Hartman I think will be one of the 7 forwards that we protect? Teows, Kane, Pan, AA,Hossa, Hartman, + 1 more.
- kmw4631

The major issue is the "exposure requirement" and that is causing the Hartman situation to be real. See below info from Pierre LeBrun:

No team will likely have more players on the league's protected list than Chicago. Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford -- count them, eight! -- all have no-movement clauses.

Of course, it's pretty likely the Blackhawks would have protected those players anyway, right? The reality is that Chicago is in pretty good shape in terms of the expansion draft. And here's a nice break for the Blackhawks: Scoring winger Artemi Panarin is exempt from the expansion draft as a second-year pro, so Chicago doesn't even have to add him to its list. First-year blue-liners Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny are also exempt, as are all the Blackhawks' rookie forwards.

The big question mark will be forward Marcus Kruger, who has two more years on his deal after this season at a $3.08 million cap hit. Kruger is a very good penalty killer, yes, but is he a guy Chicago would really protect? Because remember, they have to come up with at least four players to expose who meet the criteria, and Kruger would perhaps fit the bill as one of their two forwards. As it stands, I think Trevor van Riemsdyk will be the defenseman left exposed.

Regardless of the Kruger decision, the Blackhawks will need to sign and/or trade for another forward or two who meets the exposure criteria (or extend some of their own expiring unrestricted free agents, such as Andrew Desjardins and/or Jordin Tootoo). They can't currently fill the exposure requirements.

Same goes for goalies. Scott Darling doesn't qualify because he will be a UFA on July 1. So either Chicago signs him expressly for that purpose or goes elsewhere to find that exposable goalie. Lots of teams are in the same boat, in terms of not having four players who meet the criteria that they can exposure in the draft. And since there is plenty of time between now and June, and these aren't difficult moves, it's really just housekeeping for the Blackhawks.

The major issue is the "exposure requirement" and that is causing the Hartman situation to be real. See below info from Pierre LeBrun:

No team will likely have more players on the league's protected list than Chicago. Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford -- count them, eight! -- all have no-movement clauses.

Of course, it's pretty likely the Blackhawks would have protected those players anyway, right? The reality is that Chicago is in pretty good shape in terms of the expansion draft. And here's a nice break for the Blackhawks: Scoring winger Artemi Panarin is exempt from the expansion draft as a second-year pro, so Chicago doesn't even have to add him to its list. First-year blue-liners Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny are also exempt, as are all the Blackhawks' rookie forwards.

The big question mark will be forward Marcus Kruger, who has two more years on his deal after this season at a $3.08 million cap hit. Kruger is a very good penalty killer, yes, but is he a guy Chicago would really protect? Because remember, they have to come up with at least four players to expose who meet the criteria, and Kruger would perhaps fit the bill as one of their two forwards. As it stands, I think Trevor van Riemsdyk will be the defenseman left exposed.

Regardless of the Kruger decision, the Blackhawks will need to sign and/or trade for another forward or two who meets the exposure criteria (or extend some of their own expiring unrestricted free agents, such as Andrew Desjardins and/or Jordin Tootoo). They can't currently fill the exposure requirements.

Same goes for goalies. Scott Darling doesn't qualify because he will be a UFA on July 1. So either Chicago signs him expressly for that purpose or goes elsewhere to find that exposable goalie. Lots of teams are in the same boat, in terms of not having four players who meet the criteria that they can exposure in the draft. And since there is plenty of time between now and June, and these aren't difficult moves, it's really just housekeeping for the Blackhawks.
- onehundredlevel

I think Mac Carruth meets the criteria for exposure in the expansion draft.

The major issue is the "exposure requirement" and that is causing the Hartman situation to be real. See below info from Pierre LeBrun:

No team will likely have more players on the league's protected list than Chicago. Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford -- count them, eight! -- all have no-movement clauses.

Of course, it's pretty likely the Blackhawks would have protected those players anyway, right? The reality is that Chicago is in pretty good shape in terms of the expansion draft. And here's a nice break for the Blackhawks: Scoring winger Artemi Panarin is exempt from the expansion draft as a second-year pro, so Chicago doesn't even have to add him to its list. First-year blue-liners Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny are also exempt, as are all the Blackhawks' rookie forwards.

The big question mark will be forward Marcus Kruger, who has two more years on his deal after this season at a $3.08 million cap hit. Kruger is a very good penalty killer, yes, but is he a guy Chicago would really protect? Because remember, they have to come up with at least four players to expose who meet the criteria, and Kruger would perhaps fit the bill as one of their two forwards. As it stands, I think Trevor van Riemsdyk will be the defenseman left exposed.

