Great read. I think trading De Haan makes more sense than trading Maata. De Haan creates more cap space and Maata played a lot better than him when it mattered, the playoffs. He played his best for the Penguins in the playoffs too and is experienced, so might be worth keeping around.
- Hawkeynation

I think that would be ideal if they can do it. De Haan might be a bit more defensively strong, but I'd question if he can stay healthy and in the lineup. He doesn't do much good if he ends up back on the shelf.

Do you not think he was "promised" a spot to leave College early?
- vabeachbear

Another consideration is that if Mitchell was promised a spot, then he should have had been on the bubble roster for the postseason especially over Regula who is another RHD.

Another consideration is that if Mitchell was promised a spot, then he should have had been on the bubble roster for the postseason especially over Regula who is another RHD.
- Theo Fox

Just playing devils advocate, what if it was something like;

"we'll keep you off the playoff roster, so you don't burn a year, but we'll guarantee you a spot on the big club to start next year"

I know most say these things don't get said, but think about it. He has 9 games to show he belongs or not correct? Could be sent down after that and still not burn that first year correct?

Great blog Theo. I specifically wanted to highlight that you hit the nail on the head with the looking ahead to the future. I think Bowman has always been working on slowly introducing 1 youngster at a time on the back end if possible. Right now, it's Boqvist learning on the job and being tutored by Keith.

Personally I feel the personnel on the back end are only a part of the issue. The Hawks as a team seem to give up ground too easily and lose battles too easily. It all plays a part. Maintaining possession, battling for the puck, fore-check, pressure in the middle, back-checking, and defending their blueline are all a part of it.

When a forward lets up rather than racing down to beat an icing or chase a dump-in. When a forward tries to do too much individually and gives up the puck. Players that battle for the puck and just get out muscled or out hustled. These areas leads to giving up the possession, allowing the other team to put pressure on you, force you to defend. I think this is part of the root of where the problem starts. The Hawks have some players who are good in these areas, but still seems like too many guys up front with holes in their game in a contributing factor to the D woes.

I really want to see them continue to work on those first 2/3's of the rink and take pressure off so much playing in their own end. I really hope some of the young forwards coming bring that compete level up and down the ice. I thought Kubalik was showing well in this regard, and it's a big part of why he gelled with Saad and Toews. I think the Hawks could use a couple more guys with the tenacity to fight for the puck 200 feet. Those guys that are willing to dive in front of a shot. Take a hit to make a play. It will help in so many areas, from face-offs to maintaining pressure on the attack.
- breadbag

Thanks, breadbag.

A lot of what you described got to the basics of fundamental hockey in addition to supporting one another all over the ice. Too many solo efforts or ignorance of the more optimal options emerging in a play.

And like you said, each player needs to do the little things and make the sacrifices each shift to help the team compete. Otherwise, the team will continue to be a passive bunch that bleeds shots and can't overcome a heavy style on both ends.

Just playing devils advocate, what if it was something like;

"we'll keep you off the playoff roster, so you don't burn a year, but we'll guarantee you a spot on the big club to start next year"

I know most say these things don't get said, but think about it. He has 9 games to show he belongs or not correct? Could be sent down after that and still not burn that f year correct?
- vabeachbear

I think there's a lot of truth to that and believe that was discussed in articles about Mitchell's situation.

Great read. I think trading De Haan makes more sense than trading Maata. De Haan creates more cap space and Maata played a lot better than him when it mattered, the playoffs. He played his best for the Penguins in the playoffs too and is experienced, so might be worth keeping around.
- Hawkeynation

de Haan was also coming off injury so that may have played a factor in his postseason performance.

Either way, I agree that de Haan could make more sense to move. The fear and reality is other teams know his is damaged goods so his value isn't as high as Maatta or even Murphy.

NHL draft being moved up earlier to October 6-7 which is a Tuesday and Wednesday. Original date was October 9-10 which is Friday and Saturday.

NHL draft being moved up earlier to October 6-7 which is a Tuesday and Wednesday. Original date was October 9-10 which is Friday and Saturday.
- Theo Fox

Any reason for that?

It is obvious to that we need to move a defenseman for cap reasons. Which one depends on what value they have. We do not really know what other teams are willing to give up for any of them.

I would not be quick to anoint any young defender as deserving of a spot on the NHL roster. We have 4 NHL veterans in Keith, deHaan, Maatta, Murphy certain to play in the NHL next season. We have a 5th in Seabs that most likely will be playing in the NHL next season. One of those 5 is most likely to be moved. We have an RFA in K4 that needs to be signed first and will likely play somewhere in the NHL next season. We have two defenders in Seeler and Gilbert that likely will not make the Hawks NHL roster next year. Then we have several wannabe's that could make the NHL roster. Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Mitchell, and maybe even Kalynuk.

I would not rush the younger players. Move one vet for cap reasons and hope the return is decent. Sign K4 at a reasonable price and term. Then let everyone else fight for a roster spot and playing time. It would be a good idea to give the younger players some seasoning at the Rock.

Any reason for that?
- powerenforcer

My guess would be playoffs are ending earlier. Conference Finals end September 19th (or sooner if they do not go 7 games).

