The Vegas odds makers are giving it to Toews for some reason...

In any case, the Hawks haven't played a team like the bolts yet. They can skate, score, decent goalchie, and have some grit. I think J.J.is mistaken with the Hawks in six.

I say it goes seven and is a toss up.
- kaptaan

Really? Don't the Blackhawks scrimmage against themselves?

I doubt it. Philly is in even worse cap shape than the Hawks. There is no way they can take on 12M in salary without having to send equal dollars back. doesn't really help either team.

And no way in hell would I want their big ticket players that they want to move.
- Elbows15

I love Simmonds. That's it. That's THE guy I would take from Philly.

That guy can play on my team all day long. Guy is a warrior.

Yeah I don't get that comparison either.

THey don't have large guys who could be top end talent elsewhere like Ladd, Brouwer, and Buff were, behind top end skilled guys........and a huge amount of depth.

I just dont' see it. They are a very good team.........but this isn't anywhere close to the 2010 Hawks.
- SteveRain

The only comparison between Tampa and the 2010 Hawks is as a fast explosive offensive team. Tampa don't have the same depth or veteran leadership Chicago had and have.

Are you kidding? Their top line is Kevin Hayes, Derrick Brassard and Rick Nash!!
- John Jaeckel

KEVIN (frank)INNNNG HAYES !

Agreed re: 10 and 50 and not 29. Although they might be able to package 29 with 50.

My spidey sense (and some early intel) tell me: 50---> EDM or BUFF , 10----> FLA

Would not rule out Philly, or TO or SJ (for 50)
- John Jaeckel

Either contract would have to have position player or two, probably low cap hits or young guys, coming back. But who would we be interested in?

I love Simmonds. That's it. That's THE guy I would take from Philly.

That guy can play on my team all day long. Guy is a warrior.
- SteveRain

Philly cap issues negates any trades, imo. It has to be a dollar for dollar trade. It really doesn't help the Hawks' cap situation is what my point really is.

There is and has been interest in Crawford. Hawks will get good return there from a team looking for a solid #1. They have work to do this offseason and another guy they project as a good #1 behind their defense at $5.5 million less per year. It's sort of regrettable but also sort of a no-brainer.
- John Jaeckel

I have always advocated putting money into skaters and not tying up a team's CAP flexibility on an "elite" goaltender. When you consider Darling over Crawford next season, your not just comparing the two goalies "head-to-head" but also the extra money now available to shore up our seven defensemen. Darling is 6'6", plays solid angles, has learned excellent positioning and is better at rebound control than Crawford is, with a long way to go in his full development. Plus, how many "big goalies" have you seen with as much athleticism as Darling? Some of those saves versus NSH, Crawford simply would never have been able to get to!

Plus, everyone is forgetting about Antti Raanta, as a more than capable backup. Last season his positioning and rebound control improved dramatically and his numbers reflected this growth. All Raanta does is put up excellent numbers and win hockey games. The Hawks would be in an ideal position with their goaltending with a Darling/Raanta combo. Mid-aged net minders who are both mature, have been playing very well, with a lots of upside and affordable contracts that the Hawks control! As JJ alluded to, for the Hawks this won't be that hard of a decision to make IMO.

No, just pointing out that Krugs does have a big goal in him. Loved Bolland, would never say anything bad about him, Really love the Kruger plays as well. Looking for Danault to follow in these two footsteps.

What 16 brings is a big, big advantage for Q. Being able to throw the 4th line against most teams 1st line.

Look at it from this upcoming series standpoint. If he can throw 4th against the 1st, then Toews out against the 2nd, that's two shutdown lines against the top two line heavy team like the lightning.

Hawks 2nd and 3rd lines should dominate this series.
- vabeachbear

I like them both, but Kruger more now because he's still with the Hawks!

I doubt it. Philly is in even worse cap shape than the Hawks. There is no way they can take on 12M in salary without having to send equal dollars back. doesn't really help either team.

And no way in hell would I want their big ticket players that they want to move.
- Elbows15

Never looked at their cap so, your point is valid.

My main point was though, that I think they have semi deals in place and know exactly how this is going to work itself out right now. Trades, how much and how long of deals that Kruger and Saad, Desjardin and Oduya are resigning for.

Thanks for that insight.........I wish I got TSN radio, or TSN.......instead I'm stuck with ESPN and countless hours of.............LeBron James, NY Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New England patriots, A-rod, Tiger Woods, and more Lebron.


- SteveRain

You can listen all day everyday on your computer - just go to TSN.ca, click Radio and then choose what city station - Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver.

Yes, yes and yes
- John Jaeckel

Not just back to back, but third game in 4 days with travel thrown in

Crawford and Sharp to Was for rights to Johannson and 2nd round pick this year and next year. Wishful thinking add Bickell there and include Tom Wilson.

