Powers tweet:

Ran into Alex Turcotte at O'Hare. He said he's feeling good about the draft. He's thinking he'll go third or fourth.
- EbonyRaptor

bathroom??...how the hell did ya run into him...

I hear Stan is a Master Baiter.
- hereismike1

Had a friend who had that job on a fishing boat.

Look at the returns that teams get when trading legit Top 4 Defensemen or more specifically how hard it is to find those type of guys or trade for them. That is why it make sense. You can never have enough D-men (look at the team now for example and look at the rate at which guys actually live up to their potential). Look at Nashville for example on how they stockpiled Defensemen (and still do) and was able to swap one (Jones) for a Top 6 Center (Johansen) and are looking to do the same again because of the demand for Top 4 D-Men.
- Savetheembers33

Jets got a college UFA and #20 pick for Trouba. I must be missing something on Pionk cause he was sporting a 43% Corsi. That's below replacement level.

I think the Hawks have a very motivated Strome on their hands. He will put the work in to try to improve.
- Elbows15

I agree 100%. Where I hope his biggest improvment comes is when he doesn't have the puck.

- Draft Bryam.
- Sign Perry 2M.
- Sign bottom 6 center.
- Move Anisimov
- RedRevenge

Please , no. He is done.

Jets got a college UFA and #20 pick for Trouba. I must be missing something on Pionk cause he was sporting a 43% Corsi. That's below replacement level.
- Elbows15

He did make this play though......still a pretty brutal roster hit for Winnipeg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH4rPOLjWzw

What the hell are you guys talking about ??
- mrpaulish

Its just an option did not say it was a good option but something to maybe explore. Don't think it happens but who know.

If there's a way of signing Anders Lee and fitting him in cap wise the next few years I think that's the way to go. He's one thing we've been sorely lacking. A big power forward with huge net front scoring. We haven't had that guy since Shaw. And he's the type that would excel in the playoffs with this team, if we get there. But i just think its a perfect fit
- rwilliams88

Agreed but at what cost with the Hayes contract quagmire? Lee>Hayes. Grab Pavelski for a year or deuce til someone else grows up to be a 1RW

I agree 100%. Where I hope his biggest improvment comes is when he doesn't have the puck.
- paulr

He's at least willing on that end. I will say that about him. Its where his skating issues really come into play. His speed is okay once he gets going but on defense you need that quick burst to close and recover. If he can improve that area, he can be adequate defensively.

perry on 1 year prove it contract 1 to 2 million same with Simmonds
- Scott1977

Simmonds? The guy who was on the 4th line with Nashville? Just no.

52 hours out , figured there would be more trade chatter.....
- mrpaulish

Calm before the storm. Who blinks first. It's coming...

perry on 1 year prove it contract 1 to 2 million same with Simmonds
- Scott1977

No on Simmonds. Maybe on Ryan

He's at least willing on that end. I will say that about him. Its where his skating issues really come into play. His speed is okay once he gets going but on defense you need that quick burst to close and recover. If he can improve that area, he can be adequate defensively.
- Elbows15

Ryan O'Reilly is a solid defensive forward with average, at best, skating ability. What ROR lacks on his skates he makes up for in smarts and positioning. If Strome works at it he can be respectable defensively.

What do you think dcat will get? I try lock him up after July 1.
- Scott1977

Right now he is in the Nylander range to me. Maybe a bit more cause goals have a higher value. If they could signed him for between 7 and 7.5 for 5 years, I would lock him my office until the league approved the contract.

My contacts went quiet.

I'll put a nudge out to a couple though this morning.

Stay tuned.
- Tyler Cameron

I wouldn't be surprised if nothing happens until the cap is settled on.

If the cap could go as low as $81.5 - after GMs thinking in the $83 range - that's a big difference that could dramatically affect a team's plans.

And carry that through to 2020-21 - instead of perhaps $86 (which was the thinking recently) it winds up at $83....that would certainly affect more teams - including the Hawks, who have to resign two high-level players.

This league is a disaster when it comes to business: there is no reason they couldn't project better than they are - no reason they wouldn't have a better handle on last year's HRR, even if it wasn't completely calculated until this week - no reason not to have better discussions with the PA about the "escalator" and escrow considerations.

So much depends on the cap hit....

There is no primary or secondary set of criteria in arbitration - there is only what is admissible and inadmissible.

The evidence that can be used in arbitration cases includes:

The player's "overall performance" including statistics in all previous seasons
Injuries, illnesses, and the number of games played
The player's length of service with the team and in the NHL
The player's "overall contribution" to the team's success or failure
The player's "special qualities of leadership or public appeal"
The performance and salary of any player believed to be comparable to the player in the dispute

Evidence that is not admissible includes:

The salary and performance of a comparable player who signed a contract as an unrestricted free agent
Testimonials, videos, and media reports
The financial state of the team
The salary cap and the state of the team's payroll


To your point, UFA contracts are not admissible as evidence, but RFAs are. Trouble is, as others have mentioned, the bridge deal has pretty much gone the way of the dodo bird, so many RFAs with good numbers are jumping straight to payday.
- Return of the Roar

Hmm secondary in the sense that when they're weeding down comps, they're going by the first 3 items on the admissible evidence list first and then looking at the other things (like leadership, deeper level stats that only got added in the last few years, etc). It's how all comparable lists start in general - take most common, high level similarities and sort by them first and then use the others to finish it off. So in this case, they typically use things like stats, games played, age as the starting point in determining the the last bit - performance/salary of a comparable to the player.

And just to note, I wasn't talking specifically about going into arbitration because neither Debrincat/Strome will be eligible idb - I was simply referencing the rules (about admissible evidence) when it comes to creating comparable lists to show that Hayes isn't a comp for a variety of reasons.

