OK...I'll bite.

What does the widow of Mike Ilitch have to do with anything LTIR related?

In fact, wasn't it the Redwings bottomless spending on Russians (and others) to create a dynasty one of the main causes of the first lockout?

Or would it have something to do with Pavel Datsyuk perhaps? ...or Franzen?
- ArlingtonRob

Marion Ilitch is a catch all term in this case for NHL GMs and owners lobbying the league, whining about cap circumvention.

Or whining about something all the time.

Funny, no one female doged about Pronger getting LTIR'ed and being traded to three teams. So I do think some of this is about the Hawks' timing (which was not good in terms of perception) and the Hawks winning 3 Cups with Hossa.

THAT SAID, true story:

A guy told me 3 weeks before the Hossa announcement, I hinted at it here ("tip about a Hawk player, would be surprising but not totallty surprising"). I asked a hawk source and he said "no, Hoss said in his exit interviews, he's playing this year."

So quite possibly, in the time span between the exit interview and when I heard Hossa had sent his PA back to Slovakia and he was done, Hossa changed his mind and decided he couldn't play.

It happens. But it did put the Hawks in a tough spot as far as how it would be perceived.

Bottom line, the league knows they CAN'T stop the Hawks from putting him on LTIR, it's a legit condition he played through with real (and lasting) side effects from the medication.

And if they try to, the NHLPA will file a "massive" grievance to boot.

But Daly and Bettman are playing tough to placate the whiners from the other teams.

it's a game. Hawks are hoping to have it resolved by 7/1. If the league decides to drag it on, Bettman will be on Rocky's poop list, permanently, and they also have to deal with the PA. So I would bet we'll get a LTIR disposition here by Saturday.

Bettman obviously doesn't care about optics (when talking about fixes).
- powerenforcer

But Antilles says....

Not to mention, Saad's added dimension of speed expands the ice north to south and at least somewhat opens things up more for linemates, plays PK, etc.
- John Jaeckel

This! (where is that Matthew McC GIF when you need it?)
Exactly John.
Anyone that doesn't understand this aspect really doesn't understand how this completely changes the game, gets D playing cautious (they can no longer pinch down in the offensive zone if they know they are likely to get burned at the other end of the ice). Who was able to do that for the Hawks this past season?

No one.

It's not just speed (aka as Stalberg) but hockey smart speed.
Thrilled the Saadfather is back.

Marion Ilitch is a catch all term in this case for NHL GMs and owners lobbying the league, whining about cap circumvention.

Or whining about something all the time.

Funny, no one female doged about Pronger getting LTIR'ed and being traded to three teams. So I do think some of this is about the Hawks' timing (which was not good in terms of perception) and the Hawks winning 3 Cups with Hossa.

THAT SAID, true story:

A guy told me 3 weeks before the Hossa announcement, I hinted at it here ("tip about a Hawk player, would be surprising but not totallty surprising"). I asked a hawk source and he said "no, Hoss said in his exit interviews, he's playing this year."

So quite possibly, in the time span between the exit interview and when I heard Hossa had sent his PA back to Slovakia and he was done, Hossa changed his mind and decided he couldn't play.

It happens. But it did put the Hawks in a tough spot as far as how it would be perceived.

Bottom line, the league knows they CAN'T stop the Hawks from putting him on LTIR, it's a legit condition he played through with real (and lasting) side effects from the medication.

And if they try to, the NHLPA will file a "massive" grievance to boot.

But Daly and Bettman are playing tough to placate the whiners from the other teams.

it's a game. Hawks are hoping to have it resolved by 7/1. If the league decides to drag it on, Bettman will be on Rocky's poop list, permanently, and they also have to deal with the PA. So I would bet we'll get a LTIR disposition here by Saturday.
- John Jaeckel

But Antilles says....

This! (where is that Matthew McC GIF when you need it?)
Exactly John.
Anyone that doesn't understand this aspect really doesn't understand how this completely changes the game, gets D playing cautious (they can no longer pinch down in the offensive zone if they know they are likely to get burned at the other end of the ice). Who was able to do that for the Hawks this past season?

No one.

It's not just speed (aka as Stalberg) but hockey smart speed.
Thrilled the Saadfather is back.
- savvyone-1

Marion Ilitch is a catch all term in this case for NHL GMs and owners lobbying the league, whining about cap circumvention.

Or whining about something all the time.

Funny, no one female doged about Pronger getting LTIR'ed and being traded to three teams. So I do think some of this is about the Hawks' timing (which was not good in terms of perception) and the Hawks winning 3 Cups with Hossa.

THAT SAID, true story:

A guy told me 3 weeks before the Hossa announcement, I hinted at it here ("tip about a Hawk player, would be surprising but not totallty surprising"). I asked a hawk source and he said "no, Hoss said in his exit interviews, he's playing this year."

