I agree with doing a great job of making the Panthers are relevant story..

I also agree for the most part about draft picks...Although now Tallon will finish mid pack or better and the draft might not help them too much...See Montral and Toronto as points of reference...

Also there is little doubt some of those 3-4 yr deals will be an issue at some point.

It's all about results and Tallon will get this and next year to prove he employed the correct strategy.
- Al

My guess is Viner is quite pleased with what Tallon has done.

It's an interesting thought trading one of the core (most likely Sharp) after the cup year to build for the furture and use that cap money to hold on to a younger Ladd, Buff or Versteeg. V is finishing his 3rd year of 3 mil per....most likely will get between 4 and 5 per from the Panthers. Also all three of those guys are top line players on their teams now.

Yes the Hawks actual payroll is enormous again. Olesz and Huet @ almost 9 mil. Front loaded contracts of Keith and Hossa = another 15 million. The actual payroll is around 77 mil this year. The Blackhawks will lose money again for the 4th year in a row!
- bogiedoc

Are you offering this as an excuse for not adding money in trades in future years?