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.
- -Doh-

Nashville does an excellent job of swarming Kane and forcing him to give up the puck....which usually leads to not a lot of pressure on the PP

Agreed with you on the rest. Very stagnant and telegraphing all their moves. Looks very vanilla.

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.
- I Am The Breadman

I don't think you can count on guys, star players, hitting UFA all the time. Would McKinnon really want to leave Colorado if they start winning? Not sure.

Biggest variable this offseason is what is ailing 19. I get the privacy factor but a lot of this can be negated if the injury/condition is career threatening vs short-medium term. That's the one bit of news I am very curious to see how hard the media pushes Bowman on locker room cleanout day. Haven't heard much, if anything, about it for months. Outside of random speculation from people "who know people"

See how this progresses, but again...I am very happy with how things played out this year. Saw a lot of good things from a lot of prospects, nice bounce back from DeBrincat, so things are moving forward....aging D is a concern, but not sure if anyone outside of Murphy would be aroudn when they are a playoff/cup annual contender again.

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.
- I Am The Breadman

Respect your opinions. Definitely a lot of ifs. I just don't see the 1C or 1D in the system, and if the stars align after next season, take a stab at signing such talent.

bill in the 2020 draft there was a pretty strong consensus top 12. with lundell being the 12th guy. then maybe a next group of 5-10. Jarvis, mercer, holloway. anrimov, lapeirre, guhle. reichel at the edge of that.

in the 12 there was a top 3 then 9 guys that really depending on the situation any one of them could end up being the best of the 2nd group

Were are the breaks in this draft.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts

Respect your opinions. Definitely a lot of ifs. I just don't see the 1C or 1D in the system, and if the stars align after next season, take a stab at signing such talent.
- boilermaker100

Show me a successful team where the top player was signed as a UFA. I can’t think of any.

Show me a successful team where the top player was signed as a UFA. I can’t think of any.
- paulr

Hossa...

Show me a successful team where the top player was signed as a UFA. I can’t think of any.
- paulr

The early-mid 2010's Wild with Parise and Suter. Just couldn't get past the Hawks.

Other than that, can't think of any.

Show me a successful team where the top player was signed as a UFA. I can’t think of any.
- paulr

Well Vegas traded for Mark Stone at the TDL and signed him immediately after the trade before he went UFA.

Respect your opinions. Definitely a lot of ifs. I just don't see the 1C or 1D in the system, and if the stars align after next season, take a stab at signing such talent.
- boilermaker100

I'm fine to discuss & hear what others have to say. I agree with you on points. In recent years, look at teams who broke the bank on ufa's & no championship to show for it. Just because we would make the playoffs (off of one guy is questionable as you agree we have more than 1 hole in the team) doesn't make us a contender. We have a ways to go, but stick to the course, I say. I don't mind a placeholder or a vet as rookies develop (cheap & short contract). Maybe a ufa falls into our lap (a la Lehner) but I am one who didn't like his blame attitude & had his faults as well that he didn't acknowledge outside weak on a shootout.

I'm fine to discuss & hear what others have to say. I agree with you on points. In recent years, look at teams who broke the bank on ufa's & no championship to show for it. Just because we would make the playoffs (off of one guy is questionable as you agree we have more than 1 hole in the team) doesn't make us a contender. We have a ways to go, but stick to the course, I say. I don't mind a placeholder or a vet as rookies develop (cheap & short contract). Maybe a ufa falls into our lap (a la Lehner) but I am one who didn't like his blame attitude & had his faults as well that he didn't acknowledge outside weak on a shootout.
- I Am The Breadman

Totally off subject but couldn't Daniel Bruhle (Baron Von Zemo in Winter Soldier/Falcon) play Robin Lehner in a movie? They resemble each other.

Well Vegas traded for Mark Stone at the TDL and signed him immediately after the trade before he went UFA.
- LAHawk

My point is most successful teams build the team slowly, through the draft and then perhaps bolster the team with a free agent or two. If there was a contending hockey team that built through free agency I’d be interested to look at the hawks trying. Usually teams that try to build their teams through free agency flop dramatically. Now baseball teams ....

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Top Blackhawks prospect Lukas Reichel and Eisbaren Berlin begin the DEL playoffs today.

Reichel had 28 points in 38 games in the regular season, 5th on the team. Berlin went 24-9-5, 2nd-best record in the 14-team league. They play Iserlohn in the first round.

Show me a successful team where the top player was signed as a UFA. I can’t think of any.
- paulr

Granted past Cup winners like TB, STL, PIT and the Hawks have done it with mostly home grown players augmented by some wise trades.

So do the Hawks rely on future drafts to add the needed pieces to contend for a Cup this decade? In the coming years if they continue to be a bubble team, or are just good enough to make the playoffs, do you see quality additions from the 12 to 20th picks in future drafts that make them contenders?

My point is most successful teams build the team slowly, through the draft and then perhaps bolster the team with a free agent or two. If there was a contending hockey team that built through free agency I’d be interested to look at the hawks trying. Usually teams that try to build their teams through free agency flop dramatically. Now baseball teams ....
- paulr

Oh, I must have misunderstood, I agree totally. Rangers are trying to do that with the Panarin signing, and ending up winning draft lotto with a #1 and #2 pick but aren't there yet.

You gotta develop your own core, no question about it. The hard problem that all teams have is when to tear it down (or start stripping the edges) and rebuild without a significant drop in the standings. i guess Tampa Bay, and the Bruins are the best example of that.

