Well, we’ll what happens. However, Stan doesn’t have to do a deal, unless it’s right for his team. Vegas has no choice.

So far, I like what Stan’s been doing this offseason. Picking up value without diminishing his roster. No need for him to change course now in an unnecessary bidding war with Vegas.
- Chief4Feathers

Me too. It is really all about what sense of urgency exists in the front office to ice a playoff team.

I for one see no urgency - be patient and know your pipeline will eventually yield depth. Honestly, I'd rather see them lottery tank for one more year....because no matter what deals Stan makes this season he still will not have the horses to make a serious run for the Cup this season.

Chicago on one side who can only sign guys to one year deals with teams who can't take salary back, versus any other team with space beyond this season.

Stan will get outbid unless we give enough back in picks/prospects.
- Return of the Roar

The other part of the talks with Vegas I am sure involved Miller and MacNabb, and that is not a priority of Stan.s right now

Bet you VGK has multiple offers involving lots of permutations of players and salaries.

There will be no fleecing. Someone will blink and offer up more than the others.
- Return of the Roar

So like how many times we were backed against a wall and how much value did we get back?

eakin and reeves for 4th 6th and fortin vegas really has no leverage plus that would clear about 6 million and fills 2 needs hawks need.
- Scott1977

Ew no on Reaves. That is not a need.

Me too. It is really all about what sense of urgency exists in the front office to ice a playoff team.

I for one see no urgency - be patient and know your pipeline will eventually yield depth. Honestly, I'd rather see them lottery tank for one more year....
- Return of the Roar

I think we had our lottery luck this year, going from 12th to 3rd. Fate would probably see the Hawks drop just as far down next year.

GM must be at home with a cold.
- paulr

Pulling an Uncle Dale?

Wickenheiser headlines the 2019 class announced Tuesday that includes former NHL players Sergei Zubov and Guy Carbonneau, Czech hockey star Vaclav Nedomansky and builders Jim Rutherford and Jerry York.

Bummer no JR!!!!!!

I think we had our lottery luck this year, going from 12th to 3rd. Fate would probably see the Hawks drop just as far down next year.
- Chief4Feathers

Also have to be wary of who they expose to expansion after next season. Don't want to grab a coveted piece and lose it right away. In fact they need to ideally have a few pieces available to choose from that get taken on purpose.

Vegas can trade Miller, Clarkson and a pick to OTT for a low prospect and shed themselves of 9.13m while OTT gets a young, cost controlled Dman Colin Miller

They dont have to trade away 1/3 of their team

Pulling an Uncle Dale?
- gifman

Or at the liquor store storing up on some Stolichnaya for Bob's and Artemi's visit.

Ew no on Reaves. That is not a need.
- L_B_R

When not in full-blown d-bag mode, Reeves was actually part of an effective 4th line for Vegas. Those guys kept decent possession and pressure in the O-zone during the games I watched in the playoffs.

Put it this way... I’d rather Reeves than Perry.

Which is similar to a decision between crap taco or turd sandwich.

Pulling an Uncle Dale?
- gifman

Yes, hopefully Vegas doesn't utilize the single point of failure Management System that Dale was practising when he was with the Blackhawks..

Nosek would be perfect for the 4th line
- LAHawk

Clarkson, Gusev, Nosek for Fortin and a pick

So Frolik would make quite a lot of sense now, huh?

One year left on his deal, PK extraordinaire, former Hawk, and he lit it up at the world’s last month.
- TommyHawk

Frolik has always made a lot of sense.

Vegas can trade Miller, Clarkson and a pick to OTT for a low prospect and shed themselves of 9.13m while OTT gets a young, cost controlled Dman Colin Miller

They don't have to trade away 1/3 of their team
- PatShart

That's right. Every GM with space sees Clarkson + a guy they need + something extra to sweeten as a path for VGK. I'm betting there are more than two teams in that spot.

So it boils down to the sweeteners - who has more to offer, who can take Statsny or Patches...

Me too. It is really all about what sense of urgency exists in the front office to ice a playoff team.

I for one see no urgency - be patient and know your pipeline will eventually yield depth. Honestly, I'd rather see them lottery tank for one more year....because no matter what deals Stan makes this season he still will not have the horses to make a serious run for the Cup this season.
- Return of the Roar

At least say "in my opinion." I'm so sick of posters commenting as if something is certain. Like I'm so glad you know how everything is going to play out!

Wickenheiser headlines the 2019 class announced Tuesday that includes former NHL players Sergei Zubov and Guy Carbonneau, Czech hockey star Vaclav Nedomansky and builders Jim Rutherford and Jerry York.

Bummer no JR!!!!!!
- TYDALE

If this is for the Hall of Fame it shows Rick was right about the quality of players who are nominated, let alone inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Also have to be wary of who they expose to expansion after next season. Don't want to grab a coveted piece and lose it right away. In fact they need to ideally have a few pieces available to choose from that get taken on purpose.
- Return of the Roar

Expansion draft is 2 years from now.

Frolik has always made a lot of sense.
- DarthKane

Gotta love the Frolik!

Nosek would be perfect for the 4th line
- LAHawk

I’d rather Stan try to land Copp out of Winnipeg.

If Zaitsev should not honour the contract and he goes back to the KHL, does his cap hit come off the books?
- paulr

If both the player and the team agree to terminate the contract, the league *should* be okay with it. The only issue would be with recapture penalties, but that's not an issue here.

The league could - in theory - tell the Leafs that the cap hit stays in place. This is because there is no formal agreement between the NHL and KHL.

Adam Clendening gets 2 years $1.4 mil. from Columbus. The guy keeps hanging around.

Gotta love the Frolik!
- Chief4Feathers

Back in the day, he and Krueger were lights out on the PK.

When not in full-blown d-bag mode, Reeves was actually part of an effective 4th line for Vegas. Those guys kept decent possession and pressure in the O-zone during the games I watched during the playoffs.

Put it this way... I’d rather Reeves than Perry.

Which is similar to a decision between crap taco or turd sandwich.
- Chief4Feathers

Reaves played some of the lowest quality of competition in the league and got skewed OZS - it's not hard to be decently effective under those circumstances. Vegas could have a 4th line like that because their top players are strong defensively - I mean, Karlsson was a checking center when he was with Columbus. Reaves is a bad passer, bad in transition (like almost league worst), and he contributes almost nothing in terms of shots.

On top of that, his TOI decreases in the playoff to about 8-9 minutes total with no special teams help - signaling when the competition really gets started, the coach doesn't actually find him all that effective.

As a team looking to get better defensively, they need their 4th line to be a checking line that faces at least 2-3L QOC and takes defensive zone stars, neither of which Reaves can do well even a little.

Back in the day, he and Krueger were lights out on the PK.
- gabriel

The penalty shot goal against Vancouver will be etched in my mind (and my groin) forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkIwC2sT09I