How about Nashville, man do they look good. That team is going to be a tough out. On the flip side, do heads start to roll in Chicago if they are swept out of the playoffs in round 1?
- Thorny

I'm not sure what they can do with 21 million tied up in just Toews and Kane. That series isnt over though to me. I still think the Hawks give them a run for their money yet...just cant count them out.

Ok no problem.

Wow those Leafs are proving most people wrong OR the Caps aren't as good as advertised???
- Aussiepenguin

Shattenkirk is shatten the bed...

I'm not sure what they can do with 21 million tied up in just Toews and Kane. That series isnt over though to me. I still think the Hawks give them a run for their money yet...just cant count them out.
- MattStrat

I'm with you there. As much as I thought they would struggle to even make the playoffs, I still think they can win. Not convinced until they are actually out! Maybe they overachieved for 82 games, but still.............

How about Nashville, man do they look good. That team is going to be a tough out. On the flip side, do heads start to roll in Chicago if they are swept out of the playoffs in round 1?
- Thorny

You would think the guy that put his signature on the Toews, Kane, Seabrook & Kruger contracts would be first to go?

I think Crawford is as good as gone & they will trade Kane for a fortune.

I'm with you there. As much as I thought they would struggle to even make the playoffs, I still think they can win. Not convinced until they are actually out! Maybe they overachieved for 82 games, but still.............
- Aussiepenguin

They are toast!

They are toast!
- powerhouse

Has Toews actually scored a goal yet? Kane scored today, did Toews? (frank)ing expensive assists in Chicago......

Edit: Here's a question.

Is there a team or teams that would trade for Toews his contract as is?

Has Toews actually scored a goal yet? Kane scored today, did Toews? (frank)ing expensive assists in Chicago......

Edit: Here's a question.

Is there a team or teams that would trade for Toews his contract as is?
- Aussiepenguin

I think much like the Pens losing out early in the playoffs some years and people saying get rid of one of Crosby or Malkin, saying they should get rid of Toews or Kane might be too much. Do I think either are as good as Crosby or Malkin? no, I dont but they are still the Hawks major franchise pieces, two major parts of a core that has 3 cups in 7 years.

Leafs are doing speedy forecheck same as Pens. It's tough for Caps to handle.
- powerhouse

But but but but Carlson & Backstrom, Oshie & Orlov,
Shatts & Kuznetsov,
Williams, Johansson & Eller,
Holtby in net & Nisky on D,
And last but Not least,
Wilson with grit, Orpik with hip & OV with his shtick!

I think much like the Pens losing out early in the playoffs some years and people saying get rid of one of Crosby or Malkin, saying they should get rid of Toews or Kane might be too much. Do I think either are as good as Crosby or Malkin? no, I dont but they are still the Hawks major franchise pieces, two major parts of a core that has 3 cups in 7 years.
- MattStrat

With the Pens there were many moving pieces that weren't in synch. Sid & Geno aren't handcuffing the team in a cap world - quite the opposite. They were also producing (maybe not to some fans), they just had no help & the easiest way for those same fans to react was to get rid of them & bring in other pieces. Tanger is another player that gets a lot of attention.

The Hawks organisation wants to win, & rebooting by trading away stars is a process they have had success with. Now the last 2 seasons they have really stretched their resources & just like the Pens of old made some terrible mistakes (last season at the deadline was severe). They are now with ageing contracts in Keith & Hossa, anchors in Kane & Toews although Kane is probably holding his own, Seabrook will be another, & young talent they're not sure can develop. Hartman looks like a very good player but the others not so sure.

So if they trade away their biggest chip they can get a reboot that will help them prolong the window they have with the older guys. Trade Crawford & hope they can replace him with a cheaper option giving them even more room to move & reinforce their team. If they hang onto both Toews & Kane then who knows what they can do?? Whatever it is they will be relying heavily on both to do more than they are now.

Has Toews actually scored a goal yet? Kane scored today, did Toews? (frank)ing expensive assists in Chicago......

Edit: Here's a question.

