You know now that I think of it, Konroyd had mentioned about a month ago that the Hawks might make a run at Suter and I thought it was kind of odd because I really hadn't thought it was possible but if it is then I'm all for it.

I know the Hawks can't "tamper" with Suter until July 1st but alot of deals are done/agreed upon through back channeling so if this is the case I say the Hawks deal their #1 pick at the draft (Nashville doesn't have one cause of the Gaustad trade) and a player and get Suter's rights then lock him up before July 1st if Suter is really interested in playing here.

I think JJ has a good point when he brings up the Madison factor, only 2 hours from Chicago. I don't doubt this factor at all. Look what happened with Hamhuis 2 years ago. Was dealt to Philly and Pitt but opted to go back home. Maybe that's the case with Suter too.

I also believe what JJ said about the Hawks press conferences being scripted last week. Like it or not, throwing guys/coaches/GM's under the bus 2 days after the season ends never looks real good. Hawks seem to be the type to keep that stuff behind closed doors.

Read some interesting regular season stats;

- Only 6 teams were held scoreless more times than the hawks (4 teams if you add in the playoffs)
- We were held scoreless almost one in every 10 games.
- Every other team in the leagure recorded at least one shutout.
- Only 5 teams scored more goals than we did. (I guess we really piled them on Columbus at times).
- Only 8 teams gave up more goals than we did.

From this it seems to me we cant keep the puck out of the net, and we cant put it in the net when it counts.

So we need a Goalie first, another prolific scoring threat second, and then we need more depth and a grittier more balance TOI "D".

Otherwise those that are looking to trade away Stalberg, Sharp, & Bolland and bring in a Suter, need to ask where the goal production from these three will come from. Hawks proved they can shut down shots on goal, its that they keep going in anyway. So if we have to have Crawford for another year, we need more scoring capability ASAP.

Read some interesting regular season stats;

- Only 6 teams were held scoreless more times than the hawks (4 teams if you add in the playoffs)
- We were held scoreless almost one in every 10 games.
- Every other team in the leagure recorded at least one shutout.
- Only 5 teams scored more goals than we did. (I guess we really piled them on Columbus at times).
- Only 8 teams gave up more goals than we did.

From this it seems to me we cant keep the puck out of the net, and we cant put it in the net when it counts.

So we need a Goalie first, another prolific scoring threat second, and then we need more depth and a grittier more balance TOI "D".

Otherwise those that are looking to trade away Stalberg, Sharp, & Bolland and bring in a Suter, need to ask where the goal production from these three will come from. Hawks proved they can shut down shots on goal, its that they keep going in anyway. So if we have to have Crawford for another year, we need more scoring capability ASAP.
- fvineze

I think no one had a longer losing streak than 9 games as well...

The Hawk shut down shots and then they couldn't score.

I wrote it about a week ago...

From February through end of season, against Western Conference playoff teams the Hawks averaged only 2 goal per game.

As I said today...

The Blackhawks were not good enough to play air tight defense and consistently win low scoring games. If the Hawks concentrate on shoring up defensive shortcomings their offense seems to suffer. At least that was the case against Western Conference playoff teams in the final two months of the season.

Today on Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/InWy9d

@AlCimaglia

You guys have to much money locked up in secondary scoring... You should have Toews Kane Hossa being paid 5 mil plus in the forwards, thats all... Get rid of Sharp or Hossa. Clear some space, because your cap space isnt being spent in the right places. You should have that money in either a 2c or a solid d man or a goalie.

You know now that I think of it, Konroyd had mentioned about a month ago that the Hawks might make a run at Suter and I thought it was kind of odd because I really hadn't thought it was possible but if it is then I'm all for it.

I know the Hawks can't "tamper" with Suter until July 1st but alot of deals are done/agreed upon through back channeling so if this is the case I say the Hawks deal their #1 pick at the draft (Nashville doesn't have one cause of the Gaustad trade) and a player and get Suter's rights then lock him up before July 1st if Suter is really interested in playing here.

I think JJ has a good point when he brings up the Madison factor, only 2 hours from Chicago. I don't doubt this factor at all. Look what happened with Hamhuis 2 years ago. Was dealt to Philly and Pitt but opted to go back home. Maybe that's the case with Suter too.
- dan9189

I have heard more than 1 media type well plugged into the NHL scene say " Suter probably already knows where he will be playing next year" - one team speculated was Dallas.

