Hossa out 2-3 weeks...
- UnnamedSource

Not end of the world.

Kris Russell isn't going anywhere. Didn't he just sign a 2-year extension in Cal-GARY?
- eburgio

Yeah, I can't see that happening either. Butler would be available, and while he's definitely not as skilled as Russell he could help to provide some depth and shot-blocking.

Brodeur backing up Crawford would make me feel a lot better going into the playoffs.
- Dieselhead

Who do you give up - have to make cap room - I wouldn't give up any skater on this team for a back-up goalie, even Bickel for Brodeur.

If Kessler's healthy, I make that deal - even throw in a second/third rounder. With Clendenning and Danault and TT waiting in the wings, the only loss is Bickell, who's a monster in the playoffs. Leddy played sparingly in the playoffs and McNeil is nothing... But Kessler and Kane - thats too good to pass up.

I would not give up TT for him though. I'm sure thats what Gillis is holding out for...

It is except 2 teams passed on Toews and Tallon, to his credit, resisted pressure to trade down, stuck to his guns and took Kane.
- philco28

Anyone in that top 5 of the Toews draft would've been a decent selection at the time. Staal, Kessel, Backstrom. All solid. Erik Johnson, perhaps not. Toews was the 3rd ranked North American skater according to Central Scouting.

Definitely on Kane. Tallon faced enormous pressure to move down, or at least not draft Kane because he was too small.

Hossa out 2-3 weeks...
- UnnamedSource

Thats kinda the timetable i was expecting to hear. As long as he gets 10 or so solid games leading into the playoffs then thats fine by me. I think Saad can fill in on that top line just fine and we have the forward depth to get through this stretch without Hoss.

Brodeur backing up Crawford would make me feel a lot better going into the playoffs.
- Dieselhead

Meh... Not so much.

Kesler would be great!

If Kessler's healthy, I make that deal - even throw in a second/third rounder. With Clendenning and Danault and TT waiting in the wings, the only loss is Bickell, who's a monster in the playoffs. Leddy played sparingly in the playoffs and McNeil is nothing... But Kessler and Kane - thats too good to pass up.

I would not give up TT for him though. I'm sure thats what Gillis is holding out for...
- busmaster

Great post

You are the Blackhawks, we are the Panthers. This means you will get Kulikov.


Btw, thanks for Pirri!
- Panthers88

I didn't know that you were this stoked to acquire the next Jeff Taffe.

Mr. Morin, Mr. Bowman on the phone for you...
- mohel

Time for Mr Bouchard???

John Jaeckel: Rumors Heating Up
- John Jaeckel

Thanks, JJ - but I've never understood the "don't trade with a competitor" issue.

Improve your club: don't worry about the other guy.

If you have confidence in your decisions, then if Bickel to Van for Kesler makes sense for both teams, do the deal. If you strengthen a competitor - so what - if you've also strenthened your team where you're weak.

Time for Mr Bouchard???
- hockey nut 28

No!

I can see the Brodeur one happening if A) we don't have to give up much to get him as a rental and B) he really wants one last shot at another cup before hanging them up and giving up the "played with one team his whole career" thing isn't an issue for him. He wouldn't be coming here to start so would getting another ring by being on the bench be more important to him than being with the Devils his whole career?

NJ has their goalie of the future and I would also be a lot more comfortable with Brodeur backing up Crow in the playoffs. If he gets injured you have the unknown with Raanta. Sure he could step up and win with this team but when you have a window of opportunity with your core in their prime I can see having the insurance of a known winner on the bench versus a rookie with no experience.
- blackhawks30

His cap hit is $4.5MM: who do you have to give up for a back-up goalie who (you hope) doesn't have to play?

Kris Russell isn't going anywhere. Didn't he just sign a 2-year extension in Cal-GARY?
- eburgio

Even if he was available, would you want Russell here?

