Benn MTL 30 D Left
22. Brooks Orpik WSH 37 D Left
24. Egor Yakovlev NJD 26 D Left
25. Bogdan Kiselevich WPG 28 D Left
26. Korbinian Holzer ANA 30 D Right
27. Martin Marincin TOR 26 D Left
28. Dalton Prout CGY 28 D Right
29. Luke Schenn VAN 28 D Right
30. Christian Folin MTL 27 D Right
31. Luke Witkowski DET 28 D, RW Right
32. Dennis Seidenberg NYI 36 D Left
33. Kevin Gravel EDM 26 D Left
34. Brad Hunt MIN 29 D Left
35. Cameron Gaunce TBL 28 D Left
36. Steven Kampfer BOS 29 D Right
37. Taylor Fedun DAL 30 D Right
38. Chad Ruhwedel PIT 28 D Right
39. Anthony Bitetto MIN 27 D Left
40. Zach Trotman PIT 27 D Right
41. Tim Heed SJS 27 D Right
42. Oscar Fantenberg CGY 26 D Left

[quote=jhawk59]
Additional thought: until Ferland situation resolved?, doubt they make any other sizable transaction. Carolina i think is more interested in adding quality at center and not cost + older AA type They like speed game and russian rookie will get a bigger role next season. Maybe they have interest in adding a center; i need to look at their roster to see how everyone lines up. With Staahl around, too, i would not add a lower third line AA type.

Best available player regardless of size, position, place of birth etc. Imagine if the Hawks had selected JVR or Kyle Turris over Kane because Kane was small? The best selection is always the best available player be that Hughes or Kakko.
- paulr

In that case I'll go with ... Kakko because he's the best player available

Yeah and I wouldn’t hold my breath on Florida wanting them either.
- walleyeb1

How does uncle Dale add all these players and remaun under the cap? Is there room for Keith and or Seabrook? Moot point since Seabrook not leaving. Btw Tallon brings in a ton of minir league no name and some move on later to other nhl teams. This is not a Q type like situation.

Kubalik, Kahun and Kampf. That would be a really nice fourth line. Find a sniper to play with Saad and Caggiula and that is a really nice third line.

Bottom six fixed.

Still need a board battler on lines one and two, and like three D guys, but incremental change is all the team really can do right now.

If they find a taker for AA and don't reup Ward, that creates about $6MM in space without adding to the payroll if Delia is the #2.

Kubalik, Kahun and Kampf. That would be a really nice fourth line. Find a sniper to play with Saad and Caggiula and that is a really nice third line.

Bottom six fixed.

Still need a board battler on lines one and two, and like three D guys, but incremental change is all the team really can do right now.

If they find a taker for AA and don't reup Ward, that creates about $6MM in space without adding to the payroll if Delia is the #2.
- Return of the Roar

What do you think about Duchene?

What do you think about Duchene?
- Q-stache

Pass.

What do you think about Duchene?
- Q-stache

How would the Hawks be able to afford him?

Kubalik, Kahun and Kampf. That would be a really nice fourth line. Find a sniper to play with Saad and Caggiula and that is a really nice third line.

Bottom six fixed.

Still need a board battler on lines one and two, and like three D guys, but incremental change is all the team really can do right now.

If they find a taker for AA and don't reup Ward, that creates about $6MM in space without adding to the payroll if Delia is the #2.
- Return of the Roar

I think with Ward, they would like to sign him, but tell him if he could get a deal elsewhere take it, that the Hawks would have to see what their cap situation is after the free agency period is over.

Hey Savvy,

how are you man? I don't see them breaking the piggy bank in FLA for that deal. No way.

I thought Q would do well with the Peg as well. But it'll be interesting to see what he and Dale do down there. Someone mentioned Hammer as someone they'd possibly go after - you could see that. Meanwhile Panarin and the Bob have been mentioned as well - so that should be another interesting storyline. Certainly it'll be fun to watch it play out.

The big question here remains the defense and what plan does Stan have to fix it? The Hawks gave up 50 shots the other night in Predland. Should be an interesting summer.
- DK002

Hey DK, doing ok, hope you are as well. Haven't posted too much, just wanted to season to finish out and see where/what Blowman has in store.

Doesn't look like there will be too much baseball to take away our attention and unfortunately, the game has changed so much since I was a kid (I canNOT stand the 3+ hr games, the fragility of pitching/lack of complete games/the forever wait between pitches in addition to many other things), there won't be much distraction for me.

On one other Hawk topic, I would like to see the team re-sign KoekKoek. He's shown me enough promise to make him a qualifying offer and give him the opportunity to win a spot. Best skating d-man we have that seems to have little-to-no-problem engaging opponents physically. Yes, he's made some bad reads/decisions but then again, who amongst our D-men have not?

Have seen several of these gaffes every game this year from Keith and Seabrook to name two culprits. Has speed to get back, speed and ability to rush the puck and a good shot. Has a knack for trying to engage before opponents enter our zone, which is what I really like about him. Guess we'll see but certainly see way more upside than Forsling.

What do you think about Duchene?
- Q-stache

When I look at what is in the UFA market in the likely under $6MM bucket here is my short list:

RW:

Donskoi, Simmonds, Tanev, Chaisson.

