c'mon Al....don't be rumor mongering kill joy...its bad for the post season blogging business...

so Kesler coming to hawks has swung to a fever pitch....next up is the fever breaking in about the next day or so
- bogiedoc

The fun part of this Kesler situation is that it could turn into a game of "chicken" between Kesler and Benning.

Kesler NTC basically gives him the decision power on where he lands...

Benning has some leverage because Kesler has two years left on his contract. With Vancouver seemingly not going to be in contention for some time, Benning can hold onto him for the right offer, and doesn't have trade him immediately - until the trade deadline in early 2016. That could influence Kesler to bend on which team he goes too.

Who flinches first?

Pens not moving maata or poulliot ... Depres or dumollin is the best their going to offer ... As I ve said their needs are bottom 6 and goaltending ... Rutherford would be fried in Pitt for moving a first ... Not happening
- Brianandr1

I have to be honest. I am not sure how Kesler helps Pens. Malkin Crosby Sutter sound pretty good to me.

Not in disagreement.

But if you're Benning, you def want the most "sure" things. Of all the assets you mention, those are Nick Leddy and Teuvo Teravainen. Teravainen is probably going to be a better player than Etem, Leddy might already be. When all the lights go on for Leddy, he could be a very, very good NHL defenseman and he certainly has moments now.

The 10th pick? That could be another Mikhail Yakubov or Kyle Beach. And this is not a great draft.

The other question I would ask is, while it's pretty much common knowledge Chicago is on Kesler's list, is Anaheim? I've never actually heard that.
- John Jaeckel

The 10th we hear is what the Canucks want to make a play for Reinhart. Could be 2 different deals here.

Have to careful, Rutherford can be a bit of a mad bomber. Kesler in Pittsburgh seems more bizarre than anything else. Why would a guy ask for a trade to a team that likely does not provide a good fit.
- spatso

Pitt needs to improve the bottom six ... Resign goc or sutter... Bring in guys like ott, Brian Boyle, brad Richards , Benoit poulliot ... They need to replace guys like Kennedy, Cooke, staal and talbot that were so vital in the 2009 cup run

No one wants to see Kesler traded, but he deserves a shot at a cup. Hearing a first round pick has to be one of the pieces coming back. Not sure the #27 pick is what they would want. It has to be a win/win for both teams and this deal will be critical to the future of the Canucks. I don’t buy the fact that there are only two teams on his list either, that’s just a homer reporter trying to drive up Spezza’s price. Kesler would put the Blackhawks over the top, would Spezza?
- VanHockeyGuy

I think Chicago is his best chance. No question about it.

If Kesler goes to Chicago though, I think it leaves a big hole on the Canucks to fill. It's a domino effect for any Kesler trade and Benning needs a plan that doesn't fail or he will be scrutinized for it his entire career in Van.

No one wants to see Kesler traded, but he deserves a shot at a cup. Hearing a first round pick has to be one of the pieces coming back. Not sure the #27 pick is what they would want. It has to be a win/win for both teams and this deal will be critical to the future of the Canucks. I don’t buy the fact that there are only two teams on his list either, that’s just a homer reporter trying to drive up Spezza’s price. Kesler would put the Blackhawks over the top, would Spezza?
- VanHockeyGuy

I think either could but....In a short time the Hawks will resign 2 players that will make a combined $18-$19 mill or so....Keesler is a longer cap commitment.

For the most part big trades happen now in the summer so there are more available suitors....Lists don't mean as much.

This isn't like the Iginla situation at the trade deadline.

Hey John...

I have been reading this guys rumors on and off for about 8 years....Never been close to correct, not even with the Sens who he is supposedly wired into.

The point is Kelser has some control but in the end he will end up where the Canucks feel they get the most value and are shielded from the backlash this deal could cause.

Bruce Garrioch of the reported the following yesterday in the Ottawa Sun: “In the case of Kesler, he requested a trade last fall and only wants to go to either the Chicago Blackhawks or Pittsburgh Penguins.”

