They will at least use Chicago contract ingenuity ala Keith, Hossa.
- Return of the Roar

Wonder how that's gonna change with the new CBA...

Q: How many 30 goal scorers in the WC semis?

A: 1...Vrbata with 34...and he was a non factor vs the Hawks!

G7 predictions....Boston, Sens, Panthers

If the season is delayed the NHL will take not one step back but many steps back..And the players will be hurt a geat deal too.

There is every reason from TV ratings, merchandisong sales etc to not have the start of the season delayed.
- Al

My thoughts exactly...

Fehr works for the players. Many players went through the prior lockout and know the damage it caused to the league. Does it benefit the players to repeat that nonsense? I think not.

There is incentive on both sides to get a deal done...

If this labor agreement is not settled all of the progress since the last labor battle will be flushed down the Bemis.

That'll be like when John Starks got traded to the Bulls. Did Starks even last 15 games?
- HajdukChicago

Really?!? I think this comparison is ludicrous and absurd.

Wonder how that's gonna change with the new CBA...
- blackhawk24

That may be why we could see Nashville get its deals done before the current CBA expires.

It will forever shock me that Bryan Bickell is in the NHL. If you guys had watched him play in junior, you'd be shocked as well. Unbelievable.
- Lohaus

Bickell makes near the minimum. Generally is responsible on the ice. Modest production. Sure everyone wants to see more from the guy, but he is way down the list of problems.

That may be why we could see Nashville get its deals done before the current CBA expires.
- Return of the Roar

Great point.

They will at least use Chicago contract ingenuity ala Keith, Hossa.
- Return of the Roar

If the new CBA let's them.

Kane needs a top flight finisher on his line. Kane is obviously more of a passer than a shooter. Thats why I thought getting a shoot first guy like Carter would have worked great on a line with Kane. Kane is an elite set up man. He needs an Elite scorer to play with .

I know we all thought Kane was an elite scorer too but after the last 2 season I don't think so. Now , I have no idea who is available for the Hawks to pursue but they need a top 6 forward , preferably a Center , they need a top 6 power forward , They need a top 4 D man , and an upgrade in net would be great but I think thats unlikely too. It sure feels like these guys are a one hit wonder.

Q: How many 30 goal scorers in the WC semis?

A: 1...Vrbata with 34...and he was a non factor vs the Hawks!

G7 predictions....Boston, Sens, Panthers
- bogiedoc

G7 Predictions : BOSTON , NYR , DEVILS.

That may be why we could see Nashville get its deals done before the current CBA expires.
- Return of the Roar

But even if they do,mthe new CBA could change the way the deals are handled for cap purposes.

If they're potentially looking at a "temporary salary cap", which would change in a new CBA in midstream, they could have the new CBA change the way Hossa type contracts are accounted for midstream.

But even if they do,mthe new CBA could change the way the deals are handled for cap purposes.

If they're potentially looking at a "temporary salary cap", which would change in a new CBA in midstream, they could have the new CBA change the way Hossa type contracts are accounted for midstream.
- StLBravesFan

Can't do that - too hard to get owners to buy in to that - except for whiney ones like Burke. I think existing deals will get grandfathered in, and there will be more specific rules governing them going forward.

on both points....
- bogiedoc

Danny Briere is a slam dunk fist pumper. He has impressive numbers but watch the videos on his goals. He throws terrible shots on net that somehow go in, breakaways or he has back door eyes closed power play goals. Kane is light years more skilled. Giroux...might be the best player in the league, he has high end skill and toughness, he is a three zone player. Kaner showed us some things this year.
- He mixed it up in the playoffs this year (never have I seen that before)
- He threw a couple HITS!!!
- His commitment to defense was better.

Often times a player will focus on other aspects of his game and his production might take a hit. He went from an all out defensive liability, to an above average defensive player. Whats Rosetards hockey background? That guy speaks out of his ass and doesnt know the sport. But his dumb blogs are what begin the fire that runs the player out of town. But, like I said before, there is an off ice relationship between Kaner and Stanbo and as long as Stan is in this spot then Kane will not go anywhere.

It's easy to figure out. He had size on his line in 2010. He didn't 2011 or 2012. If anything Kane is stronger and bigger than he was when we won the Cup. You don't put more smallish skill players with him. You put someone out there with size who can create space, forecheck and battle. It's not about Kane. It's about his supporting cast...
- ilinkhawk

DING DING DING.

