first i am hearing of this - from CSN Chicago - why did the Leafs have to retain some salary? we have plenty of cap space....thoughts?


The Blackhawks made a major last-minute trade deadline move Monday, dealing goalie Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a three-team deal.

Chicago sent Lehner to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for winger Martins Dzierkals, a 22-year-old unsigned draft pick. Lehner and Dzierkals were then traded to Vegas, netting the Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban, defenseman Slava Demin and Vegas' second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Toronto received Vegas' fifth-round pick and retained some of Lehner's salary for helping complete the deal.
- glennjpawlak22

Hawks didn't want to retain salary to fit performance bonuses on this year's cap. Can't use LTIR for performance bonuses, apparently.

A 3rd is what I hoped they would get for him. Last season was his one magical season. He will never come close to 60 points again in his career.
- Elbows15

He's the Jonathan Cheechoo of defensemen

Yesterday - Gustafsson sucks, he's terrible, I'll drive him to the airport myself

Today - All Stan could get for Gustafsson was a 3rd round pick? He should be fired.
- DarthKane

Yep, Gus for a 3rd was a good haul. God bless the FLames fans who get to watch that pylon in the playoffs. NEVER have seen a NHL D fundamentally MISPLAY multiple 2 on 1s as bad as him.

Yeah I’m not buying that BS.
- walleyeb1

Too many are and will be female doging about it for years until the Hawks find their next Crawford or similar option OR Lehner implodes.

Don't go by the rink....Osborn is at defcon 1 because of Lehner leaving......

Too many are and will be female doging about it for years until the Hawks find their next Crawford or similar option OR Lehner implodes.

Don't go by the rink....Osborn is at defcon 1 because of Lehner leaving......
- SteveRain

Eh, Crow has been just as good. There are only so many dollars. I'm happy to see him go but I'm sure I am in the minority there.

Eh, Crow has been just as good. There are only so many dollars. I'm happy to see him go but I'm sure I am in the minority there.
- fattybeef

I don't disagree.

He, Crawford, is likely back for 1-2 years at an incentive laden deal (protects Hawks)

Hawks didn't want to retain salary to fit performance bonuses on this year's cap. Can't use LTIR for performance bonuses, apparently.
- Elbows15

But we did, we retained $2.5 m of his prorated salary. Toronto retained $1.1m of his prorated salary.

No...you prove him wrong first
- DougEFresh Wilson

3.01GAA, is that enough? Please show me a Vezina winner with >3GAA.

Yep, Gus for a 3rd was a good haul. God bless the FLames fans who get to watch that pylon in the playoffs. NEVER have seen a NHL D fundamentally MISPLAY multiple 2 on 1s as bad as him.
- SteveRain

This makes for an interesting off season again. There's room for Mitchell to make the team, we'll see if he can make it or not.

As I said before, I expect Crawford back but there will be a different back-up.

How will the health of Shaw, Seabrook and de Haan impact the Hawks next season?

Will Saad stick around? I expect he'll be a draft day trade. Who else will go? Maatta? Smith? Will Kubalik be re-signed?

The only certainty will be that Stan finds a way to screw it all up.

I don't disagree.

He, Crawford, is likely back for 1-2 years at an incentive laden deal (protects Hawks)
- SteveRain

I'd be ok with a 2 year deal, but Crawford would sign a 35+ deal and guys in that situation usually get one year deals.

Again, it comes back to the root of it.....

Everyone and their brother knew the Hawks had to deal Gus. THey sat him out and basically sent smoke signals it was happening. However, I didn't see Calgary being a destination for him...….Did anyone see Vegas coming to get Lehner?

So as far as Lazerus goes....is it possible his "sources" is an agent? Somebody planting a seed that makes the Hawks look bad in the PR department? I mean Lehner who never shy'd away from any microphone came out said he wasn't going to give a discount to the Hawks. Now all of sudden AFTER he is dealt it's leaked he was willing to take a bridge deal for 3 years and a discount? really? Sounds like to me about a guy trying to save face, or an agent for that matter.

