what did I miss?
- Elbows15

The toilet.

The toilet.
- mohel

WOW. That is bad even for you.

WOW. That is bad even for you.
- Elbows15

I blame the tequila.

I blame the tequila.
- mohel

Back read. At one point
i called you a cement head.

Back read. At one point
i called you a cement head.
- Elbows15

Holy embedded energy, Batman!

Holy embedded energy, Batman!
- Beaver-Warrior

Meh. He'll forget it in the morning.

Ok - two sets:

2014-15 cap = $71MM + 5 = $76MM (in 2015-16) = plenty of room for Kane and Toews

2014-15 cap = $68MM + 5 =$ 73MM (in 2015-16) = not so much
- StLBravesFan

Whatever # is plugged in there will be room for Kane and Toews...You can book that.

The real question is whether there will be room for others who are also well thought of and handsomely paid.

Blue Jackets fall on a class hike 6-1.
Q shuffle-Keith/Norris-veteran respect-trade deadline comments:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1qfbI77

Whatever # is plugged in there will be room for Kane and Toews...You can book that.

The real question is whether there will be room for others who are also well thought of and handsomely paid.

Blue Jackets fall on a class hike 6-1.
Q shuffle-Keith/Norris-veteran respect-trade deadline comments:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1qfbI77
- Al

Yes - my real question too.

Yes - my real question too.
- StLBravesFan

The cap will around 71 million. The league took steps to take into account any potential devaluation of the Canadian dollar. HRR is calculated in U.S dollars. Bettman stated earlier this week the cap will be around 71 million. There is an article related to this at nhl.com in the news section. And an another article at sports business.com.

Grandlund got a ton of hype after that lacrosse goal I remember. It took him really one NA season where he was lost, but he's very good now. Was great in the Olympics. It seems TT can make more happen with the puck as opposed to just a pure passer like Granlund right?
- rollpards19

That´s true and after Mikko Koivu and Tuomo Ruutu there haven´t been many promising players (except goalies) in Finland and Granlund was first in a long time. Hype was understandable. Now there is Barkov and Määttä who already play in NHL and Teräväinen is next in line. In Finland Teräväinen isn´t that much hyped player.

Granlund is getting better. He worked his ass off last summer to get more strenght and getting faster. Work has payed off and he is playing much better now. I see that TT´s upside is better but still won´t guarantee anything. Good thing for TT is that Blackhawks drafted him. The way Hawks play and TT´s style is a good match.

Can somebody tell me how close Dahlbeck is to fill in a roster spot on the Hawks next year?
- spanky

Close, the Hawks are very high on he and Johns, I'm told, as in, they are close and they think both these guys will be good NHL players.

Thats a bummer that Rundblad isnt close to Leddy. Seems more and more weird that Stan traded a 2nd rounder to get this guy
- BlazinMike

Disagree, a second rounder for a guy with his upside is not a bad move. Remember, Stanley traded a 2nd for Chris Campoli. This guy is at least that good, maybe better.

Your point is the nuts...

I could make a case the Hawks are better off today with Kesler than Leddy and TT. I can't make a case the Hawks are better off with Kesler but not having Oduya and Leddy.

They would get exposed big time in this years playoff and that's why Bowman could not make any deal that demanded two defenseman off this year's roster.

Granted Leddy didn't play much in the Final but the Hawks aren't getting to the Final this time using only 5 dman, even if one is Oduya.

There are quite a few other reasons why, considering the Hawks are coming off a Cup win, the trade clauses etc.

But no GM would take out 1/3 of his defense at this time of year if they were a Cup contender.

To remotely believe anyone in Rockford is as good as Leddy is flat out wrong and that includes Rundblad today.

Now if the Hawks bow out early...In the 1st two rounds, things will get interesting this summer.

Blue Jackets fall on a class hike 6-1.
Q shuffle-Keith/Norris-veteran respect-trade deadline comments:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1qfbI77
- Al

This is what I heard in conjunction with this rumor, as did another independent source who verified it. The Kesler deal sort of depends on the Hawks not getting past a certain pony in the playoffs. If they go to the Finals, and/or win the Cup, it's likely a different story.

A few points, again, to remember:

1) lots of scuttlebutt that Kane lobbied to get Kesler
2) lots of scuttlebutt that Kesler would waive only for Chicago or maybe 1-2 other teams, but many feel it is/was only Chicago
3) the Hawks 2C is . . . Michal Handzus
4) Kane, the Hawks' 2RW, has not been sounding as though re-signing is a slam dunk

Close, the Hawks are very high on he and Johns, I'm told, as in, they are close and they think both these guys will be good NHL players.
- John Jaeckel

JJ - thanks for the efforts - interesting report

I could see why that particular trade wasn't made right now - mostly because it did fit within the cap.

