From the conversations I've heard on NHL radio, it sounds like Detroit will try to move Howard at the draft.
- EKB13

What teams can take on a goalie cap hit of Howard's or Crawford's size?

And is there a free agent on the above list that will command less than their cap hit AND be as good or at least the same value dollar-for-dollar? Is James Reimer at $4.5M actually a better ROI than Howard at $5.2M or Crawford at $6M??

I ask because... that's your market. Antti Niemi got $4.5M in free agency and, um... yeah...

I know this is a very risky move, but look at the alternative Darth. Next summer one ofCrow/Panarin/Hossa/Seabs/Anisimov are gone, and likely for almost nothing ( with the exception of Panarin who is an RFA and could get a Saad-like return). However, there are ZERO in-house replacements for 72, 81, 15, or 7. Darling has all the physical tools to be a #1 in the NHL, and he is dirt cheap. Get ahead of the Cap or let it continue to weaken the Hawks roster, year after year.
- EnzoD

I hear you, but there are still a lot of variables at play, specifically gap growth (for 17/18) and the expansion draft.

If there's enough cap grow then we don't lose anyone. If there is an expansion draft the trade market opens up a bit and Stan may have more options. I'm not saying you're wrong, but waiting to deal with the 17/18 cap situation in a year from now may not be a bad idea. For me it would depend on the assets Stan could get in return this season if a deal was made.

I hear you, but there are still a lot of variables at play, specifically gap growth (for 17/18) and the expansion draft.

If there's enough cap grow then we don't lose anyone. If there is an expansion draft the trade market opens up a bit and Stan may have more options. I'm not saying you're wrong, but waiting to deal with the 17/18 cap situation in a year from now may not be a bad idea. For me it would depend on the assets Stan could get in return this season if a deal was made.
- DarthKane

Signing Kempny would be a nice start for Stan

with EXP draft coming the return for goalies or guys with NMC is going to be terrible. Stan was in much stronger postion last off season with moving sharp and Steeg and look how that went.

GUSS and Kempny play today CZECH vs SWED.

Signing Kempny would be a nice start for Stan
- EnzoD

I really hope this happens. It's not a guarantee that any European or College free agent will work out but I'd rather taken my chances on a mid-20s d-man who's been playing well oversees that almost any one of your defense prospects.

I really hope this happens. It's not a guarantee that any European or College free agent will work out but I'd rather taken my chances on a mid-20s d-man who's been playing well oversees that almost any one of your defense prospects.
- DarthKane

Panarin 2G, 2A in almost 19minute TOI today. THANK THE HOCKEY GODS he is OK! I didn't catch any of the Czech games yet, but I'll be sure to watch the USA v Czech game at noon on the NBSCN watch live app.

Confirmed: Uncle Dale has new role.

Hawks also close to signing top Swedish goalie.

Domino....?

Confirmed: Uncle Dale has new role.

Hawks also close to signing top Swedish goalie.

Domino....?
- phantasmo

Maybe Darling's replacement? Scotty D with his physical skills and cap hit could be a great trade chip for shedding Bickell and/or adding to the Defense or Top 6 forward group....

Maybe Darling's replacement? Scotty D with his physical skills and cap hit could be a great trade chip for shedding Bickell and/or adding to the Defense or Top 6 forward group....
- EnzoD

As much as I like Darling he won't fetch much in the trade market. Look at what some of the back-ups went for last off-season.

I think this new Swedish is bound for Rockford next season. After that, who knows.

A large amount of serviceable 3rd pair Dmen on this UFA/RFA list....

Who do you like as an option for StanBo??


