Now, nearly 24 hours out from the announcement of a $71.4 million salary cap for 2015-16, and a little more maneuvering room than most anticipated, the expected trade boom has so far registered a massive thud.
Theories abound: like the league wants GMs to wait ‘til just before the draft to maximize the drama, or that the league doesn’t want any news to trump the NHL award ceremonies tonight, etc.
While those conspiracy-inclined scenarios may have some limited validity, the more likely cause is there are trades waiting to happen but the first domino needs to fall—then look out.
The reports of the actual activity, trades being discussed, players on the move, etc, are too varied for any particular narrative to take hold.
I follow the Chicago Blackhawks, and 95% of the rumors I hear and the sources I hear from, give me scoop on the Hawks and teams they’re talking to. So I can’t say what the market is or isn’t for Phil Kessel or the #3 overall pick. But those are big dominoes that could be holding everything else up.
I will say that I’ve heard quite a bit about the Blackhawks plans and activities since Game 6 of the Stanley Cup ended. Specifically:
1) That Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell, Kris Versteeg and possibly Corey Crawford are on the market. And that the team will move the first three soon. (multiple sources, Chicago and Canada) 2) That there is a much greater market for Sharp than many believe (multiple sources, including a Western Conference GM). 3) That there may have been a “deal in place… pending Sharp’s waiving of his NMC, with Toronto, that had Sharp, Andrew Shaw and a prospect heading to YYZ in return for the 24th overall pick in 2015, a 2nd round selection in 2016 and blueline prospect Stuart Percy. (Canadian and Chicago sources) 4) I later heard from a very good Hawk source that the team was merely talking parameters with the Leafs—and other teams including Pittsburgh, Washington and Florida. 5) This was later confirmed by another source with ties to the Hawks—that the deal may not be “done… anymore. 6) On Crawford, I have heard everything from Edmonton and Buffalo being hot for him—and the Hawks listening, with a lower priced Antti Niemi as a contingency—to the Hawks having no intention of dealing him this year, if ever.
So what’s going on here?
There is lots of talk. And make no mistake—while I can’t speak to Kessel or other assets—Sharp, Bickell and Versteeg are all very likely or definitely being moved.
Having now covered more than a few of these deadlines, both in February and June, I think it’s a classic case of a lot of moving parts (the cap, NMCs and NTCs, the floor, next year’s cap), and GMs playing chicken with one another.
So that, more than any edict of delay from the league, is probably going to forestall the inevitable flurry of activity to Friday, or late tomorrow at the earliest. But anyone claiming to know exactly what’s being discussed or not, probably doesn’t. It’s quiet—but not because there isn’t a lot of discussion going on.
Specifically to the Hawks, the following are just hunches: my sources have gone quiet the last 24-48 hours as well.
SHARP
I think Florida is still where he lands. I would count Toronto definitely a possibility. Washington. Less so Pittsburgh and Montreal. And actually I have not heard Montreal linked to Sharp by any of my sources.
Dallas has been mentioned by some in the media as being hot for Sharp. I don’t see the Hawks trading him there. Interestingly, I heard from a top source that Dallas has also asked about . . .
SEABROOK
And I’m certain the answer was a flat “no.…
BICKELL
I think he ends up in Arizona, Calgary, Winnipeg or Florida (in that order).
VERSTEEG
Anyone’s guess.
CRAWFORD
New cap projections that include creating space for bonuses paint a grim picture if the Hawks intend to keep Crawford. But honestly, I have not seen a definitive picture on how real this is. Interestingly, the Rangers allegedly turned down two 2nd round picks for Cam Talbott in the last couple of days. Where would that set Crawford’s value? Or that of Craig Anderson? Again, it seems teams are afraid to move because the market may go up or down after they do, making the GMs involved either look very good or very bad in hindsight.
ODUYA
He has allegedly made noises (as I have been told over and over in the past several months) that he would like to stay in Chicago, a la Brad Richards, at a reduced salary. Does this give the Blackhawks further pause about holding on to Crawford (they mathematically can’t do both)?
RICHARDS
I have a pretty strong feeling his new deal happens (or not) after the draft.
SAAD AND KRUGER
Indications are the team will make strong qualifying offers to both—and move from there to get both signed.
It should be an interesting 48-72 hours ahead.
JJ
Check out Hockey Streams. See NHL, AHL and CHL streamed in HD right to your computer, tablet or gaming device for a small donation: http://www.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981