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.
- StLBravesFan

Because they can? Because what they get back in return for that $1m over four years is worth it to them. Maybe some flexibility too. If they needed to trade some of their higher paid players, they could.

JJ when you say a signed asset would be coming back are we saying that tvr would be that signed asset or maybe one of thier young d man which i don t see carolina giving up for hossa hino and picki m assuming that if that trade would happen thay probably would be the return. What other players from carolina would possibly come back besides tvr.

Not to mention that was one of the biggest reasons they brought Colliton to Rockford. A unique concept develop your assets!!!
- walleyeb1

Totally agree.

Because they can? Because what they get back in return for that $1m over four years is worth it to them. Maybe some flexibility too. If they needed to trade some of their higher paid players, they could.
- matt_ahrens

Value to both teams is the key.

Maple Leafs prospect Dominic Toninato to become free agent

Toninato will become a free agent Aug. 15 after the team declined to offer him an NHL entry-level deal. They are backed in CONTRACTS: 48/50

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...er-choice-than-to-go-ufa/

Some good teams are going to miss the playoffs in the West. Dallas and Winnipeg are coming. Hope its not the Preds.

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

Other owners need to sell their teams if they are crying about it. I hope Hossa and the PA sue the pants off the owners for taking this long to make a case.

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

IMO, what this organization needs is to have a very competitive training camp with just enough roster spots up for grabs. And for the many guys that won't make the big team, an environment in Rockford where teaching, development and competition is the priority. The Hawks are going to be a team that uses 30-32 players over the season, call ups are a positive thing as opposed to bringing Rosy, Tootoo or somebody like Iginla down from the press box to play one out of 10 games because Q is comfortable with them.

Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.

IMO, what this organization needs is to have a very competitive training camp with just enough roster spots up for grabs. And for the many guys that won't make the big team, an environment in Rockford where teaching, development and competition is the priority. The Hawks are going to be a team that uses 30-32 players over the season, call ups are a positive thing as opposed to bringing Rosy, Tootoo or somebody like Iginla down from the press box to play one out of 10 games because Q is comfortable with them.
- RickJ

Excellent points Rick. Couldn't agree more

Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hear Hear!!!

Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.
- Ogilthorpe2

yeah, apparently people like winning cups more than having a 2LC.

How was the water? I'm running a triathlon not far from there next month.
- Lash8

A little warmer than last year, not kicked up

A little warmer than last year, not kicked up
- John Jaeckel

Cool, thanks JJ. Good to know that if I die, it'll at least be during the bike or the run.

Other owners need to sell their teams if they are crying about it. I hope Hossa and the PA sue the pants off the owners for taking this long to make a case.
- powerenforcer

So if they grant him LTIR status they are going to sue the league for taking to long? At that point in time why would the PA care since it was all handled in the offseason?

Still no word on he future consideration on the Krueger trade??/

Still no word on he future consideration on the Krueger trade??/
- Hockeygirl222

We'll probably find out in the future

Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.
- Ogilthorpe2[/quote]



I find the fixation on this inaccurate premise even more amusing.

AA is a useful player. Big, responsible positionally, really good around the net, smart.

But there is also a reason in both New York and Columbus he was periodically moved out to left wing. Not least of which, he sucks at faceoffs.

I will go with what coaches and scouts say, over interwebs truisms and analytics jockeys, faceoffs matter. Especially on special teams.

Sure, if that's all you do, like say Paul Gaustad or Never Panic Yanic himself, meh, not much use there. But you combine it with a guy who does other things . . . like a Toews or a Bergeron or a Duchene, among many others, it helps make a player much more of a total package and a weapon who can be used in more situations..

By the way, add this to your extensive repertoire of knowledge:

Artem Anisimov has won zero Cups anywhere, ever. Michal Handzus and Brad R=ichards, two legitimate NHL centers the Hawks had on kane's line in the last 5 years, and both of whom were better on draws than the great Artem Anisimov, have one a piece in Chicago.

Talk about short memories.

Does Oesterle make it to the NHL this year?

Um ok, can someone with hockey smarts explain to the board why otherwise skilled players cannot win face offs? Is this a technique or skill that can't be taught? Or practiced? That some players are good at it and some will never be????
I just don't get it.

Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.
- Ogilthorpe2

TRUTH.

Much as Id be on board moving Anisimov, it's not like the Hawks have an abundance of centers. I can't see him being a trade option.
- kwolf68

Agree. Unless they got a younger, cheaper, cost controlled, center back that could win face offs. Very unlikely.

[quote=Ogilthorpe2]Lemme get this straight....

For years you people cried about not having a legit 2C, and now that we have one, we want to trade him for a LW who might be able to kind of, sort of, sometimes, play center...all because the legit 2C that we finally DO have is only fair to middling at the dot?



Last I checked there is a whole hell of lot more to being a good NHL center-iceman than winning faceoffs. Of those "other" things Anisimov, when healthy, seems to excel at some, and is above average at most.

Trading AA without a proven NHL caliber C coming back in return makes absolutely no sense to me, and I find the sudden fixation on one of the more meaningless stats in the game to be amusing.
- John Jaeckel[/quote]



I find the fixation on this inaccurate premise even more amusing.

AA is a useful player. Big, responsible positionally, really good around the net, smart.

But there is also a reason in both New York and Columbus he was periodically moved out to left wing. Not least of which, he sucks at faceoffs.

I will go with what coaches and scouts say, over interwebs truisms and analytics jockeys, faceoffs matter. Especially on special teams.

Sure, if that's all you do, like say Paul Gaustad or Never Panic Yanic himself, meh, not much use there. But you combine it with a guy who does other things . . . like a Toews or a Bergeron or a Duchene, among many others, it helps make a player much more of a total package and a weapon who can be used in more situations..

By the way, add this to your extensive repertoire of knowledge:

Artem Anisimov has won zero Cups anywhere, ever. Michal Handzus and Brad R=ichards, two legitimate NHL centers the Hawks had on kane's line in the last 5 years, and both of whom were better on draws than the great Artem Anisimov, have one a piece in Chicago.

Talk about short memories.

Also healthy Duncan Keith and the rest of the line up was rounded off as well. Players like Richards or Zeus who have produced in the past and understood how to adjust their game in the twilight of their careers is different then dumping in Some Guy and saying because Patrick Kane.

Toews - Richards - Vermette - Kooger up the pipe is kind of good.
Toews - Zeus - Bolland - Kooga
Toews - Sharp - Bolland - Madden

All of the Cup teams were "deep" up the middle in that all of those guys could play the position and were veterans. If any one of those guys went down (except Toews) one could replace the other for a spell of games.

As the Hawks roster stands you have Toews - AA - Some guy - Some guy

If the Hawks move AA, Patrick Kane probably still gets his points but then you have Toews - Some guy - Some guy - Some guy.

While "Some Guy" can probably work on the 2nd line, they will need at least one center on the roster with NHL experience who knows how to play the game and can fill multiple rolls if they come off AA. The nice thing about AA is you know what you get and he can kill penalties, screen a goalie and knows how to draw defenders and get Kane space.

If its Galchenyuk in the 2C spot then maybe you get away with that because he has a lot of natural ability and hell score 40 goals with Kane on his right and you deal with his mistakes. Or at a minimum if he plays LW with Schmalz and Kane then you have someone who can fill in for Toews in case poop.

If its a reach on a LW then I think you stick with the devil you know unless some savvy veteran center is part of the deal.

I;m not one of the guys who dismisses the ability to win faceoffs - I think winning faceoffs is very important - especially in the d-zone when typically the opposing team has their best faceoff guy in there.

However, there is more to AA's game than simply sucking at faceoffs and those other aspects of his game are pretty good. If he could be replaced by a guy who was a good faceoff guy AND did the other things as well as AA - that would be great. But, the names I've seen rumored to be traded for AA are either not centers or part-time centers with worse faceoff efficiency.

I am not a big Anisimov fan, but he is not overpaid. There are tons of 2nd line centers better than him, in some cases way better, but they also make tons more than him. Players like Krejci, Backstrom, Kesler are all 2nd line centers and I'd take any over AA, but they are also paid a lot more. You are getting what you paid for with Anisimov, a guy who will score 40-45 points a year, be big and play decent defense. He's not a good setup guy in my view, stinks at faceoffs, but if he could do stuff like that he'd probably be scoring 60+ points a year and we couldn't afford him.