Wiz in your personal opinion who do you think the hawks take at 8 and who would you pick at 8 if you were the gm?
- Scott1977

I want Brady because I think he is the kind of player who will play LARGER than any skill set, wants to win no matter what, plays nasty until he wins.
But...he isn't gonna be there we don't think.

I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the big rangy centre that fills a need and he can play wing if he doesn't work out.

I have to agree with the critics on Wahstrom, but whether a perimeter shooter, a straight line skater, or not that involved in the battle zones to take pucks back, he CAN release the puck almost as well as Zadina and Svechnikov...he is nowhere near as dynamic, smart or agile, but I cannot overlook those point totals even though they elevated when Jack Hughes arrived to centre him.



I would shy away from all the defenders but Quinn Hughes.

Not today it isn't, Wiz. O'Rielly is the best faceoff man on earth, he's stout, he's as good a shut down C as there is in the game, his compete it excellent, he's gonna come in at about 60 points and is now shooting more so that number may go up and he comes in at 4ish mil less than a declining Toews.
- Mr Ricochet

I have to disagree because Toews is a creator and O'Reilly isn't - he's great in the corners but he isn't a better shooter or skater. Where are the vast amount of Ryan's goals coming from?



It is really a moot point:
The Sabres have and will pay Jack Eichel.
The Sabre will play and have to pay Casey Mittelstadt...soon.
They are think that Habs concussion prone winger Max Pacioretty is equal to but they will have to take something else form a Montreal dying to add a bigger centre.

They are not adding a big centre contract just trying to find value from O"Reilly to make them better in goal and backline.
if they are even trading him...
- wiz1901

Scott go to DraftSite and see...my seven round mock isn't me fitting player to team as much as Team Wiz is picking the next best player on MY board pick after pick after pick...click on the player and you can read my evaluation of most guys into the 7th round.

I think they a goal scorer if Wahlstrom is there, whether he end up a star or a top six guy, he can score and they need their own young Brock Boeser.
If a right handed dee-man is equal on their board, you know what they think when it comes to the right handers scoop them when you can.
- wiz1901

Thanks just asking your opinion since team wiz as a vast knowledge of all players in this upcoming draft glad to have you back keep up the good work.

I think one of the big ingredients the Hawks are missing is: "ugly" guys that can do their job.

When I look at the current roster, it seems like they've tried to slot in flashy talent at everyone position. Obviously talent is important; however, I think there's just a lot of the same mold of player on ice right now: smallish guys, tend to shy from physical play, looking to pass instead of shoot, etc., etc...

When the Hawks were surging, they had a mix of guys who complimented each other. You had your Toews, Kane, Keith, etc. guys. Then you had guys that didn't have that level of talent BUT what they brought to the table was solid play. The kind of guys who you didn't really hear their names called out during the game--they just went out and executed the fundamentals and did their jobs and didn't try to outplay themselves. They knew what they were capable of and stayed within those parameters because they got results.

I always think about Sopel as the example. Here was a guy who was never going to be a Keith or Seabrook and that was fine. What he did was block shots, clear the zone, get physical, stay-at-home and most importantly: he ate minutes (reliably) for Keith/Seabrook and the more skilled blueliners to rest and stay fresh.

I think what I'm trying to say is that they may need to bring some variety in skillsets to the Madhouse. You don't have to look for multiple Schmaltz-type players, you know?
- Hank3Henshaw

This approach seems like trying to build a football roster with nothing but skilled position players. You need to put some linemen on the team to carry the heavy physical lifting.

And this one has been stuck in my craw for awhile, when I mentioned the Hossa retention being used to pay bonuses,

FYI. Only two types of contracts can be bonus-laden. ELCs and Over35 contracts.
- TTtime

Ok go to capfriendly Winnipeg Jets

click on Dustin BYFUGLIEN
(I am sorry this doesn't stretch correctly but I don't want to provide the link and spend two more months in the Buzz jail:


VALUE: $38,000,000C.H.% : 10.41SIGNING DATE: February 8, 2016SOURCE: CapFriendly
SEASON CLAUSE CAP HIT AAV P. BONUSES S. BONUSES BASE SALARY TOTAL SALARY MINORS SALARY
2016-17 NMC $7,600,000 $7,600,000 $0 $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000

So TTime educate me, because it is probably me but Buff wasn't 33 in that 2016-17 season and he wasn't in an entry level contract.

