I'll also add this....it's time for Marcus Kruger to offer more offensively. Have to assume he's the 3c as of today, and he can't go 50 gmaes w/o a goal. I know he kills Penalties, tough to play against, but any hope of another run relies on depth scoring and this guy has to do it.

So tired of hearing about his skill, well....it's time to show it. Give this team 10-15 goals or we start to be haunted by this heavy 1 trick pony.
- SteveRain

So let's give him a chance! The guy has played his 4th line center role beautifully for the past few seasons (last year's injury season not withstanding.)

I don't understand people trying to criticize Kruger's lack of offense when for the last few seasons, he's been playing with the likes of Brandon Bollig, Ben Smith, and Andrew Desjardins. That's some real offensive fire power, there.

Let's give Kruger the 3C spot and put a couple of more offensive-minded wingers on his line and see what he can do. I thought he played fairly well back when he was 2C in 2011-2012 and I think he's one of the most underrated passers on the team.

I just think we should give him a chance before criticizing him, and if he doesn't contribute more, then I can understand the criticism.

Yeah-- memorable scene-- stuck in my head too--
I'm watching the Gordie memorial mass on the-- when I heard about the trade-- knowing Scotty is at the service--

IMO -- The marketing heads in the FO purposely released this information when the entire hockey world is focusing on something else in the Mr Hockey Memorial service--
- jb3333

Not quite as bad as the Sharp/Johns trade which was announced on a Friday night at like 8pm central time... That's where news goes to die

If all teams involved agree it can be done.
- Return of the Roar

You can buy out part of a player's contract while he continues to play for another team? No, you cannot.

Agreed, and a 14-16-81 3rd line isn't bad......assuming you have guys to skate with 19.

Has anyone checked to see if they took all sharp objects away from the folks over at 2nd city hockey.....they may need a counseling session after that trade. .....
- SteveRain

OMG, LMAO.

Could be money for Ladd , too.

Could be money for Ladd or Drouin, too.
- resqmed99

Drouin...?

Drouin...?
- rangerdanger94

Forgot he wasn't a FA. Corrected my post!

I would´ve liked to see #86 in Hawks jersey. Many assumes that he can´t develop anymore but I´m afraid he will prove them wrong.
- MjulQvist

I'm sure that TT will develop further-- in the right environment-- it just didn't appear that this would be Chicago-- and he had many opportunities and did well-- but is a casualty of the Cap-- again--

He has great skill and vision-- Hawks just had to make a difficult decision--

Drouin...?
- rangerdanger94

Would love Drouin, just dont know if we have the assets to acquire him now without creating another hole

You can buy out part of a player's contract while he continues to play for another team? No, you cannot.
- BreakoutHockey

Barring retirement a more likely scenario is that he doesn't make the team out of camp and is sent to the AHL, what happens to the money then? Are PIT/CHI still responsible for their 1.125 and LA only responsible for ~275-300K

NOTE: My numbers are approximate

You can buy out part of a player's contract while he continues to play for another team? No, you cannot.
- BreakoutHockey

If the current team he plays for also agrees it absolutely can be done.

Watch the Hawks sign Vesey now with the newfound cap and roster space

So let's give him a chance! The guy has played his 4th line center role beautifully for the past few seasons (last year's injury season not withstanding.)

I don't understand people trying to criticize Kruger's lack of offense when for the last few seasons, he's been playing with the likes of Brandon Bollig, Ben Smith, and Andrew Desjardins. That's some real offensive fire power, there.

Let's give Kruger the 3C spot and put a couple of more offensive-minded wingers on his line and see what he can do. I thought he played fairly well back when he was 2C in 2011-2012 and I think he's one of the most underrated passers on the team.

I just think we should give him a chance before criticizing him, and if he doesn't contribute more, then I can understand the criticism.
- Rupe89

I'm fine with that, but all I have had dished back to me is how much skill this guy has and related to a fluke goal in Boston 3+ years ago.

