I know neither team would like to get rid of either of these players, more so a pipe dream, but both Jamie Benn and Ryan O'Reilly seemed to be having trouble getting deals done with their teams. What do you think we would have to give up to get the rights for either of them if they can't come to terms with their teams? Would be nice.

12 hours in and the insanity starts...

That's what I heard too. And here it is:

http://sports.nationalpos...lights-of-their-new-deal/

"Any player on a one-way contract who plays in the American Hockey League with a salary in excess of the NHL’s minimum salary plus $375,000 will have the excess amount charged against his team’s salary cap."

In my mind that does make Olesz a buyout candidate. Unless they find a gig for him in Europe, he will count $2.2M against the cap if he is playing in the AHL.
- MartiniMan

But if you are on Long Term injured reserve, you get cap relief, so if he is not able to play or skate...you can get this cap relief.

12 hours in and the insanity starts...
- TrueGrit

Its the best !!!

I thought it goes to anything over $900K in salary on a one-way contract goes against the cap.
- StLBravesFan

Could be I haven't study all of it...

Olesz cold end up in Europe also..unless that changed too.

Hey Al!

When can we expect some blogs to be back up Fox Cicago? It was great having two great blogs to read between yours and JJ!
- resqmed99

Thanks...And soon, possibly this week.

Its the best !!!
- mrpaulish

Amen.

But if you are on Long Term injured reserve, you get cap relief, so if he is not able to play or skate...you can get this cap relief.
- TrueGrit

Is he really injured? If he is, he has to eventually come off of LTIR. Then what do you do with Olesz?

It would probably make more sense to loan him out to a European club, if the Hawks can still circumvent the cap by doing that.

The Hawks are going to have to pay Olesz if he is on LTIR or if he is loaned out to a European club. It makes more sense just to send him to Europe and be done with him.

That's if the Hawks are really done with Olesz?

I know neither team would like to get rid of either of these players, more so a pipe dream, but both Jamie Benn and Ryan O'Reilly seemed to be having trouble getting deals done with their teams. What do you think we would have to give up to get the rights for either of them if they can't come to terms with their teams? Would be nice.
- LuckyStrikeW

Dallas is in love with Benn. I believe they wouldnnt move. Him. Unless......
1)huge offer sheet as in 7 yrs well north of 50 mill. Could never match and would get 5 1st Rounders
2) Benn for Toews(Never gonna happen, I know)
3) massive overpayment as in Kane, 1st +
O'Reilly would be tradable. He grew up about 10 minutes from me. Was talking to him back in November and he kind of indicated the frame work of a deal is done and they were waiting to see what the cba looked like. But trade wise would Kane for RR and a 2nd work?

I know neither team would like to get rid of either of these players, more so a pipe dream, but both Jamie Benn and Ryan O'Reilly seemed to be having trouble getting deals done with their teams. What do you think we would have to give up to get the rights for either of them if they can't come to terms with their teams? Would be nice.
- LuckyStrikeW

O'Reilly would be ideal but it would cost a lot. Talking with avs fans they think he is pretty untouchable. I always wanted a Kane for O'Reilly + trade. Don't know what the plus would be, though

Is he really injured? If he is, he has to eventually come off of LTIR. Then what do you do with Olesz?

It would probably make more sense to loan him out to a European club, if the Hawks can still circumvent the cap by doing that.

The Hawks are going to have to pay Olesz if he is on LTIR or if he is loaned out to a European club. It makes more sense just to send him to Europe and be done with him.

That's if the Hawks are really done with Olesz?
- EKolb13

He had surgey on the same knee again and isn't due back until later this month or next.

Was hurt in a game late in the season...

Dallas is in love with Benn. I believe they wouldnnt move. Him. Unless......
1)huge offer sheet as in 7 yrs well north of 50 mill. Could never match and would get 5 1st Rounders
2) Benn for Toews(Never gonna happen, I know)
3) massive overpayment as in Kane, 1st +
O'Reilly would be tradable. He grew up about 10 minutes from me. Was talking to him back in November and he kind of indicated the frame work of a deal is done and they were waiting to see what the cba looked like. But trade wise would Kane for RR and a 2nd work?
- Bieksa#3

#2 is exactly correct

#3 the answer is NO.

The Hawks need another center so Kane can go to the wing. They don't need to trade Kane to get a 2nd line center because that puts them down a top 3 forward.

#2 is exactly correct

#3 the answer is NO.

