Marcus Kruger Traded To Vegas
The Blackhawks traded veteran forward Marcus Kruger to Vegas for “future considerations” on Sunday.
UPDATE:
[TRADE] The #Canes have acquired forward Marcus Kruger from Vegas ? Details: https://t.co/Ij9F1jvVW3#Redvolution pic.twitter.com/JDmQKt2Xwy
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 4, 2017
That contract was a killer. Kruger helped the Boys win two Cups, so I thank him for that. Good luck in LV.
Best wishes in Vegas! You will be missed!
Roll ’em Marcus. Tx for the memories.
P.S. Is anyone aware of the rule, could Vegas trade him back to Hawks and retain $2.1M or even more in cap hit/salary? Kruger @ $750k cap hit changes the landscape.
Would have rather seen anisimov go. Especially if we are trying to get faster and back to puck possession. He’s slow and brutal in the dot.
Helps out on cap and new guys get to prove themselves. Hawks aren’t going no where
Good luck to kruger. Solid player but his contract needed to be moved
Tough loss but hopefully just part of a bigger deal later this season
He was clearly overpaid in his last contract, but he earned it earlier. His play peaked 2 or 3 years ago so not concerned about losing him (and agree that we’re not going anywhere so it’s not a concern).
Dude was fearless –always took the hit to the move the puck. I was surprised he didn’t get hurt more often given the hits he took. Huge heart. Warrior.
Kruger, Shaw, and Desi were LARGE (shutdown D) during the 2015 Cup run.
Overall, M.K. was a very good Hawk. Too bad the wrist got injured. Good luck!!
” could Vegas trade him back to Hawks and retain $2.1M or even more in cap hit/salary?” (Iceman) — what would be their motivation to do that?
Kruger was a good team guy. He took a 1-year under-valued deal to stay with the Hawks when the Hawks couldn’t afford to pay him more. He gave up his #16 when the Hawks acquired Ladd ad the TDL a couple years ago. And until he had the wrist injuries he was a very good d-zone faceoff guy to go along with stellar PK play. If he had been able to continue that level of play he would have been worth the $3.1M cap hit – but the wrist injuries diminished his play.
Good luck Krugs.
Yes. I believe Vegas could retain 50%of his hit in a trade back to the Hawks. Im not aware of a rule that forbids that. I dont see it happening. It would be Vegas literally buying assets. And hawks getting him at a more reasonable rate. I know similar things have happened in the past…but not with retained salary
Is the new 3c Sharp, Schmaltz or someone else?
I would love to see Sharp take a crack at that position. He could be a good replacement for one third the salary. Would need to make sure he doesn’t feel pressure to score. Even 10 goals at that position would be a plus.
Haven’t hear about the futures. Possibly a depth D-man once the Hossa LTIR is available. Possibly some pucks.
godspeed marcus kruger:
great teams are made of stars and unselfish role players who play their roles to a T: that would be MK who had big O numbers prior to the nhl and was asked by the hawks to be a shut down D center generally against the opponent’s best lines and generally at the most dangerous times: he was entrusted with critical minutes in critical games his entire career and he was outstanding almost every time.
his team first attitude in every respect including taking a one year at way under market when SB was over a barrel is rare and exemplary.
I’m afraid only his absence will reveal to many how good we really had it with him in his roles here.
I hope one day he can return to finish his career in chicago!
Slammer joins the ranks of the clowns! Remember when some of the clowns said the hawks wouldn’t make the playoffs last year and others said they would be life and death. The hawks ended up first in the West! Now slammer marks out his clown territory by saying the hawks aren’t going anywhere. I’ll pull this remark out at the end of the year!
Habs extended Price. 8 years 10.5 per. Woof.
Kruger like Hjalmarsson was a warrior. He’ll be missed, but he fell out of favor. In the playoffs Q benched him on a dzone pk draw. Toews wasnt on the ice either.
Some clarity is needed when it comes to him taking a reduced rate. His agent had said they didnt file for arbitration because they wanted a longer deal. That could also mean they werent confident in their ability to get a good number in arbitration. It could mean they didnt want to hear why the Hawks thought he was worth less…listing his faults. Thats a tough process to go through listening to your boss ramble off reasons for why they dont want to pay you what you want. With no other team sending him an offer sheet, his only options were to sign what the Hawks gave. Or hold out and not get paid altogether.
Hindsight is 20/20 but the Kruger, Bickell, Shaw and Hjalmarsson deals are classic cases of holding on to players too long and missing out on maximizing their trade value.
These are 4 pretty good cases of the Hawks developing their own players but not flipping them when they knew they couldn’t keep them. After all their successes, the Hawks have only Connor Murphy to show for all 4 of them. And they had to lose Teravainen on top of it.
