Sure sounds like a trade is coming
This is Hawks GM Dale Tallon talking Thursday afternoon: “We’re looking for the right guy, maybe on the back end. We have a lot of assets we can trade.”
This is how I believe the Hawks are going to find that big, physical defenseman they are lacking, via a trade, and Tallon came about as close as he could to confirming it.
The Hawks have a lot of forwards to offer around the league. I wouldn’t be shocked if it was a scorer such as Patrick Sharp or Kris Versteeg that the Hawks at least explore dealing for that “right guy.”
With a serious salary cap issue to deal with after next season, the Hawks can’t keep everyone. Maybe it’s Troy Brouwer they try to move. Dustin Byfuglien might have been a trade candidate before the playoffs, but you need that big body, and if he performs like he did in the postseason, then he is worth his $3 million salary.
Moving a high-priced forward would allow the Hawks to slip either Jack Skille or Kyle Beach into the lineup at lower salary cap hit.
Here’s how the Hawks stack up at forward today and how lines might look:
Byfuglien-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Bolland-Hossa
Ladd-Madden-Versteeg
Eager-Burish-Kopecky-Brouwer
<<<<>>>
I seems to me that IF THE QUALIFYING OFFERS WERE MADE, the one day delay means nothing.
What? The player has to wait one day before the Islanders or Atlanta get to offer them twice what they are worth? The chances of a team front loading the contracts MIGHT happen anyway if a team thinks the Hawks cannot afford to pay the matching price, but it is doubtful.
What does happens with the RFAs is it slows any defenseman shopping.
Doesn't anybody think Dale may approach an over Cap team budget the way he did last summer, continually saying "well, we will get down we will get down, etc." to end up having no one clin the unwanted Knabby?
We may see all the qualified guys go to arbitration, and believe me they have liitle case with the arbitrator.
Barker: I need a raise. Hawks: sorry he has been overpaid, match production/miutes with the league average and you will see he was well over his worth.
Versteeg: I was almost rookie of the year, pay me. Hawks: Almost isn't the winner ,you came in third.
The hawsk and their attendance are the league darlings...does anyone really think Bettman will rule theRFAs into UFAs on a technicality that so minute? If a player or his agent wanted to know the offer, it if discovered just calling the league office.
Looks like TSN is starting to be the FOX news of hockey with sensationalized story lines that will be solved without much problem. Have another tea party
what should concern you & hawk fans is that such a possibility was allowed to have a chance to happen in the first place - it has to have these young guys wondering about what kind of management they are working for, bowman or not.
Tallon was reported to have admitted that some players/agents didn't receive the offers in time because of the holiday, but sluffed it off saying that they faxed the offers to the league in time so he didn't expect any significant fallout.
if management can screw up something as simple as making standard qualifying offers - it shouldn't be that surprising that they can really screw up something much bigger like cap management, which they have and are now going to be forced to trade (aka dump) salary to begin to negotiate with keith, toews & kane.
so of course agents for young guys like versteeg & barker, et al are going to advise (warn) them to look out for themselves, because management doesn't appear capable of that. & having the league in your back pocket might make Tallon & Rocky & McDonough & some fans happy, but you can bet the players via their agents aren't all that impressed - that is exactly how the hawks were managed under WWW.
hawks management better stop acting like chicago is THE destination of choice (especially when they haven't won anything) or they'll turn the perception among players back to the WWW era in a hurry.
Sure, the money was a big part of it but the Hawks targeted and got the best available rushing defenseman last year, and the best available forward THIS year.
I remember after the lock out they had tons of dollars to spend and only overpaying Kanbby and Aucoin, and Curtis Brown, and Matthew Barnaby could they get players willing to come to Chicago and there were LOTS of REALLY BETTER PLAYERS who turned THEM DOWN>
SO YES YES YES
Chicago is a destination of choice for players, under contract or not.
If a defensive defenseman hasn't won a Cup and feels like he only has a couple more chances to do so, you think he is taking big bucks to go to the Islanders?
For a second, think back at all the deadline deals the Wings made to players around long enough to nix trades to certain teams, they seemed to one a year for a while.
