The NHL offseason thread

[MartyFunkhouser]

Time to move on from the disappointment that was last season. The 2 goal lead is the most dangerous lead in hockey and I'll never get over the Blackhawks falling to that danger in game 7 against the Kings.

The good news is that the NHL will likely have the benefit of the Blackhawks boost in next year's Stanley Cup finals. Blackhawks early favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/chicago-blackhawks--boston-bruins-favored-to-win-2015-stanley-cup-142328692.html

Kings and Blues both should have better odds than 10/1. Unless something drastic happens next year, the top 5 in the NHL is going to be the same: Blackhawks, Kings, Blues, Bruins, and Sharks.

Also looks like NHL wants great ratings for the Winter classic as it is Blackhawks/Caps this year.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/11111890/washington-capitals-play-chicago-blackhawks-2015-winter-classic

Patrick_Kane_Blackhawks_Indian_Head_Logo--ZM--CARD.jpg

[Joe Public]

[MartyFunkhouser]

Make this happen StanBo, make this happen.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/31559/rumblings-hawks-ducks-leading-the-pack-for-kesler

Ryan Kesler on a line with Patrick Kane. This must happen. It must must must happen. We need the extra firepower against the Kings next year, especially if they get Gaborik back. Kesler you will not win a title in Anaheim, no way. Even with Kesler they are not on the level of the Blackhawks or the Kings.

Make it fucking happen.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Um, so Toews and Kane, you may want to back off on those offers if you ever want to see another Stanley Cup in Chicago.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/story/_/id/11140279/patrick-kane-jonathan-toews-chicago-blackhawks-reportedly-seeking-12-million-per-season

[TripletDaddy]

Um, so Toews and Kane, you may want to back off on those offers if you ever want to see another Stanley Cup in Chicago.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/story...ion-per-season

Very selfish, especially on the heels of losing in the playoffs to the most successful franchise in the salary cap era.

Compare with Marian Gaborik, easily the star of the playoffs and coming off a Stanley Cup win, who just signed with the Kings for around $4.8MM a season over the life of the deal.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Very selfish, especially on the heels of losing in the playoffs to the most successful franchise in the salary cap era.

Compare with Marian Gaborik, easily the star of the playoffs and coming off a Stanley Cup win, who just signed with the Kings for around $4.8MM a season over the life of the deal.

I wish you would stop posting nonsense about hockey. I over 30 year old Marian Gaborik is not comparable to Toews and Kane in their prime. 4.8MM isn't actually a bargain for Gaborik, it is actually about right.

[imanihonjin]

I wish you would stop posting nonsense about hockey. I over 30 year old Marian Gaborik is not comparable to Toews and Kane in their prime. 4.8MM isn't actually a bargain for Gaborik, it is actually about right.

Are we talking about hockey?

I didn't realize funk liked younger dudes.

[TripletDaddy]

I wish you would stop posting nonsense about hockey. I over 30 year old Marian Gaborik is not comparable to Toews and Kane in their prime. 4.8MM isn't actually a bargain for Gaborik, it is actually about right.

Toews and Kane in their prime didnt fare so well against Gaborik at 30 years old.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Toews and Kane in their prime didnt fare so well against Gaborik at 30 years old.

I didn't realize that it was an individual game. Depth at forward won that series for the Kings.

[TripletDaddy]

I didn't realize that it was an individual game. Depth at forward won that series for the Kings.

Gaborik is a forward. So you agree that the Kings won the cup in large part due to Gaborik. We agree.

Which makes his commitment to the team even more impressive. He has probably the most leverage he will ever have in his career and he signs a modest deal to help the team. On the other hand, toews and Kane, not realizing that it is a team game, think basically of themselves, ask for basically an unprecedented sum of money to line their own pockets.

you and I are saying the same thing, your initial post is bemoaning their selfishness and the negative impact it is going to have on the team. In fact I think we are in total agreement.

[Flystripper]

It's just posturing by an agent. No way they get that much money.

[MartyFunkhouser]

It's just posturing by an agent. No way they get that much money.

With the cap going up, I think next year on the open market they could get that type of deal. I'm really hoping the Blackhawks get this thing settled in the 9-10 million per player range.

On another note, Ben Smith and Raanta extended.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/story/_/id/11143916/chicago-blackhawks-extend-ben-smith-antti-raanta-two-years

[MartyFunkhouser]

Kesler to the Ducks. Alright, StanBo you have to look at somewhere else for a 2nd line center. Looking like either Spezza or Paul Stasny. We can't go into next year with an unsettled center position again.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Spezza to the Dallas Stars. Both trades were far to rich for the Blackhawks. StanBo is not going to move that much young talent for an aging player.

Blackhawks got to figure out something for the 2nd line center. Stasny is likely going to be too expensive as he is drawing interest for several teams.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Stastny signs with the Blues. 4 years, 28 million.