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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Ideal Free Agency Frenzy for Blackhawks
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ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 29 @ 3:38 PM ET
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.
- AEL_Fox


Me hearing that Hammer is signing a 2 year deal with not the Hawks:
https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=HanrB8LGw8A#t=1m11s
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 @ 3:39 PM ET
On another note and I have not watched Ian Cole much late, but as I recall he was a decent defenseman. Someone said Franson 2.0....is he really that slow? Cole was a useful player at one time, he's only 29, could he provide some stability in the Top 4? I am not so sure I hate this rumor, though Eklund posted it so it's certainly not going to happen.
- kwolf68

He isn't slow. But like Franson he is a guy whose name is better than his play. He is yet another 3rd pairing guy. Pens traded him right before a PO run for a reason.
jrsamu
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 11.07.2014

Jun 29 @ 3:40 PM ET
A 29 year old beast of a power forward who can put up 60 points, making only 3.2 per, and excite posters like vandermeer because of toughness, you can kiss multiple good prospects goodbye. I'd love to get this guy, but our bottom 10 system can't afford the subtractions it would take.
- kwolf68


The Flyers generally don't trade grit for floaters. There is zero grit on the Hawks. Short of a three-team deal, I don't see it. And even then, your prospect comment stands.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 3:41 PM ET
I think he'll end up in San Jose.
- DarthKane

The Sharks are also expected to re-sign Couture to an 8 year contract extension. Not sure what the AAV will be.
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 @ 3:43 PM ET
Far worse than doing nothing would be to sign players for the sake of signing them regardless of the overpay. Then you wind up with the Cubs starting pitching this year. Usually big free agent signings don't pay off in year one, and especially the guys (like Beagle) who played a longer summer. Players also have to want to come to Chicago, and if the Hawks performance last season has players/agents thinking they aren't contenders, a big overpay to offset that makes the recovery that much harder. I know that creates a disconnect with season ticket prices, but the downside is steep.

And as an aside, how can the Hawks acquire Simmonds (as rumors have suggested)? The asking price will be steep, and what do the Hawks have that the Flyers want that doesn't gut the longer term prospects further?

- jrsamu

Simmonds is coming off of a poopload of surgeries/injuries he is recovering from after last season. He only has a year left before UFA. He is essentially a rental. No way you want to sign a 30 yr old guy who plays a physical game at 180 lbs. He is on the verge of breaking down in a big way. I would stay far away from Simmonds.
I like the players. Just not the cost to acquire and all the other factors I mentioned.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 3:47 PM ET
Me hearing that Hammer is signing a 2 year deal with not the Hawks:
https://www.youtube.com/w...tch?v=HanrB8LGw8A#t=1m11s

- ObeseOprah

Great scene. Wonder if Rocky has his version of executing Order 66 if things really go south again this season.

SteveRain
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Connor Murphy Sucks, IL
Joined: 05.07.2010

Jun 29 @ 3:52 PM ET
My expectations for Sunday

1. Cam Ward - $2.5 million w/NTC

....that is all.

- DarthKane


Ha I agree.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Jun 29 @ 3:55 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.
- L_B_R


Beg to differ here.

1. All of the bottom pair guys we have essentially.....suck
2. They suck either because they lack enough seasoning and need to stay in Rockford for at least another year, or they are what they are and don’t belong here.
3. Bottom pair should play shut down role - shutdown D guys dont appear to be part of the NHL squad’s scheme

Give us Moore and Sustr, let the rookies ripen to readiness. Much better option.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 3:58 PM ET
On another note and I have not watched Ian Cole much late, but as I recall he was a decent defenseman. Someone said Franson 2.0....is he really that slow? Cole was a useful player at one time, he's only 29, could he provide some stability in the Top 4? I am not so sure I hate this rumor, though Eklund posted it so it's certainly not going to happen.
- kwolf68

