I think both but mostly the players are against it. The hard cap is a killer for this league. The ONLY bright side is we don't have players holding out for better contracts because they feel they are underpaid.
- tyweb69

IMO its a matter of time before the Cap and its many flaws will result in the call for reform-- maybe a work stoppage-- and the salary spread between top tiered players and the rest of the league is getting much wider-- which could result in dissension among the NHLPA members--

It appears that teams like Chicago / LA have already 'paid the price' of winning by having to strip the team of important assets due to cap issues--

Not gripping about the Cup wins or playing by the rules-- just think that having cap casualties to deal players that have been drafted and developed by a team erodes fan support--- again-- no way the Hawks would have dealt Bufyglien Saad, Shaw ( all fan favorites) if they didn't have to because of cap--- So Winnipeg, Columbus and Montreal benefit from Hawks success --- and they still haven't won anything!

Funny thing that Dale Tallon was "moved" for a error on three contracts, which cost the Hawks maybe three million bucks. That is rounding dollars on the 7, 19, 88 contracts. How fast everything changes...
- RedFeather

Hmmmm, I think that was more related to him having allegedly told McD to go pound sand or stop trying to tell me how to do my job. And I could be wrong but I think I'm right.

Well, same can be said of a LOT of very good players in the history of the NHL.

I am not sure how much there was/is to a rift with Q. He was dealt primarily because of the cap and upcoming UFA for him.

Fact is, he has improved overall as a player since he left Chicago. Still a 20G/200H guy but also now 55%+ in the dot, and has upped his nasty.

He is actually a LOT like Shaw in many ways, but quite frankly, I would take Brouwer over Shaw straight up. Because his stupid factor is not as high, and he is more of a physical presence in the playoffs. Brouwer's hits destroy people. And he can play LW with skilled players, which Shaw really can't.
- John Jaeckel

Yes-- agree--- I love Shaw-- but he wasn't up to the high skill level of 19-88-72--- but did what he had to do to succeed-- which is why he overachieved and we fans loved him--

I just think the labeling of Kruger as strictly a 4C is inaccurate. And really wildly so.

The fact is, the Hawks have had the luxury really of two "3rd" lines for a couple of years. maybe not as much last year. Kruger can definitely play the role of a classic, third line shutdown center. Remember, Rico, traditionally, fourth lines have just been energy/checking lines. Kruger is more than that kind of player (think: Jack Skille, Adam Burish, or even say a Vernon Fiddler, or a Nate Thompson). How much more? I don't know. I would like to see what he can do in more of a third line ("two-way") role with a couple of skilled wingers for a year.

Pahlsson was a third liner. A classic shutdown center. His game was REALLY a lot like Kruger's. At least as far as Kruger's has been thus far in his career. I personally think he can score more. But it depends on the ask of him and the wingers he's with.
- John Jaeckel

Hope you're right on this, that considering Kruger as strictly a 4C is wildly inaccurate. This will be the year we'll find out but then chances are his 3rd line will be a shutdown 3rd line, the 4th line gets 5-6 minutes and the top 2 lines are ridden very, very, very hard. Two shutdown lines and two that hopefully provide enough offense to compensate.

If he's a shutdown 3C this year there isn't much difference than him being a shutdown 4C. I think it's safe to say by career deployment that Kruger has been used as a shutdown player and not a scoring option. I also think his incredibly tilted Dzone starts throughout his career has as much to do with his defensive prowess as it does with his lack of offensive ability.

Maybe a better way to phrase this is Kruger has never been anything other than a shutdown player instead of saying he's simply a shutdown 4C and that I'm not sure I see a difference between a shutdown player whether it be on the 3rd or 4th line.

The way it seems the bottom 6 will shake out a good bet Kruger will have the same kinds of linemates he's had throughout his career and the only way we see if he can show any offensive upside is if he gets ice time as a 2C.

