See Hammer playing with Campbell vs Hammer playing with not Campbell
- fattybeef

They complimented one another quite well on the cup team.

Soupy brought a dynamic to that team that few players could. One would only have to see how that NSH series shifted in favor of the 'Hawks after Soupy got back for game 4.

I could see Edmonton making a hard push for Suter. The one thing they are missing badly is defenseman. Wouldn't be a bad place to sign a long term contract seeing as the talent they've been able to grab with the past few drafts.
- snipesydangle

Ever tried to get from Madison to Edmonton?

Because Horton may not be the player he was, they may need scoring.
- powerenforcer

Even without Hortons 17 goals this season, they would still be the third highest scoring team with 252 goals. With his 17 goals included they are the second behind the penguins.

JJ, do you think all the Kane in Madison stuff was a recruiting effort for Suter? Maybe that is why there is no word from the FO? Any connections??????
- powerenforcer

C'mon, man.

Even without Hortons 17 goals this season, they would still be the third highest scoring team with 252 goals. With his 17 goals included they are the second behind the penguins.
- Rally_Shots

And besides there are a few 20+ goal scorers in FA that would make less than $5.9 million. They could keep Lucic and get a guy like Semin or Jones.... Assuming they clear Thomas from the cap.

JJ, do you think all the Kane in Madison stuff was a recruiting effort for Suter? Maybe that is why there is no word from the FO? Any connections??????
- powerenforcer

No and here's why:
1. I guarantee you Kane has no clue Suter is from Madison.

2. I guarantee you by the picture evidence, Kane did not even know HE was in Madison.

And besides there are a few 20+ goal scorers in FA that would make less than $5.9 million. They could keep Lucic and get a guy like Semin or Jones.... Assuming they clear Thomas from the cap.
- moylander

I think the Bruins are going to go after Ray Whitney. Guy still can play, has cup experience and they wont have to give anything up. Solid pickup if they get him.

No and here's why:
1. I guarantee you Kane has no clue Suter is from Madison.

2. I guarantee you by the picture evidence, Kane did not even know HE was in Madison.
- furso27

The only way Suter would sign in the $5-6M range is if its a deal like Keith's. DK at age 26 signed his 13-yr $72M extension, which took effect at age 27. His cap hit is $5.5M. Suter turned 27 earlier this year.

After all the hype of cap-circumventing deals calmed down (e.g. Hossa, Pronger etc), Keith's deal sailed through.

Wonder how much the GM's are going to consider this type of deal knowing the upcoming CBA. Wonder if JJ or Al can comment on the impact of the upccoming CBA negotiations on whether or not the league / owners would frown on long term deals like Keith's.
- blackhawk24

Like we discussed yesterday the issue has been when the salary drops off so much in the last few years of a mega deal...Like with Hossa and Kovalchuk but I think parameters can be easily put in place.

A deal signed in early July will be on the old CBA ,and the big market teams especially, probably won't blush if they think they need a Suter to put them over the top.

If any player is going to be signed to an 7-10 yr contract who is 27 or so it would be a defenseman becasue they can play effectively into their mid to late 30's.

Also sent you a PM.

If you're viewing O'Brien as a 6th or 7th defenseman, I'd have to say the Hawks really can't spend more that $1.25-$1.5 million to fill that slot, tops. Can O'Brien get more than that? I don't know.

Martin isn't going anywhere. If he does, he'll fetch a decent return. I saw you mentioned Clutterbuck in the last thread. He isn't moving either.
- EKolb13

My view is if O'Brien came in here he would be a solid 5-6 dman that could play 17-20 mins a night if needed. He would also be able to play efeectively on the PK which would mean a lot.


He hasn't been a 8-12 minute a night dman...

as anyone heard ANYTHING on Monty ....is he getting better..
Or drooling on himself or what
- southernhawk

I wrote about Monty yesterday....He is another of the many uncertainties going into next season.

Thoughts, questions and things that make you go hmmm. Keith, Attendance, Hossa, Kane, Montador & CBA...My Fox Chgo: http://bit.ly/KOX2oa

Always a good read JJ! Wouldnt mind seeing Ryan Suter come to the hawks. Does a Suter offer mean we pretty much have to wave goodbye to Hammer?

