Can't get this damn torch lit!
- HawkintheD

I hate these rainy night, without fire we're at his mercy.

Oh so all he has to do is say "ow my back hurts" and he'll get thrown on LTIR? Got it.
- eichiefs9

With a history of disc issues, yes.

Can't get this damn torch lit!
- HawkintheD

Try using Peter Boyle's thumb.

With a history of disc issues, yes.
- Tanuki

I think you're incredibly far off base with your understanding of how that process works.

No. Not only is it Stan's job to sign these guys, he also needs to figure out a way to surround them with other high priced all-star caliber players.

If he doesn't we'll gather the villagers and storm the castle.
- HawkintheD

Get your pitch fork sharpened!

EDIT: Just for $hits and grins, let's say the cap goes up 5% for 15-16, that's $72.5M. $10.8M for each guy is 15% apiece. That leaves 70% of the cap for 15-16 to go among the other 20-21 rostered players. Not easy.

Try using Peter Boyle's thumb.
- StLBravesFan

Where's Hackman when you need him.

Try using Peter Boyle's thumb.
- StLBravesFan

Try using Peter Boyle's thumb.
- StLBravesFan

This is not going to make Maggie happy.

I think you're incredibly far off base with your understanding of how that process works.
- eichiefs9

Thanks for your input. I'll take it under careful advisement.

I think you're incredibly far off base with your understanding of how that process works.
- eichiefs9

The language in Article 50.10 is wide open and simply offers the NHL the option of asking for an independent physician's opinion IF there is a question about a player's LTIR status. As a victim of a degenerative disc condition and given Hossa's recent history of back problems, I don't think it would difficult for Hoss to prove this, if that's a future direction the two parties wanted to pursue.

Instead, let's hope that he continues to play at 1st/2nd line levels - no reason to think otherwise right now.

For guy who never could play in the NHL for any length of time Jimmy Waite played a lot of hockey elsewhere...We will see.

I heard this was likely to happen but thought the gig might go to Hirsch.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

My biggest issue is he was a career journeyman, and for a large part, in the minors and overseas too

He also has some pretty limited goalie coaching experience from what I've read, a few years down in the QMJHL. Hes a young guy for a coach (45) and has less than a handful of years coaching, and 0 years of coaching at the pro level.

Hey, the guy might know his stuff and wowed the staff and front office brass, but IMO, the hawks are in the peak of a cup window for the next couple years, Im just uneasy about taking risks on very inexperienced coaching staff. Not saying we need to get Ed Belfour or Dominik Hasek in here to coach the kids, but he was the BEST option among even other candidates who have better international/pro experience?

Do we really need to risk this guy being terrible at his first pro gig and Crawford having to go through 4 goalie coaches in 4 years if he sucks?

Thanks for your input. I'll take it under careful advisement.
- Tanuki

You'd be well served to do so.

@TheFourthPeriod
Contrary to a late night report that Toews/Kane are close to 8yr deals at $10.8M/yr, their agent tells me "it's not true." Talks ongoing.

@TheFourthPeriod
Contrary to a late night report that Toews/Kane are close to 8yr deals at $10.8M/yr, their agent tells me "it's not true." Talks ongoing.
- L_B_R

Good, I hope its much lower. If Stan and Co were really offering 10.8 per, I think the deal would be done already

Obviously we hope the front office is trying to come in well under that

former Hawk first round pick as well.
- John Jaeckel

Jimmy Waite had the quickest glove the hawks have ever had. Faster than Panger's. But what I like the best is that Waite wasn't a butterfly goalie while he was here. I imagine he incorporated some of the style over the years like most goalies have. But if there's a guy who could take strengths from the standup and butterfly styles and incorporate them into a more hybrid style successfully it's a guy with the experience of Jimmy Waite. The hybrid style is exactly what I have said that Crawford needs. I'd like to believe that Waite is going to be his own man and not a guy who gets marching orders. And potentially the best part of all this is that when Crawford got here he had a style similar to that of Waite. And Waite had kind of a rough go the time he was here like Crawford did initially. The hiring was a surprise to me, but was certainly done buy a hockey guy who had his thinking cap on. The more I think about it the more I think that this surprise could be a good one.

@TheFourthPeriod
Contrary to a late night report that Toews/Kane are close to 8yr deals at $10.8M/yr, their agent tells me "it's not true." Talks ongoing.
- L_B_R

9.5 would be greeeeeaaaatttttttt

My biggest issue is he was a career journeyman, and for a large part, in the minors and overseas too

He also has some pretty limited goalie coaching experience from what I've read, a few years down in the QMJHL. Hes a young guy for a coach (45) and has less than a handful of years coaching, and 0 years of coaching at the pro level.

