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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Ideal Free Agency Frenzy for Blackhawks
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Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 2:28 PM ET
I wonder how much Stan has kicked the tires with the Jets on what they are doing. The rumor is they are wanting to keep Stastny, but they likely have to make some changes.

I wonder if the Jets are gonna move someone RFA or look to trade an existing contract. Is Adam Lowry gonna be the odd man out? If the Hawks move AA, he would maybe be a good add.

- breadbag

Maybe the Jets trade Little to make room for Stastny?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 2:28 PM ET
a lot of focus on De Haan. What about Hickey?
- ikeane

If Moore isn't an option, I'd consider Hickey to anchor the 3rd pair while continuing to aim for de Haan to anchor the 2nd pair.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:30 PM ET
a lot of focus on De Haan. What about Hickey?
- ikeane



Arthur Staple of The Athletic: There appears to only be minimal interest in 29-year old pending free agent defenseman Thomas Hickey. The Penguins and Jack Johnson reportedly have deal in place, so Hickey might get some more interest. He could get a three- or four-year deal in the $3 million range.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:31 PM ET
I wouldn’t mind Jay Beagle as a third line center. We could use someone that’s 58% at the dot and has no problem playing in a bottom six role.
- walleyeb1

Beagle would be a good pick up but 3rd line TOI would probably hurt him - his performance with the Caps improved when they shifted him from 3rd line minutes (12-13 minutes) 5v5 to 4th line (under 10 minutes). Just like Orpik became more useful when given less 5v5 TOI and specialized on the PK.

Sometimes players need to have their ice time be very specific for them to be useful and Beagle appears to be one of those guys. Since that is the case, they would still need a 3C, preferably an offensive one if Beagle is taking the defensive assignments.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Jun 29 @ 2:34 PM ET
Maybe the Jets trade Little to make room for Stastny?
- AEL_Fox


Maybe, but i see he has NMC for this year and next so that might be hard.

Edit: was going to add, unless they can get something done right away. I guess he has NTC still right now, but that will be NMC July 1st.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:35 PM ET
If Moore isn't an option, I'd consider Hickey to anchor the 3rd pair while continuing to aim for de Haan to anchor the 2nd pair.
- AEL_Fox

We do not need any more options for the bottom pair. There is no need to throw money ($2-3m-ish for Hickey) when they have several to choose from already on the team / in the system and the money should be focused on going to bigger areas of need (top 4 d-man, centers, top 6 forward).

Edit to add: If Hickey was used as a top 4 d-man, then maybe he's worth the price. He is more of a #5 who can slot up with the right partner / team, so he's a bit more risky than De Haan.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 2:40 PM ET
Arthur Staple of The Athletic: There appears to only be minimal interest in 29-year old pending free agent defenseman Thomas Hickey. The Penguins and Jack Johnson reportedly have deal in place, so Hickey might get some more interest. He could get a three- or four-year deal in the $3 million range.
- walleyeb1


I like Hickey as well. I just like de Haan better.
SecondCitySavage
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.22.2018

Jun 29 @ 2:40 PM ET
Beagle likely signing with Vancouver, per McKenzie.

What's the backup plan, Stan?
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Jun 29 @ 2:40 PM ET
Beagle would be a good pick up but 3rd line TOI would probably hurt him - his performance with the Caps improved when they shifted him from 3rd line minutes (12-13 minutes) 5v5 to 4th line (under 10 minutes). Just like Orpik became more useful when given less 5v5 TOI and specialized on the PK.

Sometimes players need to have their ice time be very specific for them to be useful and Beagle appears to be one of those guys. Since that is the case, they would still need a 3C, preferably an offensive one if Beagle is taking the defensive assignments.

- L_B_R


Looks like Beagle is Vancouver bound as per Bob McKenzie.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:45 PM ET
Beagle likely signing with Vancouver, per McKenzie.

What's the backup plan, Stan?

- SecondCitySavage

Beagle may have never been the plan, you know that right?
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:46 PM ET
Beagle likely signing with Vancouver, per McKenzie.

What's the backup plan, Stan?

- SecondCitySavage


DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Jun 29 @ 2:47 PM ET
My expectations for Sunday

1. Cam Ward - $2.5 million w/NTC

....that is all.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:47 PM ET
I know I'm mostly alone in this opinion, but I want Hjalmarsson back.

He's got one year left in AZ and I highly doubt they're making the playoffs.

He'd immediately be the #1 RD on the Hawks. More effective than Ruuta, Seabrook, and Murphy. He's got a good cap hit at $4.1MM. He's had one year of significant injuries, and we all know how capable and sturdy he is.

Make this the 'here you go Joel, now you have it, make it work or it's over'. And if he can't win a playoff series with his #1 defender back in the fold... time for a new coach.

Shutdown dmen are hard to even identify, much less obtain. I'd love to have Hammer back, and at 31 I think he's got plenty left in the tank.
kwolf68
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Mt. Lebanon, PA
Joined: 12.18.2010

Jun 29 @ 2:48 PM ET

I suspect Bowman will struggle in F/A, because I don't think Chicago is an attractive destination anymore. Ever since half the entire Cap went to a select few players, it's very obvious what the Hawks are doing...just trying to buy on the cheap because they can't afford to offer market value because other players consume too much of the cap. A valuable guy, even like a dehann, isn't going to rush to Chicago taking less to support the bloated and convoluted salary structure of the Hawks where poor performers are making 3x the rate of comparable (or better) performers. The gig is up and in my view the only way out is to rid themselves of a couple of these salaries.
Elbows15
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: I was going to do the math on this but I don't think it will help., IL
Joined: 08.04.2013

Jun 29 @ 2:48 PM ET
There's going to be an awful lot of teams interested in De Haan. Somebody is going to have to overpay for him.
- BINGO!

