Disagree. Our window with Keith, Kane and Toews is closing quickly. So we need studs now. If you want to build for 2025 that is fine. If you want to win right now, that is fine. But don't be the White Sox of 2010-2016 and be in sucky limbo for the next 7 years.
- onehundredlevel

That window is closed and I think, hope, the Hawks know that. Sign a JVR and you are the Detroit of the last 5 yrs making the playoffs with no real chance to go deep and the 21st pick in the draft. ...... If they are realistic they are building for a 2021/22 run assuming they hit on their last 3-4 drafts.

Need studs now? If you can figure out how to clear the space for studs share that with StanBow.

The near future looks pretty good with legit possibilities in the pipeline they haven't had in 6-7-8 yrs along with cap flexibility, unless of course they tie their own hands by signing JVRs or Neals today. As a Hawks fan my hope is they do no harm as they look to allowing cap flexibility for the Core 2.0.

So the Habs now have 14m tied up in goalies ? Thats not right ? Right?

So the Habs now have 14m tied up in goalies ? Thats not right ? Right?
- mrpaulish

Thiat is thier problem. Stan has his. Maybe he can trade CC for Mason, since Bergy likes to have salary tied up in goalies.

So the Habs now have 14m tied up in goalies ? Thats not right ? Right?
- mrpaulish

If they do it today, they can buy out Mason.

EDIT: and there’s this from Pagnotta of @TheFourthPeriod
If Montreal eats half of Mason’s contract, look for Ottawa to have interest. They still hope to move Anderson, with Islanders being the possible destination.

So the Habs now have 14m tied up in goalies ? Thats not right ? Right?
- mrpaulish

That was a weird move for them. Mason has no value with that contract. If they trade him again, it will take more than 50% retention for anyone to bite.

Really wish they could move Hossa’s contract for a reasonable price.
- Marlowe

Can someone explain to me, I thought once a player is put on long-term AARP, the cat doesn’t count, but I understand they cannot do that till after game one of the season, then why can’t they just tell three young guys they’re going to the minors for the first game of the season and then bring them up, and then put the long term IR for HOssa into affect For game 2?

Still bored

4th period :

TRADE: The Canadiens acquire F Joel Armia, G Steve Mason, a seventh-round draft pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2020 from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for D Simon Bourque.
- mrpaulish

If we can't afford JVR or any decent sized FAs, or move Hossa contract without losing an arm or a leg, this is the type of move we need to be making. Somewhat would have "solved" the backup G spot, and given us a good young C up the middle, plus two picks.

At this point, sadly, i have abdsolutely ZERO hope we make any moves of major significance, and we go into the season with largely the same roster as last year.

Can someone explain to me, I thought once a player is put on long-term AARP, the cat doesn’t count, but I understand they cannot do that till after game one of the season, then why can’t they just tell three young guys they’re going to the minors for the first game of the season and then bring them up, and then put the long term IR for HOssa into affect For game 2?
- wonthecup10

From @ByScottPowers article on JVR not likely this AM https://twitter.com/bysco...1013033190552932353?s=21:
The Blackhawks are still looking to trade Hossa’s contract, which would free up a contract and uncomplicate how to utilize his $5.275 million in cap space. If they’re unable to trade him, they could place him on LTIR during the offseason or wait until the first day of the season. Cap Friendly sums up how LTIR can be used here.
https://www.capfriendly.com/ltir-faq

I agree, it is not ideal. But are we playing for 2018-2019...or 2025? If now...you have to give up a ton to move that contract. If 2025, then start dealing the core and do a rebuild. Let's not be the White Sox of the last 8 years. That middle ground stuff is crap. If he signs Ward, Cole and some 4th line forward...I will be exceptionally pissed. And for the most part, I have been a Bowman supporter. But when you deal Daley and Kempny...and they both win Cups and play well at their new teams...there is a disconnect somewhere.
- onehundredlevel

That's exactly what the hawks are going to be back to Bill Wirtz days ladies and gentlemen just get the playoffs and that's it. Every now and then pursue a big name but come up short just to say to the fans we tried. Until Rocky has the stones to clean house from McEgo down then the will be the stuck in mediocrity. The rebuild should've started after the this past season when the hawks missed the playoffs. So going forward we will see if Rocky sticks to his word if the hawks get off to a bad start does Rocky what it takes to pull the trigger. So Bowman is having trouble trading Hossa's contract wow what a surprise bowman failing at something again nobody is going to take unless he includes a forsling or sikura and a 1st because its dead money for 3 years so they stuck with it for 3 years. I m not expecting much today or tomorrow or I ll be disappointed like with some of decisions at the draft not drafting Veleno at 27 was a mistake when the hawks have not center depth worth while in the system of top six caliber.

