Necas for
#18, Murphy, and prospect Phillips, but I too would like to keep #18 just because I am intrigued by the possible prospects available there.

It is easier for the 'canes to sell their fanbase a trade that includes a NOW defender, a little older farm prospect IF it includes a pick too.
Can the dreal get donw with #34 instead?

I don't know Necas' mind, the Cane's management's mind or Kyle's urgency.

Carolina may want a cost effective defenseman (to offset their departures) besides their Chatfield re-up.
- wiz1901

Carolina plays a man-to-man defense, and the new GM is an advanced stats guru. Murphy doesn't fit in the Carolina defensive scheme (as proven in the Colliton era)

What happened to Edmonton at the end of the game where the puck was stuck on the boards by Florida just can't happen. You have to have guys like Toews, Hossa and Sharp, Bolland and Krueger who can get it out.
- rpeters01

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.

The more I read about both Laine and Eiserman, the more I think they're the same guy. Obviously, having a guy with that kind of shot is intriguing, but they do very little else. Can they be taught? If so, how much effort will they put into doing the right things?

I can't help but look at teams like Toronto and EDM and think that a 200' game is more valuable to the team than a guy who only fills the net (not to mention that the Hawks already have one of those in Bedard). Yes you need skill, but maybe a kid like Brandsegg-Nygard (adds a little size as well). Not the sexiest pick, but maybe more of what they need.
- Chunk

Agreed, the team has to be built for the playoffs not the regular season. I have no idea if Eiserman is a two way player but he’s slipped so far there’s little chance Chicago are selecting him at 2. Can a Demidov play through the tough and heavy playoff games? That’s why I hope Davidson steers clear of guys like Marner and Zegras, high skill guys with no appetite for rough hockey.

A guy who may be a similar defensive defenseman as Moritz Seider is Stian Solberg a heavy hitting guy who skates very well. He looks to have worked his way into the first round, I was hoping the Hawks had a crack at him in the second round but it looks like he’ll be long gone.

I’m thinking that the Hawks will have to give up too much for Necas, not sure that is the best strategy at this point of the rebuild, as the Hawks are not ready for a bidding war at this time. Sign a RHD that’s reliable, sign Debrusk, and sign one more forward. I’m with Paul, maybe also trade for a young forward that’s blocked on their current team. These moves along with another year of experience for the young ones seems like the best course of action for them to be more competitive. no reason to give away the future for short term gains.

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.
- wiz1901

I’m with you Wiz, however nobody held a gun to their head when they gave $9M to Nurse.

I’m with you Wiz, however nobody held a gun to their head when they gave $9M to Nurse.
- Angotti

And despite his points Bouchard is very average defensively. He was lost on the first and third goals.

Carolina plays a man-to-man defense, and the new GM is an advanced stats guru. Murphy doesn't fit in the Carolina defensive scheme (as proven in the Colliton era)
- LAHawk

If Carolina GM is smart he won’ trade for often injured Murphy. In a man -to -man defense the average and likely loosing a step Murphy is not going to shine. Although he has experience the man -to -man requires winning battles or winning through using skill and skating ….superlatives and this is not Murphy

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.
- wiz1901

So they have to draft and development. Well. Broberg finally working out. Maybe they part ways with Nurse eventually. Nurse goes Bouchard stays. Unfortunately Ekholm is no spring chicken but probably good for a couple more seasons

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.
- wiz1901

The Oilers really are suffering for the money they gave to Jack Campbell right now. Still have money on the books going back to Lucic signing - which turned into Neal's dead space on the books. Nurse's contract is too high, but that is easier to swallow because he is at least playing important minutes out there. Right now, the difference between the two teams is in net. Skinner is okay, but not playing great. Bob on the other end is making the extra save or two or three to get his team on top. Really outstanding how solid and efficent he is playing, not giving up second chances and he is just in position and square to the shots consistently.