What information am I in error with?

They can pay any bonuses on newly signed euros or college players with Hossa $s but not a Kane bonus for a 70 goal season?

They why did Buff get 2 mil in bonuses??????

I have to disagree because Toews is a creator and O'Reilly isn't - he's great in the corners but he isn't a better shooter or skater. Where are the vast amount of Ryan's goals coming from?



It is really a moot point:
The Sabres have and will pay Jack Eichel.
The Sabre will play and have to pay Casey Mittelstadt...soon.
they are think that Hab winger Pacioretty is equal to but they will have to take something else form a Montreal dying to add a bigger centre.

They are not adding a big centre contract just trying to find value from o"Reilly to make them better in goal and backline.
if they are even trading him...
- wiz1901

Foley has been stealing money for yrs. Most any jr game I watch the PBP guy is more prepared, with vastly less resources, than Foley...... Many times he's embarrassing.
- Mr Ricochet

I know the story is that foley went to high school in one if the northern suburbs. Anyone have a 1969 lane tech high school year book to see if foley is in there?

Just read on theScore here in Toronto... the top 10 projections of new homes for some.

Keep in mind it's just a fun projection and appears to be based off of the Scott Powers article the other day.

Justin Faulk - Chicago Blackhawks

Possible return: 2018 1st (27th overall, from Predators), F Marian Hossa, D Chad Krys

It'll take some creativity on the part of these two GMs, but a swap that would send Justin Faulk and Scott Darling from Carolina to the Chicago Blackhawks makes some sense for both clubs.

Chicago's blue line, once the team's strength, lacks both depth and top-end talent, and Faulk would help the Blackhawks begin to improve their defensive core. Darling is expensive, but he has a history of success in Chicago and could step into the starting job should injuries continue to trouble Corey Crawford.

As for the Hurricanes, the deal allows them to walk away from the Darling experiment - he's due nearly $12 million over the next three seasons - and clear a spot for a new goaltender, taking on Marian Hossa's cap hit in exchange. Hossa is owed just $1 million over each of the next three seasons. Carolina also lands Boston University defenseman Chad Krys, who is ready to turn pro, and the first-rounder that Chicago originally received for Ryan Hartman.
- Justin Lowe

Yup....sign me up! I saw the same article on the Score too (quick plug - this is the best sports app out there).

I’d pay that price in a heartbeat, maybe even a bit more.

And this one has been stuck in my craw for awhile, when I mentioned the Hossa retention being used to pay bonuses,



Ok go to capfriendly Winnipeg Jets

click on Dustin BYFUGLIEN
(I am sorry this doesn't stretch correctly but I don't want to provide the link and spend two more months in the Buzz jail:


VALUE: $38,000,000C.H.% : 10.41SIGNING DATE: February 8, 2016SOURCE: CapFriendly
SEASON CLAUSE CAP HIT AAV P. BONUSES S. BONUSES BASE SALARY TOTAL SALARY MINORS SALARY
2016-17 NMC $7,600,000 $7,600,000 $0 $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000

So TTime educate me, because it is probably me but Buff wasn't 33 in that 2016-17 season and he wasn't in an entry level contract.

What information am I in error with?

They can pay any bonuses on newly signed euros or college players with Hossa $s but not a Kane bonus for a 70 goal season?

They why did Buff get 2 mil in bonuses??????
- wiz1901

Byfuglien received a $2 million signing bonus in the first year of his current contract. Every year after there are no bonuses of any kind.

And this one has been stuck in my craw for awhile, when I mentioned the Hossa retention being used to pay bonuses,



Ok go to capfriendly Winnipeg Jets

click on Dustin BYFUGLIEN
(I am sorry this doesn't stretch correctly but I don't want to provide the link and spend two more months in the Buzz jail:


VALUE: $38,000,000C.H.% : 10.41SIGNING DATE: February 8, 2016SOURCE: CapFriendly
SEASON CLAUSE CAP HIT AAV P. BONUSES S. BONUSES BASE SALARY TOTAL SALARY MINORS SALARY
2016-17 NMC $7,600,000 $7,600,000 $0 $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000

So TTime educate me, because it is probably me but Buff wasn't 33 in that 2016-17 season and he wasn't in an entry level contract.

