@PierreVLeBrun

Roster size (taxi squads?) for the upcoming NHL season remains an open issue still TBD between NHL/NHLPA. In what will be a rather unique season, as we've seen with football, roster flexibility will be paramount. That will be an interesting item for the NHL/NHLPA to iron out.

@PierreVLeBrun

Roster size (taxi squads?) for the upcoming NHL season remains an open issue still TBD between NHL/NHLPA. In what will be a rather unique season, as we've seen with football, roster flexibility will be paramount. That will be an interesting item for the NHL/NHLPA to iron out.
- Theo Fox

More players tasting an NHL paycheck - at least for part of the season - at a time of drastically reduced revenue. Hang on, boys and girls, it's gonna be a wild time!

NHL Network tweet: if you could have one of these remaining UFAs, who would you want on your team?


- Theo Fox

Assuming the Hawks are truly in a youth movement - jury may still be out on that - I wouldn't want any of those guys of any other veteran player that doesn't project out to be in his prime 5+ years from now.

I would have to agree on Reichel being an impact player who is just so smart knowing where to be at all times and knowing what play to make in any situation. All of this along with his skill, compete level, and resilience.

As for Colliton, I also could see him being a placeholder coach. Unless he evolves into some coaching savant where the Hawks hold onto him as long as they can, he will become part of the coaching carousel in hockey.
- Theo Fox

While not thinking he'll be as good, this strikes me as a Kane-like quality.

I wasn't aware of this nugget within an article on having a bunch of outdoor games...

"It’s important to remember that even if the NHL caves and doesn’t amend the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed a few months ago, the players still would have to eventually pay back any salary that brings them over 50% of the hockey-related revenue. With no fans and very little revenue to be made, it seems likely that both sides would be open to out-of-the-box ideas like outdoor contests if it brought in ticket sales."

So both sides are going to share the revenue hit from this season.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...by-several-nhl-teams.html
- mohel

That's why i don't understand why the NHL is saying they will pay them their full salary since they will play less games. That's not a true or accurate statement as if they want players to look like the bad guy. The right thing to do is prorate their salaries per games played.

Still have faith they will work things out, but i think the owners are worried they will have a tough time getting the money back if it isn't managed by a third party

How about none of the above?
- LAHawk

I guess none play goal and even there you are adding from the outside and slowing the chances of growth in your youth movement.

Hoffman is a shot.
JHe is not going to battle hard in all the other phases were he dominates.

Duclair will never plat two way game...Granlund may have reached his highest levels or N Nashville was terrible fit....Haula has some jump, b ut agin, enough to be a staple at a low price, probably not....WE gonna motivate Perry by making the playoffs so he can go off on them? And will the Hawk core stop Dach him until. And dont forget the feet are gone.
And Vatanen crowds your dee with another unsized under-edged guy...

Offer me a young power guy at wing or yet another sniper...

https://www.nbcsports.com...ld-breaking-more-barriers

Theo Fox: Bullish
A comparison of 1st round picks and head coaches between United Center co-tenants, the Bulls and Blackhawks.
- Theo Fox

I know Williams isn't the popular pick but honestly the defense for the Bulls is brutal. This kid plays defense and he's very athletic and supposedly he played point guard in high school so he has ball skills. I know everyone seems to want a scorer but what i kept hearing every time a kid was drafted was can they get this kid to play defense? That was never said with Williams.

I don't know what to expect with Reichel but if he's responsible with the puck, plays good defense, tough along the boards, goes to the front of the net, maintain possession in the offensive zone, and can produce 40+ points this will be a good pick for the team.

NHL Network tweet: if you could have one of these remaining UFAs, who would you want on your team?


- Theo Fox

Common man Brandon Manning all the way

NHL Network tweet: if you could have one of these remaining UFAs, who would you want on your team?


- Theo Fox

Hoffman (for 1 season), signed on day 2 of the season after Smith goes on LTIR. Hoffman then gets flipped at the trade deadline.

Hoffman (for 1 season), signed on day 2 of the season after Smith goes on LTIR. Hoffman then gets flipped at the trade deadline.
- DarthKane

I just don't see what Hoffman provides what is needed in the youth movement. He would be a "win now" acquisition - only. He's not going to be here 4-5 years from now. Forget signing veterans to help make the 2021 Hawks better - it would be counter productive. Play the kids.

I just don't see what Hoffman provides what is needed in the youth movement. He would be a "win now" acquisition - only. He's not going to be here 4-5 years from now. Forget signing veterans to help make the 2021 Hawks better - it would be counter productive. Play the kids.
- EbonyRaptor

Sign, play and flip at the TDL foe draft capital? I think that’s rationale that may make sense. As a Chicago sports fan for nearly 50 years now, we always, ALWAYS over-value our prospects. This organization very likely doesn’t have enough in the pipeline.

I just don't see what Hoffman provides what is needed in the youth movement. He would be a "win now" acquisition - only. He's not going to be here 4-5 years from now. Forget signing veterans to help make the 2021 Hawks better - it would be counter productive. Play the kids.
- EbonyRaptor

In Darth's scenario, if it's serious, just a trade chip to add more draft capital. On an expiring contract he'd likely net at least a second.

For this next season, he's not really blocking anyone's path up to the big club but could take playing time away from another young player, so for that reason I'd say nay.

Sign, play and flip at the TDL foe draft capital? I think that’s rationale that may make sense. As a Chicago sports fan for nearly 50 years now, we always, ALWAYS over-value our prospects. This organization very likely doesn’t have enough in the pipeline.
- Aurora Hawk

Living in the Detroit area for the past ten years I can tell you Chicago isn't the only city guilty of that.

