I think they lose either Kruger or Anisimov in the expansion draft or perhaps both if there are drafts in successive years. They are not protected via NMC's. So there's at least part of Panarin's money.

Really think next year Q needs to do:

Panarin - Toews - XXX
XXX - Anisimov - Kane

There ya go. Two scoring lines.
- DMChi2010

Or

xxx-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-xxx

I think they lose either Kruger or Anisimov in the expansion draft or perhaps both if there are drafts in successive years. They are not protected via NMC's. So there's at least part of Panarin's money.

Really think next year Q needs to do:

Panarin - Toews - XXX
XXX - Anisimov - Kane

There ya go. Two scoring lines.
- DMChi2010

No, that is actually two thirds of two scoring lines.

As we saw last year - those XXX players can be very important.

Has anyone here said Kruger isn't a very good depth player with a specialized role? I haven't read or posted anything along those lines. I am strongly opposed to Kruger's new cap hit. Not one time have I said that Kruger isn't a good AND important player to the Hawks. I have repeatedly said that for what he does, versus what Shaw/Panarin/legit4D bring to the lineup, I would prioritize the latter 3 players. Did we all forget that Shaw was the 1LW for most of the season (and during their best play of the season)? 15+65 are the only two guys that consistently play around the blue paint screening goalies and getting "greasy" goals. Kempny is a nice prospect but I still would have allocated that $3mil towards a bonafide 4D. Kempny hasn't played a shift of NHL hockey and, much like Gustaffsen/Pokka/TVR before him, he is now expected to be effective at 4D like Oduya and Campbell were. SURE THING

That's not even mentioning the cap space needed to sign Panarin....

To reiterate, on the Chicago Blackhawks with 2 players taking up nearly 30% of the Cap space, I don't think it's wise to pay your 4C $3.1mil/year. JJ claims he is a 3C on the Hawks, but every statistic says that he is a 4C. I hope Marcus proves me wrong and can provide more offense, while still matching up with the opponents top lines. Watching Shaw walk will be very difficult, but I guess I should be used to seeing key players leave....sigh....

Or

xxx-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-xxx
- MjulQvist

I'd go like this. Maybe slot TT if he's not dealt onto the 72-15 line as the RW and have Hossa as the 3rd line RW.

don't care and won't be watching...looks like a glorified preseason tune-up to me..hope none of the mega millions invested in nhl high end talent gets hurt..

Did we not see the p.k. improve when Krugs came back. Did we not see the team D miraculously improve when Krugs came back. When you don't need Toews and Hoss on the p.k. it improves the team game exponentially. Therefore, his offense comes by creating defense on which the offensive players need not play. That's worth a buck or 2, eh?

GO DOG, GO!!!

It is easy to see what people like about Kruger. I don't think there is any denying that, but facts are facts. He is getting a big raise after completing his worst season with the Hawks. That is the part that is tough to swallow for a lot of Hawks fans. When you consider the Hawks may end up having to part ways with other important pieces, you know that Kruger must bounce back next year. Kruger is a useful player. He can play better and he likely will. It isn't all on him... one of his usual line mates needs to do his part and that is Andrew Desjardins.

Don't get me wrong, Desjardins is a nice player for his salary, but I don't think he can handle that much defensive responsibility. The fact that Desi was the forward that played the most shorthanded minutes is a problem and a big reason why the Hawks PK struggled.

Kruger isn't going anywhere. The fans like him, the Hawks like him and he is a useful player, but for his salary he needs to bounce back and the Hawks need to find some more depth at killing penalties. It is nice when 4th line guys are able to play well defensively, but relying on them take the bulk of the defensive assignment isn't always going to work out well. This comes back to the root of the problem and the BIGGEST issue with this team in the last year. Lack of forward depth.

It isn't necessarily a new issue, the problem has been there to a degree for two seasons, but it is at it's worst now. Sure, you can point out that the Hawks won the cup season before last, but remember that the only reason the Hawks had enough depth to win that cup was because Kane got injured and they were able to far exceed the cap for the playoffs.

Follow that up the next season with Kane/Toews getting their huge paydays and the Hawks can't field enough depth. Guys like Desi are playing above their pay grade and Hossa has age steal some of his scoring touch. The Hawks didn't lose because they parted ways with Oduya, they lost because of the issues up front.
- breadbag

I understand the concern about forward depth heading into next season, especially if Shaw doesn't return. But how in the world was that a problem last season? Our forward depth was outstanding come playoff time, just came up a hair short. If anything was wrong with our forwards last season(mainly the playoff run) it was that the top guns like Toews and Kane didn't score when we needed them to. Thats not a "depth" issue. The depth issues were on defense, we only had 4 reliable defenseman for the 2nd straight season. Forward depth wasn't an issue at all IMO.

