I wouldn't call Calgary tundra, its a very nice city and would be a excellent place to play. Edmonton not so much as its wicked cold LOL.
- SaskHawkFan

Two teams with lots of future upside..

I think this is the Kruger he doesn't want on his team anyway


- PatShart

He's the Power Smoother, not the Power Forward

I am just getting caught up on "Entourage" and forgot what a goofball this guy is. Thanks for the reminder, haha.

Hoping something gets done today! It's going to be a a wild ride until 7/1
- phantasmo

Great show. You definitely see his true colors in there.

Jonathan Toews C
Patrick Kane RW
10,500,000 Excellent but we overpayed about 1.5 million

Marian Hossa RW Not best interest to trade
5,275,000

Artem Anisimov C - Potential trade depends on return.
4,550,000

Marcus Kruger C - Not worth the contract for 4th line
3,083,333

Richard Panik RW
875,000

Artemi Panarin LW - Keeper
812,500

Andrew Desjardins C - Trade
800,000

Dennis Rasmussen C - Give a chance
575,000


Defense
Brent Seabrook D - Move for a high first rounder, aging, 8 year contract
6,875,000

Duncan Keith D - Keeper
5,538,461

Niklas Hjalmarsson D - The number 1 defenseman in my mind - Keeper
4,100,000

Trevor van Riemsdyk D - Young with potential
825,000

Viktor Svedberg D
750,000

Erik Gustafsson D Young with potential
667,500

Ville Pokka - Excellent at worlds for finland, but watch not good enough for Q.

Corey Crawford G
6,000,000 - Trade and look for new number 1, I like crawford

Scott Darling G
587,500

Rob Scuderi - Retaining salary was dumb

We need to make moves, get younger faster, and let the veterans have players to play with. Toews production is winding down due to not having player play at his skill level and speed. Hossa is awesome but slowing down, and shake your head if you think Shaw is good enough to play with Toews.

Coach Q and Stan got to watch what they are doing, or we will be back in the basement before long with no talent in the minors. The drafting hasn't been great, maybe Tallon should be bought back!!!

Hjarllmarsson is not as good as Keith

Hjarllmarsson is not as good as Keith
- PatShart

Hammer is better at defending (name 1 guy better 1v1 in the league), but not even in the same league as a puck mover/point producer.

Both are teams with problems winning.
- Return of the Roar

Kinda like the Hawks had problems winning when they were mismanaged too. Both teams are on the rebound and take steps in the right direction.

I get that some folks can't handle the cold or longer winter but there are some advantages to life out here.

Hammer is better at defending (name 1 guy better 1v1 in the league), but not even in the same league as a puck mover/point producer.
- EnzoD

Duncan Keith

Jonathan Toews C
Patrick Kane RW
10,500,000 Excellent but we overpayed about 1.5 million

Marian Hossa RW Not best interest to trade
5,275,000

Artem Anisimov C - Potential trade depends on return.
4,550,000

Marcus Kruger C - Not worth the contract for 4th line
3,083,333

Richard Panik RW
875,000

Artemi Panarin LW - Keeper
812,500

Andrew Desjardins C - Trade
800,000

Dennis Rasmussen C - Give a chance
575,000


Defense
Brent Seabrook D - Move for a high first rounder, aging, 8 year contract
6,875,000

Duncan Keith D - Keeper
5,538,461

Niklas Hjalmarsson D - The number 1 defenseman in my mind - Keeper
4,100,000

Trevor van Riemsdyk D - Young with potential
825,000

Viktor Svedberg D
750,000

Erik Gustafsson D Young with potential
667,500

Ville Pokka - Excellent at worlds for finland, but watch not good enough for Q.

Corey Crawford G
6,000,000 - Trade and look for new number 1, I like crawford

Scott Darling G
587,500

Rob Scuderi - Retaining salary was dumb

We need to make moves, get younger faster, and let the veterans have players to play with. Toews production is winding down due to not having player play at his skill level and speed. Hossa is awesome but slowing down, and shake your head if you think Shaw is good enough to play with Toews.

