He does, but think he's been on the right side the last few games...don't quote me. Agree on Kurashev. He was good along the wall and had a nice deflection...sadly Saros had an answer.
- HawkintheD

He is comfortable on both sides.

IT was fun while it lasted but that should do it for the Hawks chances this year. Dallas still has games in hand, and Nashville is owning them each and every time out.

Young team, some pieces here for sure....but what frustrates me to no end is it really isn't the young D making the costly, game altering plays that plagues this team...it's Keith, or DeHaan, or Zadorov.....For the 1st time last night was a tell that #2 is quickly on his way out....he looked AWFUL.....if he wasn't getting beat 1 on 1, he was getting shots blocked, and his frustration was evident trying to multiple 2 hand a guy in the corner as the clock winded down.

Fun year....didn't expect them to contend for a playoff spot this late so I'll take it. Now time to maximize the draft pick slot and keep this rebuild on track.

He is comfortable on both sides.
- wiz1901

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

IT was fun while it lasted but that should do it for the Hawks chances this year. Dallas still has games in hand, and Nashville is owning them each and every time out.

Young team, some pieces here for sure....but what frustrates me to no end is it really isn't the young D making the costly, game altering plays that plagues this team...it's Keith, or DeHaan, or Zadorov.....For the 1st time last night was a tell that #2 is quickly on his way out....he looked AWFUL.....if he wasn't getting beat 1 on 1, he was getting shots blocked, and his frustration was evident trying to multiple 2 hand a guy in the corner as the clock winded down.

Fun year....didn't expect them to contend for a playoff spot this late so I'll take it. Now time to maximize the draft pick slot and keep this rebuild on track.
- SteveRain

Agree on all fronts, Rain Man. I do think that it is good to have vets to play against the other team's best players until the kids have their feet wet.

One strategy for the Hawks. Lacking #1 defender and #1 center and without having prospects to fill those roles currently in the system, they will probably be in the lottery this year and the next two years. Let's say they do not move up in the lottery any year. They should still have a draft pick in the 10 to 15 range. Don't over spend on good but not great players. With Seabs on LTIR and Toews, Kane and Keith contracts coming off the books after the 22/23 season save cap space. Then with all of that cap space sign a stud defender and a stud center. By that time some of the younger players in our system and the ones we acquire in the next 3 drafts should be NHL ready and a very good supporting cast. Also Colliton will either be worthy or be fired by then.
- -Doh-

Summer of '22, Panther's Alexsander Barkov and CBJ's Seth Jones hit free agency.

He is comfortable on both sides.
- wiz1901

He is comfortable on both sides.
- wiz1901

Excellent, hope he plays the left side as well as his right

IT was fun while it lasted but that should do it for the Hawks chances this year. Dallas still has games in hand, and Nashville is owning them each and every time out.

Young team, some pieces here for sure....but what frustrates me to no end is it really isn't the young D making the costly, game altering plays that plagues this team...it's Keith, or DeHaan, or Zadorov.....For the 1st time last night was a tell that #2 is quickly on his way out....he looked AWFUL.....if he wasn't getting beat 1 on 1, he was getting shots blocked, and his frustration was evident trying to multiple 2 hand a guy in the corner as the clock winded down.

Fun year....didn't expect them to contend for a playoff spot this late so I'll take it. Now time to maximize the draft pick slot and keep this rebuild on track.
- SteveRain

Good post Steve and I agree no one here expected much from the team who started without Toews and Dach, had up to six rookies in the lineup, a few journeyman retreads in the lineup, they had very little experience, no obvious goalie ready to step in and ADB coming off a mediocre season. I think the guy who deserves allot credit is Colliton, who managed on many nights, to get the team to play above what was expected.

As for defensemen, DeHaan is an average defender who’s become less than average due to limited mobility and possibly injuries. Zadorov has some good games especially when he’s not looking for the big hit. But he’s not a long term solution. LAHawk has suggested Keith is hurting, he seems labored which I figured was age catching up. I think he is no longer capable of playing 24 minutes a game. I still think he can help any team as a second or third pairing defenseman playing 10-12 minutes a game.

