Ya, I get that it helps the floor team with THEIR cap issue and the cap hit/salary side is highly beneficial in that regard.

Just telling you what I am hearing, and that I think the Hawks would like to get a useful piece back. That will cost something. Also remains to be seen in the end, how much cap hit help a given floor team will need.
- John Jaeckel

Two things people need to consider is...

A.) Not a lot of teams are ready and willing to just jump in and help the Hawks outta their cap problems outta the goodness of the heart. I'm sure there are TONS of teams that enjoy seeing us struggle to manage the cap and lose players. Only way we get them to help US help them get to the floor is by putting a sweetener or TWO (i.e. a pick AND a player) in there. Otherwise they could overpay for an average FA on a one year deal to get to the floor and manage that until they have to pay out some of the guys on their rookie deals.

B.) I don't think we're talking THAT big of a price. Maybe like a 3rd and a Vinnie Hinostroza type of player. It really comes down to having confirmation that Hossa is not coming back and they don't have to worry about that player actually being a part of their team. Once a team knows that for sure the ball will get rolling on it.

C.) For anyone who doesn't really wanna pay that kind of price, would you rather have for example a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. and player A than get the caps space to fill the needs we need i.e. 2LW, 3RD, and a C that can win draws? Because it's likely to be one or the other. And if this carries over into the Season than your looking to pay A LOT more to fill all three of those holes through trade than being able to sign a FA

I want to be on record stating it doesnt seem to require much sweetener to get a cap floor team to take on a $5.25m cap hit carrying a $1m payment. Seems to me WE should be getting the sweetener. But my prediction is just a teeny bit of sweetener will need to be stirred into a Hossa deal by Hawks.
- Cmonalready

Actually there isn't any teams that are going to have any trouble reaching the cap floor. So there isn't much incentive for a team make that kind of trade.

From the Blackhawks standpoint unless as you say only if "just a teeny bit of sweetener" is needed it doesn't make sense. My guess is Stan will pretty much stand pat for now and put Hossa on LTIR day one of the season after maximizing the cap.

Not sure where the Iginla rumor is coming from. Heard yesterday the only way the Hawks consider him is a camp PTO.
- John Jaeckel

This may actually make sense.

Actually there isn't any teams that are going to have any trouble reaching the cap floor. So there isn't much incentive for a team make that kind of trade.

From the Blackhawks standpoint unless as you say only if "just a teeny bit of sweetener" is needed it doesn't make sense. My guess is Stan will pretty much stand pat for now and put Hossa on LTIR day one of the season after maximizing the cap.
- walleyeb1

Exactly. I'd be shocked if the prospect/pick thing is anything earth shattering if it were to happen.

I am still trying to figure out why the rush for all this flexibility? The only logical reason would be if if they were getting a high priced player back while also NOT giving up salary. I don't see the logistics in that. The only real value on the Hawks is ON the Hawks. Unless there is a DeBrincat + first type deal for Evander Kane then it makes no sense and no way Stan would give up AD for one year of a head case.

So unless there is another 5 million dollar player out there that will cost nothing off the big club (Hartman, Anisimov) this stuff isn't gonna happen, because it doesn't need to.

Actually there isn't any teams that are going to have any trouble reaching the cap floor. So there isn't much incentive for a team make that kind of trade.

From the Blackhawks standpoint unless as you say only if "just a teeny bit of sweetener" is needed it doesn't make sense. My guess is Stan will pretty much stand pat for now and put Hossa on LTIR day one of the season after maximizing the cap.
- walleyeb1

^^This. Carolina is already over the floor, as is Arizona. Teams will need to be enticed to make this happen.

^^This. Carolina is already over the floor, as is Arizona. Teams will need to be enticed to make this happen.
- Revco38

Makes sense.

I also heard the pick/prospect going back theater way would not be insignificant. Specifically, pick plus a "high prospect", might also explain why a signed asset would come back as well.

The #Oilers have signed Jussi Jokinen to a one-year contract.

Seems Hawks did ok with the first half of summer but will all have to wait and see how it all shakes out. Sharp's health big question mark ... should not expect more than 3rd line veteran presence. Maybe putting him with two young guys. All the "young veteran" new comers, should provide competition for lines 3 and 4. This is golden opportunity for some young guys to step up and make the team, but they have to really earn their spots. Would like to see Hinostroza win a spot, could use that speed in the line up. Same thing with the defense...... the opportunity is there for some ... but have to earn it. Hoping some youngsters are pleasant surprises, while other kids learn to take the next step

Dumping the Hossa deal would be cool. Not sure what that costs though.

I don't mind the team they have right now but I think another move is probably necessary. Would be cool if the NHL made a decision on this so they could move forward already.

