Gustaffson/Svedberg/Pokka/Hartman w/ Crow wouldn't get his full cap hit off the books in your opinion?
- EnzoD

Not likely becasue those are 4 roster spots used off the 50 man roster. Roster spots are precious especially for a rebuilding team. Plus, none of those players are considered great prospects right now.

Trade CC to the Sharks for Morin.

Thanks and again, organization has to be held accountable but the hawks in a way have been let down by the league's BS projections on Cap number and the world's economy declining faster then anticpated in regards to oil and Canadian dollar.

The other underlying factor here is even if ABC/Disney bids on the TV deal, I cant' see them throwing crazy money at it as the ratings and revenue arent' there. To show that, they would stick it on ESPN2 and an occasional abc weekend game. This World Cup may be a tease for them to see what numbers they draw.

Bottom line I dont' see a white knight coming to save the cap any time soon and that is going to hurt the league and major market teams and players all alike. The only winner here, and continues to be, is the small market owner.
- SteveRain

And they certainly won't throw crazy money at the TV deal when they look at how bad the ratings were in the Finals this year, and I honestly don't see the ratings getting much better as the majority of teams get worse. I think it was Al who said that parity does not equal popularity which is spot on. How does Bettman go about convincing a potential tv deal bidder of the opposite?

Agree with your second bolded too, until something changes it very much appears that things are only going to get worse in that respect

2 and 7 reunited at last?? Or will they each being carrying a bottom pairing guy to even up the three units? What will the Stache do, I wonder....
- EnzoD

yes please! Dear god let the 2 and 4 pairing be done forever

Not likely becasue those are 4 roster spots used off the 50 man roster. Roster spots are precious especially for a rebuilding team. Plus, none of those players are considered great prospects right now.
- Al

I meant one of those 4 not all of them...not even Gustaffson who played 40+ games with the big club last year?

yes please! Dear god let the 2 and 4 pairing be done forever
- maria_wyeth

I'd just settle for guys playing in their normal positions

What are people's thoughts on whether they keep KaneGB line intact? Putting Kane up with Toews would help Toews by giving him someone who can finish, and perhaps separating Kane and Panarin means Panarin doesn't crack top ten and make his bonuses again?

Hossa with AA and Panarin makes that line stronger defensively... I thought Hossa looked nice with Kruger as well, but if we need more offense from Kruger we might run into the same Hossa problem - IMO Kruger's offensive skills are more as a set-up guy, and then we still have the problem with needing someone on that line that can finish.

- maria_wyeth

Been advocating for the same switch-a-roo since before the playoffs. More balance intra-line on both 1st and 2nd. Gives Panarin his wish to the be THE playmaker on his line. And, if we don't sign him before the season, definitely will show you what he is able to do on his own (important info for negotiating, I'd think). Puts 19 & 88 back together where, IMO, they want to be, and where we know they can make magic (there's a reason that we call it the nuclear option and that they are STILL mentioned in same breath in most media even after not being on the same line for years.) May have the added benefit of slowing down Panarin's scoring just enough to save some $$$, but shouldn't be primary reason.

I meant one of those 4 not all of them...not even Gustaffson who played 40+ games with the big club last year?
- EnzoD

No-For now those are not wow prospects...For now those are players who either haven't been good enough so far to take the next step-Or when given the chance haven't done much.

Blues are in a tough spot with Brouwer especially...Those guys are like Lucic part of a small club....20 goal scorers with 200 hits. They usually get paid. But the Blues will be all in on Schwartz first and foremost.
- Al

I want to keep Brouwer.

Still hopeful, but not holding my breath.

Why haven't I seen this before?

http://m.thn.com/blog/rep...e-to-increase-salary-cap/

Looks like it is $72.8 for the cap

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...mp-up-2016-17-salary-cap/

Not. Enough.

No-For now those are not wow prospects...For now those are players who either haven't been good enough so far to take the next step-Or when given the chance haven't done much.
- Al

That's fair. Just for argument's sake, couldn't that same thing be said for Tuevo? I guess the high end puck skill and 1st round pedigree still hold more weight. I'd think Hartman would probably be the Hawks move movable/highest thought of prospect around the league (outside of Schmaltz)...maybe Pokka after a strong World Championship showing?

