Konopka please.
- Ogilthorpe2

Konopka is zack Smith without the higher end skill. But at this point in their careers Smith is the more physical player and he has some nice moves around the net and has a name that sounds like a hockey player. Konopka is better on face offs but Smith is good now and is going to get even better.

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)?
- tampabaydoompatrol

It's a fluid situation. Things change. Now beat it.

Konopka is zack Smith without the higher end skill. But at this point in their careers Smith is the more physical player and he has some nice moves around the net and has a name that sounds like a hockey player. Konopka is better on face offs but Smith is good now and is going to get even better.
- spatso

Smith also costs more in assets, Konopka can be had for cash only. I'd rather keep Hjalmarsson and sign Konopka than trade Hjalmarson for Smith.

Smith also costs more in assets, Konopka can be had for cash only. I'd rather keep Hjalmarsson and sign Konopka than trade Hjalmarson for Smith.
- Ogilthorpe2

exactly why trade a solid 3- 4 D man for a 4th line centre ? makes little hockey sense r
.

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.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, Glad the Hawks are finally (or at least it appears) taking the lower lines/supporting cast situation more seriously. But, I'm growing more concerned about the status of Bollig. While Mayers probably deserved another year and a guy like Smith (or Konopka) is likely exactly the type of player needed, Jammer may be taking up a much-needed spot unless he's signed simply as a depth guy...he's good on draws, but taking a regular shift at pivot is probably ill-advised at this point.

Should be an interesting week.

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.
- eburgio

IMO, the forecheck has gotten lazy & uninspired. Seems our forwards are less willing to do the hard work these days.

I do not believe Ottawa would do a one for one with Smith and Hjamarstrom. When you hear Smith and Lehner both being discussed you might wonder if Ottawa is making a play for Kane.

Ottawa is a big physical team. And, they will be even bigger when a few of their prospects are added in. At least three rookies have a shot at winning jobs up front. They need to do some deals, Murray said as much in today's paper. But, nobody in Ottawa wants to see Smith go and based on the overpayment Nashville got for their backup goalie you are talking a big deal if you are talking Smith and Lehner with Ottawa.

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
- captainserious

1. 45%
2. 20%
3. 35%

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

It's a fluid situation. Things change. Now beat it.
- Ogilthorpe2

BEAT IT? I am new to the board and was just joking! I am a Hawks season ticket holder!

I do not believe Ottawa would do a one for one with Smith and Hamarstrom. When you hear Smith and Lehner both being discussed you might wonder if Ottawa is making a play for Kane.

Ottawa is a big physical team. And, they will be even bigger when a few of their prospects are added in. At least three rookies have a shot at winning jobs up front. They need to do some deals, Murray said as much in today's paper. But, nobody in Ottawa wants to see Smith go and based on the overpayment Nashville got for their backup goalie you are talking a big deal if you are talking Smith and Lehner with Ottawa.
- spatso

Need for need. Hjalmarsson (the guy I'm talking about) would help Ottawa in an area they critically need help. If you're telling me a guy like Smith is worth more than a top 4 D man, young and with upside, and has his name on a Cup, you're probably overvaluing Smith. Nice player and well-liked in Ottawa. But guys like Hjalmarsson aren't a dime a dozen either. He can help a lot of teams.

1. 45%
2. 20%
3. 35%
- John Jaeckel

Well those odds aren't all that great,but I still like em,better than no chance...appreciate the quick reply JJ....What do you make of the Lindback deal? Do you thelunk the Bolts overpaid for him? Any chance the Hawks take a goalie with their first round pick?

exactly why trade a solid 3- 4 D man for a 4th line centre ? makes little hockey sense r
.
- Dojodan

Creating cap room. You don't know the draft pick either.

exactly why trade a solid 3- 4 D man for a 4th line centre ? makes little hockey sense r
.
- Dojodan

Because he's really not a 4th line center. He's more of a #3 center. He's a guy that can win face-offs and hit.

He might fit as a 4th line center here.

Well those odds aren't all that great,but I still like em,better than no chance...appreciate the quick reply JJ....What do you make of the Lindback deal? 1) Do you thelunk the Bolts overpaid for him? 2) Any chance the Hawks take a goalie with their first round pick?
- captainserious

.

1) No. I am a Lindback believer.
2) Possible

It's a fluid situation. Things change. Now beat it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Give it up with the Suter stuff, it's all you ever blog about...

