I doubled this one up

Makes sense Gerges......but who started all this talk about buyouts, etc? I would think the owners can't unilaterally do anything regarding compliance buyouts and the such without the union's permission and vice versa. The CBA governs all this I would guess. Maybe Wiz's ownership buddy can figure out what's allowed and what's not.
- ILGolfer

All I will say is this person skates in a fun hockey league and he is rubbing elbows with all the higher ups. he has make tons of money and wanst a franchise. They know it and the NHL higher ups want guys like this around b/c the want more franchises and owners becasue they all get that fat entrance fee.
His converstaion was clear:
The league ownership is going to try and dicate the players association.
They are going to have no problem shutting it down.
(The agents and players know it that is why so many have had their contracts structured differently for strike year.)


I am fairly certain that the ownership will have an agenda and will not so much jam it down the NHLPA, but make certain this is there idea to get everything right so all sides can make money and teams can basically keep together better...
I sited those percenatges only as examples...who knows they may start LOWER as anegtiating point
If they could help the hawks and others stay together, I think the players have to think twice.
I was a union guy was delegate, but I am all for pro sports getting control of their runaway trains.

As I said yesterday the ownership wants to have a rule that no one player is allowed to be paid more than 8%, or 9% or 10% of the cap the year he is signed...they dont want Connor McDavid making 15 million real soon and all the rest using him as the standard.
Right now, the Kane Toews deals are 14.38%
Three million gets added to the Cap, so, the owners get that to drop to 13.815% as long as not one signs anyone to 10.5 mil this summer...you following me?

They want to squeeze again at the top salaries, in the same way the last agreement saw the top player sacrificing their dollars to get a deal done...no reason for the owners not to try it again.

Careful. You'll get blasted like I did bringing up he thought of taking Schmaltz off the 1LW spot cause it worked so well for 5-6 game run. 3C or 4C center would be better. Jurco either needs a chance at 1LW or he hits the press box and it's likely the latter.
- Assman22

Contrary to an earlier thought on a blog or two back, Jurco MUST play ten games with the Hawks to be expansion draft eligible.

From NHL website:

"ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons."

The prior two seasons do not count 2014-15. It must be 70 over 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

Jurco played 44 games last season and 16 this season before he was traded. He must play ten more to hit the 70 game minimum. The only way he isnt suited up for all ten is if he gets hurt again or the Hawks did not acquire him for draft exposure - rather as a tryout for a reclamation project.

So Jurco needs another 4 games to have a combined 70 games to be eligible for the expansion draft - so most likely he will get at least another 4 starts. I try to watch for him on the ice and I'm not in the group that thinks he's been useless. Yes, he hasn't gotten a single points yet, but he gets engaged in the play and it looks to me like the effort is there. The 6 games he's played is not enough to make a final judgement on him - probably not even after he's played his 10th game. Maybe he's just one of those unlucky guys that just can't do it in real action - but I think it's still too early to make that call.

So Jurco needs another 4 games to have a combined 70 games to be eligible for the expansion draft - so most likely he will get at least another 4 starts. I try to watch for him on the ice and I'm not in the group that thinks he's been useless. Yes, he hasn't gotten a single points yet, but he gets engaged in the play and it looks to me like the effort is there. The 6 games he's played is not enough to make a final judgement on him - probably not even after he's played his 10th game. Maybe he's just one of those unlucky guys that just can't do it in real action - but I think it's still too early to make that call.
- EbonyRaptor

I think you will see that happening, but I think he gets rotated out for some as it insults the rostered guys not playing, who have produced. I understand both sides of why you want him to improve, butI don't think he gets a get out on the ice for free card...

Careful. You'll get blasted like I did bringing up he thought of taking Schmaltz off the 1LW spot cause it worked so well for 5-6 game run. 3C or 4C center would be better. Jurco either needs a chance at 1LW or he hits the press box and it's likely the latter.
- Assman22

Well, I dunno whether 8 or 14 would be better on Toews' wing but Hossa led the team in possession last night (pretty much I think) and is a better right wing than anyone not named Kane (by far).

Point being, I still think before the big dance starts, you'll see him back with Toews.

Hard to blame Crawford last night, Hawks seemed a step slow all night.

Liked what Tootoo brought more than Desi. Ras is not playing either because he's dinged up or the other reason, he's not all that good.

Kempny continues to improve, in small subtle ways.

Clock is ticking on Jerko. Right now, it looks like the lights are on—got the size and the skating—but nobody's home. Almost a total non-factor. Reminds me of what Scotty Bowman once said about Dmitri Nabokov. Looks great skating up and down the ice, but doesn't do anything.

I think you will see that happening, but I think he gets rotated out for some as it insults the rostered guys not playing, who have produced. I understand both sides of why you want him to improve, butI don't think he gets a get out on the ice for free card...
- wiz1901

Yeah, but I'm just not sure they're losing much by not having those "other guys" in the lineup. A case can be made for Hinostroza but he's in Rockford so really Jurco is taking a spot that would be filled by either Rasmussen, Desjardins or Tootoo. If you look at the level of production of those players - Jurco isn't clearly worse.

