It wouldn't count against this year's cap.
- Al

Budgeting. If you make a trade or sign someone to multiple years, there is no space for him and you wouldn't be able to do anything but to let him walk. He could be keeping 3 million off to the side anticipating keeping him aboard for the long haul.

Full year in Rockford would be best with him taking over for Stalberg the following year after Stalberg leaves for big $$.
- hawks2010

I agree with this.

Full year in Rockford would be best with him taking over for Stalberg the following year after Stalberg leaves for big $$.
- hawks2010

How about everyone takes a chill pill and just let the kid go to Rockford (when he's eligible) and see where he goes from there?

You think Bowman is sitting on his money so that he can prepare to give Stalberg a raise and keep him as a Top 6 LW?
- 1goalLordStanley

Depends on the year Stalberg has this year. Power Forwards take much longer to find their game, and if he improves yet again in 2012-13, he WILL get paid big $. Think Detroit...

How about everyone takes a chill pill and just let the kid go to Rockford (when he's eligible) and see where he goes from there?
- John Jaeckel

Saad is eligible to go to the AHL this coming season.

Never happen, Stan never worked with anyone in Detroit
- ikeane

Actually Bowman has made trades with more than just 2-3 teams: Minnesota, Toronto, Atlanta/Winnipeg. Calgary, Anaheim, Ottawa (might be a couple of others).

Not defending him but the "he only trades with people he's worked with" theory I don't think is accurate.

How about everyone takes a chill pill and just let the kid go to Rockford (when he's eligible) and see where he goes from there?
- John Jaeckel

I concur.

Actually Bowman has made trades with more than just 2-3 teams: Minnesota, Toronto, Atlanta/Winnipeg. Calgary, Anaheim, Ottawa (might be a couple of others).

Not defending him but the "he only trades with people he's worked with" theory I don't think is accurate.
- John Jaeckel

Florida and Washington

Saad is eligible to go to the AHL this coming season.
- EKolb13

Thought it was only after his borthday (which is in November) due to CHL/AHl agreement.

Regardless, everyone needs to slow down before giving him ANY NHL job just yet. He has done exactly zero at the pro level thus far. And lots of bartenders have put up big CHL numbers.

Actually Bowman has made trades with more than just 2-3 teams: Minnesota, Toronto, Atlanta/Winnipeg. Calgary, Anaheim, Ottawa (might be a couple of others).

Not defending him but the "he only trades with people he's worked with" theory I don't think is accurate.
- John Jaeckel

Florida and Buffalo.

Florida and Washington
- 1goalLordStanley

Thank you. He's worked with Tallon, not with McPhee.

Budgeting. If you make a trade or sign someone to multiple years, there is no space for him and you wouldn't be able to do anything but to let him walk. He could be keeping 3 million off to the side anticipating keeping him aboard for the long haul.
- 1goalLordStanley

I think you are over thinking the issue.

Stalberg is one of 4 contracts coming off the table as a UFA after this season.

He is by far the best player out of the group and there will be cap space to resign him.

The real question is whether the Hawks believe Stalberg is a true top six forward.

If so play him that way this season and resign early...

If not, trade him now.

Thank you. He's worked with Tallon, not with McPhee.
- John Jaeckel

Traded Brouwer for the 26th pick in 2011 (Danault)

Budgeting. If you make a trade or sign someone to multiple years, there is no space for him and you wouldn't be able to do anything but to let him walk. He could be keeping 3 million off to the side anticipating keeping him aboard for the long haul.
- 1goalLordStanley

Stalberg improves on last year's numbers, $3M per is a pipedream...think $5M per with how crazy FA money has gotten. I have been waiting like everyone else for Stan to make a move, but I'd rather him wait to make the best move, than to panic and do something dumb. The trade route is definitely the way to go with how silly some GMs are spending money, bumping up values for other FAs. Doan is a nice player, but is he worth four years at $6M per at age 35, which he WILL get.

Thought it was only after his borthday (which is in November) due to CHL/AHl agreement.

Regardless, everyone needs to slow down before giving him ANY NHL job just yet. He has done exactly zero at the pro level thus far. And lots of bartenders have put up big CHL numbers.
- John Jaeckel

Saad turns 20 on 10/27. From what I'm reading, it sure seems like he can go to Rockford this season. I know McNeill and Danault have to stay in junior.



There is a private agreement in place between the NHL and the CHL that governs when a player coming from the CHL can play in the AHL. A player from the CHL has to either turn 20 by December 31st of the season (ie a player born in 1992 can start playing in the 2012-13 season, a player born in 1993 can start playing in the 2013-14 season) OR have completed 4 seasons of junior eligibility. This agreement also covers European players if they are drafted out of the CHL. Also - CHL players are eligible to play in the AHL once their junior season is over (either by virtue of their team junior not making the playoffs or being eliminated from the playoffs) even if they don't yet meet the age or eligibility criteria listed above.

College players and European players (provided they are drafted out of Europe--even if they later play in the CHL) are not covered by this agreement. They only have to abide by the AHL's age requirement, which is that a player has to turn 18 by September 15 of any given season to be eligible to play. While you won't see many 18-year olds in the AHL, some European players have played at that age.

Actually Bowman has made trades with more than just 2-3 teams: Minnesota, Toronto, Atlanta/Winnipeg. Calgary, Anaheim, Ottawa (might be a couple of others).

Not defending him but the "he only trades with people he's worked with" theory I don't think is accurate.
- John Jaeckel

His biggest deals in the summer...have only been with those he worked for or with.

And Bowman's only deal this yr at the deadline was with Chevy...

Maybe things will change this summer ...Probably will find out before the convention.

Saad is eligible to go to the AHL this coming season.
- EKolb13

Yes on Saad and I know McNeill and Danault have to stay in junior., or play in Chgo.

Traded Brouwer for the 26th pick in 2011 (Danault)
- 1goalLordStanley

Indeed he did. He also traded with Buffalo for Montador's rights.

disclaimer: I am not advocating we sign Semin, but it is pretty interesting stuff from Cordell -

Last four years:

Parise - .45 goals per game, .97 points per game, plus-49
Semin - .44 goals per game, .98 points per game, plus-92

Career numbers:

Goals created is courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.

Parise - 502 games, 194 goals, 216 assists, 410 points, 160 goals created, plus-57
Semin - 469 games, 197 goals, 211 assists, 408 points, 165 goals created, plus-65

disclaimer: I am not advocating we sign Semin, but it is pretty interesting stuff from Cordell -

Last four years:

Parise - .45 goals per game, .97 points per game, plus-49
Semin - .44 goals per game, .98 points per game, plus-92

Career numbers:

Goals created is courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.

Parise - 502 games, 194 goals, 216 assists, 410 points, 160 goals created, plus-57
Semin - 469 games, 197 goals, 211 assists, 408 points, 165 goals created, plus-65
- Sundevil

We talked about this the other day...the talent is there no doubt but what's between the ears??

It seems to me OV, Backstrom who could be the best off all, and Semin should have been the Caps core for years to come...

disclaimer: I am not advocating we sign Semin, but it is pretty interesting stuff from Cordell -

Last four years:

Parise - .45 goals per game, .97 points per game, plus-49
Semin - .44 goals per game, .98 points per game, plus-92

Career numbers:

Goals created is courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.

Parise - 502 games, 194 goals, 216 assists, 410 points, 160 goals created, plus-57
Semin - 469 games, 197 goals, 211 assists, 408 points, 165 goals created, plus-65
- Sundevil

this will keep you occupied. someone linked this earlier in the thread.http://thehockeywriters.c...-ignoring-the-10-percent/

disclaimer: I am not advocating we sign Semin, but it is pretty interesting stuff from Cordell -

Last four years:

Parise - .45 goals per game, .97 points per game, plus-49
Semin - .44 goals per game, .98 points per game, plus-92

Career numbers:

Goals created is courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.

Parise - 502 games, 194 goals, 216 assists, 410 points, 160 goals created, plus-57
Semin - 469 games, 197 goals, 211 assists, 408 points, 165 goals created, plus-65
- Sundevil

Do they have a stat for piss poor attitude? I'm sure he leads the league in that.

We talked about this the other day...the talent is there no doubt but what's between the ears??
- Al

Right, elite talent. If someone can figure out how to get his head on straight, he could be scary good. I hear a lot of 1 year deals being mentioned, so that leads me to believe most teams are not confident that can happen.

I can't speak for the other supposed Bowman "Haters" but here it is in a nut shell.

With a very quiet offseason like this, coming off back to back 1st round losses you will have 2 groups: One that is waiting to say "I told you so" when they flame out again because the current roster is flawed OR the group that holds of criticism because they trust the management team.

I dno't trust Bowman. He has done nothing to help his cause since ALL MAJOR cup winning pieces were there. Have any of his guys panned out yet? Maybe Stalberg, maybe Leddy. However, hs mark on this team has led them in the wrong direction very quickly. Forget 2010-11, we all know that story. However, last year...not good.

It's just hard for me to sit here and say...well...If Kane regains his form from 2 years ago, or lives up to his god given talent. Or if Keith finds his Norris trophy winning form. Or if Crawford toughens up mentally and forgets last year...and if this prospect OR that fringe player take the next step....they'll be fine.

I just dont see it. I don't. I didn't see it last year, when that circus trip exposed them for being what they turned out to be...erractic, and soft.

Bowman keeps pointing to a core of players but guess what...only 4 have lived up to the hype since they won the cup...Toews, Sharp, Seabrook, Hossa. That's it. Hammer, Keith, Kane have regressed. Bolland can't stay healthy AND you still don't know what you have...
- SteveRain

I don't disagree with you, but the solution is not simple. I'm sure Bowman realizes that we could use a #2 center, but do you want to trade Kane for Plekanec?! Then you fill one hole and create another. Sure, you can see our D depth is weak, but he signed Oduya for a good contract and there's very few defenseman that will actually make a difference. Again, Bowman should trade for another top 4 defense, but what does he need to give up? A prospect isn't going to get you much.

I really only see two teams in the entire league that have made significant improvements thus far: Minnesota and Carolina. I would say LA also gets a plus for just being able to retain their players at reasonable cap hits, like Stoll. Otherwise, every other team in the league is the same or worse.

Making trades work in a video game is great, but in real life teams don't give up good players for crap players.

I enjoy reading JJ's blogs, but its a rumor blog not a fact blog. When JJ says he is hearing from a source that maybe something is happening, it doesn't mean its true. The latest of "Bowman has had lots of trade discussions but is too tentative to pull the trigger" doesn't mean anything. We have NO information. Does that mean, teams are offering lots of picks and prospects for Toews and Bowman won't do it thus making him tentative?!

Maybe Columbus asked for Kane, Keith, and Hammer for Nash?? We have no idea. So how can you female dog about Bowman not making a trade when you don't even know what the trade is. I guarantee you that if and when Bowman makes a trade, the same people who are female doging now, will be female doging about the trade, no matter what it is.

Saad, McNeil, Danault, Hayes, Teravainen, Shaw, etc. - we think they are quality players - are they really better than any other team's draft picks?
- StLBravesFan

Most professional scouting publications say so and consistently have the Hawks ranked top 10 in prospects. I'd trust their opinion over disgruntled fans.