Zadorov is only above average defensively if you don't adjust for him being in a bottom pairing role. There isn't anything in his analytics that suggests he's 2P quality at this stage but I guess him being only 25 means he has time but for a proven top 6 player and retaining... eh.


- L_B_R

Here is his player card for those wondering.

The hawks are showing roughly 11 million available in cap space now when or if xtrome signs thats 3.5 million roughly plus adding seabrook and shaw back in 10.7 million maybe stan has another move to make .

Taylor hall is available
- Taylorst1

I'm honestly afraid of that.

What are you telling Toews,Kane,Keith,Seabrook.Their all in there 30’s now,and guys we are going younger so we are now playing for the lottery,I hope you guys understand.You all have 3rings,now it’s time to re-build.
- Tatoo

I think you tell them what you should have been telling them all along - given the hard cap and the amount of it taken up by their cap hits (which I don’t begrudge them after 3 Cups, BTW) there was no way this team would be a serious Cup contender (or even likely to have a deep run) for several years in the best of circumstances. Letting Crawford move on, moving Saad out, moving Maatta...necessary hockey moves at this point.

Anybody want out? We do our best to get you where you want to go.

(And I’m hoping these weren’t just business moves to save money. We’ll see....)

The hawks are showing roughly 11 million available in cap space now when or if xtrome signs thats 3.5 million roughly plus adding seabrook and shaw back in 10.7 million maybe stan has another move to make .

Taylor hall is available
- Taylorst1

Yeah sign Hall it will pretty well guarantee us the Number one pick in next year's draft

The hawks are showing roughly 11 million available in cap space now when or if xtrome signs thats 3.5 million roughly plus adding seabrook and shaw back in 10.7 million maybe stan has another move to make .

Taylor hall is available
- Taylorst1

Hi Taylor, is your last name Hall by chance? Just playing.

My guess is no, the Hawks don't pursue Taylor Hall or any high-priced free agents.

Instead, my gut thinks that the Saad trade is the tip of the iceberg. The Crawford departure and now this can't be sitting well with the remaining core. Could be wrong, though.

I'm honestly afraid of that.
- I Am The Breadman

Me too

The salary retention is only for one year - and they are saving (as Theo noted) $1.8 in cap hit for next season.

Actually, Rocky is saving $2.3 in cash ($6.5 cash due Saad, less the $1 retained, less the $3.2 to Zadorov).

The issue is the return.
- StLBravesFan

Not to be contrarian, but I like the move. Saad was solid but time to get younger and tougher if we're going to compete and protect our skill players. Who's going to do that- Shaw? Not all Hawks young D are going to be in the show in 20-21 and Zodorov is 1-yr for now (as was Saad.) Hawks now have proj'd $8.4 in cap space (which includes Suter and Strome estimates), Rocky has a $10M disparity buffer in AAV vs. real salary outlay and there are some young enough players still out there (Hall is 28?)... stay tuned...

Yes, I think - Saad’s $6 less the $1 retained compared to the $3.2 for Zadorov.

BTW - his knickname should be Pia (which is what I always thought of when hearing his name on Avs games).
- StLBravesFan

It's it mostly a wash though with the Maatta trade? They should have just kept Maatta to play a similar role and tried to get actual, worthwhile value for Saad.

Hi Taylor, is your last name Hall by chance? Just playing.

My guess is no, the Hawks don't pursue Taylor Hall or any high-priced free agents.

Instead, my gut thinks that the Saad trade is the tip of the iceberg. The Crawford departure and now this can't be sitting well with the remaining core. Could be wrong, though.
- Theo Fox

LOL NO my last name isn't hall. Lol good one theo . Just curious than who might be next to get moved ? As I laid out the cap space chicago would need to move another big contract just to fit in the cap

It's it mostly a wash though with the Maatta trade? They should have just kept Maatta to play a similar role and tried to get actual, worthwhile value for Saad.
- L_B_R

Thinking the same thing. Hawks player personnel staff must think very highly of Zadorov. Enough to sign him to a one-year deal?

Don't know. My head hurts.

Can you say Hoffman.

Hi Taylor, is your last name Hall by chance? Just playing.

My guess is no, the Hawks don't pursue Taylor Hall or any high-priced free agents.

Instead, my gut thinks that the Saad trade is the tip of the iceberg. The Crawford departure and now this can't be sitting well with the remaining core. Could be wrong, though.
- Theo Fox

Another trade for another 25 and under forward rfa possibly that cannot get signed by cap strap team? Theo yes i wanted zadorov but shoulda been zadorov + say jost or Bowers. Trade doesn't make sense. Hopefully and move or 2 is coming.

