If it takes a big overpayment to move Hossa, then they shouldn't do it. Pittsburgh won two Cups with Dupis on LTIR so the Hawks should not be so desperate to move Hossa that they not only throw in two valuable assets but also take back a bad contract.
- L_B_R

So you think Forsling and Murphy are worth doing nothing for?

I'm sure they'd like to move Murphy, but not for the possibility of nothing in return. Stralman would be better off being traded for assets then signing at a lower cap hit / higher salary back in Tampa after the one season. Also if there was a full rebuild in motion, they would be trying to trade Murphy for picks and prospects, not an expiring contract.
- L_B_R

Yeah, and if Q is gone soon, maybe the next coach gets more out of Murphy.
They seem to be wanting cap space, maybe for resigning some of the youngsters or taking on more contracts at TDL or next summer or just to pay less for a non-playoff team.

I'm not sure how exact it is, but here is TSN's Tavares calculator: https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/tavares-calculator
- L_B_R

Thanks for sharing this tool, it’s very interesting. Looks like he signed with a team where he will take home the least amount of money.

Not to be tinfoil hat about the situation, but I have to wonder if some of this reluctance is being pushed by the league. Obviously they are not happy about this loophole/contract situation and are unable to do anything about it (see Pronger)

Justin, do you think that the league has sent out any quiet or not-so-quiet memo's discouraging teams from taking a Hossa trade? The Hawks have not been relevant contenders the last two years, which makes me wonder why teams would "not want to do the Hawks any favors."
- Q-stache

Friedman actually suggested that the league maybe strongly suggested that the Hawks don't trade the Hossa contract.

He follows up by saying they have to do what they have to do and he projects that he be moved at some point.

So you think Forsling and Murphy are worth doing nothing for?
- Return of the Roar

I think Forsling and Murphy are worth more than nothing. Doing something for the sake of doing something is pointless.

Thanks for sharing this tool, it’s very interesting. Looks like he signed with a team where he will take home the least amount of money.
- walleyeb1

Least amount of contract money, yeah. The article with the calculator notes that Tavares will be able to make up any difference and then some because playing for Toronto offers more sponsorship and endorsement money.

What doesn't make sense to me is that the calculator seems not to take into effect ANY state/local taxes paid for games played in states with income taxes.

The tax rate shown for Dallas and TB, for instance, is 36.4% - which, for Tavares at $11MM per year, would be what he would pay in federal taxes.

No provision for any state income taxes based on games played in other states, nor for any sales taxes or property taxes (both of which can substitute for state income taxes), etc.

So - I'm not sure of the value of this calculator.

In any case, the higher-value UFAs this summer seem to be not very concerned with the state tax implications than with going where they wanted to go.
- StLBravesFan

Maybe they do not have to pay based on games play in other states? It's based on the tax information provided by GAVIN Hockey Wealth Specialists, a leading financial advisor to NHL players, so you'd think they'd know best. I personally have no idea.

No way the Hawks should move Saad for Faulk:

Friedman: “I’d heard Chicago had been in on Faulk, but I heard the hangup there was Brandon Saad; that Carolina wanted Saad, and Chicago didn’t want to do that.” #Blackhawks #Canes

— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) July 5, 2018

- DarthKane

Totally agree Darth. We can't lose Saad again. And we can't have the worst LW group in the league.

With regards to Stralman, he's a great shutdown defender with a decent amount of offensive ability. He gets very little PP time so his numbers will always be modest, especially with Hedman and McDonagh taking the lions share. Stralman was an unsung hero for NYR before he got traded, and most people have picked up how smart and efficient of a defender he is since then. He'd be one of the best shutdown replacements for Hammer outside of Marc-Edward Vlasic.