That is the difference between Scotty and Stan. Scotty was ruthless when it came to getting players out sooner rather than later. The last 2 years (and I suspect this year as well) are the downside of too much loyalty.
The Penguins do get it, especially when you see who they have jettisoned in the last 2 years.
I would not include Hjalmarsson in your list of 4 Hawkfacts. He is still at the top of his game and IMHO one of the best stay at home defensemen in the league. Poor cap management forced Stan to trade him, not declining ability. I have a feeling his steady performance will be missed next year.
Mox– I agree
Ernie- ” Habs extend Price”… well at least Seabs Crap-tacular deal has moved down at least one notch on the list of Worst Contracts (size/length)!!!
If youre constantly flipping players at their maximum value you probably dint have any of the 3 cups.
Thought youd like that one wall.
My point Ernie was that the Hawks lost those 4 for virtually no value. If a player is at his peak, of course you keep them. None of those 4 was at their “peak” during their last year with the Hawks. While the Hawks got something for Hjalmarsson I maintain that his last 2 years have been on the downside. He is an old 30. So by the way is Seabrook. (7 more of those years)
As Jordyhawk said he was fearless-Hawks had two of the toughest Swedes (along with Hornqvist) in the current NHL.
It sure will be a different team next year, not sure any better. We’ll see. (It will be determined by guys like Hartman, Hayden, Kempny, Forsling and Schmaltz, not the new additions). A lack of speed will be evident.
Price’s deal was just usurped by Patrick Marleau. Leafs just handed him 3 years at 6.25 per year. That will be great when you have to extend Jack White’s doppelganger Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
McDavid might get 13.5per and Draisatl is wanting 10. Wow.
McDavid may actually be worth 13.5
Hjalmarsson was flipped for a guy bigger, younger, slightly cheaper, with more term, that was an actual right shot (more hard clears, fewer turnovers), with similar offensive production. Hawks did Ok.
Shaw was traded for picks 39 and 45…which turned into Alex Devrincat and Chad Krys. Hawks did ok considering Shaws new deal and production.
Kruger- the dollars were bad but injury derailed his solid play. He never had a ton of value.
Bickell- see above. Hindsight is always 20/20. Nobody foresaw Bickell having MS or his knees giving out. Hawks won the cup and they dont win it without him. It was sign him or let him walk. He was still on the uptick. Money was rich. But look what Bonino just got. Everybody loves him.
Bickell averaged .42 ppg previous 3 years.
Bonino averaged .48.
Bickell was 3 years younger. Than Bonino right now.
Schultz just signed for 5.5 per. He was out out of the league before the pens. Kinda rich for a guy that probably needs the pens to be successful.
Carey Price has never even been to Cup finals, he’s making as much as Toews & Kane. LOL. Bergevin has to quit smoking those funny cigarettes.
Speaking of on something, Shanahan & Babcock on major stuff signing Marleau at that insane cap hit. Good luck w/ that. Sharp could end up w/ more goals than Marleau next season. Last I checked as well, 3 Cups for Sharp, 0 for Marleau.
Let s be thankful — Crawford’s cap hit is paltry compared to Price’s. Keith’s cap hit is around $1M less than Marleau.
Good point Ernie, Im glad Bonino sigmed w Nashville, he s nowhere worth that cap hit or term.
I was surprised at how reasonable the contracts were yesterday for the free agent signings but wow the Price and Marleau deals changed that in a hurry. The Leafs are now over the cap after giving a 38 year old a 3 year deal for more than Panarin or Saad with a full no move clause. The Habs are a dumpster fire being leveraged by Markov and Radulov. The reality is you only need one crazy team to blow up your spending plan. While we hate Seabrook’s contract someone else probably would have gave him that deal last year.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate the salary cap it is set up to punish good teams that draft well. Each year it costs us at least one good player. Bowman has created some of his own problems with over valued contracts. Edmonton will face the same problems in a few years. I say to Hell with parity!!!
Tough to say the Hawks did ok with the Hjamarssin trade until we see how Murphy performs in a Hawk uniform next year.
Hjalmarsson- spell check killing me.
1961– agree on Mc Jesus… he is young enough- that barring injuries… will be a top 3 player in NHL for next 7-10 year – at least…
But Seabs- 32 yr
Price- 30 yr. old goalie??? 8 years???
Marleau- OLD!!!
1961- disagree on Hammer… He is starting to show age… TO puck way to much on that off side… and wasn’t gonna be affordable- in couple years
Anybody who thinks the regular season is meaningless see Mcdavid and Price.
1961 agree until you see something on the ice in return can’t rate how you did on a trade but certainly is the potential there to do ok or alot better.i
The Seabs contract is a tough one Wall. I have never been a fan of giving 30 something year old players long contracts. I would prefer to draft and develop young talent.
