No one has said this except your boy Tanner. If you are going to call him out, call him out. Don't make it seem like a bunch of people from a group you love to pick on are making the same conclusions.
- Blackstrom2

Oh jeez, ya nice try. Second time in a week, Lame Ass Drive By Take Of The Day. Is this actually what you derive self-esteem from? LOL

What you say is correct, however, how many teams are willing to admit that they will not be competitive and/or need cap space at some time over the next 4 years.

Take a team like Phoenix. They have some strong young players, that maybe if they click become competitive. Those players will all be coming off of their ELC's and look to get paid, and in addition, if the team is competitive, they will need cap space to acquire players and make playoff runs. Is a team like that willing to have $5.25m of dead cap space? If you don't LTIR him now, there is no chance you can do it in a couple of years if and when you need the space. If Hossa goes anywhere, it is on LTIR and not sitting on an active roster but not playing.

In regards to your last question, no, the Hawks don't make that deal. You are sending them a player and a pick maybe to make the deal, Not a player and 4 picks. Previous deals like Pronger and Datsyuk did not cost that much.
- TheTrob

I have no argument with your points. But ponder this....
1) Some owners have a budget that is well below the cap ceiling and have never been within $5 mil of the cap. They would not have the revenue streams to pay out that much in salaries. They would lose their ass if their payroll was $70 to $75 mil.
2) We would not be losing 4 picks. We would be moving back one round for 4 years. If the Hawks play well and the Coyotes play not so well. It would be moving from late in the 3rd round to early in the 4th round. I just think you need to incentivise the team that takes Hossa's contract.

Pierre McGuire on Ottawa radio this morning mentioned Chicago as a possible landing spot for Chris Neil.
- maaddmike

Chris 'True Grit' Neil would be very welcomed in Chicago

About the draws. Think I read two hockey books in my life and one was The Greatest Game about the Canadiens and the Red Army games back in the 70's. It was said how ScottyBow was adamant that the missing piece for his Canadiens was a face off guy and that he (can't remember who) was acquired and they did go on a cup winning streak after that.

With ScottyBow being an advisor and his boy the GM I can't understand how the importance if winning draws hasn't been a big priority for StanBow?
- Mr Ricochet

Wasn't it Doug Jarvis?

It has been when he can swing it: Vermette, Handzus
- John Jaeckel

http://puckbase.com/stats/faceoff-percentage

Boyle, Cullen, Moore should be available. All are a bit slower/older than the current theme, but Cullen had some magic wheels this postseason.

Kinda flies in the face of improving the team speed up front I'd think.
- Hawksfan37

This summer, there are very few rumors I would just shoot down. I think the Hawks are looking at everybody and everything (within broad parameters) right now.

Chris 'True Grit' Neil would be very welcomed in Chicago



- Hank3Henshaw

He'd strengthen our penalty kill, because we'd constantly be on it.

His time in Edmonton seems to have gotten him a "defensive liability" moniker also. Undeserving. He's almost a 50/50 split in offensive and D-zone splits, and maintains 55% possession on all the teams he's been on outside EDM, even the Yotes.
- JRoenick97

This is a good point despite him being -91 for his career and 45.3% at the dot. No doubt those Edmonton years have killed his fancy stats and they have gotten pretty good, at least better, once he got away from EDM. But you'll also notice in those years he played under 14:00 a game. I doubt that's a coincidence: http://www.hockey-referen.../players/g/gagnesa01.html

http://puckbase.com/stats/faceoff-percentage

Boyle, Cullen, Moore should be available. All are a bit slower/older than the current theme, but Cullen had some magic wheels this postseason.
- ObeseOprah

Hawks are highly interested in him, or were a few days ago. Some scuttlebutt he'd like to go back to TB, but that's no guarantee, even if true.

