I don't think you have to buy out Maata, you could at least get a draft choice for him. There are too many teams that would want him, even at $4 mil. I could even see a Matta for the oft injured Nick Bjugstad from Pittsburgh who also makes $4 mil. for one more year. If he can stay healthy there is your third line Center/Right winger who is good at the faceoff dot, and skates well for a big man. He doesn't have Strome's passing or playmaking ability, and also doesn't use his size as well as he should, but at least you are getting somebody that could fill a need, especially if the Hawks decide to move on from Strome.
- LAHawk

With Maata, you could also retain some salary to make him more attractive. Maybe retain his buyout amount, and then it's off the books in 2 years instead of 4.
Question, if you retain salary, and the player is bought out by his new team, do you still owe the retained salary?

Fortunately Maatta's buyout cost is ridiculously cheap, a negligible ~$680K cap hit each year for the next four years. https://www.capfriendly.c...t-calculator/olli-maatta1 That had to be part of the calculation when Bowman traded for him, the cost of getting out of the deal should he not pan out.
- 333inthe3rd

It's not our money - it's Rocky's - and it's still a large cash outlay - I would question whether or not he would want to spend the cash if revenues are going to be so reduced for 2 or 3 years.

Probably won't be available where the Hawks pick. Carolina would take him for sure.
- GPHawksfan

Crawford will never play 1@$2m.

I know you were just giving an example, but I'd stay away from him. We have enough guys coming off of major surgery. We don't need one coming off of spinal surgery who is not likely to be ready for the start of next year (per reports).
- Chunk

It was an example. My bad, knew he was on IR, but didn't know the severity. Pittsburgh is looking for defeseman, and i definitely would not take back Jack Johnson,

Flames, Jets, Leafs need defense. Maybe their GMs are not reading Elbows' posts.

Maatta to Calgary for Bennet? or

Maatta to WPG for Copp or Lowry? or

Maatta to TOR for Kerfoot or Johnsson.

Hawks retain 1M to make these trades close to cap neutral.

Can't believe that guy actually went to Cornell. Boggles the mind.
- Elbows15

Yes, I'm sure they accepted him based on his academic achievements.

It's not our money - it's Rocky's - and it's still a large cash outlay - I would question whether or not he would want to spend the cash if revenues are going to be so reduced for 2 or 3 years.
- StLBravesFan

Excellent point. I think people are underestimating the impact of the decreased revenue on the owners and the players (especially if the estimates of the players owing the owners $200M from the season are correct).

Flames, Jets, Leafs need defense. Maybe their GMs are not reading Elbows' posts.

Maatta to Calgary for Bennet? or

Maatta to WPG for Copp or Lowry? or

Maatta to TOR for Kerfoot or Johnsson.

Hawks retain 1M to make these trades close to cap neutral.
- boilermaker100

All of those work

Crawford will never play 1@$2m.
- rpeters01

We can surmise all we want about Crawford's return. I believe it can be said categorically that 1) we are not going to find a better goaltender and the difference between Crawford's paycheck and someone else we could sign, is roughly only $1 mill/season. I base this on my suggestion of two years at $÷.5 guaranteed and $3 mil non guaranteed year two.

Another point is 2) we (can say Bowman and Rocky) aspire for the best team possible yet continue to insert prospects into the lineup. While the prospects may be up and down with performance level, rawford is the fortress you desire to e a dufference maker in making the playoffs and possibly winning a round.

Making playoffs should be especially important since it will result in additional revenue from playoff earnings.

You can argue for a weaker goaltender but that is to mean a lesser playoff appearance happens. Sure Crawfird has health injury risk but he is worth it if you really desire to even sneak in at the last playoff spot

Perhaps we would not bring Maata back. I ssy until another kid looks like he can handle the NHL grind, keep Maata around. But if you need to save money and you want to sign your other players, then Maata is cheap to let go of.

ARI docked their 2020 2nd round pick & their 2021 1st round pick by the NHL.

I hope they feel shame.

Should send the franchise to Quebec as additional punishment.
- scottak

Is this true? What did I miss - what did they do to lose those draft picks?

Is this true? What did I miss - what did they do to lose those draft picks?
- EbonyRaptor

The National Hockey League sanctioned the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday for violating the NHL's Combine Testing Policy during the 2019-20 season, announcing that the club will forfeit its second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

i dont know if you have ever been there but going to Quebec city is far from a punishment.
- SaskHawkFan

Supposed to be beautiful. Might break up the trip to Maine next year with a stop in QC if things have normalized by then and we're allowed.

It's not our money - it's Rocky's - and it's still a large cash outlay - I would question whether or not he would want to spend the cash if revenues are going to be so reduced for 2 or 3 years.
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, as fans we start to look at all the finances and pay with the House the Jordan built-money like it is our luxury.
We dont make $400,000 a yr like Sean Hannity.

And Rocky needs to sell the beer soda pop and ice cream as additional dollars TO justify his toy.

I think they will see if some vets want to go elsewhere and work from there, because it is a rebuild and the management wants to audition those lower paid prospects.

(I still cannot imagine Philipp Kurashev able to play in a Stanley Cup game...to chicken shiot.)

