update on Panarin's bonuses:

he has already reached his games played and Schedule A bonuses which will kick in $1,075M of extra cap.

as per GeneralFanager, the following are the Schedule B bonuses:
$1,725,000 for any of the following achievements - top 10 forward in the league in goals/assists/points/points per game (min 42GP), top 5 in league in Hart/Selke/Richard voting, NHL First or Second team all star, Conn Smythe.

of the schedule B he currently ranks, as of 3/3/2016:
Goals scored amongst forwards: tied for 14th with many players around him having games in hand
Assists scored amongst forwards: tied for 14th with many players around him having games in hand
Points scored amongst forwards: tied for 10th with Ovechkin who has games in hand on Panarin
Points/game scored amongst forwards: 12th but would fall to 13th when McDavid reaches 42 games played.

my guess is he is maybe 50/50 to hit the top 10 in any of these categories.

as for the trophies involved, requiring top 5 in voting:
Hart - league MVP - that will be Kane or Ovechkin it would seem but is top 5 possible?
Selke - too many top defensive forwards for him to get into the top 5
Richard - goes to the top goal scorer in the league. is he not in the top 10 from above, he couldn't be in the top 5 for this one either.

Could he be named as a 1st or 2nd team All-Star. again possible, but highly unlikely.

and last but not least the Conn Smythe. cannot possibly call that one at this time as we'll need to see the entire playoffs played out 1st.

so while a few weeks back it seemed certain he'd be hitting the schedule B's, now I am not so certain of it. while we'd all love to see him continue to put up pts with Kaner, the Hawks would be better served if the scoring were to now be spread out amongst all 4 lines which would then aide the Hawks in the cap overage on Panarin as well.

regardless, his season has been incredible to date, and I will just be happy to see him sign an extension in July.
- Hossa2theHOF

How much of these bonuses count against the cap, either this year (depending on cap availability) and next year?

Seems to me I recall that not all of the bonuses count against the cap.

not to argue but I did say he was 12th in ppg for qualified forwards and 13th once McDavid becomes qualified based on his contract using 42 games as the minimum qualifier.

"Points/game scored amongst forwards: 12th but would fall to 13th when McDavid reaches 42 games played."
- Hossa2theHOF

Guys....as a hawk fan who grew up with the heart-breaking Lemaire goal from just inside center.....to the "Glory days" of cheering Pit Martin, Chico Maki and Cliff Korrell....to the "Dynasty" we have been lucky enough to experience the last 7 years. Let's just see what we have done recently. It is truely ASTONISHING in this CAP era.

2009....lost in Final 4 to Detroit....solid run
2010.....CUP
2011....Down 0-3 to Nucks, force a Game 7 OT. Nucks lose in Cup Final. We were THAT close to perhaps doing it again!
2012...Only Bummer year....Mike Smith and RaT Raffi Torres oust us Round 1
2013....CUP
2014....Final 4, Game 7, OT.....THAT close to another
2015....CUP

Other that 2012 we have arguably been right in the hunt for 6 of the last 7 Cups....and this year it will be 7 of the last 8.

THAT folks, is incredible. Over the last 8 years. Tell me even ONE team that comes remotely close to this.

Go Hawks!!!!!!
- hawk35

Also, I believe Boedker scored both goals in the two overtime games they played. And both were on our ice... and very bad goals given up by Crawford.

Game 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suphuFxXqvM

Game4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_oF8rosWzY

Got you, when you hold the hockey stick with your right hand on top of the stick and your left hand down the stick, you are a left-handed shooter.

Watch this explains it better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn1Vby9M1PA&sns=em
- walleyeb1

Would you happen to know the percentage of people who are right handed and do NOT shoot the proper way? I for one and many of my friends are right handed and shoot right handed. So the opposite of what they should do. I shoot pool left handed though. I'm back asswards.

My question was more to mobility, sometimes some range of motion is lost with this surgery. I think we may also have a misunderstanding regarding hand placement on hockey stick. Your average American novice player hold the stick opposite of most NHL players. Kruger is right handed so his right hand is on the top of his stick, the left hand is in the lower position.
- walleyeb1

I think it's a safe bet that he doesn't hit the ice without extensive strengthening of the wrist(s), face-off practice, etc.

Will the surgery affect this range of motion? Possibly. But I will also add, that no center just stands there rigidly and takes draws using his arms or upper body only. Having taken some draws in hockey, and in lacrosse, and having coached it in lacrosse, where it is a similar skill, my belief is at least 50% of what's necessary in face-offs is in the HIPS and CORE.

Leverage. Timing.

Point being, I think Kruger's gonna be fine. Rusty at first? For a little while? Could be. Not guaranteed. If he plays, if he takes face-offs, in all likelihood, he'll be ready to do so.

I think it's a safe bet that he doesn't hit the ice without extensive strengthening of the wrist(s), face-off practice, etc.

Will the surgery affect this range of motion? Possibly. But I will also add, that no center just stands there rigidly and takes draws using his arms or upper body only. Having taken some draws in hockey, and in lacrosse, and having coached it in lacrosse, where it is a similar skill, my belief is at least 50% of what's necessary in face-offs is in the HIPS and CORE.

