according to Rozner the Hawks are shopping Sharp

meh it'll probably be him to go, obv moving Campbell/Buff/Steeg is preferable, it's unlikely to find a trading partner most likely

reading some Hawk blogs today was kind of comical in a sick and twisted way, lots of meatball fans going from DT haters to crying out comparing McDonough to Pulford

Sucks that we're trying to move Sharp, but we have to move somebody...

For the hardcore fans, the Tallon firing wasn't a surprise. And the more I think about it, the more the specific timing makes sense.

I still don't understand how or why these people are drawing similarities between McDonough and Pulford. Grind/MbLax...enlighten me?

Marty Havlat claims that Tallon would have signed him a long time ago, but McDonough refused because he wanted to bring in a player that was "his", and that McDonough didn't like Tallon's success.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=284740

EDIT: I also heard a rumour on Prime Time sports yesterday from some hockey writer (I forget who) that claims McDonough is the one that screwed up the RFA notifications.

To address this:

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/...oadway/?page=4


"Chicago insiders say it wasn’t GM Dale Tallon’s fault that qualifying offers to the club’s restricted free agents got bungled, leaving the likes of Kris Versteeg (a former Bruins draft pick) and Cam Barker potential unrestricted free agents (pending a grievance filed by the Players Association). The offers, though mailed on time, didn’t reach all recipients by the June 30 deadline. Why? According to one source who has regular dealings with the Chicago front office, club president John McDonough had a hand in delaying the mailing of the offers. Meanwhile, Tallon offered himself up for the blame. “Why not,’’ he told the Chicago media. “The buck stops here. I can take the heat.’’ Ultimately, the snafu led to sweet deals for Versteeg and Barker, each of whom landed three-year pacts of a little more than $3 million per season. Wonder if McDonough ever met Haywood Sullivan?"

I didn't catch any of the Pulford comparisons, but most of the Hawk specific boards/sites make my head hurt so I don't read them.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if McDonough screwed up the RFA mess. I'm kind of surprised if him or Bowmans wanted "their guy" over Havlat. Honestly, Hossa is better than Marty. I don't blame him for being upset he wasn't offered a contract, but they couldn't afford both. With all the wings in the system, guys like Bolland & Barker are more valuable than Marty.

Sharpie's been one of my favorite players, so I'd hate to see him go. At the same time, I think his value right now is at about it's peak so a trade should get a good haul.

Schedule's out BTW. Some random comments:

-2 months from Sunday will already be the first exhibition game.
-3 Sat night home games in OCT is weird. I wonder if they're getting some CBC time.
-Not a fan of a 7:30 New Year's Eve home game. At least make it a Columbus/Nashville game so I'm not tempted to go.
-Also sucks that BOS, DET & SJ are here Christmas week since I usually go visit my parents. Thanks to the Olympics, the Hawks play 7 games from Dec 18-27. 5 at home.
-Really glad the Caps are in town this year. If I didn't go to every game, Ovie is the 1 guy I'd make sure I saw.

Other important dates:
OCT 14 vs. EDM-Khabi returns to town. I sure hope he gets a warm reception.
OCT 26 vs. MIN-Marty returns. We'll see how long he holds onto these sour grapes to see if I cheer when he returns.
APR 11 vs. DET-No home and home like the last few years and finale is here.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=307241

pure class from DT

Hawks also promoted Marc Bergevin to director of player personnel

from what I've read/heard this is a good move...he's respected by the players, and seems like his relationship with Bowman will be very much like the relationship between Dudley and Tallon

I'm actually pretty excited about having a NYE game @ home

really excited about seeing Ovie come to town as well

5 hours till the season starts. Tonight's lines:

Versteeg Toews Kane
Sharp Kopecky Buff
Eager Madden Skille
Bickell Dowell Bois

Keith Seabs
Barker Campbell
Sopel Petiot

Huet
Crawford

Is that the first line we'll see to start the season? I was hoping to see Beach tonight. Skille is probably the only guy fighting for a roster spot (I guess it's possible that Eager or Sopel don't make the team or Dowell does). 3rd line is interesting, but Skille's going to have to be better defensivley to make the team as a 3rd or 4th line wing.

Where's Hossa gonna play when he's back?

Sopel is terrible.

Huet playing well.

Good game so far.

Time to kill the first penalty of the year.

David Booth blows by Brouwer, slash

huet is lookin studly

Huet is not good.

he could've had the 2nd goal but the 1st/3rd were just v good plays

3rd goal is on the defense for short bussing a clearing attempt

no need to panic imo, he's fine

Team looked good today. 4-0 win.

So pumped to go to the games this year. I share season tickets.

Says Huet didn't win in yahoo?

thats because he didnt play.

Ah, reading odd comments.

what section?

im in 233

Frustrating game last night. Osgood played fantastic. Huet not so much. He coninutes to get beat on his glove side and it's clear now that word has spread around the league about this. And I really don't think he knows how to keep his legs closed when he goes down.

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/galle...ng.htm?id=9258

Picture #7 is fantastic.

Anybody want to take a stab why Sopel is playing over Hendry?

What's up for Toews?

Came back from down 5-0 last nite..... great win

I was lucky enough to be at the game. Probably the craziest live sporting event I've ever been to.

Frist place, getting Hossa in there hopefully in the near future, penalty kill is 2nd in NHL AORN...... looking good.