I believe Hayes was relatively vocal about his plans to leave the organization. Why would you give up any asset whatsoever for a player you can get by waiting for him to break his contract?

Buffalo illustrates this perfectly with the Vesey situation. They sent a second to Nashville, and they weren't able to sign him.

That and Kevin Hayes has not exactly been an all-star player. Namestnikov will probably replace him on the second line by the end of the season. Hayes is in his fourth season, and he has never broken the 20-goal mark.

There is a reason he was only re-signed to a $2.6 million deal...
- TexasHawk

Agreed - when I said you don’t come out with nothing I was talking about the fact that Hawks got a 2nd Round Draft Choice as compensation. I haven’t researched who they actually drafted. It was akin to trading Kevin Hayes for a 2nd.

News:
Tampa signed 20 yr old Quebec Junior League stand out
Barre - Boulet. He is the leading scorer in the league this season 104 pts in 57 gp and posted 14 34 ptst in
20 playoff games last spring.

Views: DK if Bowman was watching this kid. I have read that Blackhawks are scouting Europe etc al again this year. When you do not have a top very high choice it is almost a crapshoot that you can draft a future core piece. Does anyone know if an offer was made to this kid? There is room for him if your scouts have done due diligence. An organizational contract could easily be loped off. Even an NJL player if this kid is so great.

Perhaps teams like Tampa and Pittsburgh see opportunity and already is planning for another expansion draft.

Meanwhile I sure hope that the big center they grabbed from Toronto does not turn out more like A Creighton.
- jhawk59

You mean the big center we acquired from Nashville in the Hartman trade?

I too hope that after all the dust settles on the Hartman trade that we are not just left with a broken down Edsel.

Agreed - when I said you don’t come out with nothing I was talking about the fact that Hawks got a 2nd Round Draft Choice as compensation. I haven’t researched who they actually drafted. It was akin to trading Kevin Hayes for a 2nd.
- Z3Hawk

Ah, gotcha; I misunderstood.

That actually makes Buffalo's decision-making process a little clearer too. If they get some compensation if they couldn't sign Vesey, then sending their second pick was basically no big deal.

I believe Hayes was relatively vocal about his plans to leave the organization. Why would you give up any asset whatsoever for a player you can get by waiting for him to break his contract?

Buffalo illustrates this perfectly with the Vesey situation. They sent a second to Nashville, and they weren't able to sign him.

That and Kevin Hayes has not exactly been an all-star player. Namestnikov will probably replace him on the second line by the end of the season. Hayes is in his fourth season, and he has never broken the 20-goal mark.

There is a reason he was only re-signed to a $2.6 million deal...
- TexasHawk

They sent a third IIRC, as Vesey was originally a third round pick himself.

Who’s the guy moving forward, Berube or Forsberg?

Holy crap

Farhan Lalji‏
@FarhanLaljiTSN

Think Seattle wants hockey? They've sold 25k season ticket deposits and reached 10k in 12 minutes. @TSNHockey @TSN_Sports #Canucks

Here I was thinking it would be easy to get tix when I eventually move back out there. They should probably thank Vegas for its success.

Who’s the guy moving forward, Berube or Forsberg?
- rangerdanger94

Forsberg just hasn’t been able to take the reigns although he has been given the opportunity. Just can’t seem to make the big save when it is needed. Also has trouble avoiding the team-killing softies. Berube may fail too but I’d give him a shot.

Who’s the guy moving forward, Berube or Forsberg?
- rangerdanger94

I read that Berube will likely get 2 of the next 3 starting tonight. I count Forsberg as developmental at this point. He has stretches of really good play, outstanding even, but then he gives up an absolutely brutal goal and it ruins everything.

I read that Berube will likely get 2 of the next 3 starting tonight. I count Forsberg as developmental at this point. He has stretches of really good play, outstanding even, but then he gives up an absolutely brutal goal and it ruins everything.
- Chunk

Thanks. I have to drop Lundqvist because he’s been sinking my fantasy team

Might pick up Berube instead

Are we now going to come down on Stanbo for every FA that another team signs?
- riozzo

Yes, Stan clearly failed again and has no clue how to be an NHL GM.

News:
Tampa signed 20 yr old Quebec Junior League stand out
Barre - Boulet. He is the leading scorer in the league this season 104 pts in 57 gp and posted 14 34 ptst in
20 playoff games last spring.

Views: DK if Bowman was watching this kid. I have read that Blackhawks are scouting Europe etc al again this year. When you do not have a top very high choice it is almost a crapshoot that you can draft a future core piece. Does anyone know if an offer was made to this kid? There is room for him if your scouts have done due diligence. An organizational contract could easily be loped off. Even an NJL player if this kid is so great.

Perhaps teams like Tampa and Pittsburgh see opportunity and already is planning for another expansion draft.

Meanwhile I sure hope that the big center they grabbed from Toronto does not turn out more like A Creighton.
- jhawk59

I recall hearing that the QMJHL is a no defense league, and the offensive numbers always are extreme. Overall, most guys do not succeed as well in the pros. Is that still true?

