Stephens> Kampf. Yes
- jhawk59

Stephens also plays wing so that's another option if Kampf remains a fixture at 4C.

Stephens also plays wing so that's another option if Kampf remains a fixture at 4C.
- Theo Fox

But, where would Carpenter play then?

Strome getting 3.5 million gives me heart palpitations
- NamedSources

No reason to go over $2.1.

Me too. I'd rather do a 1-2 year deal at $2.0-$2.5M AAV and let him prove he deserves a bigger deal on his next one.
- Theo Fox

Agree. Stan has to go low with Crow and Strome. He is in a strong positon. Hardball if necessary. Crow $3.5 for one year. Strome $2.5 two years max.

I wonder what Haula will get. I would pay him $1mil more than Strome.

the coach isn't missing wide open receivers.
- Elbows15

It's got to be tough on Nagy, Foles is his guy. The misdirection plays really aren't working anymore. I wish Nagy would swallow his ego and just let Foles run a no huddle offense.

Agree. Stan has to go low with Crow and Strome. He is in a strong positon. Hardball if necessary. Crow $3.5 for one year. Strome $2.5 two years max.

I wonder what Haula will get. I would pay him $1mil more than Strome.
- -Doh-

We'll see, I'm thinking Strome will be getting 3 million plus. Same with Kubalik

But, where would Carpenter play then?
- Chunk

Good question. Taking on a player like Stephens makes sense only if there's an opening on the 4th line but I can't see the Hawks moving away from Kampf centering Highmore and Carpenter.

They could always trade Carpenter but he's on a bargain deal at $1M. I like Carpenter for what he brings to that line and the PK.

Playing Stephens up to the 3rd line is a possibility but then you start gravitating towards icing two 4th lines rather than clear cut 3rd and 4th lines.

Stephens> Kampf. Yes
- jhawk59

No

But, where would Carpenter play then?
- Chunk

Hopefully on another team. He got more useless as the season wore on. He cant handle the puck. He is really bad on the PK.

Good question. Taking on a player like Stephens makes sense only if there's an opening on the 4th line but I can't see the Hawks moving away from Kampf centering Highmore and Carpenter.

They could always trade Carpenter but he's on a bargain deal at $1M. I like Carpenter for what he brings to that line and the PK.

Playing Stephens up to the 3rd line is a possibility but then you start gravitating towards icing two 4th lines rather than clear cut 3rd and 4th lines.
- Theo Fox

He isn't good on the PK, Theo. If fact he is really bad at it.

Agree. Stan has to go low with Crow and Strome. He is in a strong positon. Hardball if necessary. Crow $3.5 for one year. Strome $2.5 two years max.

I wonder what Haula will get. I would pay him $1mil more than Strome.
- -Doh-

I would put Kubalik in that same boat: 1-2 year bridge deal around $2.5-3.0M AAV. He needs to prove his rookie year wasn't a fluke and that he can also make an impact without the puck.

It's got to be tough on Nagy, Foles is his guy. The misdirection plays really aren't working anymore. I wish Nagy would swallow his ego and just let Foles run a no huddle offense.
- BetweenTheDots

I wish for a QB that can hit wide open guys.

If LA were to buyout Maata, do the Blackhawks still have to pay $750,000 for the next 2 years? Purely a hypothetical, since I fully expect Maata to play.

If LA were to buyout Maata, do the Blackhawks still have to pay $750,000 for the next 2 years? Purely a hypothetical, since I fully expect Maata to play.
- tvetter

Yes

I wish for a QB that can hit wide open guys.
- Elbows15

I hear you, I'm done with Miller, time for Ridley to play the 3rd receiver and as far as I'm concerned 32 plays every minute of offense for me

I wish for a QB that can hit wide open guys.
- Elbows15

Last week those receivers dropped at least A half dozen balls that hit them in the hands. That game last week should’ve been an easy W.

