Here's a theory. Come the expansion draft next summer Hawks have to expose an experienced D and F who played something like a total of 70 games last season and next season or 45 games next season. Hawks move one of Keith, Seabs, deHaan or Murphy by next year, protect the other 3 and expose Zadarov as the experienced D.
- boilermaker100

Look at this way. the expansion draft ust became far less worrisome for Hawk fans. lol

U R assuming he wanted to resign Crow, I believe that to be a bad assumption.
- vabeachbear

Then that article by Lazerus and Powers alluding to the Smith buyout to obtain the dollars to sign Crawford must have been fake news.

Gilbert can go, that does not hurt my feelings at all. Bowman has to have some other moves now. He has freed some serious cash up to get the Hawks a NHL goalie now. I do think the next 2 additions will be Kahun and Fleury. Bowman has gotten rid of 10.1 million in salaries in about 10 days. People can piss and moan all they want, but frankly Big Zadorov is a type of player the Hawks need. He is a nasty SOB, I frankly like the move, especially considering more cap space is now available. The Hawks are not done making moves now by a long shot!!

Then that article by Lazerus and Powers alluding to the Smith buyout to obtain the dollars to sign Crawford must have been fake news.
- boilermaker100

You never know who they are getting info from.

As far as fake news, Lazerus, absolutely, Powers, maybe not so much.

Hey Tyler hope all is well with you. Your point is spot on. Wondering if the hard cap for the next 2 to 3 years is driving these weird trades ?
- Taylorst1

Folks are looking very short term in their comments. Nobody has mentioned next year, when Seattle comes into the league and we have to put guys out there. Maybe Zadorov is one they dangle next year vs. some of their up-and-coming young D men.

Same thing with goalie, we have to put somebody out there... We have 4, figure out next year which is the one you can part with (maybe another reason to keep Subban for at least one more year).

Factoring in next years expansion draft has to be a key component to all the trades and even what the Hawks plan is. Not saying I have a clue about the strategy of figuring out the guys you are willing to dangle next year, but I know it has to be a very prominent piece of the thought process. And they never would tell the media about what their thought process is.

Would be an interesting article sometime, if Theo can figure out the nuances of the expansion draft interplay with the current roster moves in the league.

Pope is an idiot. Zadorov has one year left on his deal.
- Elbows15

Maybe this was true when he posted it (i.e. before it was announced he signed a 1 year deal with the hawks).

Look at this way. the expansion draft ust became far less worrisome for Hawk fans. lol
- Elbows15

There you go... glass half full.

I’m ready for the full-on tear down...

Regardless of what anybody says, the Cup runs are over and getting younger at some point is necessary. I still will take 3 Cups that I got to witness in my lifetime. Hell, the Leafs are still waiting on one since 1967, and that makes me feel really good!!

Then that article by Lazerus and Powers alluding to the Smith buyout to obtain the dollars to sign Crawford must have been fake news.
- boilermaker100

It's a fluid situation Rocky may have changed direction quickly? At one time they did want Crow back...

Gilbert can go, that does not hurt my feelings at all. Bowman has to have some other moves now. He has freed some serious cash up to get the Hawks a NHL goalie now. I do think the next 2 additions will be Kahun and Fleury. Bowman has gotten rid of 10.1 million in salaries in about 10 days. People can piss and moan all they want, but frankly Big Zadorov is a type of player the Hawks need. He is a nasty SOB, I frankly like the move, especially considering more cap space is now available. The Hawks are not done making moves now by a long shot!!
- ChicagoHope

There is Blackhawks as well as "Chicago Hope" once all is done. I say you are correct on these points. Although I am not going to expect a goaltender comes along. Wishful thinking: two even average skill forwards who will cycle, battle for pucks along boards, possess grit.

I'm satisfied she is here too
- jhawk59

Agreed I definitely like her articulated post's. Extremely knowledgeable regarding everything pertaining to hockey.

Cirelli
- wiz1901

That would be great - would love to have Cirelli on the Hawks. But, I doubt TB trades him. They will find another way to get under the cap.

Look at this way. the expansion draft ust became far less worrisome for Hawk fans. lol
- Elbows15

And remember when you loose one player to expansion, you then get to protect one more. You therefore do not loose the second player you wish to draw back

Right?!.

