Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Anisimov played a good amount of time at LW for Columbus and New York. I don't think he's the ideal LW for Toews but as you said it may be worth exploring.
- DarthKane

Since they are a single line team, why not just put 72 and 88 with 19.

At least after a year, you'll know if 19 has lost anything or not.

I'm still a bit confused as to why Ulf is interviewing for Assistant Coach jobs... If he wants to prove he can be a head coach, sticking in Charlotte for more than one year is probably necessary.

Plus the Canes will likely need at least one AC this year too... It's weird.
- BINGO!

Actually its not really weird until something happens.

Looks like he knows how to get to the right spot!

http://ontariohockeyleagu.../alex-debrincats-65-goals
- walleyeb1

The one constant I noticed the most was how often the goalies were out of position.

I wouldn't worry about Kempny's new contract, it's pretty much a low risk or even now risk move.

$900,000 for one year is quite reasonable. I highly doubt he would have signed for close to the minimum ($625,000 I believe). I can see the argument that some of Stan's contracts were too rich or too long, but not this one.
- DarthKane

So, if Kempny turns out to be good, you're ok with losing him after the season, for nothing, because he is no longer affordable?
I have no idea on how the negotiations went, but obviously, Stan didn't try to hard because it's only May and he is now signed. He was an rfa, no need to have this done already at this term. It may turn out to be nothing, but it's not good asset management

So, if Kempny turns out to be good, you're ok with losing him after the season, for nothing, because he is no longer affordable?
I have no idea on how the negotiations went, but obviously, Stan didn't try to hard because it's only May and he is now signed. He was an rfa, no need to have this done already at this term. It may turn out to be nothing, but it's not good asset management
- Yikes726

Used to it now...............

So, if Kempny turns out to be good, you're ok with losing him after the season, for nothing, because he is no longer affordable?
I have no idea on how the negotiations went, but obviously, Stan didn't try to hard because it's only May and he is now signed. He was an rfa, no need to have this done already at this term. It may turn out to be nothing, but it's not good asset management
- Yikes726

Sure, I would have preferred two years at $900,000. But even if Kempny improves this season I doubt he'll be the next Duncan Keith or Roman Josi. If he plays well then Stan can still re-sign him.

I remember reading there was some angst with the Habs first round loss and that Patch did not play all that well. He is an ideal LW for Toews. Plug one hole only to have to fill another at #2 C.
- z1990z

Hawks won Cups with Handzus and a near retirement Brad Richards; it could be LW is more important than 2C for the Hawks. That said, I'd hope they'd shore up the strength up the middle regardless. An upgrade over AA is needed at the dot on that 2nd line.

Ryan Murphy and a 2nd Round Pick for Anisimov.

Go.

It's been suggested here in the past actually. defnitely something to lok at. Anisimov is a useful player at LW.

Only thing I will say there is I feel like the organization wants speed on Toews' wings.
- John Jaeckel

If they were going to try that, why didn't they try it last season? For whatever reason, I don't think that's what the organization wants to do.

If the plan IS to keep AA, then who do they trade?

Is the hope that Vegas takes Kruger off your hands and the cap goes up by $2-3 million?

Ryan Murphy and a 2nd Round Pick for Anisimov.

Go.
- BINGO!

Slavin and a 2nd.

Slavin and a 2nd.
- DarthKane

Its too bad Arty isnt faster. Having speed on Toews' wing would be nice.
- sofaking3

I don't think Toews really plays a speed game. Obviously, Saad had speed, but I think (and was calling for this last year) that AA on his left would be good for 19.

Slavin and a 2nd.
- DarthKane

Looking at MTL's roster in terms of cap and contract remaining - i'd pass on the lot...

- BINGO!

I know...but that's how this game goes. Murphy is just about as unreasonable as Slavin, but for the opposite reason. How about a forward instead, we'll take Rask off your hands.

