Do you believe --- or had any sources state --- a Bickell buyout was not allowed last year?

I keep going back to what could have been done, including moves during the draft, if Bickell were bought out on the first couple days of eligibility. The return on the Sharp trade and resigning JO and Kruger.

Think on how the entire offseason complexion changes if JO was back in the fold at or before the opening of FA. Then how the TDL is approached, including moving Danault.
- blackhawk24

All I know is a) they didn't buy him out and b) they kept trying (over and over) to package him with a more attractive asset to move the contract

The dots kind of connect

Do you believe --- or had any sources state --- a Bickell buyout was not allowed last year?

I keep going back to what could have been done, including moves during the draft, if Bickell were bought out on the first couple days of eligibility. The return on the Sharp trade and resigning JO and Kruger.

Think on how the entire offseason complexion changes if JO was back in the fold at or before the opening of FA. Then how the TDL is approached, including moving Danault.
- blackhawk24

Buyout in terms of management approval or NHL approval? I believe anyone can get bought out at any time WITH cap ramifications. Management approving eating cash right now to rid the system of a player is a different story.

But the problem is moving Shaw alone only opens up 1 mil in cap space. buying out bickell and we have to trade another player ne year as well. The hawks are a team that people want to play for and Bowman needs to have a plan and he has not had one or had one that worked that last 2 years. As he says he does things and we will all make it work out down the road. When a player is willing to give the hawks a team friendly deal you keep them. if they do not you trade them, and do not get hung up with RFA or UFA. SAAD is going to make 5 mil less then SEABS over the next 5 years. Which player would you rather have in those 5 years? What is the difference between what SAAD asked for and what SEABS asked for? They both did not give team friendly deals.


I think you forgot of a couple othe players that did not give us a friendly deal....Toews and Kaner....their payroll really hurts us the most.

Yes, but it is more as a setup guy than a scorer, the inverse of Shaw.
- John Jaeckel

A whole season of Kruger given the green light to shoot and pass as well as defend with a finisher (Hossa?) is ok by me. Unleash the Kruger (there's a marketing campaign in there somewhere 0

End of season press conference/interviews staring on CSN Chicago now. Probably streaming online.

If it's really true that the Hawks as they are now are going to have around $3.5 mill for 6 guys as things stand now, and the cap is $74 mill....

The first thing that happens is Bickell gets bought out, assuming that there aren't any cap floor teams who want him. His contract is backloaded a bit, so he's probably not an ideal candidate for that. Buyout it will be. That is 2/3 of $4 mill, spread out over two years, so $1.33 mill cap hit for this year and next? Beats the ~$3 mill cap hit ($4 mill minus bury amount). So a savings of $1.66 mill it is.

The next thing to hope for is Scuderi's retirement, if past threads on here are accurate as to his cap hit not counting if he retires. That's $833K if he calls it quits. Okay, that's ~$2.5 mill in savings so far.

Now there is $6 mill for six guys.

It means they can't afford Shaw. I don't see him taking a Kruger bridge deal, not with that bad back that probably makes him wonder how many years he has left to get paid. And if they deal him, stock up on picks and prospects. The solid 4D that is cheap in return? Yeah, good luck with that. As someone said earlier, the plan is probably TVR adding muscle and working on his skating.

I think they can bury Rundblad's salary and bring up someone a bit cheaper. That's up to ~$500K savings (his cap hit minus league minimum).

Just saying they might be able to get through this without giving away the farm, if my numbers are right here.

A whole season of Kruger given the green light to shoot and pass as well as defend with a finisher (Hossa?) is ok by me. Unleash the Kruger (there's a marketing campaign in there somewhere 0

- hpk90

Keep Kruger with Hossa and fill in the blank on LW, somebody with a decent shot and hands.

I really liked that line the last 2 games.

Buyout in terms of management approval or NHL approval? I believe anyone can get bought out at any time WITH cap ramifications. Management approving eating cash right now to rid the system of a player is a different story.
- DMCsPulledHammy

But they paid him $4MM to be in Rockford most of the year - I don't think management would have stopped a buy-out.

