Gagner took $4MM pay cut to play for $650K with Columbus last year. He wanted stability. For those dollars, he put up 50 pts and was a +10.

http://www.thehockeynews....portunity-has-him-excited
- pdx2ord

Gagne may not be a perfect fit for the Hawks, but he's an option...and they could do alot worse. From the FA list I've seen, there is no perfect fit...especially one that fits the Hawks financially.

Nick Bonino would be interesting...

JJ hear anything about interest in Jordan Weal? Might be a good cheap UFA option.
- KMFDMLight

Jordan Weal was a great junior with Regina Pats. Surprised he took so long to make a breakthrough. However, that may also be a red flag that last year wasn't real.

Hawks could technically submit under the cap as of today. They can submit to the minimum of 20 players for one day (sending down hayden, schmaltz for a day) and bring those players back up on day 2. So they dont have to trade Kruger, but need to if they want to free up spending for free agency (ala Sharp)

Gagne may not be a perfect fit for the Hawks, but he's an option...and they could do alot worse. From the FA list I've seen, there is no perfect fit...especially one that fits the Hawks financially.

Nick Bonino would be interesting...
- ArlingtonRob

Re: Bonino

He could be a good acquisition, depending on the price. Removing Anisimov to add Bonino doesn't change much. If Stan could sign Bonino for around 3 years at $2.5 million per then maybe. But I have a feeling some team will offer more dollars and more term.

The Blackhawks passed a note to Gagner at recess.

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
More
The #Blackhawks and Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other leading up to free agency, source says.

The Blackhawks passed a note to Gagner at recess.

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
More
The #Blackhawks and Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other leading up to free agency, source says.
- matt_ahrens

Then Both Kane and Toews would each get to play with their little buddies!

The Blackhawks passed a note to Gagner at recess.

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
More
The #Blackhawks and Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other leading up to free agency, source says.
- matt_ahrens

Not sure he'll be cheaper than $3.0-$3.5 mil ...

Which at that clip, would prefer to have an alternative option.

The Blackhawks passed a note to Gagner at recess.

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
More
The #Blackhawks and Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other leading up to free agency, source says.
- matt_ahrens

The Blackhawks passed a note to Gagner at recess.

Scott Powers‏ @ByScottPowers 1m1 minute ago
More
The #Blackhawks and Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other leading up to free agency, source says.
- matt_ahrens

Interesting read, Powers also says the Blackhawks are expected to trade Kruger after they pay his signing bonus on 7/1.

Interesting read, Powers also says the Blackhawks are expected to trade Kruger after they pay his signing bonus on 7/1.
- walleyeb1

link?

link?
- EnzoD

https://theathletic.com/7...-express-mutual-interest/

https://theathletic.com/7...-express-mutual-interest/
- Quicky72

Pay to read....

Thanks anyways, Quicky!

Pay to read....

Thanks anyways, Quicky!
- EnzoD

Yeah i just signed up the other day. Seems like the first sports site worth paying for. Time will tell. They usually let you read about 5 articles before blocking you. Try clearing your cookies. That may let you in.

Pay to read....

Thanks anyways, Quicky!
- EnzoD

Try the Twitter link:

https://twitter.com/bysco...status/879851090388426752

Then Both Kane and Toews would each get to play with their little buddies!
- wonthecup10

Gagner on a super cheap deal is fine, but I wouldn't move AA for him.

I don't expect Kero to go anywhere. He was re-signed to a reasonable contract and is a serviceable 4th liner/13th forward.
- DarthKane

If I had to choose, I'd have picked up Rasmussen over Kero. Much higher defensive impact and better possession maintainer. Kero rode a 104 PDO last year so his production is likely to go down and he struggled when given some Kruger usage/deployment when he was out. Better skater, though.

Pay to read....

Thanks anyways, Quicky!
- EnzoD

Only key pieces:

The Blackhawks aren’t expected to be heavy hitters when free agency opens on Saturday, but they could be looking to strengthen their lineup with a few pieces.

One of those pieces might be center Sam Gagner. The Blackhawks and Gagner, a pending unrestricted free agent, have expressed mutual interest in each other, a source told The Athletic.

and

The Blackhawks are expected to trade center Marcus Kruger, who has a $3,083,333 cap hit, after his signing bonus is given on July 1. The Blackhawks also have to decide on how they want to utilize Marian Hossa’s long-term injured reserve. It’s mostly likely they’ll wait until after the season begins to place him on LTIR.

