Sign Crawford for a cheap deal and trade for Georgiev.

Strome will be the 3C if he's with the team next season. His situation is extremely interesting. Strome is an RFA without arbitration rights, although it's not the Hawks style (and the wrong thing to do) the Hawks could just make a QO and tell Strome to take it or sit. Strome's QO would be $874,125.
- DarthKane

I expect them to make a take it or sit offer between $1.5-2.2 per year for two years. A qualifying offer is one year and then he would get his freedom? He may opt for that over Stan's two year offer but he would have to get over $3 in a flat cap just to break even.

I would have to agree. Before the post season, de Haan was the one I would have kept before Maatta.

However, the post season was almost an audition for next season and their fortunes reversed.

Maatta proved he can still play a solid two-way game if deployed correctly.

de Haan seemed a step behind and made weak clearing attempts. It was so frustrating to see him constantly ring the puck around the boards and not be even close to clearing the zone.

A player who uses the ring-around as a primary clearing strategy can often mean they're persistently under pressure by the other team (i.e. slow) and can't think the game fast enough to see the better outlet options.
- AEL_Fox

I doubt deHaan was playing at 100%.

Seabrook's situation will be very interesting to watch. However it plays out, I just hope the Hawks treat him with the respect he deserves. Plus, if they handle the Seabs situation poorly it will negatively impact the rest of the core.

In the press conference Bowman references Seabrook's desire to be an impact player and he hopes it happens. But he doesn't mention that he hopes it happens with the Blackhawks (at least not from what I read).

Trading Seabrook would free up much glorious cap space, but no doubt it will come at a cost.
- DarthKane

Would cost Boqvist and Dach.

I doubt deHaan was playing at 100%.
- rpeters01

With daHaan's shoulder injuries will he ever be 100%?

With daHaan's shoulder injuries will he ever be 100%?
- LAHawk

That's for Stan to decide.

Bowman said this before and it's not a surprise to anyone. Cap-wise we know some contracts have to go, I just think it won't be who we expect. I could see the Hawks moving on from Saad, Murphy, 4K, de Haan, Smith, Maatta and The Drake. Certainly not all of them, but 2-3 for sure. I'm a big fan of Saad and Murphy, while I'd hate to see them go they woul bring back the best return. Maatta is an interesting case, he played very wel in the playoffs and he's young. He might be worth keeping but his recent play may make it easier to trade him rather than buy him out.

I'm keeping my expectations realistics, but I am excited to see what Mitchell, Suter and Kalynuk do in training camp.
- DarthKane

It should be interesting with Maatta. It is hard to say if he has value in the trade market or if we need to buy him out. I think he is tradable without retaining salary, but you won't get much back.

I thought the K4 and Maatta pairing was the best 3rd pairing the Hawks have had in a while. (although a very expensive 3rd pairing that they cannot afford at $5 mil combined cap hit).

Could the Hawks come into camp with Keith, deHaan, Murphy, Maatta, K4. Then see if Seabs is healthy. Finally let the Boqvist, Mitchell, Carlsson and the others fight for the open spot(s). I would not be opposed to that. Possible move a veteran or youngster with someone else in a package near the end of camp.

Would cost Boqvist and Dach.
- rpeters01

Seabrook is destined to be the 6th and spare

I think we should all pump the brakes on the Maatta/de Haan comparisons right now. I give Maatta props. He stepped up his game in the playoffs. You have to keep in mind that de Haan was just coming off of major surgery and was just supposed to be coming back. He showed very well for the team when Keith was out. He's not untouchable, but he brings stability to the backend.
- Chunk

Of course. Lots of factors to consider for who will stay and who may be gone.

Murphy could be in play as he would bring the biggest return.

Definitely can make arguments for each of Maatta, de Haan, Murphy, and even Koekkoek for why each should remain on the Blackhawks blueline next season.

Guessing at least one of them will be gone, though.

Sign Crawford for a cheap deal and trade for Georgiev.
- Bhawks2585

That would be the way I woud go.

Buying out Dehaan seems like the best option on the defensive side.I liked what I saw from Matta and Murphy in the playoffs.

It should be interesting with Maatta. It is hard to say if he has value in the trade market or if we need to buy him out. I think he is tradable without retaining salary, but you won't get much back.

I thought the K4 and Maatta pairing was the best 3rd pairing the Hawks have had in a while. (although a very expensive 3rd pairing that they cannot afford at $5 mil combined cap hit).

Could the Hawks come into camp with Keith, deHaan, Murphy, Maatta, K4. Then see if Seabs is healthy. Finally let the Boqvist, Mitchell, Carlsson and the others fight for the open spot(s). I would not be opposed to that. Possible move a veteran or youngster with someone else in a package near the end of camp.
- -Doh-

This is kind of what I was alluding to in my question to TC. They have virtually all of the D spots filled as is (largely D minded), but have a bunch of players that are close, or expected to be at least, who are of a different breed (largely O minded).