Buyout in terms of management approval or NHL approval? I believe anyone can get bought out at any time WITH cap ramifications. Management approving eating cash right now to rid the system of a player is a different story.
- DMCsPulledHammy

Mgmt.

IMO, it changes everything.

Was Stan handcuffed or did he just blow it?

Agreed, and he needs the latter. But, whether you want to be built like Arnold or as strong as Magnus ver Magnusson, it means lots of time in the gym, paying the price.

I think it was Kimmo himself who said last summer (I believe specifically referring to TT in fact): "golf is not conditioning."
- John Jaeckel

I wonder if the lightbulb has gone off with TT, and if he really wants to be that good. Maybe he's comfortable, or doesn't want to put in the work.

Seems Timmo's presence helped him last year, and I'm sure he told him what he needs to do to get better, but quite frankly, I didn't see a step up in his game this season.

At a certain point he'll be all that he can be, and his trade value will flat line.

Personally, I think he'll always be a tease, a player who shows flashes, but never realizes his potential.

Keep Kruger with Hossa and fill in the blank on LW, somebody with a decent shot and hands.

I really liked that line the last 2 games.
- kinigitt

Honestly, throw Desi on the LW on that line and now Desi-Kruger-Hossa is the #1 Shutdown line. Putting that line against the oppositions top forward group takes some pressure off Toews and lets him try to find his offensive game again next RS.

If it's really true that the Hawks as they are now are going to have around $3.5 mill for 6 guys as things stand now, and the cap is $74 mill....

The first thing that happens is Bickell gets bought out, assuming that there aren't any cap floor teams who want him. His contract is backloaded a bit, so he's probably not an ideal candidate for that. Buyout it will be. That is 2/3 of $4 mill, spread out over two years, so $1.33 mill cap hit for this year and next? Beats the ~$3 mill cap hit ($4 mill minus bury amount). So a savings of $1.66 mill it is.

The next thing to hope for is Scuderi's retirement, if past threads on here are accurate as to his cap hit not counting if he retires. That's $833K if he calls it quits. Okay, that's ~$2.5 mill in savings so far.

Now there is $6 mill for six guys.

It means they can't afford Shaw. I don't see him taking a Kruger bridge deal, not with that bad back that probably makes him wonder how many years he has left to get paid. And if they deal him, stock up on picks and prospects. The solid 4D that is cheap in return? Yeah, good luck with that. As someone said earlier, the plan is probably TVR adding muscle and working on his skating.

I think they can bury Rundblad's salary and bring up someone a bit cheaper. That's up to ~$500K savings (his cap hit minus league minimum).

Just saying they might be able to get through this without giving away the farm, if my numbers are right here.
- 333inthe3rd

I love Shaw, warts and all, but he needs to cash in now. Guys like him, with their style of play, don't have 15 year careers. I'd love to keep him, but he needs to get paid before he's physically unable to do it any longer.

If it came down to Seabrook or Crawford who would you rather trade and why?
- MjulQvist

It depends on what's coming back.

A year ago, I would say you gotta hang onto Seabrook. But with this new contract he has, the Hawks will be shelling out a LOT of salary cap for him when he's 37+.

Sorry for having to even look at the length of this post, but it'll be the last one.

Like Savvy and many others have said, focusing on the past isn't going to do anything, because the only reality we ever have is the now...so what do the Hawks do now? Well, the first thing they can do is LEARN FROM THE PAST, and don't repeat mistakes. There are UNDENIABLY good players (like Brouwer, Leddy, Vermette, Weise, etc.) that have been run out of town by Q...and most of these guys were young, with big upsides...and because the Hawks tried to repeat this season, you can now add guys like Dano and Danault to this list (plus a bunch of 1sts and 2nds over the past 3 years).

