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

I have liked Konopka for awhile but Smith is better player all around. Konopka is a Bollig who can win faceoffs...that's valuable but he is a 4th line player 8-12 mins a night depending...With absolutely no offense.

Smith could be a 12-16 minute per game player with some offense....Not locked into a 4th line role.

I could see a need for both but they are different.

For Konopka fans:

I have heard Winchester's name re: the Hawks this summer, not Konopka. Doesn't mean the Hawks aren't/wouldn't be interested in Z. Just haven't heard it.

Konopka please. 58.9%...case closed. Get it done Stan.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ogie
Up here in TBay in the morning paper on the sports page is an article on your hero. Their doing a movie on Billy Goldthorpe and the article incudes a clip from the movie. Go to chroniclejournal.com

Give it up with the Suter stuff, it's all you ever blog about...
- blackhawks64

Yeah, you're right, it's not like it's the main free agency story this summer.

There is (form good sources) some interest on both sides also. If that doesn't justify blogging on it, tell me what does.

I have liked Konopka for awhile but Smith is better player all around. Konopka is a Bollig who can win faceoffs...that's valuable but he is a 4th line player 8-12 mins a night depending...With absolutely no offense.

Smith could be a 12-16 minute per game player with some offense....Not locked into a 4th line role.

I could see a need for both but they are different.
- Al

You hit the nail on the head Al...Konopka is probably better at FO's,but as far as all around player, I believe Smith has him beat,plus he is signed for two more years at 700,000 and is only 24...I would do the Hammer for Smith+draft pick deal if the Sens would take it...and then take a shot at Suter,or if not then shore up the D with a plan B or plan C,and some more size among the forwards

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 ?
- captainserious

Lindback I think will be soild but the d in front of him needs to improve for him to shine, With the bolts D lately I dont care if we had GOD himself in net , tHEY WOULD STILL GIVE UP ALOT,,LOL, I think 2 seconds for a possible number 1 is ok with the potential to be a steal so,, id give it a 7

Yeah, you're right, it's not like it's the main free agency story this summer.

There is (form good sources) some interest on both sides also. If that doesn't justify blogging on it, tell me what does.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, don't get sucked in!
you're back from vaca and relaxed (if thats possible - HA)

enjoy the weekend - watch the Open, enjoy fathers day

ignore the idiots

Here we go.... Talking about 4th line players again

I hear bouwmeester is on the block...... He could change the overall dynamic of the team. Not Smith, with the exception of the gaping hole at d he'd leave if hammer goes to acquire him. I agree with ogi on the assessment.

Linback I think will be soild but the d in front of him needs to improve for him to shine, With the bolts D lately I dont care if we had GOD himself in net , tHEY WOULD STILL GIVE UP ALOT,,LOL, I think 2 seconds for a possible number 1 is ok with the potential to be a steal so,, id give it a 7
- tampabaydoompatrol

7? Oh wow...you must not hate your goalie as much as we hate ours!
I think if the Hawks got rid of Crawford and landed Lindback a lot of Hawks fans would be in the 9-10 range! How bout yous guys send us dat Purcell fellow for a nice....name someone or something

Here we go.... Talking about 4th line players again

I hear bouwmeester is on the block...... He could change the overall dynamic of the team. Not Smith, with the exception of the gaping hole at d he'd leave if hammer goes to acquire him. I agree with ogi on the assessment.
- moylander

I know you keep making fun,and you have every right..but from what JJ has said,it looks like the train of thought with the team is,shore up the PK and PP and that should help a lot..hence the reason going after a Zack Smith guy ir guys...Also if a chance at a top 6 comes around, I am sure the Hawks will go after them..probably waiting for a domino to fall...Suter

Here we go.... Talking about 4th line players again

I hear bouwmeester is on the block...... He could change the overall dynamic of the team. Not Smith, with the exception of the gaping hole at d he'd leave if hammer goes to acquire him. I agree with ogi on the assessment.
- moylander

Thats the move i make Hammer , Stalburg or Frolik maybe a pick for Jay bo. Calgary dumps Coin, getts a great D man , we get our PP guy , Big Shot, Speed. Man Jay Bo would fit like a glove here.

7? Oh wow...you must not hate your goalie as much as we hate ours!
I think if the Hawks got rid of Crawford and landed Lindback a lot of Hawks fans would be in the 9-10 range! How bout yous guys send us dat Purcell fellow for a nice....name someone or something
- captainserious

Purcell can be had,, only if you take Malone,, as well,,lol

Here we go.... Talking about 4th line players again

I hear bouwmeester is on the block...... He could change the overall dynamic of the team. Not Smith, with the exception of the gaping hole at d he'd leave if hammer goes to acquire him. I agree with ogi on the assessment.
- moylander

It is extremely unlikely the Hawks will add a $5-$7 mill dman without a significant amount of money shed from the blueline(Hammer)....