AGE GP G A PTS Current Cap Hit
Brian Campbell
FLA UFA 36 D 82 6 25 31 $7,142,875
Alex Goligoski
DAL UFA 30 D 81 5 31 36 $4,600,000
Dan Hamhuis
VAN UFA 33 D 58 3 10 13 $4,500,000
Nikita Nikitin
EDM UFA 29 D 11 1 1 $4,500,000
Dan Boyle
NYR UFA 39 D 74 10 14 24 $4,500,000
Willie Mitchell
FLA UFA 39 D 46 1 6 7 $4,250,000
Kyle Quincey
DET UFA 30 D 47 4 7 11 $4,250,000
Justin Schultz
PIT RFA 25 D 63 4 14 18 $3,900,000
John-Michael Liles
BOS UFA 35 D 81 6 14 20 $3,875,000
Mattias Ohlund
TBL UFA 39 D $3,607,143
Torey Krug
BOS RFA 25 D 81 4 41 45 $3,400,000
Nicklas Grossman
AZ UFA 31 D 58 3 4 7 $3,000,000
Yevgeny Medvedev
PHI UFA 33 D 45 4 9 13 $3,000,000
Tom Gilbert
MTL UFA 33 D 45 1 1 2 $2,800,000
Roman Polak
SJS UFA 30 D 79 1 15 16 $2,750,000
Keith Yandle
NYR UFA 29 D 82 5 42 47 $2,625,000
Tyson Barrie
COL RFA 24 D 78 13 36 49 $2,600,000
Kris Russell
DAL UFA 29 D 62 4 15 19 $2,600,000
Erik Gudbranson
FLA RFA 24 D 64 2 7 9 $2,500,000
Chris Phillips
OTT UFA 38 D $2,500,000
Jason Demers
DAL UFA 27 D 61 7 16 23 $2,210,000
Danny DeKeyser
DET RFA 26 D 78 7 13 20 $2,187,500
Grant Clitsome
WPG UFA 31 D $2,066,667
Patrick Wiercioch
OTT RFA 25 D 52 5 5 $2,000,000
Dmitry Orlov
WAS RFA 24 D 82 8 21 29 $2,000,000
Luke Schenn
LAK UFA 26 D 72 4 12 16 $1,800,000
Matt Bartkowski
VAN UFA 27 D 80 6 12 18 $1,750,000
Mike Weber
WAS UFA 28 D 45 1 4 5 $1,666,667
Yannick Weber
VAN UFA 27 D 45 7 7 $1,500,000
Marek Zidlicky
NYI UFA 39 D 53 4 12 16 $1,500,000
Christian Ehrhoff
CHI UFA 33 D 48 2 11 13 $1,275,000
Sami Vatanen
ANA RFA 24 D 70 9 28 37 $1,262,500
Eric Gryba
EDM UFA 28 D 53 1 5 6 $1,250,000
Michael Stone
AZ RFA 25 D 75 6 30 36 $1,150,000
Ben Lovejoy
PIT UFA 32 D 66 4 6 10 $1,100,000
Jay Harrison
CHI UFA 33 D $1,050,000
Adam Pardy
WPG UFA 32 D 22 4 4 $1,000,000
Radko Gudas
PHI RFA 25 D 76 5 9 14 $991,667
Seth Jones
NSH RFA 21 D 81 3 28 31 $925,000
Tyler Wotherspoon
CGY RFA 23 D 11 1 1 $925,000
Scott Mayfield
NYI RFA 23 D 6 1 1 $925,000
Jake McCabe
BUF RFA 22 D 77 4 10 14 $925,000
Michael Paliotta
CBJ RFA 23 D 1 $925,000
Rasmus Ristolainen
BUF RFA 21 D 82 9 32 41 $925,000
Carlo Colaiacovo
BUF UFA 33 D 36 1 4 5 $900,000
Jacob Trouba
WPG RFA 22 D 80 5 14 19 $894,167
Oscar Klefbom
EDM RFA 22 D 30 4 8 12 $894,167
Hampus Lindholm
ANA RFA 22 D 79 10 18 28 $894,167
Ryan Murray
CBJ RFA 22 D 82 4 21 25 $894,167
Cody Ceci
OTT RFA 22 D 75 10 16 26 $894,167
Mathew Dumba
MIN RFA 21 D 81 10 16 26 $894,167
Jamie Oleksiak
DAL RFA 23 D 19 2 2 $875,000
Kevin Czuczman
NYI RFA 25 D $874,125
Derek Forbort
LAK RFA 24 D 14 1 1 2 $863,333
Duncan Siemens
COL RFA 22 D $863,333
Joe Morrow
BOS RFA 23 D 33 1 6 7 $863,333
Connor Murphy
AZ RFA 23 D 78 6 11 17 $863,333
Ryan Murphy
CAR RFA 23 D 35 10 10 $863,333
Stuart Percy
TOR RFA 22 D 3 $863,333
Brandon Gormley
COL RFA 24 D 26 1 1 $850,500
Jarred Tinordi
AZ RFA 24 D 10 $850,500
Jeff Schultz
LAK UFA 30 D 1 $850,000
Jon Merrill
NJD RFA 24 D 47 1 4 5 $840,000
Matt Donovan
BUF RFA 26 D 0 $825,000
- EnzoD

