I would suggest that the most likely buy-out candidate for the Canes would actually be Ryan Dzingle.

Nothing against him, he just hasn't been the fit they needed and to be honest, there's really no room for him with the roster as constructed.

Gardiner could go but I think he has more value in a trade if necessary as he really has seemed to be finding his game of late.

Dark horse buy-out candidate: Jordan Staal. Love the guy, and he brings a lot to the table still, but with Aho a full time 1C and Vincent Trocheck in the fold, $6 million becomes a hefty price for a 3C.
- BINGO!

I would disagree and say $6 is just about right if you want a solid top 9 and 3C.

I don't disagree but I'm not sure paying a 21 or 22 year old who hasn't won anything the max salary is a good idea either.
- paulr

If Toews and Kane don't take those $6M bridge deals there would not have been '13 and '15 Cups.

I don't disagree but I'm not sure paying a 21 or 22 year old who hasn't won anything the max salary is a good idea either.
- paulr

Agreed

If Toews and Kane don't take those $6M bridge deals there would not have been '13 and '15 Cups.
- rpeters01

Very true but also there were not as many huge deals coming out of ELC at the time either. It's more the norm now.

Well silly or not I am glad the Hawks were able to give bridge deals to their young talent because they would never have won more than one cup. The Hawks were already in cap hell in 2010, imagine if they had Kane and Toews playing with $8M plus cap hits? Toronto is flirting with cap hell, Edmonton are top heavy. I like how the Hawks handled it.
- paulr

What team isn't in 'Cap Hell"? That's the thing people miss.

My definition of cap hell is not paying superstars 40 million, it's paying 30 million to a core of Nelson, Lee, Varlamov, Pageau, Eberle (Sorry Lou, but great example).

People get so swept up in the big salaries on the Leafs they miss the fact majority of the NHL is up against the cap and Matthews making 11.5 is not an issue, paying 4 million per to 4th liners is.

If Toews and Kane don't take those $6M bridge deals there would not have been '13 and '15 Cups.
- rpeters01

And they might have had 4 or 5 cups if Tallon did not make those terrible mistakes with signing bonuses

Just curious how much $ would those who don’t wanna hand out max deals to players unless they’ve already won a Stanley Cup have offered McDavid? Or would you have let him walk? What about Matthews and Marner?

And they might have had 4 or 5 cups if Tallon did not make those terrible mistakes with signing bonuses
- RogerRoeper

Had there not been a cap that 2010 Hawk team had a really good chance of being a dynasty in the tradition of the Canadiens, Islanders and oilers. That said I am glad there is a cap to make the NHL better for everyone. Who know the Leafs may finally win one. Sorry, April fools day is over!

I would suggest that the most likely buy-out candidate for the Canes would actually be Ryan Dzingle.

Nothing against him, he just hasn't been the fit they needed and to be honest, there's really no room for him with the roster as constructed.

Gardiner could go but I think he has more value in a trade if necessary as he really has seemed to be finding his game of late.

Dark horse buy-out candidate: Jordan Staal. Love the guy, and he brings a lot to the table still, but with Aho a full time 1C and Vincent Trocheck in the fold, $6 million becomes a hefty price for a 3C.
- BINGO!

If the Canes buy out Dzingel, I could see Bowman signing him to play top 9 forward. However, other factors at play:

Will Saad be on the team next year or moved early in advance of his current contract expiring?

Will Caggiula be re-signed and does he play 4th line or be the utility player playing in the top 9 wherever he is needed?

Will Nylander take a step or two forward to cement a role in the top 9 or perhaps even top 6?

Wil Shaw be healthy next season or on LTIR?

Will the Hawks draft a forward who makes the team whenever the next season happens to be?

Just an example with Dzingel in the fold:

Saad - Toews- Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Dzingel
Caggiula - Carpenter - Highmore
Kampf (+ Shaw on LTIR)

If the Canes buy out Dzingel, I could see Bowman signing him to play top 9 forward. However, other factors at play:

Will Saad be on the team next year or moved early in advance of his current contract expiring?

Will Caggiula be re-signed and does he play 4th line or be the utility player playing in the top 9 wherever he is needed?

Will Nylander take a step or two forward to cement a role in the top 9 or perhaps even top 6?

Wil Shaw be healthy next season or on LTIR?

Will the Hawks draft a forward who makes the team whenever the next season happens to be?

Just an example with Dzingel in the fold:

Saad - Toews- Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Dzingel
Caggiula - Carpenter - Highmore
Kampf (+ Shaw on LTIR)
- AEL_Fox

Very solid forward lineup.

I really believe if Cat and Strome bounce back we’ll be in outstanding shape at the forward position.

19,77,17 down the middle is VERY good compared to most teams.

Then on the wing there’s endless options. Could potentially add someone like Dzingle, could get Shaw back healthy, we’ve already seen Caggiula is a capable top 6 plug in, and Nylander has all the talent and opportunity to solidify a spot too. All of that on top of Kane, Saad, DeBrincat, and Kubalik.