So quite possibly, in the time span between the exit interview and when I heard Hossa had sent his PA back to Slovakia and he was done, Hossa changed his mind and decided he couldn't play.

It happens. But it did put the Hawks in a tough spot as far as how it would be perceived.

Bottom line, the league knows they CAN'T stop the Hawks from putting him on LTIR, it's a legit condition he played through with real (and lasting) side effects from the medication.

And if they try to, the NHLPA will file a "massive" grievance to boot.

But Daly and Bettman are playing tough to placate the whiners from the other teams.

it's a game. Hawks are hoping to have it resolved by 7/1. If the league decides to drag it on, Bettman will be on Rocky's poop list, permanently, and they also have to deal with the PA. So I would bet we'll get a LTIR disposition here by Saturday.
- John Jaeckel

Got it...thanks for the followup!

This! (where is that Matthew McC GIF when you need it?)
Exactly John.
Anyone that doesn't understand this aspect really doesn't understand how this completely changes the game, gets D playing cautious (they can no longer pinch down in the offensive zone if they know they are likely to get burned at the other end of the ice). Who was able to do that for the Hawks this past season?

No one.

It's not just speed (aka as Stalberg) but hockey smart speed.
Thrilled the Saadfather is back.
- savvyone-1

Line one will be legit again. When you have to worry about Saad and Toews crashing in to the slot with their shots while the other covers high... Good things happen for us.

Loss of Hossa, plays a north/south game as a LW - which compliments Toews' game, size, speed, his play is playoff suited (goes to the tough areas, engages other team's defence)
- PatShart

Look I loved Hossa for his complete game as much as anyone but Hossa was not even playing with Toews very much. He was playing down the line-up often. Saad was not obtained to replace Hossa. Saad was obtained because he is freakin' SAAD! Saad is a fantastic player period. That is why Toews, Kane and management wanted him back.

Does anyone recall the last player that was moved via RFA offer - seems more are moved due to threat of an offer
- riozzo

http://thehockeywriters.c...er-sheet-myth-or-reality/

Here you go. I knew I read a recent article about it. Offer sheets have been around a lot longer that I was aware of.

Daly and Bettman being afraid of Marion Ilitch.
- John Jaeckel

In fairness, right or wrong it DOES look awful suspicious given the construction of Hossa's contract.

Marion Ilitch is a catch all term in this case for NHL GMs and owners lobbying the league, whining about cap circumvention.

Or whining about something all the time.

Funny, no one female doged about Pronger getting LTIR'ed and being traded to three teams. So I do think some of this is about the Hawks' timing (which was not good in terms of perception) and the Hawks winning 3 Cups with Hossa.

THAT SAID, true story:

A guy told me 3 weeks before the Hossa announcement, I hinted at it here ("tip about a Hawk player, would be surprising but not totallty surprising"). I asked a hawk source and he said "no, Hoss said in his exit interviews, he's playing this year."

So quite possibly, in the time span between the exit interview and when I heard Hossa had sent his PA back to Slovakia and he was done, Hossa changed his mind and decided he couldn't play.

It happens. But it did put the Hawks in a tough spot as far as how it would be perceived.

Bottom line, the league knows they CAN'T stop the Hawks from putting him on LTIR, it's a legit condition he played through with real (and lasting) side effects from the medication.

And if they try to, the NHLPA will file a "massive" grievance to boot.

But Daly and Bettman are playing tough to placate the whiners from the other teams.

it's a game. Hawks are hoping to have it resolved by 7/1. If the league decides to drag it on, Bettman will be on Rocky's poop list, permanently, and they also have to deal with the PA. So I would bet we'll get a LTIR disposition here by Saturday.
- John Jaeckel

>Yes, by 7/1 at the latest
>If not, Rocky will definitely flex his muscles whenever possible
>Maybe starting with the new CBA negotiations
>Maybe Chicago becomes no longer as interested in helping drive overall league revenue as well

If Gagner is attained, does that mean Schmaltz becomes 2LW or, better fitting, on Kero's line, as 3LW...?

Saad-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Gagner-Kane
Hartman-Kero-Jurco
DeBrincat/Hino-Dauphin-Hayden/Tootoo

orrrr

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hartman-Gagner-Kane
Schmaltz-Kero-Jurco
DeBrincat/Hino-Dauphin-Hayden/Tootoo

I choose the latter, the 2nd line would be softer than a baby's butt if Schmaltz is with Gagner and Kane. This is also under the assumption that Kruger is traded along with Anisimov.

>Yes, by 7/1 at the latest
>If not, Rocky will definitely flex his muscles whenever possible
>Maybe starting with the new CBA negotiations
>Maybe Chicago becomes no longer as interested in helping drive overall league revenue as well
- SnapitUpstairs

Maybe it doesn't matter what Rocky likes and doesn't like because league decisions are done by committee.

