It ticked starting at 1:30 when Kane skated through 4 Bruins and that started the demise of a year of your negativity.

If two championships in 4 years still has you complaining with the start of the next re-build i feel there is no hope for any of us to post answers to you without you being again unsatisfied.
- wiz1901

Nominee for post of the year

I like Stanton...the consummate underdog and as you said smart...he would also help with the physical element of the game so many of us lament about.
- kwolf68

yeah, he just isn't the quickest afoot even in samll disatnces where Oduya Rozival and Leddy get to the puck.

But I understand in a rebuild this where we are and except it.

Very unfair.

We have no idea of the seriousness of either - football has different stresses on ligaments than hockey - never question anyone else's injuries, never know what's really involved.
- StLBravesFan

True that.

It ticked starting at 1:30 when Kane skated through 4 Bruins and that started the demise of a year of your negativity.

If two championships in 4 years still has you complaining with the start of the next re-build i feel there is no hope for any of us to post answers to you without you being again unsatisfied.
- wiz1901

EASY....

So you are going to justify a cap hit of 5.275 until 2021 when he retires?

Please....I love Hossa.....but he's not 25. He's damn near 35 and is he a top 6 player in 2 years? Debatable.

Even IF they could find somebody to trade for him...they'll have to retain money and then get cracked again when he retires......Or has the Luongo trade market not shown that?

The objective is to win championships, and keep an eye on your future. I'd hate to see them lose a talented YOUNG player because they failed to plan for Hossa sticking around and are stuck with his monsterous cap hit.

That's not negative...that's reality. Big difference.

Maybe McKinnon replaces Stastny, in Roy's mind. Would they trade him with one year left on his contract at 6.6M? Buy him out?
- Lash8

Colorado has already come out and said they will not be using any of their compliance buyouts this summer.

With one year left and some cap room, perhaps they hold onto Stastny and deal him at the trade deadline?

I know you have it as 90% Bickells stays in Chicago, but I don't think it's that high...if someone like the Oilers or Habs come in at 4.2-4.5 million per over 4 years then we're hosed.

What folks are missing and won't seem to accept is there is ALWAYS some GM out there ready to "overypay" for named free agents. Bryan made a name for himself in the post-season. Went from enigmatic role player who sometimes didn't show up to a high end power forward with soft hands, a great shot and superior toughness and heart....in 16 wins alone Bickell goes from bench fodder to a Top 6 role on ANY team in hockey...

THAT is worth bucks...maybe not all teams would pay it, including the Hawks, but I have a bad feeling he's going to get a monster offer from someone and we WONT be able to match it.

I HOPE I am wrong. But the guy was part of the group that just spearheaded a team to the Cup, rest assured someone wants some of that sweet action.
- kwolf68

If some GM decides that based on his playoffs performance that Bickell is Patrick Sharp on steroids, I can easily see some doofus throwing out $5M per in a multi-year package.

yeah, he just isn't the quickest afoot even in samll disatnces where Oduya Rozival and Leddy get to the puck.

But I understand in a rebuild this where we are and except it.
- wiz1901

Yea I know. Get him some power skating lessons. ... seriously, over the course of NHL history there have been guys who were just not that quick who became great players, because of instincts, gile, intellect and effort.

Ryan Stanton may be one of those guys. In the least it will be interesting to see him in camp and pre-season next year.

Nominee for post of the year
- UnnamedSource

And I'll laugh my @ss off when all you cap wizards start with your b-tching when his 5.275 cap hit is there to stay until 2021.

It's a major issue and if you don't think so...read the national press who have alluded to it since this new CBA was signed in January. He's been a top candidate to be bought out.

What's the going rate for a 35+, concussed, bad back, bad shoulder winger...who turns into a 3rd line player AND has a cap hit of 5.275 in 3 years? Hmmm.....

He is a lot anstier and a fist fighter.

Here is my evaluation:

http://www.draftsite.com/...ayer/darnell-nurse/17564/
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz, are you going to give us current draft preview like you discussed?

Hope you're wrong about one of the top 4 moving.

