Thanks for the tip.. things sound pretty grim in Tampa! Suggested do not retain on Girardi, Stralman and Coburn (unless $2m or less).

I'm assuming we will not sign EK or pull off a trade for a star defenseman, so my assumption is that it will be a bit of defense by committee. I'm not expecting Stralman to come in and be the top-4 D that we need.. BUT if we can add him and another veteran with (hopefully) more in the tank maybe we'll have enough depth.

All of this is wishful thinking on my part. Hope springs eternal, as they say!
- Q-stache

Things grim for Tampa???....That is a little over the top. Tampa has THREE stud D-men in Hedman, McDonaugh and Sergachev. They have an overabundance of skilled frwards. They have a stud goalie. Only reason those 3 are marked as 2 million or less, or let walk....is because only Tampa issue is CAP. Those guys make up the 5-6-7 D-men in Tampa. A Cap team can't spend 3 or 4 million on #6 D-men.
Trash for Tampa, could possibly be gems (or at least good roster guys) for other teams. Tampa...Leafs...Jets....gonna be some good quality NHL players moved from all 3 for Cap reasons alone. THIS is where I see Stan being able to make a substancial move o two.

So you acknowledge all of this...and yet you still would prefer us to draft another forward(when we already have plenty of top 6 scoring options) instead of Byram??
- SimpleJack

So you acknowledge all of this...and yet you still would prefer us to draft another forward(when we already have plenty of top 6 scoring options) instead of Byram??
- SimpleJack

Just a guess but I think the Blackhawks will opt to take the best player available regardless of position.

I saw that the Leafs are looking to trade Zaitsev. Hopefully the Hawks don’t bite on that.

I saw that the Leafs are looking to trade Zaitsev. Hopefully the Hawks don’t bite on that.
- DarthKane

Not many teams will without retained salary

I saw that the Leafs are looking to trade Zaitsev. Hopefully the Hawks don’t bite on that.
- DarthKane

Oh God please I hope they don't. Now I have to go brush my teeth because I just threw up.

Hockey Rumors:

While NHL executives and agents alike obviously use the NHL Scouting Combine as an opportunity to talk to one another, the focus of course is on the draft class. One prospect in particular has been busier than just about anyone at the combine. NBC Sports Chicago’s Slavko Bekovic reports that American defenseman Ryan Johnson is the only player in attendance thought to have met with all 31 NHL teams. Johnson is not your typical popular top-of-the-first prospect, though. Instead, he has been ranked as high as No. 18 and as low as No. 55 by reputable scouting sources and many teams are likely still trying to gauge whether or not he is a first-round caliber player. To his credit, Johnson will at least likely go ahead of many highly-regarded U.S. National Team Development Program defenders after he himself did not make the team. The stalwart defenseman for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede is a solid, mobile defenseman and a strong locker room presence, but the question is whether he is a top-31 player in this draft. Every team in the league will apparently get the chance to answer that question.

Bekovic also reports that Illinois native Alex Turcotte, a top-ten prospect, has met with his hometown Chicago Blackhawks this week. While the Blackhawks have met with several other intriguing prospects who they could select at No. 3, including Bowen Byram, Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, and Peyton Krebs, it’s hard to ignore the fit that Turcotte would have with the organization. The USNTDP standout told Bekovic that he grew up a big Blackhawks fan and has always dreamed of playing for the team. He also models his game after Jonathan Toews and relishes in the frequent comparisons between the two. GM Stan Bowman is not going to let sentiment dictate a crucial pick for his franchise, but Turcotte’s talent alone may make him the third-best player in this class, with the local ties just an added bonus.

Zaitsev ($4.5M), Kapanen ($5M?) and Horton’s 1-year LTIR contract ($5.3M) for Seabrook ($6.8M) and Gustafsson ($1.2M).

Toronto saves around $6.8M off their 2019/20 cap and gets a bottom pairing RD (Seabrook) and a replacement for Gardiner (Gustafsson).

The Hawks pay $2.3M less for their bottom pairing RD and get Kapanen.

