They have to qualify him at a minimum $2.5 million per. What if they end up having to pay him that?
- John Jaeckel

Not the worst thing. They could still deal him later in the summer. Perhaps even as part of a larger deal.

You want Weise back for less? There's an option and what I understood as the Shaw backup plan.

Someone please give me some selling points on Sam Gagner.

Bust. Not my type of player. At all.

Top 6 "style" player with bottom 6 ability.

And the last thing the Hawks need is another under-sized, non-physical perimeter forward.

PASS.
- John Jaeckel

I watched him a bit last year, looked for him. Scratched often in Philly but did skate some 4th line, not a fit for him. His hands and feet seem ok, seemed to have some jump with the puck on his stick.

IMO guys like this are worth bringing in on PTO's and see if they kind find a fit. ...Hard cap world, JJ.

Any suggestions on vets who might play for a team strangled by the cap, has 2-3 holes, that we know of, at forward for a million?

SB is having an epiphany - he realizes that Kruger's contract is garbage, and Shaw isn't worth $3M+. The problem is, other teams are probably not interested in Kruger at that number either. The encouraging thing is he is seeing the errors of last year's debacle and is being proactive with the draft looming...
- Sundevil

Now if we could just see Rundblad traded for I don't know....a bag of microwavable popcorn?

YO ZZ, I don't think there is any right any wrong right now...... What I think is StanBowPops&Mcd are like a guy who hasn't paid his mortgage in a year heard the Sheriff is on his way. So he pays his bill and is doing all he can to make sure that never happens again.
- Mr Ricochet

Some of these dots are starting to line up. First the Malkin rumor.. then Shaw's contract info. Now Moose signs today. Now Kruger and possibly AA on the block. Hmmmm dunno but this Malkin stuff may have some legs. Imagine a line with Panarin and Malkin... OMG look out. The Pens showed you can win a Cup with two big lines and two lines of scrapper/get after it types. It makes for a fun summer I will tell you that. If they can pull this and still get some depth? Go for it..

Now if we could just see Rundblad traded for I don't know....a bag of microwavable popcorn?
- Dabearshawks

Actually, I could see a few teams going after Kruger.

Someone please give me some selling points on Sam Gagner.

Bust. Not my type of player. At all.

Top 6 "style" player with bottom 6 ability.

And the last thing the Hawks need is another under-sized, non-physical perimeter forward.

PASS.
- John Jaeckel

Ummmm his last name isn't Rundblad. That's a positive.

Not the worst thing. They could still deal him later in the summer. Perhaps even as part of a larger deal.

You want Weise back for less? There's an option and what I understood as the Shaw backup plan.
- blackhawk24

Weise. Ugh. Meh.

Some of these dots are starting to line up. First the Malkin rumor.. then Shaw's contract info. Now Moose signs today. Now Kruger and possibly AA on the block. Hmmmm dunno but this Malkin stuff may have some legs. Imagine a line with Panarin and Malkin... OMG look out. The Pens showed you can win a Cup with two big lines and two lines of scrapper/get after it types. It makes for a fun summer I will tell you that. If they can pull this and still get some depth? Go for it..
- z1990z

I just don't see how you can get depth when 42% of your cap is taken by just three players. Glad it's not my job to figure out

I just wonder if the signing Rasmussen and the rumor yesterday has someone assuming that means Kruger is on the block.

I found it odd that suddenly I heard Kruger and AA's names in a rumor (form a credible source) for the firs time all summer.

I will just say this, Dennis Rasmussen is a game hockey player but he is a 4th liner, SLOOOWWWWWW, and kinda weak in the dot. He is not a Kruger "replacement" by a long stretch.

So I am now wondering if the Hawks might have something in the works for a center.
- John Jaeckel

Slow how? High IQ guy who gets to the right places faster than more fleet footed guys who can't count to 10.

Some fine advanced stats for a rookie who only played 44 games. More points per 60 minutes than TT and he can play wing as well.

Some of these dots are starting to line up. First the Malkin rumor.. then Shaw's contract info. Now Moose signs today. Now Kruger and possibly AA on the block. Hmmmm dunno but this Malkin stuff may have some legs. Imagine a line with Panarin and Malkin... OMG look out. The Pens showed you can win a Cup with two big lines and two lines of scrapper/get after it types. It makes for a fun summer I will tell you that. If they can pull this and still get some depth? Go for it..
- z1990z

That's one concern of mine = Depth. If Kruger and Shaw are gone, then that is two and probably the most important two depth bottom six guys. We have also seen both guys slide up the lineup and Q trusts them a whole lot.

Q with a possible loss of Kruger and Shaw? His BP will go through the roof if that happens.

Now if we could just see Rundblad traded for I don't know....a bag of microwavable popcorn?
- Dabearshawks

Talk about an overpayment ...

Actually, I could see a few teams going after Kruger.
- John Jaeckel

I agree maybe a team like AZ would take him. They could use help on the PK.

That's one concern of mine = Depth. If Kruger and Shaw are gone, then that is two and probably the most important two depth bottom six guys. We have also seen both guys slide up the lineup and Q trusts them a whole lot.

