Hawks shed salary by trading Murphy for picks.

Hawks draft Bowen Byram, and Byram makes the team out of camp.

Keith Gus (Gus is traded in 2020 and Boqvist replaces him).
Maatta Joki (ELC)
Byram (ELC) Seabs
KoekKoek

Hawks sign Panarin, 11 mil per year.

Saad Toews Sikura (resigned for a mil)
Panarin AA Kane
Cat Strome Perlini (resigned for a mil)
Kubalik (ELC) Kampf (resigned for a mil) Caggiula
Wedin (ELC)

Crawford (contract comes off books in 2020 or signs short term deal?)
Lankinen (ELC) (beats out Delia in camp)

Cap space of about $5,061,539 going into the 2019-20 season, without factoring in the official cap increase.

Nalimov is brought over and splits time with Delia in Rockford. Forsberg packaged with Forsling or Dalhtsrom for a bottom six depth player or picks.

Hawks shed salary by trading Murphy for picks.

Hawks draft Bowen Byram, and Byram makes the team out of camp.

Keith Gus (Gus is traded in 2020 and Boqvist replaces him).
Maatta Joki (ELC)
Byram (ELC) Seabs
KoekKoek

Hawks sign Panarin, 11 mil per year.

Saad Toews Sikura (resigned for a mil)
Panarin AA Kane
Cat Strome Perlini (resigned for a mil)
Kubalik (ELC) Kampf (resigned for a mil) Caggiula
Wedin (ELC)

Crawford (contract comes off books in 2020 or signs short term deal?)
Lankinen (ELC) (beats out Delia in camp)

Cap space of about $5,061,539 going into the 2019-20 season, without factoring in the official cap increase.

Nalimov is brought over and splits time with Delia in Rockford. Forsberg packaged with Forsling or Dalhtsrom for a bottom six depth player

- SoftServe

It's all so easy, until next year when you can't re-sign ADB and Strome, find Byram can't, as most prospects, make the team out of camp and you have no NHL capable goalie.

If the Hawks stand at the #3 pick - I agree with everything Tyler said; you have to take Bryam. Defensemen are way too value, and with his upside being a #1 dman, it's hard to pass that up.

However, if Center is what the Hawks want and feel they need most, there has to be a team that would be willing to move up to get Bryam. I would think the Kings would be that team that could want to move up. They are not going to trade the #5 and their #22, but they do have their 2nd round pick at #33. I think that could be in play.

The Hawks move down to #5 and they would get at least one of Turcotte, Dach or Cozens. And pick up another 2nd rounder. Since it is an early 2nd round pick, there will still be a number of 1st round talent still available - and every year their is that one player that falls for no particular reason (see DeBrincat).

Detroit could be an option with their #6 and #35 as well.
- spudrock512

Byram is no guarantee . Chicago's main priority is at center.

You also need to look at how many open spots on defense Chicago has locked up for the next 5 years.

With Olli and murphy signed for 3 more years and Keith has 4 Seabrook has 5.

Their just isn't any room to bring up your blue chip kids.

Also I just read the salary cap might not rise for the next 2 years because of salaries and a 11 % take from the players pay.

That leaves Chicago no room after next year.

If the Hawks draft Byram the 4 Horsemen (Boqvist, Beaudin, Joki, Mitchell) become the New Fab 5.

If the salary cap comes in significantly less than $83 mil., that #3 pick could become a lot more valuable, that's 3 years at an ELC before the big contract kicks in.
- LAHawk

Precisely why you do not trade high picks for NHL contracts any more. To keep a handle on the Cap, you have maintain a steady stream of ELC's on your roster.

Byram is no guarantee . Chicago's main priority is at center.

You also need to look at how many open spots on defense Chicago has locked up for the next 5 years.

With Olli and murphy signed for 3 more years and Keith has 4 Seabrook has 5.

Their just isn't any room to bring up your blue chip kids.