I am perfectly OK with what the Hawks got back for both. THey got more pieces back to hopefully build for the future in either using the picks to trade for a NHL ready asset OR draft some more.

As far as Lehner....I get the hate by some towards the organization. Lehner is a legit 1 goalie....I believe he finished in the top 3 for the Vezina just last year, so the Toews Drags 4 Daze post was somewhat accurate. He also played very well until multiple CHECK MARK SOURCES leaked the supposedly extension talks broke off and while shocking....the guy was human and probably let the off ice issues with his contract derail his game a bit. It happened. On top of that everyone clamoring for this guy to be signed LT, see the rink.com, what happens if he has an issue and the Hawks have ALL this cap money AND term locked into this guy?

If this was 2013, with their roster AND needing a goalie (take CC out of it) it may be worth it.....FOr a team that is obviously rebuilding? NO. THey need cap flexibility and Bowman turned 5 million, prorated to today, into a 2nd, another stay at home D man, and a RFA goalie who can battle Delia, and Lakinean (spell) to possibly back up CC.....to write off Suban (spell) is a little harsh. Guy has 30 career games, a 2.97 GAA, and a .899%....

What we also DO NOT know is IF Bowman planted trades for the draft.....Keith, Kane, Saad? WHo knows......I think Kane would take a MASSIVE haul to get the Hawks to deal him.....Keith may have to ask the Hawks (same with Kane) and Saad only has a year left and out of the 3...THe Hawks have the ENTIRE market they can shop Saad with.

I just don't get the anger right now for Hawks fans thinking the window is still open and how this team SHOULD be going all IN for players....its not happening.
- SteveRain

Maybe there is a market for Maatta too or a trade that can be made with him involved around the draft.

There were a fair amount of trades today and in the big scheme of things Bowman regained some draft capital by dealing 2 guys who weren't going to be here when the Hawks are competing again.

3.01GAA, is that enough? Please show me a Vezina winner with >3GAA.
- Angotti

He finished in the top 3 last year.....Hes not a bad goalie.

NO clue what happens from here on out with Lehner but wish him well.....I hope he continues to win the battle vs his demons. I enjoyed his brutally honest takes, but the lack of accountability at times couldn't have sat well in the room.

This makes for an interesting off season again. There's room for Mitchell to make the team, we'll see if he can make it or not.

As I said before, I expect Crawford back but there will be a different back-up.

How will the health of Shaw, Seabrook and de Haan impact the Hawks next season?

Will Saad stick around? I expect he'll be a draft day trade. Who else will go? Maatta? Smith? Will Kubalik be re-signed?

The only certainty will be that Stan finds a way to screw it all up.
- DarthKane

Have you heard anything about the hawks re-signing Kubalik?

He finished in the top 3 last year.....Hes not a bad goalie.

NO clue what happens from here on out with Lehner but wish him well.....I hope he continues to win the battle vs his demons. I enjoyed his brutally honest takes, but the lack of accountability at times couldn't have sat well in the room.
- SteveRain

I agree, wish him the best and hope he wins that battle, but I’m glad he’s gone.

This makes for an interesting off season again. There's room for Mitchell to make the team, we'll see if he can make it or not.

As I said before, I expect Crawford back but there will be a different back-up.

How will the health of Shaw, Seabrook and de Haan impact the Hawks next season?

Will Saad stick around? I expect he'll be a draft day trade. Who else will go? Maatta? Smith? Will Kubalik be re-signed?

The only certainty will be that Stan finds a way to screw it all up.
- DarthKane

Everyone here knows I don't like Saad's cap hit, but if you can sign him for Kreider type cap hit, with say....4-5 years....Id be perfectly OK with that. He's still young enough to be a LT guy once this turns around.

I think Kubalik will be resigned. They need him.

THe guy nobody is mentioning is Strome. That's the one I hope comes in relatively cheap as I am still not sure what he is, or where he slots in for this team. As a 3C? Is he dependable on the dot and have a solid 200 ft game?

I agree....I hope we get to see Mitchell this year and the kid is pretty advanced in his development.

