Enroth?
- ikeane

Or lindback

I see where you're going with this, but wouldn't we be filling One void (1LW) by creating another (G)? Does that make the team stronger? It may work out but it's a risk. Plus, after this season Darling (as the #1) would be in for a raise and based on other deals in the league you can expect he would make close to $4 million. I think we'd need a more experienced back up with would cost around $1.5 to $2 million. There wouldn't be much cap space for a 1LW in the long term.
- DarthKane

Here comes the chi/buf flip...instead of kane for miller now it will be kane for crow (red font)

With out the space to fill our holes....well we can't do anything without it bread man needing a raise next year...no more prospects to trade away... And the only significant cap relief is coming from the core
- southernhawk

If Kruger is exposed in the expansion draft and Panarin doesn't hit his bonuses again there is the cap space needed to re-sign #72.

If Kruger is exposed in the expansion draft and Panarin doesn't hit his bonuses again there is the cap space needed to re-sign #72.
- DarthKane

Kruger might get taken...might...and I wouldn't bet against Panarin...he'll light it up

Or lindback
- southernhawk

Going from Crawford-Darling to Darling-Enroth or Darling-Linback would be a downgrade and a significant risk. I'm not saying it couldn't work, but it's not a slam dunk either.

I would prefer to go with the sign Richard's and move Anisimov to the 1LW. That isn't without risk either, but it's much less risk.

I would sign him to a 3 year deal at 1.4 a year and keep him...and that helps our wing depth
- southernhawk

Certainly he'd add some depth and would come cheap...Richards would also be another depth piece, but the FO seems to be holding out hope that the Russians are coming or they'll be able to sign Vesey. Good luck with that.

Going from Crawford-Darling to Darling-Enroth or Darling-Linback would be a downgrade and a significant risk. I'm not saying it couldn't work, but it's not a slam dunk either.

I would prefer to go with the sign Richard's and move Anisimov to the 1LW. That isn't without risk either, but it's much less risk.
- DarthKane

I know..but it also kick the cap can down the road some more

If Kruger is exposed in the expansion draft and Panarin doesn't hit his bonuses again there is the cap space needed to re-sign #72.
- DarthKane

I see this, does his contract have those bonuses for both years? If so, is the criteria the same for the second year as the first?

Certainly he'd add some depth and would come cheap...Richards would also be another depth piece, but the FO seems to be holding out hope that the Russians are coming or they'll be able to sign Vesey. Good luck with that.
- DK002

Best case i think at this point in time.

I've seen or imagined worse going into this season;

https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/158942

I see this, does his contract have those bonuses for both years? If so, is the criteria the same for the second year as the first?
- vabeachbear

As far as I know, yes.

Here comes the chi/buf flip...instead of kane for miller now it will be kane for crow (red font)
- ikeane

Most teams pay $6 million + for their goaltending duo. If Crawford was dealt we'd still need to pay around $6 million for 2 goalies and there wouldn't be much cap savings.

I don't think we can expect to have a team with no holes, every team has a good they need to fill. We won 3 Cups without a legit 2C, we can win without a legit 2LW (considering Panarin the 1LW)

Best case i think at this point in time.

I've seen or imagined worse going into this season;

https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/158942
- vabeachbear

I don't think B.Richards is needed if Vesey is signed (and he actually can play 1LW - no guarantee). Versteeg - meh.

If Vesey plays 1LW, then I think they could go with this for a bottom-6:

Panik-Kruger-Schmaltz/Hartman
Desjardins-Rasmussen-Lundberg/McNeill

Couple of funny things this AM already

1) Tuevo on the golf course, looking suspiciously like he did on the ice at times:

2) Laz, poking fun at/chafing at what he's been told to say today? (prospects JUST took the ice)

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 2m2 minutes ago
My analysis: Everyone looks sharp. Spirited effort. High upside. High potential. High ceiling. The future looks bright. #ProspectCamp

Best case i think at this point in time.

I've seen or imagined worse going into this season;

https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/158942
- vabeachbear

And versteeg can play that LW 1 if vessy isn't here

Going from Crawford-Darling to Darling-Enroth or Darling-Linback would be a downgrade and a significant risk. I'm not saying it couldn't work, but it's not a slam dunk either.

I would prefer to go with the sign Richard's and move Anisimov to the 1LW. That isn't without risk either, but it's much less risk.
- DarthKane

my
Same, having a healthy Crow with this defense in front of him will be a Vezina season for him. I do want to see them preserve Crow more and play Darling a lot more. 2:1 ratio would be great. You get to see what you have with Darling getting more time just in case Crow needs to be dealt in the offseason.

