The Golden Knights have purchased the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL and pending the expected approval from the AHL’s Board of Governor’s, they will be relocated to Las Vegas/Henderson for the 2020-21 season.

Looks like Wolves and Hogs are not changing hands.
- -Doh-

Would think Wolves were worth more probably got the Rampage cheaper.

Would think Wolves were worth more probably got the Rampage cheaper.
- rpeters01

Weren’t they supposed to buy the Hogs?

Not sure what Stan is going to do, however we cannot sign Lehner to big $ or more than three years, this team does not need a $7-$9M contract for a goalie. If I get a deal I can’t refuse for Lehner, he’s a goner. Ride Crow and and keep building the forward and defensive group with young prospects and picks. We have some good young players, we have seen some of that talent slowly evolve, maybe we get lucky with a young goalie, we’ll see. If I were to play GM from my chair, Lehner is gone, Smith is gone, and Gus is gone. Sorry Elbows, until we figure out our defense for 20/21, Maatta stays.
- Angotti

It's not the goalies fault. Cubs can't afford Bryant because Theo hasn't developed one starting pitcher in 8 years it's hard to be that inept even on purpose.

That would be ideal plus the assets we would receive for Lehner on his way out at the TDL. Crawford on a 2 year deal would give us time to develop a goalie at a reasonable Cap cost.
Conversely I fear that a long term costly deal for Lehner plus something similar for Strome would put us into Cap hell for eternity.
- 67hawks

Ironic that you mention Strome's name just in passing. He'd be on my short list of guys to not re-sign in order to keep Lehner in town, hopefully at a reasonable cost. That's my take on the matter. I know others will vehemently disagree. This is an opinion board, correct?

Weren’t they supposed to buy the Hogs?
- StLBravesFan

That would make more sense. What happens to Wolves when Knights take all their players and where do San Antonio players go?

Ironic that you mention Strome's name just in passing. He'd be on my short list of guys to not re-sign in order to keep Lehner in town, hopefully at a reasonable cost. That's my take on the matter. I know others will vehemently disagree. This is an opinion board, correct?
- gabriel

I vehemently disagree would rather dump Dinky.

I think if they signed him, they would announce it. JMO. He is going to test the FA after being all pissy that he had little interest last off-season,
- Elbows15

I thought that he was honked off because he felt (right or wrong), that he was treated in a rather cavalier fashion by the NYI.

I vehemently disagree would rather dump Dinky.
- rpeters01

Good. At least we got the ball rollin'.

That would make more sense. What happens to Wolves when Knights take all their players and where do San Antonio players go?
- rpeters01

SA players are “owned” by the Blues - they’ll go wherever the Blues affiliation is.

All State Arena?

I thought that he was honked off because he felt (right or wrong), that he was treated in a rather cavalier fashion by the NYI.
- gabriel

He signed a one year deal. NYI offered him a 2 year deal after exploring other options. Add that together and it is a pretty good bet that the market for him wasn't there.

Not sure what Stan is going to do, however we cannot sign Lehner to big $ or more than three years, this team does not need a $7-$9M contract for a goalie. If I get a deal I can’t refuse for Lehner, he’s a goner. Ride Crow and and keep building the forward and defensive group with young prospects and picks. We have some good young players, we have seen some of that talent slowly evolve, maybe we get lucky with a young goalie, we’ll see. If I were to play GM from my chair, Lehner is gone, Smith is gone, and Gus is gone. Sorry Elbows, until we figure out our defense for 20/21, Maatta stays.
- Angotti

Maatta is another buy out candidate. He is just so slow. If the rest of the Hawks d was more mobile, Maatta would be fine. They aren't. Its not the player. He gives his all. He is just a bad fit for the Hawks' D as it is currently constructed.

He signed a one year deal. NYI offered him a 2 year deal after exploring other options. Add that together and it is a pretty good bet that the market for him wasn't there.
- Elbows15

I thought Stan, for once, was hyper-alert and stole him. Wasn't he in the running for Vezina Trophy consideration?

Now that Ty’s made a reasonable and logical pitch for both Lehner and Crawford to stay until the end of the season I fully expect one, if not both, of the goalies to be dealt this weekend.

Now that Ty’s made a reasonable and logical pitch for both Lehner and Crawford to stay until the end of the season I fully expect one, if not both, of the goalies to be dealt this weekend.
- DarthKane

Ty is not Ek.

Ty is not Ek.
- powerenforcer

I said reasonable and logical...

SA players are “owned” by the Blues - they’ll go wherever the Blues affiliation is.

All State Arena?
- StLBravesFan

Shorter drive.

Ironic that you mention Strome's name just in passing. He'd be on my short list of guys to not re-sign in order to keep Lehner in town, hopefully at a reasonable cost. That's my take on the matter. I know others will vehemently disagree. This is an opinion board, correct?
- gabriel

It seems to me that this is the decision.

Saad
Debrincat
Strome
Lehner/Crawford

Pick 3 to keep. That's all the available cap space will allow. I think I would lean toward keeping the forwards.

Think one will be back next year, but whom?

Either way, they have to get an asset back rather than letting either one walk for nothing as a UFA.....

Would you rather have one as a back up and play another 10 games or a draft pick + possible prospect?

It seems to me that this is the decision.

