As a hockey fan, and a numbers geek, this sucks. As a human being, and nothing to do with hockey, I wish him well.

CAPGEEK.COM CEASES OPERATIONS
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capgeek.inc at gmail.com
- MNHawk[emailing this address does not guarantee a response]

Perspective and Reality. Wish him well.

Even if you refuse to accept that Carcillo has a role on an NHL team, numerous NHL head coaches have shown that they do—not that THAT matters. Well, yeah, it does, because Joel Quenneville, the head coach of the Blackhawks has too.

So, without getting into the timeworn debate of what Carcillo's role is, can we not agree that whatever it is, the 175 pound (and that's probably generous) Teravainen, with his gifted hands and vision, is not suited to Carcillo's role?

At least for me, its not a TT vs. Carcillo thing, its a Nordstrom vs. Carcillo thing. I just think Nordstrom brings the sandpaper but gives the the 4th line a second checking and potential 4th scoring line.

I've said before, not going to get too out of whack about it, we'll see who's playing on the 4th line and 3rd D pair come playoff time.

I have two issues: Nordstrom - Carcillo and Dahlbeck - Rundblad
- vabeachbear

If the Hawks put Rundblad on waivers or tried to send him down he would be claimed very quickly, likely by the Oilers. He's a bargain at $550K, creates some offence and fills the hole created by the fact Rosy can only play about 50 games a year.

As it relates to Dahlbeck, the question might be why the Hawks felt they needed to acquire Erixon in the Morin trade - did they think he was that much better than Dahlbeck?

If the Hawks put Rundblad on waivers or tried to send him down he would be claimed very quickly, likely by the Oilers. He's a bargain at $550K, creates some offence and fills the hole created by the fact Rosy can only play about 50 games a year.

As it relates to Dahlbeck, the question might be why the Hawks felt they needed to acquire Erixon in the Morin trade - did they think he was that much better than Dahlbeck?
- RickJ

Or maybe just keeping a stockpile of dmen with Rozy gone next year and Oduya likely to be.

Rousel is a douchebag because he is dangerous and has no regard for other players. I have no problem with tough, physical players who can play.

Rousel will end someone's career with the poop he does. There is no place in the game for guys like him.

This isn't a little face wash here and there. Its sticking your leg out on a guy, butt ending guys, and that sort of thing. The truth is nothing will stop him from doing that but the league office.
- Elbows15

Ok. I guess he isSean Avery part 2, he'll get his from Reeves or McGratton or some one of that sort some day if he is doing all that crap. Did not know that I thought he was just a hard type player who gave it his all every shift.

If the Hawks put Rundblad on waivers or tried to send him down he would be claimed very quickly, likely by the Oilers. He's a bargain at $550K, creates some offence and fills the hole created by the fact Rosy can only play about 50 games a year.

As it relates to Dahlbeck, the question might be why the Hawks felt they needed to acquire Erixon in the Morin trade - did they think he was that much better than Dahlbeck?
- RickJ

Your point about the cap is a good one and makes sense. That won't be an issue in the playoffs.

Erixson, only thing I can figure is Columbus wasn't giving much more, and he is insurance against injury.

As a hockey fan, and a numbers geek, this sucks. As a human being, and nothing to do with hockey, I wish him well.

CAPGEEK.COM CEASES OPERATIONS
Effective immediately, Jan. 3, 2015, CapGeek.com has permanently ceased operations. This sudden decision is made with a heavy heart and is due to the personal health of CapGeek.com founder and director Matthew Wuest. While this decision may raise many questions, it is requested that you respect Matthew's privacy and wish for no media or purchase inquiries. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding at this difficult time.

capgeek.inc at gmail.com
- MNHawk[emailing this address does not guarantee a response]

Completely agree...love using gapgeek.com and certainly
wish Mr. Wuest the best in this trying time. Hope he makes it.

Double T is a skilled player...anyone with any hockey sense can see that. However, based upon practice lines...playing on line 4 with Carcillo and Smith...he will NOT be successful. Furthermore, based upon his minor league production, he will NOT be lights out any time soon in the NHL. Skilled...yes...star performer...hell no. TOO MUCH HYPE. Does anyone remember Tuomo Ruuttu...the greatest player not in the NHL at one point in time? He became NOTHING but a 3rd line player....

