I think it was very important for them to get him resigned ASAP because of multiple reasons.

First, the whole contract thing would have been a distraction all year until it was done, the media, the fans, the whole organization. Now, it's done, the direction with Leon Draisaitl is set.

They've also re-enforced the commitment to one of their two huge stars, which is important for the upcoming negotiation with the other one. With one locked in, the odds increase that the other will do the same and try to bring back a cup or more.

The value for this deal wasn't going to significantly change now vs later, he was going to get somewhere exactly in this range and there is really no reason to wait. The absolute worst would be to have him walk for nothing, because they don't have someone ready to come and fill that void and the return for a player like him would be significant. They needed to lock him in and make sure they can secure that deal now or figure out a plan B without derailing their whole season and again having a distraction.

It also doesn't matter if the GM is Stan Bowman, Jeff Jackson, or pretty much any GM, he was gonna get similar money, NMC, etc.
- breadbag

Chicago never came close to a cup with Kane and Toews on their big deals. That could be for multiple reasons? These are the cards Edmonton was dealt. No matter what they do it will be wrong unless they win a cup.

The owners still have all the expense risk. Escrow has nothing to do with market/profit the owners receive. The players wanted a guaranteed 50/50 split on revenue. The escrow was in case the revenue isn't attained. The salary cap is based on that expected revenue. Alternatively they could have no escrow, and the players take a lower salary during the season and get bonused out at the end of the year based on the actual revenue numbers. Or no revenue split and have the union negotiate each contract type with the owners, regardless of the leagues revenue
- LAHawk

The current year cap would be based on expected revenue. They negotiate the contracts they negotiate. In the NFL the salary cap actually went down after covid. But the NFL doesn't have guaranteed contracts they can cut players aka "cap casualties" to get compliant. The escrow is still bogus because the players don't share in capital gains.

The current year cap would be based on expected revenue. They negotiate the contracts they negotiate. In the NFL the salary cap actually went down after covid. But the NFL doesn't have guaranteed contracts they can cut players aka "cap casualties" to get compliant. The escrow is still bogus because the players don't share in capital gains.
- rpeters01

And what investment did the players make in order to share in the capital gains? If they put up part of the $1 billion that the new Ottawa owner put up to buy the team, they could share in the capital gain in the percentage they put up. I heard Mario Lemieux made out very handsomely in buying and selling the Penguins, because he risked the capital.

They also don't share in the capital losses if there is any.

I agree that Bowman should’ve gotten more, but a lot of this is hindsight. There was one guy posting here at the time who thought this was a bad deal…don’t recall the handle but don’t see him posting here anymore. Mo probably ran him off.

At the time though everyone thought Saad was exactly the guy the Hawks needed…could play heavier hockey for the playoffs and was going to jumpstart El Capitan.

Also this was on the heels of a poor playoff performance by Panarin vs the Preds. Sure everyone played poorly but Panarin really had no answer or seemingly desire for fighting thru Preds standing him up at the blue line.

The two biggest issues with that deal for me, if we’re employing hindsight, is that Bowman should’ve dealt Panarin for a younger blue chip prospect and draft capital instead of trying to keep the window open.

Toews was pretty much spent at that point and the only two players from the Cup runs still playing to their rep and contract were Kane and Keith…and Keith was starting to slide in part due to a lack of depth on the Hawk blue line.

I know some here think Hammer was still the same guy from the 3 Cup runs but it’s just not true. Maybe they could’ve gotten more for him too but it’s all spilt milk and hindsight at this point.
- HawkintheD

We all wanted to believe it would be okay. If we were fans of any other team, we'd wonder wtf they were doing.

Saad was not worth a $6 mill cap hit. Bowman should have already learned how hard it was to trade away that kind of cap hit with Sharp.

The idea of dealing Panarin for picks/prospects while still in the window, that's another kettle of fish. Yes, we were all perturbed by his disappearance in the playoffs. And we thought he was a product of Kaner, so what could he really be worth? Even though nobody else had produced like that with Kane. Not sure how such a deal would have gone down. At the deadline, if they are competitive, they have to decide whether to keep him for a run or not. If not competitive, it's a sweepstakes. If they keep him, he gets traded for an exclusive window that summer. And they replace his cap hit somehow. Damn this is too much to rehash.

Saad will have his number retired.
- rpeters01

If Hammer isn't getting his number retired, I don't see Saad getting his retired, either. I would retire #50, #7 for Seabrook, and #10 ahead of him, also. The only guarantees here are 2, 19, and 88.

We all wanted to believe it would be okay. If we were fans of any other team, we'd wonder wtf they were doing.

Saad was not worth a $6 mill cap hit. Bowman should have already learned how hard it was to trade away that kind of cap hit with Sharp.

The idea of dealing Panarin for picks/prospects while still in the window, that's another kettle of fish. Yes, we were all perturbed by his disappearance in the playoffs. And we thought he was a product of Kaner, so what could he really be worth? Even though nobody else had produced like that with Kane. Not sure how such a deal would have gone down. At the deadline, if they are competitive, they have to decide whether to keep him for a run or not. If not competitive, it's a sweepstakes. If they keep him, he gets traded for an exclusive window that summer. And they replace his cap hit somehow. Damn this is too much to rehashs.
- 333inthe3rd

And Panarin has as many cups as he had when he left Chicago, except now he makes $11.6 million.

And what investment did the players make in order to share in the capital gains? If they put up part of the $1 billion that the new Ottawa owner put up to buy the team, they could share in the capital gain in the percentage they put up. I heard Mario Lemieux made out very handsomely in buying and selling the Penguins, because he risked the capital.

They also don't share in the capital losses if there is any.
- LAHawk

Exactly you prove my point about players being employees. How would you like it if your employer held back part of your pay waiting to see what kind of year they have?

If Hammer isn't getting his number retired, I don't see Saad getting his retired, either. I would retire #50, #7 for Seabrook, and #10 ahead of him, also. The only guarantees here are 2, 19, and 88.
- 333inthe3rd

I wouldn't retire #20 or #10. Maybe the Hawks have a "ring of honor" or something equivalent, that would be the place to recognize Saad and Sharp.

I've said it many times, the escrow is BS. Owners take on market risk, not employees.
- rpeters01

It remains true that the players agreed to the escrow when they agreed to take a set percentage of revenue. Doing so was the players agreeing to accept market risk.

Exactly you prove my point about players being employees. How would you like it if your employer held back part of your pay waiting to see what kind of year they have?
- rpeters01

Well my compensation package includes a bonus at the end of the year, so my total compensation is dependent on what kind of year it was. I guess i am the only one that gets a bonus that is based at least partially on Company performance? Same if your company has a profit sharing program. I bet the majority of employees have a compensation package that includes bonuses that in some way are based on the Companies performance.

I wouldn't retire #20 or #10. Maybe the Hawks have a "ring of honor" or something equivalent, that would be the place to recognize Saad and Sharp.
- DarthKane

It was a red font post by me regarding #20.

Well my compensation package includes a bonus at the end of the year, so my total compensation is dependent on what kind of year it was. I guess i am the only one that gets a bonus that is based at least partially on Company performance? Same if your company has a profit sharing program. I bet the majority of employees have a compensation package that includes bonuses that in some way are based on the Companies performance.
- LAHawk

That is 100% what happens for me too. I have around %12 of my pay that comes from a bonus which is influenced by how the company performs.

And Panarin has as many cups as he had when he left Chicago, except now he makes $11.6 million.
- LAHawk

They should have traded him to Vegas so they get his regular season production, then they sit him for the playoffs, and he still gets his day with the Cup.

Chicago never came close to a cup with Kane and Toews on their big deals. That could be for multiple reasons? These are the cards Edmonton was dealt. No matter what they do it will be wrong unless they win a cup.
- rpeters01

Lots of reasons for sure and each situation is different.

I would argue that McDavid/Draisaitl are even more integral to their team's success than any duo we've seen in a long time. I mean they are #1 and #2 in total points since McDavid joined the league as a rookie. Since Edmonton has been back in the playoffs in 2017, they are only trailing Kucherov in playoff scoring, and that's only because his team played ~30 more games, their production in the playoffs is basically #1 and #2 again.

It's harder to win the whole thing when you have to pay your stars market value (or close to) but it's even harder to win when you don't have those stars and you have second tier talent instead. Edmonton probably would have a cup or two in this McDavid era if their GM had figured out the D and Goaltending sooner.

Kurvers prospect showcase lineup dropped this morning:

https://www.nhl.com/black...wcase-schedule-and-roster

Chicago never came close to a cup with Kane and Toews on their big deals. That could be for multiple reasons? These are the cards Edmonton was dealt. No matter what they do it will be wrong unless they win a cup.
- rpeters01

I don't necessarily agree with this. They obviously laid a giant egg in the playoffs getting swept by Nashville only scoring 3 goals in 4 games, but they had the best record in the WC that year. They were definitely a good team, and had a decent chance to at least win the west going into the playoffs.

Before people jump down my throat, I see what you were saying with them not advancing past the first round with those 2 large contracts on the books.

