I was doing a review of Chicago's cap situation for next season, and it's absurd. They're already on the hook for $57.56M already, and that's with the following players either RFA or UFA.

RFA:
Ladd
Eager
Fraser
Hjalmarsson
Hendry
Niemi

UFA:
Madden
Burish
Johnsson
Boynton

The way I see it, they HAVE TO trade off a couple of contracts (Kane or Toews? Toews or Kane? Byfuglien? Huet somehow?) in order to think about signing Niemi and fielding a full roster next season. I hope the younger Bowman is up to the challenge.

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mechaphil

I'm sure all GM's are hoping for a good deal with a desperate Chicago. I think Chicago might keep Toews over Kane. He's the captain and in my opinion more valuable to the team.
They have 3 contracts that will really hurt them over the next years: Campbell, Huet, Hossa...The question will be, are there any takers for them.

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Yea, those three are killers. Unfortunately, not one of those is really movable. Expect Byfuglien and Sharp dished out, and maybe Kane for something huge in return.

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mechaphil

If they were to move Kane, I would imagine they would look for a lot of draft picks, because they can't really get a big name/highly paid player unless they want to stay in this same situation.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

I'd think that, honestly, if Bowman wants to move Kane, he's going to ask for Edmonton's #1 draft pick.

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mechaphil

That would be cruel for Kane, friom the best to the worst team. I think moving Kane will be the worst case scenario for Chicago. If they can ship off Campbell and Hossa they're fine. They are good players with a bad contract, maybe if they add some picks or prospects they are movable.
Huet is a different story, attach some nice tits and send him to the CWHL

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Oh snap!

But yea, in order to get rid of the Hossa or Campbell contracts, they're really going to have to sweeten the deal. I definitely agree that Kane being moved is a worst case scenario for them.

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mechaphil

I would love to see Ladd in Blue and Gold

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Dirty motherfucker. Do not want.

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mechaphil

I know he's dirty but could you imagine him with Kaleta and Kassian

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

No sir because while Kaleta is a damned fine penalty killer and is always working on becoming a better hockey player and Kassian is a proper power foward, Ladd is just a dirty fuck.

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mechaphil

I would also love to see Eager in Buffalo as well

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I was just thinking of an ultimate checking line.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I like to think about Patrick Sharp being sent over. He's a center, and a damned fine hockey player. Dishing out Roy and Connolly to clear cap space for a true number one center would make acquiring Sharp a very good idea.

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mechaphil

Yes

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

Hmm, Sharp is making $4.1M next season and $4.2M after that. I don't actually know how much I like that...no wonder Chicago is probably going to try and dump him off.

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mechaphil

Another guy to watch for is Bolland, he's making 3.725 million and he would be a pretty good to look at

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

lets go get a buffalo boy line

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FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Buffy may get a huge raise coming up though if he keeps his game at the insane level it is right now in the playoffs. He's been great.

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He has been utterly ridiculous. He's due for a big raise if the Blackhawks keep him, as he goes into restricted free agency in the summer of 2011.

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mechaphil