Just heard this:

"Hawks hoping for a league decision on Hossa before/by July 1st."

Told it has a lot of bearing on what they can do this summer. I've asked for more detail.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah...this whole Hossa thing is very confusing. And I mean if he is allowed to go on LTIR. I have no clue how that would work. So many people have commented on it, knowledgeable people....and even they have conflicting understandings of how this will work and affect the Hawks. Hopefully the league gives us some clarity on it once it is decided.

And if a GM goes through with that offer sheet, they literally will never have a trade partner out of the other 30 GMs ever again. Offer sheets are seen as Satan, you can make a deal with him, but if you go through with it, good luck.
- Budi1782

Its business and within the rules. I do not think at all that all 30 teams would never trade with you again. They would trade with you just the same if you gave them the best offer all things considered.

The offer sheet is what I think gives McDavid all the leverage. He could ask for whatever he wanted from Edmonton. I know it never ever ever happens, but what if Toronto came in and offer sheeted him for 15 million? Edmonton is going to match it. If not, Toronto GLADLY gives up four first rounders, their rebuild is over and they have a pretty dominant lineup. Yes it would be hard under the cap but if they resign Matthews at 8-9, Nylander and Marner at 6, they already have some other guys signed but it wouldnt be impossible to make everything work.

Edmonton has no choice here and its just about what McDavid will settle for.

Maybe it doesn't matter what Rocky likes and doesn't like because league decisions are done by committee.
- BINGO!

Rocky has a prominent role on those committees.

Just heard this:

"Hawks hoping for a league decision on Hossa before/by July 1st."

Told it has a lot of bearing on what they can do this summer. I've asked for more detail.
- John Jaeckel

Ideally we'd be able to put him on LTIR and trade him in a package with some prospects to the Hurricanes. They may have trouble getting to the floor.

SJ on Hammer too.
- JRoenick97

Many people forget that Hammer signed an Offer Sheet with San Jose that was matched by Chicago.

Many people forget that Hammer signed an Offer Sheet with San Jose that was matched by Chicago.
- Z3Hawk

and it cost us Niemi, which, at the time, sucked.

In fairness, right or wrong it DOES look awful suspicious given the construction of Hossa's contract.
- BINGO!

I agree. I mentioned that before. I think other teams have a legit beef to think there is some circumvision of the cap going on here. Over the last couple years even members of this board predicted it would happen...that all of a sudden Hossa would go to LTIR when his actual salary was "only" $1 million a year. I can totally get why fans of other teams would find this to be suspicious.

Obviously, as a Hawk fan, I rather us have Hossa. His freed up cap space will get us a decent player...but not a Marion Hossa type player.

Many people forget that Hammer signed an Offer Sheet with San Jose that was matched by Chicago.
- Z3Hawk

Never knew that...

Ideally we'd be able to put him on LTIR and trade him in a package with some prospects to the Hurricanes. They may have trouble getting to the floor.
- walleyeb1

Agreed 100%

Does anyone recall the last player that was moved via RFA offer - seems more are moved due to threat of an offer
- riozzo

Offer sheets are hard:

1st....you have to have the 2 Firsts, a 2nd and 3rd pick to give up (and must be their own too). Most teams do not.

2nd....you have to have the CAP space to fit the guy in....9 million a year. Again, most teams not even close.

3rd.....You need a combo of BOTH the above, AND a willingness to piss off that team, and many others....

All-in-all......Offer sheet are difficult to do....especially with high valued players.

I agree. I mentioned that before. I think other teams have a legit beef to think there is some circumvision of the cap going on here. Over the last couple years even members of this board predicted it would happen...that all of a sudden Hossa would go to LTIR when his actual salary was "only" $1 million a year. I can totally get why fans of other teams would find this to be suspicious.

Obviously, as a Hawk fan, I rather us have Hossa. His freed up cap space will get us a decent player...but not a Marion Hossa type player.
- onehundredlevel

Except Hossa is still more valuable on the ice with his $5.25m cap hit than he is sitting on LTIR. If his skills had declined to the point where he wasn't it would be one thing, but for all intents and purposes Hossa was still a very effective player.

Offer sheets are hard:

1st....you have to have the 2 Firsts, a 2nd and 3rd pick to give up (and must be their own too). Most teams do not.

2nd....you have to have the CAP space to fit the guy in....9 million a year. Again, most teams not even close.

3rd.....You need a combo of BOTH the above, AND a willingness to piss off that team, and many others....

All-in-all......Offer sheet are difficult to do....especially with high valued players.
- hawk35

https://en.wikipedia.org/..._have_signed_offer_sheets