Regardless of the Kruger decision, the Blackhawks will need to sign and/or trade for another forward or two who meets the exposure criteria (or extend some of their own expiring unrestricted free agents, such as Andrew Desjardins and/or Jordin Tootoo). They can't currently fill the exposure requirements.

Same goes for goalies. Scott Darling doesn't qualify because he will be a UFA on July 1. So either Chicago signs him expressly for that purpose or goes elsewhere to find that exposable goalie. Lots of teams are in the same boat, in terms of not having four players who meet the criteria that they can exposure in the draft. And since there is plenty of time between now and June, and these aren't difficult moves, it's really just housekeeping for the Blackhawks.
- onehundredlevel

my guess is the extend Tootoo for the league Min and tell him they are going to play in Rockford. Desi might not go for that.

The major issue is the "exposure requirement" and that is causing the Hartman situation to be real. See below info from Pierre LeBrun:

No team will likely have more players on the league's protected list than Chicago. Artem Anisimov, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford -- count them, eight! -- all have no-movement clauses.

Of course, it's pretty likely the Blackhawks would have protected those players anyway, right? The reality is that Chicago is in pretty good shape in terms of the expansion draft. And here's a nice break for the Blackhawks: Scoring winger Artemi Panarin is exempt from the expansion draft as a second-year pro, so Chicago doesn't even have to add him to its list. First-year blue-liners Gustav Forsling and Michal Kempny are also exempt, as are all the Blackhawks' rookie forwards.

The big question mark will be forward Marcus Kruger, who has two more years on his deal after this season at a $3.08 million cap hit. Kruger is a very good penalty killer, yes, but is he a guy Chicago would really protect? Because remember, they have to come up with at least four players to expose who meet the criteria, and Kruger would perhaps fit the bill as one of their two forwards. As it stands, I think Trevor van Riemsdyk will be the defenseman left exposed.

Regardless of the Kruger decision, the Blackhawks will need to sign and/or trade for another forward or two who meets the exposure criteria (or extend some of their own expiring unrestricted free agents, such as Andrew Desjardins and/or Jordin Tootoo). They can't currently fill the exposure requirements.

Same goes for goalies. Scott Darling doesn't qualify because he will be a UFA on July 1. So either Chicago signs him expressly for that purpose or goes elsewhere to find that exposable goalie. Lots of teams are in the same boat, in terms of not having four players who meet the criteria that they can exposure in the draft. And since there is plenty of time between now and June, and these aren't difficult moves, it's really just housekeeping for the Blackhawks.
- onehundredlevel

As things stand now (per capfriendly.com) Hartman and Kruger are the only two forwards that meet the expansion draft requirements. TvR fulfills the dman requirements and Carruth goaltending. In the absence of any other moves it's safe to say the team will lose one of Hartman, Kruger, or TvR. Stan could re-sign Panik and/or Rasmussen to give the team more options and allow them to protect Hartman.

My guess is that Hartman would be involved in trade for Duchene level player.
- DarthKane

You take that back!

As things stand now (per capfriendly.com) Hartman and Kruger are the only two forwards that meet the expansion draft requirements. TvR fulfills the dman requirements and Carruth goaltending. In the absence of any other moves it's safe to say the team will lose one of Hartman, Kruger, or TvR. Stan could re-sign Panik and/or Rasmussen to give the team more options and allow them to protect Hartman.
- DarthKane

Hartman > Schmaltz

Right now at least.

As things stand now (per capfriendly.com) Hartman and Kruger are the only two forwards that meet the expansion draft requirements. TvR fulfills the dman requirements and Carruth goaltending. In the absence of any other moves it's safe to say the team will lose one of Hartman, Kruger, or TvR. Stan could re-sign Panik and/or Rasmussen to give the team more options and allow them to protect Hartman.
- DarthKane

I think you have to hang on to and later protect Hartman. Might have something special in that guy. He is kind of a mixture of Shaw/Bicks. Big/strong guy with nice hands and really good wheels. Not many like him in the system.

Hartman > Schmaltz

Right now at least.
- 93Joe

True, but for purposes of the expansion draft we can exclude Schmaltz from the discussion since he's exempt.

I think you have to hang on to and later protect Hartman. Might have something special in that guy. He is kind of a mixture of Shaw/Bicks. Big/strong guy with nice hands and really good wheels. Not many like him in the system.
- z1990z

Protecting Hartman would be my preference too, but that would mean re-signing an RFA or UFA so the team meets the minimum number of qualified forwards to expose.

Protecting Hartman would be my preference too, but that would mean re-signing an RFA or UFA so the team meets the minimum number of qualified forwards to expose.
- DarthKane

I think you have to do just that. Our pipeline has been thinned a bit with recent trades. Hartman is just scratching the surface on his abilities.

