I had no more info that just that, TT may have been the "surprise"
- John Jaeckel

Hi JJ and again thanks for all you do. But I do not think TT was a surprise as I said last during the trade deadline I had no problem with TT going for whoever. The hawks will not regret letting him go Shaw maybe. I would try CC, Shaws rights and any of the hawks young d core for Bernier, JVR and their 2017 number 1 draft pick. money is about even this year and you loose Bernier hit next. You also might catch lighting in a bottle with him. Thanks again.

Salary cap is garbage, this really stinks, I don't know what Bowman is going to be able to do it seems every year his hands are tied.

Bye bye Shaw, bye bye Crawford and with the new goalie regulations this could become a really bad thing

Wonder twin contracts might end up being the beginning of the end of their own reign as champions
- BetweenTheDots

Good morning all! And a big thank you JJ for all the updates lately! Intriguing reads for sure!

All that said, I have been reading so much great stuff on the boards and have been wondering.......with the cap situation as it is, I know that it doesn't make for easy roster decisions. Like many here, I may have not loved Crawford when he came up, but he has definitely earned my respect with how hard he has worked and how good he has become. But no matter how good Crawford is, or if he can even get better, I don't see how that solves our 5 on 5 numbers and overall team defense.

When we first won the cup in 2009, you couldn't help but hear about how we controlled the play, had a great shot differential in our favor, etc. etc., but with the team as it is now, I don't see how having an elite goaltender helps us get back to those trends. Yes, losing Crawford hurts, and I would hate to lose another player who I identify as a Hawk, but if using that cap hit helps us get back to the controlling team we used to be, then can it be argued that we need as elite a goaltender with as big a cap hit? This may help us control possession and score more than we have been this past season and playoffs.

Another note, has it seemed like Toews and company have lost a step in terms of overall speed? If we do want to get back to being a "speed" team, as much as I love Ladd, does resigning him help us get there?

Thanks for all the wonderful insight and rumors guys. Makes for a very interesting summer indeed.

The Flyers have zero interest in Crawford and here's why:

They have two really good goalies on the cheap for one more season. Why on earth would they pick up that contract? The Flyers aren't anywhere close to contending, CC wouldn't help anymore than Mason does already to get them there.

Crawford would get murdered playing under the Flyer's D. Mason is a better goalie anyway. I can back this up with stats if you don't believe me.

The Flyers are trying to shed cap, not spend more. Chicago has a better chance sending Crawford to Carolina, Arizona, or one of the teams that need to reach the cap floor.

Not disagreeing Mr. R, but what about Hartman and McNeill? Do those guys deserve a long look? Not taking anything away from Motte, but he never played in the AHL at all. TVR did some time in the A before making it to the big guys if I'm not mistaken.
- 93Joe

Joe IMO they need to bring in 100 guys and try and find one who can fill a spot. Yea Hartman and McNeill would be near the top of that list of 100.

My new mantra until this fiasco of a cap system is fixed is how can we get less worse year to year not how we can get better, cuz you can't get better.

There isn't a way to get better when each year you lose a Sharp, Oduya, Saad, any rental or the assets given up for that rental (Shaw-Crow?). Even useful marginal players like Versteeg.

The very best hope is to minimize damage, how to get less worse.

Even though you are a trolling Canuck fan, the greed of 19/88/7 is killing the Hawks right now.
- EnzoD

I don't see those guys as being greedy, hockey is their profession and they want to be paid fairly. Toews and Kane are the top paid guys in the league, but they are also the most decorated. Guys like Kopitar, Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin are not that far behind.

What's really hurt the Blackhawks is the slow cap growth. If the cap continued to grow at historical rates Toews and Kane's contracts would have less of an impact on the team.

Yes for sure and Kemper would be another ,I threw out some names out off the top of my head .Like Rutherford said bringing them up together worked out great on and even more so off the ice ..
- oldduffman

You also have to remember Sullivan coached their AHL affiliate and knew those kids well and how they would or wouldn't fit. Same thing with Cooper in TB.......

Q? He probably needs a program to identify the kind of kids Cooper and Sullivan find useful.

Of the teams that are presented as possibilities, just don't see Crawford waiving for any of them. Even Toronto. Who wants that media circus??

He has not even been asked for a list.

Speaks volumes. He's not going anywhere.

HOCKEY minds will prevail.

I don't see those guys as being greedy, hockey is their profession and they want to be paid fairly. Toews and Kane are the top paid guys in the league, but they are also the most decorated. Guys like Kopitar, Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin are not that far behind.

