What a night for the defensemen
What separates the Blackhawks from most other teams in the NHL is their versatile and mobile defense.
Yes, that includes Brian Campbell, folks. Like him or not, and putting his $7.1 million salary aside, the Hawks wouldn’t be as complete a team without him.
The Hawks’ defensemen did it all in Thursday’s 7-1 rout of the Calgary Flames.
Duncan Keith was awesome with 3 assists and 3 blocked shots.
Niklas Hjalmarsson blocked 2 shots and delivered a massive check on Rene Bourque that helped turn the game the Hawks’ way in the second period.
Brent Seabrook fought the overrated Dion Phaneuf.
Campbell and Cam Barker each had 2 assists and combined for 3 blocked shots.
And Brent Sopel was solid in 17-plus minutes with 2 blocked shots.
The Hawks’ defense combined for 9 assists and 11 blocked shots.
And a side note here: Keith and Seabrook playing well in Canada only helpes their chances of making the Canadian Olympic team.
These guys are the real deal and both should be going to Vancouver in February to play together for Canada. Keith and Seabrook should be locks for GM Steve Yzerman’s defense along with Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Dan Boyle.
According to a Canadian article- all they really have to do is to rid themselves of Sopel and they should have the "tagging" room. It makes sense that they won't announce the signings until they're back in Chicago. If the deals are structured right they can do this when they return from the trip without making a big name trade. I don't believe they'd risk depth for the playoff run. Even McMarketing wouldn't do this.....??
The Hawks won't be able to move Bolland and his contract until he's back on the ice proving his worth. Good luck moving a guy with 12M left on his contract and a bad back. Thanks Dale.
Keith,Seabrooke,Barker,and Hjjalarsson are the key people on the D.Campbell is
expendable if you could trade his huge contract.Versteeg would be pick over Buff to keep.
He make things happen.Canpbell is just not force he used to be,or we expected.If
you could somebody to pick up his contract,let Bolland and Buff go you'd be set with the cap.I'd really hate to lose Bolland most of all the 3,but somebody either has to go.
or take a huge cut in salary and you know thats not going to happen.You get the Big 3
signed now and figure out the cap later.
Question: If Bolland goes on LTIR is he done for the entire regular season and Playoffs? Do we think Campbell's increased time on the PP is because they are about to trade Barker? One rumor is Barker to Ottawa for 2 cheap Defensemen who would be RFA at the end of the year. Or are they trying to showcase Campbell? Would we at 13-5-2 be better off if we got rid of Havlat and did NOT sign Hossa? I think a deal happens in the next 14 days so they can announce these signings and Bowman has already conceded that they can't until a move is made due to the Tagging Cap issue. So I think we all know we are going to lose a player we really like, it is probably not going to be Campbell (who I like), and most importantly we are going to have these 3 amazing players with us for a long time. an we be happy that we will not need to deal with typical Chicago BS in regard to signing our stars? Can you imagine this blog on the day we lost one of these guys? Things are good, Huet is playing well and we shook the S&^t out of Canada last night....Love the Harlem Globetrotter reference on TSN!!
It would be nice to think of Keith and Seabrook as locks for Team Canada, but I am thinking Seabrook will be outside looking in. The Hawks management wants to sign Kane, Toews and Keith now to make a big media splash about it. It seems like this is a Hawks front office that loves any media exposure it can get.
The team is playing well, consider that until last night, no Hawk had a multiple goal game. The offensive is decent but it isn't only a couple guys carrying the load it's 8 or 10 different guys really making a difference on the scoresheet.
It's interesting how the tune has changed around here since the start of the year. Some folks were convinced that this team wasn't a playoff team, yet with their best player still on the shelf, the Hawks are on pace for 115 points. I'm not saying they will finish with 115 points, but the points they are getting now will only help down the stretch. 5 more games on this road trip and if they can 3-2 or better, I'd say we have nothing to complain about.
Been in Vegas for a work covention, so it's nice to be back.
-Roenick: read the past blogs....I think you should retire #27. You are talking about ARGUABLY the best American-born player......ever. He's in the discussion with Joey Mullen, Modano, and Leech. I agree on Larmer, not sure on Wilson. I don't think Belfour or Chelios should be retired. Roenick's mouth got him booted out of town, but I believe I read that he made a visit to Old man Wirtz trying to burry the hatchet. I think he knew he was wrong, and I'm sure he regrets not signing that deal with the Hawks when he could have.
