The problem is that Hossa's cap recapture penalty is SCARY. If he retires early, the Hawks will pay thru the nose for the cap relief in his first 5 years of the deal. You will likely see Sharp, Bickell, Oduya move before Hossa, because of that cap recapture.
- eburgio

Well here is to hoping he continues his excellent play through 2021..

Exactly. After not buying out Hossa, they have married themselves to him for the entirety of his contract - lest they want to get murdered on the cap recapture penalty.
- BreakoutHockey

Who is better than Hossa they could get for equal money?

Who is better than Hossa they could get for equal money?
- rollpards19

NOBODY

in todays rising cap, you arent getting a premier two way play who scores 30 goals anywhere near $5 mil

thats no problem Hossa will be productive till hes 40. maybe not as much now but his contribution in the early years of the contract will make up for his 3rd line role he will play in the twilight of his career.
- SaskHawkFan

Hossa will make a rock solid 3rd liner in about 3 years time. He has 3 more years of high dollar years, followed by 3 years at $1M in actual salary. I hope like hell, he continues to stick around, because by then $5.275 will be a steal. Look at Dave Bolland...he wants $5M....is a 3rd liner...and he can't hold Hossa's jock

Exactly. After not buying out Hossa, they have married themselves to him for the entirety of his contract - lest they want to get murdered on the cap recapture penalty.
- BreakoutHockey

I would figure the organization would try to come up with an excuse to put him on LTIR when he's ready to retire. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

Fair enough. But since this is essentially a "new market", don't Toews and Kane set the new bar? And I think it would be higher because of these players skill levels and accomplishments.
- PhilMeister89

How is one year later a new market? Or Giroux?

Well here is to hoping he continues his excellent play through 2021..
- PhilMeister89

Easy peasy, right? (gulp)

I would figure the organization would try to come up with an excuse to put him on LTIR when he's ready to retire. At least that's what I'm hoping for.
- EKolb13

The last two seasons his back has been wonky to finish the year. I'm guessing that will be his out clause

Why wouldn't they like their team? I'm sure everyone has forgotten after 2012 how every said there needed to be MAJOR changes, well guess what? The next season didn't go so bad.
- rollpards19

Yes 2013 was damn good for the Hawks/fans. But you cant deny that the Hawks were exposed for having inadequate center depth in 2014. One legit center who could skate might have made the difference against the kings.

thats no problem Hossa will be productive till hes 40. maybe not as much now but his contribution in the early years of the contract will make up for his 3rd line role he will play in the twilight of his career.
- SaskHawkFan

I agree with you there for sure. I'm glad they didn't buy him out - just pointing out the ramifications of it.

Yes 2013 was damn good for the Hawks/fans. But you cant deny that the Hawks were exposed for having inadequate center depth in 2014. One legit center who could skate might have made the difference against the kings.
- BlazinMike

I'd argue they were exposed for having inadequate 4th line depth. The top 3 lines they iced in the last few games were great. The 4th line, however - Handzus, Versteeg, Bollig - was a horrific downgrade from Bolland, Kruger, Frolik in 2013.

I would figure the organization would try to come up with an excuse to put him on LTIR when he's ready to retire. At least that's what I'm hoping for.
- EKolb13

Oh yea, just like Khabibulin

Let me transcribe how that convo played out:

Nik: "Hey Stan, my groin is completely healed, Im ready to return now"
Stan: "Lets do a full battery of tests to make sure ok Nik"
Nik: "Ho-kay"

-2 days later-
Stan: "We found a minor amount of scar tissue in your rotator cuff. We should probably go in there and completely dismantle it and rebuild it. You know, so youre safe to get things off the top shelf cabinets later in life"
Nik: "Are you sure? It feels fine"
Stan: "Rocky said you get unlimited booze from his liquor company for life"
Nik: "You're the boss"

Hossa will make a rock solid 3rd liner in about 3 years time. He has 3 more years of high dollar years, followed by 3 years at $1M in actual salary. I hope like hell, he continues to stick around, because by then $5.275 will be a steal. Look at Dave Bolland...he wants $5M....is a 3rd liner...and he can't hold Hossa's jock
- eburgio

he has a lot of wear on the tires and a concussion history. I don't see any way he plays any of the final 4 years in which he'll be making $1M per season. Not worth the personal risk at the very least.