Leverage. Timing.

Point being, I think Kruger's gonna be fine. Rusty at first? For a little while? Could be. Not guaranteed. If he plays, if he takes face-offs, in all likelihood, he'll be ready to do so.
- John Jaeckel

Remember this guy from training camp... Lubomir Visnovsky has decided to hang up his skates.

Bruins 14-16-3 at home?
- scottak

That is correct. Have given up a ton of goals at TD this year. Have lost multiple 2 goal 3rd period leads, and often get scored on in the last 2 mins of periods.

If they weren't outstanding on the road they would be on the outside looking in.

He really emerged during that Detroit series once Q had the Bicks/Toews/Kane line.

For my money though I would say that Seabrook GWG in game 7 has to be up there with Hossa's from 2010. Especially considering Seabs was having a rough season/playoff. Those tears of joy after he scored still give me chills.
- teh_HAWKZ

I was not at the United Center for Hossa 2010 or Seabrook 2013, but the conversation got me thinking about the best game I've seen at the United Center (best game at the Stadium would simply be too hard to call!). WARNING: boring reminiscence to follow ....

I'd have to say it was actually a Hawks loss that does it for me. It was May, 1996 -- Game 6 of the Hawks/Avs series and the last game JR ever played for the Hawks. A buddy of mine was pals with Michel Goulet (who was the Avs' director of player personnel at the time), and he got us into the Avs luxury box at the UC. We sat with Pierre Lacroix, Goulet, and the Avs Black Aces (including Troy Murray). The only ones in that box cheering for the Hawks were me, my buddy and the skybox attendant!

it was a great series overall, with 4 games going into OT. Everyone sort of knew it was going to be the end of that Belfour/Cheli/Roenick team, and we were just hoping they had one last run. Very late in the third, the Hawks were down 3-2, and the guys in our box were celebrating. The Black Aces left with about 90 seconds left in the game to go down to the locker room to celebrate -- and then Joe Murphy (Joe Murphy!) scored with about 30 seconds left to tie the game. The place went absolutely bonkers!

The Avs' Black Aces came trudging back to the skybox and the game went into OT, and then a second OT. Both goalies were amazing in overtime, with Eddie making huge stops on 3 or 4 breakaways, and Roy stoning Savoir-Faire up close a couple of times. Absolutely thrilling play by both teams -- two heavyweights slugging it out.

In the second OT, Sandis Ozolinsch finally beat Belfour on a rebound, and that was it. After the handshake line, the crowd gave the team a long (like 20 minutes long) standing O, and after everyone had cleared the ice, JR took one last lap to say goodbye to the fans. What a scene -- amazing seats, hanging with Goulet and Murray, terrific game, JR's goodbye.

That offseason, Dollar Bill and Pully shipped Roenick out, and a few months later, Belfour was gone as well. Thus began our decade in the hockey wilderness ....

That is correct. Have given up a ton of goals at TD this year. Have lost multiple 2 goal 3rd period leads, and often get scored on in the last 2 mins of periods.

If they weren't outstanding on the road they would be on the outside looking in.
- yobwoc03

So, not much has changed since 2013.

I had to miss last nights game, except the last couple of minutes (just in time to see the Wings score to make it 5-2).

I've read about Ehrhoff, and it sounds like he played pretty good, even though he ended up with a -1. That being said, based on his play, do we see him as a 4D next to Seabrook, or will Gustafsson old that spot ,and will he be a 5/6 D rotating with TVR and Rozsival?

Also, the thought of the Offense once the Hossa and Kruger, and Weise will now be in the line up, it will not be fair.
16-19-81
72-15-88
25-86-12
11-16-65

Lubomir Visnovsky has decided to hang up his skates.
- jmarducci

He probably should have done that a couple of years ago.

I think it's a safe bet that he doesn't hit the ice without extensive strengthening of the wrist(s), face-off practice, etc.

Will the surgery affect this range of motion? Possibly. But I will also add, that no center just stands there rigidly and takes draws using his arms or upper body only. Having taken some draws in hockey, and in lacrosse, and having coached it in lacrosse, where it is a similar skill, my belief is at least 50% of what's necessary in face-offs is in the HIPS and CORE.

Leverage. Timing.

Point being, I think Kruger's gonna be fine. Rusty at first? For a little while? Could be. Not guaranteed. If he plays, if he takes face-offs, in all likelihood, he'll be ready to do so.
- John Jaeckel

I'm glad Stan didn't need to put him on LTIR and shelve him until the playoffs. Hopefully he'll get on the ice for at least a few games and get back into game shape/speed. Worst case, #70 is a nice insurance policy.

The problem that both Seabs and Hoss will face when they are viewed in the HOF conversation is the lack of major awards. We all know what type of players they are but there wasn't ever a time where either one has won an award. And while I believe that Hoss's longevity and maintained excellence along with the 3 rings he's got should get him into the hall, there are plenty of people who would hold his never being one of the 10 best players in the league against him.