Not end of the world.
- mrpaulish

2-3 weeks? Ouch. I haven't experienced the End of the World yet, but it seems sort of like that. Especially since we can't know what kind of playing shape he'll be in when he gets back. He's been playing great hockey this year. At his age, an injury could diminish that... But being 100% for the playoffs is the main thing.

I didn't know that you were this stoked to acquire the next Jeff Taffe.
- EKolb13

Brandon Pirri Taffe........I like it!

If Kessler's healthy, I make that deal - even throw in a second/third rounder. With Clendenning and Danault and TT waiting in the wings, the only loss is Bickell, who's a monster in the playoffs. Leddy played sparingly in the playoffs and McNeil is nothing... But Kessler and Kane - thats too good to pass up.

I would not give up TT for him though. I'm sure thats what Gillis is holding out for...
- busmaster

I think a key piece to the puzzle if Leddy is involved in the Kesler trade would be snagging Andy Mac from the Isles to replace him. If we can make both those moves, then id pull the trigger instantly. Bickell, Leddy, and whatever else it takes on the prospect level that doesnt included TT. Doubt it happens though.

I didn't know that you were this stoked to acquire the next Jeff Taffe.
- EKolb13

Skille sir.. Jack Skille.

Thanks, JJ - but I've never understood the "don't trade with a competitor" issue.

Improve your club: don't worry about the other guy.

If you have confidence in your decisions, then if Bickel to Van for Kesler makes sense for both teams, do the deal. If you strengthen a competitor - so what - if you've also strenthened your team where you're weak.
- StLBravesFan

A GM does everything in his power to keep his job. How long would Gillis have his if Kesler happened to be the Hawks MVP in a post season run to another cup? I think the Vancouver fans and media could swallow it if he were a Pen but with the recent nasty rivalry between the Hawks and Nucks the fans would have a real difficult time dealing with it if he were a Hawk.

what is hossa's injury? shoulder? concusssion??

2-3 weeks? Ouch. I haven't experienced the End of the World yet, but it seems sort of like that. Especially since we can't know what kind of playing shape he'll be in when he gets back. He's been playing great hockey this year. At his age, an injury could diminish that... But being 100% for the playoffs is the main thing.
- Tugboat

No way a minor injury like this is gonna stop Hossa from playing great hockey. The second he's back on the ice(as long as he's properly healed) he'll play at an elite level as always.

Even if he was available, would you want Russell here?
- EKolb13

If by here, you mean Rockford, then sure. I have no problem with that.

can someone explain the pirri trade, he was drafted in the second round. . . doesnt make sense unless the needed to clear a contract, but even then you would move someone else
- goaler11

Pirri's ELC contract will expire at the end of the season, thus during his next contract, Pirri will have to be exposed to waivers if sent down. Since there are only so many open stops on the team up for grabs next season, questions to if Pirri could indeed win a spot out of camp, Bowman could possibly lose Pirri (or Morin for that matter) to a waiver claim if he didn't make the team out of camp next season.

Bowman had to move Pirri, or risk losing him for nothing in the fall.

If by here, you mean Rockford, then sure. I have no problem with that.
- eburgio

Well played.

I can see the Brodeur one happening if A) we don't have to give up much to get him as a rental and B) he really wants one last shot at another cup before hanging them up and giving up the "played with one team his whole career" thing isn't an issue for him. He wouldn't be coming here to start so would getting another ring by being on the bench be more important to him than being with the Devils his whole career?

NJ has their goalie of the future and I would also be a lot more comfortable with Brodeur backing up Crow in the playoffs. If he gets injured you have the unknown with Raanta. Sure he could step up and win with this team but when you have a window of opportunity with your core in their prime I can see having the insurance of a known winner on the bench versus a rookie with no experience.
- blackhawks30

They certainly are doing Raanta's game no favors by getting him no work. He looked terrible his last outing.

Why not send him to Rockford for February? Was there a rule against it?

If they aren't going to give Raanta every 3rd or 4th game then bring up Labarberra and let Raanta play in the Rock.