On the Blackhawks …
So when Oduya leaves Chi as UFA, do the Hawks just slide UFA Barret Jackman into his spot for, say, $2 mil? Or is Jackman a No. 5 D now?
— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) June 30, 2015
Saad deal doesn't change necessity to deal but does it affect the mix of assets coming back to Hawks?
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) June 30, 2015
GM Stan Bowman said #Blackhawks are "getting closer" to signing center Marcus Kruger to a contract.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 30, 2015
Blackhawks and newly acquired Artem Anisimov already close on getting a contract extension done.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 30, 2015
On the Blue Jackets …
Jarmo: #CBJ is working on an extension with Brandon Saad "basically as we speak."
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 30, 2015
#CBJ will match any offer sheet, per Kekalainen.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 30, 2015
#CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen on club's approach to free agency:"We really need to make sure we get the right piece. It might not be tomorrow …
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 30, 2015
"… I don’t believe in making a big splash in free agency unless you think the exact right guy is there. It might take longer …
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 30, 2015
"…might go into the fall, might take trade deadline to get the right guy, but somewhere along the line we’ll get the right piece we need."
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) June 30, 2015
Jarmo: as soon as Saad's name came up in talks, the deal accelerated quickly. Had been talking w/CHI about Anisimov for a while. #CBJ
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 30, 2015
Jarmo: an offer sheet to Saad was not in #CBJ's plans.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 30, 2015
Brandon Saad is the player #CBJ has been looking for to bolster their top six. Size, skill, fearless. Safe to say this is a huge addition.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) June 30, 2015