In return for all these trades the Hawks got prospects (with few of them ever getting a sniff from the big club), low picks and RENTALS. Not the stuff of longevity. But again, that's the past and all that matters is now. So, for a 2nd time, how are the Hawks going to address these mistakes, biases and chances? Big trades, Free Agency, European players, US College FAs? Let's look at the first one, a big trade. It can't/won't happen because the only players of value that the Hawks can trade, can't be traded, either because they are core players or players nobody would take because of the age, drop off in play and salary Cap. So you can scratch that "answer". But what about Teravainen you ask? What would the return be? A top 4 DMan, or a young, #5 DMan with a chance of becoming a top 4 guy? No chance. When you look at TT's size, lack of interest in a physical game and his ACTUAL STATS, no team would make this move without help. As Rick said, you can also forget TT becoming an NHL Centre any time soon. The Hawks are located in the WC, in the Central Division, playing for Cups every season...he's too weak to contribute in that role when it would count the most. The RW is Teravainen's destination, and the Hawks had better hope he can make it there in a Top 6 capacity, because they traded away most of their other top 6 talent.

Free Agency? Likely, but only in a limited role, as JJ identified perfectly, the Hawks don't possess a lot of desirable players that are available to the traded. The Hawks will need a decent, reliable guy to solidify the 3rd pairing...EXACTLY like they should have done last summer. The signing of Rozy was lunacy (after his 2014 and 2015 seasons)...everyone knew what was going to happen with Rozy, even if the Hawks gave his ankle extra time to heal (which they did). He didn't dress in the final 3 playoff games because he was WORSE than David Runblad...and that says a lot! How about a big Free Agent? Not a chance. The Hawks won't even be able to afford either Ladd or Weise after they lock up Andrew Shaw. And make no mistake about it, Shaw has become one of the most important players on this hockey club...he isn't going ANYWHERE! They will need to add one more veteran forward, and I think that Fleischmann would be a solid choice because he would accept something close to the league minimum, he fits the Hawk's system well, he now knows the system and prior to the playoffs, he was one of the Hawks best wingers. He's got size, speed, heart, and flexibility. He's a good Centre should the need arise (very much like Desi, who has one more year on his solid deal).

Europeans and College FAs? Who knows? Bowman is apparently after the top European DMan interested in coming to the NHL, and the top College FA. Maybe these players will help? Again, who knows. Promotions from Rockford? What else can this team do? Q and the fans have slammed Gus, but he did well early before being jerked around by the coaching staff...he has the ability to help the Hawks in a meaningful way, because he's already done it over a significant stretch. He simply needs coaching, confidence, and some time. Svedberg? He was a lot better this season than he had the right to be, so with a lot of coaching to improve his decision making process, he could stick...he certainly possesses a lot of natural abilities. Pokka? He's intriguing because his 2nd half in Rockford (when everyone else on that team forgot how to play defence) was very good...just like his 1st half in Rockford last year. He's got the size/strength, patience and decision making skills to stick...as long as he coached, and shown patience!

IMO, the Hawks are NOT nearly as bad as most people here want to believe. Some things happened towards the end of the season that brought a lot of hope and brightness to the Hawks for next season. One, TVR lasted an entire season, and while he had his ebbs and flows, he was more than decent, and kept getting better. In fact, I would argue that his series against the Blues was BETTER than those of Keith and Seabrook. The longer summer break will help Keith, Seabrook and Hammer...the best top 3 in hockey...and with TVR's progression and experience, there's NO REASON to not see him as our #4 guy moving forward...capable of being as effective as Johnny Oduya given the time and help.

Two, Hossa quietly and effectively slid down the roster to the 3rd line...and low and behold, he Kruger and Ladd were a hit! Now, how would that line look next season with Ladd gone, replaced by Shaw??? Nice freaking line, that could shut down any top opponent in the league, and generate some offence (besides all helping on Special Teams). Three, Richard Panik showed that he wasn't just a decent player, that in fact, the kid possesses a lot of abilities, and with his speed, playmaking, and ability to forecheck and hit, he's a top 6 forward in CHI moving forward. And kudos have to be given to Bowman for acquiring him as it cost nothing, and the guy is a "Hossa-like" player with youth, speed, size and a dynamic game. He and Panarin were absolute must additions for the Hawks, and give the team hope moving forward. Four, Dennis Rasmussen is a player. There is no question about this, and in fact he even shows an offensive game waiting to breakout. With the money paid to Kruger, its time for him to become the permanent 3rd line Centre...but what fortune to trade Danault and still have Rasmussen to guide the 4th line. Big advantage Blackhawks. And five, late in the season it became evident that Panarin could produce consistently WITHOUT having to have Patrick Kane as his RW. Certainly they possess a chemistry together that would be nice to maintain, but I don't think the Hawks can afford this luxury any longer.

