We're on episode 6 of our Armchair GMin' and this edition features GM Theo, or as many of you know him AEL_Fox.
To set the table, let's look at what Theo was working with to construct this team.
First off, it's important to note that he has kept the salary cap flat to this year at $81.5M.
Second, he is anticipating a compliance buyout, to which he's using on… you guessed it, Brent Seabrook.
Also, note that Theo sent me this a while back so the contracts he has signed for guys like Mitchell and Teply are slightly off.
Now, let's see what he did as GM.
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Before you launch into any joy or anger towards any of these moves, let's hear some reasoning behind GM Theo's transactions:
* Seabrook as the assumed compliance buyout.
* Smith also bought out (non-compliance).
* For the Maatta trade, the Devils need another experienced defenseman with their only regulars being Severson, Subban, Butcher, and Mueller.
* The Devils trade would also net Boqvist's brother Jesper who has some untapped potential as a middle 6 forward.
* As for the Leafs trade, Nylander would be reunited with brother Willie.
Nylander, Kampf, and Quenneville would replace Kapanen, Spezza, and Malgin on the Leafs forward lines.
* Markstrom provides experience as either a 1b goalie or backup, splitting games with Crawford playing at least 30 games and perhaps significantly more if Crawford gets injured.
* An experienced goalie like Markstrom also buys time for Delia and Lankinen to continue developing and perhaps be the 3rd string goalie, again if Crawford goes down with injury.
* If de Haan is hurt again, recall Beaudin.
* Seeler is either buried in the AHL or traded for a draft pick or prospect (low end).
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Alright, alright, alright; lots to unpack here.
I'm going to start with the RFAs and UFAs:
* Slater Koekkoek (2 years, $1M AAV) – If the Hawks can sign Koekkoek to a 2 year, $1M AAV, I'm in. There's a chance his camp is looking for more, however, there is also something to be said for K4 staying in Chicago; the first place he's had real "success". Koekkoek would serve as a solid 6th-7th dman that can move up the lineup if de Haan and/or another top 4 go down to an injury again or prove to be ineffective.
* Drake Caggiula (2 years, $1.7M AAV) – this is high for me at $1.7M. It's not insurmountable for the Blackhawks salary cap maneuvering (especially with Seabrook being removed from the cap allotment), but it's still a little high. Listen, I really like The Drake; I like what he brings but with Shaw already iffy on whether he'll play again, Caggiula seems to be very close to a similar fate. I still cringe when I think of him fighting with Byfuglien in his first game back from an extended stay on the injury-reserve list due to a concussion.
* Matthew Highmore (2 years, 725k AAV) – Yep. This is a done deal too.
* Dylan Strome (3 years, $4M AAV) – I think the 3 years in the term that makes the most sense for both Strome and the Blackhawks. The $4M AAV is a good (and fair) number for both sides as well. Best case scenario, the Hawks have a 2nd line, 60+-point centre for that amount; worst case they have a $4M a year 30-40 point "guy" that can't find consistency in NHL. Either way, the Hawks have the benefit of Kirby Dach on his entry-level deal while Strome grows or continues to figure it out.
* Dominik Kubalik (3 years, $4M AAV) – While they are very different players – Theo has the value for Strome and Kubalik. I think this is a fair assessment and this would be a nice deal for Kubalik after just one-year in North America.
* Ian Mitchell (3 years, $894k AAV) – Yep. Done deal at 925k. (He sent this to me before the signing).
* Evan Barratt (3 years, $870k AAV) - Yep. Done deal.
* Andrei Altybarmakyan (3 years, $817k AAV) - Yep. Done deal.
* Cole Moberg (3 years, $870k AAV) – I think Moberg stays another year in the WHL, especially since the Rockford D is already looking crowded. He is a guy to keep an eye on though.
* Michal Teply (3 years, $870k AAV) – Yep. Done deal at $825,833.
* Kevin Lankinen (2 years, $800k AAV) – Yep. Done deal.
* Corey Crawford (2 years, $4.5M AAV) – While I would love Crow to come in between $3M and $4M, I think GM Theo might be more realistic with this amount. Regardless, I think the Hawks would be silly not to bring Crawford back – even at this amount – considering what else is out there in the open market. I would love Delia and/or Lankinen to be able to learn from #50 and see if they have any potential as an eventual successor to Crawford.
* Jacob Markstrom (2 years, $4M AAV) – This is where you lost me, GM Theo. I suspect Markstrom will A) sign a longer-term as he just had his "prove it" year as he played at Vezina level, carrying the Canucks at times this year and B) will be getting a much raise from $3.66M to $4M. Whether he signs in Vancouver or not (I believe he does), I suspect his AAV will be more in the $5M-$6M range.
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GM Theo also made a couple of trades that have a bit of a brother's theme that we can look at as well:
CHI trades Olli Maatta to the NJD for Jesper Boqvist and a 2021 3rd round pick (ARI) – I think the Blackhawks would be lucky to get a 3rd round pick for Maatta let alone a pick and a former 2nd round pick in Jesper Boqvist. I think if the Hawks really wanted the other Boqvist a more realistic trade might be: CHI trades Olli Maatta, Dylan Sikura, Nicolas Beaudin to NJD for Jesper Boqvist and 2021 5th round pick.
CHI trades Alexander Nylander, David Kampf, John Quenneville to TOR for Kasperi Kapanen, 2021 1st round pick, 2020 6th round pick, and 2020 7th round pick - In a way, I think they return to TOR makes some sense because they are so tight to the salary cap. Nylander, Kampf, and Quenneville are a combined $2.61M; Kapanen carries a cap hit of $3.2M, so the Leafs are saving $600k however, they get 3 players for less than the price of one. I think you could swap Quenneville for Dylan Sikura or Matthew Highmore based on TOR's preference. The only thing I would say as there's no way the Leafs would give away a 1st rounder in this move, so bump that down to a 3rd or 4th and/or include a mid-tier prospect and this could make sense.
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Let's see where these moves leave us with the lineup:
Saad – Toews – Kubalik
DeBrincat – Strome – Kane
J. Boqvist – Dach – Kapanen
Caggiula – Carpenter – Highmore
Keith – A. Boqvist
Carlsson – Murphy
de Haan – Mitchell
Crawford
Markstrom
Extras: Hagel, D. Sikura, Koekkoek
LTIR: Shaw
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Like I mentioned above, I don't think the Markstrom move is reasonable, however, I like how GM Theo added some much need speed and depth to the lineup with Jesper Boqvist and Kapanen.
Adding those two skaters better pay off for our GM, as it's essentially the same team as last year minus regulars, Seabrook, Maatta, Kampf, and Nylander.
Overall though, I do really like how the team got younger, faster and GM Theo focused on acquiring some draft picks. I think it's the way to go and with better seasons from DeBrincat, Strome, and breakout years for Dach, Boqvist, and Mitchell, this team could be better than the 2019-20 Hawks.
If you think you can put together a better team then our friend AEL_Fox / GM Theo, please DM me.
Until then, stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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