How does this deal help the Flyers, other than saving 0.175M in cap space?
- eburgio

Hartnell still has 5 years left on that deal and is already 32 years old.

Beat me to it
- captainserious

And for that I win a big container of nothing.

Head-scratcher for Philly. Hartnell is a good player and produces. Umberger has underachieved. Maybe a change of scenery helps but that's a big contract he has.

Hartnell still has 5 years left on that deal and is already 32 years old.
- dan9189

Umberger is also 32, but only has 3 years left.

WHAT THE HELL

is Philly doing???

CBJ were on the verge of buying umberger out I heard. Even then, to get a return like Hartnell for him despite asking out of CBJ and playing like crap

just wow

How does this deal help the Flyers, other than saving 0.175M in cap space?
- eburgio

That pretty much guarantees that Kesler ain´t going to Philly if he ever was though.

Umberger is also 32, but only has 3 years left.
- eburgio

My guess is Philly thinks he's on the decline. Would rather have only 3 years of Umberger then 5 years of Hartnell.

Hartnell still has 5 years left on that deal and is already 32 years old.
- dan9189

Yea but he's good for 20 goals a year (not sure for how long at 32) but has good playoff experience and the type of game that game help a team in the spring.

And for that I win a big container of nothing.

Head-scratcher for Philly. Hartnell is a good player and produces. Umberger has underachieved. Maybe a change of scenery helps but that's a big contract he has.
- golfbard

No he is not. Falls down every 6 strides and takes stupid penalty after stupid penalty. The 2 teams just switched players who they would otherwise bought out or dumped to anybody who would have picked up tHose ugly contracts.

No he is not. Falls down every 6 strides and takes stupid penalty after stupid penalty. The 2 teams just switched players who they would otherwise bought out or dumped to anybody who would have picked up tHose ugly contracts.
- RickJ

I'm aware he's not a great skater and he is prone to taking dumb penalties. Don't discount his value as a guy who goes to the net and plays big.

And let me just get on my soapbox once (and finally) today, because this little drama extends past this blog now and onto twitter.

i know most of you come here for the talk and for the information in the blog (whether it comes to fruition in actual trades or signings or not).

The reason for the latter is some of the stuff I report—before anyone else—does get proven correct. Signing Hossa in 2009. Kane's wrist surgery in 2011. Winter Classic last week. And there are more examples. Those are probably the three biggest and clearest. Whatever. I am no better than the sources who graciously provide me with information so I can share with you.

But some people don't like that fact. They don't. Why? You'd have to ask them. One of my sources laughed yesterday and said they're just jealous. Could be, I am fortunate to have this gig and to have made the friendships I have through it.

And as far as that goes for others, tough. Go out and do what I did, start writing for an internet hockey publication, network, make friends, put some ideas forth (instead of attacking others on Twitter and hiding behind a little pack of wannabes on a podcast).

Or they sit here and take little shots at me and my information. Without really much or any of their own. Why? Nothing better to do? No other message board thread to hang out on that has information they deem more accurate? Can't say. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense though.

Bottom line is this though. I will keep doing what I do: trying to get ahead of stories, offering opinions (which you are welcome to dispute if you have facts—and that means something more tangible than "what you say isn't true"). And you can say that I can't prove what I say is true. But yes, I can. Because I preface it, pretty much always, with "this is what I'm hearing," which any moron can read and understand. And it IS what I'm hearing. So it is true. It's what (mostly) credible sources are telling me. And if they're wrong too often, they don't stay sources, trust me.

It isn't "made up" whether you like the content or not. If it was, my "hit" rate would be a lot lower. As in pretty much 0%.

Do the (frank)ing math, sweetheart. And then shut yer yap.
- John Jaeckel

>JJ, love what you do
>Know it has taken tons of time and effort to build
>Let the haters hate
>While the creators create

kudos to the meddler McD for making the Hawks the face of the NHL.
- UnnamedSource

Wow, just wow. Here I was thinking it was a great team playing winning hockey that made the Hawks the Hawks. Thanks for straightening me out.

Now that Philly has acquired Umberger (who I don't know whether or not will be a C or a LW), does it make sense for them to shop Schenn?

