If Toronto wants Keith really bad, think they would give up Kadri? Or is that too in the now and doesn't project for when we are set up to contend again?
- LAHawk

Toronto probably can't afford Keith after this season, at least not unless the Hawks retain some salary. Toronto has Matthews, Marner and Kapanen all coming off their ELC's. Matthews and Marner combined will be over $20M. Kapanen will be on a lower pay level but still a big raise from the $900K he's making now. They can't afford Keith's cap hit of $5.5M for the next 4 seasons and still be able to sign their RFA superstars.

However, if the Hawks retain $2M to essentially reduce Keith's cap hit for Toronto to $3.5M and trade Kapanen to the Hawks so they don't have to pay for his raise - then maybe it works. Toronto has d-men Gardner and Hainsey up after this season so if they don't re-sign 37 year old Hainsey ($3M) that would about pay for Keith.

Kapanen is 22, has good size at 6'1" / 190lbs, can play either wing, has good speed and can score. He can probably be signed on a bridge deal in the $4M range.

If Toronto wants Keith really bad, think they would give up Kadri? Or is that too in the now and doesn't project for when we are set up to contend again?
- LAHawk

They don't want him or need him. Everyone on here thinks they should trade for him because they think they can get a big return for him, which is doubtful. It doesn't make a lick of sense for Toronto to trade for him.

Toronto probably can't afford Keith after this season, at least not unless the Hawks retain some salary. Toronto has Matthews, Marner and Kapanen all coming off their ELC's. Matthews and Marner combined will be over $20M. Kapanen will be on a lower pay level but still a big raise from the $900K he's making now. They can't afford Keith's cap hit of $5.5M for the next 4 seasons and still be able to sign their RFA superstars.

However, if the Hawks retain $2M to essentially reduce Keith's cap hit for Toronto to $3.5M and trade Kapanen to the Hawks so they don't have to pay for his raise - then maybe it works. Toronto has d-men Gardner and Hainsey up after this season so if they don't re-sign 37 year old Hainsey ($3M) that would about pay for Keith.

Kapanen is 22, has good size at 6'1" / 190lbs, can play either wing, has good speed and can score. He can probably be signed on a bridge deal in the $4M range.
- EbonyRaptor

I like that thinking, I only mentioned Kadri because of the agitator that the board believes the Hawks are missing

I think Lightning are well set, they have some expiring multimillion vetetans contracts such as Coburn/Stralman/Girardi/Callahan off the books next year(replaced with someone on ELC), to give appropriate contract to Point.

Caps and Pens are also managing their cap situation pretty well, though after watching last Pens game I have doubts Rutherford managing last 2 years well getting Brassard and Johnson for Sheary and Co, those 2 new players are a liability. and he should have kept Bonino as third line center instead.

Seeing other GMs succeed to keep most of the team intact like my local team Caps signing Oshie for 5mln, Carlson and Kuznetsov for 8mln makes me shake my head at inept contracts handed by our GM. Seabrook contract is close to Carlson contract, does anyone think he will perform at the level close to Carlson or Hedman?
- vshun

Not really. New contracts for Gourde, Kucherov, McDonagh will add $11mil. As it stands they will have 15 players signed and around $6mil in cap space left to add 8 players. Point isn't going to be cheap, if the talk being thrown around before about Schmaltz wanting $6mil/per, what do you think Point is going to command?

Bingo. Either that and he will be resigned (if he has anything left) extremely cheap or he he will end up in Seattle
- Savetheembers33

If he struggles to play now, why would Seattle want him 2 more years down the road when he is only going to be worse?

Bows, EK was never on my list to sign, so I agree.

I like knowing other's thoughts on what the team should do, what do you think they should do? Stand pat and play kids, sign anyone (short or long term)? Who would you target, if anyone?
- I Am The Breadman

This is not the off-season to pursue FAs, IMO. Hawks need to continue drafting. In hard cap league, there are no quick fixes. Look at a team like the Sabres. Murray tried to speed up the process and its left them in a bit of the mess. They have some nice young pieces but he left Botteril with some cleaning up to do. That is exactly the situation to avoid. Especially considering the Hawks already have some hefty contracts. Cap flexibility may allow the Hawks to poach some young-ish players that are somewhat established but still have room to grow.

The Jets, Leafs and Lightning are 3 teams that will have to make some moves before next season. Try to garner more pick along with some players with little term left on their contracts is the way I would go.

LTIR - maybe.

But he's due to make cash of $7.5-$5.0-$6.0-$5.0-$4.5 through the end of his deal.

He ain't retiring.
- StLBravesFan

I wasn't talking about a Seabrook buyout. I was floating the idea that the Hawks and Seabrook mutually agree to terminate the contract in a year or two, with a behind the scenes handshake that Seabrook gets hired to work in the front office for the same salary.

Rocky has piles of money. If he wanted to put a winning team on the ice he would agree to that.

Idk if the NHL would allow that type of deal though.

If he struggles to play now, why would Seattle want him 2 more years down the road when he is only going to be worse?
- TheTrob

That is part of the "deal" so they make the SC final their first year too.

After looking at that Cap chart looks like we got Seabs for 4 more years.
IMHO no way Leafs give up Kadri for Keith and they are not giving up Nylander.

I wasn't talking about a Seabrook buyout. I was floating the idea that the Hawks and Seabrook mutually agree to terminate the contract in a year or two, with a behind the scenes handshake that Seabrook gets hired to work in the front office for the same salary.

