Just typing out a template/example of what you described:

Saad - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kahun
Ferland - Nelson - Sikura
Caggiula - Kampf - Hayden

Keith - Jokiharju
Murphy - Stralman
Gustafsson - Seabrook
Koekkoek/Dahlstrom

Ferland would be nice but he may price himself out with his high contract demand.

Stralman is the most experienced and reliable top 4 D who is likely affordable. He's 32 but should still be effective on a 2-year deal with no NTC/NMC.

Edler might be worth kicking the tires on but he's 33 and degrading a bit faster than Stralman. Maybe not top 4 pedigree anymore, too.

I like Chiarot but not sure if he's top 4 material.

Adding a UFA D man would increase the glut again on the blueline so one of Gustafsson, Dahlstrom, or Koekkoek would likely be gone.
- AEL_Fox

Not bad.

Actually, Nelson and Strahlman were the two I was specifically thinking about. I didn't have anyone in mind for the other random 3rd liner.

1. I'd approach Toronto about Gauthier. Gauthier would love really good on the Hawks 4th line. He is good in at killing penalties, downlow, and wins draws. He's cheap too with upside. I would offer Forsling for him. Seems like a bit of an overpay but Forsling's future in Chicago seems in doubt with the emergence of Gustaffson, Koekekk, and the 3-4 prospects in the shoot. Toronto loves this because they have plenty of ctr depth and probably want to replace Gardiner's departure. Get it done.

2. I'd also approach NYI too. They need to shed salary to keep guys like Anders Lee next year. I'd look to get a guy like Jason Ciszak. I'd offer Kampf and Gustaffson for him. He's your 3C next year.

3. Finally, I'd go to Carolina and offer Anisimov + Sikura for Brett Pesce. Carolina gets center help they need, a decent shutdown D man, and Chicago gets a solid 2nd pair D man.

4. In the offseason I would sign Ryan Dzingle 4 years and 4.4 million per.


Saad - Toews - Dzingel
Debricnat - Strome - Kane
Ciggula - Cizak - Kahun
Highmore - Gauthier - Hayden
L.Johnson

Keith - Jokiharu
Murphy - Pesce
Seabrook - Mitchell
Dahstrom

Crawford?
Delia

Obviously a lot would have to go right, but what do you guys think?
- Bjm84

Good ideas there. Not sold on that 3rd line though. Not necessarily a prototypical 4th line but offense may not be enough for that to be a 3rd line either. At least for Caggiula and Kahun, they aren't going to produce as much without top 6 linemates like they have currently.

Don't think Mitchell makes the team next year and could stay at Denver. You never know, though. Let's say he remains in college or starts the year in Rockford, then that would open up a spot to retain Koekkoek to platoon with Dahlstrom. Ideally I'd like Seabrook on a 3-man rotation as the 7th but not going to happen.

1. I'd approach Toronto about Gauthier. Gauthier would love really good on the Hawks 4th line. He is good in at killing penalties, downlow, and wins draws. He's cheap too with upside. I would offer Forsling for him. Seems like a bit of an overpay but Forsling's future in Chicago seems in doubt with the emergence of Gustaffson, Koekekk, and the 3-4 prospects in the shoot. Toronto loves this because they have plenty of ctr depth and probably want to replace Gardiner's departure. Get it done.

2. I'd also approach NYI too. They need to shed salary to keep guys like Anders Lee next year. I'd look to get a guy like Jason Ciszak. I'd offer Kampf and Gustaffson for him. He's your 3C next year.

3. Finally, I'd go to Carolina and offer Anisimov + Sikura for Brett Pesce. Carolina gets center help they need, a decent shutdown D man, and Chicago gets a solid 2nd pair D man.

4. In the offseason I would sign Ryan Dzingle 4 years and 4.4 million per.


Saad - Toews - Dzingel
Debricnat - Strome - Kane
Ciggula - Cizak - Kahun
Highmore - Gauthier - Hayden
L.Johnson

Keith - Jokiharu
Murphy - Pesce
Seabrook - Mitchell
Dahstrom

Crawford?
Delia

Obviously a lot would have to go right, but what do you guys think?
- Bjm84

None of what you poropsed is realistic and you butchered all the names.

Blows - Avs 0-0 after 2 periods.

Can't believe I am cheering a Blues win...but....Go Blues!!!

Blows - Avs 0-0 after 2 periods.

Can't believe I am cheering a Blues win...but....Go Blues!!!


- hawk35

These are dark times. We're "dirty" fans.

Panarin, Stone, Karlsson, Duchene, Dzingel or whoever....i think that we can agree that Bowman will make a big splash in the summer either via trade or free agent signing. McDonagh likes “buzz” around the team and it’s the first time in a decade they have the cap space to go big game hunting. Worked out prettyyy well last time they signed the #1 UFA in Marian Hossa. Idk who it’s gunna be, but I truly expect Stan & Co to be aggressive in adding a big talent to the roster.
- EnzoD

And to underscore this - Bowman was recently saying that he was confident that the Hawks would not be unable to afford any free agent.

I sort of agree with the not needing Panarin angle -the team can score right now ... it does, though set you up with 2 proven scoring lines for multiple years. But the thing is, there are still too many guys vying for those spots ... who is expendable or would you drop to the 3rd line that currently is on the top 6? I'm thinking it would be Kahun. Keep the Toews line as is - sub in for the 2nd line ...

