The league is run by small market teams. They always get their way each time their is a lockout. Its a joke.

MAF - 3X7. Crows deal is cheap!

The Habs don't want a 3 C (AA isn't a legit 2C) who is 30 years old with a career high of 45 points. If you think the Blackhawks are in an unspoken rebuild...the Habs are in a pretty well broadcasted rebuild under the guise of trying to make the playoffs
- Takemedrunkimhome

I agree. If I were MTL I would not want AA . I personally don't see a fit with MTL and Chicago on a fair hockey trade for both clubs....... They both need centers and neither has one to give.

MTL just can't get out of their own way right now. The leak that Bergivan will not extend Pacioretty and is determined to trade him really hurt the organIzation. He has no leverage on a helluva player with a great cap hit.

The comparable out there on an extension for Pacioretty is JVR's new deal with Philly - 5 years @ $7M. But he cost Philly nothing other than cash. Bergy is looking for an equivalent (or close) return in talent for Max and then let the acquiring team deal with the extension numbers. That's a little different.
- RickJ

The original question is based on the assumption based on reports from people like JJ that the Hawks were after Patches...one would assume in this case the Hawks have determined if they want to sign Patches and have a rough idea in cost. But those are the assumptions on which the original question is based

The comparable out there on an extension for Pacioretty is JVR's new deal with Philly - 5 years @ $7M. But he cost Philly nothing other than cash. Bergy is looking for an equivalent (or close) return in talent for Max and then let the acquiring team deal with the extension numbers. That's a little different.
- RickJ

Kind of what the Hawks did when they traded Panarin for Saad. The Hawks got a Saad's contract for years and lost Panarin for 2 as he will be getting his big payday. Who knows, perhaps 72 will sign with the Hawks. They may have $$$$ next year to dole out to put them back in cap hell.

The “league” didn’t decide - it was collectively bargained and agreed to by the league (with Rocky’s concurrence, as he agreed to the new CBA) and the PA.
- StLBravesFan

The "league" absolutely decided it, but to your point yes they had to do so through the proper procedure to do so but..... When NJ put through Kovy's first contract the league shut it down and fined NJ a first round pick for blatantly trying to circumvent the cap (I think his last 4 years were at 500k or something ridiculous). GM Lou was even overheard at the time saying those types of deals should be illegal. The league had had enough and made sure those contracts would never happen again.

Mr. Ricochet,
I see you're in Joliet as well. Would love to share an adult beverage and pick your hockey mind during a game. Maybe next season sometime.

Thanks for all your great insight here.
- BobP.

Thanks for the kind words. Maybe introduce you to a USHL game? The NTDP is great fun to watch and without doubt always have 10+ kids on the roster who will play in the NHL and a couple top 10- NHL picks.

Why in the world would the Hawks (or anyone) acquire Ryan Callahan - a 33-year old 3rd line winger making $5.8M for 2 more years who scored all of 18 points in 67 games last season. Puh-leeze.

Schmaltz (and DeBrincat) should be untouchables unless the trade is too good to be true (meaning equal or better player with long term contract or RFA). No way those two should be traded for a Pacioretty or Skinner. Sikura - fine because he hasn't proven himself yet, but I wouldn't even trade Sikura for a player with only 1 or 2 years on their contract before they hit UFA.

The point is - do we really think the Hawks are a legitimate Cup contender if they add a Stralman and Skinner/Pacioretty? I don't. Maybe they eek into the playoffs if a lot of things go right but they are not one of the best teams anymore. They should be aiming for 2019/20 season, if not the 2020/21 season.
- EbonyRaptor

Great post.

This was my point on the last thread.....the timing of this trade is just weird. People can say the price might have been higher, but Bowman had as much leverage now as he did then....giving up a 3rd and Vinny is a decent price to pay clear a total of 4+ in cap space and taking back a very much unknown in Marcus Kruger. When Kruger is 100% his ceiling is a 3rd line center. I dont' think he's been that since the end of 2015.

So if you look at Skinner vs Pacioretty (spell) there are pros and cons to both. Do you give up a Schmaltz and a top pick for one of these guys? Does Faulk REALLY solidify the D corps?

If you add Faulk and Skinner they are probably a wild card team, assuming 50 stays healthy, 2/7/19/20 all have bounce back years but you have some margin for error. Are you a legit cup contender? No. No you aren't.

IMO, they are stuck in limbo. They are trying to rebuild a next wave that is no where ready this year, and in the mean time adding pieces on limited deals (kunitz, Kruger, and even Max or Skinner). I am not a fan of the word tanking, but this half butt approach is maddening.

