The Hawks aren't signing Tavares, it makes no sense, he would never sign with a team to play 2nd line C, the Hawks already have Schmaltz and the last thing the Hawks need is another 10 million dollar cap it......... Schmaltz and Debrincat need to be signed too, so the Hawks are going to need cap space for that...

Also, Hossa has value to a team that wants a 4.275 salary cap coupon.... I would want a 2nd round pick for that, or use him as a trade sweetener....

Hossa's status doesn't affect the Hawks cap situation at all - Bowman can spend Hossa's cap hit this summer so Hossa's contract is irrelevant... The Hawks can go 10% over the cap this summer and Hossa's going on LTIR the first day of the regular season so there is no need to trade Hossa, unless a team wants to give up something nice for that "cap coupon"...

The Kane line is the number one line and he would want to play with him. They would still be able to sign schmaltz and cat as the cap will rise every year. The Hawks window is closing and this is the best solution to win now. They have the cap space so why not do it, it works.