John Jaeckel: If speed kills, Bowman wins

Hawka didn't do poorly. However losing Panarin with Kane without a replacement (Saad should replace Hossa) is a huge gap.
D was upgraded in a speed standpoint. All else is not good

Sharp rumored to be returning on cheap 1 yr deal and also reportedly interested in trading for andrew shaw

Great writeup JJ.

Spin spin and more spin. Murphy was just barely a third pairing guy on a bad team.

Well played JJ. On Dauphin, if you watch some early clips on him, he plays bigger than he is and is gritty. He's eventually going to add a nice element. And remember those days when the Hawks had a fast team? That's when thy won.

Nothing but facts in this write-up. Nicely done.

Sharp rumored to be returning on cheap 1 yr deal and also reportedly interested in trading for andrew shaw
- hawkshossa81

Spin spin and more spin. Murphy was just barely a third pairing guy on a bad team.
- Savoy

Well, a young defenseman is certainly set up for success in Phoenix. Right?

Cmon man.

The Ulf hire is certainly a part of this trade and this kid's going to get better. Can't expect the return on Hammer to be as good as Hammer. 24 years young and a good showing at the worlds. I'll take it. Same age as Hammer when he started peaking.

Saad gives Toews finally his winger back. Kane can produce on his own with Anisimov (or if traded, a better center).

I like that deal a lot. The Hjalmarsson deal is not good and it is funny to see how people try to talk that one 'straight'. The Hawks lost too much experience on the blue line, so definitely more additions are necessary here.

Sharp rumored to be returning on cheap 1 yr deal and also reportedly interested in trading for andrew shaw
- hawkshossa81

Sharp - 35yo (35+ contract issues as well to consider), played only 48 games last year due to bad hip....pass

Shaw - lots of hard miles on him already, cap hit and term too high for a bottom six guy even when you add in his utility ability...pass

Need another experienced D guy and a 2LW before anything else. Schmaltz not the answer as he is best positioned on the third line until his game elevates.

Ok... Murphy is a big stay at home D very similar to Hammer. Hammer is two years away from UFA. Then he is gone. Murphy doesnt have to be Hammer, he needs to be who he is. The guy wore the C for the US team when he played. That says ALOT! Keith and Seabs are the book ends. A player like Hammer (who is solid) is easier to replace.

This team needed tweaks. The Preds skated around us like pylons. We needed more speed. More youth. Well we have that now. Plus Saad and now Murphy provide a big bump in physical play we did not have. I think Bowman had done pretty well this off season. With more to come..... This team will be fine.

I dont take JJ's blog as spin. Its accurate. Hammer will be missed, but his trade brought back a D who can step right in and a fast 3/4 C that help on the PK.

Sharp - 35yo (35+ contract issues as well to consider), played only 48 games last year due to bad hip....pass

Shaw - lots of hard miles on him already, cap hit and term too high for a bottom six guy even when you add in his utility ability...pass

Need another experienced D guy and a 2LW before anything else.
- Return of the Roar

Can we have some new players please.

I provided fact and insight. They are faster up and down the ice today. "Better," not guaranteed, but it should enable some things they have not been able to do the last two years.

Tell me how THAT specifically is inaccurate. How they're not much faster, how Saad at minimum doesn't help restore the transition game, how transition changes the flow on the ice.

You provide zero fact or logic, just "Panarin is awesome and you can't trade him."

Spin spin and more spin. Murphy was just barely a third pairing guy on a bad team.
- Savoy

Last time I looked JJ is not drawing a check from the beloved Blackhawks. He has no reason to spin...

I miss Hossa already.

SADNESS

Great write up Jj. You're better than the dang newspaper. (Did I set my sights too low.)

I miss Hossa already.

SADNESS

Great write up Jj. You're better than the dang newspaper. (Did I set my sights too low.)
- hocktock

Yes and yes.

I still see 81 back for the playoffs.

1) Sharp rumored to be returning on cheap 1 yr deal and 2) also reportedly interested in trading for andrew shaw
- hawkshossa81

1) I have heard this is POSSIBLE, but far form a sure thing
2) Where are you hearing this?!

(lots of crazy, bs, speculated poop on "the cyber" this summer turning into "legit conversations" See: Oshie, TJ)

The Shaw thing may be legit but there is a serious dollar issue there, not to mention I think John McDonough was glad to see him go.

1) I have heard this is POSSIBLE, but far form a sure thing
2) Where are you hearing this?!

(lots of crazy, bs, speculated poop on "the cyber" this summer turning into "legit conversations" See: Oshie, TJ)

The Shaw thing may be legit but there is a serious dollar issue there, not to mention I think John McDonough was glad to see him go.
- John Jaeckel

I love Shaw. He is making 3.9 now? Wow. Dont mind Sharp on a cheap deal. His minutes will be down anyway. Guy can still fly and still has the hands. Really want to see if we can pry Galchenyuk away from the Habs. Good LW for the Kane line.

Yes and yes.

I still see 81 back for the playoffs.


- Return of the Roar

That would be awesome. Stick it to the league for penalizing us on his deal.

That would be awesome. Stick it to the league for penalizing us on his deal.
- hocktock

Exactly

The Hawks were in a bad spot cap wise, (Some) players wise, but got Cups in our cabinets. Well worth it, and would do it again. Had to make some moves that would hurt, while positioning themselves for this year and beyond. I think they are in for some correction early in the season until the chemistry is right, then hope to really light it up for the second half. Suck it up buttercups, these moves had to be made, and so let’s be positive!

The one thing I will say that’s constant consistent and always top flight is JJ.

Thank You very much sir.

JJ - great writing, as always.

Any inside dirt on what has been said between Bowman and Quenneville? Like, "if you run Murphy off like you did Daley, you're going to be looking for a new job before Christmas."

JJ - great writing, as always.

Any inside dirt on what has been said between Bowman and Quenneville? Like, "if you run Murphy off like you did Daley, you're going to be looking for a new job before Christmas."
- DMChi2010

I've heard no verification any of that. Doesn't mean it didn't happen either. Just not heard it actually did. Thx DMC

The Hawks were in a bad spot cap wise, (Some) players wise, but got Cups in our cabinets. Well worth it, and would do it again. Had to make some moves that would hurt, while positioning themselves for this year and beyond. I think they are in for some correction early in the season until the chemistry is right, then hope to really light it up for the second half. Suck it up buttercups, these moves had to be made, and so let’s be positive!

The one thing I will say that’s constant consistent and always top flight is JJ.

Thank You very much sir.
- hockey nut 28

You're welcome, Disco

I love Shaw. He is making 3.9 now? Wow. Dont mind Sharp on a cheap deal. His minutes will be down anyway. Guy can still fly and still has the hands. Really want to see if we can pry Galchenyuk away from the Habs. Good LW for the Kane line.
- z1990z

I have no issue with Sharp as a fallback 2LW. I still believe the Hawks are trying to shoot higher first. Too early to say that is definitely happening.