Gagner on a super cheap deal is fine, but I wouldn't move AA for him.
- DarthKane

Not a fan of Gagner. Has talent, but turnovers and his defensive mishaps will drive Q to an early grave.

Re: Bonino

He could be a good acquisition, depending on the price. Removing Anisimov to add Bonino doesn't change much. If Stan could sign Bonino for around 3 years at $2.5 million per then maybe. But I have a feeling some team will offer more dollars and more term.
- DarthKane

Bonino hasn't played top QOC in years, though. With PIT, his deployment was lower OZS (more NZS really) but against low QOC. Anisimov saw only slightly below Toews in terms of QOC (partially because Q didn't want to put some of the rotating rookies on Toews' LW against the highest of the high so they split time). Bonino also doesn't improve FO enough to make a big difference and he's not likely to repeat his goals again because his sh% was the highest it was in a few years last season. Cheaper is not always better imo.

I'm not arguing for Kane, but I have been told what the rationale is: one year left on his deal, playing for a new deal, has shown some recent signs of maturing . . . because he has what they want on the ice.

I have also heard the $$ are tricky so might not happen.

Not like they have to buy him out ever though because they could probably move him at the DL for a 7th round pick somewhere if they had to.

Team source told me last night they see Debrincat-Schmaltz-Kane as a disaster in the making as they'd gut pushed around like the Little Sisters of the Poor.
- John Jaeckel

Well it is Bowman's call. I would not be adamantly against two Kane bro's on the team. Who knows if he has a break out season. Or some nice stretches. Good opportunuty for E Kane to play for a contract. Life is full of chances. Maybe Bowman identifies with the words in the Kenny Loggins song, "The Gambler."

Well it is Bowman's call. I would not be adamantly against two Kane bro's on the team. Who knows if he has a break out season. Or some nice stretches. Good opportunuty for E Kane to play for a contract. Life is full of chances. Maybe Bowman identifies with the words in the Kenny Loggins song, "The Gambler."
- jhawk59

So thinking about the marketing aspect if EKane is traded to Chicago. Would PKane have a P added to his jersey? Would all the stores that have Kane jerseys, shirts, etc need to be recalled so they (NHL) can sell P. Kane jerseys? Just think of all the "new" merchandise that can be sold.

Bonino hasn't played top QOC in years, though. With PIT, his deployment was lower OZS (more NZS really) but against low QOC. Anisimov saw only slightly below Toews in terms of QOC (partially because Q didn't want to put some of the rotating rookies on Toews' LW against the highest of the high so they split time). Bonino also doesn't improve FO enough to make a big difference and he's not likely to repeat his goals again because his sh% was the highest it was in a few years last season. Cheaper is not always better imo.
- L_B_R

Overall I'm not fan of signing either Gagner or Bonino. Those moves don't fit the plan of getting younger (not really), faster, and more talented. If Gagner wants to sign for $1 million or less and play on the third line then ok. But that's about it.

So thinking about the marketing aspect if EKane is traded to Chicago. Would PKane have a P added to his jersey? Would all the stores that have Kane jerseys, shirts, etc need to be recalled so they (NHL) can sell P. Kane jerseys? Just think of all the "new" merchandise that can be sold.
- powerenforcer

Much like the NFL - Kane and Kane No initials

Overall I'm not fan of signing either Gagner or Bonino. Those moves don't fit the plan of getting younger (not really), faster, and more talented. If Gagner wants to sign for $1 million or less and play on the third line then ok. But that's about it.
- DarthKane

Gagner for $3 MIL to play on the first line?

Say no more. I'm on it!

Overall I'm not fan of signing either Gagner or Bonino. Those moves don't fit the plan of getting younger (not really), faster, and more talented. If Gagner wants to sign for $1 million or less and play on the third line then ok. But that's about it.
- DarthKane

I'd be okay with Gagner up to like $1.2m tbh. He's not top 6 fast, but he'd be quick enough to be an offensive 3C or wing. He'd offer more guarantee for production and he'd be easy to trade if he doesn't pan out. I'd be okay with him being the vet in the bottom 6 and he would help the PP, most likely.

I don't dislike Bonino, I just don't want him as 2C because I don't think he could handle the QOC. He's also likely looking for some term that's more than the Hawks would want to offer.