And despite his points Bouchard is very average defensively. He was lost on the first and third goals.
- paulr

He has improved vastly defensively over the last two seasons though. It's night and day different. He is right around the age where most Dmen start to really get it defensively and get more solid and close holes in their game.

He has improved vastly defensively over the last two seasons though. It's night and day different. He is right around the age where most Dmen start to really get it defensively and get more solid and close holes in their game.
- breadbag

So is Bouchard the ceiling we expect for KK?

I’m thinking that the Hawks will have to give up too much for Necas, not sure that is the best strategy at this point of the rebuild, as the Hawks are not ready for a bidding war at this time. Sign a RHD that’s reliable, sign Debrusk, and sign one more forward. I’m with Paul, maybe also trade for a young forward that’s blocked on their current team. These moves along with another year of experience for the young ones seems like the best course of action for them to be more competitive. no reason to give away the future for short term gains.
- Angotti

I'm with you. No reason to overpay for someone like Necas who is probably never going to be a real star. He may never hit 70 points again.

If the price is right, sure, make the trade and sign him to be a 2nd line winger, because that's probably the best he will be at the NHL level. You get your 45-55 points from him, but he isn't worth more than 4.5 -5 mil per year AAV. He would have more value if he was also a PK guy and better than maybe average defensively.

The Oilers really are suffering for the money they gave to Jack Campbell right now. Still have money on the books going back to Lucic signing - which turned into Neal's dead space on the books. Nurse's contract is too high, but that is easier to swallow because he is at least playing important minutes out there. Right now, the difference between the two teams is in net. Skinner is okay, but not playing great. Bob on the other end is making the extra save or two or three to get his team on top. Really outstanding how solid and efficent he is playing, not giving up second chances and he is just in position and square to the shots consistently.
- breadbag

If Davidson thinks he can live with Jack Campbell on the books for three years he could offer Edmonton some much needed cap relief. In return Holloway or Broberg and a first pick next year or the year after may work for both teams. Who knows Campbell may pull a Mrazek, find his game and the Hawks can move him out for something, if not can they live with that cap hit for three seasons? Flip a low draft pick or two to the Oilers as part of the deal. Then in keeping with Edmonton, sign Adam Henrique as a UFA, he’s a middle six forward who plays the game the right way and who won’t command a high salary or term, and he too may be movable at the TDL.

Did you notice how smart Barkov was on that play? The puck ended up on his stick, and instead of firing it up the boards, or try carrying it or passing, he just put it back in the scrum. THAT is hockey sense.
- LAHawk

Very impressed by Barkov. Hossa-like size, strength and smarts, only a center.

So is Bouchard the ceiling we expect for KK?
- Chunk

Just my 2 cents, but I don't know that KK will hit that level offensively in the NHL.

I see no reason why KK shouldn't be at least as good defensively, he should improve in his end a lot over the next 3-4 years, especially as his body gets more mature.

I'm not saying KK won't be good offensively, but I dunno if he hits that 80+ points per season level. I think we'll see guys like Bouchard, Makar, Q Hughes all flirt with 100+ points at times over the next 5 seasons or so. It would be great if KK gets there, but I don't know if that's what we should expect exactly. That might be putting the bar too high, he might not be that tier.

If Davidson thinks he can live with Jack Campbell on the books for three years he could offer Edmonton some much needed cap relief. In return Holloway or Broberg and a first pick next year or the year after may work for both teams. Who knows Campbell may pull a Mrazek, find his game and the Hawks can move him out for something, if not can they live with that cap hit for three seasons? Flip a low draft pick or two to the Oilers as part of the deal. Then in keeping with Edmonton, sign Adam Henrique as a UFA, he’s a middle six forward who plays the game the right way and who won’t command a high salary or term, and he too may be movable at the TDL.
- paulr

I've really thought all season that if Campbell had 1 less year of term on his deal, KD would have already taken that contract from Edmonton for a reasonable return. I think it's that extra season that makes it hard to do business. I do agree that it would take either Broberg+ or Holloway+ to move Campbell with his 3 year term. I have a lot of fans in the Edmonton crowd who still maintain they think Campbell will just be bought out so they don't have to give anything up to move him.

