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

Yes

I read on another site that Philly & Vancouver were interested in signing him.
- Hawks82

Maybe the young centerman Van is looking for in any deal for Kesler. More proven at that role than TT I would suspect.

OOOOHHHHHHHH!!!! It was KESSEL Kane wanted, not KESLER!!! This changes everything! Wow, we really got that rumor wrong!!! Imagine that trade screw up!
- resqmed99

Time out...

Kane was quoted in print talking about Kessel....I don't think the rumor John has written about has anything to do with the Kane quote....
Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

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

Was pretty much kidding with that comment.

Time out...

Kane was quoted in print talking about Kessel....I don't think the rumor John has written about has anything to do with the Kane quote....
Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR
- Al

He was being sarcastic, Al. Notice the red font. Red Font = sarcasm

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
- eburgio

Could be...

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

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

Regin replacement, we could use a quality healthy scratch guy that we wont send down to Rockford either

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
- John Jaeckel

I love Plekanec. He's basically Bolland with a bit more skill and a bit less physicality. If I'm moving Sharp for him, I need an additional piece back. Maybe a dman like Greg Pateryn that is ready to play on the bottom pair in the NHL but will never get a shot in Montreal because of the logjam of young dmen on their way (Bealieu, Tinordi, Ellis, etc.)

He was being sarcastic, Al. Notice the red font. Red Font = sarcasm
- eburgio

Yes...but wanted to make sure as they are 2 different stories.


Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

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.
- DarthKane

Just looked into the Simon Hjalmarsson issue. 6' nothing 167 lbs....."Hobby Hammer"?

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?
- eburgio

Derosa aint poop compared to what Sharp has meant to the Blackhawks in his time here. No comparison

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.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Also, it's a one year deal, and I would imagine it's a two-way deal. The Hawks get to try him out (presumably in Rockford), and Rasmussen gets to see if the North American game is for him.

I looks like a similar set-up as Mathias Olimb had a few years back...

If the hawks acquired Kesler I would actually go Kruger at 3c and shaw at 4c.
- golfbard

If the Hawks acquire Kesler, one of Shaw or Kruger will be going back in the trade in all likelihood. I think that'd be fine because Nordstrom looks close to a role as 4C.

Agreed. Also, it's a one year deal, and I would imagine it's a two-way deal. The Hawks get to try him out (presumably in Rockford), and Rasmussen gets to see if the North American game is for him.

I looks like a similar set-up as Mathias Olimb had a few years back...
- EKolb13

Thanks for the flash back. Glad Beach is gone..

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

If a big splash doesn't happen at the every least Bowman has to find bottom six forwards.

That cost the Hawks big time...When Q split up 4th line to fill other holes they were not good at all.

Hawks played a line short....unlike the 2 times they won a Cup.

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

Maybe the young centerman Van is looking for in any deal for Kesler. More proven at that role than TT I would suspect.
- Return of the Roar

I get the feeling that they'd probably insist on TT. Maybe this signing makes it easier to part with TT in a deal?

Thanks for the flash back. Glad Beach is gone..
- Beaver-Warrior

At least Bowman got something out of him...

Mashinter

Protection for the kids in Rockford for the next couple of seasons.

If the Hawks acquire Kesler, one of Shaw or Kruger will be going back in the trade in all likelihood. I think that'd be fine because Nordstrom looks close to a role as 4C.
- hawks2010

Nordstrom without pads looks like he is in High School....Better gain some weight and muscle this summer.

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR

I get the feeling that they'd probably insist on TT. Maybe this signing makes it easier to part with TT in a deal?
- Hawks82

True as well. Now if we could just find a taker for Versteeg....

Agreed. Also, it's a one year deal, and I would imagine it's a two-way deal. The Hawks get to try him out (presumably in Rockford), and Rasmussen gets to see if the North American game is for him.

I looks like a similar set-up as Mathias Olimb had a few years back...
- EKolb13

Olimb looked like a player that could have been used on a powerplay. Zip in and out of the slot all night long. Beach is such a Richard.

Olimb looked like a player that could have been used on a powerplay. Zip in and out of the slot all night long. Beach is such a Richard.
- 6628

Olimb looked like a very good AHL player. He could have stayed in North America for half a decade doing that...

Nordstrom without pads looks like he is in High School....Better gain some weight and muscle this summer.

Hawks may not be able to stand pat this summer. Competition is fierce big names could be in play around NHL. Fox Chgo:http://bit.ly/1oDBYHR
- Al

The muscle is there. The weight isn't.

The muscle is there. The weight isn't.
- EKolb13

Strong on his skates yes....Bigger frame than Kruger but don't know if he can hold up an entire year as a banger unless he gets stronger and heavier.

Derosa aint poop compared to what Sharp has meant to the Blackhawks in his time here. No comparison
- BlazinMike

That's not really the point I was making. More about how the fan base perceives losing a guy, which is why Steve said they might be baiting the hook to soften the blow IF he leaves.

TT might turn out to be a superstar. It is always a risk. But I am fine trading him. I do think you can get a very good return for TT and leddy. Doesn't even have to be kesler. I think that might bring us a cheaper and younger center than him. Where we could still keep sharp without being in cap hell. I like spreading out the offense with sharp on line 3
- tomcat24

Maybe a trade featuring Kesler and TT (and other pieces) could go down like the Nieuwendyk-Iginla trade back in the day. Hawks win another cup or two in the short term with Kesler, Vancouver has a superstar for the next decade-plus. I'd be fine with that since Toews and Kane are entering their prime now and TT could take a couple years to get really good.