SB Nation User Blog: SamFels

In The Words Of Wiggum, This Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

SamFels — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:10:20 -0000

From Josh Mora's Blog, some plausible scenarios for what may have happened in this supposed RFA snafu that might not actually be.

I have to say, when I first read about this and it dawned on me that it wouldn't be Tallon himself actually dealing with mailings and the like, the brief thought of sabotage did cross my mind, and it's a scenario that Mora suggests, though doesn't claim is what happened, to be clear. I have to say, the more and more I hear and see what goes on above and certainly behind Tallon, I want to toss up my lunch. The whole set-up doesn't pass the smell test, with your supposed "consultant" the father of the guy next in line for the job. It's these kind of shenanigans, a panicky, insecure GM not thinking about the long-term, a front-office not all pulling in the same direction, are the kind of thing -- maybe the only thing -- that could derail a dominant Blackhawk era.

McD and Rocky had better clear this up in a damn hurry. If Tallon isn't your guy, then have the balls to come out and fire him and stop with the charade. If he is, extend his deal, and tell Ol' Scotty he can have his conversations with Mike Babcock on his own fucking personal time. This way clearly is going to cause something to go terribly wrong.

This Could Be A Real Problem

SamFels — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 01:59:58 -0000

This Could Be A Real Problem

Hilarious for the rest of the league, potential disaster for us. FedEx, maybe?

I Don't Want The Real Story, Marty

SamFels — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:57:14 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

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I have the feeling this could get ugly for Hawks fans, and I don't think that's right. First off, and let me say that once again I'm only parroting what Chris Block has already said at The Third Man In, but this whole twitter thing is just good PR. You can easily get your story, or at least your version of the story, out to the fans, whereas the Hawks have to weigh whether or not they want to go through the rigamorole of a press conference or press release or whatever. You can endear the fans to you with a mere few taps on your Iphone or Crackberry, despite whatever the real truth actually may be. Havlat's agent can put whatever he wants out there, but if Tallon, McD and Co. want to counter it, who do you think is going to come off as the petulant ones?

Here's what I'm guessing is the story behind this all, and I base this off nothing but my own gut feeling: We've heard about extension negotiations since February. I find it hard to fathom that at no point did the Hawks, from then, ever offer anything other than a 1-year deal. It wouldn't take that long, and you wouldn't go running off to give Hossa 12 years if you wouldn't give Havlat two for all this time. I'm guessing the numbers didn't work, or the lowering of the cap hit became complicated, whatever. But when Kronwall knocked Havlat to sleep, and the Hawks had more than a shoulder and groin to consider for his long-term durability, that's when the multi-year offers dried up.

From Havlat's point of view, this would be a total kick to the balls. Here you are, risking your career coming back out for Game 4 for this team and organization when you had no business on the ice, but now you're seeing your long-term future for that organization that you've put it all out on the line for disappear into thin fucking air. You'd be pissed, I'd be livid. That said, it was Marty's decision to play. I'm sure the Hawks would not have balked if Havlat said he couldn't go, maybe the old Hawks would have.

Simply put, the Hawks acted as a business, which is exactly what they should do. They gave the better player, the more durable player, the long-term deal they no longer felt they could trust to Marty. Because this group under Rocky and McD has done its best to act in the classiest manner possible, I doubt this will ever get into a he-said-she-said slap fight. The thought of Havlat rolling into the UC twice a year with a chip on his shoulder gives me nightmares, but the Hawks made the right decision.

That said, I'll miss JHC. Terribly so, in fact. I can remember the moment vividly when I found out he'd been acquired, I was about to get off the plane back from Europe after attending the World Cup in Germany. For me, that was the moment when the Hawks began their turnaround, if ever so slightly. They had acquired a bona fide star in his prime, and I couldn't tell you when that had ever happened in my lifetime. And all for the price of Whiskey-A-Go-Go Mark Bell. Yeah, maybe they gave Marty too much money right then and there, but judging by the contract he signed today and where we were then, certainly not by much.