Q with a possible loss of Kruger and Shaw? His BP will go through the roof if that happens.
- 93Joe

I have the same concern. You'd have to get rid of both of them plus Crawford to even bring Malkin in, and what's Pitt gonna want in return? Panarin and Anisimov?

Kruger and Shaw (supposedly)?? Idk how credible Kuc is but seeing it is a bit of an eye opener.
- 93Joe

My guess is they are shopping them both to see what their value may be. If they trade one the other one is taken off of the market.

Some of these dots are starting to line up. First the Malkin rumor.. then Shaw's contract info. Now Moose signs today. Now Kruger and possibly AA on the block. Hmmmm dunno but this Malkin stuff may have some legs. Imagine a line with Panarin and Malkin... OMG look out. The Pens showed you can win a Cup with two big lines and two lines of scrapper/get after it types. It makes for a fun summer I will tell you that. If they can pull this and still get some depth? Go for it..
- z1990z

With an impossible cap, the Hawks hemorrhaging talent EVERY year my only hope was StanBowPops&McD would think outside the box and explore every option. If even part of these rumors are true they are doing that.

Add they seemed decisive, efficient and reasonable in dumping the Bickell money and adding Kempny early I'm optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Slow how? High IQ guy who gets to the right places faster than more fleet footed guys who can't count to 10.

Some fine advanced stats for a rookie who only played 44 games. More points per 60 minutes than TT and he can play wing as well.
- Mr Ricochet

I just don't think he does what Kruger does. I have no issue with signing him as a 4th line guy, who plays C or W. None.

Talk about an overpayment ...
- Sundevil

Not Orville Reddenbocker, just some of that bulk Costco poop.

All this silliness about Malkin is not reality. The up coming Draft , now that is reality .Like Pit just proved you will need to surround your core with young tough bonded player . Hope Stan and his team are working hard on there lists for the draft ,and not pie in the sky dreams . I bet they are ..

With an impossible cap, the Hawks hemorrhaging talent EVERY year my only hope was StanBowPops&McD would think outside the box and explore every option. If even part of these rumors are true they are doing that.

Add they seemed decisive, efficient and reasonable in dumping the Bickell money and adding Kempny early I'm optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
- Mr Ricochet

JJ hit it on the head.. We will all be surprised on the moves. Well here you go. Talk of Malkin donning in the Indian Head and the Michigan Ave sidewalk sale of Blackhawk players to make way for him..

Slow how? High IQ guy who gets to the right places faster than more fleet footed guys who can't count to 10.

Some fine advanced stats for a rookie who only played 44 games. More points per 60 minutes than TT and he can play wing as well.
- Mr Ricochet

I think the MOOSE moves very well for a large man at 6'4" 210lbs. I was campaigning for Moose in the lineup for Round 1. Plays 200ft, wins physical battles, NHL-level puck skill (not flashy but not stone hands either), and can establish residence in front of the opponent's goalie. I was a big fan of his first year, and I would not be surprised to see Kruger moved (given the tweet from Kuc) and Moose as his replacement for $2.5mil less. I was pretty bummed when it was reported that he was leaving for Sweden.

So who will the Hawks trade to get Jeremy Morin back? Rundblad for Morin? Make it happen Stan!

I just don't think he does what Kruger does. I have no issue with signing him as a 4th line guy, who plays C or W. None.
- John Jaeckel

Oh no doubt, he can't take over the Kruger role, yet. That doesn't mean he's not useful. .......

JJ hit it on the head.. We will all be surprised on the moves. Well here you go. Talk of Malkin donning in the Indian Head and the Michigan Ave sidewalk sale of Blackhawk players to make way for him..
- z1990z

I don't wanna speak for JJ but I think he said he heard we MIGHT be surprised by what names go AND come back. I read that as big names and if just a couple of the rumors out there are true that may play out or are at least being explored.

Malkin world class but I sure hope that never happens. He's just not on the ice often enough at 9.5 per.

I think the MOOSE moves very well for a large man at 6'4" 210lbs. I was campaigning for Moose in the lineup for Round 1. Plays 200ft, wins physical battles, NHL-level puck skill (not flashy but not stone hands either), and can establish residence in front of the opponent's goalie. I was a big fan of his first year, and I would not be surprised to see Kruger moved (given the tweet from Kuc) and Moose as his replacement for $2.5mil less. I was pretty bummed when it was reported that he was leaving for Sweden.
- EnzoD

That was a Q mistake not playing Moose in the Blues series. He plays a simple/hard game and is an ideal #4 C. With his new contract.. that's a nice by move by Stan to bring him back afer the rumor floated that he had bolted to play the big ice in Europe.

I don't wanna speak for JJ but I think he said he heard we MIGHT be surprised by what names go AND come back. I read that as big names and if just a couple of the rumors out there are true that may play out or are at least being explored.

Malkin world class but I sure hope that never happens. He's just not on the ice often enough at 9.5 per.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah I noticed that when I looked at his stats. He has been out quite a bit.