Panarin won't make a penny less than whatever Kucherov gets in Tampa. That is the benchmark. Same goes for Gaudreau's next deal as well.
- hawks2010

I think Panarin can be in the ballpark of a Kucherov contract if he can (1) duplicate or better his stats from last season going into his sophomore year, and (2) prove he can be just as productive not playing with Kane. I read an article not too long ago (the source is slipping my mind but it was along the lines of TSN or THN or Sportsnet) that said Panarin's advanced stats slipped considerably last year whenever he and Kane weren't on the ice together. Contrast that to Kucherov who still had a monster 3rd year despite his other elite teammates (Stamkos, Johnson, Palat) having down years from what analysts, experts, and fans expected of them. So if Panarin can do what Kucherov did, then he has more leverage. If we are just basing a contract projection on his rookie season, Saad's contract is more realistic as the high end, IMHO.

Since there was talk last week of Hudler going to the Canucks, maybe Stan was able to get him and his agent to hold off until this marathon is over. Not sure he's going to be keen on being an obvious 2nd (last?) choice, and he might give Chicago the finger. If so, it looks like player development will be the order of the day for Q et al.
- pdx2ord

On the one hand, I agree with you, being a team's 2nd, 3rd, or last option would rub many players the wrong way (I know I'd be peeved) and immediately close off any chance of him signing with the team. On the other hand (and this isn't meant to be snarky with you), if Hudler was that good, then he'd be signed by now. He could've given the Hawks the finger but then run off to sign with who? Nobody is knocking down his door right now for his services.

With Vermette , Vrbata and a few others off the market, gotta wonder because after reading some of these posts , Vesey is stayin out east. Who plays on Jonathen Toews left wing in the event that Hudler goes to another team which he may very well do. Gotta think Tazer will be fuming mad if he has to go another season looking at Rummies like Panik and a few other Rene Bourques on his left side. That is the issue that seems to be skirted around here, the What if 's . Any answers ? Cause Toews already can't be too happy with the potential if Bowman whiffs on everything.
- wonthecup10

Well then he needs to put big boy pants on because kane has had to play with crap as well though I'd move panarin to line 1 or kane to even scoring out.

If they strike out on vesey how long till the shipov count down start

On the one hand, I agree with you, being a team's 2nd, 3rd, or last option would rub many players the wrong way (I know I'd be peeved) and immediately close off any chance of him signing with the team. On the other hand (and this isn't meant to be snarky with you), if Hudler was that good, then he'd be signed by now. He could've given the Hawks the finger but then run off to sign with who? Nobody is knocking down his door right now for his services.
- AEL_Fox

Good point - maybe he and/or his agent have tempered their expectations accordingly and would be thrilled to go to a perennial contender.

TSN's Craig Button on why Vesey can make an impact right away in the NHL.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/vid...a-special-player%7E931538

Thing about Hossa... is he still has really good jump.
- wiz1901

Said it a 1000 times, don't worry about Hossa, he'll be fine.

Funny reading and catching up on the last few 5 or 6 pages;

Hawks had meeting at 11 am; Hawks weren't presenting in the first day

Toews is making the pitch; Kane is the only player there

Vesey is listening to the Hayes', you know, just like all players around the league who want info on the Hawks listen to the Hayes'

Vesey only wants to stay in the east;

Moral of the story, just because someone who you've never heard of before tweets something that looks like a breaking news story doesn't make it true.

Also, please try and refrain from judgements about what people are thinking when you've never even met them, really is illogical

yeah, I doubt Hayes will mention that he was there opening night last season when the Blackhawks raised their championship banner - on the visiting NYR team. Ha! still love that.
- matt_ahrens

The thing about Hayes is he's really smart to not sign with the Hawks

His brother likely told him there would be little chance for him to work on his game at the NHL level and Kevin's career would go down the tubes if he got buried in Rockford

The Blackhawks organization is very good at scouting and reasonably good at drafting, but as far as player development, post Tallon, is sub-par

The only players Stan has drafted and made it to the NHL level have all but skipped the transition from minors to the big league.

So kudos to Kevin Hayes for playing his position into his favor. He could have been another Mark McNiel

Jimmy Vesey & his agents scheduled to meet with Chicago, Rangers, Bruins today, per source.

This is via a tweet from Mark Divver who covers hockey for the Providence Journal. Seems pretty connected to the collegiate hockey scene in New England.