We all wanted to believe it would be okay. If we were fans of any other team, we'd wonder wtf they were doing.

Saad was not worth a $6 mill cap hit. Bowman should have already learned how hard it was to trade away that kind of cap hit with Sharp.

The idea of dealing Panarin for picks/prospects while still in the window, that's another kettle of fish. Yes, we were all perturbed by his disappearance in the playoffs. And we thought he was a product of Kaner, so what could he really be worth? Even though nobody else had produced like that with Kane. Not sure how such a deal would have gone down. At the deadline, if they are competitive, they have to decide whether to keep him for a run or not. If not competitive, it's a sweepstakes. If they keep him, he gets traded for an exclusive window that summer. And they replace his cap hit somehow. Damn this is too much to rehash.
- 333inthe3rd

Idk...agree to disagree but even if they had kept Panarin I think their window slammed shut after that Preds sweep. I think most of the Core was spent at that point and didn't have the juice for another long playoff run.

Idk...agree to disagree but even if they had kept Panarin I think their window slammed shut after that Preds sweep. I think most of the Core was spent at that point and didn't have the juice for another long playoff run.
- HawkintheD

Correct yet again, Jerky.

Idk...agree to disagree but even if they had kept Panarin I think their window slammed shut after that Preds sweep. I think most of the Core was spent at that point and didn't have the juice for another long playoff run.
- HawkintheD

That’s because the players of today are coddled, have no self worth, and don’t have the fortitude of the players of yesteryear. Now those were real men, they didn’t need helmets and face masks and all the rules to protect them, hell goalies didn’t wear masks! The 2010-15 core couldn’t get it done because each and every one is a sheltered wimp.

That’s because the players of today are coddled, have no self worth, and don’t have the fortitude of the players of yesteryear. Now those were real men, they didn’t need helmets and face masks and all the rules to protect them, hell goalies didn’t wear masks! The 2010-15 core couldn’t get it done because each and every one is a sheltered wimp.
- paulr

That better not be sarcasm!

If Hammer isn't getting his number retired, I don't see Saad getting his retired, either. I would retire #50, #7 for Seabrook, and #10 ahead of him, also. The only guarantees here are 2, 19, and 88.
- 333inthe3rd

Who said Hjalmarsson's number won't be retired?

They don't win any of the three cups without him, and the physical abuse he took in his time here, whatever they paid him, it wasn't enough!!!!

Who said Hjalmarsson's number won't be retired?

They don't win any of the three cups without him, and the physical abuse he took in his time here, whatever they paid him, it wasn't enough!!!!
- dahawks8819

No way #10 deserves it

I would hope the Blackhawks go to the ring of honor model soon for their former stars.
And perhaps Kaner and Toews be the last of the retired numbers.
One of the good problems we as fans have: too many great former players!

Chicago never came close to a cup with Kane and Toews on their big deals. That could be for multiple reasons? These are the cards Edmonton was dealt. No matter what they do it will be wrong unless they win a cup.
- rpeters01

I think it also highlighted the weakness in organizational depth, and I don't mean with players but didn't seem like there was room for diverse thought or ideas in the front office. Especially since it seemed like they made the same mistake a few times over and not just with the Saad trades and Rundblad experiments.


The bolded is really the gist of it. I think it's interesting to have that discussion about when to pay guys, is it really OK to just walk away after their deal is done and when to take a step back and maybe do a soft rebuild or retool.

I think it also highlighted the weakness in organizational depth, and I don't mean with players but didn't seem like there was room for diverse thought or ideas in the front office. Especially since it seemed like they made the same mistake a few times over and not just with the Saad trades and Rundblad experiments.


The bolded is really the gist of it. I think it's interesting to have that discussion about when to pay guys, is it really OK to just walk away after their deal is done and when to take a step back and maybe do a soft rebuild or retool.
- fattybeef

What is forgotten was the Hawks were ahead of the curve in signing Hossa and Keith to those legacy contracts (that got outlawed as part of the 2013 lockout). What would their AAV been if they signed 7 or 8 year contracts? If the league had that rule in effect, interesting to see what Hawks would of been jettisoned (or would they have let Kane and Toews walk instead of paying them fair value at the time.

If Keith would of signed an 8 year contract instead of a 13 in 2010, would he have been paid $7 million instead of $5.5? Hossa signed a 12 year contract the year prior.. Would he have gotten $7 million instead of $5.3mil.? Would the Hawks even be able to entertain signing Hossa? How would that have affected the rosters for all 3 cups? Or would Toews and Kane take 2 mil. less a year to keep the band together (which I doubt).