If you guys could add any player in the league to the team (taking into account current state of the team and their needs, age, cap hit, etc.) who would it be? (Simply added to the team with what they currently have in place, not traded for).

Excluding the obvious elite McDavid, Matthews, Crosby, etc. choices.
- TommyHawk

Tom Wilson ♥️♥️♥️♥️


Duh

Anybody have any ideas why the current RFA's Sikura, Kampf, Perlini and Fosrsling have not been signed yet? Hopefully negotiations are under way and the sides are not far apart. I would think that if any of them would be involved in trade talks the acquiring team would like to have the contract terms locked in.

Qualifying offers are due by the Monday after the draft I believe.
- boilermaker100

There's no rush and I'm sure moves will happen at or around the draft that will change the landscape of the team. I see no reason to expect the RFAs won't either be qualified, signed or traded. For each of these guys their Q.O. would just be their salary form last year.

Say what you will about Craig Button but he's spent a long time watching and evaluating hockey players and I thought what he said about Cozens is very interesting. When asked why he dropped Cozens down in his ranking, his answer was it was due to not sure if he is a center or should be a winger. He elaborated by saying that Cozens is a very good skater but he doesn't use his skating as well when he's making plays like a center would. He said he kind of slows down and doesn't make "center type plays" at full speed, whereas he receives passes at full speed very well like a top end winger does. He thinks he will be a better winger in the NHL than a center.
- EbonyRaptor

I found that interesting as well. The podcast with Button was fantastic and is a must listen as we debate who the pick should be. I finished it saying we need to draft Byram or ill have the pitchfork ready outside Stan's office.

If you guys could add any player in the league to the team (taking into account current state of the team and their needs, age, cap hit, etc.) who would it be? (Simply added to the team with what they currently have in place, not traded for).

Excluding the obvious elite McDavid, Matthews, Crosby, etc. choices.
- TommyHawk

Colton Parayko

That would be sending them out....the deals were done.

Believe what you want....you know it everything Paul.

The fear of losing Saad and the Hawks impending derailment rivals the time Stalberg got benched in the 2013 playoffs and how Q lost the room......
- SteveRain

No I don't know everything and don't pretend I do. I just find it comical that anyone would excuse Uncle Dale for missing the deadline because he was at home with the sniffles. The fact is, any competently run company has contingencies and backups in place to ensure things like that don't happen. The fact there apparantly was no back up speaks to the mismanagement of Tallon and one of the reasons he was let go.

And as for Saad, I speak to the need for what he brings not him per se. The Hawks' weakness isn't scoring, yet poster after poster yearns for Kessel, Panarin etc and are seemingly oblivious to the limitations of the salary cap to complete the construction of the roster. If the Hawks can move Saad for a couple of two way forwards who are NHL capable I think it would be a great move but bringing in one way players in his place would be a disaster.

Colton Parayko
- Rota's Rooter

Thought of him as well.

Victor Hedman is still my number one choice.

Matthew Tkachuk and Kyle Connor would look great on this team, as would Mark Stone.

If you guys could add any player in the league to the team (taking into account current state of the team and their needs, age, cap hit, etc.) who would it be? (Simply added to the team with what they currently have in place, not traded for).

Excluding the obvious elite McDavid, Matthews, Crosby, etc. choices.
- TommyHawk

Miro Heiskanen on defense and Mitch Marner as a forward.

No I don't know everything and don't pretend I do. I just find it comical that anyone would excuse Uncle Dale for missing the deadline because he was at home with the sniffles. The fact is, any competently run company has contingencies and backups in place to ensure things like that don't happen. The fact there apparantly was no back up speaks to the mismanagement of Tallon and one of the reasons he was let go.

And as for Saad, I speak to the need for what he brings not him per se. The Hawks' weakness isn't scoring, yet poster after poster yearns for Kessel, Panarin etc and are seemingly oblivious to the limitations of the salary cap to complete the construction of the roster. If the Hawks can move Saad for a couple of two way forwards who are NHL capable I think it would be a great move but bringing in one way players in his place would be a disaster.
- paulr

Heard Fleischman and Weise are available.

Seriously though, great points

No I don't know everything and don't pretend I do. I just find it comical that anyone would excuse Uncle Dale for missing the deadline because he was at home with the sniffles. The fact is, any competently run company has contingencies and backups in place to ensure things like that don't happen. The fact there apparantly was no back up speaks to the mismanagement of Tallon and one of the reasons he was let go.