Another consideration is that if Mitchell was promised a spot, then he should have had been on the bubble roster for the postseason especially over Regula who is another RHD.
- Theo Fox

I thought guys signed during the COVID lockdown were not allowed to be on active rosters for the playoffs? Mitchell wasn't allowed to be on the roster.

Did that change? I know the NHL was going back and forth on that one.

Free agency opens on October 9.

Any reason for that?
- powerenforcer

Football games?

Bigger audience during the week

Free agency opens on October 9.
- Theo Fox

There's a blog

NHL draft being moved up earlier to October 6-7 which is a Tuesday and Wednesday. Original date was October 9-10 which is Friday and Saturday.
- Theo Fox

Any idea about free agency start?
Never mind saw oct 9

I thought guys signed during the COVID lockdown were not allowed to be on active rosters for the playoffs? Mitchell wasn't allowed to be on the roster.

Did that change? I know the NHL was going back and forth on that one.
- bhawks2241

Yeah, that was a convoluted drama. You could very well be correct.

I honestly lost track after a while since I was in the camp that didn't want Mitchell on the bubble roster even if eligible for the sake of postponing the start of his ELC by a year to stagger when all current ELCs expire.

There's a blog
- vabeachbear

I'll have a draft preview and pre-free agency blogs in late September and/or early October.

The draft preview may be a series to highlight not only prospects to consider at the 17th spot but also later rounds.

Rumor out that Crawford has been offered a one-year deal at $3.5M (source is Scott Powers from the Athletic).

Hockey message board trade proposals usually favor the team proposing the trade, often times to a ridiculous degree, with little or no consideration given to the situation of the proposed trading partner. The trade being bandied about in this thread that proposes the Hawks acquire Tyler Bertuzzi from the Wings seems like one of those one-sided proposals. Bertuzzi has established himself as a ~45 point winger. He is RFA and will probably command a salary in the $3M range. He is young enough (25) to be in the Wings long term plans. The Wings are at least a couple/few years away from competing for the Cup so d-men with injury histories (deHaan/Murphy) in the $4M range would not be on the top of their list of players to acquire in a trade. Aside from their dearth of d-men with NHL experience and a bunch of overpaid veteran forwards (Abdelkader/Helm/Nielsen/Filppula) on the books for several more years, their salary cap situation isn't very good so they don't have much cap room to waste on players who won't be with them when they're a competitive team.

They might bite on Bertuzzi for Strome straight up but they won't be interested in taking cap dumps as part of the deal. I know I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't trade Strome for Bertuzzi because I think Strome is the better player.

Hockey message board trade proposals usually favor the team proposing the trade, often times to a ridiculous degree, with little or no consideration given to the situation of the proposed trading partner. The trade being bandied about in this thread that proposes the Hawks acquire Tyler Bertuzzi from the Wings seems like one of those one-sided proposals. Bertuzzi has established himself as a ~45 point winger. He is RFA and will probably command a salary in the $3M range. He is young enough (25) to be in the Wings long term plans. The Wings are at least a couple/few years away from competing for the Cup so d-men with injury histories (deHaan/Murphy) in the $4M range would not be on the top of their list of players to acquire in a trade. Aside from their dearth of d-men with NHL experience and a bunch of overpaid veteran forwards (Abdelkader/Helm/Nielsen/Filppula) on the books for several more years, their salary cap situation isn't very good so they don't have much cap room to waste on players who won't be with them when they're a competitive team.

They might bite on Bertuzzi for Strome straight up but they won't be interested in taking cap dumps as part of the deal. I know I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't trade Strome for Bertuzzi because I think Strome is the better player.
- EbonyRaptor

Moving detain deHahn u won't get much. His health is questionable.

Rumor out that Crawford has been offered a one-year deal at $3.5M (source is Scott Powers from the Athletic).
- Theo Fox

If he does not take it things could get interesting. I do not think it would happen, but the Hawks could go with some combination of Delia/Lankinen/Subban next year. If they are awful that would put the Hawks in the draft lottery with an excellent chance to get one of the top picks.

Without the cap pressure, it would also buy them more time to evaluate their defensemen situation and the health of Shaw, Seabs, and deHaan. They could keep all of their dmen, and Subban, Saad, Kubalik, Strome and K4. (Strome with QO only.) Then at the trade deadline they could trade one of the dmen, Saad, Strome for additional picks and prospects.

Maybe this is the real Justin Lowe. Over/under on name change 46 days.

Sooner or later talent trumps everything else. They want a Mitchell here to see or fairly soon believe that he is ready. We shall "see"
- jhawk59

Your correct. It just seems like imo Chicago has alot of young kids but no real defensive prospect that Chicago can turn too as a true projected top 4 guy lots of maybes but no real yeses.

Rumor out that Crawford has been offered a one-year deal at $3.5M (source is Scott Powers from the Athletic).
- Theo Fox

It will be interesting to see if Crawford resigns or moves on. With a flat cap for the next 3 years and Chicago still in cap and contract hell , this offseason should be a reset and hard look at each position, contract and try and rebuild . Next summer the expansion draft may or may not help Chicago.

Maybe this is the real Justin Lowe. Over/under on name change 46 days.
- VopatsRash

Well, your mobile home is finally rebuilt, and you have internet back up after the tornado in March?