If you look at what ANA gave up, no one that fits Saad's profile was in their deal. My Spidey sense tells me SB offered nothing of equal or better value in return, likely not even TT.

We will never see a real value for value deal made by this front office. Too conservative.
- Return of the Roar

Boninio is a VERY VERY good young player.

what the hell is going on with Betmann and his bean counters that 2 weeks after the season ended and the draft hours away STILL have not released the cap for this year...

So did saad. Technically. Saad is better than bonino but is still good. Bonino is more valuable than any other piece the hawks could offer not named saad.
- coldsteelonice

Well, Saad never played on the 4th line and had more time with Kane than any other forward so he was really deployed more as a 2nd line forward in terms of TOI, but I don't disagree that they're equal in terms of assets that could be offered. Looking at Bonino's TOI more closely, he was in a similar situation of 2nd-3rd line minutes more than 4th.

Saad's ceiling is higher and he's 5 years younger, but more comparable right now than I initially thought.

what the hell is going on with Betmann and his bean counters that 2 weeks after the season ended and the draft hours away STILL have not released the cap for this year...
- bogiedoc

It's not just Bettman and the NHL, the NHLPA has to sign off on it

Ummm, the Hawks can't sign Toews or Kane yet. Nothing is being "held up".
- CaptainBlackhawk

Thanks chief.

IN principle you can...of course agreed upon deals days before free agency never happen. that's how all those deals magically occur at 2:01 when UFA starts.

My goodness.....

To me Kesler seemed like a perfect fit at 2C for the Hawks...

...so naturally he's going to the Ducks.

I still can't believe Vancouver traded him within the Division.

Now watch Bowman trade Sharp to the Blues so he can skate with Statsny.

To the Frans Nielsen folks...

what do you think nets Nielsen here to Chicago?
- CaptainBlackhawk

Nothing the FO will give up. Except maybe Sharp, who won't put the NYI on his I'll go there list.

It's Shaw/Kruger/Nordstrom/Danault/TT musical chairs time.

Thanks chief.

IN principle you can...of course agreed upon deals days before free agency never happen. that's how all those deals magically occur at 2:01 when UFA starts.

My goodness.....
- SteveRain

Your point was that the Kane/Toews deals are being "held up".

You, me nor anyone else on this board have zero clue if those two contracts have already been agreed upon weeks ago. That's my point. You have no clue if ANYTHING is being "held up" because of a supposed cap increase that didn't happen. Other than it doesn't fit into your narrative.

Well, Saad never played on the 4th line and had more time with Kane than any other forward so he was really deployed more as a 2nd line forward in terms of TOI, but I don't disagree that they're equal in terms of assets that could be offered. Looking at Bonino's TOI more closely, he was in a similar situation of 2nd-3rd line minutes more than 4th.

Saad's ceiling is higher and he's 5 years younger, but more comparable right now than I initially thought.
- L_B_R

Spot on. I definitely think saad is better but they are at least comparable players.

It's not just Bettman and the NHL, the NHLPA has to sign off on it
- paulr

Yep and people are panicking.....If it were at 71, 70 it would be out by now.....not the case. Not good.

leading up to the draft I was completely optimistic that Stan would buck his conservative trend and make a big move for a 2C....with Kesler gone and the cap supposedly lower than expected next year....my optimism is fading quickly....

Yep and people are panicking.....If it were at 71, 70 it would be out by now.....not the case. Not good.
- SteveRain

agreed.... I put it at 68.7m

Yep and people are panicking.....If it were at 71, 70 it would be out by now.....not the case. Not good.
- SteveRain

It's going to be announced by today by all reports.

Looks like we re-signed Morin....2 year deal...

As it stand as of this moment the Hawks have the best core of all the teams in the league, yes even better than Anaheim with Kesler. If the Hawks can get a decent, 2C, and add 1 bottom 6 forward and a 3rd pairing defenseman they are the team to beat.

To me Kesler seemed like a perfect fit at 2C for the Hawks...

...so naturally he's going to the Ducks.

I still can't believe Vancouver traded him within the Division.

Now watch Bowman trade Sharp to the Blues so he can skate with Statsny.
- ArlingtonRob

Nah, IF Sharp gets traded it wont be to the Blues, i just hope something decent comes back. Either multiple young centers that are cheap and valuable (even if not COMPLETELY ready to take on the 2C role immediately) or one cheap solid NHL center just to bolster depth and get cap relief.

Your point was that the Kane/Toews deals are being "held up".

You, me nor anyone else on this board have zero clue if those two contracts have already been agreed upon weeks ago. That's my point. You have no clue if ANYTHING is being "held up" because of a supposed cap increase that didn't happen. Other than it doesn't fit into your narrative.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Just like guys didn't tell JJ about the winter classic DAYS before it was announced, right?

You really think there aren't guys posting here who DO KNOW things you brush aside just because? ReallY?

To the Frans Nielsen folks...

what do you think nets Nielsen here to Chicago?
- CaptainBlackhawk

The Islanders need blue line help more than anything.....so maybe Leddy or Oduya and a prospect...

As it stand as of this moment the Hawks have the best core of all the teams in the league, yes even better than Anaheim with Kesler. If the Hawks can get a decent, 2C, and add 1 bottom 6 forward and a 3rd pairing defenseman they are the team to beat.
- paulr

STOP with that sort of correct rationale!

The Islanders need blue line help more than anything.....so maybe Leddy or Oduya and a prospect...
- UnnamedSource

Thanks US. You are following my logic here.

So you're telling me they can find an actual 2C who is a rather good player.. and keep Sharp, TT and Saad and NOT destroy their cap?

‏@DarrenDreger

Told the Coyotes are strongly considering buying out Mike Ribeiro. The veteran forward is under contract through 2016-2017. Not official.

I haven't watched him much since Dallas. Anyone know whether he'd still be worth a band-aid for a year or 2?
- JRoenick97

If he's old, slow, washed up, and more than$2m he's Bowmans guy.

Base decisions yes, not make decisions, HUGE difference.
- paulr

Same thing: the decision is made because the projections imply a certain return.

I stand by my comments.

Yep and people are panicking.....If it were at 71, 70 it would be out by now.....not the case. Not good.
- SteveRain

>You can bet the Hawk brass is putting it to Bettman right now
>Why not get Fehr on your side in this, too?
>The NHLPA would love the cap to be as large as possible
>Makes that "cap basement" go up and helps inflate salaries

Well did I call it or didn't I? The ducks get Kesler, and we get another Blowman dumpster dive special. screw this it's 2011 all over again, except now everybody's starting to pass us by.

As I heard ...Vancouver got their 3 pieces including the 2 younger players they wanted...
My thought was it would be the 10the pick but the Ducks ended up only having to give a later 1st round pick. That I found surprising but it isn't so easy to move a $5 million player as it sometimes appears.

Now with lower cap.... tonight will be even more interesting...
Anyone who believes Sharp is the last player the Hawks would want to trade should never leave home with any money or credit cards.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia