Theo Fox: Watching the Waistline
A look at how the Blackhawks can be sustainably competitive -- not having a top heavy salary structure and being overly reliant on a select core of players -- by carefully and frugally managing the team from now onward.

Wow... I am first 2+ hours after the post. Sad day for this board.

I agree with no more monster contracts. The NHL GMs handing out these huge contracts to unproven and almost past their prime players are complete morons. The ones that can convince players to take less for the good of the team are the ones that will have long-term success.

Re: Your point #10 to sign long term prospects to AHL contracts

When the position of defense is considered the likelihood to advance to the NHL for the prospects you listed is obviously nothing to be excited about.
These sort of prospects probably would acsend at best case scenario to third pair NHL

In this scenario the player whom could advance is more attuned and enabled to play a physical brand if hockey. Someone like Zadorov

So I will root for Moberly based on what we saw in rookies Traverse City Tournament two years ago

Why Mark Eaton believes 'sky's the limit' for Blackhawks prospect Ian Mitchell | RSN
https://www.nbcsports.com...wks-prospect-ian-mitchell

There is an article in The Athletic right now with anonymous sources weighing in on what the last four core of the Blackhawks would be worth in a trade. It's all someone's opinion but it's in my opinion more realistic to their value than what has been proposed on this site

There is an article in The Athletic right now with anonymous sources weighing in on what the last four core of the Blackhawks would be worth in a trade. It's all someone's opinion but it's in my opinion more realistic to their value than what has been proposed on this site
- GPHawksfan

Realism blows.

Realism blows.
- mohel

Reality - what a concept....

Theo Fox: Watching the Waistline
A look at how the Blackhawks can be sustainably competitive -- not having a top heavy salary structure and being overly reliant on a select core of players -- by carefully and frugally managing the team from now onward.
- Theo Fox

Unfortunately in a hard cap era, if say Dach and Boqvist become elite players the way the NHL is evolving there will be no bridge deal. Really good players seem to compensated sooner than later

Unfortunately in a hard cap era, if say Dach and Boqvist become elite players the way the NHL is evolving there will be no bridge deal. Really good players seem to compensated sooner than later
- BetweenTheDots

A GM can force a bridge deal they're RFA's not UFA's, but then there's risk in a few years. I am in the camp of take the risk. It's impossible to build a strong team if every three years a player gets a long term contract.

Dylan Strome's agent leaves sports industry and moves to a different job.

https://www.traderumours....auto-industry-28855&s=100

A GM can force a bridge deal they're RFA's not UFA's, but then there's risk in a few years. I am in the camp of take the risk. It's impossible to build a strong team if every three years a player gets a long term contract.
- rpeters01

Because so many GMs are willing to play hard ball? On the flip side, if you pay an elite player today, typically salaries go up, the less you'll have to pay them tomorrow. If you have a 21 yr old producing at a very high level, only stand to reason he'll continue to play at the same level or in fact play better as he gets older.

Also there's such a thing as market value in the NHL, agents and owners are very very very aware of this.

I'm hoping Stan's "new direction youth movement" proclamation proves to be more than just a "waste line". I don't mind a little "lip service" now and then but certainly wouldn't want it from Stan.

Because so many GMs are willing to play hard ball? On the flip side, if you pay an elite player today, typically salaries go up, the less you'll have to pay them tomorrow. If you have a 21 yr old producing at a very high level, only stand to reason he'll continue to play at the same level or in fact play better as he gets older.

Also there's such a thing as market value in the NHL, agents and owners are very very very aware of this.
- BetweenTheDots

The Hawks don't win in '13 and '15 without Toews and Kane taking the $6m bridge deals.

There is an article in The Athletic right now with anonymous sources weighing in on what the last four core of the Blackhawks would be worth in a trade. It's all someone's opinion but it's in my opinion more realistic to their value than what has been proposed on this site
- GPHawksfan

Funny I thought the opposite...that there value to another team depends so much on what that team is trying to accomplish by the trade...
I have seen first rounders mid range ones get traded for crappy physical checking line NHLers, so it all depends upon a need and what they can do to aid the hawks while accomplishing their goal in taking say a Keith.

Anyone who tires to tell me in this current NHL that Duncan Keith is a number 4 defender as they did in that article, well you lose your credibility right there...

The Hawks don't win in '13 and '15 without Toews and Kane taking the $6m bridge deals.
- rpeters01

Not much of a bridge deal being in the top 40 of pay in the NHL at 21 yrs old

Root for Moberg
The correction-edit button is not working properly.

If any AHL dman sign who puts time in at the ECHL level but actually makes it to the NHL, likely a third pair and Moberg would stand out over a couple others of this ilk Chicago has in the system
Moberg is big mean, tough, good shot too. Apparently the Traverse City showing was a bit misleading, though. Moberg will have to put in minor league time. Hope he can advance

Not much of a bridge deal being in the top 40 of pay in the NHL at 21 yrs old
- BetweenTheDots

Compared to Matthews and the guy in Edmonton they were huge bargains and those deals were the difference between cup and no cup regardless where they were slotted. I don't think you can argue the point.

