The McDonaugh injury may be big factor in that.

Wouldnt want Hawks in on Yandle anyway....not a fan of his defensive game...
- hawk35

The only argument for Yandle is if you think he can be another Brian Campbell paired up with Hammer then you reunite Keith and Seabs. That said unless they dump Bickell on the Rags then I dont want to take his cap hit even though hes on an expiring deal. I think the bigger need is at 1LW.

Well I was thinking and wondering if there is any statistical analysis about hockey's players when they peak, how bad is their drop off as they get older and honestly based on this article looks like the Hawks brass does not believe we only have a 3 year window

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/ne...-hockey-metrics-1.2646054
- BetweenTheDots

Also based on the article it does make an argument that the best chances for us to win is the next 3 years, I don't envy Stan and Co's job, still just sitting here on the fence

Well I was thinking and wondering if there is any statistical analysis about hockey's players when they peak, how bad is their drop off as they get older and honestly based on this article looks like the Hawks brass does not believe we only have a 3 year window

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/ne...-hockey-metrics-1.2646054
- BetweenTheDots

And or the Hawks identified early in this cap world to identify and wrap up a core.

This is a good read. What jumped out most to me was the length of the window that players perform at 90% of their peak. And since Dmen stay at 90% of their peak for two more years than forwards you get more bang, and security, for your buck signing them long term.

Brander's team also found that forwards:

Perform within 90 per cent of their peak from 24 to 32 years old.

Defencemen, the co-authors report:

Perform within 90 per cent of their peak from 24 to 34 years old (two years longer than forwards).

Also based on the article it does make an argument that the best chances for us to win is the next 3 years, I don't envy Stan and Co's job, still just sitting here on the fence
- BetweenTheDots

Go for it now - In 3 years there may be another lockout. There is no way the owners are going to keep paying the players these salaries while the cap continues to drop. Re-writing contracts will need to happen for teams to survive Bettman's ignorance.

Good morning JJ, any updated info from your sources on any trades. I know the trade deadline is two weeks from today. I figured the sooner the Hawks make a trade the better in the sense of that player having ample time to adjust to the Hawks systems and teammates. Thank you in advance

Morning all...

another day closer to the TDL...

surprised they brought Vinny up and not Dano, but its mentioned Vinny's playing really well at the Rock. Wonder if they're showcasing him for a deal...

Hossa out for at least a week probably a bit longer...

Leafs tonight - Hawks could use the two points.

Q said on WGN radio that Hossa will miss a couple of weeks and the injury is not serious. Rest will benefit him and the Hawks dont have many games in this next little stretch.

Q said on WGN radio that Hossa will miss a couple of weeks and the injury is not serious. Rest will benefit him and the Hawks dont have many games in this next little stretch.
- golfbard

So no LTIR then.....

Hossa has a deal (at his age) that can't be traded, IMO. I believe that Hoss will attempt to fulfill his contract to its end, and over the next couple of seasons, we will see him drop down a notch or two in the lineup to reflect his lack of statistical production. And you are quite right, Hoss' skill set makes him an IDEAL 3rd liner for the Hawks. Personally, I don't know that Hoss can make another 5 seasons after this one, but if there is one player who can, it's Marian Hossa.
- MexicoHawk

Chris Pronger was traded with 2 years of a $4.9mil cap hit while on LTIR because he was only owed an actual salary $575k/year. Arizona saw a cheap way to get to the CBA mandated floor.

In 2017-18, Hossa's salary will be $1mil while his cap hit will be $5.275mil. For a small market team struggling to meet the floor, I would think Marion Hossa's net -$4.275mil contract would be coveted weather he can still play or not.

So no LTIR then.....
- mrpaulish

I believe this is current information.

LTIR--Players must miss a minimum of ten games and twenty-four days while unavailable due to their injury.

