Yep. Tough to dismiss that possibility Steve
- grinder10

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.
- John Jaeckel

Could be an interesting summer... They wouldnt consider moving Darling in a Bickell package would they?

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks again for all of the great work and insight during the (Hawks') offseason, love it.

JJ, in your mind, is the Hawks' front office in agreement on an order of priority for desired trade return? The "too many cooks in the kitchen" theme comes up. Is this still in play now?

After the K' signing, this is my understanding:
1) top 6-LW
2) more cap flexibility to resign free agents (either 65 now, or current player due for RFA)
3) D depth

Does this look right?

Love this blog....how interactive is.....god knows I need it because I am NOT a baseball guy at all...used to be but realized that ship has sailed in 2008 for me.

At times I come off not as intended but in the end I love this team maybe not love ALL that they employ..... but I am excited and nervous to see how they make it all work.

Great discussion as always and kudos to John for keeping the thread lively and refreshed....considering the Hawks haven't played in almost a month.........

Kane is not getting traded. Unless there's another serious incident, then all bets are off. If he keeps his name out of the papers form June-October, he's not going anywhere.
- John Jaeckel

I said this last year . Bickel will be moved in MHO .Shaw will be resigned . Crow may be moved ,I hope not but with the recent goalie move it makes me think he maybe on the market . The new goalie equipment rule for goalies makes me nervous for blocker goalie like Crow ..

I did not mean to be harsh just that Darling and TT might bring back a asset (both good players) but the odds that he makes less then them which would be important seems unlikely unless you add Bickell.
- kmw4631

I must have misinterpreted. That is my error then - I apologize. I enjoy reading your posts, for the record.

I can't see 29 getting traded at all. Damaged goods now and cannot make a come back at all most likely. I think he gets bought out. Further cap space comes from Crawford movement or a surprise trade we never speculated or saw coming in my opinion. Hoping they keep Shaw and sign Panarin. Lot of money crunching for the GM.

Exactly, and while we all love Darling, the same guys arguing that Darling has all this trade value don't think he could step up and assume #1 if Crawford is dealt. Doesn't make sense.
- John Jaeckel

This. I fully expect Crawford to be on the move this summer.

I must have misinterpreted. That is my error then - I apologize. I enjoy reading your posts, for the record.

I can't see 29 getting traded at all. Damaged goods now and cannot make a come back at all most likely. I think he gets bought out. Further cap space comes from Crawford movement or a surprise trade we never speculated or saw coming in my opinion. Hoping they keep Shaw and sign Panarin. Lot of money crunching for the GM.
- 93Joe

Chris "Employed By The NHL" Pronger was traded. Anything can happen.

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.
- John Jaeckel

Looks like Stan is setting himself up for multiple options/scenarios to improve the team (or at least hold serve) and fit within the cap. Can't fault him at all

This. I fully expect Crawford to be on the move this summer.
- Bjm84

Who can the Hawks LEAST afford to lose based on peformance and an NHL-ready replacement in the organization?

Crawford or Panarin? - Panarin

Crawford or Seabrook? -Seabrook

Crawford or Hossa? -Hossa

Crawford or Anisimov? -Anisimov

Crawford or Hammer? - Hammer

Either Crawford is traded or Panarin won't be resigned (or price himself out with another 70+point season). If Stan didn't learn from last summer by waiting on Saad's extenstion (or making the necessary moves to get ahead of the Salary Cap in order to meet Saad's salary demands), then he is a fool. I dont think Stan Bowman is a fool.....

Thanks Al and I agree with you....that's why I just cringe each time I see 19/88 are "overpaid". The market will correct itself as HRR rises, teams have more money to spend and salaries to lower tiered guys slowly rises and forces a larger gap between them and stars.

The only thing that is interesting is that MOST of the elite talent in the NHL is locked up right now....but everyone assuming Panarin is a lock to come I think is overestimating his loyalty. IF you factor in his bonuses and cap hit, and then slot him where his skill set is compared to others around the league....you quickly end up very high....

So what I'm curious is how does Bowman avoid a Saad part 2 in regards to having 6-7 million AAV to slot for Panarin and keep this team 1. cap compliant and 2. cup contenders....

