Just heard this:

"Campbell and Hawks getting closer. Not done yet. Both sides working to find common ground. Dallas offering more... for now."

Just heard this:

"Campbell and Hawks getting closer. Not done yet. Both sides working to find common ground. Dallas offering more... for now."
- John Jaeckel

Really hope it happens at a price that doesn't hamstring the Hawks!

Would a legit 1LW be nice to have ? Sure. But if the Hawks don't get one mean the 2016/17 is a lost cause? I may be in the minority, but I don't think so. Especially if the Hawks can add Campbell to an arguably improved d-corps.

Keith-Seabrook-Hjalmarsson-Campbell-TvR-Kempny is solid and may end up being one of the top d-corps in the league, and it will be a fair sight better than what the Hawks had when they got booted out of the 1st round 2 months ago.

Granted the Hawks forward lines need some things to go their way, but even there they won't have the Cup hangover shortened off season so Toews and Hossa should have better seasons than they did last year.

All is not lost.

Would a legit 1LW be nice to have ? Sure. But if the Hawks don't get one mean the 2016/17 is a lost cause? I may be in the minority, but I don't think so. Especially if the Hawks can add Campbell to an arguably improved d-corps.

Keith-Seabrook-Hjalmarsson-Campbell-TvR-Kempny is solid and may end up being one of the top d-corps in the league, and it will be a fair sight better than what the Hawks had when they got booted out of the 1st round 2 months ago.

Granted the Hawks forward lines need some things to go their way, but even there they won't have the Cup hangover shortened off season so Toews and Hossa should have better seasons than they did last year.

All is not lost.
- EbonyRaptor

Agree. Top 4 D is definitely more important right now. Getting the Toews line scoring would be next.

Important newsflash: there are no Saads, Shaws or even TT's left in the Hawks system. Maybe Schmaltz is a different and in some ways better version of TT some day, but after that, you're dreaming.
- John Jaeckel

No offense JJ, but no one rode Saad harder than you the first year he played. I have faith that between Hartman, Schmaltz, Motte and Vinny...someone one or two will step up. They just need to play.

Good Lord! I go to sleep and all hell seemingly breaks loose, or the GM's were awake all night playing NHL 16 and trying some trades. Good to see some news, although I'd love to see the Hawks doing something sooner rather than later

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%
- molly2522

Most of us live in IL, and we all know the income tax is 3.5%. Nice try.

What credible source ever mentioned there was a hometown discount involved in their extension?
- Al

Hey Al!

That was more of me spitballin' thinking there may have been a discount based on the circumstances, didn't intend to make it sound like I have any sources, I'm just a fan lol.

With that being said, whether they ended up having a slight discount over what they could've gotten in free agency or not, I still think it was a good deal for the Hawks, and it was a fair price, and anyone complaining about it today just isn't considering the context of what was going on back then.

If Grosso is to be considered a legit source, he says the cap space created with the Subban trade is to be allocated for Ladd as their #1 priority.

Does that mean Shipchayov is not in their cards now? Have to believe if not that CHI has to be the next best destination.

Get him and Campbell at the right prices, move AA and they may just find that missing LW.

Hawks need to make BOLD trade ! not Kruger or AA something outside the box

the way today has gone i woudln't be suprised to see the Hawks trade Kaner

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'm sure it's already been mentioned (and probably ignored), but this is not exactly Stamkos taking a discount to help his team out - he simply did the math as it relates to taxes.

Florida is a no state tax states meaning that Stamkos is going to pocket more money than some other high paid players who have higher cap hits. Just to put this into perspective, the Leafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37m AAV over 7 years to NET same (after taxes) payout in salary as Tampa's $8.5m over 8 years. The Leafs or and a lot of other teams would have had to have been over $12.5m+ just for him to get slightly more actual money than what he'll get in Tampa with a team that is closer to a cup. That's not a discount - that's a still taking probably the best money deal on the table.

Edit to add: It's a discount from what Toews/Kane took, though. To be expect though tbh.

I'm sure it's already been mentioned (and probably ignored), but this is not exactly Stamkos taking a discount to help his team out - he simply did the math as it relates to taxes.

Florida is a no state tax states means that Stamkos is going to pocket more money than some other high paid players. Just to put this into perfpective, the Leafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37M AAV over 7 yrs to NET same (after taxes) as payout in salary as Tampa's $8.5M over 8 years. The Leafs or other teams would have had to have been over $12.5m+ just for him to get slightly more actual money than what he'll get in Tampa with a team that is closer to a cup.
- L_B_R

he stayed with a chance to win and same money

Hawks need to make BOLD trade ! not Kruger or AA something outside the box
- lovinhawks

Seabrook for Severson?

the way today has gone i woudln't be suprised to see the Hawks trade Kaner
- SaskHawkFan

Hush your mouth !