He might play 18 minutes by default like Maatta did or if they move one of Keith, Murphy, or De Haan but on a good team like the Avs his minutes got slashed an average of only 15:04 in the playoffs because he wasn't very good.
- L_B_R

No worries he'll play 0:00 minutes in the playoffs since the Blackhawks won't be there, d'oh

Yes, 4th in TOI behind only Kane, Toews, and Debrincat. And a part of 2 of Toews 3 most common line combos: Nylander-Saad, Kubalik-Saad. Kubalik-Caggiula was the 2nd most common but only by less than .5% of TOI share at ev than Kubalik-Saad.
- L_B_R

Btw blah blah blah, Ms fancy stats is back

I’m beginning to wonder if maybe we over estimated Saad’s trade value in this cap climate.
- walleyeb1

I think most Hawk fans underestimate his value to the team. There is no one in the system that does what he does.

Folks are looking very short term in their comments. Nobody has mentioned next year, when Seattle comes into the league and we have to put guys out there. Maybe Zadorov is one they dangle next year vs. some of their up-and-coming young D men.

Same thing with goalie, we have to put somebody out there... We have 4, figure out next year which is the one you can part with (maybe another reason to keep Subban for at least one more year).

Factoring in next years expansion draft has to be a key component to all the trades and even what the Hawks plan is. Not saying I have a clue about the strategy of figuring out the guys you are willing to dangle next year, but I know it has to be a very prominent piece of the thought process. And they never would tell the media about what their thought process is.

Would be an interesting article sometime, if Theo can figure out the nuances of the expansion draft interplay with the current roster moves in the league.
- DontKnowNutin

I posted the expansion draft angle a little before yours and yes, it probably isn't too early for GMs to think about it. Have to figure Saad wasn't going to be extended so in the long run, you wouldn't have Saad and possibly lose the guy you traded him for in the draft. So you have Zadarov for a year to help clear out the front of the net to help out the young goalies.

Btw blah blah blah, Ms fancy stats is back
- BetweenTheDots

I wear that name with honor! Though is time on ice a fancy stat now?

And remember when you loose one player to expansion, you then get to protect one more. You therefore do not loose the second player you wish to draw back

Right?!.
- jhawk59

You only lose one player.

My Pop's reaction, "I guess I need to take down my signed Saad jersey and stick off the wall again."

So let me figure this out we traded Panarin for Zadorov?

Think Saad was the best trading chip we have and our best all around winger not named Patrick Kane. He could do it all except finish chances. Given the premium on young big bruising defensemen, this must have been the price. Given that we likely weren't going to resign Saader next year as Wiz mentioned (pretty sure no hometown discount), perhaps the deal isn't too bad. I definitely wanted more, maybe a better stay at home Dman (less physical) and a pick but again young big Dmen are a premium.

Gilbert can go, that does not hurt my feelings at all. Bowman has to have some other moves now. He has freed some serious cash up to get the Hawks a NHL goalie now. I do think the next 2 additions will be Kahun and Fleury. Bowman has gotten rid of 10.1 million in salaries in about 10 days. People can piss and moan all they want, but frankly Big Zadorov is a type of player the Hawks need. He is a nasty SOB, I frankly like the move, especially considering more cap space is now available. The Hawks are not done making moves now by a long shot!!
- ChicagoHope

Saad was the type of forward the team needed about 2 more of. The already diminutive top 6 forward group just got smaller, and in all likelihood slower.

Plus Zadorov is a Russian which automatically makes him suspect.

But hey, at least the meathead “need more redass” contingent should be happy. After all, Hits=wins.

I think most Hawk fans underestimate his value to the team. There is no one in the system that does what he does.
- Ogilthorpe2

I hate to say it but it sure seems to me Bowman has been getting the shorter end of the stick when it comes to trade the last few years, it might be time to make a change. The last good move he made was Caggiula for Manning but then again he signed Manning for 2 years

I wear that name with honor! Though is time on ice a fancy stat now?
- L_B_R

It sure is for a team that won't make the playoffs

I hate to say it but it sure seems to me Bowman has been getting the shorter end of the stick when it comes to trade the last few years, it might be time to make a change. The last good move he made was Caggiula for Manning but then again he signed Manning for 2 years
- BetweenTheDots

Kubalik for a 5th.

And remember when you loose one player to expansion, you then get to protect one more. You therefore do not loose the second player you wish to draw back

Right?!.
- jhawk59

No. You make your protected list and Seattle gets to pick one player from those who aren't protected.

You can only lose ONE player.