I think 2011 was a very good draft for them, because Danault and McNeill are going to be NHL players.

But . . . where do they all play. Shaw, Danault, McNeill all 3rd to 4th line players.
- John Jaeckel

Agree. I'd like to see Danault and McNeill get some reps up here. Not sure why they keep getting passed up, esp McNeill. I thought I read somewhere, probably here, that he was banged up or something. I'd like to see what they have, they'd probably bring some energy, and the experience would be good for their development.

Just looked now, yeah, 2011 was a helluva draft, especially if Danault and McNeill can perform well.

I can see Shaw getting dealt JJ. How about you? Hartman and Ross...both with slightly more size knocking on the door--though Hartman is further away of the two IMO
- grinder10

Hartman
Ross
Danault
McNeill

Shaw
Kruger

Where do they all play? I don't see them parting ways with Kruger quite as easily as some either.

I don't see why we can't make a trade that works for us this year and into the future. The other day I suggested we try trading Sharp and a 1st and/or a prospect to Florida for Gudbranson and maybe a prospect. Florida gets their scorer plus futures and we get an up and coming defenseman who I see as a top 4 in the mold of a Seabrook. He could slot in the top four right away or at least replace Rozsival as our 5th d-man. Gudbranson's cap hit through 2016-17 is $2.5M and by that that time we should be in position to sign him to a long term contract (he will be a RFA).

This is just one trade possibility as an example of how one can make things work for two teams looking at improving themselves now and into the future. Come Stan, think outside the box if you can....

Hartman
Ross
Danault
McNeill

Shaw
Kruger

Where do they all play? I don't see them parting ways with Kruger quite as easily as some either.
- John Jaeckel

I don't either. He's darned good on faceoffs now and a very solid defender. That's also why I think Shaw could be the odd man out...and I've liked Shaw

Hartman
Ross
Danault
McNeill

Shaw
Kruger

Where do they all play? I don't see them parting ways with Kruger quite as easily as some either.
- John Jaeckel

That looks like a solid bottom 6, next year, and you have Smith as a healthy scratch (or another when Q punishes them).

Hartman
Ross
Danault
McNeill

Shaw
Kruger

Where do they all play? I don't see them parting ways with Kruger quite as easily as some either.
- John Jaeckel

Not that it has to do with your post, but in trade...I don't want to give up Danault. I am totally convinced he has he character and leadership plus skill to be an integral part of our team for years to come. He's a "poor mans" J. Toews and I think will be a stud L3 Center.

That looks like a solid bottom 6, next year, and you have Smith as a healthy scratch (or another when Q punishes them).
- BearsnHawks

Toooooo smallllllllllllll

Chris Block

Regarding #Blackhawks rumors, can confirm both Klas Dahlbeck & Dennis Rasmussen traveling now with Rockford #IceHogs to Texas for gm Friday.

Toooooo smallllllllllllll
- John Jaeckel

Is Jocelyn Lemieux able to sign? Always liked the human pinball.

Hartman
Ross
Danault
McNeill

Shaw
Kruger

Where do they all play? I don't see them parting ways with Kruger quite as easily as some either.
- John Jaeckel

Kruger is going nowhere...Stan and most likely old man Scotty like him too much...not to mention Q, he trots him out there against opposing teams top line repeatedly and loves doing it

How is he less than stellar? Do you know the "wonder twins" would have signed for less?
- paulr

The amount signed for is not my argurment. Him being short sighted while signing other contracts is. If you don't see that then I am not sure how to explain it.

For the record my previous employment was negotiating contracts. And while it wasn't for pro athletes there remain some similarities when dealing with tight budgets.

Chris Block

Regarding #Blackhawks rumors, can confirm both Klas Dahlbeck & Dennis Rasmussen traveling now with Rockford #IceHogs to Texas for gm Friday.
- mrpaulish

Are they supposed to be on the block or something? Haven't really heard either names as potential trade pieces ....

Are they supposed to be on the block or something? Haven't really heard either names as potential trade pieces ....
- TommyHawk

Someone posted the Sweedish news article that said they were pulled off the ice for practice yesterday prelude to a trade

Just some trade ideas and just players (I did not include draft picks for most of the deals).

To Florida ($9.9)
Bickell ($4), Sharp ($5.9), Schmaltz (no cap hit atm)

To Chicago ($7.564)
Huberdeau ($3.194), Upshall ($3.5), Petrovic ($.87)

To Edmonton ($5.12)
Upshall ($3.5) and Raanta (None atm, but $.75 at NHL level), Petrovic ($.87)

To Chicago ($4.925)
Petry ($3.075), Hendricks ($1.85)

To AZ ($2.6)
Shaw ($2), Erixon ($.6), Chicago’s first round pick and Kevin Hayes 2nd rd pick

To Chicago ($9)
Vermette ($3.75), Yandle ($5.25)

Chicago Net salary cap gain: $3.869 (using Kane’s LTIR)

Forward Lines
1. Saad/Toews/Hossa
2. Richards/Versteeg/Huberdeau
3. Vermette/Tuevo/Hendricks
4. Kruger/Smith/Nordstrom

Defense Lines
1. Keith/Seabrook
2. Hammer/Yandle
3. Petry/Oduya/Rozie
- MNHawk

Not sure I agree with each specific move (I would keep a young asset like Petrovic) but this is the type of action Stan should be considering IMO.... A retool to draw in some top 6 youth and eliminate the cap issue NOW. I would have no issue either with him moving prospect depth now in the system to move up or add picks this year. MacTavish has pretty much indicated he will sell picks for NHL ready players this year in the McCurdy piece. Get some from him or, even better, give him a package to switch spots in the 1st round for a shot at you know who....

