Love it.

They definitely saw something in this kid. He's a special bread and there won't be any questions about his commitment or work ethic. The kid sleeps and breaths hockey.
- Tyler Cameron

What kind of bread...wheat, sourdough, pumpernickel???

Sounds like it....No clue how they have 3 AAVs over 10+

I do love when Toronto just implodes. I hope somebody throws a 12 AAV and 7 years at Marner and they cut live to Babcock and see that arrogance @ss hat head explode.
- SteveRain

Toronto is setting themselves up for a big problem. Not sure why you'd place the blame on the Leafs mess on Babcock? He didn't sign anyone and by all accounts he's been screaming for defensemen.

Kane led his team to playoff wins before earning his mega deal.

Please show me where any of Marner, ADB, Strome, Pointe...all led their teams to not only playoff wins, but championships

Pay those guys all you want....but those mega deals, IMO, are earned in the playoffs. Not for being regular season warriors

Sorry buddy but that's not a playoff team but did like the trades.
- Scott1977

Not trying to start fights here, but how do you know? Not a single person can say who will or won't qualify for the playoff on 6/24/19.

Regardless of whether or not this that lineup is the Hawks, we don't know what other teams are going to do, injuries, full camp with JC, new lines/pairings, player improvement and decline, blah, blah, blah.

Let's at least get to camp to see what other teams add or subtract to make any proclamations. Unless this was simply just an off-hand opinion... then I just ranted for a little bit for no reason...

Toronto is setting themselves up for a big problem. Not sure why you'd place the blame on the Leafs mess on Babcock? He didn't sign anyone and by all accounts he's been screaming for defensemen.
- paulr

Oh I hate the Leafs in general so the prince of hockey Canada has failed to win a playoff series with all that talent.

So in the end the Leafs may very well have chosen Tavares over Marner. I don't see how they sign Marner, and improve on the back end.

Would you take Gardiner over Gus overall? Wonder if Bowman would deal Gus to build up more quality depth and then sign Gardiner on the back end.

Leafs capfriendly page is a riot to look at......

J.D. Burke:

It's my understanding that there is zero truth to the rumour that the Vancouver Canucks had serious conversations with the Chicago Blackhawks about a move to No. 3 overall, much less a conversation that involved Brent Seabrook.
- walleyeb1

This!

Ya. Exactly. So, those guys offered less than 4.2 million. Just a 2nd. Geez, who wouldn't want Kapanen for a 2nd rounder.
Thats why I think GMs have unspoken rule to not go after these guys. It make sense to offer as many of these guys as possible. Either you get a good player for a 2nd....or you put a "hurt" on an opponant. What is the downside???...except you pizz off other GMs????
- hawk35

I hope Stan does this. The Hawks should not care at all if they pissed off another GM and if the other GM's are butt hurt, well then they need to find a new job.

Kane led his team to playoff wins before earning his mega deal.

Please show me where any of Marner, ADB, Strome, Pointe...all led their teams to not only playoff wins, but championships

Pay those guys all you want....but those mega deals, IMO, are earned in the playoffs. Not for being regular season warriors
- PatShart

I don't disagree with you however you used to rant and rave on Toews salary and he was rewarded for what he did in the past. You can't have it both ways.

VP of Amateur Scouting Mark Kelley says that Dach sat at the #Blackhawks draft table on Day 2 and was giving off-the-cuff scouting reports on the picks. Says it speaks to his incredible hockey knowledge.

— Carter Baum (@CarterBaum) June 24, 2019
- LAHawk

That is awesome! Cautious optimism be damned! I can't wait for this guy!

What kind of bread...wheat, sourdough, pumpernickel???
- BlackhawkMike

Ginger

Oh I hate the Leafs in general so the prince of hockey Canada has failed to win a playoff series with all that talent.

So in the end the Leafs may very well have chosen Tavares over Marner. I don't see how they sign Marner, and improve on the back end.

