Tampa is going to have massive cap problems, but I think they get through it by letting Stamkos walk this year (or trading his rights for a 7th-round pick). Then I think they let Bishop walk the next year. Bye-bye $13.5M in cap hit.

The nice part is they don't really need Stamkos. And I think Vasilevsky will prove to be a capable #1, especially behind Victor Hedman and Co.
- DMChi2010

Might sting to lose Stamkos, but in my opinion, they should build or retool around Kucherov, Palat, Johnson, Hedman, and Vasilevsky.

And Drouin.

1) depends on the return. Completely.
2) Another way to look at it is Stan has shown himself to be more of a "maintainer" than a "builder" (like say a Dale Tallon or a Dean Lombardi). "Riverboat Gambler" is NOT Stan Bowman. THAT'S WHY he was put in the job and Tallon was fired. So no, he's not going to "panic". But he is also not a guy who is going to get super creative and go outside the box either. And I suspect the hawk FO is structured where that is exceedingly unlikely to happen. And there is a proven track record with Bowman/this FO of perhaps waiting too long for the perfect deal, especially when time is NOT on their side (Leddy, Sharp).

The results in the Saad deal, where Bowman and the FO ANTICIPATED that there might be trouble and ended up with multiple offers and able to choose the best one—driven by an acute awareness of a 7/1 drop dead? Worked out fairly well.

Now extrapolate that to this summer (Shaw) and next summer (Panarin, TT) and a more acute need to add a piece or 2 or 3. Seems that it would be insane to assume all is well and it'll all work out and not be seriously exploring a lot of avenues to cut salary AND still improve the team and keep Panarin at minimum. So I think we're in agreement there and that is what I have heard they've been doing for over a year now.

3) Agreed. And my apologies if I am interposing your points with a couple of others. I think we are in agreement that exploring all the options is absolutely necessary. Where maybe we disagree is on how limited the options are (?). Because I think the options pretty much have to be dealing one of those guys or some combination of those guys and losing Bickell's deal, and adding a piece or two that have some legit NHL experience.

A lot of signs, quietly and now not so quietly have been pointing to a bit of a shakeup this summer—because of the cap. Panarin, again, is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Getting him inked without further hamstringing the franchise is going to mean freeing up significant $. In addition to everything else that needs to get done.

The team mightn't be able to pull something off. But then I think you are going to see a repeat next year of this year on the ice. Shot totals that skew toward opponents, un Hawk-like GAA, poor 5-on-5 play—mostly because of a deficit at LW and on D.

A team that probably has the least blue chip prospect depth in the NHL and weak depth overall in its system really can't rely on the system this much. Tough deal. They need to figure out a way to get around it. And that will call for courage and creativity. Some might call it "panic." I don't view it that way.

I remember when Tallon acquired Marty Havlat, who at that time was JUST what the Hawks needed and was a really good player on the rise. A move that was ballsy and creative. Tallon won a lot of trades. FA signings? Meh, not as much. Drafting? Some big hits and huge misses. But he won a lot of trades because he wasn't gun-shy and was a pretty good scout at heart.
- John Jaeckel

