Anyone want to see Athanasiou traded to the Hawks? Looks like Detroit is offering $1.8M per and he wants $2.5M. I think I'd give up Forsling for him if that is what it would cost.
- Dannyboy

Forsling would be a lot but the prospect of Athanasiou's speed.... Win now. The window is closing.

Cat's awareness on that play where he scored speaks to his high Hockey IQ. You just can’t teach that. DeBrincat has it and the more he works with Kane and Schmaltz the better it will get. This kid’s the real deal, no Rockford stints are needed imo.
- SoftServe

This is what I think, OTHER than the fact maybe Q needs to 'test him'...cut him and see how he reacts. If he goes to Rockford with his nose to the grind and lights them up for a couple weeks, bring him up if things need a shakeup in Chicago. Keep in mind, Fortin another talented prospect thought to have a real shot to make the team is most assuredly heading back to the farm. It's an embarrassing amount of riches the Hawks have to even suggest these guys be sent to the minors.

Forsling would be a lot but the prospect of Athanasiou's speed.... Win now. The window is closing.
- tredbrta

Hawks do NOT need forwards. A Cup run is legit if they could land a Top 4 D-man.

Doubtful. Hossa diagnosis was not a single opinion and they took significant time to test and evaluate. They knew what they were doing. Though I am certain the howling from the female doges in Anaheim, St Louis and Nashville was deafening... The league probably just wants sufficient independent support for the ruling.
- tredbrta

If I were one of those other teams, the question I would have isn't about whether or not Hossa has the condition, but when the Blackhawks and he knew about it. Did they sign his contract with the knowledge he wouldn't play those last four years or not?

If I were one of those other teams, the question I would have isn't about whether or not Hossa has the condition, but when the Blackhawks and he knew about it. Did they sign his contract with the knowledge he wouldn't play those last four years or not?
- matt_ahrens

A contract signed in 2009 for something that would happen in 2017?

May as well dampen the mood around here, hearing it may be possibility Hossa's to LTIR will be rejected by league. League is doing independent investigation and using their own doctor. This would be a disaster.
- kwolf68

From a story that doesn't even cite a single league source. I won't even post the story, they don't deserve the clicks!

Hope so man. I was one of the few upset Hossa was going on LTIR, because he's still a damn good hockey player. Love that guy. Wanted him to go out on the ice, not on some LTIR skin condition thing. But it is what it is.
- kwolf68

Ditto. I will really miss Hossa (and Hammer). No quit in either of them but particularly Hossa. Quintessential leader by example.

On another note, assuming Franson does make the team, what salary/term would you expect?

On another note, assuming Franson does make the team, what salary/term would you expect?
- walleyeb1

Gotta be something under 2.0m

Hawks do NOT need forwards. A Cup run is legit if they could land a Top 4 D-man.
- kwolf68

Looks to me like the plan is to see if Kempny, Rutta and Murphy can develop in the first half to make that less of a need. Adding an Athanasieu and potentially seeing him excel could also make it easier to part with other assets to get that top 4d at the TDL.

Its not a myth, he's steadily declining...its natural, he's not quite the player he once was and when you can also say those same things about your #2 Seabrook, combined it makes a difference especially when there are so many question marks #3-6. Kempny and Murphy have potential to be a 3 or a 4, but right now neither are proven on this team in that role and we're asking a lot out of this blueline if we don't go out and add another piece.
- SimpleJack

Keith has been getting over knee surgery the last 2 seasons, which I am told it takes that long to fully recover. That is why I expect a bounce back year from not only him, but also Toews and Seabrook, as they have also been dealing with injuries the past 2 seasons. If all three of them return to form, this team is going to be lethal. I have some high optimism for this season. Funny how the most optimistic person in past seasons has become the most pessimistic in the last year...

