I would be surprised if they resigned Seabs after his next deal is up. There's a lot of wear on those tires ...
- QStache

I think he gets traded after next season when Hammers new deal goes into effect.

I actually think a Hossa buyout is coming.






But at the end of next season, when they really will need the cap space to sign those tow first line guys, what are their names?
- wiz1901

Hossa's cap hit could be spread over to cover Toews, Kane, and Hammer's raises.

I don't think they'll trade Seabrook. He's too valuable in that room. I think he looked like hell because he got his bell rung a few times early on vs Minny and was targeted non stop after that. Never got a chance to get "right"

I think he gets traded after next season when Hammers new deal goes into effect.
- UnnamedSource

I was half hoping they'd do it this offseason. I love the guy, but he seems to be aging early, and his puck judgment hasn't been too great ...

I actually think a Hossa buyout is coming.






But at the end of next season, when they really will need the cap space to sign those tow first line guys, what are their names?
- wiz1901

I see one of 2 scenarios:

Secnario 1: Hossa tells the Hawks he is hanging up his skates this summer due to health reasons and going out on top. After the parade, Hawks CBO him and Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz

Scenario 2: Hossa plays out next year, then Hawks CBO him. This summer Hawks CBO Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz

I see one of 2 scenarios:

Secnario 1: Hossa tells the Hawks he is hanging up his skates this summer due to health reasons and going out on top. After the parade, Hawks CBO him and Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz

Scenario 2: Hossa plays out next year, then Hawks CBO him. This summer Hawks CBO Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz
- ikeane

I think one of those 2 are a lock. Most likely the first one.

I see one of 2 scenarios:

Secnario 1: Hossa tells the Hawks he is hanging up his skates this summer due to health reasons and going out on top. After the parade, Hawks CBO him and Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz

Scenario 2: Hossa plays out next year ...and going out on top. After the parade then Hawks CBO him. This summer Hawks CBO Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz
- ikeane

Very plausible. But I made a slight adjustment.

According to HNiCanada, Seabrook was who they were gonna trade THIS off seaosn until he became the glue guy in the playoffs.

(I had trouble not thinking the people who surmised this did so w/o inside info, b/c I just kept think ..."then who is our big defenseman?")
- wiz1901

But after next season when Hammers new contract goes into effect and maybe Johns is ready for the 2nd line unit or sign a band aid guy until he is....I know the Hawks were not happy with his conditioning when the season started.

I see one of 2 scenarios:

Secnario 1: Hossa tells the Hawks he is hanging up his skates this summer due to health reasons and going out on top. After the parade, Hawks CBO him and Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz

Scenario 2: Hossa plays out next year, then Hawks CBO him. This summer Hawks CBO Montador, and do a regular buyout of Olesz
- ikeane

Why do we have to buyout poor Rusty....why can't he play next season? #freerusty

Why do we have to buyout poor Rusty....why can't he play next season? #freerusty


- DarthKane

The legend lives on. I still can't believe we traded Brian Campbell for this tomato can. Yes I get the cap thing.

Why do we have to buyout poor Rusty....why can't he play next season? #freerusty


- DarthKane

If Bolland is on the block for his $3.3 cap hit to play the 4th line, no way they keep AHL Rusty making $3.1 to ride the "Rockford Rocket Busline"

If Bolland is on the block for his $3.3 cap hit to play the 4th line, no way they keep AHL Rusty making $3.1 to ride the "Rockford Rocket Busline"
- ikeane

Rockford Rocket?

I hope that Bowman encourages Rusty to sign with a KHL team this summer so his cap hit doesn't affect the Hawks, and then Rocky can pay off Olesz under the table.

I was half hoping they'd do it this offseason. I love the guy, but he seems to be aging early, and his puck judgment hasn't been too great ...
- Q...argh

Trade Seabrook? C'mon...we just won the Cup with this guy,he is a rop pairing d-man on almost every team in the NHL,and you wanna trade him? I admit he didn't have the greatest of seasons, or starts to the post season,but after he got reunited with Keith in the Deteoit series he was very good...I mean last year Keith was no good-trade him...the year before Hammer was no good- trade him...I think we are a bit spoiled...And please do not tell me that Johns and Clendenning can come in and play,because that has train wreck written all over it...neither of those guys are as good as Leddy,let alone Keith or Seabrook...Hell Brent Sopel is probably still better than Johns and Clendenning

Rockford Rocket?

I hope that Bowman encourages Rusty to sign with a KHL team this summer so his cap hit doesn't affect the Hawks, and then Rocky can pay off Olesz under the table.
- EKolb13

Rusty should be brought up on embezzlement charges.

Rusty should be brought up on embezzlement charges.
- kwolf68

And some fraud charges as well

Though he had a hell of a season in the AHL last year

Rusty should be brought up on embezzlement charges.
- kwolf68

You could make a case for that.

Trade Seabrook? C'mon...we just won the Cup with this guy,he is a rop pairing d-man on almost every team in the NHL,and you wanna trade him? I admit he didn't have the greatest of seasons, or starts to the post season,but after he got reunited with Keith in the Deteoit series he was very good...I mean last year Keith was no good-trade him...the year before Hammer was no good- trade him...I think we are a bit spoiled...And please do not tell me that Johns and Clendenning can come in and play,because that has train wreck written all over it...neither of those guys are as good as Leddy,let alone Keith or Seabrook...Hell Brent Sopel is probably still better than Johns and Clendenning
- captainserious

I'll bet my left nut that Seabrook had major symptoms and played through them. He got hammered a few times early on vs Minny, and was targeted by Detroit. Then he was moved down a few pairings and given limited ice time, because nobody wanted to see Sheldon Brookbank hammer our nail in our coffin vs Detroit.

