<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ericthered" data-cid="209159" data-time="1379124033">
<div>
This is old hat for the Hawks...they've used that line about players in the past. It's PR.</p>
</p>
The difference is that in the past, those players usually left, or were traded, and the prior proclamations of them "never going anywhere" turned hollow.</p>
</p>
Something tells me this owner, unlike his father before him, with this business model isn't going to risk losing his cornerstones over money if at all possible.</p>
</p>
We'll see what happens, but I prefer the comfort in knowing the GM wants these guys here, as opposed to what came before.</p>
</p>
I'll never forget how poorly Tony Amonte got treated as his contract was winding down, and yes, it was the right move not bringing him back, especially at the price tag he wanted. Similarly, when Roenick had the "guarantee" from Bill Wirtz in the UC locker room that "he'd be a Hawk for life," and then he ended up being traded after a summer of spite (between JR's agent and the Hawks).</p>
</p>
Hopefully affording those two doesn't blow the cap for keeping the rest of the team a contender, that's my bigger concern. Can they keep developing young, cheap talent to fill in on the periphery if the big guns continue to make top dollar?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</p>
</p>
Unlike several before Tony's fiasco was 100% his agent, who he fired just after the mess. Had very little to do with the Hawks. Other than Bill saying once he was gone, he was gone. </p>
</p>
</p>
As for your last paragraph they just did it once, I don't see why they can't do it again. I think Rocky showed his hand by resigning both #19 and #88 the first time. That's where I question if Bill would have.</p>