Oilers following the Hawks model:

Soon, the Oilers will have 52.5m/70% of the cap locked up in 8 players until 2021: McD, Drai, Lucic, Larsson, Russell, Sekera, Klefbom, RNH.

that doesnt include: Talbot whos UFA in 2 years Strome whos RFA next year Nurse whos RFA next year Maroon whos UFA next year
oh and 11 more
- JRoenick97

Watch, when this happens there is going to be some CBA change that allows teams to hide some salary on players they draft........

Potential recipe for disaster.
- Hank3Henshaw

About $450,000 per goal.

Well, sounds like soon Kane / Toews wont be the highest paid players in the NHL. Rumor is that McDavid is going to sign 8 year extension at 13.25 AAV. Next will be Matthews to get a huge contracts in Toronto.
- breadbag

Minor pet peeve of mine, but I wish people would say 'highest cap hit' instead of highest paid. Weber is still the highest paid player in the league with Crosby being second, $20m+ more than Toews/Kane, but they just get to have the full amount of their contracts divided out over more years. Even at $13.25m over 8 years, McDavid would make slightly more money than Crosby but still be under Weber by $4m.

Oilers following the Hawks model:

Soon, the Oilers will have 52.5m/70% of the cap locked up in 8 players until 2021: McD, Drai, Lucic, Larsson, Russell, Sekera, Klefbom, RNH.

that doesnt include: Talbot whos UFA in 2 years Strome whos RFA next year Nurse whos RFA next year Maroon whos UFA next year
oh and 11 more
- JRoenick97

Well, they're not truly following the Hawks model unless they've given them all NMC/NTCs!

Well, they're not truly following the Hawks model unless they've given them all NMC/NTCs!
- Cmonalready

Or won a Cup.

About $450,000 per goal.
- Z3Hawk

It's absurd, man.

I like McDavid a lot and wish him success--it's good for the game.

But, I'm not a huge contract guy. Just seems so risky to me. Truth be told, I wasn't even a fan of the Toews/Kane contracts.

So, here's me playing GM:

AA to VGK for Oscar Lindberg and Nate Schmidt.

There's your developable LD depth AND a developable LW/C who can kill penalties and win face-offs.

BOOM.
- John Jaeckel

Wow!

What kinda probability would that be as-is? And if rather low, what would you do to kick that up and help the cap situation?

Simon Despres's career is basically over from concussions

As of today, here is my lineup (assuming Krueger gets traded & AA is retained):

20 - 19 - 14
88 - 15 - 38
67 - 8 - 13
40 - 76 - 70
48 & 22 (press box)

5 - 7
2 - 42
6 - 90
32 & 27 (press box)

50
31

Minor pet peeve of mine, but I wish people would say 'highest cap hit' instead of highest paid. Weber is still the highest paid player in the league with Crosby being second, $20m+ more than Toews/Kane, but they just get to have the full amount of their contracts divided out over more years. Even at $13.25m over 8 years, McDavid would make slightly more money than Crosby but still be under Weber by $4m.
- L_B_R

Fair enough. That Weber contract was insane with respect to how much cash he gets earlier in it.

JJ I know this might be out left field what about scott hartnell on the lw on kane line big goes to the net he would have waive his nmt about same amount as AA. Any chance hawks looking at hanzel in free agency . AA Forling and 1st for jenner Harrington and a 3rd from Columbus, just spitballing.
- Scott1977

Terrible.

Flyers fans know all too well that Hartnell can't skate (#Hartnelldown). He has a big ole contract still, and Forsling is likely our #1 D Prospect. A #1 draft pick leaving is a step in the wrong direction.

Stan makes this move, and it doesn't work... there's the door Stan.

Wow!

What kinda probability would that be as-is? And if rather low, what would you do to kick that up and help the cap situation?
- blackhawk24

McPhee isn't trading Schmidt, he drafted him in Washington and is a BIG fan of his. Merrill or Miller may be more attainable.

How about:

1. AA to New Jersey (who is rumored to be connected to Hawks) for Ben Lovejoy who signed a three-year deal in 2016 that's only $2.6 M hit a year--not too shabby

2. Kruger and pick to Vegas for one of their young Forwards

GM'ing again:

AA to Columbus For Matt Calvert and Lukas Sedlak.

Middle line LW with speed and some skill, lower line PK C, 52% on draws, tough to play against.

BOOM.

And you save a bit on the cap too.
- John Jaeckel

Trying to start a CLB v LVG bidding war for AA? If so, I like it.

Simon Despres's career is basically over from concussions
- Stan_Bowman

So was Clarke McArthur's... until it wasn't. He has to technically be "healthy" to be bought out too.

It's absurd, man.

I like McDavid a lot and wish him success--it's good for the game.

But, I'm not a huge contract guy. Just seems so risky to me. Truth be told, I wasn't even a fan of the Toews/Kane contracts.
- Hank3Henshaw

Toews and Kane had to be paid but 10.5? When did 8, 8.5, 9 become inconsequential amounts of money?

Minor pet peeve of mine, but I wish people would say 'highest cap hit' instead of highest paid. Weber is still the highest paid player in the league with Crosby being second, $20m+ more than Toews/Kane, but they just get to have the full amount of their contracts divided out over more years. Even at $13.25m over 8 years, McDavid would make slightly more money than Crosby but still be under Weber by $4m.
- L_B_R

You are speaking of the total contract value, in terms of yearly salary, the highest paid player in the league last year was Anze Kopitar at $14m.

Toews and Kane had to be paid but 10.5? When did 8, 8.5, 9 become inconsequential amounts of money?
- Z3Hawk

Totally agree.

Nothi9ng against Toews, but he has not been earning that $10.5 and that makes it a bit worse for me.

I think JJ's assessments sound fair, I could see this type of thing playing out:

1. Flipping AA to LVG for Lindberg and Colin Miller.

2. Offer a package to NJD of Kruger, Forsling, and Debrincat for Adam Henrique and John Moore.

3. Thinking here is that: Forsling is expandable with the presence of Miller and Moore, Debrincat(who is not popular with many of you) is tradable for a team in win-now mode. NJD gets a D pivot, a good D prospect, and a uber forward prospect for their rebuild. Chicago gets a win now forward with verstality and a D man.

Saad - Toews - Panik

Henrique(taking impt draws) - Schmaltz - Kane

Hayden - Lindberg - Hartman

Kero - Dauphin - Jurco


Keith - Murphy

Seabrook - Moore

Miller - Kempny

Rutta

Todd Cordell just posted an article that the Blue Jackets keep coming up in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes...

If they get him, maybe they'll be more inclined to bring AA back.

Could be a pretty deadly Russian line with Panarin-AA-Kovalchuk.

I think JJ's assessments sound fair, I could see this type of thing playing out:

1. Flipping AA to LVG for Lindberg and Colin Miller.

2. Offer a package to NJD of Kruger, Forsling, and Debrincat for Adam Henrique and John Moore.

3. Thinking here is that: Forsling is expandable with the presence of Miller and Moore, Debrincat(who is not popular with many of you) is tradable for a team in win-now mode. NJD gets a D pivot, a good D prospect, and a uber forward prospect for their rebuild. Chicago gets a win now forward with verstality and a D man.

Saad - Toews - Panik

Henrique(taking impt draws) - Schmaltz - Kane

Hayden - Lindberg - Hartman

Kero - Dauphin - Jurco


Keith - Murphy

Seabrook - Moore

Miller - Kempny

Rutta
- Bjm84

They'd probably play Henrique at 2C and Schmaltz at LW.

JJ, do you think CLB is really in on Kovalchuk? If so, do you think this could be a reason that AA is linked to the team?

JJ, do you think CLB is really in on Kovalchuk? If so, do you think this could be a reason that AA is linked to the team?
- powerenforcer

That's what I was speculating a couple posts above.

Could be a pretty nasty all-Russian line of Panarin-AA-Kovalchuk

Simon Despres's career is basically over from concussions
- Stan_Bowman

Well, Stan, thanks for letting us know.

Like the blog says, I was told last night you would be investigating if that is truly the case.

This is really a crazy time for Hawks with too many question marks. I realize that some trades need to be made for salary cap reasons, and the return will most likely be prospects or lower salaried veterans. Currently the Hawks have so many young players and new faces with uncertainty already, adding more prospects to the pool will certainly strengthen the farm system, but Hawks looking for some more dependable or sure things in their line up .............. but that will cost them ........ back to the cap woes !!
Really have to find out where the young players are in their developement. One good thing is that hopefully, by the time they figure out a solid line up, Hawks will be playing with some momentum, heading into the play offs ....... unlike previous years where the players and us fans as well, would just wait for them to "flip the switch". The switch is not working because too many things have to be figured out along the way