Is Chicago buying their chance now?

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

doesn't mean they are not trying to buy their chance this year "under the cap rules" now...

It doesn't change the fact that the Wings' defense in 2002 was far more formidable than the current Blackhawks D, and the goaltending is even farther apart.

That's my point.

[BlakKy 58]

Ok I'm goign to do something.... defend Brian Campbell.

First off being from Strathroy On. he is from my home town. I've played with him and he is an excellent guy.

When Campbell keeps his head on straight he looks like a 6 million dollar defenceman (not 7). He has a shot so hard it cracked the glass in our hometown arena and took a guys ear off in camp. Granted he looks like a 4th forward on the ice sometime but then again sometimes a 4th forward isn't a bad thing. If it wasn't for the dumb spin thing he does before the neutral zone pass that creates turnovers so ugly it makes Jesus cry, he wouldn't be the NHL's whipping boy. At times he gets fancy with his stick... you know like a bad Lidstrom, but he can play the body too.

[OsGOD 3]

It doesn't change the fact that the Wings' defense in 2002 was far more formidable than the current Blackhawks D, and the goaltending is even farther apart.

That's my point.

both teams were buying their chance... i don't see your point. Who cares what they have/had at the time.... they were both "trying" to buy their cup... We succeeded with our superior team. will they? who knows lets wait and see if it was a success.

[tux 0]

July 3, 2009 | 1:33am ET

Blackhawks trying to trade

TheFourthPeriod.com

The Blackhawks are believed to be in the market for a big, physical defenseman, and could be looking the trade route to get one.

Sources tell TFP the Hawks have been scouring the market for a strong blueliner for some time and are willing to give up a roster player in order to get what they want.

"We're looking for the right guy, maybe on the back end," Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon told the Chicago Daily News. "We have a lot of assets we can trade."

It's uncertain, at this point, who the Hawks might be targeting, but one report suggests Tallon would consider dealing forward Patrick Sharp if the right offer came along.

Young defenseman Cam Barker, a restricted free agent, is also believed to be available for trade.

From the Editor: I'd be a little surprised if the Hawks moved Sharp at this stage of the game. I wouldn't be shocked, though, if Barker ends up being dealt. Chicago really wants a defensive-minded blueliner with an attitude.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/chi090703.html

Edited July 3, 2009 by tux

[uncle ovipositor 6]

Ok I'm goign to do something.... defend Brian Campbell.

First off being from Strathroy On. he is from my home town. I've played with him and he is an excellent guy.

When Campbell keeps his head on straight he looks like a 6 million dollar defenceman (not 7). He has a shot so hard it cracked the glass in our hometown arena and took a guys ear off in camp. Granted he looks like a 4th forward on the ice sometime but then again sometimes a 4th forward isn't a bad thing. If it wasn't for the dumb spin thing he does before the neutral zone pass that creates turnovers so ugly it makes Jesus cry, he wouldn't be the NHL's whipping boy. At times he gets fancy with his stick... you know like a bad Lidstrom, but he can play the body too.

Not much of a defense there.

Campbell got offered a lot of money and he took it. I don't think he handled his situation with the Sharks well (by many accounts he said he'd come back, but then his agent talked him into waiting for offers to come in), but in the end the Sharks got Boyle, so everything's fine. Campbell's game has been consistent, and I don't think he deserves any blame for others' expectations.

The people who look like idiots out of the whole situation are the Hawks, who offered him an unrealistic amount money. That's when they started mortgaging their future - odd, since being bottom dwellers allowed them to develop a really good core of young players that they could have built something long term out of. Regardless, he's theirs for a long time because nobody is going to take that contract.

As far as buying their way to a cup this year goes, that's their only chance now. The team Hossa just signed to is going to look very different in a couple years, and probably not for the better.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

both teams were buying their chance... i don't see your point. Who cares what they have/had at the time.... they were both "trying" to buy their cup... We succeeded with our superior team. will they? who knows lets wait and see if it was a success.

How are they "buying" their successful team? They didn't add 2 offensive superstars and the best goalie in the league. They made one big splash, subtracted a massive part that was almost equal and got weaker in goal.

