It will be interesting to see which line JC puts Kane on Saturday night. If he puts Kane with Carpenter and Nylander the entire night, he should be fired.

Wow how much does that even help them on the cap this year by sending him down? Can't be much. Goes to show how bad he's been this year and the past few.
- Savetheembers33

Backes is making 6M this year and next. If they bury him in the minors they can only gain about 1M in cap space.

It will be interesting to see which line JC puts Kane on Saturday night. If he puts Kane with Carpenter and Nylander the entire night, he should be fired.
- Dieselhead

I'd really like to see 8-19-88 start the game because 1) they can help the team get out to a lead instead of vice-versa, and 2) I think Kane deserves best shot at hitting his 1000th point on HNIC in Toronto, against his friendly rival from USNTD and last year, and in front of his family and friends who've followed him there to see it.

It will be interesting to see which line JC puts Kane on Saturday night. If he puts Kane with Carpenter and Nylander the entire night, he should be fired.
- Dieselhead

Why? who should he play with? They won three games , 2 on the road. I seem to remember Q used to stick with the same line-up after a victory.

Why? who should he play with? They won three games , 2 on the road. I seem to remember Q used to stick with the same line-up after a victory.
- LAHawk

They did not score or start winning several recent games until Kane started double-shifting with the Toews-Kubalik line.

wow a bad contract that Stan didn't give out, who would of thought?
- LAHawk

HA...naw only Stan does those

Tyler,

The hits on the The-Rink site probably went up 10 fold with your appearance on the podcast. Listened to about 1/2 of it (spoiler alert Tyler comes on at about the 7 minute mark) and liked what you had to say. Looking forward to hear some of your expanded thoughts in future blogs here.

They did not score or start winning several recent games until Kane started double-shifting with the Toews-Kubalik line.
- pdx2ord

Should be a wide open game. I predict a 6-5 game. At some point the nuclear option 8-19-88 will be deployed.

Backes is making 6M this year and next. If they bury him in the minors they can only gain about 1M in cap space.
- boilermaker100

Damn that's what I figured. Even if they buy him out they won't get much cap relief. Crazy.

They did not score or start winning several recent games until Kane started double-shifting with the Toews-Kubalik line.
- pdx2ord

They didn't score in the Montreal game, only assists on the ADB PP goal. I am sure they are planning on doing the same thing, double shifting Kane when possible/necessary. After TV timeouts, after (hopefully) killing a penalty, etc. etc.

Also depends if Saad plays and where they place him, my guess back with 19 and 8

NHL
@NHL
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Can see McD's puffed out chest and grin from here (and, in this case, rightfully so)
- pdx2ord

that like Q as coach of decade was not even close...the 3rd cup solidified that...

will kanes "strangest cup winning goal ever" (phyll G6) get a nod as goal of the decade...its close

I'd like to sit both Sikura and Nylander but it won't happen. Sikura is from Toronto and Nylander's brother plays for the Leafs. You need a heartless pr$ck like Mike Babcock to pull healthy scratching both of them.
- RickJ

There seems to be a chance your wish may come true:

Ben Pope‏ @BenPopeCST · 56m56 minutes ago

Brandon Saad sounds iffy to play tomorrow but will likely play in these 3 games before the ASG break.

Strome is “highly questionable” to do the same, Colliton said.

Sounds like Hagel is called up to play, not just be a warm body.

Hey Darth, just read where Megexit is heading your way to take up residence. That will be a joy, won't it?

The heart thing is getting old. I don't think he's that way he certainly knows what it takes to succeed in the NHL. He was playing balls out early in the year. He looks like he doesn't want to get caught behind in defensive transition.
- rpeters01

If he does know, he’s not doing much to prove it. Balls out? He had like 2 decent games. Million dollar talent, ten cent head.

Waiver fodder.

Listened to the podcast.
Like the idea of prioritizing re-upping Lehner.
Feeling more alone as time passes to be in the Keep Stan Bowman camp/phone booth.
As much talk there is about moving out a core piece, I would need to hear what specific contracts are coming back, because no other team has room to completely absorb a core piece contract and remain under the cap.

Listened to the podcast.
Like the idea of prioritizing re-upping Lehner.
Feeling more alone as time passes to be in the Keep Stan Bowman camp/phone booth.
As much talk there is about moving out a core piece, I would need to hear what specific contracts are coming back, because no other team has room to completely absorb a core piece contract and remain under the cap.
- 35Tony0

Would you consider Crawford as part of the core? If so if he is willing to waive his nmt then Toronto carolina Colorado make the most sense imo. What the return be who knows maybe a 2nd rounder and prospect or a 1st if hawks retain salary and take a bad contract in return.

Would you consider Crawford as part of the core? If so if he is willing to waive his nmt then Toronto carolina Colorado make the most sense imo. What the return be who knows maybe a 2nd rounder and prospect or a 1st if hawks retain salary and take a bad contract in return.
- Scott1977

Well, yes, you consider everything that's out there. But I really wish there was a way to keep the goalie combo intact going forward. They're both simply that good, IMHO.