Looks to me like the plan is to see if Kempny, Rutta and Murphy can develop in the first half to make that less of a need. Adding an Athanasieu and potentially seeing him excel could also make it easier to part with other assets to get that top 4d at the TDL.
- tredbrta

I am very high on Kemp and Rutta. I could not believe how good Jan was v. Columbus. First time ever on NA ice for a legit game and played a flawless hockey game. Kempny looks more confident and composed this year. I think he could be a PowerPlay stud with his shot. YES, I love the potential of both of them and YES Connor has good potential, but so far I've seen too many mistakes from him (the Hawks scrimmage where Sharp pick pocketed him was horrendous and a couple sloppy plays last night) to be overly confident. That said, its a new team and he's probably pressing....I am VERY anxious to see him in his next game. If he plays with Keith that's a good spot to have, but he'll be playing a lot of top lines.

Doubtful. Hossa diagnosis was not a single opinion and they took significant time to test and evaluate. They knew what they were doing. Though I am certain the howling from the female doges in Anaheim, St Louis and Nashville was deafening... The league probably just wants sufficient independent support for the ruling.
- tredbrta

It could be nothing but they pretty much have to have him evaluated at this point. If they're going to do it for one they're going to have to do it for the rest of them as well.

With respect to the Hossa thing, the league dislikes headaches as much as they love money. With the timing suspect at best and 30 teams female doging about it, the mucky mucks at the league might have seen the results of the first two games and decided the hawks are ok without the cap space. It wouldn't surprise me if the league made 30 teams happy at the expense of one and made the hawks sweat for a year.

With respect to the Hossa thing, the league dislikes headaches as much as they love money. With the timing suspect at best and 30 teams female doging about it, the mucky mucks at the league might have seen the results of the first two games and decided the hawks are ok without the cap space. It wouldn't surprise me if the league made 30 teams happy at the expense of one and made the hawks sweat for a year.
- 6628

Think it's more that the Lupul situation forced their hand.

They were all set to let this quietly fade from memory until Joffrey opened his mouth.

Glass and Baun on waivers today, no big surprise.

Waivers: ZACH PALMQUIST
MIN
JEFF GLASS
CHI
KYLE BAUN
CHI
PHILIP VARONE
PHI

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) September 22, 2017

It could be nothing but they pretty much have to have him evaluated at this point. If they're going to do it for one they're going to have to do it for the rest of them as well.
- BINGO!

I really doubt anything comes of it if they plan to review.

1) The Hawks followed the rules
2) Hossa has a medical condition that is well documented

The NHL can't pick and choose when to apply the rules and the Hossa situation isn't like Lupul (who disagrees with the team on his health).

I watched the first 50 minutes of the game late last night on NHL.TV and I had a few takeaways.....

-Nick Schmaltz looks bigger, faster, stronger and more poised. If 8+88 play together this year, Nick should easily be in the 50-60 point range.

-88 will be 70+ points again this year. Dynamic as always and like a fine wine...he seems to get better with age

-2 looked mobile and in control of the game every time he was on the ice. I excpect another 40+ point season at 24-25 minutes/game

-IMO, the Saad trade is already a huge win. It's been said already, but he is a absolute BEAST with wheels and hard on the puck. hattrick with all three goals a combined 1 foot from the blue paint. EXACTLY what the Hawks have lacked the last 2 years in their top 6.

-Snuggerud >> Osterle until he left the game with an injury. Hopefully nothing serious as he is an outstanding skater and smart player.

-Connor Murphy is not bad, but he is also not good. He is still young and he is massive, but I felt like he killed possession every time he got the puck on his blade in transition from defense to offense. First game jitters, I hope, bc he was not impressive IMO.

-Debrincat doing what he seemingly has done his entire career...not big, not fast, not flashy...just franking buries the puck.

-Crawford dialed in and looking ready for 55+ games this year

-Penalty Kill gets an A+


THANK GOD IT'S HOCKEY SEASON!!!!!

I really doubt anything comes of it if they plan to review.

