It will take a lot more than $2.33/yr to re-sign Stalberg. I would guess at least $3.5 million and maybe even $4 million. I wasn't trying to bash Stalberg, there are a lot of good aspects to his game. But if he wants $4 million (which he could get on the open market) he doesn't fit in here.
- DarthKane

Like me, you have no idea what Stalberg is asking for on a new deal. It's all speculation to think he's going to ask and receive Joffrey Lupul type money. He may in fact find out its more like Chris Higgins money (4 Years / $10M).

When the cap drops 10% next year, there are going to be more than a few players getting less than what they and their agents thought they were worth. And the chronic spendthrifts like Glen Sather, Terry Pegula, Ed Snider, Jim Rutherford, Mike Gillis and a few others are going to find out there aren't many options to circumvent the new salary cap rules after they use their 2 amnesty buyouts.

Vancouver sucks!
- Beaver-Warrior

Damn right they do!

Crosby has spent significant time with Malkin during his career. Kunitz is a legit 20-25 goals per year player when healthy.

Those guys are banging in tap ins for the most part. It is hilarious to watch if you have seen any of the Penguins games. Crosby has puck, team runs to him, automatic 2v1 and secondary assist how are you doing today. Guys a great talent but it is absolutely comical to watch.
- fattybeef

I disagree with the second, but even if its true, Crosby is better doing that than anyone else is the world. Guy has 133 pts in his last 82 games and most of it is setting people up. For anyone to say Kane is better is just biased

The rivalries will come in the playoffs. Arent the first 2 rounds against div opponents? That will lead to year after year playoff battles against (possibly) the same 1 or 2 teams. That could get pretty intense
- miked23

They scrapped that idea, thank god

Like me, you have no idea what Stalberg is asking for on a new deal. It's all speculation to think he's going to ask and receive Joffrey Lupul type money. He may in fact find out its more like Chris Higgins money (4 Years / $10M).

When the cap drops 10% next year, there are going to be more than a few players getting less than what they and their agents thought they were worth. And the chronic spendthrifts like Glen Sather, Terry Pegula, Ed Snider, Jim Rutherford, Mike Gillis and a few others are going to find out there aren't many options to circumvent the new salary cap rules after they use their 2 amnesty buyouts.
- RickJ

I agree, but that's the point of these boards, to discuss the possibilities. If Stalberg will take $2.5 million per for 4 years then sign me up. But based on the contracts other have received I would wager on Viktor wanting to try free agency, which is his right and I have absolutely no issue with that. This contract will likely be Stalberg's biggest so he'll want to swing for the fences. I like the guy and I hope he gets as much as he can. But in the cap world we have to get use to losing good players.

Hopefully Stan finds a way to keep Stalberg, but I'm not holding my breath.

They scrapped that idea, thank god
- rollpards19

So what are they doing again? The 2 #1 seeds play a wild card team and #2 plays #3 in the division then the 2 winners from each division play each other then the 2 conference winners play each other? I'm not sure that is good, either. The #1 seed might have to play the wildcard winner from the other conference and travel more

I agree, but that's the point of these boards, to discuss the possibilities. If Stalberg will take $2.5 million per for 4 years then sign me up. But based on the contracts other have received I would wager on Viktor wanting to try free agency, which is his right and I have absolutely no issue with that. This contract will likely be Stalberg's biggest so he'll want to swing for the fences. I like the guy and I hope he gets as much as he can. But in the cap world we have to get use to losing good players.

Hopefully Stan finds a way to keep Stalberg, but I'm not holding my breath.
- DarthKane

Maybe he signs a reasonable 1 year deal and hopes for the cap to go back up significantly after next season.

So what are they doing again? The 2 #1 seeds play a wild card team and #2 plays #3 in the division then the 2 winners from each division play each other then the 2 conference winners play each other? I'm not sure that is good, either. The #1 seed might have to play the wildcard winner from the other conference and travel more
- tomcat24

I hate that the playoffs stay inside the division. What's even the point? They should have the #2 play the #3 from the other division and vice versa.

I disagree with the second, but even if its true, Crosby is better doing that than anyone else is the world. Guy has 133 pts in his last 82 games and most of it is setting people up. For anyone to say Kane is better is just biased
- rollpards19

And incorrect. Like back in the day with Savard - you could find people to say he was a better playmaker than Gretzky. Now, I think you could more reasonably say that Kane is more exciting to watch than Crosby, just as one could possibly say the same about Savard regarding The Great One.

I agree, but that's the point of these boards, to discuss the possibilities. If Stalberg will take $2.5 million per for 4 years then sign me up. But based on the contracts other have received I would wager on Viktor wanting to try free agency, which is his right and I have absolutely no issue with that. This contract will likely be Stalberg's biggest so he'll want to swing for the fences. I like the guy and I hope he gets as much as he can. But in the cap world we have to get use to losing good players.

Hopefully Stan finds a way to keep Stalberg, but I'm not holding my breath.
- DarthKane

Agreed. All teams have to live under the same cap. A guy who would be a third-liner on a good team, but a Top 6 on another is gonna get paid more by the latter team unless a better option is available. Given the speed and size of Stalberg, another team is going to pay him Top 6 money; but he's not a Top 6 player on the Hawks.