Yes and no. The team is already sucking wind and we finished in last place in case we forgot. So either you rebuild and dump the likes of Toews, Seabs and Keith or even CC And start fresh. Even if you get little to nothing in return at least you have cap space to get FA's. If not then create space and get that JVR or some other name to make that final push if you think the core mentioned above still have some left in the tank. This halfway ass thing is not working....see last year. Signing the likes of Ward or Wingels will do absolutely zero difference in the long run. Maybe more empty seats will get a reaction and force their hands, who knows but the current approach is clearly not working.
- Hawkster

Who will take Toews, Crow or Seabs??????? I think you know the answer to that question. Trade a 25 yr old Saad for a total rebuild? Saad will still be in his prime in 3 yrs. Who can you realistically trade from the roster besides Kane that will bring back prospects/picks that will help in 3 yrs? There is nobody!!

I saw last yr. Forsling, Gus, Oesterle, Sikura, Forsberg, Hayden, Vinnie types got valuable NHL ice time that IMO is not a waste. That is part of a rebuild, getting prospects, a lot of them, NHL ice time.

Ward? Guess the organIzation doesn't want another by any measure, clown show in net should Crow not be able to go and it's looking like he won't (hasn't seen the ice in 5 months).

Thought the same - that’s how you do a timely salary dump...

EDIT: Frank Serravalli twitter
Trade frees up more than $4.1 million for #nhljets. That’s what Mason was due and Armia was an RFA who needed to be paid. Armia is a solid pick-up for #Habs in the process. Big deal for #nhljets to get out from under Mason’s deal.
- Marlowe

I would reverse that line of thinking. We should be looking to clubs needing cap space to sign or re-sign players. Look for bargains there. We always seem to be on the giving end.
Participating in the madness tomorrow with clubs with an $5M to spend will not improve this club.

Yup. Wanted your perspective on how Hawks should approach this FA period. Not advocating for signing JVR.
- Marlowe

My hope is they are in do no harm mode. To me that means signing anyone for more that a 2yr term unless it's De Haan.

A lot of ifs can still happen and the Hawks make the playoffs/are competitive without blocking the cap flexibility needed when the Core 2.0 is ready in 2-3 yrs. The goalie situation works out, 2-3 of Forsling/Gus/Ruuta/Oesterle hit, Saad, Toews, Seabs, Keith rebound, no sophomore slump for Dcat, Sikura is a reasonable prospect at 40+points, Vinnie fills the 1RW, a surprise, Q manages the roster correctly.

Sure there are 16 ifs there but who knows. ........ Again my hope is do no harm and look to move the Hossa money without giving much up.

I would reverse that line of thinking. We should be looking to clubs needing cap space to sign or re-sign players. Look for bargains there. We always seem to be on the giving end.
Participating in the madness tomorrow with clubs with an $5M to spend will not improve this club.
- 67hawks

Absolutely agree. For once we are in a position to potentially take advantage of someone else’s cap problem. Just saying that in the past Stan (and I am not a Stan hater) hasn’t been good at timely cap dumps and it’s cost the Hawks.

Still bored

4th period :

TRADE: The Canadiens acquire F Joel Armia, G Steve Mason, a seventh-round draft pick in 2019 and a fourth-round pick in 2020 from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for D Simon Bourque.
- mrpaulish

My hope is they are in do no harm mode. To me that means signing anyone for more that a 2yr term unless it's De Haan.

A lot of ifs can still happen and the Hawks make the playoffs/are competitive without blocking the cap flexibility needed when the Core 2.0 is ready in 2-3 yrs. The goalie situation works out, 2-3 of Forsling/Gus/Ruuta/Oesterle hit, Saad, Toews, Seabs, Keith rebound, no sophomore slump for Dcat, Sikura is a reasonable prospect at 40+points, Vinnie fills the 1RW, a surprise, Q manages the roster correctly.

Sure there are 16 ifs there but who knows. ........ Again my hope is do no harm and look to move the Hossa money without giving much up.
- Mr Ricochet

I could live with that, but them I am willing to play the long game since I (like you) don’t see a near term easy button or set of realistic options that makes the Hawks contenders again without more of an actual rebuild. Don’t want to be DET (ie just good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to do anything once you’re there).

If you're one of the #blackhawks fans that is hoping for a Justin Faulk acquisition then today would be the day.

Faulk has a NTC that kicks in July 1st which would limit the Canes to where he goes.

Let's see if there is any movement on those conversations.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks JL for keeping all of us in the loop!!!

From @CraigCustance
Tons of interest in Michigan native Austin Czarnik. 24 teams called. Sounds like he's got it pretty narrowed down. Expect a 2-year deal with a team in the West.

