McJesus scored over 100 points 2 out of 3 years in his elc, how does a bridge deal work there? You do realize he has an agent? The only way a bridge deal works is if the player agrees to it. Avs are a perfect example, MacKinnon agreed to one, he really sold himself short, Rantanen did not. Personally i believe Nathan is better and far more valuable player to that hockey team than Mikko.
- BetweenTheDots

The old Tampa GM now in Detroit my Alzheimer's kicked in he's very well know told Stamkos "take it or leave it." Although not a bridge deal you get my point.

McJesus scored over 100 points 2 out of 3 years in his elc, how does a bridge deal work there? You do realize he has an agent? The only way a bridge deal works is if the player agrees to it. Avs are a perfect example, MacKinnon agreed to one, he really sold himself short, Rantanen did not. Personally i believe Nathan is better and far more valuable player to that hockey team than Mikko.
- BetweenTheDots

McJesus didn't have much team around him Chicago was loaded when Toews and Kane took their bridge deals. It's impossible to build a deep team without bridge deals. Now Edmonton is screwed.

The old Tampa GM now in Detroit my Alzheimer's kicked in he's very well know told Stamkos "take it or leave it." Although not a bridge deal you get my point.
- rpeters01

https://www.tampabay.com/...illion-for-keeps/2283652/

And once again it was the player accepting less. Hate to say it but it's that concept you don't understand.

What if ...

1. The Hawks do that deal which is Toews to Winnipeg for Laine, Perreault and a 1st (Perreault included to make the cap work)

AND

2. Kane ($4.5M retained) to Buffalo for Cozens, Okposo and a 1st. (Okposo included to make the cap work)

The Hawks would get Laine and Cozens to be key pieces of the new forward core PLUS (2) mid-late 1st round picks in 2021 draft to be added to our own 2021 1st round pick (top-10, maybe top-5).

Youth movement - forwards:

Dach (19)
DeBrincat (22)
Kubalik (25)
Laine (22)
Cozens (19)
Reichel (18)
Strome (23)
Nylander (22)
Suter (24)
- EbonyRaptor

At this time that group as a whole wouldn't strike fear in an ECHL team. Hopefully it would work out.

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/68-million-for-keeps/2283652/

And once again it was the player accepting less. Hate to say it but it's that concept you don't understand.
- BetweenTheDots

No, I get it. The concept is I'm the GM and will spend my money elsewhere if I can't get the deals I think the team must make to remain successful. Belicheck has done it that way for 20 years

McJesus didn't have much team around him Chicago was loaded when Toews and Kane took their bridge deals. It's impossible to build a deep team without bridge deals. Now Edmonton is screwed.
- rpeters01

When you trade for Manning for Caggiula, evidence that franchise has no clue what they are doing. The reason they aren't successful is the FO.

Hagel is really lighting it up in the Swiss league with 14 points in 10 games. It will be nice if the can bring back some of that confidence and production with the NHL and AHL restart.

No, I get it. The concept is I'm the GM and will spend my money elsewhere if I can't get the deals I think the team must make to remain successful. Belicheck has done it that way for 20 years
- rpeters01

Belicheck had Tom Brady and cheated, no Tom Brady no more super bowls hell they may not even make the playoffs this year. QB in NFL is the most valuable position in sports next to an elite basketball player

Belicheck had Tom Brady and cheated, no Tom Brady no more super bowls hell they may not even make the playoffs this year. QB in NFL is the most valuable position in sports next to an elite basketball player
- BetweenTheDots

So Belicheck sucks? I knew that was coming...

So Belicheck sucks? I knew that was coming...
- rpeters01

Really you're comparing apples to oranges. He does cheat and NFL doesn't have a hard cap.

Hagel is really lighting it up in the Swiss league with 14 points in 10 games. It will be nice if the can bring back some of that confidence and production with the NHL and AHL restart.
- DarthKane

I like Hagel a lot.

As Theo has mentioned a few times, Hagel is a carbon copy (with a little more offense) as Matthew Highmore.

I would love to see a line of Highmore-Walmark-Hagel. Would be a pain in the but to play against and more offensive then one may think.

Unfortunately though, Hagel will have to leap frog a few others before he gets regular playing time. Which is too bad because I think he’s more than ready to be on the big squad.

Belicheck had Tom Brady and cheated, no Tom Brady no more super bowls hell they may not even make the playoffs this year. QB in NFL is the most valuable position in sports next to an elite basketball player
- BetweenTheDots

Brady isn’t exactly lighting it up with all those weapons in TB either.

Both parts were required for the Pats to maintain their success, neither was more important than the other(Brady needed Belicheck just as much as Belicheck needed Brady).

