Then why isn't the NHLPA roasting Stamkos?

I bet he could have gotten more out of Tampa and he certainly could have went somewhere else and gotten more. But he didn't.

My guess is he took less to stay and help out the organization. Seems to me like Stamkos is one of the rare guys that is OK with taking less money if it means it helps the organization as a whole. Pretty cool in my opinion.
- Hank3Henshaw

I gained a whole lot of respect for Stamkos today.

In terms of low cost quality vets for the bottom 6, there is two right there. Q should take the leash off of Weise and let him do what he does. Forecheck and hammer people.
- z1990z

Agree with you and Q last year defanged Weise not allowing him to play to his strengths.
Q was an epic failure last year with his coaching and IMHO is the reason they were not repeat champions.

Another thing about the Kane and Toews deals is that we have no clue how the negotiations between their agent and Bowman went. Maybe Bowman was a 9 M and their agent want 12M a year. There had to have been negotiations between the two that ended in 10.5M. It not like Bowman except their first offer.

Plus, if Bowman didn't act it lead to the possibility of losing one, or both of them to free agency

We complain now about it being a high cap hit and they should have taken less, blah, blah, blah, but could you imagine what this board and the fans would have done if either of them left to go to another team via free agency without getting anything in return!!!

I'm happy we have both Kane and Toews in a Hawks uniform to the majority of their career. It might be tough for a few years until the cap starts going back up, but they are the face of the franchise and deserved every penny they received.
- spudrock512

Kane and Toews have the same agent that just got Shaw 4m per for 6 years. I'm guessing the agent had a lot to do with what they received.

I gained a whole lot of respect for Stamkos today.
- 67hawks

how about 0 income tax in florida making his deal better and a comparable in chicago you would have to increase the salary by about 10%

Because what that guy said is not true...Stammer gave a discount. He's still a rich man, playing a game he loves with a team that has a really good chance to stay good a long time. Actually I am rooting for him more now.
- kwolf68

I just think there's no use in femaledogging it about contracts that were signed at a different time under different circumstances. If you think they're greedy, that's on you. I think they got a fair deal, maybe even a slight discount, and we just got screwed because of the cap, something completely out of the team's control.

I gained a whole lot of respect for Stamkos today.
- 67hawks

Same here, brother. Always respected the guy, but not I do even more. he's still getting paid really well, obviously, but he could have gotten more somewhere else, but decided to stay. One of those rare things in sports.

There was a ZERO percent chance of them getting Kane and Toews at that salary, absolutely zero. The NHLPA would've roasted them alive. Stamkos is a good player, but he's not Kane or Toews.
- hawkfan79

Totally different market compared to now.

Stamkos is a great hockey player. Dude has scored 90+ points three times. Yea, he's had a couple unfortunately injuries, but he is an elite player in this league and he's 2 million under 19 and 88. He is ALSO a very high character player.

Put it this way, Stamkos probably won't be pining to have some XYZ player on his line.

I love Toews and Kane, especially Seabrook, Kruger, Crow, the whole lot of 'em, but there is NO indication any of these guys gave a HTD, when Stamkos in my view absolutely did. poop, if Toews and Kane take 10 million (which is HUGE coin and the highest paid) that's an extra 1 million to goto getting them some help. Could surely help.
- kwolf68

No, he just pines to be at center and sulks when Cooper keeps him at wing

It is a very nice hometown discount regardless, and while I agree with others that T and K could have gotten more than 10.5 on the open market that doesn't mean that 10.5 was truly a HTD

Agree with you and Q last year defanged Weise not allowing him to play to his strengths.
Q was an epic failure last year with his coaching and IMHO is the reason they were not repeat champions.
- molly2522

Likely one of the funniest things I've read today. If you think last year was on Q, you' weren't watching.

Agree with you and Q last year defanged Weise not allowing him to play to his strengths.
Q was an epic failure last year with his coaching and IMHO is the reason they were not repeat champions.
- molly2522

Bowman sacrificed resources and gave a good coach enough to work with. Q did not put in an equivalent effort.

This pic of Stan, hot off the press . . . while Rome is burning, this is what Stan is doing right now

via GIPHY

C'mon Stan, wake the (frank) up!