What's really hurt the Blackhawks is the slow cap growth. If the cap continued to grow at historical rates Toews and Kane's contracts would have less of an impact on the team.
- DarthKane

Whether it is the greed of the players, their families or their agents, I don't think anyone should be paid more than Sidney Crosby. Those championships were won with a TEAM and depth players were very impactful. Sure, the NHLs BS cap growth predictions impacted things a bit, but I do not think either one needed to be the highest paid player in the league (at the time of the deals). I hope they feel like they got what was "fair" as excellent players are traded year after year to make room for their contracts. I love all 3 guys, but with this cap #, they are all overpaid by about $1-2mil each, IMO

I recall a draft day - not too long ago - when Mark McNeil was drafted in the first round and I thought to myself "this is the answer to our chronic 2C dilemma." While time has necessitated I adjust my expectations - I'm still left wondering how this kid hasn't been able to come up and provide solid minutes as a 3rd/4th line player?

For those of you better able to follow his game at Rockford - what do you see as the issues holding him back?

#1 Nicolas Deslauriers...is a 4th line energy checker...he's not esp great defensively and I have no idea what you are talking about with this supposed cannon of a shot. ??? His primary importance for the Sabres is he's a well liked teammate and decent pugilist who comes relatively cheap.

#2 Robin Lehner...is GM Tim Murray's goalie...atleast for this coming season. He didn't trade a #1 draft pick for him last year to turn around and trade him a year later.

#3 The Sabres management have learned (via Ryan Miller) that you don't need a big contract goalie to compete for a playoff spot. They need better defense and wingers to round out the rebuild.

Conclusion: Don't expect salary cap help coming in the form of a trade with the Sabres for Crawford.
- siket71

Correct. I've seen the kid a few times and liked what I saw but pegged him as you say he is. Looked his numbers up and he's never even scored 20 goals even in jrs, and he played in the QMJHL where everyone scores 60.............A tough character but not the kind like Tom Wilson who has 30-40 point upside feet and hands.

But he's a useful support piece IMO.

Correct. I've seen the kid a few times and liked what I saw but pegged him as you say he is. Looked his numbers up and he's never even scored 20 goals even in jrs, and he played in the QMJHL where everyone scores 60.............A tough character but not the kind like Tom Wilson who has 30-40 point upside feet and hands.

But he's a useful support piece IMO.
- Mr Ricochet

Don't you start the Tom Wilson love fest again!!! LOL Caps will likely never trade that beast....unfortunately

John thanks as always for keeping us in the loop of what's really going on with the team. Really sad to think that Craw will be the next ticketed out of town. But we knew it was coming especially with overages from last season. IF you can somehow hang onto Ladd and Shaw maybe that makes that palatable.

Again there's one person who we can all thank for this and its Dollar Bill Wirtz and his salary cap. Nothing like killing this team from the great beyond. Rocky has done everything he can to make this team the best and first class. In a non cap era you'd be looking at a Habs/Oilers/Isles type of dynasty.

Meanwhile Bettman and his cronies ought to do something to push the cap up a few mil. Take a look at your ratings for the Finals Gary. Anytime they want to make McD the commish by all means do.
- DK002

Yo DK, Dollar Bill was all for a cap then was one of 2 or 3 that voted AGAINST it. Why? Cuz they inserted a cap FLOOR and Dollar Bill didn't want anyone telling him he had to spend a MINIMUM amount on salaries........He wanted to spend 500 bucks on game day salaries and sell beer to the 6,000 that were in the joint.

Merci, Je crois que Chateugay est en état New York
- John Jaeckel

Don't you start the Tom Wilson love fest again!!! LOL Caps will likely never trade that beast....unfortunately
- EnzoD

Yo Zo, you'll be digging him and his 250 hits, 6-7-8 fights a year, beat the hell out of the Ott's/BackAss's/Rousell's of the league when he pops for 30-35 points.

My guy!!

Motte played a bit at the end of the AHL season and the playoffs and it looked too easy for him. Look at the small numbers he posted and watch him wreck the minors
- Ehstripes

That's right EH. I forgot he played in the playoffs. My mistake. The point I was trying to get at was that Hartman and McNeill have to closer to the top of the list because of the time they've been in the org. Now that is not always true - I understand that. I thought there would be like a seniority role within the farm system and the organization. However, if you play well and stick - e.g. Shaw - the by all means bring them up. Thanks for the clarification.

disagree. hextall has had it easy so far. snyder was buying in and wasnt any pressure. hextall has been there a few years now and needs to start showing results. whoever is in real charge may want to win now.

hextall really hasn't had to do much; yet
- rinaldo

Ok............But if it's results in 2016/17 you want you move on a Crawford for Mason deal.

Joe IMO they need to bring in 100 guys and try and find one who can fill a spot. Yea Hartman and McNeill would be near the top of that list of 100.

