Question: How do you guys get to know so much about prospects who never make it to my 32" TV screen?

I know a few of you actually get around to games at the various Jr. and lower-level hockey leagues, but many of us don't have this opportunity. The NHL draft isn't like the NFL, where most of the top draft picks are all over ESPN on college football weekends...

... Are there any good web outlets for watching guys like Hartman and Dahlstrom? Or even see Icehog action for an extended period of play? I know there's YouTube, but short highlight clips don't really tell you much about how a player actually approaches his game. You have to see the flow of a game and games over a period of time to get a sense of a player's strengths and weaknesses. At least I do. Just askin'.
- Tugboat

I like firstrow1.me

The rumour mill has Emery re-signing for 3 years at $1.5 million per season. That's one more year than I'd like but it's a good price for an experienced back up.
- DarthKane

Agreed. You never know about that hip, but we sure need him as backup for next season.

If the 2010 team was left in place I honestly think they'd have won 3 of 4 so far. Salary cap
- rollpards19

True enough, but we'll never know, and it's water under the bridge... Now that our team has a 2nd Cup, it's time to get over that...

True enough, but we'll never know, and it's water under the bridge... Now that our team has a 2nd Cup, it's time to get over that...
- Tugboat

Its hards to say just cause repeating in the NHL is so hard.....but definitely would've done better than a first round exit the following year.

I like firstrow1.me
- UnnamedSource

Thanks! I've hit them before for NHL games, but never looked into the whole of what might be available. Good idea.

True enough, but we'll never know, and it's water under the bridge... Now that our team has a 2nd Cup, it's time to get over that...
- Tugboat

Oh I'm over it. This team could win next year with the right tweaks. Toews and Kane are just entering their primes. Barring something major I see two cups in the next five

Its hards to say just cause repeating in the NHL is so hard.....but definitely would've done better than a first round exit the following year.
- UnnamedSource

On the positive side, the fire sale this year has been nothing like the dismantling of the 2010 team, and we might end up, looking back, as seeing the 2010 Cup as a prequel to the dynastic period! Wouldn't that be sweet?

Oh I'm over it. This team could win next year with the right tweaks. Toews and Kane are just entering their primes. Barring something major I see two cups in the next five
- rollpards19

On the positive side, the fire sale this year has been nothing like the dismantling of the 2010 team, and we might end up, looking back, as seeing the 2010 Cup as a prequel to the dynastic period! Wouldn't that be sweet?
- Tugboat

Absolutely.....losing two fourth line forwards after winning the cup is not a terrible place to be in....and if we keep our D together.

Plus losing Stalberg is not the end of the world even though I enjoyed his time on the Hawks.

If we lose Handzus or even Leddy....not the end either. Our quality of prospects and the ones close to contributing are much closer than in 2010.

His age is actually still in the prime for defenseman of his ilk historically. I'm not a big Subban fan so I'm probably biased, but I wouldn't even talk to Montreal about Keith for Subban unless there was something else substantial from the Habs. The "Hangover" will probably be worse this year due to the shortened off season. But as far as motivation to win, I think that as long as 19 wears the C, this team will reflect his incredible desire to be a champion
- rollpards19

I found it weird that Subban wasn't part of the Habs penalty kill.

So just for my own sanity because I am seeing a lot of free agent centers that can help, what is the hawks cap space now that Bicks is signed and who needs to be re upped still?

Eklund reporting Emery is close to re-signing in Chicago. Anyone else heard/read anything?

Absolutely.....losing two fourth line forwards after winning the cup is not a terrible place to be in....and if we keep our D together.

Plus losing Stalberg is not the end of the world even though I enjoyed his time on the Hawks.

If we lose Handzus or even Leddy....not the end either. Our quality of prospects and the ones close to contributing are much closer than in 2010.
- UnnamedSource

I expect to lose Handzus, but I'd be happy if he came back for significantly less. Leddy will be back, I don't think Stan is ready to give up on him yet.