Really you're comparing apples to oranges. He does cheat and NFL doesn't have a hard cap.
- BetweenTheDots

I think there are plenty of organizations that use technology to gain an upper hand(aka cheat). No way was it/is it just Belicheck and NE.

No, I get it. The concept is I'm the GM and will spend my money elsewhere if I can't get the deals I think the team must make to remain successful. Belicheck has done it that way for 20 years
- rpeters01

Yep. You just tell them you don't pay players more than 10% of the cap (or whatever you decide on) and if they are not receptive, you move them. You don't let one or two players handicap your franchise's future no matter how good they are.

Yep. You just tell them you don't pay players more than 10% of the cap (or whatever you decide on) and if they are not receptive, you move them. You don't let one or two players handicap your franchise's future no matter how good they are.
- tazer_and_diet

I agree you can't ruin your team in hope the cap goes up in the event it does not. A smart person one told me "luck is not a strategy." Playing chicken with Toews and Kane likely would have meant they ended up with Tallon in Florida. In hindsight, that might have been better?

I think there are plenty of organizations that use technology to gain an upper hand(aka cheat). No way was it/is it just Belicheck and NE.
- SimpleJack

Videotaping the opponents sideline and getting fined over million dollars and losing draft picks? He definitely excels at it

Yep. You just tell them you don't pay players more than 10% of the cap (or whatever you decide on) and if they are not receptive, you move them. You don't let one or two players handicap your franchise's future no matter how good they are.
- tazer_and_diet

So you finally draft a star, nurture them, he makes your team better and you say nope we're not going to follow market value, this is our market value so take it or leave it, great you become the Ottawa Senators

So you finally draft a star, nurture them, he makes your team better and you say nope we're not going to follow market value, this is our market value so take it or leave it, great you become the Ottawa Senators
- BetweenTheDots

It's not a binary decision there are 3rd 4th and 5th options.

I like Hagel a lot.

As Theo has mentioned a few times, Hagel is a carbon copy (with a little more offense) as Matthew Highmore.

I would love to see a line of Highmore-Walmark-Hagel. Would be a pain in the but to play against and more offensive then one may think.

Unfortunately though, Hagel will have to leap frog a few others before he gets regular playing time. Which is too bad because I think he’s more than ready to be on the big squad.
- Tyler Cameron

Yeah, Hagel is pretty close to NHL ready. Another season in Rockford will only help his growth.

As you said, though, he's just caught in a numbers game with the glut of forwards on the Hawks roster.

It's ironic that at the start of the offseason, getting rid of Caggiula (and/or Shaw and Smith not being healthy) would've opened up a spot for Hagel.

Now, even with Caggiula unsigned, the situation compounded by adding in Janmark, Wallmark, and Suter.

Highmore and Hagel as wingers with Kampf or Wallmark centering them would be a killer 4th line.

You could also have Highmore or Hagel shift to center as their style of play is perfect for a pivot, then add Janmark or Carpenter as the other winger.

By 2021-22, though, have Entwistle on a line with Highmore and Hagel.

Very creative, but I’d pass. I don’t think Toews and Kane are an obstacle to the rebuild. The team needs some quality veterans otherwise they end up like Edmonton a few years ago.
- DarthKane

They aren't obstacles to the rebuild so much as they could be assets to be traded to help the rebuild.

I’d have zero problem making the Laine and assets trade for Towes. I’d have a harder time making the Kane trade and probably wouldn’t do it. For me, Kane (and Hossa) are as much iconic Blackhawks as the Indian on the sweater. Trading Kane just much much more difficult. I guess I’m soured on Toews both on and off the ice a bit.
- Aurora Hawk

Trading Kane requires an emotional break from the past for the good of the future - not an easy thing.

So you finally draft a star, nurture them, he makes your team better and you say nope we're not going to follow market value, this is our market value so take it or leave it, great you become the Ottawa Senators
- BetweenTheDots

I'd rather be in their position now than Toronto.

I'd rather be in their position now than Toronto.
- tazer_and_diet

But you'll never be Toronto if you don't sign players to market value they'll just keep leaving then what'll happen just to get a free agent to sign with you, cough cough Campbell, you'll have to over pay them. Our franchise just went through this, sheesh

It's not a binary decision there are 3rd 4th and 5th options.
- rpeters01

Hmmmm as a friend of mine likes to say, sounds like you're moving the goal posts

Brady isn’t exactly lighting it up with all those weapons in TB either.

Both parts were required for the Pats to maintain their success, neither was more important than the other(Brady needed Belicheck just as much as Belicheck needed Brady).
- SimpleJack

For now old as dirt Brady team is in the playoffs, genius Belicheck team is not.