North American players want to win the Cup, Ray Bourque.
We are not saying they will play for free, but more than ever they want to come to teams close and needing what they bring, so they get playing minutes.
At the deadline and now.
I would go to the draft a decade ago, and everybody from other organizations (not the head guys, but the lower eschelon hockey guys would laugh HEARING THE NAME Chicago, and would OPENLY call the organization a JOKE. (I am not making this up by any stretch. I bet Tim would tell you the same but he had to be in good graces to do his job.)
So you really cannot argue that Chicag0 isn't a destination of choice NOW
Oh, and re-read the TSN Dreger make a story out of nothing, and it says SOME of the players may have gotten the qualifying offers late, NOT all the Hawk player. If that is the case and not an English error, there is a nugget-sized leg to stand on that THAT player(s) should be singled out for unfair treatment and be an unrestricted free agent, when all players had offers sent out at the same time.
Gosh, If you sent me the same letter on the same from Chicago to Florida, I am quite sure I would receive it BEFORE I got the letter sent to my old Lincoln park home.
You should be punished too. It just is so Dreger dumb the entire issue.
thats a low blow (tsn) nobody is worse than fox. i will let it go has many hundreds of examples are popping into my brain that i cant type here about fox.
so 10% raises that we cant afford (lost my train of thought , A&E Keyshawn johnson designing show...ughh) whats .10 of 490,000 Kris or 984,000 Cam? which brings me to my next point...negotiating..does everyone think there might be a reason it was done this way? Are we to assume they will be getting longterm deals or just one year deals at the min raise? Versteeg will get an offer between 2-3.013434 mill if a team is willing to cough up a 2nd rounder..anything higher is a 1st and 3rd rounder...
POINT: so if most teams have little money left this late in FA (most teams are concentrating on their own), this was way to shrewd of Tallon to belay the contracts issue...the longer this drags out the better for the hawks. Most teams have spent all they are going to and the less than privileged teams cant afford the early draft choices (and salary) as in the versteeg example.
The more i look at it..i cant believe its as black and white but very shrewd
I didn't hear any GMs talking about their RFA lists. The USAToday did print who received them and who did not team by team over the course of a few days.
I think I am pretty certain that Tallon was shrewd enough to not LOW BALL Versteeg.
If Tallon knew he was going to go on a spending spree, that any team interested in possibly signing Versteeg as a RFA, could look at the numbers and see what the CAP THE HAWKS HAD LEFT and what they needed to even fill the bottom of the roster with minimum salary Rockford players (like Swede Carlsson or Brennan), and offer Versteeg a FRONT LOADED offer that the Hawks could not possibly match.
THIS MAYBE WHY (even if there is number agreement) that the Hawks qualified and didn't "final-up" with the other RFAs, to keep a gap open to scare of potential RFA snipers.
Right now it is not difficult to imagine Versteeg being paid over the $3,013,433 amount that would make another team's compensation a 1st and 3rd rounder, IF the Hawks don't match.
I just don't see team signing him for less because the Hawks WOULD have no qualms matching if the offer is less. If the offer is at the figure above they would have a choice and probably would move another player(s) to keep Versteeg.
If one or two of the time-delayed qualifyting offers were late, I would think that Vesteeg and Barker's agents may think they have the most to gain my free agency.
I really don't think the actual players are the ones that want to move on. It is just an agent trying to get an upper hand for his player, and I cannot begrudge the agent for that.
When you see your team, the one you want to play for, running up a Cap tab, you tend to get worried, I would think, and if you were to be made a UFA, the Hawks may be more willing to make sure they secure you over another RFA if they want you back.
Think about the RFAs which would really want to move? Probably the ones who stand to lose playing time.
By screwing up the distribution process the hawks have benefited from less teams able to bid for their free agents and we have no idea (even the the press) what is happening behind the scenes. 4 days has made a huge difference in teams spending comforts and i will bet there are teams and agents casting a weary eye at the hawks right now.
