Realistically... what kind of shot does a) fortin, and b) debrincat have at making this team?
- jt19

I think this question is answered with another question: Realistically... what type of improvement in faceoff percentage can we see from Schmaltz?

I'd be all for this if the Hawks can somehow fit him in and can move Anismov for a winger.


Shaw - less than 0% chance he comes back to the Hawks, whoever is drumming that up is flat out creating myths.

Hawks still need a defenseman in my mind, I wouldn't want to roll with Forsling/Rutta/Kempny full time rounding out your top 6, way too young and inexperienced still.

The guy I would target if they could work a fair deal out would be Karl Alzner, who basically does exactly what Hammer used to, but was much cheaper at 2.8 million.
- Budi1782

Much as Q doesn't like it, Kempny heeds to play 82 games, to get the NHL experience he needs. Sitting in the press box doesn't help. Had he played 82 last year on the 3rd pair, his development would be much farther along.

A heartfelt message to Eklund: Your website experience is downright terrible/horrible/non-user friendly (and driving people away from actually visiting the site). You NEED to fix this! Every other website known to man has the ability to render digital advertising/impressions w/o the need to actually implement an ad blocker to stop your user experience from becoming maddening.

Thanks!

A heartfelt message to Eklund: Your website experience is downright terrible/horrible/non-user friendly (and driving people away from actually visiting the site). You NEED to fix this! Every other website known to man has the ability to render digital advertising/impressions w/o the need to actually implement an ad blocker to stop your user experience from becoming maddening.

Thanks!
- CaptainBlackhawk

This. Every time I check out hockeybuzz from my mobile, I am blitzed with ads etc.

E Kane...I'd take a chance on him. Looks like the number may work if we move Krugs and AA. I'd give him a shot for one year. Rodman was a nutcase and he worked out for the Bulls.

This. Every time I check out hockeybuzz from my mobile, I am blitzed with ads etc.
- Bjm84

And then when you finally get back to the blog it takes you all the way to the last page instead of where you left off...

He really needs to develop his game in the AHL for a year or two...
- riozzo

Fortin showed some great compete last season when he was around. And he can shoot the puck well. I agree though. Develop and adjust to the rigors of men vs men hockey, then, hopefully make the jump. I think both have top 9 potential.

JJ you didn't mention our very own ex 1 rounder Jack Skille in the description of fast but cant finish. Ditto for Stalberg & Froelik.

And then when you finally get back to the blog it takes you all the way to the last page instead of where you left off...
- SimpleJack

YES! Ugh.

This. Every time I check out hockeybuzz from my mobile, I am blitzed with ads etc.
- Bjm84

Realize it's all about money - totally get that. I work in the digital space and there's ways to accomplish what he's currently doing with a MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH (can I say MUCH again?) better user experience. Literally this is the worst website to visit for this very reason.

I proposed a Booner Jenner for Anisimov swap.

Cap savings ($1.6MM) and a more physical center down the middle who should be able to replace Anisimovs 20+ goals easily next to kane.

Anisimov is also a Tortorella favorite and he once said he was the best player he ever coached, talked about how smart he is

Add in the panarin chemistry and bingo

RING
Jumbo: Hello
Stan: Hi Joe, how would you like to sign with us and center Kane?
Jumbo: Interesting ...
Stan: we can offer you a 1-year contract @ $1M.
CLICK
- EbonyRaptor

JJ

The Hawks will probably have added cap space on day 2 of the season because of Hossa going on LTIR. Could the Hawks bring in players on "try out" contracts they may want to sign on day 2. The player would be on a try out contract and do the full training camp. They are released on the last day of camp. Then on day 2 they could be signed if they performed up to or above expectations in training camp.

In addition to past Hawks like Sharp, Oduya, Campbell, and Versteeg, there could be others like Giradi, Gagner, Winnik, Moore, Vanek, Hudler, etc....

I am not saying bringing in all of these guy, just one or two.