Ian- Hopefully Murphy will make us forget about the loss of Hammer. He will be counted on to skate big minutes, especially if Seabs can’t skate big minutes with Keith.
Yes some of the contracts being handed out are brutal. Oshie deal, vlasic deal, bonino, what Radulov will get and draisitl, even Tampa giving girardi that money ( that’s another scuderi)I’m glad the Hawks made some nice inexpensive pickups and not into bidding wars
If you want to see brutal contract, go check out the NBA . Whoa.
*contracts
Still think a top 4 dman is coming with ltir room during the season will help ease Hammers departure and depending on how the forward depth signings yesterday and Dauphin or a rookie emerging pan out of course how Sharp plays could mean players like Schmaltz ,Hayden or even Hartman maybe on the shopping block as trade bait as well as some others in Rockford too.
Once again, BOWMAN bad contracts, bonuses, puts the HAWKS in a bad place. Loved KRUGER as a 4th line player. And any 4th line player is not worth more than 1.5million!!! Bowman is brutal with CAP issues which makes him a bad accountant and an even worse GM. The ANISIMOV contract is a farce and to think our GM was arrogant enough to decline SAAD’s 5 million dollar asking price a few years ago. SAAD, who any pro or amateur scout would tell was the most solid two way player of his age at time with nothing but up side.
HAMMER, TVR, KRUGER for MURPHY and DAUPHIN????? A real pity!!!
Another broken record
Well his ask was 6 million. But since youre a broken record ill be one as well.
Face, meet palm.
Now with Kruger gone the Hawks are down to one center with a faceoff percentage north of 50%. PK and d-zone draws should be exciting this season.
So … how many bottom-6 guys do the Hawks have? Unless one of them plays 2LW – both Schmaltz and Sharp will be in the bottom-6. Hartman will be there. So will Wingels. Kero has an inside track because he plays center. Maybe Dauphin for the same reason. Tootoo is on the roster. Bouma was just signed and Jurco was resigned. A couple rookies that played last season – Hayden and Hinostroza. We signed David Kampf from the Czech Republic a couple months ago. I’ve probably missed a few. So … how many is that … like about 103? Somewhere in that mass of humanity there should be 6 guys who can play NHL caliber hockey. I hope.
Schmaltz plays with Kane. Top 6 set. Everyone loves Kero, but his posession numbers suck. When Sharp was signed I proposed him as 3c with Hartman and Hayden. Kero at 4c. Wingels on one side Jurco the other. Bouma and tootoo rotate. Or are in Rockford like PC Labrie. Oesterle plays the Cam Schilling role on defense.
Dauphin, Fortin, Kampf, highmore start out in Rockford with the possibility to usurp someone once injuries happen. Debrincat stays in Rockford all year. On the Hartman path of a 5 year elc.
Ernie- PC Labrie- doesn’t play in Rockford anymore
and Kero– meh-is just a guy!!! hard working kid…
Let’s hope one of Kampf/Highmore/Dauphin really can fly… and surprise.
I have seen Fortin live at Camp last year- really like what he brings… but will make mistakes.
Highmore- I have read great things about…. but watching Memorial Cup… was left very… UN- impressed!!!
Dauphin- Video hi-lites… shows he is a super shifty skater… But honestly- don’t know anything on the guy.
Can’t wait until Prospect camp- to get eyes on some of these guys.
Future Considerations- nice strategy, wonder what player we get in return after regular season starts and Hossa is on LTIR.
Highmore could be the next Larmer. Jeff that is.
Ernie makes good points” “what Bonino just got. Everybody loves him” – I don’t. He’s “just a guy”. and “guy that probably needs the pens to be successful” – the Penguins, like all teams, have their share of “just a guy” players. The (BIG) difference this year, in my opinion, was their best players played like their best players (which makes the supporting cast look better). I’m not discounting the contribution of the “et al.” – win or lose as a team.
(Connecting flight to) the Hawks best players SUCKed vs. Nashville. That’s a problem that Q and staff must address.
Dickie D– to your point… we will see if Toews still has it… or It’s the beginning of the end for this “CORE”… No More Excuses 19… you have your Stud/LW Saad back…
Hope 19 is putting weight back on and eating Red meat again!!! 19 lost way to many board battles last year- for $10.5M
Good orgs don’t give assets away for nothing. I was never a huge Kruger fan but the guy had some value on defense. This is yet another misstep by SB, overpaid Kruger and now literally had to give him away. Hopefully they have someone in mind who can log his mins, because I’m not sure. The Hawks have lost a ton of their defensive players this offseason,woof!
Like PC Labrie was. Guy with nhl experience on a young team. I know hes not here. The predators are overpaid Craig Smith and Colin Wilson. They dumped Wilson and then overpaid Bonino. Id be interested to see what Sheary gets from the Pens.
