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

That's one of my favorite quotes ever! Tanqueray and Tab!

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

Or have him split time with Bollig. It's good to have an NHL ready forward or 2 in reserve for the inevitable injury. I know Frolik is overpaid, but I wouldn't dump him just to dump him unless we're right up against the cap.

Plan B is Shane O'Brian
- southernhawk

Don't be surprised if Garrsion lands with Van.

O'Brien will get a better contract than many Hawks fans would believe.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Or have him split time with Bollig. It's good to have an NHL ready forward or 2 in reserve for the inevitable injury. I know Frolik is overpaid, but I wouldn't dump him just to dump him unless we're right up against the cap.
- Ogilthorpe2

True.

No idea how the dollars work out but with Foligno-Allan-Jackman it might be close to the cap. Again, haven't checked it our.

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

love it .

Don't be surprised if Garrsion lands with Van.

O'Brien will get a better contract than many Hawks fans would believe.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I'd be surprised if Garrison signed in Vancouver. The whole "playing for your home team" thing is overrated. Garrison wants to win, but this is an important contract to him so money will matter. The Canucks have a lot of money tied up in their defense and unless Ballard gets moved I don't see Garrison in Vancouver.

Shane O'Brien would be an excellent signing. He's the physical and edgey type of defenseman we need.

I'd be surprised if Garrison signed in Vancouver. The whole "playing for your home team" thing is overrated. Garrison wants to win, but this is an important contract to him so money will matter. The Canucks have a lot of money tied up in their defense and unless Ballard gets moved I don't see Garrison in Vancouver.

Shane O'Brien would be an excellent signing. He's the physical and edgey type of defenseman we need.
- DarthKane

They have room Salo is gone...and so will BobbyLu

I agree on O'Brien although my gut says it won't happen.

JJ, welcome back from your break. I'm curious, but I feel the players on the list for a all expense paid trip out of Cicago include (not counting UFAs):

Frolik - pure cap dump as a throw in or for a prospect
Bickell - how many years of not playing pysical and averaging one good game out of 8 where he is noticed before Q is sick of him
Hjalmarsson - if replaced by Jackson from STL via free agency I am fine with this.
Beach - to open a contract spot

Think I am on the right track with my train of thought or did it derail JJ?

Again, welcome back, thanks for feeding the Hawk faithful with what you can.

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

I understand what you are saying (or relaying really).... It just makes little sense to me. Why does that salary have to be Hammer? He is a solid #4 guy IMO.... not to mention if Stanley wiffs on a DMan like JayBo, Suter, etc then what is he left with

Keith-Seabs
???-Oduya
Monty-Leddy

But at least he got a 4th line forward in return (right?). Not like the hawks don't have enough of those

My thoughts - For a team that had one of the worst GAA in the league last season you'd think they would focus on heavily on Defense... especially since they seem to be okay with Craw and Emery in net. Losing Hammer to upgrade Hammer's position still leaves the Hawks weak at D and certainly defensive depth (even with a suter signing, which I doubt happens).

Keith-Suter
Seabs-Oduya
Monty-Leddy

To me it seems if they trade a contract like Kane or Sharp and can get a guy like JayBo in return (and push for a big winger like Foligno as well in the deal) that they would be much better off. Its that trickle down effect I brought up in the last thread - bring in top line players and push the rest of the guys down. That's how SB can build depth. Not by signing a bunch of scrubs (although I suppose thats another way to build depth, just not as effective imo)

Keith-Seabs
JayBo-Hammer
Oduya-Monty
Leddy


What you are suggesting sounds to me that SB has a lot of faith in Oduya. I think thats scary considering he's one of those guys most Jets fans couldn't wait to get off their team. JMO.

I'm not sure how // why this deal hasn't happened yet.

Smith's ultra-cheap and effective, but Ottawa has at least three forward prospects trying to push in. They need to address the blue line situation A.S.A.P.

I understand what you are saying (or relaying really).... It just makes little sense to me. Why does that salary have to be Hammer? He is a solid #4 guy IMO.... not to mention if Stanley wiffs on a DMan like JayBo, Suter, etc then what is he left with

Keith-Seabs
???-Oduya
Monty-Leddy

But at least he got a 4th line forward in return (right?). Not like the hawks don't have enough of those

My thoughts - For a team that had one of the worst GAA in the league last season you'd think they would focus on heavily on Defense... especially since they seem to be okay with Craw and Emery in net. Losing Hammer to upgrade Hammer's position still leaves the Hawks weak at D and certainly defensive depth (even with a suter signing, which I doubt happens).

Keith-Suter
Seabs-Oduya
Monty-Leddy

To me it seems if they trade a contract like Kane or Sharp and can get a guy like JayBo in return (and push for a big winger like Foligno as well in the deal) that they would be much better off. Its that trickle down effect I brought up in the last thread - bring in top line players and push the rest of the guys down. That's how SB can build depth. Not by signing a bunch of scrubs (although I suppose thats another way to build depth, just not as effective imo)

Keith-Seabs
JayBo-Hammer
Oduya-Monty
Leddy


What you are suggesting sounds to me that SB has a lot of faith in Oduya. I think thats scary considering he's one of those guys most Jets fans couldn't wait to get off their team. JMO.
- moylander

My thinking is Leddy is a top for guy. Oduya seems to be well liked,....Hammer at $3.5 to play less minutes won't work.

In my view Monty and Oduya are probably 4/5 guys at best on a good team.

So to improve Hammer and or Stalberg are the most likely to go.

