Jaeckal Blog - Power Struggle at the top of the Organ-I-zation

[PatrickShart]

Personally, I think that they are looking towards a year or so when more of the younger players start contributing again. No one like to hear that, but after winning the cup and having to gut the roster, they weren't going to be instantly top of the line again. No one player was moved to/for any team at the deadline to anyone. So to think Scooter failed the other day, wouldn't be fair.



I think Oduya will be a good pick up - only if they can resign him (assuming he plays well). But a group of Keith, Seabrook, Oduya, Hjarllmarsson, Leddy, Olsen...and Montador...will be a pretty solid group - assuming Montador stays.



Now..before some go and say Montador and/or Frolik are untradeable - that may not be the case. Yes, they're cap hits are high for their production. But their contracts were heavy/front loaded the first year. What they're owed -

Montador - 3years - 6.4mil (Cap hit is 2.75)

Frolik - 2yrs - 4mil (cap hit is 2.33mil)

Still overpayed...probably - but there are teams that watch their budget/need the cap hits to hit the cap floor...without paying their cap hit.



The biggest hole they have that needs to be addressed, is the 2nd line center. I think most agree Gaustad for a first would've been foolish. Trades are better constructed in the off-season...and more players are probably available then (as well as a teams cap space)...if thats what they want to do.



Under Contract..going to next year -

FORWARDS

Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)

Marian Hossa ($5.275m) / Marcus Kruger ($0.900m) / Jimmy Hayes ($0.875m)

Viktor Stalberg ($0.875m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Michael Frolik ($2.333m)

Bryan Bickell ($0.541m) / Andrew Shaw ($0.565m)

DEFENSEMEN

Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)

Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m) / Steve Montador ($2.750m)

Nick Leddy ($1.116m) / Dylan Olsen ($0.870m)

GOALTENDERS

Corey Crawford ($2.666m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $55,481,795; BONUSES: $647,500

CAP SPACE (18-man roster): $8,818,205



Cap space is based on the cap staying the same. If it goes down, I would assume salaries may roll back as well - or possibly even a "buyout" period for players if needed.



This experience is helping Shaw and Hayes. McNeil and Danault are signed already. If Kevin Hayes has the same compete level as his brother...with his size and presumably more skilled - at center...could be an impact player. But for Centers in the pipeline...

McNeill - 6'2 210lbs

K.Hayes - 6'2 200lbs

They both have size...and everything I hear, a high compete level. The Hawks need LW's. Beach (6'3 210lbs), Morin (6'1 190lbs), Saad (6'2 210lbs) all play LW. I think Ben Smith will get a full look next year, and can/will be a good 3rd line player. There's 4 players with some grit, size,



The Hawks avg age this year was 27.4. Once Brunette (37), O'Donnell (40), Morrisson (35) and possibly Mayers (36) drop off..this team will be moving back in the direction of young, fast and grit.



I think Stan messed up by not keeping Brouwer (got a 1st rounder) and Kopecky (12mil for 4yrs) initially...while keeping Frolik and signing Brunette, Carcillo for the same amount. The biggest thing this team lacks to others is familiarity. It's hard to plug a system when the year after the cup - 12 new faces....then this year - theres been 7 new faces...not counting Hayes/Shaw coming up (or Morrisson for that matter). However, I don't think keeping Kopecky at that ticket for 4yrs, would've been good in the long run. I liked Brouwer, however...and that was a miss over Frolik. But getting a first for him...was kind of hard to not do.



They're not that bad of a team. Q may take the PR fall....but personally, I think Stan/the scouting staff planned on the team taking time to rebuild the talent pool it lost after the cup, and will just be more fiscally responsible so that it can stay together longer.

 

[Ton]

This might be the first time I've ever said this, but I agree with everything you said. Hit the nail on the head.

 

[the canadian dream]

Good post PMX

 

[jakobeast]

I think that is a solid, well thought out post. Good thought process.



I agree trades are best left to the off season. The TDL is fun for fans, as it gives us a chance to either ***** about or schlob the knob of the GM of our team, but has there ever been a TDL trade that really makes a huge impact?

 

[R K]

Personally, I think that they are looking towards a year or so when more of the younger players start contributing again. No one like to hear that, but after winning the cup and having to gut the roster, they weren't going to be instantly top of the line again. No one player was moved to/for any team at the deadline to anyone. So to think Scooter failed the other day, wouldn't be fair.



I think Oduya will be a good pick up - only if they can resign him (assuming he plays well). But a group of Keith, Seabrook, Oduya, Hjarllmarsson, Leddy, Olsen...and Montador...will be a pretty solid group - assuming Montador stays.



Now..before some go and say Montador and/or Frolik are untradeable - that may not be the case. Yes, they're cap hits are high for their production. But their contracts were heavy/front loaded the first year. What they're owed -

Montador - 3years - 6.4mil (Cap hit is 2.75)

Frolik - 2yrs - 4mil (cap hit is 2.33mil)

Still overpayed...probably - but there are teams that watch their budget/need the cap hits to hit the cap floor...without paying their cap hit.