If some GM decides that based on his playoffs performance that Bickell is Patrick Sharp on steroids, I can easily see some doofus throwing out $5M per in a multi-year package.
- Q...argh

Q...when has it NOT happened? I don't think it'll go 5 million per, that's just insane, but when have these GMs exercised fiscal restraint when lobbying for free agents in the past?

I am not saying it's going to happen, just saying it could. And I don't think John J can even argue with this, though I hope his statement that it's looking good for Bick coming back is correct, but that's all that is...just HOPES and dreams...

Sure, Bicks wants to say...and the Hawks want to keep him. No arguments. But when the money starts flowing all bets are off.

I know you have it as 90% Bickells stays in Chicago, but I don't think it's that high...if someone like the Oilers or Habs come in at 4.2-4.5 million per over 4 years then we're hosed.
- kwolf68

IMHO, Bickell isn't making it to FA in a Hawks' sweater. He is either resigning or being traded before then. I suspect the FO learned its lessons about waiting things out after 2010 and won't be caught with its pants down again.

Good stuff JJ.

Re: Hossa. I was thinking that too that if the Hawks use ONLY ONE of their CBOs that means next Summer Hossa could be the next.

I assume this happens after Marian thinks it over and decides to come back for another season.

However, what if Marian Hossa retires NOW, how would that impact things (other than our team losing a world class player)?
- kwolf68

If Hossa tells the Hawks he is going to retire they have to use a compliance buyout (amnesty) on him because the cap penalties to just let him retire are insane.

As for replacements, obviously you're never going to find another gem like Hossa who busts his butt on every shift and is a team leader, but with all the buyouts and guys being shopped for cap reasons this off-season, we could, in theory, nab someone that in most years wouldn't be available.

Colorado has already come out and said they will not be using any of their compliance buyouts this summer.

With one year left and some cap room, perhaps they hold onto Stastny and deal him at the trade deadline?
- EKolb13

That's probably the smartest course of action for them. Part of me is hoping a lot of top forwards get bought out, if only to flood the market enough to be able to keep Bickell and perhaps scoop up a 2C at reasonable cap hits.

And I'll laugh my @ss off when all you cap wizards start with your b-tching when his 5.275 cap hit is there to stay until 2021.

It's a major issue and if you don't think so...read the national press who have alluded to it since this new CBA was signed in January. He's been a top candidate to be bought out.

What's the going rate for a 35+, concussed, bad back, bad shoulder winger...who turns into a 3rd line player AND has a cap hit of 5.275 in 3 years? Hmmm.....
- SteveRain

How quick you are to forget that before the injury took it's toll, he was scoring more this playoff run than any other year.

EASY....

So you are going to justify a cap hit of 5.275 until 2021 when he retires?

Please....I love Hossa.....but he's not 25. He's damn near 35 and is he a top 6 player in 2 years? Debatable.

Even IF they could find somebody to trade for him...they'll have to retain money and then get cracked again when he retires......Or has the Luongo trade market not shown that?

The objective is to win championships, and keep an eye on your future. I'd hate to see them lose a talented YOUNG player because they failed to plan for Hossa sticking around and are stuck with his monsterous cap hit.

That's not negative...that's reality. Big difference.
- SteveRain

Why wouldn't he be a top six in two years....How long has Selanne been a top six in anaheim?

He's wired different for sure...but Bolly is no dummy.
- philco28

I have had the occasion to talk with him at my friend bar b/c he live behind Pony.
not a crowd of people but Wiz & Bolland and he was really good at choosing his words and being pretty careful...and thsi was BEFORE the Sedin Sisters and Bettman comments.
So I agree no dummy understands when on the ice you didg deeper and grittier and dirtier...

If Hossa tells the Hawks he is going to retire they have to use a compliance buyout (amnesty) on him because the cap penalties to just let him retire are insane.

As for replacements, obviously you're never going to find another gem like Hossa who busts his butt on every shift and is a team leader, but with all the buyouts and guys being shopped for cap reasons this off-season, we could, in theory, nab someone that in most years wouldn't be available.
- Hemingways

Bobby ryan come on down, Nick Leddy, Welcome to Anaheim?