Granted past Cup winners like TB, STL, PIT and the Hawks have done it with mostly home grown players augmented by some wise trades.

So do the Hawks rely on future drafts to add the needed pieces to contend for a Cup this decade? In the coming years if they continue to be a bubble team, or are just good enough to make the playoffs, do you see quality additions from the 12 to 20th picks in future drafts that make them contenders?
- boilermaker100

I understand what you’re suggesting. I’ve just never seen a team be successful not building methodically through the draft. I guess you can’t prove the theory wrong if you don’t try but I’m concerned that the hawks get into cap trouble building this way unable to fit the depth players into the lineup. Or worse signing a UFA who proves to be nothing but a mercenary, there only for the huge contract.

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

At those ages they will want 7@$12?, No thanks.

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
- -Doh-

Doesn't not resigning Z accomplish the same thing?

Doesn't not resigning Z accomplish the same thing?
- rpeters01

I think not tendering Z a QO does accomplish the same thing. He becomes an UFA and can sign with anyone for whatever he can negotiate.

Stanley ends up with egg on his face (what's new?) for the Saad trade but at least the Hawks aren't giving up a pick.

Too bad though. I was hoping that Z would turn out to be the big. stay-at-home defenseman to offset the many puck-movers the Hawks have in the system.

BTW, big, stay-at-home defenseman should be read as if Bob Pulford is saying it between drags on his cigarette.

I understand what you’re suggesting. I’ve just never seen a team be successful not building methodically through the draft. I guess you can’t prove the theory wrong if you don’t try but I’m concerned that the hawks get into cap trouble building this way unable to fit the depth players into the lineup. Or worse signing a UFA who proves to be nothing but a mercenary, there only for the huge contract.
- paulr

In my warped world of fandom.....I don't want them to spend $$ on a big name uFA unless they deem it 100% necessary where a "generational" talent comes along. Until then they still need to evaluate what they have. Said player also needs to be in his low-mid 20s as you are likely still looking at, at least 2 years until they are ready to roll again.....

So either you make savvy trades and acquire young, cheap guys you can grow with...see a sharp, versteeg as examples. and/Or you grow all your players and supplement a hole here or there with a top ufa...see Hossa.

the other variable to all of this as the Hawks had a TON of key draft picks hit and likely all hit their personal ceilings of ability. Especially lottery picks. that's something again, that will likely need to happen with Dach and Reichel as this progresses. Can't afford many misses. Especially in a flat cap world.

Given the recent trajectory of the team, why would Seth Jones or Barkov come to Chicago unless the Hawks grossly overpay....again? If those guys want to win a Cup and that is a big factor in either's decision, would Chicago be in their top 5 destinations?

And that assumes that the math on counting and not counting the LTIR players will work while Toews and Kane are still under contract for the one year that there is an overlap between the new and expiring contracts.

Given the recent trajectory of the team, why would Seth Jones or Barkov come to Chicago unless the Hawks grossly overpay....again? If those guys want to win a Cup and that is a big factor in either's decision, would Chicago be in their top 5 destinations?

And that assumes that the math on counting and not counting the LTIR players will work while Toews and Kane are still under contract for the one year that there is an overlap between the new and expiring contracts.
- jrsamu

You know what the trajectory of the team will be after next season? You got skills.

Totally off subject but couldn't Daniel Bruhle (Baron Von Zemo in Winter Soldier/Falcon) play Robin Lehner in a movie? They resemble each other.
- Popsghostly

He could play de Haan but I agree with you on looks hahaha

I thought you said Winter Soldier, my mistake. Looked up who you were talking about. Maybe with a gnarly beard.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Top Blackhawks prospect Lukas Reichel and Eisbaren Berlin begin the DEL playoffs today.

Reichel had 28 points in 38 games in the regular season, 5th on the team. Berlin went 24-9-5, 2nd-best record in the 14-team league. They play Iserlohn in the first round.
- Chunk

We're pinning our hopes on a guy who was the 5th highest scorer ON HIS TEAM? In a GERMAN league?

C'mon man......

I don't think you can count on guys, star players, hitting UFA all the time. Would McKinnon really want to leave Colorado if they start winning? Not sure.

Biggest variable this offseason is what is ailing 19. I get the privacy factor but a lot of this can be negated if the injury/condition is career threatening vs short-medium term. That's the one bit of news I am very curious to see how hard the media pushes Bowman on locker room cleanout day. Haven't heard much, if anything, about it for months. Outside of random speculation from people "who know people"

See how this progresses, but again...I am very happy with how things played out this year. Saw a lot of good things from a lot of prospects, nice bounce back from DeBrincat, so things are moving forward....aging D is a concern, but not sure if anyone outside of Murphy would be aroudn when they are a playoff/cup annual contender again.
- SteveRain

I'm glad he has his privacy. I wonder, if he comes back, how effective will he be. We miss him a lot is an understatement. I think Keith is a workhorse & wants to see his contract through, but that is a tough situation. He plays all minutes & situations, but he just shouldn't. More time = more mistakes. Who replaces his time: Z, de Haan, rookies? All no. Maybe Murphy ... I like him, just not close to Keith. Yet 🤞

We're pinning our hopes on a guy who was the 5th highest scorer ON HIS TEAM? In a GERMAN league?

C'mon man......
- mohel

Yeah, who’d buy into another Bowman fail?