Tyler Cameron: What a flat cap means for the Blackhawks moving forward
It was announced that the salary cap would remain flat for the next two seasons with a 1 million dollar increase in the 3rd year.

This is not great news for many teams around the league.

Below, you will see how the Hawks will look within this new cap world.

first?

it's crazy to think that the Hawks will actually be one of the luckier teams in terms of cap space. Hopefully we don't squander it.

it's crazy to think that the Hawks will actually be one of the luckier teams in terms of cap space. Hopefully we don't squander it.
- rumina

Depends how you define lucky.

I would much rather be in NJ or OTT's shoes.

Hello Tyler,

I think Kubalik and Strome will get slightly less, Crawford considerably less in total dollars too big of a risk at his age and health history, and Saad will take a decrease instead of an increase the average size of his contract will be dependent on the length of the contract.

Awesome blog, Tyler.

You laid out a solid framework from which any of us can work from to brainstorm lineups over the next few seasons.

What is variable is who exactly fills the spots that are up for grabs and everyone will have their opinions as far as preferences, favorites, and goats.

I agree, most (if not all) of the spots will be filled from within the system which may include whoever is drafted in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Regardless, the players you selected in your sample lineups are pretty spot on.

You forgot Lafreniere.

Depends how you define lucky.

I would much rather be in NJ or OTT's shoes.
- Tyler Cameron

You know your franchise is in deep trouble when you’d rather be in NJ or OTT’s shoes!!!

I have no clues as to whether DeBrincat can get in the same body and mind “shape” which he sported in his 41 goal campaign....can he be in this shape as soon as this season resumption? Or in December?

I have no clues as to whether Seabrook might consider adapting very much - or shall I say replicating the Larry Murphy school of playing the angles on defense. Seabrook even a tad better skating means he can react to the on ice action and use his strength better than his handicapped past couple or so seasons (yes/no)?

Nonetheless I would guess he is third pair and or depth. But having him with the team even playing off and on (press box scratch) is still a positive. His presence and team spirit is good for the development of the young dmen.

When you say that you have no idea what player subtraction happens with The Expansion Draft, of course no one can gaze into the crystal ball.

However I bet that the Seattle GM is licking his chops (don’t get funny with this) as Seattle probably does come out in their expansion year like a bandit who had robbed many a stagecoach. I mean reports say to expect for Seattle to come away better than Vegas did. Which I really think is plausible

I have no clues as to whether DeBrincat can get in the same body and mind “shape” which he sported in his 41 goal campaign....can he be in this shape as soon as this season resumption? Or in December?

I have no clues as to whether Seabrook might consider adapting very much - or shall I say replicating the Larry Murphy school of playing the angles on defense. Seabrook even a tad better skating means he can react to the on ice action and use his strength better than his handicapped past couple or so seasons (yes/no)?

Nonetheless I would guess he is third pair and or depth. But having him with the team even playing off and on (press box scratch) is still a positive. His presence and team spirit is good for the development of the young dmen.

When you say that you have no idea what player subtraction happens with The Expansion Draft, of course no one can gaze into the crystal ball.

However I bet that the Seattle GM is licking his chops (don’t get funny with this) as Seattle probably does come out in their expansion year like a bandit who had robbed many a stagecoach. I mean reports say to expect for Seattle to come away better than Vegas did. Which I really think is plausible
- jhawk59

I just feel sorry for the players with young children, having to move to that POS city. Would you want your kids to grow up in that environment? I think Bettman made a huge mistake picking that city.

Tyler nice job on the arm chairing GM. Three years out no less!

The flat cap for the next couple of years will make it more important to develop home grown talent and play the youngsters on their cheap ELC's.

Too bad the Hawks didn't commit to the youth movement a year sooner. Looking back to last summer (hindsight is 20-20 of course) don't make the Maata trade. Could have had a decent forward in Kahun in place of him with a youngster like Carlsson/4K taking over his minutes. As for Smith, he was the price you paid for unloading Anisimov and saving about $1M in cap space.

This was the last post on the previous blog. It's my response to hawk35 regarding the expansion draft, if anyone wants to continue that discussion.

I agree Tyler, that Mitchell not being able to play this year is a GOOD thing. Save a year on the entry-level deal.

Who has all the Expansion-rule knowledge here? I think we can protect 7 forwards, 3 D-men and 2 goalies???...or something pretty close to that.

I don't think we have to worry about losing a good young forward, but what D-men are exempt from being taken and which ones do we need to protect???

Actually, be interested from the forward perspective as well. Can any of you give me a good guess of where we stand in this respect???
- hawk35

Teams can protect either 6F, 3D and 1G, or 8 skaters (F & D) and 1G. Non protected players have to be signed for the 21-22 season. 2 year or less pros (e.g. Dach and Boqvist) are exempt and don't have to be protected. Players with NMC have to be protected unless they waive.