Radulov signed with Dallas. 5 at 6.25per. Lotta dough for a guy past 30 who only had 54 points in 76 games.
To add- Knott was very invisible at last year’s Prospect Camp… and watching some of the Memorial Cup games… Thought he was much better than both Noel and Highmore… so who knows how or why…
Thought Knott played with more speed and anticipated well… also- attacked the net well…
as dis-appointing as Noel/Highmore were… Knott – showed signs of life ( Prospect camp– I pretty much wrote him off as the next Mark McNeill)
of course M-Cup is a very small sample size
Maybe Laurent Dauphin replaces Kruger?
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/laurent-dauphin/
“Dauphin tallies a lot of his points by simply outworking the opposition” — the Hawks could have used a few tons of “outworking the opposition” vs. Nashville.
People want to point at Bowman for doing cap friendly deals, look at thise cap hits and yrs for those players. Oooouch.
Are guys know what there doing, it doesn’t happen over night.
Ian, we have another good player coming/during season. Maybe during games 20-30 or deadline, prob 20-30 area.
Wall-Knott changed when he went to Windsor-became more responsible and I was pleasantly surprised when he ended up on their top line (although they really had two top lines) . He looked good. Nice to have net front presence at that size-don’t think he has a real mean streak but likes to be involved physically.
Agree Morrison we will have a good player at some point during the season and probably will be anytime after Christmas. Dickie Dunn I was reading on Dauphin too and also Wingels who goes to the net and Bouma who can drop the gloves but still has a little bit of hands could provide a scrappy 4th line if Kero srarts season between 10 and 38.
Rumor has it…. Kruger is on the move … again!!!
Wall CBA won’t allow him to come back with Vegas retaining salary for a year
Rumor- didn’t say Hawks… just said- could be moved
The totality of these offseason moves leaves a Hawks team that scares absolutely no one. Could easily see a 6th place finish in the Central. (If Winnipeg gets the goaltending)
All these moves look like change, but a bold, go for the Cup move is sadly lacking. Too much living off the past and too much using the salary cap as an excuse.
Final point (gripe) –
Last cup win 3rd line – Kris Versteeg, Antoine Vermette, Teuvo Teravainen
4th line – Andrew Desjardins, Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger.
The only Hawks player today who could start on those two lines is possibly Hartman. 3 years out now and still can’t get close to replicating those lines. You can’t blame the salary cap for all that.
“3 years out now and still can’t get close to replicating those lines. You can’t blame the salary cap for all that.” (Hawkfacts) — Really? How much did Shaw sign for in Montreal? How much did Teravainen recently get in Carolina? Versteeg and Desjardins are interchangeable parts (more polite than “useless”). The Hawks could desperately use Vermette’s faceoff effectiveness, but at the time there was no way to resign him. When he took less to go to Anaheim, I guess he didn’t want to play in Chicago(?).
We’ll see how the reconstructed bottom six do.
HawkFacts…Is sixth place your prediction or are you just venting?
Sure 6th is possible. Tampa Bay and Columbus are recent example of league parity so anything can happen. However, I think the Hawks will be in the thick of it again next year. All teams have a few holes in their lineup.
A long long way off but…I’ll feel much better about any playoff chances if they can get a legitimate top 6 LW rental near the trade deadline. I know that isn’t easy.
I think the D will be fine. SB is certainly out on a limb with Murphy. Ouch if he can’t play top 4 minutes effectively.
Hawkfacts has a point that’s why it’s critical for 2 or 3 younger players to step up and contribute–as the core (without Hammer and Hossa) isn’t going to be better three years later.
I don’t see 6th but a fight for the wild card is very possible.
Still missing Kane line mate. Need a shooter, Kane is a set up man can’t put Schmaltz there, he’s a playmaker too. Also need a top four D man. Easier said than done I realize, but if those two spots are filled Hawks will be fine. Personally I’d trade Hartman while he’s hot…don’t see him putting up same numbers consistently. Just my opinion.
One request for those that think SB is mentally impaired and we are going to miss the playoffs and finish last in the division. Please at least let us know how you would handle the challenge. For example “instead of trading Breadman for Saad I would have …….”. Perhaps your 20/20 vision is not so good when you actually have to share your plan. Also welcome the Capitals to cap hell as they have to trade a young stud in Johansson for less than the Hawks got for Shaw. Maybe the cap does cause GM’s to do things they don’t want to do – or is it just an excuse?
Well put MS. Although youre never gonna get an answer that will work in reality. Kevin, Kane was 2nd in the league with 46 goals in 15/16. Hes no longer pass first. I have a feeling Schmaltz can make that leap too. I think its a confidence thing with him. He did nothing prior to getting sent down. After the recall the difference was night and day.
I’ve been hearing rumours of Anisimov for the Galchenyuk. And although he’s an RFA I’m excited about this possibility.