So by past performance I wouldn't put any stock in the comment above...

That said it is a safe bet most players would have the Hawks high up on their list.
- Al

Problem is, I have heard this from two other much more credible sources. Hawks are his preferred destination.

So, Benning has to balance who's on Kesler's list AND who has the best offer.

You should know that I've had a tip on Kesler wanting Chicago for much longer than Garrioch's piece.

I try to write these in a way that expresses what I'm hearing and what I'm thinking/surmising—clearly, so there's no confusion.

I have heard, over and over, since February/March that Kesler to Chi is a possibility. Seems there is a lot of smoke around that fire now.

I've said enough...it'll come out sooner than later. Why would a guy with his scoring history and 'leadership' even be on the trading block if there weren't other things going on?
- GoBucky

Have you looked at the Hawks cap situation and the lack of a 2nd line center, and read that Kane supposedly wants a real #2 center, and he's about to be a free agent?

Lots of reasons.

Kane and Toews new contracts mean it's most likely going to take $6-8 mil freed up to fit those deals under the cap in a year. (at $9-10-11 mil per year for those two). Yes, the cap should go up, but no guarantee. The projection is it goes up to $70 mil this season. Nobody has a clue what it is the following year. CapGeek projects the cap at $71 mil this year and that only leaves the Hawks $4.6 mil to resign Ben Smith, Morin, Raanta, or replace those 3, plus any other small improvements. Raanta had a hit of $1.4 last year, Smith and Morin will likely get $800-900k, maybe slightly more for Smith. That's the entire cap room.

The only guys making big bucks right now are Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, and Crawford. Hossa would be a time bomb to trade, because the Hawks can't stash him in IR if he's on another team so they get a huge cap hit. That leaves Sharp and Seabrook, since Keith isn't getting traded. Seabrook is a much more important player on this team, not to mention younger than Sharp. I love Sharp, but he's 32, has a big salary, and if it comes down to trading him or our only right handed, physical d-man, it's Sharp.

The other option is to gut the team and deal Leddy, Oduya, and anyone making over the minimum that isn't a core player. That still might not be enough. The problem with that is you end up like Pittsburgh, with no depth at all because it's all guys making the minimum, and only 1 defensive pairing.

However, bringing in Kessler or another expensive center could mean cap troubles in a year, because that player is taking most of Sharp's cap space they'll need for Kane and Toews' new deals.

I think Chicago is his best chance. No question about it.

If Kesler goes to Chicago though, I think it leaves a big hole on the Canucks to fill. It's a domino effect for any Kesler trade and Benning needs a plan that doesn't fail or he will be scrutinized for it his entire career in Van.
- WhatTheNuck

Probably the only way for Benning to be somewhat safe....Is if Seabrook goes for Kesler but I don't think the Hawks make that trade.

Hawks haven't had a true 2nd line center either time they won the Cup...
I think that could change this summer but if not Plan B will be to add some veteran depth.

When the Hawks won the Cup in '10 and '13 they had the best 3rd and 4th lines in the NHL....That was not close to the same this year.
- Al

Which is precisely the reason they signed Rasmussen...hoping he could turn into a nice depth player...so that they can stabilize their 3rd and 4th lines....The more I hear about the Hawks being hot for one guy, and then cooling off, and then being hot for another guy or the same guy, the more I am thinking they are going to look for lower line depth players....Winnik type players, that they can move around the bottom 6, so Q will be comfortable rolling 4 lines come playoff time...Because right now I do not see anyone from Rockford making a stay in Chicago, unless it is as a call up for a few games etc...

Pitt needs to improve the bottom six ... Resign goc or sutter... Bring in guys like ott, Brian Boyle, brad Richards , Benoit poulliot ... They need to replace guys like Kennedy, Cooke, staal and talbot that were so vital in the 2009 cup run
- Brianandr1

No cap space. More and more teams will get ripped by the LA model. Avoid the super contracts and go with 4 strong lines. Pittsburgh does not have any cap space for third and fourth line players. Against the Rangers the bottom of the line up was devastated.