Or maybe just keeping a stockpile of dmen with Rozy gone next year and Oduya likely to be.
- HawkintheD

That's likely their thinking - except that Rundblad, Erixon, Dahlbeck and Oduya all need new deals going into next season.

(I've got this vision of Stanbo locked in a room in July with those 4 Swedes playing hardball in contract negotiations).

That's likely their thinking - except that Rundblad, Erixon, Dahlbeck and Oduya all need new deals going into next season.

(I've got this vision of Stanbo locked in a room in July with those 4 Swedes playing hardball in contract negotiations).
- RickJ

It has been suggested (I think by JJ), that they have a good idea on Oduya's next deal, and that's why he stayed instead of Leddy. The other 3 should be cheap. Dahlbeck's first contract should be affordable, the other 2, don't think they're worth more than they are paying them now.

I know many think they would both be claimed in a heartbeat if sent down, and while that may be true, that's a different situation then someone offering them big FA money.

If Oduya is back, that leaves 2 spots (6 and 7 Dman) for Rundblad, Erixon, Dahlbeck, Clendening, Johns, Pokka, Cumiskey.

Don't think Rundblad or Erixon are going to have much of a hardball position if they want to play in Chicago.

Rousel is a douchebag because he is dangerous and has no regard for other players. I have no problem with tough, physical players who can play.

Rousel will end someone's career with the poop he does. There is no place in the game for guys like him.

This isn't a little face wash here and there. Its sticking your leg out on a guy, butt ending guys, and that sort of thing. The truth is nothing will stop him from doing that but the league office.
- Elbows15

100% agree on Roussel. Garbut is also gaining a well deserved reputation. Already had one in the AHL for his stick work from what I have read. They also now have Moen - more of a straight up fighter than dirty.

Would rather see Carcillo off setting Roussel than Shaw. Shaw did fine last fight with him but he shouldn't risk injury. Unlike Backes, Shaw tends to look for guys bigger than he is to fight. Not hard to do.

Ideally, Bickell would grow a pair and take on Roussel if it is necessary tonight. Though I also want him on the ice he needs to re-establish that he is willing to get involved. That $4m has made him soft. If Bickell started filling that role just a bit (like Benn did with Backes a few games back) they could easily move Carcillo to the press box for Nordstrom and make the KNS line a secondary shut down line.

Ok. I guess he isSean Avery part 2, he'll get his from Reeves or McGratton or some one of that sort some day if he is doing all that crap. Did not know that I thought he was just a hard type player who gave it his all every shift.
- wonthecup10

He backs off from the real enforcers and picks his spots like Backes. One of these days though he will take it too far and someone like Scott will corner him like Bollig did last year and give him no choice. Bollig nailed him with some body shots in that one. Roussell was bent over in the walk way going to the locker room.

Perspective and Reality. Wish him well.
- vabeachbear

That is really a shame. Hope he recovers. He should have looked for more advertising for that site. Maybe sell it instead of close it down.

Roussel and Cooke paired off last night but did not throw a punch. 2 guys who truly deserved to beat each other bloody. Would have been so nice if they ended each others careers. Gutless.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/126935

Emotional game for the Stars. Hopefully, they lose momentum tonight.

That's likely their thinking - except that Rundblad, Erixon, Dahlbeck and Oduya all need new deals going into next season.

(I've got this vision of Stanbo locked in a room in July with those 4 Swedes playing hardball in contract negotiations).
- RickJ

Three of them are RFA's and have not shown enough to be offer sheeted by another club. Good strategy on Bowman's part. Take your 10% increase or sit.

It has been suggested (I think by JJ), that they have a good idea on Oduya's next deal, and that's why he stayed instead of Leddy. The other 3 should be cheap. Dahlbeck's first contract should be affordable, the other 2, don't think they're worth more than they are paying them now.

I know many think they would both be claimed in a heartbeat if sent down, and while that may be true, that's a different situation then someone offering them big FA money.