I'd like to see the Blackhawks get involved.

Now that Philly has acquired Umberger (who I don't know whether or not will be a C or a LW), does it make sense for them to shop Schenn?

I'd like to see the Blackhawks get involved.
- TommyHawk

I would never bring in Umberger to make Shenn expendable. But if they are shopping we should kick the tires.

Now that Philly has acquired Umberger (who I don't know whether or not will be a C or a LW), does it make sense for them to shop Schenn?

I'd like to see the Blackhawks get involved.
- TommyHawk

Their situation doesn't really change. The cap hits of Umberger and Hartnell are basically identical. They are no more compelled to trade Schenn than they were 4 hours ago.

Their situation doesn't really change. The cap hits of Umberger and Hartnell are basically identical. They are no more compelled to trade Schenn than they were 4 hours ago.
- eburgio

Well, maybe if McD could meddle a little bit more, he could make a trade happen

Their situation doesn't really change. The cap hits of Umberger and Hartnell are basically identical. They are no more compelled to trade Schenn than they were 4 hours ago.
- eburgio

Problem is, if they convert Umberger back to center (his position up until two years ago), it would leave them with an abundant amount (Giroux, Couturier, Lecavalier, AND I'm sure they will want to add a 4th center as well to play the 4th line as a replacement for Adam Hall. That would give the team six centers (including Schenn). Philadelphia has other holes they'd probably want to patch up, and I'm sure they could get a nice return for Schenn.

Problem is, if they convert Umberger back to center (his position up until two years ago), it would leave them with an abundant amount (Giroux, Couturier, Lecavalier, AND I'm sure they will want to add a 4th center as well to play the 4th line as a replacement for Adam Hall. That would give the team six centers (including Schenn). Philadelphia has other holes they'd probably want to patch up, and I'm sure they could get a nice return for Schenn.
- TommyHawk

Well, Umberger is probably staying on the Wing and there's a lot of chatter about moving Lacavalier. I wonder how things will be different in Philly with Hextall as GM, vs Holmgren.

Just got an interesting note from someone who actually knows on McDonough and his involvement in hockey decisions. Pretty fair and respectful to him as well. i will blog it in the next few days.
- John Jaeckel

Any word on why Kevin Hayes seems set to go to free agency in August? Hard to believe the Hawks haven't done everything possible here to sign their 2010 first round pick.

His reps stated it has nothing to do with Hawks trading his brother but I find that hard to believe as well.

Confessional Monday around here.......

1. I can't say what I heard about Sharp is 100% true. I have heard from 5 guys it is, and 1 guy it isn't.

2. I said it over the weekend.....There are some spys or trolls or wolves in sheeps clothing on this blog. They were there on the DH, and for the most part I KNOW who you are. Taking bits of pieces of somebody's blog, and posting it on social media is a g-damn joke. Pathetic, and shows some major jealously and maybe a tatic for increasing page views. I dont' know...I don't care. What I do care about is spin control.

If somebody wants to have an agenda be careful. Should this front office be commended? Of course. They had no where to go but up, but they have far exceeded my personal expectations for where this team IS today compared to where it was in the fall of 2007 when McDonough and Wirtz sat down and Wirtz pleaded to get McDonough to work for him.

As far as Bowman goes....Senior.....I just have a VERY hard time believing a guy who spends a VAST MAJORITY of his time in Florida watching games is the puppet master. Does he have a MAJOR influence? I am sure he does...is he calling the shots? I doubt it. Maybe when they have their organizational meetings...but when Dad is away, is Stan allowed to do what he wants without interference?

3. Jeff Carter...who cares. The guy was inked to a deal by Philly, then blind sided and shipped to Columbus, pouted, and landed in LA and has been a HUGE factor in them winning 2 cups. Sure he has a LT deal but so does Hossa, and keith, and soon to be 19/88.

4. Hossa....last time....he WENT to the Hawks. They were all set to ink Havlat, Hossa contacts Chicago...Tallon meets with him at the draft in Montreal, and the rest is history. NOBODY saw that coming, until John had it. So while we can sit here and say...they are up against the cap, etc, you can never rule out a scenario like that because if that MARQUE player comes along you do it.

