I think the whole point was instead of taking care of the own superstars like Marner, they spent his money on Taveras.

I'd take Marner over Taveras all day long
- vabeachbear

I think two things happened that Dubas didn't count on.

1. Agents began rejecting bridge deals for RFAs and demanded full contracts with term.

2. Marner and Matthews got better far sooner than expected.

I think Dubas had envisioned a situation where Marner and Matthews would be signed for $4-6M each in bridge deals allowing him to put cap money into other areas of need.

Zawaski has been on point with his rumors lately. Pay attention to his stuff.
- Tyler Cameron

Bowman keeps doing the opposite of what he says. This morning on the radio he says they are targeting guys on one year deals... I would not be surprised at all if he gets one of those three. Anders Lee would be a great addition to this group. Would cap off a really good summer for Bowman IMO.

I think two things happened that Dubas didn't count on.

1. Agents began rejecting bridge deals for RFAs and demanded full contracts with term.

2. Marner and Matthews got better far sooner than expected.

I think Dubas had envisioned a situation where Marner and Matthews would be signed for $4-6M each in bridge deals allowing him to put cap money into other areas of need.
- paulr

The gamble they made was signing Taveres to that 11 million dollar contract when they had bigger needs elsewhere on the roster and young players to consider. To me, this was all about hype in landing the big free agent last year and now they are paying the for it. Taveres is a great player, but Toronto didn't really need to go get him.

Zawaski has been on point with his rumors lately. Pay attention to his stuff.
- Tyler Cameron

Can somebody give a brief overview of Lee...I know he scores tough goals but does he really play defense, forecheck, kill penalties, etc...also is he just a center?

The gamble they made was signing Taveres to that 11 million dollar contract when they had bigger needs elsewhere on the roster and young players to consider. To me, this was all about hype in landing the big free agent last year and now they are paying the for it. Taveres is a great player, but Toronto didn't really need to go get him.
- breadbag

Brought back the hometown hero, they tried to do that the year before with Stamkos, who decided to stay with the Bolts.

I think the whole point was instead of taking care of the own superstars like Marner, they spent his money on Taveras.

I'd take Marner over Taveras all day long
- vabeachbear

While signing Tavares was a luxury...they screwed up by paying Matthews the max, then overpaying Nylander

Theye should have played hardball with both - telling Matthews to take a bridge in order to afford Tavares, and could have set the bar for Marner, Nylander, etc - to win a cup. Then, they can cash in.

By forgoing the bridge deals, puts them in this place.

Matthews is a superstar, no doubt. Worth the max. But if they gave him a bridge- 3yrs for 24mil (would save them 3.6mil per yr) and would have had a bar set for Nylander to pay maybe only 5mil vs 7mil

And TOR wouldn't be in the mess, have money for the depth and a chance to won a cup before being dismantled.

Let some of these RFA's go explore offer sheets instead of caving, is the point.

Let ABD or Strome go fish for the 9mil they may want

You have to factor in what the salary cap was at when Toews & Kane signed their deals as opposed to what the cap will be at next season. Because when the cap goes up salaries go up.

You really can't compare a modern contract to one that was signed 4-5 years prior... I mean if Keith didn't sign a 13-year contract there is no doubt in my mind he would be signed right now for $8-10M..

The only way to really compare contracts from 5 years ago (or several seasons back) is to compare what percentage of the cap the contract took up.
- Savard2Secord

Valid points. I just don't think the Hawks should pay Debrincat anything north of 7 just yet. Same with Strome. Somebody said it on a thread yesterday about them signing bridge deals that would take them up to when Kane/Toews contracts are up. I would love that it it happened. I can't fault Debrincat or Strome though for trying to get paid. If they are going to try and break the bank, the Hawks should flip them both. I don't think the Hawks should sit out on a player this summer because of those contracts that are looming.

The gamble they made was signing Taveres to that 11 million dollar contract when they had bigger needs elsewhere on the roster and young players to consider. To me, this was all about hype in landing the big free agent last year and now they are paying the for it. Taveres is a great player, but Toronto didn't really need to go get him.
- breadbag

Don't get me wrong, I agree 100% that Tavares was a bad signing especially when they had a bigger weakness on defense. My point was that Dubas probably thought he could pull a fast one in signing Tavares with the expectation of locking Marner and Matthews up for a few years in a Bridge deal together for under $10M. It blew up in his face didn't it? And he still has no defensemen.

While signing Tavares was a luxury...they screwed up by paying Matthews the max, then overpaying Nylander

Theye should have played hardball with both - telling Matthews to take a bridge in order to afford Tavares, and could have set the bar for Marner, Nylander, etc - to win a cup. Then, they can cash in.

By forgoing the bridge deals, puts them in this place.

Matthews is a superstar, no doubt. Worth the max. But if they gave him a bridge- 3yrs for 24mil (would save them 3.6mil per yr) and would have had a bar set for Nylander to pay maybe only 5mil vs 7mil

And TOR wouldn't be in the mess, have money for the depth and a chance to won a cup before being dismantled.

Let some of these RFA's go explore offer sheets instead of caving, is the point.

