To be fair, some lower-round picks have worked out pretty well:

Saad (2), Shaw (19), Kruger (5)

But I don't think any of these 3 saw much development time in Rockford (except for the lock-out year before January).
- StLBravesFan

Fixed it for you....

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 1m1 minute ago

Unless Vegas is an above average revenue generator, expansion will likely have negative impact on NHL salary cap. HRR split will be 31 ways.


Maybe Stan is considering this as well.
- JRoenick97

Having the CAD bounce back and probably having more Canadian teams back into the playoffs would more than offset this, IMO.

Right, all of the rhetoric coming out is strange. Like a fire sale is going on.
- Sundevil

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions

He has all the tools to be a very good player. He'll need to hit the weights and bulk up. If I had to grade Schmaltz in areas of his game...

Vision: A+
Skating: B
Stickhandling: A
Defensively: B
Faceoffs: B-
Shot: B- (he's a pass first type of guy)
- Dabearshawks

I still wonder if he'll end up on the wing or centre. I could see him (eventually) playing on Toews' wing.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 1m1 minute ago

Unless Vegas is an above average revenue generator, expansion will likely have negative impact on NHL salary cap. HRR split will be 31 ways.


Maybe Stan is considering this as well.
- JRoenick97

Been saying this all week......if you think this year's cap issues are bad, don't look at next year.

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions
- John Jaeckel

That sounds really logical.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 1m1 minute ago

Unless Vegas is an above average revenue generator, expansion will likely have negative impact on NHL salary cap. HRR split will be 31 ways.


Maybe Stan is considering this as well.
- JRoenick97

The first year HRR should be a positive impact. LV is the shiny, new penny. Lotsa coverage, first ML sports team there, and it's another ice surface in the desert. Hype will be there. It's after the second year I would be concerned if LV has a really poor record and the draw is well under 100%.

Fixed it for you....
- blackhawk24

Good catch....

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions
- John Jaeckel

Very interesting. Wouldn't that call for giving out another big contract??

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions
- John Jaeckel

Lucic>>>>>Ladd

Very interesting. Wouldn't that call for giving out another big contract??
- 93Joe

5 guys on the block allegedly. So yeah, but it appears they'd recoup the money elsewhere.

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions
- John Jaeckel

Without giving it too much thought, gotta figure that refers to Shaw, Kruger, Anisimov, Crawford...can't think of the 5th guy, maybe Seabrook.

Interesting about Lucic. Not sure how they would fit him in, as you figure he's going to get around $6M a season.

Oh so because he said that it must mean its false. Sadly you don't get the inner workings of media.
- golfbard

No, all NHL GMs must submit a daily ledger of their conversations, and take a lie detector for every item on said ledger, to Bob McKenzie.

Didn't you know?

Lucic>>>>>Ladd
- Hawkeyes1

So, how much for how much? Lucic vs Ladd....

The first year HRR should be a positive impact. LV is the shiny, new penny. Lotsa coverage, first ML sports team there, and it's a another ice surface in the desert. Hype will be there. It's after the second year I would be concerned if LV has a really poor record and the draw is well under 100%.
- blackhawk24

Yes. He is assuming LV will generate revenue in the bottom half of the league. I think that is a false assumption, especially as you point out in year 1. NHL didnt pick them out of a hat, there is good reason to believe they will generate significant $$

5 guys on the block allegedly. So yeah, but it appears they'd recoup the money elsewhere.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks John. From what you have listed, the team looks like they want to have some deterrence that can actually play and compete and also compile cap space to fill out the middle/bottom 6.

That sounds really logical.
- jt19

Yes, those comments JJ posted on what he's hearing makes TOTAL sense. Finally, some sanity starts to come into focus.

So, how much for how much? Lucic vs Ladd....
- blackhawk24

I bet Lucic gets 6x6 from someone. I bet we could get Ladd for 4.5 or 5x5. Not sure which is better. Ladd is 30, so Lucic may be the better bet, but he gets a rougher ride most of the time.

So, how much for how much? Lucic vs Ladd....
- blackhawk24

Ladd was so underwhelming it's hard to say. But If getting rid of Crawford is necessary (it is) for Lucic, I would pull that trigger. Say Crawford for a pick, sign Lucic, I would guess at a fraction under 6m, Campbell at a discount, would probably lose Shaw, unless nobody offers him a sheet, he holds no leverage, and Hawks present him a 10% raise.

What I just heard, from a normally pretty solid source, guy who tipped me on the Hawks being in the WC last year long before it became official:

(and I apologize in advance for the confusion—lots of conflicting stuff flying around)

- Hawks are shopping about 5 guys with contracts (or contract demands) north of $3 million per
- Team feels they gave out too many big contracts to too many guys
- They want a POWER FORWARD type LW. Kane and Toews specifically have lobbied
for . . . Milan Lucic.
- They want a guy to play with them who can both play and provide some physical protection.
- Source believes Malkin thing is just a smokescreen, Hawks may have asked but there was never serious interest


I have to be honest with you guys, all of this makes a lot more sense to me. But too much out there right now that conflicts, so I am still ferreting through and asking some questions
- John Jaeckel

Ugh.

The team that gave out those contracts is now somewhat remorseful? Is this a function of one of the Four Headed Monster saying "sign them" and another saying "it's a bad move" withe the "sign them" winning out?

The NHL is moving away from "protection" isn't it? Now, 19 and 88 are the guys on the ice and they know a he!! of a lot more than me, but in the teams that have been successful in the recent past, how many Lucic type guys were there? How does Lucic fit in with 19 and 81? They need a finisher with speed on that line. IMHO, the best way to combat physical play is with puck possession and speed. I don't think Milan brings that.

Lucic>>>>>Ladd
- Hawkeyes1

I dont know about that .

Id do


Lucic or Ladd would be fine by me .

You can tell just by listening to him . Its pathetic.

Kuc too .

Tracy too .

Zawaski is approaching that level , but I bet he gets kinda black listed now since he posted his disapproval of the TT deal .

I guess there isnt any use of anyone that asks them real questions anyways since GMs and HCs and front office people are basically politicians anyways ....
- mrpaulish

All clowns. And the worst part is they are not exactly the sharpest knives in the drawer either.

I bet Lucic gets 6x6 from someone. I bet we could get Ladd for 4.5 or 5x5. Not sure which is better. Ladd is 30, so Lucic may be the better bet, but he gets a rougher ride most of the time.
- JRoenick97

If you lose Shaw, your only net front presence is Toews. Looch makes a great deal of sense. Hopefully they can do say $6M for 4 years.

Ladd was so underwhelming it's hard to say. But If getting rid of Crawford is necessary (it is) for Lucic, I would pull that trigger. Say Crawford for a pick, sign Lucic, I would guess at a fraction under 6m, Campbell at a discount, would probably lose Shaw, unless nobody offers him a sheet, he holds no leverage, and Hawks present him a 10% raise.
- Hawkeyes1

I don't get the underwhelming narrative on Ladd. 12 points in 19 RS games, led the team in hits in the playoffs. Only 7 games in the one round, so he didn't really have a lot of time to score, and it wasn't jsut him not scoring in that series.

If you lose Shaw, your only net front presence is Toews. Looch makes a great deal of sense. Hopefully they can do say $6M for 4 years.
- 93Joe

6m would have to come from CC being delt for picks.....