Love the Shake up! I would Put Kane Duchene and Thornton Together, with Toews centering Panik and Simmonds. Sign Panik, don't trade him, for 2.5 one year deal!
- nickmo2699

Toews needs two top level players. It's been proven tge only time he's most effective for a full year. Kane can make anyone better

Panik isn't worth more than 1.5. If he wants 3yr-6mil...thats the max I'd go with him. No way as a RFA do I give him that much of a hike to 2.5

I'm in camp "Designate him as player/coach" if it comes down to it the last couple years of the contract.
- 35Tony0

Is that a "thing"? Is that somewhere in the rules that they can do that? Are you saying hw would not be playing, designated as player coach, and somehow his cap hit would come off the books?

I expect Hossa to start playing only 55-60gms a year

Here's the "dream" moves to make -
Trade Panarin for Simmonds
Trade Anisimov, Schmaltz & Forsling for Duchene
Sign Joe Thornton 1yr 3-4mil - cue the tears, but he still wins faceoffs, has size, played with Kane in the Swiss league
Re-sign Oduya
Hope/get LV to take Kruger
Trade Paniks rights for a pick

Duchene-Toews-Simmonds
Xxxxx-Thornton-Kane
Xxxxx-Kero-Hossa
Xxxxx-Rassmussen-Hartman

Let Hayden, Fortin, Debricant, Motte, Hinostroza, Tootoo, Jurco or any other they sign to fight for remaining spots

Hjarrl-Keith
Oduya-Seabrook
Kempny-TVR
- PatShart

I like everything--except the resigning Oduya...and teaming him with Seabrook. neither are fleet of foot. That's a pairing that will get smoked.

But, why would Philly swap Simmonds and Panarin?? They'd be taking on more salary.

Is that a "thing"? Is that somewhere in the rules that they can do that? Are you saying hw would not be playing, designated as player coach, and somehow his cap hit would come off the books?
- Cmonalready

I'm guessing all it does is cost the 'Hawks a roster spot.
My gut tells me Hoss plays every bit as long as he is able to backcheck like nobody's business.

Seabs, TVR, Rosi, Pokka are right sight defenders.

Hjalmarsson, Keith, Kempny, Forsling, Campbell (not coming back), Oduya (not coming back), Gus, Svedberg, Dahlstrom, Norell, Fournier, Valleau, Snuggergard are left side defenders.

They need to do some serious readjusting on defense.

If they move Seabs they get even more lopsided.

If TVR is taken in the expansion draft and Seabs is traded then what?

Whether you like Seabs or not I think he has to stay. (and his contract may be untradeable).

I like Hjalmarsson as much or more than Seabs. But I do not like Hjalmarsson as much on the right side. Defensively he is fine on the right side, but offensively it is ugly. I think they need to consider trading Hjalmarsson in a salary dump and sign a UFA?.

UFA's right side defenders Michael Stone? Cody Franson? Jared Cowen? Roman Polack? Eric Gryba.

Prediction - Hawks use their first pick to draft a right side defender.Timothy Liljegren? Conor Timmins?

I like everything--except the resigning Oduya...and teaming him with Seabrook. neither are fleet of foot. That's a pairing that will get smoked.

But, why would Philly swap Simmonds and Panarin?? They'd be taking on more salary.
- tompo1015

Oduya was coming off a leg injury. He and Seabrook are very good puck movers which is crucial in the Hawks system and the puck moves faster than any person. Both are good shot blockers as well.

They'd be taking on a bit more salary, but a bit younger, LW, and more point production. They have Giroux, Voracek, Courier, Schenn and Read - all pretty gritty players. Panarin may provide more finesse/skill for them. They haven't won/missed the playoffs and may need a change in chemistry.

I like everything--except the resigning Oduya...and teaming him with Seabrook. neither are fleet of foot. That's a pairing that will get smoked.

But, why would Philly swap Simmonds and Panarin?? They'd be taking on more salary.
- tompo1015

Oduya was coming off a leg injury. He and Seabrook are very good puck movers which is crucial in the Hawks system and the puck moves faster than any person. Both are good shot blockers as well.

They'd be taking on a bit more salary, but a bit younger, LW, and more point production. They have Giroux, Voracek, Courier, Schenn and Read - all pretty gritty players. Panarin may provide more finesse/skill for them. They haven't won/missed the playoffs and may need a change in chemistry.

