I’m surprised that football and baseball have done as well as they have. Like them, hockey and basketball - when the resume play outside of the bubble - will experience some COVID-19 positives - they will need to creatively struggle through it - as will we all, until next September (my “back to mostly normal” date).

Of all of the sports, I think hockey presented the best on TV without fans in the stands; basketball was ok. The outdoor sports suffered, I think - watching sparsely attended football games reminded me of the old Chicago Cardinal games in Sox Park back in the 50s. Baseball fares worst - many more TV shots of empty stands. Plus they’ve made the game too boring....

None of it is ideal; all of it is better than nothing.
- StLBravesFan

I imagine MLB and the NFL leagues are taking extreme (and costly precautions). College and juniors probably cannot afford so much. Also pro's have the financial where with all to better isolate themselves easier than the juniors and college players. Maybe being older and having more at stake financially makes the pros take common sense precautions.

Both teams won. As an Avs fan it made a lot of sense for the Avs to trade Zadorov. He has his moments where he dominates games but it’s just not consistent. Long stretches of poor games over the course of few years was enough for Sakic to make the move. Saad is the type of player that fits our top 6, great two way player who can score. Avs have plenty of defensive talent making Zadorov expandable. Chicago needed some size on the back end.

Both teams benefit from the trade
- Avstacular

How does Chicago benefit from getting a defenseman who has “ Long stretches of poor games over the course of few years (that) was enough for Sakic to make the move”? Especially in trade for a player who you describe as fitting your top 6, a great 2-way play (he isn’t great, he’s pretty good)?

Both teams won. As an Avs fan it made a lot of sense for the Avs to trade Zadorov. He has his moments where he dominates games but it’s just not consistent. Long stretches of poor games over the course of few years was enough for Sakic to make the move. Saad is the type of player that fits our top 6, great two way player who can score. Avs have plenty of defensive talent making Zadorov expandable. Chicago needed some size on the back end.

Both teams benefit from the trade
- Avstacular

Thanks for chiming in with Zadorov intel from an Avs fan! His consistency issue is one thing that seems to worry a lot of Hawks fan. Then again, that's an issue with a lot of Chicago players. Regardless, I still like what Zadorov brings to the ice.

Saad can go on long cold spells offensively (as far as producing points) but he's generally consistent with his effort across 200 feet. When he's not scoring, he's still valuable defensively and on the PK.

Both teams won. As an Avs fan it made a lot of sense for the Avs to trade Zadorov. He has his moments where he dominates games but it’s just not consistent. Long stretches of poor games over the course of few years was enough for Sakic to make the move. Saad is the type of player that fits our top 6, great two way player who can score. Avs have plenty of defensive talent making Zadorov expandable. Chicago needed some size on the back end.

Both teams benefit from the trade
- Avstacular

Still think Sakic "missed" at the TDL with the proposed trade. Crow was the missing piece for the Avs this past playoffs.

Carpenter is a very good PK'er. However, I would rather have Wallmark and Janmark on my 4th line and a NHL quality 3rd line. Unfortunately, the depth on this team is gone, and it is going to be a long year in Chicago.
- ChicagoHope

My point was more so that I don't think Carpenter or Kampf would fetch anything at the trade deadline. Yes they are solid defensively and solid on the PK but I don't think either would have value at the TDL.

If the Hawks aren't trying to win next year, which seems to be the case, and most of the young forwards aren't ready for the NHL, then the Hawks should go take flyers on a few guys for 1 year and see if some of them can start the season hot next year and be worth something at the trade deadline.

Guys like Kampf, Carpenter, and Smith (if he skate woof) have no trade value and are not part of the long term plan so why play them at all?

You hope DeHaan bounces back to and you move him at the TDL. If Zadorov is someone the Hawks want around for a while then you shop Murphy too.

I'm confident a team would cough up a really good forward prospect for Murphy.

Thanks for chiming in with Zadorov intel from an Avs fan! His consistency issue is one thing that seems to worry a lot of Hawks fan. Then again, that's an issue with a lot of Chicago players. Regardless, I still like what Zadorov brings to the ice.

Saad can go on long cold spells offensively (as far as producing points) but he's generally consistent with his effort across 200 feet. When he's not scoring, he's still valuable defensively and on the PK.
- Theo Fox

That is the issue with Saad and why I think this trade is pretty even. You don't pay Saad 6 mil per to disappear for 15-20 games offensively. Especially, when he is playing on the top line.

The Hawks weren't going to resign Saad anyways. I would be shocked if Saad gets less than 6 mil on his next deal. It is the NHL, teams still hand out stupid money. Even during a pandemic.

Dach not part of the ADB/Kubalik future?
- -Doh-

The article/poster cited ADB and Kubalik but I would put Dach above both of them.

Still think Sakic "missed" at the TDL with the proposed trade. Crow was the missing piece for the Avs this past playoffs.
- powerenforcer

Crow wasn't very good this past playoffs. That said, Sakic would have had no way of knowing at the TDL he was going to get Covid.