Could Teravainen be a replacement for Hossa if he decides to play for a year or two more then retire?
- goaler11

Sure, but I think the Hawks may have some mild reservations on TT and his size. Just purely speculating, but I suspect that one reason they would consider moving him is to swap him for a larger, more physical but also talented prospect.

Having Kane and TT out there would be fun as far as speed and stickhandling/passing, but they're both smaller guys, I doubt they really want to load up on small core type of guys. Just a guess based on him being rumored in trades for the last year to Florida and the guys they are targeting with the #2 pick if that's what happens.

True story, I used to play with Donovan McNabb when we were ages 5 - 10. He and his family lived across the street from my Dad in Dolton. I was a few years older, but we would play football, baseball and basketball when I would go stay with my Dad.

Did not know him in high school. He had a great family.
- TrueGrit

Played him in high school. Man among boys. Could do anything he wanted on the field. Mt. Carmel had more than their share of those talents back then.

How quick you are to forget that before the injury took it's toll, he was scoring more this playoff run than any other year.
- nickmo2699

That's true but this is also the second major injury Hossa has suffered in the past two playoffs, he is 35, he's just won his second SC, and he has an opportunity to walk away from the game WHILE keeping the remainder of his contract.

Not to say that he is going, but there would be a lot of motivation for Hossa to "retire" now.

Q...when has it NOT happened? I don't think it'll go 5 million per, that's just insane, but when have these GMs exercised fiscal restraint when lobbying for free agents in the past?

I am not saying it's going to happen, just saying it could. And I don't think John J can even argue with this, though I hope his statement that it's looking good for Bick coming back is correct, but that's all that is...just HOPES and dreams...

Sure, Bicks wants to say...and the Hawks want to keep him. No arguments. But when the money starts flowing all bets are off.
- kwolf68

Agreed. AAMOF, I'd be scared if he took a huge "hometown" discount after being offered huge bucks. You get what you pay for; based on his history, I'd be scared he'd take the lesser dough to take the pressure off himself to perform at his playoff level.

Ain't happening, though. I agree with you: he either signs before the offers come in, or he's likely gone.

If Steven Johns signs a contract he could be up real soon
- Maggie

Because of his feet, I see Johns as a quick replacement if Stanton can't play as a regular at the high tempt game, but again he is going to have to pay some dues too.

If Dale can get a top prospect TT, that is 2-3 years out with the skillset of Kane, a #3C with character he knows in Bolland who has played with Versteeg and Campbell, and Kopecky. In addition to landing a top 4 dman in Leddy, this helps the Panthers out immediately and provides added depth which helps you win the cup as we just saw. A deep team full of character is the key, he did it enrout the 2010 cup team, and is working on the same model in FLA. So yes, I think Vanek may not have the character he wants, 3 calgary picks do nothing to help his club now, I think Dale is taking action to make a run next year and Bolland and Leddy would reunite them with past teammates and upgrade their depth. He can add 3 assets for one, maybe 2, and still have that prospect to develop for the next 2-3 years (TT)
- ikeane

I think that is sound reasoning. Couple it with the pressure he must be beginning to feel there and maybe we see a deal.

And I'll laugh my @ss off when all you cap wizards start with your b-tching when his 5.275 cap hit is there to stay until 2021.

It's a major issue and if you don't think so...read the national press who have alluded to it since this new CBA was signed in January. He's been a top candidate to be bought out.

What's the going rate for a 35+, concussed, bad back, bad shoulder winger...who turns into a 3rd line player AND has a cap hit of 5.275 in 3 years? Hmmm.....
- SteveRain

Who knows if any of that will happen or what will happen regarding a CBO or his contract but you claiming it is fact that he will be a bottom six forward in two years is ridiculous. There are several examples of other players maintaining a high level of play well beyond their peak years. Other than injuries, there is nothing to suggest his play will fall off.......again you have trouble differentiating between what is fact and your own opinion.

If bicks is staying, I believe he will sign well before free agent day. We will know pretty soon. If he gets to free agency, he is gone. imho.