Toews needs two top level players. It's been proven tge only time he's most effective for a full year. Kane can make anyone better

Panik isn't worth more than 1.5. If he wants 3yr-6mil...thats the max I'd go with him. No way as a RFA do I give him that much of a hike to 2.5
- PatShart

Not sure I agree with all of what you propose, but it is a big shakeup and I do think that's what they need.

Toews needs two top level players. It's been proven tge only time he's most effective for a full year. Kane can make anyone better

Panik isn't worth more than 1.5. If he wants 3yr-6mil...thats the max I'd go with him. No way as a RFA do I give him that much of a hike to 2.5
- PatShart

As much as I like Panik. I don't think he will ever be much more productive (if at all) than he was last year.

As much as I like Panik. I don't think he will ever be much more productive (if at all) than he was last year.
- John Jaeckel

In my unprofessional 48 years riding the band wagon I agree.

As much as I like Panik. I don't think he will ever be much more productive (if at all) than he was last year.
- John Jaeckel

Agree. He is a solid 3rd line player on a deep team at best. Not someone to rely on the top line.

With Hossa being in that spot going forward (Presumably)...no need to over value Panik

As much as I like Panik. I don't think he will ever be much more productive (if at all) than he was last year.
- John Jaeckel

That's why you move him now, as his value will never be higher.

Not sure I agree with all of what you propose, but it is a big shakeup and I do think that's what they need.
- 6628

When you step back, and you look at the arc of the last couple of years, I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion.

Which is why I said before, they should put the "Open For Business" sign out to the other GMs, listen to offers on anyone and everyone, and if they get a couple of deals that make the team overall better, then set about figuring out NMCs etc.

If someone just throws their hands up—especially Bowman—and says "too many NMCs, our hands are tied"—they should be let go. They MUST explore ALL options throughly.

Whether Bowman himself is responsible for this contract/roster mess is probably debatable. But it IS his job now to fix it.

He needs to make at least one significant value for value NHL hockey trade. There may be other accompanying moves like letting someone go in free agency, and/or pro free agency signings (Euro or NHL)

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window remaining anyway. If I were Bowman, I would go really bold/left field (if necessary) and try to shake things up because in regard to the overall arc of the franchise and how bad this team has regressed, he has very lithe to lose—except if he stands pat.

If the alternative is doing relatively little, I think we have all seen that this is a team that likely can't go far in the playoffs next year absent a big change or two or three.

As much as I like Panik. I don't think he will ever be much more productive (if at all) than he was last year.
- John Jaeckel

Agree on the production side of things with #14. I think the year he had last year is top end for him, but there's nothing wrong with that.

I would like to see him come back on a reasonable contract because the more you watch the "new NHL" and successful teams left in the playoffs, give me a lineup full of Zach Hyman's/Zach Kassian's/Richard Panik's/Austin Watson's because those bigger guys who can skate are pushing a lot of "older" (see: 30+ year olds) out of the league.

Agree. He is a solid 3rd line player on a deep team at best. Not someone to rely on the top line.

With Hossa being in that spot going forward (Presumably)...no need to over value Panik
- PatShart

Agreed. Panik is still a third line guy who you can spot up occasionally at the end of the day. I like his energy and pushback but I'm not sure he ever breaks 20G again either.

In my unprofessional 48 years riding the band wagon I agree.

- riozzo

On the planet or on the bandwagon? LOL

The Belicheck Way!
Stan needs to go spend a weekend w Bill Belicheck. I get the "Cup" loyalty. But contracts are for the future, not the past. Stan has hurt this team with a bunch of backward looking "reward" contracts with NMCs given out like candy at a parade. The NMCs might be the downfall of this team.

In my opinion, the following are what Belicheck would have paid:
Toews/Kane: $9.5m Full NMC (Faces of franchise)
Craw: $5m. (If $5m not good enough, buh-bye)
Panarin: Go to RFA this summer (like the hardball Belicheck is playing with Malcolm Butler). $4.5-5m.
Seabrook: $6m, partial NTC (some show of loyalty)

I believe the Toews/Kane signings were heavily influenced by the NHLPA, and Belicheck might not have been able to get below their $10.5m.