Cole isn't Franson-slow but he's not all that quick and def not top 4 quality anymore. For the last 3 seasons, he's been the #6 in his teams. He's a 2015 Rozsival type of d-man that is good in a bottom pair if the top 4 are strong and/or the forward squad is pack. The latter was true for the Pens, but not for the Devils which is why he was less successful with them. Q would probably want to play Cole top 4, but he shouldn't be played there and it'd end up hurting the team long term imo.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Jun 29 @ 3:58 PM ET
If there is any doubt about Crawford's health I would sign Cam Ward and not much else. Play the younger players and hope the core plays a liittle better. Early in the season you will have Hossa's LTIR cap space and any extra cap space that you do not spend this summer. IF Crow is healthy and the core and kids keep them in contention you have plenty of room to make trades after the season starts. If it turns out awful you have a very high draft pick next year and you will have caps space.

Teams with all this cap space and a shallow free agent pool are going to wildly overspend on some very marginal free agents. By the trade deadline teams will be looking to dump contracts.

There are always a few pretty decent free agents that do not have a chair when the music stops that you can sign for cheap on a short term deal. If Bowman cannot find a real value FA I have no problem with him sitting back and waiting until the other lunatic GM's spend (overspend) their wad.

The worst thing is that Bowman overspends on marginal players with long term or NMC NTC clauses and we still have a crappy record and little flexibility in coming years.

Although people on this site have a lot of hate for Bowman, I think he is very smart and hockey smart. (Having said that the Seabs and Toews contract do not look good in retrospect.)

L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 4:06 PM ET
Beg to differ here.

1. All of the bottom pair guys we have essentially.....suck
2. They suck either because they lack enough seasoning and need to stay in Rockford for at least another year, or they are what they are and don’t belong here.
3. Bottom pair should play shut down role - shutdown D guys dont appear to be part of the NHL squad’s scheme

Give us Moore and Sustr, let the rookies ripen to readiness. Much better option.

- Return of the Roar

Since when are bottom pairs shutdown? I can't think of a team that has been successful were that was true. Def notr for the Hawks, Pens, Kings, Bruins, Caps...

Bottom pairs are typically OZ or NZ skewed and face lower quality of competition. Sometimes they'll get less 5v5 TOI but play special teams more (Leddy on the PP, Orpik on the PK). In this regard, the Hawks have many fine options. For example, I'd be happy if our bottom pair was Gus-Seabrook - both can get slightly lower 5v5 minutes and more PP time. Shutdown pairs are typically in the top 4 - either 2nd pair like the Hawks had or top pair like the Caps this last run. I honestly think Murphy could potentially fill one-half this pair but I just don't know with whom. I'd love if he was tried more with Keith - he was really good with Martinez at Worlds.

I am pretty confused you have low opinions of some of the Hawks bottom pair guys but then want a replacement level player like Sustr. Is it just his size? Cause he isn't good defensively, doesn't impact offense, does not play on special teams, was healthy scratched a bunch by Tampa including the playoffs, and then played less than 13 min when he did get in the line-up. Moore can be argued, I guess, but not Sustr.

The only reason some of those players on the Hawks looked ~bad last season is because they were being asked to play above their level, but either way, the Hawks have perfectly fine bottom pair options. What they are missing are top 4 quality guys. Hawks should pick the best of the bottom pair guys they have, focus on getting at least one top 4 guy (possibly two), and let it shake out that way. No need to waste money on something they have.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Jun 29 @ 4:14 PM ET
On another note and I have not watched Ian Cole much late, but as I recall he was a decent defenseman. Someone said Franson 2.0....is he really that slow? Cole was a useful player at one time, he's only 29, could he provide some stability in the Top 4? I am not so sure I hate this rumor, though Eklund posted it so it's certainly not going to happen.
- kwolf68

Penguins healthy scratch often last year, then got to play some and was traded. Penguins felt he was too slow and they wanted quick think react at speed. Just the previous year he had fit into their scheme in #5 slot defense as they win the Cup. Goes to show the desire by some GM's to get faster at speed. I had inquired, too, but this reply comes from wiz...I am passing along his thoughts.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Jun 29 @ 4:20 PM ET
Great scene. Wonder if Rocky has his version of executing Order 66 if things really go south again this season.


