Yea I can agree with your list. I'd take those guys over Kes, but Kes is right there. I didn't mind NOT getting Kesler, because we kept TT and Kesler is really fun to hate.
- kwolf68

Kesler is a pretty damn good 2C, but if people thought Sharp's deal was bad with 2 years and $5.9M cap hit, Kesler is going to be 31 next month and has 7 years left with the Ducks. That $6.875 cap hit the last 3-4 years is going to be terrible.

Sort of confusing and out of character for Murray. He must have really liked what Kesler brings but that term is risky. He plays a physical style and has had his share of injuries. What sort of return is that contract bringing when he is 35, 36, 37?
- tredbrta

People can ask the same thing about any number of Blackhawks players. They have identified Kesler as a core player and have locked him up. I see no issue with that deal at all.

Just don't go there at 4am
- stashu

It is called a "drive thru" for a reason, some people take that literally!

Worked with Timonen!
- CanOCorn

And those were a quality 4 minutes a game

Fair enough

Kesler is a pretty damn good 2C, but if people thought Sharp's deal was bad with 2 years and $5.9M cap hit, Kesler is going to be 31 next month and has 7 years left with the Ducks. That $6.875 cap hit the last 3-4 years is going to be terrible.
- Dannyboy

Tell you what...I'd do the EXACT same deal for Seabrook today.

And yes, Seabs will likely be a third pairing guy at the end of his deal. But the cap will rise in that time, he'll be more a bargain and his experience will be invaluable.

Mex,

Will you be on the roster ?, hope so, sounds like lotsa fun !

http://www.startribune.co...-vs-blackhawks/315057321/

Yea I can agree with your list. I'd take those guys over Kes, but Kes is right there. I didn't mind NOT getting Kesler, because we kept TT and Kesler is really fun to hate.
- kwolf68

Yea at the time not getting Kesler was a bummer but in retrospect now that we've seen more of TT on the big stage and experienced the sheer utter joy of knocking the Ducks out after all of his grandstanding that non-deal is absolutely a win for the Hawks plus as others have noted we'd be in WAY worse shape with the cap now.

Tell you what...I'd do the EXACT same deal for Seabrook today.

And yes, Seabs will likely be a third pairing guy at the end of his deal. But the cap will rise in that time, he'll be more a bargain and his experience will be invaluable.
- kwolf68

Seabrook for 6.8 per? Sold.

It is called a "drive thru" for a reason, some people take that literally!
- paulr

woah woah woah....things get blurry, and who's to say that didn't look like the right spot?!?!??

Tell you what...I'd do the EXACT same deal for Seabrook today.

And yes, Seabs will likely be a third pairing guy at the end of his deal. But the cap will rise in that time, he'll be more a bargain and his experience will be invaluable.
- kwolf68

I'm glad you're not the Hawk GM. As much as I like Seabrook, the Hawks have to be very careful in the term they offer. IMO anything over 4 years is very risky.

I never thought Kesler was coming here because of the cap. If he was willing to play for his 5 AAV, then he is a clear no brainer over Anisimov who is making a bit less. But Kes wanted the big payday, he got in where the cap room existed. He's also a dingleberry. He's still a hell of a hockey player, proven over a number of years.
- kwolf68

Not saying you did but there were a lot of people pining for him last year and didn't like that the Hawks signed Richards off the scrap heap instead.

Like you, rumored or no, and even if Sharp had been sent the other way in the deal, I didn't see it happening because of his money then and what he would likely command in a raise just like we've seen today.

Seabrook for 6.8 per? Sold.
- JRoenick97

LMAO...that's what I was saying. Kes and Seabs are very similar in age, the physical way they play. Both play key roles in key spots on top teams.

Big difference is Seabrook is an actual LEADER, whereas Kesler is a borish, flopping, wind bag. That's probably worth something.

Neither one of us know what choice Bowman had. My point is if Johns is as valuable as some fans think then Bowman would have not moved him. I have yet to read any hockey prognosticators rank Johns as anything other than a mid level prospect with upside. Yet many fans, who in all likelyhood have never seen him play, rank him as a top 4 defenseman. Based on the Hawks projections he was ranked as a good, not great prospect.
- paulr

I guess will have to wait and see as he is in our division so we will have plenty of time to see what he turns out to be

Neither one of us know what choice Bowman had. My point is if Johns is as valuable as some fans think then Bowman would have not moved him. I have yet to read any hockey prognosticators rank Johns as anything other than a mid level prospect with upside. Yet many fans, who in all likelyhood have never seen him play, rank him as a top 4 defenseman. Based on the Hawks projections he was ranked as a good, not great prospect.
- paulr

They would have much preferred to keep him but he wasn't deemed essential. Period, end of story.

And he is an RFA after next season. Has never played an NHL game.

He could become another Johnny Boychuk - or he could become Korbinian Holzer #2.

People can ask the same thing about any number of Blackhawks players. They have identified Kesler as a core player and have locked him up. I see no issue with that deal at all.
- kwolf68

Aside from Hossa, no. Forwards decline earlier than D men. Kesler is a solid player but that deal is a big risk in a few years. Comparable to Sharp last year.

We may be asking the same question though if the term on Seabrook's deal is 6-7-8 years at a high AAV.

Murray is lining up the term of Kesler's deal with Perry and Getzlaf IMO. Sort of indicates he is in win now mode too... He has Lindholm and Vatenen to sign next year. Despres could be expensive too. They will be testing the cap before long.

Tell you what...I'd do the EXACT same deal for Seabrook today.

And yes, Seabs will likely be a third pairing guy at the end of his deal. But the cap will rise in that time, he'll be more a bargain and his experience will be invaluable.
- kwolf68

I was thinking the same thing

@icemancometh: Kesler's new deal is huge. Six years, $41.25 million. ($6.875M AAV).

LOL, ryan kesler...
- FourFeathers773

No human can spend all that money

Tell you what...I'd do the EXACT same deal for Seabrook today.

And yes, Seabs will likely be a third pairing guy at the end of his deal. But the cap will rise in that time, he'll be more a bargain and his experience will be invaluable.
- kwolf68

Damn straight. That would be great for Seabrook. But D men age much better than forwards and I would still be concerned about ROI after 35.

Not saying you did but there were a lot of people pining for him last year and didn't like that the Hawks signed Richards off the scrap heap instead.

Like you, rumored or no, and even if Sharp had been sent the other way in the deal, I didn't see it happening because of his money then and what he would likely command in a raise just like we've seen today.
- HawkintheD

Yep. I wanted him, but when I heard the cost was TT + I was like Naaa. The Cap would have been a huge issue as well. Richards was a great get. I am hoping Stan can find another guy like that, preferably a 5th D with a little something to prove and a desire to win a Cup.

I'm glad you're not the Hawk GM. As much as I like Seabrook, the Hawks have to be very careful in the term they offer. IMO anything over 4 years is very risky.
- paulr

Yes, but he and his agent will know that term will be there from other teams or at least make that argument. I agree the risk after 4 years is high but to keep him they may need to go out to 6 or longer.

I guess will have to wait and see as he is in our division so we will have plenty of time to see what he turns out to be
- Maggie

Very true and to be honest I hope he does well for himself except when he plays against Chicago.

Damn straight. That would be great for Seabrook. But D men age much better than forwards and I would still be concerned about ROI after 35.
- tredbrta

Rosy was playing fairly decent at 38 years old. That is SEVEN years from now for Seabs. Seabrook is a way better player than Rosy. He'll drop off, but it won't be terrible and even if the Hawks are paying Seabrook 7 million in 7 years the cap will have gone up and we will probably have flushed some other overpaid guys by then. Stan has all that time to work his magic....keep 2, 7, 4, 88, 81, and 19 and I think things will be fine. I have NO issue paying Seabs top dollar...he already gets top dollar and has been absolute MONEY for this team. In short, that boy EARNED his paycheck. An extension for him would make this summer of suck a hell of a lot less salty.

Rosy was playing fairly decent at 38 years old. That is SEVEN years from now for Seabs. Seabrook is a way better player than Rosy. He'll drop off, but it won't be terrible and even if the Hawks are paying Seabrook 7 million in 7 years the cap will have gone up and we will probably have flushed some other overpaid guys by then. Stan has all that time to work his magic....keep 2, 7, 4, 88, 81, and 19 and I think things will be fine.
- kwolf68

That's why I would do it... and also why Kesler's is a greater risk. How many physical centers can keep it up into their late 30s? Kesler is supposedly a workout beast so he may be the exception to the rule.

Should of moved Oduya out of the division. Could come back to bit you in the ass given how close all the teams are.

Should of moved Oduya out of the division. Could come back to bit you in the ass given how close all the teams are.
- Gerk

He was UFA. We didn't have a say in where he signed.