Maybe he signs a reasonable 1 year deal and hopes for the cap to go back up significantly after next season.
- Ogilthorpe2

Would you if you were in his place?

Maybe he signs a reasonable 1 year deal and hopes for the cap to go back up significantly after next season.
- Ogilthorpe2

That sounds like a reasonable possibility and would be smart, imo - it is easy to imagine an agent going this direction. That will go out the window if a desperate GM (aka Wilson) engages in wishful thinking.

Would you if you were in his place?
- DarthKane

Keep my mouth shut and play hockey, for now.

I hate that the playoffs stay inside the division. What's even the point? They should have the #2 play the #3 from the other division and vice versa.
- rollpards19

Why? I love it. Nothing like playoff hockey to really dial up the hate level among division rivals.

I hate that the playoffs stay inside the division. What's even the point? They should have the #2 play the #3 from the other division and vice versa.
- rollpards19

And I never liked how each division winner was awarded the top 3 spots, even though 1 division winner could have less points than almost every other playoff team in that conference. The least thing they should do is re-seed after the 1st round based on points won

Would you if you were in his place?
- DarthKane

If I wanted to stay where I was, maybe. It's up to him, and it's a risk no doubt, but a lot of people feel the cap will go back up by quite a bit after next year...his patience could pay off.

I agree, but that's the point of these boards, to discuss the possibilities. If Stalberg will take $2.5 million per for 4 years then sign me up. But based on the contracts other have received I would wager on Viktor wanting to try free agency, which is his right and I have absolutely no issue with that. This contract will likely be Stalberg's biggest so he'll want to swing for the fences. I like the guy and I hope he gets as much as he can. But in the cap world we have to get use to losing good players.

Hopefully Stan finds a way to keep Stalberg, but I'm not holding my breath.
- DarthKane

As I said, neither one of us knows what the player's agent is going to ask for on a new deal.

If I'm Stalberg's agent I walk in and tell Stanbow my man needs to be paid like Loui Eriksson, Max Pacioretty, David Jones, Drew Stafford, James Van Riemsdyk. Ville Leino.

If I'm Stan I get up from the desk, offer the agent a shot of MacAllans 18 year and tell him to give his f'n head a shake becuase his client is really Darren Helm, Chris Higgins, Curtis Glencross or Nic Kulemin and that's about what he can expect from Chicago. But by all means check out Slcik Vic's worth elsewhere in the marketplace - maybe he would really enjoy playing for great teams in Edmonton, Calgary, New Jersey or Colorado.

#25 may swing for the fences and coerce somebody into giving him the $4M you are speculating. I don't think so, he just doesn't have the numbers on his resume to back it up the request. More like $2.5M per year to me and the Hawks won't be keeping all 3 of Frolik, Stalberg and Bickell. At least one is going bye-bye.

Why? I love it. Nothing like playoff hockey to really dial up the hate level among division rivals.
- Ogilthorpe2

I just like some variation. I don't want to play the Blues and Wild every single year. I love the rivalry with Vancouver now, and that would have never happened under these rules.

Would you if you were in his place?
- DarthKane

It depends on the market - if there's not too many buyers because of the falling cap, I could see an agent wanting one year so he could take another bite at the apple next year. The problem is that the cap issue for the Hawks is most acute next year, so another team might be able to offer more on a one-year deal.

Why? I love it. Nothing like playoff hockey to really dial up the hate level among division rivals.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hell yes!

It depends on the market - if there's not too many buyers because of the falling cap, I could see an agent wanting one year so he could take another bite at the apple next year. The problem is that the cap issue for the Hawks is most acute next year, so another team might be able to offer more on a one-year deal.
- mohel

There might be plenty of buyers, once the compliance buyouts are used.

Like me, you have no idea what Stalberg is asking for on a new deal. It's all speculation to think he's going to ask and receive Joffrey Lupul type money. He may in fact find out its more like Chris Higgins money (4 Years / $10M).

When the cap drops 10% next year, there are going to be more than a few players getting less than what they and their agents thought they were worth. And the chronic spendthrifts like Glen Sather, Terry Pegula, Ed Snider, Jim Rutherford, Mike Gillis and a few others are going to find out there aren't many options to circumvent the new salary cap rules after they use their 2 amnesty buyouts.
- RickJ

The bigger issue maybe more than the $$....Is opportunity.

If a team like the Islanders comes calling and Stalberg can get a top six role he may figure that would be in his best interest.

Emery posts another shutout in efficient win over the Wild - No Goalie Controversy...YET: FOX 32 Chicago: http://bit.ly/Zhi5Xv

I just like some variation. I don't want to play the Blues and Wild every single year. I love the rivalry with Vancouver now, and that would have never happened under these rules.
- rollpards19

I miss the joy's of Norris division playoff Hockey.... Sick battles with St. Louis, Detroit or Minnesota every year. Good tough nasty hockey!!!! Nothing wrong with waiting to kick some vancouver a*s in the WCF!!!! BRING BACK THE NORRIS...

There might be plenty of buyers, once the compliance buyouts are used.
- EKolb13

But - might be a buyers' market with "lots" of cheap talent available.

But - might be a buyers' market with "lots" of cheap talent available.
- StLBravesFan

That could be too.