LOL NO my last name isn't hall. Lol good one theo . Just curious than who might be next to get moved ? As I laid out the cap space chicago would need to move another big contract just to fit in the cap
- Taylorst1

If I had to place a bet today, my money would be on Keith and Seabrook. Keith at least brings back some value. Seabrook not so much.

Package them together? Crazier things have happened. Well, crazier things are happening right now.

Hi Taylor, is your last name Hall by chance? Just playing.

My guess is no, the Hawks don't pursue Taylor Hall or any high-priced free agents.

Instead, my gut thinks that the Saad trade is the tip of the iceberg. The Crawford departure and now this can't be sitting well with the remaining core. Could be wrong, though.
- Theo Fox

Could one of the big two be on the move ? been a heck of a year .

Not to be contrarian, but I like the move. Saad was solid but time to get younger and tougher if we're going to compete and protect our skill players. Who's going to do that- Shaw? Not all Hawks young D are going to be in the show in 20-21 and Zodorov is 1-yr for now (as was Saad.) Hawks now have proj'd $8.4 in cap space (which includes Suter and Strome estimates), Rocky has a $10M disparity buffer in AAV vs. real salary outlay and there are some young enough players still out there (Hall is 28?)... stay tuned...
- CtHawksMan

I was hoping last year when their was chatter of Zadorov getting moved that he would look good in Chicago. His size and toughness is definitely something Chicago has been missing and if he just plays solid defense I'm ok with that.


I'd pair him with boqvist
Let keith play with Murphy
Seabrook with de haan

Another trade for another 25 and under forward rfa possibly that cannot get signed by cap strap team? Theo yes i wanted zadorov but shoulda been zadorov + say jost or Bowers. Trade doesn't make sense. Hopefully and move or 2 is coming.
- Scott1977

Saad for Jost + draft picks and/or prospects is what I would've hoped for as well. Jost at least could fill a need in the middle 6.

It's arguable right now whether Zadorov was really needed without knowing the full scope of what Bowman has in mind this offseason.

Zadorov will be a RFA after this year so we get a bit of control.

I suspect we move Dehaan or Murphy too and then end up signing Taylor hall unfortunately.....

Saad for Jost + draft picks and/or prospects is what I would've hoped for as well. Jost at least could fill a need in the middle 6.

It's arguable right now whether Zadorov was really needed without knowing the full scope of what Bowman has in mind this offseason.
- Theo Fox

I think many people underestimate zadorov imo . He plays solid hockey defensively wise. I'd pair him with boqvist

As far as chicago pipeline I honestly don't think anyone currently their is either ready or a game changer .

So a third pair dman with size for a top 6 forward, AND we retain salary?! I can't believe we didn't get a 2nd or 3rd round pick too.

So...with the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select...
- tvetter

So, the strategy was to get rid of McD, because he wanted to keep trying to improve without blowing it up. Now Stan is blowing it up.

All that glorious cap space and all those empty seats.

The race to the bottom has begun.

I was hoping last year when their was chatter of Zadorov getting moved that he would look good in Chicago. His size and toughness is definitely something Chicago has been missing and if he just plays solid defense I'm ok with that.


I'd pair him with boqvist
Let keith play with Murphy
Seabrook with de haan
- Taylorst1

At a minimum, Carlsson should be in there. Still think Mitchell will make it also, think him deferring on his contract was semi promised a spot.

If saad is traded to Colorado i would zadorov or graves coming back gives much needed physical element we plus either of them could pair with boqvist to protect him and let play his offensive game hawks need from him.
- Scott1977

Whelp... looks like Stan frequents HB chat.

Me too. There is a Saad sized hole on the team. Top 6 wasn't all that impressive during the playoffs. They got weaker, imo.
- I Am The Breadman

No problem, Nylander will slide right in to replace Saad. JC will ‘coach him up’ real good.

Is the plan to sign Strome to his new deal after they are able to LTIR Smith and Shaw?
- 333inthe3rd

Wasn't a need to do that. Hawks had plenty of cap space.

Ok thanks making life a little tougher in the Central
- oldduffman

Really? Cause they lost Pietro and Krug is no Pietro.

I was hoping last year when their was chatter of Zadorov getting moved that he would look good in Chicago. His size and toughness is definitely something Chicago has been missing and if he just plays solid defense I'm ok with that.


I'd pair him with boqvist
Let keith play with Murphy
Seabrook with de haan
- Taylorst1

I'm good with protecting Boqvist with Zadorov, he was getting run all year and looked timid with noone to stand up to the heavy games of most playoff teams. Only Murphy is physical on our backend and we need more of that, not less. If it's close to a swap with Maata that works for me. Perhaps someone who can actually clear our crease? FWIW, Zadorov also plays a playoff type game and his stats show that.. I understand the high value that some Hawks fans place on Saad, but he's on his final year and who knows what he brings with a $6M salary in this climate..