Who do you think Vegas will nab?

TVR. This is a bridge to what? Kuznetsov a centerman with exactly as many points last year has a bridge deal of 2 years $3M. I would expect something similar if a bridge deal is the route they choose to go.

He averaged less .50 PPG in his first two seasons. That is why the bridge for $3M looks so nice now. Panarin is most likely worth double what his countryman got from the Caps.

That bridge came after a 37 point season, it's a totally different scenario with Panarin. A $3M bridge is completely unrealistic.

That being said, I also don't know why the Hawks would do a $6.25M "bridge".

I guess the point though is that a bridge deal is less money for a year or two until the player proves they are worth the real money. Tyler Toffoli is another great example. 2 years $3.25M There really isn't a point in giving Panarin a 2 year $6.25M contract. He'll want long term security and What happens if he actually get's top 10 in point this year?!?! His Cap hit would be around $9M! The Hawks can't have that cap hit.

I actually don't get the warm a fuzzy feeling that they can keep him as of right now, which sounds crazy because he'll be their second elite LWer Bowman trades, but I think the Blackhawks are trying to explain that without Kane he'd be $2.6M poorer right now. I'm not sure his agent will factor that in much for the negotiations.

If Bowman really wanted to curb this season's cap, he would have instructed Quenneville to sit Panarin for the final few games, keeping the second bonus moot. (Would have saved money for potentially extending Shaw perhaps). Watching Breadman play for Team Russia, I have no doubt he is the real deal. I also have that feeling his tenure with the Hawks will be short, with bonuses to be paid into 2017-18 without his services. Maybe today's Marchand signing bodes well for Chicago, tho!