Are they supposed to be on the block or something? Haven't really heard either names as potential trade pieces ....
- TommyHawk

A Swedish news site reported them being held out of yesterdays practice.

Good write up JJ...

I don't agree with it being your best like some here....The best ones were the day after they hoisted the Cup

One thing I do have a question about though....People bash Stan for being slow to pull the trigger, not gutsy enough etc etc etc....

But haven't we also been told that he isn't the only one calling shots on trades? Isn't there a group of sorts that allows or nixes a deal? I think I remember you saying before that Stan even had wanted to make a trade or two and McCub or whoever jumped in and vetoed Stan's chance at making a move...or did I read that somewhere else?

Anyways, I would just like to ask you to try and bash McCub and the entire management and not only Stan as there seem to be more than 1 person at fault for not making moves or having the balls to make a ''big'' move when needed

You want payback? Beat 'em on the scoreboard!
- gannon33

Would you have rather lost to Florida two nights ago and have Kane healthy or have what transpired?

Good write up JJ...

I don't agree with it being your best like some here....The best ones were the day after they hoisted the Cup

One thing I do have a question about though....People bash Stan for being slow to pull the trigger, not gutsy enough etc etc etc....

But haven't we also been told that he isn't the only one calling shots on trades? Isn't there a group of sorts that allows or nixes a deal? I think I remember you saying before that Stan even had wanted to make a trade or two and McCub or whoever jumped in and vetoed Stan's chance at making a move...or did I read that somewhere else?

Anyways, I would just like to ask you to try and bash McCub and the entire management and not only Stan as there seem to be more than 1 person at fault for not making moves or having the balls to make a ''big'' move when needed


- captainserious

You make a great point. I think Bowman has some autonomy, but there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen.

Would you have rather lost to Florida two nights ago and have Kane healthy or have what transpired?
- KingB

Is that even a question? No Brainer. Most definitely you would take the loss if it meant you had Kane going forward.

Would you have rather lost to Florida two nights ago and have Kane healthy or have what transpired?
- KingB

What are you suggesting?

Would you have rather lost to Florida two nights ago and have Kane healthy or have what transpired?
- KingB

But payback for what? Wasn't that bad of a hit, more of skates getting caught, and a slight push about the same time. Just an unlucky fall. Honestly, it would bound to happen to him at some point. He's pretty tiny.

And I'd rather play with their minds, and let Florida wait for some perceived payback, and hopefully just pound the back of the net.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and Stan is certainly not above criticism. But can we please dispense with the Stan missed out on Carter and Kesler arguments in addition to the Toews/Kane contracts crippling the team.

Carter and Kesler - if Stan acquired one of those two it would have caused cap issue in the short term and long term. In the short term we'd looking at something like losing Sharp is get Carter or Kesler. Would that have really improved the team? We could argue either way, but the difference would be minimal. In the long term it's likely that Carter or Kesler would have been gone this off season just like Sharp will be. This argument is old and been rehashed several times over, enough is enough.

Toews and Kane - can I please hear some more female doging about how we have two of the top elite forwards in their prime locked up for the long term. It's easy to say that Stan should have signed these guys for $9 - $9.5 million, but none of us were in the negotiations and know what options were available. For all we know Toews and Kane wanted $12 million and Stan got them down to $10.5. This is the cost of doing busy and having 2 superstars on the team. The only other option would have been to trade one or both of them. How would that have worked out? Anyone complaining about these contracts should remember the days when the ABC line was our top unit. So I'll say it again, to those who think Toews and Kane are paid too much - boo (frank)ing hoo, get over it.

Regarding the this trade deadline, yes Stan needs to make a move and yes his job became more difficult. But can we wait until the deadline has passed before ripping Stan apart. If Stan does nothing then he deserves whatever he gets, but until then lets show some patience.
- DarthKane

You cannot say this with certainty as none of us know the players going back.

And as far as the wonder twins, this isn't the NFL where contracts can be re-negotiated for cap flexibility. $10.5M isn't crippling but if you consider for a moment $1M less for each of them and $1M less for Crow, that's $3M more to use elsewhere. In a hard cap situation, that's big. Even if it were $500k per player, that's $1.5M delta, nothing to sneeze at IMO.

You make a great point. I think Bowman has some autonomy, but there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen.
- John Jaeckel

How much different is this than other franchises? I doubt that any of them act in a vacuum, some maybe just a little more apt to pull the trigger quicker.

oh great, now what

David Diehl ‏@davediehl66 13m13 minutes ago
First Kane out 12 weeks and now a divided team after fist fight in the #Blackhawks locker room. There are locker room codes you do not cross

Hit the nail right on the head!