Rocky has piles of money. If he wanted to put a winning team on the ice he would agree to that.

Idk if the NHL would allow that type of deal though.
- bhawks2241

"Oh! What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive"

Seabrooks contract is not subject to the cap recapture penalty. He can retire at any point and forfeit the rest of his salary/bonus.

That is part of the "deal" so they make the SC final their first year too.
- powerenforcer

Huh? Loosen the foil hat up a bit PE, it really gets you sometimes. This isn't the WWE, as much as we all know you like to think so, outcomes are not predetermined. The Knights may have been given some concessions that previous expansion teams were not, but they still had to produce on the ice and NO team was laying down for them.

This is not the off-season to pursue FAs, IMO. Hawks need to continue drafting. In hard cap league, there are no quick fixes. Look at a team like the Sabres. Murray tried to speed up the process and its left them in a bit of the mess. They have some nice young pieces but he left Botteril with some cleaning up to do. That is exactly the situation to avoid. Especially considering the Hawks already have some hefty contracts. Cap flexibility may allow the Hawks to poach some young-ish players that are somewhat established but still have room to grow.

The Jets, Leafs and Lightning are 3 teams that will have to make some moves before next season. Try to garner more pick along with some players with little term left on their contracts is the way I would go.
- Elbows15

Okay, I hear you. You're in this for the long haul. Do you want anyone gone at the tdl?

I heard be careful on Nylander, has been dog poop since he signed his contract.
- LAHawk

How does this sound for a hockey trade

Keith and Chicago 2nd to Toronto

Strome/Cat/Forsling +Nylander and Tor 1st to Oilers

Draisital/Nurse and Kapanen to Hawks

toronto gets a bit of cap relief and a top 3 D for cup run

Edm finally gets McDavid help plus Forsling and pick

Chicago gets Kane a partner plus Kapanen and Nurse to
protect upcoming young D

win/win/win some tweeks might be needed to consumate
and if done the window might open sooner than later
especially if some other moves are made.

Okay, I hear you. You're in this for the long haul. Do you want anyone gone at the tdl?
- I Am The Breadman

Long haul? I really don't think there are many options.
Gone at the TDL? Realistically, maybe AA and one of Forsling/Gustafsson. I highly doubt Keith and Seabrook are going anywhere. No matter how many trades are proposed on here. lol

Kruger, maybe. Murphy as a very outside chance. Would think a deal involving Murphy would have to be one where the offer is just far too good to pass on.

Oh and of course, DinkyCat.

Taking the HAWKS 3 to 1 tonight

Huh? Loosen the foil hat up a bit PE, it really gets you sometimes. This isn't the WWE, as much as we all know you like to think so, outcomes are not predetermined. The Knights may have been given some concessions that previous expansion teams were not, but they still had to produce on the ice and NO team was laying down for them.
- TheTrob

Seattle gets the same expansion draft deal as VGK, I think - let's see how well their front office / coaching staff do.

Long haul? I really don't think there are many options.
Gone at the TDL? Realistically, maybe AA and one of Forsling/Gustafsson. I highly doubt Keith and Seabrook are going anywhere. No matter how many trades are proposed on here. lol

Kruger, maybe. Murphy as a very outside chance. Would think a deal involving Murphy would have to be one where the offer is just far too good to pass on.

Oh and of course, DinkyCat.
- Elbows15

Adb, top of the list, of course.

I said long haul because I though you just wanted to draft, and developing the young players, depending on how well you draft, could take a long time. I think we have been drafting well, but time will tell if I'm right on that front on who contributes regularly in the nhl. Taking advantage of teams could help speed up.

Taking the HAWKS 3 to 1 tonight
- oldduffman

Odds or score?

Odds or score?
- StLBravesFan

Score of course

Score of course
- oldduffman

You were close to correct on your last game prediction, I'm following your lead, Duffy. Haha.

You were close to correct on your last game prediction, I'm following your lead, Duffy. Haha.
- I Am The Breadman

I think this a big game for the boy's tonight ,expect a real solid effort tonight . GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chicago Blackhawks‏Verified account @NHLBlackhawks · 9m9 minutes ago

ROSTER NEWS: The #Blackhawks have placed defenseman Gustav Forsling (upper torso) on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 5.


Really interested to see what the pairings are. I would like to see Joki and Keith back together.

Bottom pairing (if Seabrook is out) would be Gustafsson/Davidson.. Yeesh.

How does this sound for a hockey trade

Keith and Chicago 2nd to Toronto

Strome/Cat/Forsling +Nylander and Tor 1st to Oilers

Draisital/Nurse and Kapanen to Hawks

toronto gets a bit of cap relief and a top 3 D for cup run

Edm finally gets McDavid help plus Forsling and pick

Chicago gets Kane a partner plus Kapanen and Nurse to
protect upcoming young D

win/win/win some tweeks might be needed to consumate
and if done the window might open sooner than later
especially if some other moves are made.
- gazza53

Like the idea lots of moving parts not going to happen like the creativity though.

I think this a big game for the boy's tonight ,expect a real solid effort tonight . GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

Johansen always gives Toews a run for his money. I've always thought of Rinne as shakey. I see a bounce back after the Cal loss, but also a crap ton of shots on net.

Irfaan Gaffar‏Verified account @sportsnetirf
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Bettman was asked about the CBA - Said he's not in favor of a difficult negotiation. He's hoping for an agreement without fanfare. "We'll see what happens, but I'm not looking for a fight."


Wouldn't that be nice?