If Oduya is back, that leaves 2 spots (6 and 7 Dman) for Rundblad, Erixon, Dahlbeck, Clendening, Johns, Pokka, Cumiskey.

Don't think Rundblad or Erixon are going to have much of a hardball position if they want to play in Chicago.
- vabeachbear

Agree with you pretty much, Rundblad and Erixon fall into the 5/6 Dman category and will be paid accordingly or be replaced by Clendening and Dahlbeck at favourable cap $.

I'm not convinced they will resign Oduya. Think they will only do that when they know for sure what Seabrook is going to cost after next season.

Tallon was an asst GM until 2005.
Seabrook was a Smith pick---I talked to him that evening in Florida , and didn't question the pick but said there sure were a lot of good forwards and even a big men there (Getzlaf in particular) and Smith who was honest to a tee, and never afraid to tell the truth if he thought you weren't a reporter, told me outright: The team has no prospects at defense so we have to continue to draft there.

Tallon MIGHT have been doing some scouting but Smith was GM.
- Mike Smith has drafted moderately to highly successful NHL players, most of whom are still playing:

Brent Seabrook

Duncan Keith

Dustin Byfuglien

Alexei Zhamnov

Igor Korolev

Nikolai Khabibulin

Keith Tkachuk

Nikolai Antropov

Kris Draper

Craig Anderson

Corey Crawford

Adam Burish

James Wisniewski

Tuomo Ruutu

Aaron Ward

Stu Barnes
- wiz1901

Didn't he draft Selanne too?

Double T is a skilled player...anyone with any hockey sense can see that. However, based upon practice lines...playing on line 4 with Carcillo and Smith...he will NOT be successful. Furthermore, based upon his minor league production, he will NOT be lights out any time soon in the NHL. Skilled...yes...star performer...hell no. TOO MUCH HYPE. Does anyone remember Tuomo Ruuttu...the greatest player not in the NHL at one point in time? He became NOTHING but a 3rd line player....
- Chisoxhawk

AHL performance is not an indication of NHL success. Look at Morin and Pirri - both excelled in the AHL, struggled a little in the NHL. Look at Foresberg in NSH - struggled a little in the AHL, is lights out in the NHL. TT isn't going to have the benefit of playing with top 6 players like FF, but still, is just an example of how no one knows what will happen until they get to the big show.

Fans hyping him (and it is just fans, not the FO) need to relax and reign in expectations for a kid, and anti-hype people (and there are a lot of those too) need to be patient and not dismiss him if he does not heat up right away.

Agree with you pretty much, Rundblad and Erixon fall into the 5/6 Dman category and will be paid accordingly or be replaced by Clendening and Dahlbeck at favourable cap $.

I'm not convinced they will resign Oduya. Think they will only do that when they know for sure what Seabrook is going to cost after next season.
- RickJ

Neither is better than TVR. Really not even 5 in this organization. Think they both are #7s, which means both can't stay anyway.

Eichel was the biggest disappointment. .
- spanky

Yeah I can think of thirty teams that would LOVE that disappointment.

It is still a team game and if theire are constant breakdowns, one guy can't be a dominant force.

What fight were you guys watching? Shaw is the 1 that had to sit out after getting his bell rung!
- wonthecup10

I'll tell you what (and I can be a homer as well as anyone), BUT I thought AFTER Shaw challenged him, he disappeared and things changed.

Double T is a skilled player...anyone with any hockey sense can see that. However, based upon practice lines...playing on line 4 with Carcillo and Smith...he will NOT be successful. Furthermore, based upon his minor league production, he will NOT be lights out any time soon in the NHL. Skilled...yes...star performer...hell no. TOO MUCH HYPE. Does anyone remember Tuomo Ruuttu...the greatest player not in the NHL at one point in time? He became NOTHING but a 3rd line player....
- Chisoxhawk

You know what TT gets no pass on starting as a top six guy.
Just because he STARTS on a line doesn't mean he doesn't see PP time.
and it's tough to judge TT entire career projection NOW, or set a ceiling based on the partial Rockford career.

Remembers, most good players look better when surrounded by BETTER players.