Deadline with Expansion in mind

Team: 2016-17 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 15, 2017

Published: Feb. 15, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

6 Forward locks with 4 NMC's plus Hartman and Panik. Kruger obvious choice for 7th spot but I believe Hawks will trade him in the summer for a pick, relieving themselves of his 3 million on the books.

With that in mind, I'm okay with the idea of trading Pokka plus some for a mid level scoring forward that is worthy of the 7th protection spot. This also doesn't subtract from current team and improves Hawks chances to contend for a cup. Tatar's prorated salary is roughly 700K, keeping Hawks under cap.

As for next year, Moose, Kero, and even Motte have shown ability to PK, Krug is making too much $ for a 0.25 PPG production, it was a "thank you" contract that has played its course..

Desy is re-signed to meet exposure requirements, and when he is not taken by Vegas, he remains a Depth FWD with the team for one more year.

Desy, Moose, TVR, and Carruth (Darling likely lost to FA) are exposed. Tootoo is waived after Tatar deal.

Tatar will likely earn $4M this off-season, which can be accommodated through the loss of Kruger and Scuderi's retained salary coming off.
I'm obviously only doing this in hope that there is a slight increase in cap to pay for a Panik raise and about 1.58M in bonuses (as long as Panarin doesn't get hot).

Don't look too much into the lines, Q shakes them plenty and Hartman will see Top line time, deservedly so.
Obviously someone goes to Rockford for us to stay at 23.