I dont' trust a word they say.....and hilarious that so many clung to "we are saving cap room to extend the vinny, schmaltz, debrincats of the world.." Where in reality they dealt Vinny, haven't even started talking to SChmaltz per Powers, and that leaves DeBrincat…...so is this a youth movement OR is this a Chicago White Sox/Bulls appease a fickle fan base and keep yourself from winning 2-3 years down the road to patch holes today......

I agree. If I were MTL I would not want AA . I personally don't see a fit with MTL and Chicago on a fair hockey trade for both clubs....... They both need centers and neither has one to give.

MTL just can't get out of their own way right now. The leak that Bergivan will not extend Pacioretty and is determined to trade him really hurt the organIzation. He has no leverage on a helluva player with a great cap hit.
- Mr Ricochet

I agree with most of this other than the end part. Everybody has known since the turn of the new year the Habs wanted to move Patches. I also take most things from MTL media (like the no contract extension talks a week after the same people reported they were talking contract) with a massive grain of salt. It's all people with fake sources trying to find something sensationalist to write about and get clicks. Tanner would be great in MTL media if he spoke french

Shrewd Stevie Y signings

Callahan...6yrs 35mil and NMC, modified NTC

His last 3yrs..158gms, 17g and 33 assists

Ryan McDonough's contract starts after next season, when he will be 30

7yrs 47.25mil...or 6.75per and NTC. Same as Seabrook (who has won a few things).

Yet Stevie Y is "shrewd" while Stan is an idiot.
- PatShart

Don't disagree but go ask a fan in Buffalo about Scotty Bowman.....and then run and hide.

Clearly Bergevin has the For Sale sign out on Pacioretty and he will get him moved eventually. But a big return is limited by the one year left on his current deal and his asking price on an extension. Hawks probably can't make Bergy happy with what they have to offer.
- RickJ

Bergevin may get more at the trade deadline for Pacioretty.

MAF - 3X7. Crows deal is cheap!
- riozzo

Fleury turns 34 when the season starts with his current deal. He will be turning 37 in the final year of his new deal. That Vegas first year success is costing them -maybe costing their future for a long time.

I've heard that anisimov to Montreal for patches? .or cap space? .and Saad to Carolina. .for Faulk and skinny? ..I'm sure that there would be other pieces going from whoever? ..but if any of the players going to Chicago besides Faulk only have 1 year remaining. .how would it affect Chicago's future cap?..anyways should be an interesting few weeks.

The problem is that teams l8ke Arizona and others never spend to the cap and often need help just getting to the floor.

Any team that continually refuses - or continually can’t afford - to spend what is required in today’s league should be relegated, dissolved, moved, or taken away from the ownership that continues to fail to spend enough put a representative team on the ice. They take an equal share of national league revenues, they are recipients of revenue sharing money’s, and they don’t invest in on-ice talent.
- StLBravesFan

100% agreed. Honestly the problem isn't necessarily players vs owners but large market owners vs small market owners. teams get playoff shares, split up cup revenue, and there are markets the NHL has no business being in. Nashville has been a great add.

I'm sure each team will get X buyouts at no penalty after the next lockout occurs, and we will see a seabrook or Toews get axed (if they are still regressing) at that point.

While Arizona cap is at like 69 or something like that, the actual salaries are Only at 57...that was my entire point with Hossa from a few blogs back. I didn't think Bowman HAD to give up a ton because the actual money a small market team had to pay him was minimal and they had ample space to fit a 5.275 AAV cap hit on their "books"

Bergevin may get more at the trade deadline for Pacioretty.
- stan-ley-cups

This is my thought too. 30+ goal guy who is a solid pk guy and is considered a good leader (whatever that means)

I don't see his value being that much different between now and then extension or not

The idea that the Hawks can go into next years UFA with 20+ mil available could be interesting looking at some of the names possibly available
- PatShart

That's why I am in favor of Bowman sitting on the money. Focus on extending Schmaltz and DeBrincat and roll out younger D to see if 1 can blossom.

Play murphy in the top 4 and if he can't cut it, deal him at the deadline for a pick. Trade Kruger at the deadline if you are buried and he's somewhat effective.

Blow. IT..UP

The Hawks had an awful lot of things go wrong for them last season. A perfect storm of negative things. I don't think this team has fallen as far as most believe, but I understand I'm in the minority. Shoring up the back end would go a long way to getting back into contention.
- Hawks_49

I agree with you. The Hawks had very little go right last year. Not one core player lived up to expectation (Crawford was but missed more than half the season) and you have to expect some bounce back. I mean, even getting better than terrible goaltending for 60% of the year would be a start. I think the difference between winning and losing will be razer thin.