I don't hate Kruger. I understand and respect what he brings to the table but in the cap system the Hawks need their depth to contribute and potting 0 goals in 50 games isn't doing that. He's also coming off a pretty significant wist injury.

I just hope/pray Kruger's deal isn't the one squeezing this team in the next 3 years like Bickells.

IMO, you put 88-19, 15-72, and16-81....fill in 65 (assuming he's resigned, 14, and whoever else).

They aren't out of the woods just yet....still some holes on this team that have to be corrected.........

While I hate to see TT go, I really think the Hawks have players in the Rock that can duplicate what he did. Hinostroza plays a similar game in that he can kill penalties and is defensively responsible, and can put a few points on the board - the big difference is Stroza isn't scared to go to the boards and win a battle.

TT has all the talent in the world, but if the desire isn't there, someone with less talent will pass him by..a perfect example of this is someone like Andrew Shaw. Most people with Shaw's "Talent" never make it to the league, but he willing to pay the price to win hockey games, most of the things that get you sore and injured. he will pay the price to be in the league, a lot are not. This is where I see TT, I don't see him willing to put in the hard work to be great.

Maybe the light will turn on in Carolina, but if you can't learn what it takes from Toews, Hammer, Shaw, Hossa, etc - I don't see it happening.

The pick is the #50 overall, not #43
- hawkeytalkman

43 or 50 it is crapshoot draft after pick 20

and I like the chances of developing a defenseman or even a goalie from that pick.

http://www.draftsite.com/...player/josh-mahura/22639/

Could be money for Ladd , too.
- resqmed99

Funny I thought the same thing, if Ladd is willing to stay under 5 million and Hawks gave him extended term in return.

Shaw would be dealt for a pick.

Have to see then if you can still find a way to sign 72 LT.

16-19, 88-72, 81-22 isnt' bad. Leaves 2 spots in top 9 for panic, or prospects.

11 anchors your 4th line C.

Would love Drouin, just dont know if we have the assets to acquire him now without creating another hole
- hawkeytalkman

Acquiring Drouin would've, imo, resulted in the same outcome. Tuevo's next deal was likely somewhere between 1.5-2.0. Drouin was going to get that or more, with the Panarin resigning and the potential 1.5 on the books from a potential buyout of Bickell where was the money coming from?

With Bickell gone the full 4 mil can go straight to Panarin

Regardless, it's not an ideal situation, we've seen this record play over and over and the Hawks have found a way to overcome it twice already.

I like this trade. I think it's a good trade for TT, also, as he will have Finnish teammates now, and for him, that's more important.

One way to look at this deal is the compensation if TT got offer sheeted. A 2nd and 3rd falls in between two tiers of salary ranges, one netting a 2nd pick, and the next level up nets a 1st and a 3rd. I don't see TT getting offer sheeted for enough money to net a 1st and a 3rd when his EL deal ends. were he to stay here for the duration of his current deal.

Maybe TT makes it elsewhere, maybe not. I didn't see it happening here, much as I wanted to see it happen here. And I don't think he's worth the $4 million that the Hawks just freed up in cap money for this year. I expect Stanley will put this money to good use.

Happy Bickell Buyout Day everyone!
- DarthKane

So Darth--- are you our new insider!

Great call today---

OMG, LMAO.


- Lido_Shuffle

I couldn't resist.

There are "bro crushes" and then there is stupidity and that over there exceeds them both........

I couldn't resist.

There are "bro crushes" and then there is stupidity and that over there exceeds them both........
- SteveRain

Those guys suck .

Interesting Trade , glad Bickell is gone . Oh well on TT

Any real info on how much cap space is available now with how many spots to fill ?

Any real info on how much cap space is available now with how many spots to fill ?
- mrpaulish

http://www.generalfanager.../teams/chicago-blackhawks

Chris Hine ‏@ChristopherHine 3m3 minutes ago
Bickell's agent Todd Diamond (1 of a few): "Bryan is very happy and excited for the new opportunity."
1 retweet 2 likes



LOL ,

All Bickell will ever do for the Canes is what he is doing now , getting the Canes to the cap floor . Agent is a funny guy