Was really interested to see the first offseason without McD's 100 ft shadow over every damn thing but it seems to me nothing has changed. Janmark and Wallmark are pretty much the same thing as the older vets added to make the team a borderline playoff team since the sweep by the Preds. ...... Same retool/rebuild on the fly as the last 5 yrs of not making the playoffs with the caveat it's a backdoor tank going with the in house goalies.

Still straddling the fence like they did when ShovelFace was the prez.
- Mr Ricochet

Listen to the podcast. It provides a lot of insight. They still have to ice a team. Janmark and Wallmark are both on 1 year deals (and cheap). They are going with 2 of 3 untested, virtually league minimum goaltenders. They cannot do anything with the big four unless/until they ask to be moved. I'm not sure when, but I believe they will move at least one if not two D-men before the next season (they simply have too many).

What exactly would signal a new direction to you? They aren't going to ice a team of the core 4 and the rest rookies and AHL players. They are trying to build up the "compete and relentlessness" of the team. I think Zadorov, and the two "marks" are a very good start to that.

Was really interested to see the first offseason without McD's 100 ft shadow over every damn thing but it seems to me nothing has changed. Janmark and Wallmark are pretty much the same thing as the older vets added to make the team a borderline playoff team since the sweep by the Preds. ...... Same retool/rebuild on the fly as the last 5 yrs of not making the playoffs with the caveat it's a backdoor tank going with the in house goalies.

Still straddling the fence like they did when ShovelFace was the prez.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree much not happening this year. Big changes are a year away IMO. See my previous post. Tank is good this year. Hopefully get a top three.

Laz & Powers interview asked tougher, more pointed questions I suspect some of you on here would have asked:

https://theathletic.com/p...az-and-powers/?episode=64

Including "make your pitch to the fans that you are the right guy to lead this rebuild after squandering a few years of prime Kane and Toews" (paraphrased).

Agree much not happening this year. Big changes are a year away IMO. See my previous post. Tank is good this year. Hopefully get a top three.
- boilermaker100

I'm fine with the tank and see going with the 3 in house goalies, with this defense, and this coach as a tell that the backdoor tank is on. .........

Whether you like it or not Stan was pretty blunt. Saad was not in the rebuilding plans, Corey wanted a 2 year contract and Stan only wanted one.
- LAHawk

Maybe if you have a playoff caliber team you carry Saad. Some teams do not seem to care about how high their payroll skyrockets. Yankees in MLB. Maybe the NYR in the NHL. Saad next contract definitely makes him a luxury. With profit turning a concern i too would wave Saad goodbye. There are candidates not exactly carbon copies of Saad who can be plugged in. Hagel and some AHL not ready for prime time players, or two of the swedes whom just joined up. Who knows if a trade or 2021 draft brings a Saad like replacement.

Crawford has jeopardized his team by off ice "happening." I won't say Craeford is to blame. But at his age can you expect thosr things to happen again. A skiing accident. Got the covid. Likes to party and go to concerts. He always had that party attitude but ok, just do not do snowmobiling if it might lead to accident. The covid - well we din't know if he was not safe. But two black marks on his dossier. So can you trust him to remain healthy.

No matter. He wanted two years. He wanted more money. Well we have three kids - relatively age "kids" for a goaltender position which kids break in at a later age - and one or more would have languish being stuck behind Crawford. The three goaltender headed competition will hopefully prove to be win win proposition. Because with Crawford gone, we have to manage an asset (goaltender depth) to see exactly how good or valuable our goaltender derby is. It is not exactly a great battle among sterling prospects. But we should think of them as descent netminders whom will guard the fort for the next year or two.

I'm fine with the tank and see going with the 3 in house goalies, with this defense, and this coach as a tell that the backdoor tank is on. .........
- Mr Ricochet

Hi, Rico, how's it going?

@theScoreNHL

Report: NHL tentatively grants 7 non-playoff teams longer training camps https://thesco.re/3ocbDUH

Seems reasonable but you have to have a 1st rate talent to run the PP and real shutdown players to be on the ice with McDavid, Eichel, Aho, Matthews' of the world. 6 number 3 Dmen can't do that for you......

Haven't read down but see you didn't list the new Cossack Beast from COL. He might be a long term answer in the group, no?

Now I've only seen him in jrs but Beaudin always intrigued me. Kid is a smooth operator, head up kinda player who can skate, shown skilled hands and always seemed poised. Seems like the kinda kid who develops from step a to b to c and not from a to b to f. ........... Intrigued to see him in 3 yrs.

Looking at your list even a pessimistic Hawk fan has to admit the organIzation has done some fine work restocking the defensive pipeline. Within the next couple yrs the rubber hits the road with these players as they ascend to the NHL.
- Mr Ricochet

Zadorov is an interesting case in that it's tough to tag him as part of the future blueline with being locked in for only one year.