Oh I'm over it. This team could win next year with the right tweaks. Toews and Kane are just entering their primes. Barring something major I see two cups in the next five
- rollpards19

Sorry to pi$$ in your rainbow, but history suggests that in modern era hockey, repeats just don't happen. Seasons are longer. Hangovers are longer. Especially when 2-4 of your top six need surgery, nearly a month less to prepare for next season, and the high likelihood of a lot of rookies are coming up whose NHL value has yet to be determined.

The second part of your post has a lot more reality sown into it though.

Eklund reporting Emery is close to re-signing in Chicago. Anyone else heard/read anything?
- FredoXV

Since Ek is saying this, I am guessing Emery signs with the Flyers for $3 mill.

Eklund reporting Emery is close to re-signing in Chicago. Anyone else heard/read anything?
- FredoXV

There's lots if Internet chatter about the Blackhawks re-signing Emery. 3 years at $1.5 million per is what I've read.

It's surprising how negative the reaction to this on Twitter is. It seems people want Ray back but for only 1 year. I say we need him for at least 2 years given that Crawford had only 1 year left on his deal. I want to see Crawford sign long term, but Emery is good insurance in case he doesn't.

I think he could have easily gotten 2.5 on the open market.

THIS is what I call a hometown discount. You figure he'll play 20-30 games next year and be a steady, capable replacement if Crow goes down injured or flames out.

Love this move. Now get Leddy, Kruger signed and Rosy back in town and call it a day.
- kwolf68

Maybe Razor's team knows the hip cannot handle an 80 plus game load?

He is leaving serious $$ on the table if he takes $1.5m. Oilers, Flyers all supposedly interested in him as a starter. I think $2.5m is on the low side.

The rumour mill has Emery re-signing for 3 years at $1.5 million per season. That's one more year than I'd like but it's a good price for an experienced back up.
- DarthKane

This makes 100% complete sense to me.

Bowman's will never pay a goalie big time money.

After this season Crawford is due a huge raise which the Hawks will never give him.

Emery starts the 2014-2015 season as the starting goalie with Raanta (or another goalie) serving as backup till he's ready. In total - if these numbers are correct - come the 2014-2015 season the Hawks will about 2.5-2.7 mil tied up in their two goalies. Again - fits the Bowman model to a "T".

Absolutely.....losing two fourth line forwards after winning the cup is not a terrible place to be in....and if we keep our D together.

Plus losing Stalberg is not the end of the world even though I enjoyed his time on the Hawks.

If we lose Handzus or even Leddy....not the end either. Our quality of prospects and the ones close to contributing are much closer than in 2010.
- UnnamedSource

Agree on all counts. And I especially want this guy back:



I can't see him having the legs to play anywhere near 82 games, but if Q can use him judiciously, as he did last year, he will be a huge factor again in the playoffs. If the Hawks do have an "unsung" hero, this is the guy. I don't care how old he is. Michal Rozsival knows how to play hockey

Agree on all counts. And I especially want this guy back:



I can't see him having the legs to play anywhere near 82 games, but if Q can use him judiciously, as he did last year, he will be a huge factor again in the playoffs. If the Hawks do have an "unsung" hero, this is the guy. I don't care how old he is. Michal Rozsival knows how to play hockey
- Tugboat

Agree 4000%

May hold the puck too long, but he brought physicality and a nice offensive flare to our backend.

New JJ blog up...

AND the $5MM in additional cap space, which returned Bickell, probably Leddy, maybe Emery, Kruger, maybe Roszival....
- StLBravesFan

What is also beneficial is that Bowman didn't have to take back another bad contract...

Or he remains the back up or is the starter after CC leaves after next season.....
- UnnamedSource

What do his hips have left that he could start 50 games and go deep into the play-offs?

Mentioned this awhile back. Every team captain save one, who has lifted the cup multiple times is in the hall..
- Beaver-Warrior

Tazer should be FIRST BALLOT provided he plays another 5-10 years

We should have traded that Toews guys at the draft and held onto Bolland and Frolik
- EKolb13.

That guy stinks. He only had 3 goals in the playoffs! Loser!