Marcus Kruger has surgery on dislocated wrist, out 4 months

[Mattia]

A couple things wrong with that line of thinking.

Why are the Blackhawks trading Garbutt who has a 900k cap hit and would be replaced by a guy with virtually the same cap hit? So that wouldn't save any money (as Clyde pointed out)

Kruger has a $1.5mil cap hit and Danault is at 850k. However, since Kruger's would be prorated at a higher rater than Danault for his time before the injury, you can basically say that Kruger to Danault gives the Blackhawks about 500k in extra cap space that they can use for the season. It could allow them to get someone in a trade at the deadline or it would allow the Blackhawks to pay off some of the cap overage bonuses so that they can become more stable for next year. Once again, when you lose a guy to injury, LTIR (Which have the Blackhawks formally announced?) then you have to replace him with a guy on the roster who is going to eat up a large amount of that cap space, because these players you are talking about take such a small hit, unlike Kane's situation last season.

My assumption was based on this:
http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks
Danault was recalled after Kruger's injury to replace him. So the free space would be around 2.8mln. Furthermore you may insert Garrett in the trade without replacing him with another "similar" player. We may trade Garbutt plus a pick(s) or other player(s) for "the player" we need.
For sure it will not be easy find the right trade

 

[DMelt36]

we actually have 2.8mln free cap space (1.3 plus 1.5 of Kruger). So, assuming he will not come back before the post season as it seems, and trading Garbutt we may reach 3.7mln. We have to evaluate Danault games and then try to find a good player where most needed at the trade deadline (maybe a free agent at the end of the season).

Should the Blackhawks go the trade route to pick up another Dman or perhaps take a swing at a Top 6 LW, Shaw may be trade bait moreso than Garbutt, I'd think. With Shaw on an expiring deal that's at $2 million (and with him likely due for a raise in the next season), it may be time to ship him out.

 

[HawkWriter]

Should the Blackhawks go the trade route to pick up another Dman or perhaps take a swing at a Top 6 LW, Shaw may be trade bait moreso than Garbutt, I'd think. With Shaw on an expiring deal that's at $2 million (and with him likely due for a raise in the next season), it may be time to ship him out.

Important to note that he will be a RFA though and not an UFA. I wouldn't trade Shaw. He is a guy that plays tough, can play up and down the lineup, is valuable on the PP, and I really don't expect that big of a raise. He isn't exactly the type of player a team would target with an offer sheet, so I wouldn't really worry about that.

I do agree with the wishlist...LW and #4/5 dman. I'd be surprised if the Blackhawks didn't upgrade atleast one of those positions by March.

 

[Ares]

I miss Marcus Kruger.... I miss him like the Sun misses the flower in the depths of winter...

 

[Mattia]

well regarding Shaw much will depend on what he's looking for...if he'd accept a moderate raise to play in a contender team he will be signed for a couple of year, if he wants to maximize his wage he may be traded like Saad and who knows where he will go to play?
By the way I'd never trade him before season ends

 

[DMelt36]

Important to note that he will be a RFA though and not an UFA. I wouldn't trade Shaw. He is a guy that plays tough, can play up and down the lineup, is valuable on the PP, and I really don't expect that big of a raise. He isn't exactly the type of player a team would target with an offer sheet, so I wouldn't really worry about that.

I do agree with the wishlist...LW and #4/5 dman. I'd be surprised if the Blackhawks didn't upgrade atleast one of those positions by March.

It's still an expiring deal, and Shaw will likely not settle for another $2mil deal. He's a bottom 6 forward, and the Hawks can't afford to pay them more than $2mil. Good time to sell high.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

It's still an expiring deal, and Shaw will likely not settle for another $2mil deal. He's a bottom 6 forward, and the Hawks can't afford to pay them more than $2mil. Good time to sell high.

While I agree, who is on your list of players that can have an immediate impact at Shaw's cap number, who is not on an expiring contract?

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

The problem that the Blackhawks have is Bickell at the moment (obviously), and not moving him will create issues when TT and Panarin's deals are up, because both will get raises. Panarin's will be large. Saad-like.

 

[DMelt36]

While I agree, who is on your list of players that can have an immediate impact at Shaw's cap number, who is not on an expiring contract?

This is a good point. I guess the hope is that Ryan Hartman becomes that guy. Tough task to have him make that replacement in the upcoming postseason, though, so I could see where there'd be some hesitation in moving Shaw. Out of Hartman, Baun, Hinostroza, Ross, and others, they have to be able to generate another worthy 3rd/4th line winger who can chip in roughly 15 goals each year.

The problem that the Blackhawks have is Bickell at the moment (obviously), and not moving him will create issues when TT and Panarin's deals are up, because both will get raises. Panarin's will be large. Saad-like.

The only get news there is that the year Panarin and TT go RFA, Bickell goes UFA.