So you think Forsling and Murphy are worth doing nothing for?
- Return of the Roar

Jim Hendry gm of the Cubs would make moves like this and all it does in the long run is weaken the team. They need to use Hossa's contract to their advantage, Bowman did a great job of not throwing money/ years away in free agency, imho he needs to be patient here, i don't care for Murphy but I'd rather give him one more year than bring Stalman here. He's a solid defender but on the wrong side of 30

Lol Montreal

Not to be tinfoil hat about the situation, but I have to wonder if some of this reluctance is being pushed by the league. Obviously they are not happy about this loophole/contract situation and are unable to do anything about it (see Pronger)

Justin, do you think that the league has sent out any quiet or not-so-quiet memo's discouraging teams from taking a Hossa trade? The Hawks have not been relevant contenders the last two years, which makes me wonder why teams would "not want to do the Hawks any favors."
- Q-stache

Q - you know where I stand on this.......Bettman did all kinds of favors for Philly and Arizona when he didn't force his rules when Pronger was hired by the league (how could he play when he was working for the league = retirement from being a player).

I think we need to consider what trade chips the Blackhawks DO have that might be covetable assets.

Possibles:
Sikura
Krys
Bueaden
Forsling
Murphy
Edjell


Would not move:
Bonqvist
D. Mitchell
Johikaru
Schmaltz
Debrincat

Lol Montreal
- mrpaulish

That sucks!

@frank_seravalli

#Habs announce Shea Weber will miss 5 to 6 months after undergoing surgery in Colorado to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Maybe they do not have to pay based on games play in other states? It's based on the tax information provided by GAVIN Hockey Wealth Specialists, a leading financial advisor to NHL players, so you'd think they'd know best. I personally have no idea.
- L_B_R

Here’s the actual tool:

https://gavingroup.ca/nhl-tax-calculator/

Thanks for the info! Then I agree, what the Hawks need badly. I would be happy to add him, but I would be even happier by not giving up Murphy. I actually like Murphy and think given some steady time in this system, he can exceed. Adding Stralman (based on your description) and keeping Murphy would sound like a rock solid blue line.

Keith, Seabs, Murphy, Stralman, Joker, Forsling, Manning, Rutta, Hillman, etc.

Seems like a good mix of old/young, hopefully assist the development.
- HawksHype

No doubt Stralman is a fit for the Hawks, no doubt. But what is it the Hawks are doing, the long term plan? If they think they can win a cup THIS yr then a Stralman, who will cost picks/prospects, is the move. He's a UFA next yr, do you think the Hawks can win a cup this yr?

I don't, and think Stralman at 31 yrs old today will want 4-5 yrs at 6 mil to resign with the Hawks next yr. Another aging player signed for 4-5 yrs, at the cost of assets to acquire, to a team full of them with no real chance of a cup run for 2-3 yrs.

Yeah, and if Q is gone soon, maybe the next coach gets more out of Murphy.
.
- matt_ahrens

Indeed!

No doubt Stralman is a fit for the Hawks, no doubt. But what is it the Hawks are doing, the long term plan? If they think they can win a cup THIS yr then a Stralman, who will cost picks/prospects, is the move. He's a UFA next yr, do you think the Hawks can win a cup this yr?

I don't, and think Stralman at 31 yrs old today will want 4-5 yrs at 6 mil to resign with the Hawks next yr. Another aging player signed for 4-5 yrs, at the cost of assets to acquire, to a team full of them with no real chance of a cup run for 2-3 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed. I don't know the path the Hawks should go, nor do I think they fully know. If no Crow, you have no shot. If you have Crow, you have a shot. You have a team with Crow that got off to a hot start and played pretty well with him in net. Without him, one of the worst teams in the league. The news to the public on Crow is confusing. I'm just hoping it's more clear to the FO.

That sucks!

@frank_seravalli

#Habs announce Shea Weber will miss 5 to 6 months after undergoing surgery in Colorado to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
- Justin Lowe

That must have been a heck of a tear to be out that long. Normally a torn meniscus gets scoped and a player is back in weeks, not months. That timeframe is more normal for a ligament tear.

Maybe they do not have to pay based on games play in other states? It's based on the tax information provided by GAVIN Hockey Wealth Specialists, a leading financial advisor to NHL players, so you'd think they'd know best. I personally have no idea.
- L_B_R

Well, it was my understanding that they did - not from any experience with professional athletes and their taxes, but from general reading.

