Never have, or will, understand why a team ala Al Davis didn't take the league to court over this.
- Mr Ricochet

This is pure speculation (or opinion) on my part, but I believe the owners never went to court because they like where they landed after the last agreement. The ownership club is too tight and no one rocks the boat.

My personal view is that a major sports’ commissioner should be a strong, powerful and independent individual working for the betterment of the sport. Bettman is the commissioner, but I believe rocky wirtz probably considers Bettman one of his best employees. Rocky is in a position of receiving all the fans’ adoration because the owners let Bettman take the heat and be the bad guy. Bettman is only doing what the owners tell him what to do. There’s no reason for anyone to go to court for something they came up with and agreed to among themselves.

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

I have advocated this position myself. I know it wouldn’t work — don’t see the nhl agreeing to swap out the Arizona team for the wolves or ice hogs if it came to that. But I wish there was some way to deal better with teams that won’t or can’t spend; without much empirical evidence, you would think anyone with the smallest amount of common sense could deduce that if you don’t spend, you don’t get the quality players, and if you don’t get the quality players, you can’t compete. At an absolute minimum, you could argue that this seriously compromises the competitive integrity of the league.

100% this. I'd rather have Hossa at 40 years old on the 3rd line at $5M than seeing what $5M got teams on July 1st this year.
- Hawksfan37

Totally agree! Losing Hossa last year was huge! There are very few players in the league with Hossa’s skill set. For fans anywhere to think the hawks were going be able to use Hossa’s money to get a comparable player just boggles the mind. They were never going to be able to replace him at that price.

I have advocated this position myself. I know it wouldn’t work — don’t see the nhl agreeing to swap out the Arizona team for the wolves or ice hogs if it came to that. But I wish there was some way to deal better with teams that won’t or can’t spend; without much empirical evidence, you would think anyone with the smallest amount of common sense could deduce that if you don’t spend, you don’t get the quality players, and if you don’t get the quality players, you can’t compete. At an absolute minimum, you could argue that this seriously compromises the competitive integrity of the league.
- Spec41971

Would you have advocated that same position 15 years ago when the Hawks couldn't get 5000 fans to home games? Serious question

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
- PatShart

For sure, and it is hard to look at his results in a vacuum. Kruger did the job he was hired to do while he was on the Blackhawks, but he ended up getting overpaid for it due to taking a 1-year, team-friendly deal after the 2015 Championship. His deployment in Carolina, along with expectations, might have been different, which is why he did not perform for that team. Realistically, Joakim Nordstrom is probably not a better player than Marcus Kruger, but somehow he (and his 7 points in 75 games) can cut it on the Carolina roster, but Kruger (6 points in 48 games) cannot? Something is missing in that analysis...

We can just hope for the best, which is a reliable defensive-minded center who will take a lot of responsibility on PKs and face-offs from Jonathan Toews. If he really is done after the sports hernia, it's not like he was the make-or-break guy for this year anyway. Losing Hinostroza hurts worse, then, but he's probably replaceable as soon as this year.

Would you have advocated that same position 15 years ago when the Hawks couldn't get 5000 fans to home games? Serious question
- Takemedrunkimhome

15 years ago they were a minor league team, so, yes, I would argue that. The biggest problem with the relegation concept is that no where in the U.S. or Canada is there a minor league team with the roster and infrastructure (stadium, finances, etc.) that could step in and fill the void. If the hawks had been relegated 15 years ago, maybe they always would have had the 5,000 fans in the building. But they never would have had access to the draft from that point on (2003) so there would have been no Toews, Kane and Hossa signing. The 5,000 fans would still be there but the 3 cups would never have materialized.

Relegation works in soccer — I assume — because it is pretty much they only game in town and even the teams that aren’t first tier have huge, fanatical fan bases, stadiums that can hold a sufficient number of fans for the first tier’s games and it seems the sport is totally dependent upon buying players for the roster.

If Patches comes then bring Shaw back too, LOL

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

Bowman is the Phil Jackson of the NHL. Took winners and kept them winning. Was terrible when he called the shots. Buffalo=Knicks

For sure, and it is hard to look at his results in a vacuum. Kruger did the job he was hired to do while he was on the Blackhawks, but he ended up getting overpaid for it due to taking a 1-year, team-friendly deal after the 2015 Championship. His deployment in Carolina, along with expectations, might have been different, which is why he did not perform for that team. Realistically, Joakim Nordstrom is probably not a better player than Marcus Kruger, but somehow he (and his 7 points in 75 games) can cut it on the Carolina roster, but Kruger (6 points in 48 games) cannot? Something is missing in that analysis...

