The unspoken consideration in all of this is Artemi Panarin's cap hit. If bonuses count, then his contract takes up $3.2m in cap space at the beginning of the season, that puts the Blackhawks about $4m over RIGHT NOW (he's not officially on their roster at the moment so most of the salary cap websites don't have that number in their calculations.)

The Blackhawks can cover that salary if they trade Bickell. But the question is how much of his salary can they clear in a deal. The more the better.

Then, if they want to resign Oduya and Kruger, and it seems like they do, they need to trade either Sharp or Crawford. Again, the question is how much salary will they have to take back in either of those deals. If none, then they can probably get away with just trading one of them and keeping Versteeg.

But if they need to take back some salary in either the Bickell or Sharp/Crawford deals, then they're going to need to trade Versteeg and/or the other of Sharp/Crawford or maybe Shaw.

So maybe the preferred scenario is to trade Bickell, Versteeg, and Crawford, but that might not be enough to keep Sharp so maybe all four need to go or maybe it's Bickell, Crawford, and Sharp; hopefully Shaw doesn't get added to the mix too. It'd be nice to keep either Sharp or Versteeg to have some more experience with Q's system on the top two lines. But at this point it seems like at least 3 or 4, maybe 5 of Bickell, Versteeg, Crawford, Sharp, Oduya, Kruger, and Shaw will not be with the team to start next season.

Actually, most of us isles fans would want Sharp, but depends on the price.
Sharp would add another vet to team and would help as another option on W between the 1st -3rd lines.
I'd prefer someone different, but if the options are not there, see whats left....
Most know CHI has to move pieces/players for cap relief, so its a matter of who...
- Ur Not Me

I'm still pissed I had to watch the Isle dismantle the Hawks in the 80's. lol

In seriousness though, there is not another player who is available or recently signed that is better than Sharp. I get the salary issues. Its only 2 years though, so not crippling. People can look at the raw numbers all they want and scream declining. Its simple not the case. His shooting percentages was terrible. He is not a sniper. He is a volume shooter. If he was close to his career average in shooting percentages he exceeds 20 goals easily and more than likely 25.

His hasn't lost a step. He is still as fiesty as he ever has been. He probably played his best hockey on the defensive side of the puck in 3-4 years. Guys like TJ Oshie, Joel Ward and the likes are not in the same class of player as Sharp. And never will be.

All that being said, the return is irrelevant aside from the cap space gained. Most fans understand this and are realistic about it. In a non-cap league, the Hawks aren't looking to move him. He is still a damn good player even if he drops a bit in production.

Numbers for the new guys just announced:
Anisimov: 15
Dano: 56
Tropp: 25
- MNHawk

What about Panarin (72?) and Tikhonov?

What about Panarin (72?) and Tikhonov?
- EbonyRaptor

Panarin is listed as 72 but Tikhonov is still blank.

Wow, WAKE UP! WTF do you think molecules consist of...atoms...and we consider atoms the densest material in the known universe...and what are atoms? VAST EMPTY SPACE! If a basketball in your hand represented the size and location of the nucleus, then the mass of swirling electrons representing the boundaries of the atom would be 30 to 40 miles away!!! In between is NOTHING but vast empty space.

Have you ever heard of the Double Slit Experiment? It is now the most REPLICATED Science experiment in history because of what it proves. All of the most respected Quantum Physicists on the planet say the same thing: "if you understand what the results of the double slit experiment mean, then you understand Quantum Physics and thus how the Universe functions". Matter is only solid when we OBSERVE it, expecting it to act as we have come to know it will...but the moment you stop observing matter (molecules, atoms, photons of light) it stops behaving like solid particles, rather like infinite waves of possibilities, quantum soup, where all things are possible and connected as ONE (Einstein's Quantum Entanglement...the "spooky" science)!

If you don't understand this, then I strongly suggest for your own personal benefit and happiness, you study it! There are thousands of brilliant documentaries on the subject, but a great place to start might be Down the Rabbit Hole, What the Bleep Do We Know? If you choose not to wake up to your actual reality, then you might want to stop and think before you speak as there's only so much oxygen available for those who do!
- MexicoHawk

Mexico - I'm impressed with your knowledge of this documentary. Physics teachers show the Dr. Quantum part to students all the time. Also, what did you do after your injury? Major in physics?

That being said, steel girders are composed of atoms, which are composed of sub-atomic particles that include electrons. Sure, there's tons of empty space between each electron and its nucleus, but those sub-atomic particles are still there.

I enjoy JJ's writing a lot, although it wasn't the best of analogies...