LW:

Sheahan, Linberg, Ferland

C:

Nelson, Pyatt, Dowd

D:

Stralman, Chariot, DelZotto, Edler

If the Hawks have Kubalik and Joki coming up next season they will have two D slots and two forward spots to fill. But they won't be able to target any established names of great significance due to the price tags.

Hey DK, doing ok, hope you are as well. Haven't posted too much, just wanted to season to finish out and see where/what Blowman has in store.

Doesn't look like there will be too much baseball to take away our attention and unfortunately, the game has changed so much since I was a kid (I canNOT stand the 3+ hr games, the fragility of pitching/lack of complete games/the forever wait between pitches in addition to many other things), there won't be much distraction for me.

On one other Hawk topic, I would like to see the team re-sign KoekKoek. He's shown me enough promise to make him a qualifying offer and give him the opportunity to win a spot. Best skating d-man we have that seems to have little-to-no-problem engaging opponents physically. Yes, he's made some bad reads/decisions but then again, who amongst our D-men have not?

Have seen several of these gaffes every game this year from Keith and Seabrook to name two culprits. Has speed to get back, speed and ability to rush the puck and a good shot. Has a knack for trying to engage before opponents enter our zone, which is what I really like about him. Guess we'll see but certainly see way more upside than Forsling.
- savvyone-1

Finally Savvy reports the same things i see in Koekkoek. We would do well if he develops in one way and that is his willingness to engage make a hit a check. Plus is that he is the good skating descent skill type. Why give him away;.he is depth at worst. Maybe his compete means he is measured against Carlsson?

In that case I'll go with ... Kakko because he's the best player available
- EbonyRaptor

He would look awfully good with ADB and Strome....

The Blues have signed Jay Bouwmeester to a one-year contract extension worth $3.25 million.

I hope Stan does not overpay on a middling UFA defernseman

He would look awfully good with ADB and Strome....
- Return of the Roar

He'd look awfully good with Toews too. In case the nuclear option of Dcat Strome Kane is needed. Or if you want to load up with Dcat Toews Kane. Strome Kakko would be a nice second scoring option.

Another legit top 6 goal scorer really makes the forward group look a lot nicer. More importantly it takes some of the pressure off Kane and Toews.

He would look awfully good with ADB and Strome....
- Return of the Roar

He's a guy who will not spend time in the AHL.

When I look at what is in the UFA market in the likely under $6MM bucket here is my short list:

RW:

Donskoi, Simmonds, Tanev, Chaisson.

LW:

Sheahan, Linberg, Ferland

C:

Nelson, Pyatt, Dowd

D:

Stralman, Chariot, DelZotto, Edler

If the Hawks have Kubalik and Joki coming up next season they will have two D slots and two forward spots to fill. But they won't be able to target any established names of great significance due to the price tags.
- Return of the Roar

Always liked Edler. Can he still play? Haven't paid any attention to his game the least 2-3 years.

Always liked Edler. Can he still play? Haven't paid any attention to his game the least 2-3 years.
- bhawks2241

If Edler wants to play, I think Vancouver resigns him, he had a good year for them last year.

The Blues have signed Jay Bouwmeester to a one-year contract extension worth $3.25 million.

I hope Stan does not overpay on a middling UFA defernseman
- LAHawk

He only signs players to long term, NMC contracts. Should be safe there.

The Blues have signed Jay Bouwmeester to a one-year contract extension worth $3.25 million.

I hope Stan does not overpay on a middling UFA defernseman
- LAHawk

I know you are a Savvy finance guy.

But your comment about over paying is a great "static" analysis of a fluid market.

Exhibit A is the UFA defensmen list. There is nothing there to get really excited about.

The free market likely inflates the values of the sub par supply. And I know you are hoping we do not participate.

Just introducing the dynamic.

What if Boqvist makes the team next season and Joki takes the next step?

Keith Boqvist
Murphy Joki
Gus Seabrook

Would you trust this defense going into next season?

What if Boqvist makes the team next season and Joki takes the next step?

Keith Boqvist
Murphy Joki
Gus Seabrook

Would you trust this defense going into next season?
- SoftServe

No.

If Edler wants to play, I think Vancouver resigns him, he had a good year for them last year.
- LAHawk

I’d venture to think Edler plays his entire career with Vancouver.

No.
- hereismike1

Not enough people are talking about how hard of a time Joki will have making the team next training camp, much less being this impact player everyone was counting on.

Since Colliton took over, Joki has been a non factor. Colliton sent him down, keeping 8 defensemen, and told the press they are keeping the 8 guys that give them the best chance to win.

Gilbert was called up for a cup of coffee two games ago, and Colliton said he was the best defenseman on Rockford which is why he was called up.

What is going to happen between April and September to turn Joki into this ass kicking defenseman that Colliton is willing to use?

Don't get me wrong, I think he is much better than the playing time he has been given under Colliton. But the coach and how he uses a player is EVERYTHING in hockey for that player's career.

Maybe he will hire Pat and Olczyk as broadcasters.
- LAHawk

And take Cornelison to do the anthem.