I'd settle for McNeill being a quality 4th line wing providing some grit.
- DarthKane

6'2" 215, no shortage of size in this guy. Hopefully he makes the most out of his opportunity and competes like an animal.

6'2" 215, no shortage of size in this guy. Hopefully he makes the most out of his opportunity and competes like an animal.
- 93Joe

6'2" 215, no shortage of size in this guy. Hopefully he makes the most out of his opportunity and competes like an animal.
- 93Joe

23 yrs. old and there shouldn't be much need to GET any more motivated.

If Forsberg makes 6 mil Kucherov a far better all around player may start at 7 million asking price.

Good thing Stamkos is signing in....somewhere else....

23 yrs. old and there shouldn't be much need to GET any more motivated.

If Forsberg makes 6 mil Kucherov a far better all around player may start at 7 million asking price.

Good thing Stamkos is signing in....somewhere else....
- wiz1901

And more importantly (for the Blackhawks FO + Fans), what do those two contracts mean for Artemi Panarin? He outproduced both players last year as a rookie....

23 yrs. old and there shouldn't be much need to GET any more motivated.

If Forsberg makes 6 mil Kucherov a far better all around player may start at 7 million asking price.

Good thing Stamkos is signing in....somewhere else....
- wiz1901

I have a hard time seeing Stamkos play in Detroit. For me it's Buffalo or Toronto. Tampa cannot afford him, especially with the offseason they will have next season.

And more importantly (for the Blackhawks FO + Fans), what do those two contracts mean for Artemi Panarin? He outproduced both players last year as a rookie....
- EnzoD

You have to figure on the open market he's gonna make at least that....I don't see the math working unless some other people get subtracted.

I'd settle for McNeill being a quality 4th line wing providing some grit.
- DarthKane

We should hope he can play with Toews and Hossa. Key word here is "hope."

And more importantly (for the Blackhawks FO + Fans), what do those two contracts mean for Artemi Panarin? He outproduced both players last year as a rookie....
- EnzoD

If things go south, trade him for an absolute HAUL next summer. Which probably won't happen as he will be a Blackhawk

We should hope he can play with Toews and Hossa. Key word here is "hope."
- hpk90

Or Panarin up to Toews line and try McNeill with Kane and Anisimov?

Or Panarin up to Toews line and try McNeill with Kane and Anisimov?
- kwolf68

Works for me.

We should hope he can play with Toews and Hossa. Key word here is "hope."
- hpk90

That would require a lot of hope. I wouldn't expect McNeill to go from (what seems to be) a career AHLer to top 6 minutes. Anything is possible, but I think the 4th line is more realistic than anything else.

Regarding Shipachyov he was set to make around $1.1 million in the KHL this upcoming season so I'd expect him to be looking for a raise to convince him to come to the NHL. Maybe around $2 million.
- Dabearshawks

If I remember correctly the Canadians were making a big push for him.

Or Panarin up to Toews line and try McNeill with Kane and Anisimov?
- kwolf68

McNeill is a solid contributor at the AHL level, but in no way do I see him being on the same line as 88/15 unless someone gets caught in a bad change. McNeill does not have the speed, touch or vision to hang with those guys

- DarthKane

If I had a stack of dimes for every time he got beat up as a kid, I'd have no dimes.

McNeill's qualifying offer is just $874,125 (105% of $832,500). I'd be surprised of he didn't accept it. Plus, it's low enough to give him a legit shot of making the team (if he play warrants it).
- DarthKane

I'd imagine he will take it too. The qualifying offer is a one-year deal worth at least 105 percent of what McNeill made last season, so at least $874,125. He's not arbitration-eligible, so he has until December 1 to accept the qualifying offer or sign an offer sheet in order to play next season.

I agree with John on TVR about being exposed at times in the playoffs...But he is vg positionally and although not a rocket he will get better and then be able to deal with faster skilled players.

When you are slotted a notch too high in the playoffs, eventually you get exposed but that may not be the case this year.

I don't think he is a future Norris candidate but I wouldn't be quick to deal him...He came to the NHL without any AHL duty to speak of and has done well.

Also...I posted this earlier but all the one way deals handed out to Ice Hogs don't necessarily mean they are a lock to make the team. I don't have details but from what I have heard that has something to do with the expansion draft and Rocky is willing to eat salary to benefit down the road.

Even without Bickell the Hogs could have one of the most expensive rosters in the AHL.

If I had a stack of dimes for every time he got beat up as a kid, I'd have no dimes.
- golfbard

I know this was in junior and there is a size differential with Dumba, but it's a great fight nonetheless:

And more importantly (for the Blackhawks FO + Fans), what do those two contracts mean for Artemi Panarin? He outproduced both players last year as a rookie....
- EnzoD

If Panarin comes even close to last year's numbers, gotta believe he's going to be looking for a Tarasenko deal ($7.5M AAV).

To most of the players money is the key. Would like to know how taxes affect on players income if you play in Canada or in USA?
- MjulQvist

I am fairly certain all players are contracted in US Dollars or their equivalent.

No question that taxes are lower, and options to control them via a sharp accountant exist if you reside in the US, and even further variability based upon what state you live in, as the state tax rates vary from zero to some states above 8%.

If Panarin comes even close to last year's numbers, gotta believe he's going to be looking for a Tarasenko deal ($7.5M AAV).
- Hank_Greenberg

Which means you have to believe it is a pipedream to keep him after this year.

Which means you have to believe it is a pipedream to keep him after this year.
- Return of the Roar

Hopefully Stanbo finds a way to keep Panarin. If not the return for him should be substantial.

The #Flames have acquired forward Alex Chiasson from the #Sens in exchange for Patrick Sieloff.

Which means you have to believe it is a pipedream to keep him after this year.
- Return of the Roar

If Panarin comes even close to last year's numbers, gotta believe he's going to be looking for a Tarasenko deal ($7.5M AAV).
- Hank_Greenberg

That's why it is better to sign him this summer and hope his rookie year wasn't a fluke. If he repeats it, he's due for a raise the Blackhawks might not be able to afford.

23 yrs. old and there shouldn't be much need to GET any more motivated.

If Forsberg makes 6 mil Kucherov a far better all around player may start at 7 million asking price.

Good thing Stamkos is signing in....somewhere else....
- wiz1901

I wonder if they have already written him off.