Crosby/Malkin/Ovechin money?
- EKolb13

I think that's fair. Those guys are great players (or in Ovi's case were when they signed the deal) who have done things Toews and Kane haven't. 9.25 would be my target number if I were Stan

You're acting like Getzlaf isn't a top 5 player and Perry doesn't have a Rocket and a Hart, of which Kane has neither. Look I love our guys but there's not that big of a difference in the quality of the players/the resumes. Stan has the evidence. I know Sid's deal was a while ago, but can Toews really go in their and demand 4 million more than the best player in the world? I don't think so, I don't think 19 and 88 want to be scene as selfish (and I don't think either is) and as the reason that the Hawks run of success could falter. I know it's a lot of money, and if anyone deserves it its them, but I really think they're going to take less to try and win.
- rollpards19

I'm not denying the skills of Getzlaf or Perry, I am saying that Toews is always in the discussion of best hockey player in the world with Crosby. Kane is a highly skilled player and possibly the best american hockey player in the world. Maybe Kane doesn't have the personal accolades of Perry, but he does have two cups and a Conn Smythe.

To answer your question: "but can Toews really go in their and demand 4 million more than the best player in the world? "

Yes, I do. Because the market is set up for it right now. 12 mil may not be the number but to say that these two hockey players don't deserve it (turn around a franchise, win 2 cups in 4 years) is a little silly.

Um Vinny wouldn't be the end of the world. Strength down low and still has some sick hands. If anything from New York I think Brassard is the guy they want. Don't know what Richards has left though probs better than Sharp on the point.

Still think Sharp really needs to go.

They clearly can't do nothing and maybe them throwing a big number out there is their way of forcing someone's hand.

#keslerwatch

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 52s
Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks among many teams to have reached out to Stastny camp

Pierre LeBrun just wrote that the Hawks have called the Stasney camp and it sounds like the Hawks will be very active in the next week or so.

http://espn.go.com/blog/n...sler-watch-stastny-market

Regardless of what happens, it looks like at least they are exploring every option

"STASTNY UPDATE
The No. 1 center on the UFA market continued to generate a lot of interest on Day 2 of the window to talk to free agents, and as of late Thursday afternoon around 15 NHL teams had communicated in one way or another with Paul Stastny's camp led by agent Matt Keator.

We reported Wednesday that the St. Louis Blues were among the inquisitive teams, add the Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks to the long list of teams that have checked in on Stastny camp. The Jets could certainly use a top-six center and their interest in Stastny is said to be quite legitimate. The Blackhawks have spoken to Vancouver about Ryan Kesler in their search for a No. 2 center. Imagine Stastny centering Patrick Kane? Problem is, not really sure how the Hawks could afford Stastny under their cap when you consider that the Stastny camp is telling clubs they don’t intend on taking a paycut from the $6.66 million a year the Team USA Olympian was making on his expiring contract.

For the Blackhawks, the more people you talk to around the league the last few days, the more you hear about Chicago making calls and looking at a number of different scenario. They might very well be an active team here over the next seven-to-10 days. "

holy poop......$12 mil per x 2 x 8 = $192 mil over 8 yrs.....

just imagine if they didn't blow 3 leads and or got the G7 bounce and went on to beat the rangers.....

that might be 1/3 of the cap for 2015-16 for 2 players with krugs,saad and leddy as RFA's....

- bogiedoc

Just imagine the cost of a beer and a Polish in a couple years.

I'm not denying the skills of Getzlaf or Perry, I am saying that Toews is always in the discussion of best hockey player in the world with Crosby. Kane is a highly skilled player and possibly the best american hockey player in the world. Maybe Kane doesn't have the personal accolades of Perry, but he does have two cups and a Conn Smythe.

To answer your question: "but can Toews really go in their and demand 4 million more than the best player in the world? "

Yes, I do. Because the market is set up for it right now. 12 mil may not be the number but to say that these two hockey players don't deserve it (turn around a franchise, win 2 cups in 4 years) is a little silly.
- PhilMeister89

Kane with complimentary players wins scoring titles and MVPs. That simple. Best offensive player playing with the least talent.

If not the best at least the most exciting. Kane does ridiculous things on the ice that are a joy to watch.

Guys, this is a contract negotiation. Their agent asks for 12 mil each, and Stan counters with 6. Then they start working their way somewhere in between. I suspect they end up over 8, but less than 10. Maybe even less than 9. Again, there are so many mitigating factors. Arguably, this is the most important negotiation, up to this point, in Blackhawk history.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 59s

Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks among many teams to have reached out to Stastny camp, latest in Rumblings blog: http://espn.go.com/blog/n...sler-watch-stastny-market …

Looks like there may be some coaching changes:

Bowman won't say if Steve Weeks is still goalie coach: "We’re assessing a few things with our staff. I don’t want to get into specifics."
- golfbard

And there's your big draft-day move...a new goalie coach.

Rumors are Hawks kicking tires on Spezza, Kesler, and Stastny

All who would cost north of $5 per

Curran ready to snap his cell phone in half

Pierre LeBrun just wrote that the Hawks have called the Stasney camp and it sounds like the Hawks will be very active in the next week or so.
- dan9189

Calls are easy, contracts are hard, remaining under the cap and staying near the top is very hard.

Pierre LeBrun just wrote that the Hawks have called the Stasney camp and it sounds like the Hawks will be very active in the next week or so.
- dan9189

If Statsny is a real option, Sharp and Oduya would have to go to mitigate the cap hit.

You're acting like Getzlaf isn't a top 5 player and Perry doesn't have a Rocket and a Hart, of which Kane has neither. Look I love our guys but there's not that big of a difference in the quality of the players/the resumes. Stan has the evidence. I know Sid's deal was a while ago, but can Toews really go in their and demand 4 million more than the best player in the world? I don't think so, I don't think 19 and 88 want to be scene as selfish (and I don't think either is) and as the reason that the Hawks run of success could falter. I know it's a lot of money, and if anyone deserves it its them, but I really think they're going to take less to try and win.
- rollpards19

No need to waste keystrokes........ Getzlaf/Perry is the only viable comp and adjust up for a higher cap.

who's TT?
- AlfieisKing

Anyone remember Tony Tanti?

If Statsny is a real option, Sharp and Oduya would have to go to mitigate the cap hit.
- JRoenick97

That's just it, I don't think Statsny is in play unless they move Sharp and Oduya, which would of course, is totally out of StanBo character.

Thanks for keeping us updated JJ...12mil per sounds crazy...of course if the cap goes up the following year to some crazy number fine. But can't believe these guys don't get it. Two guys aren't going to win you a Cup. You need depth.

If Statsny is a real option, Sharp and Oduya would have to go to mitigate the cap hit.
- JRoenick97

Could we include Versteeg for good measure?

No need to waste keystrokes........ Getzlaf/Perry is the only viable comp and adjust up for a higher cap.
- Al

Again, I disagree.

if DD tweet is accurate and 24 hours Kesler is gone....1 of 2 things happened.

1. Either Hawks or Ducks gave in enough to get these talks moving seriously

OR

2. A team came strong at Vancouver from the east. I would bet Boston. Lots of pieces to move with decent cap hits.

Boston gets Kesler, and do Hawks get outbid for Spezza?

Then what?

depth guys and still having to dump salary for 19/88 next year?

Very interesting.

Thanks for keeping us updated JJ...12mil per sounds crazy...of course if the cap goes up the following year to some crazy number fine. But can't believe these guys don't get it. Two guys aren't going to win you a Cup. You need depth.
- DK002

What's more amazing is fans don't get it... "don't they wanna win?"

Let's not forget the whole McD was very, very, very upset (how'd JJ put it?) about the WCF loss. A highly motivated McD might actually pay dividends. Ahhhhh dividends. What a great word.

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 1m

Makes moves even harder to make with confidence. RT @cotsonika: NHL board of governors was not given a firm salary cap number today.

Kane for Malkin

All kidding aside, I find this becomes an issue when your team has a few bonafide superstars. They become costly to keep and in a salary cap world it ruins your overall depth. I would love nothing more than to have Patty Kane on my team, but at 12M to basically play on the 2nd line behind Hossa, I would rather have a C and a RW each getting 5M which would cure your problem down the middle anyways.

In the case of LA since they beat you guys this year, you can have Carter & Williams at a combined 9M versus Kane's 12M, although since it's a negotiation it wouldn't surprise me if it dropped at 10M at the lowest. But the team would still be better off. Saying this, I'm not saying it's a deal that makes sense for LA, but in general if a team is looking for a superstar and has enough depth trading Kane wouldn't be that bad of an idea.