John Jaeckel: Tuesday update

First

Thanks for the updates JJ. Not sure if I love the Alzner idea, he's not a great defender IMO. If Kruger stays it really makes Stan's next move interesting as he needs cap space...

Reposting from the last blog, because I narcissistically believe my thoughts are worth double-posting:

I don't know whether or not E Kane's off-ice issues disqualify him from a Chicago tenure - and his PIMs concern me especially considering the possible state of the Blackhawks PK next year without Hossa and (probably) Kruger - but the Hawks need some bold moves to get back into the top-level of NHL teams - they need to take some chances on the E Kane's and Yakupovs and other young high-potential/low-accomplishment skaters, hoping to catch one on the up-swing.

As far as Kruger and his bonus - while I'm not a cap expert - I don't see how the Hawks can pay the bonus - which is a bonus for the 2017-18 season - without taking a cap hit back.

MDZ is an interesting option. Not saying I like it, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Does minus Kruger, AA, Hossa LTIR get you enough cap space to land Evander Kane?
If so, adding him to the top 6 changes a whole lot of the team dynamics.

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think Kruger's bonus can be paid through retaining salary. If f it could happen that way there is probably a reason why I have never heard it to be the case in the past. If not illegal the cap consequences are most likley not good.

Too bad Vegas won't trade Neal would have loved to have seen the Hawks get him, plus it would have been nice to piss off the Predators had we got him oh well I am happy we got Saad back though.

1) If the Hawsks retain 50% of the caphit, then vegas will be on the hook to pay a $1M bonus on july 1. Probably not the best use of cash for a fledgling hockey team.
2) If they wait until july 1, the hawks pay the full $2M bonus. Vegas is not out the cash and the hawks retain 0 caphit.

I would think option 2 works better for both.

Signing bonuses mean that players get paid that portion of their total salary up front - Kruger will still be paid the remaining $1,083,333 over the course of the season.

Both Toews and Kane get $6 mill of their $13.8 mill up front this year.

If they retain salary wouldn't it be over the life of the contract, not just the payment? Also the cap number to the Hawks seems to be more important than the actual cash. Anything to leave the cap number alone is probably the best.

1) If the Hawsks retain 50% of the caphit, then vegas will be on the hook to pay a $1M bonus on july 1. Probably not the best use of cash for a fledgling hockey team.
2) If they wait until july 1, the hawks pay the full $2M bonus. Vegas is not out the cash and the hawks retain 0 caphit.

I would think option 2 works better for both.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed.

If they retain salary wouldn't it be over the life of the contract, not just the payment? Also the cap number to the Hawks seems to be more important than the actual cash. Anything to leave the cap number alone is probably the best.
- Quicky72

Yes. Over the life of the contract.

What about Sharpy back to the Hawks?

Good stuff. Despite Stan's comments after the draft that a Forsling and Kempny would have greater opportunities to step in and play more minutes, the fact remains we still need one more veteran on defense. Rosy is number 7 at this point and truly he is just a practice player at this point.

Del Zotto on a reasonable prove it deal would sure help. He has great wheels and might fit in well with the Hawks new focus on speed and getting younger.

As JJ has stated a few times, the days of Stan standing pat and waiting to see how things shake out appear to be over. Aggressive is putting it mildly.

Trading Kruger is a salary dump. Why in the world would we retain salary in a salary dump?

Good insight as always, JJ.

The Kruger news is very interesting...wonder why the deal may have potentially become unraveled.

What about Sharpy back to the Hawks?
- The-O-G

No thanks, my man.

[I also heard the name of another young defenseman with another Central Division club the team has their eye on. More on that, possibly, to come.]

hmmm....

I guess I don't understand how the hawks could acquire ANY UFA with many guys needing deals and Kruger still here. Krugs is gone after the bonus kicks in b/c nobody else wants to pay it.

Michael Del Zotto? He still haven't adjusted to playing dee.

Alzner? I must be missing something there, b/c over paying him doesn't get you points.

...and Evander Kane may look mighty good looking at stats or thinking about how he COULD be gritty, but I am not sure he is looking to mak eless money despite his variou off ice situtions and how he was viewed as a lazy butt w/o regard for the rules in Winnipeg?
Let's just ignore that SUBTRACT a character player we know and add one that MAY be suspect?

Too bad Vegas won't trade Neal would have loved to have seen the Hawks get him, plus it would have been nice to piss off the Predators had we got him oh well I am happy we got Saad back though.

Why would Nashville be pissed off by the Hawks having a guy they didn't even want anyway?

Why would Nashville be pissed off by the Hawks having a guy they didn't even want anyway?
- kwolf68

Hope that dirtbag stays in Vegas.

I guess I don't understand how the hawks could acquire ANY UFA with many guys needing deals and Kruger still here.

Michael Del Zotto? He still haven't adjusted to playing dee.

Alzner? I must be missing something there, b/c over paying him doesn't get you points.

...and Evander Kane may look mighty good looking at stats or thinking about how he COULD be gritty, but I am not sure he is looking to mak eless money despite his variou off ice situtions and how he was viewed as a lazy butt w/o regard for the rules in Winnipeg?
Let's just ignore that SUBTRACT a character player we know and add one that MAY be suspect?
- wiz1901

Due to salary cap Hawks are NOT in position to "have it all"..they have to gamble, take chances and E.Kane would be that. Hawks would hope Buff retain salary, Kane matured and by being around champion lockerrom could be motivated.

to get a guy proven with high character gonna take more than the Hawks have. Unless we are ready to roll with more kids in the top 6.

There is a difference between actual money paid and cap hit. I believe, it is like this:

The Hawks will pay Krüger his 2M bonus on July 1st. Then they will trade him to Vegas and all of his cap hit is removed from their team cap. During the regular season Oct–Apr, for every day Krüger is on the Vegas roster, portion of his cap hit applies to the overall cap hit of the Vegas team, while he is being paid (monthly I guess) the remaining portion of his salary (1.083M) over that time.

Salary actually paid: Hawks 2M, Vegas 1.083M
Expected cap hit: Hawks 0, Vegas 3.083M

Retained salary makes no sense for the Blackhawks, that would split the cap hit too.

Actually, bonuses are being paid at the beginning of the July no matter what. The salary is paid during the regular season and if there is a lockout, players are not getting anything. No regular season = No salary. That's why a lot of higher paid guys have high bonuses, these contracts are lockout-protected.

Due to salary cap Hawks are NOT in position to "have it all"..they have to gamble, take chances and E.Kane would be that. Hawks would hope Buff retain salary, Kane matured and by being around champion lockerrom could be motivated.

to get a guy proven with high character gonna take more than the Hawks have. Unless we are ready to roll with more kids in the top 6.
- kwolf68

Hey, Handzus is still playing in the Euro league. Hawks could bring him back to fill that Center spot.

[I also heard the name of another young defenseman with another Central Division club the team has their eye on. More on that, possibly, to come.]

hmmm....
- jt19

Jacob Trouba cost you one of your Core guys b/c I don't think and /or AA-Kruger gets it done,a and are the core guys gonna actually go to 'peg? No

Maybe a there way trade gets them a Wild cast off, but the question remains how DOES Winnipeg keep Trouba happy when he wants to be on the RIGHT side, not off hand on the left side.

More chance Tallon eats half of Demers than any of the other scenarios, in my mind, but I am the guy who thought they would never break up one of the best lines in hockey.