The biggest hole they have that needs to be addressed, is the 2nd line center. I think most agree Gaustad for a first would've been foolish. Trades are better constructed in the off-season...and more players are probably available then (as well as a teams cap space)...if thats what they want to do.



Under Contract..going to next year -

FORWARDS

Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)

Marian Hossa ($5.275m) / Marcus Kruger ($0.900m) / Jimmy Hayes ($0.875m)

Viktor Stalberg ($0.875m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Michael Frolik ($2.333m)

Bryan Bickell ($0.541m) / Andrew Shaw ($0.565m)

DEFENSEMEN

Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)

Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m) / Steve Montador ($2.750m)

Nick Leddy ($1.116m) / Dylan Olsen ($0.870m)

GOALTENDERS

Corey Crawford ($2.666m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $55,481,795; BONUSES: $647,500

CAP SPACE (18-man roster): $8,818,205



Cap space is based on the cap staying the same. If it goes down, I would assume salaries may roll back as well - or possibly even a "buyout" period for players if needed.



This experience is helping Shaw and Hayes. McNeil and Danault are signed already. If Kevin Hayes has the same compete level as his brother...with his size and presumably more skilled - at center...could be an impact player. But for Centers in the pipeline...

McNeill - 6'2 210lbs

K.Hayes - 6'2 200lbs

They both have size...and everything I hear, a high compete level. The Hawks need LW's. Beach (6'3 210lbs), Morin (6'1 190lbs), Saad (6'2 210lbs) all play LW. I think Ben Smith will get a full look next year, and can/will be a good 3rd line player. There's 4 players with some grit, size,



The Hawks avg age this year was 27.4. Once Brunette (37), O'Donnell (40), Morrisson (35) and possibly Mayers (36) drop off..this team will be moving back in the direction of young, fast and grit.



I think Stan messed up by not keeping Brouwer (got a 1st rounder) and Kopecky (12mil for 4yrs) initially...while keeping Frolik and signing Brunette, Carcillo for the same amount. The biggest thing this team lacks to others is familiarity. It's hard to plug a system when the year after the cup - 12 new faces....then this year - theres been 7 new faces...not counting Hayes/Shaw coming up (or Morrisson for that matter). However, I don't think keeping Kopecky at that ticket for 4yrs, would've been good in the long run. I liked Brouwer, however...and that was a miss over Frolik. But getting a first for him...was kind of hard to not do.



They're not that bad of a team. Q may take the PR fall....but personally, I think Stan/the scouting staff planned on the team taking time to rebuild the talent pool it lost after the cup, and will just be more fiscally responsible so that it can stay together longer.

Mean while they still raised prices 20%. So in what you describe and I agree a rebuilding year, the "**** YOU" to those who pay for seats, is quite loud. Espcially those who have been loyal for years.

 

[Larmer83]

I think that is a solid, well thought out post. Good thought process.



I agree trades are best left to the off season. The TDL is fun for fans, as it gives us a chance to either ***** about or schlob the knob of the GM of our team, but has there ever been a TDL trade that really makes a huge impact?

Boston- Chris Kelly, Rich Peverly

Pitt- Chris Kunitz, Billy Guerin

Carolina- Doug Weight, Mark Recchi

NYI- Butch Goring

 

[Larmer83]

Mean while they still raised prices 20%. So in what you describe and I agree a rebuilding year, the "**** YOU" to those who pay for seats, is quite loud. Espcially those who have been loyal for years.

Yeah, and make sure you get your playoff ticket money in or you'll lose your season tickets.

 

[R K]

didn't Boston also add Horton?



Stan has had 7 mil in cap space since Olezs was sent down. He and this organization did nothing which IMO means they meant to do nothing all along. Meanwhile giving us tid bits that they intended too.

 

[R K]

Yeah, and make sure you get your playoff ticket money in or you'll lose your season tickets.

That's BS. I'm not sure where the rumor came from but it's untrue. Although if you don't intend to purchase your playoff tickets you do have to let them know in writing. Not quite sure what thats for. Again **** them. I'm so close to telling them to **** off and letting them just give my tickets to the next guy. They don't give a flying ****.

 

[Larmer83]

didn't Boston also add Horton?



Stan has had 7 mil in cap space since Olezs was sent down. He and this organization did nothing which IMO means they meant to do nothing. Meanwhile giving us tid bits that they intended too.

Horton= before the season started.



It's been ages since I was a season ticket reservation holder. If I were in your shoes, I'd be really pissed off.

 

[Larmer83]

That's BS. I'm not sure where the rumor came from but it's untrue. Although if you don't intend to purchase your playoff tickets you do have to let them know in writing. Not quite sure what thats for. Again **** them. I'm so close to telling them to **** off and letting them just give my tickets to the next guy. They don't give a flying ****.

Post on Stuy's board by season ticket holder.

