People keep saying it will be a long off season of rest for our big guns. It won't be for many of them unless they do not play in that crap hockey tourney this summer.

What about TT + Svedberg/Gustaffson for Hamonic? Would the Isles do that deal? Would Chicago be close enough to home for Hamonic?

Then sign Campbell for cheap if possible, and you would have the following top 6:

Keith Seabrook
Hamonic Hjalm
Campbell TVR

Pretty strong defense, no?

Not sure how the dollars would all work out, but I'm sure Bowman could figure it out.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

No, Snow will be looking for a legit W for Tavares or Hamonic's replacement back in a player like Nurse/Trouba etc. CHI is a close destination but don't see a match btw both teams........

Hawks have about 7 million in cap space to replace 8 players on the NHL roster. Two of them (Shaw and Panik) are RFAs...Shaw is at 2mill, Panik at 900K.

Do the math. The cap structure is a colossal train wreck.

What will Panik get? What will he accept?

Same for Shaw? Why should he "take a discount" when no one else will? He is at 2million, at the very least he is 3million+ (I say around Kruger money).

Shaw's RFA rights may be traded. I suspect Mark McNeill (also an RFA) may be changing addresses. Even if you don't resign Shaw you still are at the 7 million for 8 players. This is fringe NHLers and bargain bin guys.

There is NO WAY around it UNLESS you move a big salary or two. Expect 4 Rockford players to come up and 4 fringer NHLers UNLESS Bowman has a bag of tricks up his sleeve. However, after watching him work last summer where Dallas basically bent him over the barrel I am not convinced he can fix this mess.
- kwolf68

Not basically. EXACTLY. Stephen Johns and Johnny Oduya are the Stars #1 D pairing as they advance to the 2nd round. Both players SHOULD have been in the Hawks lineup last night (or at least 1 of them). That trade destroyed the chances of a Cup this season. No other way around it. Gustaffson and Rundblad were terrible. The Gustaffson neutral zone TO, when he could have gone D-D or ANYWHERE but 1v1 and lose the puck, cost them the game.

Unfortunately the window is closing on this magical run. The Hawks have given us all some terrific memories over the last 7 years. Next year, the Hawks are going to be very hard-pressed to make the NHL playoffs. Their roster is going to start to resemble the Penguins of years past. High end talent will still be there, but virtually no supporting cast whatsoever to go with the big boys. Strict salary cap world unfortunately.

JJ/Al

Do either of you think Stan is the right person to be the GM going forward? For all of his warts, Tallon is a hockey guy and could judge talent. I think the hawks thought they could make up for Stan not being a real hockey guy by surrounding him with so many top notch hockey people but given what he has done in the last year, my confidence in him is nil. It almost feels like the Savard to Q change, I think we need someone else for this next leg of the journey. I just dont trust Stan to make the right decisions. He was fine when he rarely needed to pull the trigger, and could add pieces here and there, but this year was his first real chance to shine and he failed miserably.

Not basically. EXACTLY. Stephen Johns and Johnny Oduya are the Stars #1 D pairing as they advance to the 2nd round. Both players SHOULD have been in the Hawks lineup last night (or at least 1 of them). That trade destroyed the chances of a Cup this season. No other way around it. Gustaffson and Rundblad were terrible. The Gustaffson neutral zone TO, when he could have gone D-D or ANYWHERE but 1v1 and lose the puck, cost them the game.
- EnzoD

Yep I was just being diplomatic. Gus should have regrouped the puck. He had at least two players in the D zone that could have started the rush. It was a colossal error, but he is who the Hawks had. Lack of accepting their weakness there caused the crash.

I don't understand WHY trade for guys you cut, or trade off, or put in the press box. The Hawks would have been better off by trading FOR a D-man while using kids to play 'depth wing roles". I'd rather have Ryan Hartmann and Dan Hamhius on this team than David Rundblad and Dale Weise for example.

Either way you slice it, the Hawks will have to hit a homerun with a trade, NCAA/European FA signing, or a current prospect stepping up next year. Otherwise, they will have to trade the strength/depth they have at forward to bolster the D, or keep the D on the weaker side and hope that they can pull off another 2015 cup win somehow...

Nice write up JJ, that is the question where do they go from here?

Reminds me a lot of the 2011 season, tired, sloppy, many new faces, bad line changes, and do believe we would of really struggled to get into the playoffs if it wasn't for Crawford.

To me the good thing is all these fresh faces know what it takes, playoff experience on their side now.

Again every year after this team wins a cup the next year they're not as crisp, strength, attention to detail is lacking

The good thing is this team is way more talented then the 2011 team, and this coming season they won't have to defend their title every night I have to imagine that alone takes a toll on a hockey team and is why it's so hard to repeat

JJ, just wanted to say thanks for all the great blog work this season, and congrats on the nuptials!
- Hank_Greenberg

Thx bud, my pleasure

Either way you slice it, the Hawks will have to hit a homerun with a trade, NCAA/European FA signing, or a current prospect stepping up next year. Otherwise, they will have to trade the strength/depth they have at forward to bolster the D, or keep the D on the weaker side and hope that they can pull off another 2015 cup win somehow...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

They will need more up front than they will need on D. What the Hawks need on D, they can get from the FA market. The harder task will be finding what they need up front.