That caliber of top 9 depth also creates a chain reaction right on down to the 4th line where we’ll have Kampf, Carpenter, Highmore, and potentially Caggiula/Shaw too(depending on who is left out of the top 9).

If we can get the young defenseman(Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Koekkoek, and hopefully Mitchell too) to take that next step AND keep Crawford, Keith, Murphy, and de Haan healthy then the overall roster will most certainly be playoff worthy. Lots of “ifs” involved but I’m gonna stay positive and say we can contend as soon as next season. I like all the young talent at all positions and believe we’ll get some cap space to open up and give us the flexibility to afford all those pieces I mentioned(LTIR Seabs if not a potential buy out, trade Maatta, etc).

If the Canes buy out Dzingel, I could see Bowman signing him to play top 9 forward. However, other factors at play:

Will Saad be on the team next year or moved early in advance of his current contract expiring?

Will Caggiula be re-signed and does he play 4th line or be the utility player playing in the top 9 wherever he is needed?

Will Nylander take a step or two forward to cement a role in the top 9 or perhaps even top 6?

Wil Shaw be healthy next season or on LTIR?

Will the Hawks draft a forward who makes the team whenever the next season happens to be?

Just an example with Dzingel in the fold:

Saad - Toews- Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Dzingel
Caggiula - Carpenter - Highmore
Kampf (+ Shaw on LTIR)
- AEL_Fox

There are going to be big issues with the salary cap... I don't see how it will increase given what is going on. Unless there is some sort of redistribution there will be a lot of free agents that won't be getting near the money they originally thought.

At this point there is no guarantee that at the start of next season teams are even generating revenue close to the anticipated level. The world is going to look at lot different for the foreseeable future.

There is no guarantee we even have a season next year

Had there not been a cap that 2010 Hawk team had a really good chance of being a dynasty in the tradition of the Canadiens, Islanders and oilers. That said I am glad there is a cap to make the NHL better for everyone. Who know the Leafs may finally win one. Sorry, April fools day is over!
- paulr

It is amazing how much Madden meant to that 2010 team. Rewatching the 2010 series he is all over the place making plays. And the D + Buff had some nasty bite.

Very solid forward lineup.

I really believe if Cat and Strome bounce back we’ll be in outstanding shape at the forward position.

19,77,17 down the middle is VERY good compared to most teams.

Then on the wing there’s endless options. Could potentially add someone like Dzingle, could get Shaw back healthy, we’ve already seen Caggiula is a capable top 6 plug in, and Nylander has all the talent and opportunity to solidify a spot too. All of that on top of Kane, Saad, DeBrincat, and Kubalik.

That caliber of top 9 depth also creates a chain reaction right on down to the 4th line where we’ll have Kampf, Carpenter, Highmore, and potentially Caggiula/Shaw too(depending on who is left out of the top 9).

If we can get the young defenseman(Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Koekkoek, and hopefully Mitchell too) to take that next step AND keep Crawford, Keith, Murphy, and de Haan healthy then the overall roster will most certainly be playoff worthy. Lots of “ifs” involved but I’m gonna stay positive and say we can contend as soon as next season. I like all the young talent at all positions and believe we’ll get some cap space to open up and give us the flexibility to afford all those pieces I mentioned(LTIR Seabs if not a potential buy out, trade Maatta, etc).
- SimpleJack

All good thoughts and ideas.

The D corps has question marks but potential to shape up into a balance of veteran leaders and a budding young nucleus.

Seabrook and de Haan are the biggest questions marks with their health. There's also the possible buy out option for Seabrook.

Maatta is a question mark similar to Saad: trade him now or retain him. I like what he can contribute if not relied upon to be top 3.

IMO, Mitchell eventually signs his ELC with the Hawks. He has made no indication of jumping ship and seems to be a man of his word. Reliable and loyal. As he said in a recent interview, he seems to be waiting on whether the ELC will start this season or next.

Assuming Seabrook is bought out:

Keith - Boqvist
de Haan - Murphy
Maatta - Mitchell
Koekkoek

Carlsson and Beaudin as first call-ups if needed. Or at least one of them plays if Maatta is traded and/or de Haan is not healed.

There are going to be big issues with the salary cap... I don't see how it will increase given what is going on. Unless there is some sort of redistribution there will be a lot of free agents that won't be getting near the money they originally thought.

At this point there is no guarantee that at the start of next season teams are even generating revenue close to the anticipated level. The world is going to look at lot different for the foreseeable future.
- bhawks2241

That's definitely a factor. I can't see many teams making any big money deals this summer.

However, I assumed that if Dzingel is bought out by the Canes, then the Hawks or any other team could sign him to a more affordable deal.

This could be what many teams may do (not just Dzingel, but any bought out players who are still serviceable).

That's definitely a factor. I can't see many teams making any big money deals this summer.

However, I assumed that if Dzingel is bought out by the Canes, then the Hawks or any other team could sign him to a more affordable deal.