I'm sure it's already been mentioned (and probably ignored), but this is not exactly Stamkos taking a discount to help his team out - he simply did the math as it relates to taxes.

Florida is a no state tax states meaning that Stamkos is going to pocket more money than some other high paid players who have higher cap hits. Just to put this into perspective, the Leafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37m AAV over 7 years to NET same (after taxes) payout in salary as Tampa's $8.5m over 8 years. The Leafs or and a lot of other teams would have had to have been over $12.5m+ just for him to get slightly more actual money than what he'll get in Tampa with a team that is closer to a cup. That's not a discount - that's a still taking probably the best money deal on the table.
- L_B_R

This is a fascinating point to me, this gives HUGE advantages to teams in low tax cities/states which can actually play out in real cap dollars. In a stagnating cap environment, this might play more of a factor (for those players who consider their payday the main factor vs. others).

Hush your mouth !
- ikeane

Well some big moves have happened, i doubt the hawks make any big moves it just woudln't suprise me after what happened today.

Hawks need to make BOLD trade ! not Kruger or AA something outside the box
- lovinhawks

Core guys are staying put. No more market for pricey goalies, and all of our core guys control their own destiny - apparently preferring it be in Chicago.

AA and Kruger are your biggest remaining cap hits.

Seabrook for Severson?
- ikeane

Ihe is a Dman, so if he's Swedish....

Ihe is a Dman, so if he's Swedish....
- Marlowe

Severson finished the season in the AHL.....Hardly a wise hockey move. Never replace Seabrook's talent. Net negative.

Pass.

Just heard this:

"Campbell and Hawks getting closer. Not done yet. Both sides working to find common ground. Dallas offering more... for now."
- John Jaeckel

Nice. What's your guess, $2.5M?

Important newsflash: there are no Saads, Shaws or even TT's left in the Hawks system. Maybe Schmaltz is a different and in some ways better version of TT some day, but after that, you're dreaming.
- John Jaeckel

Got to disagree by adding Tyler Motte to that equation and I'm not dreaming. I watched a bunch of Michigan games this year and Motte's the real deal. I'd compare him more to a Shaw with better natural scoring instincts. Not saying he'd be ready to immediately step in, but I'd bet he'd bring more production than TT did in his first year.

This is a fascinating point to me, this gives HUGE advantages to teams in low tax cities/states which can actually play out in real cap dollars. In a stagnating cap environment, this might play more of a factor (for those players who consider their payday the main factor vs. others).
- hawkfan79

Even more:

As Tampa Bay Times analysis in January showed Stamkos could net nearly the same annually after taxes in Tampa Bay at $8.5 million as $10 million in New York (Rangers, Islanders), presuming he’d be a New York City resident (see chart); Stamkos would make more over the length of the deal in Tampa because of the extra year. Stamkos would net just $500,000 less annually than a $10 million deal Detroit, another strong suitor, but, again, more over the length of the deal.

Found here: http://www.tampabay.com/b...amkos-sweepstakes/2283286

I'm sure it's already been mentioned (and probably ignored), but this is not exactly Stamkos taking a discount to help his team out - he simply did the math as it relates to taxes.

Florida is a no state tax states meaning that Stamkos is going to pocket more money than some other high paid players who have higher cap hits. Just to put this into perspective, the Leafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37m AAV over 7 years to NET same (after taxes) payout in salary as Tampa's $8.5m over 8 years. The Leafs or and a lot of other teams would have had to have been over $12.5m+ just for him to get slightly more actual money than what he'll get in Tampa with a team that is closer to a cup. That's not a discount - that's a still taking probably the best money deal on the table.
- L_B_R

This^^^^^
And per @SportsTaxMan CPA and director of sports and entertainment practice at PKF O'Connor Davies LLP - more at his Twitter feed re the ties of Stamkos decision.
#MapleLeafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37M AAV ovr 7 yrs to NET same(after taxes)as TB $8.5M over 8 yrs. #NHL

Edit: possibly quoted in or quoting the article L_B_R used

I'm sure it's already been mentioned (and probably ignored), but this is not exactly Stamkos taking a discount to help his team out - he simply did the math as it relates to taxes.

Florida is a no state tax states meaning that Stamkos is going to pocket more money than some other high paid players who have higher cap hits. Just to put this into perspective, the Leafs would have had to pay Stamkos $12.37m AAV over 7 years to NET same (after taxes) payout in salary as Tampa's $8.5m over 8 years. The Leafs or and a lot of other teams would have had to have been over $12.5m+ just for him to get slightly more actual money than what he'll get in Tampa with a team that is closer to a cup. That's not a discount - that's a still taking probably the best money deal on the table.
- L_B_R

Well done. I bet Stamkos has a good agent and tax attorney.

I could see Stammer winning a Cup with Tampa in the next few years and then wanting to return home to Toronto right about the time that Lou-Shanny-Cock have righted the ship.