be interesting what else Stan could pull of with that amount of Cap space guess we will find out how "all In" the Hawks really are.
- SaskHawkFan

Hainsey and Skinner give you the D and 1LW needs. The key would be taking Bickell and Skinner has 3 years left on his deal. Could you get Francis to eat any of Skinner for 3 years without paying more?

Would rather see Staal and CAR taking the salary back on him all at once.

Also would rather see TT go than Dano.

Please. No. Versteeg.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed on this but in order to get we may have to give.

Hainsey and Skinner give you the D and 1LW needs. The key would be taking Bickell and Skinner has 3 years left on his deal. Could you get Francis to eat any of Skinner for 3 years without paying more?
- tredbrta

Might have to part with more although we also have to realize that Carolina is going to have to WORK to get to the cap floor, they may take that deal to get there?

I still LMAO at someone throwing a thread tantrum over JJ and Mex posting "cliff hangers" on a site based on trade rumors and "buzz". Wouldn't a rumor without a "cliff hanger" essentially be a fact? It certainly wouldn't be a rumor.
- tredbrta

That always kills me too. There is no such thing as 100% certainty that a rumor will come to fruition. But for people who enjoy the insider game of pro hockey, it's fun to speculate. If people don't like it they should just read the transaction lists of what actually happened and otherwise go away.

Rask?
- Abadseed

Carolina has ZERO incentive to move Rask unless they think he has no interest in resigning there. He's a young player that can be built around.

"I was there the other night when they played Dallas....TT on the ice with the guys you mentioned accomplished nothing in the offensive zone.

When TT has the puck he often goes horizontally or basically wherever he can to create some space-His wingers are often within 8 feet of him and you could throw a blanket over the entire line. Too easy to defend against..."

Exactly Al. When we coach the game to youngsters we teach the forwards to think like basketball forwards, from their perimeter responsibilities in the OZone, they should be "cutting through the lane" going hard towards the net, and drawing DMen with them. This is the EASIEST way to breakdown defences in their own zone. Very few of the Hawk players do this on a regular basis, and far too often the Hawks rely on two things to score...quick breakouts/odd man rushes and sheer skill. These are things that become harder to simply rely on the deeper you go in the playoffs. And the Hawks know all too well themselves, that to score regularly in the playoffs you need to score some ugly goals by crashing the net and causing chaos. When Hoss does this, he's usually unstoppable, and guys like Shaw, Desjardins and Marko Dano play along these lines as well.

The criticism that Teravainen has received here of late is very worthy IMO. Because size or not, NHL players each have one major responsibility and that is to WIN PUCK BATTLES. Go back to the 2010 Hawks team, through 82 games and the playoffs they lost (as a team) no more than 50 puck battles, which is why they were able to win with suspect goaltending. Most players on this year's team are stellar on or near the puck, but this is exactly where TT suffers the most, and it's inexcusable. Certainly physical strength helps when engaging another NHL'er, but more often than not, the quicker, smarter player wins the puck battle, because of their positioning and the use of their stick...and TT can't plead ignorance to this because players like Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews are two of the best at it.

Teravainen possesses a lot talent and hockey "smarts", he should make a good top 6 NHL forward one day in the league, but he needs to become MORE AGGRESSIVE around the puck, and a tenacious checker. IMO, Q has demonstrated surprising patience to this young man (he and Mashinter), when he has shown none to players like Dano, Garbutt, Sekac, etc.

I can well imagine that there are a number of Hawk youngsters and prospects in Rockford that are well aware of TT/Mash's shine in CHI, and would like some of that patience demonstrated towards them. The fact that the Hawks elevated Vinnie Hinostroza over Marko Dano after Hossa's injury speaks directly towards this reality.

Getting Kruger back, replacing Shaw on 1 makes the bottom 6 (barring trades): Kruger, Desi, Shaw, Danault, TT, Ras.

Essentially the same as last year, except swap Ras for Sharp, Danault for Vermette. Good, not as good as last year. THAT'S how important it is to get Shaw back in the bottom 6.
- John Jaeckel

Don't disagree on Shaw but I think they may look to add more. The two young guys u mentioned may be effective players in awhile, especially Danault, but not sure how much either will be ready for the bright lights come April....
And I'm not as optimistic on Kruger being close to 100%.

From source just now:

First move may be a deal that does not require Kruger going on LTIR. Later, if necessary, precursor moves BEFORE putting Kruger on LTIR could happen.

Hawks are trying to pull off something big and complicated. "LOTS GOING ON, STAY TUNED"
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, they need to get as close to the cap as possible before they do that so I could see some lower paid young guys go back to Rockford for some higher paid young guys; at least for a day or two.