For a wonderful look at this debate, I would suggest reading Sean McIndoe's review of Hossa's career as he does go in depth about it and it's a good read (I enjoy his Down Goes Brown schtick - he's very amusing).

Seabs, on the other hand, is a longer stretch to make it to the Hall. He's never had the elite offensive numbers that put him into the conversation for the Norris and that will hurt his cause as his best finish is 10th. While Seabs is and has been essential to the Hawks winning cups, he's going to be on the outside looking in on the Hall debate.

He probably should have done that a couple of years ago.
- EKB13

Agreed. I think things really went south for him after suffering at least 2 concussions with the Islanders.

The problem that both Seabs and Hoss will face when they are viewed in the HOF conversation is the lack of major awards. We all know what type of players they are but there wasn't ever a time where either one has won an award. And while I believe that Hoss's longevity and maintained excellence along with the 3 rings he's got should get him into the hall, there are plenty of people who would hold his never being one of the 10 best players in the league against him.

For a wonderful look at this debate, I would suggest reading Sean McIndoe's review of Hossa's career as he does go in depth about it and it's a good read (I enjoy his Down Goes Brown schtick - he's very amusing).

Seabs, on the other hand, is a longer stretch to make it to the Hall. He's never had the elite offensive numbers that put him into the conversation for the Norris and that will hurt his cause as his best finish is 10th. While Seabs is and has been essential to the Hawks winning cups, he's going to be on the outside looking in on the Hall debate.
- dyoung

I would argue that mid 2000's he was definitely in the top 10. His two way game has been almost unmatched and he has had a very consistent career.

I would argue that mid 2000's he was definitely in the top 10. His two way game has been almost unmatched and he has had a very consistent career.
- breadbag

I agree with your assessment, but his lack of top 10 finishes in the Hart don't. Sadly, it's all about the points added. Not that he didn't add a ton of them but for whatever reason, he never finished higher than 10th in the Hart.

I agree with your assessment, but his lack of top 10 finishes in the Hart don't. Sadly, it's all about the points added. Not that he didn't add a ton of them but for whatever reason, he never finished higher than 10th in the Hart.
- dyoung

I guess that's what happens when you spend nearly all the prime years of your career toiling in Ottawa and Atlanta.

Nordstrom seems to have really fit in with the Hurricanes, I'm happy for him. Hopefully they lock him up for a few years.
- DarthKane

I know I said this a few weeks back, but he was thought of as one of the keep pieces as the trade deadline loomed.

Wiese in, Panik out... not Mash

Darling in the net

Baun's deal AAV $625K One-Way
Hoff in again tonight
Wiese NOT with TT and Meat Man
Kruger expected to play before end of regular season
#AllFromTwitter

Wiese in, Panik out... not Mash
- jt19

No surprise there.

I was not at the United Center for Hossa 2010 or Seabrook 2013, but the conversation got me thinking about the best game I've seen at the United Center (best game at the Stadium would simply be too hard to call!). WARNING: boring reminiscence to follow ....

I'd have to say it was actually a Hawks loss that does it for me. It was May, 1996 -- Game 6 of the Hawks/Avs series and the last game JR ever played for the Hawks. A buddy of mine was pals with Michel Goulet (who was the Avs' director of player personnel at the time), and he got us into the Avs luxury box at the UC. We sat with Pierre Lacroix, Goulet, and the Avs Black Aces (including Troy Murray). The only ones in that box cheering for the Hawks were me, my buddy and the skybox attendant!

it was a great series overall, with 4 games going into OT. Everyone sort of knew it was going to be the end of that Belfour/Cheli/Roenick team, and we were just hoping they had one last run. Very late in the third, the Hawks were down 3-2, and the guys in our box were celebrating. The Black Aces left with about 90 seconds left in the game to go down to the locker room to celebrate -- and then Joe Murphy (Joe Murphy!) scored with about 30 seconds left to tie the game. The place went absolutely bonkers!

The Avs' Black Aces came trudging back to the skybox and the game went into OT, and then a second OT. Both goalies were amazing in overtime, with Eddie making huge stops on 3 or 4 breakaways, and Roy stoning Savoir-Faire up close a couple of times. Absolutely thrilling play by both teams -- two heavyweights slugging it out.

In the second OT, Sandis Ozolinsch finally beat Belfour on a rebound, and that was it. After the handshake line, the crowd gave the team a long (like 20 minutes long) standing O, and after everyone had cleared the ice, JR took one last lap to say goodbye to the fans. What a scene -- amazing seats, hanging with Goulet and Murray, terrific game, JR's goodbye.

That offseason, Dollar Bill and Pully shipped Roenick out, and a few months later, Belfour was gone as well. Thus began our decade in the hockey wilderness ....
- Hank_Greenberg

Thanks for sharing Hank


Hawks would meet the Avs again in the '97 playoffs and bow out again in 6 games.
I remember Krivokrasov scored two o/t goals in those two series. Both came at the UC and one of them was GORGEOUS and the other was on a flutterball.

No surprise there.
- EKB13

Absolutely maddening, isn't it?