Agree on all fronts, Rain Man. I do think that it is good to have vets to play against the other team's best players until the kids have their feet wet.
- mohel

I agree....I don't want to a ruin a teenage or young 20 yr old's confidence slotting him above his skis, so it's that tough balance between learning on the fly and being over protective.

Think Zadorov is the most frustrating for me. Really expected more.

DeHaan....counting down the days until I never have to watch him play again....he's just....well, he's not good.

Keith...sad tale as he's playing minutes his skill set likely won't allow anymore, so try very hard to remember what he was vs what we have now. A shell of a former great player.

One thing I do agree with Murphy on is in these larger games lots of guys look very timid and very nervous. Almost afraid to make a mistake, and when one guy does, it just snowballs. They rarely get a push on the ensuing faceoff after giving up a goal...in fact it almost seems like they get pinned back in their own end far more often than not.....

Good post Steve and I agree no one here expected much from the team who started without Toews and Dach, had up to six rookies in the lineup, a few journeyman retreads in the lineup, they had very little experience, no obvious goalie ready to step in and ADB coming off a mediocre season. I think the guy who deserves allot credit is Colliton, who managed on many nights, to get the team to play above what was expected.

As for defensemen, DeHaan is an average defender who’s become less than average due to limited mobility and possibly injuries. Zadorov has some good games especially when he’s not looking for the big hit. But he’s not a long term solution. LAHawk has suggested Keith is hurting, he seems labored which I figured was age catching up. I think he is no longer capable of playing 24 minutes a game. I still think he can help any team as a second or third pairing defenseman playing 10-12 minutes a game.
- paulr

100%...I give JC a lot of credit for not being overly critical of younger guy's mistakes and if they had a few bad games, he sat them to make sure it wouldn't snow ball.

PP really carried this team early on. Need to go back and find out what was working so well on that and duplicate it for the future.

PK....I really didn't have high expectations for this unit as when you have older aging defensemen, and a lot of younger kids, you are going to have a mediocre PK...

DeHaan....I've seen enough. If for some reason Seattle doesn't take him, need to get rid of him as I would rather see ANY prospect right now vs him

Keith....I agree. I know he has custody of his kid, been here forever, but that is one guy this offseason that I would ask if he's 100% happy here knowing that next year is about the same, maybe a little better.....if Keith doesn't want to go through it again, as a 2nd or 3rd pairing D man on a cup contender he would thrive. Last few weeks I have seen a little more and more frustration brewing in him as they give up goals when he's on the ice. Human nature for an alpha competitor, but he should be afforded the ask by Bowman.

Zadorov....he rarely looks engaged for 60 minutes. Just lazy to the slot, or blows coverage, or makes asinine play after asinine play. It was either the 1st or 3rd when he had the puck down low, came out behind the net, had a shot....didn't take it, and the 1 predator blocked his pass out of the zone as he was going high to his partner. Just dumb......If Bowman laid groundwork for a trade last week, hopefully he sees it through this offseason. I just don't see how much better this guy can get UNLESS he's play for $$$....seems like a guy who would turn it on in a contract year and once he got paid just be content. Likely while Colorado sold high when they could.....

Boiler has been making this case for days. Barkov and Matthews would be great, but it's exceedingly rare for guys that young and at that level to reach UFA status.
- mohel

Good point about the age of upcoming free agents. This can be seen on capfriendly. Along the top menu of the homepage, click players, then free agents. On the next screen select the season of free agency, for example 22-23. Select position if you want individual breakdowns by F, D or G. Then find expiry status and select UFA (to filter out RFA's who would have to be offer sheeted). Scroll down and hit update results.

Then look at the ages of free agents. Most of them will be in their mid to late 30's, not exactly the type the Hawks should sign. There's just a handful in their late 20's that should have 6-7 years of good play left in them. Lo and behold Barkov will be 26 at that time and Jones will be 27. Two studs in their prime.

Good point about the age of upcoming free agents. This can be seen on capfriendly. Along the top menu of the homepage, click players, then free agents. On the next screen select the season of free agency, for example 22-23. Select position if you want individual breakdowns by F, D or G. Then find expiry status and select UFA (to filter out RFA's who would have to be offer sheeted). Scroll down and hit update results.

