If you can magically make the cap rise by another $4M or $5M, then you may be on to something.


Or, if as JJ aluded to, the team can move Bolland.
- FredoXV

They are well under. Rusty and Montador are on LTIR = 5 million

Stalberg goes or frolik or any other 2 lower line player = 1.5 in space at a minimum.

5+1.5+3.2 = enough space for Neil and O'Reilly

What's your take on the Columbus situation now JJ, new GM and all?
- blackhawk24

Yeah, I also think Davidson wanted to bring in his own man, but to me, the key was the demotion of 20 year old Johansen.

If in fact, you felt he had to be demoted now, why did you rush him to the big leagues two seasons ago, and then scratch him so many times, and then decide he was NOW a keeper, and them send him to the AHL for more development?

This seesm to be the crux of the issue...if you draft well (or crappy) you ahve to develop those guys properly and there is little to show of that on the roster.
we could go through the bad draft picks, but when you couple their misjudgements on development/acension to the pros with the fact that they made sweeping trades and dumped many of the guys they just acquired reeks of back-steps.

and the thing is in this 2013 Draft, the BlueJackets have three picks that look to be possible elite pros with the proper development.

You don't think the new Finn GM will pass on Alexsander Barkov if he is their in the draft, or that it will be instrumental in developing this really thick big forward so he can be a difference maker?

or ...What if things fell so they got MacKinnon and linemate Drouin?

Go look at the players available with those three (likely top 15) and even the secon rounder and you see there is a lot of potential help if you have the players scouted well, and make the right choices.

This couldn't be let to fall back to Howson, because this is just one of many crucial decisions the jackets will have to make in the immediate future.

Like that they're being had. What comes of it who knows but it certainly doesn't hurt to kick the tires.
- HawkintheD

That's what's encouraging and exciting. They're not getting overconfident, and not just sitting back.

How does Chris Neil fix the first or second line?
- FredoXV

Player + Prospect to Ottawa = Neil + 2nd coming back. Hawks offersheet O'Reilly for 4.6-5 million per year give up picks 1, 2, 3. Have two fully functional face off winning top lines. A reliable hard hitting veteran presence and become very very difficult to play against.

Not difficult.

Yeah, I also think Davidson wanted to bring in his own man, but to me, the key was the demotion of 20 year old Johansen.

If in fact, you felt he had to be demoted now, why did you rush him to the big leagues two seasons ago, and then scratch him so many times, and then decide he was NOW a keeper, and them send him to the AHL for more development?

This seesm to be the crux of the issue...if you draft well (or crappy) you ahve to develop those guys properly and there is little to show of that on the roster.
we could go through the bad draft picks, but when you couple their misjudgements on development/acension to the pros with the fact that they made sweeping trades and dumped many of the guys they just acquired reeks of back-steps.

and the thing is in this 2013 Draft, the BlueJackets have three picks that look to be possible elite pros with the proper development.

You don't think the new Finn GM will pass on Alexsander Barkov if he is their in the draft, or that it will be instrumental in developing this really thick big forward so he can be a difference maker?

or ...What if things fell so they got MacKinnon and linemate Drouin?

Go look at the players available with those three (likely top 15) and even the secon rounder and you see there is a lot of potential help if you have the players scouted well, and make the right choices.

This couldn't be let to fall back to Howson, because this is just one of many crucial decisions the jackets will have to make in the immediate future.
- wiz1901

The Blues have hit on many Euros in the last few drafts, I doubt Kekalainen will preferentially lean that way because of his own nationality, but I also doubt he will hesitate to grab a top Euro (or more) based on any ingrained North American biases or fears

I think it would have to be a major overpayment to land a guy like neil.
- willey101

I agree. I don't see the hawks having any ingredienst that would appease the Ottawa faithful if they let Neil go, either. If I am GM there, I would be under more criticism than the first place Blackhawks Bowman takes from everyone here...


I don't know why the hawks would want Neil's contract, because no matter how anyone tries to cut it, Neil is not a player worthy of the salary.
Ottawa overvalued him when they gave it to him, and it seems goofy that they suddenly got second thoughts now that they have two big injuries...

How does Chris Neil fix the first or second line?
- FredoXV

My WTF moment of the day.

YOU HAVE THE MOST TOP END TALENT IN THE LEAGUE ON TOP TWO LINES. THEY ARE NOT HE PROBLEM.

Good Lord. Deal may or may not happen, but this deal is giving us a good illustration as to what the team really needs.

If you are Ottawa, you lose Alfredson next year anyways, now you add some top end top 6 talent. Where else do you get that? And for them, they have to pay a price.

BTW, my hunch is as the Sens fall, Alfredson ends up in Vancouver.

I agree. I don't see the hawks having any ingredienst that would appease the Ottawa faithful if they let Neil go, either. If I am GM there, I would be under more criticism tahnthe firts place Balckhawks Bowman takes from everyone here...


