I'm not a doom-and-gloom gal, but I still don't like certain moves / rumors. I'm not a fan of Ward, would rather they go with the younger guys in the system if they can't get anyone of quality, but hopefully that's not that big an issue. I'm not opposed to experimenting, but not for bad players / contracts.

I'm actually quite optimistic that the Hawks will make moves to improve, the vets will mostly rebound, and the young players will impress - I just think these most recent trade proposals (that luckily aren't based on anything of merit) won't do that.
- L_B_R

Oh, totally. Nothing wrong with having opinions and likes/dislikes for certain moves, players, etc.

I'm optimistic that things will work out, too. I just want hockey to start up again. Haha.

Saad for Faulk is the dumbest thing I've ever heard...Saad should only be moved for an elite two-way top pairing D man. If Faulk was EVEN CLOSE to that, Carolina would not be trying so hard to get rid of him.

Don't think so. While Kempny has been vocal about lack of confidence he got from the coaches in Chicago, Rutta on the other hand has always been pleased with Chicago. In the recent Czech interview couple days ago, he said Blackhawks kept all their promises and he couldn't ask for a better treatment. He had other options, but figured that Chicago would give him the best chance to succeed. I believe it was the same with Panarin and Kempny in the first place. Some guys make it (like Niemi and Kämpf to a degree) and some don't (like Tikhonov or Olimb). No big deal. The problem is that while the currect roster structure gives more space for fresh faces on low salary, it also isn't the No. 1 go-to place for winning anymore. I am curious where Kahun fits next year.

FYI Rutta mentioned that in the middle of the season when his play dropped, he was dealing with some minor lingering injuries. Not an excuse, just hinting that he has room to grow a bit and fairly quickly.
- stonefire

Still burns my ass. Olimb was a waterbug in the camp I saw, no one could touch him. Until, that is, that (frank)ing Beach grabbed him (twice iirc) and Olimb blew out his shoulder trying to defend himself. Olimb was far and away the best player at that camp some years ago.

Folks, Ward is an UPGRADE relative to the AHLish group in Rockford, who also isn’t demanding a long term or expensive deal. CC will start the season. Problems solved in net for next year inexpensively without any long term commitment.

The alternatives will either be worse, too expensive and/or want too much term.

Seems Ward is a done deal. I would agree with Wolf. I would like to have Lehner, but they might want a veteran playing tendy instead of a guy who hasn't lived up to their potential. Much like Forsberg.

It's really alarming how Bowman is back tracking from the moves he made last year. Demoting Forsberg, and possibly trading Saad and Murphy? In addition to that, DuClair. Traded Panik for a young guy with a high ceiling, now you don't want to sign the RFA? Bowman better have something big planned come Sunday, or the Hawks' entire season could look like it did last February.
- SecondCitySavage

Proving to be a disastrous off-season/in-season for him when you list it out like that.

Needs to make it count this time around.

Saad for Faulk is the dumbest thing I've ever heard...Saad should only be moved for an elite two-way top pairing D man. If Faulk was EVEN CLOSE to that, Carolina would not be trying so hard to get rid of him.
- kwolf68

I'd like Bingo or some Carolina fans to chime in on this.

All I see is "Faulk sucks" stuff. I'm not exactly buying it. I haven't watched enough Hurricanes games to write this guy off as a jobber or jabroni.

Gotta' believe getting Faulk is an instant upgrade on the blueline.

Folks, Ward is an UPGRADE relative to the AHLish group in Rockford, who also isn’t demanding a long term or expensive deal. CC will start the season. Problems solved in net for next year inexpensively without any long term commitment.

The alternatives will either be worse, too expensive and/or want too much term.
- Return of the Roar

Also people wanting de Haan? Shoulder surgery? Risky move

I'd like Bingo or some Carolina fans to chime in on this.

All I see is "Faulk sucks" stuff. I'm not exactly buying it. I haven't watched enough Hurricanes games to write this guy off as a jobber or jabroni.

Gotta' believe getting Faulk is an instant upgrade on the blueline.
- Hank3Henshaw

As long as he isnt asked to play defense. However, that may be exactly why the Hawks like him. Last year they made their D guys play back tier forward.

I'd like Bingo or some Carolina fans to chime in on this.

All I see is "Faulk sucks" stuff. I'm not exactly buying it. I haven't watched enough Hurricanes games to write this guy off as a jobber or jabroni.

Gotta' believe getting Faulk is an instant upgrade on the blueline.
- Hank3Henshaw

I am not giving up a top 6 winger for a guy Carolina wants to dump because he is so atrocious in is own zone. We got plenty of that.

I have yet to hear ONE rumor that interests me. NOT ONE. They all suck, but since rumors are usually hot air anyway I am not gonna get wrapped up too tight.

