Chicago Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, we knew he was great in the past, but not this year. He was well compensated but outside the actual core group they want to keep together, and he was slated to be a UFA next year. So it was trade him now or let him walk next year.

[Banedon]

But Bolland was 1) expensive and 2) dealing with injuries.

 

Nobody doubted his ability when healthy. Still was the right move.

[seanimal]

Definitely happy we kept Bickell, but I'm a bit skeptical that he can produce in the regular season like he did in this year's playoffs.

 

his performance in the playoffs definitely increased his price, but at the same time, he was going to get a raise regardless. he emerged as a real valuable asset the last season and a half, and as long as he continues to perform at that level or improve, then this contract will be worth it

[brinoch]

I'm not a fan of the Frolik trade.

 

He was great on the penalty kill, but he was making a ton of money for a 4th liner. We save almost $6 million with Bolland and Frolik traded away. Both can be replaced, IMO.

 

I agree, it's a good trade. He can be replaced. Don't get me wrong, Frolik does drive possession and he always plays hard, but we have a pipeline of guys that need a chance and can serve the same role for cheaper.

 

The cap is going down next year, but it'll go back up -- just in time for more money for Toews, Kane and Hjalmarsson. In the mean time, we clear out a lot of money between the buyouts of Montador and Olesz, and the trading of Frolik and Bolland, while keeping the core intact and giving our young players a chance. I do think Bickell is a bit overpaid, but that's the market for a power forward.

 

Now the Hawks have about $7-7.5M (of $9.5M) to re-sign Leddy and Kruger, and fill the spots of Rozsival, Handzus, Mayers, Stalberg and Emery. The Hawks will save some room for trades, etc.

[Guest]

there are some rumors that the red wings are in on lecavalier, which would mean they'd let filppula walk. any interest there? stephen weiss is interesting too, but i'm guessing he'll be more expensive than what the hawks are looking at.

[kujay]

there are some rumors that the red wings are in on lecavalier, which would mean they'd let filppula walk. any interest there? stephen weiss is interesting too, but i'm guessing he'll be more expensive than what the hawks are looking at.

 

Filppula is going to get far more than I'd be willing to pay for him. Weiss would be great but probably the same situation.

[Banedon]

Didn't expect this one:

 

Emery's agent, J.P. Barry, met with the Blackhawks on Sunday night after the draft to discuss Emery. Terms of a deal had not been agreed upon yesterday, but the two sides are pretty confident that Emery can remain Corey Crawford's backup next season.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20130702_Goaltending_on_Holmgren_s_free-agent_list.html

[jersey cubs fan]

Didn't expect this one:

 

Emery's agent, J.P. Barry, met with the Blackhawks on Sunday night after the draft to discuss Emery. Terms of a deal had not been agreed upon yesterday, but the two sides are pretty confident that Emery can remain Corey Crawford's backup next season.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20130702_Goaltending_on_Holmgren_s_free-agent_list.html

 

There are quite a few goalies out there, aren't there? I hope he's not getting a raise.

 

 

Wait, he's only 30? Coming off a strong season he's going to get a raise isn't he?

[Banedon]

Didn't expect this one:

 

Emery's agent, J.P. Barry, met with the Blackhawks on Sunday night after the draft to discuss Emery. Terms of a deal had not been agreed upon yesterday, but the two sides are pretty confident that Emery can remain Corey Crawford's backup next season.

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20130702_Goaltending_on_Holmgren_s_free-agent_list.html

 

There are quite a few goalies out there, aren't there? I hope he's not getting a raise.

 

 

Wait, he's only 30? Coming off a strong season he's going to get a raise isn't he?

 

I thought for sure that Raata would be the backup. He'd only be $1.4mil. If we give Emery more than $2mil, I think it's a mistake.

[Banedon]

Wait, he's only 30? Coming off a strong season he's going to get a raise isn't he?

 

Emery, 30, earned $1.15 million this past season, where he posted a 17-1-0 record with a 1.94 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage.

 

It's believed Emery will receive a fair raise, the source said, and the netminder is comfortable with his role with the organization, as the backup to Corey Crawford.

 

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/chi130702.html

[UMFan83]

Yeah I like Emery but he seems like a luxury. Hope we didn't make any of Sundays moves in order to necessitate keeping him.

 

I guess that goalie they signed isn't ready yet?

[Banedon]

Yeah I like Emery but he seems like a luxury. Hope we didn't make any of Sundays moves in order to necessitate keeping him.

 

I guess that goalie they signed isn't ready yet?

