The Hawks only acquired the rights to Henrik Borgström. He’ll need a new contract.

It seems like that’ll come this summer rather than now. Borgström is playing in Finland currently and agent tells me he doesn’t expect to play in North America this year.

Borgström is eligible for the expansion draft even without a contract,
@CapFriendly
confirms.

Bowman speaking now after the trade.

He says they're trying to get Connolly and Stillman to join the Blackhawks on their road trip in Columbus this weekend.

Says he looks at Connolly's contract "as a manageable amount for a consistent goal-scorer."

On Borgstrom: "He seemed destined for greatness in the AHL, and it didn't happen right away. That's the way it goes for young players sometimes."

Says his skill set has been evident in Finland this year. "There's tremendous upside. He has to turn that potential into reality."

On Stillman: "He's a different style than almost all our young defensemen... The biggest thing with him is his competitive, aggressive style. He takes pride in the defensive part of the game."

Bowman says he expects Borgstrom to sign and be on the Blackhawks next season, not this season.

Bowman: "I've had several calls today. I expect that continue over the next few days... If we can make a move or two more, I wouldn't hesitate to do that."

Wow...you really nailed it. Please post more.
- NamedSources

I know that you’re kidding but please don’t give him any ideas.

Hawks 7F protected might be Toews, Kane, Cat, Hagel, Strome, Kampf, Nylander. This means the 2 new guys just obtained will be exposed.

My prediction is that Seattle will take Connolly who has Cup winning experience, reasonable cap hit, and can put up 15-20 goals.
- boilermaker100

Why protest Nylander? Or Strome for that matter over this kid who Stan absolutely loves.

Kurashev as well for a new contract. beyond teams being Broke financially most teams as up agaainst the cap so I thought we could get more taking a 3 year contract. 2 year I would probably be ok with. When the TDL is done look what the cost to take on term either or a good player or bad and I think you will get good players for nothing and have to pay heavily to get underacheiving players with Term off your books. A 23 year old prospect that we have to protect in the EXP draft and washed out of the NHL does not sound like paying heavily, I hope im wrong. he is 2-3 years removed from a good season.
- kmw4631

I'm not sure that's true but even if it is, so what? Expose him and Connolly along with deHaan and Zadarov and Subban. Seattle can only take one and depending on what type of team their GM and coach want to construct along with a cap floor to meet will dictate who they select.

Kurashev as well for a new contract. beyond teams being Broke financially most teams as up agaainst the cap so I thought we could get more taking a 3 year contract. 2 year I would probably be ok with. When the TDL is done look what the cost to take on term either or a good player or bad and I think you will get good players for nothing and have to pay heavily to get underacheiving players with Term off your books. A 23 year old prospect that we have to protect in the EXP draft and washed out of the NHL does not sound like paying heavily, I hope im wrong. he is 2-3 years removed from a good season.
- kmw4631

Do you know how many contracts the Hawks have currently when Kurashev is an RFA? Including Connolly 6, which includes Seabrook, and Toews, Kane, ADB,a dnKeith. If Kurashev is on the team in 2 years, i think they will be able to afford his raise.

I visited the Panthers board and asked their blogger Matt Ross his opinion on Stillman. His response -

I actually really like Stillman. He’s a young guy (23) that missed some time this season with all the different defensemen Florida is rotating in, but he plays a more oldschool “true defenseman” game - which is why I like him. He’s not a new age blueliner that is smallish and puck-moving.

He’s been a bit shaky with the puck the past few games, but I think he’s just kind of catching back up to everything.

I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with the Hawks. Id say he’s a work inprogress, but there’s some nice upside there - especially being able to learn from guys like Keith and Murphy now.

Why protest Nylander? Or Strome for that matter over this kid who Stan absolutely loves.
- NamedSources

You are smart.

I wouldn't protect Nylander or Strome. Stan didn't trade for this guy to expose him in the draft.