Exactly Al. When we coach the game to youngsters we teach the forwards to think like basketball forwards, from their perimeter responsibilities in the OZone, they should be "cutting through the lane" going hard towards the net, and drawing DMen with them. This is the EASIEST way to breakdown defences in their own zone. Very few of the Hawk players do this on a regular basis, and far too often the Hawks rely on two things to score...quick breakouts/odd man rushes and sheer skill. These are things that become harder to simply rely on the deeper you go in the playoffs. And the Hawks know all too well themselves, that to score regularly in the playoffs you need to score some ugly goals by crashing the net and causing chaos. When Hoss does this, he's usually unstoppable, and guys like Shaw, Desjardins and Marko Dano play along these lines as well.

The criticism that Teravainen has received here of late is very worthy IMO. Because size or not, NHL players each have one major responsibility and that is to WIN PUCK BATTLES. Go back to the 2010 Hawks team, through 82 games and the playoffs they lost (as a team) no more than 50 puck battles, which is why they were able to win with suspect goaltending. Most players on this year's team are stellar on or near the puck, but this is exactly where TT suffers the most, and it's inexcusable. Certainly physical strength helps when engaging another NHL'er, but more often than not, the quicker, smarter player wins the puck battle, because of their positioning and the use of their stick...and TT can't plead ignorance to this because players like Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews are two of the best at it.

Teravainen possesses a lot talent and hockey "smarts", he should make a good top 6 NHL forward one day in the league, but he needs to become MORE AGGRESSIVE around the puck, and a tenacious checker. IMO, Q has demonstrated surprising patience to this young man (he and Mashinter), when he has shown none to players like Dano, Garbutt, Sekac, etc.

I can well imagine that there are a number of Hawk youngsters and prospects in Rockford that are well aware of TT/Mash's shine in CHI, and would like some of that patience demonstrated towards them. The fact that the Hawks elevated Vinnie Hinostroza over Marko Dano after Hossa's injury speaks directly towards this reality.
- MexicoHawk

I have mentioned this in the past but since Q has been here there has only been one younger guy brought up from Rockford who made the team as a 1 line player = Bollig

If TT doesn't effectively fill more than one role he might not last...

Exactly Al. When we coach the game to youngsters we teach the forwards to think like basketball forwards, from their perimeter responsibilities in the OZone, they should be "cutting through the lane" going hard towards the net, and drawing DMen with them. This is the EASIEST way to breakdown defences in their own zone. Very few of the Hawk players do this on a regular basis, and far too often the Hawks rely on two things to score...quick breakouts/odd man rushes and sheer skill. These are things that become harder to simply rely on the deeper you go in the playoffs. And the Hawks know all too well themselves, that to score regularly in the playoffs you need to score some ugly goals by crashing the net and causing chaos. When Hoss does this, he's usually unstoppable, and guys like Shaw, Desjardins and Marko Dano play along these lines as well.

The criticism that Teravainen has received here of late is very worthy IMO. Because size or not, NHL players each have one major responsibility and that is to WIN PUCK BATTLES. Go back to the 2010 Hawks team, through 82 games and the playoffs they lost (as a team) no more than 50 puck battles, which is why they were able to win with suspect goaltending. Most players on this year's team are stellar on or near the puck, but this is exactly where TT suffers the most, and it's inexcusable. Certainly physical strength helps when engaging another NHL'er, but more often than not, the quicker, smarter player wins the puck battle, because of their positioning and the use of their stick...and TT can't plead ignorance to this because players like Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews are two of the best at it.

Teravainen possesses a lot talent and hockey "smarts", he should make a good top 6 NHL forward one day in the league, but he needs to become MORE AGGRESSIVE around the puck, and a tenacious checker. IMO, Q has demonstrated surprising patience to this young man (he and Mashinter), when he has shown none to players like Dano, Garbutt, Sekac, etc.

I can well imagine that there are a number of Hawk youngsters and prospects in Rockford that are well aware of TT/Mash's shine in CHI, and would like some of that patience demonstrated towards them. The fact that the Hawks elevated Vinnie Hinostroza over Marko Dano after Hossa's injury speaks directly towards this reality.
- MexicoHawk

I'm with you Mex. You picking up anything on a big trade coming?

From source just now:

First move may be a deal that does not require Kruger going on LTIR. Later, if necessary, precursor moves BEFORE putting Kruger on LTIR could happen.

Hawks are trying to pull off something big and complicated. "LOTS GOING ON, STAY TUNED"
- John Jaeckel

Taking that as a carolina push .


That or TOR with JVR, personally would rather have rask but c'est la vie.

Rask > JVR ~ skinner retained> skinner

Either way hope one dman is coming back depending on which team.

I have mentioned this in the past but since Q has been here there has only been one younger guy brought up from Rockford who made the team as a 1 line player = Bollig

If TT doesn't effectively fill more than one role he might not last...
- Al

That's a really good point especially considering Q seems to have a lot of influence on personnel choices.