Ive been around and i have witnessed underhanded deeds and people trying to exploit loop holes and i think this reeks of that. They could have done it to low ball the players or to have them made UFAs we dont know , nobody does, but the only thing clear is that they benefited from restricting other teams from making offers...because if the paperwork wasnt out there to all partys , how does everyone have all the essential paperwork to make or explore an offer!!!
Dont think this wont be lost to Gary Bettman!
PS this is pure underhanded genius if that was their intention
PSS i extend a happy holiday to our friends south of the border...
I think worst case scenario is Bettman slaps the Hawks on the wrist with a fine. They either are very smart or very stupid. I can't decide which.
back room memo from gary bettman "Rocky , you are so much different than your father , thank you for generous donation" (sarcasm)
another loophole closed
I agree that TSN is blowing this incident out of proportion . However, I was searching the net to find out if qualifying offers were made to our RFA's and there was no mention anywhere until Tallon's press conference to announce the Hossa signing. This is a very foolish and avoidable situation which makes Dale look like he is not very organized. There is definitely no excuse for not getting the offers out on time. The man should be fired if any of these players become UFA's.
Poster of the season. Well done!
to think the hawks would purposefully botch the system iF the want the players.
If they didn't, all they would have to do is NOT qualify and they ARE FREE AGENTS!
Silly to think you don't think in terms of resigning Versteeg, because he is an asset by keeping him, trading him, or getting the picks if a team does get stupid and send an offer sheet his way.
It is in place to PREVENT a rash of players going to UFA status.
The 'Hawks want to pay their OWN price, that's why they make the qualifying offer. Only in the case they don't want the player what-so-ever would they not want to do that. But realistically, Dale is covering all the bases by making a qualifying offer. They still have the right of refusal if another team submits an offer sheet.
I noticed that two guys I had on my mock lists were invited to hawk camp next week.
Cab Morris a 6 foot 3 Goaler from Wilmette, IL who played at Hotchkiss H. S. in Conn.
was 179th in the end of the 6th round and Sena Acolastse a under six foot 208 pound Rh def/rw who I actually had as the Hawks mock pick in the 7th with the last Hawk pick.
Anyone else see this:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283634
Dreger also said on his twitter that fallout from his story is huge. Not good.
This is probably why the trade that Tallon thought was going down, is now quiet. They don't know if the guys they can deal, are actually their property.
when he watched HBO's hung.
Think about it. One day mail late...not because they mailed it late but because of Canada Day holiday....violates the intent?
The league had the paperwork.
The agents can call the league if they were frantic to see the figures.
H U G E
bunch of nothing.
I put this on here because it wasn't be mentioned anywhere else. Probably because it was a non-issue, but it had to be addressed.
Anyone here about this supposed 3 way trade with the Hawks, San Jose, and Toronto? Who would the Hawks trade and get back?
I found this on http://nhl-trade-rumors.com/rumors.htm.
Three-way trade possible involving Leafs, Hawks, and Sharks. Key components are Hawks getting a defenseman, Leafs getting a young physical forward (most likely from Chicago) and losing one of their goalie prospects (most likely Pogge), and Sharks losing a defenseman. Cheechoo and Kaberle are believed to be not involved in the trade.
To Toronto:
Adam Burish
Rights to Torrey Mitchell
To Chicago:
Rights to Justin Pogge
Brad Lukowich
Draft Pick from San Jose
To San Jose:
Andrew Ladd
To me this doesn't make much sense. Ladd has a reasonable contract for 2 more years and was one of our best players last year. He holds the puck and gets it in the corners. We need players like him. We have Crawford and Niemi to back up Huet so I don't know why we want Pogge. Lukowich gets traded every other season obviously there is a reason. There were rumors that the Sharks were trying to sign the "Monster" goalie from Sweden. So dare we hope the Nabokov is in play?
cmon guys they make stuff up or add to comments they may or may not have heard in the right context! garbage
This is beautiful and i can tell you i would not put it past them as it would solve a HUGE!!!!!! salary cap issue.
So this is what Tallon meant "we have enough room to sign our core" LMAO
yeah we mailed them late, we forgot about canada hahahahahaahaha RIght!!