 

Maybe you trade Emery halfway through the season and bring up Raanta? Let him get a bit of minor league seasoning?

[NewUserName]

there are some rumors that the red wings are in on lecavalier, which would mean they'd let filppula walk. any interest there? stephen weiss is interesting too, but i'm guessing he'll be more expensive than what the hawks are looking at.

 

Filppula is going to get far more than I'd be willing to pay for him. Weiss would be great but probably the same situation.

 

Supposedly the Wings never got serious about Lecavalier because they were more interested in Weiss. Filppula is probably out as a Wing. I think Filppula would be a great addition to the Hawks. But he is going to probably be out of the Hawks price range.

[biittner77]

Definitely happy we kept Bickell, but I'm a bit skeptical that he can produce in the regular season like he did in this year's playoffs.

 

his performance in the playoffs definitely increased his price, but at the same time, he was going to get a raise regardless. he emerged as a real valuable asset the last season and a half, and as long as he continues to perform at that level or improve, then this contract will be worth it

 

He had 9 goals in 48 games. That pace isn't too far off a 20 goal season. Beyond that will depend on how they use him and (like anyone else) his health. Q likes to spread the talent around to complicate the match ups for the opposing coach. In other words, he probably won't be playing on Toew's wing all season. If the season started tomorrow, I'd guess the lines would look like this (before the random line generator takes effect)

 

Saad-Toews-Hossa (if healthy)

Sharp-Pirri-Kane

Morin-Kruger-Bickell

Smith-Shaw- Bollig/ Carcillo/ Hayes

 

Kruger and Shaw are interchangeable and obviously if they make a deal/ sign a 2nd line center that probably pushes Shaw to a wing and Kruger and Pirri down.

 

As for Bolland, he's kind of like Kerry Wood on skates. Did great things on those occasions when he managed to stay healthy.

[rawaction]

Not sure who the 2nd line C they'd get would be, but it seems like Pirri would be a better fit with Kane and Sharp. Speed, experienced goal scorers along side him. Also think it would take some pressure off.

[biittner77]

Not sure who the 2nd line C they'd get would be, but it seems like Pirri would be a better fit with Kane and Sharp. Speed, experienced goal scorers along side him. Also think it would take some pressure off.

 

Now that I think about it, switching Saad and Sharp would give Pirri better defense on his wings. Or perhaps Saad-Pirri-Kane would hopefully be a puck getter (Saad) playmaker (Pirri) and finisher.

 

If they did get another C, it probably pushes Pirri to 4th the 4th line centering Shaw and Smith, etc.

 

In any event, it's nice to have options.

[UMFan83]

Hawks resign Leddy to a 2 year deal, details undisclosed

[biittner77]

That means that they d prospects have two years to show that they are better than Oduya and or Seabrook. Or Leddy doesn't become the next Paul Coffey. With the rumors about Emery being back, I'd guess that he gets 2 or 2.5 mildo per which isn't bad at all.

[kujay]

Leddy got 2.7 per year on his deal. Seems high but someone else would have offered him more given his potential. He may be in for a monster payday in two years if he continues to improve.

[Captain Serious]

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun

Ray Emery very likely moving on from Chicago, looking for bigger role, chance at 1 or 1a spot. I'd put Philly as front-runner.

[biittner77]

Leddy got 2.7 per year on his deal. Seems high but someone else would have offered him more given his potential. He may be in for a monster payday in two years if he continues to improve.

 

That's not so bad. A little higher than expected but less than an offer sheet.

[Guest]

i'd have much preferred 3 years on leddy. now he's set to become a free agent at the same time as toews/kane.

[biittner77]

i'd have much preferred 3 years on leddy. now he's set to become a free agent at the same time as toews/kane.

 

By then they will have hopefully replaced Oduya with one of their Defense prospects making the league minimum. That will free up money to extend Leddy if that's what they feel they need to do. Otherwise, they could get a lot for Leddy in a trade at the deadline of that 2nd season.

[Guest]

still, despite his benching in the finals i like leddy quite a bit on this team long-term. i wish we could have kept the cap hit down for one more year, because i think we'll still want him.

[biittner77]

I've always liked Leddy. I believe that between now and then they'll trade Seabrook if they have to in order to lock him up long term. Between now and then, though, Leddy has work to do. This the second year in a row that he got thrown around and intimidated by a bigger team. He was better this year than last so he is making progress. He should only get better.

 

With regards to Emery leaving, no one can say they're surprised or happy to see him go. I hope he signs with the Isles given the teams listed.