Nordstrom, and potentially Rasmussen come to mind. I also happen to believe, besides Kruger, Shaw and Smith are likely gone when their deals are up next, too.
- hawks2010

At some point, they need to start replacing the getting-older core - don't see the replacements (except for Saad) coming into the picture yet.

Nordstrom, and potentially Rasmussen come to mind. I also happen to believe, besides Kruger, Shaw and Smith are likely gone when their deals are up next, too.
- hawks2010

Shaw sticks around for sure, there's a good chance Kruger stays but Smith is questionable.

Nordstrom and Rasmussen are ahead of anyone in Rockford, but they're not close to Kruger yet. As others have mentioned at some point the older core needs to be moved out and replaced with young guys. Shaw and Kruger are winners and should stay.

Shaw sticks around for sure, there's a good chance Kruger stays but Smith is questionable.

Nordstrom and Rasmussen are ahead of anyone in Rockford, but they're not close to Kruger yet. As others have mentioned at some point the older core needs to be moved out and replaced with young guys. Shaw and Kruger are winners and should stay.
- DarthKane

I agree. Smith is a tough one, though. I actually think all 3 are winners. Secondary guys you need to Win. I don't think we need Elite talent. We have guys like Toews, Kane, Saad and hopefully TT for years to come. It is solid depth that is the difference between great teams and Cup teams. Having 4 lines that can all play. I see Danault and Hartman joining next.

It's ok, your Sharp jersey will still be cool after he's traded, no need to get so defensive.
- Ogilthorpe2

lol. I kno u have some sort of thing against Sharp, but other than that u seem pretty cool. So ill jus laugh and let it be.

I agree. Smith is a tough one, though. I actually think all 3 are winners. Secondary guys you need to Win. I don't think we need Elite talent. We have guys like Toews, Kane, Saad and hopefully TT for years to come. It is solid depth that is the difference between great teams and Cup teams. Having 4 lines that can all play. I see Danault and Hartman joining next.
- tomcat24

From the draftees currently in Rockford I see McNeill as the next candidate to join the bottom 6. But I'm also looking forward to seeing what Hartman can do.

*CRICKETS*

Don't get too attached to Kruger. As much as I like and appreciate what he brings to the Hawks, he is can be replaced saving the difference between any increase you need to pay him and an ELC contract.

Not saying I want him to go but the reality is Ladd, Brouwer, and even the Versteeg of 2010 were better players than Kruger.

The strength of the organizational prospects are in bottom 6 players. For a reason too.
- Elbows15

55+% on faceoffs, terrific defensive center, can play on any of three lines, great along the wall (pound for pound as good as anyone in the league) and has upside. Who replaces that? Danault? When?

55+% on faceoffs, terrific defensive center, can play on any of three lines, great along the wall (pound for pound as good as anyone in the league) and has upside. Who replaces that? Danault? When?
- John Jaeckel

What does he want for pay after next year?

RFA after next year (2016), so 3 years $6MM? $7.5MM? Probably doable - anything more is chancy.

At some point, tho, favorites will have to go, especially if the looney drops like a rock (possible) and the cap doesn't hit $80MM in three years: Seabrook? Shaw? Kruger, Smith (on top of the usual suspects to solve the current cap problem - Sharp, Oduya, Leddy)....

55+% on faceoffs, terrific defensive center, can play on any of three lines, great along the wall (pound for pound as good as anyone in the league) and has upside. Who replaces that? Danault? When?
- John Jaeckel

This! Kruger is one of those nuts and bolts players. Why is his name even being floated right now? People need to go mow the lawn.

This! Kruger is one of those nuts and bolts players. Why is his name even being floated right now? People need to go mow the lawn.
- kwolf68

No one comes to mind who's in the farm system or around the league that can play like Kruger can play.

Even if his offense never truly forms I'm more than happy with his game. The kid is a warrior plain and simple.

No one comes to mind who's in the farm system or around the league that can play like Kruger can play.

Even if his offense never truly forms I'm more than happy with his game. The kid is a warrior plain and simple.
- teh_HAWKZ

Maybe Danault...someday. When I say "someday," that's a few seasons from now.

What does he want for pay after next year?

RFA after next year (2016), so 3 years $6MM? $7.5MM? Probably doable - anything more is chancy.

At some point, tho, favorites will have to go, especially if the looney drops like a rock (possible) and the cap doesn't hit $80MM in three years: Seabrook? Shaw? Kruger, Smith (on top of the usual suspects to solve the current cap problem - Sharp, Oduya, Leddy)....
- StLBravesFan

I can easily see him getting $3.5M AAV on the open market. Plus I refuse to hope for a home town discount. 'Hawks lucked out big time with Hammer, we should all be happy for that. It shouldn't be expected.

