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

Much easier for centers to transition to wing than wingers going to center. Can never have to many centers.

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.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, but is there cap space to facilitate filling this void? Right now, no.

I get what you're saying, Stan needs to shuffle the deck and reallocate some of the cap space. Logically the only big contract that can go it Crawford. Moving Seabrook or Anisimov (for example) fills one void by creating another. At least by moving Crawford there is a viable option to replace him (Darling) and Stan is left looking for a back-up goalie.

Until April.

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

Q can't buy players though.

To me, and what do I know, Q wants a team of players that don't need much coaching up.

Toews wants a power LW because he knows his line, his health, and maybe the team fail without one.

The math that best supports the best chance at a run is to keep the core guys, work with Panik, and hope Lundberg, Schmaltz and Motte can make an impact. Everyone the Hawks want back to plug holes costs as much or more than what can be offered in return, and to dump a big contract, they have to add spice to the stew that brings them right back to start.

If you reduce them to a two line team with a B or worse level goalie behind a defense without the one guy who can give hits and score.....

It's a pickle I tell ya

Eklund tweeting the Flames are closing in on their goalie. Crawford???!??!?!
- Hawksfan37

Gonna be Bishop, Fleury, Niemi or Bernier. Sounds like if CC is in that mix, the FO is asking too much in return versus the other teams.

Per McKenzie verified Twitter acct:
CGY working to get a goalie. Have had talks with TB on Bishop and with STL on Elliott. CGY has permission to talk to Bishop about extension.

Per me: nothing about Chicago there.

Per McKenzie verified Twitter acct:
CGY working to get a goalie. Have had talks with TB on Bishop and with STL on Elliott. CGY has permission to talk to Bishop about extension.

Per me: nothing about Chicago there.
- Marlowe

Oh well!

Per McKenzie verified Twitter acct:
CGY working to get a goalie. Have had talks with TB on Bishop and with STL on Elliott. CGY has permission to talk to Bishop about extension.

No CHI
- Marlowe

Hate to say it, bu I hope Bowman is doing something under the radar here...but I don't really think he is.

Per McKenzie verified Twitter acct:
CGY working to get a goalie. Have had talks with TB on Bishop and with STL on Elliott. CGY has permission to talk to Bishop about extension.

Per me: nothing about Chicago there.
- Marlowe

I wouldn't trust this source, he's shady

Hate to say it, bu I hope Bowman is doing something under the radar here...but I don't really think he is.
- kwolf68

That's usually how Stan operates.

I think it depends on what else is out there at what price.

Also, teams may be concerned about the AAV and term Shaw wants with his injury history.

Maybe he gets you a late first. But for all his positives, there are some negatives or potential negatives, and if he is asking $3.5-4 million per over 4-5 years?

Remember the caps signed Brouwer immediately for $2.3M over 2 years. BIG difference.

So all things being equal, I'm not sure how big the trade market is for Shaw. I think a second round pick might be all you get.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, or anyone who might know, what do you think the league thinks of Shaw's durability? Reports seem to say he has a bad back but in the last 3 years he's played 80, 79 and 78 games. Can't remember him missing any of the meat grinder that is the playoffs either.. In fact since he's been in the NHL he just doesn't miss many games.

Schmaltz to play RW on Tanner Kero's line then?
- ikeane

Fixed.

If he's in the top 6 opening night, we're in for along season. Not a knock on him but I don't think her's NHL ready at this point.

That's usually how Stan operates.
- DarthKane

We're doing a good job on the blame Stan part!

Interesting question.
- John Jaeckel

Pretty sure I read expansion rules state that teams must protect players having NMCs.

Per McKenzie verified Twitter acct:
CGY working to get a goalie. Have had talks with TB on Bishop and with STL on Elliott. CGY has permission to talk to Bishop about extension.

Per me: nothing about Chicago there.
- Marlowe

Well, they supposedly had a deal done with TB for Bishop 2-3 days ago that I think mckenzie was all over. Aaaaaand?

I will also reiterate what I said the other day too. He (typically) doesn't have his finger "on the pulse" of the Blackhawks.

