If Bowman was smart he would trade for Kovalchuk (700k pro-rated salary), then once Byfuglien's contract is terminated sign him to a 5-6 million pro-rated salary for the rest of the season..... Both players have the potential to significantly improve this team for next to nothing in cap space..... I mean the Hawks have plenty of cap space to go out and get some solid players on expiring contracts (UFA's/RFA's) and not have to worry about extending a guy like Strome this summer or hinder his ability to extend Lehner.....

Byfuglien can just be signed as a UFA when his contract is terminated and Kovalchuk can be had for a 2nd round pick at the most, but more likely a 3rd round pick and a "B" prospect.....

There would be no gamble at all in any of those moves...
- Savard2Secord

Buff is not ready and has not skated in almost 6 monthes and kovi is old and slow.

Not sure if this was already shared:

Retweeted Blackhawks Talk

Per NHL officiating office, the correct call was made on last night's hand pass because the puck deflecting off Maatta's stick after being pushed by his glove does not equate to possession.

Not sure if this was already shared:

Retweeted Blackhawks Talk

Per NHL officiating office, the correct call was made on last night's hand pass because the puck deflecting off Maatta's stick after being pushed by his glove does not equate to possession.
- Chunk

That is not true......Do you recall a season or 2 ago vs. Wild when the puck deflected off of Seabrook's stick and went into the Hawks zone where Parise had not cleared the zone, scored? I think the argument was a deflection = possession. Hitting the stick negates any chance of a hand pass. That is just a cover-up.

That is not true......Do you recall a season or 2 ago vs. Wild when the puck deflected off of Seabrook's stick and went into the Hawks zone where Parise had not cleared the zone, scored? I think the argument was a deflection = possession. Hitting the stick negates any chance of a hand pass. That is just a cover-up.
- powerenforcer

I think so. It makes sense that Bettman, who despises the Hawks, sat around idly as the Hawks win three cups and now that the Hawks are a middling team in a league game he suddenly has the refs make a call on a somewhat obscure play.

So you put Kovi opposite of kane for the one timer? If you are talking about a predictable power play before, this would be worse. Plus you lose mobility and puck retrieval as Kovi at this stage of his career has none.
- LAHawk

Bread Man did pretty good over there, and everyone knew what was coming.

Remember 2013? Do you remember how good the power play was in the playoffs? Do you remember how good the penalty killing was?

This season the Hawks have dramatically improved their penalty kill. And as you say they rank in the bottom ten on the powerplay. Which do you think is more important to the overall success of the team?

This team isn’t about 2020, it’s about the future. What is the point of giving up young assets or draft picks for an old guy who doesn’t give a (frank) about the Chicago Blackhawks and impede the development of a younger player for a special team? In the immortal words of Elbows .... “(frank) Kovalchuck!”
- paulr

PK is obviously more important. And I’m not advocating for signing him.

Simply, there was a question asked on where he would play on the PP, IF he was acquired. That is all.

I think so. It makes sense that Bettman, who despises the Hawks, sat around idly as the Hawks win three cups and now that the Hawks are a middling team in a league game he suddenly has the refs make a call on a somewhat obscure play.
- paulr

Read my response before just spewing garbage. I never mentioned Bettman. It is a cover-up by the Referee office for the ref who said he screwed the call. Stop being so angry.

Good to hear the surgeries are done. I wouldn't expect him to be ready for the beginning of the year though.

Blackhawks announce Brent Seabrook has finished undergoing all three of his surgeries - right shoulder, both hips -- and is expected to be ready in 5-6 months.
- Chunk

If he works hard, maybe he can be ready for The Final.

Never been a betting man. But, willing to bet that Buff is done.
- gabriel

Before he is finished, he might find some life at a wing- position. His size he could hang out by the net of course there is a price to pay by doing just that. Battered and bruised, even Big Buff. If he tries to just be a scorer and not work hard by using his girth in board work, then he will be about as successful as he once was as a forward - and that is the bright side outlook. It is going to be a tough road to plow. Maybe he will dig deep and be a full time physical presence only after he fails trying to rush the puck as a dman and thinking he can coast a bit just trying to get passes or in position to shoot as a forward. He wants another big contract but how bad will he put out?

No it wouldn't be bad at all because the Hawks wouldn't have to give up any assets for Buff, because they could just sign him as a UFA.... Besides, Buff isn't out do to rehab or injury - he's refusing to play because Winnipeg refused to pay for his surgery and clearly that pissed him off to the point that he's refusing to play for them and wants his contract terminated...

And I concur, I think he would have no problem coming back to Chicago and helping them in their playoff race.... I mean he would certainly be playing top 4, if not used as a big body in front of the net as a forward at times.
- Savard2Secord

Don't you understand Buff is 1) injured, 2) never liked getting into nor staying in condition, 3) likes hunting more than playing hockey, and 4) was traded by Bowman within a week or so of winning the Cup, and to Atlanta of all places. He'll be so happy to hear that he'll be playing in the top 4 if not at forward, that he'll be signing with the Hawks as soon as he can. It's moronic comments like yours that have drastically reduced the number of intelligent posters to this blog.

