Great post. But the salary cap is still the best innovation in regards to salaries. I think some concessions can be made tho:
1) All teams can tag 1 player with a franchise tag, pay the whatever they want and it doesn't count against the cap.
2) implement a cap on 2nd contracts. Max salary of 5 million, max term 3 years. arbitration rights, but no RFA rights outside of that or eligibility to sign offer sheets.

Sound good?
- Jeropotato

#2. Been advocating that for years.

Keith and Rundblad?!?!?!?!?!?!? That is a steep drop-off ....
- Hank_Greenberg

Crap... I meant to type 2&4.

Can we just take a second to acknowledge how much of a savior that Panarin has been for the 'Hawks?

If he DIDN't come over, or DIDN'T have the season that he did, where would the 'Hawks be? They found themselves a gem for a fraction cost.

Panarin almost had an 80 point season. Kane had 106. If Panarin performed HALF as good as he did and had a 40 point campaign on that second line like Anisimov did, Kane likely would have had an average Kane year (~80 points).

Considering how poor the rest of our team did in regards to scoring, where would the 'Hawks have even finished? They finished third in the division, but I'm convinced that without Panarin, and without the epic season that second line had, then we absolutely would have finished behind Nashville and perhaps closer to Minnesota.

This just goes to show just how important it is for the team to continue to uncover "hidden" gems. The core is aging, the window is starting to diminish, and the team will continue to only be competitive if non-core players step up big time.

If Panik, Kruger, Schmaltz, Motte, Lundberg, Kempny, etc ... don't have the vast improvements in their game next season that the 'Hawks will desperately need, then I just don't see how this team finishes any higher than 5th or 6th in the conference.

At this point, with just how limited our cap space continues to be, we're essentially banking on that second line and an improvement in Toews' game offensively to carry us next season. That's not a recipe for success.

It is imperative that our non-core players step up big time this season in order for the team to have success. Otherwise, we're likely looking at another quick exit.

Good point on Maroon - especially given his $1.5M cap hit. He strikes me as the kind of player we wanted Bickell to be during the regular season. Nothing flashy - just good "all terrain" play. Might be hard to pry him away from Edmonton as he compliments their more skilled players.
- Chief4Feathers

Why in the world would EDM get rid of Maroon?? Let's face it, we're stuck with our core making too much money, BUT we have 3 cups. Let that sink in, 3 cups! Most teams would kill for just 1.
Think of the players we have lost:
Buff Ladd Brouwer Campbell Leddy Oduya Sharp Frolik Teavo Shaw Saad, etc...
Just a salary cap world !

Why in the world would EDM get rid of Maroon?? Let's face it, we're stuck with our core making too much money, BUT we have 3 cups. Let that sink in, 3 cups! Most teams would kill for just 1.
Think of the players we have lost:
Buff Ladd Brouwer Campbell Leddy Oduya Sharp Frolik Teavo Shaw Saad, etc...
Just a salary cap world !
- Boisy12

Because any team makes a trade that they perceive improves their club. That's why...

That be very dissapo in ting off season. McGinn is gonna ask for more than we can afford I don't think he's anything special and hider will be 38.

When is the prospects camp?

I go back and forth on this perspective. I remember the days when the western conference was basically a march to a Detroit/Colorado slugfest - and I still enjoyed the spectacle of it. But on the other hand - going into the playoffs with a wider group of teams all having a legitimate shot does make the match-ups more compelling. Dynasties and stars are great - but emerging underdogs and dark horses can also be just as exciting - sometimes even more so.
- Chief4Feathers[/quote

Good post. Well said.

[quote=Chief4Feathers]

I go back and forth on this perspective. I remember the days when the western conference was basically a march to a Detroit/Colorado slugfest - and I still enjoyed the spectacle of it. But on the other hand - going into the playoffs with a wider group of teams all having a legitimate shot does make the match-ups more compelling. Dynasties and stars are great - but emerging underdogs and dark horses can also be just as exciting - sometimes even more so.
- TexasFlood[/quote

Good post. Well said.

Those Avs/Wings playoff games? Just wow.. Talk about bad blood! That Claude Lemieux guy!?!

Good post Bear. BUT was there a chance to move Sharp a month earlier without the damage, or did StanBow mangle it? Do you have to move a Sharp (a higher end guy than Shaw) a year early weakening the club for that year's cup run?
- Mr Ricochet

Apparently there was indeed a good chance to move Sharp before he was ultimately dealt to the Stars, but this option was negated when Stan found it suddenly imperative to trade Saad immediately. You may recall that when that transaction was consummated, Stan mentioned that he had already been negotiating with Columbus for Anisimov. Since the Jackets were seeking a #1 left winger, it stands to reason that Sharp would have initially been a key part of those negotiations. But when Saad became available, Columbus insisted upon him instead. Stan then demanded that Dano be included, others were thrown into the mix, and the rest is history.

