At day 1, they won't be able to use the money they are paying Ward. Hopefully Bowman is smart enough to sign him to an amount that can be buried in the AHL. Any more and its idiotic.
- Elbows15

They could sign Marty Brodeur in his prime and it wouldn't make a shred of difference unless they shore up that defence group in front of him and start playing in groups of 5 all over the ice.

How is him winning a Cup even relevant at this point? It actually doesn't make a difference what goalie they are looking to replace. Ward is worse than either of them.
- Elbows15

It shouldn't especially since it was 12 years ago in what was obviously a rookie miracle / lightning in a bottle situation.

Chicago signing Ward is like the Pens signing Niemi last year imo - they want a vet with cup experience but both are 33/34 year old guy who have had sub-average numbers for the last several years. The only difference between them is that it'd only been 6 seasons since Niemi put up good numbers vs 8 for Ward.

Let's all just hope that if they do sign Ward, it's for a cheap 1 year deal and he has a magical season like Emery did in 2013 - though Emery was 4 years younger and it took him until his second season to be decent / good.

They could sign Marty Brodeur in his prime and it wouldn't make a shred of difference unless they shore up that defence group in front of him and start playing in groups of 5 all over the ice.
- RickJ

I'll have some of this.

One guy - Tavares, Panarin, O’Reilly, Kalrsson....all share the same problem - too much money for not enough help.

One guy not enough to solve all of the problems. Another albatross contract on this roster as it stands and they are toast for another two-four years.
- Return of the Roar

Yep. The Blackhawks are starting to come out from under the challenges of having two guys count as $21m - and three guys counting $27.8+m - against the cap; why recreate the same problem now? They have a lot of needs to fill and a lot of uncertainty about how guys playing better this season than last. Now is not the time to put a lot of money into one guy.

They could sign Marty Brodeur in his prime and it wouldn't make a shred of difference unless they shore up that defence group in front of him and start playing in groups of 5 all over the ice.
- RickJ

By far the biggest issue. Their puck support was horrendous last season.

It shouldn't especially since it was 12 years ago in what was obviously a rookie miracle / lightning in a bottle situation.

Chicago signing Ward is like the Pens signing Niemi last year imo - they want a vet with cup experience but both are 33/34 year old guy who have had sub-average numbers for the last several years. The only difference between them is that it'd only been 6 seasons since Niemi put up good numbers vs 8 for Ward.

Let's all just hope that if they do sign Ward, it's for a cheap 1 year deal and he has a magical season like Emery did in 2013 - though Emery was 4 years younger and it took him until his second season to be decent / good.
- L_B_R

Exactly. How did that go for the Pens?

Guys. I don't mind Mzrek or Ward as Crawford's backup. Both have NHL starter experience and if the contract is friendly I think either is an upgrade on our present situation.

One forward I haven't heard much on that I think can be a great fit for us is Grabner. He is super fast....plays on the PK (and God knows we need help on the PK)....and he can even pop a few in the twine. All this, and he can probably be had at a low Cap hit. Would LOVE to see him added to our radar.

Any thoughts???

Guys. I don't mind Mzrek or Ward as Crawford's backup. Both have NHL starter experience and if the contract is friendly I think either is an upgrade on our present situation.

One forward I haven't heard much on that I think can be a great fit for us is Grabner. He is super fast....plays on the PK (and God knows we need help on the PK)....and he can even pop a few in the twine. All this, and he can probably be had at a low Cap hit. Would LOVE to see him added to our radar.

Any thoughts???
- hawk35

Forsberg.

No goalie available out there is likely to help this team win (or contend for) a Cup if Crawford gets hurt - if Crawford is healthy and gets the Hawks to the playoffs, the backup isn’t going to play in the tournament anyways.

Stick with Forsberg and see what he’s got after playing behind last year’s disaster.

Study a little Hawk history instead of peddling this bullpoop. Phil Esposito >>>>>> than Little Artie all day long. Add in Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield and there's your worst trade by a country mile or ten.

Saad for panarin may not have been a great trade last year but it's nowhere near the Hawks worst trade and will never ever be the worst trade. When Panarin wins a bunch of scoring titles and a few Cups with another team...maybe then.
- HawkintheD

You can throw in the Roenick for Zhamnov debacle too. Yuck!!

Forsberg.

No goalie available out there is likely to help this team win (or contend for) a Cup if Crawford gets hurt - if Crawford is healthy and gets the Hawks to the playoffs, the backup isn’t going to play in the tournament anyways.

Stick with Forsberg and see what he’s got after playing behind last year’s disaster.
- StLBravesFan

I agree with this post. Forsberg has won a cup in the A and he doesn't cost them any more than they spend now. I'd use the money toward a hopefuylly solid D man.

