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.
- paulr

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.

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!)
- vabeachbear

I think you are arguing for no apparent reason. I agree he is going to try and sell high, of course he would. ANY GM would not named Milbury. At the same time, yes these teams will definitely outbid each other, but every team has their limit on what they are willing to give.Chicago can't take back salary. Again, Chicago has to cut salary in a big way, teams know this. He will not get FULL value PERIOD!!!!! That's all I am saying.

Someone mentioned it earlier, Bowman will most likely blink first.....

When will the Cap number be released? Hmmm if its low and CC is moved, the Niemi reunion is really interesting. He woul be totally motivated to come in and play lights out. I agree with others that Darling and Raanta appear capable of handling the load, but if Niemi came back at decent salary, why not!?

And how do we buy out Bickell? Do we still retain part of the cap hit?

When will the Cap number be released? Hmmm if its low and CC is moved, the Niemi reunion is really interesting. He woul be totally motivated to come in and play lights out. I agree with others that Darling and Raanta appear capable of handling the load, but if Niemi came back at decent salary, why not!?

And how do we buy out Bickell? Do we still retain part of the cap hit?
- z1990z

I believe after the draft........around July 1st-5th. The official start of the 2015-16 season.

I think you are arguing for no apparent reason. I agree he is going to try and sell high, of course he would. ANY GM would not named Milbury. At the same time, yes these teams will definitely outbid each other, but every team has their limit on what they are willing to give.Chicago can't take back salary. Again, Chicago has to cut salary in a big way, teams know this. He will not get FULL value PERIOD!!!!! That's all I am saying.
- PhilMcCracken

Not really arguing, just making my point. Lets bring it back up when deal actually happens, and there is something concrete to debate value on. I'm assuming it won't take too long, maybe a week from now.

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.
- emcane

Hockey is still run by the old school. Not many in the hockey fraternity want to hear any player sound like Lebron James. Ever see the vid clip of James say I, I, I, me, me ,me and then Toews say we, we, we, us, us, us? And the great White North didn't rate McDavid higher than Eichel, the NHL scouts many of whom are American did ... and the reason is McDavid is better, and not by a bit.

Not really arguing, just making my point. Lets bring it back up when deal actually happens, and their is something concrete to debate value on. I'm assuming it won't take too long, maybe a week from now.
- vabeachbear

Sweet I look forward to it. Predictions are fun!

McDavid=Gretzky

Eichel=Kesler
- Iggysbff

Eichel=Joe Thornton

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.
- EnzoD

1st off 2nd rounder is gone, so getting it back is like any other 2nd rounder, has nothing to do with how Flyer got it. Grossman is slow, but he blocks a TON of shots, which fits what Hawks d is supposed to do, and is a big man who will clear the crease, something the bottom pair severely lacks currently. And you forgot the cap space in your comparison, both in 2015 and 2016.

Hockey is still run by the old school. Not many in the hockey fraternity want to hear any player sound like Lebron James. Ever see the vid clip of James say I, I, I, me, me ,me and then Toews say we, we, we, us, us, us? And the great White North didn't rate McDavid higher than Eichel, the NHL scouts many of whom are American did ... and the reason is McDavid is better, and not by a bit.
- paulr

With all due resepct, he IS the best player in the league....meaning Lebron...but yeah, his attitude is all about himself for sure...

Eichel=Joe Thornton
- John Jaeckel

Does Eichel have a cool brother too?

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.
- emcane

You're a meatball.

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.
- emcane

My sources on this are Americans, both have met him FWIW

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

he's looked that way for at least 5 years

Eichel=Joe Thornton
- John Jaeckel

I am sure Buffalo would be thrilled with that.

Hockey is still run by the old school. Not many in the hockey fraternity want to hear any player sound like Lebron James. Ever see the vid clip of James say I, I, I, me, me ,me and then Toews say we, we, we, us, us, us? And the great White North didn't rate McDavid higher than Eichel, the NHL scouts many of whom are American did ... and the reason is McDavid is better, and not by a bit.
- paulr

Funny, I just had a talk with one of my younger sales guys the other day, told him I was going to get one of those Cliff Claven shock collars that Carla used on him for every time in the next presentation that he said I instead of We! Drives me crazy. The company provides the product and service not you. Wish I would have thought of the Toews comparisons

That being said, LJ was pretty much alone in the Finals this year. Still can't figure out how the hell the Bulls lost to that team. Thibs should have been fired.

