Out of the three listed, yes.

However, who would bring the biggest cap relief opportunity, as well as the best return is Kane.

I know, to even assert the idea is blasphemy!

Honestly, just ponder the idea for five seconds. Kane has to be worth a top five pick in this summer's draft, another first round pick, a top six wing or solid defenseman that can play on the second paring - at minimum.

If Stamkos decides to stay in Tampa, wouldn't the idea of getting a shot at Auston Matthews first overall plus another pick and a competent player in return make some sense, despite giving up the talent Kane brings to the table?

I'm not necessarily advocating that this is the answer, but it is something to think about.
- EKB13

I get the thinking but out of the teams picking in the top 5 where would Kane waive his NMC to go to?

You lose some leverage with the NMC so you don't get back the return you think.

I say all three, especially if that moves Bickell as well. Would like to see them return a Top 4 Dman and a good physical top 9 Left wing.

Interesting. What comes back? Also would Crow agree to go there? It's at the opposite end of Canada from Montreal and not a playoff team.

Isn't Dineen in the mix for the headcoaching job there?

EDIT: Thanks JJ for the timely shiny new blog! It's clear as Pat Foley likes to say "something's gotta give!" Appreciate the intel on what might be in play.
- Marlowe

Dunno. However, that's one team where their goalie situation is wide open at this time.

I don't think he does.

What teams
A) Need a starting Goalie
B) Have 6MM in cap space to take on without sending anything back to Chicago.


Also, teams know Chicago is in a cap crunch.

Edit - And Crawford can block any trade.
- ImThatGuy

Agreed. Despite his accomplishments and his great year, he's 31 and has his cap whereas TT is 21 and cheaper.

What about Crawford to Calgary? Hiller, Ramo, and Backstrom are all UFA's this summer.
- EKB13

JJ on this point to Calgary, also consider that Calgary will get Dallas' first round pick if the Stars win game 7 and D Kris Russell plays 50% of Dallas' playoff games which looks like it may happen.

With CGY with two possible 1st round picks, getting one of those in some sort of package with Crawford could be key.

What say you JJ? Great blog.

I get the thinking but out of the teams picking in the top 5 where would Kane waive his NMC to go to?

You lose some leverage with the NMC so you don't get back the return you think.
- J35Bacher

Fair point. At the same time, an elite talent like Kane is rarely found on the trade market - outside of a trade deadline deal. Perhaps the NMC doesn't effect things as much as you think?

I don't think he does.

What teams
A) Need a starting Goalie
B) Have 6MM in cap space to take on without sending anything back to Chicago.


Also, teams know Chicago is in a cap crunch.

Edit - And Crawford can block any trade.
- ImThatGuy

agreed. for the leafs, if it cost more than something like below, i hope they pass:

Pitts 1st, stuart percy and bernier ($2M retained 1 year) for Crawford ($500k retained 4 years) and a 2017 2nd

Quotes aren't working...


Eli...I would think that IF Crawford is dealt Calgary would be one of the front runners. Carolina would also make sense and Chicago could take back Lack in return (cap savings of $3.25 million while maintaining 2 solid goalies. But I certainly hope Crawford doesn't go.

IMO, I'd rather trade Kruger and keep Shaw for the same $$$. Don't know if the Hawks could even trade Kruger since he signed an extension. Does anyone if they could or couldn't?

Crawford definitely brings you the biggest possible return. No.1 netminder at market value contract with 2 cups and coming off his best year
- hawkeytalkman

Maybe, but the Hawks reasoning for moving him would be more for cap relief than it would be for the return.

Losing Shaw I going to hurt this team and I fully expect the spin machine to leak out the homophobic slur as a course of reasoning. Especially given the past year of hell off the ice. Ross will surely be gone. I dont' like the idea of just dealing him away. I'd take Shaw at 3.5 before I'd take Ladd at 5.5-6 million. call me crazy.

Crawford...no surprise here Been blowing this horn for weeks. I would expect given his NMC he goes to somebody like Ottawa IF he were dealt. Hawks will probably try to do right here and would prefer to keep him out of the west.

Teuvo....again, no surprise. This kid's value is only going to go down and in the end it's strickly on Teuvo. A lack of wanting to be better and improving off the ice to adding muscle, so he isn't a non factor like he is so many nights.

Just amazing the Hawks would extend a 1 dimensional player with a bad wrist, a history of being the target of so many highlight reel hits and likely head and back issues over a guy with back/concussion issues but with more versatility and more bang for your buck. I've heard teammates state how he's a guy you want to go to war with....haven't heard anyone say that about MK.

Oh well...I'll get off that horse....good bye Shaw........a man who has overachieved in his skill set and his fight/hungry to succeed in his game.

agreed. for the leafs, if it cost more than something like below, i hope they pass:

Pitts 1st, stuart percy and bernier ($2M retained 1 year) for Crawford ($500k retained 4 years) and a 2017 2nd
- Tumbleweed

That's a garbage trade for a top 5 goalie. They'd need a better dman than Percy and not giving up a 2nd round pick AND retain salary.

Fair point. At the same time, an elite talent like Kane is rarely found on the trade market - outside of a trade deadline deal. Perhaps the NMC doesn't effect things as much as you think?
- EKB13

It might not but your probably not getting him to waive to go to places like WPG, EDM, VAN or CBS.