I like Henrique for the right price too. He is a useful player and could help the Hawks by giving them another decent option to take faceoffs instead of just JD. I still think we need to not rely so much on #16 to be our only good FO guy. Bring in a second guy that can be solid at the dot and play okay at both ends.

Very impressed by Barkov. Hossa-like size, strength and smarts, only a center.
- MartiniMan

Those are the guys that win Cups on a good team, as we well know.
And for certain, Edmonton knows it needs a guy like that.

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.
- wiz1901

Nobody calling the Bobrovsky signing a bad signing these days. For a while it looked terrible.

I really wanted a 7 game final for the fans of the game in both countries.

I rooted for Oilers last night.

It is situatiuons like this where I start thinking the Union and Owners need to find a better compromise on Cap space, b/c if Edmonton cannot find the $$s to improve ENOUGH aroun d those giant salaried superstars, something seems wonky, when the Cap money runs out if you make a bad goalies signing (like they did) or truly have little space to pay the back end of the roster.
- wiz1901

It does suck but every team has to deal with it. I think Florida will have 15 players on the roster and only $20 mil under the cap? Anton Lundell is a rfa, Montour and Reinhart are UFAs?

So is Bouchard the ceiling we expect for KK?
- Chunk

I know some here like to compare Bouchard and Vlasic, especially their contracts, but I keep thinking that KK and Bouchard is the better developmental benchmark. Vlasic is the better player, btw. If KK becomes Bouchard, is everyone happy? I would be.

Those are the guys that win Cups on a good team, as we well know.
And for certain, Edmonton knows it needs a guy like that.
- 35Tony0

Barkov is very very very good, but the team play is very very good. As this team plays better so does Barkovs play, that's what i see.

I’m thinking that the Hawks will have to give up too much for Necas, not sure that is the best strategy at this point of the rebuild, as the Hawks are not ready for a bidding war at this time. Sign a RHD that’s reliable, sign Debrusk, and sign one more forward. I’m with Paul, maybe also trade for a young forward that’s blocked on their current team. These moves along with another year of experience for the young ones seems like the best course of action for them to be more competitive. no reason to give away the future for short term gains.
- Angotti

If we give up any of our young assets even if we don't know what they are yet it only opens another hole.

RFA qualifying offers due June 25th, who of the following does KD qualify?

RFA - arbitration rights:

R. Johnson
Raddysh
Entwhistle
J. Anderson
Guttman
Roos
Stauber

RFA's no arbitration rights:
Teply
Phillips
Crevier

I know some here like to compare Bouchard and Vlasic, especially their contracts, but I keep thinking that KK and Bouchard is the better developmental benchmark. Vlasic is the better player, btw. If KK becomes Bouchard, is everyone happy? I would be.
- Aurora Hawk

Since Nurse has been injured 27+ minutes 1st game, 30 plus minutes 2nd game, 27 plus minutes 3rd game? For a guy who's average 23 minutes this season, these extra minutes take their toll especially against a team that is as physical and frustrating as the Panthers are. If KK plays like this and is playing half the hockey game then I'd say the future is bright.

It's funny how people are poopting on him because he's made a bad play here or there.

I’m thinking that the Hawks will have to give up too much for Necas, not sure that is the best strategy at this point of the rebuild, as the Hawks are not ready for a bidding war at this time. Sign a RHD that’s reliable, sign Debrusk, and sign one more forward. I’m with Paul, maybe also trade for a young forward that’s blocked on their current team. These moves along with another year of experience for the young ones seems like the best course of action for them to be more competitive. no reason to give away the future for short term gains.
- Angotti

That's the beauty of it Lou, Necas is actually Carolinas problem. KD can just sit back and let it play out. If they accept the offer we give them great, if they don't that's just as well.