I agree MS this is July not October let’s see what the actual roster looks like before we start saying the Hawks miss the playoffs or fight for the wildcard.
Panarin was a good player but I think the Saad move was brilliant. Of the last few successful SC franchises Hawks, Penguins, Kings and Bruins how many Russian were the go to guys and dominated? Only Malkin that’s it. All the panarins, kucherovs, taransenkos, kusnetsovs ( another brutal contract) are not the answer and non of them are a Malkin
MS– I would have sold/traded Crow at his high (right after Tampa/ Cup)… then the Hawks could have both Panarin and Saad- In theory… Teams can always find a good goalie if Team/System are right
Kevin- good call on Hartman– I have seen him 20 times in Rockford… He never scored or shot the Puck like that… Maybe I am missing something… But I think selling high on Hartman- is worth the risk- and would be a smart move… time will tell.
Rumors from Jaeckel?
Funny thing about experience it makes you better, I say good chance Hartman us the real deal but wouldn’t be surprised if he has been or will be shopped during the season.
Hartsy is like Shawzer you have to have one of these guys on the team. Always. Bolly was a hitter like these guys but he pissed the shit out of you. Always have to have a guy like these.
Where’s the bus boy going to play?
Where did Totti go?
Jaeckels rumors contradict everything everyone else is saying when talking about Galchenyuk. He’ll get re-signed. It was reported before hand that Montreal had money set aside for Galchenyuk that couldnt be touched when dealing with Radulov and Markov. They still have 10m in space as Price’s deal begins next year. Once Radulov signed elsewhere any possibility of trading Galchenyuk went out the window.
Talking about John Jaeckel rumors should be as taboo as talking about kyle beach.
He’s a pharmaceutical “ad guy” from Columbus that moonlights as a hockey “writer”. Hes very knowledgeable. Ill give him that. So his rumors sound plausible. But most of us here could turn our speculation into a “rumor” just by saying you heard it from a source. Whats really terrible is others are starting to take his work and use it as a reliable source. Looking at you BlackhawkUp.
A part time guy from Columbus isnt getting a different rumor every day than guys that follow the team in Chicago or very well connected guys on tsn, and do so as their full time job arent getting. Clickbait at its finest. Its all hogwash. You heard it here.
Wow, ms speak the truth. Lots of back seat drivers without the answers. Great to have no salary cap and suggest the Hawks sign Oshie, not reality. Need a top 6 that shows up in the PO and grinders that limit the other teams strength, under the cap might I add. Hawks are in transition and up against the cap. This summer and the next two or three will not have major signings but rather restockings. Get used to it and stop crying. Shoot we have three cups and a couple of the most expensive players in the game.
Not sure who the Jaeckel character is but I read a post in hockeyfeed.com about the Montreal/Chicago trade possibility. No idea the validity of it but man the prospect is certainly exciting.
Anisimov for Galchenyuk has been talked about here. The problem is is that though offensively gifted, Galchenyuk really isnt a center. He was 42% with only 642 draws, 4th on the team abd was bounced from center to each wing a few times. By reading the article it sounds like they got their info from hockey buzz and Jaeckel. Jaeckelsays others have reported it as well but I’ve seen nothing from anyone reputable. Hes really the only one touting this rumor. Hedger did his job and debunked that rumor. 2 hours after saying things were heating up between the 2 teams, Jaeckel says a trade is possible, but not likely. The Browns winning the super bowl this year is also possible…
The hockey feed article named the Blackhawks GM as Stan Bown. They also called a 25 year old career AHL winger that signed with the Panthers on a 2 way deal a “sniper”…after he scored 17 goals in the AHL.
Losing Kruger sucks. I know that his offensive production is weak. But man did he serve a purpose. Given his assignments, starting zone, and linemates, he was a possession monster. With him gone, we are thin down the middle this year, and our weakening possession game is now even weaker. This year might be a tough one, though I’m not throwing in the towel.
On the flip side, the deal makes sense from a cap standpoint. If Hossa remains on LTIR, we’re out of cap hell. We get two more years of Saad than Panarin, and three more years of Murphy than Hjalmarsson. If Murphy works out (HUGE if) I think we’re set up financially for the next 3 years. As the cap increases, we have will have the room to build depth or D, whichever needs it more.
Re: Anisimov for Galchenyuk, if I was GM it would depend on what Galchenyuk wants for his contract. Anisimov has a 4.5M cap hit for 4 more years. If Galchenyuk would take 4M for 5-6 years, I’d pull the trigger. Galchenyuk is younger and has better career Corsi numbers, despite his poor faceoff performance. I see potential for more long-term cap security and desperately-needed possession improvement. That’s worth a couple picks to me.
Kruger to the Canes!!!
