How is it that Pens are not in worse cap shape than Hawks? How can we be talking about Pens chasing Kesler while Hawks can't for "cap reasons"?
- Cmonalready

This.

The Pens seem to be in on every good player either via trade or FA while the rest of the NHL struggles with the cap.

This.

The Pens seem to be in on every good player either via trade or FA while the rest of the NHL struggles with the cap.
- jhawk159

Having the ability to put Depuis and Letang on LTIR is the difference.

Concerning the trades before the deadline...

No need to waste anymore keystrokes. Some of you read me and some don't.

I explained in detail what will likely happen in today's article and the reasons for thinking so....And my conclusion isn't based on my opinion alone.

But this is America and everyone can think what they like...

Hawks give Penguins the cold shoulder, 5-1.Outdoor game, Bowman presser & trade deadline expectations.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1g2xhzw
- Al

Never miss anything you write and are one of the very few I read. You're thoughts are measured without an agenda, few around like that.

Forgive a fan for exploring a possibility of adding a guy who is supposedly on the market, a guy who checks more boxes that 90% of NHL players, arguably as much or more than any Hawk, who signed long term for very favorably money who slots into the Hawks' biggest hole with little chance of it being filled in the near, maybe long term, future.

And if Bowman doesn't call on those around him with decades more knowledge than him, no matter what he told a group of guys with recorders, to evaluate the possibility he's guilty of derelict of duty.

Agree though the Hawks would be the last partner the Nucks would look for, but you look into it just the same.

Prospects are just that as are draft picks, Kesler is a known commodity.

This.

The Pens seem to be in on every good player either via trade or FA while the rest of the NHL struggles with the cap.
- jhawk159

Cuz they have a GM that thinks outside the box.

Tom...Find the transcript or read my article and your mind will be put to ease...

TT will be here is possible by year end but they aren't rushing him.

Hawks are thrilled with his play...He is only 19.


Hawks give Penguins the cold shoulder, 5-1.Outdoor game, Bowman presser & trade deadline expectations.

My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1g2xhzw
- Al

Just read the article. Good stuff. I agree about all those high shots during the game. I do think this is a very good team. And with the way they step it up in the playoffs, I think they will be tough to beat 4 out of 7. As is always the case it comes down to health and matchups. I am worried about Hossa and not just because of this latest injury, either

Never miss anything you write and are one of the very few I read. You're thoughts are measured without an agenda, few around like that.

Forgive a fan for exploring a possibility of adding a guy who is supposedly on the market, a guy who checks more boxes that 90% of NHL players, arguably as much or more than any Hawk, who signed long term for very favorably money who slots into the Hawks' biggest hole with little chance of it being filled in the near, maybe long term, future.

And if Bowman doesn't call on those around him with decades more knowledge than him, no matter what he told a group of guys with recorders, to evaluate the possibility he's guilty of derelict of duty.

Agree though the Hawks would be the last partner the Nucks would look for, but you look into it just the same.

Prospects are just that as are draft picks, Kesler is a known commodity.
- Mr Ricochet

Not to mention getting a lazy, worthless lummox off the payroll.

Having the ability to put Depuis and Letang on LTIR is the difference.
- MartiniMan

But we've got Khabby on LTIR, so we're even. (Red font)

Kesler :


No One can offer a better package of Bickell , Pirri and a #1 . Makeit two #1s if Hawks reach Cup this year.


Bickell NHL forward

Pirri NHL ready

Couple of higj draft picks so the Canucks keep 1.5 of his salary.

Bickell, Pirri, and one of the following:

Morin;
2 1sts;
Smith; or
TT.

Hate to lose Smith or TT, but you don't get a player like that with twocheap years remaining for a bag of pucks.
- Q...argh

I don't think your package cuts it.

Compare that with Shero's package. Smith really is not an interchangeable piece to TT or really an attractive piece - due to his age he has only 1 RFA deal left and little upside.

I think a deal to compete with the rumored Pens package would be Bickell, a 1st and a 3rd (or 2 firsts) and TT, Clendening and/or Johns. IMO Sutter is a better piece currently than Bickell so you have to make it up in prospects.

Also, knowing Gillis and Torts they would love a Vitale, Bertuzzo or Engelland as a throw in to any package. Hawks wouldn't have pieces like that.

Shero and Gillis look like a logical match.

Better that than see Kesler in the west IMO.

Not to mention getting a lazy, worthless lummox off the payroll.

- Q...argh

But Q doesn't count against the cap - getting him off doesn't help there.

Kesler :


No One can offer a better package of Bickell , Pirri and a #1 . Makeit two #1s if Hawks reach Cup this year.


Bickell NHL forward

Pirri NHL ready

Couple of higj draft picks so the Canucks keep 1.5 of his salary.
- mrpaulish

I would love your deal. It would be a steal.