Read my response before just spewing garbage. I never mentioned Bettman. It is a cover-up by the Referee office for the ref who said he screwed the call. Stop being so angry.
- powerenforcer

67.1 Handling Puck - A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has deliberately directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone, in which case the play shall be stopped and a face-off conducted (see Rule 79 – Hand Pass). Play will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own defending zone.

The bolded is what allows for them to make the call they made and have it stand. We may not like it and the ref may have (rightly) apologized for blowing the play dead, but at full speed during the game they didn't think Maatta touched the puck, hence, hand pass. Again, once the play is blown dead, there is nothing that can be done. Maybe they altered the rule a bit, but it is what it is.

I don't think the Ref's office is doing anything other than stating why the call on the ice stands. There was no inference as to whether or not he SHOULD have blown the whistle, just that once he had, the play is over, and he had justification for doing so.

Not much else to see there.

Before he is finished, he might find some life at a wing- position. His size he could hang out by the net of course there is a price to pay by doing just that. Battered and bruised, even Big Buff. If he tries to just be a scorer and not work hard by using his girth in board work, then he will be about as successful as he once was as a forward - and that is the bright side outlook. It is going to be a tough road to plow. Maybe he will dig deep and be a full time physical presence only after he fails trying to rush the puck as a dman and thinking he can coast a bit just trying to get passes or in position to shoot as a forward. He wants another big contract but how bad will he put out?
- jhawk59

What happened to play the kids?

I am more concerned with ADB's penchant for Versteeg like passes and plays at his own blue line than how many goals he has scored so far this year.
- LAHawk

A great comment and comparison! And Versteeg was a better defensive player.

I think it's time to swap Highmore and Smith. Highmore brings too much energy to sit him. Other than his role on the PP, Smith has been very average. I'd argue you don't have much to lose by swapping the two.
- catrisc

Agree. Next game that's what I'd do.

:However, I do believe Bowman has a "tweak" up his sleeve this deadline. Let's just hope it's not another 1-for-1 like Jokiharju for Nylander. "

I don't know... I'd do Jokiharju for Nylander again, if they really want him back in Buff.
- SC116

Ha. Touche.

Agree. Next game that's what I'd do.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler with the Toronto/LA trade do you think Crawford or lenher as pending value just went up more or less. Plus do you think one of the hawks goalies get traded?

If he works hard, maybe he can be ready for The Final.
- StLBravesFan

67.1 Handling Puck - A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the Referee, he has deliberately directed the puck to a teammate in any zone other than the defending zone, in which case the play shall be stopped and a face-off conducted (see Rule 79 – Hand Pass). Play will not be stopped for any hand pass by players in their own defending zone.

The bolded is what allows for them to make the call they made and have it stand. We may not like it and the ref may have (rightly) apologized for blowing the play dead, but at full speed during the game they didn't think Maatta touched the puck, hence, hand pass. Again, once the play is blown dead, there is nothing that can be done. Maybe they altered the rule a bit, but it is what it is.

I don't think the Ref's office is doing anything other than stating why the call on the ice stands. There was no inference as to whether or not he SHOULD have blown the whistle, just that once he had, the play is over, and he had justification for doing so.

Not much else to see there.
- Chunk

Ok, but what about the point they made about even hitting the stick, it does not constitute possession. The rule doesn't say anything about that. Is that just something they made up, because if it hit the stick (and they are admitting it) then there is no hand pass. The whole thing still stinks.

Tyler with the Toronto/LA trade do you think Crawford or lenher as pending value just went up more or less. Plus do you think one of the hawks goalies get traded?
- Scott1977

Those guys are in a different tier.

Jack Campbell is a backup goalie and the Hawks have 2 legit starters.

With that said, with the position the Hawks are in, I don't think either are moved unless an injury happens with a team contending in the East. And even then, it's a long shot.

Those guys are in a different tier.

Jack Campbell is a backup goalie and the Hawks have 2 legit starters.

With that said, with the position the Hawks are in, I don't think either are moved unless an injury happens with a team contending in the East. And even then, it's a long shot.
- Tyler Cameron

If the Hawks fall out of the playoff race, do you think they will dump big money into Lehner? I still think CC has another year or two left. Lehner could bring back some nice pieces in a deadline trade.

A great comment and comparison! And Versteeg was a better defensive player.
- BMWChiFan

Versteeg never scored 21 goals.

Or 28.

Or 25, which is what AdB is likely to wind up with this season.

Not sure if this was already shared:

Retweeted Blackhawks Talk

Per NHL officiating office, the correct call was made on last night's hand pass because the puck deflecting off Maatta's stick after being pushed by his glove does not equate to possession.
- Chunk

*sniff sniff*

Why is the world is NBCSN showing the Wings/Sabres on the same night that the Pen/Lightning or the Knights/Panthers are playing games that started at the same time.

Those guys are in a different tier.

Jack Campbell is a backup goalie and the Hawks have 2 legit starters.

With that said, with the position the Hawks are in, I don't think either are moved unless an injury happens with a team contending in the East. And even then, it's a long shot.
- Tyler Cameron

Tiers? They aren't even on the same planet.

Agree. Next game that's what I'd do.
- Tyler Cameron

Next game and every game the rest of the season. I am uncomfortable wishing injury on a guy but here we are.