If they wanted best bet would be to look to Buffalo and try to get Eichel.

1st 2016, 2nd 2016, Eichel and Jake McCabe?

Quotes aren't working...


Eli...I would think that IF Crawford is dealt Calgary would be one of the front runners. Carolina would also make sense and Chicago could take back Lack in return (cap savings of $3.25 million while maintaining 2 solid goalies. But I certainly hope Crawford doesn't go.
- DarthKane

So Carolina trades a younger goalie, who they just signed to an extension, for an older goalie with a much higher cap hit.

What else moves in that trade?

Doesnt seem to make sense for a budget team like Carolina.

agreed. for the leafs, if it cost more than something like below, i hope they pass:

Pitts 1st, stuart percy and bernier ($2M retained 1 year) for Crawford ($500k retained 4 years) and a 2017 2nd
- Tumbleweed

Done! except swap out Pitts 1st for Toronto's 1st

Out of the three listed, yes.

However, who would bring the biggest cap relief opportunity, as well as the best return is Kane.

I know, to even assert the idea is blasphemy!

Honestly, just ponder the idea for five seconds. Kane has to be worth a top five pick in this summer's draft, another first round pick, a top six wing or solid defenseman that can play on the second paring - at minimum.

If Stamkos decides to stay in Tampa, wouldn't the idea of getting a shot at Auston Matthews first overall plus another pick and a competent player in return make some sense, despite giving up the talent Kane brings to the table?

I'm not necessarily advocating that this is the answer, but it is something to think about.
- EKB13

No offense Eli...but trading Kane is a really bad idea. When stars are dealt teams rarely get equal value in return. Why would a rebuilding team want to give up so much for Kane?

If you're going to contemplate trading Kane then you have to contemplate trading Toews too. Kane contributes in different ways to the team, but he is just as important to the team's success as Toews.

Everyone is tradable, including Toews and Kane. But the return would have to be absolutely absurd and I don't see many teams wanting to do that.

Losing Shaw I going to hurt this team and I fully expect the spin machine to leak out the homophobic slur as a course of reasoning. Especially given the past year of hell off the ice. Ross will surely be gone. I dont' like the idea of just dealing him away. I'd take Shaw at 3.5 before I'd take Ladd at 5.5-6 million. call me crazy.

Crawford...no surprise here Been blowing this horn for weeks. I would expect given his NMC he goes to somebody like Ottawa IF he were dealt. Hawks will probably try to do right here and would prefer to keep him out of the west.

Teuvo....again, no surprise. This kid's value is only going to go down and in the end it's strickly on Teuvo. A lack of wanting to be better and improving off the ice to adding muscle, so he isn't a non factor like he is so many nights.

Just amazing the Hawks would extend a 1 dimensional player with a bad wrist, a history of being the target of so many highlight reel hits and likely head and back issues over a guy with back/concussion issues but with more versatility and more bang for your buck. I've heard teammates state how he's a guy you want to go to war with....haven't heard anyone say that about MK.

Oh well...I'll get off that horse....good bye Shaw........a man who has overachieved in his skill set and his fight/hungry to succeed in his game.
- SteveRain

Agree with you 100% there Rainer. I like Kruger a lot, but not at a $3M+ cap hit. Shaw should be a part of the core, but the Hawks chose Kruger over him which I cannot get on board with.

It might not but your probably not getting him to waive to go to places like WPG, EDM, VAN or CBS.

If they wanted best bet would be to look to Buffalo and try to get Eichel.

1st 2016, 2nd 2016, Eichel and Jake McCabe?
- J35Bacher

No, absolutely not.

Kane in buffalo has the makings of a disaster.

So Carolina trades a younger goalie, who they just signed to an extension, for an older goalie with a much higher cap hit.

What else moves in that trade?

Doesnt seem to make sense for a budget team like Carolina.
- ImThatGuy

Carolina needs to get to the cap floor. IIRC, they aren't close.

No, absolutely not.
- ImThatGuy

Didn't say I would do it from Buffalo's side but if they are moving Kane that is what you want to justify it.

Carolina needs to get to the cap floor. IIRC, they aren't close.
- Dannyboy

Trade for Datsyuk Cap hit.

Have the cap hit, no need to pay anybody money.

Anyone with more insight on Hawks prospects think Motte or Schmaltz could come in and produce similar pt totals to TT in a bottom 6 roll and play a responsible 2 way game? I could see TT being moved for D help if the front office thinks this is a real possibility.

That's a garbage trade for a top 5 goalie. They'd need a better dman than Percy and not giving up a 2nd round pick AND retain salary.
- Dannyboy

No worries.

If you guys can more somewhere else, have at it.

With his NMC, caphit,term, age and your cap crunch, I think you’ll have a hard time.

Done! except swap out Pitts 1st for Toronto's 1st
- EnzoD

So Carolina trades a younger goalie, who they just signed to an extension, for an older goalie with a much higher cap hit.

What else moves in that trade?

Doesnt seem to make sense for a budget team like Carolina.
- ImThatGuy

Carolina was just paying Ward $6.3 million, so they get an upgrade in Crawford and save $300,000.

I'm not advocating trading Crawford, but if he is dealt then teams like Carolina (and Calgary) make sense. Although I don't know if he'd accept a trade there.