So it looks like they will LTIR him. Then, the Hawks are allowed to go 10% over the cap prior to opening day...must be cap compliant on opening day. So the Cap is 75 million. 10% of that is 7.5 million. Just going off of the that...the Hawks could go as high as $82.5 million in cap hits. BUT....and its a major BUT here....they are not allowed to LTIR Hossa until right around opening day as well. So the Hawks can really only go as high as $80.3 this offseason...because they will LTIR him right before opening day to get back down to the $75.0 ceiling for the year.

Does that all sound right? I still think the Hawks will get as close to the cap ceiling as possible. Also...someone mentioned TJ Oshie as a free agent possibility....though I don't see them doing it.

Off topic, the Pokka negotiation is to get him under contract and trade him. He will not be a Hawk the end of the week.

Yesterday George McPhee revealed that he would be drafting a lot of defenseman for the purpose of trading them. Expect Pokka to be moved in a trade similar to Mark McNeil. Pokka goes with a draft pick for depth and a future asset to Vegas for a defenseman that can help now.
- Omahawk

Could well play out like that.

I'm afraid that Bowman's concept of the value of Panarin, a scoring machine in the 99.98/99.99 percentile in the league is going to be dramatically disappointing. Especially now that that line of Panarin Kane and Anisimov with it's proven chemistry has become even more important to the well-being of the team given the loss of Hossa. Why would Stan want to gamble that away? Stan knows that if they bring a guy who has 30 goals on another team it absolutely does not guarantee those goals will happen in Chicago. So he should trade a near sure thing for a crapshoot? Really bad idea.
- Savoy

Let's suppose Stan does not move Panarin. If he drops off or gets injured, then you are really up poop creek. No one "wants to" trade Panarin (aside from 2-3 people here who apparently aren't fans of the Russians). The pint being made - repeatedly - is that you NEED consistent scoring on more than one line. If the return for Panarin accomplishes that end, then it is a win.

With the unfortunate Hossa news, the Hawks need to make this summer all about retooling, getting younger/faster, and managing the cap hits.

I'd trade (on top of the rumors that Kruger & TVR are gone already) Hammer, Anisimov, Panarin, and maybe even Seabrook.

The whole objective would be to get younger/faster players with cost-controlled cap hits and maintain cap flexibility for the coming years.

Hammer - Trade for a young winger. Can't have him, Keith, and Seabs on long-term deals in their mid-30s for big $$$
Panarin - Trade for a young defensemen (potential Hammer replacement), young goalie (potential CC replacement in 2 years), prospects/picks
Anisimov - Trade for bottom 6 reinforcements, prospects/picks
Seabrook - Trade for a Seabrook-lite replacement like Tanev (if he would even waive)

The Hawks would most likely not be as good as they were in previous years, but still a playoff team IMO. I think this would allow them to load up and make another 5-6 year run while Toews and Kane are still in their prime while getting younger and gain cap flexibility.

It would be a ballsy move and maybe tough to do, but that is the direction I'd go.

Wherever he ends up (doubt he's moved, but who knows) you can start his fan club for him there. Maybe get him some vitamins so he doesn't get tired.

The guy has had gravy line his 2 years in Chicago. I always wondered why they never moved him to help balance things out. If we was SO DAMN GOOD then put him with Toews, but we never really saw that. They always kept him tied to Kane.

But in your mind he's actually BETTER than Kane.
- kwolf68

Or tie his bonus to skating within the dots and not on the perimeter.

Rumor has it he is Alexander Semin's long lost cousin

Off topic, the Pokka negotiation is to get him under contract and trade him. He will not be a Hawk the end of the week.

Yesterday George McPhee revealed that he would be drafting a lot of defenseman for the purpose of trading them. Expect Pokka to be moved in a trade similar to Mark McNeil. Pokka goes with a draft pick for depth and a future asset to Vegas for a defenseman that can help now.
- Omahawk

this Vegas team is going to be way farther along then other EXP teams. Looks to have added. Haula tuch from Minnesota, kruger and TVR from CHI. They are going to be real deep 2-4 lines and 2-3 D pairings. the only issue is the top lines. POKKA is not waiver exempt after this year is he? I'm not sure anyone trades for him unless they feel he is going to make the team.

Also for some of the deals out there if we get a pick back for kruger I would say it looks like striking early with VGK was smart. I always have said if you know you need to cut a deal do it early and just take the best you can get. waiting just makes it worse.

Cheers Hoss ... A pleasure to watch all these years... coming back from that a Torres cheap shot to excel even more .... For me Hoss was to the Hawks what federov was to the wings .... the glue with world class skill level ... need the PK to be better.. put Hoss out ... PP needs a boost ... throw Hoss out there ... D needs some help ... put Hoss back there ... up and down the lineup .. Hoss made everyone better ..