Coach Q and Stan got to watch what they are doing, or we will be back in the basement before long with no talent in the minors. The drafting hasn't been great, maybe Tallon should be bought back!!!
- francisryan

So Toews and Kane should be paid less than Kopitar, Ovechkin, Malkin and (soon to be) Stamkos? Even though they have accomplished more in their careers?

Duncan Keith
- bhawks2241

But he isn't as good a defender as Hammer bc he isn't as physical. Guys can bounce off Keith's checks and he struggles defending bigger bodies with skill. Hammer has the quick feet/agility, active/quick stick AND is a larger/stronger man. They are both awesome, but Hammer is the best 1v1 defender in the league, IMO.

So Toews and Kane should be paid less than Kopitar, Ovechkin, Malkin and (soon to be) Stamkos? Even though they have accomplished more in their careers?
- DarthKane

Kopitar got his salary based on Toews and Kane salary. Even that salary is too high. You need to remember to build you also need to think about your team...

But he isn't as good a defender as Hammer bc he isn't as physical. Guys can bounce off Keith's checks and he struggles defending bigger bodies with skill. Hammer has the quick feet/agility, active/quick stick AND is a larger/stronger man. They are both awesome, but Hammer is the best 1v1 defender in the league, IMO.
- EnzoD

Neither one is very physical. And Keith uses his stick and speed more and better than anyone in the game.

Kopitar got his salary based on Toews and Kane salary. Even that salary is too high. You need to remember to build you also need to think about your team...
- francisryan

Fair enough. But just because we feel Toews and Kane should be paid $9 million doesn't mean that's their market price.

If you hard lined Toews and Kane at $9 million they would both be playing for different teams right now.

So Toews and Kane should be paid less than Kopitar, Ovechkin, Malkin and (soon to be) Stamkos? Even though they have accomplished more in their careers?
- DarthKane

I would say that realistically Kane/Toews are great players but you have to remember they also benefited from playing on some solid teams early in their careers here.

Toews needs someone to play with to have a chance to justify that contract and Kane would need to be a better defensive player. Don't get me wrong, they are top players, but to be the NHL's two top paid players together on a team, you better be carrying your team to some cups when they can't afford depth, IMO. I don't think anyone can deny that the value of those two was buoyed higher because of the excellent team depth and the team achievements.

Thanks J.

I just got my diploma in the mail over the weekend. Finished with a 3.9 GPA, and my senior thesis is up for consideration for an award from the History Dept. later in the year.

The missus and I have moved into the new house. Finished installing the hardwood floors in 3 rooms yesterday. Things are moving along...

I hope all is well on your end.
- EKB13

Congrats!

Fair enough. But just because we feel Toews and Kane should be paid $9 million doesn't mean that's their market price.

If you hard lined Toews and Kane at $9 million they would both be playing for different teams right now.
- DarthKane

I think at this point, it is true that Stan had to overpay to keep them, but overpay is still overpay.

I think at this point, it is true that Stan had to overpay to keep them, but overpay is still overpay.
- breadbag

If $10.5 is overpaying and it's what it would take to keep these guys then the choice is overpay or lose them. I'll take overpay every time.

I would say that realistically Kane/Toews are great players but you have to remember they also benefited from playing on some solid teams early in their careers here.

Toews needs someone to play with to have a chance to justify that contract and Kane would need to be a better defensive player. Don't get me wrong, they are top players, but to be the NHL's two top paid players together on a team, you better be carrying your team to some cups when they can't afford depth, IMO. I don't think anyone can deny that the value of those two was buoyed higher because of the excellent team depth and the team achievements.
- breadbag

Toews and Kane are generational players...The Hawks benefitted greatly from Seabrook and Keith being here before them to lead the way. They deserve their contract and accomplished more in a short period than most players do in a lifetime.

They are the best duo in the NHL and that includes Crosby and Malkin....I don't think you would find many, if any managers who would trade Kane or Toews straight up for Malkin.