That is the issue with Saad and why I think this trade is pretty even. You don't pay Saad 6 mil per to disappear for 15-20 games offensively. Especially, when he is playing on the top line.

The Hawks weren't going to resign Saad anyways. I would be shocked if Saad gets less than 6 mil on his next deal. It is the NHL, teams still hand out stupid money. Even during a pandemic.
- bhawks2241

Hmm, $6+ for Saad after what we traded him for I will be surprised. I admit we have no way of knowing how his modified NTC played into the value we got for him?

@PuckReportNHL

DONE DEAL: New York Rangers re-sign RFA goalie Alexandar Georgiev to two-year contract extension carrying a $2,425,000 AAV, per @CapFriendly.

So, if we absolutely have to ice Nylander, what do you think of:

Nylander - Wallmark - Janmark?

Two guys that are solid defensively. The one thing that Nylander is good at is exiting the D-zone, and Janmark has stated he would like to get back to developing his offense (Nylander does have the ability to set guys up).

Best of a bad situation?

Hmm, $6+ for Saad after what we traded him for I will be surprised. I admit we have no way of knowing how his modified NTC played into the value we got for him?
- rpeters01

Who would you rather have traded Saad at $6M or ADB at $6.4M with 3 years left for Zadorov?

Or do you get more with ADB being the trade chip?

Crow wasn't very good this past playoffs. That said, Sakic would have had no way of knowing at the TDL he was going to get Covid.
- rpeters01

???
He pretty much won 1 EDM game by himself, as well as 1 against Vegas.

He was rough the first couple of games, but don’t forget he was sick and didn't get any prep games.

CC is still better than the #1 goalie on many (most?) NHL teams.

Who would you rather have traded Saad at $6M or ADB at $6.4M with 3 years left for Zadorov?

Or do you get more with ADB being the trade chip?
- Black Raven

Personally i would shop dcat not that advocating to trade him but get a gauge what possible return could the hawks get back.

Who would you rather have traded Saad at $6M or ADB at $6.4M with 3 years left for Zadorov?

Or do you get more with ADB being the trade chip?
- Black Raven

I'm on record for not liking ADB. I don't think Dinky is worth much with that contract in this environment. After next season it will likely be significantly better or significantly worse. I am definitely not in the group "positive he will bounce back."

How does Chicago benefit from getting a defenseman who has “ Long stretches of poor games over the course of few years (that) was enough for Sakic to make the move”? Especially in trade for a player who you describe as fitting your top 6, a great 2-way play (he isn’t great, he’s pretty good)?
- StLBravesFan

Better than a Defenseman who has whole seasons of sucking! We've had a few of those.

???
He pretty much won 1 EDM game by himself, as well as 1 against Vegas.

He was rough the first couple of games, but don’t forget he was sick and didn't get any prep games.

CC is still better than the #1 goalie on many (most?) NHL teams.
- scottak

That leaves about 8 games he was totally out of sync which he was, Covid19 related or not. I'm even willing to say it wasn't all 8 games but he really wasn't very good.

So, if we absolutely have to ice Nylander, what do you think of:

Nylander - Wallmark - Janmark?

Two guys that are solid defensively. The one thing that Nylander is good at is exiting the D-zone, and Janmark has stated he would like to get back to developing his offense (Nylander does have the ability to set guys up).

Best of a bad situation?
- Chunk

I'm kind of liking this line. Maybe, the two fellow Swedes can get Nylander to be better defensively. Janmark has good speed ... saw youtube of Hawks-Stars game and Janmark had two goals in 4-3 Stars win. He does have some wheels and hands. From what I understand, Wallmark is not great at one facet of the game, but good in several facets. The possibilities of this line are intriguing. I don't think it's unrealistic that this trio could each hit double digits in goals. Nylander 10-15 Janmark 12-15 and Wallmark 10-12.

I'm kind of liking this line. Maybe, the two fellow Swedes can get Nylander to be better defensively. Janmark has good speed ... saw youtube of Hawks-Stars game and Janmark had two goals in 4-3 Stars win. He does have some wheels and hands. From what I understand, Wallmark is not great at one facet of the game, but good in several facets. The possibilities of this line are intriguing. I don't think it's unrealistic that this trio could each hit double digits in goals. Nylander 10-15 Janmark 12-15 and Wallmark 10-12.
- chuckdahammer

Nylander I suspect will be great at floating around waiting for them to pass him the puck. It would be nice if I was wrong. He has totally failed on higher lines.

Better than a Defenseman who has whole seasons of sucking! We've had a few of those.
- rpeters01

Right. Better to have this style dman in Zadorov than Special K. The hybrid or lesser version of a hybrid dmen are not what you want an entire blueline corps to be comprised. Perhaps Zadorov might become better as in steady, good decisions and safe plays befitting a veteran whom finally is a bit more comfortable. Playing with confidence when you know one mistake but you won't be yanked can help Zadoriv to a better level too.

Now we cannot say this is what to expect from Zadorov but it is not unreasonable to think this is how he might turn out. Either his somewhat inconsistent self shows from Avalanche days, or a slightly better version here in Chicago ...........is what we will accept, though, since the overriding concern is that his checking and meaness is needed on our defense.