For the fringe players or players recovering from injuries there is no prearranged guarantee. But for a player like Girardi or Gagner there is a "Wink Wink" verbal agreement in place that as soon as Hossa's cap space is available they get signed to a contract of a previously agreed upon contract amount/length.

Agreed, I always liked Shantz.

- Quicky72

Me too!

How about AA and Kruger to NYC for Nash?
- Dojodan

why?

Valid points. You may be surprised by year's end with Dauphin especially on the PK and D-zone draws. Maybe not.

From a faceoff standpoint, after 24 NHL games, he's no worse than AA or Kero. But they have not really addressed that 50%+ FO option need.
- John Jaeckel

Honestly, don't even care about faceoffs. Just a NHL center with a pedigree who can carry some of the scoring load.

AA can fill in if Toews goes down, basically in every facet of the game except for draws.

Some combo of Schmalz Dauphin and Kero is terrifying as the other three centers. Schmalz, Kooga and Dauphin is somewhat more digestable because you know Kooga can offer some stability.

IMO two proven NHL commodities up the middle is thin but only one would be an insane gamble unless they try to slot Kane in there again. And I would like to remind everyone, that terrible season, where he ripped off like 18 points in the last 17 games to back them into the playoffs was up the middle so maybe that isn't the complete end of the world.

I proposed a Booner Jenner for Anisimov swap.

Cap savings ($1.6MM) and a more physical center down the middle who should be able to replace Anisimovs 20+ goals easily next to kane.

Anisimov is also a Tortorella favorite and he once said he was the best player he ever coached, talked about how smart he is

Add in the panarin chemistry and bingo
- Stan_Bowman

Saad-Toews-Jenner


Might lose the farm with that trade Stan. He is a team leader and character guy... will never happen unfortunately

Anyone know when the Hawks 2017 Prospect Camp starts?

JJ you didn't mention our very own ex 1 rounder Jack Skille in the description of fast but cant finish. Ditto for Stalberg & Froelik.
- weakglovehand

Frolik has actually turned into a pretty solid complete 2 way player in Calgary. He may have struggled on offense with the Hawks, but then again look at what he was asked to do on the 4th line. Stalberg, yes once you got him off a line with Toews, but Frolik is a good player that any team would love to have.

I think this question is answered with another question: Realistically... what type of improvement in faceoff percentage can we see from Schmaltz?
- Bjm84

Realistically, his level of consistency is what is more important. Can he compete night in and night out at the NHL level rather than be in and out like he was last year.

This. Every time I check out hockeybuzz from my mobile, I am blitzed with ads etc.
- Bjm84

Yes, I think I won many ipods and wal-mart gift cards.

Much as Q doesn't like it, Kempny heeds to play 82 games, to get the NHL experience he needs. Sitting in the press box doesn't help. Had he played 82 last year on the 3rd pair, his development would be much farther along.
- scottak

Rosy has to be gone for sure. Keeping him again makes no sense. Soupy also.

Yes, I think I won many ipods and wal-mart gift cards.
- powerenforcer

You cough up the $20.00 a year and it works great. small price to pay for this content. And I hope JJ gets at least half my payment.

After all, where else can I go to get complemented and flamed by the same guy in the span of 10 minutes. and isn't Vopatsrash untreated worth the price of admission?

Rosy has to be gone for sure. Keeping him again makes no sense. Soupy also.
- isu83boo

Soupy makes more sense if Ulfie changes the D system to somehting like he had in NY, but Q was also talking to reporters like Rutta was expected to be on the roster.

You cough up the $20.00 a year and it works great. small price to pay for this content. And I hope JJ gets at least half my payment.

After all, where else can I go to get complemented and flamed by the same guy in the span of 10 minutes. and isn't Vopatsrash untreated worth the price of admission?
- riozzo

Sorry, I'm not paying $20 for a blog that has 4 great writers and then a bunch of absentees. If that $20 will automatically block anything Tanner related, maybe I'd pay.

Ek doesn't care how awful the consumer experience is because the more the ads 'do' the more he gets paid.

Unfortunately Google will punish sites in SEO for this type of nonsense, and Ek's traffic will all be from inorganic returns.