It was only eight games that year, but fucking God were they electrifying. He couldn't be stopped, except for shitty Dallas ice. Who knows where he might have taken us if healthy. But that was always the "if", wasn't it? However, personally, I've never agreed with any Hawk fan or writer who called Marty soft, lazy, selfish, or a prima donna. He wasn't out with a bruise here, or a slight strain there. He was out with sprained ligaments in his knee, or a shoulder that was basically Monterrey Jack cheese. He always came back too early, and played when he clearly shouldn't have. His second year we all knew that shoulder would go out at a moment's notice, and yet there he was on the ice regardless, when he should've opted for major surgery long ago.

Last year was our reward, those of us who believed we would see the hellspawn of a hockey player again. Those who scream "contract year contract year!", still make me cringe, because Marty gave what he had. Whatever hesitence that may have looked like laziness would be chalked up to the fear that his career might be over any second. But deep down, we knew it couldn't last. That with every goal buried top corner, every pass right on the tape, every move that left opposing d-men looking like they'd just been labotomized, the price went up. And up. It was probably always going to end this way.

So please, Marty, just move on. I know you're hurt -- only mentally this time --, and upset, and very well may feel that you've been cheated out of a Cup, which isn't coming to Minnesota any time soon. But the Hawks made a business decision, and a sound one, and I know you know that. The Hawks will never come out and badmouth you, at least I hope they don't. So if you do truly appreciate us fans, as you say you do, you won't make us get caught in the crossfire.

Puck Daddy on John Madden

SamFels — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:58:42 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

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I asked Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski, from Yahoo's Hockey blog, and one of the bigger Devil fans around, to tell Hawks fans what they're getting in John Madden.

When you think about the kind of checking center the Chicago Blackhawks should have, it's pretty much John Madden. Tenacious player. Total rink rat whose ass-hauling over the years has kept him in the League and eventually turned him into one of the best shutdown guys in the it. He'll Commit To the Indian.

That said, there are concerns. He overstayed his welcome in Jersey, and the dynamic duo of Madden/Pandolfo wasn't as dynamic as the years when they gave Jagr night terrors. His offensive output dipped -- just awful at converting the chances he had. But I suppose the fact he had them was something for a checking center.

You overpaid for one year of a fourth liner with two Stanley Cup rings. But if he regains his form from two years ago, you're going to love him.

JHC Is Going To Hang Out With Prince

SamFels — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:31:50 -0000

JHC Is Going To Hang Out With Prince

Probably deserved better, and I'll have more thoughts about Marty later. Can't wait to see the details of the deal.

Free Agency Madness: Hour 4

SamFels — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:00:20 -0000

2:00 I DON'T WANT TO PLAY!!! I JUST WANT TO BANG THE BEAUCHEMIN DRUM ALL DAY!!!

2:03 NHL Network just ran this ad for a self-defense video that might be the most homoerotic thing I've ever seen. I'm honestly questioning everything right now.

2:04 Let me clear something up, Beauchemin has not signed here, I'm just calling for it. And quoting Todd Rundgren.

2:10: McClure with his one salient thought of the day. The Hawks will now have three players wearing numbers in the 80's, meaning they'll have more receivers than the Bears. Whatever, Cutler still rules.

2:12 If the reports are true that Wiz is looking for 4 million a year, he better be offering free catscans to everyone.

2:18 So if these trends continue, will the Hawks be signing Rick Nash next year? We're becoming Real Madrid.

2:22 TSN has gone to their Crusty Old Man Table who hate money and anything having to do with it.

2:24 And now they're panning Campbell's signing, clearly indicating that none of these guys could put the oatmeal down long enough to actually watch the Hawks.

2:47 Will things ever change with Philly? A great team that's going to depend on a fiasco in net. Same as it ever was...

2:29 Things slowing down, so they're all bitching that no one wants to go to Edmonton. Apparently the Northern Lights just aren't the draw they used to be. Huet will land here if he goes anywhere.

2:35 Ah, commercials for the opening of CFL season. So funny, for no reason I can explain

2:40 Even the 300 Level is on board with this move. What a day.

2:50 Spacek to the Habs. I'm sure they'll love his shotgunning ignore your own zone ways.

2:56 Kills is going to drive this bus for a bit as I'm about to go cross-eyed. later, folks.

Free Agent Day: Hour 3

SamFels — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:00:41 -0000

1:00 Hour 3 on what just might be a hallucination of a day

1:02 Dreger and McKenzie reporting that it's a long-term deal, and the cap hit will be just over 5 million. Deal could be as long as 12 years.

1:03 The 5 million hit is almost certainly a steal, but if it's 12 years? I mean, 12? I'll be dead before he's a free agent.

1:05 Matt Walker has just signed a four-year deal in Tampa. How many brain bubbles can I have in a 10-minute span?

1:07 I'm literally at a loss for words now. It's all so scrambled. Hossa at a tick over just 5 million is a fine number, and if I was willing to go that high for Havlat, you'd have to be for Hossa who's simply a better player. But 12 years? Unless it's totally front-loaded? We'll need details. I think people also need to widen the focus past Hossa's playoff performance last season. As I've said, the year before he was a mastadon (yeah, i did), and had two years in Ottawa where he was a point-per-game in the playoffs. Maybe this deal signals the end of Patrick Kane here, though I don't know that it does. If Buff can be jettisoned, possibly Sharp might have to go to (McClure just had a stroke) the core can be kept.

1:14 I'm trying to find ways to justify 12 years, and it's hard. The only thing I can cling to is that there'll be a new CBA in a couple years time, and maybe that changes things.

1:16 Also, if Hossa comes in at a 5.2 hit, then Kane and Toews don't. Toews will look like a Richards deal, which I believe is around 5, and Kane probably just around there, which would only bump up your cap numbers by a few million. So many questions...

1:19 Dreger reports that the first 7 years of the deal are worth 53 million, meaning the last 5 are worth 1.8. Can someone explain how a buyout might work after the seventh year, if the system is still the same?

1:21 Brought up in the comments, and we have to focus on it. Hossa's not going to play until he's 42. If he retires after the big money is spent, and this looks like a seven year, 35 million dollar deal (cap wise) what would you think?

1:24 TSN reporting the Hawks have also signed Tomas Kopecky and his broken face, which means Pahlse is headed for the exit door.

1:31 TSN reporting that Kopecky arrives at 1.2 per, which is probably cheaper than Pahlse would have come, and Kopecky is a few years younger. Don't have a problem with this one.

1:33 Kopecky isn't as good in the circle as Sammi, and would never have been asked to do the defensive assignments with Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Does this mean Bolland assumes that role? Toews too? Interesting stuff.

1:38 Dreger now saying that it's 59.3 million over the first 8, leaving the last four at less than a million per. Same difference.

1:40 McGuire's doing that standing-too-close-to-the-host-thing again. Do you think TSN anchors have a bonus in their contracts about doing stand-ups with Pierre? I would certainly negotiate one.

1:44 Something else to consider, this gives the Hawks two more Olympians, as Hossa and Kopecky will be on the slovakian squad. Makes me urpy, ask the 2005-06 Senators how having a ton of Olympians works out.

1:49 Pagnotta says a Huet deal is imminent, which might free up more money. Khabby can't be getting anything more than two years, and we better fucking pray that Niemi or Crawford prove they can handle 30 starts

1:53 Knuble to Washington for 2.8 and Brashear to the Rangers. That'll be an interesting dressing-room entrance.

1:57 With Walker gone, the Hawks have a third-pairing to address. (I don't want to work! I just want to bang the Beauchemin drum all day!!!!)

Free Agent Day: Hour 2

SamFels — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:59:51 -0000

12:00 We start the second hour with an announcement that all HBO's will show The Dark Knight 24/7 This won't be much of an adjustment from their current schedule, and I will probably watch every single one. "WHY... SO... SERIOUS??!!!"

12:03 Eklund reporting Gionta could join Gomez in Montreal, which would move closer to putting them out of the Havlat race (a race my friend Margaret is still determined to win). But it's Eklund, so Gionta is more likely to end up in Congress.

12:07 Just finished watching Federer carve up Karlovic. Clearly the reason federer rose to become the greatest of all-time was his fellow players never introduced him to a super-model girlfriend. The fact that Rog is married to a "6" at best means he was always focused on tennis. Christ, if Tommy Haas can land Sara Foster, and Roddick Brooklyn Decker, what would Federer have landed? Helen of Troy? A rotation of Selma Hayek, Rosario Dawson, Marissa Tomei, and Scarlett Johansson? All of them at once? Your tennis thought for the day...

