Question wad not summit in your mailbag:
First is Murphy and saad part of the future for the hawks? If not then trade them and get younger cost controlled players and picks. Your thoughts? Personally i would trade them both for the right deal what that is don't know.
- Scott1977

IMO, Saad should be part of the future but does depend on what his salary demands are on his next contract. If too high, trade him to recoup valuable assets.

Murphy perhaps is retained but depends on how the young D develop. It's no rush to move Murphy yet so still decent amount of time to evaluate the blueline.

However, if the organization is willing to pull the bandaid off and do a full-on rebuild, then yes, consider trading both while their values are high in order to get optimal returns.

Zach Smith had back surgery March 6th. (So 6+ months ago). On a scale of 1 to 10 for each option (with 1 being the most likey) how do you see the Zach Smith situation playing out:
A) Buyout
B) Traded for a career minor leaguer
C) part of a trade package (as a throw-in)
D) On the Hawks active roster going into training camp
E) Put on LTIR either during the summer or on Day 1 of next season and staying their all year.
- -Doh-

I have a hard time with 1-10 scales (too wide of a range) so I'll answer a different way:

A) Buyout = most likely
B) Traded for a career minor leaguer = somewhat likely
C) part of a trade package (as a throw-in) = somewhat likely
D) On the Hawks active roster going into training camp = least likely
E) Put on LTIR either during the summer or on Day 1 of next season and staying their all year = not likely

Smith had back surgery in March so should be fully recovered by training camp if not recovered already.

Per capfriendly Hawks now with 11.1M in cap space after the Maatta trade. Buying out Smith will raise that to about 13.2M which includes Seab's and Shaw's salaries.

Assume Shaw and Seabrook return to the lineup, Hawks will have 10 F, 6D and 1G (Delia). Assume Carlsson replaces Seeler on the capfriendly roster, basically at the same AAV.

4M for Crawford or a starting goalie, 2 x 2.5 for Strome, 2 x 3.5M for Kubalik eats up 10M with 1D and 2F to fill.

Suter at 925K, Mitchell at 925K, Caggs at 1.2M (if you want to keep him) gives you a full roster close to the cap.

4K and Subban could be qualified and signed cheap to replace either Mitchell and Delia, or both

Besides a possible Smith buyout, I think Stan makes one more move to shed a couple more million to have some wiggle room.

The above results in almost the same roster coming back with Carlsson taking Maatta's spot, Suter replacing Smith and possibly Mitchell on the team.
- boilermaker100

Good summary of a possible scenario on how cap space is spent.

I always forget about Seeler when thinking of blueline options for the upcoming season.

IMO, Saad should be part of the future but does depend on what his salary demands are on his next contract. If too high, trade him to recoup valuable assets.

Murphy perhaps is retained but depends on how the young D develop. It's no rush to move Murphy yet so still decent amount of time to evaluate the blueline.

However, if the organization is willing to pull the bandaid off and do a full-on rebuild, then yes, consider trading both while their values are high in order to get optimal returns.
- Theo Fox

That's the question that needs to be answered what direction or plan are the hawks doing?

From the blog:

Every roster spot has a baseline cost to it. The cheapest forward in the system, the newly acquired Morrison, is $743,333. Next is Q at $750K. So the most savings they can get is $120K. And if Nylander stinks up the place this season, he can be sent down to Rockford (he is still waiver exempt, tho not sure how many more games he has before the exemption is gone), and his entire salary gets buried as a result. Whatever we think of Nylander, this season is essentially a free roll, assuming the brass still believes he can come around. I'll let the others argue over what kind of draft pick or other former 1st round project he could net in return.
- 333inthe3rd

Thanks for the additional perspective to broaden this point about the impact of ELC salaries on the cap (good or bad).

@FriedgeHNIC

Hearing CHI/PIT had Matt Murray conversations and the Blackhawks had permission to discuss an extension. Things did not work out, so everyone continues examining their options.

Reported that Dubnyk and Donato both to the Sharks but happened in separate trades.