Stan has been rumoured to be interested in Sverson. Apparently he's available.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Edmonton-Oilers/159/77869

Until June 1st no one can do anything...
- wiz1901

Yes, I know. But normally by now we have more than a few rumors out there on what they might do.

Hmmmm, I think that was more related to him having allegedly told McD to go pound sand or stop trying to tell me how to do my job. And I could be wrong but I think I'm right.
- fattybeef

I hope this is the reason Tallon was moved along.

Jay Zawaski ‏@JayZawaski670 9m9 minutes ago
Jay Zawaski Retweeted The Athletic Chicago
Hawks have interest in the ACTUAL Dale Weise! This is a quality, low cost Shaw alternative.Jay Zawaski added,
The Athletic Chicago @TheAthleticChi
Wise can add depth, but the Blackhawks might have some competition. @ByScottPowers’ story: https://theathletic.com/2...in-re-signing-dale-weise/ …
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IMO its a matter of time before the Cap and its many flaws will result in the call for reform-- maybe a work stoppage-- and the salary spread between top tiered players and the rest of the league is getting much wider-- which could result in dissension among the NHLPA members--

It appears that teams like Chicago / LA have already 'paid the price' of winning by having to strip the team of important assets due to cap issues--

Not gripping about the Cup wins or playing by the rules-- just think that having cap casualties to deal players that have been drafted and developed by a team erodes fan support--- again-- no way the Hawks would have dealt Bufyglien Saad, Shaw ( all fan favorites) if they didn't have to because of cap--- So Winnipeg, Columbus and Montreal benefit from Hawks success --- and they still haven't won anything!
- jb3333

Think the bigger issue is the doling out of bigger contracts to players that don't have the pedigree of a Toews/Kane/Crosby/Malkin. The 7.5mil for players like Reilly, the 5+ to Clarkson. Those players are killers to a teams cap. If you are wise you are able to profit off of teams like Chicago being stripped of talent. But if you kill your own cap with players like that, then things grind to a halt

Well, same can be said of a LOT of very good players in the history of the NHL.

I am not sure how much there was/is to a rift with Q. He was dealt primarily because of the cap and upcoming UFA for him.

Fact is, he has improved overall as a player since he left Chicago. Still a 20G/200H guy but also now 55%+ in the dot, and has upped his nasty.

He is actually a LOT like Shaw in many ways, but quite frankly, I would take Brouwer over Shaw straight up. Because his stupid factor is not as high, and he is more of a physical presence in the playoffs. Brouwer's hits destroy people. And he can play LW with skilled players, which Shaw really can't.
- John Jaeckel

I don't refute the fact he is an improved player. He is a versatile winger that can play on different lines. It's doubtful he will ever come back to Chicago, and that won't matter to the Hawks. The Hawks did just fine without him. They didn't NEED him. That's all I'm saying.

Stan has been rumoured to be interested in Sverson. Apparently he's available.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Edmonton-Oilers/159/77869
- TyCamScore

Salary would have to go to NJ to resign him for the next year he is a RFA? NJ looking for offense, who could Chicago send?

Hmmmm, I think that was more related to him having allegedly told McD to go pound sand or stop trying to tell me how to do my job. And I could be wrong but I think I'm right.
- fattybeef

Ahhh, the excuse to be fired. Thanks for the insight.

Edit, but that "reason" was still a small amount of dollars relative to the problems of today.

Stan has been rumoured to be interested in Sverson. Apparently he's available.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Edmonton-Oilers/159/77869
- TyCamScore

I think Severson was pretty much available all last year. And IIRC he's a right shot. Also it seems as though they've given up on Dman Jon Merrill not qualifying him.

Jay Zawaski ‏@JayZawaski670 9m9 minutes ago
Jay Zawaski Retweeted The Athletic Chicago
Hawks have interest in the ACTUAL Dale Weise! This is a quality, low cost Shaw alternative.Jay Zawaski added,
The Athletic Chicago @TheAthleticChi
Wise can add depth, but the Blackhawks might have some competition. @ByScottPowers’ story: https://theathletic.com/2...in-re-signing-dale-weise/ …
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- mrpaulish

I Would like to see Wise come back , he seemed to be finding his grove in the last two games against ST.L . With a full training camp to adjust , I think he is a good fit . Of course the money would have to be right , maybe 1.5 or 2 mil .