If the Sutter Pouliot and the 22 nd deal is in fact a real offer ,IMO that is a better offer.


Theodore and the 10 th from Ana is a better offer.
- VANTEL

yep

Have you looked at the Hawks cap situation and the lack of a 2nd line center, and read that Kane supposedly wants a real #2 center, and he's about to be a free agent?

Lots of reasons.

Kane and Toews new contracts mean it's most likely going to take $6-8 mil freed up to fit those deals under the cap in a year. (at $9-10-11 mil per year for those two). Yes, the cap should go up, but no guarantee. The projection is it goes up to $70 mil this season. Nobody has a clue what it is the following year. CapGeek projects the cap at $71 mil this year and that only leaves the Hawks $4.6 mil to resign Ben Smith, Morin, Raanta, or replace those 3, plus any other small improvements. Raanta had a hit of $1.4 last year, Smith and Morin will likely get $800-900k, maybe slightly more for Smith. That's the entire cap room.

The only guys making big bucks right now are Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Seabrook, Keith, and Crawford. Hossa would be a time bomb to trade, because the Hawks can't stash him in IR if he's on another team so they get a huge cap hit. That leaves Sharp and Seabrook, since Keith isn't getting traded. Seabrook is a much more important player on this team, not to mention younger than Sharp. I love Sharp, but he's 32, has a big salary, and if it comes down to trading him or our only right handed, physical d-man, it's Sharp.

The other option is to gut the team and deal Leddy, Oduya, and anyone making over the minimum that isn't a core player. That still might not be enough. The problem with that is you end up like Pittsburgh, with no depth at all because it's all guys making the minimum, and only 1 defensive pairing.

However, bringing in Kessler or another expensive center could mean cap troubles in a year, because that player is taking most of Sharp's cap space they'll need for Kane and Toews' new deals.
- Hemingways

This is precisely what I've been saying. I keep reading folks saying well the cap is going up. Great. It's not going to go up enough to sign Kane/Toews/Saad in one season and fill in depth pieces with Kesler on the books. Simply impossible.

Probably the only way for Benning to be somewhat safe....Is if Seabrook goes for Kesler but I don't think the Hawks make that trade.
- Al

The people over at 2nd City Hockey posted a Kesler article...and Greg wrote he would trade Seabrook for Kesler straight up in a heart beat...And I believe Lazerus said the same thing on that show with Kaplan....Trading Seabrook, Keith or Hammer to add a 2nd line C is nothing but hurting your chances at winning another Cup...I really don't know what either of them is thinking....Seabrook doesn't get enough credit or love here in Chitown imo

I think Chicago is his best chance. No question about it.

If Kesler goes to Chicago though, I think it leaves a big hole on the Canucks to fill. It's a domino effect for any Kesler trade and Benning needs a plan that doesn't fail or he will be scrutinized for it his entire career in Van.
- WhatTheNuck

Agreed hawks need a second line center to play with Kane , pens have Malkin (the best second line center in the league). Anyone who says Kessler to Pitt needs to explain how pittsburgh is better with him given the cost ?

No cap space. More and more teams will get ripped by the LA model. Avoid the super contracts and go with 4 strong lines. Pittsburgh does not have any cap space for third and fourth line players. Against the Rangers the bottom of the line up was devastated.
- spatso

The "LA model" is going to blow up next year when they have to figure out a way to get:

Next year:
Williams
Stoll
Clifford
Perason
Toffoli
Martinez
Muzzin

... under contract

And the 2016-17 year needing to get Kopitar under contract.

Yeah. Have fun with that "model".