I don't envy Bowman's job at all. I am not his biggest fan but he has a VERY tough 12 months staring him in the face.
- SteveRain

The only feasible way to avoid being painted into a corner is to jump a pay grade or 2 for players who don't have leverage yet...But Panarin isn't quite Tarasenko yet, so they could look to pay him about $4 mill per for a couple of years and hope the cap starts to go up more than it has.

The Hawks "model" works and others follow it but the unavoidable fly in the ointment is when a player gets too good too fast...Because it isn't easy to move the core that's in place....Actually it is getting near impossible.

The point you made is correct there are many teams hung with huge contracts and I'm thinking at some point there will be a way out provided by the NHL/NHLPA.

The PA has to realize the way things are going 20% -25% of the players will earn
70-80% of the money and that isn't a healthy situation for a union to deal with...

And Darling is a an UFA after this year so again....unless this expansion draft takes place prior to 7/1/17 the 3 goalie thing is a mute point because the Hawks wouldn't have the rights to Darling any ways.

I'm very shocked none of the beat guys have picked up on this....but then again...I am not.
- SteveRain

I mentioned the rubber hits the road soon for Darling a few weeks ago...If he gets more ice time and does well Darling will be in line for a good raise.

It's best to look at the goalie slot in total....At a $6.6 million cap hit now is not bad at all compared to others.

This. I fully expect Crawford to be on the move this summer.
- Bjm84

Much as I respect CC, that could be shaping up as the Hawks move. My concern about other goalies though goes far beyond stats. CC has proven that he can slug it out, take contact, and button things down when his team is trying to make a push or defend a lead. Dude is a fighter and that makes him special in my book.

Whoever replaces him, needs those same intangibles. Darling has shown flashes, but it's too early to tell from my outside vantage point. The new Swedish goalie has stats that are a beaut, but can he lock it down when it really matters?

Moving CC could solve some cap problems, but my concern is whether it would create new problems. Still a smart move by Stan to hedge his bets and create options...seems to be playing chess here. Guessing the Hawks likely have these questions/concerns about their goalie options largely answered and we'll find out in a few months

I mentioned the rubber hits the road soon for Darling a few weeks ago...If he gets more ice time and does well Darling will be in line for a good raise.

It's best to look at the goalie slot in total....At a $6.6 million cap hit now is not bad at all compared to others.
- Al

Is this how teams look at their cap situations in general? Percentage per position? Or is that only for the goalie slot? Or is this just something we use to judge?

Is this how teams look at their cap situations in general? Percentage per position? Or is that only for the goalie slot? Or is this just something we use to judge?
- CanOCorn

I think the goalie position and dmen especially.

Chris "Employed By The NHL" Pronger was traded.
- CanOCorn

The reason for that was Pronger's high cap hit and league minimum salary. That helps a team reach the cap floor without spending real dollars.

Bickell's cap hit and salary are a far different story.

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.
- John Jaeckel

Don't see why people are reading into the 1-way contract thing so much. Frankly, this is one area where big clubs like NYR, CHI, MTL & TOR still have an advantage in a cap era. They can overpay players to play in the AHL. It won't affect the cap situation as it's under the 925k. It's really not a big deal other than it was what it took to get the kid signed.

Who can the Hawks LEAST afford to lose based on peformance and an NHL-ready replacement in the organization?

Crawford or Panarin? - Panarin

Crawford or Seabrook? -Seabrook

Crawford or Hossa? -Hossa

Crawford or Anisimov? -Anisimov

Crawford or Hammer? - Hammer

Either Crawford is traded or Panarin won't be resigned (or price himself out with another 70+point season). If Stan didn't learn from last summer by waiting on Saad's extenstion (or making the necessary moves to get ahead of the Salary Cap in order to meet Saad's salary demands), then he is a fool. I dont think Stan Bowman is a fool.....
- EnzoD

And who are the players on that list hardest to move because they have full NMCs and must consent to any trade?

Crawford, Seabrook, Hammer, Hossa

They are all tagged to stay as the core to build around.

Let's all wait and see what the cap ends up being, and if/when one or two teams get added. I find it hard to believe that any player up for a contract on most any team does not in concert with their agents understand the unique challenges the expansion draft adds to the negotiation process for all parties.

