Lets look at the numbers at a high level. 80M would give the hawks about 7.5 for next season after most of the RFA and UFA slots are filled. Note Rutta and Kempny are on UFA's this season.

The "beloved" Blues would sit around 10M +. Would that give an in division rival the chance of landing lets say Taveras? Preds would be 9+ with a tight roster

A rising cap actually may hurt the hawks as it helps the competition - as much if not more.
- riozzo

y

Hawks have to replace “aging” vets, and have hard to move large contracts.

My guess is in trades (or certainly, FA signings) they will have to take back more in cap hit (league ready players) than they give up (picks/prospects) if they’re going to retool for a quick Cup run.

Let Stan do his best with a higher cap and let the St. Louis and Nashville fan bases worry about themselves.

y

Hawks have to replace “aging” vets, and have hard to move large contracts.

My guess is in trades (or certainly, FA signings) they will have to take back more in cap hit than they give up, if they’re going to retool for a quick Cup run.

Let Stan do his best with a higher cap and let the St. Louis and Nashville fan bases worry about themselves.
- StLBravesFan

If you are agreeing to disagree thats fine. However, in a competitive market environment the extra $ won't help Stanbo until one of 19 or 7 either play at their contract or say Bye Bye

How ironic I was thinking same but did not think thought would be interesting enough to blog about. He played a proto typical power forward game in junior. He is talented enough to make a play or score. Fast but not a burner, reportedly he bulked up over summer without loosing speed. Said to be able to play fast. He complements and is productive with skill players, but not a stand alone and still be a star.

My impression
- jhawk59

And I in thinking the same

If you are agreeing to disagree thats fine. However, in a competitive market environment the extra $ won't help Stanbo until one of 19 or 7 either play at their contract or say Bye Bye
- riozzo

If it’s so obvious that their skills have so dramatically eroded, then what GM / ownership group would take on either contract? Rocky would have to take back much more in retained salary/cap hit than he is likely to want.

If they are as bad as has been advertised here, then the Hawks will get nothing back for them - not even cap space, once they’ve retained salary on them and gone out to get a $6MM top line Center (which Toews probably still is) and a $4MM 2/3 defenseman (which Seabrook possibly still is).

Let’s hope each returns to the contract level at half or 60% of the actual contract - symbolically eat the rest and hope Stan can still use the (presumed - let’s remember how Bettman’s accountants have screwed up projecting the cap in the past) cap increase to build around them.

How about instead of raising the cap, raise the floor? Narrowing the variance between the floor and ceiling might make some trades easier.

Time to stop coddling to these cheap-a$$ owners.

It doesn't have to be. I know I'm a 'glass half full' type of guy (when I'm not being sarcastic) but I always felt that following a sports team should be fun. Venting after a loss is one thing, but the continual bashing of guys who helped restored respectability to the Blackhawks and helped deliver 3 Stanley Cups is unbelievable. I know the NHL is a business all about winning, but following the Hawks can still be fun even when they're not on top of the standings and/or winning a Cup.
- DarthKane

Thank you!!! Well said!