Rasmussen has played in 59 games and scored 8 points.
Desjardins has played in 38 games and scored 1 point.
Tootoo has played in 39 games and scored 1 point.

So while Rasmussen has 8 points, and he can play PK and take draws - he doesn't have the speed of Jurco and neither does Desjardins or Tootoo.

Our schedule is easier if you're comparing QOC...


- SimpleJack

Pick whatever stats make you feel better...

...I disagree completely.

Nice move by the Hawks organization -

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-287600444?tid=281396148

So Jurco needs another 4 games to have a combined 70 games to be eligible for the expansion draft - so most likely he will get at least another 4 starts. I try to watch for him on the ice and I'm not in the group that thinks he's been useless. Yes, he hasn't gotten a single points yet, but he gets engaged in the play and it looks to me like the effort is there. The 6 games he's played is not enough to make a final judgement on him - probably not even after he's played his 10th game. Maybe he's just one of those unlucky guys that just can't do it in real action - but I think it's still too early to make that call.
- EbonyRaptor

I think think Jurco was acquired to fill the expansion draft exposure requirements. That's not to say Jurco can't develop into a decent depth forward next season, but I'm not holding my breath.

Yeah, but I'm just not sure they're losing much by not having those "other guys" in the lineup. A case can be made for Hinostroza but he's in Rockford so really Jurco is taking a spot that would be filled by either Rasmussen, Desjardins or Tootoo. If you look at the level of production of those players - Jurco isn't clearly worse.

Rasmussen has played in 59 games and scored 8 points.
Desjardins has played in 38 games and scored 1 point.
Tootoo has played in 39 games and scored 1 point.

So while Rasmussen has 8 points, and he can play PK and take draws - he doesn't have the speed of Jurco and neither does Desjardins or Tootoo.
- EbonyRaptor

Speak of the devil - not sure if, in the last quote, he is saying he thinks he can or cannot adjust

http://www.chicagotribune...-0312-20170311-story.html

A lengthy prospect roundup:

https://theathletic.com/4...of-prospects-next-season/

Hawks phoned in another game last night...meanwhile Wild and Blues won. Can't be too upset with the team after having won 12 out of 14, but the Ducks game should be a little concerning with the formula of pushing the Hawks to the outside.

Oduya and Hammer sat last night with a back to back - just being cautious.

Meanwhile the Hawks were killed again at the dot last night... Still wondering why Bowman didn't make a move for a vet center at the TDL.
- DK002

BINGO !!! What a difference it was when Vermette was around to win key faceoffs.
Even 19 was having trouble these past 2 games. Things could have been so much easier with a dominant strong center at the dot ..... BOYLE ??? Maybe next year Stan.

Jurco is absolutely garbage. Hinostroza and Hartman should be in his place on the 3rd line. And tootoo has played great lately and they put desi who doesn't do anything on his place which is frustrating. Waive him all ready and call up Latta.

I should have mentioned that there was a bit of interchangeability in those lines - eg Kero, Rasmussen are pretty much swappable (granted when healthy).

One thing that I really don't like that Quenneville does is how he works his 2 PP units. Granted it is one thing when you put a forward playing point - there will be a level of disruption in the lines after a PP (granted -if you don't score on it quickly) - and I am not really sure why he'd apply a blender just for PP units.

Reason being - then you end up with Kero centering Kane and Panarin or other equally ineffective post PP lines. In my mind, it is better to keep the units a little closer to the regular lines during the game (meaning if you are using PAK -why split it up for the PP? ). I know Panarin can play the point, and had for the Russian National Team, but is it better than PAK?

Is Hossa able to play the point? If so, why not do that with Schmaltz, Toews, and Panik, then?

The PP thing above isn't really tied to the line thing I did earlier.

I like Kempny a lot - he ... well .. yeah I agree with the work in progress line of thinking. Clearly there is potential there. Same with Jurco (it just might not be this season -and then mainly because he joined the team that later in the season.).

I still have to watch the Pittsburgh game (NHL.tv) - I do get a bit of the same results as what I have read... I had passed that off as internet in Perth (to a degree). I guess that is something positive (ok relatively ... it would still be living in the past).

Speak of the devil - not sure if, in the last quote, he is saying he thinks he can or cannot adjust

http://www.chicagotribune...-0312-20170311-story.html
- pdx2ord

Good article on Jurco....... thank you.

Speaking of the "diamond in the rough" Richard Panik.........
what will he be expecting in terms of dollars for next year ??
He has played great and does many of the things we all love... skate with speed, hits just about everything he can on almost every shift, has a nice wrister, and is now showing a semblance of having some hands. This is the type of player this team needs for the future and I'd hate to lose him. I can almost see the Blues salavating over him now. Let's hope his $$$$ request in not out of line.

Good article on Jurco....... thank you.