Protecting Hartman would be my preference too, but that would mean re-signing an RFA or UFA so the team meets the minimum number of qualified forwards to expose.
- DarthKane

Teams have two main protection options via the official expansion draft rules. They can either opt to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or just eight total skaters (any combination of forwards and defensemen) plus a goalie.

My guess is the Blackhawks will utilize the first. They have four forwards and three defensemen signed through 2017-18, who each have NMCs that require they be protected: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Artem Anisimov, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

The first option will cover all seven and leave room to protect up to three more forwards. Hartman would surely be protected if he didn’t have to be exposed, but only way he gets one of those slots is by getting replaced by another forward.

The only way that can happen is if another veteran forward signs a new contract to meet the exposure requirements. Richard Panik and Dennis Rasmussen will be restricted free agents if not signed before July 1, while Andrew Desjardins and Jordin Tootoo will be unrestricted.

Would Panik or Rasmussen agree to a new contract prior to the expansion draft if they feel there’s a chance they’ll take Hartman’s place in the pool of exposed forwards?

Not likely.

Desjardins or Tootoo might agree to a new deal in time, just to guarantee another NHL contract, but would the Blackhawks risk keeping either one another season?

Again, not likely.

And that leads us to another way they can protect Hartman.

Using assets

Once Vegas owner Bill Foley makes the final payment on the $500 million expansion fee to the NHL, his team will be allowed to officially conduct business.

That means if the final payment is made prior to the NHL trade deadline of March 1, Vegas general manager George McPhee might become a player around the deadline. I recently spoke with a front-office exec from another team who expects Vegas to use the expansion draft to bolster its organizational assets, seeking draft picks and/or prospects in exchange for not selecting certain players.

For example, the Blackhawks could strike a deal with McPhee to not select Hartman (or van Riemsdyk) in exchange for a draft pick, prospect or both. This is a more likely scenario, in my opinion, should the Blackhawks decide Hartman needs protection – and let’s be clear here, they should.

Havent heard much about him but has Milan Michalek declined that badly? If the hawks could get him at 50%, not sure if he would be rejuvinated with 19 and 81? Right now Toronto is paying over three million dollars to keep him in the minors. Leafs eat half of his salary and getting maybe a surplus d man may work for both sides.

Thoughts?

Teams have two main protection options via the official expansion draft rules. They can either opt to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or just eight total skaters (any combination of forwards and defensemen) plus a goalie.

My guess is the Blackhawks will utilize the first. They have four forwards and three defensemen signed through 2017-18, who each have NMCs that require they be protected: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Artem Anisimov, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson.

The first option will cover all seven and leave room to protect up to three more forwards. Hartman would surely be protected if he didn’t have to be exposed, but only way he gets one of those slots is by getting replaced by another forward.

The only way that can happen is if another veteran forward signs a new contract to meet the exposure requirements. Richard Panik and Dennis Rasmussen will be restricted free agents if not signed before July 1, while Andrew Desjardins and Jordin Tootoo will be unrestricted.

Would Panik or Rasmussen agree to a new contract prior to the expansion draft if they feel there’s a chance they’ll take Hartman’s place in the pool of exposed forwards?

Not likely.

Desjardins or Tootoo might agree to a new deal in time, just to guarantee another NHL contract, but would the Blackhawks risk keeping either one another season?

Again, not likely.

And that leads us to another way they can protect Hartman.

Using assets

Once Vegas owner Bill Foley makes the final payment on the $500 million expansion fee to the NHL, his team will be allowed to officially conduct business.

That means if the final payment is made prior to the NHL trade deadline of March 1, Vegas general manager George McPhee might become a player around the deadline. I recently spoke with a front-office exec from another team who expects Vegas to use the expansion draft to bolster its organizational assets, seeking draft picks and/or prospects in exchange for not selecting certain players.

For example, the Blackhawks could strike a deal with McPhee to not select Hartman (or van Riemsdyk) in exchange for a draft pick, prospect or both. This is a more likely scenario, in my opinion, should the Blackhawks decide Hartman needs protection – and let’s be clear here, they should.
- onehundredlevel

Why not? Unless I am misunderstanding, Panik and Rasmussen can still be claimed even if they are not part of the team's minimum exposure requirements. They aren't protected like Panarin and Schmaltz. I'd re-sign them both if possible, Panik to a 1 year deal and Rasmussen to a 2 year deal.

Personally, knowing the logic behind the Hawks interest in Duchene, I think they are quite willing to "overpay" to acquire the right guy with a couple of years left on his deal.

JVR, Duchene, Tatar come to mind.

I know the rumor police will want to quash that line of thinking, but hey . . . Doesn't mean they won't have to default in the end to an expiring contract like Vanek, or (ugh) Sharp or Iginla.