I think it was Jaeckel who started the Malkin rumor. Bunk. Kruger for a 5th round pick.
Like Krugs to CAR. Wonder if we have a little to do with that. 57 as well.
CAR needs Steeger and Stals as well.
I would trade for Galchenyuk if caphit is anywhere similar to 15. We can find centers that are decent at faceoffs, 26 and 91 type dudes.
Despite all the rainbows and balloons that many commenters seem to follow here the tribune and times both are questioning if the Hawks are still a playoff team. I tend to agree. This team has taken major steps back while other teams in the central have got better. Bad contracts, awful trades and questionable draft picks have left this team with many holes and an aging core. Woof!
wasnt tallon canned because he didnt send out offers on time now we have a gm who gives old players long term conctracts with no trade clauses ill take the gm that forgets qualifying offers
SSHM– about to get worse to???
Rumors- are Hawks will have to trade a good prospect + Pick to get rid of Hoss cap/contract… and then go pursue what ever deals/UFAs are out there still
I guess we will see what a “good Prospect” is
…if the tribune and times said it, it has to be true.
Jaekel’s Hossa/a top prospect/a pick to Carolina (with a depth dman in return) RUMOR smells like bullshit to me. (just my opinion)
Anything started by Jaeckel is bullshit.
For the couple coming yrs we wont be as deep. In years 3-6 or so were going to be deep again. During those years the good young guys we have will be good mid tier players. Most of the core is still young. Other top teams will have to pay their core players high caphits and those teams wont be as deep. Cycle.
@ DICKIE DUNN
Stop being such a smartass! I’m not implying that what the trib n times says is gospel but that people covering the team for a job are question WTF is going on. Just stating that I’m not the only who believes this team has taken major steps back and as for Jaeckel that guys is about as plugged in as anyone on here his comments aren’t meant to be serious.
Look at WAS cap space now. 4.5m with 15 on 23man. They loaded up and then some, like BOS did in 2013, and they didn’t have to beat/or play a dynasty team that was very deep.
Over the past yr or so, BOS/LA/STL and now WAS have peaked roster/deep wise because they have to pay guys higher caphits. Those teams are done and wont be as good/deep as they were during those years. Mainly because they donot have good farms.
Our farm is pretty good. Getting Bread for free got us Saader back and Arty for free which keeps us looking good for coming years. If we didn’t have 72 or 20 and 81 then I would say we were fucked. Having that elite core player that has all of his prime years is the difference. Really getting Bread for free is why.
There arnt as many top 5/10 teams as there was in the last 10 yrs and there are more mid tier teams now. For making playoffs its more wide open, teams between 6th seed-10th seed are very close.
Breadman was free?
Southside – just a comment…I don’t think that people covering the team for a job are that much more “plugged-in” than those of us here. They have direct access to some information, but their take on the game/team has no more validity than yours or mine.
They are “questioning if the Hawks are still a playoff team” – OK, that passes as doing their job. But really? At this time how do they arrive at that? It seems that Saad returning will be huge – I hope it leads to less jerking-around the perimeter and more direct to-the-net. Connor Murphy isn’t bad and he may become much better on a better team? If Dauphin is a player maybe that deal turns out to be good besides the financial aspect/necessity? The young guys should be a little better after their initial NHL experience. No more Campbell and Oduya d-zone mannequins. Who knows if Sharp has anything left? Who knows if Seabrook will return to form? I believe there are too many variables to just assume the “team has taken major steps back”. We’ll see…I prefer “half-full” until proven otherwise.
Cap Friendly saying Desharnais signed with nyr for 1 m for 1 yr. Career 50%+ faceoff centre
Would’ve looked good as a 3rd line centre for blackhawks.
Ian, who else is ufa that is between 50-55% faceoff. Has decent/good speed.
Ryan White is a career 51% FO guyy.
John Mitchell was 55.4…not the best skater. Mentioned him before
Mcclement and Nestrasil are the only other 2 unless Joe Vitale is healthy enough to play.
Datsyuk?
Morrison the 3 I think make sense and are all career 50% + guys are Mike Fischer who could take 35+ deal also Ryan White and Jay McClement who I have mentioned on occasion here.
A real longshot to take a chance on is boyd gordon , probably not good enough but strong on faceoffs and pk just not much else.
Fisher will retire or go to Nashville. Dont think thats an option.
Grigorenko has other flaws. But he was 57.8 at the dot last year. Only had 192 draws and was 43.3 the year prior. His game is also not suited for a bottom 6 role.
Brought up Gordon’s name before. He and Mcclement are essentially the same. Good at the dot. Skating meh. Offense no where to be found.
Both of their possession numbers are awful…and have always been awful.
Mitchell may give slightly more offense with a little better posession numbers. None of the 3 can skate well. Mitchell was in by far the worst team as well so perhaps his numbers could be better.