Supposed to be beautiful. Might break up the trip to Maine next year with a stop in QC if things have normalized by then and we're allowed.
- HawkintheD

The old part of QC is probably as close to being in Europe without going to Europe.

Not more than 2 years and not more than $4M per year for Crow. We gotta see what we have in Delia and Lankinen. No room for Subban.

The National Hockey League sanctioned the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday for violating the NHL's Combine Testing Policy during the 2019-20 season, announcing that the club will forfeit its second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
- LAHawk

yeah, I deleted their picks.

It really doesn't benefit the hawks because they pick before that second rounder and I guess it depends upon if the Hawks are a better winning record in next years draft, but it might have secured an additional LOTTERY chance for a team that wouldn't have gotten it next year...I just don't see a direction, upside, or dominant player there in Arizona and the possible worst NHL coach in the last decade.

Not more than 2 years and not more than $4M per year for Crow. We gotta see what we have in Delia and Lankinen. No room for Subban.
- Nmbr1

Subban and Delia are the same age. I think Subban is much better, Delia's contract can be buried in the A.

Is this true? What did I miss - what did they do to lose those draft picks?
- EbonyRaptor

They performed physical testing on entry draft candidates prior to the draft combine. They would have lost this year's 1st, but it was traded to NJ in the Tyler Hall deal.

The National Hockey League sanctioned the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday for violating the NHL's Combine Testing Policy during the 2019-20 season, announcing that the club will forfeit its second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and their first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
- LAHawk

WOW! That's a steep price to pay for any infraction.

I'll bet the Arizona writer here (what's his name - Tanner?) would be an interesting read (for a change).

We can surmise all we want about Crawford's return. I believe it can be said categorically that 1) we are not going to find a better goaltender and the difference between Crawford's paycheck and someone else we could sign, is roughly only $1 mill/season. I base this on my suggestion of two years at $÷.5 guaranteed and $3 mil non guaranteed year two.

Another point is 2) we (can say Bowman and Rocky) aspire for the best team possible yet continue to insert prospects into the lineup. While the prospects may be up and down with performance level, rawford is the fortress you desire to e a dufference maker in making the playoffs and possibly winning a round.

Making playoffs should be especially important since it will result in additional revenue from playoff earnings.

You can argue for a weaker goaltender but that is to mean a lesser playoff appearance happens. Sure Crawfird has health injury risk but he is worth it if you really desire to even sneak in at the last playoff spot

Perhaps we would not bring Maata back. I ssy until another kid looks like he can handle the NHL grind, keep Maata around. But if you need to save money and you want to sign your other players, then Maata is cheap to let go of.
- jhawk59

There is no such thing as a non guaranteed contract in the NHL.

WOW! That's a steep price to pay for any infraction.

I'll bet the Arizona writer here (what's his name - Tanner?) would be an interesting read (for a change).
- EbonyRaptor

The league wanted to make sure all teams would never think about it again.

They were gonna take this years first and second but the Coyotes traded it.

It does make me wonder if John Chayka was alone in the process, if ownership was complicit, If Chayka knew etc.
Maybe will never now now that he is gone and can easily get pinned with the infraction.
"GM John Chayka “quit” just prior to the playoffs. Chayka was GM when the NHL launched its investigation in January.
“We were advised today of the NHL’s ruling regarding the allegations of physical fitness testing of draft prospects and respect the league’s ruling,” the Coyotes said in a statement. “Under new leadership, we have added thorough internal controls and compliance measures to prevent this type of occurrence from happening again in the future.”
Bettman held a hearing Aug. 6 that included testimony from Coyotes and NHL representatives. The league said the club acknowledged at the outset of that hearing that it had violated policy by conducting its own physical testing on players."
"Bettman decided to use his powers to take away draft picks rather than impose a fine of $250,000 or more “given the specific circumstances of this case.” The NHL Constitution gives him the ability to deprive a team of draft picks if conduct is found to affect the competitive aspects of the game.
The league opted not to discipline any individual members of the organization involved in the situation because Bettman believes it was gross negligence rather than intentional wrongdoing.

You think an NHL team will hire him?

probably LOL

...the thing about this punishment is they only looked at a handful of 40 players eligible THIS 2020, so arguably benefited only if the selected in that range or in the second if someone fell through the cracks...
taking away NEXT YEARS first because they didn't no longer had one in 2020 is the cruel punishment, the spanking.

It was an example. My bad, knew he was on IR, but didn't know the severity. Pittsburgh is looking for defeseman, and i definitely would not take back Jack Johnson,
- LAHawk

Do you think they'd trade back for Maatta?

Montreal a few times, never QC.
- scottak

Music festival in Quebec City is OFF the Hook. Saw Metallica with 125000 people so much fun.

Supposed to be beautiful. Might break up the trip to Maine next year with a stop in QC if things have normalized by then and we're allowed.
- HawkintheD

You won't regret it.

Do you think they'd trade back for Maatta?
- GPHawksfan

They have a top four and the coach loves jack Johnson though the fans hate him, so he would be a 5-6 slot guy if Johnson is that well liked. Shultz IS gone...IS Maata's deal too dear with their Cap issues? yeah, probably.