I hope you're right.

Im not against a salary cap because without it the Hawks don't land Hossa in 2009 as Detroit would have had the finances behind Illitch to get Franzen and Hossa on the books.

They need the game to get more recognition in the general public....and while I am not the biggest McDonough fan I think he would be a HUGE get for the NHL and could help expedite that.
- SteveRain

I kind of agree, but he's been a local guy. Not sure what the odds on him having success at the national level. Worth a try though.

According to Elliotte Friedman Colorado is looking at Crawford, not Lehner.
- LAHawk

I just read that but I also read in his 31 thoughts they will be shopping Lehner too. Who the hell knows.

I kind of agree, but he's been a local guy. Not sure what the odds on him having success at the national level. Worth a try though.
- 6628

think it makes sense for him.....hes pretty much maxed out what he can do for the Hawks.....hes accomplished a ton.

Yeah, I don't know how hockey penetrates the niche of being the red headed step child. Way above my pay grade.....but I just know they aren't marketing their players as much as they can/should be.

Up north completely different. Some US markets as well, are strong supporters but the casual fan whos $ the NHL needs.....that's the target.

You almost had it right.

If Stan buys he fails.
If Stan does nothing he fails.
If the Hawks pull off a solid, under the radar trade Stan fails because it’s Scotty making that deal.
- DarthKane

And Dale would have made a better deal.

Stan - Call Toronto NOW! Lehner is needed there.

I just stated this on EK's blog but I hate that so many trades are happening now. Seems like every year more n more trades start to occur the week or so before the deadline.
If I were the NHL , to build excitement, I would put a freeze on trades the week before the deadline .Then have a 24 hour period for trades .
Imagine the rumours that would be happening.
The NHL and mainly the sports shows have built up excitement for the deadline but I think it's starting to fade . They need as much activity on the deadline day as possible.

Stan - Call Toronto NOW! Lehner is needed there.
- powerenforcer

Stan will wait too long to make that deal and Toronto will make another move.

With all the trades that happened this pass week,the trade deadline shows are going to be a bust.What they should do,is put a freeze for this week and reopen it at 8am on the 24th and it closes at midnight on the same day.

With all the trades that happened this pass week,the trade deadline shows are going to be a bust.What they should do,is put a freeze for this week and reopen it at 8am on the 24th and it closes at midnight on the same day.
- Tatoo

Why? All that does is (sort of) placate fans and talking heads that like the chaos. It also would give GM’s less time to actually make the deals, which would likely do one of two things: lead to less deals, or lead to more bad deals.

The "big" cap jump (hopefully) would be after next season (I think) when the TV contracts are re-negotiated.

Hopefully, Bettman learned something from his friend David Stern about how to leverage networks off to dramatically increase the take.
- StLBravesFan

Hockey isn't popular enough to do that though. It's a niche sport for rich white kids

Hockey isn't popular enough to do that though. It's a niche sport for rich white kids
- GPHawksfan

"Everyone Can Play"

According to Elliotte Friedman Colorado is looking at Crawford, not Lehner.
- LAHawk

Probably because Crow is a winner. And he has been better then lehner down the stretch.

It makes sense to me that Bowman take an expiring contract from someone as long as there is a decent sweetener. Hard to believe that this has not happened yet.

C'mon down Gerard Gallant.
- Tyler Cameron

You do realize he will want the same system JC uses?

You do realize he will want the same system JC uses?
- gifman

SHHH you will ruin the narrative

2 years-

Coach Seabrook reports to VP of Hockey Ops Marian Hossa

2 years-

Coach Seabrook reports to VP of Hockey Ops Marian Hossa
- RaleighHawk

I could see that happening.

I don't know what the new TV contract(s) will bring - the other three sports keep seeing major increases in national TV revenues - I would expect some of that to trickle down.

I doubt that the players would ever agree to getting less than 50% of HRR - and the owners won't agree to giving them more - so that the increase in TV revenues will directly impact the increase in cap.
- StLBravesFan

Even golf with its limited viewership grows purses every year.

Stan will wait too long to make that deal and Toronto will make another move.
- DarthKane

It would be funny if he traded Lehner now that he has signed him for next year.

Even golf with its limited viewership grows purses every year.
- rpeters01

And golf is one of the only sports that has a higher fan demographic than hockey.

They don’t advertise Rolex and Lexus on the PGA for no reason.

Of the 4 major sports, hockey has the highest fan demographics, ie. income, education, etc. Just not enough of them.

And golf is one of the only sports that has a higher fan demographic than hockey.

They don’t advertise Rolex and Lexus on the PGA for no reason.

Of the 4 major sports, hockey has the highest fan demographics, ie. income, education, etc. Just not enough of them.
- scottak

Too bad Tiger couldn't ice skate.

Too bad Tiger couldn't ice skate.
- rpeters01

But he would be the only player that has a stubby blade.....

But he would be the only player that has a stubby blade.....
- powerenforcer

Heck of a slapshot with a 1-Iron

It would be funny if he traded Lehner now that he has signed him for next year.
- rpeters01

When did Stan re-sign Crawford?

2 years-

Coach Seabrook reports to VP of Hockey Ops Marian Hossa
- RaleighHawk

With Brian Campbell as GM.