12:10 Kovalev comes in at 8.8 mil for two years. Gee, you would kind of think that would set a market for Marty, except for maybe age. McClure breathes huge sigh of relief as now Kovalev won't be brought in to replace JHC, which I would have liked for comedic reasons.

12:14 Toronto's first signing is Colton Orr. Boy that Burke, he's a fucking genius he is.

12:20 Eklund reporting that Martin Havlat and Mark DeRosa will start up the first Male Escort Service to gross 1 billion dollars, merely servicing clients between Armitage and Montrose Avenues from Ashland East.

12:24 Little talk of what the Hawks plan to do along the blue line, where a steady presence is needed. Hope there's a phone call to Beauchemin in.

12:30 Pagnotta reports the Hawks have offered Havlat a one-year deal, which we all knew anyway, and really, there's no reason for Marty to take that. What if he gets hurt, which isn't exactly a remote possibility? The shame is we'll never know what kind of funky long term deal the Hawks tried, if they even did.

12:33 Eklund reporting on talks between Nash and BJ's. This is a story worth watching. If Nash gets into the season without a new deal, they're going to be some itchy bungholes in Ohio.

12:35 If it's true that Montreal has offered deals to Hossa and Havlat, let's for argument's sake say that either one of them takes it. The Hawks basically have to fight off LA and maybe Minnesota for the services of the other, and how hard can that be? LA's at least two years away, and Minnesota's staring straight at a rebuilding project.

12:37 Killion says it's poll time! You know how Kills loves his polls. So here it is:

12:40 Nuts, only 20 minutes away from TSN coverage and their four tables of five experts. And McGuire. Day drinking may be needed.

12:45 Kovalev's agent has denied that there's a deal done, which sends a bunch of other dominoes back to their upright position.

12:48 David Booth has resigned in Florida for 25.5 million over six years. That's an average of 4.25, worth noting as I think he's an interesting comparison to Bolland. Booth's first full year in the league netted 22 goals and 18 assists. His second was last year, which saw totals of 31 and 29. Can Weapon make a similiar leap?

12:50 Smoke rising that Hossa to the Hawks is done. Buckle up, folks.

12:51 Mirtle reporting that Hossa is in the Indian Head, which is only 634 times more credible than Eklund. THis could be happening...

12:53 More reports pouring in. If this is a one year deal, McClure and I are getting so drunk tonight, even though he'll probably have to buy.

12:57 I'm going to take the plunge and update my Facebook on this. Also, in a couple minutes we'll be opening a new thread.

Poll

If it were for one year, who would you rather have?

Free Agent Day: Hour One

SamFels — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:54:44 -0000

10:55: So, here's where we'll be until noon. I'm going to opt with the NHL Live crew to start on NHL network, because the sight of Pierre McGuire might just ruin my summer, and after having a spring ruined by that bald douche, I really don't have the stomach for it. So EJ Hradek and that New York Italian Dude, here I come!

10:57: I'd also like to point out that the fact I have to follow Darren Dreger, James Mirtle, and even Eklund on fucking Twitter makes me want to vomit with rage. Twitter is the first sign of the damned. And let's take a moment to give a hand to Eklund, who last night in the span of about 25 minutes had Havlat resigned, then a Canadien, then a Shark. Even though he wasn't allowed to sign with those teams until after noon today, and no team would trade rights to a free agent mere hours before he can be had for nothing. That, my friends, is performance art.

10:59: If you're hearing rumors about Khabby getting a two-year deal, don't believe them. They're from a fake twitter account - oh, the joys of the internet.

11:01: So it's not the angry Ranger fan joining EJ Hradek, but Rob Simpson. That works, as long as he's not bald, french, and uses the word "monster", I'll keep breathing.

11:06 Eklund reporting the Rangers have offered Barack Obama five years at 3.4 per

11:15 USA Today reporting that Matthias Ohlund has decided to retire and sign in Tampa Bay

11:16: From the blog at Illegalcurve.com, Roloson is headed out of Edmonton, which has been mentioned as a possible landing place for Huet. Let me be the first to state here I'm against trading Huet and bringing back Khabby. A) the precedent of booting your FA signings a year in is not a good one, especially when they performed well, and whether you like it or not, Huet was solid for the most part. Secondly, Khabby is old, and had two major gaps this season due to injury. How's that going to get better? Thirdly, the idea tha Khabby was stellar in the playoffs is a myth. There was one dominant game (6 vs. Calgary), two dominant periods (the 1st in Game 1 against Calgary, and the 2nd in Game 1 vs. Scum), other than that, I'm reminded of the song "everyday people", as that's what Khabby was.