Would you take Gardiner over Gus overall? Wonder if Bowman would deal Gus to build up more quality depth and then sign Gardiner on the back end.

Leafs capfriendly page is a riot to look at......
- SteveRain

Tavares was a huge mistake. They needed defense when they signed him and still need defense but because of him can't improve the backend. The Leafs GM to his credit moved Marleau yesterday, I didn't think it was possible. Gus and Gardiner are the same animal, defensemen who can't defend. The advantage with Gus is the contract.

Steve do yourself a favour watch a few Leaf games and watch Marner in particular. You'll see a very special player who's as gifted as Kane offensively and is good without the puck as Toews.

I don't disagree with you however you used to rant and rave on Toews salary and he was rewarded for what he did in the past. You can't have it both ways.
- paulr

I just think you can look at Toronto as a team without a plan. Signing Tavares almost led to them losing Nylander. Probably will lead to them losing Marner unless Dubias (spell) can find somebody to take meathead Kadri , who may be 1 of the dumbest hockey players in the league, and probably Zaitsev.

They will be ALL offense, and they will lose again early in April....and I can't wait.. I don't see much of it here, but at some point the media has to destroy this current leaf's management for horrible cap management.....

Furthermore, look at the coaching staff and players who can't win a series and year by year, their window is starting to close as they have to sign their stars to HUGE Deals and not be able to address their other weaknesses.

Dale Talon looks like a PHD in cap understanding vs what Toronto has going on.....

I don't disagree with you however you used to rant and rave on Toews salary and he was rewarded for what he did in the past. You can't have it both ways.
- paulr

I didnt think Toews 1)is a max salary player the way Kane is (I know unpopular) and 2)Toes took a bridge 6mil per for 5yrs (like Kane) instead of demanding the max terms/years the way RFA's now are. That helped them win another cup.

THEN, since JT received the max,, the Hawks had to shed several depth players while he, IMO, wasnt playing up to the 10mil dollar level while posting point totals in the 50's

Tavares was a huge mistake. They needed defense when they signed him and still need defense but because of him can't improve the backend. The Leafs GM to his credit moved Marleau yesterday, I didn't think it was possible. Gus and Gardiner are the same animal, defensemen who can't defend. The advantage with Gus is the contract.

Steve do yourself a favour watch a few Leaf games and watch Marner in particular. You'll see a very special player who's as gifted as Kane offensively and is good without the puck as Toews.
- paulr

I saw him 2 times in the spring vs Boston.....he was decent but a very small sample size.

I don't get much Leafs hockey unless the Hawks play, and I try to stay away from them as they remind me of media darlings who are over exposed by networks, not always their own fault.....Pats, Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Hawks (outdoor game over exposure)

To me.....you have cap space, and you have a roster that I think everyone here can agree....constructed RIGHT now, is not a cup contender. So subtracting from it, by adding other pieces is like moving around deck chairs. See how it goes this week and by the 4th, we will have a VERY good idea of how this team looks.

Usually teams deal from a strength and I am trying to guessestimate what Bowman feels is his strength and where he can move guys, replace them internally, and acquire a guy to fill a need elsewhere...….

Love it.

They definitely saw something in this kid. He's a special bread and there won't be any questions about his commitment or work ethic. The kid sleeps and breaths hockey.
- Tyler Cameron

To me this could a situation a Columbus took dubios and Edmonton took jesse and Jesse was getting all the love and analysis were questioning Columbus's pick.

Anyone else think we might actually see some offer sheets this year (not necessarily from the Blackhawks)?
- walleyeb1

I would love to offer sheet Timo Meier, $6mil
and while we're at it Kapanen or Johnson $4mil

then maybe trade whomever it is they don't like
Strome or Saad maybe add a D prospect for another
top 4D

19-88-Dach/Saad
12-Meier-Strome/Dach
Kapenen-??-Kubahlik
Entwhistle-Kampf-Wedin/Sikura/Perlini

The offense would be better both offensively/defensively

Ginger
- I Am The Breadman

This what you're talking about Willis?

via GIPHY

I didnt think Toews 1)is a max salary player the way Kane is (I know unpopular) and 2)Toes took a bridge 6mil per for 5yrs (like Kane) instead of demanding the max terms/years the way RFA's now are. That helped them win another cup.

