John Jaeckel: Hammer (Elsewhere) Time

Is there any remote possibility they expand the deal and get Lehner too?

Is there any remote possibility they expand the deal and get Lehner too?
- dpard

Hey bud, I am hearing NOTHING about the Hawks and goalies. Never rule anything out, but understand, any goalie added at the NHL level means they have given up on Crawford. And more by what I am not hearing, it appears they are not ready to give up on him yet.

That said, the Sens will have to move a goalie at some point. Is now decision time for them between Bishop and Lehner? Probably not, both are signed this season. If the Hawks want Lehner now, they would likely to have to add a top prospect, like a Saad, McNeill or Danault.

Hey bud, I am hearing NOTHING about the Hawks and goalies. Never rule anything out, but understand, any goalie added at the NHL level means they have given up on Crawford. And more by what I am not hearing, it appears they are not ready to give up on him yet.
- John Jaeckel

Welcome back, hope you enjoyed the kids!
Very disappointing on the goalie front!

Would hammer,pirri,and a mid level pick or Lalonde be enough for smith and Lehner?

I like the idea of acquiring Smith. He's the type of forward that the Hawks could use. If they do get him who would you play him with? I think SB would have to have something else lined up if they trade Hammer to get Smith. If he doesn't the Hawks will have even bigger problems on D than last season. If Suter is in play his decision if the money is close may come down to which team has a better shot at contending next season Chicago or Detroit.

I also read where Plan B or C (which will actually be plan A or B because they're not getting Suter.) actually involves horse's petoot Barrett Jackman. Ugh! That rumor, along with my season ticket invoice, does not have me a happy Blackhawk fan right now.

I think I like Zack Smith. And while I think people underestimate Hammer, Oduya's signing sort of seals his fate. Especially when you consider next year prodigal Son Nick leddy is up for contract. It just doesn't add up to adding a lot of money on the Blue line.

John Jaeckel: Hammer (Elsewhere) Time
- John Jaeckel

So thed Bolland moves up to #2 center ?

I like the idea of acquiring Smith. He's the type of forward that the Hawks could use. If they do get him who would you play him with? I think SB would have to have something else lined up if they trade Hammer to get Smith. If he doesn't the Hawks will have even bigger problems on D than last season. If Suter is in play his decision if the money is close may come down to which team has a better shot at contending next season Chicago or Detroit.
- jhawk159

It appears the Hawks simply want more options on the lower lines and PK units. You add a Smith or a Winnik to Mayers and you have more pieces you can play with as far as different situations, and it also strengthens the center position overall. Because Dave Bolland very well might be this year's "answer" at 2C (depending on the Hossa and Kane situations), and this might also signal Marcus Kruger moving to LW—at least for now. Another domino that could fall there is the exodus of one Viktor Stalberg from Chicago, who I am hearing is also tradeable this summer.

So thed Bolland moves up to #2 center ?
- mrpaulish

See immediately above. Possible. I have not heard this, but it seems a logical next step.

hey there JJ! hope you enjoyed your time away!
So if they were to move Hammer, it would obviously be to take a crack at Suter because he plays D...Should we not expect a run at Parise, but rather lower line cheaper forwards who could be plugged into the top two lines from time to time the way Carcillo was last year?

hey there JJ! hope you enjoyed your time away!
So if they were to move Hammer, it would obviously be to take a crack at Suter because he plays D...Should we not expect a run at Parise, but rather lower line cheaper forwards who could be plugged into the top two lines from time to time the way Carcillo was last year?
- captainserious

I think the Hawks have a much better shot at Suter than they do Parise. I have good sources on Suter, close to the Hawks and Suter's family. There appears to be a mutual interest there. Parise is, in my opinion, more likely to stay in NJ than Suter is in Nashville.

I think the Hawks have a much better shot at Suter than they do Parise. I have good sources on Suter, close to the Hawks and Suter's family. There appears to be a mutual interest there. Parise is, in my opinion, more likely to stay in NJ than Suter is in Nashville.
- John Jaeckel

Gotcha! Since you put your odds on Hammer leaving at 55-45, would you mind on telling us your odds for the following if it isn't too much to ask:

1.)Suter staying in Nashville
2.)Suter coming to the Blackhawks
3.)Suter either going to Minny or Detroit

Would be really disappointed to see Z Smith go, but with Spezza, Turris, Regin, and Zibanejad and DaCosta on the way, it might make sense.

Hawks fans would love him. Big center with a lot of jam, and showed some really good hands in his pre-NHL career... could turn out to be a real nice player. Still very young. Can throw down when he needs to.

Close friend of mine loves Z Smith and was saying yesterday that he hopes he dost leave. But is a Hammer straight up for Smith a fair trade for the Hawks. Hammer Blocks shots never really makes mistakes occasionally lays the body, won a cup and seams like just an overall steady guy.

Again this is not what i like hearing. We need more skill players with grit. Guys that can make a real difference both in reg season and especially playoffs. And actually score. I mean score against tough and physical D teams. They were really easy to play against in The TOP 6. Hjallms is easily replaced in free agency. But I would hope he is worth more in trade. even if we have to add to him. This just goes to show you that you have to trade a core player not named bolland to get real value

Close friend of mine loves Z Smith and was saying yesterday that he hopes he dost leave. But is a Hammer straight up for Smith a fair trade for the Hawks. Hammer Blocks shots never really makes mistakes occasionally lays the body, won a cup and seams like just an overall steady guy.
- Dojodan

Go to iTunes, download any games from the Cup winning season and compare Hammer then and now. In just two seasons, he has gotten much slower. He doesnt hit anymore. He has NO offense.