Hockey is still run by the old school. Not many in the hockey fraternity want to hear any player sound like Lebron James. Ever see the vid clip of James say I, I, I, me, me ,me and then Toews say we, we, we, us, us, us? And the great White North didn't rate McDavid higher than Eichel, the NHL scouts many of whom are American did ... and the reason is McDavid is better, and not by a bit.
- paulr

Would you really want a player not have the confidence to think he is better than he may be? You would prefer he say in a "hiring" interview that he is not as good and doesn't think he ever could be? James said "I, I, I" in a press conference, not a draft interview. I bet Toews said "I" once or twice when asked direct questions in that setting as well. And Eichel may be a jack ass, I have no idea. Just think the part about being better than McDavid is being taken out of context

I believe after the draft........around July 1st-5th. The official start of the 2015-16 season.
- SteveRain

If that's correct - than as a GM I would want that to be corrected and pushed forward to at least two weeks before the draft - if not sooner. Having the firm cap $ is critical to planing your roster and all the subsequent decisions and deals that need to be made.

Funny, I just had a talk with one of my younger sales guys the other day, told him I was going to get one of those Cliff Claven shock collars that Carla used on him for every time in the next presentation that he said I instead of We! Drives me crazy. The company provides the product and service not you. Wish I would have thought of the Toews comparisons

That being said, LJ was pretty much alone in the Finals this year. Still can't figure out how the hell the Bulls lost to that team. Thibs should have been fired.
- vabeachbear

Same...

Eichel didn't "go on record", he answered questions in a private interview. He has confidence and should. It sucks that teams that won't have the chance to draft him, let that information out, but that is how the game is played. Kid looked good in the Worlds playing against NHLers. Think some of this is from people who still hold "the Great White North" as the true hockey mecca and trash any threat to that.
- emcane

Introducing the border into your argument is weak man. If you can play, you get a shot regardless of what country your passport comes from.

But if you really want to follow your own line of thinking, check the country of origin of players on Stanley Cup winning teams going back many years.

With all due resepct, he IS the best player in the league....meaning Lebron...but yeah, his attitude is all about himself for sure...
- PhilMcCracken

He is, but did he have to tell everyone?

Those are all "ors" and not "ands". The Hawks are looking for a 1st, or A level prospect or a top six forward. The Hawks will start high and will be happy with the cap savings and whatever else they can get.
- paulr

That makes sense. Good catch.

I think it is important to remember that regardless of whether the Cap is approved at $71 million by the players or not, the surrounding issues that largely determine the Cap AREN'T GOING AWAY any time soon! I said this yesterday, GMs around the league with playoff calibre teams MUST focus on $67-68 million as their limit to start the season, so that they can deal with surprises, and still be able to make something happen at the trade deadline. If Bowman moves forward responsibly then Crawford (good goalie or not) simply cannot be afforded!

Yesterday, in detail, I laid out two scenarios for next season, one with Crawford and one without. With Crawford the total would be $72 million and that's not going to happen, without CC we would come in around $67. So even without CC, the Hawks really need the Cap to settle somewhere NORTH of $67 million...and again that's with moving Sharp, Bickell, Versteeg and Crawford AND NOT having to take any money back in the form of players or buyouts. So with all of these variables, it would take a MIRACLE for Corey Crawford to be the Hawks starting goalie next season, as the Cap would have to hit $71 million, the Hawks would have to move Sharp, Bickell and Versteeg without taking ANY money back, and hope that they could fill out there roster, including Defence, with only 3 top DMen and a mix of cheap veterans and rookies! Sound enticing???

As for Bowman's language thus far, he MUST keep things close to his chest, and must speak in terms of strength, not weakness, or he will get played as a "victim". Hence his apparent terms for Sharp...its a starting point of strength and his hope is that at least two GMs will contact him after that email. Certainly they won't pay it, but Bowman will KNOW that these teams are seriously interested in Sharp and he can then play one off the other for the best possible deal...that's the plan I assure you.

As for Niemi, I like him a lot and never wanted to see him go, but again, the Cap era right? However, even for $4 million (which is around what Crawford's contract should have been IMO) I would rather go with Darling and Raanta. Both have proven that they can play in big NHL situations and both have improved tremendously under the teaching of Jimmy Waite and the "Stephane Waite System" of goaltending. The $4 million for Niemi would be FAR BETTER served on a top 4 DMan than a veteran goalie.

There is going to be change in CHI next season, for sure, the trick is to limit the UNKNOWNS, and put new people into situations that they can succeed within! Adding a bunch of young DMen with only 3 veterans to hold the down the bulk of the ice time, isn't really a recipe for success IMO.

Would you really want a player not have the confidence to think he is better than he may be? You would prefer he say in a "hiring" interview that he is not as good and doesn't think he ever could be? James said "I, I, I" in a press conference, not a draft interview. I bet Toews said "I" once or twice when asked direct questions in that setting as well. And Eichel may be a jack ass, I have no idea. Just think the part about being better than McDavid is being taken out of context
- emcane

Well thanks to him and his big mouth it IS context now, isn't it?

Introducing the border into your argument is weak man. If you can play, you get a shot regardless of what country your passport comes from.

But if you really want to follow your own line of thinking, check the country of origin of players on Stanley Cup winning teams going back many years.
- RickJ

Missing my point. The NHL will find the best and play them no matter what. Those who talk about it for a living don't always have the same altruistic viewpoint.