This Fleury trade is weird. We got a fantastic (old) goalie for virtually nothing, but could have gotten more (maybe--a pick or prospect or two). I also find it hard to believe that two teams did not bother to talk to Fleury. I know this is sports and niceties rarely count, but...

We did get better as a team...right?
- hpk90

And 7 mil cap hit and no return for it.

Scenario 7 -

Toews is actually suffering from a terminal illness masked as CIRS. Wirtz commands Bowman to make acquisitions to make a final SC run for Toews.
- gifman

what evidence makes you think there is a 0.000001% chance Toews has a terminal illness and if so why the hell would he come back to play hockey given all that he has accomplished in the league and his career?

Not a chance in hell.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
3h
Here's the situation, basically.

IF Fleury will report to the Hawks:
- Hawks will have elite goaltending
- Hawks will be in cap hell in 2021
- Subban, Zadorov, etc will likely be traded

IF Fleury won't report:
- Nothing changes

Either way, Hawks willing to take the risk.


Same scenario when the Devils traded for Crawford
- LAHawk

So let me get this straight... If Fleury retires we get nothing, and Vegas gets Hakkarainen and $7M in cap savings?!

Penguins are closer to a cup contender then Chicago. That's why.....last thing you want to do is face Fleury in a cup final.

ALso per the Vegas GM, Fleury and raging ass hat Walsh, were both well aware this was a possibility so like usual....walsh only reporting 1/100th of the fact on social media suits his BS narrative just fine......

IF Bowman flips Fleury to Pittsburgh now, he likely nukes that bridge of doing business with Vegas ever again.....that would be a massive rogue move......
- SteveRain

The league (and the other owners) already let Vegas go to the SC final in it's first year. How much more do they have to give in to this franchise?

Man...I don't get the anger over this one.....as there were reports, again, of the Hawks looking to add a veteran netminder to supplement Lankinen.

If Fleury retires, and that's a huge IF, Hawks are responsible for $0 towards the cap. SO this chicken little cap crap needs to stop.

IF Fleury plays....a few things.....

1. Your young goalie maybe of the future, maybe not, gets to learn from 1 of the best. Does that matter? How much of an impact did a guy like Hossa have on young forwards?

2. Your young D has the confidence knowing that every single mistake isn't going to be turning on the red light....young d gains confidence similar to the last go around when the Hawks signed Khabibulin.

3. Maybe you compete for a playoff spot, maybe you don't. Tons of variables there but they are 100000 times better with Fleury and Lankinen than Lankinen and which ever turd Subban and/or Delia you want to place there.

4. If you aren't in playoff contention come deadline time.....what would the going rate be for a rental goalie who has won a cup, played in another cup final, and looks to be still at the top of his game? Think BOwman may able to get a 1st back from the JOnes deal? LIKELY.....Think a team like Toronto if the Hawks retained salary, wouldn't give that up to lock down the spot that ails them and a guy who won't flinch in big games and a big city?

Instead, lets just bash the living hell out of Bowman who gave up a nobody prospect for a roll of the dice that either still will NOT count against his cap in the worst case scenario OR allow his young D men to take strides improving with a PROVEN #1 NHL caliber goalie AND/OR trade this piece at the deadline for assets.....

Who gives a crap about Pius Suter. Nice player? SUre....is he going to break this team not being here? Nope. WHo gives a crap about Zadorov or DeHaan.....they can throw Shaw/Seabrook on LTIR and get Hagel in and if they make a trade or 2 or 3 and dump some of the other turds.....DeHaan, Connolly, Strome, they can still
add a guy or two in UFA and be cap compliant by opening night....believe you can spend up to 10% over the cap at 1 particular time....I am sure Stan has multiple irons in the fire and just going progressing through as his offseason plan takes shape.
- SteveRain

Rainman, just to be clear, I like the trade but if Fleury decides to call it day, how does that look on Bowman? What message does that send to the team? IMHO, it's not good. Now maybe Bowman did speak to him or through his agent. But if MAF says F it, I'd rather retire then play for the Hawks, it doesn't look good.

So let me get this straight... If Fleury retires we get nothing, and Vegas gets Hakkarainen and $7M in cap savings?!
- tvetter

great asset management hey!

And 7 mil cap hit and no return for it.
- Diamondhands

you realize IF he retires the cap hit.........is........ZERO, right?

You realize a young D needs a goalie who is proven to install confidence?

You realize they just upgraded goalie position by 1000 over what they had and Lankinen gets to learn from 1 of the all time bests.....

