Good to see the Sens move him quickly. Big gamble by the Sharks... but he's still a hell of a player and could work out to be a great deal for them.
- Justin Lowe

Interesting reading Boedker's name around draft time. A true freak as one of the fastest players in the NHL at 6ft 210lbs. Helluva speciman that got him drafted 8th overall and to date those physical attributes haven't translated to any real on ice success.

Wilson not only got a very useful player in Hoffman he dumped the Boedker money. Very nicely done.

Why would the Hawks have any real interest in pursuing JVR at his age and salary expectation and getting into a bidding war?

JVR is a perfect fit for the Devils - Ryan Clowe, Marroon, Grabner and Drew Stafford are all coming off their books. And he's from New Jersey. Or he can go to the Rangers now that they have unloaded Rick Nash.
- RickJ

Agree on JVR. Maybe not in the class of the above signings but a team will regret the amount and yrs they give him in a few short yrs IMO. This is a guy you know you are overpaying because you're one player short of a final 4 not a team like the Hawks with so many needs and question marks that a signing like this limits options in a couple yrs. .........Just cuz you have cap space doesn't mean you waste it. StanBow and shovel face are backed into a corner here so anything is possible IMO.

Curious your thoughts on the draft? Likes, dislikes, hopes, stay away froms? Always good to get a Canadian's take on a player or the Mighty Blackhawks.

Gamble if you looking at it from a locker room perspective. Don't think the wives of the Sharks players are too happy right now either.
- Justin Lowe

Yeah it could develop into a bigger issue considering how uncomfortable everyone will be if the team has a family/team interaction with their fans. Way too messy...

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Moore - Pateryn
Oesterle


I haven't tried a mock lineup yet if Duchene


- AEL_Fox

I'd be ok with over paying some for De Haan. A reasonable 4th Dman, left handed shot, just turned 27. One way or another the club has to add a top 4 Dman and this guy doesn't cost assets and they do have the space to add him and still make a more moves.

Has Duchene been playing center in Ottawa?

Gamble if you looking at it from a locker room perspective. Don't think the wives of the Sharks players are too happy right now either.
- Justin Lowe

Messing with the room by taking on a guy with baggage is always risky. But if he lights it up early on they'll figure it out. But if he doesn't, and that girlfriend is the whack job some say she is, who is going to take him next?

So crazy idea for that "splash" signing McDonaugh likes.


- ikeane

This is my concern. Making a move/signing/trade for PR's sake. With no hockey mind, besides StanBow, to oversee the organIzation this is a worry.

This is my concern. Making a move/signing/trade for PR's sake. With no hockey mind, besides StanBow, to oversee the organIzation this is a worry.
- Mr Ricochet

Stand by for the TVR/JVR press conference.

Messing with the room by taking on a guy with baggage is always risky. But if he lights it up early on they'll figure it out. But if he doesn't, and that girlfriend is the whack job some say she is, who is going to take him next?
- 6628

He's only signed thru next yr. IMO a solid move offloading Boedker money and adding a legit top 6 wing at a reasonable 5 mil per.

Stand by for the TVR/JVR press conference.
- z1990z

Yea, something like that. .... Look, I'm a TVR guy, a Sopel guy. Guys who give the coach predictability and slot on a 3rd pairing and with smart usage/role are useful. But you would hope by now the coach with 10 or so options since TVR left would develop a player to fill a 3rd rotation role or a #4.

This isn't pre cap where you completely developed a player on the farm. Some developing needs to take place at the NHL level in a hard cap world and Q hasn't done that at the D position. Under Q only two U-23 Dmen made the NHL roster to stay and that was Leddy and Hammer (per The Athletic).

He's only signed thru next yr. IMO a solid move offloading Boedker money and adding a legit top 6 wing at a reasonable 5 mil per.
- Mr Ricochet

No question it's a good pure hockey move. But there is a lot more to it than that on a daily basis. Really helps that he is only signed through next year. It it turns out more disruptive than beneficial they can always launch him.

Agree on JVR. Maybe not in the class of the above signings but a team will regret the amount and yrs they give him in a few short yrs IMO. This is a guy you know you are overpaying because you're one player short of a final 4 not a team like the Hawks with so many needs and question marks that a signing like this limits options in a couple yrs. .........Just cuz you have cap space doesn't mean you waste it. StanBow and shovel face are backed into a corner here so anything is possible IMO.