I have mentioned this in the past but since Q has been here there has only been one younger guy brought up from Rockford who made the team as a 1 line player = Bollig

If TT doesn't effectively fill more than one role he might not last...
- Al

He wont last, end of story sadly or not. Also Mashinter, and Danult (thus far) are 1 liners.

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: It’s hard to see the Hurricanes and Eric Staal reaching a contract extension that makes sense for both sides. The same can be said for Cam Ward. The Hurricanes only sit a few points out of the playoff race.DeCock thinks it’s time for GM Ron Francis to get whatever he can for Eric Staal, Cam Ward, John-Michael Liles, Kris Versteeg and maybe Jeff Skinner, Jordan Staal or Ryan Murphy.
Even if they have to retain some salary on a pending UFA, getting something is better than nothing. Francis can’t lose Staal or Ward for nothing.

He wont last, end of story sadly or not. Also Mashinter, and Danult (thus far) are 1 liners.
- the_dough_boy

Methinks someone's ego in the FO is tied very closely to TT's staying power in the lineup, ala Rundblad. Not equating skills at all here - just the way things are being handled. I doubt Q is the reason TT has the rope he does right now.

That always kills me too. There is no such thing as 100% certainty that a rumor will come to fruition. But for people who enjoy the insider game of pro hockey, it's fun to speculate. If people don't like it they should just read the transaction lists of what actually happened and otherwise go away.
- matt_ahrens

All we can share is what has been discussed...this doesn't mean that anything will get done because it takes "two to tango", and the NHL hard Cap has resulted in SO MUCH baggage around any deal that it's incredible that any trade gets completed.

I haven't said anything the last few days because I have been asked not to share things through this week. The Hawks are involved in a number of discussions right now, and in almost every deal I have heard of, there's a TON of "baggage" or details to work out between teams. But rest assured that Bowman is NOT in a "well see what happens" mode, he is AGGRESSIVELY trying to get MULTIPLE things done.

Remember what JJ and I reported when the Hawks acquired Scudsy? Q liked him, he was going to be given a "tryout" as the #7 swingman on the D, but if he didn't cut it, Bowman had a plan in place. Today you are seeing part one of that plan, soon part two will present itself. Things are very busy and very tense right now all across the league and Bowman is doing everything he can to improve the Hawks as "responsibly" as he can.

He wont last, end of story sadly or not. Also Mashinter, and Danult (thus far) are 1 liners.
- the_dough_boy

What's disappointing is in last year's playoffs...Not a big sample but the most crucial time of year...TT was dependable enough on both sides of the puck.

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: It’s hard to see the Hurricanes and Eric Staal reaching a contract extension that makes sense for both sides. The same can be said for Cam Ward. The Hurricanes only sit a few points out of the playoff race.DeCock thinks it’s time for GM Ron Francis to get whatever he can for Eric Staal, Cam Ward, John-Michael Liles, Kris Versteeg and maybe Jeff Skinner, Jordan Staal or Ryan Murphy.
Even if they have to retain some salary on a pending UFA, getting something is better than nothing. Francis can’t lose Staal or Ward for nothing.
- walleyeb1

Dreger reporting Bergevin may blow things up and look to shop Pacioretty.

And let me add, while not exactly the same player as Vermette, a little bit of Andrew Ladd could be just what the doctor ordered
- John Jaeckel

I'm wondering if the Blackhawks end up adding 2 forwards before the deadline; a top line LW and a 3rd line C. And hopefully a Dman also.

You have to give Stan and Q credit for getting younger guys on the ice this year. They have a better idea of who these guys are as players and how they fit and in the process shown other teams how they compete at the NHL level.

Dreger reporting Bergevin may blow things up and look to shop Pacioretty.
- tredbrta

Best candidate yet for 1LW. Talk about guts.

That's a really good point especially considering Q seems to have a lot of influence on personnel choices.
- Bjm84

He does these days...yes.

Dreger reporting Bergevin may blow things up and look to shop Pacioretty.
- tredbrta

That's a club that needs to improve but don't see a blow up situation. They lost by far their best player and unfortunately they couldn't avoid taking on water.

Dreger reporting Bergevin may blow things up and look to shop Pacioretty.
- tredbrta

On TV ?


Dont see that on the twitter machine

Best candidate yet for 1LW. Talk about guts.
- Return of the Roar

Yea be still my heart on that....holy cow Pach on that line....it would cost a bucketload.

The second bolded statement above that you gave unfortunately can't be correct. My example is taxes: the government can take 40% of your salary at the end of the year or 40% every day. In reality, they take 40% every two weeks. Any way you slice it, they take 40%.
- DMChi2010

I'm not sure what tax rates have to do with calculating a player's cap hit per the CBA, but I assure you that what I said is correct. It's how the Hawks were able to fit Vermette in under the cap last season.