And I don't know what Brouwer would want to come back to Chicago (maybe a little, maybe a lot, and too much) but that's a guy i would be looking at because he checks a lot of boxes and it might work out.
- John Jaeckel

You know who may be on the move and would be Brouwer lite?....Backes.

I will reiterate that I don't see anyone here claiming that Crawford is overpaid by NHL market value for a starting goalie. I have also stated that Marcus Kruger probably got around NHL market value (maybe $500,000 more after a bad season of injuries and poor production). I have simply maintained that on THIS team, the Chicago Blackhawks, I don't think StanBo can afford to have 20 point (4 points+0 goals this year) bottom 6 Centers at $3.1mil or a goalie at $6mil. Agree or disagree, but I don't think the Hawks can have both of those players on the books and ice a truly Championship-quality lineup. BTW, there is DEFINITELY no way they can sign Calder Trophy winner and nearly 80 point Artemi Panarin with both of those Cap hits on the books. Something's gotta give...

Doesn't it make sense that they wouldn't go down that route if they didn't have something at least semi in the works?

Would seem foolish to potentially piss off a player if there's not a deal out there.
- vabeachbear

I don't think they will/would do anything on Crawford until they know for sure what they're doing with Shaw, and possibly Ladd, who I hear they still hold out some hope of signing.

I heard there were multiple teams sniffing on Crawford, so I would not assume, Toronto was the sum total of the Crawford market.

Have not heard one peep about AA moving and I have no idea who they'd replace him with. None. That line was 40% of the team's offense last year.

Personally, unless there is some huge surprise on the cap or Q undergoes a personality change, I don't see how they keep Crawford AND Shaw, and re-up Panarin at some point. Unless Shaw basically takes a severe hometown discount bridge deal that would not be good business for him.Then, maybe.

You know who may be on the move and would be Brouwer lite?....Backes.
- Al

He's a good hockey player. But I don't think he works in the Hawks' room. And you have to think the market for him is north of $5 million per. Never know though.

He's a good hockey player. But I don't think he works in the Hawks' room. And you have to think the market for him is north of $5 million per. Never know though.
- John Jaeckel

No way. I'd think that there is an intense hatred between the Blackhawk's core players and David BackAss (well done Mr. R )

He's a good hockey player. But I don't think he works in the Hawks' room. And you have to think the market for him is north of $5 million per. Never know though.
- John Jaeckel

I think Brouwer looks for close to that...

As we have discussed in the past 200 hits and 20 goals is an exclusive club. Those players, if no too old or too banged up usually get paid.

Shaw fully agree...Like I said above ...Wonder if there is a vet who forsakes a bigger payday to come here??

After the deal today the Leafs were still $11 mill under the cap...They could have afforded Crawford if he was available...But now they took a shot with a younger kid who can grow with the club and has a cap hit $1 million less than Crawford.

But if I'm thinking like you....If I want to win big in the next couple of years I would spend the extra $$ to get Crawford.
- Al

But if you're going with that rookie-loaded roster, why would a vet take a discount to come here to be on a very possible bubble team?

And I don't know what Brouwer would want to come back to Chicago (maybe a little, maybe a lot, and too much) but that's a guy i would be looking at because he checks a lot of boxes and it might work out.
- John Jaeckel

If I'm Brouwer why would I want to come back and have to play for Quenville again after the first time around.

I'm more focused on what veteran they are going to pick up from sale bin.
- Al

The list is long of guys that thought they were going to get big $ as UFA's and aren't. I'd focus on defenceman - guys like Bryan Campbell at 37 who would probably be happy to work at a very reasonable wage on a one year deal. Maybe a JM Liles.

If this is true and it seems to make sense the Hawks have about 10 days to deal AA.

http://www.secondcityhock...no-movemement-clause-2016

The list is long of guys that thought they were going to get big $ as UFA's and aren't. I'd focus on defenceman - guys like Bryan Campbell at 37 who would probably be happy to work at a very reasonable wage on a one year deal. Maybe a JM Liles.
- RickJ

Could be...First one to hit a $2 mill per offer gets the prize...

If I'm Brouwer why would I want to come back and have to play for Quenville again after the first time around.
- 6628

I think Brouwer will have choices....

But if you're going with that rookie-loaded roster, why would a vet take a discount to come here to be on a very possible bubble team?
- StLBravesFan

I'm wait and see on a the rookie laden roster part...

I don't think they will/would do anything on Crawford until they know for sure what they're doing with Shaw, and possibly Ladd, who I hear they still hold out some hope of signing.

I heard there were multiple teams sniffing on Crawford, so I would not assume, Toronto was the sum total of the Crawford market.

Have not heard one peep about AA moving and I have no idea who they'd replace him with. None. That line was 40% of the team's offense last year.

Personally, unless there is some huge surprise on the cap or Q undergoes a personality change, I don't see how they keep Crawford AND Shaw, and re-up Panarin at some point. Unless Shaw basically takes a severe hometown discount bridge deal that would not be good business for him.Then, maybe.
- John Jaeckel

That line was 40% of the team's offense last year.

The above is not a good thing...

But if you're going with that rookie-loaded roster, why would a vet take a discount to come here to be on a very possible bubble team?
- StLBravesFan

Because that vet's other option might be a PTO somewhere in the boondocks. Tomas Fleischmann for example.

