As promised, here’s an early look at the Hawks’ offseason targets (purported, speculated and imagined).
Read carefully. I will try to make clear where I am hearing specifically about actual team interest in a player, versus players they have been interested in previously, versus my own opinions of players they might pursue and different ways they might do that.
First, as originally speculated here, and now being “confirmed” by a variety of sources, the Hawks are likely going to try to be significant players for Ryan Suter.
Leaving that aside, and taking a broader view of the entire league, there are different cap situations and free agent wishes for all 29 teams that might create some really interesting opportunities for the Hawks—whether they land Suter or not.
One UFA I am told the Hawks might look at, aside from Suter on 7/1, is Calgary winger David Moss.
Another forward target could be San Jose UFA Daniel Winnik, who I was told the Hawks had strong interest in prior to the trade deadline.
Two defensemen who the Hawks may pursue, based on trade deadline interest they had, and UFA status (assuming Suter does not pan out) could be Carolina’s Bryan Allen and Colorado’s Shane O’Brien.
Understand, a lot can happen between now and July 1 and there are many other names that might be on the team’s radar, some who might not be terribly high profile, but who, like Moss or Winnik, also fit needs the Hawks have identified.
OK, at this point, please understand, from here on out, I am basically throwing names out that could, on some level and in some situations, make sense.
The following are a few UFA names who I have not head specifically mentioned by my sources, but who might have some interest to Chicago as secondary targets this summer:
Josh Harding, G, Minnesota
Al Montoya, G, New York Islanders
Jonas Gustavsson, G, Toronto
Scott Hannan, D, Calgary
Gregory Campbell, F, Boston
Bryan Allen, D, Carolina.
Jason Garrison, D, Fla
Bryce Salvador, D. NJ
Brad Stuart, D. Detroit
Could a Sami Salo or a Mikael Samuelsson, a couple of long in the tooth veterans whose best days are clearly behind them, nonetheless still provide some power play, limited minutes value?
Again, I’m sure the naysayers have all kinds of reasons to dismiss players like these (as though anyone’s suggesting throwing a lot of money or term at either—which would be insanity). But players like these, if there’s any tread left on their tires at all, could have situational value for a year for a team needing a tweak to get over the top.
Another option that could be out there this summer is the often overlooked possibility of tendering an offer sheet. Specifically, as a fallout of the Suter and possibly Zach Parise sweepstakes (and let’s assume the Hawks aren’t winners in either), then there could be some teams like Nashville, Minnesota or Detroit, who could be vulnerable (as the Hawks were with Antti Niemi and Niklas Hjalmarsson in the summer of 2010) to someone making a run at one of their “lesser” RFAs?
Here are a few names of useful, or high potential players currently making around $1 million a year or less who will be RFAs this summer, who could be (conceivably) “under-offered” in terms of their qualifying offer and their ability/potential because of their team’s cap situation:
Darren Helm, W, Detroit
Justin Abdelkader, W, Detroit
Anders Lindback, G, Nashville
Cody Franson, D, Toronto
Alexei Emelin, D, Montreal
Mathieu Perreault, C, Washington
Any of whom could fill needs for the Hawks. Is an offer sheet likely? No. I have also heard that the Hawks might not have the draft picks to give in compensation. I’m not sure. Bear in mind though, RFA rights to players like these can become available in trade.
Trades also are always a consideration (obviously) and I would say a near likelihood for the Hawks this summer, who might be looking to reduce cap commitment prior to the draft or acquire veteran help through dealing some prospect depth.
Another rumor out there i was told this morning, though somewhat cloudy at this point as to the source, is that there could potentially be a Patrick Kane for Rick Nash deal discussed.
What I do know is creative minds start with a broad playing field. They set their sights on who they want, not who the media “insiders” say they can afford or not. And they figure it out.
To my mind, the Hawks have been way too limited in their thinking on acquiring players the last couple of years precisely because they’ve been in a very defined and perhaps defensive mindset.
The winds seem to be blowing the other direction this summer. The Hawks seem to know they need to make some moves and for the first time since 2009, they have the cap room and assets to make some things happen.
I’ll be back with more on this subject as I hear it.
JJ
