Is anyone hearing anything on the possible signing of Swedish goaltender Lars Johansson by the Hawks? Any thoughts on if that impacts anything?

I got it off Sports Mockery...so consider the source. Nonetheless, thoughts if true?

And why would any team be interested to have those with Bickell?
- MjulQvist

Fair point, but I would start with individual team need and a possible prospect that may fit that team need.

Another thing to look at, does anyone feel that the cap # will go up substantially after next season? The cap growth the last few seasons has not gone up greatly, so that 1.5 million might hinder Stan's moves that off-season. Why tie up cap space for 2 seasons?
- powerenforcer

All dependent upon HRR...and that is driven a lot by the Canadian dollar considering the massive TV deal was paid in Canadian dollars. Thus you see a plethora of outdoor games, aka stadium series, heritage series, and winter classic.

The other thing to note is ESPN telecasting the world cup of hockey can hopefully be a good thing...the next time the rights to the NHL are up for grabs would ESPN put in a bid? Problem is with NBA dominating ABC, the NHL would lose out on those marque Sunday day games in season, and then prime time playoff games.

No capologist but I just can't see the cap escalating that high in the next 2 years. I think you may see a very miniscule increase this year, and then maybe a 2-3 bump next year. Plus you also have to figure in the players voting for the escalator which also screws with their escrow.

I think a LOT of these teams know the cap isn't going up much....you have the Hawks very mum on Shaw until knowing the final dollar. You have Sutter out in LA not wanting to sign with Kings until he knows where the cap is at on another maxed team. It's not a coincidence. Too many signs pointing to a flat or very small increase and going to be another buyer's market this summer....unless you are willing to offer an asset that flips that leverage to you.....

You are going to have at least 1 team with 2 rotating goalie tandems in STL or DAL make the conference finals. If SJ makes it with Jones that's a career backup, and if Pitts knocks out Wash you have another team....So 3 out 4 teams could be in the conference finals with a platoon OR career backup goalie........something to consider. NHL is all about trends.

Fair point, but I would start with individual team need and a possible prospect that may fit that team need.
- EKB13

It really depends on which prospect, and exactly what the Hawks think of such prospect in the longer term.

For example, if the Hawks project Schmaltz/Hartman/Hinostroza/etc. to be a contributor some time in the near future, I don't think they are the sweetener, but maybe someone like a Ross, Haggerty, Baun or even Rassmussen gets someone to bite and returns a low pick or other low prospect.

Is anyone hearing anything on the possible signing of Swedish goaltender Lars Johansson by the Hawks? Any thoughts on if that impacts anything?

I got it off Sports Mockery...so consider the source. Nonetheless, thoughts if true?
- onehundredlevel

I posted the article on here from NBC sports yesterday on it

I posted the article on here from NBC sports yesterday on it
- hawkeytalkman

I thought they signed him...

If they did/do, in my opinion, that may mean Crow or Darling is on the move. I believe the Swedish goalie is already 28. I don't exactly see them having long-term plans for him in Rockford. Maybe he spends some time with the Hogs in order to adjust to the North American game, then is called up as part of a Darling or Crow tandem.

I think they'll start promoting some of the younger prospects from the ECHL to the AHL next season, too. I mean, they're going to have to.

I thought they signed him...

If they did/do, in my opinion, that may mean Crow or Darling is on the move. I believe the Swedish goalie is already 28. I don't exactly see them having long-term plans for him in Rockford. Maybe he spends some time with the Hogs in order to adjust to the North American game, then is called up as part of a Darling or Crow tandem.

I think they'll start promoting some of the younger prospects from the ECHL to the AHL next season, too. I mean, they're going to have to.
- Hank3Henshaw

It's probably a move to create some organizational depth at the position more so than a sign that Crow/Darling are on the move.

Leighton, Carruth and Macintyre are all free agents and the other goalies in the system are very young and not ready for prime time.

