Why would the leafs heavily load JT's contract with signing bonuses all 7 years? his AAV still is 11.0???
- riozzo

Buyout protection for JT and lockout protection for him.

Ahh yes, lets get a backup goalie, because Bowman blew it by obtaining his backup LAST YEAR. If Bowman knew what he was doing we wouldn't have to spend the 3 million on Ward. What happened to Forsberg? He stinks now? Did Bowman send the same scouts to check in on Forsberg that he sent to look at Kimo Timmonen before he sent two #2 picks to Philly? Now we hear rumblings Bowman is shopping Murphy, the prize of the Hammer deal. Of course Bowman sent Dauphin back to Arizona with Panik....for a guy he has since cut , the other part of the Hammer deal. This is not the work of a capable, shrewd General manager.

OK, they Manning, another third pairing guy. Super, we need more of those.

Dude couldn't even move Hossa's salary, but every other stinking team with such contracts seemingly have no trouble moving their dead contracts. Lets compare how Detroit got rid of Dats salary with what Bowman finally agrees to in moving Hoss's salary (assuming he is even capable of moving it). This is an episode of GM run amock, with zero clue. This team has become a bottom feeder and Bowman absolutely owns some of that, contrary to what his family members in here think.
- kwolf68

Yes, this 1000%.

Aren't they though. Last year Bowman kept bringing in young talent, gave more ice time to the youngsters at NHL level, i had to wait 15 years for the Hawks to be relative in the NHL, i really admire how aggressive they are being in bringing young talent in, traded up twice in the draft, even though they aren't saying it they in a way blowing it up and keeping the fan favorites to ease the pain for more casual fans.
- BetweenTheDots

Indeed. Interested to see what AA brings when he's finally moved.

Honestly i like JT but at $11 mil per, that's a bit pricey, how muchis Panarin going to get since he's a point per game player, damn

I just have to laugh.

3 million and a full ntc to an old has been goalie.

Signing a guy who is way past his prime in Kunitz for his supposedly veteran leadership.

And then signing a depth d guy because we need more 5-7 d men. We only have 6 already.

Just an awful start to the season for bowman and Hockey opps. Nothing to think they will improve on a god awful last season baring a major smart Hockey trade.

Carry on.....
- SteveRain

Another last place coming up.
Sigh

Did Forsberg look ready to take the reigns last year when Crawford was hurt? If Crawford is lost to injury again, do you think they are comfortable with Forsberg and whomever they can scrape together? I don't think they are done with Forsberg at this point as potential is still there.


- breadbag

Got a little dose of reality when I looked at Cap Friendly looking at Crow and Ward side by side. Ward nearing the end of his career at 34 yrs old, Crow is at 33 yrs old!!

Good chance Crow is done soon as a #1 and with his unpublicized "ailments" he may be done already. ....... The Hawks simply can't afford not to take long looks at Forsberg types.

Living life in the NHL without a true #1 is brutal.

Buyout protection for JT and lockout protection for him.
- StLBravesFan

Not really. The owners will just lock them out before the bonus is due.

Unless there are MAJOR trades coming, this has been a laughably bad off-season for the Blackhawks, and the front office. That is unless the direction and intention is to tank for next season, and do a full retool. This roster has not been approved one iota, and could be argued has gotten older, and slower. Extremely disappointed, the team narrative and direction seems aimless and almost self-destructive. We have done simply nothing to put ourselves in a position to win now, nor in the future. The off-season so far has been an embarrassment.

Roussel to VAN 4yrs at $3.2MM per year.....

Wow. Kunitz??

Im good with Manning. He will be solid. We may have 107 D guys under contract, but only about three can play NHL level hockey.
- Return of the Roar

Manning and solid is the same sentence is the definition of oxymoron. Manning blows. all he is good for is getting his ass kicked.

Honestly i like JT but at $11 mil per, that's a bit pricey, how muchis Panarin going to get since he's a point per game player, damn
- BetweenTheDots

Pricey? JT apparently took a discount to go play for his hometown team. Mackenzie says the Shark's offer was $91M (7 x $13). So that's $14M left on the table.

I look at the Chris Kunitz trade like this, it gives them veteran forward, while carrying a few young unknowns in Dylan Sikura and Edjsel.

For all the junk written and decided here, it looks like Manning was a physical defender pick up for Q.
I bet that Manning is a 2-way deal.

I got home and put on the NHL channel, and they are in on tape delay or are completely out of the freaking loop...sat down waiting to hear anything about Hawk trades, even on the crawler...an ll we heard is everything we knew at daybreak and then the wet seats after the leafs sign Tavares...
- wiz1901

manning is a 1 way because he's making over 2 mil a year.