Things grim for Tampa???....That is a little over the top. Tampa has THREE stud D-men in Hedman, McDonaugh and Sergachev. They have an overabundance of skilled frwards. They have a stud goalie. Only reason those 3 are marked as 2 million or less, or let walk....is because only Tampa issue is CAP. Those guys make up the 5-6-7 D-men in Tampa. A Cap team can't spend 3 or 4 million on #6 D-men.
Trash for Tampa, could possibly be gems (or at least good roster guys) for other teams. Tampa...Leafs...Jets....gonna be some good quality NHL players moved from all 3 for Cap reasons alone. THIS is where I see Stan being able to make a substancial move o two.
- hawk35

I meant in the Hitchcock blog post. I agree, I'd love to have Tampa's "problems."

Lol....dude....there is without question more top end talent at forward on our roster than there is on defense. Like it’s not even close...
- SimpleJack

Putting aside the best player available mantra for a second as I believe that’s the best philosophy for at least the 1st round, another perspective to consider is the long term for the Blackhawks.

While it would be nice to continue adding high end D prospects, that pipeline is pretty stocked with Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, Carlsson, Gilbert, Hillman, and Galvas. A few could be top 4, a few 3rd pair or 7th man, and a few could never make it.

Can’t say the same with the forward pipeline. Plenty of bottom 6 talent and a couple middle 6 like Kurashev and Wise. Top 6 prospects? Non existent.

Toews and Kane aren’t going to play forever and the next wave in DeBrincat and Strome are going to need more help.

Re : trading Saad.

Bowman traded Panarin for the NEXT two seasons of Saad. I doubt Saad get moved Im a Bowman fan , he has to prove he was right about this.
As of now he is losing that trade. If Saad nets 40-50 goals the next 2 season combined it looks a lot better

For those of you with a subscription to TheAthletic - here's a very good article:

https://theathletic.com/9...compared-to-other-sports/

Zaitsev ($4.5M), Kapanen ($5M?) and Horton’s 1-year LTIR contract ($5.3M) for Seabrook ($6.8M) and Gustafsson ($1.2M).

Toronto saves around $6.8M off their 2019/20 cap and gets a bottom pairing RD (Seabrook) and a replacement for Gardiner (Gustafsson).

The Hawks pay $2.3M less for their bottom pairing RD and get Kapanen.
- EbonyRaptor

No no no

Putting aside the best player available mantra for a second as I believe that’s the best philosophy for at least the 1st round, another perspective to consider is the long term for the Blackhawks.

While it would be nice to continue adding high end D prospects, that pipeline is pretty stocked with Jokiharju, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Krys, Carlsson, Gilbert, Hillman, and Galvas. A few could be top 4, a few 3rd pair or 7th man, and a few could never make it.

Can’t say the same with the forward pipeline. Plenty of bottom 6 talent and a couple middle 6 like Kurashev and Wise. Top 6 prospects? Non existent.

Toews and Kane aren’t going to play forever and the next wave in DeBrincat and Strome are going to need more help.
- AEL_Fox

You’re missing something.

The organization can still load up on high-end D prospects and then trade them for forwards. RE:draft 2019 if Stan does draft Byram at #3, then this is surely his plan.

Additionally, it’s not like the Blackhawks never get to draft again. Sure they may not draft at #3 again next year, but forwards make it to the NHL sooner than defensemen.

No no no
- Scott1977

Yes yes yes.

Yes yes yes.
- EbonyRaptor

NO NO NO!!!!!

Seabrook has never been a great skater.
- TheTrob

World class skater and balance. Just not a flyer but a smooth mover for a fairly big man.

Not many teams will without retained salary
- scott.jackson

Unless they take back another player that needs a fresh start I don’t see a deal happening.

You’re missing something.

The organization can still load up on high-end D prospects and then trade them for forwards. RE:draft 2019 if Stan does draft Byram at #3, then this is surely his plan.

Additionally, it’s not like the Blackhawks never get to draft again. Sure they may not draft at #3 again next year, but forwards make it to the NHL sooner than defensemen.
- Bjm84

Good points to raise.

With a deep prospect pool on defense, any of those assets could be used to acquire different assets whether a forward, goalie, or draft picks.

Also not saying you specifically said anything to the contrary but another perspective to consider is that the draft shouldn't be used to fill an urgent need, i.e. an open spot for the upcoming season. It puts too much pressure on whoever is drafted to grow up fast and play at an NHL level right away.