Let ABD or Strome go fish for the 9mil they may want
- PatShart

Great post. Agree. Can't fault any player for wanting their money NOW. I wonder if Bowman has been trying to extend them both this summer?

While signing Tavares was a luxury...they screwed up by paying Matthews the max, then overpaying Nylander

Theye should have played hardball with both - telling Matthews to take a bridge in order to afford Tavares, and could have set the bar for Marner, Nylander, etc - to win a cup. Then, they can cash in.

By forgoing the bridge deals, puts them in this place.

Matthews is a superstar, no doubt. Worth the max. But if they gave him a bridge- 3yrs for 24mil (would save them 3.6mil per yr) and would have had a bar set for Nylander to pay maybe only 5mil vs 7mil

And TOR wouldn't be in the mess, have money for the depth and a chance to won a cup before being dismantled.

Let some of these RFA's go explore offer sheets instead of caving, is the point.

Let ABD or Strome go fish for the 9mil they may want
- PatShart

Especially if Dach is anywhere close to what the Hawks think his upside is, that makes Strome redundant

Great post. Agree. Can't fault any player for wanting their money NOW. I wonder if Bowman has been trying to extend them both this summer?
- frafra

He can’t until after 07/01

Don't get me wrong, I agree 100% that Tavares was a bad signing especially when they had a bigger weakness on defense. My point was that Dubas probably thought he could pull a fast one in signing Tavares with the expectation of locking Marner and Matthews up for a few years in a Bridge deal together for under $10M. It blew up in his face didn't it? And he still has no defensemen.
- paulr

Somebody will take Nylander and help them with their problems. Either way, their situation makes me even more thankful for what the Hawks accomplished through Salary Cap hell. At least the Hawks have something to show for the cost of having to unload so much talent.

And the final piece of the Caggiula trade is gone from Edmonton. Robin Norell will not be tendered an offer. Yeesh...Chiarelli is not good.

Thank you for clarifying this for me. I would hope then after 7/1 he begins that process (at least for Debrincat).

Especially if Dach is anywhere close to what the Hawks think his upside is, that makes Strome redundant
- LAHawk

LOL, We're talking player redundancy already?

Can somebody give a brief overview of Lee...I know he scores tough goals but does he really play defense, forecheck, kill penalties, etc...also is he just a center?
- Beaks99

He is really a winger, he can hit and play with some grit and go to some of the dirty areas. I think he is okay defensively, but he isn't really used as a PK guy. Definitely doesn't seem to me that is weak defensively, just not really a shutdown type either.

Don't get me wrong, I agree 100% that Tavares was a bad signing especially when they had a bigger weakness on defense. My point was that Dubas probably thought he could pull a fast one in signing Tavares with the expectation of locking Marner and Matthews up for a few years in a Bridge deal together for under $10M. It blew up in his face didn't it? And he still has no defensemen.
- paulr

I hear what you are saying and I think part of it will come down to what they have in their system to build more depth once they trade some more salary. I still think they will have to move Kadri at least.

LOL, We're talking player redundancy already?
- paulr

Just like socialism, all part of the 5 year plan

Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell just said he is leaning toward buying out Scott Darling.

Im also in the "not a bad idea camp" of bringing in Corey Perry for the right price. He could be a great 3rd or 4th line player on the cheap with a whole lot to prove...again. if the price is right.
- frafra

Jesus Christ no

This is such a bad idea

IMO we should focus all our efforts on Pavelski. He could fit in perfectly on the wing next to Toews or centering Kane. He’s gotta be our #1 target.

What is a matter with Stan? doesn't he know he has to bring former hawks back for one more shift? He asked for DaHaan and not TVR? blasphemy.

Jesus Christ no

This is such a bad idea

IMO we should focus all our efforts on Pavelski. He could fit in perfectly on the wing next to Toews or centering Kane. He’s gotta be our #1 target.
- SimpleJack

Agreed. Pavelski and a 4th line gritty veteran who plays the PK, and this team is ready to roll.

Jesus Christ no

This is such a bad idea

IMO we should focus all our efforts on Pavelski. He could fit in perfectly on the wing next to Toews or centering Kane. He’s gotta be our #1 target.
- SimpleJack

Didn't Kane play with him during some Team USA thing (on the top line) and loved it?
IIRC the 2014 Winter Olympics?

I hear what you are saying and I think part of it will come down to what they have in their system to build more depth once they trade some more salary. I still think they will have to move Kadri at least.
- breadbag

Would be a phenomenal signing....a Jamie benn type that is SORELY missing in the hawks lineup
Lee-toews-Kane
ADB-strome-Dach(if ready)
Saad-AA-Sikura/perlini
Cag-Kampf-Kubalik

Would like to see Dach at the wing if he was ready to take some pressure off him and then replace AA with him the following year

Especially if Dach is anywhere close to what the Hawks think his upside is, that makes Strome redundant
- LAHawk

Do we only need one center per team or something? Two is you count Toews? Man.

I mean, at some point, they're going to need to replace Toews - the hope is Dach turns into a 1C, yes? Then Strome is the 2C. Their other even slightly decent center prospects Kurashev, Wise and Barratt top out at 3C currently (if they make the NHL at all).