Remember when Stan would collect Swedish Dmen like crazy looking for the next Hammer
- vabeachbear

Oddly enough, de Haan is a Hammer clone. I like the moves of bringing in veteran stay-at-home d-men to compliment the offensive d-men like Gus/Keith/Jok as well as the young wave of Boq, Beaudin, and Mitchell. Add a top 6 wing and this team is ready to rock.

I always operated under the assumption that it was to protect the CHL from a business standpoint. They get to have drafted 18 and 19 year-old players on their rosters (with the associated marque appeal) without fear of them all being shipped off to their respective AHL affiliates by the parent club.

I don’t like the rule, but from that standpoint I understand why it’s in place.
- Chief4Feathers

Figured that was likely the issue. Maybe they could do something like the compliance buyouts, where and NHL team could exercise and option to send a player to the farm team, to the tune of maybe one a season or one every two seasons.

Not knowing all the rules, maybe that would make no sense too, but merely a suggestion as some have stated it's not always in the players' best interest to return to the jr teams.

You have this rule on the one hand and then one where a player can return to college and wait out the signing period to become a UFA.

I'm sure they wouldn't like it. But if a guy retires I'm not sure it's any of their business what the hawks pay their advisors, coaches, scouts....
- 6628

If a player retires, their cap hit doesn't go away correct?

Canadiends looking for a left defenseman per today's Montreal Hockey Buzz blogger. If they strike out in free agency or don't trade for someone like Gotisbehere, wonder if Bergevin will inquire about the Hawks excess D.

Aside from their untouchable young centers, there is nothing on their roster that interest me. Maybe Dahlstrom or Gus for some draft picks?
- boilermaker100

Andrew Shaw of course

Canadiends looking for a left defenseman per today's Montreal Hockey Buzz blogger. If they strike out in free agency or don't trade for someone like Gotisbehere, wonder if Bergevin will inquire about the Hawks excess D.

Aside from their untouchable young centers, there is nothing on their roster that interest me. Maybe Dahlstrom or Gus for some draft picks?
- boilermaker100

That’s part of the catch-22 with Gustafsson, he’s valuable enough to the Hawks to keep now as opposed to trading for a lower or mid-round pick, but probably isn’t valued enough by another team to warrant a higher pick.

So what then, keep him? Ok, perhaps he’s more valuable later in the season as the trade deadline approaches? But I imagine the Hawks expect (and I hope they are) to be pushing for the playoffs. Doesn’t seem like the right time to be trading away one of your best (if not the best) powerplay defenseman.

So what, still keep him for the playoffs? Ok, but then his contract is up at the end of the season as a UFA, so you’re faced with either signing him to potentially a sizable contract (which is the market for offensive defensemen - whether we agree with it or not), or letting him walk for no return at all.

It’s a dilemma.

Andrew Shaw of course
- hpk90

Don't forget Cole Caufield.

The math also works well on these three because the next wave of defencemen in the pipeline will be coming off their ELC's at about the time these contracts expire. I wonder if Stan had that in the back of his mind while making these trades.
- 67hawks

I am sure he did. And all the other GM's learned a lot about the finer points of the expansion draft by going through the Vegas process and are now thinking ahead.

Don't forget Cole Caufield.
- HawkintheD

Don't get Darth's hopes up.

If a player retires, their cap hit doesn't go away correct?
- vabeachbear

I believe contracts that are signed once a player is 35 or older retain the full cap hit even if the player retires before the expiration of the deal. I’m uncertain if there would be any cap penalty in the scenario where Seabrook retires before the end of his agreement. But, I’d expect the league would be concerned about the potential for cap circumvention in that scenario.

Perhaps one of our more knowledgeable “capologist” posters could provide some clarity.

Edit: the age is 35.

Yes! This. Toronto would be a natural trading partner, especially if they need inexpensive defensemen with low salaries..
- hpk90

Toronto isn't going to trade Hyman. They are paying him $2.2 mil. and plays in the top 6, one of the few guys they have that gets his nose dirty. If they have to dump more, they will move Kadri at $4.3 mil.

