No, possible, but not necessary. Lose Oduya's money, Brunette's and, deal one middling salary and they can afford him and still sign their own guys.
- John Jaeckel

Would Frolik be in your outgoing mix ? He's in mine.

Perhaps they could. They have $20 million in cap space. I figure if Lidstrom re-signs, he'll be a minimum $5 million dollar salary. I'm betting Suter will get $7 million wherever he goes. That's $12 million right there, maybe $13 million before it's all said and done.

That still leaves them $7 million or $8 million to either re-sign or fill holes for Holmstrom, Hudler, Quincey, Abelkader, Helm and possibly a back up goalie. Re-signing Quincey and Hudler could possibly eat up most of that $7 million. Abelkader and Helm would probably get modest raises. If Holmstrom doesn't retire, he could come back on the cheap. In all, they might lose a couple of guys out of that group.

This is not figuring in an adjustment to the salary cap. If the cap goes up, they could have the room to pull it off.
- EKolb13

Helm's a guy i'd love to pry away from the Wings...should have mentioned him along with Allen and Campbell...from JJ's list.

Helm's a guy i'd love to pry away from the Wings...should have mentioned him along with Allen and Campbell...from JJ's list.
- philco28

Go back and read JJ's blog. He did mention Helm.

JJ, could or should the Hawks explore acquiring Paul Stasny from Colorado? Ive heard the Avs are very much exploring shipping his contract out. If we could convince the to take Frolik and a top pick, should we do it? I know he isnt the IDEAL 2nd center for the hawks like a Getzlaf, but guy is definitely a premier setup man, and probably one of the most underrated passers in the game. The hawks would only have stasnys contract for 2 more years, and providing Hossa is healthy, those are 2 critical years of Hossa's prime

I'll be honest....if Suter is a 'target' of the Tomahawk, SOMEONE in the core is GONE. How else do the numbers work ?

JJ, nice digging-----and I hate to be a "nattering nabob of negativism," but NONE of these names excites me one iota. If i had to choose....Allen and Campbell would be the most acceptable.
- philco28

A combination of the following:

** Cap going up $4-5M strictly due to big revenue increase
** Escalator clause exercised by NHLPA (cap could hit $72M)
** Amnesty contract (Rocky would likely hate that since he's just got out from under Huet's $5.625M a year for the last 2 years) 'Hawks would essentially 'eat'.

After all is said and done, if the CBA were to "rollback" the cap, the players salaries would be rolled back commensurate with the cap, not penalizing big market teams.

Go ahead and read this from Spector:

http://www.nhl.com/index.php/spector

And believe it or not, this from Ek:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1

John Jaeckel: Rumors!
- John Jaeckel

What are your thoughts on David Jones and any possibility of the Blackhawks signing him? Back to back 20+ goal seasons, he could be a big body for the top 6.

That's asuming Lidstrom is ready to hang 'em up.

You also have to realize, Suter will DEFINITELY look at the Wings roster and realize that at the end of this contract, Datsyuk, Franzen and Zetterberg will be gone or nearly done.

With the exception of Hossa, ALL of Chicago's top guys will be in their primes.

Detroit is NOT a shoo-in on this.
- John Jaeckel

For equal monies, yes. For another million a year and another year, perhaps 2, that might just do it; no??

JJ, could or should the Hawks explore acquiring Paul Stasny from Colorado? Ive heard the Avs are very much exploring shipping his contract out. If we could convince the to take Frolik and a top pick, should we do it? I know he isnt the IDEAL 2nd center for the hawks like a Getzlaf, but guy is definitely a premier setup man, and probably one of the most underrated passers in the game. The hawks would only have stasnys contract for 2 more years, and providing Hossa is healthy, those are 2 critical years of Hossa's prime
- FourFeathers773

You have to just wonder how wiling any team is going to be to deal a top player to a top team in its own conference. Not impossible or unheard of, but less likely, usually.

I dunno. Not like rumors are flying right now, especially not concerning the Hawks. I would watch the Nash/Kane thing. It's not a definite "they're talking" thing (yet, as far as a rumor). But it is something I'm told was once briefly touched on. Now I am hearing about it again (though it sounds like it's coming from someone outside the Hawk organization).

What are your thoughts on David Jones and any possibility of the Blackhawks signing him? Back to back 20+ goal seasons, he could be a big body for the top 6.
- DarthKane

Nic eplayer, nice fit, dunno if they are looking at him

Would Frolik be in your outgoing mix ? He's in mine.
- philco28

Problem with Frolik is his deal. Makes him hard to trade. You have to find a team that believes it can get value out of him at that price. In some ways, he could be worth that to the Hawks if he can consistently bring it like he has in the playoffs.

I think a lot of it is "media speculation that turns into truth." My sources say Minnesota or Chicago are more likely. But Detroit could be serious contenders.