No, that is actually two thirds of two scoring lines.

As we saw last year - those XXX players can be very important.
- dahawks8819

Yes, I'm hoping one of the youngsters comes through just as saad came out of nowhere.
(Bryan Rust looks like this years saad.)

I'd go like this. Maybe slot TT if he's not dealt onto the 72-15 line as the RW and have Hossa as the 3rd line RW.
- Hawksfan37

I like the idea of TT with Panarin and AA if you're gonna take Kane off that line.

Imagine this hitting the jackpot scenario: Toews and Hossa both come back rejuvenated and are joined by rookie(Maybe Motte or Schmaltz) that comes out of nowhere to burst on the scene and play LW along side the 2 horses. Shaw gets resigned for cheap and goes back to 2C with Kaner and Panik, recreating something along the lines of the 2014 Saad-Shaw-Kane line that was extremely successful in their short time together, as Panik really breaks out(takes advantage of playing with Kane) and becomes a 40-50 pt player. Then Panarin-AA-TT instantly becomes the greatest "3rd" line ever. Lets also, just for the hell of it, assume TT recovers from his sophomore slump and plays extremely well. Then you've got Desi and Kruger to anchor the 4th line with maybe Moose or Hartman, to go along with what would essentially be three 1st lines/top lines.

Hey, anything can happen.

Actually, no. Would I have been surprised if he was? No. But not surprised at all he isn't either.
- John Jaeckel

Pietrangelo could be the reason Seabrook doesn't get the call.

Has anyone here said Kruger isn't a very good depth player with a specialized role? I haven't read or posted anything along those lines. I am strongly opposed to Kruger's new cap hit. Not one time have I said that Kruger isn't a good AND important player to the Hawks. I have repeatedly said that for what he does, versus what Shaw/Panarin/legit4D bring to the lineup, I would prioritize the latter 3 players. Did we all forget that Shaw was the 1LW for most of the season (and during their best play of the season)? 15+65 are the only two guys that consistently play around the blue paint screening goalies and getting "greasy" goals. Kempny is a nice prospect but I still would have allocated that $3mil towards a bonafide 4D. Kempny hasn't played a shift of NHL hockey and, much like Gustaffsen/Pokka/TVR before him, he is now expected to be effective at 4D like Oduya and Campbell were. SURE THING

That's not even mentioning the cap space needed to sign Panarin....

To reiterate, on the Chicago Blackhawks with 2 players taking up nearly 30% of the Cap space, I don't think it's wise to pay your 4C $3.1mil/year. JJ claims he is a 3C on the Hawks, but every statistic says that he is a 4C. I hope Marcus proves me wrong and can provide more offense, while still matching up with the opponents top lines. Watching Shaw walk will be very difficult, but I guess I should be used to seeing key players leave....sigh....
- EnzoD

Gotta find value in a hard cap world and keep replacing higher priced players with guys who can come close to that production cheaper. Kruger is a first rate shutdown guy who can win a faceoff. Question is can a 1-2 million a year guy be found to do the same thing?

With that in mind a nice fancy stat read/look at the goaltending position (note it was written a year ago). Is Crawford replaceable at his 6 mil per hit? http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...hl-gms-overvalue-goalies/

No. 1s get paid a lot of money—13 NHL teams pay theirs $6 million or more, and the average amongst the 40-plus game group is $4.7 million.

Looks like Chiasson is on his way out in Ottawa. I don't know too much about him, would he be worth the risk?

I didn't see Runblad on that list. Must be a mistake......
- tompo1015

He is captain of the Polish JV team..

I like the idea of TT with Panarin and AA if you're gonna take Kane off that line.

Imagine this hitting the jackpot scenario: Toews and Hossa both come back rejuvenated and are joined by rookie(Maybe Motte or Schmaltz) that comes out of nowhere to burst on the scene and play LW along side the 2 horses. Shaw gets resigned for cheap and goes back to 2C with Kaner and Panik, recreating something along the lines of the 2014 Saad-Shaw-Kane line that was extremely successful in their short time together, as Panik really breaks out(takes advantage of playing with Kane) and becomes a 40-50 pt player. Then Panarin-AA-TT instantly becomes the greatest "3rd" line ever. Lets also, just for the hell of it, assume TT recovers from his sophomore slump and plays extremely well. Then you've got Desi and Kruger to anchor the 4th line with maybe Moose or Hartman, to go along with what would essentially be three 1st lines/top lines.