Thanks...just another error from DK's statement.
- HawkintheD

C'mon D my man - you're talking semantics...the point was Turco was a total and utter bust. Next you'll want to talk about the great Brendan Morrison era...lol...

I'm hopeful Bowman gets a better back up this season than a 36 year old accountant. But who knows backup or starter...we still really don't know what's going on with Crawford...? Still seems a bit of a mystery and a riddle.

Meantime that Hossa contract is still sitting there with that cap hit and I think its still going to take a bit more of a sweetener to move that deal than folks think...looking forward to seeing what happens this weekend.

Hoping for a couple of vet dmen as well as another depth center - lot to fix.

C'mon D my man - you're talking semantics...the point was Turco was a total and utter bust. Next you'll want to talk about the great Brendan Morrison era...lol...

I'm hopeful Bowman gets a better back up this season than a 36 year old accountant. But who knows backup or starter...we still really don't know what's going on with Crawford...? Still seems a bit of a mystery and a riddle.

Meantime that Hossa contract is still sitting there with that cap hit and I think its still going to take a bit more of a sweetener to move that deal than folks think...looking forward to seeing what happens this weekend.

Hoping for a couple of vet dmen as well as another depth center - lot to fix.
- DK002

LOL! G'Morning DK.

Meh...Brendan Morrison was bad, but like Turco he's another guy they could walk away from at the end of the year.

Turco didn't have anything left in the tank but it was a low risk move that didn't cost them a ton which is really the point. He was merely a filler til they felt CC was ready.

I'm aware it flies in the face of stacking the deck in goal like real hockey guy, Dale "the Builder" did. Having 2 goalies soaking up $11M in Cap space when only one can play on a given night is the stuff of genius (red font).

It would be great if they could move Hossa's deal but not the end of the world and Stan shouldn't give up anything of real value...if he does I hope you get your wish.

If Craw is ready, I'm with the last couple posters. Let Forsberg play the backup role again. I wouldn't mind a top 4 dman and a depth or 3C. Other than that, let the yutes play and see how things play out. If it ends badly, the Hawks get another top 10 pick and Stan and Q are likely gone.

They could sign Marty Brodeur in his prime and it wouldn't make a shred of difference unless they shore up that defence group in front of him and start playing in groups of 5 all over the ice.
- RickJ

I agree - the question that remains is does the shore up come from another outside fat ufa signing, a trade with means the trade partner takes “things” we have, or most of the present d core and the forwards in front of them play better once the puck enters their end.

What I find so interesting g about the Tavares choices, is he can go to the Bruins, play behind a number one centre with at least one good wing and never play against the match up as a number one centre, and because he is a goal scoring centre, it is Christmas for him.
Return to a fat deal ride the subway and have no starting goalie, or be captain of the leafs as a no pressure centre for short term.
Because of me have by t enter the draft picks and thoughts I didn’t get to actually look at in relation to my mock. Looks like the two Athletic guys also missed on many guys they had on their boards not even getting taken in the later parts. Me too. This means as second year eligibles, if they improve they sweeten the 2019 crop.

Hoping for some trades to happen today...dang!

Yep. The Blackhawks are starting to come out from under the challenges of having two guys count as $21m - and three guys counting $27.8+m - against the cap; why recreate the same problem now? They have a lot of needs to fill and a lot of uncertainty about how guys playing better this season than last. Now is not the time to put a lot of money into one guy.
- matt_ahrens

Very well said. Love to see them stay patient and let the Core 2.0 develop and the system provide and fill most holes organically. Over paying for vets on 1 or 2 yr deals is fine, like it looks like their doing with Ward, to maybe catch lightning in a bottle but the way the thing looks now, especially with Crow's uncertainty, they need to have a longer game.

You can throw in the Roenick for Zhamnov debacle too. Yuck!!
- hawk35

Still think the Danault for Weiss and Flieshman and picks still is Stan's worst trade.

Need a 3C, wouldn't mind Danault still being around. You had Kruger with more O upside for a lot less dollars. Drives me crazy.

yes, its one of my horses i continually beat to death.

from JJ:
Updated trade and UFA targets; “plan” emerging?
John Jaeckel June 28, 2018
The Rink Screen-Shot-2018-02-26-at-5.51.57-PM-3-e1523447565690 Updated trade and UFA targets; "plan" emerging? Hurricanes Canadiens Blackhawks

Good morning.

Heard a number of things from my top source overnight.

First, as reported elsewhere yesterday, the Hawks have agreed to a deal (numbers TBD) with Carolina G Cam Ward. As I tweeted yesterday, Ward likely didn’t sign before UFA started for a pay cut, and thus, as a backup, he would push the Hawks’ salary commitment to goalies next year to over $9 million.