Looks like it is $72.8 for the cap

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...mp-up-2016-17-salary-cap/

Not. Enough.
- Return of the Roar

Thats with the escalator bump??

Thats with the escalator bump??
- z1990z

Yep.

That's fair. Just for argument's sake, couldn't that same thing be said for Tuevo? I guess the high end puck skill and 1st round pedigree still hold more weight. I'd think Hartman would probably be the Hawks move movable/highest thought of prospect around the league (outside of Schmaltz)...maybe Pokka after a strong World Championship showing?
- EnzoD

Carolina is a budget team that even with Bickell's hit it at least $5MM below the floor, with 18 players signed.

Carolina is a budget team that even with Bickell's hit it at least $5MM below the floor, with 18 players signed.
- StLBravesFan

12 teams below the floor as we speak

Yep.
- Return of the Roar

If it winds up at $62.8, the Hawks will have less than $7 to sign 6 or 7 players - don't know how they get Shaw back and /or sign any FAs to solve existing holes without moving a big salary out.

So spit ballin here... Say CC to the Leafs for JVR. Shaw gets moved at the draft and with the extra money we land Brouwer.

Your top 3 LW's would be Panarin, JVR and Brouwer. That would do..

JVR 19 88
72 15 81
Brouwer 22 14
- z1990z

Would Toronto part with JVR? I'm assuming Matthews will need an experienced winger.

If it winds up at $62.8, the Hawks will have less than $7 to sign 6 or 7 players - don't know how they get Shaw back and /or sign any FAs to solve existing holes without moving a big salary out.
- StLBravesFan

And no guarantee moving a big salary out doesn't mean taking some back.

Example: CC for JVR - save $1.75MM

Still need a goalie.....for less than $1.75MM to gain any cap space.

Time for McD to retire One Goal and bust out "Hey, these kids can skate".

benning starts the bidding at a 2nd and 4th.
- Tumbleweed

Just read your guys blog, I see he's an Andersen fan as well. Never put together trying to pry away a Fowler as well. That would be a huge upgrade to get Andersen and Fowler in one deal. Seems like Fowler has been around 10 years and I'm shocked to see he's 24.

That is a deal that would jump the Babcock led, talent laden Leafs up the standings, if that's what they're interested in doing.

Damn, Fowler is 24. Most every team in the East has to make a run at this kid.

I think there were some raw feelings...Campbell is a good guy and did a lot of charitable work in the city, but those were desperate times. I think he was upset initially and for whatever reason fans here never took to Campbell. Opening night in 2010 when he was introduced you could hear some boos.

In the end I think he felt it was best to leave and go to a place like Florida with Tallon, who always liked him as a player.

I have no clue if he would want to come back.

But if not him, a veteran who is going to take a discount fits what the Hawks need.
- Al

Campbell is a good guy cuz he's been 2-3 mil a year overpaid for 5-6 years. This guy should feel like he's won the lottery everyday for years.

It worked only because they packaged Bickell with a 21 yr old with skill and a $900k cap hit....Otherwise never.
- Al

And the Hawks get a 2nd and 3rd back. Now if TT played the way he did this last year for the Hawks this year and they tried to move him after the season would they get a 2nd and 3rd?

Would Toronto part with JVR? I'm assuming Matthews will need an experienced winger.
- 93Joe

Maybe.... depends on how bad they want CC.

NHLPA to use escalator

http://www.thehockeynews....cap/#.V2QxIv9tguI.twitter


$72,800,000 ................. (frank)KKKKKKKKKK

Crawford for picks is probably next

NHLPA to use escalator

http://www.thehockeynews....cap/#.V2QxIv9tguI.twitter


$72,800,000 ................. (frank)KKKKKKKKKK

Crawford for picks is probably next
- mrpaulish

Yes... that cap number is comical. And yet this league is gonna push another team in.