Outside the box thoughts-- a few ex Hawks executives are struggling now in their GM tenure-- Specifically Bergevin in Montreal and Chevy in Winnipeg-- then consider the challenges Yzerman is having in Tampa and his 'special' relationship with Scotty-- It would seem the Hawks might be in dialogue with former colleagues-- They are all under the microscope and the lights are on--

No one is going to do the Hawks any 'favors' but Chevy certainly benefited when the Hawks had to dump salary / players after the Hawks Cup wins-- and gave up next to nothing for a few 'core' players to launch the Jets

They are all struggling to win / negotiate contracts for star players and manage the cap-- Meanwhile the Hawks model is working with retooling around the core and plugging in less expensive talent--

I don't think Drouin helps the Hawks now-- I think either Ladd or Byfuglien DO help now as rentals-- Bergevin needs something to go his way to stop the Habs free fall--
- jb3333

My wild guess would be Eric Staal and the favor being done is Carolina giving him another shot at the big prize.Alot of trade talk on here involving the Canes so not a stretch that his name has come up.Would probably be a pure rental but to me if he found his legs in Chicago it could easily be a Brad Richards type thing without the buyout.A highly paid vet seemingly on the downside goes to a contender and fortunes change.

How could Staal possibly work even as a rental?? Doesn't he make 9.25 mil/yr??

Hawks looked tired last night. Not real concerned about the last two games.
A little rest will help this team greatly.

My wild guess would be Eric Staal and the favor being done is Carolina giving him another shot at the big prize.Alot of trade talk on here involving the Canes so not a stretch that his name has come up.Would probably be a pure rental but to me if he found his legs in Chicago it could easily be a Brad Richards type thing without the buyout.A highly paid vet seemingly on the downside goes to a contender and fortunes change.
- eagle50

Yeah Staal's contract is way too much, $8.25 million...no thanks.

How could Staal possibly work even as a rental?? Doesn't he make 9.25 mil/yr??
- BobP.

Yeah, no sure how they could afford to take that on.

JJ did say the rumor he heard caught him off guard so that MUST mean the Hawks are looking to reacquire Morin
- Dabearshawks

Panarin for Boedker, a 1st and OEL with Arizona retaining salary would be the only way I'd trade Panarin.
- Dabearshawks

If they trade Panarin how will I see him at Olive Garden when I'm in Chicago in April?!

Great write up JJ and I really agree about Panik and Sekac. They were working hard and definitely didn't seem to be showing the same fatigue. I was assuming after the Florida game that some of the team must be sick, they just looked it.

Jackets supposedly shopping Scott Hartnell.
- walleyeb1

Hartnell would be good, but 3 more years at 4.75 is something I don't think the Hawks can afford. You know, unless they found a home for Bickell.

If they trade Panarin how will I see him at Olive Garden when I'm in Chicago in April?!
- maria_wyeth

No idea but your better off trying one of the Russian restaurants in Chicago.

Speaking of Panarin...

http://thehockeywriters.c...in-answers-fan-questions/

Yeah, no sure how they could afford to take that on.
- howiehandles

Stan is the money man!!!!Not saying it would be easy but to me a I scratch your back you scratch mine.We already dealt Nordstrom and Versteeg and by all accounts they should be happy.What exactly is his pro rated price tag assuming the Hawks wouldn't throw in a extra body at a nominal cost?

Yeah Staal's contract is way too much, $8.25 million...no thanks.
- Dabearshawks

But, his contract ends this season. If Car holds 50% of his contract (look, they paid most of it anyway), Why wouldn't that work?

He is on IR for the next eight weeks with a broken left foot.

No thanks.
- Return of the Roar

He will be back the middle of March at the latest . Like Kane last year ..

But, his contract ends this season. If Car holds 50% of his contract (look, they paid most of it anyway), Why wouldn't that work?
- powerenforcer

Why would the Hawks want a center that's making that much and only has 9 goals? The Hawks can get better value elsewhere.

Well, they did just win 12 games in a row and the break is soon.

Some days you win some days you lose and some days it rains (or snows i suppose).

No idea but your better off trying one of the Russian restaurants in Chicago.

Speaking of Panarin...

http://thehockeywriters.c...in-answers-fan-questions/
- Dabearshawks

russian restaurants would make more sense. I thought you had said he went to Olive Garden and loved it which I found hilarious. Doubt they have "only vodka" there though

Why would the Hawks want a center that's making that much and only has 9 goals? The Hawks can get better value elsewhere.
- Dabearshawks

I was just answering the question as how can the Blackhawks afford him. He really hasn't been himself since the cheap shot put on him.

Guys...Saad is a 23 year old who is getting better each season, there is no way in hell CBJ will trade him back to Chicago unless there is a lot going back the other way. (As in way too much)

I really also doubt they are seriously including TT in trade talks. The kid is still only 20 and is progressing. Q likes him. He can play PK, he is even able to play that point on the PP and not be a liability defensively. Not many 20 year old forwards would be trusted to do that. Way to early to give up on a guy like him who is progressing.

russian restaurants would make more sense. I thought you had said he went to Olive Garden and loved it which I found hilarious. Doubt they have "only vodka" there though
- maria_wyeth

Yeah I was actually with him at Olive Garden and he said "this place is the best!" Although I'm fairly certain he just liked the never ending salad bowl and bread sticks

Florida leading Tampa Bay 4-0 after 2?
Maybe they are for real and it wasn't just a bad nite for us.

I was just answering the question as how can the Blackhawks afford him. He really hasn't been himself since the cheap shot put on him.
- powerenforcer

And that's a valid point.....I was just going off the reservation in regards to the JJ dangling carrot.The more I think about it the more plausible it is to me.......like the hawks have never got something from a Vet during a cup run. No shot at you my fellow tin foiler!

Florida leading Tampa Bay 4-0 after 2?
Maybe they are for real and it wasn't just a bad nite for us.
- 67hawks

Evidently Ekblad is the straw that stirs the Panther's drink.

Yeah I was actually with him at Olive Garden and he said "this place is the best!" Although I'm fairly certain he just liked the never ending salad bowl and bread sticks
- Dabearshawks

Well their breadsticks are pretty good. My friend from Boston is meeting me in Chicago when the Bruins play the Hawks and she mentioned going to Olive Garden (it wasn't there when she last visited me in Chicago and then Pat Quinn made such a big deal about it when they finally got one) and I joked we could probably see Panarin if we went there

I know that he's currently out, but what about JVR? Although he's not gonna be back till March.

So that would mean no Buff....Yes the Hawks could bring in a player making over $3 million they'd just have to make cap space or have the opposing team retain salary.
- Dabearshawks

Buff is a free agent next year. Who would they get of next year to make it work ( please don't say Bickle). I just don't know how it could be done even with cutting Bickle loose. With increases to AA and Seabs. The cap will not be going up much. Shaw and Kruge need contracts.Perhaps we deal them in the off seasons. But I'm no cap expert so maybe there is a way