Funny I thought the opposite...that there value to another team depends so much on what that team is trying to accomplish by the trade...
I have seen first rounders mid range ones get traded for crappy physical checking line NHLers, so it all depends upon a need and what they can do to aid the hawks while accomplishing their goal in taking say a Keith.

Anyone who tires to tell me in this current NHL that Duncan Keith is a number 4 defender as they did in that article, well you lose your credibility right there...
- wiz1901

Maybe before covid and the state of the league and the world ow. I think all of you that thought Saad would bring back a first and that others not named Kane are in for a reality check.

Sounds like bullpoop to me ....

https://www.nhltraderumor...umor-chicago-rejects.html

A GM can force a bridge deal they're RFA's not UFA's, but then there's risk in a few years. I am in the camp of take the risk. It's impossible to build a strong team if every three years a player gets a long term contract.
- rpeters01

It doesn’t help when bridge deals are back-end loaded like DeBrincat. In his 3rd year he’s paid $9 million in actual dollars, which would also be his qualifying offer. That’s not to say DeBrincat will get paid $9+ million, but it’s a risk and adds complexity to the situation.

Sounds like bullpoop to me ....

https://www.nhltraderumor...umor-chicago-rejects.html
- paulr

What if ...

1. The Hawks do that deal which is Toews to Winnipeg for Laine, Perreault and a 1st (Perreault included to make the cap work)

AND

2. Kane ($4.5M retained) to Buffalo for Cozens, Okposo and a 1st. (Okposo included to make the cap work)

The Hawks would get Laine and Cozens to be key pieces of the new forward core PLUS (2) mid-late 1st round picks in 2021 draft to be added to our own 2021 1st round pick (top-10, maybe top-5).

Youth movement - forwards:

Dach (19)
DeBrincat (22)
Kubalik (25)
Laine (22)
Cozens (19)
Reichel (18)
Strome (23)
Nylander (22)
Suter (24)

What if ...

1. The Hawks do that deal which is Toews to Winnipeg for Laine, Perreault and a 1st (Perreault included to make the cap work)

AND

2. Kane ($4.5M retained) to Buffalo for Cozens, Okposo and a 1st. (Okposo included to make the cap work)

The Hawks would get Laine and Cozens to be key pieces of the new forward core PLUS (2) mid-late 1st round picks in 2021 draft to be added to our own 2021 1st round pick (top-10, maybe top-5).

Youth movement - forwards:

Dach (19)
DeBrincat (22)
Kubalik (25)
Laine (22)
Cozens (19)
Reichel (18)
Strome (23)
Nylander (22)
Suter (24)
- EbonyRaptor

Very creative, but I’d pass. I don’t think Toews and Kane are an obstacle to the rebuild. The team needs some quality veterans otherwise they end up like Edmonton a few years ago.

What if ...

1. The Hawks do that deal which is Toews to Winnipeg for Laine, Perreault and a 1st (Perreault included to make the cap work)

AND

2. Kane ($4.5M retained) to Buffalo for Cozens, Okposo and a 1st. (Okposo included to make the cap work)

The Hawks would get Laine and Cozens to be key pieces of the new forward core PLUS (2) mid-late 1st round picks in 2021 draft to be added to our own 2021 1st round pick (top-10, maybe top-5).

Youth movement - forwards:

Dach (19)
DeBrincat (22)
Kubalik (25)
Laine (22)
Cozens (19)
Reichel (18)
Strome (23)
Nylander (22)
Suter (24)
- EbonyRaptor

I’d have zero problem making the Laine and assets trade for Towes. I’d have a harder time making the Kane trade and probably wouldn’t do it. For me, Kane (and Hossa) are as much iconic Blackhawks as the Indian on the sweater. Trading Kane just much much more difficult. I guess I’m soured on Toews both on and off the ice a bit.

Compared to Matthews and the guy in Edmonton they were huge bargains and those deals were the difference between cup and no cup regardless where they were slotted. I don't think you can argue the point.
- rpeters01

McJesus scored over 100 points 2 out of 3 years in his elc, how does a bridge deal work there? You do realize he has an agent? The only way a bridge deal works is if the player agrees to it. Avs are a perfect example, MacKinnon agreed to one, he really sold himself short, Rantanen did not. Personally i believe Nathan is better and far more valuable player to that hockey team than Mikko.

It doesn’t help when bridge deals are back-end loaded like DeBrincat. In his 3rd year he’s paid $9 million in actual dollars, which would also be his qualifying offer. That’s not to say DeBrincat will get paid $9+ million, but it’s a risk and adds complexity to the situation.
- DarthKane

Calling Dinky's deal a bridge deal is borderline and his timing was quite lucky.