If a recent draftee can impress and perform out of the gate, that's awesome but don't force the issue. Let the prospect develop at the appropriate pace at the appropriate level (juniors, college, overseas, minors).

To fill an immediate need, that's what free agency, trades, and the prospect pool are for.

World class skater and balance. Just not a flyer but a smooth mover for a fairly big man.
- wiz1901

Sorry dude, just ain't so.

Sorry dude, just ain't so.
- 6628

I don't think Seabrook was a great skater by any means but he wasn't terrible either. His skating was average. What made him a very good player IMO was his hockey smarts and leadership.

While NHL executives and agents alike obviously use the NHL Scouting Combine as an opportunity to talk to one another, the focus of course is on the draft class. One prospect in particular has been busier than just about anyone at the combine. NBC Sports Chicago’s Slavko Bekovic reports that American defenseman Ryan Johnson is the only player in attendance thought to have met with all 31 NHL teams. Johnson is not your typical popular top-of-the-first prospect, though. Instead, he has been ranked as high as No. 18 and as low as No. 55 by reputable scouting sources and many teams are likely still trying to gauge whether or not he is a first-round caliber player. To his credit, Johnson will at least likely go ahead of many highly-regarded U.S. National Team Development Program defenders after he himself did not make the team. The stalwart defenseman for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede is a solid, mobile defenseman and a strong locker room presence, but the question is whether he is a top-31 player in this draft. Every team in the league will apparently get the chance to answer that question.
- walleyeb1

Firstly, Slavo and the other two bozos raved a couple NBCSpotsChicago podcast back on how Bowen Byram was so terrific in the Memorial Cup and also said how by virtue of winning the draft Lottery, the Hawks would MOVE up in EVERY subsequent round too.
I have Ryan Johnson on the my board in slot #47 (there if the Blackhawks were looking for a six foot 160 plus defenseman to go with their others at slot #42), and I am gonna stand by it. And sure he very well might go earlier by virtue of his upside.

All 31 teams interviewed him because St. Louis first pick is 62 or 61 if they los in the Finals...that is why ALL teams did, because they feel there IS a player there (so do ) but not "a high as slot 18 player!

Here is why all the teams like him:
https://www.draftsite.com...layer/ryan-johnson/32927/

Sorry dude, just ain't so. (Seabrooks feet)
- 6628

It is about a whole lot more than speed when I look at them

I find talk on this board favoring the drafting of a dman #3 instead of a forward just incredible! Mark Kelly and wiz both say that they are projecting what the player can become after development in three or four years. So because we have more top end forwards than dmen on current roster, draft a dman ...the board majority concludes.

Oh so how do you develop ANOTHER dman prospect. Play him along side a sucks veteran or another young prospect. Oh how wonderful for development. You can only break in so many dmen in one season or only so many in two seasons. And btw is Byram (aka Bertram is incorrect) going to fit in the right left pairings?

I suggest that there is not much difference as to best prospect or best skill prospect #3 - #6. That is assuming Hughes and the Finn go top two.

I would make a trade and use that salary cap room first and foremost to improve the quality of our veterans on.the blueline. This may or may not include trading Gus. This may be a difficult task.

Adding a Tanev would be a luxury and to concentrate upon after you shore up the defense position

We have made an investment in dmen and it is ridiculous to trade any of them on the cheap. If one is traded, it happens after they have given signs or actually are becoming descent nhl dmen. It has nothing to do with not liking Byram.. I would love to draft him and even if he never became really sound defensively, i love his puck carry and wilingness to knock an opponent off the puck.

Anyway my biggest concern is that our forward group, collectively, as comprised presently is creme puff and would be man-handled by most if not all the playoff teams.

It is great to see and expect some size skill and grit forthcoming in prospects as filter in on bottom two lines. But there needs to be a TOUGH willing physical combantant on the first line. Preferable on second line too.

Wiz has told me that Kelly and Bowman are aware of new age players. Forwards who can make plays at top skating speed is a desirable part of the forward's game.

So is that type of player available at #3? And not that this player is a hands up or down better than other prospects - i think it is a close call. Close like two race horses in a photo finish. We need a thoroughbread on a top line and we get one from our #3 selection. Oh happy day.