The Sabres have signed defenseman Cody Goloubef to a Professional Tryout Agreement.

— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) September 5, 2017

Depends on his motivation I guess.

Vancouver is his best bet if he wants ice time to earn a bigger contract, but might backfire pretty bad if the Nucks get torched every night.
- BINGO!

Vancouver would be a risky proposition, they will be terrible this year. Franson will probably have the best opportunity for ice time in Edmonton and maybe San Jose.

Been told UFA Cody Franson is down to Edmonton or Chicago. Vancouver never called.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 5, 2017

Been told UFA Cody Franson is down to Edmonton or Chicago. Vancouver never called.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 5, 2017

- DarthKane

https://www.prohockeyrumo...t-of-potential-teams.html

Now that you straightened me out on the forward who previously played defense, let's see if you the draft expert remembers what team drafted my all time favorite funny hockey name - Wacey Rabbit.

Let's hope the Blackhawks pull a defenseman prospect or two out of a hat because we know Q likes his veterans.

I just know it won't be Wacey. Besides he was a forward, still playing within last couple years AHL maybe Bruins.
- jhawk59

He plays here in Florida in Jacksonville..the Bruins

Not disagreeing with all your post, but what we learned last season is a team does not need to win the division, or conference, to get to the SCF. One thing I hope Q changes this season is he will let the kids learn on the job, make mistakes early in the year, and use those mistakes as teaching points, not reasons to place players in the doghouse. Playing well at the end of the season is most important.
- powerenforcer

Did we only learn that last season? Because that's been true for years. The 2013 Hawks were the last winner of a division / conference that went on to win the cup. We even learned this first hand in 2015.

Not to beat a dead horse... but Zaripov seems likes a player that could benefit the Hawks and fits in with the current rebuild on the fly mentality.
- hankscorpio

Sure, which is why there was a report that the Hawks reached out to him about his interest in them. Front runners are still the Pens, according to this new report.

Not sure if this is really going to work but it'd be good if it does.

We will provide live coverage of the NHL Prospects Tournament from Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City Sept. 8-12. Just click on the link to watch the game of your choice:

http://hockeyinsider.com/...nhl-prospects-tournament/

this is a nice read....

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ouse-on-Madison/196/87138

Stan should sign James Wisniewski to a PTO.

Not sure if Franson ends up picking us tomorrow (or in the coming days), but I'd imagine that even though he's not a top-four d-man, he can solidify the bottom pairing on the right side (which is still in flux since Rutta/Pokka/Rozy will be fighting for it anyways).

Assuming he is indeed signed:

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Franson

If Kempny and Forsling take a step forward with their progression this season, then all of a sudden, this is a pretty good defensive group.

Not sure if Franson ends up picking us tomorrow (or in the coming days), but I'd imagine that even though he's not a top-four d-man, he can solidify the bottom pairing on the right side (which is still in flux since Rutta/Pokka/Rozy will be fighting for it anyways).

Assuming he is indeed signed:

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Franson

If Kempny and Forsling take a step forward with their progression this season, then all of a sudden, this is a pretty good defensive group.
- TommyHawk

For the next pit stop on his one year North American tour, I think Franson would rather live in Chicago.

Whether Franson or other veteran blueliners looking for a team, cast the PTO net wide and see what the sea brings in (I know, other teams are vying for the same veterans so they may ultimately choose to accept PTOs elsewhere). Training camp will root out the contenders for the available spots on defense.

A few seasons ago the Hawks gave PTOs to veterans Visnovsky and Hejda but decided on neither, but maybe they should have as that was the season where Daley was misused and underappreciated by Q before getting traded mid-year plus there was the revolving door of Roszival, Rundblad, Ehrhoff, Scuderi, Svedberg, and Gustafsson.

Been told UFA Cody Franson is down to Edmonton or Chicago. Vancouver never called.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) September 5, 2017

- DarthKane

I am pulling for Edmonton. Franson is not good.

After Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, things get really iffy. Kempny, Forsling, Rutta, Oesterle, Pokka and Gustafson are not sure fire NHL top 6 defensemen. I sure hope 3 of them turn out to be but that's batting .500. And we all Rosy is done.

Franson would solidify a questionable lower 3.

I am pulling for Edmonton. Franson is not good.
- TTtime

I see one, I myself hear ye, do we have a third dissent?!

A veteran takes precious special development and training time, or practice time in exhibitions from the kids. By season end one or two of the kids may be better than Franson. You might get a better dman btw when rosters are pared to start the season.

Excuses, excuses, mistakes, mistakes cries Q. Patience, Bowman reassuringly says. It is probably a safe bet to expect that Bowman does sign one veteran at some point. But if he plays the field will he save some coin and or get someone better than Franson.....we do not know but how much better is Franson than a kid by season end?

As far as Wisniewski goes, I understand just a PTO Darth Kane. And perhaps he was owed way too much for anyone to claim down the stretch run last season. Perhaps someone in the know can fill in the blank; with the Wolves last spring Wismiewski played _______?