May take on the Hawks is this. The 2010 season was the culmination of the building and squeezing in a championship before the cap became an issue.

The second run was 2013-2015. Two cups and a WCF appearance.

We knew that the cap was going to be an issue this year (and maybe for a couple more) before they make their third run. That should give the core one last shot at a couple of more cups. I think the next couple of years are going to be rough. Welcome to the world of the salary cap.

Yeah, it sucks that they lost. But, it was a hell of a series.

Seldom do $5 mill goalies get moved and Bowman can't risk trading away arguably his best playoff player the last 2 years unless they are all out rebuilding-Which will not happen yet.
- Al

This.

All the arrows point to TT, esp. because Schmaltz is possibly a better and more well-rounded player within a couple of years.

Guy's just want to clear something up from the last thread. You're aware golfingsince is a Nucks fan and not a Leafs fan right? Most of you responded to him about the state of the Leafs. I don't think he cares.

Where was Toews leadership and clutchness?

7 games, This series should have been over in 5. Probably the time to start looking for trades. Must have lost the room or something
- TheGame316

The Hawks got it to seven games - winning TWO elimination games in a row, including one in St. Louis - because of experience and leadership - Toews, even without the goals, is certainly a big part of that.

Thanks for great analysis and congrats!

I think Stan will have a harder time this off season then last year. He has less to work with as far as prospects go and less money. Not sure how we find a #4 dman with those road blocks. It's going to be a miracle if we can just keep Shaw.

As a fan of salary management theories, what happens to the Hawks roster next year?

According to General Fanager, the Hawks salaries next year total: $65,858,460 The current cap is 71.4 million, leaving just $5,541,540 to fill in for 9 expiring contracts (3 are RFAs).

You pretty much have to assume Panarin hits most of his bonuses again and will add a minimum of $2 million to his hit, lowering that cap space to around $3.5 million.

Shaw's current contract is $2M, I believe a mandatory 10% qualifying offer is a must, but realistically he's a $3M player at a minimum. Re-signing him will kill the remainder of cap space, still leaving 8 other spots to fill.

Chances are the cap will go up, I think early talk was $3M, but that is still a slim amount to fill the roster.

How does the front office handle this? If the past is any sign, it's a front office that can do well in re-tooling.

In a way I am glad this season is over.....From the Kane trial, to idiot McDonough making a bafoon of himself at ND, to the Keith divorce, to Shaw's slur...it's been a VERY bad year for the Hawks brand.

Throw in the McDonough paper/radio puppets spreading good cheer and spin control and you just had truly a disaster of a season in so many ways. I mean you have your hall of fame announcer come out and speak for players/coaches (read Hossa's quote yesterday about GLAD it wasn't a 842 start) and what does McEgo do? He runs and calls Bettman so the hawks don't get slapped for any future NHL public events....yet, the puppets like Rozner who want to bash Bettman, and rightfully so, do they dare take on McDonough? Oh no...not if you dont' want the reaper, aka Faber, knocking on your door taking away your press pass or further limiting your access to players. Nobody controls the message like the Hawks. Nobody.

So here's to a constant barrage of clichés in authentic Hawks gear, each wearing a different hat and speaking about rest, getting read to grind away and never being satisfied. The coaching staff talking out of their @ss when trying to praise young players they know are turds and hopeful Stanley can find the right mix.

However, you are at 65.9 million and throw in Panarin's 2.5 worth of bonuses and you are at 68+ million with 17 guys signed, still carrying Bickells horrific deal and you still have the same holes FROM this year PLUS having to find another LW to play with Toews, more depth below, probably replacing Shaw.....and praying to god dear Teuvo can ever find his mojo, and hoping 57 can maybe morph into Oduya 2.0, while Q throws defensemen upon defensemen at his bottom pair hoping 2 stick.

I'm sorry. The optimist in me hopes they can be a cup contender the realist in me laughs at the notion. No money to spend, no real fixes internally, and who the hell wants Bickell who time after time proves the NHL game is still too fast for him> Who is going to help the Hawks, while the rest of the west and the central not only catches up but passes them by?

I love Hossa....he plays a great 200 ft game but his finishing days on a premier line are over. Only after facing lesser D did he start scoring this playoff run. Kudos to Q on that move. So who plays with Toews next fall?

And will Kruger ever score again? For 3.08 million you can't go 59 games without a goal like he is currently doing, while only being a PK man and a center who gets "low".

Lots of holes to fix......rest will help but come next spring the same issues will face this team when the depth isn't there to help the top guns and the top 3 d men are worn out, and CC is left alone prime chance after prime chance. This very much feels like 2010 without the cup and seeing at least a 2 year on the fly rebuild facing this organization.