Kurashev as well for a new contract. beyond teams being Broke financially most teams as up agaainst the cap so I thought we could get more taking a 3 year contract. 2 year I would probably be ok with. When the TDL is done look what the cost to take on term either or a good player or bad and I think you will get good players for nothing and have to pay heavily to get underacheiving players with Term off your books. A 23 year old prospect that we have to protect in the EXP draft and washed out of the NHL does not sound like paying heavily, I hope im wrong. he is 2-3 years removed from a good season.
- kmw4631

So who will the hawks protect? Under the most likely 7/3/1

Kane toews DeBrincat Strome Hagel Nylander and Borgström

Keith seebs and Murphy add dehann and or zadorov if seabrook waves

WITH lanks being the goalie


Carpenter Highmore Bowey and either dehann or zadorov as well as subban making us complaint to the draft rules.

IF the hawks aren’t require to protect the captain Kampf is probably the next to be protected. Of course barring any trades before this take such place.

So who will the hawks protect? Under the most likely 7/3/1

Kane toews DeBrincat Strome Hagel Nylander and Borgström

Keith seebs and Murphy add dehann and or zadorov

WITH lanks being the goalie


Carpenter Highmore Bowey and either dehann or zadorov as well as subban making us complaint to the draft rules.

IF the hawks aren’t require to protect the captain Kampf is probably the next to be protected. Of course barring any trades before this take such place.
- Abadseed

They won't be required to protect Seabrook.

You are smart.

I wouldn't protect Nylander or Strome. Stan didn't trade for this guy to expose him in the draft.
- mohel

Thank you but yes...Nylander is coming off an injury and prior to that injury he was inconsistent. Strome was a late signing just before camp which tells me they were potentially looking at other options and he has also been inconsistent. You know what you have with both players. Why protect either one of them over the kid you just traded for? Makes no sense.

You are smart.

I wouldn't protect Nylander or Strome. Stan didn't trade for this guy to expose him in the draft.
- mohel

Exactly, when it’s all said and done we will lose one player in the expansion draft, I highly doubt that we will miss that one player.

Why protest Nylander? Or Strome for that matter over this kid who Stan absolutely loves.
- NamedSources

IMO Stan won't give up on Nylander and will give him another year, or lose Strome for nothing. If Strome may not be long for the Hawks, Stan will trade him for something. Borgstrom is still a wild card an an unknown, Seattle will pick someone more established e.g. Connolly, IMO.

IMO Stan won't give up on Nylander and will give him another year, or lose Strome for nothing. If Strome may not be long for the Hawks, Stan will trade him for something. Borgstrom is still a wild card an an unknown, Seattle will pick someone more established e.g. Connolly, IMO.
- boilermaker100

Or DaHaan if he is still on the Hawks.

According to CF, Connelly's cap hit for the next 2 seasons is ~2.3M. I hardly call that an expensive or bad contract. About the same as Janmark and Connelly has a better resume as far as being a goal scorer. He is also a RH shot which the Hawks need.

Carlsson and Stillman are a wash. Both have 5,6,7 NHL upside at best. Carlsson probably more offensive ability but a smidge.

Borgstrom may be the get. Like others have mentioned, I am going to give the Hawks' Euro scouts the benefit of doubt.


Who cares about the expansion draft. Hawks are going to lose one player and it will be someone who is the very definition of replaceable.

Or DaHaan if he is still on the Hawks.
- LAHawk

They won't take de Haan unless something is added. There is no reason to even begin to add something. If de Haan is here, the odds are against him surviving a full season anyway.

IMO Stan won't give up on Nylander and will give him another year, or lose Strome for nothing. If Strome may not be long for the Hawks, Stan will trade him for something. Borgstrom is still a wild card an an unknown, Seattle will pick someone more established e.g. Connolly, IMO.
- boilermaker100

I don't think its a matter of Stan giving up on Nylander. He had a major knee injury and imo that makes protecting him an even bigger risk. Plus he certainly wasn't lighting it up when he was playing. I would rather protect Kampf. I agree on Strome. Borgstrom is an unknot but a potential top six center should be given every opportunity.

