Grade the Hawks Free Agency Moves

[icehogfan08]

So just to spark a little bit of summer discussions, and possibly some roster predictions for next season grade the hawks on what they have done so far.

Here are the transactions:

JUL 5, 2013
Nikolai Khabibulin (G) Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks to a one-year contract.
Michal Rozsival (D) Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks to a two-year contract.
Michal Handzus (C) Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks to a one-year contract.

JUL 3, 2013
Nick Leddy (D) Re-signed by the Chicago Blackhawks to a two-year contract.

JUL 2, 2013
Marcus Kruger (C) Chicago Blackhawks tendered a qualifying offer.

JUN 30, 2013
Bryan Bickell (LW) Re-signed by the Chicago Blackhawks to a four-year contract.

 

[nwfisch]

Probably a B on my end for now. Losing Bolland, Frolik and Stalberg hurt depth now, but it gives the team a chance to get guys like Pirri, McNeil and Dennault in the fold. Hopefully they're celebrating another cup in a few years with those guys as key role players.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Probably a B on my end for now. Losing Bolland, Frolik and Stalberg hurt depth now, but it gives the team a chance to get guys like Pirri, McNeil and Dennault in the fold. Hopefully they're celebrating another cup in a few years with those guys as key role players.

Danault & McNeill.

your welcome.

 

[icehogfan08]

I'm going with a B. The reason for the B is because I am not a fan of the Bulin cap hit, and not big on Bickell's either but its whatever. Stan resigned and kept the D core together, and got handzus back on a low risk high reward type contract. I'd like to see Kruger get signed

 

[nwfisch]

Danault & McNeill.

your welcome.

Thanks

 

[Diehardfan]

I hate the Khabibulin signing....its a tired, sorry ass road that the Hawks have been down before and I really liked Frolik a lot. That being said, I still give Bowman a B. Bowman brought back who he needed to bring back plus left a couple of potential spots for the kids to grab if they're ready. The only guy older than dirt that he brought back was Handzus who can play multiple spots just in case the Rockford kids aren't quite ready for prime time. Looking over what the other teams have done, I see good teams that have lost a lot like Boston and Pittsburgh and some that have made big strides but the question stands....are any of them better than the Hawks? I don't see it....the Blackhawks, at least on paper, are still the team to beat.

 

[nwfisch]

but the question stands....are any of them better than the Kings? I don't see it....the Kings...at least against the Blackhawks play good hockey.

OK Dave :slap:

 

[DewsSox79]

b for now

 

[Capt. Serious]

I like Khabby but they could've signed a guy like Thomas Greiss for alot cheaper.

 

[Diehardfan]

Somewhere in southern California............................

Dave: Hey Panger, can't wait till our Kings finish off the Blackhawks in the semi's and get to the Finals.

Pang: Right, Dave. The Bruins should be easy pickings for us. Funny thing is, I can't seem to find the where King's are
practicing.

Dave: I heard that a lot of the players are off playing golf. Heh, that's how good we are...we don't need to practice.

 

[nwfisch]

Somewhere in southern California............................

Dave: Hey Panger, can't wait till our Kings finish off the Blackhawks in the semi's and get to the Finals.

Pang: Right, Dave. The Bruins should be easy pickings for us. Funny thing is, I can't seem to find the where King's are
practicing.

Dave: I heard that a lot of the players are off playing golf. Heh, that's how good we are...we don't need to practice.

:lol: :hi5:

 

[HawkWriter]

I'm going with a B as well. Blackhawks really didn't have to do much, but they got the important stuff done. They have retained probably the top defense in the league. They got Handzus for real cheap and he will help out on faceoffs and PK throughout the year - whether it be on the 4th line (I hope) or the 2nd line if needed. Only signing that I wasn't thrilled with was Khabi, as many have stated the 2mil is pretty steep for an injury prone back up. If Khabi is healthy though, he will have plenty of added value to a very deep team.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Zus & Rozy looked fresher because it was a shortened season.

I have my doubts these guys can play as well with it being back to 82 games at their age.

 

[dabynsky]

Seems like this was a predictable offseason. The Hawks made moves to keep the most of the team together. I am surprised that they went to back to Khabibulin, but I am not going to throw a fit over adding a veteran backup for relatively cheap. I like that they have an option in Antti Raanta to go to if there is an issue. Seems like a typical, no flash offseason for Bowman. Whether it works or not depends on what the kids do which is pretty much the story for a few years now.

 

[brett05]

They haven't lost any of the quality for my Red Wings to beat them in the Cup

 

[Diehardfan]

Zus & Rozy looked fresher because it was a shortened season.

I have my doubts these guys can play as well with it being back to 82 games at their age.

That's a good point. But I don't think that'll be much of an issue. Injuries and quality of play will dictate a lot of how that works out. The Hawks were relatively light on the injury front last year and those things tend to even themselves out over time. A couple of injuries on defense could bring in a young Rockford kid that could play himself into a larger role. Same thing with the forwards. Suddenly those older veterans are taking their turns watching from the press box. Case in point is Mayer and Carcillo from last season.

 

[inactiveuser1]

Who's the Finnish goalie we signs who is supposed to be pretty good?

 

[nwfisch]

Who's the Finnish goalie we signs who is supposed to be pretty good?

Antti Raanta.

 

[Tampabear]

http://www.capgeek.com/comparables/?player_id=265&year_id=2013

I;m not sure I understand all the dumping on Khabby here. his salary for a veteran backup is not really out of line. I was here in Tampa in 2004 (yeah, I know 2004) when he was really something. Of course now he'll probably tear a groin in preseason....

 

[Franko725]

Honestly, I do not see Rosi and Zus playing all that much time anyway. They can play limited mintues/games throughout the regular season and hopefully be fresh for the playoffs.