Hey, anything can happen.
- SimpleJack

Jack, I like the way you think, but there are a few issues with that.

First being that Schmaltz is returning to North Dakota for his junior year. We will have to wait at least another year for him.

Second, with the revolving door scenario at 1LW we watched last year - and the effect it had on Toews, I don't see Q taking any chances with a rookie in that position. The Bowmans will be forced to find a veteran - for the entire season. Anything less, and Q will play stiffs like Mashinter again - just to piss them off.

Third, I think a lot of people here are putting stock into Desjardins being a lock for next years team. I noticed towards the end of the year and into the playoffs that Desi was a healthy scratch for several games. Whatever shine that was on him for the 2015 playoffs may have rubbed off.

I like the idea of Motte playing the entire year in the NHL, but this will be his first full pro season, and people that watched him in the Rock for a few games said he still looks a little raw as a pro. And Q probably will not have much patience for that.

As for Hartman, think Andrew Shaw, but a little bigger - which is nice, but also think Shaw, but taking a LOT more dumb penalties. How much tolerance do you think Q will have with that?? Baun started out with the NHL team last year, took a few bad penalties, and that's the last we saw of him.

I think one X-factor people have not talked much about is Mark McNeil. If he works out in Chicago all summer, and comes to camp focused and ready to play, I think he will get a look before the other prospects do. This idea did wonders for Brandon Bollig - but I see McNeill with a lot more upside than Bollig ever had. McNeill must show the organization that his time is now - and own it.

Jack, I like the way you think, but there are a few issues with that.

First being that Schmaltz is returning to North Dakota for his junior year. We will have to wait at least another year for him.

Second, with the revolving door scenario at 1LW we watched last year - and the effect it had on Toews, I don't see Q taking any chances with a rookie in that position. The Bowmans will be forced to find a veteran - for the entire season. Anything less, and Q will play stiffs like Mashinter again - just to piss them off.

Third, I think a lot of people here are putting stock into Desjardins being a lock for next years team. I noticed towards the end of the year and into the playoffs that Desi was a healthy scratch for several games. Whatever shine that was on him for the 2015 playoffs may have rubbed off.

I like the idea of Motte playing the entire year in the NHL, but this will be his first full pro season, and people that watched him in the Rock for a few games said he still looks a little raw as a pro. And Q probably will not have much patience for that.

As for Hartman, think Andrew Shaw, but a little bigger - which is nice, but also think Shaw, but taking a LOT more dumb penalties. How much tolerance do you think Q will have with that?? Baun started out with the NHL team last year, took a few bad penalties, and that's the last we saw of him.

I think one X-factor people have not talked much about is Mark McNeil. If he works out in Chicago all summer, and comes to camp focused and ready to play, I think he will get a look before the other prospects do. This idea did wonders for Brandon Bollig - but I see McNeill with a lot more upside than Bollig ever had. McNeill must show the organization that his time is now - and own it.
- dahawks8819

McNeill has basically been a disappointment and that's why you haven't heard anything about him. From what I heard he was on the block to be dealt at the deadline. The Hawks have tried him at wing and center, both times the results have been mixed.

McNeill has basically been a disappointment and that's why you haven't heard anything about him. From what I heard he was on the block to be dealt at the deadline. The Hawks have tried him at wing and center, both times the results have been mixed.
- Al

That's why I think a good summer here - training with the Hawks staff - lots of skating and flexibility drills - like Bollig did - and he may prove to be an effective bottom six player - with a little offensive upside. But come training camp, he has to show he really wants it.

If not, cut him loose or send him back to the Rock - it wouldn't be the first first round bust they have had.

pistolkiwi
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oakland, CA
Joined: 03.08.2009

Today @ 8:30 AM ET
Disagree with you on Finland's talent. They have gotten bronze the last two Olympics. While also getting silver twice over the last three years at the World Championships and talking about their youth, they have won gold at the WJC twice the last three years also. One of the gold was when TT won MVP of the tourney.

