To me the formula is simple - get the young players experience. Doing anything that doesn't meet that objective is counterproductive and delays the mission to become Cup contenders as soon as possible.

That said, it's unrealistic to ice a team of rookies and expect them to learn how to play effective NHL hockey, so a veteran presence must be part of the formula. The challenge is to find the optimal combination of rookies and veterans to maximize the rookies growth and experience.

In my opinion, having only 1 or 2 slots open for young d-men is 1 or 2 too few. Setting aside Zadorov who is still young enough to be a possible future core piece, there are 5 slots in the lineup - Keith has one of those slots. That leaves 4 slots. If Murphy, deHaan and Seabrook are in the lineup, then only one slot is available for Boqvist or any of the other young d-men. That is not the most optimal combination of vets and rookies to meet the objective. In my opinion, only one of Murphy, deHaan and Seabrook should be in the lineup on a regular basis leaving 3 of the 6 slots for young d-men.

Keith-Mitchell
Zadorov-Boqvist
Carlsson-Murphy

Get rid of deHaan and have Seabrook swap into the lineup every 3rd game or so.
- EbonyRaptor

I believe what you are describing is exactly what Colliton wants to do.

The D pairs you suggested sound good to me. Just need to move de Haan and deal with any heat if Seabrook doesn't take to well the demotion to the 7th man.

I also can't see Keith being a good soldier and eating up everything Colliton serves up to him and the rest of the core. Maybe at first but not in the long run.

Depends on where we are in the standings, the tdl which creates space, & if he earns it.
- I Am The Breadman

There may not be a trade deadline this next season?

I see now, thanks for clarifying.

The system just needs to stock with assets (lottery tickets) and see what sorts out. That's why I'm fine with signing NCAA free agents in Aubrun and Morris but wasn't too keen on letting Gravel go so easily.

One would hope that out of all of them, at least one can emerge as at least a reliable backup at the NHL level.

Commesso does at least instill some hope for a future #1 goalie but alas he's at minimum 4 years away.

Agree, though, in the meantime it is best to improve the defense. Not just the blueliners but team defense including the forwards. They need to get much better no matter who's in net.
- Theo Fox

You are correct Theo. You could have six Seabrook’s in their prime and 2015 Crawford, and if the forwards don’t come back yo help out, you would still give up too many goals.

There may not be a trade deadline this next season?
- rpeters01

If there is a playoffs, i imagine there will be a trade deadline, hopefully they can get started in January, almost a month away.

If there is a playoffs, i imagine there will be a trade deadline, hopefully they can get started in January, almost a month away.
- BetweenTheDots

If it’s only a 48 game season, don’t see much of a trade deadline. How many teams will accrue enough LTIR to make a trade? Appears Boston will with Marchand and Pasternak on LTIR. Don ‘t see any other Cup contenders who will have space.

If it’s only a 48 game season, don’t see much of a trade deadline. How many teams will accrue enough LTIR to make a trade? Appears Boston will with Marchand and Pasternak on LTIR. Don ‘t see any other Cup contenders who will have space.
- LAHawk

Unless those 48 games are somehow prorated to match the $ value equivalency of an 82 game season.

If it’s only a 48 game season, don’t see much of a trade deadline. How many teams will accrue enough LTIR to make a trade? Appears Boston will with Marchand and Pasternak on LTIR. Don ‘t see any other Cup contenders who will have space.
- LAHawk

I guess we'll see

Unless those 48 games are somehow prorated to match the $ value equivalency of an 82 game season.
- Ogilthorpe2

I imagine that's what they would do

Thanks Theo - fun blog. But one point you make about Subban "stealing games" disturbs me. In a season where the organization is rebuilding, I do not want this team to steal any wins. A high draft pick has to be a goal for this team. Now, I want them playing well, but to steal games they should not win will be a loss in the end.
- powerenforcer

Yeah. Instead of Subban playing great. Let's hope the goaltending is awful and we get a high draft pick so that we can draft a goaltender.

Yeah. Instead of Subban playing great. Let's hope the goaltending is awful and we get a high draft pick so that we can draft a goaltender.
- -Doh-

We already drafted one this year...hope he pans out
Edit...sounds like you were being sarcastic upon rereading your post.
I wish the situation was more win now and make the playoffs with a competitive line up; and ingratiating the young guys into a playoff possible season, but maybe the Hawks dont want a goalie bailing out the team. Seemed terrible to me that they let Crawford go. I guess they figure now is the best time to figure out what these young goalies are made of, and if not, then we get another year of high draft slotting; hopefully this is the last year of starting a season with suspect goaltending

I imagine that's what they would do
- BetweenTheDots

So if a team has $0 to spend at the cap deadline because they have been at the cap. all year, what difference does it make if they prorate salaries or not. if your at the limit, doesn't matter how much cheaper a CDH will be, if they have little or no space accrued.

Also, if they prorate the salaries, doesn't that mean that the LTIR accrual would be prorated also?

So if a team has $0 to spend at the cap deadline because they have been at the cap. all year, what difference does it make if they prorate salaries or not. if your at the limit, doesn't matter how much cheaper a CDH will be, if they have little or no space accrued.

Also, if they prorate the salaries, doesn't that mean that the LTIR accrual would be prorated also?
- LAHawk

Doesn't salary go back and forth in a trade? Sometimes it does. Last year we witnessed maple Leafs getting under the cap this year LVGK. Teams get creative

What if a team has a 23 man roster, 0$ at the cap, what if they bury 2 players in the minors doesn't that free up almost $2 million dollars?

Or bury 2 and trade another who makes $2 mil now the team can absorb a $4 million dollar contract.

So many different avenues

Or someone like Kane gets hurt and he won't play till the playoffs....

Doesn't salary go back and forth in a trade? Sometimes it does. Last year we witnessed maple Leafs getting under the cap this year LVGK. Teams get creative

What if a team has a 23 man roster, 0$ at the cap, what if they bury 2 players in the minors doesn't that free up almost $2 million dollars?

Or bury 2 and trade another who makes $2 mil now the team can absorb a $4 million dollar contract.

So many different avenues

Or someone like Kane gets hurt and he won't play till the playoffs....
- BetweenTheDots

But aren't trade deadline deals os that the Stanley cup contenders can load up for the playoff run? You rarely see dollar for dollar trades at the TDL. Lehner's trade could not happen this year, because Toronto couldn't take on the salary to make it work for Vegas. Plus the Wayne Simmonds type are not going to move because Toronto needs a player with that salary to stay under the cap.

The trades I see at the TDL are those that set up teams to provide players for the expansion draft

But aren't trade deadline deals os that the Stanley cup contenders can load up for the playoff run? You rarely see dollar for dollar trades at the TDL. Lehner's trade could not happen this year, because Toronto couldn't take on the salary to make it work for Vegas. Plus the Wayne Simmonds type are not going to move because Toronto needs a player with that salary to stay under the cap.

The trades I see at the TDL are those that set up teams to provide players for the expansion draft
- LAHawk

So which is it, trades will or won't happen

I also can't see Keith being a good soldier and eating up everything Colliton serves up to him and the rest of the core. Maybe at first but not in the long run.
- Theo Fox

For this reason, I would almost rather trade Keith than deHaan, and getting potentially better assets in return. Also, given Keith’s comments about the NHL not being a development league, I question whether young players get much from Keith while he’s on the roster.

If this is a rebuild and the focus is upon building a young blue-line, then move Keith instead of deHaan. I’d be tempted to move deHaan also later, if it appears Seabrook can play 3rd line minutes in a shortened season.

Pairings:
Murphy-Mitchell
Z-Boqvist
CdH-Carlsson
Seabrook

But aren't trade deadline deals os that the Stanley cup contenders can load up for the playoff run? You rarely see dollar for dollar trades at the TDL. Lehner's trade could not happen this year, because Toronto couldn't take on the salary to make it work for Vegas. Plus the Wayne Simmonds type are not going to move because Toronto needs a player with that salary to stay under the cap.

The trades I see at the TDL are those that set up teams to provide players for the expansion draft
- LAHawk

Also, i guess for me i have to see it happen, like the compliance buyouts that weren't given this time around. For me it's hard to believe if a gm has a chance to win a Stanley Cup they won't jump through hoops before the trade deadline to make their team better, i guess that's just me though

For this reason, I would almost rather trade Keith than deHaan, and getting potentially better assets in return. Also, given Keith’s comments about the NHL not being a development league, I question whether young players get much from Keith while he’s on the roster.

If this is a rebuild and the focus is upon building a young blue-line, then move Keith instead of deHaan. I’d be tempted to move deHaan also later, if it appears Seabrook can play 3rd line minutes in a shortened season.

Pairings:
Murphy-Mitchell
Z-Boqvist
CdH-Carlsson
Seabrook
- Aurora Hawk

If you're worried about Keith not contributing to the development of the youngsters - I think it's going to be more complicated having Seabrook on the roster but playing fourth pairing minutes. I don't think he's psychologically ready for that.

Also, given that in normal circumstances, going from college to pro would be a major adjustment, in pandemic times it will be even moreso - Mitchell would have to go from playing basically on weekends to more a "back-to-backs and three-games-in-four-nights" schedule - made even worse by a compressed schedule - plus adjusting to the physicality of the pro game. He should spend substantial (however much that is) time in Rockfish (if there is a viable AHL schedule).

Boqvist is still developing, Carlsson certainly will be, again with a compressed schedule and little teaching time in Chicago. Let them be the two prospects in the Show to begin the season, playing with Keith, Murphy, deHaan, and Pia Zadora.

Also, i guess for me i have to see it happen, like the compliance buyouts that weren't given this time around. For me it's hard to believe if a gm has a chance to win a Stanley Cup they won't jump through hoops before the trade deadline to make their team better, i guess that's just me though
- BetweenTheDots

In pre-COVID times, I agree. How many teams have an internal salary cap that is less than the actual cap.?

Also, i guess for me i have to see it happen, like the compliance buyouts that weren't given this time around. For me it's hard to believe if a gm has a chance to win a Stanley Cup they won't jump through hoops before the trade deadline to make their team better, i guess that's just me though
- BetweenTheDots

I am in a city that just won the World Series for the first time in over 30 years, and an NBA championship, and NO energy (as we not only are going on lockdown but curfew too) or positivity has come from it. i don't think owners are going to open their pocketbooks this year to win the cup. If it comes great, but it is about survival, hopefully the vaccines can be distributed quickly, and that they are effective.

I am in a city that just won the World Series for the first time in over 30 years, and an NBA championship, and NO energy (as we not only are going on lockdown but curfew too) or positivity has come from it. i don't think owners are going to open their pocketbooks this year to win the cup. If it comes great, but it is about survival, hopefully the vaccines can be distributed quickly, and that they are effective.
- LAHawk

I think many here are significantly underestimating the financial impact of shutting down the league for this amount of time.

So which is it, trades will or won't happen
- BetweenTheDots

There will always be trades. What I don't think you can do is use the past as an example of what could happen this year in the present.

I think many here are significantly underestimating the financial impact of shutting down the league for this amount of time.
- mohel

They have to play a representative season (however many games that will be) and the post season because of the TV contracts AND (more importantly) the new contract negotiations.

I am in a city that just won the World Series for the first time in over 30 years, and an NBA championship, and NO energy (as we not only are going on lockdown but curfew too) or positivity has come from it. i don't think owners are going to open their pocketbooks this year to win the cup. If it comes great, but it is about survival, hopefully the vaccines can be distributed quickly, and that they are effective.
- LAHawk

If free agency is any indicator of business as usual, i don't know what is. Teams went out and spent money, teams like Winnipeg made trades to take on salary, Colorado as well?

I imagine owners of these clubs are prepared for something like this, because something like this does happen from time to time

We already drafted one this year...hope he pans out
Edit...sounds like you were being sarcastic upon rereading your post.
I wish the situation was more win now and make the playoffs with a competitive line up; and ingratiating the young guys into a playoff possible season, but maybe the Hawks dont want a goalie bailing out the team. Seemed terrible to me that they let Crawford go. I guess they figure now is the best time to figure out what these young goalies are made of, and if not, then we get another year of high draft slotting; hopefully this is the last year of starting a season with suspect goaltending
- just69sayin

What you described is generally in alignment with what Bowman has said about why Crawford was let go. The Hawks wanted more flexibility as far as money and options and they felt Crawford limited that.

Some can argue whether or not that is the right path to follow but that is still the organizational stance, at least a part of the reasoning.

For this reason, I would almost rather trade Keith than deHaan, and getting potentially better assets in return. Also, given Keith’s comments about the NHL not being a development league, I question whether young players get much from Keith while he’s on the roster.

If this is a rebuild and the focus is upon building a young blue-line, then move Keith instead of deHaan. I’d be tempted to move deHaan also later, if it appears Seabrook can play 3rd line minutes in a shortened season.

Pairings:
Murphy-Mitchell
Z-Boqvist
CdH-Carlsson
Seabrook
- Aurora Hawk

I wouldn't doubt if your theory holds some water and could play out where Keith is one of the first to get shipped out ahead of de Haan.

Keith is an odd cat so it's hard to tell if he would truly be loyal to the franchise no matter what or if he'll have his breaking point where enough is enough with Colliton and ask out.

The diehard guarded optimist that I am as a fan wants the former but my gut thinks the latter is not too far from reality either.