Just a few clarifying comments: The Wild were a pretty good team prior to Dumba and Koivu going down. Those key injuries were the main reason they stopped scoring. On your projected lineups, Rask is not expected to start the season on the main team. Kunin is projected out at the 2nd line center spot with Parise and hobbit. BB has said he'd like Fiala to play with Staal and Zucker on the top line. Dumba is now the top right D with Suter, Spurgeon is the 2nd pairing D with Brodin. I expect the team, if healthy, to be in the mix for the final wildcard spot just because the pacific is weak after the top 3 teams.
- mnhockeyguy

Thanks for the insight, mnhockeyguy!

You clearly watch these guys more than I.

If Rask doesn't make the team, is that one of the worst trades they've made in recent years?

Hey Tyler, any rumors (or even rumours) about possible PTO invitees to Blackhawks' camp?
- matt_ahrens

Not hearing anything in terms of PTOs.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't extend any PTOs.

I think the Hawks are quite happy with the quality of players at every position heading into camp.

This will be the most competitive training camp in years. Looking forward to it.

Thanks for the insight, mnhockeyguy!

You clearly watch these guys more than I.

If Rask doesn't make the team, is that one of the worst trades they've made in recent years?
- Tyler Cameron

The moment it was signed it was definitely the worst trade in Wild history and right up there with some real doozies in the history of the NHL.

https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-williams-announces-break-from-nhl/c-308820354

Curious what impact this type of thing has on their cap situation. Was he inspired by Colts' Luck?
- pdx2ord

None. He isn't signed. He may have been inspired by the lack of offers, too. He is a UFA.

If there was sufficient Cap space to sign Perlini to a $1.85M AAV contract - I would have no problem with it because that is the market cost of Perlini - but there isn't sufficient Cap space, at least not without another deal or two making it work. The calculus is not whether Perlini is worth $1.85M - the market says he is - it's whether its worth it for the Hawks to have Perlini minus whatever they move out to make the Cap work versus not having Perlini plus whatever they can get for him in a trade.
- EbonyRaptor

He isn't worth a contract or roster slot. He will be traded before the season. Expected return of a 5th or later.

Yeah yeah, he has size, speed blahblah. He is not a good hockey player.

Not hearing anything in terms of PTOs.

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't extend any PTOs.

I think the Hawks are quite happy with the quality of players at every position heading into camp.

This will be the most competitive training camp in years. Looking forward to it.
- Tyler Cameron

Good. poopty teams are the ones signing PTOs looking for some organizational depth. Hawks have that. In reality, what bums out there would be a better risk than Versteeg who is already part of Rockford and right in the Hawks' backyard. AS it were.

Of course. This needs to be said. Screw the Wild and their silly ass name.

He isn't worth a contract or roster slot. He will be traded before the season. Expected return of a 5th or later.

Yeah yeah, he has size, speed blahblah. He is not a good hockey player.
- Elbows15

And more and more, the type of player we’re going to see in this unforgiving hard-cap league with a rather stagnant cap: size, speed, skill, potential - and little to no development time in the AHL to mold that talent into a good hockey player.

Perhaps the successful teams of the future are those that develop a development program in the Show for the Perlinis, Nylanders, Stromes, etc. - growing other teams high draft picks into quality NHLers.

And more and more, the type of player we’re going to see in this unforgiving hard-cap league with a rather stagnant cap: size, speed, skill, potential - and little to no development time in the AHL to mold that talent into a good hockey player.

Perhaps the successful teams of the future are those that develop a development program in the Show for the Perlinis, Nylanders, Stromes, etc. - growing other teams high draft picks into quality NHLers.
- StLBravesFan

Can't teach heart. He has none.

Can't teach heart. He has none.
- Elbows15

Or he has the frustration of not being put into a good place for him to learn how to be a hockey player and to succeed.

I don’t know....