My new mantra until this fiasco of a cap system is fixed is how can we get less worse year to year not how we can get better, cuz you can't get better.

There isn't a way to get better when each year you lose a Sharp, Oduya, Saad, any rental or the assets given up for that rental (Shaw-Crow?). Even useful marginal players like Versteeg.

The very best hope is to minimize damage, how to get less worse.
- Mr Ricochet

I think there is a good deal of validity to this, especially since the team is aging. Good POV Mr. R.

Yo Zo, you'll be digging him and his 250 hits, 6-7-8 fights a year, beat the hell out of the Ott's/BackAss's/Rousell's of the league when he pops for 30-35 points.

My guy!!
- Mr Ricochet

I'm a huge fan (not as much as MrPaulish), but he's like a pit bull. Would absolutely love him or Matt Martin in the bottom six. Now those guys actually "deter", and can play some hockey too. BTW, Mashinter is a UFA right? So Stan will (hopefully) get an upgrade at enforcer....

We went back and forth yesterday and I agreed Toronto most likely makes the most sense for a few reasons for Crawford-I have no clue if he would want to okay that deal. But of the very few places who could actually foot the $6 mill salary for Crawford, to me Toronto is the most attractive. But I still don't think a mid or bottom 1st round pick would be enough.

I also still think the math works best and the return is greater if Shaw is signed and traded or if a team writes a sheet for over $3.6 mill and the Hawks didn't match...But rather simply took the picks (1st-3rd) and allocated whatever cap space they wanted to Shaw's replacement.

I hear the same story that I heard when I mentioned Dano could be dealt on Hartman and McNeill. If you think Shaw can be undisciplined...If Hartman replaces him I would suggest watching with one eye closed. I don't think Bowman would have much trouble parting with McNeill and Hartman...Certainly much easier for him to lose those two than Shaw.
- Al

Agree 100% Al, but how would they know if a sheet will be written. They're as rare as TT winning a puck battle in the corner.

You wait and see if one is written and if not move him then as other teams have been filling needs for a month?

What is the timeline, deadline, for an offer sheet?

I'll agree with what Eli said. If McNeill is still wait the organization he will get a real shot at sticking with the club because he'll need to pass through waivers to go back to Rockford. If somebody else steps up in a big way that could change things, if not then McNeill had a bit of an advantage.
- DarthKane

Agreed but could that mean he has less of a chance making the big league roster out of camp for that very reason? To send him down after Q sits him for 29 straight games means you expose him as opposed to trying plans a,b,c,d and e and then bring him up if those options fail?

Of the teams that are presented as possibilities, just don't see Crawford waiving for any of them. Even Toronto. Who wants that media circus??

He has not even been asked for a list.

Speaks volumes. He's not going anywhere.

HOCKEY minds will prevail.
- Return of the Roar

When people say this, I just have to ask, who is moving then? Not challenging you, but someone gotta move, who do you think is moving.

Not resigning Shaw and Panarin I guess is also an answer.

If Hartman can *begin* to step in for Shaw, and we can parlay CC's salary into a potentially competent young goalie plus a left flank for 19, this would be an okay summer...

I don't see those guys as being greedy, hockey is their profession and they want to be paid fairly. Toews and Kane are the top paid guys in the league, but they are also the most decorated. Guys like Kopitar, Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin are not that far behind.

What's really hurt the Blackhawks is the slow cap growth. If the cap continued to grow at historical rates Toews and Kane's contracts would have less of an impact on the team.
- DarthKane

Well, the cap was growing too fast. It needed to slow down. It's tied to revenues and huge growth isn't going to keep happening year after year.

And the Hawks have enjoyed continued success because they could keep more players with the cap circumventing contracts. (Which were legal at the time) They were able to hold onto a lot of great players, even though they lost a lot because of the cap, because of some of those contracts.

I wish the Blues had Chicago problems......

The Flyers have zero interest in Crawford and here's why:

They have two really good goalies on the cheap for one more season. Why on earth would they pick up that contract? The Flyers aren't anywhere close to contending, CC wouldn't help anymore than Mason does already to get them there.

Crawford would get murdered playing under the Flyer's D. Mason is a better goalie anyway. I can back this up with stats if you don't believe me.

The Flyers are trying to shed cap, not spend more. Chicago has a better chance sending Crawford to Carolina, Arizona, or one of the teams that need to reach the cap floor.
- SimmerDown17

Shoot shooter, and I'm a Mason fan. No doubt nice 5 on 5 SPG over the last 3-4 years, I read Cordell too.

Bernie Parent maybe, Mason no.

Toronto has 2 first rounders, 2 second rounders,2 third rounders, 2 fourth rounders, 2 sixth rounders in this years draft. They have tons of currency to make moves next weekend, as well as cap space.