Hopefully someone like the Canes.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jun 29 @ 2:48 PM ET
I know I'm mostly alone in this opinion, but I want Hjalmarsson back.

He's got one year left in AZ and I highly doubt they're making the playoffs.

He'd immediately be the #1 RD on the Hawks. More effective than Ruuta, Seabrook, and Murphy. He's got a good cap hit at $4.1MM. He's had one year of significant injuries, and we all know how capable and sturdy he is.

Make this the 'here you go Joel, now you have it, make it work or it's over'. And if he can't win a playoff series with his #1 defender back in the fold... time for a new coach.

Shutdown dmen are hard to even identify, much less obtain. I'd love to have Hammer back, and at 31 I think he's got plenty left in the tank.

- ObeseOprah


I think we'd all like Hammer back.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Jun 29 @ 2:49 PM ET
Hopefully someone like the Canes.
- Elbows15


Yeah I can see 2 or 3 years at like $5.5 per or something.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:50 PM ET
Looks like Beagle is Vancouver bound as per Bob McKenzie.
- Justin Lowe

Which is fine. Beagle is a good option on a checking 4th line role, but there are better options if they want it to be a 3C role (Riley Nash being the best one). Or if they did want a checking 4th line, they might think Kampf can handle that and they're looking for a more offensive 3C. Who knows.
SecondCitySavage
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.22.2018

Jun 29 @ 2:51 PM ET
Beagle may have never been the plan, you know that right?
- L_B_R


I actually do know that, and it was never reported we had any real interest on him. Although, we need a Center that can be strong on the dots. With Beagle gone, who else does that leave to fill that void, Grant and Bozak? Or are we going to stick with AA and Schamltz down the middle?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 2:51 PM ET
We do not need any more options for the bottom pair. There is no need to throw money ($2-3m-ish for Hickey) when they have several to choose from already on the team / in the system and the money should be focused on going to bigger areas of need (top 4 d-man, centers, top 6 forward).

Edit to add: If Hickey was used as a top 4 d-man, then maybe he's worth the price. He is more of a #5 who can slot up with the right partner / team, so he's a bit more risky than De Haan.

- L_B_R

Good point about factoring in salary of who fills the 5, 6, and 7 spots on defense.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:51 PM ET
I suspect Bowman will struggle in F/A, because I don't think Chicago is an attractive destination anymore. Ever since half the entire Cap went to a select few players, it's very obvious what the Hawks are doing...just trying to buy on the cheap because they can't afford to offer market value because other players consume too much of the cap. A valuable guy, even like a dehann, isn't going to rush to Chicago taking less to support the bloated and convoluted salary structure of the Hawks where poor performers are making 3x the rate of comparable (or better) performers. The gig is up and in my view the only way out is to rid themselves of a couple of these salaries.
- kwolf68

Weird how that and a losing record didn't stop people from wanting to go to Boston, Vancouver, or LA the last little while.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 2:52 PM ET
I know I'm mostly alone in this opinion, but I want Hjalmarsson back.

He's got one year left in AZ and I highly doubt they're making the playoffs.

He'd immediately be the #1 RD on the Hawks. More effective than Ruuta, Seabrook, and Murphy. He's got a good cap hit at $4.1MM. He's had one year of significant injuries, and we all know how capable and sturdy he is.

Make this the 'here you go Joel, now you have it, make it work or it's over'. And if he can't win a playoff series with his #1 defender back in the fold... time for a new coach.

Shutdown dmen are hard to even identify, much less obtain. I'd love to have Hammer back, and at 31 I think he's got plenty left in the tank.

- ObeseOprah

Although not formally cemented or announced, Hjalmarsson is expected to sign a 2-year contract extension after his next year expires. If Hammer comes back, it would have to be via trade.
kwolf68
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Mt. Lebanon, PA
Joined: 12.18.2010

Jun 29 @ 2:52 PM ET
Weird how that and a losing record didn't stop people from wanting to go to Boston, Vancouver, or LA the last little while.
- L_B_R


Where the hell do I say ANYTHING about a losing record? Read the post...it has to do with the Hawks having to get "low ball" deals done because they have so much tied up in a select few, mostly poor performers. WHY go there so Seabrook can cash the checks when someone else may offer more.

People would goto Vancouver the SAME reason they will goto Chicago: To GET PAID. Vancouver has much more flexible cap and a player choosing between the two teams likely will get a better market deal from the team that can afford to pay it---Vancouver.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Jun 29 @ 2:53 PM ET
Weird how that and a losing record didn't stop people from wanting to go to Boston, Vancouver, or LA the last little while.
- L_B_R


Los Angeles climate and Kopitar/Doughty are why Kovalchuk went to SoCal IMO. Life is gooood in that year round 70s and sunshine whether you're on a winning team or not LOL. What big name UFAs have signed in BOS/VAN lately??
SecondCitySavage
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.22.2018

Jun 29 @ 2:53 PM ET
I know I'm mostly alone in this opinion, but I want Hjalmarsson back.

He's got one year left in AZ and I highly doubt they're making the playoffs.

He'd immediately be the #1 RD on the Hawks. More effective than Ruuta, Seabrook, and Murphy. He's got a good cap hit at $4.1MM. He's had one year of significant injuries, and we all know how capable and sturdy he is.

Make this the 'here you go Joel, now you have it, make it work or it's over'. And if he can't win a playoff series with his #1 defender back in the fold... time for a new coach.

Shutdown dmen are hard to even identify, much less obtain. I'd love to have Hammer back, and at 31 I think he's got plenty left in the tank.

- ObeseOprah



I think AZ extended his contract last week.
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