I would like Hammer better if we were getting 2010 Hammer. If thats the case, he wouldn't be moved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rV_SZI5sRo

Go to iTunes, download any games from the Cup winning season and compare Hammer then and now. In just two seasons, he has gotten much slower. He doesnt hit anymore. He has NO offense.

I would like Hammer better if we were getting 2010 Hammer. If thats the case, he wouldn't be moved.
- eburgio

Actually, don't. You'll be super pissed when you watch that season and compare it to the last two. This team could take a couple lessons from that team with the physical play and the forecheck.

I think the Hawks have a much better shot at Suter than they do Parise. I have good sources on Suter, close to the Hawks and Suter's family. There appears to be a mutual interest there. Parise is, in my opinion, more likely to stay in NJ than Suter is in Nashville.
- John Jaeckel

JJ what's the spec's on smith, winnick & mitchell?
i want to believe that stan bowman will step up & that he has his cards held close to his vest this summer. i have my doubts at times. just worried that the mike smith tendancies will creep back into the franchise with smaller euro players . don't want to sit thru that horror show again. you loose tallon, dudley,chevy & bergy in 2 years, those are some high powered guys who build teams the way the game is meant to be played! best of luck to them & we miss them!
now the other side of the coin & this is some risk, IF, that is IF the hawks could somehow snag radulov & put a foot in his behind also, & get him to understand what he has to do here & BEHAVE, that could be a steal.
your top 6 would be kane, toews, sharp, hossa, rad's, & bolland, not bad!
i'll defer to you on the other guys you mentioned as possible aquisitions as i don't know about them. notice no stalberg & bickell in that top 6. i'm with you on 25, hopefully bowman doesn't get fleeced there.
on D , you snag suter , even if you don't butmove some guys back there & land say jackman & either o'brien or allen, then you done good!
i may be the only one, but i'm pulling for young mr. beach to have a good camp & get in the mix as his tools could be exactly what we need, even if he has a strong camp but goes to rockford & is a mid season productive call up like shaw , would be in his best interest!
goalie? i'm undecided yet? ottawa ain't trading bishop, they see pekka there! don't know much about lehner. i'm willing to give corey a shot at straightening out! alot to digest hope the VAY CAY was good!
ps. i'm still beatin the drum to get gausted if he doesn't get stupid with his contract demands! okay boy's & girls, let's hear it! fun week coming up!

JJ what's the spec's on smith, winnick & mitchell?
i want to believe that stan bowman will step up & that he has his cards held close to his vest this summer. i have my doubts at times. just worried that the mike smith tendancies will creep back into the franchise with smaller euro players . don't want to sit thru that horror show again. you loose tallon, dudley,chevy & bergy in 2 years, those are some high powered guys who build teams the way the game is meant to be played! best of luck to them & we miss them!
now the other side of the coin & this is some risk, IF, that is IF the hawks could somehow snag radulov & put a foot in his behind also, & get him to understand what he has to do here & BEHAVE, that could be a steal.
your top 6 would be kane, toews, sharp, hossa, rad's, & bolland, not bad!
i'll defer to you on the other guys you mentioned as possible aquisitions as i don't know about them. notice no stalberg & bickell in that top 6. i'm with you on 25, hopefully bowman doesn't get fleeced there.
on D , you snag suter , even if you don't butmove some guys back there & land say jackman & either o'brien or allen, then you done good!
i may be the only one, but i'm pulling for young mr. beach to have a good camp & get in the mix as his tools could be exactly what we need, even if he has a strong camp but goes to rockford & is a mid season productive call up like shaw , would be in his best interest!
goalie? i'm undecided yet? ottawa ain't trading bishop, they see pekka there! don't know much about lehner. i'm willing to give corey a shot at straightening out! alot to digest hope the VAY CAY was good!
ps. i'm still beatin the drum to get gausted if he doesn't get stupid with his contract demands! okay boy's & girls, let's hear it! fun week coming up!
- wonthecup10

the spacebar is your friend. it's okay to use it.

now the other side of the coin & this is some risk, IF, that is IF the hawks could somehow snag radulov & put a foot in his behind also, & get him to understand what he has to do here & BEHAVE, that could be a steal.

- wonthecup10

Radulov?Really? Wouldn't he just be another skill guy who isn't all that physical? To tell you the truth I have never been really that impressed with Radulov,maybe I'm nuts...donno?

But landing a Zack Smith would help this team imo...You could plug him into the top 6 from time to time to throw his weight around, he is a PKer, something this team desperately needs, and even has a touch for scoring goals, 14 last season...I also thing that they need another Dman that will be willing to block shots on the PK.. Getting another good faceoff guy and a defender that is a good PKer will help this team greatly imo...Their awful PK probably kept them from another 10 points this last season

the spacebar is your friend. it's okay to use it.
- eburgio

got it!, ps, i'm still stuck in the 70's & 80's with the type of hockey teams i want & cyber skills!

...the Hawks will likely add a physical, lower line center who is strong on faceoffs: if not Smith, someone like Jay McClement, Daniel Winnik, or John Mitchell.

Konopka please. 58.9%...case closed. Get it done Stan.

So one minute the Hawks are going after suter, the next blog says to not expect many changes, Now we are hearing they maybe be going after suter again, Is this an (e3) or an e(4)?

JJ, great to see you back. Its been TOO LONG...

We have heard thus far in the off season that Hjalmarsson, Bolland and Stalberg (even a few others) are potentially on the trade block. In this article, the trade of Hjalmarsson for Smith makes sense and as you said, "both teams win". However, the Hawks also drop 2+ million in cap space. That being said, do you see any move the Hawks potentially make prior to July 1 structured with lowering their salary cap in mind? If so, do you believe that the ultimate purpose of any move made, prior to July 1, is to sign a big free-agent?