Hoffman (for 1 season), signed on day 2 of the season after Smith goes on LTIR. Hoffman then gets flipped at the trade deadline.
- DarthKane

If they can manage this, I'm all for it.

Living in the Detroit area for the past ten years I can tell you Chicago isn't the only city guilty of that.
- HawkintheD

Probably all fandoms, but it’s especially so with us, Chicago fans.

I just don't see what Hoffman provides what is needed in the youth movement. He would be a "win now" acquisition - only. He's not going to be here 4-5 years from now. Forget signing veterans to help make the 2021 Hawks better - it would be counter productive. Play the kids.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree. All Hoffman does is take away playing time from Kubalik. Hoffman has to play top 6, and you already have Kane, Kubalik as top 6;RW’s. Also Hoffman on the PP is best st right side boards, he isn’t taking PP time away from Kane.

Sign, play and flip at the TDL foe draft capital? I think that’s rationale that may make sense. As a Chicago sports fan for nearly 50 years now, we always, ALWAYS over-value our prospects. This organization very likely doesn’t have enough in the pipeline.
- Aurora Hawk

Your statement is what basically made me become my own judge of their farm and draftpicks...I was so tired of the programs hyping younger players in the farm, how they never seem to get to the parent club (surprise).

I think the advances in prospect scouting at the junior level really has improved/instensified/ sorted and sites the negatives in the prospects, so there are less complete busts for the Hawks or all teams.

If you think that every player stream tales at pick #105 like a Michal Teplý is going to be a NHL star because the organization or sports writers say/write a positive sentence about them, that is ion YOU>

I really dont see the organization over-hyping any one, including the one guy they probably COULD have hyped, Ian Mitchell.

Now I dont frequent their NHL site enough to see if they have press people writing flowers and unicorns on the kids in Russia, or even over hyping Reichel.

To me, they have pumped the brakes on this idea.
Remember when Teuvo Teräväinen was added?
They never said he was Kane...they simply said he had skills to use to see if he was gonna to be an NHL contributor...

I have many people asking the upside on guys drafted (just like they do in those live Q & A's on the Athletic where the fans want confirmation their team won the draft with all their selections)...and I always answer, we dont know until we see how they handle the quicker, smarter, stronger NHLers.
(...that goes for Mitchell too, although I think he will figure it out.)

Today's confession:

I read a stupid NBCSPORTSChicago article by some Scott King, another personally decided "list" from someone who I have little confidence in knowing as much as the majority of the posters here...
So I went to Twitter and replied to he hype of his article, saying if you want me to believe your an knowledgable hawk contributor, you would know they didn't draft Mackenzie Entwistle.

So sometimes those doing the hyping are not part of the "or gan eye sa shun."

I agree. All Hoffman does is take away playing time from Kubalik. Hoffman has to play top 6, and you already have Kane, Kubalik as top 6;RW’s. Also Hoffman on the PP is best st right side boards, he isn’t taking PP time away from Kane.
- LAHawk

Why can't Hoffman play with Strome on the 3rd line?

They have Kubalik listed as a LW? Same with Hoffman

In Darth's scenario, if it's serious, just a trade chip to add more draft capital. On an expiring contract he'd likely net at least a second.

For this next season, he's not really blocking anyone's path up to the big club but could take playing time away from another young player, so for that reason I'd say nay.
- HawkintheD

D... of course I’m serious, why would you think otherwise?

Why can't Hoffman play with Strome on the 3rd line?

They have Kubalik listed as a LW? Same with Hoffman
- BetweenTheDots

How does playing him on the third line maximize his return at the TDL? And if Shaw comes back, where does he play? Hoffman is not exactly the type of player Bowman/Colliton are trying to acquire anyway.

How does playing him on the third line maximize his return at the TDL? And if Shaw comes back, where does he play? Hoffman is not exactly the type of player Bowman/Colliton are trying to acquire anyway.
- LAHawk

Maximize his return? Just looking to build draft capital. Shaw most likely isn't coming back but if he does that's excellent. I saw the Cubs do this and amass a bunch of minor league prospects before their championship runs.

Maximize his return? Just looking to build draft capital. Shaw most likely isn't coming back but if he does that's excellent. I saw the Cubs do this and amass a bunch of minor league prospects before their championship runs.
- BetweenTheDots

When the Cubs did it primarily with pitchers, they had no one in the minors remotely ready to pitch, the Hawks have plenty of candidates to play forward. Don’t you want to see if Nylander can make it? Would rather see him on the third line with Strome than Hoffman. Let Rocky save some money, definite pass.

Hoffman (or at least his wife) carry some off ice baggage as well.

When the Cubs did it primarily with pitchers, they had no one in the minors remotely ready to pitch, the Hawks have plenty of candidates to play forward. Don’t you want to see if Nylander can make it? Would rather see him on the third line with Strome than Hoffman. Let Rocky save some money, definite pass.

Hoffman (or at least his wife) carry some off ice baggage as well.
- LAHawk

Love to see Nylander make it for sure. Honestly though if they can sign 1 of those guys to a friendly 1yr deal i won't get upset about it. Not to worried about the wife she's been outed. I see your point but i for sure ain't worried about the Wirtz family money.

We'll see but you're probably right they won't sign him, opportunity cost, or anyone else to a 1 yr contract to flip at TDL

Washington Post article about Covid and youth hockey: seems to have implications for the pro game as well:

https://www.washingtonpos...d-transmission-outbreaks/