So if I'm understanding this you think this is a ploy by the Hawks so these guys can become UFA'S and by doing so they come off our books. What I'm not getting is that they could of just not tendered them offers and wouldn't they be UFA'S anyway? Secondly, if they did that they lose the chance to use those players in trade.
I hope it was a ploy. It would really concern me if it was a mistake or oversight. Maybe that's what happens when you have 5 GMS. This is really shaping up to be an interesting off season to say the least .
your right my friend..i was being a little coy,,but it just make me laugh..of course they could have non tendered them but who knows what the 5 headed GM is thinking?
even scotty has been know to make egregious mistakes in the past..i prob think the worst of people too much..and i was reading the tsn fan comments at the time LMAO
maybe we will get that trade after all LOL
Read the TSN board to the story....maybe the fans can make a trade ...well give you huet versteeg and barker plus a case of crying towels for Luongo....
Since the league recieved the fax in time ...this is a non story..however it would have been great..so we lose versteeg and barker..but we would have gained major cap flexibility.....Damn!
I wouldn't put past the Hawks. Granted you would like to get something back in return, but this is one way to dump players.
lol...it would be bad for the players involved as im sure they want to be back but this too surreal , if it were any other team being my suspicious self...i would be up in arms
Any chance we can sign these RFA`s to i year deals????
I like the guy and have been pushing for Versteeg since they acquired him, but he could go without too much impact on the team. The guy had a some good point production in the first half when he played with good players, but he struggled in the second half. I think the guy has skills, no doubt, but he hasn't established himself yet as a legitimate point producing player. He is small and has trouble winning battles for the puck so far, so he doesn't show as much potential as you'd like to see. If they can keep him in the fold, maybe he proves himself this year, but if you can get something decent in return, don't lose sleep over trading him, because it's still 50-50 if he is going to amount to a top 6 forward in his career.
Pretty similar Versteeg is a touch bigger
Kane for Doughty and 1st
besides that is not the type defenseman we are looking for...remember a guy to compliment Campbell..You think LA trades their 32 overall AND a first round pick for Kane?
Then i wouldn't mind losing a versteeg or sharp. The Hawks still need offense, that is why Versteeg, sharp and Barker are still necessary. Pick up another scorer, then their loss will not be so bad.
I am not huge fan of Campbell - he is fun to watch during the season and definitly helps the Hawks offensively. But in the playoffs against other stud offensive players, he may not be the best. Also not impressed with his offensive skills on the powerplay. Actually i like Barker on the powerplay over campbell.
Also if we can move Huet - i would do it. He is not worth 6 mil year.
then I guess you think he can actually carry the puck into the attack zone when the team is making their line shift change and he will be able to keep it glued to his stick like Campbell does.
As you watch a little longer you will see how different defenseman do different things and biscuit carrying is really not Barker's strength, so it is not gonna happen.
The heatley cap room is long gone too.
As you well know on a powerplay, the puck is dropped in the offensive zone already.
I did not see Campbell bring the puck into the offensive zone during a powerplay too much. Campbell was part of the play to setup the entry. Barker definitely did not do it. When campbell played the powerplay, it was usually on the first unit. Kane was the main man in lugging the puck in. What i saw alot of though, was Campbell staying on the ice too long and his second rush ended with a turnover and another 20 seconds of powerplay time wasted.
But once the offense did get setup - Campbell couldn't finish many setups. Barker's shot with Toews in front was sweet. Also from the point, Barker seemed to be the only Hawk to get a majority of shots to the net. Most Hawk point shots were blocked or way off the mark. Also noted towards the end of the season, Campbells role in the powerplay changed and seem to be limited.
Everyone has an opinion - i just liked Barker on the powerplay. IN which i was looking at the angle of once the Hawks powerplay got setup in the opponents zone.
Barker is at best the #6 d-man. Veersteeg is a top 6 forward who is very young and skilled . Skille has not shown me enough to have to keep. Same with Brouwer. His open net miss ,or post , hurt us alot. You have to make those in this league. But as far as all this money stuff goes , we are talking in one year more that any of us will make in an entire life. These guys are making money for their grandkids ,grandkids . More power to them i guess, but so are the owners . All I want is a winner in my lifetime. Not sure if it will happen , But this is the most excitement since the 80`s. I love it !!!
