I do wonder if they are waiting for Barzal contract to come out. Speaking of Barzal what do you think he's worth?
It's a dilemma because he puts up about .75 points per game about the same as MacKinnon just a little more than Strome, but for sure he's dynamic on his skates but he's got a better supporting cast and now with no fans do you low ball him?

And when i say compare him to MacKinnon that's where he was at i believe before Rantanen came along
- BetweenTheDots

MacKinnon is the 2nd best player in the league IMO, maybe even the best but he has a much better surrounding cast than #97. He just happened to sign a cheap contract at the end of his ELC. Comparatively, he should be making about $12M not 6. Better player than Eichel and Matthews, miles better than Tavares, Marner, Kopitar etc.

I love Barzal as a player but he's no MacKinnon. So, probably gets about $7M on shorter deal given the tough times/flat cap. $9-10M over 5 yrs if times were normal.

He will be arbitrating with this season's numbers - if he plays.
- RickJ

Hawks will play the tapes of the Vegas series at his arbitration hearing.

Doesn't a "big leaguer" bring his best all the time? Doesn't "saving his best" suggest he is inconsistent?
- mohel

Well maybe , like I said think he is trying to do to much right now .And you know them Russians always seem to play a little possum .

Doesn't a "big leaguer" bring his best all the time? Doesn't "saving his best" suggest he is inconsistent?
- mohel

Most youngsters are inconsistent? Nearly each one. So btw has he shown better and better at not being inconsistent.
How do you think his bring a left glove might actually get in the head of shooters in an NL game. In OT or a shootout, in a close game period three does the opponent change their shot location? I "dk" but this is sort of an intriguing question. I would say what side glove should not matter to shooters. But they are accustomed to more right glove goaltenders.

Change subject

Wiz i remain locked in on wanting a rugged dman with our first round lottery '21. Perhaps if you cannot pick the very best one you want as he is plucked ahead of our pick, then do we still go after a different rugged able dman, a center in light of Toews and Dach uncertainty, or best player available.

If ever a time to trade Kane (I would not) then I do see the top RW wing or forward as a pick.. i know there is a ton of centers and up to five dmen - whom can play with ruggedness - within top 15. There is the swede goaltender but ideally you go after the goaltender with a second first round choice. Which is dreaming big right now.

Kane is our offense. Without him the offense could be throttled. Kane likely is productive in his late years too which he is near. He will play into his 40's although with the covid who knows the shape of sports and whom chooses to prolong a career. You could say, i demand a top five pick plus Tkachuk (Senators) type trade. But ultimately we loose out at least here and now because the offense without a big time talent, is going to struggle. With so many dmen and centers plus a goaltender in THIS draft top 15 tier, I would be ecstatic to add at the most desirable positions a team should look first to have an ace (defense, center, goal).

Alas this is not some strat o magic fantasy. We aren't trading Kane. I am not sure whom is the best choice with our first but I do not automatically say best player available. Not with the rare opportunity to pluck a good all around dman whom has snarl too. That type is limited quantity normally each draft

Well maybe , like I said think he is trying to do to much right now .And you know them Russians always seem to play a little possum .
- oldduffman

You do realize that Putin reads Hockeybuzz every day? Statements like yours puts you on the list for a taste of that holiday brew the KGB served Alexai Navalny.

How do you think his bring a left glove might actually get in the head of shooters in an NL game.

I think NHL shooters are spot good the glove hand doesn't matter




Wiz i remain locked in on wanting a rugged dman with our first round lottery '21. Perhaps if you cannot pick the very best one you want as he is plucked ahead of our pick, then do we still go after a different rugged able dman, a center in light of Toews and Dach uncertainty, or best player available.
- jhawk59

Then maybe you want Carson Lambos, tenth on my list, both I am taken the Swedish goalie before him, or a scorer.

BYW if I had to say, 2022 lots like a little stronger class than 2021.

2021is really good where the Blackhawks are selecting in the first but it flattens quickly to developmental guys in that second round, maybe not early, but at then =of the first this season, I the nk the teams got better chances at quality NHLers than will be there this draft.

For years the complaint was Stan overpays everyone. Now he's a miser.
- mohel

Is it concern that he's a miser or about the way in which he is handling player negotiations?

We were winning big, in part, because key FA players, like Hossa, wanted to come here because the organization had a reputation for being very good to the players.

Can't afford to completely lose that rep and hope to rebuild only from within, can we?

Then maybe you want Carson Lambos, tenth on my list, both I am taken the Swedish goalie before him, or a scorer.

BYW if I had to say, 2022 lots like a little stronger class than 2021.

2021is really good where the Blackhawks are selecting in the first but it flattens quickly to developmental guys in that second round, maybe not early, but at then =of the first this season, I the nk the teams got better chances at quality NHLers than will be there this draft.
- wiz1901

Maybe you wait until a poor 2021-22 season and pick this Czech kid defender David JIRICEK.

