Great point. I forgot about Kubalik. I like your thinking. They may be interchangeable, but is Kubalik LW and Kahun RW/C? Some sites have Kubalik listed as LW and Kahun listed as RW/C.
- -Doh-

Not sure really. I've seen each of them listed as both LW and RW so don't know what is accurate. Pray that they're versatile enough to play either side.

I've only seen the rumors in Eklund's posts. At least twice. No where else, at least not yet.
- AEL_Fox

That in itself should tell you there is no interest in Gardiner. And why would they - unless of course Stan is into collecting defenceman.

I like that approach. Those options on D are what I would explore in addition to guys like Benn or Polak. Chiarot, too, but my guess is the Hawks are priced out of his services.

Gardiner is similar to Gustafsson: offensively skilled but not very good in his own end. If it's between having one or the other, stick with Gustafsson. And makes zero sense to have both on the roster. Gardiner would just take away a spot for X amount of years from one of the young D like Boqvist.
- AEL_Fox

I wonder if there is a middle ground with Gustafsson. $6 million/year for 2-3 years without any type of NMC/NTC? He’d still be in a position for another big contract.

That in itself should tell you there is no interest in Gardiner. And why would they - unless of course Stan is into collecting defenceman.
- RickJ

Maybe three's the charm ... give the guy time.

I wonder if there is a middle ground with Gustafsson. $6 million/year for 2-3 years without any type of NMC/NTC? He’d still be in a position for another big contract.
- DarthKane

I'm betting the Hawks will resign him to a reasonable deal. Just a hunch, but I don't think Gus is gonna be over the top expensive.

I'm betting the Hawks will resign him to a reasonable deal. Just a hunch, but I don't think Gus is gonna be over the top expensive.
- breadbag

I say wait for the dust to settle on EK, then shop Gus around to everyone who loses out on that sweepstakes. After all, Gus can not play defense just as well as EK doesn’t play defense.

I say wait for the dust to settle on EK, then shop Gus around to everyone who loses out on that sweepstakes. After all, Gus can not play defense just as well as EK doesn’t play defense.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm def not against trading him if the offer is good.

I say wait for the dust to settle on EK, then shop Gus around to everyone who loses out on that sweepstakes. After all, Gus can not play defense just as well as EK doesn’t play defense.
- Ogilthorpe2

Makes sense.

I’m ok keeping Gus another year, I’m just not sure about re-signing him.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Your other post about a 2-3 year extension at $6M is a little more money than I'd like. My hope is that if they extend him, they do it for 4-4.5M.

Agreed. Your other post about a 2-3 year extension at $6M is a little more money than I'd like. My hope is that if they extend him, they do it for 4-4.5M.
- tvetter

That’d be great but if he has another good season offensively, that may not be possible. I think Gus will be 28 next year if that’s when they look to resign, so you could hardly blame him if he wasn’t willing to accept 4-4.5M.

Maybe they give him a bit more term and that’s acceptable? Idk...maybe he’ll use Hammer’s example as a benchmark, but somehow I doubt it.

That’d be great but if he has another good season offensively, that may not be possible. I think Gus will be 28 next year if that’s when they look to resign, so you could hardly blame him if he wasn’t willing to accept 4-4.5M.

Maybe they give him a bit more term and that’s acceptable? Idk...maybe he’ll use Hammer’s example as a benchmark, but somehow I doubt it.
- HawkintheD

I actually thought his d improved at the end of the year, so I wouldn't mind him staying at the right price. I do want them to trade him this off season, though, because A) his value may never be higher. B) if he puts up another 60 point season next year, we probably can't afford him. And C) if he doesn't put up big offensive numbers, we won't want him.

The IIHF World Championship tournament will conclude today with Canada vs. Finland at 1 p.m. central time on the NHL network.

We should hopefully hear about Kubalik signing with the Hawks soon.

Friedman linking Hayes to the Hawks. That’s yet another source connecting the dots between the two.

I think there’s more to it than people think, for better or worse.
- TommyHawk

Not a big fan of that....but, after hearing the Gardiner on our radar several times, I would gladly take Hayes.
Really hope Stan lays off any high-cost, long-term contracts. We are just not close enough yet. Keep the Cap space, make tweaks, acquire picks and prospects.....and wait until we improve before we take a stab at spending $$$$ on additions.