I don't think seabrook was in shape to start the year, and the concussion symptoms just added to it.

Yet, he still scored some HUGE goals, and his leadership with Toews in game 4 can't be measured.

For a team and coaching staff hell bent on defensive system limiting chances for goalies, I don't see them trading a rock anytime soon....

Hell Brent Sopel is probably still better than Johns and Clendenning
- captainserious

I think you're reaching a bit on that thought.

Trade Seabrook? C'mon...we just won the Cup with this guy,he is a rop pairing d-man on almost every team in the NHL,and you wanna trade him? I admit he didn't have the greatest of seasons, or starts to the post season,but after he got reunited with Keith in the Deteoit series he was very good...I mean last year Keith was no good-trade him...the year before Hammer was no good- trade him...I think we are a bit spoiled...And please do not tell me that Johns and Clendenning can come in and play,because that has train wreck written all over it...neither of those guys are as good as Leddy,let alone Keith or Seabrook...Hell Brent Sopel is probably still better than Johns and Clendenning
- captainserious

With his cap hit and the money being spent over the next few years plus possible prospects in the pipeline it is something they have to look at.....after next season.

Just watched the finish of the game on NHL Network...watching those last few minutes gets sweeter each time. Like a fine wine.

I don't know, this one feels different than the last one...it feels BETTER. Hard to explain (and I LOVE the 2010 team, a heck of a crew)

Please forgive me if this has already been talked about, but we're all concerned with Tazer and Kane's upcoming contracts and how they'll want 8+mill. I think Kane will hold out for as much as he can, but honestly I could see Toews taking a little less knowing that it would go to helping the team either pay someone more or pick someone else up. Has there ever been a NHL player that came out and said they'd take less to help the team? I'm all for paying someone what they're worth, but in a cap era league I think some players if they were seriously committed to a team and not selfish would offer up a little coin to help better the team.

I'll bet my left nut that Seabrook had major symptoms and played through them. He got hammered a few times early on vs Minny, and was targeted by Detroit. Then he was moved down a few pairings and given limited ice time, because nobody wanted to see Sheldon Brookbank hammer our nail in our coffin vs Detroit.

I don't think seabrook was in shape to start the year, and the concussion symptoms just added to it.

Yet, he still scored some HUGE goals, and his leadership with Toews in game 4 can't be measured.

For a team and coaching staff hell bent on defensive system limiting chances for goalies, I don't see them trading a rock anytime soon....
- SteveRain

Big players come up big at the most important times. Seabrook is in this class. Think back to his stick/poke check on Hartnell in Game 6 in Philly (2010). Keith and Hammer are in this category. I will always question Keith's PP shin burners, but will never question whether they have a place on this team. Money players.

That said, money players could fetch a handsome return. Think of what Philly would give up to get a guy like Seabrook. Jebus. You'd be looking at a a helluva prospect and a high pick at least

With his cap hit and the money being spent over the next few years plus possible prospects in the pipeline it is something they have to look at.....after next season.
- UnnamedSource

Imo no they don't...if you are going to try and sign someone via free agency,that cap hit sill be just as high if not higher...and after next year no prospect is ready for top 4 minutes,assuming you would put hammer on the top pairing and then try and slide some one into the top 4...Players like Seabrook aren't drafted or found every year...I remember Dylan Olsen being the "next Seabrook" yeah,that isn't gonna happen in a million years...Besides,one of the main strenghts of this team,and possibly their biggest advantage is having Keith,Seabs and Hammer,which is like having 3 top pairing d-men,a luxury other teams do not have

Imo no they don't...if you are going to try and sign someone via free agency,that cap hit sill be just as high if not higher...and after next year no prospect is ready for top 4 minutes,assuming you would put hammer on the top pairing and then try and slide some one into the top 4...Players like Seabrook aren't drafted or found every year...I remember Dylan Olsen being the "next Seabrook" yeah,that isn't gonna happen in a million years...Besides,one of the main strenghts of this team,and possibly their biggest advantage is having Keith,Seabs and Hammer,which is like having 3 top pairing d-men,a luxury other teams do not have
- captainserious

A band aide type player could be paid less than 5.8 million per

Rockford Rocket?

I hope that Bowman encourages Rusty to sign with a KHL team this summer so his cap hit doesn't affect the Hawks, and then Rocky can pay off Olesz under the table.
- EKolb13

The Rocket was a name of a passenger train that the Rock Island railroad ran many,many years ago. Think that's the reference here.

Big players come up big at the most important times. Seabrook is in this class. Think back to his stick/poke check on Hartnell in Game 6 in Philly (2010). Keith and Hammer are in this category. I will always question Keith's PP shin burners, but will never question whether they have a place on this team. Money players.

That said, money players could fetch a handsome return. Think of what Philly would give up to get a guy like Seabrook. Jebus. You'd be looking at a a helluva prospect and a high pick at least
- eburgio

Helluva prospect -Akim Aliu

Helluva High Pick - Kyle Beach

I think I'll take Seabs- developed 1st pairing dman for the next 5-6 years