And as for Saad, I speak to the need for what he brings not him per se. The Hawks' weakness isn't scoring, yet poster after poster yearns for Kessel, Panarin etc and are seemingly oblivious to the limitations of the salary cap to complete the construction of the roster. If the Hawks can move Saad for a couple of two way forwards who are NHL capable I think it would be a great move but bringing in one way players in his place would be a disaster.
- paulr

Don't forget, whenever something goes wrong it's Stan's fault. Whenever anything goes right it's cause of Uncle Dale.

If you guys could add any player in the league to the team (taking into account current state of the team and their needs, age, cap hit, etc.) who would it be? (Simply added to the team with what they currently have in place, not traded for).

Excluding the obvious elite McDavid, Matthews, Crosby, etc. choices.
- TommyHawk

Anthony Mantha from Detroit. Gigantic Center with 3.3 cap hit.

No I don't know everything and don't pretend I do. I just find it comical that anyone would excuse Uncle Dale for missing the deadline because he was at home with the sniffles. The fact is, any competently run company has contingencies and backups in place to ensure things like that don't happen. The fact there apparantly was no back up speaks to the mismanagement of Tallon and one of the reasons he was let go.

And as for Saad, I speak to the need for what he brings not him per se. The Hawks' weakness isn't scoring, yet poster after poster yearns for Kessel, Panarin etc and are seemingly oblivious to the limitations of the salary cap to complete the construction of the roster. If the Hawks can move Saad for a couple of two way forwards who are NHL capable I think it would be a great move but bringing in one way players in his place would be a disaster.
- paulr

Do we honestly think that Uncle Dale didn't delegate and have somebody ready below him to send him fed ex envelopes out? Come on......and if that horrible blunder was strickly on Uncle Dale would the team go out of its way to reward him with a ring following the 2010 cup win?

I would be SHOCKED if Saad is ever traded. Bowman loves to hold on to his favorites for as long as humanly possible. I brought up the idea of trading 3-4 blogs ago as one of the few PROVEN nhl assets on this team a team may be willing to go after AND one the Hawks may be wiling to trade (if the return was right).

I brought up Kessel because I fear outside of 88/12 you will see a decline in offensive from many guys who had "career" years including the captain, Gus, and Strome.

We went through the Kessel debate, I doubt he also comes here, but what he lacks in defense he makes up in offense, and believe it or not his playoff performances trump Saad, who apparently is the poster child for NHL playoff players by so many on here.

To me it's simple.....Saad played his @ss off in 2015....wanted huge money, got it from Columbus, fell into a half-@ss routine (read APs article from Columbus paper or athletic) and got traded back here.....where he is far too inconsistent offensively to be counted on in a top 6 role. Hell, you could argue the trade was made to help Toews live up to his offensive abilities (argument for another day) and truthfully.....the trade has been a bomb. Forsberg is astrocious and likely gone. Panarin continued to blossom and is a LEGIT NHL star and Saad.....is a try hard some nights, float other nights, 6 million AAV on a team that can't afford floaters and guys not carrying their weight.

This team needs defense.....and signs that their are in replacements for 2/7 on the roster who can play top end minutes against the premier NHL players and hold their own. They still don't have any....and that's what kills them. That and their awful PK....

IMO, if this offseason doesn't amount to a playoff appearance and a tick up where everyone can see the improvement, then you have to blow this thing in February and put high end guys on the market and start building around a new core of younger guys. Yes, that means I would listen on 2/19/88/50 if you are in the same spot this year as last year when the deadline approaches.

Bowman's trade of Hammer for Murphy and Panarin for Saad/Forsberg put this team further into a spin then what transpired that April when Nashville flat out embarrassed them, and the Hawks have YET to recover from both of those situations.

Actually wouldn’t mind the Gardiner signing, I think his defensive liabilities are overblown a bit, before last year he wasn’t really getting much heat for his defense, it wasn’t too long ago you could say he was a very good defenseman, I think his partner Nikita whatever his name is had some part in his lapses....I think it’ll be an upgrade over gus, and then trade gus while his value is where it is.....those are the smart moves Stan should be making, get Gardiner for cash and upgrade at another position with a valuable asset that’s at its peak
- rwilliams88

peak? Gardiner will be 29 at the start of next season. His defense has always been a liability. He was able to overcome a lot of that with his offensive production. Gus has already exceeded the best season Gardiner ever had.

Let someone else overpay for a guy who a team will be paying well into his 30's on his next contract.

If you guys could add any player in the league to the team (taking into account current state of the team and their needs, age, cap hit, etc.) who would it be? (Simply added to the team with what they currently have in place, not traded for).