We can just hope for the best, which is a reliable defensive-minded center who will take a lot of responsibility on PKs and face-offs from Jonathan Toews. If he really is done after the sports hernia, it's not like he was the make-or-break guy for this year anyway. Losing Hinostroza hurts worse, then, but he's probably replaceable as soon as this year.
- tgentry1084

Kruger likely fills a hole. Kruger could bounce back if healthy and odds are high that he will be back in Q's system as a go to Dzone draw guy. The injuries were a concern but he is the type of forward thy were lacking. We know he probably only nets 15-25 points maximum but if he helps prevent those extra back breaking goals, he is worth it.

The other thing is that Kruger is a vet that might help some of younger guys. For example, if they see Kampf (or someone else) in a similar mold, well now you got another mentor on the team in the form of Kruger. He sets a good example and we know he can be trusted to give it all he has (the question will be if he is healthy enough).

Bowman is the Phil Jackson of the NHL. Took winners and kept them winning. Was terrible when he called the shots. Buffalo=Knicks
- howiehandles

A very valuable skill that very few can replicate. Just as building from scratch is a valuable, hard to replicate skill.

Bowman is the Phil Jackson of the NHL. Took winners and kept them winning. Was terrible when he called the shots. Buffalo=Knicks
- howiehandles

Great avatar and yes....that was my point.

If Patches comes then bring Shaw back too, LOL
- BlackhawkMike

Assuming even semi value...Deal no take backs

15 years ago they were a minor league team, so, yes, I would argue that. The biggest problem with the relegation concept is that no where in the U.S. or Canada is there a minor league team with the roster and infrastructure (stadium, finances, etc.) that could step in and fill the void. If the hawks had been relegated 15 years ago, maybe they always would have had the 5,000 fans in the building. But they never would have had access to the draft from that point on (2003) so there would have been no Toews, Kane and Hossa signing. The 5,000 fans would still be there but the 3 cups would never have materialized.

Relegation works in soccer — I assume — because it is pretty much they only game in town and even the teams that aren’t first tier have huge, fanatical fan bases, stadiums that can hold a sufficient number of fans for the first tier’s games and it seems the sport is totally dependent upon buying players for the roster.
- Spec41971

Fair enough. It does work in footy

per JJ's twitter, the Hawks have talked to Sbisa...

I said I could see it back in June. Hope not

If Patches comes then bring Shaw back too, LOL
- BlackhawkMike

as long as Seabs goes to Montreal as a place filler for Weber haha

per JJ's twitter, the Hawks have talked to Sbisa...

I said I could see it back in June. Hope not
- ikeane

I hope with this new found money. Stan & Co. Use it wisely. Sbisa would not be a difference maker.

as long as Seabs goes to Montreal as a place filler for Weber haha
- ikeane

Seabs is up there with Bobby Ryan and his contract. Just...No

Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf ...KKK checking line?

2 face off guys over 50%...good defensively...can be hard to play against, no?

per JJ's twitter, the Hawks have talked to Sbisa...

I said I could see it back in June. Hope not
- ikeane

No....just no.

Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf ...KKK checking line?

2 face off guys over 50%...good defensively...can be hard to play against, no?
- PatShart

Can't wait to hear Foley's comments on that...

Not bad, but my guess is that they would have Hayden in Kampf's spot. Ideally Hayden plays well enough to be a little higher in the lineup, but I wouldn't mind a Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden line at all.

Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf ...KKK checking line?

2 face off guys over 50%...good defensively...can be hard to play against, no?
- PatShart

Kampf and Kruger play the same game so know. add hayden instead.

Chris Stewart is still available he would be a good 3rd or 4th liner for 1.5

Chris Stewart is still available he would be a good 3rd or 4th liner for 1.5
- vandymeer23

Blah...I'd rather see Hayden than Stewart

Can't wait to hear Foley's comments on that...

Not bad, but my guess is that they would have Hayden in Kampf's spot. Ideally Hayden plays well enough to be a little higher in the lineup, but I wouldn't mind a Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden line at all.
- Chunk

I am sure that Mcdonut will be up his arse reminding him not to say that...

I wonder if McD ever thought about "Let's bring in the twins for a year"?