Vegas looking for a puck moving defenseman. Due to cap constraints, might not be able to fit a Sami Vatanen in as a rental.

Gus works salary cap wise, get er done Stan.

Also you have many goalies Crow's age that are playing just as well that are UFA's making much less, Kudhoben, Halak, Greiss Francouz all for less than $3.5 mil. Anderson with Ottawa is making $4.75, but I can see him getting a one year Ward type contract for $3 mil. with a NTC. although he is 37 yo.
- LAHawk

Crow would be nearly 37 coming out of a one year deal after next year. I think it's 50/50 whether he plays next year? I heard he and his wife just bought a house in Chicago so she's not going to travel. If he signs with another team does he want to spend the whole season alone?

I like Lehner but I would have his new contract end the same year as Toews, Kane, Keith, and AD (Summer of 2023). At that time they can see where they are at. Seabs would only have one more year at that point. If Lehner wants a longer term or too much money then I would let Lehner walk, sign Crow for a year or two at about $6 mil, and break in Lankinen to see if he can takeover for Crow in a year or two.
- -Doh-

Based on Lehners own words...he will not take 3 year deal to stay here...he definately looking longer term...

it's a good market for goalies and there are teams that are knocking on the playoff and cup door who will gladly offer him more.

Its real simple sign him or trade him at TDL...you can't let him walk for nothing; the signing part is what's complicated

honestly i don't want to place any bets on lankinen and delia

$6 for Crow? He'll be lucky to get the $3 we gave Cam Ward.
- rpeters01

Which makes sound sense, since he's only only half as good as he was.

Its real simple sign him or trade him at TDL...you can't let him walk for nothing; the signing part is what's complicated

honestly i don't want to place any bets on lankinen and delia
- bogiedoc

This can not be overstated. I can see Stan screwing the pooch here by trying to be too cute.

Cute ties and trade or sign. Being hesitant and in between will get you slaughtered.

Based on Lehners own words...he will not take 3 year deal to stay here...he definately looking longer term...

it's a good market for goalies and there are teams that are knocking on the playoff and cup door who will gladly offer him more.

Its real simple sign him or trade him at TDL...you can't let him walk for nothing; the signing part is what's complicated

honestly i don't want to place any bets on lankinen and delia
- bogiedoc

Does Lehner favor term or AAV? If the answer is both......he gone at the TDL. Either way, I believe he'll be signed or gone at the TDL.

This can not be overstated. I can see Stan screwing the pooch here by trying to be too cute.

Cute ties and trade or sign. Being hesitant and in between will get you slaughtered.
- catrisc

Can you describe what "being too cute" would look like?

This can not be overstated. I can see Stan screwing the pooch here by trying to be too cute.

Cute ties and trade or sign. Being hesitant and in between will get you slaughtered.
- catrisc

Choose to start an old (albeit loved) warrior in net, alongside an unproven kid? What fanbase remains, will go ballistic. And, rightfully so.

@ OTT Win
@ MTL Loss
@ TOR Loss
WPG Win
FLA Loss
@ARI Loss
@MIN Win
BOS Loss
@WPG Loss
@ EDM Loss
@VAN Win
@CAL Loss
@WPG Loss
NYR Win
NAS Loss
@DAL Loss

5 Wins and 11 losses

Hello Lottery

I do not expect Stan to do much by the TDL. I would like him to move Gus. It would be a coup to move Smith. I hope he keeps Carpenter (unless the return is exceptional). They could move Crow or Lehner depending on new contract talks. Maatta could be interesting to a contender that needs defense for a mid-round pick. Caggiula may have some value as a rental gamble even with the concussion history. (late round pick). Sikura may need a change of scenery in exchange for another player that needs a change of scenery. Other than that I believe we will be pretty quiet.
- -Doh-

Please NO. Habs are horrid...and I hate them terribly. Hawks win

6-10

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula
DeBrincat-Dach-Kampf
Nylander-Carpenter-Kane
Highmore-Smith-Sikura

Keith-Boqvist
Gustafsson-Murphy
Maatta-Koekkoek/Gilbert

Considering Kane will probably get about 1/3 of the shifts on the top line, its probably the best we can do right now.

Does Lehner favor term or AAV? If the answer is both......he gone at the TDL. Either way, I believe he'll be signed or gone at the TDL.
- mohel

Not that I care, but Im sure they have to make a decision on 50 long before they start talking about extending 40...as extending 40 is the end of 50 here in Chicago.

I would guess he wants both.....aav and term. He mentioned not taking discounts so that is your answer to aav, and have to think the term is a minimum of 4 years.

IF either aren't in the Hawks plans, you have to move him. Keeping him for some pipe dream playoff run and losing him for nothing on 7/1 is horrible asset management.

RE 50.,,,if he's going to retire their is not a lot of sense of urgency in trading him UNLESS he wants another shot to win this year. Given his family dynamic, not sure he goes down the road. If he plans on testing UFA, then that's a whole other topic.

Stan plans to sign Russian goalie Timur Bilyalov.

Does Lehner favor term or AAV? If the answer is both......he gone at the TDL. Either way, I believe he'll be signed or gone at the TDL.
- mohel

it would seem term is very important to him...i don't seem him taking less than 4 years...

just spitt'en like everyone else but 8 mil per and the hawks will TDL move him..7 mil may even be bridge to far for them

kubalik's price goes up with every goal/assist, strome needs to be resigned...

my guess shaw's 4 mil cap hit is jettisoned either he is traded or retired...saad is also a move candidate... and of course what to with gus o gus

Stan plans to sign Russian goalie Timur Bilyalov.
- StutzBlackhawk

Asking for Elbows.....

How big is his ass? And is it largely muscle, or heavy on the lard?

@ OTT Win
@ MTL Loss
@ TOR Loss
WPG Win
FLA Loss
@ARI Loss
@MIN Win
BOS Loss
@WPG Loss
@ EDM Loss
@VAN Win
@CAL Loss
@WPG Loss
NYR Win
NAS Loss
@DAL Loss

5 Wins and 11 losses

Hello Lottery

I do not expect Stan to do much by the TDL. I would like him to move Gus. It would be a coup to move Smith. I hope he keeps Carpenter (unless the return is exceptional). They could move Crow or Lehner depending on new contract talks. Maatta could be interesting to a contender that needs defense for a mid-round pick. Caggiula may have some value as a rental gamble even with the concussion history. (late round pick). Sikura may need a change of scenery in exchange for another player that needs a change of scenery. Other than that I believe we will be pretty quiet.
- -Doh-

Yeah, I had a similar record briefly going through it....point is given this team's up/down continual play, the hole they have dug themselves in the standings (7 pts back and 4 teams to jump), its over.

The routine circle of "can they make the playoffs/what kind of run will it take/etc" are old and stale throughout print, blog, and other media outlets.

Weeeeeeeeeee!

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula
DeBrincat-Dach-Kampf
Nylander-Carpenter-Kane
Highmore-Smith-Sikura

Keith-Boqvist
Gustafsson-Murphy
Maatta-Koekkoek/Gilbert

Considering Kane will probably get about 1/3 of the shifts on the top line, its probably the best we can do right now.
- Chunk

poor 88...always asked to make silk purses out of sow's ears...the amzing thing he continues to produce no matter who he is with...

poor 88...always asked to make silk purses out of sow's ears...the amzing thing he continues to produce no matter who he is with...
- bogiedoc

As a $10M+ player should.

Asking for Elbows.....

How big is his ass? And is it largely muscle, or heavy on the lard?
- mohel

Well since his name isn't COrey Crawford, Im sure if his @ss isnt' big, they'll be another fault that deems him unworthy.

Asking for Elbows.....

How big is his ass? And is it largely muscle, or heavy on the lard?
- mohel

who cares what elbows thinks of his ass...he competes, he reads plays extremely well, he aint pretty...he just gets it done

Lehner is now ranked No. 5 in the NHL with a 13.5 expected goals saved above average and is tied for No. 12 with a .923 save-percentage.

thats remarkable given the hawks are in the bottom 3 in just about every defensive metric...

As a $10M+ player should.
- mohel

I don't disagree....but the difference continues to be 88 can produce and make guys around him better.....19 needs his wings to be legit top 6 players or else he doesn't produce.

Just stick 88 with Kubalik and Toews and ride along.....There is a nice line to build around.

Stick 12 and 17 with 77.....hell, now you have 2 of 4 lines solved.

who cares what elbows thinks of his ass...he competes, he reads plays extremely well, he aint pretty...he just gets it done

Lehner is now ranked No. 5 in the NHL with a 13.5 expected goals saved above average and is tied for No. 12 with a .923 save-percentage.

thats remarkable given the hawks are in the bottom 3 in just about every defensive metric...
- bogiedoc

Humor, my friend.....

I don't disagree....but the difference continues to be 88 can produce and make guys around him better.....19 needs his wings to be legit top 6 players or else he doesn't produce.

Just stick 88 with Kubalik and Toews and ride along.....There is a nice line to build around.

Stick 12 and 17 with 77.....hell, now you have 2 of 4 lines solved.
- SteveRain

Kane is still a $10M player. Toews is not (he doesn't suck, not close to it, just not a $10M player). Seems like a widespread opinion here....

Kane is still a $10M player. Toews is not (he doesn't suck, not close to it, just not a $10M player). Seems like a widespread opinion here....
- mohel

And if you think about it.....Kubalik makes Saad expendable. Now they have found a winger who can help Johnny reach a solid offensive output.

To your point, if Toews isn't a 10 AAV player anymore, and would agree on everything you said.....you sure as hell can't pay Saad 7+ aav to be a 3rd line contributor.

What would be fascinating to see is what Saad's trade value is THIS year vs NEXT year? I don't question he would be a great add for the playoff run, but a 6 cap hit next year for a contending team is tough to swallow, unless they have a hole to plug him into a top 6 role with 2 other very good players.

who cares what elbows thinks of his ass...he competes, he reads plays extremely well, he aint pretty...he just gets it done

Lehner is now ranked No. 5 in the NHL with a 13.5 expected goals saved above average and is tied for No. 12 with a .923 save-percentage.

thats remarkable given the hawks are in the bottom 3 in just about every defensive metric...
- bogiedoc

No matter what Stan would ever sign Lehner for it couldn't be dumber than Pace doing this:
Bill Barnwell estimates the fifth-year option on Trubisky’s contract will be worth more than $24 million(!) in 2021.

And if you think about it.....Kubalik makes Saad expendable. Now they have found a winger who can help Johnny reach a solid offensive output.

To your point, if Toews isn't a 10 AAV player anymore, and would agree on everything you said.....you sure as hell can't pay Saad 7+ aav to be a 3rd line contributor.

What would be fascinating to see is what Saad's trade value is THIS year vs NEXT year? I don't question he would be a great add for the playoff run, but a 6 cap hit next year for a contending team is tough to swallow, unless they have a hole to plug him into a top 6 role with 2 other very good players.
- SteveRain

Why? You need more players like this not less. Saad was one of the best Hawk forwards before he went down. Yes, it would be nice if he had a few more points, but there is much more to hockey than just scoring.