Geography will be big in his decision (specifically, proximity to Madison), I have that from someone close to his family.
- John Jaeckel

If Suter signs with the Hawks who moves to the 2nd pairing? Ryan will want the same or more money than Keith and the top pairings. I don't think that will sit well with Duncan & Brent. If this is the case, Ryan is better off staying in Nashville. I think Detroit is out of the mix after the wings looked very old & slow in the playoffs. Free agency can change things but Detroit has little depth.

Please take Gustavsson before Burke changes his mind and signs him

For equal monies, yes. For another million a year and another year, perhaps 2, that might just do it; no??
- blackhawk24

Proximity to Madison: Chicago, then MN, then Det
Chance to win a Cup in the next two years: Chicago or Detroit, then MN
Chance to win a Cup in 3-6 years: Chicago, MN then Detroit
Family/personal ties to organization: Chicago and MN, Detroit third

So, all that said, if the Hawks equal what anyone else offers, or if McD does what he did with Campbell (just overpays to beat what anyone else has offered), I think the Hawks' chances are very good on Suter.

I don't think being a "first pairing" guy is a valid argument. They can slide Keith or Seabrook down to play with Hammer. So what?

http://twitpic.com/9lsr4w

the NHL network is making a habit of these "errors"

If Suter signs with the Hawks who moves to the 2nd pairing? Ryan will want the same or more money than Keith and the top pairings. I don't think that will sit well with Duncan & Brent. If this is the case, Ryan is better off staying in Nashville. I think Detroit is out of the mix after the wings looked very old & slow in the playoffs. Free agency can change things but Detroit has little depth.
- slash&smash

See my post immediately above. All due respect, that is a ridiculous argument. If I'm Suter, I LOVE having Keith and Seabrook around to play with, take pressure off of me and extend my career. PLEASE.

I hear the Preds are on Suter's list. I also hear Papa Bob wants Ryan out of there. FWIW.

Please take Gustavsson before Burke changes his mind and signs him
- Conquest

I think a lot of Leaf fans feel this way. I'm not sure he doesn't end up being a better goalie than Crawford. Seems to me Toronto anointed him as a savior maybe before he was really ready to play in North America. Just my remote take.

See my post immediately above. All due respect, that is a ridiculous argument. If I'm Suter, I LOVE having Keith and Seabrook around to play with, take pressure off of me and extend my career. PLEASE.

I hear the Preds are on Suter's list. I also hear Papa Bob wants Ryan out of there. FWIW.
- John Jaeckel

Also, if Suter is the kind of guy who prefers being "the guy" (ie not having other great defensemen around him) I would think he is not worth big money. That is not a winner. It is a big fish in a small pond.

Could a Sami Salo or a Mikael Samuelsson, a couple of long in the tooth veterans whose best days are clearly behind them, nonetheless still provide some power play, limited minutes value?

Salo and Samuelssom sound like Brunette and O'Donnell to me. If that's what the front office intends to do, lord help us.
- EKolb13

Agree a billion percent

If Suter signs with the Hawks who moves to the 2nd pairing? Ryan will want the same or more money than Keith and the top pairings. I don't think that will sit well with Duncan & Brent. If this is the case, Ryan is better off staying in Nashville. I think Detroit is out of the mix after the wings looked very old & slow in the playoffs. Free agency can change things but Detroit has little depth.
- slash&smash

maybe the Hawks sell him on the fact that he's coming into a team with 2 other #1 defensemen...so regardless who takes the first pair, or the second, a #1 d-man is going to be on the #2 pair.

http://twitpic.com/9lsr4w

the NHL network is making a habit of these "errors"
- FourFeathers773

maybe the Hawks sell him on the fact that he's coming into a team with 2 other #1 defensemen...so regardless who takes the first pair, or the second, a #1 d-man is going to be on the #2 pair.
- eburgio

That and you can sell him on the fact that with 3 high octane #1 dmen, they could all conceivably crank out 22 minutes a night, not get over-worked throughout the course of the season, and maintain a high level of shutdown D

July 1st should be a very telling and fun day.

If Salo does not retire and is not retained by the Canucks he could be a very good pick up for the Blackhawks. He has a rocket of a shot from the blueline and could excel with limited minutes. Personally I feel that Salo's greatest asset is stability. He seems to have a calming effect on the defence, the D just seems to play with much more poise and composure.

See my post immediately above. All due respect, that is a ridiculous argument. If I'm Suter, I LOVE having Keith and Seabrook around to play with, take pressure off of me and extend my career. PLEASE.

I hear the Preds are on Suter's list. I also hear Papa Bob wants Ryan out of there. FWIW.
- John Jaeckel

Let's hope Ryan likes listening to Papa Bob's advice.

Nic eplayer, nice fit, dunno if they are looking at him
- John Jaeckel

I'd prefer Jones over Moss, but is the Hawks target Moss then I can't see them going over Jones. Moss would be a more cost effective option, but I doubt he would be as good either.

What about Jim Slater? I know he's popular in the Jets organization, but he would be an ideal 4th line center who could spend some time on the PK too.