I don't understand this line of thinking with the new playoff format. The Hawks and Canucks essentially can only meet (aside from a wildcard cross over fluke) in the Western Conference Finals. That's a far cry from when they met 3 years in a row recently. The odds of a third straight Kings/Hawks battle have to be huge, even though it seems possible.

Planning your strategy around something unlikely just doesn't seem like sound management. I could see if they were in the same division, but opposite division in the same conference isn't that much different any more than being in the other conference.
- NewToHockey

They are competitors in the same Conference and there is a rookie GM in Vancouver. That's enough for me to immediately eliminate the notion of a Kesler trade, plus there isn't a fit here as far as assets going the other way..

The Canucks don't have to reach for a trade to deal Kesler....

They did for Luongo...Who I also said from the beginning had no chance of coming here, and the Canucks traded him to the East anyway even though there were not many options...By some reports some potential trades were better in the West but Gillis still went to Florida..

Given the choice the Canucks will deal Kesler to the East or to a team in the West that is considered a weak sister....Unless there is vast overpayment.

Benning was a scout for about 15 years and then moved to front office in Boston...He will make sure he gets the best deal possible for Kesler if he is to be traded.....And the best deal possible was not coming from the Hawks and was never going to include Seabrook ++, or Hammer++ or Saad++ or even Sharp ++.

So that leaves basically role players, or prospects/hopes or draft picks....And if Benning deals Kesler he needs much more than that to satisfy ownership and the fans, who have been growing restless for some time.

I know sjs is looking to get ove the hump but they would never deal thornton to chi as their well documented missing piece at 2C so they can, in a years time watch him win a cup and possibly knock the sharks out with an already cup contending hawks roster without joe


I think the league shxts itself if you get thornton in between saad and kane
- FourFeathers773

EK has a possible Marleau for Cam Ward deal. That sounds a lot more realistic than a deal for Thornton - particularly to the Hawks. Why do I still think Wilson made that deal for Zus because he thought it would hurt the Hawks? If so, it back fired on him last year but this year it worked.

The only talk about Mike Richards is after the buyout. For the right price he'd be a great acquisition. But I wouldn't break the bank for him.
- DarthKane

why would they buy him out...center depth is a strength of their team...he is only 29...and they are in great cap shape

I think JJ mentioned Greening from the Sens. Be interesting to see what he could do with a change of scenery if he could picked up cheaply.

That package for Spezza is just nuts without him agreeing to an extension. Just a little less nuts for Kesler - who cannot even agree to extend with 2 years left on his deal under the new CBA.
- tredbrta

You would be much better off not confusing Kesler and Spezza.
They are entirely different situations.

I thought that may have changed with Benning coming in. Considering the Nucks are now competitively irrelevant for the near future you would think they would drop the organizational ego complex and focus on acquiring real assets - no matter where they came from. I thought Linden might bring that kind of vision/class back there....



- tredbrta

Maybe in time...Still many reasons why it wasn't going to happen.

bingo...enough said...

rumblings about Richards...tell me why the hwks would want this guy with a 6 yr cap hit of 5.7 mil left...after a buy out maybe but a trade....no way
- bogiedoc

Lots of miles and down to the 4th line in LA.

Happy Fathers Day to all.
Sadly our season was over a but too soon. But a very big thanks to you JJ for all of your insights and opinions. You sir help make my season complete.

EK is talking about the Hawks trading for him. " The Blackhawks are among the teams most interested I am told if a trade were to occur. "

More absolute nonsense. Does he ever consider the salary cap before posting a rumor?

I know the Hawks and Kings have close ties - Lombardi married Pulford's daughter, Sutter, some back office and scouting ties as well - but the Kings are the Hawks least likely trading partner IMO. At least for significant parts like Richards. I'm sure Carcillo or minor deals will continue.

You are right about feeling out Richards if he is bought out. He would look good though I think he has lost a step the last 2 years. He may be the type who would prefer to play for a contender for less money but I think he will see some strong offers if Bolland (with his injury history) is looking at $5mill plus as reported.
- tredbrta

More absolute nonsense. Does he ever consider the salary cap before posting a rumor?

No he doesn't usually but that isn't his mission. He reports what he hears and if it is from someone he believes Ek doesn't filter.

He didn't before when there wasn't a way to hold back money and I would think he sees no reason to do so now considering salary can be absorbed.

why would they buy him out...center depth is a strength of their team...he is only 29...and they are in great cap shape
- bogiedoc

That is what I originally thought because if you can afford to carry a player with his skill set and experience as a 4th line player...Good for you.

To be fair he was down on the 4th line but at any time during a game Sutter can play Richards with Carter and that's a nice option.

Would take Sharp back in Philly in a heartbeat. Schenn and a prospect you guys say? I would do that. Only issue is cap room. We dont have it. And I'm guessing the whole reason you're looking to move Sharp is to create cap room for Towes/Kane?

Asking for Saad in trade seems pretty consistent with what I've heard the Canucks and Senators asking for Kesler & Spezza.

Young top 6 player + Top prospect + pick.

Saad is a heavy price to pay, I'm not upset with Bowman for walking away.