Study on concussion related effects in the NHL

https://www.tsn.ca/player...eam-involvement-1.1014879

Dr. Douglas James Cook says at least 120 former and some 80 active NHL players have undergone the scans over the past two years. He said that about 50 active players combined from the Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League have also been tested at Queen’s University over the same time frame.

Dr. Cook said he’s discovered blood flow abnormalities in the brains of about one-quarter of the roughly 80 active NHL players he has examined.

The tests have not been done with the oversight or formal participation of any of the active players’ teams, Dr. Cook said in a series of interviews with TSN.

Me: Bettman is determined to cover this up as an issue and it will eventually bite the sport/league in the ass

Thanks. I have to drop Lundqvist because he’s been sinking my fantasy team

Might pick up Berube instead
- rangerdanger94

And your solution is to pick up one of ours?

Slim pickins indeed.

And your solution is to pick up one of ours?

Slim pickins indeed.
- Chunk

Waiver wire is thin

Agreed - when I said you don’t come out with nothing I was talking about the fact that Hawks got a 2nd Round Draft Choice as compensation. I haven’t researched who they actually drafted. It was akin to trading Kevin Hayes for a 2nd.
- Z3Hawk

The Hawks used that draft pick to select Graham Knott. We'll see how Knott pans out. I believe he's a 4th liner (maybe 3rd) in Rockford. Someone on these boards watched some Hogs games and said he stood out as a tough grinder. Read somewhere that he's good along the boards. Hopefully Colliton can develop him into a productive bottom 6 winger who can win board battles.

Are we now going to come down on Stanbo for every FA that another team signs?
- riozzo

Not coming down on Stan for that. He has signed many collegiate f/a and most have not panned out.But thus season there are several around the league whom have been playing regularly. I would like to see us het a collegiate guy better than T Kerp. Someone with descent size, grit, some ability. Not a third or fourth line marginal talent. Not another underside or soft forward or dman from collegiate and europe/sweden

Not coming down on Stan for that. He has signed many collegiate f/a and most have not panned out.But thus season there are several around the league whom have been playing regularly. I would like to see us het a collegiate guy better than T Kerp. Someone with descent size, grit, some ability. Not a third or fourth line marginal talent. Not another underside or soft forward or dman from collegiate and europe/sweden
- jhawk59

I agree with this.

Not coming down on Stan for that. He has signed many collegiate f/a and most have not panned out.But thus season there are several around the league whom have been playing regularly. I would like to see us het a collegiate guy better than T Kerp. Someone with descent size, grit, some ability. Not a third or fourth line marginal talent. Not another underside or soft forward or dman from collegiate and europe/sweden
- jhawk59

I wouldn't discount size too much. Kerfoot, who the Avalanche signed after he opted to not play for the Devils, is only 5'10" and is having a decent rookie year. Butcher is also the same height and playing well for New Jersey (albeit cooled off a bit after coming out like gangbusters to start the season).

I know both got drafted originally and not true undrafted NCAA free agents, but they did become free agents eventually before playing their first NHL games.

The Hawks used that draft pick to select Graham Knott. We'll see how Knott pans out. I believe he's a 4th liner (maybe 3rd) in Rockford. Someone on these boards watched some Hogs games and said he stood out as a tough grinder. Read somewhere that he's good along the boards. Hopefully Colliton can develop him into a productive bottom 6 winger who can win board battles.
- AEL_Fox

I remember that now. Knott did win a Memorial Cup. Has always struck me as a grinding forward with some offensive upside. Needs to bring together the attributes he has. Still young.

Thoughts on signing kovalchuk?

Thoughts on signing kovalchuk?
- SoftServe

No disrespect, but why?

Thoughts on signing kovalchuk?
- SoftServe

Thoughts on signing kovalchuk?
- SoftServe

If the Hawks are looking to sign or trade for veterans, they should be ones who have strong leadership traits, are well respected by peers, and are willing to teach and mentor the youngsters. I could be wrong on some or all of this, but Kovalchuk does not check any of these boxes.

I would have kept Jimmy around longer. Was traded way to quickly. He got 12 games over two seasons. For giggles... a possible third line now could be Vesey Hayes and Hayes. Hmmmmm
- z1990z

Jimmy Hayes absolutely sucked and still does. Vesey does too. Kevin Hayes isn't anything special, and is a jerk. Glad we don't have any of them.

If the Hawks are looking to sign or trade for veterans, they should be ones who have strong leadership traits, are well respected by peers, and are willing to teach and mentor the youngsters. I could be wrong on some or all of this, but Kovalchuk does not check any of these boxes.
- AEL_Fox

The only veterans this team should sign between now and the strike are players whose contracts expire at the end of next season.

Wait for the new CBA, new cap, and new rules. Make no long term commitments to anyone. Just keep dumping salary, collecting picks, and tank again next year.