The team was built around Toews/Kane and that is a fact, as the "depth" around them changed a lot after each Cup win.

Thanks J.

I just got my diploma in the mail over the weekend. Finished with a 3.9 GPA, and my senior thesis is up for consideration for an award from the History Dept. later in the year.

The missus and I have moved into the new house. Finished installing the hardwood floors in 3 rooms yesterday. Things are moving along...

I hope all is well on your end.
- EKB13

Glad to hear all is going well. Good luck on the award.

But he isn't as good a defender as Hammer bc he isn't as physical. Guys can bounce off Keith's checks and he struggles defending bigger bodies with skill. Hammer has the quick feet/agility, active/quick stick AND is a larger/stronger man. They are both awesome, but Hammer is the best 1v1 defender in the league, IMO.
- EnzoD

Hammer can be more physical but for the most part he is not. Whether that is a personal decision or more the coaching staffs philosophy not sure. I think Keith's stick and mobility make up for any physicality shortcomings.

Congrats!
- Al

Double congrats, Eli, I know you worked hard for it.

Thanks J.

I just got my diploma in the mail over the weekend. Finished with a 3.9 GPA, and my senior thesis is up for consideration for an award from the History Dept. later in the year.

The missus and I have moved into the new house. Finished installing the hardwood floors in 3 rooms yesterday. Things are moving along...

I hope all is well on your end.
- EKB13

Great news Eli. Congrats on your achievements. Also thanks for what you do around here and taking the time.

Assuming Hossa is not traded by the Blackhawks, the net benefit of his contract is as follows:

2009-10: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$2.625m)
2010-11: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$5.25m)
2011-12: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$7.875m)
2012-13: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$10.5m)
2013-14: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$13.125m)
2014-15: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$15.75m)
2015-16: Salary $7.9m / AAV $5.275m (+$18.375m)
2016-17: Salary $4m / AAV $5.275m (+$17.1m)
2017-18: Salary $1m / AAV $5.275m (+$12.825m)
2018-19: Salary $1m / AAV $5.275m (+$8.55m)
2019-20: Salary $1m / AAV $5.275m (+$4.275m)
2020-21: Salary $1m / AAV $5.275m (0)

Assuming Marian Hossa retires this summer, the Blackhawks would have a cap hit of $3.675m until 2021 ($18.375m / 5 years remaining on contract). If Marian Hossa retires as a Blackhawk in any of the following years: 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020, the Blackhawks would have a cap hit of $4.275m until 2021.

If Marian Hossa is traded, the parenthetical number no longer goes down for the Blackhawks. For example, if he's traded next summer (2017) and retires in 2019, the Blackhawks will receive a new cap hit that next year of $8.55m until 2021 ($17.1m / 2 years remaining on contract).

I'm more than happy to run through any other hypothetical scenarios involving a Marian Hossa trade. =)
- tgentry1084

Toews and Kane are generational players...The Hawks benefitted greatly from Seabrook and Keith being here before them to lead the way. They deserve their contract and accomplished more in a short period than most players do in a lifetime.

They are the best duo in the NHL and that includes Crosby and Malkin....I don't think you would find many, if any managers who would trade Kane or Toews straight up for Malkin.

The team was built around Toews/Kane and that is a fact, as the "depth" around them changed a lot after each Cup win.
- Al

What's hurt the Hawks most is lack of cap growth over the past 2 seasons. Before that the cap was growing at least 7% - 8% per year. Over the past 2 summer's the cap has increased around 2.5% each year. Has the cap kept growing at around 8% the ceiling this season would have been around $80 million, not $73 and Kane and Toews' contracts would have less impact.

Thanks J.

I just got my diploma in the mail over the weekend. Finished with a 3.9 GPA, and my senior thesis is up for consideration for an award from the History Dept. later in the year.

The missus and I have moved into the new house. Finished installing the hardwood floors in 3 rooms yesterday. Things are moving along...

I hope all is well on your end.
- EKB13

Congrats and thanks for all your hard work here.