Toews comment not as surprising as what Kane said....considering the forwards Kane has played with...
- Al

These comments mean very little. Kind of like when Raffi Torres murders a guy on the ice and his coach calls it a 'hockey play'. I doubt anyone puts any stock into them

Seems to be a lot more smoke in this regard, compared to previous years and other players.
- eburgio

That's why I'm not going to discount it. It's real.

Just a matter of IF Bowman will pull the trigger.

St. Louis' defense is slow in the bottom half but Bouwmeester, Shattenkirk and Pietrangelo are a good top three. They can't score after Tarasenko. No one in that lineup scares you. Steen and Schwartz have moments. They need a second line.
- golfbard

D Jaskin is a big rugged LW who could score. Although his hockey sense is maybe questioned, put his style on a line in St Louis and there may result a stronger second scoring line. Jaskin shuttled back and forth, but had 15 goals and 29 pts in 42 gp for the Wolves. Then there is Ty Rattie, who scores everywhere he plays. Big scorer in junior, he was a first year pro like Jaskin last season. In a full season with the Wolves Rattie had 31 goals.

So the Blues have some offensive help in their pipeline should Stasny stay put. Jake Allen is probably going to be alright in goal, but they could use an upgrade in net. As for their bottom three dmen, if they need to be better for the team to advance....I just do not see this as a major weakness. Jackman is another year older but maybe Cole gets more ice. Pollak and the others in bottom three aren't bad. Carcus you are the Blues authority if you care to input about Stasny and Blues depth.

That's why I'm not going to discount it. It's real.

Just a matter of IF Bowman will pull the trigger.
- SteveRain

Posed a question to you last week, but you may not have been out of the white coat at that point.

If traded, do you think Sharp will be revered in the same way DeRosa is?

IF this report http://t.co/JEWntFvtcA is true, @NHLBlackhawks have signed 23 y/o fwd Dennis Rasmussen to a one-year deal.

More Swedish meatballs anyone?



http://www.expressen.se/k...r-for-chicago-blackhawks/

D Jaskin is a big rugged LW who could score. Although his hockey sense is maybe questioned, put his style on a line in St Louis and there may result a stronger second scoring line. Jaskin shuttled back and forth, but had 15 goals and 29 pts in 42 gp for the Wolves. Then there is Ty Rattie, who scores everywhere he plays. Big scorer in junior, he was a first year pro like Jaskin last season. In a full season with the Wolves Rattie had 31 goals.

So the Blues have some offensive help in their pipeline should Stasny stay put. Jake Allen is probably going to be alright in goal, but they could use an upgrade in net. As for their bottom three dmen, if they need to be better for the team to advance....I just do not see this as a major weakness. Jackman is another year older but maybe Cole gets more ice. Pollak and the others in bottom three aren't bad. Carcus you are the Blues authority if you care to input about Stastny and Blues depth.
- jhawk59

Stastny would be a big addition to the Blues. A legit #1 Center would be the perfect addition for us, and I believe Paul is just that. Adding someone like him would mean the Blues could move Backes down to #2 Center, where he belongs. (or back to RW, but that likely won't happen under Hitch as he loves big centers)

Jaskin & Rattie look to be promising forwards that are ready to jump up to the NHL level and contribute. Makes players like Roy, Morrow, Ott, etc expendable, which also frees up $$ to be able to afford Stastny.

If the Blues get Stastny, I will be very happy.

IF this report http://t.co/JEWntFvtcA is true, @NHLBlackhawks have signed 23 y/o fwd Dennis Rasmussen to a one-year deal.
- mrpaulish

I've seen this in a few places too.

Here's what I found on eliteprospects.com:

A big and strong player. Reads the game well. Good defensively. Somewhat limited offensively, but valuable as a role player. Drives the net, strong along the boards and in front of the crease. Has good hands and a good release. Good penalty killer.

IF this report http://t.co/JEWntFvtcA is true, @NHLBlackhawks have signed 23 y/o fwd Dennis Rasmussen to a one-year deal.
- mrpaulish

One year deal.

Leverage for a Kesler deal perhaps.... 6' 203 center, left shot. Maybe can play LW...

Dominoes haha

Worst case, the building of the next generation with a quality Euro player who is not a smurf. I especially like that he seems to be a tough guy on the boards and in frontof the net.

IF this report http://t.co/JEWntFvtcA is true, @NHLBlackhawks have signed 23 y/o fwd Dennis Rasmussen to a one-year deal.
- mrpaulish

Interesting...

http://www.eliteprospects...om/player.php?player=9985

More Swedish meatballs anyone?



http://www.expressen.se/k...r-for-chicago-blackhawks/
- Beaver-Warrior

How dare they have a Swedish sports journal in SWEDISH!

How do they expect us Americans to read it?

I've seen this in a few places too.

Here's what I found on eliteprospects.com:

A big and strong player. Reads the game well. Good defensively. Somewhat limited offensively, but valuable as a role player. Drives the net, strong along the boards and in front of the crease. Has good hands and a good release. Good penalty killer.
- DarthKane

Possibly, POSSIBLY, take Handzus' spot, 4C. If he can help at all at the NHL level, as a pivot, it's a decent depth move.

Schwartz - Stastny - Tarasenko
Steen - Backes - Oshie

That would be a very good 1-2 punch.

I've seen this in a few places too.