JJ , regarding Dale, Had heard even though there was some re organization in Florida, Tallon was still out all over scouting all these junior tournaments and over seas, What's our GM doing? Mowing his front lawn and maybe scouting some summer house league games at Johnnies East? Looking for the next 5,43,52,53 and 70? None of those guys not only didn't belong playing in the playoffs, they don't belong in the National Hockey League either, They belong playing hockey like the rest of us, Sunday night no check leagues. You can't tell me for1minute any of those guys dress for any of the 29 other NHL teams? Call me spoiled if you will, but I'll take my chances with Dale.
I would be absolutely stunned if Bowman was able to pull of a blockbuster where he would actually win a trade , unlike the Saad 1 which will also go in the loss column, say with Toronto for JVR to play withToews. You can't tell me for 1minute that Toews did not have a single thing to say to the Hawk front office about the revolving door on his left side which leads me to my next point: the Kool aid being drank on these boards the Richard Panik is a number 1 left wing. He's a journeymen player who had a good little spurt at the end. Who cares if he comes back or not, here's 500 grand kid, take it or leave it.
I would have been okay with possibly another learning season withDano, Danault, and Johns playing here next year, but instead this guy thinks he's gonna throw the big bamboo pole in the water overseas and come up with the next Teemu Selanne? Maybe the next Tony Samelainen or Josef Marha. Is what he'll wind up with.
What we need is a good draft again,butgetguys bigger than 5'0, 155 lbs.
Agree with Eli, Panerin ain't signed by the beginning of training camp, ya better get on the horn withDoug Armstrong and see what the temperature is for Panerin down there especially if Vladdy is blowing in his ear. I don't by any of that crap about the cultural stuff here in Chicago,Bottom line the Kid is gonna sing the same song as Jake Arrietta, It's called " the no home town discount polka"!

His current significant other is from Chicago.

I'm tellin ya - he isn't leaving.
- Return of the Roar

I know her Dad, and geniuses, Corey AIN'T goin anywhere unless it is the perfect situation and right now , Chicago is the ultimate perfect situation for the long haul, so these middle of the night bedtime nightmares about trades involving Corey, Wish in 1hand, Crap in the other and see which 1fills up first.
Blame 2guys for this mess, 19&88, what 8 mill a year isn't enough?
Edit: those thinking Scott Darling is anything more than a cheap flash n the pan, be careful what you wish for with out Corey. I guarantee you , Darling pisses up some easy games next year, Bowman will pull the plug on the birthday cake commercials and find a reliable vet back up goalie, Corey is stayin! He's not WAVIN for anything!
The kid is a top 5goalie!

Good thing the Hawks didn't ship TT for Drouin, what a bum.

Let's go Bolts!!! Their forward depth is just insane.

JJ , regarding Dale, Had heard even though there was some re organization in Florida, Tallon was still out all over scouting all these junior tournaments and over seas, What's our GM doing? Mowing his front lawn and maybe scouting some summer house league games at Johnnies East? Looking for the next 5,43,52,53 and 70? None of those guys not only didn't belong playing in the playoffs, they don't belong in the National Hockey League either, They belong playing hockey like the rest of us, Sunday night no check leagues. You can't tell me for1minute any of those guys dress for any of the 29 other NHL teams? Call me spoiled if you will, but I'll take my chances with Dale.
I would be absolutely stunned if Bowman was able to pull of a blockbuster where he would actually win a trade , unlike the Saad 1 which will also go in the loss column, say with Toronto for JVR to play withToews. You can't tell me for 1minute that Toews did not have a single thing to say to the Hawk front office about the revolving door on his left side which leads me to my next point: the Kool aid being drank on these boards the Richard Panik is a number 1 left wing. He's a journeymen player who had a good little spurt at the end. Who cares if he comes back or not, here's 500 grand kid, take it or leave it.
I would have been okay with possibly another learning season withDano, Danault, and Johns playing here next year, but instead this guy thinks he's gonna throw the big bamboo pole in the water overseas and come up with the next Teemu Selanne? Maybe the next Tony Samelainen or Josef Marha. Is what he'll wind up with.
What we need is a good draft again,butgetguys bigger than 5'0, 155 lbs.
Agree with Eli, Panerin ain't signed by the beginning of training camp, ya better get on the horn withDoug Armstrong and see what the temperature is for Panerin down there especially if Vladdy is blowing in his ear. I don't by any of that crap about the cultural stuff here in Chicago,Bottom line the Kid is gonna sing the same song as Jake Arrietta, It's called " the no home town discount polka"!
- wonthecup10

So Crawford to Philly for Mason, gets you 2 million this year and 6 each year in the future.