11:22 From Eklund's Twitter: "I hear the Kings are offering Chairman Mao a three year deal, but he'd like more years (e3)." I'll bet he would.

11:24: Twitter is exploding with rumors of Hossa coming the Hawks - That would confirm Havlat is ending up somewhere else.. then again.. it's twitter...

11:29 Pagnotta reporting talks with Havlat have broken down, which loosely defines to, "I know the Canadiens are going to offer me a fuckload of cash and years and booze and chicks to bang, so ante up."

11:33 Not sure where, but there are reports of the Hawks talking to Hossa, which frankly is shocking, because where would that money come from? I know some people are scared of Hossa and his apparent Cup curse, and think Havlat would be a better signing, but honestly, how many 40-goal seasons does Havlat have?

11:40 Apparently McGuire on TSN is reporting that Brian Burke is going to make a splash. In other news, rain is wet. Yet another Canadian slurping Brian Burke, who's American. I can't wait til that fucker, although hilarious, goes belly up in Toronto. Gonna laugh forever.

11:41 There's a Hossa angle you're all ignoring, and that would be just how fucking sweet it would be if Hossa can't win a Cup with Scum but does with us. Like, I need kleenex right now just thinking about it.

11:42 Dreger twits (that the verb form?) that Hossa is close to landing here.

11:45 Yeah, I'm still going to go with "twits", because it's funnier. I have to say, my initial reaction to Hossa is one of excitment. Whether you like it or not, he's a better player than Havlat, and yes, he wasn't anywhere to be found in the playoffs, (except for Games 4 and 5 against us) but was a monster in the playoffs before, so which is the truth?

11:47 Eklund reporting that Havlat is headed to Columbus, so by 2 pm Havlat will be headed to 23 NHL teams, the Bulls, possibly as a WR for Cutler, and into Honduras to topple the military regime. Keep pumping those fingers, EK!!!!

11:51 Interesting idea from Lost In NC, would a Hossa signing entice JHC to stay for another year? THey are close friends from their time in Ottawa. But we're getting way out over our skiis here.

11:53 Radek Dvorak resigns in Florida, proving that it can happen. I know you're all expecting a blood-joke here, but even I won't do that. Standards, meet Sam. Sam, meet standards.

11:55 Radio station in Montreal reporting Kovalev is staying there, though that doesn't mean Havlat is out of contention of going there, as Montreal still has plenty of room, especially if Komisarek walks, which it certainly looks like he will. Eklund also reports that Norm and Cliff have just signed with the Stars.

11:58 Puck Daddy says if Hossa comes here it would be the greatest thing ever. I'm starting to get more excited about it, but still think it's extremely unlikely.

11:58 Right folks, at noon there will be another entry on the blog for hour two. It's only beginning.

Free Agent Day: The Foreplay

SamFels — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:47:31 -0000

So, not much non-Heatley buzz through the night. If you were the Ottawa GM, wouldn't shooting Heatley in the kneecap be a serious consideration right now? You ask for a trade publicly with your anvil of a contract, and then won't go where we've negotiated a pretty fair haul? Jerk.

Anyway, it all kicks off at 11 Central, and this will probably work like it did Deadline Day, where I constantly update posts, and you'll have to refresh. But believe me, it's totally worth hitting that button to read my ever-so pithy comments about the goofs on TSN or complaints on missing the All 90's Last Letter Game on Q101.

"But I should have known, that you were the devil...."

10:25 - Word is the twins have re-signed with the Canucks at $6.1 M for 5 years. Toronto says they never wanted those creepy bastards anyway...

10:38: It's official, The Children of The Corn are staying at GM Place, and we can look forward to another playoff disappearance from them for years to come.

10:57: If you're hearing rumors about Khabby getting a two-year deal, don't believe them. They're from a fake twitter account - oh, the joys of the internet.