Speak for yourself, Some of us do and will make more money then that. OIL BUSINESS.
yeah and were all really impressed kid
try Potbelly
to the oil companies
1). LA just signed Scuderi. Pittsburgh will not re-sign Gonchar. Look around league at what teams lost, gained so far. Then construct other possible trade rumors. Certainly D Sutter would value Sarich quite highly. How much big money and how much age (older defencemen) does Sutter prefer on his blueline. VanDeMeer and Aucoin are now in Phoenix LOL. I say Pardy is a nice young d-man, but Sarich or Regher could go. If Barker goes to Calg, it would be for his PP duty and to improve while on a cast with some other good d-man. The only known thing is this: accepting draft choice compensation is ridiculous if you can instead acquire the sort of d-man you want. Question is, how good is that d-man and will we actually let a Barker or Versteeg go for a draft choice? How can you let young, improving players like that go -- high draft choice (Barker) and rookie of the year candidate (Versteeg) don't go for just a draft choice. Some shrewd GM would find something to move for those guys that beats a 2nd round entry choice.
2). Boldirev post so obviously correct and just whom would you move out if not Barker, Versteeg, Sharp. Nonsensical to get in a bad position, like when we weren't able to trade Khabby. It seems obvious that Jacukel has it right, and maybe a back up goalie at trade deadline next March happens(REALWiz post). First, however, is there a possibility Huet is moved? While I don't see him as good enough to lead us on a playoff run, play him regularly and he might be better -- may even let in fewer soft goals? But hold on, do you think we can go on a playoff run with two kid goalies?
3). Skille and Pelletier probably would be ok on a 4th, maybe occasional 3rd line. Not your first choice to play them, but maybe a Brouwer has to be part of a trade (if you are to get the better nasty, proven d-man via trade? Again, refer to Jacukel about Brouwer..despite some bad points, elements of his game are necessary. Could say much the same about Bufuglien. Also mentioned in posts: Beech needs to work on some things. I don't see Makarov able to sign unless Tallon gets under the cap. I would be interested in Steve Rain, RealWiz or anyone else who hasn't commented yet on your projected value and scoring total from Versteeg.
they may be trading one of their defenseman since they have a wealth there well at coming up the pike.
I have to wonder if the 1.2 mil Sean O Donnell makes for one more year solidifies Hawk defense?
Like the trade deadline back-up goalie, there may be some time before the stay at home Campbell partner arrives.
I have read much about the GAA of the Detroit Cup final goalies being not all-star like.
Yeah we know Pttsburgh in general was in disarray when the big Russian defenseman Gonchar went down and the line-up needed a tweak, and a new coach and positive attitude changed their fortunes.
Yeah, we know osborne sucked most of the season and was let sit in the corner to think about it for almost two months of the season.
But when the real season started the POST season, they were asked to play like all stars and except for the detroit blow out game when Fleury looked Huet like and the final when Osborne pooped out, they did play very adequately. Huet will have to play all CUP games unless the two Rockford backups have suddenly taken giants steps as NHLers, and whether you like him or not, he is very suscetible to soft goals high.
I just think a back up is coming.
maybe a defenseman is coming,
and maybe Tallon is going into September with a roster after arbitration that is over the CAP.
He then is faced with a dealt hand where the other GMS know he ahs to make space and they actually have the strength in dealing with him.
That is untrue if you think one of EAGER BROUWER FRASER BARKER are so well respected around the elague that teams will look at the arbitrator's numbers and say, "It doesn't matter, he is waht we need at that price."
I also think they may approach any future trades for dee by trading a salaried forward not part of the arbitration process. That would make Buff or Sharp candidates, but I really prefer to let those two rise or fall while we battle in the post season. (I think Sharp's stick to Lindstrom's jewels was reason enough to secure him a job here for the rest of his contract.
Wouldn't it be surprising if they shipped equal Cap space to Ottawa for a certain player?
You would lose a higher paid forward salary and others in that exchange.
Maybe the LA Heatley deal is what is holding up further trades.
