Halak is not going anywhere without taking back a good chunk of salary...They are stuck with him otherwise. He's 31 and played only 36 games last season, injury prone imo, and his cap hit is $4.5 mill...Not easy to move at all.

The problem with trading Crawford is no one takes on $6 million dollar goalie salaries except Dale Tallon and he doesn't have a checkbook any longer. Plus there are younger cheaper guys that could be on the move too plus those you mentioned and more.
- Al

Well, I did say Halak would have to come back in a deal for Crow.

I could see Halak moved - with or without the injury history. Snow has a lot to package with Halak. Young players on his roster as well as a stocked system. His hands may be tied though with the state of the franchise. Brooklyn was a mess. The ownership transition is a mess. What a waste.

Nobody is saying Shaw is more valuable than TT. I agree would most of the posters that TT may get his points during regular season, but I'm skeptical that he can hold up against the elite players despite whether he puts on extra 20 lbs and muscles. He looks too clean cut to be a grinder... What I am saying is that Shaw's trade value is at all time high...He had the luxury of being a Blackhawk and Stanley Cup Champion and he is imo being overevaluated by many teams including coach Q.
- shidler

I am.

The only I agree to in your opinion is Shaw's value is probably very high...that's because he does stuff that most have no inkling to do night after night, including Ladd.

I must have miss seeing the Ladd some of you saw in that St. Louis series...a gola and assiste 16 minutes of undiscipline pims, three or so blocks...
shaw took 13 shots and score four goals
- wiz1901

And those 4 goals were in 6 games not 7. Hawks will keep Shaw and let Laddie walk - he and Brouwer will go to the Canucks and live happily on the left coast.

If they dealt Crow tomorrow with all the goalies on the market, we know the names by now, signed goalies, UFA's and RFA's what do you think is fair market value for Crow and his 6 mil hit? .........In real time with the Hawks out of cap hell for the "moment".
- Mr Ricochet

Well if there were no cap implications I wouldn't deal him unless you received 2 players that were going to make the roster better without question and a pick/prospect. But that is wishful with the Cap not popping and so many goalies available. To take on that kind of salary these days a team has to be close to being a true Cup contender and in need, like the NYI. But they have $6+ tied up in goalies now and not sure how flexible they could be.

In reality I don't think there is a feasible market for Crawford as he's won 2 Cups and even if he wanted to go, they would have to send him to his short list of destinations.

Well, I did say Halak would have to come back in a deal for Crow.

I could see Halak moved - with or without the injury history. Snow has a lot to package with Halak. Young players on his roster as well as a stocked system. His hands may be tied though with the state of the franchise. Brooklyn was a mess. The ownership transition is a mess. What a waste.
- tredbrta

I get you but to deal Crawford to save only $1.5 mil isn't worth the risk to me.

And those 4 goals were in 6 games not 7. Hawks will keep Shaw and let Laddie walk - he and Brouwer will go to the Canucks and live happily on the left coast.
- RickJ

i thought they were looking forward to going to a cup contender...

I would agree they did catch some lightning in a bottle this year, but I think that's the case with just about any team that wins the cup. The Pens played a great team defense with the forwards backchecking and blocking an ungodly amount of shots (2 total shots made it on goal for the sharks in 3rd period of the SCF game 6, 1 of those shots was in the last minute after they were down 2 goals)

I think you're selling a little low on Dumo and Maatta. Dumo just hit 24 and has been playing at worst #3 quality D for the last 18 months. He has gotten better and better with more ice time. I believe his ceiling is a #2 (how Paul Martin compliments Brent Burns), but he could ultimately end up as an upper level #3 like hammer. Maatta is a bit of mixed bag. He was phenomenal his rookie year and then got hit with cancer, two major shoulder issues (came back too early from the first), and then a freak accident getting checked into an open door in the boards messing up his kidney which caused him to lose a step this year. He's still only 21 and has at least the upside of Dumo if these injuries aren't an indication of what will happen in the future. Daley is a solid #4 in the system the Pens play. Lovejoy played well but is gone and Cole is a dime a dozen defender. Trading Fleury will free up almost 6 mil to fill out the defense for next year. There is also the potential of Scuderi retiring (frees up 1.25 mil) and potential trade of Kunitz will free up 3.5. I think they have the money to get another top 4 and will have a competent D rolling Letang - Dumo, Maatta - Daley, Cole - Pouliout and then a potential top 4 guy signed with the cap space moving Maatta or Daley down if they scuffle.

