If this team ends up like the (frank)ing Pittsburgh Penguins ill poop and then throw that poop at the UC front doors. $12 mil a year?? Really? I know its not done yet but god i hope that poop doesnt happen

Disagree. I think Kane and Toews become the two highest paid players in the NHL. The market is set up that way right now. Kane and Toews are in the drivers seat to set the bar for the next generation of contracts.
- PhilMeister89

I agree. Both are only 26, so a max year deal puts them into mid 30's. I can see both getting 10-11M aav per year.

JJ....you had Lecavelier has a UFA but he still has 4 more years at $4.5 million left on his current deal with Philly.

There are other options to centre the 2nd line, some better than others. Frans Nielsen is sill a top choice, there's also Legwand, Jokinen, Grabovski and Santorelli. Stan may go this route if Kane and Toews get their $12 million and/or if he wants to improve the depth by acquiring multiple centres.
- DarthKane

Of these players only Frans Nielsen and Legwand would be good options, in my opinion. Nielsen could be had for some prospects not named Teravainen, perhaps. Legwand, I feel would be solid next to Kane but he is an UFA and at 33 would want the security of several years.

JJ....you had Lecavelier has a UFA but he still has 4 more years at $4.5 million left on his current deal with Philly.

There are other options to centre the 2nd line, some better than others. Frans Nielsen is sill a top choice, there's also Legwand, Jokinen, Grabovski and Santorelli. Stan may go this route if Kane and Toews get their $12 million and/or if he wants to improve the depth by acquiring multiple centres.
- DarthKane

Of these players only Frans Nielsen and Legwand would be good options, in my opinion. Nielsen could be had for some prospects not named Teravainen, perhaps. Legwand, I feel would be solid next to Kane but he is an UFA and at 33 would want the security of several years.

Perry and Getzlaf's deals are like a year old. Those are the comparables, that's what they're going to get, probably with a slight bump.
- rollpards19

Crosby/Malkin/Ovechin money?

Disagree. I think Kane and Toews become the two highest paid players in the NHL. The market is set up that way right now. Kane and Toews are in the drivers seat to set the bar for the next generation of contracts.
- PhilMeister89

And they NEVER sniff a Stanley Cup again because their supporting cast will stink (See Penguins!!!) I hope this is just another rumor that isn't true, like so many out there being bandied about...

Eller/Plekanec would be a good fall back option if you miss on some of the bigger name options

Ok...I did it.

I reordered every player to every team need in the first round and provided commentary:

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2014/

Crosby/Malkin/Ovechin money?
- EKolb13

What's happening Eli???

Perry and Getzlaf's deals are like a year old. Those are the comparables, that's what they're going to get, probably with a slight bump.
- rollpards19

Again, I disagree. I think the only comparables out there as far as team duos is Crosby/Malkin. I may catch flack for this but there is a reason when people run the scenario of "Who do you start a team with?" that Toews is usually #2 behind Crosby and sometimes even #1.

Toews is thought of by many as the best two way forward in hockey. Kane has fire and is the face of USA hockey. Two Stanley cups, Two Conn Smythes. They will be paid for what they have accomplished.

If this team ends up like the (frank)ing Pittsburgh Penguins ill poop and then throw that poop at the UC front doors. $12 mil a year?? Really? I know its not done yet but god i hope that poop doesnt happen
- BlazinMike

Pretty sure with the new cap and next year's assumed increase, Crosby and Malkin's cap hits are like a wet dream to the GM... Letangs, yep, still bad/up in the air as usual.

Ok...I did it.

I reordered every player to every team need in the first round and provided commentary:

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2014/
- wiz1901

Awesome.

JJ, as usual nice work. It's always exciting to think about the idea of acquiring a shiny name but reality says it's hard to accomplish. Excited to see what unfolds.. if anything..
- PhilMeister89

That is true! And not that Hawks haven´t enough shiny names already. Call me kool aid or whatever but there is lot of light in the end of the tunnel here. Many of the "real Hawks fans" are so focused on negatives and seeing everything as black and white that is starting to sound pretty annoying. Of course we all want to see a better team and Blackhawks winning the cup every year but that won´t happen. It is way easier to run a NHL team in message boards than in real life.

If Bowman wanted to squash the Sharp rumors he could of . Anddddddd he didnt.

Unless you get me a faceoff man, a centre who is difficult to play against defensively, or a buyout candidate who will take little or nothing to play here, get me angry big man....

You're not getting Frans Nielsen without a top-6 roster player coming back.

It would be in the Hawks best interest to grab Nielsen + Bailey from the NYI for Sharp. Maybe a NYI 2nd round pick to sweeten the pot.

who's TT?
- AlfieisKing

Thurman Thomas

That's just posturing. Kane and Toews will get a little higher than Getzlaf and Perry (at most).

$8.5M-9.5M a year

Biggest caphits in the NHL (OV 9.54, Malkin 9.5, Crosby 8.7, Perry 8.625)
- AlfieisKing

The NHL Cap is expected to rise the next couple of years, and Getzlaf/Perry play for a team that will never spend to the cap. I believe most of the above deals were signed with a lower cap number in place. Though could be wrong about that.

Maybe not 12, but 10 is not out of the realm of possibility. In fact more than likely.

Stan Bowman on trade talk: There's a lot of things being tossed out there as options. Most of which won't come true.

Sounds like he's keeping expectations in check

who's TT?
- AlfieisKing

Tommy Two Times

'Cause he's says everything twice

And they NEVER sniff a Stanley Cup again because their supporting cast will stink (See Penguins!!!) I hope this is just another rumor that isn't true, like so many out there being bandied about...
- nelli312

You mean like the rumor that the Penguins stink? That is just completely false. They have an extremely talented team and are a big presence every year. Winning the cup is very hard but they continue to put very talented teams together with young talent coming up. I just don't get how the penguins are a bad team...

Again, I disagree. I think the only comparables out there as far as team duos is Crosby/Malkin. I may catch flack for this but there is a reason when people run the scenario of "Who do you start a team with?" that Toews is usually #2 behind Crosby and sometimes even #1.

Toews is thought of by many as the best two way forward in hockey. Kane has fire and is the face of USA hockey. Two Stanley cups, Two Conn Smythes. They will be paid for what they have accomplished.
- PhilMeister89

I don't buy $12M a season. If they break the bank, they will be playing with a lot ELC and retreads on the cheap and they both know that

who's TT?
- AlfieisKing

TIM TEBOW!!!!!

If Bowman wanted to squash the Sharp rumors he could of . Anddddddd he didnt.
- mrpaulish

Yup and at the same time he's not going to show his hand either way. Keep people guessing.

You're not getting Frans Nielsen without a top-6 roster player coming back.

It would be in the Hawks best interest to grab Nielsen + Bailey from the NYI for Sharp. Maybe a NYI 2nd round pick to sweeten the pot.
- kcNYI

Where do I sign?