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

Could be a pretty nasty all-Russian line of Panarin-AA-Kovalchuk
- Hank3Henshaw

Sorry, i didn't see it. Work gets in the way sometimes.....

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

I have not HEARD that AA is linked to Columbus. I have postulated that it could make a lot of sense.

If CBJ got Kovy, then it makes even more sense.

Sure the obvious Russian line thing, but more importantly, then a guy like Jenner becomes highly expendable (to the Hawks)

Sorry, i didn't see it. Work gets in the way sometimes.....
- powerenforcer

Ohhhh, no worries. I wasn't saying that to be a smarta$$.

I was just saying that we're on the same page.

I hear you about work. I always have the blog up and sometimes miss big gaps due to meetings

Wish I could be a professional Hockey Buzzer

John what do you think of trading AA to Montreal for picks and then taking those picks and maybe Kruger to Vegas for Schmidt, think Vegas would do it?
- BlackHawksMan88

Wow, hard to say and that's some logistically challenging trading . . .

They'd probably play Henrique at 2C and Schmaltz at LW.
- JRoenick97

I would not move two prospects like Forsling and Debrincat for Henrique and Moore. Forsling has potential to be better than Moore. Debrincat has potential to be better than Henrique. I think if either of them are included in a trade it has to be for someone projected for your top line or top pairing. They by themselves would not be enough to get a top player, but packaged with AA and a high pick they could make an enticing package.

John what do you think of trading AA to Montreal for picks and then taking those picks and maybe Kruger to Vegas for Schmidt, think Vegas would do it?
- BlackHawksMan88

Wow, hard to say and that's some logistically challenging trading . . .

I would not move two prospects like Forsling and Debrincat for Henrique and Moore. Forsling has potential to be better than Moore. Debrincat has potential to be better than Henrique. I think if either of them are included in a trade it has to be for someone projected for your top line or top pairing. They by themselves would not be enough to get a top player, but packaged with AA and a high pick they could make an enticing package.
- -Doh-

Or worse, in both cases.

I have not HEARD that AA is linked to Columbus. I have postulated that it could make a lot of sense.

If CBJ got Kovy, then it makes even more sense.

Sure the obvious Russian line thing, but more importantly, then a guy like Jenner becomes highly expendable (to the Hawks)
- John Jaeckel

Jenner? Oh hell yea...CBus can bring in all the Russians they want.

Thought about J. Josefson as well, and he's actually a UFA now.

Moore would be a nice get.
- TyCamScore

I thought RFA(?), if so, I have failed as a GM.

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

When things calm down, JJ should do an "Ask Stan" blog, where you answer all the questions.

Or worse, in both cases.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly.

When things calm down, JJ should do an "Ask Stan" blog, where you answer all the questions.
- Tanuki

Yes, it's high time. LOL

Anyone see what the reported contract for McDavid's contract?

8 years, 13.25 mil......... wow.

I understand they want to keep him there and happy but yikes
- BURDA13

Sean White‏ @Sean_P_White 1h1 hour ago

Sidney Crosby's first non-ELC contract AAV was 17.3% of the cap. If McDavid signs 8-years $106M, his AAV will be 17.7% with a $75M cap.
1 reply 0 retweets 5 likes


Sean White‏ @Sean_P_White 1h1 hour ago

McDavid deserves a blank check much the same, but EDM will need to really crazy building around that. Welcome to cap hell.

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
- chuckdahammer

An argument could be made that the switch was on last February and March when they overtook the Wild. Then they decided to take the last two weeks of the season off. When the playoffs started they could not turn the switch back on.

Yes, it's high time. LOL
- John Jaeckel

That would be kind of neat.

Ugh, Hartnell, good guy but two years left at $4.8 million and he's pretty quickly becoming Andrew Brunette 2.0
- John Jaeckel

Possibility CLB will buy out Hartnell. If so and available Hawks need to look at this. You see a lot of Jacket hockey, he seemed to effective and mobile enough last year.

Sean White‏ @Sean_P_White 1h1 hour ago

Sidney Crosby's first non-ELC contract AAV was 17.3% of the cap. If McDavid signs 8-years $106M, his AAV will be 17.7% with a $75M cap.
1 reply 0 retweets 5 likes


Sean White‏ @Sean_P_White 1h1 hour ago

McDavid deserves a blank check much the same, but EDM will need to really crazy building around that. Welcome to cap hell.
- Mr Ricochet

Then they have to sign Draisaitl.

Then they have to sign Draisaitl.
- JRoenick97

Massive McDavid contract could start to unravel everything they've been putting together over the past couple seasons.

Feel like it could doom them for the future.

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

Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets are looking for a top-six talent and you can’t rule out Ilya Kovalchuk, but they may be looking for a center and Kovalchuk might not be the right player to go after.

Wasn't John Moore being mentioned at the TDL last year? $1.67m, not a bad cap hit.
- matt_ahrens

Watching the Devils is like sitting in a dentist's chair so I didn't see much of them last year except to check in to see Hall but can say with certainty Moore is an elite skater, has + size and was a 1st rounder................ A Moore, Folin, Merrill type would make good sense for the Hawks.

With the talk of McJesus pending $13.0M deal I thought it would be a fun exercise to see where our heads were at on the day of the 10.8 twin cap killers.

Here is JJ's blog and 1100+ comments. This is worth a read. JJ's comments on the contracts and more importantly the talent pool seem to be spot on.
(Have any winning lottery numbers in that crystal ball of yours)

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=61204

Plays LD and can wheel too. Just saying...
- 93Joe

Moore sure can wheel, he's adapted the physical aspect into his game as well.

Not impressed any longer with him.... JMO.....
He did nothing in the Final, looked worn out.
- Hawkytalk

Think he had a broken bone in his hand

IMO the Hawks will regret giving up Panarin. I hope they can replace all the scoring that is now gone.

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.
- ObeseOprah

Agreed......... don't want to move Forsling unless it's for a top 6 forward that will be retained for years to come, not 1 year. This kid has tools.