Has Nilsson re-upped with his KHL club yet?
- EKolb13

No, saw where he announce he will not sign an extension. Someone linked to it about 3 weeks ago.

People keep saying this, but its a false narrative. That is the case only if 1 team is interested. If two or more teams are interested, than the bid is against each other, not with the Hawks.

I believe more than one team is interested in both Sharp and Crawford, that is why I think they both will get moved.

Your scenario works more for the Bickell situation.
- vabeachbear

Based on passed salary cap casualties, the return should be ok, but nothing great.

Don't get me wrong though, I commend the Hawks ability to maximize their current roster, and sell off assets for a decent return almost every year; very few guys seem to walk as ufa's.

They seem to have the best balance in the league of managing the cap in both the short and long terms.

He is highly underrated, IMO, and lights out in the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

Chicago bias? I kid as I actually agree on all fronts. Really ironic part is the Blues had him, well technically at least. Look it up sometime if you don't know the story.

I believe they will go after him - partly due to the fact I want them to, partly due to them having interest before, and partly because I don't think Allen will be as good as the hype.

I don't think they will do it now, partially due to how it will impact Allen's RFA negotiations. I wouldn't mind if they did it first but I think Binnington is likely a better, long term goalie solution than Allen but that is just my worthless opinion.

Also, getting Anderson does create a more difficult cap management issue. it's still very manageable (much easier than SBow's) but it does create some challenges. The Blues still will need to sign two D-men and the pool is pretty weak. They also will need to sign a couple of forwards. I put a list in Corey's blog, two blogs ago of people I think they will at least kick the tires on.

McDavid=Gretzky

Eichel=Kesler
- Iggysbff

You'd better tone your expectations of McDavid down or you may be real disappointed. He's a great offensive player but it's unlikely he'll put up such gaudy numbers as Gretzky, because you see McDavid will actually play a respectable two way game and unlike Gretzky will know who his defensmen and goalies are.

I'm sure the vets of any team will put him in his place.
- howiehandles

Vets like Evander Kane are more likely to take him to Vegas.

Buffalo could use some more solid vets in that room for the kids IMO.

Chicago bias? I kid as I actually agree on all fronts. Really ironic part is the Blues had him, well technically at least. Look it up sometime if you don't know the story.

I believe they will go after him - partly due to the fact I want them to, partly due to them having interest before, and partly because I don't think Allen will be as good as the hype.

I don't think they will do it now, partially due to how it will impact Allen's RFA negotiations. I wouldn't mind if they did it first but I think Binnington is likely a better, long term goalie solution than Allen but that is just my worthless opinion.

Also, getting Anderson does create a more difficult cap management issue. it's still very manageable (much easier than SBow's) but it does create some challenges. The Blues still will need to sign two D-men and the pool is pretty weak. They also will need to sign a couple of forwards. I put a list in Corey's blog, two blogs ago of people I think they will at least kick the tires on.
- stljam

JJ's had a hard-on for Anderson for a long time haha. He's a pretty good goalie

"SHARP

Heard from my top source this morning, adding a few teams to my list of possible Sharp destinations:

Boston, Washington, Philly. I still believe Florida and Toronto lead the way, however."

Philly is is the same cap hell, so only way they can bring Sharp back would be to send a player under contract back. What about a veteran bottom pairing d man (Philly has lots of those) like Nicholas Grossman whose is on books for $3M and only signed for next year and Chicago's 2nd round pick in 2016 for Sharp? You get about $3M in cap relief, help shore up the bottom pairing short term, with cash coming off when you need to resign Seabrook and get your pick back for 2016.

THIS^^^^^^

THAT sounds about right, watch for that dynamic here
- John Jaeckel

Honestly, that is exactly how they should play. I never go into a negotiation asking for what I really will settle for. Start high and work your way down.

If you could move Elliot out to a team that misses out on Cam Talbot (Oilers or Sabres) bring in Anderson in stead, a bit of goalie shuffle and probably a bit unrealistic, but I think Anderson Allen would be a stronger tandem.

Plus how great would it be for those 2 to be traded for one another again
- DDM-Coga

I hope it happens. I just don't think it will. I know it is only a $1.7mm cap swap (Elliott for Anderson) but I think it would also impact Allen RFA money - wanting more money since you are forcing him to bide his time longer and keeping his earning potential from increasing as much (at least one point I would argue as an agent). Plus Tarasenko could easily get a $6.5mm aav on a contract depending on length. Though Oshie for say a mid first round pick helps to solve that issue

Does this mean something from a dreamworld like Crawford Sharp a 2016 1st a 2015 2nd and Pokka and McNeil for McDavid is possible???!?!!!!?

Vets like Evander Kane are more likely to take him to Vegas.

Buffalo could use some more solid vets in that room for the kids IMO.
- tredbrta

Eichel has already gone on record as saying he's better than McDavid, there was no reply from McDavid as there would be none from most NHL players. Eichel better reduce the size of his head or he will be the downfall of himself. And if he follows Evander Kane as a role model the Sabres will be in a world of hurt.

Here's another interesting facet...........Richards.

When they move Sharp, those are some goals that are going to have to be made up somewhere in the lineup. It's no coincidence that Kane's BEST regular season occurred playing with an actual guy who can get Kane the puck. if you are going to utilize your team's best offensive asset, I tend to think the Hawks will reach out to Richards and see if they can get him on the cheap again for 1 year, maybe 2, if the cap hit is low enough.

We can rip Q all we want for his lineups but he did a fascinating job keeping Richards fresh for the playoff run. Plus you don't get Richards back, then you are back in the hunt for a legit 2C and have a MAJOR center depth issue on this team.

One or the other is a possibility - getting both is unlikely.
- Chief4Feathers

I did say or...... so I am calling neither.....

"SHARP

Heard from my top source this morning, adding a few teams to my list of possible Sharp destinations:

Boston, Washington, Philly. I still believe Florida and Toronto lead the way, however."

Philly is is the same cap hell, so only way they can bring Sharp back would be to send a player under contract back. What about a veteran bottom pairing d man (Philly has lots of those) like Nicholas Grossman whose is on books for $3M and only signed for next year and Chicago's 2nd round pick in 2016 for Sharp? You get about $3M in cap relief, help shore up the bottom pairing short term, with cash coming off when you need to resign Seabrook and get your pick back for 2016.
- emcane

Forget it, Bartolo Colon moves faster than Nik Grossman.

You'd better tone your expectations of McDavid down or you may be real disappointed. He's a great offensive player but it's unlikely he'll put up such gaudy numbers as Gretzky, because you see McDavid will actually play a respectable two way game and unlike Gretzky will know who his defensmen and goalies are.
- paulr

K.

Cuz we are totally expecting him to put up 200 point seasons....

Vets like Evander Kane are more likely to take him to Vegas.

Buffalo could use some more solid vets in that room for the kids IMO.
- tredbrta

Maybe the Rangers could trade Hayes there too and bring Chris Stewart back....at what point do all of the players heads become too big for them all to fit in the locker room?

I know BD, good guy.

But either his source or Bowman is smoking crack.
- John Jaeckel

Or the Hawks could be willing to add a prospect/pick with Sharp.... I could see a deal expanded.

I also don't understand the snipes about Toronto not being possible. If a player like Sharp wants to go there and Babcock likes him why wouldn't they try to make it happen. In that case though you probably see a package both ways including NHL salaries.

No, saw where he announce he will not sign an extension. Someone linked to it about 3 weeks ago.
- tredbrta

Thanks.

No thanks.

"SHARP

Heard from my top source this morning, adding a few teams to my list of possible Sharp destinations:

Boston, Washington, Philly. I still believe Florida and Toronto lead the way, however."

Philly is is the same cap hell, so only way they can bring Sharp back would be to send a player under contract back. What about a veteran bottom pairing d man (Philly has lots of those) like Nicholas Grossman whose is on books for $3M and only signed for next year and Chicago's 2nd round pick in 2016 for Sharp? You get about $3M in cap relief, help shore up the bottom pairing short term, with cash coming off when you need to resign Seabrook and get your pick back for 2016.
- emcane

Grossman is terribly slow and has been injured quite often lately...not to mention the 2nd rounder we GAVE you for Kimmo would be like a slap in the face. So basically Patrick Sharp, 2nd round pick for Kimmo Timmonen and Nicklas Grossman.

K.

Cuz we are totally expecting him to put up 200 point seasons....
- Iggysbff

It wasn't me who suggested McDavid and Gretzky were equal.

Multiple teams can be interested...sure. HIGHLY doubt they are throwing nice packages Chicago's way.....
- PhilMcCracken

Put it this way, I'm sure you've negotiated something before. Who the hell ever goes into a negotiating situation from the get go, with "I'm dealing from a position of weakness, you got me over a barrel, lets make a fair deal for both of us???"

I'll make my point again, if two, three, or four teams are interested, it isn't about doing Chicago any favors, its about beating out the others for a player you think will help you, has nothing to do with hurting helping the Hawks.

If more than two are interested it drives the price up more, so Stan may know that 6 teams have shown interest, thus the high asking price.

You see this same thing happen every trade deadline. The FA market isn't good this year, so that also will help drive the price up.

I'd be disappointed with Stan if he didn't start at a high price.

In Stan we Trust (now only if i had that Unicorn picture!)

Forget it, Bartolo Colon moves faster than Nik Grossman.
- RickJ

LOL!!! I watched him pitch last night. he looks like he's about 65 years old!

This is Stanley Negotiating 101.

Hey, I'm guessing 6-8, maybe 8-10 teams have called about Sharp. And I DO know that Florida offered a lot for a package that he headlined back in February. A LOT.

So, Stanley's starting the bidding high. It's the smart play.
- John Jaeckel

>Let's also look at it from Sharp's perspective
>Sharp will want to be on a team where he gets first line minutes and linemates, powerplay time
>Sharp will want to be on a team on the rise, not a total rebuild
>Sharp will want to be in a sophisticated market
>Isles or Caps

JJ's had a hard-on for Anderson for a long time haha. He's a pretty good goalie
- BlazinMike

Well Anderson did grow up in Barrington and he is a pretty good goalie.