There is no doubt about that, but they could have just as easily got the winning goal and won the Cup again, against NY as was the case with LA.
There's no questioning that everything was lined up for a repeat, as the Hawks were "in" game 7 until the "lucky bounce" favored LA, which just happened to be a very good match up against the Hawks.
- HockeyMat

They most likely would have been without Oduya and there is some questions regarding Hjalmarsson's health.

If the cap goes up "only" 5% per year! it will be at $80 for the 2017-18 season - that's not even half way thru the twins new contract (probably) and about half way thru the CBA - if the lads are getting $10+, Stan should be managing to be a true Cup challenger by then.

Could be sooner if Rockford and the draft pucks surprise, but that's what I'd be looking for.
- StLBravesFan

That's along the lines of what I was thinking.

Kruger's contract is up this season. Oduya will be a UFA. Shaw and Seabrook will be in the last year of theirs. Won't be able to afford both. And Sharp is the most likely to move that has any value at all with 3 years on his contract.
- Elbows15

That's where drafting and developing comes in to play.

Entry level contracts on good to great draft choices will define winning and losing from here on out.

This was my point earlier. Seems like you want it both ways, Steve. Kane and Toews get 10+ (max value or whatever you want to call it) and the team trades for Kesler.

Even if it took trading Sharp to do it for one year they would have to launch more core players the next. Seabrook? Keith? Others.

You can blame Bowman but the fact is if the cap doesn't go up that much you can't have too many other players making $5mil when you have two guys making $10mil.
- HawkintheD

im.not getting into Kesler again. It's over. There was a way to make it work or else why was bowman on on it until the end? He was there and had a solid offer.

Sharp oduya kruger? I'm fine with all 3 gone in the Kesler scenario.

And yes somebody would take Hossa later on because te Hawks have paid the large money portion of his contract so the penalties wouldn't be severe in 2 years I believe.

The goal is to win now nothing is promised.

Again we will see if the hype bowman prospects have gotten is deserved as they start to fill in voids left by higher priced guys who can be replaced.

That's along the lines of what I was thinking.
- HawkintheD

Yep. Johns Cledenning Dahlback time for.these guys to deliver.

Which is why leddy or oduya will be gone.

Which is why Versteeg stay.

As far as kruger goes all dependent upon his asking price.

Saad. His numbers aren't good enough to demand a huge salary increase.

Honestly if you broke it down I bet they could field a cup contender and maybe lose sharp and Oduya and be compliant. Would have to look hard at it but I bet it's close.

Lastly I'm not a bowman lover by any stretch but I do believe he has wheels in motion to do things to get complaint this year and future years as soon as extensions are done. For once I'm going to give him the benefit if the doubt and hope his prospects pan out as well.

Having 6 figure guys take up 3-5 roster spots is huge in regards to balancing out the larger cap hits.

Why even discuss/complain about what Toews and Kane might make and the repercussions that will have on the team until the numbers actually come out?

Seems like a lot of unnecessary angst going on right now.

F Troop's good
- 6628

I'm there.

That's where drafting and developing comes in to play.

Entry level contracts on good to great draft choices will define winning and losing from here on out.
- HockeyMat

You can also add landing some veterans on the low end of the pay scale SBs plan: solid players with experience and sometimes underachievers or guys coming off of bad years or injury. It is a gamble, last year it did not work. NOt much room for error.
Don't you think boston is scrambling a little, the Chara window is slowly closing.

Developing is also a fine line for the young guys. They gave a long leash for Saad during his rookie season. I always thought he played well, but didn't get on the scoreboard besides contributing in many other ways. I don't think one rookie player last year was given that long leash. And don't count Smith.

By the way, who is our back up goaltender? Raanta?

I'm there.
- vabeachbear

Larry Storch!

Agarn, right?

That's where drafting and developing comes in to play.

Entry level contracts on good to great draft choices will define winning and losing from here on out.
- HockeyMat

Right. So they won't be contenders. Just a team that makes the playoffs.

You can also add landing some veterans on the low end of the pay scale SBs plan: solid players with experience and sometimes underachievers or guys coming off of bad years or injury. It is a gamble, last year it did not work. NOt much room for error.
Don't you think boston is scrambling a little, the Chara window is slowly closing.

Developing is also a fine line for the young guys. They gave a long leash for Saad during his rookie season. I always thought he played well, but didn't get on the scoreboard besides contributing in many other ways. I don't think one rookie player last year was given that long leash. And don't count Smith.

By the way, who is our back up goaltender? Raanta?
- Topshelf2010

Raanta has to be. They can't afford to pay anyone else more money.

im.not getting into Kesler again. It's over. There was a way to make it work or else why was bowman on on it until the end? He was there and had a solid offer.

Sharp oduya kruger? I'm fine with all 3 gone in the Kesler scenario.

And yes somebody would take Hossa later on because te Hawks have paid the large money portion of his contract so the penalties wouldn't be severe in 2 years I believe.

The goal is to win now nothing is promised.

Again we will see if the hype bowman prospects have gotten is deserved as they start to fill in voids left by higher priced guys who can be replaced.
- SteveRain

3 NHL players for a 40 point center? Woah.

Why even discuss/complain about what Toews and Kane might make and the repercussions that will have on the team until the numbers actually come out?

Seems like a lot of unnecessary angst going on right now.
- L_B_R

Right now? This place is fueled by unnecessary angst.

- UnnamedSource

Good luck. See you when actual news comes on trade or extension.

Why even discuss/complain about what Toews and Kane might make and the repercussions that will have on the team until the numbers actually come out?

Seems like a lot of unnecessary angst going on right now.
- L_B_R

the floor is yours.

Why even discuss/complain about what Toews and Kane might make and the repercussions that will have on the team until the numbers actually come out?

Seems like a lot of unnecessary angst going on right now.
- L_B_R

Where have you been? Unnecessary angst is what this board is all aboot.

the floor is yours.
- Elbows15

Nicely played.

3 NHL players for a 40 point center? Woah.
- Elbows15

Right all he is a 40 put center.

Never has scored 40 goals.
Or won a selke
Or plays top minutes against leagues best.

Nope. Just a mediocre 40.pt center.

You are impossible. Good luck.

I forgot. No.oduya no cup.

3 NHL players for a 40 point center? Woah.
- Elbows15

For real, right? That Kesler clown is garbage and shouldn't even be in the league. Anaheim is going to look stupid with that trade.

Right all he is a 40 put center.

Never has scored 40 goals.
Or won a selke
Or plays top minutes against leagues best.

Nope. Just a mediocre 40.pt center.

You are impossible. Good luck.

I forgot. No.oduya no cup.
- SteveRain

You mean Johnny "Orr" Oduya

Where have you been? Unnecessary angst is what this board is all aboot.
- Ogilthorpe2

I thought it was the oduya campaign or trade kane or deal Versteeg rozsival and rundblad for crosby?

Thank god I have a drink before reading this blog at night.

Right all he is a 40 put center.

Never has scored 40 goals.
Or won a selke
Or plays top minutes against leagues best.

Nope. Just a mediocre 40.pt center.

You are impossible. Good luck.

I forgot. No.oduya no cup.
- SteveRain

Tell me what he did LAST season, not 3 seasons ago. Troy Murray did both of those too.

Right. So they won't be contenders. Just a team that makes the playoffs.
- Elbows15

I guess we'll just have to let itself play out.