-Extensions: Sweet god. So much speculating going on right now. Everyone has a different story to what has to happen. The great news, and it is great, is that the Hawks actively got this done and want to get it hammered out. Whatever has to happen, to keep these 3 in the core...so be it. I still say the Hawks look to trade Barker or Bolland before a Sharp or Versteeg. Look at what the Hawks have lost since Bolland has been out.....nothing. He's expendable. Finding a defensive center, or #3 center---which he is, is a helluva lot easier then hoping a guy with projected skill can score at the NHL level. Versteeg can score, he plays with an edge, and his PK skills are top notch. Sharp has proven to be a scorer. Bolland? No. Plus, you now have to worry about long-term back issues. Deal Bolland a pick, and get his ridiculous 3.3375 hit off the books.
CH: I completely agree with you. So many were panicking and claiming that this team couldn't win, and were projecting an 0-4 home stand. Or were going to miss the playoffs. Please. Granted it's only 20 games, but this team is right where I hoped (best case) they woudl be at.
You now have a team 4 pts out of the #1 spot in the conference, with GAMES IN HAND, and getting their best player back. Huet has been playing unreal, and when this team WANTS to play 60 minutes......scary. They could easily take off and run away and hide by the Olympic break. Look at last night. They knew that would a tough game, and just absolutely smoked the Flames. Iginila? Where was he? All you read about how well Kiprasoff was playing, and yet the Hawks hit 3 posts and still put up 7.
Still a very tough 5 games left, and I think you start Niemi on Saturday vs Edmonton and again vs LA (Huet's record vs LA is awful).
Very excited to see Hossa and how plays out. ONly going to make guys like Versteeg, Buff, Sharp that much more dangerous. The hawks are going to create nightmares for opposing teams trying to match up against their forwards at home. Imagine at the UC?
Looks like #81 makes his debut tomorrow night, or a deal is brewing
I haven't seen this. Ebbett should be on waivers and in Rockford. If Q has Hendry playing forward instead of him then that says enough. Haven't seen anything about Bickell being reassigned. Can't see how either of these moves indicates a deal though.
Two forward spots open right now.
Is this one of those cap issues where Jack Skillie was driving back and forth from Rockford?
Who knew we would have this type of Cap/money problem back when Jeff Hamilton, Carl Corazzini, and Michael Holmqvist were taking regular shifts for the Hawks? While there is risk on each side to agree to an extension now and not make it official, I think it would be best served for the team. We are saying this is a terrific team and how we basically rely on contributions from all four lines and all our d-men. Why mess with that in a year where we are Cup contenders? I'm not saying we can't make trades to improve the team but these deals would be more salary dump type of deals. That doesn't help us at all. Both the player and Hawks management should take the risk of having the deal finalized but not sending it into the NHL office. Let this team see what they can do.
Tim, you can't put Campbell's $7.1 million salary/cap hit aside. As the biggest cap hit on the team that could cause the team to have to trade someone like Sharp, Versteeg, or Byfuglien. Campbell is talented and has a dimension to his game that not everyone has but his cap hit isn't worth it. I'm not saying that Byf always plays up to his number but I think the team needs him as much if not more then Campbell. Our defense is deep with guys that can skate and pass and play solid in their own zone. You just can't ignore that Campbell is our highest paid d-man but is our (at best) 4th best defenseman. That doesn't even count our forwards who might be more valuable. With the salary cap, there just can't be a "aside from his salary". It isn't Campbell's fault but the Hawks need to really look at the issue and not make a bad decision in trading someone else.
I, for one, long for the days when Carl Corazzini wore the Indianhead . . .
I wanted rested so if some don't get picked, that judgement shows lack of judgement in the fellas choosing but it might be a blessing.
Back to the signings we all can wait for.
I don't want anyone thinking I sorted this but I think this captures the situation unless Timothy can enlighten us:
Chicago cannot finalize Kane, Toews, Keith contracts just yet because there is, for now, a "tagging" room issue. A move will need to be made IF the contracts are signed and sealed....
Tagging room:
Take your available cap space at beginning of this year and total how many dollars worth of contracts u lose at years end. That is your tagging room number. That is how many dollars the Hawks are permitted to commit to new contracts now for next season.
The total for the three player's NEW CONTRACTS probably slightly exceeds tagging room.
This also muddles any trade deadline move because if the Hawks ACQUIRE a player whose deal expires this season, tagging room goes up.
Well, teams cannot commit more extension money than they have tagging room.
It also puts a crimp in call-ups.
