Just kinda thinking out loud here. I know this borders on blasphemy, but:

What if Stan has known what he's doing all along?

When they signed Toews and Kane, their contracts each ate up about 12% of the cap of $52M (IIRC) at the time. Should the cap move up to $72M next year, they have the same players with two more years of experience signed for only 8.75% of the cap each.

Each of these long term contracts has talented players tied to the team at an ever decreasing portion of the cap. This allows for more money each year to be spent filling in the team. It's a given that this year Stan's (Q's?) choices were less than ideal and he was unwilling to pay the price at the TDL. Still, they could be in a prime position to fill the roster very effectively this year.

Making a bid on a player like Suter while not being required to shed anyone from the core would have been unthinkable last summer. What if it was all part of a bean counter's master strategy?

A father's will will never hold a candle to a wife and mother of your children wants and needs. I think this have more bearing than proximity. Hell with Ryan's new contract, he can afford to fly old Bob around the states if need be.
- slash&smash

Ok, we get it. You're upset that Suter might just leave Nashville. It's all right to feel that way, I know it must be a scary time for you.

That doesn't mean that you need to come here to argue every little meaningless point as to why Suter won't sign anywhere else.

It's time to troll somewhere else.

Just kinda thinking out loud here. I know this borders on blasphemy, but:

What if Stan has known what he's doing all along?

When they signed Toews and Kane, their contracts each ate up about 12% of the cap of $52M (IIRC) at the time. Should the cap move up to $72M next year, they have the same players with two more years of experience signed for only 8.75% of the cap each.

Each of these long term contracts has talented players tied to the team at an ever decreasing portion of the cap. This allows for more money each year to be spent filling in the team. It's a given that this year Stan's (Q's?) choices were less than ideal and he was unwilling to pay the price at the TDL. Still, they could be in a prime position to fill the roster very effectively this year.

Making a bid on a player like Suter while not being required to shed anyone from the core would have been unthinkable last summer. What if it was all part of a bean counter's master strategy?
- NewToHockey

If it works out this way, and the Hawks win the Stanley Cup, you can bet every swinging d!ck in that front office mess will be claiming some credit to this "master strategy" theory.

I know, I'm just having fun too.
- DarthKane

A father's will will never hold a candle to a wife and mother of your children wants and needs. I think this have more bearing than proximity. Hell with Ryan's new contract, he can afford to fly old Bob around the states if need be.
- slash&smash

Agreed, but maybe Bob is tired of being flown around.

Just kinda thinking out loud here. I know this borders on blasphemy, but:

What if Stan has known what he's doing all along?

When they signed Toews and Kane, their contracts each ate up about 12% of the cap of $52M (IIRC) at the time. Should the cap move up to $72M next year, they have the same players with two more years of experience signed for only 8.75% of the cap each.

Each of these long term contracts has talented players tied to the team at an ever decreasing portion of the cap. This allows for more money each year to be spent filling in the team. It's a given that this year Stan's (Q's?) choices were less than ideal and he was unwilling to pay the price at the TDL. Still, they could be in a prime position to fill the roster very effectively this year.

Making a bid on a player like Suter while not being required to shed anyone from the core would have been unthinkable last summer. What if it was all part of a bean counter's master strategy?
- NewToHockey

Even if it is/was the master plan, he still has to use the additional cap space in a smart and effective manner, or it will all be for nothing. The plan means nothing if it's not executed properly. Fingers crossed.

The cap hit is the total salary divided evenly by the number of years on the deal.

For example, if Suter were to sign for 6 years at $36 million, his cap hit would be $6 million.

I'm sure you could spread out the actual salary like you've shown, but the cap hit would be the constant average.
- EKolb13

Actually the more likely way to spread out the salary is the exact opposite of what was suggested.

Just kinda thinking out loud here. I know this borders on blasphemy, but:

What if Stan has known what he's doing all along?