I don't refute the fact he is an improved player. He is a versatile winger that can play on different lines. It's doubtful he will ever come back to Chicago, and that won't matter to the Hawks. The Hawks did just fine without him. They didn't NEED him. That's all I'm saying.
- Hawks_49

I think the Hawks do need a Brouwer type forward. I agree with JJ Brouwer > Shaw. Just ask Seabrook how much of an impact Brouwer's hits have. In that last playoff series Brouwer > Laad too. There is literally no one on the current roster that plays with an edge and can lay big hits. No one.

I think the Hawks do need a Brouwer type forward. I agree with JJ Brouwer > Shaw. Just ask Seabrook how much of an impact Brouwer's hits have. In that last playoff series Brouwer > Laad too. There is literally no one on the current roster that plays with an edge and can lay big hits. No one.
- bhawks2241

Well I see Brouwer being a day 1 signee come July 1st. Maybe if Soup signs he can call Brouwer and talk him into the reunion tour??

Need.... A......new...blog....I'm..dying..
- southernhawk

You will get one when JJ gets rumors. Not a moment before! Suck it up like the rest of us....

I Would like to see Wise come back , he seemed to be finding his grove in the last two games against ST.L . With a full training camp to adjust , I think he is a good fit . Of course the money would have to be right , maybe 1.5 or 2 mil .
- oldduffman

You will get one when JJ gets rumors. Not a moment before! Suck it up like the rest of us....
- ikeane

^^^^^^^

What he said!

I think Severson was pretty much available all last year. And IIRC he's a right shot. Also it seems as though they've given up on Dman Jon Merrill not qualifying him.
- Mr Ricochet

They have cap room, send them AA for Severson. Offer Shiplokov 2 mil a year. Or something like that.

Severson scuttlebutt sounds like a leak to put downward pressure on Campbell's demands.

Jay Zawaski ‏@JayZawaski670 9m9 minutes ago
Jay Zawaski Retweeted The Athletic Chicago
Hawks have interest in the ACTUAL Dale Weise! This is a quality, low cost Shaw alternative.Jay Zawaski added,
The Athletic Chicago @TheAthleticChi
Wise can add depth, but the Blackhawks might have some competition. @ByScottPowers’ story: https://theathletic.com/2...in-re-signing-dale-weise/ …
3 retweets 5 likes
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- mrpaulish

As oppose to the imposter Dale Weise?

Très bon texte ici: Weise: Montréal pas une option | Le Journal de Montréal
Renaud Lavoie:
Very good text here: Weise: Montréal not an option. Le Journal de Montréal. http://www.journaldemontr...e-montreal-pas-une-option

I'm not sure but I think he's saying Weise is not a fit in Montreal

Well I see Brouwer being a day 1 signee come July 1st. Maybe if Soup signs he can call Brouwer and talk him into the reunion tour??
- z1990z

A bit out of the Hawks price range unless someone with big $ moves. Brouwer with 88 and 15 or Toews wing. Would make their lives easier on the ice.

Think the bigger issue is the doling out of bigger contracts to players that don't have the pedigree of a Toews/Kane/Crosby/Malkin. The 7.5mil for players like Reilly, the 5+ to Clarkson. Those players are killers to a teams cap. If you are wise you are able to profit off of teams like Chicago being stripped of talent. But if you kill your own cap with players like that, then things grind to a halt
- dstainer

Fair point--- lots of bad contracts out there-- just tale a look at Columbus trying to dump salary -- Edmonton has an anchor contract with Sekera-- we had Bickell-- etc

It makes you wonder if these teams actually evaluated these players with that high of a ceiling-- or they anticipated more cap growth-- or some teams have to overbid to attract the players to the city / team-- or al of the above!!