@PuckReportNHL

Devan Dubnyk to #SJSharks for a 2022 5th round pick per
@jessi_pierce #MNWild

@PuckReportNHL

The San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Ryan Donato from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2021 3rd round pick (PIT). #SJSharks #MNWild

Reported that Dubnyk and Donato both to the Sharks but happened in separate trades.

@PuckReportNHL

Devan Dubnyk to #SJSharks for a 2022 5th round pick per
@jessi_pierce #MNWild

@PuckReportNHL

The San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Ryan Donato from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2021 3rd round pick (PIT). #SJSharks #MNWild
- Theo Fox

They have to release jones...no one will trade for his contract or lack of improvement.

I updated the draft site board on Donato trade, but I may miss the particulars on all the trades, so I NEED BACK_UP.

Please continue to mention each and every trade as now that DraftSite has been sold I am in charge off the updating the trades phase too.

They have to release jones...no one will trade for his contract or lack of improvement.

I updated the draft site board on Donato trade, but I may miss the particulars on all the trades, so I NEED BACK_UP.

Please continue to mention each and every trade as now that DraftSite has been sold I am in charge off the updating the trades phase too.
- wiz1901

I'll do what I can to share what I come across.

The HockeyBuzz homepage has a transaction and rumor tracker now.

TSN also has a good trade tracker that I use around this time and the TDL (I'm sure there are others like Sportsnet):

https://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/trade-tracker

The Flyers might be a potential trade partner:

@PuckReportNHL

Friedman: Matt Niskanen has informed the Philadelphia Flyers he will retire. They’re working to re-sign Justin Braun.

@FriedgeHNIC

Hearing CHI/PIT had Matt Murray conversations and the Blackhawks had permission to discuss an extension. Things did not work out, so everyone continues examining their options.
- Theo Fox

Wonder if the Hawks didn't like what Murray was asking for, or what the Penguins wanted back in return?

The Flyers might be a potential trade partner:

@PuckReportNHL

Friedman: Matt Niskanen has informed the Philadelphia Flyers he will retire. They’re working to re-sign Justin Braun.
- Theo Fox

shocked he is walking away from 5.75 mil he was pretty good last year really.

Puckin Hostile Retweeted

Lance Lysowski @LLysowski

The Sabres are among a long list of teams that are interested in Columbus' goalies. Acquisition cost is the big question here. The Blue Jackets need help at center, a position the Sabres are thin at. A bigger trade might make more sense for CBJ

Strome plus what for Elvis?

The Flyers might be a potential trade partner:

@PuckReportNHL

Friedman: Matt Niskanen has informed the Philadelphia Flyers he will retire. They’re working to re-sign Justin Braun.
- Theo Fox

What kind trade with flyers could happen in.your opinion Theo? If hawks could get robtsov for Dehann might be a possibility.

in a Powers article it was mentioned that the hawks may have promised a spot to wyatt kalynuk on the NHL roster.

Theo great blog. I'd like to see stan acquire Ryan Pulock and mikhail sergachev . I'd be willing to move boqvist and the number 17 pick

Wonder if the Hawks didn't like what Murray was asking for, or what the Penguins wanted back in return?
- LAHawk

Don't know but assuming Stan's budget for a #1 goalie is 3.5 to 4M, Murray was probably seeking more.

Plan A - Crawford - nope
Plan B - Murray - nope
Plan C - Trade for one of the CBJ goalies?

Puckin Hostile Retweeted

Lance Lysowski @LLysowski

The Sabres are among a long list of teams that are interested in Columbus' goalies. Acquisition cost is the big question here. The Blue Jackets need help at center, a position the Sabres are thin at. A bigger trade might make more sense for CBJ

Strome plus what for Elvis?
- ikeane

Plus nothing for a 26 year old goalie with 33 games in the NHL and a $4 mil. cap hit

I don't have a good feeling about the Hawks organizatonal development at this time. Just look at the recent first rounders that they have traded. Not many young players the past four years have been able to not only crack the lineup but make an impact as well. Feel strongly though about Dach, as he should make a noticeable impact sooner than later. Are they just drafting the wrong players or is their farm system not doing something right ? Other teams seem to have their kids making the club and also making noticeable contributions. Theo: what is your opinion ? We need some up and coming kids to come up ... stay up ... and make solid contributions

