At least this gives JJ a topic to start a new thread (*hint, hint*). There's not much to talk about right now.

Agreed. One thing I never hear attached to his name is Hall of Fame. In my opinion he's a Hall of Fame coach.
- golfbard

I would think so - doesn't he have the most wins of any active coach? Then add in two Cups....

At least this gives JJ a topic to start a new thread (*hint, hint*). There's not much to talk about right now.
- DarthKane

What's wrong with fishing?

This came out a little while ago from the Blackhawks.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=678974

I hope it is not bad news...
- Dinger0987

Any chance Kane and Toews being extended will be part of this OR do cap realities prevent such a move at this time ?

Well deserved, IMO. He was masterful in the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

Although it's relatively easy to be "in sync" after a championship, doesn't the relative ease (without any knowedge of the actual negotiations) and quickness (this could have gone into next season and caused all sorts of problems) of the deal indicate a more in sync relationship than perhaps we had thought?

Any chance Kane and Toews being extended will be part of this OR do cap realities prevent such a move at this time ?
- philco28

Can't extend them until after next year, I think.

Any chance Kane and Toews being extended will be part of this OR do cap realities prevent such a move at this time ?
- philco28

StlBraves is correct - can't do an extension until one year left on the current deal, so we have to wait a year.

But since people are making round table question requests if anyone goes to the convention session about the Chicago Stadium memories on Sunday morning, can you just go to the mike and say, (to Eric Nesterenko) "Nester, I was asked to yell, KILL FONTINATO! Can you tell me about that????"

StlBraves is correct - can't do an extension until one year left on the current deal, so we have to wait a year.
- mohel

How about 7.5 mil for 8 years.....guaranteed 60 million...and by the end the cap hit will pennies and the 35 yr old Toews and 34 year old Kane can seek employment elsewhere
if they need to play with a home town Winnipeg or Buffalo...


you get all eight years on the books asap

Although it's relatively easy to be "in sync" after a championship, doesn't the relative ease (without any knowedge of the actual negotiations) and quickness (this could have gone into next season and caused all sorts of problems) of the deal indicate a more in sync relationship than perhaps we had thought?
- StLBravesFan

Q in sync....ha ha!!

Q in sync....ha ha!!


- DarthKane

Good work, DK - good work.

How about 7.5 mil for 8 years.....guaranteed 60 million...and by the end the cap hit will pennies and the 35 yr old Toews and 34 year old Kane can seek employment elsewhere
if they need to play with a home town Winnipeg or Buffalo...


you get all eight years on the books asap
- wiz1901

That would be great, but I think we will need to add $1M each per year. Good point about their ages after an 8 year deal.

That would be great, but I think we will need to add $1M each per year. Good point about their ages after an 8 year deal.
- mohel

I'd still keep them at ages 35 and 34. It would be nice to actually have Toews and Kane for their entire careers. I think they could both be product at that age, especially Toews.

I'd still keep them at ages 35 and 34. It would be nice to actually have Toews and Kane for their entire careers. I think they could both be product at that age, especially Toews.
- DarthKane

Kane may last longer at a high level than Toews - Kane avoids contact, Toews goes into situations where getting hit is unavoidable - takes a toll.

No problems giving him an 8 year contract - but he might be ready to hang the skates up after that, especially with (from my iPad to God's ear) another couple of Cups.

The legendary Mike Kostka signed for NHL $625,000 and Drew Leblannnnn(c) at $575,000 a little less than what Stanley Cup "veteran" Andrew Shaw made...

You do wonder how the salaries along with results will play into the "major league elevations" of the guys above and Smith ($562,500), Beach ($550,000) over Brandon Pirri ($870,000), Hayes ($875,000), and Morin ($886,667).

Note interested parties Paul Ranger was signed for $1,000,000 with the Leafs, and if they really DO have " the best collection of defensive prospects in the NHL" this says:

those prospects are not ready...
and they didn't think Kostka was THAT good.

But I would really love to know the story behind Paul Ranger quiting hockey when with Tampa in the 2009-10 season, and exactly why he stepped away from the sport.

The legendary Mike Kostka signed for NHL $625,000 and Drew Leblannnnn(c) at $575,000 a little less than what Stanley Cup "veteran" Andrew Shaw made...

You do wonder how the salaries along with results will play into the "major league elevations" of the guys above and Smith ($562,500), Beach ($550,000) over Brandon Pirri ($870,000), Hayes ($875,000), and Morin ($886,667).

Note interested parties Paul Ranger was signed for $1,000,000 with the Leafs, and if they really DO have " the best collection of defensive prospects in the NHL" this says:

those prospects are not ready...
and they didn't think Kostka was THAT good.

But I would really love to know the story behind Paul Ranger quiting hockey when with Tampa in the 2009-10 season, and exactly why he stepped away from the sport.
- wiz1901

For the likes of Pirri, Morin, Smith, Hayes, and Leblanc I doubt their salaries will have any impact on them making the big club. They're all under $1 million and were not that tight against the cap.

That being said, I think Smith makes the team partly because his deal is one way. Smith's play is the bigger factor and he'll likely be the best fit for the bottom 6. But f Smith faulters Stan won't hesitate to recall Morin or Hayes (if they don't make the roster).

