Agree and it's not like Kruger is going to ask for $5.5 million per season. I could see Krugs signing for around $2.5 million for 4-5 years. Kruger would still be under 30 at the end of the deal and have the opportunity for another big contract.
- DarthKane

Even at 2.5 DK, the savings on a guy on a ELC is roughly 1.6 a year. Again. Its not that I want them to move Kruger. Just that he may be moved

You can disagree all you want. I know exactly how old he is. And there is a cap in place and the Hawks will need to move players to save salary. Tough choices will have to be made. And Kruger may be one of those choices.

Especially when Danault has been instructed to be more Kruger like in his play. This isn't a question of whether Kruger is effective in his role or not. Its a question of cost control.

And the whole Kruger getting more physically mature is a fallacy to me. He is 24. Shouldn't he a physically mature by now? This isn't an 18 year old out of juniors.

Paying Kruger 2.5 to 3 mil a year is a luxury they may not be able to afford.
- Elbows15

I'm not saying Kruger is irreplacable, but right now we don't have anyone in the pipleline that can take his spot. Danault isn't ready now, in a year or two..maybe. Kruger offers enough that he deserves serious consideration for a long term contract. Saad and Shaw are probably ahead of Kruger in contract priority but Krugs has his place.

He actually is a very pleasant person. That makes it even more fun to call him cranky.
- Elbows15

I am sure he is. Just not so much here on HB. Especially with Blues fans.

Even at 2.5 DK, the savings on a guy on a ELC is roughly 1.6 a year. Again. Its not that I want them to move Kruger. Just that he may be moved
- Elbows15

For sure. The only guys that I think are truly safe are Kane, Toew, Keith and Hossa.

I'm not saying Kruger is irreplacable, but right now we don't have anyone in the pipleline that can take his spot. Danault isn't ready now, in a year or two..maybe. Kruger offers enough that he deserves serious consideration for a long term contract. Saad and Shaw are probably ahead of Kruger in contract priority but Krugs has his place.
- DarthKane

The question as to whether Danault is ready or not is unknown. 4th liners don't get long term contracts on cap teams.

I am sure he is. Just not so much here on HB. Especially with Blues fans.
- carcus

Well you are Blues fans. No one here will hold that against him.

He actually is a very pleasant person. That makes it even more fun to call him cranky.
- Elbows15

As long as you avoid the futbol thing, lol

Well you are Blues fans. No one here will hold that against him.
- Elbows15

Understandable.

Is there still time to sign Kevin Hayes?

Understandable.

Is there still time to sign Kevin Hayes?
- carcus

on August 16th he's all yours.

For sure. The only guys that I think are truly safe are Kane, Toew, Keith and Hossa.
- DarthKane

Add Saad to that list. He's going nowhere.

Add Saad to that list. He's going nowhere.
- Sandus

He's not as untouchable as those guys, but he's getting there. JJ wrote a blog not long ago about the various levels of "untouchablity" (for lack of a better term) and summed it up well.

IMO Saad isn't on the same level as Kane, Toews, Keith and Hossa but he is in the next group.

For sure. The only guys that I think are truly safe are Kane, Toew, Keith and Hossa.
- DarthKane

I'd add Saad to that list - don't think they'd move him unless the return was INSANE.

Understandable.

Is there still time to sign Kevin Hayes?
- carcus

No - but still enough time to trade his rights.

Understandable.

Is there still time to sign Kevin Hayes?
- carcus

I bet Hayes is waiting for them to trade Sharp to free up a desired roster spot and money

No - but still enough time to trade his rights.
- StLBravesFan

The compensatory pick will be better than anything they can get for trading his rights.

on August 16th he's all yours.
- DarthKane

Right, because there are so many top 6/9 forward spots open on the Blues roster

The compensatory pick will be better than anything they can get for trading his rights.
- stljam

Jammer - I know - the discussion has been going on for months.

Understandable.

Is there still time to sign Kevin Hayes?
- carcus

I couldn't care less about Kevin Hayes. He isn't anything special. Someone is going to be very disappointed after signing him.

Saad steps in to fill the void huh? So Saad is gonna play LW for the 1st line AND the 2nd line? WRONG. I keep seeing this thrown around, that "Saad replaces Sharp". Makes no sense. We need TWO capable elite top 6 LW's. Not 1 and then a question mark in Bickell. How come so many seem iffy about having Leddy hypothetically replace Oduya(or keeping Oduya and using someone like Rundblad to replace Leddy) and at the same time think Bickell is a permanent top 6 winger? Sharp would NOT be easy to replace, someone like Rozy or Leddy would be much easier.
- SimpleJack

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

I am sure he is. Just not so much here on HB. Especially with Blues fans.
- carcus

(frank) you, OK?

He actually is a very pleasant person. That makes it even more fun to call him cranky.
- Elbows15

I'm Captain (frank)ing Sunshine.

I'm Captain (frank)ing Sunshine.
- Ogilthorpe2

I said pleasant. I didn't say anything about happy. Huge difference.

The compensatory pick will be better than anything they can get for trading his rights.
- stljam

Please tell me you were kidding.

(frank) you, OK?
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm not saying Kruger is irreplaceable, but right now we don't have anyone in the pipleline that can take his spot. Danault isn't ready now, in a year or two..maybe. Kruger offers enough that he deserves serious consideration for a long term contract. Saad and Shaw are probably ahead of Kruger in contract priority but Krugs has his place.
- DarthKane

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.