I believe a lot of the trades KD makes is pretty forward thinking in that way predicting instability, same could be said for Toronto’s situation next year as they face a lot of roster turnover and uncertainty even with the Matthews contract signed
theathletic.com
As we saw last year, there's a draft lottery ya know. Hawks finished 3rd but still got Bedard
Also remember the Penguins had 2 separate windows.
I think it's really interesting that Stamkos wanted to extend and Brisbois said they have to wait to see how this season goes. They've already essentially earmarked all the cap increase to Hagel's raise, and there isn't any more "supporting cast" players to cannabilize to give raises to the "core". They are committed to their current core, and unless they let SS walk they need to run 5 forwards and 3 Dmen essentially making the league minimum. With their top end talent - they always have a puncher's chance - but depending on health of the top guys it could trend down quickly.
If LuRich has these guys skating well and working hard, I'd rather not languish as a bottom 10 team for the next 3 years. Bedard, another top 5 pick, and our current prospect pool seems like a good base going forward. Aside from Jones we have total cap flexibility.
this year the players that could move are: Mzarek, Tinnordi, Foligno, Perry. Dickson, Foligno taylor R, Next year. Donato, Hall, AA, I think as long as they stay 2-3 year deals on players im fine with adding players that move us slighly forward. Stamkos 3 year 20 mil might be to good for him to pass up. the under 30 guys that could make sense. pesce. Debrusk, Roslovic beauliver but the first 2 are probably looking at 5-6 year deals. min.
the bigger thing is you do not want to do long term deals until you are ready to compete for playoffs. feels like Columbus started to early Are Giordano and Serverson going to be in there prime when this team competes in 2-3 years. those contracts have 6 more years + on them. look at the COLU CAP. have $4mil in cap space and have nothing really coming off the books, maybe Roslovic how are they going to improve.
Nylander's 7 year UFA contract will be 28-35YO, and giving Stamkos a 2 year contract would take him until he's 36. Nylander's looking amazing right now, and I feel like Stamkos gets most of his production on the TB powerplay gravy training off of Kuch & Point. I've always liked Stamkos - but my off the cuff impression is that he hasn't been the guy who has carried the freight in TB.
I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest Stamkos is probably a PPG player on this Hawks team the next couple of seasons. 2 x $8-$9m deal doesn't hurt anyone. Giving Nylander 7 years $10.5m in his early 30's when we're supposed to be contending and cap is crucial sounds much riskier IMHO.
I still don't know if it'd be a 2025 pick or a 2026 pick. But I agree, long term, it's probably best if it got pushed back a bit.
Even have the goalie injury to match as well just have to see what Jeff “the Siberian Man” Glass is up to
Agree that Stamkos is a much less risky course of action on that term. My point is that Nylander is likely a difference maker for much of that contract, and IMO Stamkos is not. Nylander could drive a guy who lets the young prospects be able to transition to the NHL while having someone really driving play on the line. From what I've seen of the Lightning - Stamkos is a slightly upgraded Hall.
who is going to offer 4-5 year deal for stamkos? they might but at $6 mil per. better off taking $8 for 2 years from hawks unless its in tampa.
TLEH - what do you see as the Hawks window if it's not sometime in the next 7 years? I think that with Nylander's style of play he be a legit difference make for the vast majority of that period of time.
I 100% agree that Willy has been dynamite for a while now. 1A 1B with Matthews.