The hawks have the advantage in the top 3 with Keith, Seabs and Hammer vs Letang, Dumo, Maatta but I'd take Daley, Cole, Pouliot + the potential FA signing over TVR, Rosival, Runblad or Svedberg. Overall strength of the entire defense is very similar. The losses of Leddy and Oduya have been difficult to replace. But that is life in the salary cap era. I don't know that any team has handled it better than the hawks with the amount of turnover they've had since 2010.

I hope you're right about the longevity of Hossa - I really like the game he plays. There are just so few players like Jagr (none that I can think of) that I think the odds are against him. Jagr is the biggest workout freak in the NHL and sleeps with 21 year old models to keep him young
- mw630

Guess we will agree to disagree that the Hawk D next year, not 3-4 years from now, will be better than the Pens'. And as far as Hossa goes I'm not for a minute saying he's going to be effective, or even playing, at 44 yrs old as Jagr is. Jagr is 44 Hossa is 37. My point on Hossa is he should be effective as a 3c for 3-4 more years, nothing more insinuated nothing more claimed.

I was listening to Andy Strickland the other day ...

Have to wonder where Brouwer and Backes end up.
- Al

Losing Muller and Shaw - both player relations specialists for Hitch - and replacing them with Mikey "the Tantrum" Yeo? Brouwer and Backes are probably taking less of a "discount" now..

I love it when low class organizations like the Nucks and Blues blow it without actually winning anything. Makes the memories of Wirtz and Pulford less nauseating.

BTW, question for the Blues browsers... The organist playing "Chelsea Dagger" during the handshake line after game 7.... Reaves blowing kisses to the Dallas bench.... Actions of a Stanley Cup organization?

Answer: NO. Obviously.

I am.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree

I get you but to deal Crawford to save only $1.5 mil isn't worth the risk to me.
- Al

No sane manager in the NHL moves Crawford for that injury prone stiff Halak to save $1.5M.

That's the kind of thing John Ferguson Jr. did with the Leafs 10 years ago and it takes a team a decade to recover from the stupidity.

I get you but to deal Crawford to save only $1.5 mil isn't worth the risk to me.
- Al

Agreed. More would have to come back. I still fear losing Crow. Darling looked mentally fragile this year.

Losing Muller and Shaw - both player relations specialists for Hitch - and replacing them with Mikey "the Tantrum" Yeo? Brouwer and Backes are probably taking less of a "discount" now..

I love it when low class organizations like the Nucks and Blues blow it without actually winning anything. Makes the memories of Wirtz and Pulford less nauseating.

BTW, question for the Blues browsers... The organist playing "Chelsea Dagger" during the handshake line after game 7.... Reaves blowing kisses to the Dallas bench.... Actions of a Stanley Cup organization?

Answer: NO. Obviously.
- tredbrta

Odd to handle things this way but evidently Yeo was coveted. The franchise that stepped in it I think is Minny....Torchetti deserved a shot and Gabby is a poor game coach. Also....They better hire someone really good to steer the defense otherwise they will be screwed...Gabby didn't touch the defense in Anaheim and that was the best part of their team.

No sane manager in the NHL moves Crawford for that injury prone stiff Halak to save $1.5M.

That's the kind of thing John Ferguson Jr. did with the Leafs 10 years ago and it takes a team a decade to recover from the stupidity.
- RickJ

If Snow has the flexibility budget wise the move would be to package Halak with a prospect or young D man and bring in one of the tested goalies on the market like Bishop or Andersen. Only way it works for Crow would be Snow retains hit AND adds some real value in picks/prospects or players. I suppose that could happen with Fleury too but I doubt they trade with a rival. Amazing how the Pens got rich from poor in young players WHILE winning a cup. Those young forwards plus Murray changed the whole dynamic. Does Mario still want to sell?

So what is priority one after this big day?
To move out more salary, or to sign Shaw and then see what the money situation is?

Can't trade Crawford for only picks even if it was a small basket full at this point. That's the type of deal that could haunt Bowman forever and he could lose the room.