Believe it or not, I think both AA and Kruger got fair contracts (Kruger's including a make-up for taking the one year to help the team).
- Cmonalready

Or he could have read "The BluePrint" or the myriad other books on the Pats free agent and development strategy. If he had he would have been packaging players like Leddy and Sharp earlier in the OS - even just to move up in draft position... he would have played hardball on the Seabrook contract and , if Seabs camp wouldn't budge, traded him early (even for higher draft position) and used the cap space on an equivalent free agent.

Woulda coulda shoulda is easy to play here. I also could counter that hockey is a different animal. Less players than football, quality key positions players harder to replace, room dynamics may be more susceptible to outside change etc...

3 cups in 6. I think he's done adequately.

Stan does need to look at that room now though. That 1st round was complete capitulation pretty much top to bottom. The time for dramatic change may be here and players are not all going to react like Crow to a waiver request. You have to look at selling high on guys like Panarin and Hammer with free agency risk on the horizon too.

When you step back, and you look at the arc of the last couple of years, I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion.

Which is why I said before, they should put the "Open For Business" sign out to the other GMs, listen to offers on anyone and everyone, and if they get a couple of deals that make the team overall better, then set about figuring out NMCs etc.

If someone just throws their hands up—especially Bowman—and says "too many NMCs, our hands are tied"—they should be let go. They MUST explore ALL options throughly.

Whether Bowman himself is responsible for this contract/roster mess is probably debatable. But it IS his job now to fix it.

He needs to make at least one significant value for value NHL hockey trade. There may be other accompanying moves like letting someone go in free agency, and/or pro free agency signings (Euro or NHL)

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window remaining anyway. If I were Bowman, I would go really bold/left field (if necessary) and try to shake things up because in regard to the overall arc of the franchise and how bad this team has regressed, he has very lithe to lose—except if he stands pat.

If the alternative is doing relatively little, I think we have all seen that this is a team that likely can't go far in the playoffs next year absent a big change or two or three.
- John Jaeckel

I think Marlowe had a great idea earlier on this blog or last blog suggesting all the guys have to submit a list. Then none of them will know for sure who's in or out. Might save someone from getting their nose out of joint. If something unexpected pops for Stan it might be easier for him to take advantage of.

When you step back, and you look at the arc of the last couple of years, I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion.

Which is why I said before, they should put the "Open For Business" sign out to the other GMs, listen to offers on anyone and everyone, and if they get a couple of deals that make the team overall better, then set about figuring out NMCs etc.

If someone just throws their hands up—especially Bowman—and says "too many NMCs, our hands are tied"—they should be let go. They MUST explore ALL options throughly.

Whether Bowman himself is responsible for this contract/roster mess is probably debatable. But it IS his job now to fix it.

He needs to make at least one significant value for value NHL hockey trade. There may be other accompanying moves like letting someone go in free agency, and/or pro free agency signings (Euro or NHL)

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window remaining anyway. If I were Bowman, I would go really bold/left field (if necessary) and try to shake things up because in regard to the overall arc of the franchise and how bad this team has regressed, he has very lithe to lose—except if he stands pat.

If the alternative is doing relatively little, I think we have all seen that this is a team that likely can't go far in the playoffs next year absent a big change or two or three.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed. Going back to my Belicheck analogy, they need to think through this retool regarding what happens after this 2 year window. In each trade they make, get one developmental player that will be rising up in the future. Trade players a year too early versus a year too late. I'd hate to lose Hammer, but he's one of the few that still falls into the category of "a year too early". Clearly, because of contracts/production/NMC, its already a year too late for $45m of their salary cap (Toews/Kane/Seab/Hossa/Keith/Craw)!

Agreed, and I've said as much, he made the right move when he saw how limited the other options were. And getting a 3rd for essentially negotiating rights is a nice move. Just not "great" (IMHO). Not many third round picks (statistically) even make the NHL.
- John Jaeckel

Darling was a Belichick/Pats type move. Something for nothing. Sell high if you know the market will go lower due to contract circumstances. Shaw looked a bit that way. Aside from those it's hard to see any plan. Danault is still a mind blower but that could have been the Q disconnect too.

Oduya was coming off a leg injury. He and Seabrook are very good puck movers which is crucial in the Hawks system and the puck moves faster than any person. Both are good shot blockers as well.

