When it comes to trading Sharp, combination of his NMC, NTC (whatever it is), teams with cap space that can absorb his cap hit, team that really wants Sharp, Stan's "high" asking price makes it really next to impossible to move him.
The sooner Stan realizes the situation he is in the better. He should just dump Sharp asap for best offer at the moment from team that Sharp will agree to go and go to more important things moving forward like resigning 27&16
- TS-40

Sure, simple as that. It's just a name on a piece of paper.

That's a really nice lookin lineup. Big fan of both Barkov and Bjugstad I think they're both on the verge of being legit studs down the middle. Both big, strong, tough to play against. Trocheck's no slouch either. On the smaller side but tenacious. FLA's got a bright future.
- daaaahawks

On paper...at least...

The Panthers still need to make the playoffs with this current group.

Happens in the NBA all the time

- MTL1

That's why I'm curious we don't see something like that in this situation... I'm really surprised 3-way deals don't happen more often when NTC's get involved.

Bergevin stated two things in his press conference on July 2nd;

1) Why draft hockey players if you're going to trade them away?

2) NHL hockey is a young man's sport.

So basically, he's not looking to part with any prospects/young players at the moment. If Chicago cannot take back salary for Sharp, it looks like it would be a pick going back. Still, he'd need to pass one of Deharnais or Eller for the cap problem Sharp would cause.

Desharnais for Sharp would get done swiftly, no doubt about it.
- elcabong

1. Teams draft players and view them as commodities to be used by the team immediatley or after they have been developed or traded to make the team better. If Bergevin believes that drafted players are only drafted to play on the Canadiens, he's gonna be in big trouble down the road.

2. Yes to a degree hockey is a young man's game, but the last 10 cup winners have had rosters that were older than the league average at the time. Experience is as important as young players both to build a team and when a team is contending.

Montreal may or may not need veteran leadership to help the team get to the next level. Bergevin was around to see the importance of veteran leadership. What's he's telling the Montreal market isn't that the Canadiens won't aquire a veteran leader or three but that he will try to keep the average age of the core of the team young.

I love the anger towards Sharp for not wanting to play in Florida, unless he believes he'll win. This guy just spent the past 10 season of his life playing on top teams winning 3 cups, as an Alternate Captain. There's a reason he has a trade clause, and there's a reason he felt he should exercise it. Unfortunately, I don't think it's a wise career move to accept anything that comes up so you can help your former team get under the salary cap
- HawksHype

Well if you go back 10 years...

05-06 - Hawks were 28th
06-07 - Hawks were 26th
07-08 - Hawks were 20th
08-09 - Hawks were 6th

So obviously he hasn't been on a winning team the last 10 years.... more like 7!

He's been there for the lean years and for the Championship runs.. can't blame a guy for not wanting to leave.

However having said this we had the same thing happen in Toronto with Matts Sundin. He didn't want to leave claiming he never wanted to be a rental player and wanted to start and end the year with the same club... the following year he walks away as a Free Agent and signs half way through the year with Vancouver for a pro rated 10mil 1 year contract.

Not saying Sharp is as classless as Matts but he does control his own fate and if he feels slighted by the Hawks he may not care about helping them out with their cap troubles... time will tell. It's crazy how the Hawks fans have turned on him... kinda sad but understandable at the same time... even if he had a terrific season he still might have ended up being the odd man out... only difference would be fans would be more sad to see him go... as opposed to how they are now... can't wait to ship him out... which totally sucks to hear as a player.

I like Sharp and am no fan of Matts.. hopefully he ends up someplace where he wouldn't mind playing... good luck to him!

TOR fans troll on anything, don't they. Maybe he'd be happy if atoms were used instead of electrons. The rest of us got your point though.

On the dull-bordering-on-scary side, I have to wonder how SB is going to back-fill the slots of #'s 16 & 27 when he doesn't move some combo of 10, 23, 29 & 50 soon enough.
- blackhawk24

Lol I don't think the guy was trolling and I don't think JJ took it as such either. He was just bustin JJ's chops a little. All good in my book.

1. Teams draft players and view them as commodities to be used by the team immediatley or after they have been developed or traded to make the team better. If Bergevin believes that drafted players are only drafted to play on the Canadiens, he's gonna be in big trouble down the road.

2. Yes to a degree hockey is a young man's game, but the last 10 cup winners have had rosters that were older than the league average at the time. Experience is as important as young players both to build a team and when a team is contending.

Montreal may or may not need veteran leadership to help the team get to the next level. Bergevin was around to see the importance of veteran leadership. What's he's telling the Montreal market isn't that the Canadiens won't aquire a veteran leader or three but that he will try to keep the average age of the core of the team young.
- paulr

Wasnt the Hawks average age around 29years old in the playoffs??