So if Hawks opt for the 6F, 3D and 1G option, protected players could be Kane, Toews, Cat, Kubalik, Strome, Nylander, Keith, Seabrook, one of deHaa

I think you might be low on Nylander - if he has any kind of season next season - and if he can’t get to 20+30=50, why keep him at all? - he”ll be above the $1.5.

Given the financial “losses” the Hawks are going to have for a couple of years, will Rocky and Danny want to come up with the cash for the Maatta / Smith buyouts?

Other than those, probably conceptually correct, at least. Let’s see how it plays out - you’re player projections could work out well.

I think you might be low on Nylander - if he has any kind of season next season - and if he can’t get to 20+30=50, why keep him at all? - he”ll be above the $1.5.

Given the financial “losses” the Hawks are going to have for a couple of years, will Rocky and Danny want to come up with the cash for the Maatta / Smith buyouts?

Other than those, probably conceptually correct, at least. Let’s see how it plays out - you’re player projections could work out well.
- StLBravesFan

Very possible, StL.

I think Nylander such a wild card so it was tricky to put a number on him.

I did not see Delia play last year. Can anyone who did tell me what improvements he has made? I will admit, I am harshly critical having only seen him in the year prior, when most games he was playing behind a non existent defense. What I saw was a goalie that relied solely on his athleticism to stop a puck. To me, his upside is Curtis McElhaney, a career tweener between a goos AHL tender and a second string NHLer, that you can sign cheap and have him on the roster for cap purposes.

Depends how you define lucky.

I would much rather be in NJ or OTT's shoes.
- Tyler Cameron

True, but teams like the Leafs and Tampa are in a very bad spot.

I just feel sorry for the players with young children, having to move to that POS city. Would you want your kids to grow up in that environment? I think Bettman made a huge mistake picking that city.
- powerenforcer

Has Green Bay or Milwaukee ever been discussed Wisconsin is a huge hockey state?

Very possible, StL.

I think Nylander such a wild card so it was tricky to put a number on him.
- Tyler Cameron

Not hard for Ogi ...

Several points jump to mind after skimming through this info:

1. Too bad that Bowman signed Debrincat early because a couple million could have been saved here.

2. No way does Strome get $4M in this current environment. Bowman is nuts if he forks out this kind of dough to a player with no bargaining power.

3. If other teams have to buy out Maata types, then there will be bargain UFA's made available to us to fill out the lineup.

4. Pretty much every team is in the same boat so the pressure is on the players not the GM's during contract negotiations. There are more players seeking contracts than there are available spots on teams that have Cap space to accommodate their higher salary demands.

5. Some teams not spending to the Cap limit have owners who choose to do so. The current economic climate may motivate them to be even more so inclined.

You know your franchise is in deep trouble when you’d rather be in NJ or OTT’s shoes!!!
- bruceflyers

I guess reading for YOU is not fundamental.....

FedEx asks the Washington Redskins to change their name after pressure from investor groups. Could Wirtz and company be next?

Several points jump to mind after skimming through this info:

1. Too bad that Bowman signed Debrincat early because a couple million could have been saved here.

2. No way does Strome get $4M in this current environment. Bowman is nuts if he forks out this kind of dough to a player with no bargaining power.

3. If other teams have to buy out Maata types, then there will be bargain UFA's made available to us to fill out the lineup.

4. Pretty much every team is in the same boat so the pressure is on the players not the GM's during contract negotiations. There are more players seeking contracts than there are available spots on teams that have Cap space to accommodate their higher salary demands.

5. Some teams not spending to the Cap limit have owners who choose to do so. The current economic climate may motivate them to be even more so inclined.
- 67hawks

1) yes
2) double yes
3) yes but not sure what it means still no cap space?
4) yes
5) yes

I did not see Delia play last year. Can anyone who did tell me what improvements he has made? I will admit, I am harshly critical having only seen him in the year prior, when most games he was playing behind a non existent defense. What I saw was a goalie that relied solely on his athleticism to stop a puck. To me, his upside is Curtis McElhaney, a career tweener between a goos AHL tender and a second string NHLer, that you can sign cheap and have him on the roster for cap purposes.
- LAHawk

After struggling to start the season due to his mind being preoccupied by the health issues in his family, Delia turned it around by tracking pucks better, moving more economically, and taking more control of his net (i.e. less rebounds).

Earlier in the season he was flopping everywhere to try and make saves. I'm no goalie expert but his renewed focus and compact stance allowed him to see every puck and move efficiently.

FedEx asks the Washington Redskins to change their name after pressure from investor groups. Could Wirtz and company be next?
- BGKarras

Maybe not next, but eventually I suspect they will be pressured tp change it.

You know your franchise is in deep trouble when you’d rather be in NJ or OTT’s shoes!!!
- bruceflyers

*yawn*