So that said, my hunch is Ward might not be coming to Chicago just as a backup. Draw from that what you will.

I heard this AM that the Hawks continue to talk to the representation of James van Riemsdyk, James Neal and Tyler Bozak.

Interestingly, in addition to left wings JVR and Neal, the Hawks have apparently had some conversations with Montreal recently about Max Pacioretty.

One THEORY we have bandied about at The-Rink is that a top 6 left wing acquisition could be a backfill for trading another left wing to get another team to take on the contract of Marian Hossa (like, say, Brandon Saad, Hossa’s contract and a future draft pick to Carolina for oh, Justin Faulk). Just a theory, but stranger things have happened.

Finally, Conor Murphy and Artem Anisimov are being shopped fairly hard. While the Hawks have also reached out to the agents for defensemen Brandon Manning, Thomas Hickey and Calvin De Haan, in addition to those of Greg Pateryn and John Moore as first reported here earlier.

Comment below. Follow @jaeckel

from JJ:
Updated trade and UFA targets; “plan” emerging?
John Jaeckel June 28, 2018
The Rink Screen-Shot-2018-02-26-at-5.51.57-PM-3-e1523447565690 Updated trade and UFA targets; "plan" emerging? Hurricanes Canadiens Blackhawks

Good morning.

Heard a number of things from my top source overnight.

First, as reported elsewhere yesterday, the Hawks have agreed to a deal (numbers TBD) with Carolina G Cam Ward. As I tweeted yesterday, Ward likely didn’t sign before UFA started for a pay cut, and thus, as a backup, he would push the Hawks’ salary commitment to goalies next year to over $9 million.

So that said, my hunch is Ward might not be coming to Chicago just as a backup. Draw from that what you will.

I heard this AM that the Hawks continue to talk to the representation of James van Riemsdyk, James Neal and Tyler Bozak.

Interestingly, in addition to left wings JVR and Neal, the Hawks have apparently had some conversations with Montreal recently about Max Pacioretty.

One THEORY we have bandied about at The-Rink is that a top 6 left wing acquisition could be a backfill for trading another left wing to get another team to take on the contract of Marian Hossa (like, say, Brandon Saad, Hossa’s contract and a future draft pick to Carolina for oh, Justin Faulk). Just a theory, but stranger things have happened.

Finally, Conor Murphy and Artem Anisimov are being shopped fairly hard. While the Hawks have also reached out to the agents for defensemen Brandon Manning, Thomas Hickey and Calvin De Haan, in addition to those of Greg Pateryn and John Moore as first reported here earlier.

Comment below. Follow @jaeckel
- jt19

Always good insight from JJ.

I'm not too keen on the idea of moving Murphy, but if they don't have plans for him here and can get a Defenseman back in the trade, I guess it's what they need to do.

from JJ:
Updated trade and UFA targets; “plan” emerging?
John Jaeckel June 28, 2018
The Rink Screen-Shot-2018-02-26-at-5.51.57-PM-3-e1523447565690 Updated trade and UFA targets; "plan" emerging? Hurricanes Canadiens Blackhawks

Good morning.

Heard a number of things from my top source overnight.

First, as reported elsewhere yesterday, the Hawks have agreed to a deal (numbers TBD) with Carolina G Cam Ward. As I tweeted yesterday, Ward likely didn’t sign before UFA started for a pay cut, and thus, as a backup, he would push the Hawks’ salary commitment to goalies next year to over $9 million.

So that said, my hunch is Ward might not be coming to Chicago just as a backup. Draw from that what you will.

I heard this AM that the Hawks continue to talk to the representation of James van Riemsdyk, James Neal and Tyler Bozak.

Interestingly, in addition to left wings JVR and Neal, the Hawks have apparently had some conversations with Montreal recently about Max Pacioretty.

One THEORY we have bandied about at The-Rink is that a top 6 left wing acquisition could be a backfill for trading another left wing to get another team to take on the contract of Marian Hossa (like, say, Brandon Saad, Hossa’s contract and a future draft pick to Carolina for oh, Justin Faulk). Just a theory, but stranger things have happened.

Finally, Conor Murphy and Artem Anisimov are being shopped fairly hard. While the Hawks have also reached out to the agents for defensemen Brandon Manning, Thomas Hickey and Calvin De Haan, in addition to those of Greg Pateryn and John Moore as first reported here earlier.

Comment below. Follow @jaeckel
- jt19

tHIS MAKES ME THROW UP IN MY MOUTH. PACIORREITY APPARENTLY TURNED DOWN 6 X 6MILLION FROM THE kINGS, WANTING 8 X 8MILLION.

Oops...damn Caps lock.....

But, that said....even at 6x6 I think Patches would be a TERRIBLE mistake.