The Flyers might be a potential trade partner:

@PuckReportNHL

Friedman: Matt Niskanen has informed the Philadelphia Flyers he will retire. They’re working to re-sign Justin Braun.
- Theo Fox

Wow, out of nowhere. So, either they go for Pietrangelo to play with Provorov on the top pair (which will mean they will need to clear JVRs salary). I don’t see Krug as a fit, as he’s LHD....maybe Barrie but need more of a defensive partner, as Provorov loves to roam around. Or they go the trade route to fill... if StanBo is in rebuild mode vs win-now mode...Murphy trade would fit as RHD top pair to play with Provorov. Value wise, I would think you need to ask high for 23rd overall and Morgan Frost Or Farabee & then maybe Morin as a reclamation project in AHL. Braun is a 3rd pair guy... so still missing someone to fill the spot (I don’t see Ghost being called upon to fill)

in a Powers article it was mentioned that the hawks may have promised a spot to wyatt kalynuk on the NHL roster.
- kmw4631

Or at least a legitimate shot: https://chicago.suntimes....-mark-osiecki-elite-speed

I don't have a good feeling about the Hawks organizatonal development at this time. Just look at the recent first rounders that they have traded. Not many young players the past four years have been able to not only crack the lineup but make an impact as well. Feel strongly though about Dach, as he should make a noticeable impact sooner than later. Are they just drafting the wrong players or is their farm system not doing something right ? Other teams seem to have their kids making the club and also making noticeable contributions. Theo: what is your opinion ? We need some up and coming kids to come up ... stay up ... and make solid contributions
- chuckdahammer

Dach, DeBrincat, Highmore, Kampf and Boqvist (all Hawk draft picks, other than Highmore who was an undrafted signee) all played pretty regular minutes last year.

Dach and Boqvist are the Hawks two most recent 1st rounders.

You can pretty much count Nylander and Strome among them as they were both exchanged for first rounders.

Carlsson (draft pick) and Hagel (trade I think) also had a cup of coffee.

Don't know about other clubs but until recently the Hawks were picking later in the first round. Of all the first rounders they've picked during Stan's tenure, only McNeil could truly be considered a bust.

That's a decent amount of young players I listed and also doesn't count Kubalik.

I can't see them bringing on more than one young Dman at a time unless injuries force their hand. i.e. If Seabrook can't go (seems like he will be fine to play) and if they move De-Haan (not likely) that means way too many inexperienced guys coming in and not enough experienced guys to learn from. If they also cut Seabrook and DeHann then you have 2 experienced D on the back end. I think Bowman will make room for one guy at a time and get there legs under them first.

I don't have a good feeling about the Hawks organizatonal development at this time. Just look at the recent first rounders that they have traded. Not many young players the past four years have been able to not only crack the lineup but make an impact as well. Feel strongly though about Dach, as he should make a noticeable impact sooner than later. Are they just drafting the wrong players or is their farm system not doing something right ? Other teams seem to have their kids making the club and also making noticeable contributions. Theo: what is your opinion ? We need some up and coming kids to come up ... stay up ... and make solid contributions
- chuckdahammer

What is your expectation?
ADB (2nd rounder) Started by his second year. (one of the leading scorers on the team)
Jokiharju - Started by his second year (late 1st rounder that is decent, not great)
Boqvist - Starting by his second year (Starting as a defenseman at 20 years old)
Dach - started his first year? (Starting as a #2 C behind Toews at 19 years old)

Is the concern that they are not dominating yet? There are a number of caveats to not only the performance of these draft picks, but also whether they are currently with the team or not.

Of all the problems this team has, I personally wouldn't count drafting as one of them.

Something like this could very well be what the end result looks like. If so, is there any reason to think last place in the division is not probable?
- RaleighHawk

Tend to agree, as a measuring stick, were any of our RFA's added to Tampa I don't think they worry about signing any of them...