I know...but that's how this game goes. Murphy is just about as unreasonable as Slavin, but for the opposite reason. How about a forward instead, we'll take Rask off your hands.
- DarthKane

John thx for the holiday blog...

interesting thoughts from one of your sources...
'the makeup of this team will be different'...

it'll be interesting to see what the Hawks do here. To quote one of my fellow posters can the 'wizard of the NMC' find his way out of cap hell...? Stay tuned.

Some folks were mentioning in the last blog the idea of Panarin for Faulk...I still have a hard time believing Stan has the stones to pull something like this off. I'll believe it when I see it...the Breadman's been great...but didn't show when the games counted and then lit it up in the Worlds...well...

I'd love to see this team with some jam/physical edge to it as well as more speed.

No question Kempny has got to play this season instead of marinating in the press box. Hopefully they can land the other kid as well.

With Anisimov to the Habs or elsewhere I guess we'll see what happens there as well and with Kruger gone to the Vegas Knights that eliminates a lot of center depth on this team. Those are two big holes to fill...should be interesting.

Pulling for the Preds at this point - God what has this season come too...yikes.

I know...but that's how this game goes. Murphy is just about as unreasonable as Slavin, but for the opposite reason. How about a forward instead, we'll take Rask off your hands.
- DarthKane

See... no...

The reason for the lowball offer is your lack of cap space. You're going to have to get under the cap somehow, and you're all out of Bickells to give away.

"Great Skater"?? Relative to Rosival, sure. However, I think his agility and edgework are a weakness. On the cycle he had trouble staying with forwards, as well as getting "stuck in the mud" at the offensive blue line. He's a depth NHL Dman and nothing more, IMO. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

See... no...

The reason for the lowball offer is your lack of cap space. You're going to have to get under the cap somehow, and you're all out of Bickells to give away.
- BINGO!

You love coming here to talk about the Hawks lack of Cap Space and proposing trades that only benefit the Hurricanes. It's really awesome stuff to read.

So, if Kempny turns out to be good, you're ok with losing him after the season, for nothing, because he is no longer affordable?
I have no idea on how the negotiations went, but obviously, Stan didn't try to hard because it's only May and he is now signed. He was an rfa, no need to have this done already at this term. It may turn out to be nothing, but it's not good asset management
- Yikes726

Kempny did have more leverage than a normal North American RFA because he could always go back to the KHL instead of signing. He would likely be paid more in the KHL since he's a higher profile player there, same way Rundblad makes more in Europe than he ever did in the NHL. Hell, Rundblad is probably part of why they didn't give Kempny two years - they ended up having to buy Rundblad out in his second year because it just wasn't working. They won't have huge bonus overage to worry about after next year, either.

Either way, it's a little too much angst for a player than hadn't quite got the NHL play style figured out yet and may never do so.

You love coming here to talk about the Hawks lack of Cap Space and proposing trades that only benefit the Hurricanes. It's really awesome stuff to read.
- EnzoD

Well, because it's been the pattern for the past couple years?

Adding cap space DOES benefit you. And while Murphy has struggled, he's still a 1st round pick defenseman who might just need a change of scenery.

He's gotta be better than playing Roszival for (frank)s sake.

See... no...

The reason for the lowball offer is your lack of cap space. You're going to have to get under the cap somehow, and you're all out of Bickells to give away.
- BINGO!

The Hawks aren't in that bad of a position, it's not like the Bickell situation. Although would wouldn't blame the Canes or any other team for trying.

The Hawks aren't in that bad of a position, it's not like the Bickell situation. Although would wouldn't blame the Canes or any other team for trying.
- DarthKane

I don't see how they aren't, though. I really don't see a lot of options for them.

Best case scenario I can see is that the cap goes up by a couple million and Vegas agrees to take Kruger.

The jury is out on Graham Knott for sure. I'd say he only has a 50/50 chance of even making it to the NHL.

Alex DeBrincat.. is a lock in my mind. You can't teach his level of motivation. This kid wasn't just a flash in the pan that finished strong in his final season. He scored 50+ goals and 100+ points every single season in the OHL. I would put him on the same kind of trajectory as a Johnny Gaudreau. If he clicks with the team in training camp and earns a roster spot, he will likely never go to the AHL.