Here's a rather good like to info on the subject of IR and LTIR.

http://www.pensionplanpup...doing-claudes-job-for-him

Chris Pronger was traded with 2 years of a $4.9mil cap hit while on LTIR because he was only owed an actual salary $575k/year. Arizona saw a cheap way to get to the CBA mandated floor.

In 2017-18, Hossa's salary will be $1mil while his cap hit will be $5.275mil. For a small market team struggling to meet the floor, I would think Marion Hossa's net -$4.275mil contract would be coveted weather he can still play or not.
- PuckAndSticks

This is a violation of the cap rules, isn't it?

This is a violation of the cap rules, isn't it?
- powerenforcer

http://www.cbssports.com/...klas-grossmann-to-coyotes

Happened 8 months ago, so i don't think so...

This is a violation of the cap rules, isn't it?
- powerenforcer

Nope. Teams like Arizona like this because they don't have much real cash, but want cap hit. There will be teams looking for a guy like Hossa who they can pay a small salary while getting them closer to the cap floor.

This is a violation of the cap rules, isn't it?
- powerenforcer

NHL owns the Coyotes, don't they?

NHL owns the Coyotes, don't they?
- resqmed99

Exactly, as fans of the NHL this should not be allowed. It is a way to put a lesser team on the ice. Here is really what I don't understand about it, when teams found a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor to keep quality players, the league punished them. When a team finds a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor so they do not have to sign quality players, the league finds this alright. Not good at all for NHL fans. It's a shame that more fans did not balk at this move. It's a real slap in the face to fans.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25227032/flyers-trade-chris-prongers-contract-nicklas-grossmann-to-coyotes

Happened 8 months ago, so i don't think so...
- PuckAndSticks

I have wondered for months how much it'd take to land Boedker and Grossmann from the Yotes at the deadline. Stan adds those two and the rest of the league slowly poops their pants

Keith Yandle is apparently off the trade market.
- Dabearshawks

Exactly, as fans of the NHL this should not be allowed. It is a way to put a lesser team on the ice. Here is really what I don't understand about it, when teams found a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor to keep quality players, the league punished them. When a team finds a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor so they do not have to sign quality players, the league finds this alright. Not good at all for NHL fans. It's a shame that more fans did not balk at this move. It's a real slap in the face to fans.
- powerenforcer

It's about the ego of the league and a commish worse than the one who used to run MLB. The league wants parity. They do NOT want a dynasty. Which is why I saw cringing on the face of someone when they said that word June 15th.

The league expanded into geographic locations --- PHX one of them --- which are incapable of supporting an NHL franchise. So they doubled-down on a bad bet allowing the Pronger deal. If the league did not own the 'yotes, the deal would have been disallowed and Philly would have been excoriated for intentional cap circumvention.

Watch for new rules in the next CBA extending the cap into the playoffs. League office "took notes" on Kane's LTIR last season. If as JJ surmises, the 'Hawks LTIR Kruger, which by the numbers, enables a trade, you can bet the suits at 1901 W. Madison will be paid a visit by the league wonks.

Exactly, as fans of the NHL this should not be allowed. It is a way to put a lesser team on the ice. Here is really what I don't understand about it, when teams found a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor to keep quality players, the league punished them. When a team finds a way to "manipulate" the cap in their favor so they do not have to sign quality players, the league finds this alright. Not good at all for NHL fans. It's a shame that more fans did not balk at this move. It's a real slap in the face to fans.
- powerenforcer

While it was a bit questionable with Pronger, given he was traded and everyone knew he would never play again, at least these types of contracts that are front loaded are not possible in the latest CBA. The variance on salary and cap hit will always be there, but less extreme.

It's about the ego of the league and a commish worse than the one who used to run MLB. The league wants parity. They do NOT want a dynasty. Which is why I saw cringing on the face of someone when they said that word June 15th.

The league expanded into geographic locations --- PHX one of them --- which are incapable of supporting an NHL franchise. So they doubled-down on a bad bet allowing the Pronger deal. If the league did not own the 'yotes, the deal would have been disallowed and Philly would have been excoriated for intentional cap circumvention.