You do realize if they wanted to flip Fleury come the deadline, given how small his cap hit could be, and retained salary, Stan likely gets back all those SURE FIRE draft picks everyone seems to think are a GIVEN to make way from the ashes and come roaring back as a sure fire cup contender?

Would love to KNOW what the percentage of 1st rounds picks since say....2009, not only make the NHL, but sign a 2nd deal with the drafted team, and what the average production is by position......f, d, goalie.

Prospects have value, but over valuing them and thinking it's a given that all said picks and prospects will hit their ceiling is simply NOT true.

The league (and the other owners) already let Vegas go to the SC final in it's first year. How much more do they have to give in to this franchise?
- powerenforcer

how did they "let them go to the final"?

I am not saying NHL is perfect, but did they really throw 3 series to get Vegas there? IS that what you are saying? Why then did they let Washington win and not Vegas?

Rainman, just to be clear, I like the trade but if Fleury decides to call it day, how does that look on Bowman? What message does that send to the team? IMHO, it's not good. Now maybe Bowman did speak to him or through his agent. But if MAF says F it, I'd rather retire then play for the Hawks, it doesn't look good.
- Lido_Shuffle

well that's the gamble on Bowman's part. I wouldn't put it past his ass hat agent to do so, but I find it hilarious his agent is rolling out this narrative they were blindsided by this and then the Vegas GM goes through multiple conversations Fleury was informed about including the Hawks interest......

This like usual with MAF and Walsh, sounds and reads like sour grapes, similar to when Walsh had a sword go through Fleury's back I believe when they were in the bubble in Edmonton......

The league (and the other owners) already let Vegas go to the SC final in it's first year. How much more do they have to give in to this franchise?
- powerenforcer

No one LET Vegas go to the final. They got there because the stars aligned via good expansion draft picks, good team chemistry, solid coaching resulting in a good defensive system add in some luck and momentum and they found themselves in the final and I bet they were as surprised as anyone.

The Score reporting Fleury has no interest in joining the Blackhawks.
- Ogilthorpe2

If true, he could hang the Blackhawks up all summer by not officially retiring, leaving the Hawks unable to make other FA moves.

Hard for me to believe that Bowman would have made this deal without some certainty of what was going to happen - Fleury plays, or a deal is in place to move him out quickly, or….

No one LET Vegas go to the final. They got there because the stars aligned via good expansion draft picks, good team chemistry, solid coaching resulting in a good defensive system add in some luck and momentum and they found themselves in the final and I bet they were as surprised as anyone.
- paulr

no but the whole expansion draft was IMO rigged for them to have success right away. no other expansion team even sniffed the success that Vegas has, why is that? cause
Bettman needs them to be really good right away.

If true, he could hang the Blackhawks up all summer by not officially retiring, leaving the Hawks unable to make other FA moves.

Hard for me to believe that Bowman would have made this deal without some certainty of what was going to happen - Fleury plays, or a deal is in place to move him out quickly, or….
- StLBravesFan

This. I sure hope we have an answer by 11 am tomorrow morning. If not, we are prevented from the signing the veteran backup we need.

If true, he could hang the Blackhawks up all summer by not officially retiring, leaving the Hawks unable to make other FA moves.

Hard for me to believe that Bowman would have made this deal without some certainty of what was going to happen - Fleury plays, or a deal is in place to move him out quickly, or….
- StLBravesFan

Jay Zawaski is likely that source....same guy who said he knows hundreds of Hawks fans, himself included, that have given up given that law suit(s).....

For what they gave up, it's worth the risk.....Sure Bowman will be in touch with ego maniac Allan Walsh to get a pulse and pivot if he has to. Teams aren't stupid adn likely calling Bowman feeling around to see if Fleury would play elsewhere for a chance at a cup......

If this Hak---- kid becomes a bona fide starter, Bowman doesn't a thing back for Fleury, people can be p-ssed off all day......fact Vegas didn't give up a sweetner and/or Bowman didn't press for one....tells me both sides feel good about him continuing his career.

Zawaski got his street credit breaking the Saad trade after the 2015 cup win, and now thinks he's Bob McKenzie.......