Fleury turns 34 when the season starts with his current deal. He will be turning 37 in the final year of his new deal. That Vegas first year success is costing them -maybe costing their future for a long time.
- 67hawks

It has a lot to do with building the fan base here in Vegas as well.

Most all equate him as the face of the franchise and keeping him the next few years will go a long way with the community

Way too much money for his age/injury history but his reach goes well off the ice here to the locals and people here learning the game

I've heard that anisimov to Montreal for patches? .or cap space? .and Saad to Carolina. .for Faulk and skinny? ..I'm sure that there would be other pieces going from whoever? ..but if any of the players going to Chicago besides Faulk only have 1 year remaining. .how would it affect Chicago's future cap?..anyways should be an interesting few weeks.
- MR.Hunter

Well they lost Hossa for 5.275 next year. Assuming they don't resign Kruger they lose another 2.75. Hopefully they free up as much cap room as possible IF the large names and targets remain a possibility.

Dangerous game, but it's better then mortgaging their future for a band aid today.

100% agreed. Honestly the problem isn't necessarily players vs owners but large market owners vs small market owners. teams get playoff shares, split up cup revenue, and there are markets the NHL has no business being in. Nashville has been a great add.

I'm sure each team will get X buyouts at no penalty after the next lockout occurs, and we will see a seabrook or Toews get axed (if they are still regressing) at that point.

While Arizona cap is at like 69 or something like that, the actual salaries are Only at 57...that was my entire point with Hossa from a few blogs back. I didn't think Bowman HAD to give up a ton because the actual money a small market team had to pay him was minimal and they had ample space to fit a 5.275 AAV cap hit on their "books"
- SteveRain

Plus the Bolland LTIR and Smith retained salary expire this year. The Coyotes needed to replace that approximate 7M Cap with something.

That's why I am in favor of Bowman sitting on the money. Focus on extending Schmaltz and DeBrincat and roll out younger D to see if 1 can blossom.

Play murphy in the top 4 and if he can't cut it, deal him at the deadline for a pick. Trade Kruger at the deadline if you are buried and he's somewhat effective.

Blow. IT..UP
- SteveRain

I don't think they are going to blow it up but I believe they made it clear, they won't spend money/term on guys that aren't gonna be long term contributors. So far they got Kunitz, Ward, Manning and even some of the guys they resigned. Rutta can be flipped if he doesn't work out and Gustafasson only a 2 year deal on a contract that could be buried if required. They might acquire someone that could be a long term play, but I think they are going to be careful about it. I.e. if they pick up someone there might be money going back the other way in the form of a AA or Murphy.

Glad they didn't go the Vancouver route and hand out term to bottom 6 guys who have probably already peaked.

That's why I am in favor of Bowman sitting on the money. Focus on extending Schmaltz and DeBrincat and roll out younger D to see if 1 can blossom.

Play murphy in the top 4 and if he can't cut it, deal him at the deadline for a pick. Trade Kruger at the deadline if you are buried and he's somewhat effective.

Blow. IT..UP
- SteveRain

If Kruger has a decent season, the Hawks can get a good return for him with max salary retention at the TDL (providing they are out of a playoff spot).

If Kruger has a decent season, the Hawks can get a good return for him with max salary retention at the TDL (providing they are out of a playoff spot).
- 67hawks

Kruger can go to the minors for all I care. He won't because they will want to show that they got something " great/nice/big/familiar" this summer. I just hope people have the right expectations for Kruger this season, meaning, he isn't the same or anywhere near it. This is the same guy that struggled to score here and couldn't cut it in Carolina. I mean... Carolina...

Its hard to access the moves and potential moves unless you know what the plan is. If they are in a rebuild or a silent rebuild shouldn’t they try to get younger and shed more salary. Falk and Skinner to me don’t turn the Hawks into cup contenders. Neither does Max Pacioretty or Rick Nash. My hope is that they are not trying to do the White Sox thing where for years they were going for it every year and bringing players in who were past their prime. That didn’t work so well for them and it probably won’t work for the Hawks either.

The last few years, Kruger had his wrist surgery and then last year was playing thru a sports hernia

I'm not his biggest fan, certainly not at 2.75mil, but if he gets back to healthy at 28yrs old, I'd have no problem with the Hawks keeping him as the 4th line center for under 2mil going forward and assuming he gets back to 100%

He is good on the PK, good on faceoffs, responsible defensively