The Chicago Blackhawks...

[Craig2]

Just hate these money hungry players. Kane/Toews at $10.5 lol. They had to figure there team would eventually be hurting since the cap has caught up with them now. Crosby doesn't even make $9M... Why? Because he cares about the team and not all about the payout. Just had to throw that out there.

When Crosby signed that deal, it made him the highest-paid player in the NHL at the time. The only reason it helped the Pens is that they tacked on the final three years at $3m per season to level out the cap hit.

I do think Crosby would help a team by taking less, but I'd guess that Toews and/or Kane would restructure as well if it would help the team.

 

[SimonJa]

I think the Saad for Panarin trade is good for the Hawks. Saad has proven chemistry with both Kane and Toews. It was easy to see that Bowman regretted the original trade as he was doing it but needed to shed cap. The extra two years on Saad's contract is huge. I think Bowman is really sick of being up against the cap every year and is taking steps to correct this painful trend.
Those saying Crosby took less money for the team and that Toews and Kane are greedy and selfish really need to think about it a little more. Crosby signed 2 years before Toews and Kane did....when Crosby signed the cap was at 60, when Toews and Kane signed it was 70...a little difference there. One need only look at the cup dual signatures to see who is more entitled in this group. Lol
Tyler Motte.....big deal......Hjarmalsson.....cap deal.....Hossa...what ya gonna do, nobody is happy about this one but if this has been a persistant thing he sure handled it well.
All in all Bowman is an outstanding GM...wish the Habs had one...and the team will be a contender again in no time.

 

[Dallaz77]

Just hate these money hungry players. Kane/Toews at $10.5 lol. They had to figure there team would eventually be hurting since the cap has caught up with them now. Crosby doesn't even make $9M... Why? Because he cares about the team and not all about the payout. Just had to throw that out there.

I couldn't find an emoji to laugh hard enough at this.

 

[punkoholic]

That makes sense then, one less guy to worry about signing in the short term. I think they lost the better player but when you're continuously bumping your head against the cap ceiling there are sacrifices to be made.

Also some grumbling me about Columbus kicking the tires on Kovalchuk since Panarin played with him in Russia so maybe there's that angle too.

Jarmo was asked that question today and obviously didn't say yes or no. He had a smirk on his face and laughed. He just said "that's your speculation and you can speculate that on your own" so we will see.

They've been linked to him the last month or so but the one issue that was mentioned was does Kovalchuk and his wife want to live in Columbus? I also don't know if they can get him with his contract demands($6/7 mil/season for 2 to 3 years). They still need to sign Wennberg and Anderson unless they buy out Hartnell, they might be able to fit him in. I wouldn't mind him but honestly their biggest weakness is center. I would rather just trade for Duchene. What I'm hoping is, with Bobrovsky and Panarin, this will convince fellow Russian, Vladislav Gavrikov to sign with Columbus. He's one of their defensive prospect and Columbus feels he's NHL ready rumors that he might stay in the KHL(Olympic reasons). Maybe if he comes over, that makes Murray trade bait and they do offer him to NJ for Kovalchuk? Time will tell.

As for the trade, sad to see Saad go as I was a fan of his before he was traded to Columbus but at the same time excited to see Panarin. IMO Columbus needed more "One shot goal scorers" and Panarin can/will be that guy. Also interested to see him and Wennberg play and I think Panarin will elevate Wennberg's game.

 

[TheGriceBoys]

And the Hawks reunion is in full effect with Patrick Sharp back "home" today.

Hopefully this works out better for them on-ice than the Avalanche's front-office version. :duh: