Not sure how credible this tweeter is...but here u go


HawksCap ‏@HawksCap
Hawks increasing AHL pay for players. Kostka getting $325k, Beach LeBalnc $110k, Stanton $100k

I know Ogie is going to be heartbroken about that. I guess he'll have to start throwing in Beach into his trade proposals.


- EKolb13

As long as Ogi has Fistric to drool over he'll be ok.

When he signed to play in Germany.
- DarthKane

I was wondering why Rockford signed another defenseman to an AHL contract a couple of days ago. I guess the organization knew this was coming.

As long as Ogi has Fistric to drool over he'll be ok.


- DarthKane

Isn't Fistric still a UFA?

This entire discussion about Crawford and goaltending reminds me of Bob Gibson and pitching. Tim McCarver walked out to the mound in a tight game and Gibson asked him why he came out there. McCarver said he just wanted to buy some time. Gibson told him to get the f$ck back behind the plate because the only thing he knew about major league pitching was that he couldn't hit any of it.


- RickJ

Loved your whole post RJ, but especially the bolded part. Gibson was one bad molla folla.

Correct and you play a very dangerous game just assuming every time a cup winning goalie wants to get paid, you can roll another guy in there and not skip a beat.

If Raanta bombs, then what? Corey Crawford's leverage goes sky high...that IS something to watch this year. How this mortal performs up in Rockford. I'm not one to gush all over prospects because very rarely do they ever sniff the hype they are given on draft day.....
- SteveRain

You know you don't have to worry about this now right? The plan isn't for Raanta to bomb. The plan is that he'll work out. If he doesn't, there's several options.- Someone is going to shake out of the Gibson-Hiller-Fasth troika in Anaheim. You can make a trade. There isn't an FA goalie that wouldn't want to play behind this defense. And Mac Carruth was 30-7 with a 2.06 GAA and a .929 sv% at Portland. He could move up too....There are options.

But good lord, it doesn't need to be answered for another year.....

Not sure how credible this tweeter is...but here u go


HawksCap ‏@HawksCap
Hawks increasing AHL pay for players. Kostka getting $325k, Beach LeBalnc $110k, Stanton $100k
- philco28

This guy is good and all these numbers are from capgeek.com. I had posted them last night as well.

Isn't Fistric still a UFA?
- EKolb13

That he is. Keep the dream alive Ogi!!!

Not sure how credible this tweeter is...but here u go


HawksCap ‏@HawksCap
Hawks increasing AHL pay for players. Kostka getting $325k, Beach LeBalnc $110k, Stanton $100k
- philco28

Capgeek reflects the same numbers.

I can understand the bumps in salary for everyone. Kostka has got to be the highest AHL salary the Hawks have ever handed to a player, with exception to players they've stashed down there with a one way deal.

Well played, my friend!
- wiz1901

Capgeek reflects the same numbers.

I can understand the bumps in salary for everyone. Kostka has got to be the highest AHL salary the Hawks have ever handed to a player, with exception to players they've stashed down there with a one way deal.
- EKolb13

I think Kostka's got a legit shot to supplant Brookstank

You know you don't have to worry about this now right? The plan isn't for Raanta to bomb. The plan is that he'll work out. If he doesn't, there's several options.- Someone is going to shake out of the Gibson-Hiller-Fasth troika in Anaheim. You can make a trade. There isn't an FA goalie that wouldn't want to play behind this defense. And Mac Carruth was 30-7 with a 2.06 GAA and a .929 sv% at Portland. He could move up too....There are options.

But good lord, it doesn't need to be answered for another year.....
- yahoodi

I think Carruth will start in Toledo this season. For what its worth, I would think Kent Simpson is ahead of him at this point.

This guy is good and all these numbers are from capgeek.com. I had posted them last night as well.
- DarthKane

I think Kostka's got a legit shot to supplant Brookstank
- philco28

I think the only way that happens is if Brookbank is traded. I can't see the Hawks pissing away another $300,000 in cap space just to stash him in Rockford. Not with the Hawks being as close to the cap as they probably will be at the start of the season.

If Brookbank is dealt, then I think it's a three way race between Stanton, Kostka and Peckham. Or it could be a revolving door between the three.

I wouldn't have given it to Kane either. I had Bickell all the way, followed by Sharp and Crawford and Kane.
- John Jaeckel

I agree with that.

I think the only way that happens is if Brookbank is traded. I can't see the Hawks pissing away another $300,000 in cap space just to stash him in Rockford. Not with the Hawks being as close to the cap as they probably will be at the start of the season.

If Brookbank is dealt, then I think it's a three way race between Stanton, Kostka and Peckham. Or it could be a revolving door between the three.
- EKolb13

I'd love to see Brookbank traded and the other three get an extended look as depth guys. With a FULL season ahead, want to make sure the top 6 are FRESH and HEALTHY come playoff time.

You know you don't have to worry about this now right? The plan isn't for Raanta to bomb. The plan is that he'll work out. If he doesn't, there's several options.- Someone is going to shake out of the Gibson-Hiller-Fasth troika in Anaheim. You can make a trade. There isn't an FA goalie that wouldn't want to play behind this defense. And Mac Carruth was 30-7 with a 2.06 GAA and a .929 sv% at Portland. He could move up too....There are options.

But good lord, it doesn't need to be answered for another year.....
- yahoodi

Very true, but decisions about money in the next few years has an effect on today's decision in the damn cap era. Much of what was handed out last year and this year was done with on eye on Kane and Toews' contracts in two years. Hammer can re-up now and they have apparently been talking. If he gets what he deserves the Hawks will not have much money to give a goalie one year from now. Rannta would be cheap enough if he is good enough, but the others you list in the UFA market would cost too much. And a trade would cost some good assets.