Would you consider Crawford as part of the core? If so if he is willing to waive his nmt then Toronto carolina Colorado make the most sense imo. What the return be who knows maybe a 2nd rounder and prospect or a 1st if hawks retain salary and take a bad contract in return.
- Scott1977

No, I don't consider him part of the core, I think he can give a list of 10 teams that he would not want to be traded to, best case scenario is a second if someone is desperate.

To me better odds are trading Lehner to Carolina, they tried signing him as a FA this past offseason. I think his ask, and the Hawks will to pay will be too great and the Hawks will have to move him. Carolina has 2 1sts (including Toronto's), 2 2nds, 2 thirds this year so they have draft choices to give for compensation.

No, I don't consider him part of the core, I think he can give a list of 10 teams that he would not want to be traded to, best case scenario is a second if someone is desperate.

To me better odds are trading Lehner to Carolina, they tried signing him as a FA this past offseason. I think his ask, and the Hawks will to pay will be too great and the Hawks will have to move him. Carolina has 2 1sts (including Toronto's), 2 2nds, 2 thirds this year so they have draft choices to give for compensation.
- LAHawk

Does Carolina have $5 million in cap space, or do you see salaries coming back?

No, I don't consider him part of the core, I think he can give a list of 10 teams that he would not want to be traded to, best case scenario is a second if someone is desperate.

To me better odds are trading Lehner to Carolina, they tried signing him as a FA this past offseason. I think his ask, and the Hawks will to pay will be too great and the Hawks will have to move him. Carolina has 2 1sts (including Toronto's), 2 2nds, 2 thirds this year so they have draft choices to give for compensation.
- LAHawk

Good points, so here is a question LA if hawks are clearly not going to make the playoffs do the hawks trade both goalies and go with lannakin and delia to see what they have in those two for next year. Personally I would to maximize what ever return but only if hawks clearly not going to make the playoffs.

Does Carolina have $5 million in cap space, or do you see salaries coming back?
- 35Tony0

They have $5 million now, don't forget Lehner's contract would be pro rated. Probably more if Hamilton has to go on LTIR.

We might have to take back Reimer too at $3.5 for 2 years.

Good points, so here is a question LA if hawks are clearly not going to make the playoffs do the hawks trade both goalies and go with lannakin and delia to see what they have in those two for next year. Personally I would to maximize what ever return but only if hawks clearly not going to make the playoffs.
- Scott1977

My point is that CC might end up being untradeable with his comments of him wanting to still be the #1 goalie, he could tailor the list so that the teams he could be traded to are not looking for a goalie, and we either would have to resign him, or run the risk of letting him walk for nothing.

I doubt the Hawks would go to Delia and Lankenin "naked". I can see them signing a Jimmy Howard type for one year as a veteran backup that can be a #1 for a stretch.

No, I don't consider him part of the core, I think he can give a list of 10 teams that he would not want to be traded to, best case scenario is a second if someone is desperate.

To me better odds are trading Lehner to Carolina, they tried signing him as a FA this past offseason. I think his ask, and the Hawks will to pay will be too great and the Hawks will have to move him. Carolina has 2 1sts (including Toronto's), 2 2nds, 2 thirds this year so they have draft choices to give for compensation.
- LAHawk

I think CC has a "10 team trade-to" list, not "10 team NOT TO trade list". if he really wants to stay with Chicago, he could pick the 10 teams that doesn't need a goalie, but if he wants a shot at a cup, he might pick the teams that are currently up in the standings. Vegas and Colorado are a starting-goalie-injury away from knocking for CCs service, same with Boston, Toronto and Carolina. (I'm not hoping for injuries to happen, just putting out scenarios). I do wonder if those 10 team list is going to be leaked to the media, maybe around TDL

The heart thing is getting old. I don't think he's that way he certainly knows what it takes to succeed in the NHL. He was playing balls out early in the year. He looks like he doesn't want to get caught behind in defensive transition.
- rpeters01

Balls the size of BB's. He's fine when the puck comes to him in the slot and there's no defenders next to him. Which is like almost never. Gets swatted around like a 3rd grade kid out there. He's not even close to a difference maker in the show.

I think CC has a "10 team trade-to" list, not "10 team NOT TO trade list". if he really wants to stay with Chicago, he could pick the 10 teams that doesn't need a goalie, but if he wants a shot at a cup, he might pick the teams that are currently up in the standings. Vegas and Colorado are a starting-goalie-injury away from knocking for CCs service, same with Boston, Toronto and Carolina. (I'm not hoping for injuries to happen, just putting out scenarios). I do wonder if those 10 team list is going to be leaked to the media, maybe around TDL
- squishy24

Correct,as to the trade to list, so who would he select that have good odds at a cup? Tampa (no cap space), Vegas (no cap space) Toronto (no cap space), Boston (they have 2 goalies), Islanders (doubt that would be on his list) St. Louis (not looking for a goalie), Panthers (no cap space), Capitals (have Samsanov waiting in the wings if Holtby injured), Pittsburgh (Have Jarry and DeSmith if Murray gets hurt), Phoenix- no cap space (believe it or not). Calgary ( no cap space could work IF Corey has them on his list). Nahville (LOL) Winnepeg (doubt CC would put them on the list)

Colorado could work IF Crawford wants to go there for a cup.

All the other teams I would consider not Stanley Cup contenders, and only way he would agree to go is if they work out a contract before he is traded and a promise to be #1 next year.