Any word on when the Hawk's "top" prospect is going to put his john henry on the the dotted line?
- Beaver-Warrior

Don't know...but I am looking forward to seeing what Soderlund can do on North American ice.

Don't know...but I am looking forward to seeing what Soderlund can do on North American ice.
- DarthKane

Yes me to ,said during the Jr tourney if he only kills penalty for the HAWKS he will be special

Per my post at the end of JL's last blog, Buf wouldn't fit in Q's soft-as-cotton defense where guys are cleared from the slot, opposing players pay a price for engaging. And of course, beyond the $/contract aspect, Buf wasn't good enough to play D for Q, joining a long line of jettisoned guys that simply couldn't live up to Q's standards.

The list continues to grow.

Meanwhile, we can all look forward to Gustafsson, Forsling, Ruuta, Oesterle . . .
- savvyone-1

I miss Buff...

Add me to your camp!
- riozzo

Jump aboard

Tom Wilson checks a lot of boxes that this team is in need of!

Per Eklund the Hawks will stand pat and make no changes this summer.

"On Jack Johnson...

I am hearing the Hawks have him on their short list to bolster the D. According to several well-placed sources, the Hawks are going to be extremely creative this summer when it comes to trades and signings. "Look for them to make some of the more newsworthy deals in the NHL over the next 4 months...""



- DarthKane

Fake News.....

MrPaulish and myself having been wanting Tom Wilson for some time now...

Tom Wilson
- BGKarras

Tom Wilson would look great in the Indianhead

Kempny

What a swing and a miss the FO had on him....

He was perhaps the best all-around D guy the Hawks had last year among the non-vets. He was big, could lay a hit, had a good shot, and could skate.

But hey - we have Oesterle...

Keith to Florida ,Facebook rumor .Makes some sense get a prospect and Florida 1st . Get Bouchard with our 1st and maybe Merkley and Kotkaniemi with Florida & Nashville picks and the rebuild is on . Another bonus it would surely send Joel running for the exit
- oldduffman

Good riddance!
And I don't mean Keith.

One thing I just realized it that there will be a #1 Center coming out of this draft.

Most mock drafts don't have a true center coming off the board until pick 9 or 10 with either Joe Veleno or Barret Hayton. One of these two, or perhaps someone going 10-25 could be a #1 center for a team like Mark Scheifele or Claude Giroux. Neither of those two were taken in the top 3, yet eventually became #1 centers that most teams would kill to have.

I still want 'best player available', because nearly every position is a need right now. But it's food for thought that one of these underrated centers will end up becoming a top-flight center.

Kempny

What a swing and a miss the FO had on him....

He was perhaps the best all-around D guy the Hawks had last year among the non-vets. He was big, could lay a hit, had a good shot, and could skate.

But hey - we have Oesterle...
- Return of the Roar

I don't know how you lay that on the FO

Guys...

Just look at this....

WARNING: Sadness and “what could have been” thoughts will ensue...

https://mobile.twitter.co...s/991512826656296961?s=19

I don't know how you lay that on the FO
- oldduffman

Was going to say the same. Pretty sure Stan wasn't making out the lineup cards last season.

Guys...

Just look at this....

WARNING: Sadness and “what could have been” thoughts will ensue...

https://mobile.twitter.co...s/991512826656296961?s=19
- TommyHawk

Well that's depressing... But i'm still happy we've got a top ten pick.

I don't know how you lay that on the FO
- oldduffman

They traded him right?

They traded him right?
- Return of the Roar

They pretty much had to trade him. He is UFA at end of season. I would bet $100 he will not resign with the Blackhawks. Coaching staff just plain did not give him enough minutes.
Edit: getting something/anything for him was the best they could possibly do.

Any word on when the Hawk's "top" prospect is going to put his john henry on the the dotted line?
- Beaver-Warrior

I haven't heard much other than both sides have been in constant contact and the hold up might be due to what route Jokiharju wants to take next year if he doesn't make the Hawks.

Would it be best for him to be in Europe if he's not ready?

There are a few different options for him.

They traded him right?
- Return of the Roar

After Coach Q up would not play him . And they new he would not resign to play under Q .At least they got a 3rd for him .. I would fault the FO with not moving out coach Q instead

Per Eklund the Hawks will stand pat and make no changes this summer.

"On Jack Johnson...

I am hearing the Hawks have him on their short list to bolster the D. According to several well-placed sources, the Hawks are going to be extremely creative this summer when it comes to trades and signings. "Look for them to make some of the more newsworthy deals in the NHL over the next 4 months...""



- DarthKane

The Jack Johnson "level" of defence makes sense for what the Hawks are looking for. I haven't heard anything specifically, but it's apparent that Columbus will not be reseigning him.

His point production has dropped over the last few years, so maybe his value is lower than that first tier of UFA dmen this summer. He's still a top 4 though.

The "creative" aspect that Ek is referring too could be something to do with Hossa. It sounds like they might be exploring options to dump his contract.

The Jack Johnson "level" of defence makes sense for what the Hawks are looking for. I haven't heard anything specifically, but it's apparent that Columbus will not be reseigning him.

His point production has dropped over the last few years, so maybe his value is lower than that first tier of UFA dmen this summer. He's still a top 4 though.

The "creative" aspect that Ek is referring too could be something to do with Hossa. It sounds like they might be exploring options to dump his contract.
- Justin Lowe

Jack Johnson has been a sub 50% Fenwick player on Columbus since he got there. Even after they became 'good' in terms of overall possession numbers, with most players being at 50% or above. He still toils more than a point below 50%, which is alarming for a defenseman. 45 and 46% the last two years... big red flag.

Steer clear big tuna, head for open waters.

agree 100%...he is a decent player...no need for the seek and destroy poop he pulls...at least show some respect for your fellow players...

looking forward to the day this jerk gets his...
- bogiedoc

Agreed with comments on him and fellow POSs like Marchand and Malkin. What really pisses me off about stuff like this is 1) the league could get of this crap forever if they wanted to and 2) the players union will probably piss and moan about the unfairness of any suspension and seek to get it lessened or overturned

As much as I want to get behind getting rid of this crap style of play, my thoughts are tempered by how stupid the players Union is in helping perpetuate this play and allowing his type of play.

I miss Buff...
- hpk90

There’s a lot of him to miss. I think he’s the only player not named Kane from the 09-10 championship team that is still playing at a high and effective level.

Jump aboard

Tom Wilson checks a lot of boxes that this team is in need of!
- BGKarras

Would one of those boxes be the penalty box?

I’d take him in a minute. He might be a bit over the top, but I’d rather he be ours.

Tom Wilson would look great in the Indianhead
- ItHossaGood

He'd look better not in the league or getting the maximum suspension under the CBA

Tom Wilson would look great in the Indianhead
- ItHossaGood

Tracey Myers Retweeted

NHL Player Safety
‏
Verified account

@NHLPlayerSafety
43m43 minutes ago

Washington’s Tom Wilson will have a hearing today for an
- riozzo

illegal check

to the head on Pittsburgh’s Zach Aston-Reese.

...which was not penalized because it was clean.