If he feels better in a week or two, he can always say "just kidding".

There is a big difference between saying "I'm retiring" and "the thought of retiring has crossed my mind", but I'm not surprised the the latter has happened. It is not too early, and if it is knee jerk, then that's OK too - he's in pain, he's concerned, he's looking at the next 40 years and what might happen if....
- StLBravesFan

I agree. But heck, every single player can "have the thought of retiring cross their mind". I just don't want to be talking about Hossa maybe retiring at this point. Despite spending my morning already talking about it.

But Fehr might go along with that IF there is nothing that the players really want out of a new agreement that isn't in the old: they are now getting - and would continue to get - 57% of eligible revenues.

If anything, it would be management that would not want to extend. Players would probably just like to hold on.
- StLBravesFan

The fact that Fehr and the players wouldn't do something as simple as division re-alignment speaks volumes. They are going to fight the Owners on EVERYTHING.

Yes, the CBA does matter - IMHO it is the first domino that must fall before anything else can be done. I doubt any owner has any inside track on anything yet, as the two sides are just now jousting over what the actual size of the pie to divide is. They won't start talking substantive issues until the union is satisfied that Bettman and company are not hiding revenue. And that is the easy part.
Until an agreement is signed and in stone with cap numbers and rule changes, no substantive changes will be made at all. That could theoretically run all the way to the September deadline.

EDIT: Eliminate comments on Rosenblooms article


But one thing is for sure: until NHL GMs know what the rules are going forward, its Sitzkrieg - and that could last until the bitter end of the offseason.
- Return of the Roar

I don't think anyone has any idea what's going to happen to the cap - how can you sign guys without knowing that?

But I disagree with your comment about getting agreement "...could theoretically run all the way to the September deadline." It easily could run past and threaten the season.

If Bowman wanted to trade Kane he could get it done before dinner...

In many ways Kane showed me more this season than in the past.
- Al

What time does he eat?

Ha, well, I wish Steve the best. He will be burned in effigy by all the Kane-iacs.

Interesting also that he is alluding to the possible, pervasive influence of marketing and branding on player personnel decisions.

When you have tens of millions of dollars beyond salaries invested in making certain players your team's brand— it is hard to completely divorce objective player personnel decisions from that.

All teams are prone to it, the Hawks to a very large degree because they have gone down that road very far and have spent a lot of money and time on it.

On Kane, all I will say is this, I have been saying for 2+ years that being open to the possibility of dealing Kane is somethng the Hawks should be.

Also, his overall dip in production in the playoffs the last two years (a couple big goals aside) speaks to a game (perimeter, not real physical) that is not as well-suited to the playoffs.

The other side of the coin is, he is a huge threat, and still has room to grow as a player. And if Hossa did retire, I don't see how they fill two huge holes at RW.
- John Jaeckel

You also dont mention the relationship Kane and Stanbo have leading up to this point. It was Stanbo who took Kane in his first couple seasons to live with him. I think as long as Stan bo is here Kane is here. Should they be open to hear possible trades...absolutely! Will it happen? No.

What time does he eat?
- StLBravesFan

When dad says so (:

The fact that Fehr and the players wouldn't do something as simple as division re-alignment speaks volumes. They are going to fight the Owners on EVERYTHING.
- CaptainBlackhawk

What do the owners want? To reduce the money going to the players? I'd fight them too - that's what collective bargaining is all about. That's what the NBA fight was all about - to go from a number in the mid-50s to (initially) something under 50%.

What else do the owners want? Probably a change in those long-term contracts, etc. We don't know what else. But money is the main thing.

Division re-alignment - a negotiating tool - why give something away when you can use it later on. Management has such tools, too.

When dad says so (:
- fattybeef

That "smiley face" is backwards - but nice retort.

I got a bad feeling about the CBA and how it might end up mirroring what the NBA just went throught. I think the owners go for broke and we miss the start of the year. JMO though.