So any "improvement" made has to include the fact someone else will be gone.

As far as what your are hearing/reading...

About 10 days ago I heard from someone who should know there are many big names being floated out there....As in a lot more than usual.

CBA or not teams seem to be really anxious to shuffle their deck....

Hey JJ, welcome back.

If its Ottawa, how about:

Hammer, Stalberg

For

Foligno and Smith

Then,

Don't sign Suter, sign Allen and Jackman

1. Toews, Sharp, Foligno
2. Bolland, Kane, Hossa
3. Smith, Bickell, Shaw
4. Mayers, Bollig, Frolik

Seabs-Keith
Oduya-Allen
Leddy-Jackman

You got some bad asses on d and O.
Some more grit with forwards. A bad ass defenseman on each unit. Can you see the Sedins going to the net with Jackman there. These deals seem doable, nothing huge, but smart (I think) and achievable.

It is extremely unlikely the Hawks will add a $5-$7 mill dman without a significant amount of money shed from the blueline(Hammer)....

So any "improvement" made has to include the fact someone else will be gone.

As far as what your are hearing/reading...

About 10 days ago I heard from someone who should know there are many big names being floated out there....As in a lot more than usual.

CBA or not teams seem to be really anxious to shuffle their deck....
- Al

If there are that many bug names out there then Stan better make something happen..I understand it takes two to tango,but no holding back picks or prospects Stan should try and make a nice move

If there are that many bug names out there then Stan better make something happen..I understand it takes two to tango,but no holding back picks or prospects Stan should try and make a nice move
- captainserious

You hit what probably is the key....Most likely higher end propects have to be included.

Hey JJ, welcome back.

If its Ottawa, how about:

Hammer, Stalberg

For

Foligno and Smith

Then,

Don't sign Suter, sign Allen and Jackman

1. Toews, Sharp, Foligno
2. Bolland, Kane, Hossa
3. Smith, Bickell, Shaw
4. Mayers, Bollig, Frolik

Seabs-Keith
Oduya-Allen
Leddy-Jackman

You got some bad asses on d and O.

- robhawks

Nice lineup,but you are going to have to make room for CarBomb,I think they all like him a lot,and he can be effective on the forecheck when he isn't being a dumbass

You hit what probably is the key....Most likely higher end propects have to be included.
- Al

If a higher end prospect is a Saad McNeil Danault,and it means getting a veteran who is under 30 and a very good player, I would pull the trigger, I guess the question is will Stan pull the trigger,especially now that Rocky is fed up with 1st round exits

Nice lineup,but you are going to have to make room for CarBomb,I think they all like him a lot,and he can be effective on the forecheck when he isn't being a dumbass
- captainserious

Thanks, oh yeah Carcillo. Put him in for Frolik. Trade him to a team getting up to the floor for a pick.

Thanks, oh yeah Carcillo. Put him in for Frolik. Trade him to a team getting up to the floor for a pick.
- robhawks

Maybe they could dump him to a team for a draft pick in the later rounds..Any thoughts on Salak getting the ole steel toe to the butt? Is that a sign that they will probably go after a goalie in this draft? Subban? Vasilevski?

Hey JJ, welcome back.

If its Ottawa, how about:

Hammer, Stalberg

For

Foligno and Smith

Then,

Don't sign Suter, sign Allen and Jackman

1. Toews, Sharp, Foligno
2. Bolland, Kane, Hossa
3. Smith, Bickell, Shaw
4. Mayers, Bollig, Frolik

Seabs-Keith
Oduya-Allen
Leddy-Jackman

You got some bad asses on d and O.
Some more grit with forwards. A bad ass defenseman on each unit. Can you see the Sedins going to the net with Jackman there. These deals seem doable, nothing huge, but smart (I think) and achievable.
- robhawks

Do you really think st.Louis isn't gonna resign Jackman ?
?

Hi JJ...glad to have you back. We were really runny out of things to talk about.

Assuming plan A is to trade Hjalmarsson and sign Suter. Who would be plan B. Garrison, Wideman, or Carle? I think Garrison would like mighty fine in a Blackhawks jersey.

Hi JJ...glad to have you back. We were really runny out of things to talk about.

Assuming plan A is to trade Hjalmarsson and sign Suter. Who would be plan B. Garrison, Wideman, or Carle? I think Garrison would like mighty fine in a Blackhawks jersey.
- DarthKane

Plan B is Shane O'Brian

Do you really think st.Louis isn't gonna resign Jackman ?
?
- southernhawk

Thinking, probably would.

Just stating the type of player that would look good there without contemplating all the incidentals.

Plan B is Shane O'Brian
- southernhawk

Or maybe John Scott.