Excluding the obvious elite McDavid, Matthews, Crosby, etc. choices.
- TommyHawk

Either Barkov or Scheifele

Don't forget, whenever something goes wrong it's Stan's fault. Whenever anything goes right it's cause of Uncle Dale.
- DarthKane

Nah....Bowman did a good job reloading with role players around his core.

Hes made some awful trades.....see Danault, adding Teuvo in, Hammer for Murphy, Panarin for Saad/Forsberg...….but he had a core he could on.

Not sure that core, outside of 88, is reliable any longer. 19 had a great year after a few horse crap years, and the rest we know.

Uncle Dale....I hope he can pull off the impossible and win in Miami, but I doubt it.

Minn could have him plus he has back issues like murry from Columbus. Hagg from philly and mcnabb from vegas 2 soild d man and physical which will help in the playoffs. Hagg needs workl but is young and mcnabb also pair both with puck moving d man could have solid d core.
- Scott1977

Dude. Seriously. Hagg is terrible. Guy gets caved in every time he is on the ice. Hawks need guys who spent less time in their own zone. Not more.

peak? Gardiner will be 29 at the start of next season. His defense has always been a liability. He was able to overcome a lot of that with his offensive production. Gus has already exceeded the best season Gardiner ever had.

Let someone else overpay for a guy who a team will be paying well into his 20's on his next contract.
- Elbows15

Was referring to trading Gus while his value is at its peak

I will say this......in my top 5 live viewing experiences.....

his move on Schneider in game 6 in 2011 and blowing out his nut sack, followed by the WWE entrance of Roberta from the tunnel was AMAZING. Right up there with anything outside of game 6 vs Tampa.

If only Sharp doesn't fire the 1 timer on the PP in OT of Game 7 into Luongo's chest.....
- SteveRain

Loungo knee it was coming and moved into place almost before Toews let go of the pass. No way Sharp was ever going to beat him on that particular play.

Dude. Seriously. Hagg is terrible. Guy gets caved in every time he is on the ice. Hawks need guys who spent less time in their own zone. Not more.
- Elbows15

The rumors on Gardiner don't surprise me. He's going to panic and be forced to pay for a top D man on paper....and how that player translates into this roster is beyond me.

I still think a trade route is the way to go, but nobody is taking John Hayden, 7th round picks, and F prospects to give one up.

I wonder if Dale will try to push to get Panarin's rights and sign in S Florida. No state income tax, high Russian/Cuban population and get Bob as well.

Does Miller play center?
- EbonyRaptor

He can. Looking at his FO numbers it looks like he plays some center but plays primarily on the wing. slightly less than 500 total FOs last season.

I think Cozens has the biggest “bust factor” among the Centres.
- Ogilthorpe2

Maybe but I bet he go in the top 5 if not 3rd

Do we honestly think that Uncle Dale didn't delegate and have somebody ready below him to send him fed ex envelopes out? Come on......and if that horrible blunder was strickly on Uncle Dale would the team go out of its way to reward him with a ring following the 2010 cup win?

I would be SHOCKED if Saad is ever traded. Bowman loves to hold on to his favorites for as long as humanly possible. I brought up the idea of trading 3-4 blogs ago as one of the few PROVEN nhl assets on this team a team may be willing to go after AND one the Hawks may be wiling to trade (if the return was right).

I brought up Kessel because I fear outside of 88/12 you will see a decline in offensive from many guys who had "career" years including the captain, Gus, and Strome.

We went through the Kessel debate, I doubt he also comes here, but what he lacks in defense he makes up in offense, and believe it or not his playoff performances trump Saad, who apparently is the poster child for NHL playoff players by so many on here.

To me it's simple.....Saad played his @ss off in 2015....wanted huge money, got it from Columbus, fell into a half-@ss routine (read APs article from Columbus paper or athletic) and got traded back here.....where he is far too inconsistent offensively to be counted on in a top 6 role. Hell, you could argue the trade was made to help Toews live up to his offensive abilities (argument for another day) and truthfully.....the trade has been a bomb. Forsberg is astrocious and likely gone. Panarin continued to blossom and is a LEGIT NHL star and Saad.....is a try hard some nights, float other nights, 6 million AAV on a team that can't afford floaters and guys not carrying their weight.

This team needs defense.....and signs that their are in replacements for 2/7 on the roster who can play top end minutes against the premier NHL players and hold their own. They still don't have any....and that's what kills them. That and their awful PK....

IMO, if this offseason doesn't amount to a playoff appearance and a tick up where everyone can see the improvement, then you have to blow this thing in February and put high end guys on the market and start building around a new core of younger guys. Yes, that means I would listen on 2/19/88/50 if you are in the same spot this year as last year when the deadline approaches.