So I think we don't need those signed if there is agreement if they handcuff the operation of the team on the way to the play-offs, right?
We agree?
The fewer Hawks that play in the Olympics the better. I agree I'd rather see them rested and ready for a cup run.
I hate the cap. I think we have to be carefull not to let the cap issues suck all the fun out of watching and enjoying this team.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating. How pissed off does it make you, that for years, decades even, we had no salary cap to worry about, but it didn't matter because:
A.) we had an owner who was too cheap to pay the guys we wanted to keep
B.) we had a team with few players worth keeping
Now that we have a salary cap to deal with:
A.) we have an owner willing to pay for talent
B.) we have a glut of young talent we would love to keep around long term
Very frustrating. Down with the Cap!
If I remember correctly, last year playoffs Calgary played 5 defenseman to save on cap room. Can we move Sopel and do the same? Barker can handle more minutes for sure and we are deep in Rockford so why not?
Otherwise, let Sopel go save a couple of Mill, send a Versteeg for a prospect and you have saved $5m.
I like Bickel in there, big presence around the net and he protects Kane and Toews.
If someone had to go, depending on return I'd trade Steeger. He is good but too similar in style to what we already have in Sharp, Kane and Hossa. BUT still, I am not so sure with Buff, some nights he's an old Bertuzzi type and some nights he's Patrick Poulin revisited.
Personally I don't understand why anyone should have to move during this season.
What a friggin awesome game.
Sharp was all over the ice.
Keith is on pace for a 75 point season this year! That should warrent some Norris consideration. Lock this guy up at any cost.
Phaneuf is a total p**** dropping the gloves with a face shield.
I'm done worrying about the future of this team and just going to enjoy the ride this year. The guys who put this team together should be smart enough to keep this team competitive even if we have to say goodbye to a few players. I would hate to lose Hjalmarsson and Seabrook but looks like the plan if we sign Keith, Toews and Kane.
So you're saying we CAN make the playoffs?
If he was such a bad *** he should have taken his helmet off. Is an automatic extra minor for a guy with a face shield instigating a fight a viable solution?
I wasn't sure what Seabrook was supposed to do as he had a good chance of hurting his hand punching a shield. I wouldn't haved blamed him for not throwing a punch and just taking Phaneuf down to the ice.
dhbdad
If the extensions are agreed upon couldn't they be signed at the end of the season so the Hawks wouldn't have to make player moves this season. Can the Hawks dump some salary this season without weakening the team in the process? This team is a cup contender as it is put together right now and with Hossa coming back even stronger. I'd hate to see them move players this season if there is a way around it. If they were not a cup contender it would be different but this team has a legitimate shot.
The Blackhawks currently having over $43 million committed to next season's payroll the projected numbers for the new contract of Kane, Toews (rumored to be $6 million per season each) and Keith (rumored to be around $5 million per) would push the 'hawks payroll for next season to over $60 million, which exceeds the projected CAP numbers for next season, even if they stay firm.
The 'hawks would have to trade away and or dump salary before officially announcing their re-signings.
My understanding is that it's not anything to do with the projected cap for next season. It's what the cap is currently at for this season. Even if the cap was projected to be 65 or 70 million next season, the Hawks can't exceed the current cap number in what they have locked up for next season.
You can't assume what the next cap is going to be. Your future payrolls have to fit under the present cap. Currently the reported extensions would push the Hawks over the cap. That's why a trade has to be made. The idea is not to get anyone in return as to alleviate this problem. Ebbett is good as dead. Skille won't be back. I expect Ladd is gone after this season, so you can't really dump Buff and Ladd both. I hate to see Barker go, but with Campbell onboard interminably I can't think of how else to proceed and keep the Hjammer. Hendry isn't a godsend, but he's responsible. Sopel might be a good piece to move as well. He's playing well and seems to have adapted.
Unless I am mistaken, I believe the new contract for Keith relates to the future. There is no impact on the current year as he is being paid under the terms of his existing contract. As such all the talk of the Hawks needing to shed payroll before the contract is signed is not relevant. It will be an issue before next season but should have no affect on the current season.
I loved watching Iginla spending more time jabbering at our bench than concentrating on his game. The Hawks are truly inside his head.
The Blackhawks currently having over $43 million committed to next season's payroll the projected numbers for the new contract of Kane, Toews (rumored to be $6 million per season each) and Keith (rumored to be around $5 million per) would push the 'hawks payroll for next season to over $60 million, which exceeds the projected CAP numbers for next season, even if they stay firm.
