There were a lot of reports suggesting that calls were being made up until the deadline. If they weren't interested I doubt they would of been involved in calls.
- belcherbd

Who was initiating the calls?

Is that on Benning because he didn't want to lose the cap space based on plans for July 1st, or owners who didn't want to pay extra millions for Bickell to play in Utica next year?
- YeOldTimer

Probably both. I dont blame Benning and Ownership if Bickell was somehow included in the deal. This summer is a big summer for cap space, why would Benning want a useless plug down in Utica, he already has 2.

Who was initiating the calls?
- fiveandagame

Who cares, Benning should be on soon enough.

Are you sure it wasn't Benning making the last minute push?

Maybe Dallas targeted Russell because they feel they have a chance of signing him and didn't want to spend assets on a pure rental.
- fiveandagame

Why would they answer calls if they weren't interested? It's a pretty busy day and I doubt they take calls from GM's about players they aren't interested in.

I'd rather fire Vrbata
- CanuckDon

Vrbata is good for the tank. If we keep losing it will make up for not trading Hamhuis or Vrbata.

Bergevin's got one hell of a beard.

Are you really going to start vilifying Hamhuis on this ?

He did waive for contenders but a deal didn't get done and that has nothing to do with Hamhuis.
- belcherbd

I'm not vilifying Hamhuis, I'd offer him a contract, I'd give him a full NMC for 2 years at less than 2 per. He'll leave when the twins do, Lets face it we're not winning a cup in the next few years, so he'd be perfect here.

Vrbata is good for the tank. If we keep losing it will make up for not trading Hamhuis or Vrbata.
- Scooby_Doo

The sulking is contagious. Soon every player will be soo down on themselves and the morale will be such poop, the team will have no choice but to get a top 3. Then Granlund can be locker buddies with a fellow Fin next year.

His strong point is his drafting though. Trades need working on. He's the total opposite of Burke
- walshyleafsfan

Burke sucks at everything, even tying his own tie.

Vrbata is good for the tank. If we keep losing it will make up for not trading Hamhuis or Vrbata.
- Scooby_Doo

Ur onto something there 😂😂👍
Vrbata prolly gave a lousy list of suitors while unwanted anywhere anyways.

Why would they answer calls if they weren't interested? It's a pretty busy day and I doubt they take calls from GM's about players they aren't interested in.
- belcherbd

If you don't take the calls you aren't doing your job. So Benning could be coming back to sweeten the pot but no (frank) that, I'm not talking to him. If that is your mentality you are doing your team a disservice

Probably both. I dont blame Benning and Ownership if Bickell was somehow included in the deal. This summer is a big summer for cap space, why would Benning want a useless plug down in Utica, he already has 2.
- Codes1087

Don't know what the prospect(s) involved would have been, but if taking Bickell got them a quality young D man and a decent pick, they should have done it.

I'm not vilifying Hamhuis, I'd offer him a contract, I'd give him a full NMC for 2 years at less than 2 per. He'll leave when the twins do, Lets face it we're not winning a cup in the next few years, so he'd be perfect here.
- A_SteamingLombardi

2 years at less than 2?

Surely he is worth more than that... Is he worth 4.5? No...
But his stats do not lie, he is still a top 4 D-man in this league.
I would offer him 3.25 x 3 with a full NTC for the first 2 years and a Limited NTC in the last year.

Burke sucks at everything, even tying his own tie.
- Scooby_Doo

Burke's ties are napkins.

Don't know what the prospect(s) involved would have been, but if taking Bickell got them a quality young D man and a decent pick, they should have done it.
- YeOldTimer

I think we should reserve our thoughts and comments until after the Summer. Benning must have something in mind with all this money freed up. If he does nothing, than we can start to pick apart

Burke sucks at everything, even tying his own tie.
- Scooby_Doo

He's trying hard to make that 'a thing'. Like suspenders in the 80's

Love B Murray's lisp
- Whiskey-Tango

Whoever created that word for that type of speech impediment is one sick bastard.

What is lost in all this is that JB did not force Hammer out the door out of respect for his NTC n character.
We treat players like meat n future RFA's n UFA's won't come here.
Class n reputation goes a long ways.

Vrbata is good for the tank. If we keep losing it will make up for not trading Hamhuis or Vrbata.
- Scooby_Doo

Thats what I was saying earlier. Edmonton and Calgary made themselves better. By holding onto guys, the team will continue to try out youth and have some bad guys in the lineup. Works well for the tank

Whoever created that word for that type of speech impediment is one sick bastard.
- As_I_See_It

best thing, I've seen all day.

2 years at less than 2?

Surely he is worth more than that... Is he worth 4.5? No...
But his stats do not lie, he is still a top 4 D-man in this league.
I would offer him 3.25 x 3 with a full NTC for the first 2 years and a Limited NTC in the last year.
- Codes1087

With all things the way they are right now, Hamhuis would be a good stop gap until they can find a top 4 replacement.

What is lost in all this is that JB did not force Hammer out the door out of respect for his NTC n character. U treat players like meat n future RFA's n UFA's won't come here.
Class n reputation goes a long ways.
- Nighthawk

absolutely. Over half the fans in here need to realize that. Its exactly why our fanbase gets so much heat all the time. We have a top 4 D-man who took a hometown discount and who actually WANTS to stay here and negotiate another discount contract and we are all calling for his head because he wouldn't waive something he earned? My god...

With all things the way they are right now, Hamhuis would be a good stop gap until they can find a top 4 replacement.
- fiveandagame

3.25 isnt going to kill your teams cap over the next 3 years of starting to become competitive. It shows good faith in your players and fans. We aren't going to turn this around over night.

2 years at less than 2?

Surely he is worth more than that... Is he worth 4.5? No...
But his stats do not lie, he is still a top 4 D-man in this league.
I would offer him 3.25 x 3 with a full NTC for the first 2 years and a Limited NTC in the last year.
- Codes1087

I wouldn't offer him that, he's 33, he might never be better than this year and this year sucks. 4.5 and a NTC for 3 years would never happen from me.

Whoever created that word for that type of speech impediment is one sick bastard.
- As_I_See_It

lifppfphtfhh