Wallmark is a 50+ percent face off guy 52. And has been as high as 55.

Toews
Graves
Girard
Makar
Byram

...and all that forward firepower

Wow

Avs are building a powerhouse that will last for years.
- SimpleJack

except the goaltending

Doesn't explain Zadorov but the Janmark and Wallmark signings bring in a couple of Swedes who maybe were coveted by Colliton and his assistant Mitell.

An out there theory that perhaps Colliton is taking advantage of this new direction to get the players he feels can implement his systems.

Take out the fact that he's Russian instead of Swedish and possibly Zadorov is someone Colliton believes fits his system better than what he has had the past two seasons.

Janmark-Danault-Wallmark would be a pretty good checking line. Lots of speed and tenacity.
- EbonyRaptor

Except Danault doesn't want that job.

Doesn't explain Zadorov but the Janmark and Wallmark signings bring in a couple of Swedes who maybe were coveted by Colliton and his assistant Mitell.

An out there theory that perhaps Colliton is taking advantage of this new direction to get the players he feels can implement his systems.

Take out the fact that he's Russian instead of Swedish and possibly Zadorov is someone Colliton believes fits his system better than what he has had the past two seasons.
- Theo Fox

Wonder if this means Colliton has had input on these signings.

Great blog Theo, you're really taking the quality of content here to new heights.

I'm on board with a rebuild, as I believe it's the road back to being a contender. The new direction I find exciting. Like Theo mentioned I also would have liked to see Stan get some picks along with the newly acquired cap space.

In light of the recent signings it really leaves me puzzled. Why sign such low quality players as we already have an abundance of those. They are not young, therefore the idea that they will still blossom is out the window. Makes me wonder if Stan is trying to steer the ship toward towards the basement of the league along side the Redwings.

Looks like Pietrangelo is signing in Vegas. I wonder what their plans are to shed cap space now. I’ll take Tuch for Strome!

Wallmark 1 year at 950K on a one way contract.

Maybe the Hawks figure Smith and Shaw won't be able to play this year and feel by signing Janmark and Wallmark, they are giving the Entwistles, Hagels, Kurashevs, etc a year to marinate in Rockford.

Interesting that Wallmark is a C. Where's he going to fit in with Toews, Dach, Strome and Kampf in the picture.
- boilermaker100

Someone moves to wing?

Bowman is filling in with appropriate inexpensive young talent. They can be re-signed after the season if seen as a fit. Obviously both dmen and forwards marinate in the AHL. The AHL season may be shortened so i would not be surprised when injuries happen at the NHL level, there could be a cup of coffee for some of the Rockford kids who are marinating. Even a minor Injury when someone sits out one or two games, presents a nice opportunity for a prospect to get a hands on look how he has progressed and what he needs to work on.

I don't know how or when we add preresiquite toughness. At least one forward whom works the boards and checks. Really need this player to be top six. Which I know is expecting a lot for Bowman to accomplish this off season. Maybe at trade deadline or around Expansion and Entry Drafts something about this problem is addressed. Lots of true centers next draft. Wiz said. Some power forward type?

Doesn't explain Zadorov but the Janmark and Wallmark signings bring in a couple of Swedes who maybe were coveted by Colliton and his assistant Mitell.

An out there theory that perhaps Colliton is taking advantage of this new direction to get the players he feels can implement his systems.

Take out the fact that he's Russian instead of Swedish and possibly Zadorov is someone Colliton believes fits his system better than what he has had the past two seasons.
- Theo Fox

Well Theo each trade acquisition fills a team need. The skating factor would be a plus for Colliton's system. Imagine Strome traded for a wing who can play a boards game. Suddenly there is a lot of speed.

Through my rose colored glasses:

Hopefully ADB, Nylander and Dach increase there combined scoring by 20 gials to make up for the loss of Saad's 20 goals.

Does one of the goalies paly to a .912 save %.

IMO, the Hawks defense, (no Matta, KK, or Gus)is stronger than last years.

The Hawks overall forward crew is WAY more defensively responsible than last years.

If the above happens, maybe the Hawks can sneak in the final playoff spot.

Well Theo each trade acquisition fills a team need. The skating factor would be a plus for Colliton's system. Imagine Strome traded for a wing who can play a boards game. Suddenly there is a lot of speed.
- jhawk59

Have anybody in mind?

Through my rose colored glasses:

Hopefully ADB, Nylander and Dach increase there combined scoring by 20 gials to make up for the loss of Saad's 20 goals.

Does one of the goalies paly to a .912 save %.

IMO, the Hawks defense, (no Matta, KK, or Gus)is stronger than last years.

The Hawks overall forward crew is WAY more defensively responsible than last years.

If the above happens, maybe the Hawks can sneak in the final playoff spot.
- LAHawk

still missing a more mobile d core experience goaltending physical players 3rd line 2 way shutdown center etc..

Looks like Pietrangelo is signing in Vegas. I wonder what their plans are to shed cap space now. I’ll take Tuch for Strome!
- DarthKane

These one year contracts are interesting. After the teams get past the Expansion Draft and look to change some parts of the roster in the Entry Draft and through early days of free agency, T Hall and other one year 2020 free agent signs will be free to move along.