Speaking of the "diamond in the rough" Richard Panik.........
what will he be expecting in terms of dollars for next year ??
He has played great and does many of the things we all love... skate with speed, hits just about everything he can on almost every shift, has a nice wrister, and is now showing a semblance of having some hands. This is the type of player this team needs for the future and I'd hate to lose him. I can almost see the Blues salavating over him now. Let's hope his $$$$ request in not out of line.
- Hawkytalk

My guess is that Panik gets a short term deal (maybe 2 years) for around $1.5-$2.0 million per season. Panik is a guy you want to keep around, but not a guy you break the bank for (yet).

Jurco is absolutely garbage. Hinostroza and Hartman should be in his place on the 3rd line. And tootoo has played great lately and they put desi who doesn't do anything on his place which is frustrating. Waive him all ready and call up Latta.
- vandymeer23

Here I thought I had mastered being sarcastic without using reed font. Good job!

All I will say is this person skates in a fun hockey league and he is rubbing elbows with all the higher ups. he has make tons of money and wanst a franchise. They know it and the NHL higher ups want guys like this around b/c the want more franchises and owners becasue they all get that fat entrance fee.
His converstaion was clear:
The league ownership is going to try and dicate the players association.
They are going to have no problem shutting it down.
(The agents and players know it that is why so many have had their contracts structured differently for strike year.)


I am fairly certain that the ownership will have an agenda and will not so much jam it down the NHLPA, but make certain this is there idea to get everything right so all sides can make money and teams can basically keep together better...
I sited those percenatges only as examples...who knows they may start LOWER as anegtiating point
If they could help the hawks and others stay together, I think the players have to think twice.
I was a union guy was delegate, but I am all for pro sports getting control of their runaway trains.

As I said yesterday the ownership wants to have a rule that no one player is allowed to be paid more than 8%, or 9% or 10% of the cap the year he is signed...they dont want Connor McDavid making 15 million real soon and all the rest using him as the standard.
Right now, the Kane Toews deals are 14.38%
Three million gets added to the Cap, so, the owners get that to drop to 13.815% as long as not one signs anyone to 10.5 mil this summer...you following me?

They want to squeeze again at the top salaries, in the same way the last agreement saw the top player sacrificing their dollars to get a deal done...no reason for the owners not to try it again.
- wiz1901

All good stuff Wiz, thanks for the insight. I'm sure the league would like more deep pocketed, stable owners like the Wirtz's or corporations. Owners with long-term perspectives. I would hope both sides realize that to make it work both sides need to be profitable (so to speak) in both the short and long term.

Like the idea of a cap % per player per team. Also would like to see some variation of being able to go over the cap to sign their own players like the NBA does since it sounds like the NHL wants nothing to do with a luxury tax.

Whatever happens I hope both sides understand another work stoppage would be a real mistake. Hard to believe the owners would bring on an expansion team and then force a lock out a couple of years later but stranger things have happened in sports negotiations.

I know in the past on the owners side its been portrayed as a small vs large market question and on the player's side as a star vs non-star so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out, from a biz side anyway.

On the game side, lets see if the boys can get up for the Wild tomorrow morning. Should harken back to their younger days when they'd play at 8am.

My guess is that Panik gets a short term deal (maybe 2 years) for around $1.5-$2.0 million per season. Panik is a guy you want to keep around, but not a guy you break the bank for (yet).
- DarthKane

Potentially a 20 goal scorer (currently at 17G and 19A and a +10) with youth, speed and sandpaper for under $2MM? If I were his agent I'd be laughing loudly and testing the market. He is worth $2-3MM easy, and will get it.

Potentially a 20 goal scorer (currently at 17G and 19A and a +10) with youth, speed and sandpaper for under $2MM? If I were his agent I'd be laughing loudly and testing the market. He is worth $2-3MM easy, and will get it.
- Return of the Roar

If Panik were a UFA sure, but he hasn't less leverage as an RFA. That's why I think Panik will take a short term deal then hope to cash in next contract. If a team wants to offer sheet Panik at $3+ million then I'll gladly take the compensation.

Just my thoughts on last nights game. They mailed it in. Period. Can't look more into it than that. They just outplayed the Ducks and got lost to a goalie who stood on his head. They had just won 12 of 13. We were due for a stinker. Happened to come against the deadlings. Big wow. I know we're close to Minny for the lead, but where were we 15 games ago? We can't keep this pace up. No one can. There's still some games to be played and who knows where it goes. Just hope the boys can keep this recent mojo together and not get hurt. That's all I have to say about that....Go Hawks!

Hey, does anybody know who the hocks were planning on drafting if Teuvo hadn't dropped to them? Also, Debrincit. Who were they planning on if tiny Alex hadn't fallen to them? Might be interesting.

WAKE UP HOCKS

I'm watching the Flames/Jets game, I've watched a bunch of Jets games this year. Man, do the Jets need goaltending. If Darling hits free agency I expect Winnipeg to take a run at him.

Blue Jackets blow a 3-0 lead and lose 5-3 to the Sabres.