Sometimes the best move for a GM is to not make a trade and hold on to the talent you have. Part of the reason for this teams success is that they are familiar with each other. A lot of turnover generally doesn't lead to success. In the cap era there will always be come turnover, but I think it's best to keep it to a minimum once you have established a solid group.
- DarthKane

For the right price it would be great to have them both back

Extensions for Stalberg and Bickell would be huge.
- dan9189

Big question is... where do you max out with these guys?



What is everyone's expectations salary-wise for Bickell & Stalberg? Be realistic.

Sometimes the best move for a GM is to not make a trade and hold on to the talent you have. Part of the reason for this teams success is that they are familiar with each other. A lot of turnover generally doesn't lead to success. In the cap era there will always be come turnover, but I think it's best to keep it to a minimum once you have established a solid group.
- DarthKane

Which is why I'm looking for a less-than-headline move. Something that'll provide a ripple affect like Oduya has done on defence.

M'eh, weakest argument out there. Plekanec + Bourque for Sharp and picks/prospects makes sense for both teams...Still not sure if i would do it though.
- Habsody

That makes sense only for the Canadiens at Bourque and Pleks current salaries. Stop being ridiculous.

Bourque might be an addition if his salary wasn't so high.... He also had a reputation as a head case when he was here.

Big question is... where do you max out with these guys?



What is everyone's expectations salary-wise for Bickell & Stalberg? Be realistic.
- TyCamScore

No more than 3.5 for Stalberg 4 years
No more than 1.5 for Bickell 3 years

That gives them:
Subban
Kaberle
Diaz
Emelin
Gorges
Bouillon
... and Tinordi who should be ready

Simply math tells me that's 7 NHL ready d-men signed into 2013-14. Also, Weber is a RFA.

Something has to give.
- TyCamScore

You forgot Markov. Kaberle will probably be Amnestied.

A little off topic, but if Hossa is not going to be an offseason compliance buyout, do you think Sharp may be shopped in the offseason? The Hawks seem to be playing well without him, and as much as I like sharpie, I think another almost $6 mil contract would look good moving elsewhere. Sharpie traded and a compliance buyout of Olesz would free almost $9 mil in cap space. Opens up a spot on the second line wing for Stalberg, or Morin.
- ikeane

The Hawks are in far better shape cap wise this summer than other big markets teams.....The following summer is where it could get dicey.

As far as Sharp going....

Well anything is possible but not as valauble as he was after the Cup win and his currect contract won't be all that easy to move with Cap falling this summer.

Interview posted: Getzlaf/Perry's new contracts & now Rocky better knows the cost of doing business-Kane-Toews Hossa:http://bit.ly/15mp83V

No more than 3.5 for Stalberg 4 years
No more than 1.5 for Bickell 3 years
- Greek7

If only one gets re-signed my money is on Bickell, he'll be far more affordable. I'd rather have both, but Bickell will be the easier of the two to re-sign. It sounds like Bicks wants to stay in Chicago, hopefully he backs that up and takes a fair deal. 3 years at $1 to $1.5 million could be fair.

The Hawks are in far better shape cap wise this summer than other big markets teams.....The following summer is where it could get dicey.

As far as Sharp going....

Well anything is possible but not as valauble as he was after the Cup win and his currect contract won't be all that easy to move with Cap falling this summer.
- Al

Al

Do you think Sharp is a candidate to be bought out after the season? Is there a deadline in terms of when we can use the 2 buyouts? Can the Hawks use them in 2015 for example?

Buffalo is HOT for a certain Hawk FA to be. More on that in the next couple of days.
- John Jaeckel

RFA or UFA. This coming OS or next?

You forgot Markov. Kaberle will probably be Amnestied.
- BleedingHabs

Right my bad... he's always hurt so I forgot him. ha.

Yeah, figured as much with Kaberle.

What are your thoughts on Diaz?

Al

Do you think Sharp is a candidate to be bought out after the season? Is there a deadline in terms of when we can use the 2 buyouts? Can the Hawks use them in 2015 for example?
- Greek7

Why buy him out when there would be a lineup of teams prepared to give you a return?

His name is gold here in Canada even with his contract.

No more than 3.5 for Stalberg 4 years
No more than 1.5 for Bickell 3 years
- Greek7

I think you may be a little high on both of those....

Bicks was making under 600k a year... i would double that...conservatively...and go

3 yrs at 1.25 max

Stalberg

4 yrs at 3 max....he still doesnt put the puck in the net, but you are paying him now with the hope that he starts

First of all, cheese eater, Plekanec was mentioned by JJ as early as last spring.

Secondly, you must be eating bad cheese and some kind of mushroom to think that a Plekanec is worth Sharp straight up or Saad and a pick. I know homers over value their players but please.
- tredbrta

I'm sorry, but Plekanec isn't worth Sharp???

Big question is... where do you max out with these guys?



What is everyone's expectations salary-wise for Bickell & Stalberg? Be realistic.
- TyCamScore

Bickell is paid near the minimum...So progression wise $1.5-$1.8 per yr deal would be a really big raise.

Stalberg will be looking for and most likley get offers that are much higher.

Could cost around $2.5 mill to keep him or more and the issue is then....

If not a top 6 forward here will the Hawks dedicate that much cap space to a 3rd line player??

I think you may be a little high on both of those....