Not a big fan of that....but, after hearing the Gardiner on our radar several times, I would gladly take Hayes.
Really hope Stan lays off any high-cost, long-term contracts. We are just not close enough yet. Keep the Cap space, make tweaks, acquire picks and prospects.....and wait until we improve before we take a stab at spending $$$$ on additions.
- hawk35

If he signs any big name UFAs to relatively high money/long term, I hope it's because he already has a bridge deal in place for ADB and Strome. It would be great if he could sign them for 10M total for 3 or 4 years. That would give us the money to really go for it while Toews, Kane, Keith and Crow are still playing at a high level. (BTW, I love being able to include Toews on that list after 3 down years)!

Not a big fan of that....but, after hearing the Gardiner on our radar several times, I would gladly take Hayes.
Really hope Stan lays off any high-cost, long-term contracts. We are just not close enough yet. Keep the Cap space, make tweaks, acquire picks and prospects.....and wait until we improve before we take a stab at spending $$$$ on additions.
- hawk35

Other than being born 4 years later, I don’t see what Hayes has over Anisimov.

Both are probably 25 goals 45 points and neither has shown anything in the playoffs. Anisimov is locked up for 2 more years at $4.5 - Hayes is coming off of a $5.1 cap hit, probably looking for more.

Unless they think Hayes is THE long term Cup-contending solution at 3C...could be, i I guess. But....

Not a big fan of that....but, after hearing the Gardiner on our radar several times, I would gladly take Hayes.
Really hope Stan lays off any high-cost, long-term contracts. We are just not close enough yet. Keep the Cap space, make tweaks, acquire picks and prospects.....and wait until we improve before we take a stab at spending $$$$ on additions.
- hawk35

Makes you wonder with all this Hayes talk if Bowman has a deal in place to move AA.

Interesting article about Bowen Byram.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...rospect-award/c-307545308

Hawk prospect Kubilik just scored his 6th in the World's at the Bronze medal game. a good size guy, yet unsigned. 6' 2". Anyone have any insight on if the Hawks think he can make the squad next season....if signed of course.

Interesting article about Bowen Byram.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...rospect-award/c-307545308
- boilermaker100

That was interesting ,oh man I am glad I am not Stan .That 3rd spot is wide open with 4 or 5 very good prospects . I still like Cozens but man I really don't know

That was interesting ,oh man I am glad I am not Stan .That 3rd spot is wide open with 4 or 5 very good prospects . I still like Cozens but man I really don't know
- oldduffman

Wish I had the power to see 5 years into the future.

I'm just wondering if Hawks are set on Cozens, Zegras, Dach or Turcotte, if they couldn't move a couple slots back.

If Byram is all that they say, gotta think someone would jump up a couple slots to get him.

Would hate to pass on the next Duncan Keith / Drew Doughty though

That was interesting ,oh man I am glad I am not Stan .That 3rd spot is wide open with 4 or 5 very good prospects . I still like Cozens but man I really don't know
- oldduffman

It will be a tough decision for not just Stan but for those picking ahead of him as well. You can bet that Byram has them thinking too. Top flight defencemen do not become available for you that often.
Good problem to have.

Wish I had the power to see 5 years into the future.

I'm just wondering if Hawks are set on Cozens, Zegras, Dach or Turcotte, if they couldn't move a couple slots back.

If Byram is all that they say, gotta think someone would jump up a couple slots to get him.

Would hate to pass on the next Duncan Keith / Drew Doughty though
- vabeachbear

The last time we had the third pick (Toews), we ended up with the best player.

Hawk prospect Kubilik just scored his 6th in the World's at the Bronze medal game. a good size guy, yet unsigned. 6' 2". Anyone have any insight on if the Hawks think he can make the squad next season....if signed of course.
- hawk35

I don't think he's a hawks prospect. He's just a free agent linked to the hawks. The kings drafted him.

I don't think he's a hawks prospect. He's just a free agent linked to the hawks. The kings drafted him.
- GPHawksfan

Hawks own his rights. There's been talk he will sign a contract with the Hawks after the world championship series. Bowman alluded that he will make the team this upcoming season.

The last time we had the third pick (Toews), we ended up with the best player.
- 67hawks

Last time we chose a defenseman 3rd we got Cam Barker from the WHL / similarities are scary. I remember them saying all the same things . I think Scouting has improved over the years , but still .