It will be interesting to see if they run with what they have, or clear some of the vets out. Also, if they do go with more of the young guys, do some of Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook start thinking about their ability to compete and consider waiving their NMC's. It's gonna be a fun offseason.

The league isn't wasting any time with these playoffs. Game 1 of the Stars-Avs series Saturday night.

Seabrook's situation will be very interesting to watch. However it plays out, I just hope the Hawks treat him with the respect he deserves. Plus, if they handle the Seabs situation poorly it will negatively impact the rest of the core.

In the press conference Bowman references Seabrook's desire to be an impact player and he hopes it happens. But he doesn't mention that he hopes it happens with the Blackhawks (at least not from what I read).

Trading Seabrook would free up much glorious cap space, but no doubt it will come at a cost.
- DarthKane

I wanna see how he perform's once he is fully healed. Stan signed him knowing he was a broken down warrior. Lets at least see what he brings fully recovered and motivated. Love Seabs and to treat him with anything but respect for what he has done is a kick in the nuts.

The league isn't wasting any time with these playoffs. Game 1 of the Stars-Avs series Saturday night.
- boilermaker100

Trying to get to heaven before the devil knows they’re dead....

Couple of trade thoughts:
Dehann to Winnipeg for copp or roslovic and 5th
Strome sikrua rights koko and 2nd this year's or next year's for georgiev andersson and gauthier
Saad to Montreal for poehling and juulsen.

Buffalo desperately needs a 2C. A deal around Strome and Ristolainen(or Jokiharju) appeal to anyone? Or for a completely different direction, Strome for Ryan Strome. Hawks get a more typical 3C they need; Rangers get the more typical 2C they need.
- DarthProbert

I saw the Edmonton writer state he thinks Puljujarvi could be coming back for another shot at the NHL - how about a swap of 1st round reclamation projects - Puljujarvi for Nylander?

Couple of trade thoughts:
Dehann to Winnipeg for copp or roslovic and 5th
Strome sikrua rights koko and 2nd this year's or next year's for georgiev andersson and gauthier
Saad to Montreal for poehling and juulsen.
- Scott1977

I like the de Hann for Roslovic idea, no need to add the 5th. Not sure if Winnipeg would like that.

That's a bit much for the NYR trade, maybe just Nylander for Georgiev.

Pass on the Saad trade, that's not enough.

Of course. Lots of factors to consider for who will stay and who may be gone.

Murphy could be in play as he would bring the biggest return.

Definitely can make arguments for each of Maatta, de Haan, Murphy, and even Koekkoek for why each should remain on the Blackhawks blueline next season.

Guessing at least one of them will be gone, though.
- AEL_Fox

The only reason to keep any of those you mentioned is for expansion purposes. Aside from Murph that is. Even Murph needs to be moved if you keep the other three.

The Hawks lack of mobility on the backend was a huge factor against Vegas. By the time any of those snails retrieved a dump in, vegas has 2 men in deep forcing them into mistakes. None of them move the puck quickly either, which another issue.

There is too much slow back there to carry forward, In Special K's case, he is just fundamentally stupid.

I saw the Edmonton writer state he thinks Puljujarvi could be coming back for another shot at the NHL - how about a swap of 1st round reclamation projects - Puljujarvi for Nylander?
- EbonyRaptor

Make it Strome and the Oilers might do it.

Oilers add a 2nd and I would do it.

I like the de Hann for Roslovic idea, no need to add the 5th. Not sure if Winnipeg would like that.

That's a bit much for the NYR trade, maybe just Nylander for Georgiev.

Pass on the Saad trade, that's not enough.
- DarthKane

Don't get the fascination with Roslovic. He is just a guy.

Couple of trade thoughts:
Dehann to Winnipeg for copp or roslovic and 5th
Strome sikrua rights koko and 2nd this year's or next year's for georgiev andersson and gauthier
Saad to Montreal for poehling and juulsen.
- Scott1977

I don't give anything whatsoever of value for deHahn. You don't know if he plays but a handful of games again. Not just his shoulder is questionable; he now is an injury waiting to happen. He is worth maybe a 5th round. Most likely trades are one for one; no team wants to take on salary. They have less revenue coming in. Their objective is how can we be competitive by bringing in cheap help. A bargain free agent is ok if one of your own players leaves via free agency or is released/bought out. I believe that NYR will try to trade a young goaltender if they have Lundqvist returning. The goaltender position vis a vis a two for one transaction might be an exception if there is a two for on deal. The NYR want centers whom can be complementary to Lafraniere and The Finn they took #1 last year.

I like the de Hann for Roslovic idea, no need to add the 5th. Not sure if Winnipeg would like that.

That's a bit much for the NYR trade, maybe just Nylander for Georgiev.

Pass on the Saad trade, that's not enough.
- DarthKane

Ok just some possible idess not that any will come to fruition. Just for discussion sake.

Don't get the fascination with Roslovic. He is just a guy.
- Elbows15

Copp or Lowrey would be better