Then Bozak. Presently at 4.2 million. Wants a raise and term. So, what doe HE want....maybe in the 6 x 5 million or more range....Yuck.

Just hope Hawks don't tie themselves up with another long term overpriced signing.....only recently seeing some Cap daylight. Don't put us back in "Cap-Hell" again!!!!!

It shouldn't especially since it was 12 years ago in what was obviously a rookie miracle / lightning in a bottle situation.

Chicago signing Ward is like the Pens signing Niemi last year imo - they want a vet with cup experience but both are 33/34 year old guy who have had sub-average numbers for the last several years. The only difference between them is that it'd only been 6 seasons since Niemi put up good numbers vs 8 for Ward.

Let's all just hope that if they do sign Ward, it's for a cheap 1 year deal and he has a magical season like Emery did in 2013 - though Emery was 4 years younger and it took him until his second season to be decent / good.
- L_B_R

LBR, does this make sense to you. They think there is a better chance than not Crow can't go. They like Forsberg long term, at least the possibility, as well as the 23 yr old Fin they just signed, Lankanin, and the Russian, 24 yr old Nalimov. Both those guys have put up really good numbers in Liiga and KHL repspectively and have done so for a couple yrs... They also drafted Gravel for 5-6 yrs out possibilities.

So they are looking to add any vet who will take a 1 or 2 yr deal with a lower cap hit, term more important that cap hit. Ward has said yes to a 1 or 2 yr deal and the others won't so he's their guy.

Crow can go great, Ward backs him up for 1 yr. Crow can't go Ward backs up Forsberg until Forsberg shows he can't be the #1 or is not ready and Ward steps in, for 1 yr.

No Ward is probably not as good as Bernier, Halak, Hutton or maybe even Lethonen but none of those will take a 1 or 2 yr deal but Ward will and at a lower hit.

To summarize Ward fits in that he's a reasonable option should he be forced into action and most importantly he will take a lower term so that when they have a better picture on Forsberg, Lankanin or the Russian he's not there gumming up the works taking a roster spot or 3-4 mil in cap space in 2-3 yrs.

Hey Everyone - I wanted to let you all know that I am dedicated to keep this board civil and as positive/fun as possible.

Goalie-33 has been temporarily banned for breaking CoC on this site.

If you have any issues with a specific poster - please do not let your emotions get the best of you and break any codes yourself (I won't be able to save you). Instead, just send me a PM.

The mods are watching this board more closely now so behave and have some fun out there.

Hey Everyone - I wanted to let you all know that I am dedicated to keep this board civil and as positive/fun as possible.

Goalie-33 has been temporarily banned for breaking CoC on this site.

If you have any issues with a specific poster - please do not let your emotions get the best of you and break any codes yourself (I won't be able to save you). Instead, just send me a PM.

The mods are watching this board more closely now so behave and have some fun out there.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks for the heads up, Justin

tHIS MAKES ME THROW UP IN MY MOUTH. PACIORREITY APPARENTLY TURNED DOWN 6 X 6MILLION FROM THE kINGS, WANTING 8 X 8MILLION.

Oops...damn Caps lock.....

But, that said....even at 6x6 I think Patches would be a TERRIBLE mistake.

Then Bozak. Presently at 4.2 million. Wants a raise and term. So, what doe HE want....maybe in the 6 x 5 million or more range....Yuck.

Just hope Hawks don't tie themselves up with another long term overpriced signing.....only recently seeing some Cap daylight. Don't put us back in "Cap-Hell" again!!!!!
- hawk35

Yep, Pacioretty wants paid, and term, cuz he's been under paid for 5 yrs and will be 30 in November. If they think Faulk is their guy at 26 yrs old, fine. If they like Stone better than Saad at 26 more than Saad, fine. Want a 27 yr old De Haan, fine.

Who knows but don't see the upside to locking down 30 yrs olds for 5-6 yrs who will add more anchor contracts in 3-4 yrs.

Hey Everyone - I wanted to let you all know that I am dedicated to keep this board civil and as positive/fun as possible.

Goalie-33 has been temporarily banned for breaking CoC on this site.

If you have any issues with a specific poster - please do not let your emotions get the best of you and break any codes yourself (I won't be able to save you). Instead, just send me a PM.

The mods are watching this board more closely now so behave and have some fun out there.
- Justin Lowe

Great News JL! This board by far and away has a diverse set of opinions and great contributors that will debate their point. There was no need for his/her angst.

Hello Mods

Don't understand why hawks would even think about trading saad I believe he will have a bounce back year. Saad hossa's contract and draft pick for Faulk NO NO!!! unless more is coming from Carolina. Murphy AA and Hossa's contract and a 3rd for Faulk and Roy and Zykov then yes. Only time will tell but have to think in the next couple of days things are going pick up.