I don't know why the hawks would want Neil's contract, because no matter how anyone tries to cut it, Neil is not a player worthy of the salary.
Ottawa overvalued him when they gave it to him, and it seems goofy that they suddenly got second thoughts now that they have two big injuries...
- wiz1901

Dunno, will just tell you, I have it from two sources this AM, one who is rarely off.

Bear in mind, Neil's "high" salary is relative. And he helps the Hawks in an area of need. Especially if there is any question about Carcillo's health/full effectiveness, as I am now hearing there is about Bollig.

Chris Neil is an interesting name. How serious the talks are but that's certainly the right type. It's clear Q doesn't really trust Bollig or Mayers that much. And I doubt that changes comes playoff time. One theory that was floated was that Mayers is a little behind conditioning wise because he spent months in a negotiating room instead of in the gym. Not sure if that holds up as Mayers strikes me as a gym rat and would have been in the gym plenty now to catch up. The one good thing about Mayers is that he's the only Non-Toews Hawk that can win a draw...

Still, Neil probably wouldn't cost much, especially with the Sens season going down the toilet.

Dunno, will just tell you, I have it from two sources this AM, one who is rarely off.

Bear in mind, Neil's "high" salary is relative. And he helps the Hawks in an area of need. Especially if there is any question about Carcillo's health/full effectiveness, as I am now hearing there is about Bollig.
- John Jaeckel

I was trolling the Ottawa board last night after the Karlsson funeral. Some were comparing Neil to Cooke. One Sens fan said Neil has never been suspended. Is that true? Seems like he plays too on the edge to never have been suspended.

Chris Neil is an interesting name. How serious the talks are but that's certainly the right type. It's clear Q doesn't really trust Bollig or Mayers that much. And I doubt that changes comes playoff time. One theory that was floated was that Mayers is a little behind conditioning wise because he spent months in a negotiating room instead of in the gym. Not sure if that holds up as Mayers strikes me as a gym rat and would have been in the gym plenty now to catch up. The one good thing about Mayers is that he's the only Non-Toews Hawk that can win a draw...

Still, Neil probably wouldn't cost much, especially with the Sens season going down the toilet.
- yahoodi

Lets not say Q does not trust someone, I know I am splitting hairs, but what he does not trust is Mayers having much left in the tank and/or Bollig being physically able to perform his role due to injury.

I would send Anderson and Neil to St. Louis for Jaden Scwartz, a 1st and Brian Elliot.

I am certain the Flyers would offer up a 2nd for Gonchar, the Penguins can offer a solid defensive prospect from the minors or junior. Not sure what Michalek would bring. He scores real well when he plays with a top center (Thornton, Spezza). He could be the missing piece for a team like Pittsburg or Carolina that are very strong down the middle. I think Murray would want a first.
- spatso

would he ever look good playing with Crosby!!! Could Ottawa do a Michalek/Gonchar to PITT deal (Gino has made no bones about that fact that he loves Gonchar). Not sure what PITT has to offer in the way of prospects....

while Alfie to Boston 'works' (past trade history between the two teams), would Alfie not also slide in nicely on Sidney's wing??

I was trolling the Ottawa board last night after the Karlsson funeral. Some were comparing Neil to Cooke. One Sens fan said Neil has never been suspended. Is that true? Seems like he plays too on the edge to never have been suspended.
- eburgio

show some respect buttmunch .... he's the best D-man in the league

and to answer your question - no he has never been suspended.

I agree. I don't see the hawks having any ingredienst that would appease the Ottawa faithful if they let Neil go, either. If I am GM there, I would be under more criticism tahnthe firts place Balckhawks Bowman takes from everyone here...


I don't know why the hawks would want Neil's contract, because no matter how anyone tries to cut it, Neil is not a player worthy of the salary.
Ottawa overvalued him when they gave it to him, and it seems goofy that they suddenly got second thoughts now that they have two big injuries...
- wiz1901

Nobody in Ottawa believes Neil is overpaid. If Ottawa is destined to be a lottery team they will play the kids. But, Neil only gets dealt if it is part of a package that returns picks and prospects.

Ottawa has a superb scouting staff. Pierre Dorion gets great credit for the job he has done. My guess is they will know exactly what they want in any deal within a few weeks, if not days. Remember, Murray jumped the gun a few years ago and did some very good deals. My guess is he does the same thing this time around.

My WTF moment of the day.

YOU HAVE THE MOST TOP END TALENT IN THE LEAGUE ON TOP TWO LINES. THEY ARE NOT HE PROBLEM.

Good Lord. Deal may or may not happen, but this deal is giving us a good illustration as to what the team really needs.

If you are Ottawa, you lose Alfredson next year anyways, now you add some top end top 6 talent. Where else do you get that? And for them, they have to pay a price.

BTW, my hunch is as the Sens fall, Alfredson ends up in Vancouver.
- TrueGrit

1st line is the problem TG...haven't you heard ? Saad only has two goals and is totally cramping 81 and 19's style.

