This would be a godsend for many of the teams. And actually a fair thing given the new cap reality with HRR and the less-than-fantastic Canadian dollar.
- DMChi2010

How so? The entire league cap structure is based off a percentage of revenue now, regardless of any currency valuations. Sign players for what the cap is now, and don't bank on changes to try to give some sort of future value to the contract.

Chances are slim the cap will go down

Also why everyone is arm chair GM'in please remember NMC and NTC.

http://www.generalfanager.../teams/chicago-blackhawks

not a ton of cap relief there though, is it?
- Fountain-San

Goals-for relief, for sure.

No one thinking outside the box yet... my view is that you do not trade a 2-cup goalie who makes reasonable dough.
To solve many troubles, it might be considered to send the Ross trophy winner to fetch a stud D, say Hedman or Subban or Doughty. And what a short memory we all have... nine months ago this board wanted him out of town anyway. Talk about cap relief and defense bolstering.
- RedFeather

Trade the guy who scored 40% of your team's goals? You just create a much bigger problem trying to address another. You'd trade 27 yr old MVP+Art Ross over 31 yr old Top 10 goalie? No way do the Hawks trade Kane. And not everyone on this board wanted Kane traded.

This may be a dumb question, but can you trade retained salary? For instance, could the Hawks throw in Scuderi's $1.125 M for next year to a bigger trade? Or is that locked in for the length of Scuderi's contract?

not a ton of cap relief there though, is it?
- Fountain-San

kane $10.50
hedman $5.75
= a little money for other stuff

Also keep in mind expansion. If it happens you will have one or two teams needing salary. I don't see significant UFA's signing with expansion teams.

kane $10.50
hedman $5.75
= a little money for other stuff
- RedFeather

hedman yes

hedman yes
- Fountain-San

and we can't complain about kane's huge salary if we are unwilling to consider that... it can't be both ways.

Crawford is the only one they can trade of the $5mil+ guys. Hossa cant finish anymore but he is still a 200ft beast on the puck.
- EnzoD

they can trade Seabrook. his new deal doesn't kick in right away. they should at least explore the options.

and we can't complain about kane's huge salary if we are unwilling to consider that... it can't be both ways.
- RedFeather

that's just a ton of cap space for two players. after this run it may time to think about it, yes.

they can trade Seabrook. his new deal doesn't kick in right away. they should at least explore the options.
- kaptaan

He has a NMC on his current contract and the next.

That is such as subjective statement. Who is to say Rocky would give the OK to spend say $20-30M more each season in a no-cap league. And who is to say teams such as Philly, NYR, Ana, Bos, Det or LA wouldn't spend the extra money.

The 'Hawks and all of us fans should be grateful for the three titles in six seasons timeframe. One can always lament the shoulda, coulda, woulda situations but what's the use?
- blackhawk24

for a no cap league, you'd have to add at least Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto to that list... and probably the Isles and San Jose... oh and don't forget the Stars, their owner has a competitive beef with the owners in Vancity...

they can trade Seabrook. his new deal doesn't kick in right away. they should at least explore the options.
- kaptaan

Hawks have 4 NHL Dman on the roster so I don't think trading Seabrook does much good. Unless it somehow lands the Hawjs a young top 4 D and Top 6 wing. Maybe a package with Tuevo+Seabs, but he is a huge leader and still an impact player over 200ft. I've never seen 7 play as poorly as he did this series. He was just bad. Directly caused a handful of goals off his poor plays. He actually had his best offensive season with nearly 50 points. My vote is Crawford, but I'm expecting Shaw to be the odd man out.

He has a NMC on his current contract and the next.
- Blackwater13

but if they can't afford him, maybe they can ask him real nice like...

I'd like to commend this board for enlightening me with regards to hockey. I came across it mid-season and it's addictive reading. I've enjoyed the Hawks their last 3 cups, and really enjoy the game. I have to say that NHL playoff hockey is really the at the top of the heap when it comes to the major sports and playoff action. Nothing really comes close. This was an unfortunate ending to a great series and if Seabrooks' shot went in, who knows what would have happened. I have to agree that the long summer will do everyone of the core good. These guys have played their heart out season after season, and not one team has been better than them since their cup in 2010. Here's to next season and thanks.