I could be wrong....

@joesmithtb

Hearing similar rumblings on #TBLightning being eventual landing spot for Karlsson. Wouldn’t be surprised, though no guarantees with deal of this magnitude. Couple days ago the Stars were considered front runners, per @seanshapiro. TB could get a 3rd team involved to move salary.

I think we need to consider what trade chips the Blackhawks DO have that might be covetable assets.

Possibles:
Sikura
Krys
Bueaden
Forsling
Murphy
Edjell


Would not move:
Bonqvist
D. Mitchell
Johikaru
Schmaltz
Debrincat
- Bjm84

Sometihng like: Sikura + Anisimov + 2019 1st + Krys + Hossa's contract to Ottawa for Matt Duchene and Cody Ceci rights (RFA).

For the Blackhawks, we're paying a lot but getting an upgrade at the pivot and also a solid D-man. Also moving from Hossa's contract.

Ottawa might do this because they're in full rebuild and Sikura, 2019 1st, and Krys are developable assets. Plus Duchene's contract is up next year and Ceci is an RFA.

No doubt Stralman is a fit for the Hawks, no doubt. But what is it the Hawks are doing, the long term plan? If they think they can win a cup THIS yr then a Stralman, who will cost picks/prospects, is the move. He's a UFA next yr, do you think the Hawks can win a cup this yr?

I don't, and think Stralman at 31 yrs old today will want 4-5 yrs at 6 mil to resign with the Hawks next yr. Another aging player signed for 4-5 yrs, at the cost of assets to acquire, to a team full of them with no real chance of a cup run for 2-3 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

I've been such a big fan of Stralman for year, was so hoping the Hawks would sign him in 2014 even when they didn't really have space lol, but it's either a big commitment for a guy who will be 33 before a new deal starts or getting rid of assets for nothing much. Honestly, Tampa would be better off seeing if someone would take Giardi with them throwing in a sweetener than moving Stralman, though. Go all for it this season with Hedman, Stralman, Karlsson, and McDonagh. Best top 4 ever??

Agreed. I don't know the path the Hawks should go, nor do I think they fully know. If no Crow, you have no shot. If you have Crow, you have a shot. You have a team with Crow that got off to a hot start and played pretty well with him in net. Without him, one of the worst teams in the league. The news to the public on Crow is confusing. I'm just hoping it's more clear to the FO.
- HawksHype

Yep, at best the whole thing is confusing and as you mention I hope the Hawks have a better idea of what they're dealing with both short and long term. I'm sure they ain't gonna be sharing what they know or don't and that's fine just that they are realistic as they evaluate where they are today.

I think we need to consider what trade chips the Blackhawks DO have that might be covetable assets.

Possibles:
Sikura
Krys
Bueaden
Forsling
Murphy
Edjell


Would not move:
Bonqvist
D. Mitchell
Johikaru
Schmaltz
Debrincat
- Bjm84

There is a good reason not to trade Sikura: it sends a bad message to NCAA players. Sikura could have pulled a Hayes to have complete control over what team he wanted to play for but trusted the Hawks were the best road for him. What does it say that they will then turn around and trade him the summer he could have gone FA?

Hawks already have a record of a NCAA kid not wanting to sign with them, it's probably not a great idea to add another to that list, esp one as high profile as Sikura. The Hawks draft a lot of NCAA kids.

Not to be tinfoil hat about the situation, but I have to wonder if some of this reluctance is being pushed by the league. Obviously they are not happy about this loophole/contract situation and are unable to do anything about it (see Pronger)

Justin, do you think that the league has sent out any quiet or not-so-quiet memo's discouraging teams from taking a Hossa trade? The Hawks have not been relevant contenders the last two years, which makes me wonder why teams would "not want to do the Hawks any favors."
- Q-stache

I think it's more likely the league has let teams know they are probably going to change how LTIR works next CBA from being calculated by a players cap hit to being calculated by a players actual salary. If either side opts out, that will effect the last year of Hossa's contract.