Dan Rosen tweets,

Bettman says they hope to have a firm cap number worked out with NHLPA and announced by tomorrow. He said it could come as early as tonight.

Yes 2013 was damn good for the Hawks/fans. But you cant deny that the Hawks were exposed for having inadequate center depth in 2014. One legit center who could skate might have made the difference against the kings.
- BlazinMike

The Hawks centers in the 2013 WCF/SCF: Toews/Handzus/Shaw/Kruger. They just need 4 serviceable centers, seems fairly easy to get a serviceable/legit one, they were just wrong about it being Handzus this time around, that's on Q and Stan, as well as other players not picking up the slack. I just don't see why they wouldn't like their team, and how half the board uses that quote as a form of derogatory mocking to insult Stan. You know how many franchises would trade places with the Hawks? 27 or 28, damn right they like their team.

Oh yea, just like Khabibulin

Let me transcribe how that convo played out:

Nik: "Hey Stan, my groin is completely healed, Im ready to return now"
Stan: "Lets do a full battery of tests to make sure ok Nik"
Nik: "Ho-kay"

-2 days later-
Stan: "We found a minor amount of scar tissue in your rotator cuff. We should probably go in there and completely dismantle it and rebuild it. You know, so youre safe to get things off the top shelf cabinets later in life"
Nik: "Are you sure? It feels fine"
Stan: "Rocky said you get unlimited booze from his liquor company for life"
Nik: "You're the boss"
- FourFeathers773

Four it is like you were there

How is one year later a new market? Or Giroux?
- rollpards19

New offseason. Every year is different. It played out well timing wise for Kane and Toews. What about Giroux?

New offseason. Every year is different. It played out well timing wise for Kane and Toews. What about Giroux?
- PhilMeister89

I guess I just don't agree with the idea that what happens in this summer is totally unrelated to contracts in the past.

he has a lot of wear on the tires and a concussion history. I don't see any way he plays any of the final 4 years in which he'll be making $1M per season. Not worth the personal risk at the very least.
- Sconnie

If he retires early, the Hawks gets absolutely shredded by the cap recapture penalty.

Cup wins don't set the bar,, Justin Williams has 2 and is making less than 4
- tampabaydoompatrol

Actually, Williams has 3 cups. You likely forgot his first with Carolina.

Why wouldn't they like their team? I'm sure everyone has forgotten after 2012 how every said there needed to be MAJOR changes, well guess what? The next season didn't go so bad.
- rollpards19

I LOOOVE this team!!!!!

Just trying to find out what everyone thinks Stan`s speech is going to be this year

Great players cost money They also make GREAT TEAMS

This is so much better than dollar BILL era hockey.

The Hawks centers in the 2013 WCF/SCF: Toews/Handzus/Shaw/Kruger. They just need 4 serviceable centers, seems fairly easy to get a serviceable/legit one, they were just wrong about it being Handzus this time around, that's on Q and Stan, as well as other players not picking up the slack. I just don't see why they wouldn't like their team, and how half the board uses that quote as a form of derogatory mocking to insult Stan. You know how many franchises would trade places with the Hawks? 27 or 28, damn right they like their team.
- rollpards19

I think Bolland was centering the 4th line come playoff time with Kruger playing left wing, but i get your point and agree with it. Ive been saying for awhile that i wouldnt be surprised or even upset if they went and got someone like Fiddler and McClement just to have two solid NHL centers to add to the roster (assuming they could get them for cap friendly deals which probly isnt likely).

I guess I just don't agree with the idea that what happens in this summer is totally unrelated to contracts in the past.
- rollpards19

Then you don't agree with reality. A contract signed years ago, under a lesser salary cap and a different CBA, has no little or no bearing in setting comparables for what an impending UFA can/should get on the open market under the current cap and CBA.

I guess I just don't agree with the idea that what happens in this summer is totally unrelated to contracts in the past.
- rollpards19

It's also the names involved and the market involved. Kane and Toews are HUGE names for Chicago. Kane is a huge name for U.S. hockey and Toews is one of the best if not the best hockey player in the world. The amount of money these guys make for the team gives them a lot of value.

Actually, Williams has 3 cups. You likely forgot his first with Carolina.
- ArlingtonRob