I could imagine that if the Hawks were to get Kesler and be up against the cap in completing the roster - Bicks could be a serious contender to be moved to open up cap space

This is what I heard in conjunction with this rumor, as did another independent source who verified it. The Kesler deal sort of depends on the Hawks not getting past a certain pony in the playoffs. If they go to the Finals, and/or win the Cup, it's likely a different story.

A few points, again, to remember:

1) lots of scuttlebutt that Kane lobbied to get Kesler
2) lots of scuttlebutt that Kesler would waive only for Chicago or maybe 1-2 other teams, but many feel it is/was only Chicago
3) the Hawks 2C is . . . Michal Handzus
4) Kane, the Hawks' 2RW, has not been sounding as though re-signing is a slam dunk
- John Jaeckel

I was pointing out the "logistics" that would make the Kesler deal about impossible to happen by deadline.

I believe he would have accepted a trade here.

As you know whispers get out and sometimes set the table for something in the future....many times give an indication of concern.

If the Hawks lay and egg in a big way this spring then in my view many things will be on the table and have a better chance of happening then....Much better.

I always liked Kesler...I didn't think he added much to Kane's game although he played well and was dominant for the most part at the dot.

I would be a cautious now as he has had injuries the past few years...

Interesting Kane came back with so many opinions....Word going around in print at least was some guys weren't happy he said Phil Kessel was the best player he ever played with.

I think Kane probably meant to say best scorer but he got quite a bit of attention for that remark.

Check out this goal from Canes prospect Tolchinsky.

This is an intresting list: http://www.sbncollegehock...1-20-free-agent-nhl-draft

But it's not aimed at us - they don't market anything to us - they don't have to, we're sold from day one.

But my friend - not a hockey fan - LOVED the Soldier Field game - thought it was "cool" to see them playing thru the snow.

That's who they're going after - and that's why the outdoor games will continue - especially where there's a chance for bad weather.
- StLBravesFan

Good point STL...i hear dat

I'm with you fellas.
- Beaver-Warrior

Check out this goal from Canes prospect Tolchinsky.


- prd797

ya new twist to the between the legs goal

Disagree, a second rounder for a guy with his upside is not a bad move. Remember, Stanley traded a 2nd for Chris Campoli. This guy is at least that good, maybe better.
- John Jaeckel

who knows about Runbladdddd. Campoli played very well for the hawks down the stretch. it was a good fit.

i want to see this kid play before i make my decision.

So if the cap is 68 million next year the Hawks have 2 mil to spend on 5 players.If they make the deal JJ lays out then they will have an extra spot to fill.But JJ did say another player would come back so it would have to be a good cheap defenseman.Kesler at 5mil is 300,000 over what we give up.Happy Kane, holes and cap hell is what I see.But we have won 2 cups without a #2 cente,why not without a #4 and #5 D as well as Shaw.
- eagle50

our defense is well paid - the two cheapest: rosy at 2mil and leddy 2.7. We can win with a 600k or 1mil man - that should open up some space. I do like OD, and hopefully he will take a contract similar to Nik H. The key will be kane and JT, i hope they don't for ask outrageous contract demands.

i don't care about the #2 center, won two cups without. but i like Kesler and want to keep Kane happy (not in a contract way - take some of Kane contract and give to Kesler).

Check out this goal from Canes prospect Tolchinsky.


- prd797

Pffffffft.

our defense is well paid - the two cheapest: rosy at 2mil and leddy 2.7. We can win with a 600k or 1mil man - that should open up some space. I do like OD, and hopefully he will take a contract similar to Nik H. The key will be kane and JT, i hope they don't for ask outrageous contract demands.

i don't care about the #2 center, won two cups without. but i like Kesler and want to keep Kane happy (not in a contract way - take some of Kane contract and give to Kesler).
- Topshelf2010

Had one last year - Handzus - not an all star, but adequate.

Don't have one this year - unless (by some miracle) Handzus or Regin become "adequate".

Had one last year - Handzus - not an all star, but adequate.

Don't have one this year - unless (by some miracle) Handzus or Regin become "adequate".
- StLBravesFan

Or Teravainen works out.

JJ...you posted that the Blackhawks playoff performance will factor into their decision about acquiring Kesler. Do you know how Teravainen's performance factors in should he play? TT could flop, he could fill the 2C void or anything in between. But for arguments sake if TT does well would that change Stan & Co's mind to trade for Kesler regardless of their playoff performance?