'Defense' -need some guys like Oduya from 2013 --- those don't come at Karlsson pricetags (in fact I wouldn't touch Karlsson with a 10 foot pole ... I'm sure that he brings a lot to his teams, but what the Hawks need are a different skill set).

Panarin, Stone, Karlsson, Duchene, Dzingel or whoever....i think that we can agree that Bowman will make a big splash in the summer either via trade or free agent signing. McDonagh likes “buzz” around the team and it’s the first time in a decade they have the cap space to go big game hunting. Worked out prettyyy well last time they signed the #1 UFA in Marian Hossa. Idk who it’s gunna be, but I truly expect Stan & Co to be aggressive in adding a big talent to the roster.
- EnzoD

He should be looking at the rosters of the Lightning, Jets and Leafs to see what he can pick off in young players.

Kyle Connor, Trouba, Kapanen, Johnsson, Point and others come to mind. All 3 teams are on the edge of cap purgatory heading for hell. Rebuild with youth not aging UFAs looking for big numbers long term.

Blows - Avs 0-0 after 2 periods.

Can't believe I am cheering a Blues win...but....Go Blues!!!


- hawk35

2-0 Blues. Looking good. Just couple minutes left...

He should be looking at the rosters of the Lightning, Jets and Leafs to see what he can pick off in young players.

Kyle Connor, Trouba, Kapanen, Johnsson, Point and others come to mind. All 3 teams are on the edge of cap purgatory heading for hell. Rebuild with youth not aging UFAs looking for big numbers long term.
- RickJ

Agreed. Jacob Trouba is just what the Doctor ordered on defense.

He should be looking at the rosters of the Lightning, Jets and Leafs to see what he can pick off in young players.

Kyle Connor, Trouba, Kapanen, Johnsson, Point and others come to mind. All 3 teams are on the edge of cap purgatory heading for hell. Rebuild with youth not aging UFAs looking for big numbers long term.
- RickJ

Do any of these teams have younger UFAs we can poach?

Agreed. Jacob Trouba is just what the Doctor ordered on defense.
- EnzoD

What would the trade look like plus i think Winnipeg will resign him unless he wants out.

What would the trade look like plus i think Winnipeg will resign him unless he wants out.
- Scott1977

I think he said he wanted to play in the States.

Avs lose. Chance for Hawks to leapfrog another team!

Go Hawks!!!

Does anyone know if Jordan Staal is rejoining the 'Canes anytime soon? AA might be a good fit if he is still going to be out this season.

Panarin, Stone, Karlsson, Duchene, Dzingel or whoever....i think that we can agree that Bowman will make a big splash in the summer either via trade or free agent signing. McDonagh likes “buzz” around the team and it’s the first time in a decade they have the cap space to go big game hunting. Worked out prettyyy well last time they signed the #1 UFA in Marian Hossa. Idk who it’s gunna be, but I truly expect Stan & Co to be aggressive in adding a big talent to the roster.
- EnzoD

Anyone but Panarin. I don't want to see him back.

Anyone but Panarin. I don't want to see him back.
- RedRevenge

Agree if hawks make big splash stone would be a better fit overall. Stralman to

Agree if hawks make big splash stone would be a better fit overall. Stralman to
- Scott1977

Ondrej Palat is a UFA too, Solid 200ft middle six winger that plays big at 6’1” 190lbs. solid skill, works in the dirty areas, and responsible defensively. Basically a bigger and better Caggiulla. Could help the PK too.

Ondrej Palat is a UFA too, Solid 200ft middle six winger that plays big at 6’1” 190lbs. solid skill, works in the dirty areas, and responsible defensively. Basically a bigger and better Caggiulla. Could help the PK too.
- EnzoD

He is known as Baby Hossa, his Check/Slovak roots. Similar game. He would be awesome, not sure they let him go.

Top 6 winger

Ondrej Palat is a UFA too, Solid 200ft middle six winger that plays big at 6’1” 190lbs. solid skill, works in the dirty areas, and responsible defensively. Basically a bigger and better Caggiulla. Could help the PK too.
- EnzoD

He not ufa still has 3 years left after this one.

And to underscore this - Bowman was recently saying that he was confident that the Hawks would not be unable to afford any free agent.

I sort of agree with the not needing Panarin angle -the team can score right now ... it does, though set you up with 2 proven scoring lines for multiple years. But the thing is, there are still too many guys vying for those spots ... who is expendable or would you drop to the 3rd line that currently is on the top 6? I'm thinking it would be Kahun. Keep the Toews line as is - sub in for the 2nd line ...

'Defense' -need some guys like Oduya from 2013 --- those don't come at Karlsson pricetags (in fact I wouldn't touch Karlsson with a 10 foot pole ... I'm sure that he brings a lot to his teams, but what the Hawks need are a different skill set).
- SC116

Sneaky Stan trying to throw the other GMs off with the double negative. Now that’s thinking I can get behind!

None of what you poropsed is realistic and you butchered all the names.
- GPHawksfan

I'm not familiar with this word, Webster...

#notemmanuellewis

Hey Bingo - Don Cherry going after your Canes - and Brind’Amour - for their post-game theatrics.

I'm not familiar with this word, Webster...

#notemmanuellewis
- HawkintheD

The question is, did you do it on porpoise?

The question is, did you do it on porpoise?
- TrueGrit

I did. Can't speak for GP. But if you're going to slam someone for butchering names, you should take a bit greater care with the English language...just saying...

Hey Bingo - Don Cherry going after your Canes - and Brind’Amour - for their post-game theatrics.
- StLBravesFan

I think it's great. God forbid they try to entertain their fans!