As for Neil...always loved this guy. Hard as phuck and though he'll lose the odd fight..he's a banger that can play 10-12 minutes a night, he can light the lamp and he enjoys punishing mofos...just ask Matt Cooke. Love how Neil roughed him up late in the game.

Question of value is a tough one. Knowing Bowman...he's got his hand on the chicken switch so much you'd think it was Krazy Glued. I'm not expecting to land a gem like Neil.

Dunno, will just tell you, I have it from two sources this AM, one who is rarely off.

Bear in mind, Neil's "high" salary is relative. And he helps the Hawks in an area of need. Especially if there is any question about Carcillo's health/full effectiveness, as I am now hearing there is about Bollig.
- John Jaeckel

If the return is Stalberg and a mid-level pick perhaps, then the 'Hawks know Stalberg wants more than $1.9M (Neil's cap hit through '16) as an UFA. Neil would provide size and nastiness through age 37 and the money saved from trying to re-sign Stalberg can go to Kruger or Leddy. Just don't know if Stalberg is a player OTT would want in return for Neil. Think they'd want Kruger 10x more.

My WTF moment of the day.

YOU HAVE THE MOST TOP END TALENT IN THE LEAGUE ON TOP TWO LINES. THEY ARE NOT HE PROBLEM.

Good Lord. Deal may or may not happen, but this deal is giving us a good illustration as to what the team really needs.

If you are Ottawa, you lose Alfredson next year anyways, now you add some top end top 6 talent. Where else do you get that? And for them, they have to pay a price.

BTW, my hunch is as the Sens fall, Alfredson ends up in Vancouver.
- TrueGrit

These guys are pretty good:

Kunitz Crosby Dupuis
Neal Malkin Boychuk

And these guys:

Pyatt Richards Gaborik
Hagelin Stepan Nash

And the top 6 of the last team in the UC (which of the four teams mentioned, IMO, might be the most talented top 6)

I was trolling the Ottawa board last night after the Karlsson funeral. Some were comparing Neil to Cooke. One Sens fan said Neil has never been suspended. Is that true? Seems like he plays too on the edge to never have been suspended.
- eburgio

Never been suspended... However his hit on Drury should have been..

Ottawa trading Neil to Chicago for a bottom six forward makes zero sense.

A) After moving Carkner and Konopka out last summer, Ottawa is arguably lacking toughness. Ottawa depends on Neil and Zack Smith for that.

B) Ottawa is loaded with young players and bottom six forwards, they don't need another one.

C) Ottawa's need are a top six scoring winger, a Spezza replacement, and a Karlsson replacement.

D) Neil is beloved by fans and the community in Ottawa. If he's traded it would have to be a huge advantage for Ottawa.

Player + Prospect to Ottawa = Neil + 2nd coming back. Hawks offersheet O'Reilly for 4.6-5 million per year give up picks 1, 2, 3. Have two fully functional face off winning top lines. A reliable hard hitting veteran presence and become very very difficult to play against.

Not difficult.
- fattybeef

Winnipeg has our 2nd and 3rd picks in the 2013 draft.

Ottawa trading Neil to Chicago for a bottom six forward makes zero sense.

A) After moving Carkner and Konopka out last summer, Ottawa is arguably lacking toughness. Ottawa depends on Neil and Zack Smith for that.

B) Ottawa is loaded with young players and bottom six forwards, they don't need another one.

C) Ottawa's need are a top six scoring winger, a Spezza replacement, and a Karlsson replacement.

D) Neil is beloved by fans and the community in Ottawa. If he's traded it would have to be a huge advantage for Ottawa.
- rhume55

Why would you assume the two are mutually exclusive? Chicago has two guys in their bottom six who have scored over 20 goals in an NHL season.

Winnipeg has our 2nd and 3rd picks in the 2013 draft.
- DarthKane

So add something else to a package to get one from Ottawa or move an asset elsewhere. Acquiring the necessary draft picks should not be a difficult task.

show some respect buttmunch .... he's the best D-man in the league

and to answer your question - no he has never been suspended.
- GadesnSens

Don't get hard, Peter...just playing with ya. Y'all act like his career is over. He'll be fine.

It really sucks that it happened, as he's exciting as heck to watch play. But there are a lot of people in the pro sports world who come back from these injuries. Travis Zajac tore his achilles before last season and came back mid-year.

I agree. I don't see the hawks having any ingredienst that would appease the Ottawa faithful if they let Neil go, either. If I am GM there, I would be under more criticism tahnthe firts place Balckhawks Bowman takes from everyone here...


I don't know why the hawks would want Neil's contract, because no matter how anyone tries to cut it, Neil is not a player worthy of the salary.
Ottawa overvalued him when they gave it to him, and it seems goofy that they suddenly got second thoughts now that they have two big injuries...
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz, the defence rests its case. I could live with Neil at that salary for another season, but not 3. That is unless Murray took Carcillo, Mayers and an Ice Hog back in trade.

show some respect buttmunch .... he's the best D-man in the league

and to answer your question - no he has never been suspended.
- GadesnSens

kudos on the buttmunch though. haven't heard that in a while.