Yeah, we should go from 76 points to 81 next year.
- onehundredlevel

If that is the case I'll take solace that StanBow did not add any anchor contracts and the ELC or soon to be RFA guys get valuable NHL ice time as they finish last again and pick top 10.

This is why I'm 50/50 on Kunitz.

Manning and solid is the same sentence is the definition of oxymoron. Manning blows. all he is good for is getting his ass kicked.
- Elbows15

like Rousell as far as fighting at least he's willing. The pushovers we got back there now aren't helping. Team usa women's team play with more stones then most of the guys on contract for hawks last year.

I don't understand this point of view. Yes, we have money to sign Schmaltz and Sikura and The Cat. Meanwhile, Toews, Kane, Keith, Crawford and Seabrook are two years older and all past their prime. How does any of this help us now? Or in 2-3 years down the road. And if we are playing for 2-3 years down the road...then why not start trading the core? Now of these moves (today) make any sense to me.
- onehundredlevel

Cuz right now Seabs and Toews' contracts are untradeable plus they have no movements! Kane will help in 2-3 yrs and Keith is worth his 5.5 per. Think they are shopping AA.

Watch for trade dominoes now that Tavares is signed. Had a couple people tell me to watch for CHI/NYI maybe to connect on something.

Lots of chatter around Karlsson, Pacioretty and Skinner.

Unless there are MAJOR trades coming, this has been a laughably bad off-season for the Blackhawks, and the front office. That is unless the direction and intention is to tank for next season, and do a full retool. This roster has not been approved one iota, and could be argued has gotten older, and slower. Extremely disappointed, the team narrative and direction seems aimless and almost self-destructive. We have done simply nothing to put ourselves in a position to win now, nor in the future. The off-season so far has been an embarrassment.
- Trammelt

So what players would you have approved Bowman going after and signing from the FA's that were available to vastly improve this team?

Watch for trade dominoes now that Tavares is signed. Had a couple people tell me to watch for CHI/NYI maybe to connect on something.

Lots of chatter around Karlsson, Pacioretty and Skinner.
- Justin Lowe

If NYI wanted AA what would the Hawks want in return?

Sikura edjisell should be in rockford all season no matter what stop rushing players when they should be developing. Finally got a coach in rockford whom cab develop players
- Scott1977

Sorry, but I disagree. This is a developmental year, so Sikura, Edjsell, as well as Kahun, Soderland, Forsling, Hillman, and even Jokiharju should spend at least some time this year in the NHL as a part of their development. The league has gone younger, in case you haven't noticed, and more and more very young players are being given opportunities to play and taking advantage of them.

The Hawks are in a rebuild, and are doing so the only way that works -- through the draft. Calls to "blow it all up" are ridiculous. Kane, Toews, Keith and Seebs will still be around for more than a few years, and still have plenty in the tank. They will be a veteran presence that will mesh nicely with Schmaltz, Cat, Saad, Hayden, Hino, and those mentioned above, as they continue to develop and play more prominent roles with the team. And they, in turn, will be supplemented in a few years by the members of what most experts believe was an excellent Hawks' 2018 draft class.

The biggest problem, now and in the future, is Crow's health. The Hawks need to find their next reliable primary goalie, assuming neither Forsberg, Delia nor Lankinen will develop to fill that role.

DeHaan
Neal
Possible in Chicago

Watch for trade dominoes now that Tavares is signed. Had a couple people tell me to watch for CHI/NYI maybe to connect on something.

Lots of chatter around Karlsson, Pacioretty and Skinner.
- Justin Lowe

AA to islanders for? I m thinking maybe

like Rousell as far as fighting at least he's willing. The pushovers we got back there now aren't helping. Team usa women's team play with more stones then most of the guys on contract for hawks last year.
- vandymeer23

watching your teammate get his face punched in really sparks the boys. the 70's called and want you back.

DeHaan
Neal
Possible in Chicago
- Colbyboy

no cap room for either of them.

If NYI wanted AA what would the Hawks want in return?
- mrpaulish

cap space and a pick

If that is the case I'll take solace that StanBow did not add any anchor contracts and the ELC or soon to be RFA guys get valuable NHL ice time as they finish last again and pick top 10.

This is why I'm 50/50 on Kunitz.
- Mr Ricochet

Meh. Kunitz provides a vet to possibly play with some of the younger guys in a 3rd line role. Its only 1M and one year. Manning is the real questionable signing. Two years and over 2M? He's not good.

Watch for trade dominoes now that Tavares is signed. Had a couple people tell me to watch for CHI/NYI maybe to connect on something.


- Justin Lowe

Now that Tavares is gone AA is a fit there? Not that the Hawks are dealing from strength mind you but maybe a Pulock involved? Really like that physical lighting fast center/wing Beauvillier kid. Stan think he can revive Del Colle?