Under 5’10” and a center. Probably Stan is on it.
(Red font...or maybe not!)

Who will take Toews, Crow or Seabs??????? I think you know the answer to that question. Trade a 25 yr old Saad for a total rebuild? Saad will still be in his prime in 3 yrs. Who can you realistically trade from the roster besides Kane that will bring back prospects/picks that will help in 3 yrs? There is nobody!!

I saw last yr. Forsling, Gus, Oesterle, Sikura, Forsberg, Hayden, Vinnie types got valuable NHL ice time that IMO is not a waste. That is part of a rebuild, getting prospects, a lot of them, NHL ice time.

Ward? Guess the organIzation doesn't want another by any measure, clown show in net should Crow not be able to go and it's looking like he won't (hasn't seen the ice in 5 months).
- Mr Ricochet

I agree you won't get much for Crow (injury concerns), Seabs (untradable with that contract). And love Saad and would not deal him. Keith, Toews and Kane are the three I am thinking of if a full rebuild. I would hate to deal any of them...but they are not getting younger and are the only viable chips in a full rebuild.

I could live with that, but them I am willing to play the long game since I (like you) don’t see a near term easy button or set of realistic options that makes the Hawks contenders again without more of an actual rebuild. Don’t want to be DET (ie just good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to do anything once you’re there).
- Marlowe

The Wings are a good example after a good run like us -always against the Cap with patchwork UFA signings but never good enough to go to the Dance. Bowman has always wanted to use the Detroit model. Well maybe he should take heed now.

From @ByScottPowers article on JVR not likely this AM https://twitter.com/bysco...1013033190552932353?s=21:
The Blackhawks are still looking to trade Hossa’s contract, which would free up a contract and uncomplicate how to utilize his $5.275 million in cap space. If they’re unable to trade him, they could place him on LTIR during the offseason or wait until the first day of the season. Cap Friendly sums up how LTIR can be used here.
https://www.capfriendly.com/ltir-faq
- Marlowe

Haha, Powers wanted no part of having to decipher the difference in offseason LTIR and regular season LTIR. Me neither. CapFriendly does a nice job with it...but it is still nonetheless very confusing. But I like the way Powers puts it on the fans to figure it out, haha.

Haha, Powers wanted no part of having to decipher the difference in offseason LTIR and regular season LTIR. Me neither. CapFriendly does a nice job with it...but it is still nonetheless very confusing. But I like the way Powers puts it on the fans to figure it out, haha.
- onehundredlevel

He did an article for the athletic last year that explained it all. Wonder why he didn’t link to that as well. So it isn’t that he hasn’t tacked it before.

He did an article for the athletic last year that explained it all. Wonder why he didn’t link to that as well. So it isn’t that he hasn’t tacked it before.
- Marlowe

I 100% love Powers, he is awesome. It just kind of made me laugh. I tried looking at it yesterday and figuring it out...but totally got lost in the numbers aspect of it and being able to go 10% over in the offseason and all that. Confusing as hell.

Many people will see the deal and think the Canadians won it. But the Jets did to open up cap space to re-sign Stasney. Bowman...take note. You have to give to get.
- onehundredlevel

Isn’t that what he has done with Bickell and Sharp and was vilified on this board (even till this day)?

Reasonable price? It's a misnomer that there are teams out there that "need to get to the cap floor". Many teams are below the floor...but also have about 7 roster spots to fill. So that will get them to the floor. We are attempting to dump Hossa's cap hit on someone else. That likely will cost us a first round pick to do...otherwise, it makes no sense for the other team to do a deal. Bowman basically has to overpay to rid himself of Hossa contract. And he won't. And we will sign Ward and Cole and some 4th line forward. And miss the playoffs again. He should have already dealt AA too to open up space. But he did not do that either. Terrible.
- onehundredlevel

I really don’t see any pressing reason to move Hossa’s contract, LTIR may be create abit of a hassle in terms of extra work for Stan, but it’s workable.

Reasonable price? It's a misnomer that there are teams out there that "need to get to the cap floor". Many teams are below the floor...but also have about 7 roster spots to fill. So that will get them to the floor. We are attempting to dump Hossa's cap hit on someone else. That likely will cost us a first round pick to do...otherwise, it makes no sense for the other team to do a deal. Bowman basically has to overpay to rid himself of Hossa contract. And he won't. And we will sign Ward and Cole and some 4th line forward. And miss the playoffs again. He should have already dealt AA too to open up space. But he did not do that either. Terrible.
- onehundredlevel

Wouldn't trade an asset to get rid of it now. Not worth a good asset.

My dream scenario is Stan doesn't get into this FA event.

No one will be worth what they are signed for, Hawks need to get in financial shape.