So, what do the Hawks need? It's not goaltending. Crawford has his best season yet, zero issues. Plus, Scott Darling showed that all he needed was more game time...Crow also demonstrated that he needed less. Problem solved. How about the forwards, a problem? I don't think so, in fact depending on how the situation is handled, it should be a team strength. There are two keys to the forwards, one is Teravainen (as discussed) and the other is the Head Coach (more to come). So, it must be defence that's the major problem...and I don't see it. With a rested Keith, Seabrook and Hammer, adding TVR makes a STRONG top 4...not a problem. So it's the 3rd pairing. All the Hawks possess right now are Gus, Sved, Runblad (because Bowman gave him a 2 year deal) and Pokka. That's not good enough, but not awful either. What they don't need is another BS decision to bring back a "trusted veteran". Rozy was done 2 seasons ago. All the Hawks need is sign or trade for a solid, consistent DMan (young or old) that can play 70 games and skate 15-18 minutes a night. This is NOT difficult for Bowman to achieve. He should have/could have done it last summer, but instead he RUSHED out to re-sign both Runblad and Rozy...and those were AWFUL decisions. Again, this is not an area as weak as some perceive it to be...Bowman just needs to do his job and it won't be a problem as it has been for the last 3 seasons!

So, its not looking bad at all. And in fact, here are my lines for next season:


Panik-Toews-Kane (you know this line will produce)
Panarin-Anisimov-Teravainen (potentially lethal, but it rides with TT)
Shaw-Kruger-Hossa (you know this line will produce results)
Desi-Rasmussen-Fleisch (Hartman/McNeil/Scmaltz/Motte) (Solid, flexible, predictable)

Keith-Seabrook (if rested/healthy best pairing in league)
Hammer-TVR (gets both guys on their "right" sides, very solid to good)
FA Vet DMan-Gus/Sved/Pokka (the key being the Vet DMan, but potential)

Crawford/Darling (Rock solid)

The good news? That lineup is capable of beating ANY team in a 7 game series and will fit under the Cap (with Bickell gone). Plus, its a good balance of youth and veteran players with lots of leadership. What more can hockey fans ask for, really?

Now the bad news...first, that lineup is capable of being beaten by ANY other NHL playoff team in a 7 game series. You see, the fact of the matter is, by missing with his moves this summer, the Salary Cap has finally taken away any EDGE the Hawks may have had over the rest of the league. The loss of Sharp and Stephen Johns for essentially NOTHING in return was the killer blow, but also losing Dano and Danault for NOTHING as well (plus losing more 1st and 2nd round picks) sealed the Hawks fate as Cap casualties. So ALL OF US just need to get used to the fact that the Hawks have a chance at winning the Cup just like say 11 other teams do as well. That's it. But there's more bad news, and this part few people here want to acknowledge, but not to do so is akin to the ostrich putting its head into the ground.

The Hawks have a serious rift between the Coaches and the Mgt. that has cost this team a LOAD of talent and youth for now and in the future. There are a literal ton of examples, but one need go no further than the Danault trade. Phil Danault is a winner...he's the kind of player like an Andrew Shaw. He makes the players around him better, and does whatever it takes to win. He's gone because the Hawk's TEAM deemed it was better to have Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise instead. And while the existence of Dennis Rasmussen may allow the Hawks to "get away" with this blunder, it more importantly unveiled this rift for everyone to see. So, what's going to happen? Contrary to some here who don't take the time to actually read the posts, I do not favour one over the other. I don't care who is "better" or more important than the other! Q or Bowman, I have no dog in this fight. All I care about is that they FINALLY get on the same bloody page once and for all. Either one of them should go, or they MUST start working together this summer because this team has run out of "2nd chances". There are no more easy fixes to "cover up" blunders. If the Hawks have to go forward with two of Gus, Sved and Pokka, then Q needs to show patience and COACH these kids into becoming smart, confident players, not "fraidy-cats" looking over their shoulders. If the Hawks resign both Panik and Shaw, plus decide to keep Teravainen then there is NO ROLE on this team for Brandon Mashinter, the guy who can't turn on his skates. Its time for McNeil and Hartman to be given this opportunity. Add these kids to say Rasmussen and Desi/Fleischmann, and the Hawks would have a good 4th line that could play a variety of roles.