Oh, and Bowman doesn't draft until round 3 and I don't see Bickell or Teuvo netting you a 1st rounder. So no quick fix in the draft coming..........

Just a wearing season and you could sense it from the players as the frustration mounted.

I am also interested in this. Not so sure you'd get Severson without giving up a good amount, as the devils are very high on him and dont have any other guys on the back end expected to bring offense. A guy i think would be great for you is Schlemko, he is an UFA who was paid dirt by us last year and had a really great year. I thought for sure you guys would get him at the deadline as it made a lot of sense. He is highly underrated.

Tough loss last night, was rooting for you, but can't win them all and can't hang your head as that Blues team is awesome. Was an amazing series, one that really shouldn't have been a first round matchup but what can ya do.
- TwoPumpChump91

Hawks looked hard at him at the DL, couldn't get a deal done.

People keep saying it will be a long off season of rest for our big guns. It won't be for many of them unless they do not play in that crap hockey tourney this summer.
- bhawks2241

oh yeah, crap.

Some good news the Loonie is only 2 cents off of where it was when they announced the salary cap last summer

Thx bud, my pleasure
- John Jaeckel

I second that thank you JJ! Appreciate the blogs and the forum for us Die-Hard Blackhawks' fans to talk hockey during the work day! Having a conversation about the Hawks with a co-worker is Kindergarten level analysis. I don't even try to explain things to most of my co-workers bc it goes right over their head and its not even worth the time. Great to be able to talk Hawkey with people who have played and know the game. Hawks could have won it this year. Need a competent 4+6Dman and they will be a contender again next year. I don't know how StanBo can find/afford a 4D, but its a glaring hole in this lineup.

There isn't much they can get for Shaw as he is an upcoming RFA....I think they should resign him...Try to get him to do a Kruger like one year deal.
- Al

??? Kruger is signed on for 3 more years at over 3 mil per season. Shaw will want over 4. The contracts the Hawks take on confuse me. Artem gets what 5 years and over 4.5 before he even pulled the sweater on. Hossa ? What is he 50 yrs. old now.

This.

All the arrows point to TT, esp. because Schmaltz is possibly a better and more well-rounded player within a couple of years.
- John Jaeckel

Teuvo can be moved but for what? He's only going to be a cherry to help move Bickell and even then you take that money and sign Shaw.

Still no money and you're bottom 6 and bottom D are young and inexperienced.

The salary mismanagement and plethora of NMCs and NTCs handed out by Bowman are just awful. yet, no criticism from anyone on the beat or columns......funny how that happens when the agenda isn't there to make a move..........

It's a risk to move Crow and put the heavy lifting on a young and inexperienced tendy in Darling. However, I think it may be wishful thinking to hope Stan can add players to form a quality 4-6D group, AND keep the entire $5mil+ group.
- EnzoD

You need the better goalie with their shortcomings on defense. Moving Crawford doesn't mean you will save $5 mill in space and #3/#4 dmen are tough to find and not cheap.

Hawks need to make the playoffs every season-At least 21,000 reasons why every home game.
Without Crawford this year I don't think they would have made it to the post season.

I think Crawford is the one to get moved. TT is to valuable to the Hawks with the fact he makes less than 1mil, can play all 3 forward positions - regardless if he's not the player some here expect him to be, yet.

He may be at best a 40pt player in the league. And there's nothing wrong with that when he's behind Kane, Panarin, Toews, Anisimov, etc

I'd love to see them go after Campbell for their number 4 Dman again. I believe he still lives in CHI (his wife from there?) and has his ties with the team still.

Move Crawford to say....Winnepeg. May not get much back - Pavelec & prospect (Lemieux - LW, agitator - Shaw replacement or a guy like Adam Lowry). Yep...Hawks may lose that trade - BUT...does a few things

Frees up $$ - only about 2.1mil next year, but then Pavelec is off the books and they'll use that to sign this Panarin guy. Plus...the expansion draft will be coming up and they'd likely lose Craw/Darling for nothing.


Love Shaw, hope they find a way to keep him. If not, move his RFQ rights for a pick. Buyout Bickell

Go into next year -
Panik - Toews - Kane
Panarin - AA - TT
Lemieux/Lowry-Kruger-Hossa
Desi - Rass - Hartman/McNeil/Baun
Seab-Keith
Campb - Hjarll
Iceberg-TVR

Darling & Pavelec
- PatShart

Right wing, good, but a non-physical perimeter guy.

Center, OK, responsible defensively, pretty good in the dot, but only defends with his stick, almost a complete non-factor in the cycle game. Wait, no, complete non-factor.

Left wing, no, he is not good there.

If you make a move for a quality blue liner, I still have a hard time seeing this team win a Cup without Crawford (and I am a Darling fan). Without Teuvo, no problem.