Maybe Darryl Sutter has been talking to them for one of his defenseman, but he talks so slow and so little he hasn't gotten to the particulars.
(But Sutter is trying to mount his own last gasp playoff run. Why would he want to send a defensive defenseman OUR way when the teams may meet down the street?
A team who has a surplus of defensemen is L.A. Jack Johnson is 22 years old, 6 1" 225 lbs a RFA, Matt Greene is 6 4" 234 Salary 2.95 thru 2012. The Hawks would probably like Greene better because he is signed but L.A. is looking to move Johnson. Another suiter maybe Ottawa. Chris Philips is 31, 6 3" 217 salary 3.5 thru 2012. A final suiter is Atlanta. Ron Hainsey is 28 6" 3 205 salary 4.5 thru 2013. I do not think the hawks will sign anyone else unless it is in August. My preference is Versteeg, Barker, and Skille to L.A. for either Greene of Johnson. But I think the hawks will settle with Chris Phillips from Ottawa. I am not in favor of trading Patrick Sharp.
Sharp is an excellent player and great team guy but the Hawks are loaded up front and need to make some room.How about Jack Johnson(if he'd agree to sign for about 5 years at 3 million per season)and a 2nd round pick for Sharp and Sopel.Then throw a 4 year deal for 2.8 million per season at Versteeg and tie up Brouwer and Eager for the same thing that Kopecky signed for.
Im not sure what would work .Is Johnson our rugged defenceman? i dont think so..like i say im waiting for dale tallon`s Cap magic trick of signing everyone important and still not losing anyone major next year.
Ill be honest when i say this team isnt gonna win the cup next year (goaltending) and i am concerned about keeping the best team possible despite the coming cap woes..
bottom line: if we want to win the cup in the next few years (which is very poss) how much talent is it possible to retain? We will miss Khabby a lot
there are lots of reoports the in-house bickering of LA and Johnson + agent is less than the press has read into it.
The think is the kid is not the finished product, he wants to be THE man they brought in Doughty to run the PP and he is feeling neglected and see the four-five defensemn prospects LA ALSO has coming up the pike and may feel he needs to be the man elsewhere. Hockey players actully prefer to be where they egt to play more minutes. That sounds funny, that a guy would rather be a number three on a fair team than a number sixon a btter team but I think they all want to play and think they gain in experience.
Would Johnson jell and want to be Campbell stay back guy?
I think before they make a move, the defenseman they get will be asked just that: can you play the shutdown role in a pair with Campbell up roving?
Johnson is not a strike fear in the heart guy. But think about it...did all the big bad defensemen on Clagary and vancouver "scare" the Hawk forwrads out of scoing positions?
I think O'Connel at 1.2 mil fills the bill out of LA
Johnson has been hurt a lot so far because he always trys to make the big hit and gets hurt. I like him as a player but wouldn't want to pay him big money. He will want closer to 4.5 million per. He is fast and has offensive skill but hasn't been able to stay on the ice to show it off. No one is going to take Sopel off our hands until he proves he is healthy. I know people like to bash him but Sopel was pretty steady during the 07-08 season. Versteeg and Barker are the trading chips. I think the Hawks hang on to Sharp because he has a reasonable contract for the next few years. And possibly playing with Hossa will boost his goal output. Versteeg gave up the puck too often at the blue line trying to be fancy instead of making the smart play and dumping it in deep. I got sick of hearing Olzcyk talk about Versteeg needing to dump it in. Barker is too slow and gives up the puck too easily when pressured. Plus at his side he should be playing more physical. He always let guys set up in front of the net with no consequence. I think McKee makes the most sense if a trade can't be worked out.
with L.A. trading for Ryan Smyth and sheading 2 defenseman in the deal their surplus of defenseman is no longer. The hawks will wait and see what is out on the market before rushing into a move.
is dealt to a team who might have offered versteeg a contract. They added 3 mill now and are at 50 mill. Smyth`s 6.5 hit goes down a mill next year and they took back 2/3s in Priessing/Quinceys deal and they have RFA issues as well.
LA is much like our Hawks, they are young and improving with goaltending skill unknown.
