I've been out for several days, and didn't have time to back read the past few blogs.... I noticed that one blog had the Hawks doing only a few small trades, while the next two had Kesler coming and Sharp (and others perhaps) going. Was this two separate sources, or is the front office going back and forth that quickly on what is needed?
- mohel

Something like that from what I hear. Not so much what is needed but what is doable vis a vis what other teams will do. Which changes. 30 teams talking. Make sense?

Time for Kyle beach to step up!!!!......... yeah

As the Hawks-Kings series ended, I thought to myself....
you have talked crap about LA giving Carter the stupid ten year deal...but they got the last laugh...two Cups now.

maybe that deal cuts things close for them this upcoming season, but when that Canadian TV kicks in that Cap is gonna really rise, and they gte off the hook, until he gets too slow or uninterested...then they send him packing or buy it out.

What I thought was a lose lose situation, turned out to be a essential part to actually get the job done....
- wiz1901

No, you can't question the Hawk front office on anything, Bill. Carter's deal is bad. Winning is secondary.

Oh and if you do question them for not pulling the trigger on a deal, they were never considering it anyway. According to some.

Some thought Hossa's deal was...is bad....but ill take it and him

Something like that from what I hear. Not so much what is needed but what is doable vis a vis what other teams will do. Which changes. 30 teams talking.
- John Jaeckel

So has Sharp's name always been out there or did the Hawks withdraw it because they haven't heard an offer they liked?

...or is it more of a case of the Hawks are looking for a 2C and Sharp would need to be moved potentially in a separate deal to accommodate another top 6 fwd salary?

I wouldn't give up a 1st round pick in 2015.
- Elbows15

Even if it's a #30, which we hope it would be if they got Kesler?

Would like to know if any Stan Bowman era deal was leaked before it actually happend?

Some thought Hossa's deal was...is bad....but ill take it and him
- southernhawk

Same guys who said he was going to get bought out last summer. When, in fact, that was never a consideration.

But let's face it, some of these message board discussions are nothing more than ego contests, or playing gotcha with the blogger, and not about any actual issue.

Would like to know if any Stan Bowman era deal was leaked before it actually happend?
- MjulQvist

Oduya, I had info on it before it actually went down. Think I mentioned it here, can't recall exactly. But ask Peter Tessier. Blogger here for the Jets. He and I worked on it together.

I had info they were looking at Brookbank before he was signed. That was posted here.

BUT, they do keep a tight lid on things. But here's the thing to consider. How many trades has Bowman actually made? Not a lot.

That's fine. NOT, in this case a criticism. Just an illustration to prove a point. Many, many more deals get talked about than are actually done.

I first mentioned here in late February/early March (and I am 99% certain before anyone else did) that the Hawks were going to look at Kesler.

Now—even though only Stan Bowman could actually confirm that (and he won't unless a deal is made)—half the internet is reporting it. Not because I said it. But because there's 95% likely truth to it. It's come out through multiple sources, including likely many on Vancouver. Will it go down? Betting odds are no. Because MOST deals that get discussed don't happen.

But it doesn't mean the discussion never happened, as some might like you to believe. Without any actual knowledge themselves.

But it doesn't mean the discussion never happened, as some might like you to believe.
- John Jaeckel

There is probably lot of discussions going on and some of those will leak and some don´t. Some of those discussons will become reality as a trade or trades but most won´t ever happen.

So has Sharp's name always been out there or did the Hawks withdraw it because they haven't heard an offer they liked?

...or is it more of a case of the Hawks are looking for a 2C and Sharp would need to be moved potentially in a separate deal to accommodate another top 6 fwd salary?
- HawkintheD

Here's what I think based on all I've heard:

Sharp was being shopped, and maybe shopped hard a few weeks ago.

Possibly unrelated, the team was also talking to Vancouver about Kesler.

I can't and won't go into details on Sharp's situation. But what I heard told me that the team had perhaps decided to address some things with him—which, in addition to not hearing anything form Chicago sources for a few days on it, led me to believe that maybe he wasn't going anywhere. I was also told at that time that since Vancouver had demanded Saad in any deal, that the Hawks had backed out on that. AND that the hawks were lowering their sights on to some minor 3rd/4th line tweaks.

THEN, subsequently I heard from a number of sources outside Chicago that Sharp was still being shopped heavily. So I checked with a Hawk source, and yes, conversations were ongoing.

Then I heard Vancouver came back to the Hawks about Kesler–evidently therefore, they might do without Saad.

These are very, very good sources. Not some guy who pushes a broom at the UC.

Here's the thing. there are 30 teams talking right now. And things change.

I am 99% sure that the Hawks have been looking for a #2 center. But i also think they are not going to audition Tom, Richard and Harry. They are looking at a few guys they like who fit who they want to play, whether they're "available" or not. If they don't get one of those guys, so be it, I think they'll wait. Do I agree or disagree? Doesn't matter. I think it's their way.

Here's what I think based on all I've heard:

Sharp was being shopped, and maybe shopped hard a few weeks ago.