What information am I in error with?

They can pay any bonuses on newly signed euros or college players with Hossa $s but not a Kane bonus for a 70 goal season?

They why did Buff get 2 mil in bonuses??????
- wiz1901

Players of all contract types can get signing bonuses but they count toward their current season salary and cap hit. So a player with a $1m base but a $2m signing bonus still has a cap hit of $3m. Signing bonus just means they get that amount of money at the start of the season instead of at the end.

Only players on ELC and 35+ can get performance bonuses which do not necessarily have to impact the cap that season (they can be overage to the next year) if they achieve the performance requirements. So if a player has a salary of $1m but a performance bonus of $2m, they only count as a $1m cap hit during the season - the team that can either have space to cover the $2m at the end of the season or it's an overage the next year. When people talk about "bonus" in a generalized way, these are the ones talked about.

Interestingly about signing bonuses, many players getting contract now and in recent years are loading their contracts with them so that they are lockout proof - players get signing bonuses whether they play or not vs salary only being had if they play. Ryan O'Reilly is one of the best examples of this - his base salary is only $1m and then has between $5-10m in signing bonuses over the coarse of his contract.

Byfuglien received a $2 million signing bonus in the first year of his current contract. Every year after there are no bonuses of any kind.
- DarthKane

Ok good we are getting somewhere....so lets say the Hawks acquire an RFA defenseman from the Jets or a player going into the final year of a deal...
LBR< Darth kaner:
Can or cannot the Hawks use the Hossa money as a signing bonus payment?

You see where I am going with this?

yeah that lock out year are the salaries at 2 mil.

You'd wait on Crawford, then trade him for Simmonds? When? Next year? Because Simmonds will only be a rental wherever he goes. You guys can't trade Crawford anyways. He's all you got. They're a mess in net without him. A d you mentioned guts like Toews and Kane with heavy cap hits; Crawford's cap hit is very reasonable. And even if they were dumb enough to trade Crawford, they'd want back either draft picks, defensemen or a young forward. Not a veteran 2nd line RW that's going to be a UFA in a couple months. I feel like I'm in the twilight zone by the way, for having to explain this to you about your team. Maybe you're not that big of a fan or something.
- TonyBazz

Simmonds is not whom I suggested. I said that if the situation is right, I would explore trying to.swurrzr s first round choice but of course we probably have to send our #2 round.

The situation at hand next trade deadline or the following year at that same time, is feprnfsny upon a couple of things....then maybe someone would bite. Crawford will be 35, 36 before we sniff playoffs. How has Dellia come along? Two pronged comment follows: you get the best players from draft, and the very best usually too early picks How many of those picks for you get rach year - one - and you are rebuilding ALSO a very good team needing a goaltender proven playoff performance, not choke like Luonho, RHINNE, maybe Hellbucyck. Crawford makes a top duo particularly if you like your team a lot and expansion is next year. That first is secondary to genuine Cup run with Crawford. And you get a second roundet do it is not like you cannot draft hopefully a descent prospect after trading a first round pick.

Just saying maybe you might consider duch a trade. Compelling reasons for, and if the team still is not going to playoffs, hey balue for Crawford before three years from now he may be getting too old.

I thought Toews had a pretty good year, all things considered. 2 years ago he looked like a shell of himself; no speed, no hand, weak along the boards. Ignoring point totals, his game bounced back. There were stretches of the season where I thought he was the best player on the ice, and took control of the game.

With that being said, he needs to score more. He was getting his chances last year, but did not finish. I'd be more worried if he wasn't getting those chances, like 2 years ago. Add in his disinterested LW and the nightly lottery for RW, and it tells some of the story.

There's no doubt his play has bounced back. The points will follow.
- Antz96

I’m afraid you are wrong. Toews did not have a good year. He was not aggressive on the ice, he was not strong on the ice. I’m tired of his wingers being constantly blamed for his performance. He makes freakin’ $10.5M. He should be making his wingers better. He is paid in the upper tier of the NHL with Crosby, Ovie and McDavid and doesn't come close to having the type of value that those players have to their teams nor does he lead like they do. He should be moved and the approach should start with shedding his contract. I’d get the best I could and would consider it a win if I could move his contract.