I consider anything South of $3M AAV for Kruger in the 3 year range a bargain.

I can easily see him getting $3.5M AAV on the open market. Plus I refuse to hope for a home town discount. 'Hawks lucked out big time with Hammer, we should all be happy for that. It shouldn't be expected.

I consider anything South of $3M AAV for Kruger in the 3 year range a bargain.
- blackhawk24

Doesn't matter if it's considered a bargain - affordable is the better attribute to use.

If you're saying $3 or $3.5 for Kruger - what are you going to give Saad?

Doesn't matter if it's considered a bargain - affordable is the better attribute to use.

If you're saying $3 or $3.5 for Kruger - what are you going to give Saad?
- StLBravesFan

Depends on the season he has right (Saad)? If he scores 25ish goals and isnt a liability defensively then i wouldnt be surprised if he got close to $4mil would you?

EDIT: Now that i think about it, that would be quite the jump in salary. Not sure how these things work to be honest. I guess $2-$3 mil range would be more manageable?

Any of you guys see this crazy stuff?

https://www.youtube.com/w...s&feature=player_embedded

https://sports.yahoo.com/...ash--video-215134602.html

Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member.

"Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member."

Depends on the season he has right (Saad)? If he scores 25ish goals and isnt a liability defensively then i wouldnt be surprised if he got close to $4mil would you?

EDIT: Now that i think about it, that would be quite the jump in salary. Not sure how these things work to be honest. I guess $2-$3 mil range would be more manageable?
- BlazinMike

Saad, Kruger and Leddy are eligible to be re-upped now, if I'm not mistaken? I wonder if Bowman is working on extensions for them before the season starts?

Any of you guys see this crazy stuff?

https://www.youtube.com/w...s&feature=player_embedded

https://sports.yahoo.com/...ash--video-215134602.html

Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member.

"Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member."
- stljam

Wow!

That's some crazy poop.

Saad, Kruger and Leddy are eligible to be re-upped now, if I'm not mistaken? I wonder if Bowman is working on extensions for them before the season starts?
- EKolb13

I would imagine Stan's limited due to the tagging rules. I'm no expert on this subject but we already have $65.757 million in salary cao for next season. If Stan can't go over the current $69 million (for now) until the 15/16 cap is released then he doesn't have much to work with.

Any of you guys see this crazy stuff?

https://www.youtube.com/w...s&feature=player_embedded

https://sports.yahoo.com/...ash--video-215134602.html

Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member.

"Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member."
- stljam

Looked kind of like the Blackhawks response to the Orpik hit.....HYO!!

Seriously, that girl should have been knocked out (the russian).

Saad, Kruger and Leddy are eligible to be re-upped now, if I'm not mistaken? I wonder if Bowman is working on extensions for them before the season starts?
- EKolb13

Tagging rules will get them:

They're only about $3.2MM under the $69MM cap for next year (2015-16) - with those three plus Oduya plus others unsigned.

Have to wait until more space clears, or wait until next summer.

Tagging rules will get them:

They're only about $3.2MM under the $69MM cap for next year (2015-16) - with those three plus Oduya plus others.

Have to wait until more space clears, or wait until next summer.
- StLBravesFan

I forgot about the tagging rules. Thanks.

Any of you guys see this crazy stuff?

https://www.youtube.com/w...s&feature=player_embedded

https://sports.yahoo.com/...ash--video-215134602.html

Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member.

"Amazingly, Bates was okay. "Shoutout to Warrior for making Russian-proof helmets that saved me from a concussion," she tweeted, along with video of the attack, uploaded by a family member."
- stljam

Was that Putin's daughter? Crazy SOB, all of them!!!!

Maybe Danault...someday. When I say "someday," that's a few seasons from now.
- EKolb13

Ya, I know.

Can Danault take an ass whoopin' like Kruger and still play on?

Ya, I know.

Can Danault take an ass whoopin' like Kruger and still play on?
- teh_HAWKZ

Yes he can.

55+% on faceoffs, terrific defensive center, can play on any of three lines, great along the wall (pound for pound as good as anyone in the league) and has upside. Who replaces that? Danault? When?
- John Jaeckel

Maybe on Florida. Is he a player that is good to have? Yes. But he is nothing more than a fourth line center. I understand the little things he does. But that is all he really brings to the table and thus he is a typical fourth line player. On the topic of Sharp, Saad will replace him in a roster sense on the first line, but why wouldnt they let TT get his licks at wing to start. It takes the defensive pressure off him and allows him to use that good shot and puck moving ability on his strong wing. Saad was not ready when he was first brought up, neither was Kruger at first, but those guys took their lumps at the NHL level early and are better for it today.