I suggest that he is, indeed, one big hit away from career ending. That has been the refrain for a while. Now I saw he was looking for work on twitter.
: : I did like the style he played, usually. He spends a lot of time on the DL throughout his career. Pass big time on him now. If you have a case, Darth Kane, I will read. I respect your view on this board. But I surmise you are wishful thinking on a washed up former Blackhawk

I see one, I myself hear ye, do we have a third dissent?!

A veteran takes precious special development and training time, or practice time in exhibitions from the kids. By season end one or two of the kids may be better than Franson. You might get a better dman btw when rosters are pared to start the season.

Excuses, excuses, mistakes, mistakes cries Q. Patience, Bowman reassuringly says. It is probably a safe bet to expect that Bowman does sign one veteran at some point. But if he plays the field will he save some coin and or get someone better than Franson.....we do not know but how much better is Franson than a kid by season end?

As far as Wisniewski goes, I understand just a PTO Darth Kane. And perhaps he was owed way too much for anyone to claim down the stretch run last season. Perhaps someone in the know can fill in the blank; with the Wolves last spring Wismiewski played _______?

I suggest that he is, indeed, one big hit away from career ending. That has been the refrain for a while. Now I saw he was looking for work on twitter.
: : I did like the style he played, usually. He spends a lot of time on the DL throughout his career. Pass big time on him now. If you have a case, Darth Kane, I will read. I respect your view on this board. But I surmise you are wishful thinking on a washed up former Blackhawk
- jhawk59

I saw Wisniewski up close at one of the Wolves final games.........and ..........it looked like he had been hanging out with Brent Seabrooke stuffing his face with McDonalds then hitting the couch with the remote in hand......... So.....I don't know how good of shape James is in these days,or if he even cares anymore.
I'm still thinking Bowman is gonna pass on the UFA's, see what he's got in the pre season,then right after the season starts, he'll look at the lay of the land league wide, then get on the phone to the other GM's and play Let's make a deal.

I saw Wisniewski up close at one of the Wolves final games.........and ..........it looked like he had been hanging out with Brent Seabrooke stuffing his face with McDonalds then hitting the couch with the remote in hand......... So.....I don't know how good of shape James is in these days,or if he even cares anymore.
I'm still thinking Bowman is gonna pass on the UFA's, see what he's got in the pre season,then right after the season starts, he'll look at the lay of the land league wide, then get on the phone to the other GM's and play Let's make a deal.
- wonthecup10

Your comments about Seabrook and his eating habits are completely assinine!!!!

You have no clue how dedicated he and other core members of this team are to nutrition and the care of their bodies.

They follow the team's trainers instructions to the letter - and even surpass them when it comes to eating habits. Many of them - Seabrook included - take in double the amounts of fruits and vegetables per day that the FDA recommends - can you say the same??

So please just stop your nonsensical comments about cheeseburgers and sitting on a couch channel surfing. From looking at your picture - it is far more likely your daily constitutional than any member of this hockey team!!!!!! SMH!!!!!!

Your comments about Seabrook and his eating habits are completely assinine!!!!

You have no clue how dedicated he and other core members of this team are to nutrition and the care of their bodies.

They follow the team's trainers instructions to the letter - and even surpass them when it comes to eating habits. Many of them - Seabrook included - take in double the amounts of fruits and vegetables per day that the FDA recommends - can you say the same??

So please just stop your nonsensical comments about cheeseburgers and sitting on a couch channel surfing. From looking at your picture - it is far more likely your daily constitutional than any member of this hockey team!!!!!! SMH!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

Oh my God,Jesus Christ , I've had season tix since before you were probably born, lighten up kid, I'm only kidding, and for your info, I just retired after working 40 years in a very dangerous line of work and still hit the Gym 4-5 days a week and skate a couple of days a week also.
All these guys are way to overpaid , they should stay in tip top shape for the cash they are making, and yes Brent Seabrooke looks like he's out of shape out there compared to guys like Kieth and Hjalmersson! Let them do what some of us do for a living and look at it thru our eyes. I think I've been to about 20-30 killed in the line of duty deaths in my working career. These guys all got it made. Sorry if I offended some but that struck a nerve but it's one thing to be a fan but the ass kissing of some of these guys is overboard. I enjoy pure good old Tyme National Hockey League hockey and the more these guys make, the less humble and appreciative some of them get . Have a great day all!

a couple things is Franson would mean ROZ more then likely is off the team Plus he is righty that can play on both special teams.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...tics-identify-value-adds/

Cody Franson
He is famous for what he does not do. He is not known as a fluid skater, or as an aggressive hitter. Those two deficiencies lead to highly visible errors, and for a defenceman “highly visible errors” can be a death sentence.

Looking past those awkward moments, though, we find a player who consistently helps his team do good things.