Ok good we are getting somewhere....so lets say the Hawks acquire an RFA defenseman from the Jets or a player going into the final year of a deal...
LBR< Darth kaner:
Can or cannot the Hawks use the Hossa money as a signing bonus payment?

You see where I am going with this?

yeah that lock out year are the salaries at 2 mil.
- wiz1901

I see where you’re going with this but I don’t have the answer.

Ok good we are getting somewhere....so lets say the Hawks acquire an RFA defenseman from the Jets or a player going into the final year of a deal...
LBR< Darth kaner:
Can or cannot the Hawks use the Hossa money as a signing bonus payment?

You see where I am going with this?

yeah that lock out year are the salaries at 2 mil.
- wiz1901

I think I see where you're going but I'm not totally sure. I'm going to write the answer for what I think you're asking.

Since signing bonuses are a part of a player's cap hit, then yes, any space cleared by Hossa via LTIR could be used to cover that player's cat hit, signing bonus included.

What LTIR cannot do is cover performance bonuses. Normally if a team has $1m in cap space with no players on LTIR at the end of the year and $1.2m in performance bonuses, they could cover $1m and have only a $200k overage. If a team has $1m in cap space but has a player on LTIR and $1.2m in performance bonuses, then the full $1.2m will roll over as overage the next season.

Nobody wants more pessimism

To consider O'Reilly in the same level as Toews is an error, and the trade would probably be a Cap hockey trade with a young right handed defender Trouba coming aloing with Bryan Little as I posted in the end of the previous blog:

And before someone starts ripping into me about the Winnipeg Jets future salaries affecting a giant Toews cap hit: Unless the Jets don’t draft in the next four drafts, they are going to have a problem…not being able to use the draft AS a tool to be Cap compliant…there is so much talent and just so much money, right?

I NEVER thought they would NOT beat Vegas, but they had so many of their youngsters faces on milk cartons it was embarrassing so Toews is simply a great fit, and they are the talent he needs to resurrent his totals too.
They want to make a run next year, and WILL be a huge factor for the next half dozen but no guarantees, right?
They probably want to lose Bryan Little deal so he comes with Trouba.
To keep Wheeler, Laine, Kyle Connor. (No bridge deals for those two), and Tyler Myers, right?
- wiz1901

You are wrong about O’Reilly, halo63 is right. O’Reilly is a great player. Have watched him a lot. Last time I watched him was at the World Championships. He was a monster. Thought the big ice might be an impediment to such a strong, big player but it wasn’t. He was all over the ice. He was the dominant player on a team that had McDavid as Captain. O’Reilly is also tremendous at face-offs. I would trade Toews for O’Reilly in a heartbeat exchanging the players and the contracts. Change of scenery would also really help O’Relliy as he has hated losing in Buffalo. Sadly, I can’t see Buffalo being at all interested in this deal.

1. The Hawks should trade Toews and I hope they are truly trying to. 2. It should be seen as a contract dump freeing up $10.5M in cap space - get as good a deal as you can for players and/or picks and move forward. Arguably the Hawks have waited too long already; however, if they wait longer Toews may have no value at all.

I know the story is that foley went to high school in one if the northern suburbs. Anyone have a 1969 lane tech high school year book to see if foley is in there?
- Spec41971

Not Lane Tech

Yup....sign me up! I saw the same article on the Score too (quick plug - this is the best sports app out there).

I’d pay that price in a heartbeat, maybe even a bit more.
- DarthKane

Not if we have to take Darling and his $4mil contract, kinda defeats the purpose of moving Hossa’s contract.

I want Brady because I think he is the kind of player who will play LARGER than any skill set, wants to win no matter what, plays nasty until he wins.
But...he isn't gonna be there we don't think.

I think Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the big rangy centre that fills a need and he can play wing if he doesn't work out.