I was leaning that way the last couple of weeks...And where I'm hearing whispers saying he is coming are from someone I have known a long time. He' s connected but never really gets into rumors....He says Vesey is coming and for now I won't bet against.
- Al

I think that the quiet, no leaks and limited information here is a good thing. Al, JJ and the folks who usually 'hear things' (and share them) aren't so much. Hoping that means that something (good for the Hawks) is afoot.

Funny reading and catching up on the last few 5 or 6 pages;

Hawks had meeting at 11 am; Hawks weren't presenting in the first day
- vabeachbear

Tweet came out Tuesday night referring to Wednesday at 11.

The thing about Hayes is he's really smart to not sign with the Hawks

His brother likely told him there would be little chance for him to work on his game at the NHL level and Kevin's career would go down the tubes if he got buried in Rockford

The Blackhawks organization is very good at scouting and reasonably good at drafting, but as far as player development, post Tallon, is sub-par

The only players Stan has drafted and made it to the NHL level have all but skipped the transition from minors to the big league.

So kudos to Kevin Hayes for playing his position into his favor. He could have been another Mark McNiel
- Fistafury17

We'll never know for sure, but you make a lot of sense. There is a huge difference between the NHL and Ahl paychecks. But guys who tend to dodge a challenge to maximize a paycheck don't tend to be guys to count on to make a difference when they do have to face a challenge. So far, that makes sense too.

JJ--

I read that Vesey turned the Wings down, stating he wants to play closer to home and that Detroit was too far.

If this is truly the case, then surely the Hawks are out of the race as well.

Have you heard anything similar to this?

JJ--

I read that Vesey turned the Wings down, stating he wants to play closer to home and that Detroit was too far.

If this is truly the case, then surely the Hawks are out of the race as well.

Have you heard anything similar to this?
- Hank3Henshaw

I wonder if distance was a reference to geography or potential to be on a Cup contender

Funny reading and catching up on the last few 5 or 6 pages;

Hawks had meeting at 11 am; Hawks weren't presenting in the first day

Toews is making the pitch; Kane is the only player there

Vesey is listening to the Hayes', you know, just like all players around the league who want info on the Hawks listen to the Hayes'

Vesey only wants to stay in the east;

Moral of the story, just because someone who you've never heard of before tweets something that looks like a breaking news story doesn't make it true.

Also, please try and refrain from judgements about what people are thinking when you've never even met them, really is illogical
- vabeachbear

Gotta think Toews will most likely make a phone call closer to Friday or be on a conference call when Vesey sits down with Bowman, Q, and Kane. HOF coach and league's MVP telling you that you might be on the same line and that he can get you the puck... Then Toews probably making a call. I can't count out Chicago at all in this whole thing. I think they are at the top of his list.

JJ--

I read that Vesey turned the Wings down, stating he wants to play closer to home and that Detroit was too far.

If this is truly the case, then surely the Hawks are out of the race as well.

Have you heard anything similar to this?
- Hank3Henshaw

Came from a rep of Vesey, not Vesey himself - so ability to backtrack. Also easier to say geography is the issue and be polite than to say the team isn't good enough given the distance from home. And the Hawks have been showing interest without tampering all summer l, are a concistently better recent multiple cup winner and haven't presented yet. Could always say after presentation (if he chooses Hawks) that the presentation blew him away and the opportunity with the Hawks outweighs the location - which by the way ain't bad (big, world class huge fan base and easy numerous flights to BOS).

The thing about Hayes is he's really smart to not sign with the Hawks

His brother likely told him there would be little chance for him to work on his game at the NHL level and Kevin's career would go down the tubes if he got buried in Rockford

The Blackhawks organization is very good at scouting and reasonably good at drafting, but as far as player development, post Tallon, is sub-par

The only players Stan has drafted and made it to the NHL level have all but skipped the transition from minors to the big league.

So kudos to Kevin Hayes for playing his position into his favor. He could have been another Mark McNiel
- Fistafury17

Except he probably would've made the Hawks and contributed...............

Came from a rep of Vesey, not Vesey himself - so ability to backtrack. Also easier to say geography is the issue and be polite than to say the team isn't good enough given the distance from home. And the Hawks have been showing interest without tampering all summer l, are a concistently better recent multiple cup winner and haven't presented yet. Could always say after presentation (if he chooses Hawks) that the presentation blew him away and the opportunity with the Hawks outweighs the location - which by the way ain't bad (big, world class huge fan base and easy numerous flights to BOS).
- Marlowe

Kentucky Fried Movie Baby!