1) The Hawks followed the rules
2) Hossa has a medical condition that is well documented

The NHL can't pick and choose when to apply the rules and the Hossa situation isn't like Lupul (who disagrees with the team on his health).
- breadbag

The Hawks were following the rules when they signed Hossa to his contract, yet that didn't stop the NHL from penalizing them after the fact. The same teams that whined about the Hossa-type contracts and burying contracts in the NHL are (I'm sure) the ones complaining about Hossa's current situation.

I don't believe for a second that Hossa is faking his illness, but I do believe that other teams will take this as an opportunity to hurt the Hawks. We'll know within a couple of weeks how this will all play out.

The Hawks were following the rules when they signed Hossa to his contract, yet that didn't stop the NHL from penalizing them after the fact. The same teams that whined about the Hossa-type contracts and burying contracts in the NHL are (I'm sure) the ones complaining about Hossa's current situation.

I don't believe for a second that Hossa is faking his illness, but I do believe that other teams will take this as an opportunity to hurt the Hawks. We'll know within a couple of weeks how this will all play out.
- DarthKane

There is a difference. The CBA changed and that changed the rules for all teams, not the NHL just choosing when to apply them.

There is a difference. The CBA changed and that changed the rules for all teams, not the NHL just choosing when to apply them.
- breadbag

True...but granting LTIR is always something that is in flux and required league approval. I'm just saying that if the league wants they can deny the Hawks request to but Hossa on LTIR. Now, that scenario may be unlikely but the league may have to consider it if other teams are putting pressure on them.

Does anyone recall the NHL ever denying an LTIR claim?

With the way its looking now, this is how I'd like to see things:

Saad-Toews-Panik
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Hartman
Hinostroza-Kero-Wingles

The battle for the 13th forward spot shows how deep we've become, too many names to list or even remember at this point. So many options its ridiculous.
IF this level of play from the younger forwards sustains, we can be DEADLY offensively. Like as good as anyone in the league. It will allow us to spread out the depth to create 3 solid scoring lines if we can keep a kid like DeBrincat or Fortin playing in the top 6, and if Schmaltz and Hartman also take their games to another level(which would IMO make both of them legit top 6 forwards on any team). The chain reaction would also give us one of the leagues best 3C's in Anisimov.

However i think we're going to have a very rough season defensively. Not so sure we have a true #3 OR a true #4 defenseman. Lots of bottom pairing options, but even there nothing is certain. AND 2 and 7 are going to have to defy all logic and suddenly become great again(both have been declining for the past 2 seasons and are getting up there in age) in order to offset a lot of these issues, when for all we know they decline even more rapidly than before or worse get injured.

Let me put it this way....we could REALLY use a move for another quality defenseman, preferably someone young and fast. If not I'm afraid it wont matter how elite, deep, and explosive we are at forward.
- SimpleJack

I haven't read the rest of the posts yet but I'm going to assume that somebody else is going to strongly suggest as I am here that there is absolutely NO WAY that John Hayden does not make this team as a 4th line player at minimum. He was one of the best players on the ice against the Columbus in game 1 and his big body was missed last night when the Red Wings started bouncing bodies in the 3rd period down 6-1. Nick Schmaltz got nailed HARD at center ice and then the Wings started running at our wingers. That will not happen if Hayden is on the roster. He will negate that philosophy and return those hits as he always does. We can not expect Seabrook to be our only big body hitter on this team at his age and the forward group needs Hayden's youth, size, and lumber to keep teams from running our stars. I'm hoping that Q and the coaching staff see his effectiveness in this regard, along with the fact that the kid can play as well.

Also, did anybody else notice how well Snuggerud played ? Again, it seems that we have some nice young defensemen in the system that Ulf can groom if they're allowed the ice time. Actually Svedburg as well.... love his size and reach, just wish he had a mean streak in him.