And this, all Hawk fans should understand, is the real reason that Stan was forced to eventually accept the best offer he could get for Sharp. Under the circumstances, he did quite well, I would say.

Why in the world would EDM get rid of Maroon?? Let's face it, we're stuck with our core making too much money, BUT we have 3 cups. Let that sink in, 3 cups! Most teams would kill for just 1.
Think of the players we have lost:
Buff Ladd Brouwer Campbell Leddy Oduya Sharp Frolik Teavo Shaw Saad, etc...
Just a salary cap world !
- Boisy12

Yes, and we scouted and aquired all of them either by draft or trade. There's no reason we can't do it again. We were the champs until 3 weeks ago. Losing Shaw will hurt but that's life in the bigs. If the Sharp trade would have come sooner and we kept Oduya.... who knows how deep we could have gone. I'm a cub fan. The beginning of the season is always hopeful.

GO HOCKS

Happy Sunday my Happy Humans

Stan definitely has some options on the table. With Q saying the youth/cheap vet option is the plan, there is some gamesmanship going on.

My bet is that Stan will not move any of the "high-priced guys" (Kruger, Crawford, Seabs) until someone inevitably goes down in training camp or that made for ESPN hockey tournament. If some team loses their #1 in a meaningless tournament, then the return for Crawford could be better than a high pick and depth. It could be the return of a TDL player like we saw when we emptied the vault for 30 games of Ladd.

Can we just take a second to acknowledge how much of a savior that Panarin has been for the 'Hawks?

If he DIDN't come over, or DIDN'T have the season that he did, where would the 'Hawks be? They found themselves a gem for a fraction cost.

Panarin almost had an 80 point season. Kane had 106. If Panarin performed HALF as good as he did and had a 40 point campaign on that second line like Anisimov did, Kane likely would have had an average Kane year (~80 points).

Considering how poor the rest of our team did in regards to scoring, where would the 'Hawks have even finished? They finished third in the division, but I'm convinced that without Panarin, and without the epic season that second line had, then we absolutely would have finished behind Nashville and perhaps closer to Minnesota.

This just goes to show just how important it is for the team to continue to uncover "hidden" gems. The core is aging, the window is starting to diminish, and the team will continue to only be competitive if non-core players step up big time.

If Panik, Kruger, Schmaltz, Motte, Lundberg, Kempny, etc ... don't have the vast improvements in their game next season that the 'Hawks will desperately need, then I just don't see how this team finishes any higher than 5th or 6th in the conference.

At this point, with just how limited our cap space continues to be, we're essentially banking on that second line and an improvement in Toews' game offensively to carry us next season. That's not a recipe for success.

It is imperative that our non-core players step up big time this season in order for the team to have success. Otherwise, we're likely looking at another quick exit.
- TommyHawk

Correct-I used to say the Hawks need an unexpected pleasant surprise or two.
Panarin had every bit the impact, or more than a #1 Draft pick!

As Al likes to say, we need to look at the moves and decisions made by the Hawks in "real time" when passing judgement.

When the Hawks are in a constant pursuit of Cups - with legitimate chances to win it all each season during this "golden era" (and it truly is - just ask anyone who's been a fan for a few decades) there are certain opportunity costs that have to be accepted.

First, trades of key players are usually not going to be when their value is at their highest - but rather when the cap dictates and the situation is forced. Why? Because that player is a piece that helps you win during the season. Should Stan have traded Sharp, Leddy, et al. at the respective trade deadlines - when their value was arguably higher than the off season? No - because they were key in the team's depth for a Cup run. Winning championships is more important than winning trades - so you live with the trade offs.

Also, bemoaning the Hossa contract now is misplaced. Let's remember what a highly sought after commodity he was. Pittsburgh made a trade to get him for a '07 Cup run - then Detroit lured him away for their '08 season. It was a coup and a creative contract structure that landed him on the Hawks to start the '09 campaign - which resulted in the first of the three Cups. The signing of Hossa was absolutely essential - and I'm willing to wager that the Hawks/Hossa will have the last laugh on the cap recapture penalty retroactively issued by the league when Hossa goes out on LTIR ala Pronger.

I could go on, but you get the point...
- Chief4Feathers

Excellent points! This 'golden era' Hawks are contending for CHAMPIONSHIPS NOW with the current core in place--- Which comes at a cost of the role players - depth -
Due to cap compliance issues--and cap variance based on economics and a flawed system-- not bad talent evaluation or unsuccessful management

I bemoan this all the time-- the players that have hurt the the Hawks most were the ones they had to trade because of cap issues-- AND that they drafted--

Some type of cap exemption for only drafted and developed players should be added to the cap structure--

I am not an economist-- but why is the cap beholden to the CDN dollar when there are more US based teams?