So lets get this straight
Sharp to Dallas was on the table but it is speculated Sharp did not want to go there (to the south)
Discussions with Montreal fell thru because the assets coming back were not to Stans liking so this option has cooled off.
The Jets might be an option but nothing but no real talks.
The Islanders are rumored to have an offer (their best) and the clock is ticking
Detroit came along to kick the tires
An offer was nearly agreed to with Florida but due to certain demands it has also cooled

1) Stan has a tough job, good juggler since this is not the only ball in the air.
2) It is difficult to be a blogger, as each of these scenerios are probably true and the details getting out are either leaked because they want them getting coverage, are second hand information (not the GM's) or possibly just speculation.
3) For Sharp it has got to be troubling, not knowing what the future has in store, assuming all of the scenerios are real and that there might be others not reported his head has to be spinning

- Cup-Bearer

I would add that any rumors available for public consumption are at the very least a few hours old. Seems like anytime I read about a deal being done it mentions how quickly things came together at the very end. Stan has the groundwork for all sorts of deals worked out with a number of GMs so things move quickly when it's time to pull the trigger.

If the season started tomorrow, what would be the projected F lines??
- Ur Not Me

If the season started, tomorrow all the boys would be intact.

Sharp - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Versteeg - TT - Dano
Desjardins - Kruger - Shaw
Tikhonov and Bickell as extra bodies

David Dwork (@DavidDwork)
7/7/15, 2:30 PM
@v3ktorious based on what I was told regarding Sharp's NTC issue it wouldn't surprise me if DT has moved on.

Numbers for the new guys just announced:
Anisimov: 15
Dano: 56
Tropp: 25
- MNHawk

Hopefully that is a Rockford number choice. The guy is the very definition of a plug. If he is the opening night roster, things are going to be pretty bleak.

The unspoken consideration in all of this is Artemi Panarin's cap hit. If bonuses count, then his contract takes up $3.2m in cap space at the beginning of the season, that puts the Blackhawks about $4m over RIGHT NOW (he's not officially on their roster at the moment so most of the salary cap websites don't have that number in their calculations.)


- matt_ahrens

I'm not clear on this either. I think, but not sure, that potential bonuses can be charged (if they're met) to the cap of the following season - and the potential bonuses are not factored into the beginning of the season salary cap.

Would someone confirm/deny/explain please.

I was wondering what number Anisimov would pick, 15 is a good choice. No number posted for Morin, wonder why that is (said sarcastically)?
- DarthKane

56 is an awful number.

David Dwork (@DavidDwork)
7/7/15, 2:30 PM
@v3ktorious based on what I was told regarding Sharp's NTC issue it wouldn't surprise me if DT has moved on.
- walleyeb1

I'm still not sure if I buy this. But we'll have to wait and see. Part of the fun/frustration of the trade rumors is trying to figure out what to believe or what is legitimate and what's not.

I still think there is going to be a big trade that will make a splash (Crow or Sharp/package going somewhere).

I'm not clear on this either. I think, but not sure, that potential bonuses can be charged (if they're met) to the cap of the following season - and the potential bonuses are not factored into the beginning of the season salary cap.

Would someone confirm/deny/explain please.
- EbonyRaptor

3.388 according to nhlnumbers.com

Full cap hit counts - base salary 700k
I believe that's how it works

If it's a veteran bonus contract - it gets tacked on to the following year cap hit

I'm not clear on this either. I think, but not sure, that potential bonuses can be charged (if they're met) to the cap of the following season - and the potential bonuses are not factored into the beginning of the season salary cap.

Would someone confirm/deny/explain please.
- EbonyRaptor

I believe if bonuses are met but can't be covered under the current year's cap, they automatically move to the next year. For example, Toews and Kane met performance bonuses after winning the cup in 2010 that factored into having to let Ladd go the following year, or the Bruins with Iginla last year.

If the bonuses can fit under the current year's cap then they don't rollover to the next year as they're already accounted for.

I was wondering what number Anisimov would pick, 15 is a good choice. No number posted for Morin, wonder why that is (said sarcastically)?
- DarthKane

I will say this again, I think Jeremy Morin is a good hockey player. He had a heart flutter/acceleration that forced him to miss 17 games, but came back strong to finish the season with CLB, and was given increased ice time for his efforts.

Morin can skate, he likes to hit and go to the net, will stand up for team mates, has a nice shot, is an under rated passer, and has offensive skills to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. If he can demonstrate to Q that he is willing to work hard at both ends of the ice, and possess better body and stick positioning defensively, then he could stick as talent isn't the issue.

We will see if Q gives him a long look at camp or not...

I will say this again, I think Jeremy Morin is a good hockey player. He had a heart flutter/acceleration that forced him to miss 17 games, but came back strong to finish the season with CLB, and was given increased ice time for his efforts.

Morin can skate, he likes to hit and go to the net, will stand up for team mates, has a nice shot, is an under rated passer, and has offensive skills to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. If he can demonstrate to Q that he is willing to work hard at both ends of the ice, and possess better body and stick positioning defensively, then he could stick as talent isn't the issue.

We will see if Q gives him a long look at camp or not...
- MexicoHawk

Morin can't play in the Hawks' system. Its as simple as that.

I will say this again, I think Jeremy Morin is a good hockey player. He had a heart flutter/acceleration that forced him to miss 17 games, but came back strong to finish the season with CLB, and was given increased ice time for his efforts.