How could the Panthers NOT agree to that. If they still suck I would think they would be more than happy to trade Sharp for a pick or prospect that season. Even at 35 he would be a great asset for team looking to make a deep playoff run at the trade deadline.
- tyweb69

I agree. Would think Sharp's value goes up in the last year of his deal. Good potential trade deadline acquisition next year if the Panthers haven't developed as planned.

Good morning folks. Not that anyone would notice but I have been a little MIA and am catching up.

Questions, is it me or is becoming increasingly more likely that Kruger and Oduya sign elsewhere? It's quite a show of loyalty and preference for them to be waiting on the Hawks to clear the space but at some point....

JJ or Al, what would you say the likelihood is that the Hawks move Crawford given the falling market for Sharp, Bickell, etc? I read the Hawks moved Nilsson so I would think a goalie would have to be coming back in return, which begs, the question, what does Crawford fetch now in return other than another goaltender to play with Darling?

That's why I'm curious we don't see something like that in this situation... I'm really surprised 3-way deals don't happen more often when NTC's get involved.
- gnosox1986

Or just in general

I believe there is more disdain for other teams at the executive level in the nhl than the nba

For example - teams not wanting to trade within their conference

It isn't for lack of trying. Lots of moving parts, especially with NMCs. This is why Bowman has had to investigate so many possible;ivies, have contingency plans.

As more time passes without a deal, the likelihood of Crawford moving increases, IMO
- John Jaeckel

Yep, I totally agree. Over the years, I've learned that Bowman is a GM that goes over everything with a fine-tooth comb. Which is good. Although, sometimes you wish he was more of a shoot-from-the-hip and make a splash type kind of guy, like Tallon. But in the end, the more refined (Bowman) approach is probably the better of the two. I used to not think that way, but I'm coming around to it.

I totally agree about Crawford. It will be interesting to see. Do you think they're looking for a cheaper, veteran goalie who might be willing to split or transition into a back-up roll in order to start grooming/mentoring Darling? I wouldn't mind seeing that. I do think he will be the future--or at least, the Hawks are banking on him to be that.

Wasnt the Hawks average age around 29years old in the playoffs??
- EnzoD

Not sure but when the Hawks went looking for help at the deadline they weren't looking for young players.

That's a really nice lookin lineup. Big fan of both Barkov and Bjugstad I think they're both on the verge of being legit studs down the middle. Both big, strong, tough to play against. Trocheck's no slouch either. On the smaller side but tenacious. FLA's got a bright future.
- daaaahawks

Thank you. And we have plenty more coming like Crouse who we just drafted. On defense the list of prospects is endless, including Brian Campbells heir apparent Mike Matheson. This will be the year we make the playoffs... we'll get bounced in the first round but we'll make it, damnit!

On paper...at least...

The Panthers still need to make the playoffs with this current group.
- EKolb13

Would have last year.. injuries caught up with us. We didn't have a lot of them but they happened in the last month of the season. It hurt. Definitely could have played a bit better in January. But we move on and go at it this season.

This probably kills even more leverage with other teams if the deal is potentially dead.

It sounds like the Hawks are trying to accommodate Sharp, but when's enough is enough?

Is Sharp being a royal pain in the ass and screwing the Hawks? Not blaming anyone but just throwing the question out there.

Btw JJ... what was the rumored return from us?

Dunno, and I don't know enough about the alleged offer (that someone else rumored)
- John Jaeckel

would you move sharp for read +?

would you move sharp for read +?
- rinaldo

Nyet

would you move sharp for read +?
- rinaldo

haha big Zach Rinaldo fan?? We have no pressing need for Matt Read...I'd prefer a Defender+ come back from Phily

JJ is it possible they are still talking? Or Sharp is taking some time to think about it and make a decision? Or have you heard Sharp doesn't want to go to Florida? I would think like a previous poster said that if all doesn't go as planned with the Panthers why wouldn't they want to trade him the following year to get something for him?

Or just in general

I believe there is more disdain for other teams at the executive level in the nhl than the nba

For example - teams not wanting to trade within their conference
- MTL1

Ottawa has traded with Buffalo for many years; Dean Lombardi has transacted with Edmonton frequently; Toronto and Pittsburgh.

I think its more of a case of there being 6 or 7 rich teams, a bunch of poor or budget teams and needs between them frequently don't mesh.

haha big Zach Rinaldo fan?? We have no pressing need for Matt Read...I'd prefer a Defender+ come back from Phily
- EnzoD

Agreed. Unfortunately not much I'd be interested in at the NHL level but it seems like they have a truckload of very good D prospects.

Would have last year.. injuries caught up with us. We didn't have a lot of them but they happened in the last month of the season. It hurt. Definitely could have played a bit better in January. But we move on and go at it this season.
- Panthers88

Good luck to the Panthers and their fans this season.

Wasn't it strickland who broke that rumor? He has pretty reliable info doesnt he JJ?
- nickmo2699

I thought it was Michael Grosso who broke it

Btw JJ... what was the rumored return from us?
- Panthers88

Did not hear