Theo writes:

Something that could handcuff the Hawks is the rest of the league knows Bowman doesn't have as much cap space to work with than he did a week ago. So if he's looking to trade to free up space, other teams aren't going to help thus leading to less than optimal returns.

This surely can't be true. I recall two trades made just yesterday where a GM helped other teams free up cap space without getting better returns.
- boilermaker100

That's a fair comment. One other thing I forgot to say in the blog was that not knowing if Fleury will actually play for Chicago and may actually retire (or not report) leaves Bowman with $7M less to play with in free agency.

Would be nice to know Fleury's decision sooner than later and not handcuff the team's options to pursue free agents to fill other needs including goalie if he indeed never puts on the Blackhawks uniform.

Is this McCabe kid any good, or is he another Z?
- BetweenTheDots

If he’s healthy he’s an upgrade over Z, but big question if he’s able to stay in the lineup.

Theo, I don't think the Blackhawks COULD talk to Fleury before a trade, as it would be tampering, but you have to wondering if Vegas will add some pick if he doesn't play.


not that the Blackhawks would be using that money in the UFA market in goal, as NONE of them are an usignificant pgrade over MAF, or worth assets...
- wiz1901

Good point about tampering. I agree, though, that there should have been conditional assets added to the Fleury trade, i.e. a high draft pick if he doesn't report to Chicago than possibly betters or more assets if he retires.

Coming off a major knee injury. He was a +2 in 13 games. Good defensively and plays physical.
- ChicagoHope

Thanks, it would be nice if he's good defensively, we desperately need that.

Fluery was near a world class goalie that played in a lot of big games that had a career yr at 36 yrs old on an elite defensive team. ...... That said if he's a Hawk the team is better and that's even assuming he reverts back to his normal play.

That said lets assume Colliton and his systems suck those same systems and Colliton will be better with better players like Johnson, Jones and a pretty solid tandem of Lankanin and MAF in goal.

If you're a Hawks fan you gotta like how next yrs roster is improving. 2-3-4 yrs from now? StanBow being ordered to get fans in the seats tomorrow looks a lot like the Wings before their tear down...... And as one poster astutely posted the Hawks are putting together a fine club to win in 2018.
- Mr Ricochet

Let's hope what you say about the improved defense occurs. Also moving Z is addition by subtraction IMO. Maybe they get a veteran LD via free agency.

He's a Hawk now no matter the cost to get him and sign him. I'm old but can't look away from the fancies but at the same time if one crawls into that hole without context given to the fancies, at least for me, you don't get the whole picture.

Never saw the kid take a shift off and I saw him live back to when he played for the U-17 and U-18 NTDP. ..... I am as certain as one can be about any player that Jones will play hard thru the contract and reading what Torts said about him carries a lot of weight with me. Tough kid who checks a lot of boxes, a lot, that IMO go way past the fancies, which by the way were pretty damn good not long ago.
- Mr Ricochet

I don’t deny any of that but my point is unless Jones plays well, no matter what effort level, he will be the next Zadorov, Dehann or any number of players Hawk fans love to hate. And you just know he’s one shift away from being roasted on this site.

On Twitter someone called Z a defensive specialist, hahaha

On Twitter someone called Z a defensive specialist, hahaha
- BetweenTheDots

TSN just said he brings nastiest and solid defense to the Flames

Good point about tampering. I agree, though, that there should have been conditional assets added to the Fleury trade, i.e. a high draft pick if he doesn't report to Chicago than possibly betters or more assets if he retires.
- Theo Fox

It is nice that we can say that but we don't know if that was offered. I've never heard of a contingent pick being give if a player retires (could be wrong).

I doubt Stan just went to Vegas and said we will take Fleury without doing due diligence. I'm sure someone talked to Fleury's camp behind the scenes too.

On Twitter someone called Z a defensive specialist, hahaha
- BetweenTheDots

Expert in fumbling the puck and making bad decisions in his own end. Not sure I would call him a defensive specialist....

