Bonino is a decent player, but Luca Sbisa is garbage. Nice trade to make within the division, dickweed.

Cap might only be $68MM this year. Welllllllllllll, crap.

Im pretty hammered right now.

$69M.
Not good. Sharp might need a ride to O'Hare after all.

Im pretty hammered right now.

$69M.
Not good. Sharp might need a ride to O'Hare after all.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Hawks as presently constituted are over the cap. We'll probably have to lose Oduya, Versteeg, and Rozsival. Oduya will at least fetch something.

Many that is true, but an incomplete statement.

Could Crawford's contract be traded?

Bollig was at his recently purchased River North condo when he got the call he was traded. #Blackhawks #HawksDraft

That actually really sucks. He finally "makes it" and is exiled to Calgary. Not really his fault he sucks and Q used him wrong.

I don't see the doom & gloom regarding the Hawks & the salary cap. I like the fact that the Hawks must dump a few old timer average to below average players in favor of some young guys. I look forward to seeing more youth on the ice for the Hawks next year.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Im pretty hammered right now.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

1) Smith could be okay at #3 center, whereas I'm certain he'll be terrific on the fourth line. He's such a heady player, though, that he could easily prove me wrong and be a very good shutdown center. He's a guy I'll always root for, I know that much.

2) Kings, Ducks, Wild. The Kings aren't looking at any eight-figure contracts until Kopitar comes due, players do take discounts for the warm weather and low public expectations that attend playing in southern California, and Minnesota and Anaheim both have insane drafting/development records as of late. I think the Hawks have an excellent chance to win the Stanley Cup this year, but it could be the last crack at it for Sharp, Seabrook, and Hossa, at which point we may be set back a few years.

Im pretty hammered right now.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

I just wish we could resolve this #2 center thing once and for all.

Im pretty hammered right now.

By Jay Zawaski-
(CBS) With the NHL’s free agency period beginning today at 11 a.m. Central time, the Blackhawks may have their eyes on more than one target. Their most glaring need is (say it with me!) a second-line center, and there are indications that they may be willing to sign or trade for a pretty big name.
The second-line center position has been one of the few holes in Chicago’s lineup since this era of Blackhawks hockey began in 2007-’08. Which center they will attempt to acquire is the mystery.
I can’t think of a single general manager in the league who keeps a tighter lid on his roster plans than Stan Bowman. While the Blackhawks always seem to be part of rumors, the actual acquisition is typically off the radar. For example, no one saw the Brandon Bollig or David Rundblad (remember him?) trades coming. Any idea on what Bowman would be an educated guess, at best.
Before I begin, I need to qualify a few points. First of all, the Blackhawks have virtually zero cap space. As it currently stands, they have just over $700,000 of cap space with only 21 (of 23) roster spots filled. Any signing would have to be accompanied by a trade.
I would expect Bowman to wait to make a trade until after he knows which center he’s secured. If he signs a center for $1 million, I don’t think fans would have to worry about Patrick Sharp leaving, but if he does sign a bigger name, a major roster player or two may have to go to make room. It’s also important to remember that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane’s expected new deals will kick in for the 2015-’16 season. They could be as high as $24 million combined, though I predict they will be closer to $20 million, so it’s just another long-term element that Bowman has to be cognizant of.
So without further ado, here are my educated guesses at who the Blackhawks may be targeting.
Paul Stastny
Free agent of the Colorado Avalanche
2013-’14 cap hit: $6.6 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: $7 million-plus
Stastny, the best center on the market, is the kind of player who could be worth losing Sharp. At 28, he’s entering his prime and has already posted five seasons of 50 points or more. His career high is 79 points. The Blackhawks have reportedly kicked the tires on Stastny. If he wants to sign in Chicago, it could be too good to pass up. The roster fallout, however, would be tremendous. Say goodbye to any combo of Sharp, Bryan Bickell, Johnny Oduya or Michal Rozsival.
Joe Thornton
Trade target on the San Jose Sharks
Cap hit: $6.750 million through 2016-17
The Sharks are reportedly looking to rebuild. Thornton and Patrick Marleau are expected to be moved this offseason. Thornton is one of the top playmakers in the league, and even at the age of 34, he averaged nearly a point per game. This deal would likely take the Sharks taking on some salary and some young Chicago talent going to San Jose.
Jason Spezza
Trade target on the Ottawa Senators
Cap hit: $7 million through 2014-15
Spezza wants to be traded, and the Senators are accommodating the center. Spezza has spent his entire 12-year career in Ottawa. In his prime, he was one of the best playmakers in the game. He’s been slowed by injury and age lately and is hardly worth the $7 million he’s due next season. Here’s an Spezza angle I haven’t mentioned, however. If the Blackhawks can swing a deal, that entire salary comes off the Chicago books after the 2014-’15 season. Yes, it would take trading another large contract, but the Blackhawks will have to do that before the 2015-’16 season to make room for the new Kane and Toews deals anyway. If Ottawa would absorb some of Spezza’s salary, it might make sense for one year.
Brad Richards
Free agent of the New York Rangers
2013-14 Cap Hit : $6.67 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: ???
The Rangers bought out Richards’ contract last week. During the playoffs, Richards was demoted to the fourth-line center role. He still had a productive regular season, registering 51 points in 82 games. He was dead even in Corsi and plus-2.5 percent in Corsi relative. He’s nowhere near the player he was in Tampa, but if he’s willing to sign an affordable deal with the Blackhawks, he could be one of the better options on the market.
Saku Koivu
Free agent of the Anaheim Ducks
2013-’14 cap hit: $2.5 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: $1 million-$2 million
Now we’re getting into “realistic territory.” A player like Koivu is the most realistic free agent outcome. He’s a 39-year old veteran who will likely be looking for one more shot at a Stanley Cup, and he may be willing to accept less money for that chance. He’s a shadow of his Montreal self and is a moderate upgrade from Michal Handzus. He’s as solid a locker room guy as there is (assuming you value such things) and could be seen as mentor for his fellow Finn Teuvo Teravainen. I’m not sure how much these things actually matter, but I’m sure it’s something the Blackhawks would take into account if they are indeed interested in Koivu.
Olli Jokinen
Free agent of the Winnipeg Jets
2013-14 cap hit: $4.5 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: $2.5 million-$3 million
Like Koivu, Jokinen is a veteran likely seeking a title. Unlike Koivu, he’s never won a Stanley Cup. At 35, his best days are far behind him, but he put up 43 points and played all 82 games for the Jets last season. He also brings a physical element to the game and could be the big body in front of the net the Blackhawks have lacked. He was a negative Corsi player (44.9 percent, minus-1.1 percent CF Relative), but he could see an upswing if he’s paired with Kane and Brandon Saad.
Earlier in his career, Jokinen was a bit of a locker room cancer, but he matured later in his career. He’s outspoken and opinionated, which may not be ideal for the Hawks.
Mathieu Perreault
Free agent of the Anaheim Ducks
2013-’14 cap hit: $1.050 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: $1 million-$2 million
The Ducks didn’t qualify the 26-year-old center, which makes him an unrestricted free agent. This would be a move I really like. Perrault is a positive Corsi player (51.6 percent last season) that posted 43 points in 69 games. He’s a guy who could certainly play on the bottom six when Teravainen proves to be ready for the second-center role. He’s not a household name, but he’s a quality player with his best days likely still ahead of him.
Vernon Fiddler
Free agent of the Dallas Stars
2013-’14 cap hit: $1.8 million
Expected 2014-’15 cap hit: $1 million-$1.8 million
Fiddler is far from ideal, but he’s closer to realistic. He’s a versatile and heady player but lacks the overall ability to be called a true second-line center. Last season, he posted 23 points in 76 games. He hasn’t registered 30 points since 2009-’10. He wins 52 percent of his faceoffs and plays in all situations, including the penalty kill.
We’ll find out in short order just what Stan Bowman has up his sleeve. Keep it tuned to 670 The Score and check my Twitter account for all the latest in Blackhawks offseason news.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