Also I just read the salary cap might not rise for the next 2 years because of salaries and a 11 % take from the players pay.

That leaves Chicago no room after next year.
- Taylorst1

Chicago's main priority is Best Player Available, regardless of position.

If the Hawks stand at the #3 pick - I agree with everything Tyler said; you have to take Bryam. Defensemen are way too value, and with his upside being a #1 dman, it's hard to pass that up.

However, if Center is what the Hawks want and feel they need most, there has to be a team that would be willing to move up to get Bryam. I would think the Kings would be that team that could want to move up. They are not going to trade the #5 and their #22, but they do have their 2nd round pick at #33. I think that could be in play.

The Hawks move down to #5 and they would get at least one of Turcotte, Dach or Cozens. And pick up another 2nd rounder. Since it is an early 2nd round pick, there will still be a number of 1st round talent still available - and every year their is that one player that falls for no particular reason (see DeBrincat).

Detroit could be an option with their #6 and #35 as well.
- spudrock512

I would take Kempe, and the 2nd rounder for the swap of the first with the Kings

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Post of the day.

Hawks shed salary by trading Murphy for picks.

Hawks draft Bowen Byram, and Byram makes the team out of camp.

Keith Gus (Gus is traded in 2020 and Boqvist replaces him).
Maatta Joki (ELC)
Byram (ELC) Seabs
KoekKoek

Hawks sign Panarin, 11 mil per year.

Saad Toews Sikura (resigned for a mil)
Panarin AA Kane
Cat Strome Perlini (resigned for a mil)
Kubalik (ELC) Kampf (resigned for a mil) Caggiula
Wedin (ELC)

Crawford (contract comes off books in 2020 or signs short term deal?)
Lankinen (ELC) (beats out Delia in camp)

Cap space of about $5,061,539 going into the 2019-20 season, without factoring in the official cap increase.

Nalimov is brought over and splits time with Delia in Rockford. Forsberg packaged with Forsling or Dalhtsrom for a bottom six depth player or picks.

- SoftServe

No to Panarin. Need that 11M for Strome and Debrincat the following year. I doubt if Byram, if drafted, makes the team.

Like it or not there will be no big free agent signings this summer and the #3 pick, whoever it is, won't be on the team until 20-21 at the earliest.

Byram ain't Barker.

He may be better - he may be worse.

But he ain't Barker.

Time to forget what Pulford did with that #3 pick and let Bowman make his own mistakes.

We know he can do it.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed on all points. Still doesn’t change the fact that drafting the consensus best D-man is not always the best decision.

Chicago's main priority is Best Player Available, regardless of position.
- paulr

Agreed. I think they think its a Centre

Chicago's main priority is Best Player Available, regardless of position.
- paulr

And if that BPA is a defenceman, that is an added bonus.

It's all so easy, until next year when you can't re-sign ADB and Strome, find Byram can't, as most prospects, make the team out of camp and you have no NHL capable goalie.
- paulr

I'm just having fun man! Anyways, $10550000 off the books if you don't resign Crawford and Anisimov is traded with no salary retained. That's like $16 mil to play around with overall in the 2020-21 season. That could be enough to resign Cat and Strome and get yourself an NHL goaltender!

I'm just having fun man! Anyways, $10550000 off the books if you don't resign Crawford and Anisimov is traded with no salary retained. That's like $16 mil to play around with overall in the 2020-21 season. That could be enough to resign Cat and Strome and get yourself an NHL goaltender!
- SoftServe

Given the current state of the market if ADB/Strome have good seasons again they will be lucky to be able to sign just them for under $16MM.

Then who replaces CC and AA?

If they do draft Byram the Fab 5 could be special. Rookie camp (and then training camp) could be fantastic. They should be excited about coming together as the future of the Hawks defense. There also should be a huge competition for getting to the NHL first and then playing time. They likely will be paired with each other at different times in camp, at the Rock or NHL level and they should look forward to that.