Kind of was shaking my head sitting there as I watched ADC, Kane, and Schmaltz dominate in the O zone like always....... and for those who question ADC speed ??? AHHH.... seemed great to me and his passing and hands are undoubtedly quite skilled. That goal he scored was a typical goal scorer's goal, made it look easy. Great skill. Lots to be optimistic about with the youth movement and energy of these kids...... no HO HUM hockey last night that's for sure.

Yes it's early but the signs of competing on every shift is great. The aggressive PK was a welcome sight. The PP is still a concern with the same philosophy being get the puck to the points for shots and not working it down low, but hopefully that may change when 19 returns.

As for 20.........Well...... geez.....I for one was not sure about losing Panarin but great trade StanBo. Brandon Saad's speed through the neutral zone makes the D back in on every shift and allows easy entries, along with his skills on the PK. Welcome back BS and wonder if he could be a 40+ goal scorer.

A contract signed in 2009 for something that would happen in 2017?
- kwolf68

Yep. When the last four years of a contract pay out only $1m annually, it raises suspicions. IIRC, his condition is treatable to a point, but the longer the treatment, the greater the long term risks. Did he and the Blackhawks know he had it when the contract was signed? Was there some understanding then that he wouldn't play out the contract? I don't know. Just saying if I was another team, those are the questions I'd want the NHL to consider.

Edit: that said, I think the Hawks get the cap relief sooner or later. The fact is Hossa really can't play anymore.

True...but granting LTIR is always something that is in flux and required league approval. I'm just saying that if the league wants they can deny the Hawks request to but Hossa on LTIR. Now, that scenario may be unlikely but the league may have to consider it if other teams are putting pressure on them.

Does anyone recall the NHL ever denying an LTIR claim?
- DarthKane

There is no reason the NHL would do that. They'd basically be pushing for injured players to play and getting themselves in hot water and likely sued.

I haven't read the rest of the posts yet but I'm going to assume that somebody else is going to strongly suggest as I am here that there is absolutely NO WAY that John Hayden does not make this team as a 4th line player at minimum. He was one of the best players on the ice against the Columbus in game 1 and his big body was missed last night when the Red Wings started bouncing bodies in the 3rd period down 6-1. Nick Schmaltz got nailed HARD at center ice and then the Wings started running at our wingers. That will not happen if Hayden is on the roster. He will negate that philosophy and return those hits as he always does. We can not expect Seabrook to be our only big body hitter on this team at his age and the forward group needs Hayden's youth, size, and lumber to keep teams from running our stars. I'm hoping that Q and the coaching staff see his effectiveness in this regard, along with the fact that the kid can play as well.

Also, did anybody else notice how well Snuggerud played ? Again, it seems that we have some nice young defensemen in the system that Ulf can groom if they're allowed the ice time. Actually Svedburg as well.... love his size and reach, just wish he had a mean streak in him.

Kind of was shaking my head sitting there as I watched ADC, Kane, and Schmaltz dominate in the O zone like always....... and for those who question ADC speed ??? AHHH.... seemed great to me and his passing and hands are undoubtedly quite skilled. That goal he scored was a typical goal scorer's goal, made it look easy. Great skill. Lots to be optimistic about with the youth movement and energy of these kids...... no HO HUM hockey last night that's for sure.

Yes it's early but the signs of competing on every shift is great. The aggressive PK was a welcome sight. The PP is still a concern with the same philosophy being get the puck to the points for shots and not working it down low, but hopefully that may change when 19 returns.

As for 20.........Well...... geez.....I for one was not sure about losing Panarin but great trade StanBo. Brandon Saad's speed through the neutral zone makes the D back in on every shift and allows easy entries, along with his skills on the PK. Welcome back BS and wonder if he could be a 40+ goal scorer.
- Hawkytalk

This. Hayden replaces what AA brought to the AA/Pan dynamic and then some. While Hayden's defensive game is probably not quite as good, I think he can produce just as many points while creating space and throwing his body around.