1) The point was you lose leverage the moment you trade Hammer for the rights of Suter. UNLESS management knows something i.e Suter wants to sign here knowledge. The likely scenario is Suter will want to test the UFA market again supply of top d-men is low thus he is going to want huge pay.

Now if you trade Hammer you signal to Suter that you obviously want his services but now you have also subtracted from your defense which equals less leverage and when you include whatever the time limit is (date of transaction minus from day 1 of FA) now the leverage falls to Suter and agent this making it more difficult to sign. The overall problem is the team has several defecenies and spending all of your cap on one player will obviously mean less defecenies are fixed.

It just doesn't make economic sense not to mention the field day critics will have should ANY failure arise. Worst case scenario in dealing Hammer for Rights for Suter is you lose Hammer and get nothing in return, absolutely nothing. That would be a disaster. This results when you have protracted negotiation with Suter and othe available UFA's find new homes.

2) status quo = you keep the defense you have not the team exactly. Oduya will obviously have more time with the team giving him better feel. Also the maturation of Nick Leddy is obviously going to be a huge factor but thus far he hasn't disappointed in regards to his development.

3) this is probably the biggest problem and that is cap accounting. If you dole out another mega contract then the problem comes down to who do you resign next season and future seasons because the team as it stands is really in critical condition because of the lofty cap hits.
- scorerstouch

You've captured Bowman-esque thinking in a nutshell.

But if you think people like myself and others would criticize him for taking a bold move that —at worst— is a salary dump, you're wrong. But anything for the sake of argument, I guess.

Your argument is rooted in safety and the status quo. You don't seem to get that mine is rooted in taking a calculated swing for the fences with an asset that you're allegedly willing to deal for Zack Smith or similar anyway. And that, my friend, is basically a salary dump anyway. Some risk, huge reward.

I get the feeling you're not going to see how it could be a brilliant move. No risk, no reward.

Safety and security and small thinking has taken the Hawks from a Stanley Cup champion to a team that could have easily missed the playoffs the last two years.

Why you think maintaining the status quo, or more small tweaks, improves that, well, whatever.

Interesting... Just saw on Rotoworld that Suter's college coach at Wisconsin Mike Eaves said he thinks Suter will sign with a Midwest team. Seems as if he mentions St. Louis, Detroit and Minnesota stating that he knows the lifestyle.

Or Lidstrom as per Scotty B.

Poile out saying he doesn't intend to trade Suter's rights, and Suter will test the market July 1.
- Invest

See what he says on June 30.

Suter is gonna get way overpayed to stay in Nashville. The press are screwed really. If Suter walks then so does Weber, its common sense. However signing Suter to that kind of money could handcuff them in signing Weber. There only choice is to sign Suter and hope ownership allows them to sign Weber.

Interesting... Just saw on Rotoworld that Suter's college coach at Wisconsin Mike Eaves said he thinks Suter will sign with a Midwest team. Seems as if he mentions St. Louis, Detroit and Minnesota stating that he knows the lifestyle.
- golfbard

I have said since last summer that Praise signs in minny. Since they had a good playoffs I give NJ a good shot. But I believe its a 2 horse race. Suter is gonna get Mega bucks from nashville

1) From what JJ has been saying, it sounds like Suter would like very much to sign with Chicago. Sure, you tip your cap that you want him, but you have to tip your cap at some point... Wouldn't you rather Suter be negotiating with the Blackhawks than Nashville? Or worse, Detroit?...

2) You don't think there is a D-man out there for 3.5 mil that can, at the very least, negate what you lose with the departure of Hjalmarsson? I think quite a few fans out there would agree with me that there is more to be had at that price tag...

3) As long as the player you sign doesn't absolutely bomb, there will always be a team willing to deal for a star player (If the Blackhawks put Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith or Seabrook on the market, do you really think the phone lines would be dead?) If you have a chance to upgrade you do it, even if it means you get top heavy.
- PuckAndSticks

I don't know that he wants to sign with Chicago. My info is people in his family would like to see him sign with the Hawks, and for that and maybe some other reasons, the Hawks are a team he would like to talk to on 7/1.

The reason to deal for his rights is you get likely a 48 hour window to state your case, make your pitch and at least beat Detroit to the punch. Toews can then talk to him. Keith and Seabrook can. If you wait til 7/1, you might not even get the chance to talk to him. There is also something to be said for demonstrating to him how much you want him. If it's me and I basically want to shed hammer's salary regardless—which they would have to do anyway prior to 7/1 to make an offer for Suter (THINK)—then why not dump his salary to get exclusive negotiating rights. Makes alot of sense actually.

I have said since last summer that Praise signs in minny. Since they had a good playoffs I give NJ a good shot. But I believe its a 2 horse race. Suter is gonna get Mega bucks from nashville
- Bieksa#3

Really?! Is that before or after Weber gets mega bucks?

Interesting... Just saw on Rotoworld that Suter's college coach at Wisconsin Mike Eaves said he thinks Suter will sign with a Midwest team. Seems as if he mentions St. Louis, Detroit and Minnesota stating that he knows the lifestyle.
- golfbard

Mike Eaves' son plays for Detroit.

Suter grew up a Hawk fan, went to high school 90 miles from Chicago. Chicago is the closest NHL arena to his hometown, if he lived in Barrington, he'd be another 45 minutes closer to Madison.

Just saying.

Really?! Is that before or after Weber gets mega bucks?

- John Jaeckel

If he leaves Weber is gonna leave. He said last summer if they are committed to building a winner he would stay, if not he would test free agency. If they don't pony up for Suter, they aren't going to have a chance a Weber.