When they signed Toews and Kane, their contracts each ate up about 12% of the cap of $52M (IIRC) at the time. Should the cap move up to $72M next year, they have the same players with two more years of experience signed for only 8.75% of the cap each.

Each of these long term contracts has talented players tied to the team at an ever decreasing portion of the cap. This allows for more money each year to be spent filling in the team. It's a given that this year Stan's (Q's?) choices were less than ideal and he was unwilling to pay the price at the TDL. Still, they could be in a prime position to fill the roster very effectively this year.

Making a bid on a player like Suter while not being required to shed anyone from the core would have been unthinkable last summer. What if it was all part of a bean counter's master strategy?
- NewToHockey

Your reasoning on the Toews and Kane contracts % is correct but has nothing to do with Bowman being ahead of the curve.

The main reason players are locked up longer term is because the cap has gone up every year, so in essence their contracts represent a smaller amount of available cap space each year.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

What is the consensus about pat kane in the city of chicago ? anyone know him personally or seen him out at a bar before?


i ask because im from buffalo and im 22 and i know guys that used to be friends with him but hate him now because hes a total wienerhead

i personally have seen him at city tavern (its a bar on chippewa in downtown buffalo) coked out of his mind with a couple of his best buds

if this guy would work he would be a 100 pt player year in and year out but he just seems like a total alcoholic dbag

ive heard rumors about the sabres trading for him but i would NEVER want him on my team...guy is a cancer it seems

What is the consensus about pat kane in the city of chicago ? anyone know him personally or seen him out at a bar before?


i ask because im from buffalo and im 22 and i know guys that used to be friends with him but hate him now because hes a total wienerhead

i personally have seen him at city tavern (its a bar on chippewa in downtown buffalo) coked out of his mind with a couple of his best buds

if this guy would work he would be a 100 pt player year in and year out but he just seems like a total alcoholic dbag

ive heard rumors about the sabres trading for him but i would NEVER want him on my team...guy is a cancer it seems
- HAMgerber

wow. it autocorrected my ****head into weinerhead...thats so gay

wow. it autocorrected my ****head into weinerhead...thats so gay
- HAMgerber

It's not gay, mister - it's software.

Nothing gay about it.

Your reasoning on the Toews and Kane contracts % is correct but has nothing to do with Bowman being ahead of the curve.

The main reason players are locked up longer term is because the cap has gone up every year, so in essence their contracts represent a smaller amount of available cap space each year.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Last summer before the Campbell trade and the summer before we were lamenting the Hawks lack of flexibility because of the large number of long term contracts. Now, they have flexibility for the same reason. Although, as Ogie points out, they need to do something productive with it.

Last summer before the Campbell trade and the summer before we were lamenting the Hawks lack of flexibility because of the large number of long term contracts. Now, they have flexibility for the same reason. Although, as Ogie points out, they need to do something productive with it.
- NewToHockey

And so far they haven't done much with it....

I wasn't in the camp looking to trade Campbell for cap flexibility...I also believe the big market playoff teams should always spend close to the cap limit.

So now that Campbell was dumped for nothing and the Hawks could sign Suter........ the Kool Aid drinkers won't worry about cap flexibility....Because Suter is looking for a long, long term contract.

July 1st is always one of my favourite hockey days of the year. Living in Canada we always have the day off work so I can focus on following the hockey signings.
- DarthKane

I thought you had the day off was a little something to do with July 1st 1867 not the first day that Free agent are allowed to sign else where.

IF the Hawks are listening to Bettman, taking part, and not holding back waiting for the new CBA.

Which would piss me off no end.
- StLBravesFan

I'll second that motion about being pissed off..

I thought you had the day off was a little something to do with July 1st 1867 not the first day that Free agent are allowed to sign else where.
- Beaver-Warrior

Oh no, we get te day off because of the hockey importance, this is Canada after all. NHL free agency is far more important than our nation's birthday.