I am not giving up a top 6 winger for a guy Carolina wants to dump because he is so atrocious in is own zone. We got plenty of that.
- kwolf68

Haha. True. I'm just saying that I didn't watch enough Canes last year to form a good decision on what I think of his game.

I never though he was that awful over the years. Maybe something changed last year?

Proving to be a disastrous off-season/in-season for him when you list it out like that.

Needs to make it count this time around.
- Justin Lowe

Absolutely. Moving the Hossa contract and opening more cap space would be a start. Finding a suitable trade partner for AA on 7/1 to show he's actually attempting to vault this team back into at least being contenders for a playoff spot.

If the '18-'19 season is another rough ride, the front office will be making moves less than a year from now.

Still burns my ass. Olimb was a waterbug in the camp I saw, no one could touch him. Until, that is, that (frank)ing Beach grabbed him (twice iirc) and Olimb blew out his shoulder trying to defend himself. Olimb was far and away the best player at that camp some years ago.
- 6628

Remember it well. Was 3 deep in the aisle and saw punk Beach pound kid 40 lbs smaller. Knew he was a hack that day......... Yep, Olimb was uncatchable that day.

Absolutely. Moving the Hossa contract and opening more cap space would be a start. Finding a suitable trade partner for AA on 7/1 to show he's actually attempting to vault this team back into at least being contenders for a playoff spot.

If the '18-'19 season is another rough ride, the front office will be making moves less than a year from now.
- SecondCitySavage

Eeeeehhhhh, i believe they'll get another year after this season, unless they suck even more this year. I actually believe the core players will be as good if not better this year and most of the kiddies will be a little stronger and wiser. If they play without thinking the Hawks will compete for a play off spot, but Corey needs to be healthy, that's a big but.

Frankly this free agent class stinks.

Frankly this free agent class stinks.
- BetweenTheDots

There's certainly not a mass of talent that is out there to choose from.

Saad for Faulk is the dumbest thing I've ever heard...Saad should only be moved for an elite two-way top pairing D man. If Faulk was EVEN CLOSE to that, Carolina would not be trying so hard to get rid of him.
- kwolf68

As someone who likes Faulk, I agree completely. Carolina's idea for value is way off if Saad is the ask.

I have yet to hear ONE rumor that interests me. NOT ONE. They all suck, but since rumors are usually hot air anyway I am not gonna get wrapped up too tight.
- kwolf68

Lolololol.


None of the mouth pieces , Kuc ugly tracy or sissy Lazarus have said the Hawks are not big game hunting and all seem to hint JVR. Take that for what its worth.

Pretty important 72 hours for our Blackhawks coming up.

As someone who likes Faulk, I agree completely. Carolina's idea for value is way off if Saad is the ask.
- L_B_R

Could be that something comes back with Faulk that isn't Darling (please, God).

How about Faulk and highly-rated D/Center prospect and a pick or something?

Would rather get a ready-to-contribute-now piece along with Faulk, but just brainstorming.

Eeeeehhhhh, i believe they'll get another year after this season, unless they suck even more this year. I actually believe the core players will be as good if not better this year and most of the kiddies will be a little stronger and wiser. If they play without thinking the Hawks will compete for a play off spot, but Corey needs to be healthy, that's a big but.
- BetweenTheDots

I applaud your optimism. I also agree with your sentiment on the core. They need to be better, the overall success of the team depends on it. If Toews, Seabs, and Duncs can play like they did circa pre-2016, they'll definitely complete for a playoff spot. We know Kane will be Kane. I hope they will play with a chip on their shoulders to prove last season was a fluke. If they can't be as productive as possible, guys like Schmaltz, Vinny, Murphy, DuClair (if he's there) definitely need to step up. Bowman and Co. need to start making moves to fill the glaring holes on D and C to help improve.

Also people wanting de Haan? Shoulder surgery? Risky move
- BetweenTheDots

Was going to comment on this. Everyone says Crow is probably unmovable because he hasn't been on the ice for so long, but De Haan, has been off the ice just as long or longer right.

and he's going to get a big payday?

Proving to be a disastrous off-season/in-season for him when you list it out like that.

Needs to make it count this time around.
- Justin Lowe

Ya think?

In case anyone forgot we finished in last place.

Thanks buddy and also don't forget about VOPATSRASH another one who TROLLS starting conflict.
- BGKarras

Hey, BG. You must have missed vopatsrash apology to the board when the Preds failed to win the cup. I am sure his apology was very sincere. I didn’t catch it myself; it must have come in on a day that I didn’t check the blog. I am sure a decent, respectful guy like him had to have sent it. Really sorry I meant saws it.

Lucic in a Hawks sweater is $$

Would like to get him and his gritty game
- Hank3Henshaw

Would have agreed with this a couple of years ago. IIRC he was pretty invisible against our bad hawks team last year and the year before. If he could be used to help swap out some bad contracts, then I would be for the trade.