I don't know that the Hawks will do a deal w Calgary for CC. But ask yourself, all else being equal (and mostly the money is), if you could choose one?

Crawford
Elliott
Bishop
Fleury

I think at least 50% of the time, people will answer Crawford. Hockey people maybe more so.

Pretty sure I read expansion rules state that teams must protect players having NMCs.
- MartiniMan

Not as interesting then.

Fixed.

If he's in the top 6 opening night, we're in for along season. Not a knock on him but I don't think her's NHL ready at this point.
- John Jaeckel

Isn't the start the season at the Rock and call up midseason thing what they did with bit Saad and TT? Would make sense with Schmaltz too.

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

I'm as critical or more than most of some decisions made by Bowman..

But the pay the players for what they are going to do not what they have done line doesn't hold water in this case.

I think that mantra should be the aim of every GM but when the same guy wins 3 Cups and can fetch the same contract or more elsewhere... can you blame Bowman??

I'm speaking specifically about Seabrook because I would bet almost anything others would have paid him the same....And more than one or two teams, first pairing dmen go at a premium and that is exactly what Seabrook still is and on over half the clubs.

JJ, or anyone who might know, what do you think the league thinks of Shaw's durability? Reports seem to say he has a bad back but in the last 3 years he's played 80, 79 and 78 games. Can't remember him missing any of the meat grinder that is the playoffs either.. In fact since he's been in the NHL he just doesn't miss many games.
- Mr Ricochet

I believe he played this last playoffs through a back injury. Not confirmed but it looked that way.

Amazing how some posters have elevated Danault to Kruger shut down range after 4+ years in the Rock and what, 30+ games in the NHL?

Potential is all he is until he proves otherwise.
- CanOCorn

Agreed Corn, I like the results a lot so far but the sample size is small.

But the potential game/evaluation is the one you need to win. IF the Hawks took the chance on Denault picking up some of the slack of a traded Kruger then they'd have up to 2mil per for two years to use elsewhere, sign a Shaw for instance.

Point is a guy comes in and fills a spot for 1-2-3 mil less that's found money used to not lose a more valuable player, assuming you hit on your evaluation.

Isn't the start the season at the Rock and call up midsession thing what they did with bit Saad and TT? Would make sense with Schmaltz too.
- Marlowe

Neither of the aforementioned were coming out of NCAA. NCAA is a lot less physical than junior or Euro pro leagues.

His suppression numbers when he was in the PK slot were great. Better than Kruger's actually.
- JRoenick97

MUCH better advanced stats but the sample size is small.......... To save 2 mil a year for a couple years I'd roll the dice on Denault over Kruger.

Well, they supposedly had a deal done with TB for Bishop 2-3 days ago that I think mckenzie was all over. Aaaaaand?

I will also reiterate what I said the other day too. He (typically) doesn't have his finger "on the pulse" of the Blackhawks.

I don't know that the Hawks will do a deal w Calgary for CC. But ask yourself, all else being equal (and mostly the money is), if you could choose one?

Crawford
Elliott
Bishop
Fleury
Jaeckel.

I think at least 50% of the time, people will answer Crawford. Hockey people maybe more so.
- John Jaeckel

Fixed.

Most of the Calgary chatter centering on Bishop. Sorry at $6 million per, Corey Crawford is a much better goalie.

Neither of the aforementioned were coming out of NCAA. NCAA is a lot less physical than junior or Euro pro leagues.
- John Jaeckel

You think it will take longer to adjust then? Thinking it might too or it might not. Bottom line is I think he more likely than not starts the season at the Rock too.

To the people fearful or "oh no, they can't sign anyone for fear of losing Panarin" -

The Hawks win Cups because they load up when they have value contracts (like Panarin). It's the best and only time they can actually do it. It's what they've done their previous 3 Cups and then purged. Unfortunately, it's the way of the cap.

So this is the better year to get someone/try to load up (as they did when they got Ladd at the TDL). Sometimes it works...sometimes it doesn't. But with another year older Hossa and Panarin on the ELC....now is the time to try to field the best team you can. Not worry about next year or the year after...or after. And because some "Fear" the cap may go down...even though it hasn't before without a lockout/CBA