I don't see many of those RFA not getting tendered by their current teams.

As much as I like Darling he won't fetch much in the trade market. Look at what some of the back-ups went for last off-season.

I think this new Swedish is bound for Rockford next season. After that, who knows.
- DarthKane

I think it was two summers ago when career backups like Bernier, Jones, Schneider, Lehner and a few others fetched pretty solid returns. None of those guys had won a playoff game besides maybe Corey Schneider. I think Darling is a valuable trade chip, but also a nice insurance policy behind Crow.

Confirmed: Uncle Dale has new role.

Hawks also close to signing top Swedish goalie.

Domino....?
- phantasmo

Master Frolunda has suffered play the run. The next man in line? The goalkeeper Lasse Johansson, who is close to the Chicago Blackhawks.


Being the country's best hockey team is not only fun for the fans in Gothenburg. It also means a great showcase for the best players - and for gold party at Götaplatsen have players after the players left the Frolunda for the better leagues and bigger paychecks.

We take a few examples: Oscar Fantenberg Sochi, Andrew Johnson to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Oliver Lauridsen for Jokerit and Lukas Bengtsson Pittsburgh Penguins.

Even Jacob Larsson has signed a contract with the Anaheim Ducks, but learn to play in Frölunda coming season. In addition, artturi lehkonen won a contract with the Montreal Canadiens - and go across on a camp this summer to test your luck.

"If he is the signatory I do not know, but he's likely to do it. Since there will be a similar setup as Mattias Janmark the Dallas Stars, "said Frölunda's sporting director Fredrik Sjostrom.

That is to say: If the Canadiens keep Lehkonen he will be there, otherwise he returned to Frolunda - and not to the AHL.

Now comes the next setback:

Lasse Johansson, who recently named the country's best keeper at SHL Awards, is close to a contract with the reigning Stanley Cup -mästaren Chicago Blackhawks.

According to reports, discussions are underway between the parties. 28-year-old Johansson has never draftats, is therefore as a free agent - and of course want to have a well-paid envägskontrakt to move with his partner and son over the Atlantic. A envägskontrakt implies that he retains exactly the same salary if he is sent down to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.

There lies the negotiating position of the moment.

To Blackhawks will approve a envägskontrakt be general manager Scott Bowman into the hearing - and he works intensively with the existing squad.

The North American recruiting season starts until 1 July - but then Swedish SHL player contracts have already been signed for it to become the NHL.

The Swedish window closes namely on 15 June.

Would not it be something envägskontrakt of Chicago, there are also a couple of other NHL clubs who are interested in the country's best goalkeeper - and Johansson had chosen to accept a two-way contract, ie a lower salary if he ends up in the minor league AHL, he probably already been an NHL player.

GP has sought Lasse Johansson's agent Pontus Noren, but he greets via SMS:

Hey guys, saw an interesting article about Travis Hamonic possibly being on the move. Any interest there? If we are able to shuffle some salary out he is a pretty reasonable hit at I believe 3.75.