So today's talks with Hammer are affected by the goalie situation in the future.

Very true, but decisions about money in the next few years has an effect on today's decision in the damn cap era. Much of what was handed out last year and this year was done with on eye on Kane and Toews' contracts in two years. Hammer can re-up now and they have apparently been talking. If he gets what he deserves the Hawks will not have much money to give a goalie one year from now. Rannta would be cheap enough if he is good enough, but the others you list in the UFA market would cost too much. And a trade would cost some good assets.

So today's talks with Hammer are affected by the goalie situation in the future.
- mohel

But you can't discuss Hammer's contract for another year either. If Hammer plays 2013-14 like he played last year you're looking at close to 6 per. But if he reverts to being the tentative, sling it around the boards, non aggressive Hammer of 2011-2012 then he's more around 4-4.5. You have no idea what his value will be, or who will be where. If Seabrook has another disappointing year, what then? Oduya is .....staying? Moving to the third pair? at 3.375/ You can't decide anyone's 2014 contract without playing the 2013-14 season first....

You know you don't have to worry about this now right? The plan isn't for Raanta to bomb. The plan is that he'll work out. If he doesn't, there's several options.- Someone is going to shake out of the Gibson-Hiller-Fasth troika in Anaheim. You can make a trade. There isn't an FA goalie that wouldn't want to play behind this defense. And Mac Carruth was 30-7 with a 2.06 GAA and a .929 sv% at Portland. He could move up too....There are options.

But good lord, it doesn't need to be answered for another year.....
- yahoodi

Well...here's my logic.

When the 2008-09 season started, back on the good ole DH blog, a lot of us pointed to the impending doom...especially when it was raining RFA money.

This is quickly escalating into that....

I'll back off, but I'm not going to burry my head in the sand like Uncle Barry Rozner and pretend that the potential doesn't exist...because it very well does. Which very well explains why Bowman is rolling out a bunch of Rockford unknowns at the NHL level who could be the 3rd generation in role players to supplement the core.

Did your brother burn his Bolland jersey? Let me know if you make it any games with him this year.

But you can't discuss Hammer's contract for another year either. If Hammer plays 2013-14 like he played last year you're looking at close to 6 per. But if he reverts to being the tentative, sling it around the boards, non aggressive Hammer of 2011-2012 then he's more around 4-4.5. You have no idea what his value will be, or who will be where. If Seabrook has another disappointing year, what then? Oduya is .....staying? Moving to the third pair? at 3.375/ You can't decide anyone's 2014 contract without playing the 2013-14 season first....
- yahoodi

Pretty sure you can extend Hammer and Crawford today...if you wanted to. Both are UFAs after this season, and the "new" season officially kicked off July 1st.

That, the Crawford/Hammer, extensions IF they happen, will be a very large tell on what Bowman has brewing.

I'd love to see Brookbank traded and the other three get an extended look as depth guys. With a FULL season ahead, want to make sure the top 6 are FRESH and HEALTHY come playoff time.
- philco28

If Brookbank can be dealt for a serviceable 4th liner to platoon with Handzus I'd be happy. If not I'd settle for a draft pick.

While it sucks to lose guys like Bolland, Frolik, Carcillo, and possibly Brookbank for just draft picks this is a necessary part of the process to keep the talent pool filled with quality candidates. The more guys you draft the better odds that at least 1 ends up being a solid contributor.

I'm not advocating trading Brookbank, but it would make sense to turn him into a pick (maybe a 5th rounder) and platoon Kotska and Peckham as the 7th defenseman. We get an extra draft pick and save $700K in cap space in the process. I'm not saying this should be done often, but a move like this makes sense for the 7th D or 13th forward.

Well...here's my logic.

When the 2008-09 season started, back on the good ole DH blog, a lot of us pointed to the impending doom...especially when it was raining RFA money.

This is quickly escalating into that....

I'll back off, but I'm not going to burry my head in the sand like Uncle Barry Rozner and pretend that the potential doesn't exist...because it very well does. Which very well explains why Bowman is rolling out a bunch of Rockford unknowns at the NHL level who could be the 3rd generation in role players to supplement the core.

Did your brother burn his Bolland jersey? Let me know if you make it any games with him this year.
- SteveRain

Definitely going to be at banner night October 1st. And the games around the holidays for sure. Might make a few more. But those are the known knowns...

The day he was drafted being compared to #2 by the talking heads...
- Beaver-Warrior

Aside from Toews and Kane, did Dale draft anyone worth a shyt? Terrible.

Pretty sure you can extend Hammer and Crawford today...if you wanted to. Both are UFAs after this season, and the "new" season officially kicked off July 1st.

That, the Crawford/Hammer, extensions IF they happen, will be a very large tell on what Bowman has brewing.
- SteveRain

HAVE to extend Hammer soon - hope they've begun talking - can't let him go to free agency.

TRY to extend Crawford soon at a good cap number - $4MM or less.

But you can't discuss Hammer's contract for another year either. If Hammer plays 2013-14 like he played last year you're looking at close to 6 per. But if he reverts to being the tentative, sling it around the boards, non aggressive Hammer of 2011-2012 then he's more around 4-4.5. You have no idea what his value will be, or who will be where. If Seabrook has another disappointing year, what then? Oduya is .....staying? Moving to the third pair? at 3.375/ You can't decide anyone's 2014 contract without playing the 2013-14 season first....
- yahoodi

Hammer is a UFA after next season and is eligible for an extension right now. Waiting until after next season risks losing him, so I believe that the Hawks would like to sign him now (whether they should or not is a matter of individual choice, I suppose).

My point was that the current goalie talk is relevant to what are reputed to be ongoing negotiations between the Hawks and Hammer.