I wrote about Monty yesterday....He is another of the many uncertainties going into next season.

Thoughts, questions and things that make you go hmmm. Keith, Attendance, Hossa, Kane, Montador & CBA...My Fox Chgo: http://bit.ly/KOX2oa
- Al

Would be very interesting to know how season ticket renewals and suite sales/leases are going for the Blackhawks Sales Dept. Of course an honest answer will never be forthcoming from the team. You heard anything?

Would be very interesting to know how season ticket renewals and suite sales/leases are going for the Blackhawks Sales Dept. Of course an honest answer will never be forthcoming from the team. You heard anything?
- RickJ

Aren't the suites and sky boxes combined with the Bulls? I thought corporations bought them for both.

Would be very interesting to know how season ticket renewals and suite sales/leases are going for the Blackhawks Sales Dept. Of course an honest answer will never be forthcoming from the team. You heard anything?
- RickJ

I have heard from many who either didn't sign up for playoff tix or have had more trouble selling seats last season than in the previous three years.

If the Hawks get off to a slow start the UC will still be sold out, although the actually attendance could be lower which means less revenue.

I would think season renewals will be down some from previous years.

There is a waiting list but that can evaporate quickly if there is another first round exit next April.

Aren't the suites and sky boxes combined with the Bulls? I thought corporations bought them for both.
- StLBravesFan

Don't know about that part but I spotted some empty suites at some games last season.

When I gave them my 25% ticket deposit a few weeks ago I blew off some steam to the sales girl about the team needing to hire a real General Manager not an accountant dressed up like a GM. Her respnse was that the team knew they would need to make some changes for next year and part of her job was to pass on to her superiors what sentiments fans were expressing.

Any chance olez stays in Chicago I heard he looked good in Rockford

Don't know about that part but I spotted some empty suites at some games last season.

When I gave them my 25% ticket deposit a few weeks ago I blew off some steam to the sales girl about the team needing to hire a real General Manager not an accountant dressed up like a GM. Her respnse was that the team knew they would need to make some changes for next year and part of her job was to pass on to her superiors what sentiments fans were expressing.
- RickJ

Actually that's the best thing going from a fan standpoint...

The decision makers know how awful the attendance and fan apathy was before. They also know sell outs come from winning and that will be a reason for changes...

The hope is they will be the correct changes.

Aren't the suites and sky boxes combined with the Bulls? I thought corporations bought them for both.
- StLBravesFan

Suites are on annual leases IIRC. Tix are then bought for various events.

Is there any concern that the Blackhawks sign Suter but they still suck?

They complimented one another quite well on the cup team.

Soupy brought a dynamic to that team that few players could. One would only have to see how that NSH series shifted in favor of the 'Hawks after Soupy got back for game 4.
- blackhawk24

Campbell is lauded for his skating ability and I think that's what helps his partners. He wasn't used properly with the Hawks for whatever reason. He's not a shut down defenseman, but then again, is Keith? Campbell creates space with his skating ability, which probably helped Garrison a ton this season. If Campbell were $5.5-6M a year guy, my guess is that he'd still be in Chicago

Any chance olez stays in Chicago I heard he looked good in Rockford
- southernhawk

He's another of those guys I think they'd love to move. If his knee ever gets 100%, he can still play.

Suites are on annual leases IIRC. Tix are then bought for various events.
- blackhawk24

I think a suite can't be opened by buying only a couple of tickets for a particular event...It might be like 12, otherwise it stays dark.

Campbell is lauded for his skating ability and I think that's what helps his partners. He wasn't used properly with the Hawks for whatever reason. He's not a shut down defenseman, but then again, is Keith? Campbell creates space with his skating ability, which probably helped Garrison a ton this season. If Campbell were $5.5-6M a year guy, my guess is that he'd still be in Chicago
- eburgio

Yes, he is.

Yes, he is.
- John Jaeckel

Ok, fine. Maybe he is, but you have to use the caveat 'if used properly'. Go back to Campbell and say the same thing. Keith and Campbell could probably be flipped in terms of what is expected of them, and everyone would be happy.

For example, Keith is not a PP specialist, so stop using him there. I never know if Keith has brain farts because he plays so much and he's tired, or if that's just who he is.