Oh no, we get te day off because of the hockey importance, this is Canada after all. NHL free agency is far more important than our nation's birthday.
- DarthKane

What the heck was I thinking? I stand corrected. Thank you kind Sir.

Devils win another 1 goal game 3-2.

And we get what has become a real tired act of Tort's post game Q/A. One word asnswers dripping with condescension and jerkdom. Why bother trotting this tool out after losses....he is really pathetic. Show some respect and class.

Devils win another 1 goal game 3-2.

And we get what has become a real tired act of Tort's post game Q/A. One word asnswers dripping with condescension and jerkdom. Why bother trotting this tool out after losses....he is really pathetic. Show some respect and class.
- bogiedoc

No Doubt! What an a*s

Kane for Nash....please God no. I can't help thinking that would be monumentally stupid. Adding $1.5MM a year more than Kane's hit to simply replace the same role on the top line, and add another four more years of $7.8MM/yr cap hit.....

You still have Nash, Toews and......who? Does not solve the problem.

Add the missing parts, don't swap for similar parts.

Again - big winger, 19 and 88, and a serviceable second line center for 10 and 81, and your top six is solid.

Make the run at Suter and fill the roles with better players than the O'D and Brunette types and they are in the mix. Maybe there will be money left over for a goalie or a trade deadline deal to cover for injury.

Kane for Nash....please God no. I can't help thinking that would be monumentally stupid. Adding $1.5MM a year more than Kane's hit to simply replace the same role on the top line, and add another four more years of $7.8MM/yr cap hit.....

You still have Nash, Toews and......who? Does not solve the problem.

Add the missing parts, don't swap for similar parts.

Again - big winger, 19 and 88, and a serviceable second line center for 10 and 81, and your top six is solid.

Make the run at Suter and fill the roles with better players than the O'D and Brunette types and they are in the mix. Maybe there will be money left over for a goalie or a trade deadline deal to cover for injury.
- Return of the Roar

I could not AGREE more, Kane needs a player like Nash to dish the puck to, not be traded for the finisher. Don't see how Kane for Nash would make the Hawks better. But lets say if CBJ would do , Sharp, Saad, #1 Pick for Nash then id say "Hell Yes" ! But I think CBJ will be able to do better than that anyways in a haul for Nash.

Even simpler - limit the length of contracts - to, say, 5 years.
- StLBravesFan

Can't do that. 5 Years in not enough. You have a player like Toews who is so young. You should be able to lock him up if you want for more than 5 years. Maybe you could make it 5 years max for a player that is 30 or older. Not real sure that would be so great, but it would be better then a flat out 5 year limit on any player.

A father's will will never hold a candle to a wife and mother of your children wants and needs. I think this have more bearing than proximity. Hell with Ryan's new contract, he can afford to fly old Bob around the states if need be.
- slash&smash

You are so wrong!! Bob does not want to fly all over the place and Mom does not either. What they want to do it be at home where the love. Then be able to go see their son play without a lot of hassle. Like driving a few hours to Chicago to see their son play. Not saying Suter will be here in Chicago for sure, but I bet he will not be in Nashville next year.

Can't do that. 5 Years in not enough. You have a player like Toews who is so young. You should be able to lock him up if you want for more than 5 years. Maybe you could make it 5 years max for a player that is 30 or older. Not real sure that would be so great, but it would be better then a flat out 5 year limit on any player.
- PaulNewman

Why would a really young player want to sign for more than 5 years anyway? The good ones want to been in a position to sign the biggest contract possible as soon as they reach the age they can become UFA. You don't ever see a 22 year old signing a 10 year deal because his value at 26 likely would be much higher.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but I would luv the new CBA to include an ability for clubs to move cash, plus players, in transactions...just like MLB.

If the Hawks could offer cash plus Frolik for instance, it would make moving him easier. This ability in general would make moving pricey players, or players with long term contracts easier....at least in theory.