If they sign Richards, I hope Q gives Krugs some time at 2C so the Hawks can see what they have with him as well now. He's not the same small bodied, weak at the dot center he was when he came up. He's learned how to use his body and be aggressive, plays both ways (on the ice), etc. Richards skates slightly better than Zus did during his time here and that 2nd line is even faster than it was when Zus was here and Richards will only slow them down but it remains to be seen. Maybe get him some PED's!

Kruger might get taken...might...and I wouldn't bet against Panarin...he'll light it up
- southernhawk

Kruger would get taken, IMO.

LV won't have any non-productive cap-heavy legacy contracts - and if they draft smart, they won't add any. Kruger at $3.1 (?) would be a very nice puck-up - at worst a bottom line mainstay with Cup experience, PK leadership, FO success (if his wrist is healed), cost controlled for two years - if the Hawks weren't so continuously cap-strapped, we'd be celebrating his contract.

Who would back up Darling? Of Crawford is dealt my first choice is to go with Darling as the starter but we need a quality back up in case he gets hurt.
- DarthKane

Is Carruth being groomed to be an eventual backup or is he considered a career AHLer? I wonder if he gets a cup of coffee or two this season. Can't see him ever being a starter but then again I thought the same thing about Leighton and Anderson.

Most teams pay $6 million + for their goaltending duo. If Crawford was dealt we'd still need to pay around $6 million for 2 goalies and there wouldn't be much cap savings.

I don't think we can expect to have a team with no holes, every team has a good they need to fill. We won 3 Cups without a legit 2C, we can win without a legit 2LW (considering Panarin the 1LW)
- DarthKane

If Crawford doesn't get moved until next summer (assuming he'll be moved just to play along), and Darling remains a back-up next year, how much do you think he resigns for - a career back-up who hasn't proven to be good for 45-50 games in a season - or, really, for more than 3 or 4 in the play-offs?

I would guess less than $2MM - which (with a new back-up at $1MM) saves you about $3MM on the cap.

Enough to sign Panarin? Maybe....

Same, having a healthy Crow with this defense in front of him will be a Vezina season for him. I do want to see them preserve Crow more and play Darling a lot more. 2:1 ratio would be great. You get to see what you have with Darling getting more time just in case Crow needs to be dealt in the offseason.
- Assman22

I like this ratio of splitting games between Crawford and Darling. Not a fan of teams that play their starting goalie 70+ games a year like the Capitals with Holtby. It's better to conserve the starter's energy for the long haul (i.e. playoffs) and keep your backup sharp, IMHO.

Is Carruth being groomed to be an eventual backup or is he considered a career AHLer? I wonder if he gets a cup of coffee or two this season. Can't see him ever being a starter but then again I thought the same thing about Leighton and Anderson.
- AEL_Fox

What about Lars Johansson, who they signed from Europe this summer? Assuming he proves he can transition to the smaller ice, his numbers were pretty good.

For anyone in Chicago interested in attending some of the prospect camp:


- pdx2ord

ETA: Interesting that they are not scrimmaging Team C, which is the one that is loaded with the top guys

I know there's a group of fans who want to bring Versteeg back and another camp that wants nothing to do with him. I'm in the latter camp. I just don't see his appeal. The Hawks haven't retained him several times for a reason. He has a favorable cap hit, so money isn't the problem like it was for trying to retain the likes of Ladd, Byfuglien, Campbell, Oduya, Saad, and Shaw.

There are arguments for why Versteeg would be a good fit to return to the Hawks, but my take is that the Hawks would have retained him instead of let him go a few times already if he really was that valuable to the team. Again, his cap hit isn't the issue so it has to be another reason why the Hawks are not rushing to resign him.

FYI from Tanner's blog:

The most underrated player in NHL history is Marrian Hossa, who has been to five Stanley Cup finals, won three, is the best (or close enough) defensive player of his generation and even at 37 continues to play at a nearly elite level.

If he isn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the Hall of Fame should just close.

I just can't believe the Hawks would get a return of someone capable of holding down 1LW job with 19 and 81.

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, just don't see it.
- vabeachbear

it would take more than just TVR for that, IMHO

I guess if you had another trade in place to bring back a bonafide 1 or 2LW, you could moved Crow for Marazek.

Should net you about 3 or 4 mil of cap space.

Don't know why Detroit would do it, maybe if you threw in TVR (since he can't speak Czech), and asked for a draft pick back as well.

I dunno, seems like more of a trade for after this season.

Still think with Hawks 1-6 Dman and Crow as G, you have the best in the league. If they play up to their ability, they won't need to score 4 and 5 goals a game.

D and goaltending wins in the playoffs.
- vabeachbear