Chicago Blackhawks 2011 Offseason

[Prizefight]

RFA's

 

Brouwer 25 years old

Campoli 26

Crawford 26

Dowell 25

Frolik 22

Stalberg 24

 

UFA's

Hendry 26

Ryan Johnson 34

Kopecky 28

Pisani 34

Turco 35

 

Some notable minor league guys like Brian Connely, Ivan Vishnievsky etc that I'm assuming will be re-signed.

 

 

 

I like Frolik. Not what we thought he would be, and he's probably not a top 6 NHL forward on a good team, but he can play for our 3rd/4th line all he wants. If we can offer him a contract befitting of a 3rd liner, I wouldn't hesitate to bring him back

 

Get ready for Jeremy Morin next year up here to slay some fools.

 

People keep forgetting that Brian Campbell WAS OUR BEST DEFENSIVEMEN for months this season. Sure, if someone offers to take his entire contract and give us a nice prospect or two in return you listen, but no way in hell you actively shop him.

 

Shop Hammer I'm fine with that. Re-sign Turco if he wants to stay, 1 yr/750k or something unless them way to bring up Toivonen

 

Goodbye Stalberg/Dowell/Pisani.

 

Kopecky drives me crazy. Maybe Hossa want's him to stay, but I never understood his game and what he wants to be as a player. I know it's partly Q's fault since he moves him around the lineup so much, but frustrating.

 

If Hendry wants a 500k contract he can stay and be our 7th defensemen

 

Brouwers kind of bad season will probably allow us to bring him back for the cheap. If he kept progressing after last year, he might have gotten to expensive for us. I'd bring him back.

 

Campoli is fine, but with the defensive depth we have in the minors, I could see him leaving town.

[NewUserName]

I think the cap is projecting to go up 4-5 million next year with the new tv deal...at least that is what I have heard. I think the Hawks really need to get a 3/4 line center who can kill penalties and win face-offs.

 

I think the Hawks losing last night will end up being a blessing in disguise. I dont think they really had the depth to win the cup and were only really playing 3 lines. So losing in the first round will probably help them to be more rested and fresh for next season. I also think they will come back more hungry.

[Flames24Rulz]

Well said, Prizefight.

 

I think shopping Hammer should be a big priority in the offseason. I've just about had enough of his blind passes along the side boards in the defensive zone. I'm sure you could dupe some team into taking him because of how productive he was last year.

 

Very excited to see a lot of Morin next year. I think we can build a decent third line next year in-house. If the cap really is going to go up by that much, I have all of the faith in the world that we'll be back to having solid 3rd and 4th liners next year.

[Exile on Waveland]

With the salary cap evidently increasing, I'm hopeful they can sign a couple Eager/Reasoner/whoever types. I'm fairly confident they have enough in-house for three solid lines next year -- Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland, Bickell, Smith, Morin, Frolik (if re-signed), Brouwer (if re-signed) -- but they really lacked the depth of last year. Contrary to some in the other thread, I don't believe Sharp has to be moved. They probably need to look into moving Hjalmarsson, who I do like (and I don't think this is the proverbial "no one will take your garbage" situation, he surely has some value). It's another big offseason, but I'm more confident for next year than I was for this year.

[kujay]

Hammer definitely has value. But he's one of those guys whose value is harder to quantify. He won't score -- but he's a good PK guy, blocks shots, relatively steady with the puck in his own zone. I like him -- though I won't be heartbroken if he goes.

 

Kopecky can be on his way. PF, you summarized his time with the Hawks perfectly. Who is he? He's not overly gifted with the puck, but has a knack for scoring big goals. But he's not overly speedy and not the greatest two-way player. I guess if the price is right, bring him back.

 

Smith and Leddy give me hope. And Crawford, of course.

[scarey]

I don't see any reason to let Stalberg go. I can't see him commanding much money, and with the explosive potential he has, I like giving him a couple of opportunities a game to just dump the puck up the middle of the zone and let him try and chase one down.

[kujay]

I don't see any reason to let Stalberg go. I can't see him commanding much money, and with the explosive potential he has, I like giving him a couple of opportunities a game to just dump the puck up the middle of the zone and let him try and chase one down.

 

The problem is, he only does that once every 4-5 games, and he actually scores on those rushes even less frequently. As someone said last night in the game thread, the guy's hands on are par in Jon Scott's.

[Magnetic Curses]

Hammer definitely has value. But he's one of those guys whose value is harder to quantify. He won't score -- but he's a good PK guy, blocks shots, relatively steady with the puck in his own zone. I like him -- though I won't be heartbroken if he goes.

 

Kopecky can be on his way. PF, you summarized his time with the Hawks perfectly. Who is he? He's not overly gifted with the puck, but has a knack for scoring big goals. But he's not overly speedy and not the greatest two-way player. I guess if the price is right, bring him back.

 

Smith and Leddy give me hope. And Crawford, of course.

 

kopecky is a big nasty loudmouth weirdo that can sometimes pull out a magical move and score a crazy goal. nobody really enjoys playing against a guy like him and it would be nice to have him on a 3rd or 4th line.

[rawaction]

Easy solution would be to bring back the RFAs and let the UFAs go. Stalberg and Dowell aren't necessary to keep back, but I'd rather have them than any of the UFAs.