That's true, Al, but those cup teams also had Sharp, Saad, Oduya, a more productive Hossa and the Dcore had 100ish less wear on their tires on them. This team one won't.

I don't know who posted Kruger to 2C but that has been on my mind. Between Panarin and Kane that may have possibilities and of course you'd have AA's 4.5 in your pocket.
- Mr Ricochet

True but there needs to be more scoring balance...One line teams don't make the dance and if they do, don't last long....As just happened.

This pic of Stan, hot off the press . . . while Rome is burning, this is what Stan is doing right now

via GIPHY

C'mon Stan, wake the (frank) up!
- savvyone-1

Cmon.. he always naps after snack time!

Perfect explanation IMO. For better or worse, this is the Hawks formula, which would've worked better if the cap didn't stagnate, which are caused by factors beyond the Hawks control. The system is set up/designed for a)keep the owners from spending too much money on player salaries and b)parity.

The window for the Hawks winning cups is starting to diminish a bit, but that's ok in my book, it's not closed, and who knows, if some of these kids come through, we might be able to buy some more time.
- hawkfan79

Well the cap did stagnate with not much relief in sight on that account. So living in the now you adjust. What that adjustment is is the question and what I'm watching for. Fact is Kane, Toews, Hossa, Seabs, Keith, Crow eat up 67% of the cap. Add AA and that's 7 players eating 72% of the cap of a 23 man roster!!! Is that model/formula workable?

No different than a guy getting laid off. Things happened that were out of his control but the mortgage company doesn't care. Adjust or fail.

Another thing about the Kane and Toews deals is that we have no clue how the negotiations between their agent and Bowman went. Maybe Bowman was a 9 M and their agent want 12M a year. There had to have been negotiations between the two that ended in 10.5M. It not like Bowman except their first offer.

Plus, if Bowman didn't act it lead to the possibility of losing one, or both of them to free agency

We complain now about it being a high cap hit and they should have taken less, blah, blah, blah, but could you imagine what this board and the fans would have done if either of them left to go to another team via free agency without getting anything in return!!!

I'm happy we have both Kane and Toews in a Hawks uniform to the majority of their career. It might be tough for a few years until the cap starts going back up, but they are the face of the franchise and deserved every penny they received.
- spudrock512

From 2014:

The NHL has seen several star players in the cap era take less than market value to remain with their teams, with an eye towards allowing those teams to retain other players and maintain success.

Of course, since 2005, the salary cap has been a reasonable mechanism for capping salaries because the ceiling has been at rec room levels rather than grand foyer. But as the NHL brings in billions (thanks, outdoor games!), the salary cap could reach $75 million by 2015.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane go unrestricted next summer. The Chicago Blackhawks are already in talks about an extension. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Kane and Toews have made their first pitch ...

… and they’re asking for around $12 million per season.

From TSN:

McKenzie notes that both players will likely end up with a lower salary than their initial ask, but could still see $10 million per year averages. Toews and Kane each have one year remaining on their contracts. They both signed identical five-year $31.5 million contracts prior to the 2010-11 season.

Multiple other outlets reported the exact same thing. The contracts are not going to change. You can either complain till you are blue in the face or accept it and move forward and find solutions.

If I hear Hometown discount one more time I'm going to puke. It sucks because we lose players that we have grown to know and like, but if they find the pieces to do it again, I doubt anyone gives a flamin fart. Going into the playoffs did anyone really give the Pens better than 50/50? Let the FO do their job and go from there.

True but there needs to be more scoring balance...One line teams don't make the dance and if they do, don't last long....As just happened.
- Al

14 19 88
72 15 81

There you go... 2 legit lines.

@ IL rate thats a whopping $255,000 - not that impactful on 8.5M
- riozzo

Less - it's deductible for federal taxes.

And - a good portion sizes f his salary is earned in other states - he has to pay taxes in the other states - which would be credited to his Illinous taxes.

The difference between what he'd pay here vs. what he will pay in Tampa is even much less.

This is not true, you also have to consider Stamkos gets an extra year on his deal from Tampa by extending with them so its no apples to apples money as his figure is spread out over more years

Stamkos' current deal will give him net take home pay of $5,171,400 per year, for 8 years. $41,371,200 total

If you eliminate that 8th year to make it apples to apples income per year for the other teams, his total net take home would be 36,199,800 over 7 years

These are what each team could offer at $10.5 per, and what he would take home, all more than Tampa's offer over that same 7 year span


- hawkeytalkman

You are correct about the additional year accounting for cash difference but from Stamkos' standpoint its about guaranteed money. He is banking on fact that the future is uncertain and he could be out of hockey by then. Stamkos already has dealt with blood clots and that condition can be a career ender.