Cap space to resign Panarin at 6 million for 5 or 6 years.

Either buyout Bickell by the draft or trade him and Shaw's rights at the draft for A mid round pick in 2017, need more draft picks with the draft here.

If you don't package Shaw with Bickell, still need to move his rights at the draft for a pick next year, thinking 2nd or 3rd round.

Not sure Shaw's health will keep him playing in 3 years. Back injuries can be tough to over come, ask Daze. Plus he plays a rough physical game so that doesn't help.

Moving Bickell and Shaw get you the cap space for a good 4/5 UFA Defenseman, in the 4-5 million range for 3 or 4 years. Thinking Kris Russell

If you don't like the UFA's then you can always move TT for one, not sure he will reach his full potential in Chicago moving around the lineup every few weeks.

And if you trade for a defensman maybe Ladd will resign here for 4 million a season for 4 years.

Good thing the Hawks didn't ship TT for Drouin, what a bum.
- howiehandles

Admittedly I was one of the proponents of TT staying. I was mistaken. Kid can play and is a tenacious SOB (Drouin).

So Crawford to Philly for Mason, gets you 2 million this year and 6 each year in the future.

Cap space to resign Panarin at 6 million for 5 or 6 years.

Either buyout Bickell by the draft or trade him and Shaw's rights at the draft for A mid round pick in 2017, need more draft picks with the draft here.

If you don't package Shaw with Bickell, still need to move his rights at the draft for a pick next year, thinking 2nd or 3rd round.

Not sure Shaw's health will keep him playing in 3 years. Back injuries can be tough to over come, ask Daze. Plus he plays a rough physical game so that doesn't help.

Moving Bickell and Shaw get you the cap space for a good 4/5 UFA Defenseman, in the 4-5 million range for 3 or 4 years. Thinking Kris Russell

If you don't like the UFA's then you can always move TT for one, not sure he will reach his full potential in Chicago moving around the lineup every few weeks.

And if you trade for a defensman maybe Ladd will resign here for 4 million a season for 4 years.
- Rtoppel

Good thing the Hawks didn't ship TT for Drouin, what a bum.
- howiehandles

Hindsight is always 20/20. Back then Drouin was a BIG question mark and his antics didn't make him look any better.

At the time a deal for Drouin didn't make the most sense. Today...different story.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Back then Drouin was a BIG question mark and his antics didn't make him look any better.

At the time a deal for Drouin didn't make the most sense. Today...different story.
- DarthKane

There was never a deal to be made -Yzerman isn't that stupid.

There was never a deal to be made -Yzerman isn't that stupid.
- RickJ

Rick you forgot that last 4words in your post that is : "as our guy is"!

So Crawford to Philly for Mason, gets you 2 million this year and 6 each year in the future.

Cap space to resign Panarin at 6 million for 5 or 6 years.

Either buyout Bickell by the draft or trade him and Shaw's rights at the draft for A mid round pick in 2017, need more draft picks with the draft here.

If you don't package Shaw with Bickell, still need to move his rights at the draft for a pick next year, thinking 2nd or 3rd round.

Not sure Shaw's health will keep him playing in 3 years. Back injuries can be tough to over come, ask Daze. Plus he plays a rough physical game so that doesn't help.

Moving Bickell and Shaw get you the cap space for a good 4/5 UFA Defenseman, in the 4-5 million range for 3 or 4 years. Thinking Kris Russell

If you don't like the UFA's then you can always move TT for one, not sure he will reach his full potential in Chicago moving around the lineup every few weeks.

And if you trade for a defensman maybe Ladd will resign here for 4 million a season for 4 years.
- Rtoppel

Good thoughts except your 1st and last idea: your 1st Crawford, personal knowledge, as stated a few post ago, "Corey ain't goin anywhere". And secondly, forget Ladd at. 35 years old. Maybe just Draft and stay the course this year, but do you trust Bowman?