Red Wings to Vesey's agent: How bout if he plays for us in Detroit?
Vesey agent asking Vesey: No! No, not Detroit! No! No, please! Anything but that! No! No!

Vesey's agent: Sorry Wings, Detroit's geography will be an issue

Some Guy Out of Boston:

Wilbur B. Fieldgar ‏@BeeWilbur 39m39 minutes ago
@MurphysLaw74 Hawks meet with Vesey at 11 with Cosch Q Bowman and Kane. Who are Bs brining? Brady maybe?

Said no Toews. Odd.
- pdx2ord

Maybe Toews refused to go and lie about how Vesey is gonna walk in and be the LW without an NHL esperience, and they know Kane will lie easily...but as mentioned, Toews can call in...

The rumors continue to point to him staying very close to home so I think hawks are a longshot now.

Maybe Toews refused to go and lie about how Vesey is gonna walk in and be the LW without an NHL esperience, and they know Kane will lie easily...

The rumors continue to point to him staying very close to home so I think hawks are a longshot now.
- wiz1901

Vesey and kids in his age group typically look up to Kane and try to model their style of play like his. I bet Vesey wants to be a Kane-type player, so it would make sense why they're sending him to meet with Vesey.

The thing about Hayes is he's really smart to not sign with the Hawks

His brother likely told him there would be little chance for him to work on his game at the NHL level and Kevin's career would go down the tubes if he got buried in Rockford. So kudos to Kevin Hayes for playing his position into his favor. He could have been another Mark McNiel
- Fistafury17

Wait.

BY playing out of college with NYR Hayes got to play. (I understand and agree)
BUT

Playing in the minors and waiting wouldn't have caused him to backslide.

And maybe the comparison about languishing in the minors is what you meant, not necessarily a statemnet that reverses into Mark McNeill would be a pro if he played in a lesser organization.

IF you want to talk about a HAYES who lanquished to attempt a McNeill comparison, it was his brother Jimmy, who simply didn't have the makings ability to his coachable assets to:
a) Break in with the hawks
b) Hold a position in Florida
or
c) improve as a Bruin.


And as far as the Blackhawks organziation is "sub-par" at developing prospects, I suggest you go back and look at the in house players that have graced out parent team that WERE first developed in the AHL minor pro system.

The Cap basically caused for many departures of organizational grown talent, and your opinion may be more tied to the inability to the "Detroit Red Wings" plan of slowly bring up your draftees when truly closer to ready as opposed to paying for on-the-job training) and the players simply not advancing due to their abilities and make-up, not the coaching.You can coach a guy to attempt to make him more hockey smart, but he still has to have the tools and toolbox and acquired the instincts of putting it together, not the easiest thing to do, even after a guy has been a successful junior player.
(The proof would be that every one from Beach,Pirri, Jimmy Hayes, etc. NEVER made impact or planted a foothold on in other organizations, in a time when lower cost fills are almost a need.)

Except Hayes probably would've made the Hawks and contributed...............
- vabeachbear

Yes.
He probably wouldn't have been on the RW with the Hawk and would have been asked to play a strong two way game, and even waited until he BEAT someone out.

Maybe Toews refused to go and lie about how Vesey is gonna walk in and be the LW without an NHL esperience, and they know Kane will lie easily...but as mentioned, Toews can call in...

The rumors continue to point to him staying very close to home so I think hawks are a longshot now.
- wiz1901

Keep in mind Toews has not done anything with the team this summer.

He has been on his own agenda for once and if he isn't going to the fan convention, missing the Vesey dog and pony show shouldn't be a shock.

Plus... not saying I wouldn't have brought Toews but for sure I would bring Kane.
East coast kid who is now a HOF player and has adopted Chicago as his home.

We'll never know for sure, but you make a lot of sense. There is a huge difference between the NHL and Ahl paychecks. But guys who tend to dodge a challenge to maximize a paycheck don't tend to be guys to count on to make a difference when they do have to face a challenge. So far, that makes sense too.
- 6628

6628 just nicely stated, that Kevin Hayes was looking for a big NHL check right-away-ice time right away, and wanted to by-pass being "part of the organization" and "growing his game" and "waiting for his chance."

I also think 6628 means paying your dues, fighting through adversity and working your way had little appeal to Hayes.

and that in the long run, how you got there (NHL) the roads you travelled, the sacrifices you made, are what (for many) gives you the raons to fight through in the Stanley Cup matches.

(did I re-write your thought or am I off base, 6628?)