White score good 5-10 goals, faceoffs good, good size. Not fast enough?
Mcclement scores good 5-10 goals, really good faceoffs, good size. A little faster then White.
Nestrasil scores as good 7-10 goals, decent faceoffs, good size. Good speed.
Mitchell scores good as well 10 goals, good faceoffs, good size. skates fast for size.
Fisher, scores 15-20 goals, good faceoffs, size, fast for size, hits well.
Fiddler, scores 5-10 goals, good faceoffs, ok speed, hits decent.
Gordon, scores normal 5 for a 4th line, really good at faceoffs, good speed, hit decent.
Datsyuk allowed back? Trade for Eakin. Takers on Purcell for LW.
I like Gordon, Fisher, Nestrasil.
Sharpy might be best. Be good to have one of these guys though for faceoffs.
Mitchell good as well.
Not much but only need role.
Could trade like we did for 26 and 80.
Morrison thing with Gordon he has been a border line nhl player his entire career whereas McClement has been a solid 4th liner throughout. Mitchell seems to be on a downward trend ( kinda worrisomebut could bounce back and may be over the 1 m the hawks can afford. Nestrasil gives a small sample to consider him a 50%+ guy on a consistent basis if your looking to shore up your faceoffs. White gives you Shaw type player other teams hate but is limited. Fischer hasn’t retired or signed yet so thats all we know for sure.
I watch a lot of later evening west coast games, I dont know who decided to pay Lance Bouma $1M, cap hit. There is a reason Calgary let him go — candidly he’s marginally better than Tootoo.
Speaking of Calgary, someone needs to do a wellness check on Doug Wilson, he signed Bollig today, and issued a press release to boot. One would think Bollig is the second coming of Clark Gillies based on Wilson’s statement; at least he let Marleau go.
The bloggers bring up a highly important point/subject– faceoffs. This crucial need was not addressed by Bowman in any form or fashion. Unless Vermette gave Sharp some blood during his hip surgery, the three forward signings dont remedy the problem at all. Everyone in the media and on this blog can make up all the line combos they want, the faceoffs remain highly problematic.
’15 Cup – Toews Vermette Richards Kruger (pre wrist fx). This upcoming season??? Lastly, Desharnais has some oopmf and pizazz to his game, and he s making the same and cap hit as Bouma? And at least he is servicable at the dot.
Montreal is dying to get rid of Shaw, he is not a good fit up there. Anisimov for Shaw and you save $600k cap hit. The only reason I suggest this is Bowman is looking for sandpaper and he plucks Bouma out of a batch of a 100 or so forwards. Whatever,
Bolland w/ his Fred Sanford back issues would be the Hawks’ best option at the dot the way the roster looks today. Not good.
P.S. Stalberg is an UFA. I dont care that he complained 4 yrs ago, he is a FAR better player than Bouma or Wingels. Its not even close. He killed penalties all yr w/ Carolina & Ottawa. He can still skate like the wind. He also would have taken less than what Bouma received to come back here.
Its black or white w/ Q, once a player gets on his bad side, forget it. This is how Vermette (as someone pointed out previously) in Anaheim after Arz. cut him.
Iceman… agree on the Q/Stalberg thing… just like Daley…
Not saying Q is right or wrong… but Q- does seem to have a very good memory- and holds some guys to different standards… and tough to get out of the “dog house” for some
There has to be a reason. A plan. To get faceoff guy. It just might be during games 20-30 or at deadline. They now who we have for faceoffs. I cant believe for a min that there isint a plan to address this need. There could be another big trade in first 20-30 games that adds a good D man and another center.
Agree iceman I hope there is not going to be a roster spot for Bouma and Tootoo, one or the other likely be Tootoo not my preference tho. Bouma’s contract can buried in minors for the most part if he isn’t traded again. Probably right Stallberg won’t be back.
Stalberg/Wingels — they’re very different players…I would rather have Wingels.
Iceman – “Anisimov for Shaw and you save $600k cap hit.” — I apologize, but, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…good one. “…Bowman is looking for sandpaper” — and, there is/should be a limit to what that should cost.
Too much alcohol on the holiday for some eh?
How about getting D Brown from LA. Seems to be out of favor in LaLa land. Might have a chip on his shoulder after getting the C taken away. New scenery, could add experience and leadership lost by Hossa. Has rough sandpaper ability. The question is how much LA would eat in salary. I would go no higher than 1/2 at 2.9 mil it would be like replacing Kruger with Brown. I’ll take that.
If Brown is traded the maximum LA can retain is half of his 5.875 salary. If they did that he’d have a hit of 2.9375 for the next 5 years.
NO.
One name I forgot about as he was recently bough out is Jussi Jokinen. Hes never taken that many draws but he’s never been below 50% at the dot in any season. 53.7 career. Good possession numbers too.