Schmaltz and Motte progressed further than the Hawks had the right to expect; thus, both guys will be signed to PRO contracts and given the chance to contribute. There is reason to be optimistic. The core is still the best (most experienced) in hockey, but they can't be waylaid at the pass by the MGT any longer. They need help, THROUGH THE SEASON, so that they're not worn out come playoff time. And I will leave you all with this final thought...with the deepest group of NHL forwards Coach Q rolled 4 lines for an extended period only once during the season. That resulted in a 12 game winning streak, the trading of Garbutt, the ignoring of Sekac, and the introduction of Mashinter to a full time roll. With Mashinter in the lineup this season the Hawks were a .520 hockey team, without him in the lineup, they were a .690 hockey team. A playoff lineup without Mashinter/Rozy and with Panik/Weise/Gus would have won the STL series if they were employed from game one. The Coaches and the MGT need to get on the same page, once and for all, and decide what kind of team they are going to be, and then live with the results! Take care.

End of season press conference/interviews staring on CSN Chicago now. Probably streaming online.
- pdx2ord

Anything good?

But the problem is moving Shaw alone only opens up 1 mil in cap space. buying out bickell and we have to trade another player ne year as well. The hawks are a team that people want to play for and Bowman needs to have a plan and he has not had one or had one that worked that last 2 years. As he says he does things and we will all make it work out down the road. When a player is willing to give the hawks a team friendly deal you keep them. if they do not you trade them, and do not get hung up with RFA or UFA. SAAD is going to make 5 mil less then SEABS over the next 5 years. Which player would you rather have in those 5 years? What is the difference between what SAAD asked for and what SEABS asked for? They both did not give team friendly deals.


I think you forgot of a couple othe players that did not give us a friendly deal....Toews and Kaner....their payroll really hurts us the most.
- spanky

We knew the Kane/Toews deals were not bargains or cap friendly, but when they were signed (7/9/2014), everyone expected the cap to be rising regularly and size ably - up to $80MM +/- by now. The Looney was at $.93 at that time. Another $5MM in cap last year would have been nice - add another $5MM for 2016-17 (and a Bickell but-out) and the Hawks would still be favorites to win.

We all know what's happened since - Looney down to $.69, cap stagnating - makes the Kane/Toews and Bickell deals close to disasters. Perhaps the league should have had better projections, but....

One good thing: Looney is on the move up - over $.79 today - let's see where it goes.

Bowman year end press conference summary, part 1:

- need to look to grow from within where possible
- wouldn't address specific positions needing improvement
- likes Hinostroza and Hartman as forwards
- likes Pokka on defense - thinks he took the next step this year
- talked about Swedish defensemen coming over this year
- asked about having only four solid defensemen - said that is true for all teams, but wants 8-9 defensemen where you have confidence they can play / need four you have confidence in and 2+ that you can bring along
- not planning anything specifically in anticipation of upcoming expansion draft
- no answer on Shaw right now - like what he brings, needs answer on salary cap before addressing

Clear that the FO has had a discussion about party lines already.

Bowman year-end press conference summary, part 2:

- Bickell, buy out an option, tough to answer right now
- Core with lots of long-term deals - build around? or deal 1-2? Bowman says they have earned these big contracts (so yes pay for past performance); they've done incredible things and were rewarded for it
- Challenge - if you want cap flexibility, you can have it if you lose; we want to win; have to reward players who prove they can win it year-after-year

Not ONE question about coaching decisions on the roster, just one about whether Stan would rethink any of his moves this year given how players fit in and/or were played. "Not going to play the 'what if' game"

MY question is, how did Brouwer have that much time to have 3 attempts to score on that puck? I'm guessing that was Gustaffsons job to clear the crease? It was just mind boggling to see him have that much open space, I think the biggest gaffe was not going for a big bodied 5-6 guy at the TDL.