Bicks was making under 600k a year... i would double that...conservatively...and go

3 yrs at 1.25 max

Stalberg

4 yrs at 3 max....he still doesnt put the puck in the net, but you are paying him now with the hope that he starts
- ChicagoDave

I agree with both of there Dave.

My problem is paying 3 million to your 3rd RW on the depth chart. I like Stalberg but have trouble trying to picture how him and a salary like that fits into the future plans. I trust JJ's sources... just a personal struggle.

If not a top 6 forward here will the Hawks dedicate that much cap space to a 3rd line player??
- Al

You and I are on the same page Al... my exacts thoughts echoed above!

I think you may be a little high on both of those....

Bicks was making under 600k a year... i would double that...conservatively...and go

3 yrs at 1.25 max

Stalberg

4 yrs at 3 max....he still doesnt put the puck in the net, but you are paying him now with the hope that he starts
- ChicagoDave

Stalberg on the open market will probably make more than 3.5 so signing him now between 3-3.5 makes sense
Bickell around 1.25 sounds right

I'm sorry, but Plekanec isn't worth Sharp???
- soad_live

sharp is worth more than plekanec, he is a 3 time 30+ goal scorer and would be 4 time if he didnt only play 61 games a few seasons back and still potted 26

I agree with both of there Dave.

My problem is paying 3 million to your 3rd RW on the depth chart. I like Stalberg but have trouble trying to picture how him and a salary like that fits into the future plans. I trust JJ's sources... just a personal struggle.
- TyCamScore

Agree with your thoughts....which is why it would benefit the Hawks to free up some cap space trading 4th line FW Frolik

Al

Do you think Sharp is a candidate to be bought out after the season? Is there a deadline in terms of when we can use the 2 buyouts? Can the Hawks use them in 2015 for example?
- Greek7

I don't think Stanley will be volunteering to ask Rocky and Mr. McCub for a large cheque to buy out #10 1 year into his deal. He better have other employment lined up if he does that meeting.

He"ll trade him for a bag of old jock straps before he buys him out.

Big question is... where do you max out with these guys?



What is everyone's expectations salary-wise for Bickell & Stalberg? Be realistic.
- TyCamScore

Bickell should be less than $2M in my opinion. I'd say $1.75M to $1.9M. The wrinkle here is the Frolik deal, who's making $2.3M. If Bickell's agent is worth his salt, that's the contract he should be pointing to as a point of comparrisson.

I'd like to think that Stalberg can be had for $2.5M - $2.8M on a 3-year deal. However, I think he'd fetch more than that on the open market - I'd say probably $3M to $3.5M to a team with cap room and aspirations of Vik as a top six winger.

Stalberg on the open market will probably make more than 3.5 so signing him now between 3-3.5 makes sense
Bickell around 1.25 sounds right
- Greek7

That's a lot of cheddar for a 3rd line player....You would be paying for goal scoring potential...That he may have but, if Stalberg is only playing on the 3rd line his producton is limited.

Interview posted: Getzlaf/Perry's new contracts & now Rocky better knows the cost of doing business-Kane-Toews Hossa:http://bit.ly/15mp83V

If Stalberg is extended, it really makes this off-season all the more interesting - because someone who a lot of us like isn't coming back.

General consensus has been that Leddy and Kruger are re-upped, and Stalberg is traded around draft day.

I will say, I've been mighty impressed with his game this year. Even outside of a top-six role which I still think he is best suited for, he's created all kinds of match-up problems for teams this season with his speed. Overall game (effort, puck possession, passing, vision) have all come quite a ways this year, and I won't be disappointed if he stays a Hawk for a few more seasons.

I really have to think, at the end of the day, that this means that Leddy is the odd man out. Some folks point to Sharp and Hoss as trade and buyout candidates respectively, and I just don't see it. Sharp has a NTC (I think, someone correct me if I'm wrong), and just bought a huge house and has a new baby - can't see him wanting to up and move. JJ just spoke to the likelihood of a Hossa buyout.

And, Leddy's going to bring a a decent return back from someone - and who knows how much his agent (who the 'Hawks hate) is asking for (I'm guessing its $3M +)

He's good player with great potential, and I wouldn't be happy to see him depart. I just think the writing is on the wall with this one, barring some major deal elsewhere.

Too soon to speculate, perhaps, I know. But especially with the talk of Clendening and Stanton looking competent (and possibly NHL ready) in Rockford, maybe moving Leddy at season's end is the right move.

Side note, Clendening is 5th on the team in scoring this season with 6 G / 31 A , and is a +8. Stats don't necesarily translate, but with a line like that, I'd say he's probably ready to make the jump.
- FredoXV




I think the majority on this board would love to see him come back as his speed is a great asset to the team on the 3rd line. If Stalberg wants more than 3.5 million they should let him go. What is the max the Blackhawks should pay?



Said the same earlier in the thread. I think they might be willing to go to 3.5 but no more!

Bickell should be less than $2M in my opinion. I'd say $1.75M to $1.9M. The wrinkle here is the Frolik deal, who's making $2.3M. If Bickell's agent is worth his salt, that's the contract he should be pointing to as a point of comparrisson.

I'd like to think that Stalberg can be had for $2.5M - $2.8M on a 3-year deal. However, I think he'd fetch more than that on the open market - I'd say probably $3M to $3.5M to a team with cap room and aspirations of Vik as a top six winger.
- FredoXV

100% on the same page. It all depends how much Stan wants Vic back! If he can't come up with a deal now, I say they must trade him.