You do realize that Putin reads Hockeybuzz every day? Statements like yours puts you on the list for a taste of that holiday brew the KGB served Alexai Navalny.
- RickJ

Could have been the Chinese....

Just think - it could be worse! A player from the '85 Bears was just charged with murder.

Is it concern that he's a miser or about the way in which he is handling player negotiations?

We were winning big, in part, because key FA players, like Hossa, wanted to come here because the organization had a reputation for being very good to the players.

Can't afford to completely lose that rep and hope to rebuild only from within, can we?
- pdx2ord

I'm not sure what the concern is, just pointing out an inconsistency on the board.

On Crow....maybe they gave a valued vet their best offer first as a courtesy, rather than nickel and diming him. Odds are that any long-term vet will not be happy when the team wants to move on.

Reports say Dubois had resigned with CBJ - 2 years at an AAV of $5MM.

I'm not sure what the concern is, just pointing out an inconsistency on the board.

On Crow....maybe they gave a valued vet their best offer first as a courtesy, rather than nickel and diming him. Odds are that any long-term vet will not be happy when the team wants to move on.
- mohel

Agreed with the inconsistency

Just seem to have been multiple reports now of limited to no communication with players during the typical negotiation period and actual "negotiation" doesn't seem to be a part of it any longer. This assumes the player reports are true, but given we had really never heard of this happening regularly before the past year or so, and fact it does not help them to report it, I tend to believe them.

He and Wirtz The Younger can choose to do business that way, of course, but no player wants to feel like they are not/were not important enough to the organization to warrant the respect of a forthright conversation. Doubly true for the long-term vets.

Teply had an assistant on the last goal as Czech whitewashed Austria

You can put it on the board - yes!

Could have been the Chinese....
- StLBravesFan

No, it is always the Russians. The Chinese are saints.

Agreed with the inconsistency

Just seem to have been multiple reports now of limited to no communication with players during the typical negotiation period and actual "negotiation" doesn't seem to be a part of it any longer. This assumes the player reports are true, but given we had really never heard of this happening regularly before the past year or so, and fact it does not help them to report it, I tend to believe them.

He and Wirtz The Younger can choose to do business that way, of course, but no player wants to feel like they are not/were not important enough to the organization to warrant the respect of a forthright conversation. Doubly true for the long-term vets.
- pdx2ord

Well, to each his or her own. I don't see it as a concern.

Yes. How about Strome for Roslovic + ...just for the fun of it.
- MjulQvist

Strome for Zacha

Strome for Zacha
- DarthKane

Strome for Malkin.

Better yet, Cole Caufield.....

Strome for Malkin.

Better yet, Cole Caufield.....
- mohel

Now you’re talking!

How about "whatever he has, I hope it's not serious and he, as a person, recovers as soon as possible" ???? Saw numerous posts like that about Crawford and Shaw, and rightly so. One would think that one of the top 5 most influential players in Blackhawks history would deserve the same concern......

Now you’re talking!
- DarthKane

Won't likely ever use this description:
Caufield jockeying for position
Not along boards or in front of net. Or in a scrum

Maybe jockeying for the goal scoring title if all goes well. Imagine if an American led the Canadiens and NHL in goal scoring!

Sa cre' blue Alex Ovechkin!

How about "whatever he has, I hope it's not serious and he, as a person, recovers as soon as possible" ???? Saw numerous posts like that about Crawford and Shaw, and rightly so. One would think that one of the top 5 most influential players in Blackhawks history would deserve the same concern......
- Nmbr1

Could even be the west nile from.insect bite

MacKinnon is the 2nd best player in the league IMO, maybe even the best but he has a much better surrounding cast than #97. He just happened to sign a cheap contract at the end of his ELC. Comparatively, he should be making about $12M not 6. Better player than Eichel and Matthews, miles better than Tavares, Marner, Kopitar etc.

I love Barzal as a player but he's no MacKinnon. So, probably gets about $7M on shorter deal given the tough times/flat cap. $9-10M over 5 yrs if times were normal.
- RickJ

I definitely could see $7, considering what Dubby signed for i imagine he'll get about $6.

Speaking about Dubby, $5 mil for 2 years great deal for BJ, the thing is Strome during his Hawk tenure averaged more points a game, just saying

Mac is fantastic but isn't it interesting how Rantanen who put up way more points than Mac because Mac was his line mate during his ELC. We both know he's not a better hockey player but damn he gets $3 mil more a season.

How about "whatever he has, I hope it's not serious and he, as a person, recovers as soon as possible" ???? Saw numerous posts like that about Crawford and Shaw, and rightly so. One would think that one of the top 5 most influential players in Blackhawks history would deserve the same concern......
- Nmbr1

Read a little closer.

You do realize that Putin reads Hockeybuzz every day? Statements like yours puts you on the list for a taste of that holiday brew the KGB served Alexai Navalny.
- RickJ

Comrade стог скирда (Rick), the Soviet sleeper has been awakened.