Byram all day TC! I imagine a top pair of Byram-Jokiharju, with Keith or Maata playing “babysitter” to the offensive rover Boquist on the 2nd pair.

Agreed on all points. Still doesn’t change the fact that drafting the consensus best D-man is not always the best decision.
- Ogilthorpe2

You are correct, sir.

But drafting the player with the highest potential upside usually is, defenseman, center, or wing (I'll let goalies fend for themselves).

I have no idea if Byram is that guy or not - they all have high positives and at least some negatives - that's for Kelly, Bowman, and the rest to decide.

I favor Byram (in my ignorance, perhaps) because of all that I've read, the analyses seem to paint him as being closer to having #1 defenseman potential than the others have of being #1 centers.

At least that's how I analyze the analyses.

I hope Stan is talking to the Knights, there are so many players that would fit into holes that the Knights are going to have to shed a few, (Miller,McNabb,Eakin,Haula, the RFA rights to Karlsson, Tuch (dreaming that they would trade him))

I hope Stan is talking to the Knights, there are so many players that would fit into holes that the Knights are going to have to shed a few, (Miller,McNabb,Eakin,Haula, the RFA rights to Karlsson, Tuch (dreaming that they would trade him))
- LAHawk

I think this is the plan. SB uses his 2019-20 "cap space" to sign guys on expiring deals to round out the roster this year and push for a playoff berth. Then they see who of the youngins can stick, sign ADB/Strome and see what's left.

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well, not a weak class but one where at this juncture it is tough to start the BS designations of first pair NHL, second pair third pair NHL.

Take the big QMJHL redhead kid last year who fell to TWELVE to the Islanders-----

By virtue of his long playoff and season runs, he gave each and every scout more than enough views to evaluate him....the verdict (again this is MY opinion of their verdict) was that he had the size, good feet, offensive side, defensive awarenesss BUT....they SAW A TEAM player, and not a Karlsson-like take over the game with dynamic plays guy....

Despite SOME rah rahs, team probably settle in thinking "he is gonna plan in the NHL, maybe falls in the middle pair but NO certainty (with MOST Junior defenders...b/c was the Buffalo Swedish defender "GREAT" this year when you watched him(rhetorical).

So Noah Dobson (that is who I have been talking about) just went about business of making himself into a hockey player and I don't think the Islanders are worrying about where he shakes out, because there seems to be foundation in all phases that he will be an NHLer, despite his lack ever of a #1 one defenseman tag from a bunch draft prognosticators....

Ok travel day for me so I won't be on here, but PM me to leave any question...will try and sniff around...but no one is gonna telll me about #3 in advance....like Gord Miller told me Kane was the Hawks choice 8 hours before the Columbus Ohio Draft, when he was doing the announcing....

If they do pick one of the centers at #3, do they move Entwhistle to wing next year? That maybe in 20-21 would help with the big winger that will get himself dirty that we are looking for?

And if that BPA is a defenceman, that is an added bonus.
- 67hawks

But only if that defenseman can actually play defense.

I hope Stan is talking to the Knights, there are so many players that would fit into holes that the Knights are going to have to shed a few, (Miller,McNabb,Eakin,Haula, the RFA rights to Karlsson, Tuch (dreaming that they would trade him))
- LAHawk

Thinking same thing Washington tampa Detroit etc. Carrier McNabb eakin or miller lots of options for the hawks and other teams with significant cap space.

It's all so easy, until next year when you can't re-sign ADB and Strome, find Byram can't, as most prospects, make the team out of camp and you have no NHL capable goalie.
- paulr

Please explain why the Hawks cant resign Restricted Free Agents with no leverage in Debrincat and Strome?

Please explain why the Hawks cant resign Restricted Free Agents with no leverage in Debrincat and Strome?
- PatShart

Arbitration.

Too many wacky comps are out there already that could award each of these guys an amount over what even the average fan thinks might be reasonable.