Then look at the ages of free agents. Most of them will be in their mid to late 30's, not exactly the type the Hawks should sign. There's just a handful in their late 20's that should have 6-7 years of good play left in them. Lo and behold Barkov will be 26 at that time and Jones will be 27. Two studs in their prime.
- boilermaker100

Yeah wouldn't it be a dream that by 22-23 we have a team good enough that a Barkov or Jones will be a Campell or Hossa-type signing. It also depends a bit on how much we'll have to shell out for Dach, Boquist, Kubalik, re-signing of Kane and the Cat.

Last night's game was lost in a 2-3 minute span in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Good teams capitalize on and bad/mediocre teams lose because of those spans. That said, if anyone would have said we'd be competing for a playoff spot now at the beginning of the season, I wouldn't believe it.

I thought the Hawks looked pretty good considering they were playing against a team that seems to have their number.

If you wanna see a team get owned take a look at Preds vs Canes. The Canes make the Preds look like a below average AHL team

Keith....I agree. I know he has custody of his kid, been here forever, but that is one guy this offseason that I would ask if he's 100% happy here knowing that next year is about the same, maybe a little better.....if Keith doesn't want to go through it again, as a 2nd or 3rd pairing D man on a cup contender he would thrive. Last few weeks I have seen a little more and more frustration brewing in him as they give up goals when he's on the ice. Human nature for an alpha competitor, but he should be afforded the ask by Bowman.

Zadorov....he rarely looks engaged for 60 minutes. Just lazy to the slot, or blows coverage, or makes asinine play after asinine play. It was either the 1st or 3rd when he had the puck down low, came out behind the net, had a shot....didn't take it, and the 1 predator blocked his pass out of the zone as he was going high to his partner. Just dumb......If Bowman laid groundwork for a trade last week, hopefully he sees it through this offseason. I just don't see how much better this guy can get UNLESS he's play for $$$....seems like a guy who would turn it on in a contract year and once he got paid just be content. Likely while Colorado sold high when they could.....
- SteveRain

About Keith - Yes talk to him and offer him the opportunity to play for a Cup contender. If he declines, also make it clear to him that his minutes will be reduced here.

Regarding Zadorov if he plays this way in a contract year, how will he play once he obtains the security of a longer contract? Don't make that mistake Stan.

About Keith - Yes talk to him and offer him the opportunity to play for a Cup contender. If he declines, also make it clear to him that his minutes will be reduced here.

Regarding Zadorov if he plays this way in a contract year, how will he play once he obtains the security of a longer contract? Don't make that mistake Stan.
- boilermaker100

Regarding Keith

Bill Walsh said this was one of the most difficult and upsetting things he was responsible for with the 49ers.

Yeah wouldn't it be a dream that by 22-23 we have a team good enough that a Barkov or Jones will be a Campell or Hossa-type signing. It also depends a bit on how much we'll have to shell out for Dach, Boquist, Kubalik, re-signing of Kane and the Cat.

Last night's game was lost in a 2-3 minute span in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Good teams capitalize on and bad/mediocre teams lose because of those spans. That said, if anyone would have said we'd be competing for a playoff spot now at the beginning of the season, I wouldn't believe it.
- Popsghostly

I guess there are players that will look to other teams to be "that guy," but guys in their prime can't be looking at a rebuilding team. Especially since Matthews & Barkov already went through that once & are on competing teams. Our cap situation is in the air ... I just don't see it. Plus, I'm just naturally against big ufa spending. That doesn't make a team an instant competitor. Buyer's remorse, more often than not.

(frank), I meant to quote Boilermaker.

Yeah wouldn't it be a dream that by 22-23 we have a team good enough that a Barkov or Jones will be a Campell or Hossa-type signing.
- Popsghostly

At the time the Hossa signing was the last big splash to getvthe group over to serious contender, and I really don't think that a signing of either of these tow guys seals any deal except that ap hell starts before the group is truly contention-ready, like the Jets ended up subtracting before they won or really contended...the Cap does that.

It also depends a bit on how much we'll have to shell out for Dach, Boquist, Kubalik, re-signing of Kane and the Cat..
- Popsghostly

And that is precisely the problem is how they value and access payment to Boqvist, Kubalik, and Dach.
I love dach, but I am not sure that I would start throwing giant numbers on him, and the same goes for the concussion prone Boqvist (Didn't somebody here report three concussion prior to the draft?)