Finland is never the most talented in these tourneys but they also have grit and their hockey IQ is always tremendous. I wouldnt take away anything from Pokka making this squad. While Finnish management could have gone with veterans like Kukkonen or Heitanen in the KHL they went with young guys on NHL/AHL rosters. They have many good young D Men led by Ristolainen and Pokka but Ville making the cut over former 1st rounder Julius Honka is a big deal.

I don't think teuvo won MVP, Filip forsberg did. Now that being said, teuvo was the far far better player and hands down should have won it. I guess it was a consolation prize for the host nation. Teraveinen was on another level that tournament, looked like a Toews Kane hybrid.

Did we not see the p.k. improve when Krugs came back. Did we not see the team D miraculously improve when Krugs came back. When you don't need Toews and Hoss on the p.k. it improves the team game exponentially. Therefore, his offense comes by creating defense on which the offensive players need not play. That's worth a buck or 2, eh?

GO DOG, GO!!!
- hocktock

PK was awful in Round 1. One player doesn't make or break a penalty kill. You can find PK specialists for $1mil/yr

He is captain of the Polish JV team..
- z1990z

Hey now, us Polacks are born take the body, get to the net, skate your drills, win puck battles bottom 6 guys and we like it that way.

PK was awful in Round 1. One player doesn't make or break a penalty kill. You can find PK specialists for $1mil/yr
- EnzoD

Sometimes you have to show a little loyalty to players who have done the same .. We can't win every year .I for one like that the HAWKS show their players respect and pay them well . And when need to move them for cap reasons .they try their best to place them in a good spot ..Rannta comes to mind as do a few other young players . Respect gotta give it to get it . And I think the HAWKS organization has come a long way in that department .. from the dark day's of Dollar Bill

Looks like Chiasson is on his way out in Ottawa. I don't know too much about him, would he be worth the risk?
- DarthKane

Every time I see him I can't believe how thick of a man he is. Lucic like...... 2nd rounder drafted by Dallas, USHL-NCAA route, came over as part of the Spezza trade IIRC and from what I remember he's at least an average skater, bottom 6 hands.

He'll get a look somewhere IMO but not sure he's a fit with the possession type speed game of the Hawks.

PK was awful in Round 1. One player doesn't make or break a penalty kill. You can find PK specialists for $1mil/yr
- EnzoD

Agreed but would add it's all about prioritizing need, strengths/weaknesses, replaceablity, how many boxes are checked, value and what depth of cap hell you're in.

The NHL and NBC doing everything they can to keep the league in the Stone Age.

The NHL Threatened To Fine The Lightning If They Didn't Shut Down Their Watch Party


The NHL told Deadspin that the Lightning were only allowed to host one official event per series, and that they’d already used up their slot on the Game 5 party. But the Sharks and Blues have each hosted multiple parties during the Western Conference Finals, and sources tell us that the NHL and NBC pressured the team to cancel tonight’s event because of worries about low TV ratings.

We’ve also heard the NHL is threatening to fine teams for violating the watch party rule, again at NBC’s behest.

PK was awful in Round 1. One player doesn't make or break a penalty kill. You can find PK specialists for $1mil/yr
- EnzoD

I meant the regular season upon his return. (Give the blues some credit.) And, you ignored the rest of my point. I see your $ point and don't necessarily disagree, I just think the 10.5 million dudes are where the fat is. It's just too lopsided. How do you reconcile the difference in pay to what happens on the ice. This year, Kane earned his. Toews didn't. How do you now pay and keep say, Panarin if he continues to grow. You can't pay 3 guys 10 million. Can you?

GO VANDERBILTS

I meant the regular season upon his return. (Give the blues some credit.) And, you ignored the rest of my point. I see your $ point and don't necessarily disagree, I just think the 10.5 million dudes are where the fat is. It's just too lopsided. How do you reconcile the difference in pay to what happens on the ice. This year, Kane earned his. Toews didn't. How do you now pay and keep say, Panarin if he continues to grow. You can't pay 3 guys 10 million. Can you?

GO VANDERBILTS
- hocktock

I think we are on the same page here. The contracts for 19+88 dictate everything. We can debate whether or not Toews earned his deal this year, but he is the arguably most important player on this team. Marcus Kruger is important, but given the 21million tied up in the Wonder Twins, you need to be frugal with every contract. Kruger's contract is high end UFA pricing and far from a good value for a 4C. Again, Kruger is a good player and was key in 2013+15. However, Panarin is the most important player needing a new contract, with Shaw behind him and Kruger a distant 3rd,IMO.