I also think Rocky might be leading the charge on curbing player salaries since he just had to dismantle his cup winning team.

The fact that Fehr and the players wouldn't do something as simple as division re-alignment speaks volumes. They are going to fight the Owners on EVERYTHING.
- CaptainBlackhawk

The re-allignement was done on the fly at the last minute and the NHL looked to slip it through...

The players in Divisions with more teams had a less of a chance to make the post season.

It was obvious and if Fehr didn't stop it he would have not done his job.

He is no dummy but the NHL is not MLB.

What do the owners want? To reduce the money going to the players? I'd fight them too - that's what collective bargaining is all about. That's what the NBA fight was all about - to go from a number in the mid-50s to (initially) something under 50%.

What else do the owners want? Probably a change in those long-term contracts, etc. We don't know what else. But money is the main thing.

Division re-alignment - a negotiating tool - why give something away when you can use it later on. Management has such tools, too.
- StLBravesFan

This is precisely my point. The argument was made that the CBA might be continued till an agreement comes.. that will never happen.

I don't think anyone has any idea what's going to happen to the cap - how can you sign guys without knowing that?

But I disagree with your comment about getting agreement "...could theoretically run all the way to the September deadline." It easily could run past and threaten the season.
- StLBravesFan

Yes - should have added "...or beyond"

If Bowman wanted to trade Kane he could get it done before dinner...

In many ways Kane showed me more this season than in the past.
- Al

Agreed.

Agreed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Just from a fan looking in, I'd say the two guys who shouldn't be moved are Kane and Toews. I don't think either are part of the problem and both are part of the solution. Outside of them though, you could make arguments for movement depending on what you get back. I don't believe you could get back the same or more value you'd lose in the case of the two I mentioned. Not to say you wouldn't get a seemingly good deal, but I think most fans would regret it after the fact. Often tends to be that way when moving young stars. Just my opinion anyways.

Hey JJ. In your opinion, what organizational changes do you think could happen? Q getting fired? Kitchen and Havi gone? McD let go? I don't think StanBo would be canned since you mentioned Scotty will have a strong influence unless they move Stan back to the number crunching and bring in a bonafide hockey evaluator at GM.

Yes - should have added "...or beyond"
- Return of the Roar

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.

Don't you mean "Big Changes Luo'ming?"
- Lohaus

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

On the Kaner/Rosy article.....Look (in full disclosure) I am just not the biggest Kane fan in the world. For the amount of coinage he is banking, I do not believe the full effort/results have been achieved. I will admit that he does seem to have grown up (albiet with some pressure from the uppers and oh yeah HIS DAD MOVING IN WITH HIM!!!!) but that maturity has not yet transformed into a $6M+/yr "star" player. So NO I would not advocate dangling him for just anyone to unload the salary. BUT he does have perhaps the most trade value that the team has and they do have a few others already here that play His game. Just say'n.

P.S. He is by far NOT the biggest 3-4 problems or more with this team......

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

I remember Charles Oakley head to Chicago too... which I also thought was odd.

To be good in any sport, you need to have a good short term memory. Some can do it, some can't.

If Bowman wanted to trade Kane he could get it done before dinner...

In many ways Kane showed me more this season than in the past.
- Al

Kane / Toews / Hossa / Sharp -- ALL did nothing these past 2 seasons postseason. Each one of them had decent to very good regular seasons. Instead of figuring how we can trade one of them.. time to figure out why they aren't scoring. And maybe putting Kruger or Bruno or Stalberg isn't the type players that put them in the best position to put points on the board. Until size is addressed in the top 6, we are going to continue to see the same playoff results as we have seen the last 2 years. For 2 years now.. we have had ZERO forecheck and no real net presence and no real space cleared. Those areas are huge key to success for scorng in playoff hockey if Bowman hasn't realized yet.