I'd think Galchenyuk would play center if he comes here since that seems to be his best position and he's got some beef on his bones. Having a finisher like that for Kane would be nice with Panarin gone and that left side doesn't matter as much. Patrick Sharp's corpse would probably be OK to start the season while they figure out the other pieces.

Either way, they're going to end up with a player with some kind of flaw at this point so I guess it depends on what they can live with there.

1. It is incomprehensible that the NHL did not have a decision on Hossa and the LTIR before July 1. That puts the Hawks at a competitive disadvantage for free agency and possible trades. How is that legal under the NHL bylaws? Furthermore, how can the Hawks not have a problem with that?

2. The cap situation is still present even if Hossa goes on LTIR. Anisimov needs to be traded for the Hawks to get better. They need a 2LW or 2C, depending on the deal and they need another D. Without both, I think this team will have a very rough year unless lightning in a bottle comes in the form of Patrick Sharp, and no one wants to depend on that.

3. Without a trade of Anisimov and Hossa to LTIR or trade, what are the options? Jokinen at C or LW? Franson at D? We can do better. I would be in favor of Jokinen more as a depth signing but the Hawks have more work to do first.
- KMFDMLight

Think most assume you will get LTIR approval for Hossa. I'm guessing this is the way the NHL is penalizing the Hawks without formally penalizing the Hawks. Other owners not happy have to find a balance.

NHL can do/ make whatever laws they want.

^^This. Carolina is already over the floor, as is Arizona. Teams will need to be enticed to make this happen.
- Revco38

If a team is over the cap floor, why would they want to take on Hossa's contract? It does them no good - they would have to spend $1MM for no benefit.

If a team is UNDER the floor, and is having trouble getting over it, then they would be getting value back in Hossa's contract, and I don't understand why the Hawks would need to send them a sweetener to do a deal - both sides would be advantaged.

As for teams not wanting to help Chicago with its cap problems - no team wants to help any other team unless they are getting something back in return - but if there is a market for whoever Bowman wants to send out, then the Hawks should get equal value back (in terms of players, picks, and / or cap space). No team is going to pass on a player they would want because they want to screw - or even not help - the Hawks.

Makes sense.

I also heard the pick/prospect going back theater way would not be insignificant. Specifically, pick plus a "high prospect", might also explain why a signed asset would come back as well.
- John Jaeckel

Any insight on the new goalies that were added recently

Jussi Jokkinen signed a one year deal with Edmonton

http://nhl.com/hockey/com...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Dumping the Hossa deal would be cool. Not sure what that costs though.

I don't mind the team they have right now but I think another move is probably necessary. Would be cool if the NHL made a decision on this so they could move forward already.

I'd think Galchenyuk would play center if he comes here since that seems to be his best position and he's got some beef on his bones. Having a finisher like that for Kane would be nice with Panarin gone and that left side doesn't matter as much. Patrick Sharp's corpse would probably be OK to start the season while they figure out the other pieces.

Either way, they're going to end up with a player with some kind of flaw at this point so I guess it depends on what they can live with there.
- fattybeef

One thing is really clear, the organization is not planning on a lot of kids fresh out of college/junior this year. And honestly, that is likely going to be an improvement over last year.

Sharp gives you something. Wingels is a solid bottom 6 guy who can do a lot of different things somewhat well. Dauphin probably does the same.

It is DUMB to bring kids up too early, have them play out of position, over their heads or, on the other hand, lower line roles when their game is more skill/top 6 by nature.

It's bad prospect development and bad NHL personnel thinking.

Give Bowman some credit. They have addressed LW somewhat, lower line depth and toughness, PK COULD be better, and overall goalie depth may be better. Team speed is much better.

People forget, Darling had no NHL experience and less AHL experience when he came to Chicago than Forsberg has. Forsberg has about 3X the pro experience Darling had and he won a Calder Cup.

So there are positives here. But work still to be done.

South Haven
- John Jaeckel

How was the water? I'm running a triathlon not far from there next month.

Think most assume you will get LTIR approval for Hossa. I'm guessing this is the way the NHL is penalizing the Hawks without formally penalizing the Hawks. Other owners not happy have to find a balance.

NHL can do/ make whatever laws they want.
- Gerk

The NHL can delay the ruling. But if they rule against Hossa's LTIR, a third party doctor makes the decision.

Think most assume you will get LTIR approval for Hossa. I'm guessing this is the way the NHL is penalizing the Hawks without formally penalizing the Hawks. Other owners not happy have to find a balance.

NHL can do/ make whatever laws they want.
- Gerk

I do not believe they can force a team into a competitive imbalance without some sort of due process.

I want to be on record stating it doesnt seem to require much sweetener to get a cap floor team to take on a $5.25m cap hit carrying a $1m payment. Seems to me WE should be getting the sweetener. But my prediction is just a teeny bit of sweetener will need to be stirred into a Hossa deal by Hawks.
- Cmonalready

Not sure that you are considering they would be taking that contract hit for 3 more years. I think term impacts that trade more than you are factoring it in.