So let me get this straight... If Fleury retires we get nothing, and Vegas gets Hakkarainen and $7M in cap savings?!
- tvetter

If Fleury retires maybe Stan and Vegas have another deal in place. Something like Strome for Krebs +

The Score reporting Fleury has no interest in joining the Blackhawks.
- Ogilthorpe2

If that is true then call Pittsburgh and see if can make a deal. If not hawks gain their cap space back. If he retires

no but the whole expansion draft was IMO rigged for them to have success right away. no other expansion team even sniffed the success that Vegas has, why is that? cause
Bettman needs them to be really good right away.
- SaskHawkFan

Blame the GMs who panicked and stocked Vegas......notice that didn't happen in Seattle this time? See all those picks and prospects trying to protect guys?

Same situation...Seattle could have taken Price same way as Vegas took Fleury but choose to pass......

I don't see any signs of a "fix".....but I guess I am naive......

no but the whole expansion draft was IMO rigged for them to have success right away. no other expansion team even sniffed the success that Vegas has, why is that? cause
Bettman needs them to be really good right away.
- SaskHawkFan

True the expansion draft was changed and for the better, it allows expansion teams to have a somewhat competitive roster instead of sucking for ten years. McDavid, Kane, Matthews or Makar or players of that caliber didn’t fall into the Vegas roster. Every team had the ability keep their best players. Vegas drafted wisely. That Vegas season was an anomaly.

Jay Zawaski is likely that source....same guy who said he knows hundreds of Hawks fans, himself included, that have given up given that law suit(s).....

For what they gave up, it's worth the risk.....Sure Bowman will be in touch with ego maniac Allan Walsh to get a pulse and pivot if he has to. Teams aren't stupid adn likely calling Bowman feeling around to see if Fleury would play elsewhere for a chance at a cup......

If this Hak---- kid becomes a bona fide starter, Bowman doesn't a thing back for Fleury, people can be p-ssed off all day......fact Vegas didn't give up a sweetner and/or Bowman didn't press for one....tells me both sides feel good about him continuing his career.

Zawaski got his street credit breaking the Saad trade after the 2015 cup win, and now thinks he's Bob McKenzie.......
- SteveRain

Since Hak——is going to be “loaned” to Rockfish or Indy by the Knights, I’m guessing (only guessing, not breaking a story like Zawaski) that he comes back to Chicago after the season no matter what.

well that's the gamble on Bowman's part. I wouldn't put it past his ass hat agent to do so, but I find it hilarious his agent is rolling out this narrative they were blindsided by this and then the Vegas GM goes through multiple conversations Fleury was informed about including the Hawks interest......

This like usual with MAF and Walsh, sounds and reads like sour grapes, similar to when Walsh had a sword go through Fleury's back I believe when they were in the bubble in Edmonton......
- SteveRain

I agree on the posturing. Hard to imagine that Maf didn't know that the Hawks had a ton of interest.

Hopefully he won't retire because Subban and Delia weren't the answer and if the Hawks want to even have a half a chance at getting into the playoffs, they needed an upgrade in net.

no but the whole expansion draft was IMO rigged for them to have success right away. no other expansion team even sniffed the success that Vegas has, why is that? cause
Bettman needs them to be really good right away.
- SaskHawkFan

Because Vegas paid the owners $500 million as opposed to the $80 million Columbus and Minnesota paid. Same reason Seattle had the same draft rules for $650 million. If I was coming into the league and paying a 1/2 a billion bucks, I would want to be able to draft some talent also.

If Fleury retires maybe Stan and Vegas have another deal in place. Something like Strome for Krebs +
- boilermaker100

Stan should of held out for the rights to Dylan Sikura

Since Hak——is going to be “loaned” to Rockfish or Indy by the Knights, I’m guessing (only guessing, not breaking a story like Zawaski) that he comes back to Chicago after the season no matter what.
- StLBravesFan

McCrimmon said they only took Hak--- as a contract to get it off the Hawks hands...so who is the bottom of the Hawks organization.....we got our answer.

Because Vegas paid the owners $500 million as opposed to the $80 million Columbus and Minnesota paid. Same reason Seattle had the same draft rules for $650 million. If I was coming into the league and paying a 1/2 a billion bucks, I would want to be able to draft some talent also.
- LAHawk

Good point. i had forgotten the fee was so much more.

I agree on the posturing. Hard to imagine that Maf didn't know that the Hawks had a ton of interest.

Hopefully he won't retire because Subban and Delia weren't the answer and if the Hawks want to even have a half a chance at getting into the playoffs, they needed an upgrade in net.
- Lido_Shuffle

100%.......subban is a journeyman and Delia is a career AHL goalie

Again, see what comes out of it, but they gave up their VERY WORST RATED prospect as Vegas gm admitted they only took that kid to take a contract......so it's a risk on BOwman's part calling MAF's bluff....see what happens.