But how could that compare with a Sutter, a 1st and a 3rd, and an NHL ready D prospect like Despres without Gillis holding salary???

My bet - Gillis will hold out for too much (like Maata) and nothing gets done. Kesler and Luongo will both demand trades in the OS and we will see Gillis and Torts fired.

I will miss the Vancouver side show. Their fan's tears give me a warm feeling inside.... Like gathering around a nice car fire.

Kesler :


No One can offer a better package of Bickell , Pirri and a #1 . Makeit two #1s if Hawks reach Cup this year.


Bickell NHL forward

Pirri NHL ready

Couple of higj draft picks so the Canucks keep 1.5 of his salary.
- mrpaulish

Eklund now saying Montreal in the running for Kesler. Would he waive an NTC for Montreal?

VC is now NHL Siberia....

Kane,needs a center to play with that has speed and grit. If not, just wasting his talent

Kane,needs a center to play with that has speed and grit. If not, just wasting his talent
- Puck13

Fine. Easy to say, but what can be done about it right now? There's almost no cap room.

This.

The Pens seem to be in on every good player either via trade or FA while the rest of the NHL struggles with the cap.
- jhawk159

Quick name the Pens fourth best forward. I'll wait. That team sucks, but Crosby and Malkin on the PP solve a lot of problems and Fluery is a good regular season goalie. You'll be hard pressed to find a Pens fan that thinks they have a cup-contending team.

Eklund now saying Montreal in the running for Kesler. Would he waive an NTC for Montreal?

VC is now NHL Siberia....
- steelhead

With the Lack saga today, Canucks seem to be their own worst enemy. How does that Nonis and the rest of that leadership group still have their jobs?

Thanks for your insight on Bowman Al. Great article.
- steelhead

Thanks

Never miss anything you write and are one of the very few I read. You're thoughts are measured without an agenda, few around like that.

Forgive a fan for exploring a possibility of adding a guy who is supposedly on the market, a guy who checks more boxes that 90% of NHL players, arguably as much or more than any Hawk, who signed long term for very favorably money who slots into the Hawks' biggest hole with little chance of it being filled in the near, maybe long term, future.

And if Bowman doesn't call on those around him with decades more knowledge than him, no matter what he told a group of guys with recorders, to evaluate the possibility he's guilty of derelict of duty.

Agree though the Hawks would be the last partner the Nucks would look for, but you look into it just the same.

Prospects are just that as are draft picks, Kesler is a known commodity.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks and I think this time Bowman wanted to send a message first to his team and then fans.

I know Kesler has been injury prone but he is still top notch...Gillis has one foot on a banana peel...Actually surprised he lasted this long. If he trades Kesler during the season for a bunch of prospects or picks he could get tarred and feathered.

Deadlines were more fun when the Hawks were bad....

Cuz they have a GM that thinks outside the box.
- Mr Ricochet

Bullsh!t. The answer is the posts above that you've conveniently ignored - the Pens only have cap room because they have two highly paid players on LTIR. If by "thinking outside the box" you meant that Shero planned for Letang to have a phucking stroke so Shero could go after Kesler, then you're right.

BTW, that genius GM "won the trade deadline" last year - how did that work out?

Kane,needs a center to play with that has speed and grit. If not, just wasting his talent
- Puck13

Were they wasting his talent last year?

Fine. Easy to say, but what can be done about it right now? There's almost no cap room.
- MartiniMan

How about a young and very impressive center from the avs? I'd think the same package that we think would go for kesler could go to to the avs for Mac

Im desperate for a trade

Bullsh!t. The answer is the posts above that you've conveniently ignored - the Pens only have cap room because they have two highly paid players on LTIR. If by "thinking outside the box" you meant that Shero planned for Letang to have a phucking stroke so Shero could go after Kesler, then you're right.

BTW, that genius GM "won the trade deadline" last year - how did that work out?
- mohel

How about a young and very impressive center from the avs? I'd think the same package that we think would go for kesler could go to to the avs for Mac

Im desperate for a trade
- the_dough_boy

Kesler=MacKinnon in trade value?

With the Lack saga today, Canucks seem to be their own worst enemy. How does that Nonis and the rest of that leadership group still have their jobs?
- MartiniMan

Well Nonis is a separate problem, and that's for the Leafs to figure out.

Now Gillis, on the other hand, hasn't been let go largely because the Aquilini family is clueless. It's like the McCaskeys with Jerry Angelo, one finals appearance gives you leeway for years of incompetence and stupidity.

I'd say Morin because he's a wing, and because he's been lighting the lamp lately down on the farm. If it is only a few games, maybe Zues and Regin will both play instead.
- mohel

Be the best time to bring him up, imo, Mo. He is producing and playing with confidence. What I like is it isn't all goals. I don't know if its mostly rebounds from his shot leading to assist or not. If he gets up here and you are playing with him, someone needs to get their ass to the net. Should be plenty of opportunities to get some rebounds.