Or all those Slavic defenceman that got invited to training camp last year and then Q deemed them unworthy and sent them all packing.

I'm more focused on what veteran they are going to pick up from sale bin.
- Al

But this is my point, someone or two someones have to be moved.

I read everyday that they can't move this guy or that guy and my point is someone's moving.

At the end of the day, part of the board won't move CC, part of the board won't move AA. Part of the board will not hear of not resigning Shaw or Panarin.

So in the end, big chuncks of the board are going to be upset

Zawaski :

Want some good Hawks news? Ok. Apparently Brian Campbell is telling anyone who'll listen that he wants to he a Hawk. We'll see how badly 7/1

Zawaski :

Want some good Hawks news? Ok. Apparently Brian Campbell is telling anyone who'll listen that he wants to he a Hawk. We'll see how badly 7/1
- mrpaulish

Sounds about perfect to me - plays 82 games a year, knows the system, can fit in the Top 4, can teach some kids like Pokka or Gustaffsson or Herman Munster.

How much does he need to make it so its worth getting out of bed in the morning?

But this is my point, someone or two someones have to be moved.

I read everyday that they can't move this guy or that guy and my point is someone's moving.

At the end of the day, part of the board won't move CC, part of the board won't move AA. Part of the board will not hear of not resigning Shaw or Panarin.

So in the end, big chuncks of the board are going to be upset
- vabeachbear

No doubt ...John will handle it...Back in 2006 the 15 people on here were always upset with everything....

Zawaski :

Want some good Hawks news? Ok. Apparently Brian Campbell is telling anyone who'll listen that he wants to he a Hawk. We'll see how badly 7/1
- mrpaulish

We don't have any cap space to pick up anyone.

I heard Sabres where the #2 option the other day—have not heard anything since.

Apparently the Leafs WERE in the market for a goalie and willing to commit to $5.5 million a year. So that tells me they likely did at least talk to the Hawks about Crawford.

All I know is, I saw Freddy Andersen EPICLY melt down in the WCF in 2015—and get totally outplayed by Crawford. But Leaf fans are probably too busy planning their parade to consider that.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed. Anderson finished with a sub .900 save % by the end of that series - he slowly crapped the bed for Anaheim - with the culmination being the game 7 blowout. Good luck with all that Toronto.

If this is true and it seems to make sense the Hawks have about 10 days to deal AA.

http://www.secondcityhock...no-movemement-clause-2016
- Al

Trade AA and forget making it past the first round, actually forget the playoffs.
You thought we sucked 5 on 5 before just wait if they trade AA.
Cant sign Shaw, can't sign Ladd, can't sign any free agents, might lose Panarin, might have to trade CC or AA.....nobody wants to say it but unless the cap goes up, which it wont then the elephant in the room is those two 10.5 mil contracts that will bury this team and as a result will dilute everything around them....it's a fact and it's already begun! You want to be ballsy and have a resurgence then trade Kane and CC for a guy like Eichel and 1st rounder or something of the sort, then you have almost 17 million reasons to build your team and sign a solid D to replace Oduya and get that left winger as well as signing someone of character like Brouwer....hell you'll even be able to keep Shaw as well, sure you'll lose some panache or elite plays but we'll be more balanced, younger which will offset guys like Hossa getting older.....sure it's not the PC thing to do and the front office would probably never do it, sacrilege etc...too much PR or sweater revenue losses etc. but its the only way otherwise we'll be talking about guys we can't sign, or guys we can't keep and the team will no longer contend for the cup but merely float in between...it's just the reality of bearing two albatross contracts...just my two cents

Agreed. Anderson finished with a sub .900 save % by the end of that series - he slowly crapped the bed for Anaheim - with the culmination being the game 7 blowout. Good luck with all that Toronto.
- Chief4Feathers

However, compared with Jonathan Bernier, Anderson is Holtby/Lundqvist/Crawford and Quick all rolled into one. Another season of Bernier and Babcock would be locked up in a rubber room permanently.

72.8, 73.8, doesn't matter, but 72.8 says Shaw is most likely gone.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah we're pretty much screwed.

I'm more focused on what veteran they are going to pick up from sale bin.
- Al

Agreed, leaning towards this is as well. Stan has his eye one the bottom of the barrel. I'm not sure there will be any buyout candidates that make sense, maybe Vanek, if that happens?

Some UFA vets that could make sense on a 1-year "prove it" contract:

Jiri Tlusty - Czech bud for Kempny, former 1st rounder has seen a decline in numbers but is only 28.
Sam Gagner - old...old friend of Kaner, can play C or W, 15g/41pts 2 years ago.
Steve Downie - 14g/28pts 2 years ago... reclamation project like Carcillo a few years ago
Jason Chimera - solid vet, 20 g/40pts last year with a good WASH team.
Tuomo Ruutu - is he done? Probably, would be a cheap option for a 2nd tour of duty in CHI
Alex Tanguay - does he have anything left in the tank? 35 pts last year.
Michael Grabner - the Austrian speedster had a rough year last year in TOR but is only 28. Can he play LW?


These names wouldn't get too many people excited but that's what we're looking at I think unless Stan can move some serious salary.