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.
- John Jaeckel

Sharp/Saad/pick for Kesler

Sharp/Saad/pick for Kesler
- ilinkhawk

Kesler needs shoulder surgery. Rumors in Vancity that Kesler is a locker room problem too.

This move does not add - it subtracts. You solve the center problem by creating a wing problem.

They need six top six in the top six.

...and he has well over $20mil. What does he have to gain?

- frafra

...about another $40million...

How many Hawks players had concussions this year? Should they all consider retiring? Yes, it was a very nasty hit. But it's hard to say how he will respond. Seabrook has taken 3 very nasty hits in the past couple years and has bounced back rather quickly. All I'm saying is Hossa could feel much better in a week or two. Who knows?!

I could pretty much make the same case you made for any player that has won a cup. Why are Lidstrom and Selanne still playing? Crosby? Many, many others.
- coldsteelonice

Every player is different.

No one is saying he should retire, or even that he will.

I have heard from a good source some close to him are urging him to consider it, especially in light of the concussion that came with this injury. That's all.

Kesler needs shoulder surgery. Rumors in Vancity that Kesler is a locker room problem too.

This move does not add - it subtracts. You solve the center problem by creating a wing problem.

They need six top six in the top six.
- Return of the Roar

As everyone knows, I was all for trading Sharp, but if Hoss might be gone, that changes things.

Kesler needs shoulder surgery. Rumors in Vancity that Kesler is a locker room problem too.

This move does not add - it subtracts. You solve the center problem by creating a wing problem.

They need six top six in the top six.
- Return of the Roar

They are one big locker room problem. I am a fan of his as a player and in different circumstances, he could be great.

As everyone knows, I was all for trading Sharp, but if Hoss might be gone, that changes things.
- Ogilthorpe2

Clearly a different circumstance as well. If Hossa retired, it'd be a huge loss for everyone involved imo....

Sharp/Saad/pick for Kesler
- ilinkhawk

+Crawford for Nash.

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.
- bogiedoc

Hopefuly both sides don't screw the pooch again... I don't know if the league can have another lost season.. It just starting to gain some notice again.

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

Especially with the tv ratings a nashville - bruins SC final would draw. Yawnnnn...

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

Totally agree on both points. Personally, the only player I would consider an untouchable however is #19, and maybe a healthy #81, and then maybe #7.

If a great, transformative offer came for Kane, Sharp, Keith, Leddy, you have to at least look at them.

Hopefuly both sides don't screw the pooch again... I don't know if the league can have another lost season.. It just starting to gain some notice again.
- victorymc98

how do teams move forward come late june and early july with no CBA....

it would seem to me the NHL is looking at some type of disruption just like NFL and NBA experienced....crashed personal movement timeline...preseason and regular season truncation

For those that are curious about the CBA....

It expires Sept 15, 2012 unless either the players or owners invalidate the auto-renewal at least 120 before hand.

So, by mid-May we should know what's up.

...about another $40million...
- shruew

Do you truly believe that he will lose all of the $40M?

Some of it (if not all) is probably insured/protected against a career ending injury, so portion of the $40M will flow back to Hoss in lump sum...

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.
- Dannyboy

Q would never get "fired," but rather "reassigned."

Is that likely? Probably less so than it was at the trading deadline. Kitchen and Havi would be more likely to go separately. My hunch is Kitchen will go regardless.

I think marketing is going to take a back seat for a year or two. The commercials almost became embarrassing this year—hurt the brand more than helped it. Rocky knows that winning is what matters and the fans are getting fed up. As such . . . I think it means McDonough will become much lower profile. And my belief is that, in turn, will bore him and cause him to eventually find something else.

Totally agree on both points. Personally, the only player I would consider an untouchable however is #19, and maybe a healthy #81, and then maybe #7.

If a great, transformative offer came for Kane, Sharp, Keith, Leddy, you have to at least look at them.
- John Jaeckel

This.

Do you truly believe that he will lose all of the $40M?

Some of it (if not all) is probably insured/protected against a career ending injury, so portion of the $40M will flow back to Hoss in lump sum...
- Nerko77

True, he probably cashed out to J.G. Wentworth ages ago.

how do teams move forward come late june and early july with no CBA....

it would seem to me the NHL is looking at some type of disruption just like NFL and NBA experienced....crashed personal movement timeline...preseason and regular season truncation
- bogiedoc

When the players voted down realignment, it was a major shot across the owners' bow. New day in the NHLPA.

Don Fehr does not care about the "brand" of the NHL. He cares about getting the players and himself as much money as possible. Period. He has no problem sandbagging an entire season and hurting the image of a game. He did it in baseball.

They are one big locker room problem. I am a fan of his as a player and in different circumstances, he could be great.
- John Jaeckel

Speaks to your good call that the Canucks have a major hole in the leadership department.

Kane talking about how they missed Brouwer on the PP. Bolland downright respectful and conciliatory toward the Sedins.

Hopefuly both sides don't screw the pooch again... I don't know if the league can have another lost season.. It just starting to gain some notice again.
- victorymc98

Agree....The TV exposure and ratings in the US hane never been better.

Kane talking about how they missed Brouwer on the PP. Bolland downright respectful and conciliatory toward the Sedins.
- John Jaeckel

I loved how Kane didn't hestitate. 'Net front presence...Brouwer, Kopecky, Buff'

Do you truly believe that he will lose all of the $40M?

Some of it (if not all) is probably insured/protected against a career ending injury, so portion of the $40M will flow back to Hoss in lump sum...
- Nerko77

I would think so too....Too much at risk not to protect against injury.

I loved how Kane didn't hestitate. 'Net front presence...Brouwer, Kopecky, Buff'
- eburgio

he's right

When the players voted down realignment, it was a major shot across the owners' bow. New day in the NHLPA.

Don Fehr does not care about the "brand" of the NHL. He cares about getting the players and himself as much money as possible. Period. He has no problem sandbagging an entire season and hurting the image of a game. He did it in baseball.
- John Jaeckel

THIS!

Ding ding ding... huge issues coming up in the NHL. When the NHLPA muttered the words "Donald Fehr" I knew hockey was in for trouble.