Maybe Joe Thornton becomes a serious option?
- Hawks82

jumbo-playoff-no-show-Joe? No thanks....

jumbo-playoff-no-show-Joe? No thanks....
- blackhawk24

100 points in 124 career playoff games. .76 PPG

Don't cry for me Argentina. ......
- UnnamedSource

No crying after that bounce.

100 points in 124 career playoff games. .76 PPG
- Hawks82

Jumbo Joe's cap hit is an automatic no.

bingo...enough said...

rumblings about Richards...tell me why the hwks would want this guy with a 6 yr cap hit of 5.7 mil left...after a buy out maybe but a trade....no way
- bogiedoc

This.

However, if he is bought out there will be some team willing to give him a multi-year deal.

Another Blog from JJ a great Father's Day indeed!!!

No way do I move Saad. The Man Child will be here for a long time. Would love Kesler but not going to happen. Sure he had a little sophomore slump for a bit, but the kid turned it back on. The way he is when he's on the puck reminds one of a young Hossa.

Eklund is nuts thinking the Hawks would trade for Richards...that cap hit...but as Darth mentions - maybe if they buy him out you go after him and see if he'd like a crack a his former team.

Thorton's cap hit 6.75mil per through 2017...

A trade will never happen unless the Kings retained a portion of Richards' salary, which will never happen.
- DarthKane

Agreed. No chance at all unless they buy Richards out. That will depend largely on what they extend Gaborik at... all the Kings kool aid drinkers seem to think it will be $2.5-4M under Gaborik's current $7.5m. If so, Gaborik needs a new agent and a serious mental examination.

Agreed. No chance at all unless they buy Richards out. That will depend largely on what they extend Gaborik at... all the Kings kool aid drinkers seem to think it will be $2.5-4M under Gaborik's current $7.5m. If so, Gaborik needs a new agent and a serious mental examination.
- tredbrta

With all of the money he's walked away from previously in Minni/NY I can't see him signing a sweetheart deal with the Kings. Still a great move by Lombardi to get him at the TDL.

12 days until the draft....

Lots of miles and down to the 4th line in LA.
- Al

yes...but not your typical 4th line center (obviously): his TOI is between 14-19 a game, he plays special teams and gives the kings alot of flexibility; yes his production is slipping...

I don't know what the kings have in their system as far as centers. I suppose they could buy out Richards and get a legit 3-4 line center UFA or via trade...but I am not sure this is the summer they do it.

I suspect they will resign Gaborik and make run with essentially the same team.

Agreed. No chance at all unless they buy Richards out. That will depend largely on what they extend Gaborik at... all the Kings kool aid drinkers seem to think it will be $2.5-4M under Gaborik's current $7.5m. If so, Gaborik needs a new agent and a serious mental examination.
- tredbrta

I could see Gaborik settling for $4 to $5 million a season too stay in LA, if he likes it there. The thing you have to remember about Gaborik is that he may be a great player, but the guy is often injured. That would make me think that serious contending teams wouldn't spend big $$$ on him.

That is what I originally thought because if you can afford to carry a player with his skill set and experience as a 4th line player...Good for you.

To be fair he was down on the 4th line but at any time during a game Sutter can play Richards with Carter and that's a nice option.
- Al

yes...a Richards buy out is a year or 2 away. Just makes no sense.

Asking for Saad in trade seems pretty consistent with what I've heard the Canucks and Senators asking for Kesler & Spezza.

Young top 6 player + Top prospect + pick.

Saad is a heavy price to pay, I'm not upset with Bowman for walking away.

Maybe Joe Thornton becomes a serious option?
- Hawks82

Heard that from you're "sources" I assume lol

Agreed. No chance at all unless they buy Richards out. That will depend largely on what they extend Gaborik at... all the Kings kool aid drinkers seem to think it will be $2.5-4M under Gaborik's current $7.5m. If so, Gaborik needs a new agent and a serious mental examination.
- tredbrta

Gaborik is 32, not very productive the past couple of years (although certainly a good tournament), probably exiting his prime.

Yet we expect our young studs - only 26, entering their prime - to give up $1-2MM per year for 8 years as a home-town discount.

yes...but not your typical 4th line center (obviously): his TOI is between 14-19 a game, he plays special teams and gives the kings alot of flexibility; yes his production is slipping...

I don't know what the kings have in their system as far as centers. I suppose they could buy out Richards and get a legit 3-4 line center UFA or via trade...but I am not sure this is the summer they do it.

I suspect they will resign Gaborik and make run with essentially the same team.
- bogiedoc

Why change much?...Their young dmen arte getting better and so are their young forwards.

why would they buy him out...center depth is a strength of their team...he is only 29...and they are in great cap shape
- bogiedoc

Really depends on the Gaborik deal and what they want to do on D in free agency. If they can wait a year you would think they would but that is some money for a 4c. Stoll is UFA next year though so the cap space could come from not signing him or someone else if needed.

Their cap flexibility is a huge plus. Of course, when the officials allow all the clutch and grab you want in the playoffs you can get away with 2 or 3 non skaters playing D and getting paid peanuts like they did.