Heck Edmonton is already having trouble planning to pay for all the #1 picks that have been gifted for sucking-- not winning--- and they still have no Cups in this cap era--

Watch the ff ed up NHL make the exemption for drafted players just in time to save the Oil--

Eliminate the hard cap and let financially successful teams spend beyond the cap but impose a penalty for all the unsuccessful financial teams to reap the benefit from. Cap problems solved.

Dynasty teams are good for ratings so the above should also have a positive effect on TV ratings and other forms of revenue

John Jaeckel: Quick Morning Rumors
- John Jaeckel

Pens need depth on d, Hawks needs a winger. What about kempe for sheary or rust, then sign cambell

I'm sure Leighton land a job as a #3 elsewhere.

According to a couple Hockey writers on Twitter the trade chatter for Yakupov should pick up this week, in addition to a few others in Edmonton.

I'm still holding out hope for Maroon to be acquired.
- DarthKane

A bigger but slower Shaw. If they picked him up and signed McGinn, the team has a bit more bite.

Personally, I see the Hawks getting McGinn to play ball for $3.5M and signing Campbell to say... $850-950K. Difficult offseason for sure man.

quotes not working, but to the guy female doging about hossas cap it and how he should have been signed for less.

how about all those years when he was a 7 mil dollar player and had that cheap cap hit due to the large circumvent type deal?

now you have to pay the piper a little bit. still, have 3 cups to show for it. probably the closest and last thing the NHL will ever have to a dynasty. had to have been worth it.

Happy Sunday my Happy Humans

Stan definitely has some options on the table. With Q saying the youth/cheap vet option is the plan, there is some gamesmanship going on.

My bet is that Stan will not move any of the "high-priced guys" (Kruger, Crawford, Seabs) until someone inevitably goes down in training camp or that made for ESPN hockey tournament. If some team loses their #1 in a meaningless tournament, then the return for Crawford could be better than a high pick and depth. It could be the return of a TDL player like we saw when we emptied the vault for 30 games of Ladd.
- phantasmo

Only problem is he already tried that route with the Leddy trade and we all saw how that worked out. Time to shop in the bargain bins. You have to hope that this is where players want to be because of the way the Hawks take care of their players these days and the way the team is looked on throughout the league. A far cry from the dark days. The question is which vets are serviceable and willing to play on the cheap on possibly a one year deal because of the awaiting Panarin contract. It's not going to be easy. But should be interesting to see what they do here/how they handle it.

Why in the world would EDM get rid of Maroon?? Let's face it, we're stuck with our core making too much money, BUT we have 3 cups. Let that sink in, 3 cups! Most teams would kill for just 1.
Think of the players we have lost:
Buff Ladd Brouwer Campbell Leddy Oduya Sharp Frolik Teavo Shaw Saad, etc...
Just a salary cap world !
- Boisy12

exactly!

You're team isn't being kneecapped. You won 3 cups. You made 2 of your players the highest paid in the NHL , not because they are the 2 best players, but because they were the two best players on the best team in the NHL.

There has been a cost for success for 3 decades, deal with it. We had to.
- Jeropotato

What are you talking about here? The NHL cap rules didn't break up the Oilers--- they weren't forced to trade players because of a salary cap-- it wasn't even in place then--

I go back and forth on this perspective. I remember the days when the western conference was basically a march to a Detroit/Colorado slugfest - and I still enjoyed the spectacle of it. But on the other hand - going into the playoffs with a wider group of teams all having a legitimate shot does make the match-ups more compelling. Dynasties and stars are great - but emerging underdogs and dark horses can also be just as exciting - sometimes even more so.
- Chief4Feathers

This can be exciting--- BUT not at the expense of pre determined cap parity---

The fun of an underdog succeeding is that it defies logic and expectation-- it surprises everyone and makes every day people feel good--

You bet that the tables are turning where the next drama on the NHL table will be the 'emergence' or resurrection of the Canadian teams who by and large have sucked for a long time and essentially fielded inferior teams yet have every advantage in the cap era-- at the expense of the Hawks, Kings, etc-- mark it down-- oh how the mighty have fallen-- look how great Canadian teams are now! The whole draft was about propping up Canadian teams who FAILED to make the playoffs--

What are you talking about here? The NHL cap rules didn't break up the Oilers--- they weren't forced to trade players because of a salary cap-- it wasn't even in place then--
- jb3333

Yeah, hardly apples to apples. Mentioned this before. 1990-2004 there was not a cap. What did Edm do? Not much. Granted they did win in 1990 without the great one, and that is a solid accomplishment. But 14 more seasons went by and they didn't win.

Wouldn't consider Hudler as "bargain bin", he would make a little more than Shaw.
Mcginn came off 39 points last season, not so sure he's accept $1m a year
- puckhead17

Who said he would?

I am still curious to see what some of these free agents left without contracts after the first week of free agency get when teams' cap spaces evaporate.
- 67hawks

I think the Hawks will be too.