Hi Everyone , my name is Matt and I just got back from Hawks depression.

@mrploves33

MIssed the chance to comment on the last blog but I believe Bolland could get the Hawks a nice return. I love Bolland but two straight 1st round exits is inexcusable.

The Hawks got a 1st round pick for Brower , I feel they can get a similar return for Bolland.

I feel like the Hawks are stuck with Crawford/Emery for next season.

Would love to get another top 3 D man , a #2 Center , and a power forward. I have no idea who is available July 1st. The Hawks do have $ and they better try and get better. We all knew the Hawks weren't that good this year but damn, the Coyotes ? That was a great match up for the Hawks, the cup is up for grabs this year and it would of been nice to have a competitive team.

I don't think Oduya will be resigned , I hope SOMEONE would take Hammer off our hands. He has only regressed since 2010. I thought it was the right decision to keep him , Niemi hasn't done much for SJ.

The Blackhawks special teams needs a complete revamp. Kitchen has to go at least. And Hossa is old, a terrible injury like that who's to say he doesn't retire. The Hawks could use the hell out of that cap space, but like I said I don't even know who is a FA.

Happy to chat with you fellas again , im happy to be back from Blackhawks Blackout. Cheers.

Second straight year a Hawks assistant gm leaves as marc bergevin lands the Montreal GM job. Good hire and maybe a big opportunity for Chicago to get some new experienced blood from outside to help Stan assess and fix this roster.

Hmm for The hawks having depth issues, I am not sure how good of a move this would be. The thought of a team with Toews, kane, hossa, sharp, keith, seabrook and suter though is pretty damn scary.

Still though chi is kinda in the same place as Pitt. Needs depth and has soo many amazing core players up against the cap it makes it tough.

What ever it is, itll sure be interesting.

If Nashville manages to make it to the WCF or the Cup finals, I think sutter stays.
Especially with Radulov playing piss poor 2 way play that is losing his team games, I dont think Nash would be too keen on spending money on him anyways

The backboards have noticed him A LOT too. 2.5 shooting pct.
- philco28

So have the shin pads of forwards on 29 other teams...

Sometimes I wonder if he's gonna stop and have a coffee and a Danish before he tees it up. Wow !!

Should just send DK a tape of the dozens of times Savvy was on the half boards and fed Willie for one of his Howitzers as he faded from the point to the deep slot. No d!cking around, no over-thinking, just moving to an open lane and one-timing it. Of course it helped Rocky was right in front of the goalie and Grandpa was there on the off-wing.

Oh ok you would rather have Crawford still between the pipes? Yeah that makes sense. Luongo is better, you can't argue that.
- scorerstouch

Sorry, no head-case, not at that cap hit. I don't want a guy on our team that complains to the press the opposing team's goalie didn't compliment him, cries when he gets lit up for a touchdowns' worth of goals in a playoff game, and collapses each and every time his team needed it most; in the playoffs.

Think of this: $5.33M cap hit THROUGH 2022. Yikes !!

Not true, the Wings have the cap space this summer for him even if Lidstrom comes back at the same salary he had this season. If Lidstrom came back at a discount, they let Quincey and Hudler walk, they might be able to sign both Suter and Parise. Not likely they get both but if Lidstrom retires they would have the cap space to do it easy.
- dcz28

Now may be the time to let the great #5 retire. He's starting to wear down and will be on fumes if Det makes a deep run in the playoffs next season.

Quincey and Hudler could be long-term fixtures on the WingedWheel. They're only 26 & 28 years old. Think of it this way, there is a method to the madness of re-acquiring Quincey. They knew they made a mistake letting him go initially. Hudler IMO is a solid 2-way guy and fits your system very well.

>>>I was told this morning last week's press conference was somewhat "scripted" to avoid delving into some of the changes on the horizon.<<<

No kidding..coulda fooled us....**sheesh**

Sutter? 3 guys at the number 1 pairing?
- bogiedoc

Which one?

Brian, Darryl, Brent, Duane, Rich or Ron?

As for 3 guys at the "number 1 pairing"? It's a problem 30 coaches would love to have.