Curious your thoughts on the draft? Likes, dislikes, hopes, stay away froms? Always good to get a Canadian's take on a player or the Mighty Blackhawks.
- Mr Ricochet

Well Mr. R, they need help up front with some size and skill so I think the Hawks are probably going to wind up taking a forward at #8 and if they get extremely lucky Zadina could still be around when they pick.

The forward I really, really like is Svechnikov but he will be gone for sure as will Tkachuk and probably Kotkaniemi if Montreal drafts for need at center (beware of the late riser).

Detroit would probably take Hughes and Vancouver needs a D man too.

So I'm predicting it will be either Zadina , Wahlstrom or Dman Evan Bouchard.

After that they might be able to squeeze Ty Dallandrea out of their #27 selection but I probably would take a chance on Ryan Merkely if they got a forward at #8. And I'm willing to drive 10 minutes over to Oakville and tell the kid and his parents to smarten up.

Extremely unlikely, but I'm surprised to not hear of any talk regarding Jumbo Joe at all. Is it a foregone conclusion that he won't actually be reaching FA? It's inevitable he re-signs with the Sharks?

He'll turn 39 at the onset of free agency, so he obviously won't be getting any long-term deals, but considering the fact that he was still able to to produce 36 points in 47 games while winning 52% of his face-offs this past season gives me reason to believe that he's got just enough tread in his tires for one final push. Granted, I'm sure it would take a lot of convincing for him to leave the allure of sunny California, especially to a team that is coming off the year they just had, but I think he'd slot in perfectly in the top-six.

I'm sure he'd be seeking a Marleau-type deal this off-season, but if he could be had on a one-year; $7 million dollar deal, I think I would be all over it. That way, if the upcoming season is a repeat of the disaster we just witnessed, then we know that we can just blow it up the following year.

Would much rather give Jumbo Joe a deal like that rather than over-paying someone like JvR, Perron, etc.
- TommyHawk

Agree with much of this especially the bolded. Decent chance Joe is done but as good a chance he can be a useful 14:00 a night sheltered guy who can win a draw and has tons of back class.

Was reading recently that Joe looked at other options last yr when he was a UFA and decided he loves California and that to return this yr he's gonna need to take a cut to around 3.5 mil to stay with the Sharks. Adding Hoffman added another 1 mil to their hit so that will make it a bit more interesting in SJ.

Agree with much of this especially the bolded. Decent chance Joe is done but as good a chance he can be a useful 14:00 a night sheltered guy who can win a draw and has tons of back class.

Was reading recently that Joe looked at other options last yr when he was a UFA and decided he loves California and that to return this yr he's gonna need to take a cut to around 3.5 mil to stay with the Sharks. Adding Hoffman added another 1 mil to their hit so that will make it a bit more interesting in SJ.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not comfortable rolling the dice on Joe.. bad knee injuries in back to back years this late in his career.

Gamble if you looking at it from a locker room perspective. Don't think the wives of the Sharks players are too happy right now either.
- Justin Lowe

https://www.google.com/ur...G1Q-&ust=1529502982554450

Well Mr. R, they need help up front with some size and skill so I think the Hawks are probably going to wind up taking a forward at #8 and if they get extremely lucky Zadina could still be around when they pick.

The forward I really, really like is Svechnikov but he will be gone for sure as will Tkachuk and probably Kotkaniemi if Montreal drafts for need at center (beware of the late riser).

Detroit would probably take Hughes and Vancouver needs a D man too.

So I'm predicting it will be either Zadina , Wahlstrom or Dman Evan Bouchard.

After that they might be able to squeeze Ty Dallandrea out of their #27 selection but I probably would take a chance on Ryan Merkely if they got a forward at #8. And I'm willing to drive 10 minutes over to Oakville and tell the kid and his parents to smarten up.
- RickJ

Of Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes and Bovquist what are you hearing in the great country of Canada, around town and the rinks, as far as ranking and biggest potential for a bust?

Just read a great piece at The Athletic about Bovquist who I was a fan of until reading it. Kid had two concussions last yr alone and they had numerous fancy stat charts that showed this guy is really really flawed on the ice compared to the top 10 D draft prospects....Too many red flags at 8. IMO the best thing that can happen for the Hawks is he's gone before 8 insuring a top prospect is there at 8.

Merkley rated really high by the way in fancy stats but no team will risk a top 10 pick on him. Kid has been uncoachable and blames his teammates for any on ice problems but is still very young with an August birthday. At the very least he's immature. .. Talk to his billets though and they wonder who you are taking about, say the kid is awesome.