Watch for new rules in the next CBA extending the cap into the playoffs. League office "took notes" on Kane's LTIR last season. If as JJ surmises, the 'Hawks LTIR Kruger, which by the numbers, enables a trade, you can bet the suits at 1901 W. Madison will be paid a visit by the league wonks.
- blackhawk24

Don't buy this at all. If the desire was there why didn't they push a change for this year? All clubs can use it so it's not unfair, besides the owners want that provision for a reason...

The wealthiest, cap tight clubs can use it to their advantage if needed...which is good for the league. Believe it or not the wealthiest clubs are the most powerful clubs, with the most powerful owners... and the most powerful owners support Bettman.

It's about the ego of the league and a commish worse than the one who used to run MLB. The league wants parity. They do NOT want a dynasty. Which is why I saw cringing on the face of someone when they said that word June 15th.

The league expanded into geographic locations --- PHX one of them --- which are incapable of supporting an NHL franchise. So they doubled-down on a bad bet allowing the Pronger deal. If the league did not own the 'yotes, the deal would have been disallowed and Philly would have been excoriated for intentional cap circumvention.

Watch for new rules in the next CBA extending the cap into the playoffs. League office "took notes" on Kane's LTIR last season. If as JJ surmises, the 'Hawks LTIR Kruger, which by the numbers, enables a trade, you can bet the suits at 1901 W. Madison will be paid a visit by the league wonks.
- blackhawk24

Putting Kruger on IR won't give them that much to work with and I don't see why the league would care.

I believe this is current information.

LTIR--Players must miss a minimum of ten games and twenty-four days while unavailable due to their injury.

Here's a rather good like to info on the subject of IR and LTIR.

http://www.pensionplanpup...doing-claudes-job-for-him
- ArlingtonRob

Yep, could be very interesting, the good news is the only five games in the next two weeks. If it goes longer and he end up on LTIR, it would open up a lot of options for Stan.

Don't buy this at all. If the desire was there why didn't they push a change for this year? All clubs can use it so it's not unfair, besides the owners want that provision for a reason...

The wealthiest, cap tight clubs can use it to their advantage if needed...which is good for the league. Believe it or not the wealthiest clubs are the most powerful clubs, with the most powerful owners... and the most powerful owners support Bettman.
- ArlingtonRob

Exactly. I'm sure the league would love to just restrict and punish the only nationwide TV draw the league has in the US.

Just a Debbie Donwner doll?

But you are correct that they got the two elite players by being lousy and getting to draft in the top three twice and in the Kane draft by getting THE best offesnive player.

I think understand your tenor, and the fact that this board gets littered with all these demands. insults of the current roster, I understand how you along with management want there to be high level skilled players in the stable who COULD develop into real scoring threats.

But...Sharp toiled on the Philly Phantoms and came in a trade.
so there is a chance you trade and and a guy develops into an all-around player. (Sharp could always shoot the puck.)

So as the championship window that I believe I closed in 2016-2017 back about five years ago on this board is drawing to a close, but when things start to look like patches can't sustain around the core, the CORE will go, and the money will attract big star UFAs.

if that can bring you any solice.
- wiz1901

LOL at the bolded above.

Wiz, I think we're coming from the same place in saying that things come and go in cycles. There's a bit of luck to the whole thing, too, which probably gets overlooked.

Year in and year out, can the Hawks ice a team that looks like a legitimate contender? So far, so good, aside from 2011. But there may be a few Detroit years (circa 2003-2007) before there are enough elite parts to capture another Cup.

I'm still on the side of going for the first repeat in the Cap Era, whatever it takes.

Currently we're $491,000 below the cap. If both Kruger and Hossa end up on LTIR it would look something like this.

$1,500,000 +
$5,280,000 =

$6,780,000



- $491,000

= $6,289,000 allowed salary over the cap.