2014 Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

there are rumors that the hawks are playing the caps in the winter classic. it would be awesome to see them in 24/7.

 

Where at?

 

I recall talk about doing a game at Nationals Park. Would be surprised if Chicago got another outdoor game so soon.

 

They used 11 teams last year. Pittsburgh has done 3 since 2008 and has sort of lost its luster, plus they played Washington the last time. The Rangers played twice last year. Philly might be the next most popular, and nobody cares about them. The Blackhawks might be the biggest draw in the league right now, or they could bring back the Kings. But I wouldn't be surprised if any team that went last year go another so soon.

[kujay]

there are rumors that the hawks are playing the caps in the winter classic. it would be awesome to see them in 24/7.

 

Where at?

 

I recall talk about doing a game at Nationals Park. Would be surprised if Chicago got another outdoor game so soon.

 

They used 11 teams last year. Pittsburgh has done 3 since 2008 and has sort of lost its luster, plus they played Washington the last time. The Rangers played twice last year. Philly might be the next most popular, and nobody cares about them. The Blackhawks might be the biggest draw in the league right now, or they could bring back the Kings. But I wouldn't be surprised if any team that went last year go another so soon.

 

I meant hosting again so soon. It wouldn't surprise me if the Hawks play on the road. They are obviously a huge draw.

[jersey cubs fan]

there are rumors that the hawks are playing the caps in the winter classic. it would be awesome to see them in 24/7.

 

Where at?

 

I recall talk about doing a game at Nationals Park. Would be surprised if Chicago got another outdoor game so soon.

 

They used 11 teams last year. Pittsburgh has done 3 since 2008 and has sort of lost its luster, plus they played Washington the last time. The Rangers played twice last year. Philly might be the next most popular, and nobody cares about them. The Blackhawks might be the biggest draw in the league right now, or they could bring back the Kings. But I wouldn't be surprised if any team that went last year go another so soon.

 

I meant hosting again so soon. It wouldn't surprise me if the Hawks play on the road. They are obviously a huge draw.

 

Oh, well it's already been announced that Washington is hosting next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc 1m

#Blackhawks will face Red Wings on Sept. 23 at the United Center and Sept. 25 in Detroit during preseason play.

[biittner77]

In LA they all watched from their cars.

 

In LA, they left after the 3rd float which had all the trainers and the guy that stacks up the pucks on the edge of the bench so the first guy out can knock them all on the ice.

[Pushfrog98]

Not really off-season related, but my wife got me a stadium series Toews sweater for my birthday today.

[jersey cubs fan]

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc 1m

Word is NHL may release 2014-15 regular-season schedule Sunday. #Blackhawks

[Banedon]

@TSNBobMcKenzie

 

CHI will be WSH's opponent in the 2015 Winter Classic.

[kujay]

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc 1m

Word is NHL may release 2014-15 regular-season schedule Sunday. #Blackhawks

 

Sweet. Then draft and free agency in quick succession.

[NewUserName]

Brad Richards getting bought out yesterday is more good news for the Hawks in my opinion. I know there is a lot of buzz about Kessel saying he wants to play for the Hawks, but the reality is that the cap situation makes that very unlikely or untenable. I am not suggesting the Hawks sign Richards, but it is another center on the market. The price tag to get a quality center who can play the 2nd line probably is coming down some.

[UMFan83]

@SINI5TAR: @RealFansProgram Kesler requested a trade last fall and only wants to go to either Chicago or Pittsburgh

http://t.co/DBgNn72FHw

[UMFan83]

@NHLBlackhawks: The #Blackhawks will open the home portion of their 2014-15 season on Sat., 10/11 vs. Buffalo. http://t.co/q4dsnzxZ5A

 

Looks like their first game will be 10/9 at Dallas

[biittner77]

Brad Richards getting bought out yesterday is more good news for the Hawks in my opinion. I know there is a lot of buzz about Kessel saying he wants to play for the Hawks, but the reality is that the cap situation makes that very unlikely or untenable. I am not suggesting the Hawks sign Richards, but it is another center on the market. The price tag to get a quality center who can play the 2nd line probably is coming down some.

 

You did mean Kesler not Kessel, right?

 

I'm not sure getting Kesler is so untenable, if that's what they want to do. It would mean trading Sharp either for assets to replace those traded to Vancouver or directly sending those assets as part of the trade. Some people see that as a lateral move but the reality is that the Hawks have guys they can plug in at wing. Another possibility would be to make Bickell the centerpiece of a Kesler trade. He'd fit their criteria of young and established- assuming they really mean it when they say they're not rebuilding.

 

Given that the Pens can hardly pay the guys they already have let alone Kesler, the Hawks can low ball the Canucks. They need young defensemen and the Hawks have guys that might make a lot of other teams that don't already go 6 deep on the blue line.

[Guest]

bickell isn't really good though

[RynoRules]

bickell isn't really good though

 

Yeah, I think they'd be asking for Saad to start.

[biittner77]

bickell isn't really good though

 

Yeah, I think they'd be asking for Saad to start.

 

Sure. Every team that the Hawks talk to starts with Saad. But then the conversation moves to players that are actually available. The point is that Kesler has taken away the Nucks' leverage so they either have to take what the Hawks offer or hang on to a player that wants out.