Saad
Debrincat
Strome
Lehner/Crawford

Pick 3 to keep. That's all the available cap space will allow. I think I would lean toward keeping the forwards.
- totem

If I'm understanding your parameters, it's a no brainer for me: retain Saad, DeBrincat, and Saad. Let go of one of Crawford or Lehner.

Going into future seasons with $10M or more locked up in goalies may handcuff the team from strengthening the defense and forwards. I know it's not a popular scenario but I still prefer to go with Crawford or Lehner as starter with Delia or Lankinen as backup.

We also can't forget about Kubalik and Caggiula who are RFAs this summer. You definitely retain Kubalik as highest priority, maybe even higher than Strome. Then try to keep Caggiula in the fold but don't break the bank to do so.

Think one will be back next year, but whom?

Either way, they have to get an asset back rather than letting either one walk for nothing as a UFA.....

Would you rather have one as a back up and play another 10 games or a draft pick + possible prospect?
- mike7076

Prefer the draft pick + prospect but also agree with Tyler's blog point about why it wouldn't be wise to trade either given the team still gunning for a playoff berth and not upsetting the apple cart.

If I'm understanding your parameters, it's a no brainer for me: retain Saad, DeBrincat, and Saad. Let go of one of Crawford or Lehner.

Going into future seasons with $10M or more locked up in goalies may handcuff the team from strengthening the defense and forwards. I know it's not a popular scenario but I still prefer to go with Crawford or Lehner as starter with Delia or Lankinen as backup.

We also can't forget about Kubalik and Caggiula who are RFAs this summer. You definitely retain Kubalik as highest priority, maybe even higher than Strome. Then try to keep Caggiula in the fold but don't break the bank to do so.
- AEL_Fox

Good point, yes, I was counting Kubalik (about 4m) and Caggiula (Caligula) being retained, Smith bought out and Magic Gus off to greener pastures. Maatta will have to stay because he might be needed due to LTIR dmen (and might be needed because some Dmen have to be exposed in expansion draft). I think that means 3 of 5 retained, unless something else big happens:

Saad
Debrincat
Strome
Lehner
Crawford

Pick 3 to keep.

Good point, yes, I was counting Kubalik (about 4m) and Caggiula (Caligula) being retained, Smith bought out and Magic Gus off to greener pastures. Maatta will have to stay because he might be needed due to LTIR dmen (and might be needed because some Dmen have to be exposed in expansion draft). I think that means 3 of 5 retained, unless something else big happens:

Saad
Debrincat
Strome
Lehner
Crawford

Pick 3 to keep.
- totem

Cat, Strome and Crow.

I like Saad better than Strome, and at least as much as ADB, but I think he's gone after next season.
I like Lehner more than Crow, but I think he's going to test the market and I really don't want Bowman to overpay for him. Crow/Lankinen (or Delia) can be had for $6M (hopefully less) vs 7.5 or more for Lehner alone.

Good point, yes, I was counting Kubalik (about 4m) and Caggiula (Caligula) being retained, Smith bought out and Magic Gus off to greener pastures. Maatta will have to stay because he might be needed due to LTIR dmen (and might be needed because some Dmen have to be exposed in expansion draft). I think that means 3 of 5 retained, unless something else big happens:

Saad
Debrincat
Strome
Lehner
Crawford

Pick 3 to keep.
- totem

Picking 3 out of those 5, I'd retain DeBrincat, Strome, and Crawford:

- DeBrincat, if he can revert back to form, can be a perennial 35-45 goal scorer that the Hawks don't have outside of Kane (although Kubalik could get there).

- Strome can be a key cog in a deep corps of centers with skill to be top 6, even if he goes to wing.

- Crawford is still playing at a high level barring any injury relapse but won't command a 4+ year deal that won't handcuff the team longer term like a potential Lehner deal could.

That's a tough choice, though, as the team needs more players like Saad, not less. I was down between Strome and Saad but opted for Strome for the reason stated above.

Strome and DeBrincat also have a chemistry that could really pay dividends once they're both banging on all cylinders.

Good point, yes, I was counting Kubalik (about 4m) and Caggiula (Caligula) being retained, Smith bought out and Magic Gus off to greener pastures. Maatta will have to stay because he might be needed due to LTIR dmen (and might be needed because some Dmen have to be exposed in expansion draft).
- totem

On the other players you mentioned, I also have Kubalik and Caggiula penciled in for next season's roster with Smith either bought out or buried (I believe that's an option) and Gustafsson traded for a mid-range draft pick or prospect.

I'm not down on Maatta as others but do agree with Elbows (?) comment that he's really not that bad when the Hawks blueline is comprised of swift skaters. If a slam dunk trade comes along to ship him out, then fine; otherwise, I like what he brings to the ice on the whole.

I get the feeling SB is going to re-sign Lehner at 8mx8 (max) or even higher.
There is no way SB is going to risk his job putting out a goaltending duo of CC and Lankinen/Delia. It will be 2017-2018 all over again.
- squishy24

Powers mentioned in his recent article that as long as the hawks continue play well and stay in the playoff hunt most likely both goalies stay; this was my expectation

nhl is about win now and another missed playoff year is unacceptable to hawk brass...

I suspect stanbow is having conversations with both but he may ride both of them through the season and then make a decision; I think both want to stay but only one can...