Never looked at their cap so, your point is valid.

My main point was though, that I think they have semi deals in place and know exactly how this is going to work itself out right now. Trades, how much and how long of deals that Kruger and Saad, Desjardin and Oduya are resigning for.
- vabeachbear

The second part I agree with. I would hope they have several scenarios mapped out.

I would be worried about Saad if there were rumblings about snags in contract talks. There has been nothing that I am aware of other than Saad saying he didn't want to talk about it until after the season.

I have mentioned this before. When you think about it when has there been any contentious negotiations sonce this management team has taken over?

Ha ha, if i had a chance to be 22 y/o and make $6mill i would live in a heavily armed bunker on W. Jefferson and S.Cary St (now that is a brutal neighborhood). Doesnt Patty Kane prefer Hamburg NY to the "Magnificent" Mile; so there's no accounting for taste. Btw, i dont think Jefferson crosses 7 Mile Rd but i get your point - Hollands offer sheet shouldn't include any visual aids!
- meta_puck_luck

Jefferson and 7 Mile do not intersect but you know the general vicinity.

That said, I love the Roma Café on Mack Avenue, the oldest Italian Restaurant in Detroit. The scenery around there just aint very pretty.

Crawford and Sharp to Was for rights to Johannson and 2nd round pick this year and next year. Wishful thinking add Bickell there and include Tom Wilson.
- powerenforcer

Why would Wash. need Crawford? They have Holtby.

I agree with you but if that 4th line center wants 2nd or 3rd line center money can you justify keeping him? Not sure that you can.

I understand what Kruger does. I do. Does a lot of the grunt work.

My opening this can of worms is just stating Bolland not only did all of that, he also played physical, and out performed offensively the line he was shutting down. I could see why he was given large $$ because he gave you glimpses that yes, he could at times, produce high end offensive out put. Kruger hasn't done that.

If Kruger wants north of 3 million........hard to justify that.
- SteveRain

Why would Wash. need Crawford? They have Holtby.
- Elbows15

Really comparing the 2?

Why would Wash. need Crawford? They have Holtby.
- Elbows15

There you go throwing logic into it and messing everything up. It doesn't matter, I'm sure it's all a conspiracy anyway...right Power?

Keep Stamkos out of Crawford's right circle, get the giant going side to side, stay off the perimeter, score above 33% on the power play, and stay out of the box.

Are you kidding? Their top line is Kevin Hayes, Derrick Brassard and Rick Nash!!
- John Jaeckel

The bitter Ranger fans now want Rick Nash run out of town on the end of Larry Brooks poison pen. He's toast in Manhattan, its all his fault. Kevin Hayes is just as good as Nash.

Really? Don't the Blackhawks scrimmage against themselves?
- powerenforcer

This wins for post of the day.

Really comparing the 2?
- powerenforcer

Yes, really. Holtby is coming off of a very good year. He wasn't the problem. Their lack of a backup was the issue.

I have always advocated putting money into skaters and not tying up a team's CAP flexibility on an "elite" goaltender. When you consider Darling over Crawford next season, your not just comparing the two goalies "head-to-head" but also the extra money now available to shore up our seven defensemen. Darling is 6'6", plays solid angles, has learned excellent positioning and is better at rebound control than Crawford is, with a long way to go in his full development. Plus, how many "big goalies" have you seen with as much athleticism as Darling? Some of those saves versus NSH, Crawford simply would never have been able to get to!

Plus, everyone is forgetting about Antti Raanta, as a more than capable backup. Last season his positioning and rebound control improved dramatically and his numbers reflected this growth. All Raanta does is put up excellent numbers and win hockey games. The Hawks would be in an ideal position with their goaltending with a Darling/Raanta combo. Mid-aged net minders who are both mature, have been playing very well, with a lots of upside and affordable contracts that the Hawks control! As JJ alluded to, for the Hawks this won't be that hard of a decision to make IMO.
- MexicoHawk

Darling is the future. Not the present. He has a fair way to go before he is a starter, for reasons on and off the ice. If he stays on the path, he will be a great one.

The solution to the cap will come from the youth - Panarin, Hartman, Baun, Nordstrom, Johns, TVR. The cap room will come from in front of the crease, not from what is in it. $6MM brings all of these guys up, and it does not have to be Sharp or Crawford to make that happen.

You just should not trust that level of roster change to a rookie goalie.

That's safe, I'm going with Chicago in 4.

The bitter Ranger fans now want Rick Nash run out of town on the end of Larry Brooks poison pen. He's toast in Manhattan, its all his fault. Kevin Hayes is just as good as Nash.
- RickJ

That would never happen on this board...