No cap space. More and more teams will get ripped by the LA model. Avoid the super contracts and go with 4 strong lines. Pittsburgh does not have any cap space for third and fourth line players. Against the Rangers the bottom of the line up was devastated.
- spatso

??? Pittsburgh has 15 million in cap with no big ufa they ll sign! How do they lack cap space? They will also look to move guys like Adams, scuderi and possibly fleury which free s up a lot more

Probably the only way for Benning to be somewhat safe....Is if Seabrook goes for Kesler but I don't think the Hawks make that trade.
- Al

This is what I've heard (from someone who'd know—I'll leave it at that):

UNTOUCHABLE

Kane
Toews
Saad

NEAR UNTOUCHABLE

Hossa
Seabrook
Hee-jalmersson


MAKE ME AN OFFER, BUT

Kruger
Shaw
TT
Crawford


LET'S TALK

Bickell


BEING SHOPPED

Oduya (or Leddy, but both will not be dealt)
Sharp

The people over at 2nd City Hockey posted a Kesler article...and Greg wrote he would trade Seabrook for Kesler straight up in a heart beat...And I believe Lazerus said the same thing on that show with Kaplan....Trading Seabrook, Keith or Hammer to add a 2nd line C is nothing but hurting your chances at winning another Cup...I really don't know what either of them is thinking....Seabrook doesn't get enough credit or love here in Chitown imo
- captainserious

Seabrook is an excellent player ,but Canucks are no where near winning a cup so they need to build with youth . I think Canucks need to get back at least a pick and a prospect more than anything else.

??? Pittsburgh has 15 million in cap with no big ufa they ll sign! How do they lack cap space?
- Brianandr1

They have 14 on the roster I believe. Doesn't leave a lot of room to fill out the team.

I've said enough...it'll come out sooner than later. Why would a guy with his scoring history and 'leadership' even be on the trading block if there weren't other things going on?
- GoBucky

You haven't really said anything. You're an anonymous message board poster making substantial claims and now bowing out with "I've said enough" when asked for even the slightest bit of evidence.

This is precisely what I've been saying. I keep reading folks saying well the cap is going up. Great. It's not going to go up enough to sign Kane/Toews/Saad in one season and fill in depth pieces with Kesler on the books. Simply impossible.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yeah, I forgot Saad needs to be resigned, and I think Seabrook is up in 2 years.

At least one of our core guys is going to be gone unless the cap makes a huge jump.

This is what I've heard (from someone who'd know—I'll leave it at that):

UNTOUCHABLE

Kane
Toews
Saad

NEAR UNTOUCHABLE

Hossa
Seabrook
Hee-jalmersson


MAKE ME AN OFFER, BUT

Kruger
Shaw
TT
Crawford


LET'S TALK

Bickell


BEING SHOPPED

Oduya (or Leddy, but both will not be dealt)
Sharp
- John Jaeckel

Keith isn't an untouchable?? Really?? This front office is bonkers

This is what I've heard (from someone who'd know—I'll leave it at that):

UNTOUCHABLE

Kane
Toews
Saad

NEAR UNTOUCHABLE

Hossa
Seabrook
Hee-jalmersson


MAKE ME AN OFFER, BUT

Kruger
Shaw
TT
Crawford


LET'S TALK

Bickell


BEING SHOPPED

Oduya (or Leddy, but both will no the dealt)
Sharp
- John Jaeckel

Leddy will be dealt. Hawks simply will not pay him what he'll ask for after this season especially seeing the blue line depth they have in the system.

Oduya will walk after next year as well IMO. That's why I think they trade Leddy THIS offseason - give one of these young guys a chance on the big league club this year, and then have another one come up next season.

Then again - I suppose they could trade the higher contract in Oduya, hope Leddy improves and be able to trade his rights to a team next offseason.

The people over at 2nd City Hockey posted a Kesler article...and Greg wrote he would trade Seabrook for Kesler straight up in a heart beat...And I believe Lazerus said the same thing on that show with Kaplan....Trading Seabrook, Keith or Hammer to add a 2nd line C is nothing but hurting your chances at winning another Cup...I really don't know what either of them is thinking....Seabrook doesn't get enough credit or love here in Chitown imo
- captainserious

The Canucks have decent defensemen, they need forwards. That's another reason why a Seabrook trade to Vancouver doesn't make much sense.