This could be what many teams may do (not just Dzingel, but any bought out players who are still serviceable).
- AEL_Fox

I would suspect they try to trade him first, but yeah it just isn't a fit.

It is amazing how much Madden meant to that 2010 team. Rewatching the 2010 series he is all over the place making plays. And the D + Buff had some nasty bite.
- riozzo

Madden's son Tyler was recently signed to an ELC by the Kings after the Canucks parted ways with him.

I would suspect they try to trade him first, but yeah it just isn't a fit.
- BINGO!

Bingo, how do Bean and Fleury fit in on the Carolina blueline?

Looks like the Canes currently have a solid top 3 with Slavin, Pesce, and Hamilton and rounding out with Gardiner, Edmundson, van Riemsdyk, Vatanen, and Skjei.

There is no guarantee we even have a season next year
- flashfire

There’s no guarantee I’m not struck by a bolt of lightning next time there’s a storm.

Barring an absolute worst case scenario next season will go on as planned. We’re talking months from now. Gotta have faith that continued mitigation will inevitably slow and control the crisis. All the data established by professionals in the field of science points towards a recovery during the summer, though the next couple weeks will look ugly and see a rapid exponential increase. Can’t let that scare or surprise anyone. Just keep the lockdowns in place and the social distancing in effect and do our part in the meantime.

All good thoughts and ideas.

The D corps has question marks but potential to shape up into a balance of veteran leaders and a budding young nucleus.

Seabrook and de Haan are the biggest questions marks with their health. There's also the possible buy out option for Seabrook.

Maatta is a question mark similar to Saad: trade him now or retain him. I like what he can contribute if not relied upon to be top 3.

IMO, Mitchell eventually signs his ELC with the Hawks. He has made no indication of jumping ship and seems to be a man of his word. Reliable and loyal. As he said in a recent interview, he seems to be waiting on whether the ELC will start this season or next.

Assuming Seabrook is bought out:

Keith - Boqvist
de Haan - Murphy
Maatta - Mitchell
Koekkoek

Carlsson and Beaudin as first call-ups if needed. Or at least one of them plays if Maatta is traded and/or de Haan is not healed.
- AEL_Fox

Yes, yes, and more yes. Maatta can be useful, and as long as we find other ways to free up some cap space I’m okay with keeping him around too.

I see a damn near perfect blend of youth and experience starting to form on our blue line as we move towards the near future.

What team isn't in 'Cap Hell"? That's the thing people miss.

My definition of cap hell is not paying superstars 40 million, it's paying 30 million to a core of Nelson, Lee, Varlamov, Pageau, Eberle (Sorry Lou, but great example).

People get so swept up in the big salaries on the Leafs they miss the fact majority of the NHL is up against the cap and Matthews making 11.5 is not an issue, paying 4 million per to 4th liners is.
- RogerRoeper

Is that a slap on Dubas considering he replaced Lou?

Bingo, how do Bean and Fleury fit in on the Carolina blueline?

Looks like the Canes currently have a solid top 3 with Slavin, Pesce, and Hamilton and rounding out with Gardiner, Edmundson, van Riemsdyk, Vatanen, and Skjei.
- AEL_Fox

Edmundson. Vatanan and TVR are all UFA's.

There’s no guarantee I’m not struck by a bolt of lightning next time there’s a storm.

Barring an absolute worst case scenario next season will go on as planned. We’re talking months from now. Gotta have faith that continued mitigation will inevitably slow and control the crisis. All the data established by professionals in the field of science points towards a recovery during the summer, though the next couple weeks will look ugly and see a rapid exponential increase. Can’t let that scare or surprise anyone. Just keep the lockdowns in place and the social distancing in effect and do our part in the meantime.
- SimpleJack

No country has returned to "normal life". Experts are now concerned that another outbreak will occur next fall/winter. There is also the issue of training camp and off-season training.

Given the news coming about China I am not sure anyone has a clue what is going to happen. This is very much a wait and see game.

How do you get fans to go back to packing stadiums with the virus still lurking?

Bingo, how do Bean and Fleury fit in on the Carolina blueline?

Looks like the Canes currently have a solid top 3 with Slavin, Pesce, and Hamilton and rounding out with Gardiner, Edmundson, van Riemsdyk, Vatanen, and Skjei.
- AEL_Fox

Next season? Edmundson and TVR will be gone. Edmundson bringsa physical edge but he gets himself wildly out of position at times. Fleury has stepped way, way up and has been the team's best defenseman on many nights since Hamilton went down.

I suspect they try to sign Vatanen and trade Gardiner. Keep Bean as the 7th defenseman

Jaccob Slavin - Dougie Hamilton
Brady Skjei - Brett Pesce
Haydn Fleury - Sami Vatanen
Jake Bean

Is that a slap on Dubas considering he replaced Lou?
- LAHawk

No not at all. Dubas pays superstars. Lou pays aging grinds he does not have too