THEN, since JT received the max,, the Hawks had to shed several depth players while he, IMO, wasnt playing up to the 10mil dollar level while posting point totals in the 50's
- PatShart

I would agree and I think there is no way in hell the Hawks will entertain paying Toews whatever it is they pay Kane when these next 2 deals are up.

Kane makes players on his line better....and produces.

yeah, the metric fan base will bring their stats out to show Toews being some rare gem of offense and defense, but for the term and money they pay 19....he needs to be a focal point and a HUGE contributor every night.....last year he was. Before that? No.

I just think you can look at Toronto as a team without a plan. Signing Tavares almost led to them losing Nylander. Probably will lead to them losing Marner unless Dubias (spell) can find somebody to take meathead Kadri , who may be 1 of the dumbest hockey players in the league, and probably Zaitsev.

They will be ALL offense, and they will lose again early in April....and I can't wait.. I don't see much of it here, but at some point the media has to destroy this current leaf's management for horrible cap management.....

Furthermore, look at the coaching staff and players who can't win a series and year by year, their window is starting to close as they have to sign their stars to HUGE Deals and not be able to address their other weaknesses.

Dale Talon looks like a PHD in cap understanding vs what Toronto has going on.....
- SteveRain

Signing Tavares was a huge blunder. Nylander was a bad signing. Matthews was probably overpayment except it seems Player agents are steering the kids away from bridge deals. The Leafs will have $40M tied up in four forwards. I don't see a way out unless they trade Nylander or Marner or both.

I would love to offer sheet Timo Meier, $6mil
and while we're at it Kapanen or Johnson $4mil

then maybe trade whomever it is they don't like
Strome or Saad maybe add a D prospect for another
top 4D

19-88-Dach/Saad
12-Meier-Strome/Dach
Kapenen-??-Kubahlik
Entwhistle-Kampf-Wedin/Sikura/Perlini

The offense would be better both offensively/defensively
- gazza53

Kapanen and Johnsson are already signed per MacKenzie for around 3.5 for 3-4 years.

Love it.

They definitely saw something in this kid. He's a special bread and there won't be any questions about his commitment or work ethic. The kid sleeps and breaths hockey.
- Tyler Cameron

He's super confident too. I liked his comment during the presser about how he's going to make it difficult for the team to cut him at camp.

Not trying to start fights here, but how do you know? Not a single person can say who will or won't qualify for the playoff on 6/24/19.

Regardless of whether or not this that lineup is the Hawks, we don't know what other teams are going to do, injuries, full camp with JC, new lines/pairings, player improvement and decline, blah, blah, blah.
His proposed lineup is if no other moves are made except the rfa's hawks need to add some pk help and physical players to compete in playoffs. The physical and special team part of the game is still very important. Just my opinion.


Let's at least get to camp to see what other teams add or subtract to make any proclamations. Unless this was simply just an off-hand opinion... then I just ranted for a little bit for no reason...
- Chunk

Signing Tavares was a huge blunder. Nylander was a bad signing. Matthews was probably overpayment except it seems Player agents are steering the kids away from bridge deals. The Leafs will have $40M tied up in four forwards. I don't see a way out unless they trade Nylander or Marner or both.
- paulr

Agreed.....I don't know what they are doing....and I don't think anyone has a clue outside of their internal base.

They remind me of the yankees….just throwing money at everyone and any one trying to win......

Agree.

Wonder what would be the point that Carolina wouldn't match Aho
- vabeachbear

Good question, he's their best player, but is he worth over $7mil ?

This what you're talking about Willis?

via GIPHY

- savvyone-1

No, not really, Savmiester General. Hahaha!! But I like it better.