If Bickell is one of those guys.. ok. But this will be the 3rd year we are waiting for him to play that role. Unfortunately... I feel like we are in the same exact boat as last summer. We need two sizeable top 6 guys to play with our 4 that can forecheck, battle on the boards and screen. And we need two blue liners with size that aren't 40 or ready for the KHL.. And that may mean getting rid of Hammer and Bolland. So be it. I think between Kruger/Bickell/Shaw/Frolik... we have enough to form a decent to good 3rd line.

Unfortunately.. I don't think Bowman has a clue... Congrats to Tallon up for GM of the year.

Kane / Toews / Hossa / Sharp -- ALL did nothing these past 2 seasons postseason. Each one of them had decent to very good regular seasons. Instead of figuring how we can trade one of them.. time to figure out why they aren't scoring. And maybe putting Kruger or Bruno or Stalberg isn't the type players that put them in the best position to put points on the board. Until size is addressed in the top 6, we are going to continue to see the same playoff results as we have seen the last 2 years. For 2 years now.. we have had ZERO forecheck and no real net presence and no real space cleared. Those areas are huge key to success for scorng in playoff hockey if Bowman hasn't realized yet.

If Bickell is one of those guys.. ok. But this will be the 3rd year we are waiting for him to play that role. Unfortunately... I feel like we are in the same exact boat as last summer. We need two sizeable top 6 guys to play with our 4 that can forecheck, battle on the boards and screen. And we need two blue liners with size that aren't 40 or ready for the KHL.. And that may mean getting rid of Hammer and Bolland. So be it. I think between Kruger/Bickell/Shaw/Frolik... we have enough to form a decent to good 3rd line.

Unfortunately.. I don't think Bowman has a clue... Congrats to Tallon up for GM of the year.
- ilinkhawk

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.

Kane / Toews / Hossa / Sharp -- ALL did nothing these past 2 seasons postseason. Each one of them had decent to very good regular seasons. Instead of figuring how we can trade one of them.. time to figure out why they aren't scoring. And maybe putting Kruger or Bruno or Stalberg isn't the type players that put them in the best position to put points on the board. Until size is addressed in the top 6, we are going to continue to see the same playoff results as we have seen the last 2 years. For 2 years now.. we have had ZERO forecheck and no real net presence and no real space cleared. Those areas are huge key to success for scorng in playoff hockey if Bowman hasn't realized yet.

If Bickell is one of those guys.. ok. But this will be the 3rd year we are waiting for him to play that role. Unfortunately... I feel like we are in the same exact boat as last summer. We need two sizeable top 6 guys to play with our 4 that can forecheck, battle on the boards and screen. And we need two blue liners with size that aren't 40 or ready for the KHL.. And that may mean getting rid of Hammer and Bolland. So be it. I think between Kruger/Bickell/Shaw/Frolik... we have enough to form a decent to good 3rd line.

Unfortunately.. I don't think Bowman has a clue... Congrats to Tallon up for GM of the year.
- ilinkhawk

yeah I have to admit I'm kinda sorta regretting my "don't let the door hit your arse on the way out DALE!" feelings....

yeah I have to admit I'm kinda sorta regretting my "don't let the door hit your arse on the way out DALE!" feelings....
- PuckkmeNOpuckU

Always loved Tallon. Got brass balls. He didn't get everything completely right here. But alteast he took chances. And alot of the bad decisions he made, he found ways to get them fixed pretty quick. Or more importantly he admitted them. He knows hockey. Bowman knows numbers..

Gillis is probably right, but what else is he going to say after the flame out his team just had? Is he going to say he made a mistake?
- kingcong39

While no huge fan of Gillis personally, I do like the moves he has made with his team and especially their talent pipeline.

And one thing I think everyone, including a lot of Hawk fans, need to realize is that sometimes player and coaching moves have a lot to do with unseen issues that are there.

CBA optimism....hmmm

http://www.nhl.com/index....a_news_from...pittsburgh/

Fehr....coming attractions and the face and mouth of the NHL this summer.