Last week those receivers dropped at least A half dozen balls that hit them in the hands. That game last week should’ve been an easy W.
- Ogilthorpe2

I thought you hated the NFL

Just a few things to keep an eye on especially if the Hawks may look to move on from Strome.

@PierreVLeBrun

Hearing that Tampa Bay has talked to Tyler Johnson’s camp about working together on a possible move. Johnson has a full no-trade clause. Let’s see where this goes.


@TheFourthPeriod

More on Lightning: They are expected to formally (minor talks thus far) begin contract negotiations with their five RFAs (Cernak, Cirelli, Sergachev, Stephens & Verhaeghe) on Monday.

On Johnson, he's apparently not keen on waiving his NTC but I'm sure TB will find a way. Still decently productive as a middle 6 center. He hustles and plays with energy.

However, Johnson has 4 years left at $5M AAV. That's rich considering the most I would want to re-up Strome is at $3.5M on a bridge deal.

On the Lightning RFAs, Cirelli and Sergachev are their top priorities. Assuming that they can lock in those two and maybe 1-2 others but not all of them, Stephens is one I would kick the tires on.

Stephens has a strong work ethic and compete level. Skates very well, goes to the dirty areas, battles all over the ice, and wins draws. Likely a stellar 4C and doubtful he could be 3C as he never lit it up in juniors yet was decent in the AHL.

Not saying break the bank on Stephens but a player like him is one who could really enhance the compete level that is sorely needed in the lineup.
- Theo Fox

Tampa is really in Cap Hell, worse than Chicago was. Most of the aging forwards have NTC or NMC. They really need to clear at least $6 mil each for Cirelli & Sergachev just in case some one offer sheets at the 1st & 3rd pick compensation level. Cernak is also going to get a nice bump $2-$3 mil AAV for probably a 3 year bridge. They may be forced at trading an RFA if they can’t get anyone to waive their NTC/NMC.

Maybe something like this:

LW Palat, LW/RW Gourde, RHD Foote, 2nd 2020 (61st) for Saad & Murphy 50% retained.

You would need to buyout Smith, and probably trade Drake to clear more cap. Kubalik & Strome would have to take 1-3 bridge deals to keep AAV down...as well as KK if they retain him. It doesn’t leave much for goalie unless you flip Palat or Gourde afterwards or if you trade DeHaan and figure to replace with a cheap $1-2 mil UFA. I guess they could do Carlsson & another prospect behind Keith on the left side, but don’t think wise if StanBo is still in win now mode with Kane/Toews/Keith.

I thought you hated the NFL
- tvetter

I do, but most of the people I associate with like it, so if I want to be social, I can’t help but see some games. I’d never go out of my way to watch anymore.

If LA were to buyout Maata, do the Blackhawks still have to pay $750,000 for the next 2 years? Purely a hypothetical, since I fully expect Maata to play.
- tvetter

No, they would have to pay 18% of the buyout cap hit. Chicago's share would be about $125k per season for 4 years.

Tampa is really in Cap Hell, worse than Chicago was. Most of the aging forwards have NTC or NMC. They really need to clear at least $6 mil each for Cirelli & Sergachev just in case some one offer sheets at the 1st & 3rd pick compensation level. Cernak is also going to get a nice bump $2-$3 mil AAV for probably a 3 year bridge. They may be forced at trading an RFA if they can’t get anyone to waive their NTC/NMC.

Maybe something like this:

LW Palat, LW/RW Gourde, RHD Foote, 2nd 2020 (61st) for Saad & Murphy 50% retained.

You would need to buyout Smith, and probably trade Drake to clear more cap. Kubalik & Strome would have to take 1-3 bridge deals to keep AAV down...as well as KK if they retain him. It doesn’t leave much for goalie unless you flip Palat or Gourde afterwards or if you trade DeHaan and figure to replace with a cheap $1-2 mil UFA. I guess they could do Carlsson & another prospect behind Keith on the left side, but don’t think wise if StanBo is still in win now mode with Kane/Toews/Keith.
- DrewDawg

I don’t understand how this trade helps the Hawks, under either scenario. Hawks get older, and weaker on defense, and you are giving up the best forward and defenseman in the trade.