Not to mention that any deal for players in 2017-18 must (and should) be made based upon the cap number for THAT year. We still don't have a cap number for next year.

If 72 is going to be a dbag and strongarm the Hawks before they have the data to make good decisions for the team then they have to say CYA, and have fun in Edmonton.

Who can the Hawks LEAST afford to lose based on peformance and an NHL-ready replacement in the organization?

Crawford or Panarin? - Panarin

Crawford or Seabrook? -Seabrook

Crawford or Hossa? -Hossa

Crawford or Anisimov? -Anisimov

Crawford or Hammer? - Hammer

Either Crawford is traded or Panarin won't be resigned (or price himself out with another 70+point season). If Stan didn't learn from last summer by waiting on Saad's extenstion (or making the necessary moves to get ahead of the Salary Cap in order to meet Saad's salary demands), then he is a fool. I dont think Stan Bowman is a fool.....
- EnzoD

$4 Million frees up next season, if you don't buy out Bickell. Only $2.5/mil is freed up if you do buy him out... That goes a long way towards that $5m/yr number

$4 Million frees up next season, if you don't buy out Bickell. Only $2.5/mil is freed up if you do buy him out... That goes a long way towards that $5m/yr number
- dstainer

Bickell is the only free money available and will be needed.

You could see the Hawks hold off on Panarin and let him play half the time or more without Kane next season.....

Who can the Hawks LEAST afford to lose based on peformance and an NHL-ready replacement in the organization?

Crawford or Panarin? - Panarin

Crawford or Seabrook? -Seabrook

Crawford or Hossa? -Hossa

Crawford or Anisimov? -Anisimov

Crawford or Hammer? - Hammer

Either Crawford is traded or Panarin won't be resigned (or price himself out with another 70+point season). If Stan didn't learn from last summer by waiting on Saad's extenstion (or making the necessary moves to get ahead of the Salary Cap in order to meet Saad's salary demands), then he is a fool. I dont think Stan Bowman is a fool.....
- EnzoD

Enzo everyone is entitled to have an opinion...Especially here but...

To say AA and even Hossa at this point are more valuable to the Hawks winning than Crawford is simply off base.

IMO before you say Panarin is more important you may want to wait until next season is over.

Three one-way contracts at G is just odd. But, then again, another scenario is that he insisted on it and they wanted him that much and said, we'll figure out the logjam later.
- John Jaeckel

I think you hit on the reason....When these guys go back down to Rockford unless they have a 1 way they take about $450,000 pay cut and that can hurt.

The great Drew LeBlanc had a 1 way and was about the most overpaid young player in the AHL-So as you mentioned Bowman wanted the kid and Rocky will pay the tab.

Exactly, and while we all love Darling, the same guys arguing that Darling has all this trade value don't think he could step up and assume #1 if Crawford is dealt. Doesn't make sense.
- John Jaeckel

If the Hawks are so hard pressed against the cap, how does trading Darling do anything for you? Trading Darling frees up a whopping $587,500. Trading Crawford frees up $6M. I'm not saying trade either one, but if cap space is your reason it makes no sense for all of this talk to trade Darling.

Enzo everyone is entitled to have an opinion...Especially here but...

To say AA and even Hossa at this point are more valuable to the Hawks winning than Crawford is simply off base.

IMO before you say Panarin is more important you may want to wait until next season is over.
- Al

Al,

I didn't say more important, I said that Crow is the only player at $4mil+ that the Hawks have an immediate NHL-ready replacement for. I don't want to trade 50, but 81, 72, 15, 4 & 7 have no replacements. That is my logic in saying Crow should be traded if they need cap space for Panarin's extension.

Bickell is the only free money available and will be needed.

You could see the Hawks hold off on Panarin and let him play half the time or more without Kane next season.....
- Al

If (IF) the PA approves the accelerator, the cap will go up $3MM this year, plus, say, another $3MM next year, plus Bickell's $4MM - that's $10MM more cap space in 2017-18.

Which has to cover (let's assume, for the moment, that the defense is covered):

Panarin
Shaw
TT
1LW (or other top-6)
Anisimov increase
Kruger increase
Seabrook increase
At least....

More moves needed, this year or next.