Could you imagine a nicely developed Dach with T Hall and Kane, Toews and a coue hustle Rockford kids. Kubalik too. DeBrincat? I really hope Strome gone, as i bring Barrett in as he can provide better compete even agitating. Then too the other kids just referenced such as Hagel and Entwhistle along with posxibky re-signing Janmark & Wallmark gives us deoth and a lot if goid skaters. Even the dmen pridoects skate well. Beaudin moves better than you might think.[url]

Wonder if this means Colliton has had input on these signings.
- walleyeb1

Quite possibly. If I were Colliton, I would definitely take advantage of the new direction to get the players I wanted. He definitely has shown he doesn't play the loyalty card especially with the core.

Monster contract for Pietro.

Great blog Theo, you're really taking the quality of content here to new heights.

I'm on board with a rebuild, as I believe it's the road back to being a contender. The new direction I find exciting. Like Theo mentioned I also would have liked to see Stan get some picks along with the newly acquired cap space.

In light of the recent signings it really leaves me puzzled. Why sign such low quality players as we already have an abundance of those. They are not young, therefore the idea that they will still blossom is out the window. Makes me wonder if Stan is trying to steer the ship toward towards the basement of the league along side the Redwings.
- King Agler

Thanks, King! I'm doing what I can to continue Tyler's quest to generate unique content and sustained dialogue.

My initial take on the Zadorov trade and Janmark + Wallmark signings (with all 3 with expiring contracts next year) is that they can be flipped for assets at the TDL or retained if they really kill it in Chicago.

Being locked in for one year each also buys time for the home-grown prospects to continue developing and not be rushed like Boqvist was.

Not saying Zadorov, Janmark, and Wallmark are stellar at it (they have varying levels of defensive acumen but the very least prioritize taking care of their own end first) but the defensive consciousness has ramped up with their acquisitions.

Well Theo each trade acquisition fills a team need. The skating factor would be a plus for Colliton's system. Imagine Strome traded for a wing who can play a boards game. Suddenly there is a lot of speed.
- jhawk59

Still struggling to see the bigger picture and will just wait for things to play out more but do like the upgrades in speed, skating, and defensive awareness.

still missing a more mobile d core experience goaltending physical players 3rd line 2 way shutdown center etc..
- Scott1977

I think they got some of that in Zadorov, Janmark, and Wallmark. They may not be who some of us wanted but I'm not terribly upset with what they can potentially bring ot the lineup.

A main concern is where do they play and who are they replacing. Zadorov is the only one who has an obvious spot carved out, i.e. Maatta's spot.

Janmark and Wallmark, not so much. As others have said, there is a logjam at forward, particularly the bottom 6. Some forwards are going to be on the outs.

More player movement still on the horizon so this seems to be only the front half of whatever Bowman has in mind for an offeseason plan.

Wonder if this means Colliton has had input on these signings.
- walleyeb1

Probably as much input as Toews.

Through my rose colored glasses:

Hopefully ADB, Nylander and Dach increase there combined scoring by 20 gials to make up for the loss of Saad's 20 goals.

Does one of the goalies paly to a .912 save %.

IMO, the Hawks defense, (no Matta, KK, or Gus)is stronger than last years.

The Hawks overall forward crew is WAY more defensively responsible than last years.

If the above happens, maybe the Hawks can sneak in the final playoff spot.
- LAHawk

And then the puck drops on the season. lol. sorry, couldn't resist. they are going to be boring AF with this group of forwards. And I am an all aboard the rebuild train guy. I rather watch young guys trying to make their way in the NHL.

I think you missed the point regarding players being let go/traded call it whatever you prefer but stan knew he's up against a hard salary cap , and he chose to make personal decisions.

Bickell wasn't a 4 million dollar player that chicago could afford to keep no matter how you feel whether he could have been or not a good player

Seabrook, as well he was I think 31 or 32 at that time you could argue his salary was reasonablein comparison but the big Picture thinking is he would be on the decline soon and 8 years locked in with a nmc was the icing on the cake.

If bickell isn't signed we never lose tevo and we aren't immediately struggling with the salary cap.

.
- Taylorst1

No.

Darth Kane,

What are your thoughts how both Toffoli and your favorite, C Caufield, will eventually fit in the Canadiens line uo.

I wish the Bears would clean house too - both the GM and coach. Pace makes Stan look like a genius.
- EbonyRaptor

Absolutely Correct ER.

With our batch of goalies, this is (for now) a rebuild regardless. These signings do support the transition with some potential upside I agree. But our D with the goalie downgrade is not a recipe for success.

Unless there’s a systematic change or improvement in defense, lookout it’s going to be a long season till the lottery. But the hawks will still compete as always and hopefully a few of the plethora of newcomers rise like Kubalik did and the team surprises.

This is definitely going to be a different character of a team though with more speed and tenaciousness. All lacking during the playoffs.

Have anybody in mind?
- Scott1977

Not off the top of my head. But I would enjoy to see any names bloggers .mght research. I don't know if teams shedding salary (Vegas) could impact either Vegas itself or other teams insofar as the availability of a boards type wing becomes available. Not suggesting Tuch but whom is out there and might be available.