I think there could be a time Darling may get the nod but not now. Today's deal took a lot of pressure off of Bowman.....A lot.
- Al

I am not sure about that....

he shown the door to alot of youth and picks over the last 2 years with nothing to show for it...

gone: saad, sharp, TT, dano, denault, johns, garbutt, daley and they got one roster player from this = anisimov so far

he has ALOT of pressure...not much room for roster mistakes

If Snow has the flexibility budget wise the move would be to package Halak with a prospect or young D man and bring in one of the tested goalies on the market like Bishop or Andersen. Only way it works for Crow would be Snow retains hit AND adds some real value in picks/prospects or players. I suppose that could happen with Fleury too but I doubt they trade with a rival. Amazing how the Pens got rich from poor in young players WHILE winning a cup. Those young forwards plus Murray changed the whole dynamic. Does Mario still want to sell?
- tredbrta

Fleury is about the most popular player on the club amongst all of the players....Now after the kid winning the Cup the FO can justify trying to deal him. That will be another interesting one to watch this summer...

Odd to handle things this way but evidently Yeo was coveted. The franchise that stepped in it I think is Minny....Torchetti deserved a shot and Gabby is a poor game coach. Also....They better hire someone really good to steer the defense otherwise they will be screwed...Gabby didn't touch the defense in Anaheim and that was the best part of their team.
- Al

Agree on that one. Fletcher has made some very confusing decisions the last several seasons and I see hiring Porky as a last gasp to save his job as GM. Looked a bit desperate and not thought out. Maybe the Hawks can hire him? He can draft.... and they owe him on Leddy.

Imagine how much the rest of the league owes Stan? Nill and Snow definitely have positions for him.

This is one trade. I will reserve judgement on whether this is a change in direction after a few more. I also cannot forget that making this same decision last off season BEFORE the draft most likely would have extended this team's window. Right now, this front office is playing catch up.
- tredbrta

Agreed, but after seeing the Titanic bounce off of icebergs organizationally the last year, I'm more than happy. I reeeeeeeally like this move today, think managerial wise the club had a bad year on many fronts and considering the last year of moves I like this for more reasons than what it seems at face value.........

Next I'm looking for signs that Q and StanBowPops&McD are on the same page.

I am not sure about that....

he shown the door to alot of youth and picks over the last 2 years with nothing to show for it...

gone: saad, sharp, TT, dano, denault, johns, garbutt, daley and they got one roster player from this = anisimov so far

he has ALOT of pressure...not much room for roster mistakes
- bogiedoc

Again, best to criticize in real time....There is no other way for a team constructed like the Hawks to get better except to deal good young players, or older expensive ones for picks/prospects and to sign top Euro and NCAA prospects....Otherwise the math doesn't work with so few players taking up most of the cap space.

Bowman I'm sure always feels some pressure but today he moved a mountain off of his shoulders.

Hopefully NHL radio does not mention connor mcdavid in your interview manana, Al.

Agree on that one. Fletcher has made some very confusing decisions the last several seasons and I see hiring Porky as a last gasp to save his job as GM. Looked a bit desperate and not thought out. Maybe the Hawks can hire him? He can draft.... and they owe him on Leddy.

Imagine how much the rest of the league owes Stan? Nill and Snow definitely have positions for him.
- tredbrta

Not saying Fletcher can't draft but don't give him too much credit for Leddy. He needed a big set to pass on young dman that fell into is his lap and was the Mr Hockey in Minnesota that year and won other local honors. They were under pressure to take the hometown kid and then gave up on him too quickly.

So what is priority one after this big day?
To move out more salary, or to sign Shaw and then see what the money situation is?
- RedFeather

They are signalling signing Shaw next. Hopefully, a team friendly deal. There is no question Shaw is more valuable to this team than TT was.... They have Schmaltz coming if they want another pass first wing. What they don't have enough of are gritty, hard nosed wings who can score dirty goals like Shaw.

Hopefully NHL radio does not mention connor mcdavid in your interview manana, Al.
- RedFeather

I know for sure I won't.

Not saying Fletcher can't draft but don't give him too much credit for Leddy. He needed a big set to pass on young dman that fell into is his lap and was the Mr Hockey in Minnesota that year and won other local honors. They were under pressure to take the hometown kid and then gave up on him too quickly.
- Al

Coyle, Haula, Spurgeon, Zucker, Scandella... some (like Haula) pretty good late round selections for Fletcher. He doesn't miss a lot. Though he does miss. I think pro moves like Vanek and coaching choices are his problem. Amateur talent eval he does well. I see the Parise signing as an overpay too.

So what is priority one after this big day?
To move out more salary, or to sign Shaw and then see what the money situation is?
- RedFeather

Wait for the final salary cap number for next season then re-sign Shaw.