Consider the past two seasons in Buffalo. In an average hour of 5-on-5 play over that span without Franson, the Sabres allowed six more shot attempts than they managed themselves. With Franson on the ice, Buffalo had one more shot than the opposition, a seven-shot swing in all per hour.

seven-shot swing in all per hour.

Goal differential followed a similar pattern, with the Sabres’ negative goal differential without Franson being sliced in half when the defenceman was on the ice.

This is not an aberration. Even in tough minutes, Franson’s teams tend to be better when he’s on the ice than they are when he’s on the bench. Add in his ability to play on either special team, and he can be a very useful second-pair right shot defenceman, something that is in short supply in free agency.

After Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, things get really iffy. Kempny, Forsling, Rutta, Oesterle, Pokka and Gustafson are not sure fire NHL top 6 defensemen. I sure hope 3 of them turn out to be but that's batting .500. And we all Rosy is done.

Franson would solidify a questionable lower 3.
- Omahawk

In theory, anyway.

Guys like Q (who do kinda know what they're doing) will tend to go with experience over raw promise on D (especially). Hence why Rozy is still around.

60+ games of an unready Forsling or Rutta might "re-characterize" them from second coming of Bobby Orr to "not good" in the minds of a lot of fans—and ruin him mentally.

For a guy like Franson or say at forward, a guy like say Jack Skille, what it all comes down to is do they know and fully embrace their role. If they do, then they can be a nice depth add. Not the top 6/top 4 players they were once imagined to be and never really were.

Question is, what does Franson potentially cost them, and let's say his $$ are equal to Rozy's–does he give you more at this point? I'd THINK so. But that is what the scouts are paid for.

But to write off Stuart or Franson—in favor of Rozy—seems kind of silly, because Rozy is neither fast nor has he been healthy for a full season in 2 years.

Franson—depending on the role he plays and embraces—could—upside—be this year's Brent Sopel. Who was "slow and pretty much done" and essentially a PTO guy when the Hawks signed him—and is now a #blackhawklegend (of sorts).

a couple things is Franson would mean ROZ more then likely is off the team Plus he is righty that can play on both special teams.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...tics-identify-value-adds/

Cody Franson
He is famous for what he does not do. He is not known as a fluid skater, or as an aggressive hitter. Those two deficiencies lead to highly visible errors, and for a defenceman “highly visible errors” can be a death sentence.

Looking past those awkward moments, though, we find a player who consistently helps his team do good things.

Consider the past two seasons in Buffalo. In an average hour of 5-on-5 play over that span without Franson, the Sabres allowed six more shot attempts than they managed themselves. With Franson on the ice, Buffalo had one more shot than the opposition, a seven-shot swing in all per hour.

seven-shot swing in all per hour.

Goal differential followed a similar pattern, with the Sabres’ negative goal differential without Franson being sliced in half when the defenceman was on the ice.

This is not an aberration. Even in tough minutes, Franson’s teams tend to be better when he’s on the ice than they are when he’s on the bench. Add in his ability to play on either special team, and he can be a very useful second-pair right shot defenceman, something that is in short supply in free agency.
- kmw4631

Nice analysis. Looking between the lines and interwebs truism.

Your comments about Seabrook and his eating habits are completely assinine!!!!

You have no clue how dedicated he and other core members of this team are to nutrition and the care of their bodies.

They follow the team's trainers instructions to the letter - and even surpass them when it comes to eating habits. Many of them - Seabrook included - take in double the amounts of fruits and vegetables per day that the FDA recommends - can you say the same??

So please just stop your nonsensical comments about cheeseburgers and sitting on a couch channel surfing. From looking at your picture - it is far more likely your daily constitutional than any member of this hockey team!!!!!! SMH!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

From what I know of Seabrook's offseason training, he should be ready to go, FWIW. No worries there. Would like to see him come in 5 pounds lighter, not because he's fat (at all, but to lighten the load on his knees and give him a bit more jump, but that's just me.

From what I know of Seabrook's offseason training, he should be ready to go, FWIW. No worries there. Would like to see him come in 5 pounds lighter, not because he's fat (at all, but to lighten the load on his knees and give him a bit more jump, but that's just me.
- John Jaeckel

I know that Brent had/has a back issue from the end of the Blues series two years ago, and that he is doing everything the Hawks trainers and medical staff are asking of him.

He wants to play as long as he can - Hossa has been a role model to him since he arrived in 2009.

It just rubs me the wrong way to hear people here bash Seabrook about his diet or training. He is one of the most dedicated players here - both on and off the ice - a true warrior!!!!!

John Dahlström is a left forward from Sweden who plays both wings.

Carl Dahlström is a big defenseman from Sweden who has always has been a defenseman.

Robin Press is a big defenseman from Sweden who was a forward and has only been playing defense three and half years....
- wiz1901

Source? Robin Press was drafted as a d in 2013. I believe he played the position all but one year of J20 in Sweden. I could be wrong. Where have you seen he has only played d three and a half years? He was a serious reach in 2013.