 

[R K]

Post on Stuy's board by season ticket holder.

It was incorrect. I actually asked today.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

lol I'm in agreement with Ton and PMXC.



This year is essentially another mini-rebuilding phase. It sucks, but I would rather we keep going with our model of development then go back to the sign them early, toss them out there and hope they stick ideology.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I'm pretty sure the Sox require a season ticket holder to buy the playoff tix or lose your season tix.

 

[the canadian dream]

Boston- Chris Kelly, Rich Peverly

Pitt- Chris Kunitz, Billy Guerin

Carolina- Doug Weight, Mark Recchi

NYI- Butch Goring

Carter to LA might help them (not to cup contend but it addressed an issue be it an expensive way to do it). Not a deadline DAY deal but it's a deal before the deadline. There is too much emphasis on the deadline day itself. Everyday leading up to that one day is just as important if not more so.



I would throw Horton to Boston as a trade that was huge for the Bruins last year and still has been. Not only did that deal address and issue that Boston had it also brought him in at a good time on the year. Let him adjust and settle in at a better rate than nabbing someone right at the deadline. I think that is where most trade deadline deals bust. It's just too late in the season. It's a good time of the year to add depth incase of injuries etc but as far as bringing in season saving talent? I think it's just too late in the season for that. I like deals that happen in the offseason the best and those that happen around late December and into January. Seem to be the more productive deals.

 

[R K]

lol I'm in agreement with Ton and PMXC.



This year is essentially another mini-rebuilding phase. It sucks, but I would rather we keep going with our model of development then go back to the sign them early, toss them out there and hope they stick ideology.

All fine and dandy if that's what they really meant to do from the start. Which I'm quite sure it wasn't. They were very confident the team "sign them early" would compete for the Cup from the start. The "ONLY" reason you didn't see more moves is Rocky would not allow any more Salary to be added. So good theory, but they were not going by that.



And TCD that's why I brought up Hornton. They had money available and spent it. Now they weren't coming off a Cup two years previous like the Hawks are now. Nor did they lose half their team, BUT they added again this year! Infact they were coming off a demoralizing loss to the team we squashed in the Finals.

 

[PatrickShart]

Boston- Chris Kelly, Rich Peverly

Pitt- Chris Kunitz, Billy Guerin

Carolina- Doug Weight, Mark Recchi

NYI- Butch Goring

Go through the rest of their roster, and the majority of the players are built through the system/draft. Those players there, were mostly added for depth - not key players. Kunitz cost them Whitney as well....

 

[PatrickShart]

"I thought I heard that LA's tickets went up as much as 49% on the radio?



Thats just the sign of the times with sports - not just the Hawks or hockey. Hawk tickets have been/still are in my family since the early 80's - and not the cheap ones either. My old man every year says "this is it"...but always gets them - regardless "who owns the Chiefs"...even with some of the bad 80's teams...90's...and early last decade. Hockey is hockey and the sport/team is part of the family

 

[Shantz My Pants]

All fine and dandy if that's what they really meant to do from the start. Which I'm quite sure it wasn't. They were very confident the team "sign them early" would compete for the Cup from the start. The "ONLY" reason you didn't see more moves is Rocky would not allow any more Salary to be added. So good theory, but they were not going by that.



And TCD that's why I brought up Hornton. They had money available and spent it. Now they weren't coming off a Cup two years previous like the Hawks are now. Nor did they lose half their team, BUT they added again this year! Infact they were coming off a demoralizing loss to the team we squashed in the Finals.

I meant as in prospects and how they are developed. OD, Carcillo, Mayers and Bruno were given 1 year contracts more then likely because we have some young guys who could be moving up next season to play in the NHL and taking their spots like Versteeg, Buff and Ladd had done (not so much Ladd but you get the point). I don't want to see the ways of bringing guys up too early and them never panning out like we did in the 90's and early 00's (Smithov era).



I was in no way referencing the team or trade deadline...

 

[R K]

I meant as in prospects and how they are developed. OD, Carcillo, Mayers and Bruno were given 1 year contracts more then likely because we have some young guys who could be moving up next season to play in the NHL and taking their spots like Versteeg, Buff and Ladd had done (not so much Ladd but you get the point). I don't want to see the ways of bringing guys up too early and them never panning out like we did in the 90's and early 00's (Smithov era).



I was in no way referencing the team or trade deadline...

I'm afraid those contract were in prep for the upcoming CBA negotiations than anything else. Not to mention many of those involved already suggesting the Cap is definitely coming down.



And you are watching what happens when you push rookies before their time right now. Just as you did with Keith and Seabrook, although those two were a different breed. I'm sure you can guess the player I'm talking about.



Again they did not plan well depth wise this year and it's clear. And another summer gone by where NOTHING was done to help the depth at C. Even worse the player who won the Cup playing C has not been put there.



So I like your theory, but I don't think they ever intended to go that route. Until now of course when there is no recourse because someone chose not to spend the money.