That could change if the Hawks re-sign him but hopefully they do that after seeing him in game action and not like they did with Anisimov. I actually liked Anisimov but think it was hasty to re-sign him so quickly.

As for Beaudin, I like what you had to say about his development and composure. He won't be a flashy blueliner but just cerebral and smooth. Again, like Brian Rafalski who went undrafted.

Dont see much happening the rest of this off season. Off the books by the end of next season assuming the core 4 will be around -

Smith walks as UFA or traded to a team needing a LTIR candidate.
Shaw bought out or traded to a team needing a LTIR candidate.
Murphy traded or lost to expansion draft.
deHaan same as Murphy.

13 to 15M cap savings. Stan would have more flexibility in acquiring those bad contracts and prospects he was talking about.
- boilermaker100

In his interviews today, Bowman alludes to pretty much being done with transactions. I think there could be a trade or two before the season starts, but I think what you said is true that he may be deferring when he acquires futures to aid the rebuild.

It would have been nice to gain futures in the Maatta and Saad trade but it's not like the window is completely closed to gain futures at all.

Sort of playing the long game which sucks as a fan but I'm okay with it if there truly is a long-term plan that just needs to play out.

Listen to the podcast. It provides a lot of insight. They still have to ice a team. Janmark and Wallmark are both on 1 year deals (and cheap). They are going with 2 of 3 untested, virtually league minimum goaltenders. They cannot do anything with the big four unless/until they ask to be moved. I'm not sure when, but I believe they will move at least one if not two D-men before the next season (they simply have too many).

What exactly would signal a new direction to you? They aren't going to ice a team of the core 4 and the rest rookies and AHL players. They are trying to build up the "compete and relentlessness" of the team. I think Zadorov, and the two "marks" are a very good start to that.
- Chunk

That is spot on with what is the perceived impact of Zadorov, Janmark, and Wallmark. At least that's what I'm reading in the tea leaves.

I'm fine with the tank and see going with the 3 in house goalies, with this defense, and this coach as a tell that the backdoor tank is on. .........
- Mr Ricochet

I will believe it is a complete tank job at the end of the off season when the Hawks take a complete pass on all of the good players and/or draft picks that cap strapped teams like Tampa / Vegas / NYI might have to offer up to become cap compliant. Or if they decide to move out one of Kane or Toews.

Stan is giving the fans the State of the Union on Oct 20. There could be bargains too good to pass up on Dec. 15.

Hi, Rico, how's it going?
- mohel

I'm well, thank you. Just keeping my head down and staying out of the way of the young people so as not to get run over. It's a young man's/women's world as the saying goes. ....... Like any Hawks fan these days wondering what the organIzation is trying to accomplish.

You?

I will believe it is a complete tank job at the end of the off season when the Hawks take a complete pass on all of the good players and/or draft picks that cap strapped teams like Tampa / Vegas / NYI might have to offer up to become cap compliant. Or if they decide to move out one of Kane or Toews.

Stan is giving the fans the State of the Union on Oct 20. There could be bargains too good to pass up on Dec. 15.
- RickJ

You mean like taking a Palat and his 5.3 for 2 yrs for a 1st (which will be a very late pick) and and some prospects or Palat and Cirelli (like it took TT to get CAR to take Bickell)........ Count me as a huge Cirelli fan for the last couple yrs. 200 ft 23 yr old centerman with size and 55-60 point upside and a 45-50 point floor.

But as is Stan has the perfect cover, "we're going young and with the in house goalies" which should lead to a tough, if not horrid, season that gets em into the lottery.

Zadorov is an interesting case in that it's tough to tag him as part of the future blueline with being locked in for only one year. That could change if the Hawks re-sign him but hopefully they do that after seeing him in game action and not like they did with Anisimov (I actually liked Anisimov but think it was hasty to re-sign him so quickly).

As for Beaudin, I like what you had to say about his development and composure. He won't be a flashy blueliner but just cerebral and smooth. Again, like Brian Rafalski who went undrafted.
- Theo Fox

Remember how badly they needed a centerman back then? I too liked Anisimov but like so many Hawks he was overpaid by at least a million and given too much term, and that was when the Hawks were a destination for most players. ......... Stan simply does not know how to use leverage.

Oh, I do like your comparison of Beaudin to Rafalski. IIRC Rafalski was an IQ guy with good skill. I think Beaudin is more skilled though. Rafalski was just a hockey player, man. Whatever it took that shift.

You mean like taking a Palat and his 5.3 for 2 yrs for a 1st (which will be a very late pick) and and some prospects or Palat and Cirelli (like it took TT to get CAR to take Bickell)........ Count me as a huge Cirelli fan for the last couple yrs. 200 ft 23 yr old centerman with size and 55-60 point upside and a 45-50 point floor.

