Hawks decline. They aren't taking on 3 years of Skinner for free. And Skinner probably won't waive for Chicago anyway.

Really like the Stamkos signing, probably cost more than that though. And Trenin is another nice signing, brings much needed intangibles to the Team. And that's a Big contract for UPL.

If you are frustrated with skinner you will also be frustrated with Stamkos both players have lost a couple of steps.

put yourself in Stamkos' shoes here. he's in a warm weather city with no state tax and a culture of winning, and winning a lot.

what would it take to trade that for cold, high tax, losing buffalo? I think a legitimate offer would be 3x12.5

I was thinking 10- 10.5mill, but you could be right

Too many factors working against Stamkos going North (listed above). Plus Byram, Quinn, and JJP all gonna be looking for raises.

Skinner would need to be at 50% retention for anyone to bite.

In fairness I have no idea what his value is or isn't. On one hand, he's still productive and useful to most teams, but on the other he's quite expensive, even with some retention

Don't think it's likely by ANY stretch believe me. I do recall they were in discussions way back in 2016 so maybe it's possible? If Tampa is looking to move on, he could try being a psuedo captain somewhere else and help another young team to relevance once again. Like I said though, highly unlikely

He takes home after taxes $4,201,964 with that contract or he can take 6 mil in Tampa Where he has too numerous times to count stated he wants to spend his entire career and take home $3,981,978 and play for a proven continuous winner

All good points

In addition to the high cap hit ($7.5m after the proposed retention), I think the 3rd year that's left on his deal would be a problem for Kyle. And Skinner isn't exactly a great skater. Don't see him being a good fit for the style the Hawks want to play.

I haven't followed the Sabres pipeline as much but Rosen and Kulich look like absolute monsters that are ready for NHL ice time. I'd save the cap space for deadline acquisitions might be the best play. Stamkos is already 34, and I'm not sure paying a deteriorating star with injury history north of 7+ for 3 years in a market with a tax disadvantage compared to his current team is the best idea for a team still building and developing its younger guys.

Plus all of what's been said above with tax, cap hit, expiring deals, you get it

Injury history with Stamkos is a garbage argument in the last 3 years he's missed 4 games including playoffs. 3 games due to illness 1 because his wife was giving berth. He's still a 30+ goal ppg guy.

Yeah it's not the best given his record lately, only concerned with age is all, dude can still produce though he's slowed down a bit this year

Why are they good?

there are a lot of other teams that are in a much better position than buffalo that would offer him that kind of role. if it's possible, it will require a huge overpay, hence why i said 3x12.5