You know what, this is starting to piss people off..... If I'm the Hawks I move ahead as if Hossa's money is available and make the league stop me and if they do call Al Davis' or Jerry Jones' lawyer.
- Mr Ricochet

It shouldn't be taking this long for a decision. The longer it takes the more it seems like they are going to screw the Hawks.

This is a good point despite him being -91 for his career and 45.3% at the dot. No doubt those Edmonton years have killed his fancy stats and they have gotten pretty good, at least better, once he got away from EDM. But you'll also notice in those years he played under 14:00 a game. I doubt that's a coincidence: http://www.hockey-referen.../players/g/gagnesa01.html
- Mr Ricochet

Under 14 likely means 3rd/4th line, which should have to be more responsible defensively as well. I'm not advocating for the guy, I just think we could do worse. Maybe not as 2C though, unless he shows something of a rejuvenation.

This is a good point despite him being -91 for his career and 45.3% at the dot. No doubt those Edmonton years have killed his fancy stats and they have gotten pretty good, at least better, once he got away from EDM. But you'll also notice in those years he played under 14:00 a game. I doubt that's a coincidence: http://www.hockey-referen.../players/g/gagnesa01.html
- Mr Ricochet

Never been a Gagner fan. And I've made that abundantly clear here in the past.

Saw him play a lot this past season and when you use him the right way, he has matured into a pretty effective player.

45.3 is prolly better than AA for his career. Gagner was 47.1% last year, which I KNOW is better than AA was.

The Gagner rumor (which was not mine), along with maybe Del Zotto and some of the depth d-men, or a guy like Cramorossa makes more sense than some other stuff that's out there (to me).

But that's ONLY if the Hawks used Gagner the right way. You put Gagner at C with Kane, with a road grader/space creator type at LW, you might have something, esp. if you can get Gagner at 1-2 million a year less a year than AA.

He'd strengthen our penalty kill, because we'd constantly be on it.
- ObeseOprah

This summer, there are very few rumors I would just shoot down. I think the Hawks are looking at everybody and everything (within broad parameters) right now.
- John Jaeckel

As they should. There are and shouldn't be any absolutes and few players should not be given consideration... I like how StanBow has seemingly taken the reigns and to hell what Q thinks. GM's GM and coaches coach. Whether it works out or not we'll see but sticking with a stagnant plan, with stagnant systems that relies on overwhelming talent and cold shoulders players who go on to win two cups with an aging core up against the cap ain't reasonable anymore.

I have no argument with your points. But ponder this....
1) Some owners have a budget that is well below the cap ceiling and have never been within $5 mil of the cap. They would not have the revenue streams to pay out that much in salaries. They would lose their ass if their payroll was $70 to $75 mil.
2) We would not be losing 4 picks. We would be moving back one round for 4 years. If the Hawks play well and the Coyotes play not so well. It would be moving from late in the 3rd round to early in the 4th round. I just think you need to incentivise the team that takes Hossa's contract.
- -Doh-

Agreed, there will be some incentive to take the contract, but don't forget that Phoenix also benefits by getting to the cap floor without having to spend actual dollars. Lets use a few of the deals as examples:

Pronger + Nicklas Grossmann, in exchange for forward Sam Gagner and a conditional draft pick (either a fourth-round draft pick in 2016 or a third-round draft pick in 2017).

Datsyuk + 16th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for the 20th overall pick, the 53rd overall pick, and Joe Vitale.[21]

Bolland was traded along with prospect Lawson Crouse in exchange for a 2nd and 3rd round pick.

In all of these deals it was not just a dump of the contract. In every single one of them the team trading the bad contract received value back in the form of picks/prospects/players.

It shouldn't be taking this long for a decision. The longer it takes the more it seems like they are going to screw the Hawks.
- jhawk159

I think it's ALL show—specifically for the whiners in the other front offices.

They will likely resolve this with Hossa on LTIR by Saturday AM. If not, I have one thing to say to Bettman:

"Rocky Wirtz on line 1. Donald Fehr on line 2."

