Chicago Blackhawks GM has much on to-do list

Chelios? Surely you jest. Not if he were the last 47-year-old defenseman on Earth. If you want to be better than the Wings, you can't go signing guys who the Wings don't want.

Goodbye Marty. I hope I'm wrong. Who's going to fill the void? Are they counting on a combination of the natural progression of the young players and somebody having a breakout year? I like Brouwer's physical play but he can't find the back of the net to save his life. Steeger and Bolland MUST stay, and really Bolland more than Versteeg (IMO). Is Buff going to have that 30 goal year we thought he was going to have last year? Skille was supposed to be the next big thing last year, so why should we think this year's going to be any different. Beach and Aliu are projects. I'm curious / anxious about the makeup of next years team. Chemistry is a fragile thing and last years team had it.

Oh, yeah. And goodbye Khabi (a foregone conclusion). Thanks for the predictably stellar "playing for your next" contract year.

Last summer the Hawks shocked us all with the moves they made. I don't expect this summer to be as quiet as it's been so far. I don't know about everybody else, but I think our one goal this year is to put a team on the ice capable of taking down the Wings. Better than the Wings, dammit! Not a team that could upset them "if they get a few breaks". Anything less would be spinning our wheels and a step backwards.

Lets Campbell, Havlet and of course Khabi go then grab Dany Heatley from ottawa is my best bet. Dany is a big guys like big buff and the Hawks need size and more defensemen for the young Hawks (Patrick Kane). Getting Chelios back might not be a bad idea he might and will lead the young fast player with those puck as we all knew Chelios is good of handling the puck and he has been a strong defensemen for both teams (Hawks & Wings) after all he will do his best for his chicago native.

Well if Chelli comes back #7 is already taken. I don't know what the fans reaction would be if he comes back. I do hope that Havlat signs, come on Marty look at what is going on here in Chicago. You have alot of $$ sign with the Hawks

Tim,

From what I've read and heard, Havlat wants a longer term than the Hawks are willing to offer now.

Both parties have logical arguments, so it just comes down to what fits with keeping Kane and Toews next year.

I'm not really seeing much activity going on anywhere as far as signing pending UFAs. The cap for next season isn't announced until June 30. I presume the GMs have a pretty good idea of what it will be, but it's still hard to commit to much when you don't really know how much you have available.

I really like Chelios but think it would be foolish to sign him at 47 IMO. There is no doubt in my mind the team will bring him back as an ambassador ala Denis Savard and that would be great.

Isn't it great that we as fans are looking for the Hawks to BEAT the Red Wings as the next step in their growth? Who would have thunk it a year ago?

I'm ready for the season to start!!! lol

GO HAWKS!!!!

Chelios for off ice purposes only. He's way too old and slow to play with these guys.

Might as well bring back Makita and Esposito if u bring Chelios back. What a stupid idea!!!! He's done.

bob n wrote:

Chelios for off ice purposes only. He's way too old and slow to play with these guys.

Dead on post, bob.

Sign him as a coach for the defense, but he's just not quick enough at 47 to be effective.

As to Havlat:

Would be great if the Hawks could agree to extend the Toews, Kane and Keith contracts now--I think it has to be after July 1--then you know how much is available for Havlat and any free agent pick-ups.

Move Campbell, Barker, Walker, Havlat, Khabibulin. Sign Scuderi and Kovalev. Keep Aaron Johnson. I'm ok with Sopel.

I agree Chelios for way off the ice only.But a package together for Atlanta and get there 4 pick.Now that we got Duds over there working on the inside.Send them Verstieg & Barker our 1st pick and one of our 2picks,then select Evander Kane this kid is the real deal like Parise with more grit.

Then sign Larose was great last year with the canes him and Ladd have a cup together
Then sign Oduya to replace Barker would be a big step up.
Would like to see Marty back but was last year just a big year for the contract? I don't think so but hard to tell. I would love to see him come back but his agent is a real Dick so don't sell the farm.
What ever they do I will be there cheering for them last year was such a great year this one will be tough to match or inprove on but keep the faith HAWKS fans these kids just keep geting better GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!

Kovalev has no heart...bowman knows that. Sign North American grinders, then win cup.

Havlat is good but the youing kids are getting better, let havlat go and habby, get some 3-4 good grinders for way less money...THAT is what was missing this past playoff....

I have a feeling that Havlat's gone and there's no way I'd give him a long term deal either.

Chelios? This guy must thinks he's Favre I guess...No way I'm signing this guy unless of course he wants to coach.

olduffman wrote:

I agree Chelios for way off the ice only.But a package together for Atlanta and get there 4 pick.Now that we got Duds over there working on the inside.Send them Verstieg & Barker our 1st pick and one of our 2picks,then select Evander Kane this kid is the real deal like Parise with more grit.
Then sign Larose was great last year with the canes him and Ladd have a cup together
Then sign Oduya to replace Barker would be a big step up.

I think Oduya would be great alongside Campbell. Good +/-. Has improved every year. Still has a good upside. Some playoff experience. Would be a good fit if they lose Barker or Walker.

Tony wrote:

I have a feeling that Havlat's gone and there's no way I'd give him a long term deal either.
Chelios? This guy must thinks he's Favre I guess...No way I'm signing this guy unless of course he wants to coach.

My gut feeling is that if Havlat was staying he would have been signed by now.

I'm confident Havlat will be back, he has made it abundantly clear he wants to stay in Chicago and he knows like all Hawks fans know the Hawks will have a cap problem soon and he will have to sign at a discount. I'm guessing a 5-year 22.5 million dollar contract with a NTC/NMC.

"commit to the indian head' just isnt some slogan.

The only player I dont see back is Khabibulin, I'm sure he will get offers from the KHL that are more then what NHL teams are willing to offer.

I also wouldnt be shocked if Tallon makes a deal for Danny Heatley but of course any deal involving Heatley would see Campbell + picks and prospects going to Ottawa.

As it stands now the Hawks have about 22 mil in cap space to get things done.

Chelios - Yea right, maybe at league minimum. If the Hawks did sign him it would only be to appease the bandwagon fans and to add some veteran influence in the locker room.

Whats next Jermey Roenick?

Indy Hawk Fan wrote:

I'm ready for the season to start!!! lol
GO HAWKS!!!!

I agree with you I can not wait either counting the days here. LOL

GO HAWKS.

KirkBlackHawk wrote:

Kovalev has no heart...bowman knows that. Sign North American grinders, then win cup.
Havlat is good but the youing kids are getting better, let havlat go and habby, get some 3-4 good grinders for way less money...THAT is what was missing this past playoff....

I dont know if you noticed but Havlat was the one creating room on the ice allowing the kids to score.

Martin Havlat is a must sign, his hockey sense and skill set cant be replaced and anyone who even comes close on the FA market like Hossa would want league max.

Havlat will be a Blackhawk next season. The only possible way he isnt is if Tallon pulls a Bill Wirtz and starts talks off at 2.5 per season, which wont be the case of course.

I'm sure Havlat and Tallon are on the same page as far as what Tallon can spend on him. Today Havlat said on Twitter that the Hawks are the only team hes interested in signing with. With that said I think Havlat will be signed within the next week or two, no need to rush a deal, Tallon knows this and Havlat's agent knows this..

Havlat may say the Hawks are the only team he's interested in but if he doesn't get the terms for a new deal he likes all the twittering in the world isn't going to get it done...Did I just say Twittering? l-o-l