Hawks have 4 NHL Dman on the roster so I don't think trading Seabrook does much good. Unless it somehow lands the Hawjs a young top 4 D and Top 6 wing. Maybe a package with Tuevo+Seabs, but he is a huge leader and still an impact player over 200ft. I've never seen 7 play as poorly as he did this series. He actually had his best offensive season with nearly 50 points. My vote is Crawford. I'm expecting Shaw to be the odd man out.
- EnzoD

Seabrook has real value that you are right can be traded for players who even Q would put into a regular rotation. if he agrees to waive.

Shaw
TT
Seab
Craw

to reload with prospects/ picks and/or be able to afford signing RFAs and UFAs that are desired.

Hawks have 4 NHL Dman on the roster so I don't think trading Seabrook does much good. Unless it somehow lands the Hawjs a young top 4 D and Top 6 wing. Maybe a package with Tuevo+Seabs, but he is a huge leader and still an impact player over 200ft. I've never seen 7 play as poorly as he did this series. He was just bad. Directly caused a handful of goals off his poor plays. He actually had his best offensive season with nearly 50 points. My vote is Crawford, but I'm expecting Shaw to be the odd man out.
- EnzoD

but how does that help the cap?

This may be a dumb question, but can you trade retained salary? For instance, could the Hawks throw in Scuderi's $1.125 M for next year to a bigger trade? Or is that locked in for the length of Scuderi's contract?
- CanOCorn

Cannot be traded unless Blackhawks re-aquire Scuderi then trade him again.

Canes are going to have to spend around $20 million just to hit the cap floor next season.
- BINGO!

They need players-plural...

No one thinking outside the box yet... my view is that you do not trade a 2-cup goalie who makes reasonable dough.
To solve many troubles, it might be considered to send the Ross trophy winner to fetch a stud D, say Hedman or Subban or Doughty. And what a short memory we all have... nine months ago this board wanted him out of town anyway. Talk about cap relief and defense bolstering.
- RedFeather

Don't agree with this at all. Take Kane away you make our PP horrible. He drives possession on whatever line he his thrown on. You take him off this team and put Hedman on it this year the Hawks are considerable worse. Kane was this teams offensive engine this year and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Problem is you don't have an in house replacement for the players that you can deal. Hammer, Seabrook, Keith, Hossa, Toews, Kane, Crawford.....Can Darling withstand a barrage of prime scoring chances over and over again like Crawford? Not so sure. He did so in a limited sample size vs Nashville but doesn't have the body of work like Crawford.
- SteveRain[/quote

Yes and there are core players just entering their prime...Don't want to waste those years on a rebuild. Keith and Seabrook could play at high level for a few more years especially if they have some help.

Problem is you don't have an in house replacement for the players that you can deal. Hammer, Seabrook, Keith, Hossa, Toews, Kane, Crawford.....Can Darling withstand a barrage of prime scoring chances over and over again like Crawford? Not so sure. He did so in a limited sample size vs Nashville but doesn't have the body of work like Crawford.
- SteveRain

Yes and there are core players just entering their prime...Don't want to waste those years on a rebuild. Keith and Seabrook could play at high level for a few more years especially if they have some help.

They need players-plural...
- Al

Yep, but have a limited number of open roster spots.

Don't agree with this at all. Take Kane away you make our PP horrible. He drives possession on whatever line he his thrown on. You take him off this team and put Hedman on it this year the Hawks are considerable worse. Kane was this teams offensive engine this year and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
- bhawks2241

Of course, it is not a pleasant idea, but it cannot be both ways anymore because of the cap.
Some of you are too young to remember, but Mr. Keenan traded away a very popular ambassador (18) for a Richard from the Canadiens (7), which helped turned them into a contender back then. If we say defense wins championships, the money must be put where the pie goes in...