Thank you.. we had rediculous depth on the wing and were able to get away with the hodge podge #2 C thing. Cannot do that now. And Kruger is not a #2 C. Hes a perfect 3/4 and PK specialist.
- z1990z

I'd be inclined to agree but the fact is we don't know. If he could EVER, ever be an effective 2C it would be between Kane and Panarin.

From 2014:

The NHL has seen several star players in the cap era take less than market value to remain with their teams, with an eye towards allowing those teams to retain other players and maintain success.

Of course, since 2005, the salary cap has been a reasonable mechanism for capping salaries because the ceiling has been at rec room levels rather than grand foyer. But as the NHL brings in billions (thanks, outdoor games!), the salary cap could reach $75 million by 2015.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane go unrestricted next summer. The Chicago Blackhawks are already in talks about an extension. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Kane and Toews have made their first pitch ...

… and they’re asking for around $12 million per season.

From TSN:

McKenzie notes that both players will likely end up with a lower salary than their initial ask, but could still see $10 million per year averages. Toews and Kane each have one year remaining on their contracts. They both signed identical five-year $31.5 million contracts prior to the 2010-11 season.

Multiple other outlets reported the exact same thing. The contracts are not going to change. You can either complain till you are blue in the face or accept it and move forward and find solutions.

If I hear Hometown discount one more time I'm going to puke. It sucks because we lose players that we have grown to know and like, but if they find the pieces to do it again, I doubt anyone gives a flamin fart. Going into the playoffs did anyone really give the Pens better than 50/50? Let the FO do their job and go from there.
- Chunk

Bravo, well done!

Cmon.. he always naps after snack time!
- z1990z

Damn. He needs some of those 5 Hour Energy drinks.

I'd be inclined to agree but the fact is we don't know. If he could EVER, ever be an effective 2C it would be between Kane and Panarin.
- Mr Ricochet

Give the guy Q a call and say hey... lets try that. Didnt they try it once? But it lasted like one game if I remember.

Because what that guy said is not true...Stammer gave a discount. He's still a rich man, playing a game he loves with a team that has a really good chance to stay good a long time. Actually I am rooting for him more now.
- kwolf68

Me too.......

From 2014:

The NHL has seen several star players in the cap era take less than market value to remain with their teams, with an eye towards allowing those teams to retain other players and maintain success.

Of course, since 2005, the salary cap has been a reasonable mechanism for capping salaries because the ceiling has been at rec room levels rather than grand foyer. But as the NHL brings in billions (thanks, outdoor games!), the salary cap could reach $75 million by 2015.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane go unrestricted next summer. The Chicago Blackhawks are already in talks about an extension. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Kane and Toews have made their first pitch ...

… and they’re asking for around $12 million per season.

From TSN:

McKenzie notes that both players will likely end up with a lower salary than their initial ask, but could still see $10 million per year averages. Toews and Kane each have one year remaining on their contracts. They both signed identical five-year $31.5 million contracts prior to the 2010-11 season.

Multiple other outlets reported the exact same thing. The contracts are not going to change. You can either complain till you are blue in the face or accept it and move forward and find solutions.

If I hear Hometown discount one more time I'm going to puke. It sucks because we lose players that we have grown to know and like, but if they find the pieces to do it again, I doubt anyone gives a flamin fart. Going into the playoffs did anyone really give the Pens better than 50/50? Let the FO do their job and go from there.
- Chunk

Amen! thank you for posting this. need to lay this to rest.

Bravo, well done!
- hawkfan79

Thanks... AND ANOTHER THING!

Toews may have asked for a better LW... First of all who cares, second who wouldn't? Does that mean Stan just says "OK, I'll blow up the team to do that." No, he says I appreciate your concern on the situation and will take it under advisement while I build the team for now and the future.

Has Stan made errors? Yes. Not debating, but we will not (and cannot) always be the best team in the league. Let the intrigue and fun of the offseason play out!