The 'hawks would have to trade away and or dump salary before officially announcing their re-signings.
IF THIS TEAM RUNS THE TABLE ON THIS TRIP, GETS HOSSA BACK MAYBE YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO A DARN THING TRADE WISE, JUST LET THEM PLAY! BOB MCKENZIE HAS HIS OWN OPINIONS.... NONE OF IT IS LAW, LET THE GM AND OWNERS WORK IT OUT, JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY IT! WELL...... MAYBE... HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DANIEL CARCILLO ON THAT 4TH LINE WITH EAGER AND FRASER.........THATS ONE TOUGH LINE TO PLAY AGAINST!KOPECKY THEN MOVES UP WHERE HE BELONGS.
TURN IT OFF!
Any team that skates into the Saddledome and blows out the Flames is one that bears watching. We're only a quarter of the way through the season but 13-5-2 is a fine record considering Hossa hasn't played and Toews, Bolland and Seabrook all missed substantial time.
I think we all expect Kane and Keith to play well and they have thus far. But it is the flying under the radar guys that are starting to make their presence known. Madden has been a great 3rd line center pickup. Brouwer is starting to find the twine. Hjalmarrson is starting to look like he's serious about becoming a top 2 or 3 defenseman. Sopel has been a solid 6th defenseman. There's a lot of guys contributing on a regular basis and when the PP lights it up like last night you start dreaming of May....and June.
But we've still got a lonnnggggggggggg way to go.
Steven Stamkos in the NHL hilites. What an amazing goal! You boys see that?
watched it over and over Hiller froze
Did anyone here see the intermission comments by Bob Mckenzie? He was saying the hold up on Keith's contract is because the team has to trade a player so the deal can be signed.
Someone's leaving the team very soon.
McKenzie's another Hawks hater from Trash Sports Network. He was so in shock last night after the win he was tweeting like a fiend, finally admitting he doesn't understand how tagging works.
they can just put Bolland on LTIR and that cap money ($3.375M) can be used.
They can only "use" that money on a replacement player acquired from off the roster, but that player has to be at or above Bolland's salary. The money can not be arbitrarily re-directed for the purpose of signing an extension to an existing player.
That money however, does not count against the cap.
So, if they dealt two players (say Barker and Versteeg and a draft pick) for two players (say Mike Fisher and Anton Volchenkov), Fisher becomes Bolland's replacement, essentially adding about only $3 million to the Hawks' cap hit, while losing Barker and Versteeg's combined $6+ million. Voila, cap space.
If Bowman were to make that trade Jacukel proposes. It makes sense for both teams. For Ottawa, Versteeg has more upside as a scorer than Fisher. You look for pure talent first, a checker second, which is primarily what Fisher is best at. Barker is younger than Volchenkov; Volchenkov is a hard sign; and Ottawa gets a draft choice. The draft choice is highly valued by Br Murray, who wants to rebuild through the draft.
The only thing I don't get, John, is why do we have to re-sign these players NOW. Tell them, this is what we will offer you; can you please sign after the playoffs and before June 1? Tell them, this is for your best interest, as you are more likely to earn more money with a team best prepared to go on a long playoff run. Of course, we are on the outside looking in. I just can't see Bowman's making a bad move after having so much time to mull over everything. There is no way we are going to give away a Hjalmarsson or Seabrook, either, because we first have to sign the big three. In my book you lock up a strong defense first, and if it comes down to difficult choices, try to make two for one deals that another team cannot say "NO" to. Surrrender Versteeg, Sharp, Bufuglien. Or maybe keep one of them and put Bolland on waivers or trade him. Think someone will take him with the back issue and not seeing how he recovers? That's a long term contract for Bolland the other teams assumes. Just an idea....by the way, I think that your old team you covered prospects for, Nashville, will trade a top defenseman once they see Blum and or that smallish #1 '09 d-man is ready. Then Nashville may be a serious playoff contender. They don't need a lot of addition up front to make the playoffs; they do need significant upgrade up front, however, to advance in playoffs. And if you want to risk an in conference trade, Joahn, would you be interested in either of Nashville's goaltenders. We have some forwards they could take.
BTW Mueller is a good talent having a lousy year. if Phoenix is on the cusp of a playof spot, some team (not Chicago) could offer some immediate help to Coyotes and "steal" Mueller. Also, wonder how Hanzell will turn out. He is 6'6" center. My favorite prospect for them is maybe Bodeker over Turris. Just once, John, answer a question about a prospect. Which prospect do you like better?