I have to agree with the critics on Wahstrom, but whether a perimeter shooter, a straight line skater, or not that involved in the battle zones to take pucks back, he CAN release the puck almost as well as Zadina and Svechnikov...he is nowhere near as dynamic, smart or agile, but I cannot overlook those point totals even though they elevated when Jack Hughes arrived to centre him.



I would shy away from all the defenders but Quinn Hughes.
- wiz1901

Under no circumstances should the Hawks draft Tkachuk. You NEVER waste a high draft choice on a player with questionable or limited skill - NEVER. The Hawks cannot waste this draft choice, it is too important. Hoping a player will play LARGER than his skill set is incredibly dangerous. The vast majority of players care about winning. Tkachuk isn’t unique in this area.

And this one has been stuck in my craw for awhile, when I mentioned the Hossa retention being used to pay bonuses,



Ok go to capfriendly Winnipeg Jets

click on Dustin BYFUGLIEN
(I am sorry this doesn't stretch correctly but I don't want to provide the link and spend two more months in the Buzz jail:


VALUE: $38,000,000C.H.% : 10.41SIGNING DATE: February 8, 2016SOURCE: CapFriendly
SEASON CLAUSE CAP HIT AAV P. BONUSES S. BONUSES BASE SALARY TOTAL SALARY MINORS SALARY
2016-17 NMC $7,600,000 $7,600,000 $0 $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000

So TTime educate me, because it is probably me but Buff wasn't 33 in that 2016-17 season and he wasn't in an entry level contract.

What information am I in error with?

They can pay any bonuses on newly signed euros or college players with Hossa $s but not a Kane bonus for a 70 goal season?

They why did Buff get 2 mil in bonuses??????
- wiz1901

I will gladly educate you. Go to CapFriendly and look at it again. The 2M you saw is in the column marked S. bonuses which stands for signing bonus, That is just an upfront payment of the actual dollar amount owed for the upcoming season. Generally paid on July 1st since that is the start of the NHL "year". Many of the contracts signed recently have these types of payouts. Including Toews and Kane.

That money is NOT related to any performance. It is part of their guaranteed contract and just how the payout is structured.

Only two types of contracts can have bonuses related to performance. ELCs and OVER35 contracts.

Whether Kane scores 7 goals or 70, he is making the same amount for that season.

Ok good we are getting somewhere....so lets say the Hawks acquire an RFA defenseman from the Jets or a player going into the final year of a deal...
LBR< Darth kaner:
Can or cannot the Hawks use the Hossa money as a signing bonus payment?

You see where I am going with this?

yeah that lock out year are the salaries at 2 mil.
- wiz1901

Hawks ability to use the cap relief from putting Hossa on LTIR doesn't change at all for signing bonus versus salary. Performance bonus can be covered by Hossa's LTIR allowance, but happens the following season if his LTIR cap space actually being used in the season where the bonuses are earned.

I know the story is that foley went to high school in one if the northern suburbs. Anyone have a 1969 lane tech high school year book to see if foley is in there?
- Spec41971

Lane is in the city and not the northern suburbs.

I think I see where you're going but I'm not totally sure. I'm going to write the answer for what I think you're asking.

Since signing bonuses are a part of a player's cap hit, then yes, any space cleared by Hossa via LTIR could be used to cover that player's cat hit, signing bonus included.

What LTIR cannot do is cover performance bonuses. Normally if a team has $1m in cap space with no players on LTIR at the end of the year and $1.2m in performance bonuses, they could cover $1m and have only a $200k overage. If a team has $1m in cap space but has a player on LTIR and $1.2m in performance bonuses, then the full $1.2m will roll over as overage the next season.
- L_B_R

Not Lane Tech
- 6628

What year? lol

I know others have asked about Toews off season training, so I did a little research. Seems a little out there to me, but I’ll let you draw your own conclusions:

http://www.stack.com/a/in...s-taking-the-nhl-by-storm
- walleyeb1

Thanks for the link walleye. Now, if Toews can only figure out a way to attach the electrodes during practices and games he’ll have something. Of course he’ll also have to figure out a way to be in one position for 5 minutes at a time during practices and games. Sure Q can figure out something. Aren’t Parise and Toews hurt all the time? - doesn’t seem to be working if the system is supposed to prevent injuries.