AGE 28 NATION Sweden POSITION G CATCHES L HEIGHT 185 cm / 6'1" WEIGHT 90 kg / 198 lbs

Johansson is a goalie who plays a calm style and tries to keep things tight. Has good reflexes, but could improve his rebound control.- Elite Prospects (2014) - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects...4386#sthash.cbhXb10u.dpuf

starting with last years playoffs he has been really good, in about 58 games was about 1.75 GAA and .925 S%

I think it was two summers ago when career backups like Bernier, Jones, Schneider, Lehner and a few others fetched pretty solid returns. None of those guys had won a playoff game besides maybe Corey Schneider. I think Darling is a valuable trade chip, but also a nice insurance policy behind Crow.
- EnzoD

Schneider got a good return (9th overall pick - Bo Horvat) but he wasn't a real back-up. He was viewed as a 1B behind Luongo and some argued he was the 1A.

Lehner and Legwand were traded for a 1st (21st overall) in 2015. Bernier was acquired for Scrivens, Frattin and a 2nd. Jones was acquired for a first and a prospect.

There was also the Eddie Lack trade, Caroina acquired him for a 3rd and 7th.

If Darling could being back a Lehner/Jones/Bernier type of return I would consider dealing Darling. But I don't think there are many teams in search of a goalie. Calgary needs one and maybe Detroit if they trade Howard.

Schneider got a good return (9th overall pick - Bo Horvat) but he wasn't a real back-up. He was viewed as a 1B behind Luongo and some argued he was the 1A.

Lehner and Legwand were traded for a 1st (21st overall) in 2015. Bernier was acquired for Scrivens, Frattin and a 2nd. Jones was acquired for a first and a prospect.

There was also the Eddie Lack trade, Caroina acquired him for a 3rd and 7th.

If Darling could being back a Lehner/Jones/Bernier type of return I would consider dealing Darling. But I don't think there are many teams in search of a goalie. Calgary needs one and maybe Detroit if they trade Howard.
- DarthKane

Getting back into the first or second round would be nice considering no 1st or 2nd round picks in 2015 or 2016..

Maybe Darling's replacement? Scotty D with his physical skills and cap hit could be a great trade chip for shedding Bickell and/or adding to the Defense or Top 6 forward group....
- EnzoD

Bickell is getting bought out. Personally, I can't see anyone taking him no matter the package.

Bickell is getting bought out. Personally, I can't see anyone taking him no matter the package.
- 93Joe

If he is not better from his Vertigo issues, why wouldn't he placed on LTIR for the season and then his contract is up. Buying out will still leave money for 2 seasons.

If he is not better from his Vertigo issues, why wouldn't he placed on LTIR for the season and then his contract is up. Buying out will still leave money for 2 seasons.
- powerenforcer

That's a good point. But I believe he is recovered. I think he was still playing in Rockford during the playoffs. He's done and damaged goods.

That's a good point. But I believe he is recovered. I think he was still playing in Rockford during the playoffs. He's done and damaged goods.
- 93Joe

Yep the LTIR ship has sailed. Bickell is done. He will probably never play another NHL game.

Al - do you think this could mean Soupy more likely to come back to Chicago when his contract is up?
- Marlowe

I have heard it a couple of times, but not attributed to sources that give it meaning or legs. Yet.

I have heard it a couple of times, but not attributed to sources that give it meaning or legs. Yet.
- John Jaeckel

Are you seeing a large trade to help with cap issues this summer? Perhaps CC for D help and cap relief?

Panarin is fine. 2+2 in 4-0 Russian win..

Panarin is fine. 2+2 in 4-0 Russian win..
- MjulQvist

His price tag keeps going up!!!!
Sign him early Stan. Learn from Bicks.

I wish we could get Johns back from Dallas...or, I should say, have never had to move him.

I think he looks good in this St. Louis series.