Is there a team or teams that would trade for Toews his contract as is?
- Aussiepenguin

Yes. If Ottawa could do Phaneuf or Bobby Ryan for Toews, they would. The guy still put up 58 points this year; not great, but not horrible.

Hopefully Pens can close it out tonight. Columbus is going to come out hard like last game but if we put one in I think they will completely deflate. Gotta weather the storm and not F around with these guys.

Member when someone said after game 1 the Leafs are dead in the water? Member? Yeahhh... about that...
- j.boyd919

I believe I said they were toast and Ill be happy to eat my words all day long but its only 2-1 so at the very least, its going six games which is a victory in itself for me. Seven games would be even better or a Caps early exit would be like an early Christmas present.

With the Pens there were many moving pieces that weren't in synch. Sid & Geno aren't handcuffing the team in a cap world - quite the opposite. They were also producing (maybe not to some fans), they just had no help & the easiest way for those same fans to react was to get rid of them & bring in other pieces. Tanger is another player that gets a lot of attention.

The Hawks organisation wants to win, & rebooting by trading away stars is a process they have had success with. Now the last 2 seasons they have really stretched their resources & just like the Pens of old made some terrible mistakes (last season at the deadline was severe). They are now with ageing contracts in Keith & Hossa, anchors in Kane & Toews although Kane is probably holding his own, Seabrook will be another, & young talent they're not sure can develop. Hartman looks like a very good player but the others not so sure.

So if they trade away their biggest chip they can get a reboot that will help them prolong the window they have with the older guys. Trade Crawford & hope they can replace him with a cheaper option giving them even more room to move & reinforce their team. If they hang onto both Toews & Kane then who knows what they can do?? Whatever it is they will be relying heavily on both to do more than they are now.
- Aussiepenguin

I think they will be fine going forward. They had a fairly dominate regular season (1st in West, 3rd overall) and no one on earth thought they'd be in danger of being swept first round. I think they'll look into getting Crawfords 6 mill per hit off the books. That there alone would add some significant space for a bit more scoring depth because I think that's the main issue. Their D is pretty solid, especially top 4.

I believe I said they were toast and Ill be happy to eat my words all day long but its only 2-1 so at the very least, its going six games which is a victory in itself for me. Seven games would be even better or a Caps early exit would be like an early Christmas present.
- all-pgh

If you think, about it they've already played the equivalent of four games with all the OT

Yes. If Ottawa could do Phaneuf or Bobby Ryan for Toews, they would. The guy still put up 58 points this year; not great, but not horrible.
- jmatchett383

Doesn't the Ottawa owner not like spending his own money? Phaneuf just scored a match winning goal, & is a leading Dman, Ryan ok but I very much doubt Hawks ownership want him on their team. I'm not convinced the Sens would take on Toews contract despite his 58 points. For 10m+, 58 points is pretty miserable despite his 'leadership'.

I doubt you will get an organisation that will do that trade as the Hawks won't want what is coming back, & any team wanting that contract, well, won't want that contract in my opinion.

If you think, about it they've already played the equivalent of four games with all the OT
- dbell646

The Caps are doing a lot of chasing too. It's got to be tiring. Like someone said earlier, it's been pretty similar to our series with them last year.....although I think our team D structure was much better.

I'll say it again, I'm really impressed with Andersen. He's been excellent.

Has Toews actually scored a goal yet? Kane scored today, did Toews? (frank)ing expensive assists in Chicago......

Edit: Here's a question.

Is there a team or teams that would trade for Toews his contract as is?
- Aussiepenguin

Pekka Rinne is outscoring(2 assists) everybody on the Hawks after 3 games. Hard to believe

I believe I said they were toast and Ill be happy to eat my words all day long but its only 2-1 so at the very least, its going six games which is a victory in itself for me. Seven games would be even better or a Caps early exit would be like an early Christmas present.
- all-pgh

Hahaha yeah I hear ya. Hopefully its a 7 games OT every game Caps early exit.

