Good question. I'd like to think they are mutually exclusive decisions given they play opposite sides but losing both plus Maatta means 3 openings so Bowman does need to tread carefully with roster management.

Carlsson should take Maatta's spot. Koekkoek could possibly take de Haan's spot if he's re-signed. Mitchell could take Seabrook's spot but that might put undue pressure on him so quickly.

Even if Mitchell is kept in Rockford to develop, there are other options like Gilbert who can play either side.

Or sign an affordable UFA for 1-2 years.

Then there's always Franson as a last resort (need to sign him to an NHL deal first).

I know, not the strongest blueline yet the Hawks were presented with this possible scenario given de Haan and Seabrook having injury issues so it is uncertain if they could last a full season even if both are retained.
- Theo Fox

Very thorough as always Theo! One thing not discussed very much but I think is highly relevant; should the AHL play a highly condensed or short schedule, I think Stan could be looking to keep as many of the top prospects as possible on the NHL team to get them practice and playing time. A residual effect is a cheaper roster.

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

I hope it never works out. lol

BTW, Kirby Dach's brother is climbing in theme 2021 rankings, he is also a beast.

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.
- breadbag

Someone on this board recently (or might have been Theo) was saying Bowman and s
taff are looking to get younger. Defense wasn't any better last year with the vets.

@PuckReportNHL

Source - Chicago #Blackhawks gunning for Colin Delia to become their backup goaltender next season. Malcolm Subban likely headed for free agency (non-QO) or for AHL stint with Rockford

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.
- HawkintheD

Also the Hawk formerly known as Tevo Terrivainen.

Braun resigns at 1.8M in Philly

From HB trade tracker...Sakic and AVs interested in Crawford. Someone here pointed that out recently too.

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

We had a Columbus backup goalie didn't work out too well.

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.
- breadbag

So you'll basically have Philly from a few years ago.

I hope it never works out. lol
- Elbows15

You and most others here. I don't get what the draw to Murray is? Any goalie specialists here that can shed any light?

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?
- boilermaker100

Plan D - Subban and Delia (brace yourself, this is most likely to happen)

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

Not sure. Haven't seen any details on what the issue was with the Murray trade. Will share if anything emerges.

What kind trade with flyers could happen in.your opinion Theo? If hawks could get robtsov for Dehann might be a possibility.
- Scott1977

I doubt the Hawks could ship de Haan to any team for a highly rated prospect. Rubtsov is still top 5 in their system.

de Haan would likely garner a mid-to-late round draft pick or B-level prospect. I'd take the draft pick.

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

I could be wrong but I don't think the Hawks explicitly offered Kalynuk a spot but just alluded to that he has the skillset and maturity an older prospect to have what it takes to push for a spot sooner rather than later.

From my recollection, the only recent prospects who have been considered "expected to make the lineup" right away are Kubalik and Suter.

Nice work, Theo.

There is no way Lundell will be around at 17. He is off to a vg start to his season in Europe

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
- Taylorst1

Anything is possible but I can't see the Isles or Bolts letting either Pulock or Sergachev go. The Hawks can't really afford their next contracts with both being RFAs now.

If there is a trade, the other team would need to add more to their side of the deal to help balance salaries.

I can see the Flyers kicking the tires on wither Shattenkirk or Boghosian

Very thorough as always Theo! One thing not discussed very much but I think is highly relevant; should the AHL play a highly condensed or short schedule, I think Stan could be looking to keep as many of the top prospects as possible on the NHL team to get them practice and playing time. A residual effect is a cheaper roster.
- rpeters01

This is a very realistic possibility for the NHL as the AHL's season will have an impact on how the pipeline from pros to minors functions in the pandemic-impacted era.

Someone on this board recently (or might have been Theo) was saying Bowman and s
taff are looking to get younger. Defense wasn't any better last year with the vets.
- LAHawk

There was an interview last week where Bowman discussed a number of topics and one sound byte had him talking about getting younger particularly on the blueline. If transactions of veterans made sense, though, and not just a blow up to shed the older players and immediately plug in the youngsters.

This is a very realistic possibility for the NHL as the AHL's season will have an impact on how the pipeline from pros to minors functions in the pandemic-impacted era.
- Theo Fox

If the AHL shortens its season, could the NHL increase its roster size from 23 by a couple, to give better experience to, and get better looks at, some of the younger prospects?

Keep the dress list to 18+2 each game.

Nice work, Theo.

There is no way Lundell will be around at 17. He is off to a vg start to his season in Europe
- Elbows15

Agree. Some draft boards have Lundell going in the mid-teens but I think he will creep into the top 10 around 8-10.

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.
- Chunk

You're right .... I did forget about Alex DB. I just see contributions on other teams from guys like Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes and Boston has had some forwards come through their system after failing to make playoffs back few years ago. Hawks trade first rounders for first rounders and yes I guess you can say some have been alright (not trilled about Nylander though). During the quarantine down time earlier this year, CSN replayed some of the 2010 playoff games and Hawks middle round picks - Boland and Brower to name - were really solid contributors that year. Guess I'm just getting impatient and I know some of the forwards down on the farm are promising. If two of the kids or more could make splash on the team this year, it would jump start this team. Also, it's time for a guy like Delia to become an NHL er. Some of the kids are no longer kids when they're 25 or so. They are young but time to make an impact

If the AHL shortens its season, could the NHL increase its roster size from 23 by a couple, to give better experience to, and get better looks at, some of the younger prospects?

Keep the dress list to 18+2 each game.
- StLBravesFan

Someone else on these boards proposed this and I think it's a creative idea worth exploring: allow teams to have expanded rosters of say 30-35 players but allow a team to dress the typical 12/13 F, 6/7 D, and 2 G each game as long as that day's lineup remains cap compliant.

It's like having Black Aces during the regular season but possibly with flexibility to demote and promote any prospects within that cadre throughout the season.

You and most others here. I don't get what the draw to Murray is? Any goalie specialists here that can shed any light?
- Chunk

Not a goalie expert, but my wife is a huge penguins fan, so I'm familiar with Murray.

She's excited that he might be on his way out. She said he never should have started in the playoffs. He was decent in his first two years, but the penguins also played a very fast, very high pressure defense during that time in which the whole team committed to playing D. If you were to have replaced him with a random NHL goalie, they probably still would have won.

He did have a "short memory" and was able to bounce back after a bad goal, but a few years ago his dad passed away and it seemed like Murray hasn't been the same since. His glove is a bit on the weak side. He's also had a few injury issues. Hist upside is he's a young 2x Stanley cup goalie who, if he can get his mojo back, could be around for a long time.

Ultimately he's Cam Ward 2.0