But think about it, if the Hawks grab say Vanek this year, and he goes somewhere else this summer, then they have to overpay again next year for a left wing possibly. The "two year" investment actually makes some sense.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, isnt JVR an RFA after this year?

Re: Expansion draft and Hartman, Stan could always make a deal here at the deadline for some 4th liner making less than $1M next year for a late draft pick that meets the criteria for the expansion draft. Or as others have mentioned, could try to extend Panik or Rasmussen here too. Lots of ways to address that issue.

Re: Expansion draft and Hartman, Stan could always make a deal here at the deadline for some 4th liner making less than $1M next year for a late draft pick that meets the criteria for the expansion draft. Or as others have mentioned, could try to extend Panik or Rasmussen here too. Lots of ways to address that issue.
- Hawksfan37

Dont know but we need to find a way to protect 38. Hes a legit blue chip prospect that is a Hawks pick and Rockford grad.

Re: Expansion draft and Hartman, Stan could always make a deal here at the deadline for some 4th liner making less than $1M next year for a late draft pick that meets the criteria for the expansion draft. Or as others have mentioned, could try to extend Panik or Rasmussen here too. Lots of ways to address that issue.
- Hawksfan37

Doesn't mcneil meet the requirements? Are there any other hogs that could also?

Just because a player is exposed doesn't mean the Hawks will lose the player, it just means the player is eligible to be taken by the Vegas team. So even if the Hawks resign both Panik and Moose and they are not taken they would still be very useful players to have back next year.

Someone correctly me if I am wrong here too, but I am pretty sure I heard that Vegas is only able to choose one player from a team. Once they pick a player from a team, they are no longer able to pick any of the remaining players.

If that is true, out of Kruger, TVR, Panik, Ras, Carruth, or anyone else that could be on the list - I would think Kruger or TVR would be the player to go and the rest would still have a spot on the team (Carruth depending on what happens to Darling and Crow in the offseason).

Just because a player is exposed doesn't mean the Hawks will lose the player, it just means the player is eligible to be taken by the Vegas team. So even if the Hawks resign both Panik and Moose and they are not taken they would still be very useful players to have back next year.

Someone correctly me if I am wrong here too, but I am pretty sure I heard that Vegas is only able to choose one player from a team. Once they pick a player from a team, they are no longer able to pick any of the remaining players.

If that is true, out of Kruger, TVR, Panik, Ras, Carruth, or anyone else that could be on the list - I would think Kruger or TVR would be the player to go and the rest would still have a spot on the team (Carruth depending on what happens to Darling and Crow in the offseason).
- spudrock512

With what I have seen in Moose and now Kero, Im ok letting Kruger go in a trade or Vegas claim. Moose and Kero can easily hold down the 3/4 C spots.

I'm going to be a little contrary here and suggest that the more pressing need is a top 4 D-man. The Hawks only have three right now. Campbell is no longer, I'm afraid. He can be so painful to watch when he has the puck in his own end.

I think Toews and Hossa can carry that line if they are healthy. Health has been what's holding them back, imho. Not just fatigue, but injuries, too. They got the job done with Carcillo, as I've said before. No objection to acquiring a top 6 LW if they can make it work and not give up too much, but I'd rather concentrate on the top 4 D.

I don't know if they should go after Oduya, as much as I loved watching him play with Hammer when he was here. I was informed on this board a few threads ago that he is dealing with a lower body injury. This team hasn't been right since they lost Oduya, though, regardless.

Why not? Unless I am misunderstanding, Panik and Rasmussen can still be claimed even if they are not part of the team's minimum exposure requirements. They aren't protected like Panarin and Schmaltz. I'd re-sign them both if possible, Panik to a 1 year deal and Rasmussen to a 2 year deal.
- DarthKane

I'm sorry, I should have stated I did not write that information....just cut and pasted. Not sure if I can do that or not so if not, I need to know. Thanks.

JJ, isnt JVR an RFA after this year?
- nickmo2699

UFA in 2019

UFA in 2019
- John Jaeckel

JVR would look good parked in front of the net taking passes from 19!

JJ, isnt JVR an RFA after this year?
- nickmo2699

Don't think so but pretty sure Tatar is.

Just because a player is exposed doesn't mean the Hawks will lose the player, it just means the player is eligible to be taken by the Vegas team. So even if the Hawks resign both Panik and Moose and they are not taken they would still be very useful players to have back next year.

Someone correctly me if I am wrong here too, but I am pretty sure I heard that Vegas is only able to choose one player from a team. Once they pick a player from a team, they are no longer able to pick any of the remaining players.

If that is true, out of Kruger, TVR, Panik, Ras, Carruth, or anyone else that could be on the list - I would think Kruger or TVR would be the player to go and the rest would still have a spot on the team (Carruth depending on what happens to Darling and Crow in the offseason).
- spudrock512

That's correct.