It shouldn't be taking this long for a decision. The longer it takes the more it seems like they are going to screw the Hawks.
- jhawk159

You wearing powerenforcers tin foil hat today??

As they should. There are and shouldn't be any absolutes and few players should not be given consideration... I like how StanBow has seemingly taken the reigns and to hell what Q thinks. GM's GM and coaches coach. Whether it works out or not we'll see but sticking with a stagnant plan, with stagnant systems that relies on overwhelming talent and cold shoulders players who go on to win two cups with an aging core up against the cap ain't reasonable anymore.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed 110%.

It shouldn't be taking this long for a decision. The longer it takes the more it seems like they are going to screw the Hawks.
- jhawk159

My bet is it will be announced Saturday evening, where news goes unread... except the JJ faithful...

I think it's ALL show—specifically for the whiners in the other front offices.

They will likely resolve this with Hossa on LTIR by Saturday AM. If not, I have one thing to say to Bettman:

"Rocky Wirtz on line 1. Donald Fehr on line 2."
- John Jaeckel

Bettman and Daley are lawyers, they need to read the fine print of the medical reports and find some league doctor to provide answers to a few of their medical questions about rashes.

This could take months, if not years.

You wearing powerenforcers tin foil hat today??
- TheTrob

I thought I'd try it on for size but I don't think I'll keep it.

Never been a Gagner fan. And I've made that abundantly clear here in the past.

Saw him play a lot this past season and when you use him the right way, he has matured into a pretty effective player.

45.3 is prolly better than AA for his career. Gagner was 47.1% last year, which I KNOW is better than AA was.

The Gagner rumor (which was not mine), along with maybe Del Zotto and some of the depth d-men, or a guy like Cramorossa makes more sense than some other stuff that's out there (to me).

But that's ONLY if the Hawks used Gagner the right way. You put Gagner at C with Kane, with a road grader/space creator type at LW, you might have something, esp. if you can get Gagner at 1-2 million a year less a year than AA.
- John Jaeckel

JJ I agree with you and JR, or anyone else, about Gagner, or anyone else, that if the fit and price are reasonable no harm in giving it a look. Or how bout StanBow unearth this year's Gagner, a guy who didn't fit anywhere else due to slotting/systems and make it work?

Again my biggest concern with a Gagner type at 2C is what it means defensively especially considering the defense as is today. In fact I see the Hawks playing a Penguin type defense if Kempny and Forsling and/or Gus is in the lineup. On paper and style it may look ugly but use the speed to get to the puck and flip the thing out and up to the forwards anyway possible, let the forwards support each other from there to move it forward and live with the turnovers.

I think that's gonna be the way to compensate for the deficiencies on the back end and use speed, skill and grit to move the puck forward.

Great news love cramossa solid 4th liner reminds me of jake dowell. He can play w or center. Has there been any news on if the hawks might resign Latta? I know they didn't qualify him but could they get him on the cheap. He would be another good fit. Cramossa kero with Latta tootoo and jurco before he is a bust and sent to rockford.
- vandymeer23

If that is the case, we might as well just bring Dowell up from Rockford.

As they should. There are and shouldn't be any absolutes and few players should not be given consideration... I like how StanBow has seemingly taken the reigns and to hell what Q thinks. GM's GM and coaches coach. Whether it works out or not we'll see but sticking with a stagnant plan, with stagnant systems that relies on overwhelming talent and cold shoulders players who go on to win two cups with an aging core up against the cap ain't reasonable anymore.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed 110%.
- John Jaeckel

Don't think for a second that Q's leash hasn't been tightened significantly. Sure he has brought you 3 cups and earned respect, but has been a first round exit 2 years in a row with a squad that can be argued was thought to be deeper than the club that has won it.

Wasn't it Doug Jarvis?
- RickJ

Could be, Rick. But ScottBow identified his need and winning faceoffs proved to be the solution.