I am certain that the inner discussion are already coming to decisions on just how much they will NOT pay Kubalik.
(And there is clear interest in the tarade market for this type player.)
Those to me have to be hard line negotiations in the interest of the rebuild.

and I am not going to go negative on any of the three except, to understand how overpayments have done harm to the hawks and othercteams so tread lightly in negotiations.

Last night's game was lost in a 2-3 minute span in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Good teams capitalize on and bad/mediocre teams lose because of those spans. That said, if anyone would have said we'd be competing for a playoff spot now at the beginning of the season, I wouldn't believe it.
- Popsghostly

Last time I am gonna say this:

I take solace in the fact that this is a terrific draft to pick in the top 13 and not make the playoffs.

This group like all drafts has what is perceived as a high tier but it quickly levels inside the non playoff teams so if you are going to rebuild and not make the playoffs, this draft is a perfect time. Lots to like in the non playoff first round, the players in the late second round.

The biggest decisions will start coming in the start of next year and the end of this one in terms of the new player movement.
I think they have to decide just who look like true long term NHLers and not just guys that arerookiesyou filled the spots the open due to injury...

Yeah wouldn't it be a dream that by 22-23 we have a team good enough that a Barkov or Jones will be a Campell or Hossa-type signing. It also depends a bit on how much we'll have to shell out for Dach, Boquist, Kubalik, re-signing of Kane and the Cat.

Last night's game was lost in a 2-3 minute span in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Good teams capitalize on and bad/mediocre teams lose because of those spans. That said, if anyone would have said we'd be competing for a playoff spot now at the beginning of the season, I wouldn't believe it.
- Popsghostly

I think in this flat cap world we're living in, the bridge contract will become more common. To me Dach has been playing tentatively since his return. If he doesn't turn it on next year, he could be extended at something like 3 X 2.5M.

Boqvist has shown great improvement this season, but, through no fault of his own is injury prone. Unfortunately he has had a concussion this year, I believe a concussion late last year just before the covid shutdown, and a couple of concussions in his younger days. He could be a star player or the next Shaw.
Bridge contract in the 3x2.5M range would be appropriate for him too.

I think both will still be RFA's at the end of these 3 year bridge deals. They can cash in later if they reach their potential. Hopefully the cap will increase by 2025-26.

I guess there are players that will look to other teams to be "that guy," but guys in their prime can't be looking at a rebuilding team. Especially since Matthews & Barkov already went through that once & are on competing teams. Our cap situation is in the air ... I just don't see it. Plus, I'm just naturally against big ufa spending. That doesn't make a team an instant competitor. Buyer's remorse, more often than not.

(frank), I meant to quote Boilermaker.
- I Am The Breadman

Well Bread, how long to you expect this rebuild to take? Wouldn't it be accelerated by signing the likes of Barkov or Jones. Maybe they will see the Hawks as an up and coming team, want to play for a contender, and consider themselves the pieces that put the Hawks over the the top.

Of course there will need to be plenty of complimentary pieces, and hopefully Suter, Kurashev, Hagel, Kalynuk, Mitchell, Beaudin, Stillman, Dach, Boqvist will continue to develop. None of these guys will break the bank at the end of their current contracts. Bridge them in the 3 year 1.5-3M range. Reichel and maybe Borgstrom would be ready too.

As far as cap space, if Toews doesn't return, there's 10.5M that can be LTIRed in the summer along with Seabs 6.75M making 17M available. Shaw, deHaan, possibly Murphy off the books after next season. There's another 12M. Keith the following year at 5M savings. Use some of that 34M to re-up Cat and Kane. Also factor in a cap increase in hopefully 3-4 years.

With Bovquist and Kalnyuk out injured the Hawks went with

DaHaan
Murphy
Keith
Zadorov
Stilman.

Stilman was probably the best defenseman out there (at least I didn't see him make the major gaffs the veteran's did.

I think Keith is kept, all others are trade,expansion bait, and you bring in some new vets (preferably that have played the man on man system) to help the young D. I see
Bovquist,
Mitchell
Kalynuk
Beaudin/Stillman (at least as a #7) in the line-up nightly

then you have Keith, xxx, xxx as the veteran fill outs.