But as is Stan has the perfect cover, "we're going young and with the in house goalies" which should lead to a tough, if not horrid, season that gets em into the lottery.
- Mr Ricochet

For a guy selected 72nd overall, Cirelli is awesome. And the Lightning will do whatever it takes to get him re-signed. But its going to cost them assets somehow to do it. I don't see him moving.

How about the Isles - need to sign Barzal and Pulock. Good luck to Uncle Lou trying to move out Johnny Boychuk or Ladd or Varlamov to create the cap space.

One other guy I keep watching is Jonathan Drouin. Bergevin knows his coach doesn't like him and he has already gone ahead and signed Josh Anderson, Toffoli and Gallagher long term, big money. And I'm sure he wants to get Danault re-signed. Is Drouin available in a one sided deal? Could you get Ryan Poehling or Cayden Primeau in a deal to take Drouin's contract.

I hope Stan is still p$ssed and remembers what other GM's did to him when he had to move Leddy, Sharp, Stephen Johns, Bickel.

For a guy selected 72nd overall, Cirelli is awesome. And the Lightning will do whatever it takes to get him re-signed. But its going to cost them assets somehow to do it. I don't see him moving.

How about the Isles - need to sign Barzal and Pulock. Good luck to Uncle Lou trying to move out Johnny Boychuk or Ladd or Varlamov to create the cap space.

One other guy I keep watching is Jonathan Drouin. Bergevin knows his coach doesn't like him and he has already gone ahead and signed Josh Anderson, Toffoli and Gallagher long term, big money. And I'm sure he wants to get Danault re-signed. Is Drouin available in a one sided deal? Could you get Ryan Poehling or Cayden Primeau in a deal to take Drouin's contract.

I hope Stan is still p$ssed and remembers what other GM's did to him when he had to move Leddy, Sharp, Stephen Johns, Bickel.
- RickJ

He said as much in one of the podcasts today (albeit more eloquently).

He said as much in one of the podcasts today (albeit more eloquently).
- Chunk

I'd feel much better about it if Stanbo listed the names of all the GM's he intends to stomp on their testicles in their time of greatest need.

One would think that if Brookbank can be an assistant coach then Seabrook could be just as good if not better. Agree, though, that experience is very much needed, even for Brookbank.

Colliton and Brookbank graduated too early from AHL coaching to the NHL. Adding in Mitell was also a head scratcher. It's not like they are coaching savants.

Novel in their approach? Sure. Geniuses? No.
- Theo Fox

Well....there is that old saying: Those who can’t, teach.

For a guy selected 72nd overall, Cirelli is awesome. And the Lightning will do whatever it takes to get him re-signed. But its going to cost them assets somehow to do it. I don't see him moving.

How about the Isles - need to sign Barzal and Pulock. Good luck to Uncle Lou trying to move out Johnny Boychuk or Ladd or Varlamov to create the cap space.

One other guy I keep watching is Jonathan Drouin. Bergevin knows his coach doesn't like him and he has already gone ahead and signed Josh Anderson, Toffoli and Gallagher long term, big money. And I'm sure he wants to get Danault re-signed. Is Drouin available in a one sided deal? Could you get Ryan Poehling or Cayden Primeau in a deal to take Drouin's contract.

I hope Stan is still p$ssed and remembers what other GM's did to him when he had to move Leddy, Sharp, Stephen Johns, Bickel.
- RickJ

Drouin, Boychuk, Ladd, Varmy are all at 5 mil for 3 yrs. With a flat cap you are gonna get screwed big time, more than Stan ever did, to move them. Tell you what, I'd do almost anything to get Dobson and did you look at beastly Dman Bode Wilde's stats? As a Dman, who can send people into the 3rd row, he's putting up a point a game in the OHL!!!!. See some Shea Webber in the kid? .... A blue blood all the way up, Honeybaked, the Mission and the NTDP.

I'm a huge Dobson fan though and indeed Poehling looks like the real deal. Watched Primeau with the Lincoln Stars for a yr and never thought he'd do as well as he's doing as a 7th rd pick.... I'm a fan of Bergeron and hope Anderson is the answer.

In a flat cap world it's gonna be bruuuuutal to move bad contracts. I see Seattle making what LVG did as being child's play..........

Did I mention I'm a huge Dobson fan? Really really high floor and he's a big kid who can skate and is skilled. This kid will take the opponents 1st line and skate 23:00 + a game, 35 points at minimum and at max QB the 1st unit PP and put up 45-50 points and be on the right side of the fancies.

I'd feel much better about it if Stanbo listed the names of all the GM's he intends to stomp on their testicles in their time of greatest need.
- RickJ

I don't think he has that killer instinct in him. I think bowman will make hockey trades even though his track record is not great in trades lets see what happens. I never been big fan if bowman but this where he can prove the doubters wrong. If he fails it sets the back at least 5 years. A couple of horrid years and a couple of high top ten picks and some creative trades hawks could be back in the playoffs.