Mex-

Great post. I love your input when you omit the "insider" stuff. The proof is in the pudding with the effect Mashinter had on this team, yet some still blindly defend Monster Mash. Lunacy.

MY question is, how did Brouwer have that much time to have 3 attempts to score on that puck? I'm guessing that was Gustaffsons job to clear the crease? It was just mind boggling to see him have that much open space, I think the biggest gaffe was not going for a big bodied 5-6 guy at the TDL.
- PVL29

100%. Bowman's failure to add to the defense group was the difference, especially after his self-inflicted weakening of the group (allowing Oduya to walk and including Johns in the Sharp trade).

JJ sorta nails it spot on.

The Hawks are in serious trouble:

-I don't think the Hawks can compete next year for a long run, sorry "rest" isn't enough. You need talent, and depth. The Hawks only have talent in one place (the top end of the roster). Unless Bowman has something really amazing up his sleeve the Hawks will be left with two options:

1) Fill out roster with kids,rejects and bargain bin options while running core 8 or 9 players into dirt
2) Trade KEY piece, which likely decreases overall talent at top of roster while HOPING newly acquired pieces can fill in

The numbers are what they are. And mind you I DO NOT expect a Cup next year. There are just way too many variables to overcome, but perhaps some very intelligent management can get the Hawks into play in two years, when Bickell is off the books and the Hawks would have one player (Panarin) to deal with. By then perhaps a couple of the aforementioned kids will have developed. Only problem is in two years Hossa, Seabrook are two years older. How will that extra wear and tear impact them.

This core is probably the best we've seen in a generation, all they need is reasonable support players. You don't need Shae Weber on your third pair, but rolling out Kimo Timonene, Michael Handzus, David Rundblad...players who were subsequently out of the sport the moment after their last Blackhawk season ended or who were rejected by EVERY SINGLE team in the NHL does not inspire confidence that they can now navigate a salary cap and team issue this team has NEVER SEEN before. Sorry, this cap situation is vastly worse than previous years in my view.
- kwolf68

I remember Sharpie talking about the 2013 team that started 21-0-3. This was after the two years of "re-tooling" where Shaw, Kruger, Bickell, Stalberg, Crawford, etc. got some time learning the ropes. They finished 2012 with Oduya, and added Rozsival before the 2013 season.

Sharp was saying after the first several games that season how he looked around and realized how special the group could be, meaning they had plenty of high end talent and the younger blood was developing nicely.

Do they have that now? I think as you say above that we have to hope some young kids develop and 2016 and 2017 are like 2011 and 2012. Will the core hold up? Will Hossa even still be playing? Don't know, but I think this is an honest assessment.

It'd be awesome if the rest was extremely helpful and we got back a 4D for Teuvo+ so that we cruised to a 2017 Cup. But Lidstrom lost in the finals in 1995, won back-to-back in 1997-1998, and Detroit didn't even get back to the finals until 2002 when they won it all. After Yzerman, et al. retired, it took the infusion of Datsyuk and Zetterberg to get them to repeat finals in 2008 and 2009. It's cyclical.

First Hawks cycle was 2008-2010. Second was 2013-2015. I hope there's a third in 2017-2019. We'll see.

100%. Bowman's failure to add to the defense group was the difference, especially after his self-inflicted weakening of the group (allowing Oduya to walk and including Johns in the Sharp trade).
- EnzoD

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus
Q said the biggest issue wasn't the defense, but the lack of a four-line rotation up front. #Blackhawks

[quote=MjulQvist]

I don't buy it for a second. Do you??

Bowman year end press conference summary, part 1:

- need to look to grow from within where possible
- wouldn't address specific positions needing improvement
- likes Hinostroza and Hartman as forwards
- likes Pokka on defense - thinks he took the next step this year
- talked about Swedish defensemen coming over this year
- asked about having only four solid defensemen - said that is true for all teams, but wants 8-9 defensemen where you have confidence they can play / need four you have confidence in and 2+ that you can bring along
- not planning anything specifically in anticipation of upcoming expansion draft
- no answer on Shaw right now - like what he brings, needs answer on salary cap before addressing

Clear that the FO has had a discussion about party lines already.
- pdx2ord

Was Stan talking about a free agent or current prospect?