Hey, the guy might know his stuff and wowed the staff and front office brass, but IMO, the hawks are in the peak of a cup window for the next couple years, Im just uneasy about taking risks on very inexperienced coaching staff. Not saying we need to get Ed Belfour or Dominik Hasek in here to coach the kids, but he was the BEST option among even other candidates who have better international/pro experience?

Do we really need to risk this guy being terrible at his first pro gig and Crawford having to go through 4 goalie coaches in 4 years if he sucks?
- FourFeathers773

A guy who never quite made it in the show has to have an open mind and be creative and try things that a star player would never have to bother with. How many superstar players ever became coaches with a long track record of winning? Q, Sutter, Lavvy, Trotz and so forth. All good hockey guys but not superstars. My post above states why I like it. But the key is if he is allowed to be his own man. If he was referred by his brother to just follow in his footsteps and do the same things as his brother and not make any waves then all bets are off.

9.5 would be greeeeeaaaatttttttt
- mrpaulish

also means it could be 11.5...........

also means it could be 11.5...........
- ChicagoDave

That would be awful

There are a lot of great golf coaches who never played on the tour.
- Canardhawk

.

...And in other sports as well...including hockey.

The language in Article 50.10 is wide open and simply offers the NHL the option of asking for an independent physician's opinion IF there is a question about a player's LTIR status. As a victim of a degenerative disc condition and given Hossa's recent history of back problems, I don't think it would difficult for Hoss to prove this, if that's a future direction the two parties wanted to pursue.

Instead, let's hope that he continues to play at 1st/2nd line levels - no reason to think otherwise right now.
- bwarner929

It still comes down to a big cap burden...

My biggest issue is he was a career journeyman, and for a large part, in the minors and overseas too

He also has some pretty limited goalie coaching experience from what I've read, a few years down in the QMJHL. Hes a young guy for a coach (45) and has less than a handful of years coaching, and 0 years of coaching at the pro level.

Hey, the guy might know his stuff and wowed the staff and front office brass, but IMO, the hawks are in the peak of a cup window for the next couple years, Im just uneasy about taking risks on very inexperienced coaching staff. Not saying we need to get Ed Belfour or Dominik Hasek in here to coach the kids, but he was the BEST option among even other candidates who have better international/pro experience?

Do we really need to risk this guy being terrible at his first pro gig and Crawford having to go through 4 goalie coaches in 4 years if he sucks?
- FourFeathers773

No clue as to how Waite will be....But this wasn't a rash decision and I know they could have hired someone with recent NHL experience.

Jimmy Waite had the quickest glove the hawks have ever had. Faster than Panger's. But what I like the best is that Waite wasn't a butterfly goalie while he was here. I imagine he incorporated some of the style over the years like most goalies have. But if there's a guy who could take strengths from the standup and butterfly styles and incorporate them into a more hybrid style successfully it's a guy with the experience of Jimmy Waite. The hybrid style is exactly what I have said that Crawford needs. I'd like to believe that Waite is going to be his own man and not a guy who gets marching orders. And potentially the best part of all this is that when Crawford got here he had a style similar to that of Waite. And Waite had kind of a rough go the time he was here like Crawford did initially. The hiring was a surprise to me, but was certainly done buy a hockey guy who had his thinking cap on. The more I think about it the more I think that this surprise could be a good one.
- 6628

Not s surprise except didn't know he Waite had an interest...

NHL has a very small group with only a handful of goalie coaches with a big rep.
I wondered what affect the last hire would have but I don't think the trepidation is any more now with Waite....His brother built his name here and now is considered at the top of the class.

No clue as to how Waite will be....But this wasn't a rash decision and I know they could have hired someone with recent NHL experience.
- Al

Right out of left field. Never thought much of him as an NHL goaltender. I hope they made the right decision, and I also hope they stop tinkering with Crow's game. He's getting near 30, and ought to be settled into his own game/style already. Whatever Stefan Waite did/didn't do with him in 2013, go right back to that and leave it alone, IMO. You couldn't ask for more out of a goalie.

I really think that Weeks was just made the scapegoat for failing to get past LA. They sure as hell didn't lose because of goaltending, but blame could be placed on Q for his lineups, and on him and his assistants for poor special teams performance. Just like when he made Haviland the goat ...

It still comes down to a big cap burden...
- Al

Agreed, but it is what it is and that contract is not movable. Which makes it even more critical to draft/develop well and fill in with quality depth, hopefully some still on ELCs. Near term cap increases obviously won't cover the Hawks' anticipated salary hikes.

Imagine the '15-'16 season (using current roster): Toews & Kane (~$10M each), Crawford ($6M), Sharp ($5.9M), Seabrook ($5.8M), Keith ($5.5M), Hossa ($5.3M), Saad ($4-5M?), Hjalmarsson ($4.1M), Bickell ($4M) - and those are just the contracts >$4M.

That's about $61M right there - something's gotta give!