- AEL_Fox


Haha, one could argue that it happened last offseason (Hossa, Panarin, Hammer, Kruger, Oduya, Campbell, TVR, Darling).

Quenneville, Panarin, Campbell, Hossa enter Bowman's office.

Stan: Coach Quenneville, I take it Dale Tallon has been destroyed then? I must say you're here sooner than I expected.

Q: In the name of the Chicago Blackhawks, of the NHL, you are under arrest General Manager

Stan: Are you threatening me, head coach?

Q: The administration will decide your fate

Stan: I AM THE ADMINISTRATION

Q: Not yet

Stan: [equipping firing papers] it's treason then

[Stan whirls through the air, trades Panarin, forges Campbell's retirement papers, and spreads a rare fungus on Hossa's skin, forcing him into retirement]

[Quenneville and Stan duel furiously until Kane arrives. The Chosen One.]

[As Kane enters, Quenneville slaps Scotty Bowman's pen out of Stan's hand. Stan recoils against the wall]

Q: You are under arrest, my GM

Stan: Patrick, I told you it would come to this. I was right, the coaches are taking ova!

Q: The oppression of the Wirtz's will never return. You, have lost.

Stan: No, NO, NO YOU WILL DIE

[Stan unleashes a torrent of negative press against Q... locker room issues, butting heads, draft day storm outs]

Stan: He's the traitor!

Q: He is the traitor, ahh

Stan: I have the power to save the one you love, you must choose.

Q: Don't listen to him Patrick

Stan: Don't let him kill me

Stan: I can't hold it any longer, too cap strapped

[Q survives the onslaught of negative press, leaving Stan with no more weapons]

Q: I'm going to end this, once and for all

Kane: You can't, he must meet with Rocky

Q: He has control of the administration and the scouts, he's too dangerous to be left alive

Stan: I'm too weak, don't kill me, please

Kane: It's not the Blackhawk way, he must finish his contract. I need him

[Q takes his Sherwood defenseman stick out to finish Stan off, swings it at Bowman]

Kane: No!!!

[Kane severs Q's stick with his own graphite stick, and hits Q directly in the mustache, scarring his face]

[Stan sees his moment to strike, unleashing a final torrent of bad press]

Stan: COST CERTAINTY!!!!!!! UNLIMITED COST CERTAINTY!!!!!

[Q goes flying out the window, ending his coaching career with the Blackhawks]

Kane: What have I done?!?

Stan: You are fulfilling your destiny, Patrick


[Toews feels a disturbance in the force from Utapau]
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Jun 29 @ 4:20 PM ET
Since when are bottom pairs shutdown? I can't think of a team that has been successful were that was true. Def notr for the Hawks, Pens, Kings, Bruins, Caps...

Bottom pairs are typically OZ or NZ skewed and face lower quality of competition. Sometimes they'll get less 5v5 TOI but play special teams more (Leddy on the PP). In this regard, the Hawks have many fine options. For example, I'd be happy if our bottom pair was Gus-Seabrook - both can get slightly lower 5v5 minutes and more PP time. Shutdown pairs are typically in the top 4 - either 2nd pair like the Hawks had or top pair like the Caps this last run. I honestly think Murphy could be potentially fill in on one-half this role but I just don't know which whom. I'd love if he was tried more with Keith - he was really good with Martinez at Worlds.

I am pretty confused you have low opinions of some of the Hawks bottom pair guys but then want a replacement level player like Sustr. Is it just his size? Cause he isn't good defensively, doesn't impact offense, does not play on special teams, was healthy scratched a bunch by Tampa including the playoffs, and then played less than 13 min when he did get in the line-up. Moore can be argued, I guess, but not Sustr.

The only reason some of those players looked ~bad last season is because they were being asked to play above their level, but either way, the Hawks have perfectly fine bottom pair options - what they are missing are top 4 quality guys. Hawks should pick the best of the bottom pair guys they have, focus on getting at least one top 4 guy (possibly two), and let it shake out that way. No need to waste money on something they have.

- L_B_R


Please see if you can forward the above to both Stan and Joel
jrsamu
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 11.07.2014

Jun 29 @ 4:26 PM ET
On another note and I have not watched Ian Cole much late, but as I recall he was a decent defenseman. Someone said Franson 2.0....is he really that slow? Cole was a useful player at one time, he's only 29, could he provide some stability in the Top 4? I am not so sure I hate this rumor, though Eklund posted it so it's certainly not going to happen.
- kwolf68


From recollection, Cole is quite a bit more solid in his own end than Franson and the opposite on the offensive end. I believe he is a slightly better skater than Murphy, and he'd better be, because otherwise, why do we need him? Save for Q playing him on the wrong side of the ice, Murphy would seem to slot into that stay at home role with some offensive upside pretty nicely. But then again, the same could have been said about Kempny with some snarl in his own end and some skill on offense as well. We know how that ended.
ToewsdNKanefusd
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Hampshire, IL
Joined: 05.14.2015

Jun 29 @ 4:28 PM ET
Haha, one could argue that it happened last offseason (Hossa, Panarin, Hammer, Kruger, Oduya, Campbell, TVR, Darling).

Quenneville, Panarin, Campbell, Hossa enter Bowman's office.

...

Kane: What have I done?!?

Stan: You are fulfilling your destiny, Patrick



- ObeseOprah[Toews feels a disturbance in the force from Utapau]




That just made my day! Thank you!
kwolf68
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Mt. Lebanon, PA
Joined: 12.18.2010

Jun 29 @ 4:32 PM ET
He isn't slow. But like Franson he is a guy whose name is better than his play. He is yet another 3rd pairing guy. Pens traded him right before a PO run for a reason.
- Elbows15


Ok, good point. Hawks have nothing but third pairing guys, save Keith.
jrsamu
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 11.07.2014

Jun 29 @ 4:41 PM ET
If true, use 3 years and $2.5 million per year for Beagle as a litmus test on the contracts that will be doled out. 22 points in 79 games. 32 years old. He brings some nice size, but the stats are nearly Kruger-esque. Though he isn't as easy to knock off the puck.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 29 @ 4:42 PM ET
Haha, one could argue that it happened last offseason (Hossa, Panarin, Hammer, Kruger, Oduya, Campbell, TVR, Darling).


- ObeseOprah[Toews feels a disturbance in the force from Utapau]

That's awesome! Great merging of storylines.

Although not necessarily just Toews, I'm sure many Hawks players sense a disturbance in the force.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Jun 29 @ 4:45 PM ET
If true, use 3 years and $2.5 million per year for Beagle as a litmus test on the contracts that will be doled out. 22 points in 79 games. 32 years old. He brings some nice size, but the stats are nearly Kruger-esque. Though he isn't as easy to knock off the puck.
- jrsamu


Could get Brodziak for equal to less money - more scoring, 52% at the dot, nasty streak, and probably get him on a one year deal.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Jun 29 @ 4:51 PM ET
My expectations for Sunday

1. Cam Ward - $2.5 million w/NTC

....that is all.

- DarthKane


And I would be fine with that (except for the movement clause).

A lot of the guys we have been discussing are apparently on the radar of other teams. If we acquire one of them, we will overpay and complain on this board all winter because we are not getting our money's worth. We have enough bloated contracts -don't need more.
I would not mind if we (EDIT: did not) participate in the crazy spending during the first 2 days. Pick up the bargains and contract dumps after the dust settles.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Jun 29 @ 4:57 PM ET
cam ward will not be much of an upgrade if the team def does not improve by a lot and alot more
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Jun 29 @ 4:59 PM ET
Since when are bottom pairs shutdown? I can't think of a team that has been successful were that was true. Def notr for the Hawks, Pens, Kings, Bruins, Caps...