If he leaves Weber is gonna leave. He said last summer if they are committed to building a winner he would stay, if not he would test free agency. If they don't pony up for Suter, they aren't going to have a chance a Weber.
- Bieksa#3

Duh. Weber is an RFA. Nashville holds all the cards with him.

Your theory might add up to Weber leaving Nashville (let me guess, for Vancouver?), but facts indicate otherwise.

Duh. Weber is an RFA. Nashville holds all the cards with him.

Your theory might add up to Weber leaving Nashville (let me guess, for Vancouver?), but facts indicate otherwise.
- John Jaeckel

I'm talking about next yr, and I think you know that. Weber ain't going to Vancouver, no chance. Gill is is to cap hit anal to dare giving him the kind of contract he will demand and get. Just like dispite what your so called sources say Suter ain't going to the hawks. I hope he does, actually. He is a solid #2 d man, would love to have him on the canucks, but not at a cap hit of 7 mill or more. There is crap on the Ufa market this yr. There is tons of cap available with the apparent cap rise. A group of gms are gonna throw a few crazy offers at him. Like him a ton but not to give him a contract like that.

Any chance the hawks trade for J Staal. Lots of kids and picks to deal.

Remember a couple years ago when I said Hjalmarrson is overrated and will end up pissing you off.... HE SUCKS... get rid of him while you can get assets for him.

Suter is gonna get way overpayed to stay in Nashville. The press are screwed really. If Suter walks then so does Weber, its common sense. However signing Suter to that kind of money could handcuff them in signing Weber. There only choice is to sign Suter and hope ownership allows them to sign Weber.
- Bieksa#3

I wouldn't be surprised to see them resign Suter at big dollars...... Then trade Weber for MAJOR assets. it would be a smart move actually. Losing Weber now would fetch a kings ransom. Losing Suter now gets them nothing.

Remember a couple years ago when I said Hjalmarrson is overrated and will end up pissing you off.... HE SUCKS... get rid of him while you can get assets for him.
- kneughter

Not overrated, doesn't piss me off, don't want to trade him.

Not overrated, doesn't piss me off, don't want to trade him.
- Ogilthorpe2

You're a minority... he is a 6/7 dman... anytime he plays over 16 minutes he looks lost and gets exposed for the sub-par dman that he is.

At least a couple years ago he was playing physical... now he can't even do that...

You're a minority... he is a 6/7 dman... anytime he plays over 16 minutes he looks lost and gets exposed for the sub-par dman that he is.

At least a couple years ago he was playing physical... now he can't even do that...
- kneughter

6-7? Shut the front door. He's a solid 5 at worst, and top 4 on most teams. I don't think I'm in the minority either, not on this board anyway. I think lots of people (myself included) are willing to part with Hammer if it makes the team better overall, but I don't think there are a lot of people that flat out want him gone.

Duh. Weber is an RFA. Nashville holds all the cards with him.

Your theory might add up to Weber leaving Nashville (let me guess, for Vancouver?), but facts indicate otherwise.
- John Jaeckel

My personal opinion is weber holds the cards.... All of them. If any team including the preds offer him a contract or qualifying offer he is the sole person to decide to accept or not. If he chooses to not accept he goes to arbitration for a one season contract that Nashville will or will not accept. If they do not accept he becomes a ufa immediately.... If they do accept he is a ufa next season.

Am I correct?

You're a minority... he is a 6/7 dman... anytime he plays over 16 minutes he looks lost and gets exposed for the sub-par dman that he is.

At least a couple years ago he was playing physical... now he can't even do that...
- kneughter

He's better than a 6/7 guy. He's more of a 4/5 guy. He's not a physical as first advirtised, but he can really block shots.

Not overrated, doesn't piss me off, don't want to trade him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed Ogi !

I have said since last summer that Praise signs in minny. Since they had a good playoffs I give NJ a good shot. But I believe its a 2 horse race. Suter is gonna get Mega bucks from nashville
- Bieksa#3

I'm sure Nashville has offered deals with "megabucks" to Suter already. Point is there's less than half a month to go, and Suter still hasn't re-signed.

Suter won't be back in Nashville.

He's better than a 6/7 guy. He's more of a 4/5 guy. He's not a physical as first advirtised, but he can really block shots.
- EKolb13

I truly believe a lot of that is on Q.

I truly believe a lot of that is on Q.
- Ogilthorpe2

I can't argue with that. It's possible.

You're a minority... he is a 6/7 dman... anytime he plays over 16 minutes he looks lost and gets exposed for the sub-par dman that he is.

At least a couple years ago he was playing physical... now he can't even do that...
- kneughter

His growth has stopped since the Cup year but he's not a 6/7 dman. He's a 4 at best but a real good 5. He's also still young enough that in the right system and with the right partner he can develop further. He can still lay a good hit on an opponent and he blocks a ton of shots.

Remember a couple years ago when I said Hjalmarrson is overrated and will end up pissing you off.... HE SUCKS... get rid of him while you can get assets for him.
- kneughter

I actually really like Hjalmarsson. I think he is a VERY solid defender who rarely makes mistakes and puts it all out there. However, his contract has been debated since the day it was signed and he plays a bit spotty at times. I would be fine if he is on the roster next year, but I think his $3.5 mil can be better spent. That being the case, Hammer is house money. If you toss him to Nashville just for the CHANCE to sign Suter, GO FOR IT! If you don't get anywhere with Suter, at least you tried, and now you have $3.5 mil to spend on the open market. Since Hjalmarsson isn't outplaying his contract, you don't really lose anything...