No one questioned Kane's size when the guys around him were plenty big

Danny Briere is a slam dunk fist pumper. He has impressive numbers but watch the videos on his goals. He throws terrible shots on net that somehow go in, breakaways or he has back door eyes closed power play goals. Kane is light years more skilled. Giroux...might be the best player in the league, he has high end skill and toughness, he is a three zone player. Kaner showed us some things this year.
- He mixed it up in the playoffs this year (never have I seen that before)
- He threw a couple HITS!!!
- His commitment to defense was better.

Often times a player will focus on other aspects of his game and his production might take a hit. He went from an all out defensive liability, to an above average defensive player. Whats Rosetards hockey background? That guy speaks out of his ass and doesnt know the sport. But his dumb blogs are what begin the fire that runs the player out of town. But, like I said before, there is an off ice relationship between Kaner and Stanbo and as long as Stan is in this spot then Kane will not go anywhere.
- nickmo2699

No player like Brier is just lucky putting up the numbers he does, especially in the playoffs. He gets in tight on goalies and roofs it or finds the little opening to slip the puck thru. And the guy goes to areas where its nasty and he battles, thats why he has sustained some pretty serious injuries. Kane may be more skilled, but he don't do what Brier does. Maybe that will come.

Bickell makes near the minimum. Generally is responsible on the ice. Modest production. Sure everyone wants to see more from the guy, but he is way down the list of problems.
- ArlingtonRob

Not really my point. The amount of players who were by far better players than him in every aspect in junior never got a sniff and somehow he ends up as a regular is nothing short of baffling.

No player like Brier is just lucky putting up the numbers he does, especially in the playoffs. He gets in tight on goalies and roofs it or finds the little opening to slip the puck thru. And the guy goes to areas where its nasty and he battles, thats why he has sustained some pretty serious injuries. Kane may be more skilled, but he don't do what Brier does. Maybe that will come.
- RickJ

That seems to be a concept this team hasn't learned yet.

So is that the player (Kesler) influencing the team to be floppers or is it a dressing room culture/cancer that's infected Kesler?
- blackhawk24

Or Kesler just doing whatever to win...Not in the right way imo.

No player like Brier is just lucky putting up the numbers he does, especially in the playoffs. He gets in tight on goalies and roofs it or finds the little opening to slip the puck thru. And the guy goes to areas where its nasty and he battles, thats why he has sustained some pretty serious injuries. Kane may be more skilled, but he don't do what Brier does. Maybe that will come.
- RickJ

Rather have it come in Chicago than anywhere else. Agree?

Not really my point. The amount of players who were by far better players than him in every aspect in junior never got a sniff and somehow he ends up as a regular is nothing short of baffling.
- Lohaus

How many of them were 6' 4", 235 lbs?

Stoll would get me very excited. Stoll could play 2C. He may night put up the big offensive numbers, but he can create space for others, win faceoffs, has grit, great defensively, and a top PK guy.
- coldsteelonice

....And he will most likely be available.

Really...his size and perimeter play doesn't work in the playoffs..

Lets look at sir patricks playoff #'s:

09: GP=16, G=9, P=14
10: GP=22, G=10, P=28

For those two years an outstanding point +/gm player! And he wasn't 6 foot, 210 lbs and crashing the net back then.

11: GP=7, G=1, P=6
12: GP=6, G=0, P=4

1 goal in the last 13 playoff games! Playoff gm physical play has not increased that much in the last 2 years and kane didn't get any smaller.

Something else is going on to account for this production drop off this year and the last 2 playoffs.

It would behoove the coaching staff and kane to figure this out. 5 years in the league and his talent and skill his prodcution should be going strongly the other way.
- bogiedoc

Kane needs help....If he doesn't have players to pass to that limits his game.

Best perimeter player in the game....But that alone doesn't win Cups.

Weber will get $8+ and Suter probably will be in the $6-7 range.
- CaptainBlackhawk

It's not so much a question if they can afford all three but rather can they field an effective winner with three players accounting for over $20 million in cap space.

Kane needs help....If he doesn't have players to pass to that limits his game.

Best perimeter player in the game....But that alone doesn't win Cups.
- Al

So many saucer passes to Stalberg and Bruno unfinished!!! Should have had at least 20 more assist.....

Not really my point. The amount of players who were by far better players than him in every aspect in junior never got a sniff and somehow he ends up as a regular is nothing short of baffling.
- Lohaus

Point acknowledged...

I'm only familiar with his time in Chicago, including his last year in the AHL.