2021 Stanley Cup playoffs skating thread

MCGUIRE'S TENURE A BAD SITUATION

 

Ken Holland trades for an aging defenseman
That NEVER happens

 

What an awful deal. I can’t believe Chicago didn’t have to retain salary.

 

No kidding.

Should have heard him the night they had a throwback night in Raleigh. Carolina wore the Whalers unis, John Forslund called them the "Whalercanes" a few times ... and, more importantly, they had some of the past figures from Hartford discuss their roles. Guess who the biggest blowhard was?

 

Well, yeah. But I suspect Stan Bowman had to pay more to get Holland to eat all of Keith's salary.

For years, Stan had far too much money in far too few players. For years, I argued with a good friend of mine who almost enjoyed defending Bowman's, um, moves to retain those players at the excessive detriment to too many other facets of the organization.

Finally ... he does something about it. Not sure Duncan Keith would have been the high-salary guy I would have as a result, but I strongly suspect that Bowman had little choice.

 

Pay more? It’s a great deal for the Hawks. They could have got anything back and it was a great deal. They freed up millions in cap space.

 

They have enough room now for Hamilton or Jones, plus some upcoming necessary UFA/RFA signings.

 

It’s mind boggling they got anything without retaining salary and Edmonton was not bidding against another team.

 

This screws the cap, but fans can take comfort that the owner isn't actually paying him:

 

Holland’s been awful for years but you won’t find a bigger group of old boys media than in Edmonton.

 

Just have to look at the guide and record book.

 

That’s Ted Lasso if they cut out the humor and empathy.