[Guest]

i think bickell would have negative value to the canucks with his contract.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

bickell isn't really good though

 

Yeah, I think they'd be asking for Saad to start.

 

Sure. Every team that the Hawks talk to starts with Saad. But then the conversation moves to players that are actually available. The point is that Kesler has taken away the Nucks' leverage so they either have to take what the Hawks offer or hang on to a player that wants out.

 

Doing the latter isn't nearly as onerous enough to force them to take terrible value.

 

This reminds me of all the post-2010 talk when people were making horrible trade proposals because "The Blackhawks are in cap hell, they have no leverage!"

[NewUserName]

I think just because he had the Penguins and the Hawks on his list last fall does not mean they are the only teams that he will accept a trade to now. I think the Canucks could easily say 'stay or accept a trade to Philly or NY'. So I am not sure the Hawks would have as much leverage as originally thought. Also, they will probably have to trade Sharp or Seabrook just to be able to re-sign Toews and Kane. So to add Kesler they would have to figure out a way to get him under for the 15-16 season. I guess it is doable, but at what cost?

[biittner77]

I think just because he had the Penguins and the Hawks on his list last fall does not mean they are the only teams that he will accept a trade to now. I think the Canucks could easily say 'stay or accept a trade to Philly or NY'. So I am not sure the Hawks would have as much leverage as originally thought. Also, they will probably have to trade Sharp or Seabrook just to be able to re-sign Toews and Kane. So to add Kesler they would have to figure out a way to get him under for the 15-16 season. I guess it is doable, but at what cost?

 

There was a rumor going around that Kane would sign a more favorable contract if he knew the money was going toward a 2C. Not sure if there's any validity to that or not. Stanbow has never done anything that big so far so getting Kesler isn't very likely at all. His MO would be to sign someone like Richards as insurance against Teuvo not being ready.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Keith wins Norris

[RynoRules]

bickell isn't really good though

 

Yeah, I think they'd be asking for Saad to start.

 

Sure. Every team that the Hawks talk to starts with Saad. But then the conversation moves to players that are actually available. The point is that Kesler has taken away the Nucks' leverage so they either have to take what the Hawks offer or hang on to a player that wants out.

 

Doing the latter isn't nearly as onerous enough to force them to take terrible value.

 

This reminds me of all the post-2010 talk when people were making horrible trade proposals because "The Blackhawks are in cap hell, they have no leverage!"

 

Yeah, the 'Nucks don't have to trade Kesler. He's under contract. If the offers are Bickell and picks and Bennett and picks (for example) they can tell Kesler to start thinking about other destinations. I bet the Islanders would jump at him, for example, and they have some young talent in the minors and potentially high draft picks to offer.

[biittner77]

bickell isn't really good though

 

Yeah, I think they'd be asking for Saad to start.

 

Sure. Every team that the Hawks talk to starts with Saad. But then the conversation moves to players that are actually available. The point is that Kesler has taken away the Nucks' leverage so they either have to take what the Hawks offer or hang on to a player that wants out.

 

Doing the latter isn't nearly as onerous enough to force them to take terrible value.

 

This reminds me of all the post-2010 talk when people were making horrible trade proposals because "The Blackhawks are in cap hell, they have no leverage!"

 

Yeah, the 'Nucks don't have to trade Kesler. He's under contract. If the offers are Bickell and picks and Bennett and picks (for example) they can tell Kesler to start thinking about other destinations. I bet the Islanders would jump at him, for example, and they have some young talent in the minors and potentially high draft picks to offer.

 

They can tell Kesler to start wearing women's underwear but he doesn't have to do it. He has a no trade clause. Not a "trade me to the worst team you can think of" clause. They have already been down this road very recently with Borat- Luongo- who (eventually) got traded where he wanted to go. Given a choice of staying in Van or being banished to the Isles (or any other equally undesirable location) is an easy decision. It's not like they're going to bench him until he agrees to a trade.

 

Not that this trade is terribly likely but I think you guys are undervaluing Bickell. Around the league, power forwards are overvalued. Bickell is coming off a season where he was recovering from 2 knee surgeries. That's really the only reason he'd be available. Bickell alone would not be enough for Kesler. Bickell and Shaw plus a couple picks would be about as good as the Nucks are going to get for Kesler if they really want established NHL players in the deal.

[Flames24Rulz]

The dude that broke the news about Sharp being on the trade block was on 670 today. He said that if the Hawks offer Sharp (and maybe a couple of mid-round picks) for Kesler, Vancouver would probably take that deal.

 

I'm all for that. Sharp's obviously a good winger but Kesler solves your biggest deficiency. Plus, you wouldn't have to give up Saad or Teuvo either.

[NewUserName]

The dude that broke the news about Sharp being on the trade block was on 670 today. He said that if the Hawks offer Sharp (and maybe a couple of mid-round picks) for Kesler, Vancouver would probably take that deal.

 

I'm all for that. Sharp's obviously a good winger but Kesler solves your biggest deficiency. Plus, you wouldn't have to give up Saad or Teuvo either.

I have noticed that some PR issues with Sharp have come up in the last couple of days. Seems like standard McDonough work, before a popular player can be moved, he needs to be demonized.