2014 Blackhawks Offseason Thread

[jersey cubs fan]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/32510/sources-winter-classic-reality-show-moves-to-epix-stadium-series-show-added

 

The NHL will announce later this month they have partnered with emerging premium cable provider Epix to produce and air the popular reality hockey series that precedes the annual Winter Classic outdoor game, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

 

Not only will Epix, the cable entity that is a collaboration of heavyweight Hollywood film studios Lionsgate Entertainment, MGM and Paramount Pictures, produce four segments leading up to the Jan. 1 game at Nationals Park between the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks, they will produce another four-segment series that will lead into the Stadium Series game Feb. 21 at Levi’s Field between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings, a source told ESPN.com.

 

The shows will be available on cable and multiple platforms in the United States. It’s expected Rogers Communications, which owns the NHL’s national broadcast partner in Canada Sportsnet, will share the production costs and air the series in Canada. The two series will be available in the United States commercial free and, as in the past with HBO’s popular and critically acclaimed "24/7 Road To The Winter Classic series," will provide fans an uncensored look at players, coaches and managers during the lead-up to the outdoor events.

 

The details of the new partnership will be revealed at a Sept. 23 press briefing in Washington.

 

The NHL parted company with HBO after three seasons of "24/7 Road To The Winter Classic," a bold enterprise that helped expose the game to the long sought after casual hockey fan.

[UMFan83]

So training camp opens on (I believe) Friday...the Hawks are still ~$2 million over the cap for next year. When do the Hawks need to be under? Before the season? or before camp?

[jersey cubs fan]

So training camp opens on (I believe) Friday...the Hawks are still ~$2 million over the cap for next year. When do the Hawks need to be under? Before the season? or before camp?

 

Tracey Myers @TramyersCSN · 15h

When the regular-season begins. RT @RealChrisTweek: @TramyersCSN when do the Hawks have to be under the cap?

[UMFan83]

So training camp opens on (I believe) Friday...the Hawks are still ~$2 million over the cap for next year. When do the Hawks need to be under? Before the season? or before camp?

 

Tracey Myers @TramyersCSN · 15h

When the regular-season begins. RT @RealChrisTweek: @TramyersCSN when do the Hawks have to be under the cap?

 

thanks.

 

still think it will ultimately be oduya that goes.

[Guest]

oduya and hjal are still their shut down pairing that draws the opponents' top lines. i'm hoping it's not him. i do not trust leddy on the 2nd pairing at all.

[biittner77]

oduya and hjal are still their shut down pairing that draws the opponents' top lines. i'm hoping it's not him. i do not trust leddy on the 2nd pairing at all.

 

If they trade Oduya, they will do one of these three things:

 

option 1: Keith & Seabrook go back to toughest matchup duty, Hjammer and Rundblad are the 2nd Pair and Leddy + defenseman du jour make up the 3rd pair.

 

option 2: Keith and Hjammer become the shut down pair, Leddy and Seabrook with Rundblad and Defenseman du jour making the 3rd pair.

 

option 3: Keith & Hjammer, Seabrook and Rundblad, Leddy and whomever.

 

They seem to really like Rundblad, who knows why but they were hot after him for a while. How he performs in traning camp will determine a lot regarding who gets traded.

[biittner77]

Looking at what the Hawks want to do- or more importantly what they don't want to do- I keep coming back to Morin and Verteeg/ Rozsival for picks.

 

I doubt they trade Oduya since they seemed geared for an all or nothing run this year, hence the addition of Richards. I could see Oduya maybe getting traded at the deadline but that would require someone else stepping up and forcing him out. The wild card here is Johns and Dahlbeck. If they look like viable options they might want to trade Oduya rather than lose him in FA

 

They'd get more for Leddy in the off season since they can't really take back experienced players in a deal unless they include someone else. Leddy is Stan's prized acquisition and he rightly values him a lot. Leddy is young and it's worth seeing what he can do this season to judge what happens going forward.

 

It seems unlikely that they'd trade Sharp until after they've made a run this year.

[Brian707]

Interesting take on the cap situation and who gets sent off

 

http://thecommittedindian.com/unto-breach-2-2-million-dollar-question/#more-10561

[kujay]

Shedding Versteeg works, though we do seem to have the D depth to cut loose Leddy.

[biittner77]

Shedding Versteeg works, though we do seem to have the D depth to cut loose Leddy.

 

But they can get more for him next off season than they can right now. Leddy is still young and if you compare where he's at now to where Keith was at the same age relative to full seasons played, they really aren't that different. Keith's numbers are better of course but then Keith is a Norris Trophy guy. I'd rather give Leddy 1 more season and see where he is then, especially if the other option is to trade away some spare forwards or and older guy like Rozsy or some combo of both.

[kujay]

Articles yesterday discussed how great Versteeg looks, complete with comments from Q. Trade bait?

[UMFan83]

Articles yesterday discussed how great Versteeg looks, complete with comments from Q. Trade bait?

 

Lets hope so.

 

Kane and Sharp both had to miss some of the scrimmage last night due to shots to the face. Nothing serious though and they both came back in.

 

First preseason game against Detroit is tonight on CSN+!

[jersey cubs fan]

Capitals/NHL doing a winter classic press conference shortly

[jersey cubs fan]

McDonough representing the Blackhawks after the DC mayor spoke.

[jersey cubs fan]

McDonough is either drunk or a terrible public speaker.

[jersey cubs fan]

Now, an EPIX channel commercial?

[Banedon]

Today, the Blackhawks cut their roster down to 46 players ahead of their 7:30 p.m. game.

 

The team announced that Kent Simpson, Ryan Schnell, Justin Holl, Mac Carruth and Zach Miskovic will head to Rockford to start the season with the IceHogs.

 

With the moves, the ‘Hawks are now at 26 forwards, 16 defensemen and four goaltenders.

[kujay]

Apparently the Hawks had Cam Barker in camp. Had no idea. Anyway, they cut him yesterday.

[RynoRules]

I think Leddy is the trade bait here to package with Versteeg. I'd bet they wind up with the Islanders. Rundblad replaces him on the 3rd pairing.

 

I like Leddy and he can do things as a D man that aren't easy to find, but he's going to get a hefty raise in a couple of years and be making somewhere between 3.5 and 4.0 million. He spends large stretches in Q's doghouse (rightly or wrongly). Johns and Clendening are coming up behind him. It makes sense that he would be the most valuable trade commodity.

[Banedon]

Apparently the Hawks had Cam Barker in camp. Had no idea. Anyway, they cut him yesterday.

What...after the game? He played last night.

[kujay]

Apparently the Hawks had Cam Barker in camp. Had no idea. Anyway, they cut him yesterday.

What...after the game? He played last night.

 

Yeah apparently.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Apparently the Hawks had Cam Barker in camp. Had no idea. Anyway, they cut him yesterday.

 

He almost killed Tuvo.

[jersey cubs fan]

Apparently the Hawks had Cam Barker in camp. Had no idea. Anyway, they cut him yesterday.

 

He almost killed Tuvo.

A week ago

[Banedon]

So, what happens if the Hawks don't get under the cap by opening day?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

So, what happens if the Hawks don't get under the cap by opening day?

 

IIRC, commissioner's discretion from a list that includes losing future draft picks at a minimum and includes forfeiting games.

 

They'll be under.