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
- captainserious

I wouldn't worry about Radulov coming here and I think there will be an emphases on getting some size.

BEAT IT? I am new to the board and was just joking! I am a Hawks season ticket holder!
- tampabaydoompatrol

Calm down tampa thats just Ogi being Ogi... Think of him as bill Murray in KingPin!

Keep 'em comin', sweets, I got a long drive. Do me a favor, will you? Would you mind washing off that perfume before you come back to our table?

I think I just gave Ogi one of my better compliments

Calm down tampa thats just Ogi being Ogi... Think of him as bill Murray in KingPin!

Keep 'em comin', sweets, I got a long drive. Do me a favor, will you? Would you mind washing off that perfume before you come back to our table?

I think I just gave Ogi one of my better compliments
- captainserious

LOL,, In all seriousness, I am a lightning fan, But I read Jackal all the time,, And think he is FAR above all the other bloggers.. GOOD work JJ,, As for the rest of you all,, good to be on here and ready to mix it up with ya.

I wouldn't worry about Radulov coming here and I think there will be an emphases on getting some size.
- Al

Hope you are right Al,because imo Radulov is a Stalberg type...Is a top 6 but not physical enough..I would even go as far as saying Stalberg is more physical

LOL,, In all seriousness, I am a lightning fan, But I read Jackal all the time,, And think he is FAR above all the other bloggers.. GOOD work JJ,, As for the rest of you all,, good to be on here and ready to mix it up with ya.
- tampabaydoompatrol

Well how does a Bolts fan feel about the Lindback deal? From 1-10 with 1 being not thrilled at all to 10 being quite ecstatic ?

Need for need. Hjalmarsson (the guy I'm talking about) would help Ottawa in an area they critically need help. If you're telling me a guy like Smith is worth more than a top 4 D man, young and with upside, and has his name on a Cup, you're probably overvaluing Smith. Nice player and well-liked in Ottawa. But guys like Hjalmarsson aren't a dime a dozen either. He can help a lot of teams.
- John Jaeckel

No I think there is probably fair value there and Ottawa is trying to find the right partner for Karlsson. My point is more along the lines that if Smith and Lehner get talked about it likely means that Ottawa is open to substantial dealing.

This is the Ottawa side of the story and it suggests you are right on target in identifying Ottawa as a potential dance partner for the Hawks.

http://www.senatorsextra....p-senators-draft-position

Also, I am certain the Senators might be interested in Saad. He has the size and game that would interest Ottawa. Watched him at rookie tournament in Oshawa last fall. After Zibenejad, he was best player in tourney.

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)?
- tampabaydoompatrol

I'll echo what the other poster said, probably a fluid situation. I have never said the Hawks were out of the Suter running completely.

If you read headlines, you'll see the story begins and ends right now in Nashville, will they re-sign him or not, that has been a "fluid" situation. The Hawks have been and are interested—there is mutual interest, at least from Suter's family—as reported here first.

In light of Nashville's exclusive rights and intent to sign him until July 1, obvious interest from Detroit and Minnesota as well, the odds are not and never have been high that the Hawks will land him. So yeah, I have been hearing "fluctuating" interest in making a run at him. And yeah, also, probably smartest not expect huge changes.

But I've also been consistent that Hjalmarsson is in trade rumors. If they deal him, they need to have a defenseman—someone— to take his place. If Suter is available 7/1, my educated guess is, with Hjalmarsson dealt, the Hawks would make a competitive offer on Suter. Failing that: Allen, Hannan, etc. Connect the dots.

No I think there is probably fair value there and Ottawa is trying to find the right partner for Karlsson. My point is more along the lines that if Smith and Lehner get talked about it likely means that Ottawa is open to substantial dealing.

This is the Ottawa side of the story and it suggests you are right on target in identifying Ottawa as a potential dance partner for the Hawks.

http://www.senatorsextra....p-senators-draft-position

Also, I am certain the Senators might be interested in Saad. He has the size and game that would interest Ottawa. Watched him at rookie tournament in Oshawa last fall. After Zibenejad, he was best player in tourney.
- spatso

Gotcha. But I don't think Lehner is involved in this. What I heard was Hjalmarsson for Smith and a pick. If Lehner or Bishop were included, I agree, Saad, McNeill or Danault would have to go the other way.