Kane may last longer at a high level than Toews - Kane avoids contact, Toews goes into situations where getting hit is unavoidable - takes a toll.

No problems giving him an 8 year contract - but he might be ready to hang the skates up after that, especially with (from my iPad to God's ear) another couple of Cups.
- StLBravesFan

I'd be shocked if Toews still wasn't very good at 35. With today's medicine and his work ethic, barring a Savardian (Marc) type hit, he'll be one of those guys who can play forever, just too good. Iginla can still play at 36 and he was never shy of contact

old blog JJ...... so shifting gears till the Q signing & kompon firing (wishful thinking ) becomes official........ WTF Theo? A single A f'n pitcher & you still have to buck up?? at least go for 1 of their high end catcher prospects if your paying sori's freight!!

The legendary Mike Kostka signed for NHL $625,000 and Drew Leblannnnn(c) at $575,000 a little less than what Stanley Cup "veteran" Andrew Shaw made...

You do wonder how the salaries along with results will play into the "major league elevations" of the guys above and Smith ($562,500), Beach ($550,000) over Brandon Pirri ($870,000), Hayes ($875,000), and Morin ($886,667).

Note interested parties Paul Ranger was signed for $1,000,000 with the Leafs, and if they really DO have " the best collection of defensive prospects in the NHL" this says:

those prospects are not ready...
and they didn't think Kostka was THAT good.

But I would really love to know the story behind Paul Ranger quiting hockey when with Tampa in the 2009-10 season, and exactly why he stepped away from the sport.
- wiz1901

Did you notice St. Kostka (yes, I'm elevating him to sainthood because others think so damn highly of him...) will earn $325,000 in the AHL this coming season? I have to think that has some bearing into the decision to sign with the Hawks.

I don't think St. Kostka really cares too much if he's in Rockford or Chicago, other than the opportunity to play in the NHL. No matter where he ends up in the organization, he'll earn a pretty penny.

Did you notice St. Kostka (yes, I'm elevating him to sainthood because others think so damn highly of him...) will earn $325,000 in the AHL this coming season? I have to think that has some bearing into the decision to sign with the Hawks. I don't think St. Kostka really cares too much if he's in Rockford or Chicago, other than the opportunity to play in the NHL. No matter where he ends up in the organization, he'll earn a pretty penny.
- EKolb13

I hear $325,000 doesn't go very far in Rockford anymore.

Fish of a thousand casts. Very hard to catch, let alone a big one. Dan McNeil of the Score is apparently quite the muskie fisherman.

I have been fortunate enough to fish for pike all over Canada, and they are a lot of fun to go after, especially with topwater bait, and a lot more action.
- John Jaeckel

I have to say the best vacation I ever had was fishing the boundary waters along the Minnesota/Canadian border for two weeks. I love the fight of the Northern Pike (too bony to eat for an amateur like me) and absolutely love catching and eating fresh Walleye. The most excitement I ever had fishing was at Leach Lake in Minnesota when I hooked a Muskie on an 8 lb. test line with a chubb on the line (my one and only experience with a Muskie). Didn't catch the bugger but what a fight!!!

I hear $325,000 doesn't go very far in Rockford anymore.
- StLBravesFan

You forgot the red font.

I have to say the best vacation I ever had was fishing the boundary waters along the Minnesota/Canadian border for two weeks. I love the fight of the Northern Pike (too bony to eat for an amateur like me) and absolutely love catching and eating fresh Walleye. The most excitement I ever had fishing was at Leach Lake in Minnesota when I hooked a Muskie on an 8 lb. test line with a chubb on the line (my one and only experience with a Muskie). Didn't catch the bugger but what a fight!!!
- FourOrr

Northerns are tricky to fillet..the Y bones can be a pain but there is a way..I just havent mastered it yet so I dont bother with them..I guy I used to know would cut the fillets into bite sized pieces, boil them for a bit...we would dip them into drawn butter...he called it Poor mans Lobster...dont know about that but it was very tasty..
As for walleyes, nothing better than eating a walleye that had been swimming in the lake 15 mins prior for shore lunch..

Northerns are tricky to fillet..the Y bones can be a pain but there is a way..I just havent mastered it yet so I dont bother with them..I guy I used to know would cut the fillets into bite sized pieces, boil them for a bit...we would dip them into drawn butter...he called it Poor mans Lobster...dont know about that but it was very tasty..
As for walleyes, nothing better than eating a walleye that had been swimming in the lake 15 mins prior for shore lunch..
- Glenman12

IIRC, walleye are of the perch family: are northern (and Muskie) perch too?

But if Smith faulters Stan won't hesitate to recall Morin or Hayes (if they don't make the roster).
- DarthKane

I think you are on the right track, but i akso see how knowing you want to rest say Hossa for a slight injury the rock bottom low salies lets them call up guys and actually save money in short spurts....and that might dicate the call ups a bit.

I firmly believe they adhere to their idea of "Rockford- that's what they are there for" but I think they will use theshort term injured opportunities get looks at a lot of guys and not just stand pat with the developmentals.