UFA's I would be interested in, Ian Cole, David Savard, and Alec Martinez. All flipable at the TDL if need be, but better defenders than the veterans we have now.

Agree on Z. I wonder what it would take to ensure the Kraken take Z or deHaan in the expansion draft? A 4th round pick this year (Hawks have 2) or a 3rd round pick next year (Hawks have 2). Too much? Too little? Lose one of the two in the expansion draft and trade the other to get that 3rd or 4th round pick back.

Next year D - Keith, Murphy, Boqvist, Stillman, Kalynuk, Beaudin, Mitchell

Boiler has been making this case for days. Barkov and Matthews would be great, but it's exceedingly rare for guys that young and at that level to reach UFA status.
- mohel

But wait a couple of years before signing stud free agents. Sign them in summer of 2023 (and resign Kane).

100%...I give JC a lot of credit for not being overly critical of younger guy's mistakes and if they had a few bad games, he sat them to make sure it wouldn't snow ball.

PP really carried this team early on. Need to go back and find out what was working so well on that and duplicate it for the future.

PK....I really didn't have high expectations for this unit as when you have older aging defensemen, and a lot of younger kids, you are going to have a mediocre PK...

DeHaan....I've seen enough. If for some reason Seattle doesn't take him, need to get rid of him as I would rather see ANY prospect right now vs him

Keith....I agree. I know he has custody of his kid, been here forever, but that is one guy this offseason that I would ask if he's 100% happy here knowing that next year is about the same, maybe a little better.....if Keith doesn't want to go through it again, as a 2nd or 3rd pairing D man on a cup contender he would thrive. Last few weeks I have seen a little more and more frustration brewing in him as they give up goals when he's on the ice. Human nature for an alpha competitor, but he should be afforded the ask by Bowman.

Zadorov....he rarely looks engaged for 60 minutes. Just lazy to the slot, or blows coverage, or makes asinine play after asinine play. It was either the 1st or 3rd when he had the puck down low, came out behind the net, had a shot....didn't take it, and the 1 predator blocked his pass out of the zone as he was going high to his partner. Just dumb......If Bowman laid groundwork for a trade last week, hopefully he sees it through this offseason. I just don't see how much better this guy can get UNLESS he's play for $$$....seems like a guy who would turn it on in a contract year and once he got paid just be content. Likely while Colorado sold high when they could.....
- SteveRain

Fix the PP. Someone who knows how to play in front of the net (Soderberg-like) a mobile dman that can walk the blue line, move to the sideboards and miss shin pads (Boqvist). We have reverted to the stand in place PP. Anyone can defend that.

But wait a couple of years before signing stud free agents. Sign them in summer of 2023 (and resign Kane).
- -Doh-

Top "young" forward UFA's after the 22-23 season include Pastrnak, Larkin and MacKinnon (hmmm).

Looks like Dumba is the best young D that year.

Well Bread, how long to you expect this rebuild to take? Wouldn't it be accelerated by signing the likes of Barkov or Jones. Maybe they will see the Hawks as an up and coming team, want to play for a contender, and consider themselves the pieces that put the Hawks over the the top.

Of course there will need to be plenty of complimentary pieces, and hopefully Suter, Kurashev, Hagel, Kalynuk, Mitchell, Beaudin, Stillman, Dach, Boqvist will continue to develop. None of these guys will break the bank at the end of their current contracts. Bridge them in the 3 year 1.5-3M range. Reichel and maybe Borgstrom would be ready too.

As far as cap space, if Toews doesn't return, there's 10.5M that can be LTIRed in the summer along with Seabs 6.75M making 17M available. Shaw, deHaan, possibly Murphy off the books after next season. There's another 12M. Keith the following year at 5M savings. Use some of that 34M to re-up Cat and Kane. Also factor in a cap increase in hopefully 3-4 years.
- boilermaker100

I'm just playing the other side of your if situations. What if they don't want to leave, because they were a part of their own rebuild process? What if they ask for too much? What if Toews comes back? Sure, they would be nice adds, I didn't say that. I just don't like big ufa signings. We are a cusp wild card team, why blow cap space? We have players coming along & the scouts haven't disappointed me recently, same with Euro signings. It is Bowman with some trades & signings that I question. I know it is a what if, I'm just against it.