Bolts in 6. Vasilevsky is a solid young goalie and Stralman+Stamkos will be back. Tampa might win it all. Sunday in STL should be interesting

Who? Kempny?
- John Jaeckel

Sorry, meant Svedberg.

Seen him drop the mitts to stand up for a teammate and I think he's done it a bit in the AHL too.

Would be nice to see him channel a little of that as he continues to grow into an option for the Hawks in the big leagues.

Bolts in 6. Vasilevsky is a solid young goalie and Stralman+Stamkos will be back. Tampa might win it all. Sunday in STL should be interesting
- EnzoD

Bolts in 6. Vasilevsky is a solid young goalie and Stralman+Stamkos will be back. Tampa might win it all. Sunday in STL should be interesting
- EnzoD

My wish list for SC champs:

1) San Jose
2) Tampa Bay
3) Pittsburgh
4) St. Louis

I think Tampa is the first of maybe a good 8 years as a true contender... Last year was a year like the 2009 Blackhawks. Yet they have a better GM, so I could see them be a contender for longer...

My wish list for SC champs:

1) San Jose
2) Tampa Bay
3) Pittsburgh
4) St. Louis

I think Tampa is the first of maybe a good 8 years as a true contender... Last year was a year like the 2009 Blackhawks. Yet they have a better GM, so I could see them be a contender for longer...
- DMChi2010

Let's see how TB - Yzerman - remains competitive when cap issues really start hitting home; after several years of low draft choices because of high finishes (if that happens); if Stamkos moves on, can whoever is the new captain control the room and keep the egos in check....

Winning creates lots of issues.

Sorry, meant Svedberg.

Seen him drop the mitts to stand up for a teammate and I think he's done it a bit in the AHL too.

Would be nice to see him channel a little of that as he continues to grow into an option for the Hawks in the big leagues.
- TyCamScore

Svedberg ran and hid under the Bed every time Steve Ott came near him in the Blues series, the only mitts Svedberg ever dropped were the ones he took off after shoveling snow, for his size the kid is useless.

Let's see how TB - Yzerman - remains competitive when cap issues really start hitting home; after several years of low draft choices because of high finishes (if that happens); if Stamkos moves on, can whoever is the new captain control the room and keep the egos in check....

Winning creates lots of issues.
- StLBravesFan

The Kings are now Hawks 2.0 when it comes to being in cap hell

Svedberg ran and hid under the Bed every time Steve Ott came near him in the Blues series, the only mitts Svedberg ever dropped were the ones he took off after shoveling snow, for his size the kid is useless.
- wonthecup10

I don't know... has 4 fights under his belt in the AHL, one against the vicious Colin Fraser: http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/20091

- EnzoD

Good thought! Only one I question is TT. Unless he is traded with another Hawk for a real quality defensman or left winger...why trade him for a lousy bowl of rice if he only cost you 900.000 in cap money.

Patrick Sharp exit interview - interesting comments contrasting the style and coaching emphasis starting at about 1:54, and then team chemistry starting at about 5:10.

https://www.nhl.com/stars...rp/t-277437402/c-43953003

Does anyone have more insight into why Danault and a pick were traded for these guys?? JJ? Mex?? DaBearsHawks?? I mean... yikes. Just yikes...

Acquiring Ladd was a no-brainer, but was the Montreal trade supposed to be outside the box?
- DMChi2010

Simply put Danault was thought of as 3rd and or 4th line for the future.
The Hawks didn't have a solid 3rd and 4th line all season and that was needed to make a long run...So Bowman traded a solid future 3rd/4th line player for 2 guys he thought was needed now to win the Cup.

Svedberg ran and hid under the Bed every time Steve Ott came near him in the Blues series, the only mitts Svedberg ever dropped were the ones he took off after shoveling snow, for his size the kid is useless.
- wonthecup10

I don't like Svedberg either. Big, slow and weak at this point