Withe that Chicago summer league about to get disrupted by the Traverse City tournament defections after 6 games the team with Dach Boqvist Entwhistle Beaudin Alex Turcotte, Brandon Pirri and Adam Clendening is ahead of Kaner's and DeBrincat's team in the standing b a point.

Withe that Chicago summer league about to get disrupted by the Traverse City tournament defections after 6 games the team with Dach Boqvist Entwhistle Beaudin Alex Turcotte, Brandon Pirri and Adam Clendening is ahead of Kaner's and DeBrincat's team in the standing b a point.
- wiz1901

I thought Kane was getting shipped off to Arizona? He’s still a Blackhawk?

None. He isn't signed. He may have been inspired by the lack of offers, too. He is a UFA.
- Elbows15

OK thanks. If that was clear in the article, I fed missed it. Oops.

Withe that Chicago summer league about to get disrupted by the Traverse City tournament defections after 6 games the team with Dach Boqvist Entwhistle Beaudin Alex Turcotte, Brandon Pirri and Adam Clendening is ahead of Kaner's and DeBrincat's team in the standing b a point.
- wiz1901

CPHL Summer League ended a week or two ago. Kane didn’t play a single game (slacker!) and Toews showed for one half of one game. But their names were big selling point again.

Or he has the frustration of not being put into a good place for him to learn how to be a hockey player and to succeed.

I don’t know....
- StLBravesFan

He has been given plenty of opportunities to succeed. My issue has been how many times does he need to be benched to get the message? He was sat a lot last season during games. Never seemed to spur him to greater effort.

OK thanks. If that was clear in the article, I fed missed it. Oops.
- pdx2ord

I had to check CapFriendly to make sure he hadn't signed. He's 37. He has won a few Cups. Made a bunch of money. I can definitely see him feeling that the work just isn't worth it to him anymore and its time for the next phase of his life.

Add in a family and the time they miss in-season, he could be ready to move on.

I thought Kane was getting shipped off to Arizona? He’s still a Blackhawk?
- scottak

That's the smart move someone would say

The so called pundints don't know Jack. Most picking bears for around .500 and Hawks for again bottom of the league.

The so called pundints don't know Jack. Most picking bears for around .500 and Hawks for again bottom of the league.
- glennjpawlak22

Bears 16-0 !

Bears 16-0 !
- rpeters01

Hawks with 57 points

Lo Nath on Dietz tweeted:

Jonathan Toews: "All I see is that I've signed a contract and to me it's not exactly being honored. So I don't care what business you're in -- to me that's kind of ridiculous."

The NHLPA has 2 weeks to decide if it will opt out of the CBA.

Now me: Toews has consistently been on the most militant side of league-PA negotiations.

The league decide to not opt-out at this point. The issue for the players certainly seems to be the escrow.

Looks like Blackhawks legend Lance Bouma has signed with the Kings.

Looks like Blackhawks legend Lance Bouma has signed with the Kings.
- DarthKane

The balance of power has shifted.

He isn't worth a contract or roster slot. He will be traded before the season. Expected return of a 5th or later.

Yeah yeah, he has size, speed blahblah. He is not a good hockey player.
- Elbows15

Your 2nd, well written paragraph inspires me to write about a pet peeve of mine. I know, you're trhilled.

We often here about how player x has "all the tools". This often begins an explanation of why the player isn't living up to expectations. "All the tools" seems limited to physical tools in the lingo of the day. The problem is that there are mental abilities necessary to be good - a player has to be able to process information fast, know where teammates are, etc. There is also an emotional element to "all the tools" - a player needs to have the emotional strength to handle a bunch of things that comes his way, including plenty of failure.

It drives me bats - I know, a short drive - to hear a guy like Perlini described as having "all the tools" when the mental and emotional aspects are ignored. Being physically talented is not "all the tools".

Fyi, not saying my guy Elbows is doing this, so STFU, Elbows.

Hawks with 57 points
- DarthKane

By Christmas