As far as forwards I think the best chance they have of a player being there in the 8 slot is Wahlstrom. Don't think Zadina or Tkachuk makes it but maybe just maybe Hughes falls to them and if so IMO they'll take him.

I'm not comfortable rolling the dice on Joe.. bad knee injuries in back to back years this late in his career.
- Q-stache

No doubt a risk but as TH mentions it's a 1 yr risk which makes it palatable. Don't think it will matter IMO he signs with SJ for whatever money they offer.

Trotzs would have to go sit a while because Q isn't loosing his gig without a fight. Rocky would never put a slip under the door.
- jhawk59

And this is a problem, Rocky being indecisive? We'll see if they tart out playing .500 hockey 3 months in. He's comfortable with the 3 amigos that won him 3 cups in shovel face, StanBow and Q with no experienced hockey guy to guide him concerning those 3.

Gamble if you looking at it from a locker room perspective. Don't think the wives of the Sharks players are too happy right now either.
- Justin Lowe

They already have Kane, so their locker room would already be in question. Maybe they bring back Thornton to keep these guys in-check.

Yes I know the outdoor games aren't thaaaat popular any more, but I thought there will be still some demand for that game in ND. As I don't have the opportunity that often to see the Hawks I wanted to make sure to somehow get in there So thanks for your help!
- MDGHawk

Forgot they were at ND this yr. Indeed that will raise interest..... First thing I guess is wait until season ticket holders get their tix sometime in August and see what the aftermarket looks like.

Ever been to an outdoor game?

WTF???

Mike Hoffman has been dealt from San Jose to Florida

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) June 19, 2018

Of Dobson, Bouchard, Hughes and Bovquist what are you hearing in the great country of Canada, around town and the rinks, as far as ranking and biggest potential for a bust?

Just read a great piece at The Athletic about Bovquist who I was a fan of until reading it. Kid had two concussions last yr alone and they had numerous fancy stat charts that showed this guy is really really flawed on the ice compared to the top 10 D draft prospects....Too many red flags at 8. IMO the best thing that can happen for the Hawks is he's gone before 8 insuring a top prospect is there at 8.

Merkley rated really high by the way in fancy stats but no team will risk a top 10 pick on him. Kid has been uncoachable and blames his teammates for any on ice problems but is still very young with an August birthday. At the very least he's immature. .. Talk to his billets though and they wonder who you are taking about, say the kid is awesome.

As far as forwards I think the best chance they have of a player being there in the 8 slot is Wahlstrom. Don't think Zadina or Tkachuk makes it but maybe just maybe Hughes falls to them and if so IMO they'll take him.
- Mr Ricochet

Since he played on the Memorial Cup winner, Dobson has clearly moved up in the rankings to be the top North American D man available. Remains to be seen if the real hockey guys think he's worth being selected in the top 5 overall. (Although Ottawa might take him so they have a replacement for Karlsson).

Next up is Bouchard, played in London Knights system under the Hunters. I think the Hawks would take him if the forwards available don't turn their crank much.

And you are right, Bovqvist has dropped a bit in the rankings due to the recently discovered concussions.

But do you really want another 5'9" defenceman in Hughes?

BREAKING: Florida Panthers acquire F Mike Hoffman, 2018 7th-round pick from the #Sharks for 2019 2nd-round pick, 2018 4th-round pick and 2018 5th-round pick #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/EHZrKE5Fss

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) June 19, 2018

BREAKING: Florida Panthers acquire F Mike Hoffman, 2018 7th-round pick from the #Sharks for 2019 2nd-round pick, 2018 4th-round pick and 2018 5th-round pick #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/EHZrKE5Fss

— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) June 19, 2018

- DarthKane

What is happening?

So crazy idea for that "splash" signing McDonaugh likes.

Stan signs Trotz to a 4 year deal and fires Q.

Hawks get coach that just won the cup, Q becomes scapegoat. Could it happen?
- ikeane

I simply was so engrossed in the prospects, I never gave this any traction in my head, but they would probably have to offer Q an upper management position that maybe included a few small scouting trips, and hope he pridefully starts looking elsewhere.

The thing is, I can't put full weight of three championships and each slippage season on Q or StanBo, because there is a natural progression that comes with growing into a champion and then juggling things from there on, as more objects get thrown up into the cascade and make the coordination more and more difficult.