5. Rumors/sources are just that. So while everyone rips John, the bottom line is John probably gets bombarded with crap...probably checks most of it out against his more trusted "sources" and then decides to post it. Some of it he PROBABLY has to sit on so his source isn't blasted on their end. So while it would be nice to get a DIRECT example or LINK or whatever else...that will never happen because John cant do that. Do I agree with everything he posts? Nope. However, if he posts it, it has to be coming from somebody he trusts.

You show me another hawks related blogger or media member who has broken more ACTUAL Hawks news/trades and I will eat crow. Very easy to blast a guy when he's wrong, but I don't see those same internet tough guys congratulating him when he's right.....especially when he's outscopping guys who SHOULD have a LOT better contacts, sources, then he does and are paid to do it....yet.....either dont' have the stones to run with it OR dont' have it.

I hope that 24/7 is given more access next December bc this years HBO 24/7 was a bit dry....the Hawks should provide MUCH more character and entertainment compared to the Wings considering the Wings are like a very very good men's league team given they are mostly 30+with families lol...I am PUMPED to see more behind the scenes stuff with the Hawks young group of guys

I hope that 24/7 is given more access next December bc this years HBO 24/7 was a bit dry....the Hawks should provide MUCH more character and entertainment compared to the Wings considering the Wings are like a very very good men's league team given they are mostly 30+with families lol...I am PUMPED to see more behind the scenes stuff with the Hawks young group of guys
- EnzoD

Honestly...the 24/7 is more exciting to me then the Winter Classic. Marque game, great....however it means just as much in the standings as a Thursday night October game vs Winnipeg. I get the NHL needs it for TV and I dont' doubt that's why the Hawks continue to get these events....but......the behind scenes will be very interesting.

Historically McDonough run organizatinos are very tight lipped. Curious to see how much they allow access to regarding front office matters, etc.

Any word on why Kevin Hayes seems set to go to free agency in August? Hard to believe the Hawks haven't done everything possible here to sign their 2010 first round pick.

His reps stated it has nothing to do with Hawks trading his brother but I find that hard to believe as well.
- Sconnie

After reading wiz assessment of K Hayes a couple pages back I would say that either Hayes wants an NHL gp guarantee or is asking for more money than Chg can pay right now. Hayes probably wouldn't do worse by waiting for free agency. Hate to loose him for nothing. He may be immature given his history by some standards but he is a talented big player. If he plays big often enough then he is a very desirable asset. And I too agree that there is some animosity or whatever relating to his brother being traded.

Honestly...the 24/7 is more exciting to me then the Winter Classic. Marque game, great....however it means just as much in the standings as a Thursday night October game vs Winnipeg. I get the NHL needs it for TV and I dont' doubt that's why the Hawks continue to get these events....but......the behind scenes will be very interesting.

Historically McDonough run organizatinos are very tight lipped. Curious to see how much they allow access to regarding front office matters, etc.
- SteveRain

well i wouldnt expect much access to the front office but id hope for more of a look into the locker room and a bit more of the social lives of the star players (id love to know what Johnny Toews does on an off Friday night/ Saturday afternoon)..just not enough substance from last years 24/7 but still enjoyable regardless.


and the umberger trade??? does Phily have a compliance buyout left? bc if they do it makes sense that they would essentially trade Hartnell for a 4th rounder and then buyout umberger instead of buying out hartnell and getting nothing in return...bc if they intend to keep umberger then it is an absolutely terrible trade and hextall deserves to lose his job already

JJ,

You do a great job and we love the info and the occasional back and forth!
Life is too short to worry the haters and the small minded people.
La vie continue
- Hawkster

Hey, you gotta problem with da small minded people?

After reading wiz assessment of K Hayes a couple pages back I would say that either Hayes wants an NHL gp guarantee or is asking for more money than Chg can pay right now. Hayes probably wouldn't do worse by waiting for free agency. Hate to loose him for nothing. He may be immature given his history by some standards but he is a talented big player. If he plays big often enough then he is a very desirable asset. And I too agree that there is some animosity or whatever relating to his brother being traded.
- jhawk59

I think he wants to go somewhere where he can make the NHL jump quicker. Money is probably going to be very similar where ever he goes.