The hawks have an unworkable "core", consisting of 9 players that take up $60m of their cap space*. That leaves them with about $15m in cap space for 14 players to fill out the roster. That doesnt work!!! The hawks HAVE to get down to a core at $50-55m.

Trading Hammer's $4.1m for Murphy's $3.85m doesnt help that problem.
Trading Panarin's $6m for Saad's $6m doesnt help that problem.
Adding Oshie (core money) doesnt help.
Adding Galynchek (core money) doesnt help.
Adding Evander Kane for AA doesnt help.
Losing Hoss helps some (I don't think all of his cost drops to available based on difficulties manuevering within LTIR), but oh, what a price.

Work left to do!!

* Kane, Toews, AA, Hossa (until LTIR, and the gain there isn't well understood), Saad, Keith, Seab, Murphy, Craw. $60m+-.
- Cmonalready

And BTW, trading Kruger doesnt help this situation, as I didn't include him.
And I left Panik and his $2.8m salary outside the core, which exacerbates the issue.

Really hate this theme.

A 10.5 mil Captain shouldn't need a Saad to revitalize his game.
- vabeachbear

Agreed. At $10.5m the words "revitalize Toews" really should never have to be used.... but, it's a problem that needs to be addressed and Toews is apparently too busy worrying about the climate and his personal political ambitions to do it himself... so the team is handling it. If getting Saad back out there with him doesn't help that contract will enter Dustin Brown territory.

That makes no sense. He has a $5m+ cap hit for a $1m salary for the next 4 years. I can't imagine a better contract for a team trying to get to the Cap floor.

I do believe they can't make this trade now. Need to let things settle, let the league rule that he is LTIR eligible. Maybe even wait a whole year to let him verify that he's not coming back, that this injury is truly career ending. Then trade him in a cap move trade.
- Cmonalready

Im gyessing its quiet because thats a deal that doesnt nees to be made today. A team can ger through the draft, and worry about that type of deal later.

That makes no sense. He has a $5m+ cap hit for a $1m salary for the next 4 years. I can't imagine a better contract for a team trying to get to the Cap floor.

I do believe they can't make this trade now. Need to let things settle, let the league rule that he is LTIR eligible. Maybe even wait a whole year to let him verify that he's not coming back, that this injury is truly career ending. Then trade him in a cap move trade.
- Cmonalready

Spot on

Total CAP hit for AA and Kruger is $7.633. Assuming they both go away, you can add a pretty good piece for $7M.

Agreed. At $10.5m the words "revitalize Toews" really should never have to be used.... but, it's a problem that needs to be addressed and Toews is apparently too busy worrying about the climate and his personal political ambitions to do it himself... so the team is handling it. If getting Saad back out there with him doesn't help that contract will enter Dustin Brown territory.
- tredbrta

I would give 19 some room here. The guy has played a ton of hockey and has the trophy case to prove it. No 19, no Cups. Lets see how he looks with a healthy back this year. With Pitt going back to back, that will be pure motivation for 19.

Total CAP hit for AA and Kruger is $7.633. Assuming they both go away, you can add a pretty good piece for $7M.
- scottak

I thought the Hawks were still a little over, so wouldn't they need to move both and keep the new contract lower than $7M?

Yeah, I understood who you're talking about. How many teams have won the cup without 30+ year old players on it? Even key players.

Can look to last year with the Pens for an example. They had 4 forwards and 3 defensemen on their team who were 30+, including 2 of their top 6 forwards. They would have had 4 d-men if Letang had played (and I excluded Steit because he only played 3 games in the playoffs). Kessel and Crosby are turning 30 soon so.

Hawks have all of 1 forward who is 30+ right now, and he's in the bottom 6. Toews will be turning 30 soon, but that's the only other forward currently. If they get Oshie, that would make 2 in the top 6, but good player so eh. Then they have 3 guys who are 30+ on defense, but Rozsival really should be excluded because he won't play much.

So again, tell me how having a few key/core players being 30+ is going to hurt the team when the rest of the team is getting younger.

Edited out mistakes.
- L_B_R

Great point. Definitely a transition.

I would give 19 some room here. They guy has played a ton of hockey and has the trophy case to prove it. No 19, no Cups. Lets see how he looks with a healthy back this year. With Pitt going back to back, that will be pure motivation for 19.
- z1990z

I thought the Hawks were still a little over, so wouldn't they need to move both and keep the new contract lower than $7M?
- Hank3Henshaw

A little over including Hoss's cap hit.

Could be a special on soft shell crab at a restaurant in Hinsdale...So maybe Q wanted to grab some lunch before heading back to UC...

- Al

Sale on chardonnay at Binny's...

A little over including Hoss's cap hit.
- scottak

Ahhh...thank you.

To further your point...

Going by what has happened in the past there are 2 positions that a player in their early to mid 30's can often play at a high level...Goalie and defenders.

Anaheim won the Cup with Pronger and Niedermayer playing about 1/2 the game and they were well into their 30's.