So who will the hawks protect? Under the most likely 7/3/1

Kane toews DeBrincat Strome Hagel Nylander and Borgström

Keith seebs and Murphy add dehann and or zadorov if seabrook waves

WITH lanks being the goalie


Carpenter Highmore Bowey and either dehann or zadorov as well as subban making us complaint to the draft rules.

IF the hawks aren’t require to protect the captain Kampf is probably the next to be protected. Of course barring any trades before this take such place.
- Abadseed

Hawks will protect Kampf before Strome, Nylander or Borgstrom, IMO

They won't take de Haan unless something is added. There is no reason to even begin to add something. If de Haan is here, the odds are against him surviving a full season anyway.
- Elbows15

Depends on who else they like on other teams. They still have to get to the cap floor.

Depends on who else they like on other teams. They still have to get to the cap floor.
- LAHawk

60% of the upper limit. They will get there easily without de Haan. There are going to be younger and better options than de Haan for them is my guess.

I don't think its a matter of Stan giving up on Nylander. He had a major knee injury and imo that makes protecting him an even bigger risk. Plus he certainly wasn't lighting it up when he was playing. I would rather protect Kampf. I agree on Strome. Borgstrom is an unknot but a potential top six center should be given every opportunity.
- NamedSources

Good point about Nylander coming back from the knee injury. Maybe he isn't protected and Seattle doesn't select him because of that.

Why protest Nylander? Or Strome for that matter over this kid who Stan absolutely loves.
- NamedSources

GM speak, sparky.

Good point about Nylander coming back from the knee injury. Maybe he isn't protected and Seattle doesn't select him because of that.
- boilermaker100

Yes but ask yourself this question as should everyone who posts here.

What has the potential to be more of a mistake?

Protecting Nylander and exposing Borgstrom who with the right coaching could be a top flight player

---or----

Protecting Borgstrom and Nylander ending up on The Krack being the same player he has been for the past three years.

GM speak, sparky.
- Elbows15

Gramps...I took GM speak at the community college for 6 years.

Gramps...I took GM speak at the community college for 6 years.
- NamedSources

The Builder or Maintainer curriculum?

The Hawks only acquired the rights to Henrik Borgström. He’ll need a new contract.

It seems like that’ll come this summer rather than now. Borgström is playing in Finland currently and agent tells me he doesn’t expect to play in North America this year.

Borgström is eligible for the expansion draft even without a contract,
@CapFriendly
confirms.

Bowman speaking now after the trade.

He says they're trying to get Connolly and Stillman to join the Blackhawks on their road trip in Columbus this weekend.

Says he looks at Connolly's contract "as a manageable amount for a consistent goal-scorer."

On Borgstrom: "He seemed destined for greatness in the AHL, and it didn't happen right away. That's the way it goes for young players sometimes."

Says his skill set has been evident in Finland this year. "There's tremendous upside. He has to turn that potential into reality."

On Stillman: "He's a different style than almost all our young defensemen... The biggest thing with him is his competitive, aggressive style. He takes pride in the defensive part of the game."

Bowman says he expects Borgstrom to sign and be on the Blackhawks next season, not this season.

Bowman: "I've had several calls today. I expect that continue over the next few days... If we can make a move or two more, I wouldn't hesitate to do that."
- Chunk

Who used the term GM Speak?

Bowman can BS with the best of them. Everybody he acquires is on the verge of greatness or provides a dimension the Hawks don't currently have. But the GM of the team he acquired them from for certain doesn't view these guys as difference makers and since he didn't draft or sign them he sees them as totally expendable so he dumped them on Stan to save a few bucks on the cap.

But based on Stan's verbal diarrhea, I am expecting him to dump Strome and a bunch of others in trade by Monday; send Ian Mitchell to the Dylan Sikura junk pile permanently because Stillman has defensive attributes nobody else has. And Brett Connoly will score enough goals to propel the Hawks into the playoffs.

Stay tuned for the next episode of BS from Stan as soon as he makes another trade right after the game tonight.