Bottom pairs are typically OZ or NZ skewed and face lower quality of competition. Sometimes they'll get less 5v5 TOI but play special teams more (Leddy on the PP, Orpik on the PK). In this regard, the Hawks have many fine options. For example, I'd be happy if our bottom pair was Gus-Seabrook - both can get slightly lower 5v5 minutes and more PP time. Shutdown pairs are typically in the top 4 - either 2nd pair like the Hawks had or top pair like the Caps this last run. I honestly think Murphy could potentially fill one-half this pair but I just don't know with whom. I'd love if he was tried more with Keith - he was really good with Martinez at Worlds.

I am pretty confused you have low opinions of some of the Hawks bottom pair guys but then want a replacement level player like Sustr. Is it just his size? Cause he isn't good defensively, doesn't impact offense, does not play on special teams, was healthy scratched a bunch by Tampa including the playoffs, and then played less than 13 min when he did get in the line-up. Moore can be argued, I guess, but not Sustr.

The only reason some of those players on the Hawks looked ~bad last season is because they were being asked to play above their level, but either way, the Hawks have perfectly fine bottom pair options. What they are missing are top 4 quality guys. Hawks should pick the best of the bottom pair guys they have, focus on getting at least one top 4 guy (possibly two), and let it shake out that way. No need to waste money on something they have.

- L_B_R


We need SOMEONE who can hit in that group, win board battles, clear pucks and clear a crease once in a while. Stand up for your rag dolled teammates. Right now, I would suspect not one NHL forward group feels one bit intimidated by contact in the Hawk D zone. That has to change.

Every D guy on the Rockford IPass shuffle last year had no business playing NHL hockey yet. None of them pass the NHL eye test even for next season. At best, Rutta was marginal and getting better until he got hurt. Gus might just be better served by playing LW, since he lacks the defensive chromosome altogether. Oesterle is just another one of many undersized “puck movers” who get separated from the puck by the wind of a passing player and fold in the corners. And the newer choices are just too young to even be in the NHL pipeline for a couple of years.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jun 29 @ 5:02 PM ET
Could get Brodziak for equal to less money - more scoring, 52% at the dot, nasty streak, and probably get him on a one year deal.
- Return of the Roar

He's rumored to be likely signing with the Oilers, his home town team.

Also it should be noted that he's only been over 50% at the dot once in his career (last season) so he's not exactly the great FO guy some want, and his offense was inflated last season and is typically a 20 or lower point guy. I wouldn't have minded him but he's not exactly a big get for any team.

Honestly, if these are the best options (the Brodziak types), I'd rather they'd keep playing the kids like Kampf as 4C.
chuckdahammer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 11.01.2016

Jun 29 @ 5:12 PM ET
Faceoffs should not be the only qualification looked at for centers - they need to be legitimately useful role players as well. Some of the best faceoff guys are not good (Vermette is an example now).

Grant doesn't fit that category to me of being all that useful - he is a replacement level 4th liner. Beagle could have, but he's not coming here. I wouldn't mind Bozak at the right price, but there's still Riley Nash and Derek Ryan types out there, a Pageau type trade, or maybe they think Kampf could work.

I only responded cause the comment sounded like Bowman failed somehow when we have no idea what his plans are. We all gotta be a little patient. And I include myself in that - I gotta be less hype about things like Ward lol.

- L_B_R










Check some stats on Derek Grant ... he is 55 percent on faceoffs .... over 6 feet 200 lbs and had a "break out" year last year with the Ducks with 12 goals. Size - face off capability and some secondary scoring ........... sounds like a good 4th line center to me. Made 650 last year





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