Gotta tell ya, this fits exactly what I heard yesterday and blogged this AM. Team is in fire sale mode because of too many big contracts given out to too many guys.
- John Jaeckel

And they want us to blame Stan?

His modified NTC does not kick in until the last two years of his deal—much harder to move him right now.
- John Jaeckel

Would they leave him unprotected in the expansion draft?

Got to figure the following are on the block, in order:

1. Shaw
2. Kruger
3. Crawford
4. Anisimov
5. Seabrook

Personally, I don't think parting with Shaw and Kruger is enough to fix these woes.

WHA'?! At least Kruger can get up and down the ice.
- John Jaeckel

I agree team speed is important. But not every single player needs to have great speed. Gaustad is a beast in his own end, along the boards, in front of the net and very good at the dot (55+%).

Would they leave him unprotected in the expansion draft?
- Tanuki

Interesting question.

Why? Cuz there's no one else to deal?
- John Jaeckel

No, because then Stan would be in a position like last summer and he'd have to part ways with a good asset to move a big contract, like he did with Sharp and Bickell. I don't see Stan putting himself in a situation where he's forced to make another lopsided deal to be cap compliant.

John, can you give a specific prediction? IE: Shaw + ____ to ____ for a package such as ______? Or is it so fluid that you can't get that far?

Gotta tell ya, this fits exactly what I heard yesterday and blogged this AM. Team is in fire sale mode because of too many big contracts given out to too many guys.
- John Jaeckel

Is someone letting Q know that there will be some youngsters on his roster? Probably ones he doesn't 110% approve of.....I would love to be a fly on the wall when Toews and Kane find out a big name is moved (if it happens). They can complain all they want about not having a biq physical LW to play with but there aint not cap room boys. Just wait till more goes out the door.

I feel like there is some life lesson we learned as kids about not being able to have everything you want wrapped up in this big pile of cap mess....

Gotta tell ya, this fits exactly what I heard yesterday and blogged this AM. Team is in fire sale mode because of too many big contracts given out to too many guys.
- John Jaeckel

Do you think 19 and 88 are off-limits? As a short but "grown" man, it may cause me to weep on this beautiful Friday if one of these dudes has to leave.

I agree team speed is important. But not every single player needs to have great speed. Gaustad is a beast in his own end, along the boards, in front of the net and very good at the dot (55+%).
- -Doh-

Oh, I know his strengths, but he literally has to be taken off the ice before the puck leaves his end. That's the problem. And in the Hawks' system? He doesn't fit at all.

No, because then Stan would be in a position like last summer and he'd have to part ways with a good asset to move a big contract, like he did with Sharp and Bickell. I don't see Stan putting himself in a situation where he's forced to make another lopsided deal to be cap compliant.
- DarthKane

I still think Stan stays close to the trunk of the tree and does little if any risky movement. The kids will play.

Eklund tweeting the Flames are closing in on their goalie. Crawford???!??!?!

Gotta tell ya, this fits exactly what I heard yesterday and blogged this AM. Team is in fire sale mode because of too many big contracts given out to too many guys.
- John Jaeckel

Another reason to not acquire a big contract like Nash.

John, can you give a specific prediction? IE: Shaw + ____ to ____ for a package such as ______? Or is it so fluid that you can't get that far?
- Bjm84

Ehhhhh . . .

Shaw and Crawford to Calgary for Backlund, Ferland and a 2nd rounder.

I still think Stan stays close to the trunk of the tree and does little if any risky movement. The kids will play.
- Return of the Roar

I would agree with this. Stan's track record shows he doesn't make a cap move until he has to.

Another reason to not acquire a big contract like Nash.
- DarthKane

Well, the problem is this: there's a hole at top 6 LW that really needs to be filed. That's why I've been saying all summer thus far, they may need to subtract fairly significantly—but strategically—to add that AND retain Panarin.

Ehhhhh . . .

Shaw and Crawford to Calgary for Backlund, Ferland and a 2nd rounder.
- John Jaeckel

Logjam at center then. Saves about 2 mil off the cap but hawks would need a backup goalie. Would thing AA would be right behind Shaw and CC then

I still think Stan stays close to the trunk of the tree and does little if any risky movement. The kids will play.
- Return of the Roar

Until April.

Here's the other thing. Q has a lot more say than I think you realize.

Logjam at center then. Saves about 2 mil off the cap but hawks would need a backup goalie. Would thing AA would be right behind Shaw and CC then
- ikeane

Backlund at 3C, Kruger at 4C or Backlund at 1LW.

Safe to say cap going nowhere significant in expansion year except flat at best or even down since the new team dilutes the HRR.

Safe to say if he stays healthy and does what he did last year he will make his bonuses.

As such you need to treat him like a dead money $2.5MM cap hit if he is not signed, or if signed, it is a $2.5MM premium on top of whatever deal he signs.
- Return of the Roar

I would think any negative cap hit from LV wouldn't come until after their first season, after the real money is counted.

They could prepare some optimistic revenue projections for the new franchise to cover the 2017-18 cap.

Would they leave him unprotected in the expansion draft?
- Tanuki

No. Anyone w NMC must be protected by rule.

Ehhhhh . . .

Shaw and Crawford to Calgary for Backlund, Ferland and a 2nd rounder.
- John Jaeckel

Even Stan Bowman would go into the HOF if the Hawks won another cup with a third goalie.

Backlund at 3C, Kruger at 4C or Backlund at 1LW.
- John Jaeckel

Is Backlund anywhere near the physical presence that Toews/Kane allegedly lobbied the FO for? If not, maybe he's a 3C and they lose an expensive Dman (Seabrook) to fill LW?

Ehhhhh . . .

Shaw and Crawford to Calgary for Backlund, Ferland and a 2nd rounder.
- John Jaeckel

God I hope not. A net savings of only $1.6 million and I am not crazy about the two Flames that would come back. No deal if I was GM. Is this a guess or something you have been told...

Backlund at 3C, Kruger at 4C or Backlund at 1LW.
- John Jaeckel

Schmaltz to play RW on Toews/AA's line then?