Good question. Taking on a player like Stephens makes sense only if there's an opening on the 4th line but I can't see the Hawks moving away from Kampf centering Highmore and Carpenter.

They could always trade Carpenter but he's on a bargain deal at $1M. I like Carpenter for what he brings to that line and the PK.

Playing Stephens up to the 3rd line is a possibility but then you start gravitating towards icing two 4th lines rather than clear cut 3rd and 4th lines.
- Theo Fox

Bury him Rockford and expose him expansion draft time to play younger players.

Tampa is really in Cap Hell, worse than Chicago was. Most of the aging forwards have NTC or NMC. They really need to clear at least $6 mil each for Cirelli & Sergachev just in case some one offer sheets at the 1st & 3rd pick compensation level. Cernak is also going to get a nice bump $2-$3 mil AAV for probably a 3 year bridge. They may be forced at trading an RFA if they can’t get anyone to waive their NTC/NMC.

Maybe something like this:

LW Palat, LW/RW Gourde, RHD Foote, 2nd 2020 (61st) for Saad & Murphy 50% retained.

You would need to buyout Smith, and probably trade Drake to clear more cap. Kubalik & Strome would have to take 1-3 bridge deals to keep AAV down...as well as KK if they retain him. It doesn’t leave much for goalie unless you flip Palat or Gourde afterwards or if you trade DeHaan and figure to replace with a cheap $1-2 mil UFA. I guess they could do Carlsson & another prospect behind Keith on the left side, but don’t think wise if StanBo is still in win now mode with Kane/Toews/Keith.
- DrewDawg

that is million dollar question rebuilding or win now while Kane towed and Keith are still around. They need to pick a direction yes it's possible to rebuild and still be win now but extremely difficult but the hawks aren't going anywhere in the next three years imo Maybe outside chance they make the playoffs but very doubtful. So it's time to start thinking about moving Keith and towes Kane not going anywhere unless he wants to. So hawks pretty much in limbo. So bowman has his work cut for him this off-season.

that is million dollar question rebuilding or win now while Kane towed and Keith are still around. They need to pick a direction yes it's possible to rebuild and still be win now but extremely difficult but the hawks aren't going anywhere in the next three years imo Maybe outside chance they make the playoffs but very doubtful. So it's time to start thinking about moving Keith and towes Kane not going anywhere unless he wants to. So hawks pretty much in limbo. So bowman has his work cut for him this off-season.
- Scott1977

I don't see them moving Keith, Toews or Kane unless they ask out. (Which I highly doubt.)

I believe that all hockey decisions need to be based on "Will this move make the Hawks a better team in the 2023/24 season after the Kane, Toews, Keith, ADB contracts expire." Until then they they just need to build the prospect base, accumulate picks, and avoid long term contracts (beyond the 2022/23 season). The question is do they try to be a mediocre marginal playoff team by signing Crow or a so so cheap veteran goalie until then or do they take chances (and likely tank) by going with a Subban, Delia, Lankinen trio in goal.

I don't see them moving Keith, Toews or Kane unless they ask out. (Which I highly doubt.)

I believe that all hockey decisions need to be based on "Will this move make the Hawks a better team in the 2023/24 season after the Kane, Toews, Keith, ADB contracts expire." Until then they they just need to build the prospect base, accumulate picks, and avoid long term contracts (beyond the 2022/23 season). The question is do they try to be a mediocre marginal playoff team by signing Crow or a so so cheap veteran goalie until then or do they take chances (and likely tank) by going with a Subban, Delia, Lankinen trio in goal.
- -Doh-

Valid and good points. This offseason might be indicator on what the few years will look like.