Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[anotheridiot]

Ok, sorry man, the internet just winds here when I try to open links.

Teuvo played when Kane was injured, so we didnt get the chance to see them together. I just think of it as kane passing to kane if they are the same player.

Really dont know. I mean should Kane even be a second line guy? Is there some problem with him playing with Toews? I still liked when they tried Kane at center. He is a pass first mentality, the only thing he cant do is go fight on the boards. So when he is on the ice, its not dump and chase, its carry and shoot.

I like how Nordstrom and Smith battle behind the net and both of them skate to the net without fear, so I think its possible to make them better. Look at how much Kruger improved with faceoffs, its not impossible.

 

[JBM73]

Ok, sorry man, the internet just winds here when I try to open links.

Look at how much Kruger improved with faceoffs, its not impossible.

No worries!

Yeah, I have to admit that one has shocked me. I don't think I've ever seen a guy improve that much from one season to the next. 46% in 12/13, 56% in 13/14. Wow, just wow.

 

[JBM73]

From John Jaeckel at hockeybuzz:

"Yesterday's blog kindled some debate on Facebook about how much the Hawks need to bring in a center, or how likely it is.

My source reminded me this morning that Patrick Kane's price tag for re-signing in Chicago depends highly on who is his center.

So while some dismiss the urgency of the Hawks to find a true 2C, they shouldn't. As reported here for over a year now, Kane's re-signing is not nearly the "slam dunk" that Jonathan Toews' re-signing is.

Kane has won a lot of accolades in Chicago. But my source tells me he really wants a Hart Trophy and a Richard Trophy. To get those, he needs to have a truly stellar season or two. And to do that, he probably needs a center not named Handzus or Regin to get him the puck. Probably not named Shaw either. Otherwise, the lure of Buffalo for Kane is quite real."

Also:

"A Hawk-related source has been telling me for a few weeks now that Chicago will likely be the opponent when the puck drops at Nationals Park in the 2015 Winter Classic."

 

[anotheridiot]

Even if they bring in the second line center, there is no guarantee Q is gonna play him consistently. To me that is a bigger hindrance for the hawks signing Kane. Q jumbling lines, never giving Kane a consistent line, and Kane wondering if that is ever gonna change. First lackluster performance its gonna be back to names in a hat so I cant believe Kane would be set on having the same center for the entire season anyway. Kane was in the running for the Hart trophy the first half of the year, so there was enough around him at that time. Teams adjusted to hitting him and forcing him to dump and chase instead of carrying the puck and his game fell off, I think after having a streak of 12 or 13 with a point per game, he went to quite a few without a point. You get a top center for the second line, it might be Sharp and Hossa with him and Kane with Toews and Saad or Bickell.

Handzous reportedly said he did not play well enough for the hawks this year and does not think he deserves a spot on next years team. Dont know if there was anything official announcing he was not offered a contract. I think Smith is ready to go full time PK, so not worried much, maybe they will see if Zeus gets any other offers.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

We absolutely need a 2C. And we have for a few years now.

Lacking depth at center is what kept us from repeating as Stanley Cup champs.

 

[RoboticDreams]

We absolutely need a 2C. And we have for a few years now.

Lacking depth at center is what kept us from repeating as Stanley Cup champs.

Y'all will be back next year. Guaranteed.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

Y'all will be back next year. Guaranteed.

I hate to take it for granted.

We have a few more chinks in the armor than we think.

 

[JBM73]

Blackhawks hold 8 picks in NHL Draft - chicagotribune.com

 

[averagejoe]

Yahoo sports is reporting that Ryan Kesler wants to come to either Chicago or Pittsburgh. I just wonder if (1) the front office can make it happen, and (2) if maybe Kesler's best years (and healthy years) are behind him?

 

[anotheridiot]

We absolutely need a 2C. And we have for a few years now.

Lacking depth at center is what kept us from repeating as Stanley Cup champs.

not saying we dont need a 2c, we just have not had the confidence in smith, shaw or even teuvo. you bring in a vet and shaw and teuvo need to battle for 3rd line? i'd rather they take a shot and add at the deadline.

 

[JBM73]

Not from a reliable source, but for discussion purposes:

Jason Spezza, and Ottawa's 2nd and 3rd this year for Sharp + a conditional pick next year if Spezza is extended.

Thoughts?

 

[ChicagoIrish]

Not from a reliable source, but for discussion purposes:

Jason Spezza, and Ottawa's 2nd and 3rd this year for Sharp + a conditional pick next year if Spezza is extended.

Thoughts?

Man, I'd hate to lose Sharp.

Spezza is 31, and not quite as good as Kesler, in my opinion. But he definitely wouldn't hurt.

 

[JBM73]

The Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks seemingly have broken from the pack and are the front-runners for Ryan Kesler, multiple sources have told ESPN.com.

 

[JBM73]

HockeyBuzz.com - John Jaeckel - Hawks Vs. Anaheim For Kesler

In essence:

Vancouver wants TT in the Kesler deal, Hawks saying no.

Sharp likely to be traded.

Hawks interested in rights to Jay McClement.

 

[anotheridiot]

HockeyBuzz.com - John Jaeckel - Hawks Vs. Anaheim For Kesler

In essence:

Vancouver wants TT in the Kesler deal, Hawks saying no.

Sharp likely to be traded.

Hawks interested in rights to Jay McClement.

Vancouver wants TT plus a name from this team. To me its pretty mute. If the hawks trade for Kesler, Teuvo will be a wing anyway, not sure thats his game. He will not play third or fourth line center with the handful of minutes they get. Injury is the only reason to keep Teuvo if they go after kesler.

Now if sharp is dealt then maybe the plan is to play Teuvo at the other wing. Getting Teuvo and Kane on the same line would be a fun line to watch. Is kesler really the facilitator they need?

 

[JBM73]

Is Kesler really the facilitator they need to ensure that Kane re-signs?

Fixed.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kane and Toews asked for $12 million per season to start.

Report: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane may be seeking $12M annually - CBSSports.com

Wow.

Great players, and they shot high for sure and will likely end up in the $9-10 million range but with all the money tied up in other players, the Hawks have some work to do.

 

[JBM73]

Kane and Toews asked for $12 million per season to start.

Report: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane may be seeking $12M annually - CBSSports.com

Wow.

Great players, and they shot high for sure and will likely end up in the $9-10 million range but with all the money tied up in other players, the Hawks have some work to do.

WTF.

 

[anotheridiot]

makes some sense, at 6.3 they were probably the best per dollar players in the league last year. Might as well ask for 12 if you are their agent, dont know if either of them will be worth it if they escalate to 12.

If you are giving Kane 12 million, fuck making him happy with an expensive center.

Highest paid,

Weber 14 14 years 110 million
Crosby 12. 12 year 104 million
Parise 12 13 year 98 million deal
ovechkin 9 million
Suter 13 year 98 million
Stamkos 8 million
Brad Richards 9 million (front loaded 9/60)
Eric Staal 9 million
Chara 8 million (7 year 45)

Lot of front loaded deals thats for sure, really looking for the hawks to do a keith kind of deal where they pay him 5.5 forever. I expected kanes number to be higher, not Toews though.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

WTF.

They deserve to get paid but dang...