As for Saad's departure: Saad will be replaced hopefully by a player who does some of the things he does. I am hopeful sometime season after next, the replacement is here. There are a few routes where a Saad "not exact carbon copy" may derive: The Entry Draft, trade, free agent, one of our prospects emerge

Who knows whether Zadorov himself skates here a couple years then a replacement comes along.

And if I am wrong, if Zadorov is too often prone to a streak of games where he is not a steady enough performer.....well we loose more and get a higher draft choice!

I hope Zadorov is slightly better than some of his negative reviews say......yet i am not too pissed as long as he isn't bad

I want the high draft choice. Disappointed though cannot complain we missed out on maybe a #9 or #10 overall in 2020. The more suitable better fit player, a potential core piece, could await our early selection in the 2021 draft.

From Powers & Lazerus in ‘The Athletic’. Comments by other execs on the Blackhawk goaltending situation. My bolded.

Western Conference scout: “If I’m a fan, I’m not happy at all. If I’m Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith in particular, those three alone, they can’t be happy with the goaltending situation in particular. There was a plethora of goaltenders. There’s another goaltender I think in Darcy Kuemper that you can probably get out of there. But they didn’t do that. Going with those three guys, that’s a recipe for disaster. You saw it first hand, Crawford and (Robin) Lehner bailed them out, and a lot of the games they lost they should have lost by even more or not even been in games. I think that’s a problem.”

Eastern Conference scout: “I think the veterans would have been more willing to buy into what they’re doing with this rebuild if they had re-signed Crawford or just been more up front with them about it. It now looks like they let Crawford walk over a measly amount of money. That has a negative effect.”

Western Conference executive: “(Their moves are) a moot point. If you have no goaltending, you have no chance. Subban can’t play. Delia, I think in the best case, he’s a No. 2, and I don’t know if he is. Lankinen, he showed some good things down in Rockford at times and he also showed some not so good. But they’re high on him, they like him. I think they think he’s going to be the guy, but we’ll see. Goaltending is going to be a major thing, and I think the backend (defensively), too.”

So, Subban can’t play, Delia is a #2, and the hope is Lankinen can catch lightning in a bottle.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/golden-knights-owner-bill-foley-all-canadian-division-accelerated-season/koqd3fe6k3v518swi1q3gwufs

Pretty sobering coming from a owner who can buy and sell Wirtz a few times over. As Friedman said on his 31 points, the Hawks punted on the season, shortened schedule, little to no fans, and probably ending up with a TV contract with no increase from the prior one.
- LAHawk

No one really knows what Wirtz is worth since a lot of his information is not public.

From Powers & Lazerus in ‘The Athletic’. Comments by other execs on the Blackhawk goaltending situation. My bolded.

Western Conference scout: “If I’m a fan, I’m not happy at all. If I’m Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith in particular, those three alone, they can’t be happy with the goaltending situation in particular. There was a plethora of goaltenders. There’s another goaltender I think in Darcy Kuemper that you can probably get out of there. But they didn’t do that. Going with those three guys, that’s a recipe for disaster. You saw it first hand, Crawford and (Robin) Lehner bailed them out, and a lot of the games they lost they should have lost by even more or not even been in games. I think that’s a problem.”

Eastern Conference scout: “I think the veterans would have been more willing to buy into what they’re doing with this rebuild if they had re-signed Crawford or just been more up front with them about it. It now looks like they let Crawford walk over a measly amount of money. That has a negative effect.”

Western Conference executive: “(Their moves are) a moot point. If you have no goaltending, you have no chance. Subban can’t play. Delia, I think in the best case, he’s a No. 2, and I don’t know if he is. Lankinen, he showed some good things down in Rockford at times and he also showed some not so good. But they’re high on him, they like him. I think they think he’s going to be the guy, but we’ll see. Goaltending is going to be a major thing, and I think the backend (defensively), too.”

So, Subban can’t play, Delia is a #2, and the hope is Lankinen can catch lightning in a bottle.
- scottak

Yeah, Scouts are never wrong.

Better than a Defenseman who has whole seasons of sucking! We've had a few of those.
- rpeters01

Just you wait. Zadorov is not good. But he is big so..

If the Hawks are looking to flip some one year deals at the TDL next season I would take a flyer on Soderberg. He can play 3C/4C and he could certainly bring a mid-round pick back to a team looking to sure up their center depth.

He would bring more back then Kampf or Carpenter would at the TDL. My hope is Shaw comes back and has a decent start and the Hawks can move him too.

I don't think outside of Hagel the kids that project bottom/middle six are ready for the NHL yet.

Highmore is but I really don't see any upside to him other than an average 4th line guy. Hagel has more offensive upside. I'd prefer to see Hagel get time over Highmore.


The bottom 6 needs to be youth or guys you can move for draft picks at the TDL. The Kampfs and Carpenter types are useless in my opinion. I think there are value adds that can be made on the cheap like Soderberg.
- bhawks2241

If Soderberg is so desirable, why hasn't anyone signed him yet for nothing but a salary?