Hawks to be resigned and they tell me this is the offer, accept it now but sign it at the end of the season, my first reaction is what is my garantee if per chance I get hurt between now and the end of the season. That is the risk the players take. The risk the club takes is they change their mind and sign elsewhere.
I'm not 100% sure about many of the things you mention but I know that Nashville and the Hawks could potentially be great trade partners. They are strong in goal and on defense but need help.....a lot of help.....at the forward spots. It's always a risk when you trade in divison but it could make sense for both teams to keep an open mind. Yes it might be annoying if a Versteeg or Buff becomes a pebble in our shoe six times a year for the next 5-10 years but if Suter, Rhinne or someone else helps with a Cup lifting ceremony it is well worth it. Let's face it....if the Big 3 signing rumors are true something has to happen eventually.
Speaking of which, if the word on the street regarding the Hawks having to dump salary to make room for the three signings is true then the Hawks might as well wait until after the season to proceed unless Stan finds a great deal that he likes. But the way the boys are playing he's not going to be in a hurry to move someone because of contracts that won't be paid until next year. It's risky for all sides, especially the players, to wait another 6-7 months to close a deal that is in place today (time kills more deals than anything else) but all parties I'm sure will understand if it has to be.
tough call in letting Versteeg go. I wouldn't mind if Buf vacated. both players have tons of potential. If we let Buf go, let him go to the east coast. I think Buf is expendable, because Brouwer is really starting to develop.
Toews was a mad man last night - he was very aggressive and that seemed to carry over to the entire team. Bickel needs to finish off those opportunities. He had a decent first period but seemed to be a step slow and not involved as the game wore on.
Or just sign Keith later in the year. I am sure Keith would understand.
Who is the odd man out when Hossa comes back?
Let it be Buff. Someone will give more than he's worth because of his size and potential. Problem is he'll never play with enough fire to reach that potential. Buff gets his points simply because of his size and the space he creates. He would do so much more if he played with any edge at all.
I wouldn't let Versteeg go. Plenty of playmaking skills, can finish, and he plays with an edge.
It's simple to see that if the Hawks need size (and they do), they need someone who will come in and play mean, fast, and use that body to intimidate the opposition.
The only thing that would have made that game better last night is if the Hawks had a couple of tough guys who could have put a beat down on Phaneuf and company.
Keep Buff and Versteeg and trade Bolland.
Finding #3 centers isn't as hard as finding skilled players, or power forwards (which Buff showed he can be).
I'll tell you what....I love John Madden. I knew it was a nice signing back in July, but having only watched him a few times a year....i can't believe how money this guy is. Great example of how to bring it every night, and he's a great back-checker.
I'd rather Byfuglien go than Versteeg.
Phaneuf was who wasn't covering Brouwer on the first goal while Regehr had the other.
Yeah, I have see lots of power plays but nobody has one like this one.
Kane seems to will the puck on the guy's stick.
Yeah, I think the Canadian Olympic duo of Keith and Seabrook may serve Canada lot better than a Shea Weber, or a weak defensively Dan Boyle, but don't count ONE defenseman from Calgary going.....
I hope no Hawks go to the Olypmics.
I would rather see fresh, rested, star player Hawks in May/June.
A nice, two week break in February would do that.
And who doesn't love seeing the kid give Renee Bork a rough ride along the boards. This guy was another underachiever for the "old" Hawks, then he's playing the Seinfeld-like street tough in the 09 playoffs as a member of the Flames. Are you kidding me? That one will make the NHL top hits of the week, guaranteed.
Borque usually dishes it out - nice to see him get hammered. lol
Hjammer needs to stay on his feet. Hjammer and Seabrook came out hitting.
And Buf was actually a lot more active today.
Great game by the Hawks - they seem to have legs and really came out skating. A great team effort. the Kipper didn't look so sharp and Huet delivered again. Huet looks very focused and no softee again. But Huet came very close again for like the 3rd game in a row in letting one. lol Some Flames player whipped one from behind the goal line and almost snuck in.
we use the draft pick we got for him...
Tim--well said.
Tonight's game was conclusive evidence that the Blackhawks are now more than the sum of their parts.
This was as good a team effort as we've seen from them, with a hunger and ruthlessless we've not seen before.
Maybe it's time to stop playing armchair GM, and just enjoy these Blackhawks, now.
They are getting better, and who knows how good they can be...
You are correct. Hossa returning.....kids a year older....I hesitate to say it...or even think it....but this team might be very scary come April/May.