The Blackhawks have signed defenseman Kyle Cumiskey to a one-year deal, they announced Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Cumiskey has played for the past two seasons with MODO of the Swedish Hockey League, where he registered four goals and 24 assists in 45 games last year. Prior to that, Cumiskey played five seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, bouncing between the NHL and lower levels in that time span.
Cumiskey was originally a seventh-round pick of Colorado’s in 2005.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

I found it odd the way Cumiskey fell off the map. I don't expect to see much of him with the big club, but you never know.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Not sure Perreault can hack it on the second line, but if he centers the third line, you can move Shaw back to a wing so that he doesn't have to hang back on offense and can instead just go right in, which suits him better.

A lot of people are sleeping on Brad Richards, but I have this funny feeling he can have a bounceback season. Unfortunately, he's just about the money (New York), or failing that, anonymity (Dallas), and we can't give him either.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.

Look at the points Kane put up with a cruise ship anchor centering his line. Imagine what they'll be with just a decent center! This is really exciting!

Jimmy Waite hired as Blackhawks goaltending coach

After a quiet holiday weekend, the Blackhawks finally broke their silence on Monday, hiring Jimmy Waite as their new goaltending coach.

OK, so it wasn’t contract extensions for Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, nor was it a salary-clearing trade of a roster player. But the Hawks checked off one of the last remaining things on their summer to-do list by hiring Waite — a former Hawks goalie and the younger brother of former goalie coach Stephane Waite — to replace Steve Weeks, who was fired by Joel Quenneville after just one season.

“I’m very excited to come back to the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that drafted me (eighth overall) in 1987,” Waite said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Corey [Crawford] and Antti [Raanta], and to help contribute to the success of this organization.”

Waite played in 58 games for the Hawks over parts of eight seasons from 1988-1997. He also played for the Sharks and Coyotes in a 22-year professional career spent mostly in the minor leagues. He was the goalie coach for Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the last three seasons.

“We are pleased to welcome Jimmy back to our organization in his new role,” said Hawks general manager Stan Bowman. “He has over two decades of professional hockey experience and will be a great addition to our coaching staff.”

Quenneville declined to go into specifics when asked last week why he was making the change. Weeks lasted just one season after Stephane Waite ended his 10-year Hawks coaching career to join the Montreal Canadiens staff.

“Tough to break it down exactly, the change,” Quenneville said. “It’s something we just wanted to do.”

As for Toews and Kane, the wait continues. There’s no concern that the deals — almost certain to be the biggest in league history, likely in the $10-11-million range — will get it done. It’s just a matter of when. Bowman said last month that he hoped they would be signed on July 1, the first day of free agency. But as time wears on, another possibility is that the Hawks will announce the extensions to kick off the fan convention on July 18. Last year, they announced Quenneville’s contract extension at the convention.

The Hawks also remain about $2.2 million over the salary cap, and need to shed some salary this summer.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

The future holds the possibility to be great or terrible, and since it has not yet occurred it remains simultaneously both.