Please read the press release that includes the doctor's statement. The doc would be putting his medical license on the line by practicing fraud.
- scottak

Yeah, doctors (who I assume) are paid by the team, would never dare to spin the medical narrative in a way that benefits the team. I am sure there is some grain of truth to it, but the timing could not look more suspicious, especially since that was the circumvention contract that "broke the camel's back" so to say. Regardless, have been a huge Hoss fan ever since he was in OTT

Blackhawks agreed the rule change was fair, they signed onto the CBA like everyone else. More importantly, they had the option to get from the contract if the cap re-capture penalties weren't worth it to them. They choose to keep the contract knowing the penalties were part of that.
- Antilles

Do you know for a fact that the Blackhawks agreed the rule change was fair? Source please!

Or tie his bonus to skating within the dots and not on the perimeter.

Rumor has it he is Alexander Semin's long lost cousin
- PatShart

Inside the dots? I wish. I don't think he's a bad as Semin, but don't forget Semin was damn near a PPG player early in his career too. He was eventually exposed.

I think this player may well be one to sell high on RIGHT NOW. Lets see what we can get for him. If it's not value then keep him, make him play for his next big payday.

funny this '' happens '' when Hossa entered the first dead year of his contract ....just saying

I'm afraid that Bowman's concept of the value of Panarin, a scoring machine in the 99.98/99.99 percentile in the league is going to be dramatically disappointing. Especially now that that line of Panarin Kane and Anisimov with it's proven chemistry has become even more important to the well-being of the team given the loss of Hossa. Why would Stan want to gamble that away? Stan knows that if they bring a guy who has 30 goals on another team it absolutely does not guarantee those goals will happen in Chicago. So he should trade a near sure thing for a crapshoot? Really bad idea.
- Savoy

If Blackhawks don't think they can keep him after his current contract, his value in a trade is highest right now. Maybe Panarin doesn't want to play in Kane & Toews shadow. Or maybe he wants near Kane dollars on his next contract because he scores near Kane points. If either is true, best to move him after he had an amazing year, and while the cap isn't forcing you into trading as much. Right now, you get full value. In a year, he is just a rental.

Not saying Blackhawks SHOULD trade him right now, just pointing out that there could be some really good reasons to that aren't publicly known.

funny this '' happens '' when Hossa entered the first dead year of his contract ....just saying
- Alexzanki

Worry about winning A playoff series, then you're welcome to comment on a winning organization. To an extent that is.

Of Kempny, Forsling, and Ruuta, who should the Hawks first dangle as trade bait and WHY given the Raddysh signing? OR do they hold onto all of them and move Hammer?

funny this '' happens '' when Hossa entered the first dead year of his contract ....just saying
- Alexzanki

This has 'happened' to players before wise ass. Same way that your Nathan Horton David Clarkson nonsense has 'happened'.

Now take your shine box and go watch Tortorella beat your team into injury hell. Have fun with another Penguins first round exit.

Of Kempny, Forsling, and Ruuta, who should the Hawks first dangle as trade bait and WHY given the Raddysh signing? OR do they hold onto all of them and move Hammer?
- Bjm84

Forsling. and the first call should be to colorado.

Worry about winning A playoff series, then you're welcome to comment on a winning organization. To an extent that is.
- nickmo2699

What does Hossa's contract structure have to do with the performances of a team that he doesn't even play on

This is a crazy idea but, can Hossa come back for the Playoffs?

funny this '' happens '' when Hossa entered the first dead year of his contract ....just saying
- Alexzanki

Exact. Kinda like Bickell's MS, right?? I'm sure it had to do with him not wanting to play in Carolina more than anything

Oh (frank) you . How many #1-1 picks have the Oilers had the past 10 years ? Thats some real bullpoop. Clown.
- mrpaulish

Yes, because it's illegal to be a bad team and have terrible management? And yes, I'm a clown, I clearly had a hand in this underhanded activity. Have fun with your ban

Yeah, doctors (who I assume) are paid by the team, would never dare to spin the medical narrative in a way that benefits the team. I am sure there is some grain of truth to it, but the timing could not look more suspicious, especially since that was the circumvention contract that "broke the camel's back" so to say. Regardless, have been a huge Hoss fan ever since he was in OTT
- wilkobecks

Grow up, its legit, deal with it - he has to.

This is a crazy idea but, can Hossa come back for the Playoffs?
- ObeseOprah

I hope so. I want that to happen just so heads explode from a million miles away. DO IT!!!

This has 'happened' to players before wise ass. Same way that your Nathan Horton David Clarkson nonsense has 'happened'.

Now take your shine box and go watch Tortorella beat your team into injury hell. Have fun with another Penguins first round exit.
- ObeseOprah

I just find it convenient that he's on ltir when the hawks have cap problems and that he's entering the first year of his dead weight contract . Not the same situation as Horton or Clarkson.

Yeah, doctors (who I assume) are paid by the team, would never dare to spin the medical narrative in a way that benefits the team. I am sure there is some grain of truth to it, but the timing could not look more suspicious, especially since that was the circumvention contract that "broke the camel's back" so to say. Regardless, have been a huge Hoss fan ever since he was in OTT
- wilkobecks

Doctor chosen by the league gets to examine Hossa, review his medical situation, in order to confirm.

I hope so. I want that to happen just so heads explode from a million miles away. DO IT!!!
- kwolf68

Technically yes, But my guess is the only way the NHL would allow it is if he played in 18/19. Even then they might not agree.