Here's what I found on eliteprospects.com:

A big and strong player. Reads the game well. Good defensively. Somewhat limited offensively, but valuable as a role player. Drives the net, strong along the boards and in front of the crease. Has good hands and a good release. Good penalty killer.
- DarthKane

Here's the "English translation" by google of the article I just posted.

23-year-old Dennis Rasmussen did this year its third season in Växjö and got his big break in the year when he slammed into 40 points in 52 games. He then made a further six points in twelve games in the playoffs. He was the team's best players during the season and was rewarded with a place in the World Championship team that won the bronze medal.

Rasmussen fine games have resulted in that he has attracted interest from the NHL and as SportExpressen.se experience, he has now signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

I can not comment anything about this or my future, says Rasmussen


-SportExpressen.se

That's why I'm not going to discount it. It's real.

Just a matter of IF Bowman will pull the trigger.
- SteveRain

It is just a matter of whether Bowman will offer enough. Bob Murray might offer a more attractive trade package. The new Vancouver GM has to get this deal done right and will overlook trading with a Conference foe IMHO.

If Kesler could be a top player for more than two years, the payment might be higher. But I would not get in a bidding war. Failing to land Kesler, I would then consider moving Sharp this summer only if a rugged wing or, ideally, a # 2 center is coming back. Leddy, Oduya, our 2014 # 1 can sweeten the pot.

Priority is the physical big size wing or the center so moving Leddy, Oduya,etc in seperate deals only subtracts from the opportunity to use them as part of a deal where we get the help needed to at least return to Conf final. Or....Perhaps some of our assets to move (Leddy or Oduya, #1) would be inclusive in a three team trade where we get the player back whom we need.

The roster now has a lack of enough size and gets beat when the opposition has depth at center. It has to be a tougher challenge to return to the Cof final with the roster intact. Rockford newbies are only role players or third pair dmen, so that alone is not going to provide a big enough difference to compete on equal footing with the Kings.

Possibly, POSSIBLY, take Handzus' spot, 4C. If he can help at all at the NHL level, as a pivot, it's a decent depth move.
- John Jaeckel

Chances are that he might be Rockford bound then?

How dare they have a Swedish sports journal in SWEDISH!

How do they expect us Americans to read it?


- StLBravesFan

I just posted a translation for us fat obtuse yanks.

Schwartz - Stastny - Tarasenko
Steen - Backes - Oshie

That would be a very good 1-2 punch.
- carcus

Bickell/Sharp- Toews - Hossa
Saad - Kesler - Kane

Again, IF the Rasmussen signing is true, I highly doubt it is a "domino" RE: any other big move. The Blackhawks wanted to sign Simon Hjalmarsson (confirmed by The Hockey News last month) but he opted to sign with Columbus last week. This is likely the Blackhawks moving on to the number 2 "target" on their SHL scouting list and getting their man this time.

We all want to see the 3rd/4th lines improved next season - this may be a stab in the dark at making such a move without giving anything up.

Bickell/Sharp- Toews - Hossa
Saad - Kesler - Kane


- Nucker101

I am not saying that the Blues would be better than Chicago's 1 - 2 punch, but they would be getting closer. Offense has been our biggest issue (especially in the playoffs) Paul would really help us in that department IMO.

One year deal.

Leverage for a Kesler deal perhaps.... 6' 203 center, left shot. Maybe can play LW...

Dominoes haha

Worst case, the building of the next generation with a quality Euro player who is not a smurf. I especially like that he seems to be a tough guy on the boards and in frontof the net.
- Return of the Roar

I read on another site that Philly & Vancouver were interested in signing him.

I am not saying that the Blues would be better than Chicago's 1 - 2 punch, but they would be getting closer. Offense has been our biggest issue (especially in the playoffs) Paul would really help us in that department IMO.
- carcus

I know, I was just hoping the Bowman's were reading this blog.

Again, IF the Rasmussen signing is true, I highly doubt it is a "domino" RE: any other big move. The Blackhawks wanted to sign Simon Hjalmarsson (confirmed by The Hockey News last month) but he opted to sign with Columbus last week. This is likely the Blackhawks moving on to the number 2 "target" on their SHL scouting list and getting their man this time.

We all want to see the 3rd/4th lines improved next season - this may be a stab in the dark at making such a move without giving anything up.
- BreakoutHockey

Big W who put good #'s in a very competitive league. Good signing that provides flexibility for the bottom 6.

Possibly, POSSIBLY, take Handzus' spot, 4C. If he can help at all at the NHL level, as a pivot, it's a decent depth move.
- John Jaeckel

I heard that Stan was looking at Simon Hjalmarsson (no relation) but lost out to Columbus. Maybe Rasmussen was Plan B to add to the team via European free agency.

Time to clarify, methinks.

1) How high are the odds that the Hawks get Kesler? Not overly. Are they higher than some believe? Yes.

2) The Hawks got beaten down the middle with, essentially, Toews, Kruger, Shaw and Handzus at center. Handzus is probably done. Shaw is probably out of position there. The Hawks need a center, and more importantly, the front office KNOWS they need a center. And probably more than some guy from Sweden named Rasmussen.

3) There's a difference between a "what if" or "the Hawks could use a guy like" rumor and one where someone knows the Hawks are actually shopping specific guys and/or looking at specific guys.

4) The Hawks have had interest in the recent past in Nielsen, Plekanec and Kesler. There's a good place to start as far as possible 2C's.

5) They will be looking possibly to also add forwards with size and speed, because they know they got beat physically upfront against LA