These are very, very good sources. Not some guy who pushes a broom at the UC.

Here's the thing. there are 30 teams talking right now. And things change.

I am 99% sure that the Hawks have been looking for a #2 center. But i also think they are not going to audition Tom, Richard and Harry. They are looking at a few guys they like who fit who they want to play, whether they're "available" or not. If they don't get one of those guys, so be it, I think they'll wait. Do I agree or disagree? Doesn't matter. I think it's their way.
- John Jaeckel

I like the idea of the maintenance engineer at the UC being your source and the conversation being initiated like this: "Pssst...hey Jaeckel. Sharp's in play."

Thanks for the insight on this and also on where guys fall in terms of the buckets they reside being tradable or not.

I wouldn't part with Saad at this point for just about any guy around 30 and definitely not Kesler.

Not that the Hawks care what I or some others here would like but do you think some of those guys not named Kesler could include names like Nielsen, Vermette, Anisimov or Eller?

I'm sure it's possible but as a Hawk fan what would you like to see them do to address 2C?

I like the idea of the maintenance engineer at the UC being your source and the conversation being initiated like this: "Pssst...hey Jaeckel. Sharp's in play."

Thanks for the insight on this and also on where guys fall in terms of the buckets they reside being tradable or not.

I wouldn't part with Saad at this point for just about any guy around 30 and definitely not Kesler.

Not that the Hawks care what I or some others here would like but do you think some of those guys not named Kesler could include names like Nielsen, Vermette, Anisimov or Eller?

I'm sure it's possible but as a Hawk fan what would you like to see them do to address 2C?
- HawkintheD

Bring back Pirri, but then again you didn't ask what I thought.

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.

Bring back Pirri, but then again you didn't ask what I thought.
- paulr

I didn't have to ask as I think your sentiment is what most of us are hoping for.

Same guys who said he was going to get bought out last summer. When, in fact, that was never a consideration.

But let's face it, some of these message board discussions are nothing more than ego contests, or playing gotcha with the blogger, and not about any actual issue.
- John Jaeckel

Here's the thing. there are 30 teams talking right now. And things change.

- John Jaeckel

Ain't this the truth. I look at it this way - As much as I would love the Hawks to make a move and get a bona fide 2C, any deal may just have to wait until certain other teams get their houses in order. The Rangers and Leafs need to sign nearly half of a team. The Bruins (unless they buyout Savard) are in cap hell. The Penquins may go after Kesler, but at what expense? Without 3rd and 4th lines, they are doomed for an early playoff exit again. The Sharks have hinted at trading away Thornton and/or Marleau. The Av's have to deal with Stastny and. ROR. The Flyers need to do something.

Things should get interesting on August 1st.

Ain't this the truth. I look at it this way - As much as I would love the Hawks to make a move and get a bona fide 2C, any deal may just have to wait until certain other teams get their houses in order. The Rangers and Leafs need to sign nearly half of a team. The Bruins (unless they buyout Savard) are in cap hell. The Penquins may go after Kesler, but at what expense? Without 3rd and 4th lines, they are doomed for an early playoff exit again. The Sharks have hinted at trading away Thornton and/or Marleau. The Av's have to deal with Stastny and. ROR. The Flyers need to do something.

Things should get interesting on August 1st.
- Tanuki

Astute comments.

Did you mean July 1, not Aug 1?

Like JJ said, whole lot of talking but what comes to fruition

Astute comments.

Did you mean July 1, not Aug 1?

Like JJ said, whole lot of talking but what comes to fruition
- jhawk59

My bad. Nice catch.

Leddy, Versteeg, and a 2nd for Travis Zajac

done. enough with this Kesler and Spezza talk

Leddy, Versteeg, and a 2nd for Travis Zajac

done. enough with this Kesler and Spezza talk
- FourFeathers773

Why would New Jersey do this?

Leddy, Versteeg, and a 2nd for Travis Zajac

done. enough with this Kesler and Spezza talk
- FourFeathers773

NJ wont do it.


Maybe Leddy (Shaw or Kruger) and a #1


But anywyas..... whatever.

Lets go draft !

Why would New Jersey do this?
- DarthKane

They wouldn't and why would we? Another high priced player. We'd be OVER the cap now.

NJ has nothing we want, except possibly a depth D-Man like Fayne. Otherwise, no help there.

Why would New Jersey do this?
- DarthKane

Their blue line is a mess, versteeg adds some scoring depth at a bargain price, and they need some high draft picks to start rebuilding a putrid farm system

they are mulling buying out volchenkov and they basically are on the verge of losing their former 4th overall cornerstone dman in Larsson for pennies on the dollar

he only wants a one way deal and NJD want to give him a two way deal. so either NJ likely trades him, they offer him a two way deal (in which he said he would go back to sweden), or they give him a one way deal and barely play him (which is not beneficial for either side)

I still like Sharp for anisimov and one of their better prospects in kerby Reichel. With his size and skill I could see him playing a little with the Hawks this year like boone jenner did in columbus. Reichel will be 20 when the season starts