That would be a controlled salary of $2.9375 mil for the next 5 years for a player you hate to play against but like to have on your team. Goes in front of the net. Gives more hits than takes and will drop them when necessary. Salaries are only going to escalate and a 5 year control is nice.
No. Just no. They would have kept Kruger for that.
JR Roman – “a player you hate to play against but like to have on your team” — c’mon, Brown isn’t half the player he was 3 years ago…$2.9 mil would be overpaying.
Dustin Brown??? Really??? With the Hawks cap issues, you want to add a player that hasn’t reached 20 goals or 40 pts since the 2011-2012 season? The Hawks can likely get more production from Ryan Hartman at a significantly less price.
I think SB is on here posting as JR ROMAN lol. Seems like a move SB would make these days though. I’m starting to think that SB tenure will be tied with his fathers. I wouldn’t be surprised if Scotty less active role is a direct result of the Hawks numerous missteps since the last cup. There is ZERO doubt in this Hawks fans mind that Scotty had ALOT to do with the Hawks success over the last 10 years, even if he was behind the scenes using his son has his mouth piece. Scotty turns 84 in September I highly doubt he is as sharp today as he was 10 years ago. Legendary and iconic hockey mind!
Looks like Wingels a $750,000 cap hit send down Berube and call up Pokka and be under cap by just over $15,000
Please no more Stalberg, fastest man to loose the puck. No shot at all. Waste.
If I were Q..
Saad-Toews-Kane (make Kane happy)
Sharp-Anisimov-Panik (and pray like bell)
Hartman-Kero-Jurco
Schmaltz-Wingels-Tootoo / Hayden
Pretty dubious set of lines. But what are you going to do.
On defense if I’m Q…
Keith-Seabrook
Murphy-Forsling
Kempny-Rosival / Ruuta
Makes me sorta think buying playoff tickets next spring will likely not be something to worry about. Hello new SUV in May !
SHARP TOEWS PANIK
SAAD SCHUAMLTZ KANE
JURCO ANISIMOV HARTMAN
BOUMA VINNY WINGELS (HAYDEN)
KEITH SEABROOK
KEMPNY MURPHY
GUSTAFSON RUTTA
(FORSLING POKKA)
CRAWFORD
FORSBERG
Any chance the future considerations could be Nate Schmidt, what would he want in his next contract?
Ernie, that’s funny when I was looking at the ufa center that were good/decent at faceoffs and had size and speed, Jokinen name stood out to me, just wasn’t center so I didn’t print name.
20/38/88 line would be hard.
May not see any movement until ltir us a done deal early in the season. Pluck a young guy like Oscar Lindberg who decent faceoff nos. in his 1st 2 seasons from Vegas with 1.7 m cap hit for next 2 yrs. Then you would still have about 4 m to shop for a dman maybe.
…don’t do the Q lines thing, but I hope he can see playing Kempney, Rutta, Forsling, maximum ice time during the season to promote their development and not wear out Keith and Seabrook. I believe Murphy will be a solid #3 dman. Absolutely uncharacteristic of Q, but “tuff-shit”!!! – it may help with his self-preservation? And, Rozsival should never set foot on the ice during a game – he should mentor Rutta and Kempney (should’ve made him an assistant coach).
Keith/Murphy
Forsling/Seabrook
Kempney/Rutta
GO HAWKS!!
Vegas wants Schmidt. GMGM signed him in Washington.
Once again Totti shows his idiocy.
As for the beat writer from the Sun Times, I lose all respect when he wants LA to win Game 7 in 2014 and was hoping that the Sharks or Oilers would go to the Cup Final—before the playoffs begun! I also lose respect when he has doom and gloom for the upcoming season when the 1st puck hasn’t been dropped yet or know what the roster will be like. Plenty had this reaction when there were several rookies on the roster last season, yet still got them 50 wins.
Ernie? Remember Alfonso aka Fonsie? Totti is him in drag!
Hearing about “50 wins” is getting as stale as Trump talking about “fake news”. You know who cares about 50 wins? Teams that don’t play hockey in June. Realistically who had a better season the 8th seeded Preds 41 wins or the Hawks and their 50 wins? We all know the actual answer.
So you knew that the Hawks would score only 3 goals in 4 games before postseason started? Pittsburgh also had 50 wins,
Predashits had the better postseason, but not regular season.
@ DAVE
What does the number of goals the Hawks scored matter? They could have scored 20 goals and still got swept, the goals dont really matter. It all about the wins! The Hawks were the 2nd team eliminated from the Playoffs in the entire league. Which is exactly what I am saying about the Hawks 50 Wins, they could have won 60 games and still had the same results. If you want to hang your hat on the regular season go for it, I think that’s a huge waste of time in my opinion.