Have to trade to get and this GM is reluctant to trade draft picks/prospects...Others on the roster like Frolik and Monty not really all that tradeable.

The Hawks defense as it stands now is much better on paper than the one they started last season with....But no big names like JayBo or Suter can happen without an already signed dman going.

JJ, welcome back from your break. I'm curious, but I feel the players on the list for a all expense paid trip out of Cicago include (not counting UFAs):

Frolik - pure cap dump as a throw in or for a prospect
Bickell - how many years of not playing pysical and averaging one good game out of 8 where he is noticed before Q is sick of him
Hjalmarsson - if replaced by Jackson from STL via free agency I am fine with this.
Beach - to open a contract spot

Think I am on the right track with my train of thought or did it derail JJ?

Again, welcome back, thanks for feeding the Hawk faithful with what you can.
- ikeane

You nailed it. Lots going on. I will have a blog with new rumors tonight or tomorrow AM.

You n

I'm not sure how // why this deal hasn't happened yet.

Smith's ultra-cheap and effective, but Ottawa has at least three forward prospects trying to push in. They need to address the blue line situation A.S.A.P.
- Travis Yost

it actually makes a lot of sense for both clubs. I am hearing there could be a larger market for Hjalmarsson however. Bowman is smart to listen to all offers.

Interesting E. Kane rumors floating around...

As I said about six months ago that's the type of player the Hawks need.

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

Hammer's development seems to have stopped. In my opinion he's a fringe second pairing d man.

Just posted this on the HotStove thread:

If Bowman has the stones, deal Hammer for Suter's rights. Nashville would do it if they feel they can't re-sign him. Few teams could offer as good or better defenseman (that Nashville will need). Detroit can't. Minnesota can't.

Then you have to go big to sign Suter. If you don't you have at least dumped Hammer's deal and can then go after Allen or someone.

They have room Salo is gone...and so will BobbyLu

I agree on O'Brien although my gut says it won't happen.
- Al

There's no guarantee Luongo will be dealt by July 1 ad I don't expect Garrison to last any longer on the free agent market. Anything is possible but I don't expect Garrison to sign in Vancouver.

Just posted this on the HotStove thread:

If Bowman has the stones, deal Hammer for Suter's rights. Nashville would do it if they feel they can't re-sign him. Few teams could offer as good or better defenseman (that Nashville will need). Detroit can't. Minnesota can't.

Then you have to go big to sign Suter. If you don't you have at least dumped Hammer's deal and can then go after Allen or someone.
- John Jaeckel

It's a lot to give up for just rights..... But if actions speak louder than words I think SB sends the message to Suter that he really wants him in Chicago. That would probably go a long way towards getting a contract inked.

The Salak waiving is interesting as you wonder if that means theyll draft a goalie or get anotger young kid via trade to develop in Rockford. Also is there a goalie available in Europe that they could sign like they did w. Niemi?

I'd be surprised if Garrison signed in Vancouver. The whole "playing for your home team" thing is overrated. Garrison wants to win, but this is an important contract to him so money will matter. The Canucks have a lot of money tied up in their defense and unless Ballard gets moved I don't see Garrison in Vancouver.

Shane O'Brien would be an excellent signing. He's the physical and edgey type of defenseman we need.
- DarthKane

Ballard will be gone .They can find someone cheaper to sit in the pressbox.

My thinking is Leddy is a top for guy. Oduya seems to be well liked,....Hammer at $3.5 to play less minutes won't work.

In my view Monty and Oduya are probably 4/5 guys at best on a good team.

So to improve Hammer and or Stalberg are the most likely to go.

Have to trade to get and this GM is reluctant to trade draft picks/prospects...Others on the roster like Frolik and Monty not really all that tradeable.

The Hawks defense as it stands now is much better on paper than the one they started last season with....But no big names like JayBo or Suter can happen without an already signed dman going.
- Al

Hey Al, I had posted this earlier. What do you think about:

Hammer and Stalberg

For

Smith and Foligno

Making the forwards a big bigger.

Then signing Allen and maybe getting a Jackman or Smid type. The "d" gets bigger too. Potentially a big "d" on each pairing.

Ballard will be gone .They can find someone cheaper to sit in the pressbox.
- VANTEL

How will Ballard be gone? Kudos to Gillis if he can find a sucker to take Ballard but that would be one difficult trade to make. I think Gillis is a great GM but that's a tall order to fill. I expect to see Garrison in Detroit but if he cat come to Chicago I'd rather see him go to Vancouver.

Interesting E. Kane rumors floating around...

As I said about six months ago that's the type of player the Hawks need.
- Al

What are you hearing ?

Hey Al, I had posted this earlier. What do you think about:

Hammer and Stalberg

For

Smith and Foligno

Making the forwards a big bigger.

Then signing Allen and maybe getting a Jackman or Smid type. The "d" gets bigger too. Potentially a big "d" on each pairing.
- robhawks

Ottawa loses a hell of a lot of grit there.

Fair in terms of value though. Interesting trade. Ottawa would certainly love to add Hammer, and Stalberg isn't exactly a throw in.

I only think they say no because they spent so much time and effort developing those two players. They are probably worth more to Ottawa as players then trade bait. If they were going to move them, especially both at once, I think they try and get someone to overpay for them.

In a nutshell, I think they'd rather remove Stalberg from that trade and get a better dman then Hammer, even if it ment throwing in a pick with those too. I just think if they were gonna move both, they'd be going with the "go big or go home" attitude, and be getting someone to play with Karlsson (since Kuba's not likely back at this point).

Good trade though.

Off topic question but did the Hawks let Ludvig Rensfeldt go?