Matt Martin is a UFA. Toss him at 4LW instead of Monster Mash.
- EnzoD

With what money? This team is another cap mess.

I still can't get over how lucky the Stars are right now to be heading into a game 7.

Blues have outshot them overall. Out scored them, had better special teams, and have held an edge in faceoffs. The Stars have been opportunistic, but I think it is safe to say, the Hawks played the Blues a heck of a lot better overall.

We outshot them, out scored them, had better special teams (just barely), we had better possession and way more offensive zone starts.

The one thing that still stands out is the Brian Elliot was the difference. At 5v5 Dallas is scoring on 7.4% of their shots, while the Hawks only scored on 4.8%.

I have no doubt now that the Hawks would have handled the Stars.

I thought they signed him...

If they did/do, in my opinion, that may mean Crow or Darling is on the move. I believe the Swedish goalie is already 28. I don't exactly see them having long-term plans for him in Rockford. Maybe he spends some time with the Hogs in order to adjust to the North American game, then is called up as part of a Darling or Crow tandem.

I think they'll start promoting some of the younger prospects from the ECHL to the AHL next season, too. I mean, they're going to have to.
- Hank3Henshaw

Or expansion draft insurance...

Stan should just buy him out. Enough of throwing away assets or taking back another dead weight. Buy Bickell out asap.
- MjulQvist

Anyone know if the remaining cap hit from Bickell's buy out is a trade-able asset? Similar to the Pronger situation. A team needing to get to the cap floor can pick up the additional cap hit without spending any money.

I assume that answer is probably a no.

I still can't get over how lucky the Stars are right now to be heading into a game 7.

Blues have outshot them overall. Out scored them, had better special teams, and have held an edge in faceoffs. The Stars have been opportunistic, but I think it is safe to say, the Hawks played the Blues a heck of a lot better overall.

We outshot them, out scored them, had better special teams (just barely), we had better possession and way more offensive zone starts.

The one thing that still stands out is the Brian Elliot was the difference. At 5v5 Dallas is scoring on 7.4% of their shots, while the Hawks only scored on 4.8%.

I have no doubt now that the Hawks would have handled the Stars.
- breadbag

I'd say the opposite. I think the Blues have been tremendously lucky so far in the playoffs. They have skill, but have also gotten some great bounces and luck on their side.

I still can't get over how lucky the Stars are right now to be heading into a game 7.

Blues have outshot them overall. Out scored them, had better special teams, and have held an edge in faceoffs. The Stars have been opportunistic, but I think it is safe to say, the Hawks played the Blues a heck of a lot better overall.

We outshot them, out scored them, had better special teams (just barely), we had better possession and way more offensive zone starts.

The one thing that still stands out is the Brian Elliot was the difference. At 5v5 Dallas is scoring on 7.4% of their shots, while the Hawks only scored on 4.8%.

I have no doubt now that the Hawks would have handled the Stars.
- breadbag

It's about matchups as much as anything and the Hawks match up well against the Blues, a little less so against the Stars. I think either series would have been a toss-up.

Things are...okay?

It's been a rough six months. Set to graduate on Saturday.
- EKB13

Congrats!

It's about matchups as much as anything and the Hawks match up well against the Blues, a little less so against the Stars. I think either series would have been a toss-up.
- TheTrob

The Hawks were unable to handle the Stars team speed all year, and I don't think that would have changed in the playoffs. I would've still taken the Hawks but it would've been a 6/7 game grind, IMO.

Things are...okay?

It's been a rough six months. Set to graduate on Saturday.
- EKB13

Congrats on the Graduation. Going to my sons on Sunday.

The Hawks were unable to handle the Stars team speed all year, and I don't think that would have changed in the playoffs. I would've still taken the Hawks but it would've been a 6/7 game grind, IMO.
- EnzoD

100% agree. The Hawks got handled by the Stars' speed in regular season play.

new blog up

Congrats!
- Hank_Greenberg

Congrats on the Graduation. Going to my sons on Sunday.
- TheTrob

Thanks!