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I don't have a lot of new specifics on teams or returns involving Hawk trades, but I do have some interesting perspective both from within the Hawk organization and an NHL executive from another club who's very familiar with the Hawks.
As I mentioned yesterday on the message board thread, there is some significant concern within the Hawk organization about a salary cap for 2015-16 that comes in below the projected cap of $71 million. This could force the Hawks to make more moves, specifically more trades, than they had anticipated in order to cut salaries.
What is funny is the disconnect between what is being circulated publicly and what appears to be talked about behind the scenes.
As the unnamed executive stated flatly, the desire to add players with Stanley Cup experience fairly heavily outweighs any hesitation to help the Hawks out of their cap mess—in other words, there "are buyers for everyone he (Stan Bowman) would like to move."
As for players the Hawks might want to move, specifically, the executive mentioned Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell, Kris Versteeg and Corey Crawford.
What is interesting is there appears to be a greater market for Sharp than there is for Crawford.
"I don't think Stan will get as much as (some) believe, yes he has the 2 Cups but a lot of guys feel like you could stick just about anyone in between those pipes and win."
"Those pipes" meaning, the net behind the Chicago Blackhawks defense.
He also said "most teams would love to add Cup winning experience (especially Sharpie)."
The word on Bryan Bickell is there is concern about the health of his knees across the league, but the executive feels that rumors of a buyout are probably overblown.
"If he checks out, there are at least two Canadian teams that I know of that would be happy to take on the remainder of his contract, so we will see."
There are apparently two teams left in the bidding on Mike Reilly—and the Hawks are one of them. "I think he's one that's going to make it."
Separately, a Hawk source confirmed this morning that the Hawks are worried about a cap at or below $70 million—and for that reason, this source suspects Crawford will be moved.
The source, who has in the past extensively referenced a "split" between Joel Quenneville and Bowman believes the two have mended fences and now stand together on the important issues.
He went on to say that the roster could see a fair amount of upheaval this summer—including new faces with NHL experience who will play in Chicago for a discount. Which would be consistent with reports that veterans like Brandon Saad, Brad Richards and Johnny Oduya might each and all be willing to forego bigger paydays elsewhere to stay in Chicago.
"Players want to play for Q, he is a players coach and they NEVER practice & if they do they are all short. They have more days off than any team in the league, its not even close!"
All for now, more as I have it,
JJ