Quick afternoon update and perspective:

Hawk GM Stan Bowman told Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune this AM he's been in talks with every NHL GM over the last few days and the potential deals are a "work in progress."

OK, so that's not a lot of information. Here's more.

Dustin Byfuglien is rumored to have been at the center of a deal that fell through late last week with the Anaheim Ducks. The deal allegedly was not consummated because the Ducks wanted to send too much salary back to the Hawks.

Andrew Ladd , according to Bob McKenzie of TSN, is being shopped hard right now. According to McKenzie, the Hawks can't afford to make a qualifying offer to Ladd, which would be at least $1.75 million per year.

Now, this is likely because of the cap hit triggered by Jonathan Toews' Conn Smythe bonus.

And already, fans of various teams have started their victory dances on the message boards: "ding-dong, the Hawks are dead."

"They have no bargaining power."

"They'll have to take a 5th round pick for Kris Versteeg."

Way too early to say any of that. Here's my take on this.

First, anyone who visited here much during the season will recall some rather strenuous arguments I made for addressing the 2011 cap woes more aggressively during the regular season last year—precisely because of this potential situation.

But let me also say this: the Hawks have a lot of leverage right now.

Yes, having to deal Ladd by Monday (when qualifying offers need to go out) is a bit of an inconvenience. But it is not, by any means putting the Hawks over a barrel.

The fact is, the Hawks were likely going to have to deal him regardless, and we are talking about a former #4 overall pick, and a two-time Stanley Cup winner who is 24 years old. More than one team is going to make an offer for him. Guaranteed.

Sure, you can wait until he becomes a UFA on Tuesday, assuming no one else makes an offer for him. And that's why you, or someone else, likely will make an offer for him before then.

And as long as more than one team is offering, the market is defined by what Ladd is worth as a player, more so than the Hawks' money woes.

Now, I will also say this (on the other hand), if the Hawks wait until July 1 to make more deals, they are really putting themselves in a bind. The market, at that point, swells dramatically in terms of available assets (100+ UFAs).

Now some might ask: why would a team deal assets right now for Kris Versteeg when they can wait for a UFA on July 1? Because that UFA will be older, likely more expensive and desirous of a longer term deal and there's no guarantee you'll get the guy you want.

That's why you deal for Kris Versteeg (or Patrick Sharp or Dustin Byfuglien) now if that's the guy you want.

I would expect a lot of movement between now and Monday. And between then and Thursday.
Stay tuned.

JJ

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Thanks and Farewell

» Where do we go from here?

» Preds at Hawks Breakdown

» "All Teams Have Flaws"

» The Games You Should Win