Took me a while to believe the best defense is to have the puck 200 ft from your goalie. I'm a believer now. Not saying the roster will be able to do that but it's an angle especially if Go Johnny Go is back and healthy, a solid looking top 6 and Johnson centering L3.

And Jones slotting on the 1st pairing pushes guys like Murphy down where they are more properly slotted. That is really really huge............ Back that up with Lankanin and MAF in goal and who knows.

I've liked the Flyers going back to the 70's and really enjoyed the chaos that is their offseason every yr but it doesn't feel the same when the Hawks are doing it. ... Don't know if it's trepidation that StanBow is calling the shots, executing a plan where there is no plan but it's scarier to me than it is fun.
- Mr Ricochet

Good points.

I'm embracing it at this point. At least its not the status quo.

And to be honest I'd prefer if they did even more to strengthen the roster and dragged complete ass to start the season, maybe 6-6-3 with some gimmick points and the laughing stock of the fancy new ESPN coverage so they clean house in the front office and put someone else behind the bench.

If McCabe is in and de Haan is out, it could essentially be a wash as far as health to stay in the lineup so in that regard it's pick your poison.

Yet, McCabe is more physical and skates well. Like de Haan, though, he also eats minutes, blocks shots, and is relied upon as a defensive defenseman.

It is nice that we can say that but we don't know if that was offered. I've never heard of a contingent pick being give if a player retires (could be wrong).

I doubt Stan just went to Vegas and said we will take Fleury without doing due diligence. I'm sure someone talked to Fleury's camp behind the scenes too.
- bhawks2241

It's a conditional pick. Arizona got one with Ladd.

If McCabe is in and de Haan is out, it could essentially be a wash as far as health to stay in the lineup so in that regard it's pick your poison.

Yet, McCabe is more physical and skates well. Like de Haan, though, he also eats minutes, blocks shots, and is relied upon as a defensive defenseman.
- Theo Fox

At least it looks like they are getting him at his prime. If they do sign him. Its nice to hear most are just concerned about his ability to stay in the line up. Makes me hopeful

Thanks, it would be nice if he's good defensively, we desperately need that.
- BetweenTheDots

He is.

https://twitter.com/CapFr.../1420374002489516040?s=01

Apparently cap friendly is explaining how ltir works, for those that want to try to figure it out

It's a conditional pick. Arizona got one with Ladd.
- I Am The Breadman

Didn't know that was a thing! Learning is fun!

So Z qualified, traded.
Why not do the same with Suter?

That's a fair comment. One other thing I forgot to say in the blog was that not knowing if Fleury will actually play for Chicago and may actually retire (or not report) leaves Bowman with $7M less to play with in free agency.

Would be nice to know Fleury's decision sooner than later and not handcuff the team's options to pursue free agents to fill other needs including goalie if he indeed never puts on the Blackhawks uniform.
- Theo Fox

Having Fleury’s decision soon would be good. But I have the feeling that if he decides a month from now that he is not coming there still will be good players available and their contract expectations might be lower as they get more desperate.

So Z qualified, traded.
Why not do the same with Suter?
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe the fax broke, or Uncle Dale called Stan and by the time the conversation was over the deadline passed.

Take it a step further and the Hawks got a 3rd for Panarin…still feeling good about it?
- Ogilthorpe2

Ask Columbus how they feel?

Lose one Suter to pick up a different Suter. Pretty sneaky.
- I Am The Breadman

It saves Wirtz a couple of bucks that the equipment manager doesn't have to mock up new name plates.

Chicago is trying to move D Calvin de Haan #FreeAgentFrenzy @TSNHockey
- mrpaulish

Actually, certain teams might need to hit the cap floor. Heard that Ottawa has 48M in cap space.

It saves Wirtz a couple of bucks that the equipment manager doesn't have to mock up new name plates.
- Rota's Rooter

He signed with Dallas.

So Z qualified, traded.
Why not do the same with Suter?
- Ogilthorpe2

Afraid nobody else would want to go to arbitration with him either.