[biittner77]

If they trade Hammer that means they keep Campoli which is fine since he fits in well with what they want from the blue line offensively.

 

I can't see them bringing back Turco.

 

Not really sure what they'll do with kruger

[chuckywang]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

[Prizefight]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

[Prizefight]

If they trade Hammer that means they keep Campoli which is fine since he fits in well with what they want from the blue line offensively.

 

I can't see them bringing back Turco.

 

Not really sure what they'll do with kruger

 

The problem with trading Hammer in hopes of keeping Campoli is that we have like 5 Campoli's between Chicago and Rockford. Keith/Leddy/Campbell/Shawn Lalonde etc.

 

Ideally, we pair these mobile d-men with a slightly more traditional stay at home type which Hammer is.

[apete6]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

 

And some people were saying he disappears when the going gets tough. What the hell game have they been watching the past few years? He's got over a PPG in the playoffs and, oh yeah, scored the STANLEY CUP WINNING GOAL. People are dumb.

[NewUserName]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

 

I think the things he does well are extraordinary and not everyone can do...the things he does not do well he could probably improve upon.

 

I think one of the understated cap issues the Hawks have is that Kane makes the same as Toews. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone who knows anything about hockey who would say that Kane gives the same amount of value as Toews. This may be one of the reasons that is prompting some fans to want to trade Kane.

[Prizefight]

You're right about no one in their right mind would pick Kane over Toews, but Kane can do things with the puck that Toews couldn't do even on his best day.

 

It's also just the reality that these two will forever be paired together as long as they are wearing the Indian head. Credit goes to both of them, especially Toews, for accepting the contract he did. Both of them would get paid more if on open market.

[NewUserName]

You're right about no one in their right mind would pick Kane over Toews, but Kane can do things with the puck that Toews couldn't do even on his best day.

 

It's also just the reality that these two will forever be paired together as long as they are wearing the Indian head. Credit goes to both of them, especially Toews, for accepting the contract he did. Both of them would get paid more if on open market.

 

If Kovalchuk got 6.6 I am sure that Kane would have gotten at least that, so you are probably right.

[soapy]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

 

And some people were saying he disappears when the going gets tough. What the hell game have they been watching the past few years? He's got over a PPG in the playoffs and, oh yeah, scored the STANLEY CUP WINNING GOAL. People are dumb.

 

You've gotta be [expletive] kidding. I hate people.

[UMFan83]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

 

And some people were saying he disappears when the going gets tough. What the hell game have they been watching the past few years? He's got over a PPG in the playoffs and, oh yeah, scored the STANLEY CUP WINNING GOAL. People are dumb.

 

You've gotta be [expletive] kidding. I hate people.

 

That's insane.

 

I think Kane will be even better than he has been when he matures a bit. I don't necessarily believe that his maturity is holding him back, but that there is another level he can reach. Trading Kane would be the biggest mistake this franchise has made in some time.

[Soul]

This is another one of those "I don't like his personality so I'll find whatever flaws I can with him" meatball arguments, isn't it.

[sneakypower]

Talk radio thinks it's time to shop Kane. Is there any substance to that?

 

He's a point a game player, one of the top 5 passers in the league, who hasn't even entered his prime yet.

 

People who are saying that just started watching the Hawks last year. Not saying that as a slam against them because I want the NHL to have as many fans as possible, but his skill-set is extraordinary and under no circumstances do you shop him.

 

And some people were saying he disappears when the going gets tough. What the hell game have they been watching the past few years? He's got over a PPG in the playoffs and, oh yeah, scored the STANLEY CUP WINNING GOAL. People are dumb.

[Prizefight]

Especially now that he'll have another off-season to add on some more muscle since he won't hopefully be as drinky.

 

At time he's Hossa'ish with his ability to hold onto the puck and that's only going to get better with age and experience.

[Prizefight]

This is another one of those "I don't like his personality so I'll find whatever flaws I can with him" meatball arguments, isn't it.

 

 

Exactly. Except it's on an entirely different level of stupidity as the people who say that about Cutler for example

[hawkeyecub]

Speaking of Hossa, I'm hoping the longer offseason and rest will benefit him more than anyone next year. That guy has played a lot of [expletive] hockey in the last 4 years. 71 playoff games (64 in the previous 3 years) plus the Olympics.

[Exile on Waveland]

I've heard the "trade Kane" garbage too and think it's batcrap crazy. I'm not saying he's not without his issues (defensive), but his skill level and puck-handling are outstanding. He's a difference maker -- see Game 5 against Nashville, the Stanley Cup OT winner, etc -- and you simply don't willy nilly trade those guys. He does things others can't. Also, he's really the face of the franchise, in my opinion. I know some will say Toews -- who is obviously the better player -- but Toews is a bit wooden and Kane has personality. Thus making him even less likely to be traded.

 

I think, pretty clearly, you only bring back one of Frolik/Stalberg and, from what was shown this season, it surely has to be Frolik. Stalberg isn't really good enough to be paired with Toews/Kane or Sharp/Hossa and seemingly has little use on the bottom two lines. Someone has to leave to make room for some grit down there.

 

I forget who said it, but I agree completely on Hjalmarsson. He is a bit unique as far as Hawks defensemen go, and would be a shame to lose him for that reason. The Hawks have a lot of offensive blue liners, less stay-at-home guys. Oh well.