Imo bridge deals still exits, but it's somewhat moot when talking about them with players like Debrincat and potentially Strome - they haven't really been the types of deals offered to franchise potential, top line players. It's been pretty common for a while now that players of that calibre would get a $6x6m (give or take $1m x 1) deal - Toews/Kane actually got that type of deal back in 2009. The only good news when it comes to these second higher/longer deals is that they haven't risen as rapidly as UFA contract amount have as they've stayed relatively in the modern cap era.

Id offer 4.5 now and if he produces up to his pace from his short time with the Hawks Id be OK with 6 aav.

I don't want to put the cart in front of the horse....but...…

x-19-UFA or trade acquired top 6 winger
12-17-88

In my world you deal 15 to free up room to get the UFA signing.....

From there sign a veteran bottom 6 center who is defensively responsible and put Saad with him and 1 of these speedy kids who can produce, and you got yourself a helluva top 9.

Being greedy....I still want another D man who can slide into the top 4 or be a standout 5...Keith, Seabrook, Maatta, Murphy, X, Koekkoek, Jokiharju…..

And yes, I have left off Gus as I use him for trade bait to acquire a more stable defensive defenseman.

I think if they can limit the prime chances against CC, and lower the shot total against with better defensive play......this team can make a monumental leap from last year.

And yes, this is me....typing this.
- SteveRain

This is the plan I hope Stan executes this summer exactly

Ryan O'Reilly is a solid defensive forward with average, at best, skating ability. What ROR lacks on his skates he makes up for in smarts and positioning. If Strome works at it he can be respectable defensively.
- paulr

True but ROR, who I hate, has a decent 1st step. Strome takes a couple of strides to get going. Speed is pretty much what it is. Sure, it can be improve marginally but I think you can improve short area burst. Some of it will come with Strome just getting stronger. Do I think it can be improve dramatically? Nah but just a marginal improvement will make a world of difference for Strome. He has good hockey sense. He for sure is willing to play defense. Some edge work improvements will go a long way to making him not a liability in his own zone.

He will put in the work to try to improve. Honestly, its all I can ask as a fan.

I know some here were saying the next CBA agreement has to eliminate the Kevin Hayes 4 yr college and you are free to make a deal but I think this part of the agreement was determined and birthed bycourt action .

From Section 8.6(c)(i) of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement:

If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is a bona fide college student at the time of his selection in the Entry Draft, or becomes a bona fide college student prior to the first June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft, and remains a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for his services through and including the August 15 following the graduation of his college class. The Club need not make a Bona Fide Offer to such Player to retain such rights.


FOR SURE the next CBA has to include six year rookie contracts locked in at a max and the clubs have an option to get out of them at anytime if the player flops.
ONE year can be "slide" year like now, but that is all.

This is the only way to curb this out of control non bridge deal atmosphere

I know some here were saying the next CBA agreement has to eliminate the Kevin Hayes 4 yr college and you are free to make a deal but I think this part of the agreement was determined and birthed bycourt action .

From Section 8.6(c)(i) of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement:

If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is a bona fide college student at the time of his selection in the Entry Draft, or becomes a bona fide college student prior to the first June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft, and remains a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for his services through and including the August 15 following the graduation of his college class. The Club need not make a Bona Fide Offer to such Player to retain such rights.


FOR SURE the next CBA has to include six year rookie contracts locked in at a max and the clubs have an option to get out of them at anytime if the player flops.
ONE year can be "slide" year like now, but that is all.

This is the only way to curb this out of control non bridge deal atmosphere
- wiz1901

The owners would love that.

If it were to be presented, Donald Fehr would immediately try to return to the MLBPA because he would nothing to do during the strike.

I know some here were saying the next CBA agreement has to eliminate the Kevin Hayes 4 yr college and you are free to make a deal but I think this part of the agreement was determined and birthed bycourt action .

From Section 8.6(c)(i) of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement:

If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19 is a bona fide college student at the time of his selection in the Entry Draft, or becomes a bona fide college student prior to the first June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft, and remains a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for his services through and including the August 15 following the graduation of his college class. The Club need not make a Bona Fide Offer to such Player to retain such rights

FOR SURE the next CBA has to include six year rookie contracts locked in at a max and the clubs have an option to get out of them at anytime if the player flops.
ONE year can be "slide" year like now, but that is all.

This is the only way to curb this out of control non bridge deal atmosphere
- wiz1901

Why should players have to stop GM's stupidity? NHLPA will never agree to 6 year ELC with an opt out.

True but ROR, who I hate, has a decent 1st step. Strome takes a couple of strides to get going. Speed is pretty much what it is. Sure, it can be improve marginally but I think you can improve short area burst. Some of it will come with Strome just getting stronger. Do I think it can be improve dramatically? Nah but just a marginal improvement will make a world of difference for Strome. He has good hockey sense. He for sure is willing to play defense. Some edge work improvements will go a long way to making him not a liability in his own zone.

He will put in the work to try to improve. Honestly, its all I can ask as a fan.
- Elbows15

I respect him as a player after watching him clutch up in the playoffs.

Why the hate for him?

Simmonds? The guy who was on the 4th line with Nashville? Just no.
- Elbows15

Just an option not saying hawks will go down that road. Maybe to add some toughness to bottom 6 there are other options that are better and younger options.

Right now he is in the Nylander range to me. Maybe a bit more cause goals have a higher value. If they could signed him for between 7 and 7.5 for 5 years, I would lock him my office until the league approved the contract.
- Elbows15

Ok thanks i was thinking 8 million per year for 6 to 8 years.

Please , no. He is done.
- Elbows15

Perry is low risk / high reward. Seems more than reasonable.