If a player retires, their cap hit doesn't go away correct?
- vabeachbear

I can't answer that, just don't know. Plus I don't give a poop enough to research it. But it just makes sense to me. Maybe someone else more qualified can answer that question.

Toronto isn't going to trade Hyman. They are paying him $2.2 mil. and plays in the top 6, one of the few guys they have that gets his nose dirty. If they have to dump more, they will move Kadri at $4.3 mil.
- LAHawk

Don't crush my dreams!

That’s part of the catch-22 with Gustafsson, he’s valuable enough to the Hawks to keep now as opposed to trading for a lower or mid-round pick, but probably isn’t valued enough by another team to warrant a higher pick.

So what then, keep him? Ok, perhaps he’s more valuable later in the season as the trade deadline approaches? But I imagine the Hawks expect (and I hope they are) to be pushing for the playoffs. Doesn’t seem like the right time to be trading away one of your best (if not the best) powerplay defenseman.

So what, still keep him for the playoffs? Ok, but then his contract is up as a UFA, so you’re faced with either signing him to potentially a sizable contract (which is the market for offensive defensemen - whether we agree with it or not), or letting him walk for no return at all.

It’s a dilemma.
- Chief4Feathers

This. Not only a dilemma, but a conundrum and quandary as well.

I believe contracts that are signed once a player is 33 or older retain the full cap hit even if the player retires before the expiration of the deal. I’m uncertain if there would be any cap penalty in the scenario where Seabrook retires before the end of his agreement. But, I’d expect the league would be concerned about the potential for cap circumvention in that scenario.

Perhaps one of our more knowledgeable “capologist” posters could provide some clarity.
- Chief4Feathers

35 is the age.

This. Not only a dilemma, but a conundrum and quandary as well.
- boilermaker100

... precisely!

How come - with a lot of talk about moving Murphy, Seabrook (unlikely), Gus to make room for Maatta and DeHaan - no talk about moving Koekkoek and / or Dahlbeck? Not sure I see a role here for either (after deHaan gets back).
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, I think that’s when you trade one of them, in November or December when he comes off IR.

Don't crush my dreams!
- I Am The Breadman

LOL, should I change my handle to "The Dream Crusher"

35 is the age.
- LAHawk

Sorry, my typo. Thanks for catching that. Yes, it’s 35 yrs.

RFA Projections

Kampf $1.2
Perlini $2.0 (too high if you ask me)
Sikura $1.2
Quenneville $1.0

Add Dach $925k and the Hawks are at 22 on the current roster with just over $6 mil in cap space.

I think in his case there is an argument to be made. I normally push the longer development path.

Buts he's now played in the WHL for 3 years. At his size, playing against boys, he'll dominate. Just not sure it is of any benefit or will help his development.

They are pushing him big time, more than anyone since Kane. If I remember correctly, Kane never went back to the minors, and he was no where as physically mature as Dach is now.

I'm just thinking they believe being with the big club, with the vets here, is better for his development than being in WHL
- vabeachbear

One could argue he wasn’t just playing with boys, at 16, 17, and 18 years old he’s been playing against 20 year olds.

Yeah, I think that’s when you trade one of them, in November or December when he comes to off IR.
- walleyeb1

They’ll likely try to sneak one of them thru waivers at the start of the season when rosters are full. With the LTIR rule, they might have Jok stay in Rockford for the first game and they put de Haan on the list then call up Jok and waive one of those guys.

One could argue he wasn’t just playing with boys, at 16, 17, and 18 years old he’s been playing against 20 year olds.
- walleyeb1

That's not really the point, We are talking about now, not 3 years ago

RFA Projections

Kampf $1.2
Perlini $2.0 (too high if you ask me)
Sikura $1.2
Quenneville $1.0

Add Dach $925k and the Hawks are at 22 on the current roster with just over $6 mil in cap space.
- Assman22

That $6M is burning a hole in your pocket isn't it?

I still wonder if they are going to bring Cam Ward back for another season.

I don't think it's likely that the Hawks trade for Kadri now. Not that the Hawks had any interest in him to begin with. He signed for 3 more years and will create a bottleneck with Dach waiting in the wings.
- boilermaker100

If AA is moved after July 1, Kadri would be a nice fit while Dach is on his ELC.