[FedorovMan91 1]

It depends on how Campbell does. He was a good defense until the year of the Sharks but since he came to the Hawks, he was booed sometimes and his performance was actually very disappointing to watch. For the Hawks team, I think they have a better chance while they have a worse chance. Both Kane and Toews make some experience and they will be better nextseason. However, because Hossa went to the Hawks, it does not make them stronger because Hossa is a player who just replaces the spot of Havlet. Moreover, Hawks goaltending is probably one of the weakest goaltending in the NHL. Huet is not a goalie you trust whole season and there is no goalie in the league Hawks hardly look to purchase.

No one knows what happens. Before last season, everyone said the Bolts would be good but they were no different. Same for the Wings in 06-07 season. Who expected them to do that well with the retirement of Yzerman and movement of Shanahan? The roster changes a situation but what all matters is how they can work together

[Lidstrom for Norris 0]

If you really think the 'Hawks #1 defensemen is Brian Cambell, then I can't take your post seriously. I think you are refering to his salary though. Am I wrong?

You are not wrong.

Breakdown of Chicago D

1. Duncan Keith

2. Brent Seabrook

3. Cam Barker

4. Brian Campbell Yes thats right, hes the #4. He is good on the powerplay and a good contributing defensman in the offensive zone, but i dont believe that he fits into this organization as an all around solid 7 million dollar defensman. Thats just not his role.

5. Brent Sopel

6. Niklas Hjlamerson

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I think all 30 teams are trying to buy their chance to win the Stanley Cup as best they can...

[BlakKy 58]

I think all 30 teams are trying to buy their chance to win the Stanley Cup as best they can...

Some are doing it on a five year plan, Chicago has a six month plan.

[Z and D for the C 712]

If you really think the 'Hawks #1 defensemen is Brian Cambell, then I can't take your post seriously. I think you are refering to his salary though. Am I wrong?

I don't know how you can pay 7+ million to someone who you think isn't your #1 guy. Should he be a #1? Absolutely not. But if you pay someone 7+ million, you're expecting him to be your #1.

Edited July 3, 2009 by Z and D for the C

[Guest mindfly]

SOURCES: NHL AND NHLPA INVESTIGATING BLACKHAWKS OVER OFFERS

Sources tell TSN the NHL and the NHLPA are investigating what might have been an enormous mistake by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago tendered qualifying offers to several key players this week, including Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, Ben Eager, Colin Fraser, Aaron Johnson and Troy Brouwer, however the investigation underway is to determiner whether the qualifying offers were filed correctly.

If not, there is the remote possibility the qualifying offers could be ruled invalid and the players listed above, conceivably, could be deemed unrestricted free agents because of the blunder.

There are few details, but one source says the players involved didn't receive the necessary notification of the offers.

The National Hockey League is in the process of trying to determine whether the situation was remedied in time.

Chicago general manager Dale Tallon says the qualifying offers were mailed to the players in time, on June 29th, but says because of the July 1 holiday, some of the players didn't receive them in time.

Tallon says fax copies of the offers were sent to the league, so he doesn't anticipate any significant fall out.

[HawksFan4Life 0]

betterreadthandead- 29 goals with a history of being injured, or 40 goals with a history of being healthy? He has missed time before, but not much for Hossa.

Mac- What else can we do with Soupy? Keith and Seabs have such great chemistry, a vital part to our past and future success' and spend so much time on the ice.

[HawksFan4Life 0]

Hjalmarsson is a promising defenseman, Campbell.... not so much. Campbell is a good offensive player and a TERRIBLE defensive player, locking him up for a long term at $7mil+ was the worst move I've seen in a long time. The guy will never even half live up to it, I'd take Kronwall over Campbell any day, and for dirt cheap

Keith and Seabrook are a great pair, others have a lot of potential, but potential can swing both ways. And with poor goaltending, the confidence of a young defensive squad doesn't exactly thrive.

Between Campbell and Huet, I think Talon was just trying to make a splash for the fanbase, but thats $12mil+ of cap anchor that is going to strangle the life out of the Hawks in years to come. I think the Hossa deal is a great deal for both parties, but people think it may be foolish because the other two useless, immovable salaries have already jeopardized long-term success.

I think Huet is more moveable than some think. After this year, he is half way done with his contract. Campbell I don't think the same thing could be said.