Like I said before:

1. Hawks sign Suter

2. Keith, Stalberg, Prospect to:

Winnepeg for Ladd and Stuart

Or

Boston for Lucic and tough defenseman

3. Sharp for Stall (no not impossible, why, HEY SID WE GOT YOU AN ALLSTAR WINGER FOR OUR THIRD LINE CENTER)

4. Sign Carkner

5. Grab Steckel for a prospect

Lucic (Ladd) - Toews - Kane
Kruger - Stall - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Shaw
Bollig - Steckel - Frolik

Seabrook - Suter
Hammer - Stuart
Leddy - Carkner (Monty).

Impossible??????? If you think so, I guess you never heard of Gretzky.
- robhawks

Like those ideas except #2. Well, I like #2, it's just that Winnipeg would likely not do that.

But what happens if the Preds for some unknown reason decide to stick with Suter and let Weber walk? Weber for Keith and Bolland + 1st
- barth 39

Good point. Some folks say Suter is actually a better overall player. AND, to boot if they have leverage on Weber as an RFA; Suter is an UFA.

So you're going to trade a stay at home defenseman and your best defensive forward all in the name of getting better defensively?

There's no way in Hell the Hawks are signing Suter. Oh sure, i'm sure they'll be interested. it's good press to be interested. Hell the Hawks were "interested" in a lot of players at the deadline. Jeff Carter, Ales Hemsky, and others. But they're not signing Suter.

First of all, there's the whole outspending other teams thing, and Stan has "outspent" a GM when??????????? Anybody?????? BEULLER?????????? He hasn't. And I doubt he will.

Because the one thing Stan bowman has yet to do, and one of my pet peeves about him, is he NEVER admits mistakes. And signing Suter would be admitting that Brian Campbell was a giant mistake. And while Suter is a better player than Campbell ( albeit not as much as people think.) that's not the point. Stan said the ONLY reason he traded Campbell was that in this day and age, you can't afford to have a 7 million dollar defenseman on your second pair. And now we think he's going to go out and contradict everything he believes?

Again, would love to wind up being all wet about this, but this ain't happening. Just like Jeff Carter was never happening. I'm sure there will be talk. There might even be interest. But money will talk in the end. And unless McD comes down and plays one of his power "whatever it takes" moves, which, given the CBA, I think Suter goes somewhere else and Bowman gives a very disingenuous "we tried" to the media on July 1.

I first thought Suter to Chicago was absurd, but I looked at my second favorite site capgeek (JJ's blog being first ).

Could the Hawks package Hammer and Stalberg for a top six power forward? Steve Ott or David Clarkson perhaps? (Although NJ may have cap issues if they try to resign Parise)

So this trade, plus signing Suter at $7MM, plus 4th line center, 6thDman, and Bollig as 13th forward and Olsen as 7th D. Kane would be 2nd line center, but Ott could take faceoffs while playing wing.

End up JUST slightly over last years cap. Gotta assume cap goes up at least a little bit?

Yes its a lot of money on the D, but the goalies are still very cheap compared to the rest of the league so why not shore up the D.

Very interesting to say the least.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Bryan Bickell ($0.542m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Sharp ($5.900m)
Steve Ott ($2.950m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Andrew Shaw ($0.565m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Michael Frolik ($2.333m)
Daniel Carcillo ($0.825m) / Zenon Konopka ($1.000m) / Marcus Kruger ($0.900m)
Brandon Bollig ($0.650m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Nick Leddy ($1.117m) / Steve Montador ($2.750m)
Ryan Suter ($7.000m) / Scott Hannan ($1.200m)
Dylan Olsen ($0.870m) /
GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($2.667m)
Ray Emery ($1.150m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,006,794; BONUSES: $435,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster):- $271,794
- coldsteelonice

I am somewhat with you on this, but Hawks need a #4 who is a PK master like Campbell or Slater. Also, the only way I see Suter here is with a 10+year deal that lowers his cap hit to somewhere in the Keith range.

Honestly, though, as much as the Suter thing seems great, if it keeps the hawks from getting some legit top 6 grit and quality depth on the blueline....maybe focus on Sarich or Allen and move on.

Isn't it possible the Hawks are trying to drive up the price just to ensure that if Detroit signs him it would seriously impact their cap space?