The Hawks need another center so Kane can go to the wing. They don't need to trade Kane to get a 2nd line center because that puts them down a top 3 forward.
- Al

As I said Dallas wouldn't move him barring a massive overpayment.

Hawks can get to $64.3 mill with a couple of trades....Not an absolute need to buyout anyone. Doubtful it would be Olesz if they did.
- Al

They can probably just put him on IR for the rest of this year, then worry about it in the summer.

Amen.
- EKolb13

So Mote It Be !

All buyouts will be strategic plays. This is not cut for sake of cut. The only way you buyout Hossa is if he is done playing, in which case, you would not anyways. Depth will be key this short season, and added bodies on blue line and forward will be great. Would love to see some goalie depth added....
- TrueGrit

You see where Hossa (and the prospects) are at this year and next, then consider it after the 2013-14 season. Using it then may go a long way in being able to re-sign Toews and Kane as well.

Buying out Hossa is not out of the question.
The way I understand the buyout clause -we have 2 off seasons to exercise this clause on 2 players. Why would we waste this opportunity on players (Olesz, Frolic) who will be off the books anyway by then.
Hossa, on the other hand, will have several more years at a significant cap hit. He is also the oldest core player. Montador has to be considered too because he has 3 years left and he is too expensive for what he adds to the team.
- 67hawks

If he's healthy and wants to play, it's out of the question.

or stay in Rockford...I didn't read that changed in new CBA.
- Al

I thought I read that it does count against the cap if the player makes above $900k.

Does anyone of you know of any Hawks players that really let themselves go during the lock out ? Has anyone become a fat lazy bastard ? Im sure there will be plenty of rust to go around at the start but since it will be such a short season the 1st 10 games will be important , any Hawks incredibly out of shape at this point in time ??

I think that might have been his poorest showing of the season. Plus without covering for Clendening, Leddy will be better.
- Al

I agree, and I think he will be better than he was last year.

I think that might have been his poorest showing of the season. Plus without covering for Clendening, Leddy will be better.
- Al

He's still a huge question mark Al.

I agree, and I think he will be better than he was last year.
- John Jaeckel

Is Leddy a top 4 guy JJ ? His youth and promise say yes. His paper mache' style and Perry Como demeanor say no.

This is the Leddy i know exactly 1 minute in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1yvS_m_7eE

Is Leddy a top 4 guy JJ ? His youth and promise say yes. His paper mache' style and Perry Como demeanor say no.
- philco28

He was miscast as a top 4 guy last year. No question. His ceiling is definitely 2-3. Personally, he's my #5 guy this year with lots of PP time.

There's going to be a lot of debate here (and elsewhere) obviously about Bowman as a GM. Thus far, I think it's fair to say he 's done a good job of managing the cap (ie, shedding salaried players), but not so good in terms of improving the team. And I think some of the issue there is forcing his "prize" acquisitions into roles they aren't ready for— as if trying to also force his reputation as a talent evaluator—namely Nick Leddy.

I like what I've seen of Leddy at Rockford this year. He looks bigger and stronger, more decisive with the puck at both ends of the ice (but he still has room to grow there) and less inclined to take crap off anyone.

If he's healthy and wants to play, it's out of the question.
- John Jaeckel

The good news is they can't buy anyone out until the next off-season anyways... If Hossa really struggles this season (or gets re-injured) I could see them cut that contact loose but if healthy and playing well then no way. Someone mentioned it earlier and I agree.. the hawks don't really have any 'meaty' contracts to buy out. It really helps teams like the flyers that would use it on Prongers $5 million and will put the pressure on Bryz to perform over the next 50+ games or he is next. Jmo.

He was miscast as a top 4 guy last year. No question. His ceiling is definitely 2-3. Personally, he's my #5 guy this year with lots of PP time.

There's going to be a lot of debate here (and elsewhere) obviously about Bowman as a GM. Thus far, I think it's fair to say he 's done a good job of managing the cap (ie, shedding salaried players), but not so good in terms of improving the team. And I think some of the issue there is forcing his "prize" acquisitions into roles they aren't ready for— as if trying to also force his reputation as a talent evaluator—namely Nick Leddy.

I like what I've seen of Leddy at Rockford this year. He looks bigger and stronger, more decisive with the puck at both ends of the ice (but he still has room to grow there) and less inclined to take crap off anyone.
- John Jaeckel

Strong opinion...agree with paragraphs 1 and 2. He'll definitely have a fitness and timing edge heading into the NHL season, but he's still soft as mush.