Good point on CC...likely 1 year deal after 1 year deal as long as CC is a viable option for the Hawks.

Have you heard anything about the hawks re-signing Kubalik?
- paulr

Trading his rights for the 5th they lost in obtaining him.

Maybe there is a market for Maatta too or a trade that can be made with him involved around the draft.

There were a fair amount of trades today and in the big scheme of things Bowman regained some draft capital by dealing 2 guys who weren't going to be here when the Hawks are competing again.
- HawkintheD

I am perfectly OK with today....they dealt 1 of the 2 pending UFA goalies, and dealt Gus.

I am not anti Maatta. They still need some veterans back there.....

THis summer should be interesting.....I personally think Shaw may be done.....at some point the risk outweighs the reward, and his style of play....he can't be hesitant in fear of getting hurt or else he'll put himself in a bad spot. I wouldn't be shocked to see them deal his AAV to a floor team to remove it......

But we did, we retained $2.5 m of his prorated salary. Toronto retained $1.1m of his prorated salary.
- walleyeb1

I misread it. I didn't think they did retain any salary. Hawks retained the max they could. I guess the Leafs were involved to get Vegas the cap. At least from what I can make out on CF.

DId the Leafs do anything?

I must have missed it.....

I can't wait for their April exit.

Everyone here knows I don't like Saad's cap hit, but if you can sign him for Kreider type cap hit, with say....4-5 years....Id be perfectly OK with that. He's still young enough to be a LT guy once this turns around.

I think Kubalik will be resigned. They need him.

THe guy nobody is mentioning is Strome. That's the one I hope comes in relatively cheap as I am still not sure what he is, or where he slots in for this team. As a 3C? Is he dependable on the dot and have a solid 200 ft game?

I agree....I hope we get to see Mitchell this year and the kid is pretty advanced in his development.

Good point on CC...likely 1 year deal after 1 year deal as long as CC is a viable option for the Hawks.
- SteveRain

i think Saad is going to cost pretty much the same as he does now. He is a known quantity. He will be 29 as an UFA. Teams are starting to get a bit smarter with guys that age. His previous contract had some growth potential built into it. He is what he is now. A solid 45-50 point guy that gives you a very sound 200' game.

I hope Mitchell season ends after the Hawks. The Hawks get the benefit of having two full years of his ELC. He gets the benefit of learning how to be a pro in Rockford until he is ready to make the jump.

DId the Leafs do anything?

I must have missed it.....

I can't wait for their April exit.
- SteveRain

They got back Calle Rosen from the Avs. Lost a guy on waivers and bought themselves a 5th for 1.1M, pro-rated

Trading his rights for the 5th they lost in obtaining him.
- HawkintheD

Is that what that idiot Blowman paid for him?

#fireblowman

Gus for a 3rd is what thought be a good return. Lenher return was ok but thought a forward prospect is what i was i expecting. If demin turns out to contribute at the nhl level and solid d man then the return was good. Subban is just ok. Seen him play when i was in Vegas last year um he was just bad.
- Scott1977

Maybe JC will play him and we can catch Detroit.

i think Saad is going to cost pretty much the same as he does now. He is a known quantity. He will be 29 as an UFA. Teams are starting to get a bit smarter with guys that age. His previous contract had some growth potential built into it. He is what he is now. A solid 45-50 point guy that gives you a very sound 200' game.

I hope Mitchell season ends after the Hawks. The Hawks get the benefit of having two full years of his ELC. He gets the benefit of learning how to be a pro in Rockford until he is ready to make the jump.
- Elbows15

I hope you're right on Saad.....I just think at a certain AAV its not the Saad the player that I don't like, its the ROI and for me that's above 7 AAV..6-7 AAV.

Good point on Mitchell saving the extra year for a full season. I haven't seen him play this year so I am hoping to catch him this spring in college OR at Rockford. Would like to see how far along he is.

DId the Leafs do anything?

I must have missed it.....

I can't wait for their April exit.
- SteveRain

Not as much as me.