What was lacking was speed on the forecheck...Now they have some and maybe the possession #'s will look better this year.
- Al

Anaheim was the other team I was trying to remember, thanks! Carolina had a few key 30+ year old players in their cup win too - Brind'Amour, Weight, Stillman, Recchi, Whitney...

Anaheim was the other team I was trying to remember, thanks! Carolina had a few key 30+ year old players in their cup win too - Brind'Amour, Weight, Stillman, Recchi, Whitney...
- L_B_R

Ditto and Yes!

I understand all the hoopla about having a "younger, faster, bigger" etc. team, but at the end of the day, skill will always win. That's why the Pens took down the Preds.

Give me top-six skilled guys like Oshie all day, regardless of how fast or young they are (cost of course is the prevailing factor however).

Sometimes I think this stuff is blown up.

I don't doubt that he stormed out, but that kind of things happens in all jobs. People get fired up at my work and have disagreements. I certainly don't think Q is going to be fired or anything.

Probably was just fired up because he may not have agreed with some trades, disagreed and left to cool off.

Just my guess.
- Hank3Henshaw

My guess, bad crab salad.

The hawks have an unworkable "core", consisting of 9 players that take up $60m of their cap space*. That leaves them with about $15m in cap space for 14 players to fill out the roster. That doesnt work!!! The hawks HAVE to get down to a core at $50-55m.

Trading Hammer's $4.1m for Murphy's $3.85m doesnt help that problem.
Trading Panarin's $6m for Saad's $6m doesnt help that problem.
Adding Oshie (core money) doesnt help.
Adding Galynchek (core money) doesnt help.
Adding Evander Kane for AA doesnt help.
Losing Hoss helps some (I don't think all of his cost drops to available based on difficulties manuevering within LTIR), but oh, what a price.

Work left to do!!

* Kane, Toews, AA, Hossa (until LTIR, and the gain there isn't well understood), Saad, Keith, Seab, Murphy, Craw. $60m+-.
- Cmonalready

Great post sir...

Bowman still hasn't cleared space yet and those NMCs are still killers with the core still here. The Saad move is great along with an real solid goalie prospect who's more than likely your backup next year. Didn't care for the Hammer move. Your best defenseman, but this is the result of these heavy vet deals with no movers.

As far as Hossa its not a winner...as you mentioned the price - you won't replace him in any shape or form. Unselfish two way player who's a demon on defense. BTW 7 GWGs for Hossa last year.

He's got a lot of work left to do...for sure.

I understand all the hoopla about having a "younger, faster, bigger" etc. team, but at the end of the day, skill will always win. That's why the Pens took down the Preds.

Give me top-six skilled guys like Oshie all day, regardless of how fast or young they are (cost of course is the prevailing factor however).
- TommyHawk

That's the rub though, Oshie is most likely looking to cash in on one more contract something the Hawks should stay FAR away from. 1-2 yrs at a reasonable cap, then yeah I'm with you on that one. But regardless of the cap hit, nothing more than 2 years.

Ditto and Yes!
- Al

Thinking on all the modern teams too: Kings in both cup wins have a few (more in 2014 than 2012 obvs). Boston in 2011 a handful, including their #1 d-man, goalie, and someone over 40 in their top 6. It's almost like a team needs balance between youth and veterans.

I understand all the hoopla about having a "younger, faster, bigger" etc. team, but at the end of the day, skill will always win. That's why the Pens took down the Preds.

Give me top-six skilled guys like Oshie all day, regardless of how fast or young they are (cost of course is the prevailing factor however).
- TommyHawk

The Pens figured out how to weather the Preds storm and then strike when the Nashville made mistakes.

I think that was a big part, too.

If they add Kane or Neal... the team just got a lot more sandpaper and size. Not only that, guy should who can pot 30 goals.


I like to believe we see another left field move. I believe that there is a method to this madness too.

Panarin second on the team in +/-. More than a one way player obviously.
- Savoy

NOT liking the Panarin for Saad deal.
This team needs scoring, and now has less.

I would give 19 some room here. The guy has played a ton of hockey and has the trophy case to prove it. No 19, no Cups. Lets see how he looks with a healthy back this year. With Pitt going back to back, that will be pure motivation for 19.
- z1990z

That leash is getting real short on excuses.

If Saad can't help Toews improve next year the team has a much bigger issue.

That being said I will applaud Bowman for ballsy moves and wiling
to make changes, I've been critical of Stan but I like these moves. Hate to lose Hammer, that one hurts. Unfortunately some risks are needed.

Oh boy cant wait to see what happens next !!

NOT liking the Panarin for Saad deal.
This team needs scoring, and now has less.

- Kewl1

I like the trade.

Wait until the dust settles from all the dealings today and what's still to come.

I think the Hawks come out a better team than before.

Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus 54s54 seconds ago
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Anton Forsberg will get first crack at being the backup goalie. Bowman was impressed with his run to Calder Cup championship. #Blackhawks