I'm well, thank you. Just keeping my head down and staying out of the way of the young people so as not to get run over. It's a young man's/women's world as the saying goes. ....... Like any Hawks fan these days wondering what the organIzation is trying to accomplish.

You?
- Mr Ricochet

As Norm used to say, “It’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearing milk-bone underwear.”

Drouin, Boychuk, Ladd, Varmy are all at 5 mil for 3 yrs. With a flat cap you are gonna get screwed big time, more than Stan ever did, to move them. Tell you what, I'd do almost anything to get Dobson and did you look at beastly Dman Bode Wilde's stats? As a Dman, who can send people into the 3rd row, he's putting up a point a game in the OHL!!!!. See some Shea Webber in the kid? .... A blue blood all the way up, Honeybaked, the Mission and the NTDP.

I'm a huge Dobson fan though and indeed Poehling looks like the real deal. Watched Primeau with the Lincoln Stars for a yr and never thought he'd do as well as he's doing as a 7th rd pick.... I'm a fan of Bergeron and hope Anderson is the answer.

In a flat cap world it's gonna be bruuuuutal to move bad contracts. I see Seattle making what LVG did as being child's play..........

Did I mention I'm a huge Dobson fan? Really really high floor and he's a big kid who can skate and is skilled. This kid will take the opponents 1st line and skate 23:00 + a game, 35 points at minimum and at max QB the 1st unit PP and put up 45-50 points and be on the right side of the fancies.
- Mr Ricochet

Dobson was the replacement for Seabs and he was available to the Hawks but they decided on Bovqist. Watching the Memorial Cup that year it was obvious the kid is a player that will be in the NHL for 12-15 years. And also he is a better player IMO than Evan Bouchard but time will tell. Dobson is with the right coach in Trotz to develop. A steal at #12 overall.

You know more about Wilde than I do so I will be sure to check him out.

Dobson was the replacement for Seabs and he was available to the Hawks but they decided on Bovqist. Watching the Memorial Cup that year it was obvious the kid is a player that will be in the NHL for 12-15 years. And also he is a better player IMO than Evan Bouchard but time will tell. Dobson is with the right coach in Trotz to develop. A steal at #12 overall.

You know more about Wilde than I do so I will be sure to check him out
- RickJ

Black kid, 6ft 3ish 210ish, a physical speciman, can really skate, if you had your eyes closed in the arena and heard a check that rattled the glass you'd know it was him, skilled feet and hands. The question with him, and why he fell to the 2nd rd, was his IQ and decision making.

Yea man, I remember the Boqvist/Dobson/Bouchard/Wahlstrom draft like it was yesterday. Never was a Boqvist guy going back to his Sveden days and wanted either Wahlstrom or Dobson when the Hawks came up to draft. Wahlstrom looks like a bust but Dobson is as advertised. .......... Big fan of the big kid.

Black kid, 6ft 3ish 210ish, a physical speciman, can really skate, if you had your eyes closed in the arena and heard a check that rattled the glass you'd know it was him, skilled feet and hands. The question with him, and why he fell to the 2nd rd, was his IQ and decision making.

Yea man, I remember the Boqvist/Dobson/Bouchard/Wahlstrom draft like it was yesterday. Never was a Boqvist guy going back to his Sveden days and wanted either Wahlstrom or Dobson when the Hawks came up to draft. Wahlstrom looks like a bust but Dobson is as advertised. .......... Big fan of the big kid.
- Mr Ricochet

An easy quick analysis how this kid turns out -

Plays 2-3 AHL seasons. If his decision making/IQ remains a negative, then what you might see should he stick in the NHL is a comparison to Zadorov.

Black kid, 6ft 3ish 210ish, a physical speciman, can really skate, if you had your eyes closed in the arena and heard a check that rattled the glass you'd know it was him, skilled feet and hands. The question with him, and why he fell to the 2nd rd, was his IQ and decision making.

Yea man, I remember the Boqvist/Dobson/Bouchard/Wahlstrom draft like it was yesterday. Never was a Boqvist guy going back to his Sveden days and wanted either Wahlstrom or Dobson when the Hawks came up to draft. Wahlstrom looks like a bust but Dobson is as advertised. .......... Big fan of the big kid.
- Mr Ricochet

Under the right coaching staff and if they don't rush him too much, I think big Dobson could turn out to be as good or better than Weber and even Aaron Ekblad. Kids like him aren't in every draft. In the last game as Tampa was eliminating the Isles in a tight game, Trotz had Dobson out there in the last minute.

Wilde might take a little longer but talent is talent. But he better stay on the right side of Uncle Lou or he will get the Josh Hosang treatment.