Morin can skate, he likes to hit and go to the net, will stand up for team mates, has a nice shot, is an under rated passer, and has offensive skills to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. If he can demonstrate to Q that he is willing to work hard at both ends of the ice, and possess better body and stick positioning defensively, then he could stick as talent isn't the issue.

We will see if Q gives him a long look at camp or not...
- MexicoHawk

i would agree i think there was a reason he was included in the trade for Saad. In his previous stint here there wasn't a place for him. Now there is a bit more of a gap in our roster were a guy with Morin's skill set could fit.

David Dwork (@DavidDwork)
7/7/15, 2:30 PM
@v3ktorious based on what I was told regarding Sharp's NTC issue it wouldn't surprise me if DT has moved on.
- walleyeb1

... and another one bites the dust

@DavidDwork: All indications are that the #FlaPanthers have now moved on from pursuing Sharp. From what I heard about his NTC demand, its not surprising

I'm not clear on this either. I think, but not sure, that potential bonuses can be charged (if they're met) to the cap of the following season - and the potential bonuses are not factored into the beginning of the season salary cap.

Would someone confirm/deny/explain please.
- EbonyRaptor

My understanding from reading the CBA is as follows.

A player's technical cap hit is the average annual value (AAV) of the contract, including all bonuses, even those which are only earned by performance. However, a club can go above the cap by 7% so long as any overage is attributable to unearned bonuses.

Once the player earns the bonus, it is charged against the team salary ceiling for the year in which the bonus was earned. If the team lacks the space to do this, any overage is automatically charged against the next year's salary ceiling.

So, effectively, the cap hit is the base salary, with the caveat that the Hawks will have to pay for any bonus overage in the following year. With Panarin, that means they may have a substantial cap hit for him next year. But for this year, Chicago can (if it needs to) treat Panarin as if he's only going to earn his sub-$1m base salary.

@DavidDwork: All indications are that the #FlaPanthers have now moved on from pursuing Sharp. From what I heard about his NTC demand, its not surprising
- walleyeb1

This is why you shouldn't trust David Dwork:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_J._Dwork

56 is an awful number.
- TTtime

Not a big fan either, I was hoping he'd pick one of the other numbers he's worn in the past (i.e. 22). But, if Dano producing like we all hope he will then we'll all love the number 56.

@DavidDwork: All indications are that the #FlaPanthers have now moved on from pursuing Sharp. From what I heard about his NTC demand, its not surprising
- walleyeb1

What the heck could his demand have been? I know there was the rumor that he wanted to be signed long-term immediately, but I find it hard to believe that was what was holding them up. There has to be something more.

I believe if bonuses are met but can't be covered under the current year's cap, they automatically move to the next year. For example, Toews and Kane met performance bonuses after winning the cup in 2010 that factored into having to let Ladd go the following year, or the Bruins with Iginla last year.

If the bonuses can fit under the current year's cap then they don't rollover to the next year as they're already accounted for.
- tobias

Correct - but the concern is whether or not potential bonuses are factored into a teams salary cap st the start of the season. In other words - do the Hawks have to account for only $900K for Panarin or do they need room to accomodate the $3.2M he will be paid if he meets the bonus criteria?

So couple of things on the bonuses as I understand them right now:

Through Twitter (@HockeysCap):

@dstainer He can make up to the max $850k in Individual A bonuses and up to $1.725M in B bonuses. Still looking into further details.

For individual A bonuses (specifically forwards) the CBA lists the following:

(a) Forwards
(i) Ice time (aggregate and/or per Game). Player must be among top
six (6) forwards on the Club (minimum 42 Regular Season Games
played by Player and comparison group). (Note: an Entry Level
SPC may contain bonuses for both aggregate and per Game ice
time; however, the maximum aggregate amount the Player may
receive on account of the ice time category is $212,500.)
(ii) Goals: 20 Goal Minimum
(iii) Assists: 35 Assist Minimum
(iv) Points: 60 Point Minimum
(v) Points Per Game: .73 Points Per Game Minimum (minimum 42
Regular Season Games played)
(vi) Plus-Minus Rating: Among top three (3) forwards on the Club
(minimum 42 Regular Season Games played by Player and
comparison group).
(vii) End-of-Season NHL All-Rookie Team
(viii) NHL All-Star Game (selected to play or plays)
(ix) NHL All-Star Game MVP

For Schedule B bonuses:

Its more based on league wide accomlishments, i.e. goals/assists leaders, etc. It's too big to cut and paste here. It's starts on page 328 of the CBA. For example here is one clause:

A Player who finishes among the top five (5) in balloting for the
Hart, Norris, Vezina, Selke, Richard or any new award of like
stature created in the future shall receive the following bonus
amounts:
Winner $250,000
2nd $200,000
3rd $150,000
4th $100,000
5th $50,000

I believe if bonuses are met but can't be covered under the current year's cap, they automatically move to the next year. For example, Toews and Kane met performance bonuses after winning the cup in 2010 that factored into having to let Ladd go the following year, or the Bruins with Iginla last year.

If the bonuses can fit under the current year's cap then they don't rollover to the next year as they're already accounted for.
- tobias