Anahiem will have Selanne and currently sits at 43 mill with Wisniewski, Beauchmin to sign (b.ryan next year )
Atlanta is at 39 mill and needs fowards and has Kovalchuck UFA issue to deal with and Lehtonen
Note columbus is gonna have a kickass group of fowards next year..they might be a barker suitor..div rival and they need a def like him
Colorado needs forwards and subtracted 3 mill in the smyth trade..but would they give up and early draft pick for Versteeg..unlikely
Dallas 19 players signed at 44 mill but they value cap flexibility..Many FAs to sign next year.. note: avery still on the books for 4 mill over 4 years recall waivers ouch.
Montreal still has FAs to sign but is sitting at 47 mill and could use a 2 way forward. Kovalev isnt coming back
Nashville has the most room (sitting at 39 mill) and their core is signed but losing money in Nashville
New Jersey is a scary team 44 mill and are basically set for 2 years, payback for madden?
NY islanders 18 players at 35 mill..would they give up early draft choices?
Phoenix ..35 mill...RFAs to sign ..no money no owner no hope
Some smart teams value cap flex..Jersey, Dallas and are prepared for a drop in the Cap next year, while others (pho, Atl FLA etc) have no choice but to be cautious...
Hockey puck..just wondering if you have examined the cap? Im just perplexed as who stays and who goes to meet the cap? It really is a bigger issue to me than who else were going to acquire! (and i know it shouldnt be)
As far as Huet..looking at the cap for all the teams (i told you i dont have a life) teams with lots of cap room either are losing money so they wont spend (Atl, NYI, Phoenix, TBay) or they dont need a goalie (LA has 2 kids but would they take Huet) or no cap space (phil) Toronto might but would they take the equally frustrating Huet for Toskola
Versteeg is a 25-30 goal man waiting to happen if he plays on the top 2 lines
I heard Scotty Bowman is going to trade for Raymond Borque and Scott Stevens! LOL
Versteeg and his talent has yet to be honed, he has a solid career ahead.
As much as I Love Sharpy and what he has done even in tough years, the injury last season sealed his fate.
He is slightly damaged goods and his very best seasons are behind him, in other words he is perfect for the trade market. A gullible team (Like the Hawks used to be ie:Dougie Gilmore, etc) will likely give up a lot, certainly what the Hawks need, for Sharpy and I really think the other guys could step up and fill the role well.
The beautiful thing about going to the conf finals last year was that management really gets to see what players are made of. It solidified the opinion that Barker is a bit soft, Buffy is a game changer, etc! Buffy should play on the second line with Kaner...YES Kaner! He can create some space for the diminutive forward and Boland can center. That leaves a first line of JT, Hossa and whoever (Versteeg?) Keenan had much success years ago by making his lines with two keepers and the third spot was roated in and out throughout the year based on performance and effort. You play very well and you get first line conmsideration. I like that concept
Oh well...awesome to discuss Hockey this in depth in July...love it!
"First there was the 'Roar"
Then came the "Snore"
Fixing it was a chore
but now there are great things in store!"
If we are going to put our best team forward for this run to the Cup this year then I'd say keep Sharp, Versteeg, and Barker. If you have to sign them to 1 year deals (Versteeg and Barker) and then if we have to trade them we can do that next offseason.
So looking at tough defensemen. These are players that are tough but I'm not sure are available for trade...
John Erskine, Shane O'Brien (RFA), Jovanovski (very high salary), Jason Smith, Brendan Witt (high salary), Sean O'Donnell, Bryan Allen (high salary and always hurt), Jason Strudwick, Scott Hannan (high salary), Adam Foote (high salary), Mike Commodore (high salary), Robin Regehr (high salary), Jim Vandermeer, Aaron Ward
Free agents...
Nick Boynton, Greg de Vries, Kyle McLaren, Denis Gauthier, Paul Mara, Jay McKee
If we are going to trade I'd say Skille, Brouwer, and other prospects. Sopel gets assigned to the minors or gets traded. Either way he isn't on the team.
I'm for signing Boynton if he can he had reasonably.