Makes sense.

I also heard the pick/prospect going back theater way would not be insignificant. Specifically, pick plus a "high prospect", might also explain why a signed asset would come back as well.
- John Jaeckel

That's the only way such a trade would make sense, both teams would have to see it as something that improved their team.

Otherwise it makes more sense for Stan to pretty much stand put and move Hossa to LTIR on day one after maximizing the cap. May make for a long boring summer but it gives him maximum flexibility and is pretty easy to do with the current roster.

Heck, even I was able to get us to within $205 of the cap ceiling. Then Stan can LTIR Hossa and rearrange the deck chairs or make whatever moves he's hidden from public view.

https://capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/407291

The NHL can delay the ruling. But if they rule against Hossa's LTIR, a third party doctor makes the decision.
- Tanuki

Sorry my point was I think they rule in favor of allowing him to go on LTIR. But make other owners happy by dragging it out and possibly passing some other LTIR rules down the road.

Sorry my point was I think they rule in favor of allowing him to go on LTIR. But make other owners happy by dragging it out and possibly passing some other LTIR rules down the road.
- Gerk

Okay. Thanks for clarifying.

One thing is really clear, the organization is not planning on a lot of kids fresh out of college/junior this year. And honestly, that is likely going to be an improvement over last year.

Sharp gives you something. Wingels is a solid bottom 6 guy who can do a lot of different things somewhat well. Dauphin probably does the same.

It is DUMB to bring kids up too early, have them play out of position, over their heads or, on the other hand, lower line roles when their game is more skill/top 6 by nature.

It's bad prospect development and bad NHL personnel thinking.

Give Bowman some credit. They have addressed LW somewhat, lower line depth and toughness, PK COULD be better, and overall goalie depth may be better. Team speed is much better.

People forget, Darling had no NHL experience and less AHL experience when he came to Chicago than Forsberg has. Forsberg has about 3X the pro experience Darling had and he won a Calder Cup.

So there are positives here. But work still to be done.
- John Jaeckel

Good points JJ ...... and I would like to add to that Wingels and Bouma are not just physical but can also skate. Dauphin is fast - not that big or not that small - but is fearless in going to the net. I think they have many options with the forwards

^^This. Carolina is already over the floor, as is Arizona. Teams will need to be enticed to make this happen.
- Revco38

and it is a four year deal! even more reason for teams to need something in return.

One thing is really clear, the organization is not planning on a lot of kids fresh out of college/junior this year. And honestly, that is likely going to be an improvement over last year.

Sharp gives you something. Wingels is a solid bottom 6 guy who can do a lot of different things somewhat well. Dauphin probably does the same.

It is DUMB to bring kids up too early, have them play out of position, over their heads or, on the other hand, lower line roles when their game is more skill/top 6 by nature.

It's bad prospect development and bad NHL personnel thinking.

Give Bowman some credit. They have addressed LW somewhat, lower line depth and toughness, PK COULD be better, and overall goalie depth may be better. Team speed is much better.

People forget, Darling had no NHL experience and less AHL experience when he came to Chicago than Forsberg has. Forsberg has about 3X the pro experience Darling had and he won a Calder Cup.

So there are positives here. But work still to be done.
- John Jaeckel

I think the bolded part is where we can't under estimate the impact of the new Hogs head coach Colliton and his reputation of properly developing players. With a lot of new guys on the Hogs, have the prospects grow together as a cohort in Rockford, learn the system, nail down the fundamentals, work on flaws, etc.

If a prospect is clearly ready to make the jump, then call him up but only if there is a position on a certain line on the Hawks roster that is presently deficient and that this prospect has the requisite skillset to address that deficiency.

One thing is really clear, the organization is not planning on a lot of kids fresh out of college/junior this year. And honestly, that is likely going to be an improvement over last year.

Sharp gives you something. Wingels is a solid bottom 6 guy who can do a lot of different things somewhat well. Dauphin probably does the same.

It is DUMB to bring kids up too early, have them play out of position, over their heads or, on the other hand, lower line roles when their game is more skill/top 6 by nature.

It's bad prospect development and bad NHL personnel thinking.

Give Bowman some credit. They have addressed LW somewhat, lower line depth and toughness, PK COULD be better, and overall goalie depth may be better. Team speed is much better.

People forget, Darling had no NHL experience and less AHL experience when he came to Chicago than Forsberg has. Forsberg has about 3X the pro experience Darling had and he won a Calder Cup.

So there are positives here. But work still to be done.
- John Jaeckel

Not to mention that was one of the biggest reasons they brought Colliton to Rockford. A unique concept develop your assets!!!