Bowman's trade of Hammer for Murphy and Panarin for Saad/Forsberg put this team further into a spin then what transpired that April when Nashville flat out embarrassed them, and the Hawks have YET to recover from both of those situations.
- SteveRain

Absolutely 100% SPOT ON SR. If Stan doesn't have the know-how to rebuild this summer with all the assets he has, the February time frame you speak of is accurate. As for SAAD, once again, he is the most valuable asset they have along with maybe Conner Murphy.......... and who brought those guys to the team in 2 terrible trades ? Enough said. STAN is on the clock !!!!

Calgary looking to move RD Brodie (4.6M) or Hamonic (3.8M). Each have 1 year left on contract before becoming UFA. Maybe obtain one of them as a one year placeholder until Beaudin/Boqvist are available. Could also expand the trade by obtaining Frolik for one year at 4.3M. Any thoughts on what these guys would cost.

2019-2020 pairings
Keith, Hamonic/Brodie
Jokiharu, Murphy
Gus, Seabrook
Koekkoek

2020-2021 Assuming Gus is not extended
Keith, Joki
Boqvsit,Murphy
Beaudin, Seabrook
Koekkoek
- boilermaker100

Neither Brodie or Harmonic are top pair quality at this point. Hell, Murphy might be better than Harmonic at this point and Brodie seems to be in decline.

Do we honestly think that Uncle Dale didn't delegate and have somebody ready below him to send him fed ex envelopes out? Come on......and if that horrible blunder was strickly on Uncle Dale would the team go out of its way to reward him with a ring following the 2010 cup win?

I would be SHOCKED if Saad is ever traded. Bowman loves to hold on to his favorites for as long as humanly possible. I brought up the idea of trading 3-4 blogs ago as one of the few PROVEN nhl assets on this team a team may be willing to go after AND one the Hawks may be wiling to trade (if the return was right).

I brought up Kessel because I fear outside of 88/12 you will see a decline in offensive from many guys who had "career" years including the captain, Gus, and Strome.

We went through the Kessel debate, I doubt he also comes here, but what he lacks in defense he makes up in offense, and believe it or not his playoff performances trump Saad, who apparently is the poster child for NHL playoff players by so many on here.

To me it's simple.....Saad played his @ss off in 2015....wanted huge money, got it from Columbus, fell into a half-@ss routine (read APs article from Columbus paper or athletic) and got traded back here.....where he is far too inconsistent offensively to be counted on in a top 6 role. Hell, you could argue the trade was made to help Toews live up to his offensive abilities (argument for another day) and truthfully.....the trade has been a bomb. Forsberg is astrocious and likely gone. Panarin continued to blossom and is a LEGIT NHL star and Saad.....is a try hard some nights, float other nights, 6 million AAV on a team that can't afford floaters and guys not carrying their weight.

This team needs defense.....and signs that their are in replacements for 2/7 on the roster who can play top end minutes against the premier NHL players and hold their own. They still don't have any....and that's what kills them. That and their awful PK....

IMO, if this offseason doesn't amount to a playoff appearance and a tick up where everyone can see the improvement, then you have to blow this thing in February and put high end guys on the market and start building around a new core of younger guys. Yes, that means I would listen on 2/19/88/50 if you are in the same spot this year as last year when the deadline approaches.

Bowman's trade of Hammer for Murphy and Panarin for Saad/Forsberg put this team further into a spin then what transpired that April when Nashville flat out embarrassed them, and the Hawks have YET to recover from both of those situations.
- SteveRain

I wouldn't be shocked. I think Stan realizes that he has to make the playoffs this upcoming season. He can't tinker around the edges of the roster and hope that Kane, Toews and Debrincat have repeat career seasons and that the existing team defense will improve because Colliton and staff will have the whole training camp to implement their system.

Saad is a valuable trade chip. He can be part of a package to return a top 4 D man. Yes he will have to be replaced, but if Saad is traded it won't happen in a vacuum and Bowman will make other moves to fill that hole.

Loungo knee it was coming and moved into place almost before Toews let go of the pass. No way Sharp was ever going to beat him on that particular play.
- StLBravesFan

Loungo's situation will be interesting this summer. It's not certain the Panthers want to bring him back. If he retires his cap hit goes back to the Canucks (he has one of those contracts). That would be a cap hit of $5.33 (ish) per season for the next three years.

Agreed, hard pass on Gardner. He has Shattenkirk 2.0 written all over him.
- Davewn

Worse!!!!!!