I think they will be fine going forward. They had a fairly dominate regular season (1st in West, 3rd overall) and no one on earth thought they'd be in danger of being swept first round. I think they'll look into getting Crawfords 6 mill per hit off the books. That there alone would add some significant space for a bit more scoring depth because I think that's the main issue. Their D is pretty solid, especially top 4.
- MattStrat

I think they've overachieved in the regular season. They found ways to win a lot of close games. I think they need top line LW & top 4 Dman. Trading Crawford opens up the need for a #1 goalie so can Darling fill that need? Hard to answer but depending on their D I would think he could possibly go ok. Maybe they pick up Raanta & share the job? With Panarin signing they're already over the cap next season (I think from memory), so they already need to shed salary. It's going to be very interesting what they have planned & if another organisation gets the benefits from a desperate GM?? Signing the big 2 way before the cap was going to be known was a huge error & as I said above it could/should even be career ending with the Hawks regardless of the Cups - which can also be debated as being built by the previous regime.

Pekka Rinne is outscoring(2 assists) everybody on the Hawks after 3 games. Hard to believe
- willi

Small sample size!

Pekka Rinne is outscoring(2 assists) everybody on the Hawks after 3 games. Hard to believe
- willi

I thought the Hawks got jobbed last night. Same with the Bruins. Awful reffing. That goal Nashville scored was waived off all season for goalie interference. The penalty call on the Bruins was laughable considering what has been "let go" in the post season.

I think the reffing and even the linesmen are having an awful post season so far. Terrible.

Doesn't the Ottawa owner not like spending his own money? Phaneuf just scored a match winning goal, & is a leading Dman, Ryan ok but I very much doubt Hawks ownership want him on their team. I'm not convinced the Sens would take on Toews contract despite his 58 points. For 10m+, 58 points is pretty miserable despite his 'leadership'.

I doubt you will get an organisation that will do that trade as the Hawks won't want what is coming back, & any team wanting that contract, well, won't want that contract in my opinion.
- Aussiepenguin

Man are you really comparing Phaneuf's contract to Toews'? Toews' contract isn't good value but Phaneuf is straight up one of the worst contracts in the league. And he's not the leading D man on that team. That'd be Karlsson.

Phaneuf is a bellow average mid-pairing D man who's being paid 7 mil a year. You can get an average 2nd pairing defenseman for like 3 mil a year. If Ottowa could unload Phaneuf for Toews, they 100% would.

Man are you really comparing Phaneuf's contract to Toews'? Toews' contract isn't good value but Phaneuf is straight up one of the worst contracts in the league. And he's not the leading D man on that team. That'd be Karlsson.

Phaneuf is a bellow average mid-pairing D man who's being paid 7 mil a year. You can get an average 2nd pairing defenseman for like 3 mil a year. If Ottowa could unload Phaneuf for Toews, they 100% would.
- Victoro311

No I'm not comparing, Machetman wanted the Hawks to take him & Ryan.

Not arguing but EK 30 minutes today & 2nd yes that's right by 5 minutes from 3rd is Phaneuf - I didn't say the leading I said a leading being 1 of the top pair. Not saying the 7m is money well spent, but at the moment they need Phaneuf - the Hawks don't.

No I'm not comparing, Machetman wanted the Hawks to take him & Ryan.

Not arguing but EK 30 minutes today & 2nd yes that's right by 5 minutes from 3rd is Phaneuf - I didn't say the leading I said a leading being 1 of the top pair. Not saying the 7m is money well spent, but at the moment they need Phaneuf - the Hawks don't.
- Aussiepenguin

Oh if you're saying the trade doesn't make sense then I agree with you. The Hawks won't take two really bad contracts for a not good contract.

The Sens make that trade in a heart beat

Oh if you're saying the trade doesn't make sense then I agree with you. The Hawks won't take two really bad contracts for a not good contract.

The Sens make that trade in a heart beat
- Victoro311

Phaneuf is racking up the minutes & starting to give them points as well. I'm not saying the Sens wouldn't do the trade bug as I said they need him at the moment.

My initial point I was trying to make badly it seems, was if a team would actively trade for Toews, not trade their rubbish contracts. If Sid became available I believe there would be a very good market, I don't think the same can be said for Toews. Kane on the other hand.....