They'd be taking on a bit more salary, but a bit younger, LW, and more point production. They have Giroux, Voracek, Courier, Schenn and Read - all pretty gritty players. Panarin may provide more finesse/skill for them. They haven't won/missed the playoffs and may need a change in chemistry.
- PatShart

Seabrook and Oduya may be good "puck movers"--out of their end. But, they may never get the puck, given that they're so slow skaters. Quick skilled wingers will fly right by them.

When you step back, and you look at the arc of the last couple of years, I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion.

Which is why I said before, they should put the "Open For Business" sign out to the other GMs, listen to offers on anyone and everyone, and if they get a couple of deals that make the team overall better, then set about figuring out NMCs etc.

If someone just throws their hands up—especially Bowman—and says "too many NMCs, our hands are tied"—they should be let go. They MUST explore ALL options throughly.

Whether Bowman himself is responsible for this contract/roster mess is probably debatable. But it IS his job now to fix it.

He needs to make at least one significant value for value NHL hockey trade. There may be other accompanying moves like letting someone go in free agency, and/or pro free agency signings (Euro or NHL)

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window remaining anyway. If I were Bowman, I would go really bold/left field (if necessary) and try to shake things up because in regard to the overall arc of the franchise and how bad this team has regressed, he has very lithe to lose—except if he stands pat.

If the alternative is doing relatively little, I think we have all seen that this is a team that likely can't go far in the playoffs next year absent a big change or two or three.
- John Jaeckel

We'll see if the FO actually does what is required and makes the necessary changes to be a cup contender again.

Or it does very little and the whole year end speech by Bowman ends up as being some more lip service.

Time will tell.

When you step back, and you look at the arc of the last couple of years, I don't see how you can come to any other conclusion.

Which is why I said before, they should put the "Open For Business" sign out to the other GMs, listen to offers on anyone and everyone, and if they get a couple of deals that make the team overall better, then set about figuring out NMCs etc.

If someone just throws their hands up—especially Bowman—and says "too many NMCs, our hands are tied"—they should be let go. They MUST explore ALL options throughly.

Whether Bowman himself is responsible for this contract/roster mess is probably debatable. But it IS his job now to fix it.

He needs to make at least one significant value for value NHL hockey trade. There may be other accompanying moves like letting someone go in free agency, and/or pro free agency signings (Euro or NHL)

MY PERSONAL TAKE IS THIS:

This team probably only had a 2 year window remaining anyway. If I were Bowman, I would go really bold/left field (if necessary) and try to shake things up because in regard to the overall arc of the franchise and how bad this team has regressed, he has very lithe to lose—except if he stands pat.

If the alternative is doing relatively little, I think we have all seen that this is a team that likely can't go far in the playoffs next year absent a big change or two or three.
- John Jaeckel

And not only do you close the window on current Cups, you also start hurting your future - one of the reasons they've been relatively successful in signing European and College free agents is the promise of them joining a quality team that competes for a Cup every year.

If that's gone, then the FAs will look to other franchises for their first contract....

I think Marlowe had a great idea earlier on this blog or last blog suggesting all the guys have to submit a list. Then none of them will know for sure who's in or out. Might save someone from getting their nose out of joint. If something unexpected pops for Stan it might be easier for him to take advantage of.
- 6628

Yeah, or all the guys load their list with poison pills like CC allegedly did (or threatened to).

FWIW, I would do it the other way, find the best deal(s) first, go to the player and say look, we appreciate what you've given us, but you bring back the best return and we have to do something, be flattered, go knock em dead with your new team.

All that said, asking everyone for their list certainly sends a potentially unsettling and possibly motivating message that no one is really safe.

Dunno.

But I would definitely be open for business with damn few sacred cows.

JJ if the hawks were to deal 72, what would the asking price be?

I would love a guy like Wayne Simmonds. But wouldn't Panarin get more in return than just a guy like Wayne?
- nickmo2699

Shane Gostisbehere apparently had a rough season. Big drop off defensively. Maybe a distressed asset? They have other young D too. He looked to have Keith like quickness at times in 16. A project? You ask for Simmonds and SG for Panarin. Flyers need O badly and Simmonds gives you a player that the current officiating trend appears to require.