Thanks Theo. You are correct, Kubalik did not have any talent to play with this year, but had a fairly decent year all things considered. Hopefully Toews comes back and they can form 2/3 of a line. I’m looking forward to seeing Gaudette and Borgstrom next year, maybe they can be 2/3 of a line as well, we’ll see.
- Angotti

"2/3 of a line" may be a common theme with the Hawks lineup during the rebuild. The ultimate goal, of course, is being able to have 4 consistently effective lines at all positions.

Early (hopeful) projection:

Toews
Dach
Borgstrom
Entwistle

At this point, all of these spots are filled with potential (which doesn't mean a thing until it's realized). This is more what I hope shakes out of the training camp competition.
- Chunk

That sounds right to me as far as center depth. If Toews isn't ready still, then Kurashev and Reichel are in the mix.

Strome, too, but I have a feeling he's a goner.

Early (hopeful) projection:

Toews
Dach
Borgstrom
Entwistle

At this point, all of these spots are filled with potential (which doesn't mean a thing until it's realized). This is more what I hope shakes out of the training camp competition.
- Chunk

With Toews - that's one proven NHL center.

Without him....

With Toews - that's one proven NHL center.

Without him....
- StLBravesFan

The problem is that we don't know what Toews will be if/when he comes back. He's apparently got a condition that causes him to be excessively fatigued and no one knows what he's been able to do for the last 6-8 months.

That sounds right to me as far as center depth. If Toews isn't ready still, then Kurashev and Reichel are in the mix.

Strome, too, but I have a feeling he's a goner.
- Theo Fox

I forgot to mention Kampf. He would be in the mix if he is re-signed and is a virtual lock at 4C unless Colliton decides to play Kampf above his water level like he has done many times before.

The problem is that we don't know what Toews will be if/when he comes back. He's apparently got a condition that causes him to be excessively fatigued and no one knows what he's been able to do for the last 6-8 months.
- Chunk

Not very promising

https://www.yahoo.com/spo...ews-return-152818915.html

I forgot to mention Kampf. He would be in the mix if he is re-signed and is a virtual lock at 4C unless Colliton decides to play Kampf above his water level like he has done many times before.
- Theo Fox

Right, Theo.

Having Kampf on the ice with Kane and the Cat is almost as good as seeing Carpy on that first PP unit for most of the early games before he was removed and it caught on fire in the middle of the season.

https://twitter.com/BenPo.../1392508359912431616?s=01

Wonder if jc is getting tired of this question

Not very promising

https://www.yahoo.com/spo...ews-return-152818915.html
- LAHawk

If no Toews, do we sign or trade for another skilled (non-Soderberg type) center next year?

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Stan Bowman acknowledges that Nikita Zadorov had his ups and downs, but says it was mostly good.

"Murph was our most consistent defenseman. But Nikita was in that top two or three, playing against top players."

No mention of Keith?

If no Toews, do we sign or trade for another skilled (non-Soderberg type) center next year?
- Popsghostly

Getzlaf is a UFA - Stan!!!!

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Stan Bowman acknowledges that Nikita Zadorov had his ups and downs, but says it was mostly good.

"Murph was our most consistent defenseman. But Nikita was in that top two or three, playing against top players."

No mention of Keith?
- LAHawk

Sounds like Stan is going to keep Z? Maybe he's realized that Mitchell isn't ready for the NHL and Boqvist is injury prone and wants Murphy, Keith and Zadirov around to supplement Kalynuk, Stillman and 2 of Beaudin, Boqvist, Mitchell.
deHaan the odd man out via expansion or trade?

Kubalik also showed more this year on playing defense, like he wanted to be a better overall player.
Maybe, like DeBirincat, he'll show enough to even get some penalty kill minutes.
- 35Tony0

GREAT sticky notes. Here's one that I'd like to add to Kubalik.
STOP forcing the 5 hole. When you elevate you score. Work all summer on shots UNDER the bar and watch video of the CAT.

Sounds like Stan is going to keep Z? Maybe he's realized that Mitchell isn't ready for the NHL and Boqvist is injury prone and wants Murphy, Keith and Zadirov around to supplement Kalynuk, Stillman and 2 of Beaudin, Boqvist, Mitchell.
deHaan the odd man out via expansion or trade?
- boilermaker100

Maybe so. But if you only protect 3 dmen I go with Keith, Murphy, and Stillman. If the Kraken take Z or deHaan so be it.

Getzlaf is a UFA - Stan!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

It's not looking good UFA-wise when Danault and C a 35-year old Krejci are the top UFA Cs...

It's not looking good UFA-wise when Danault and C a 35-year old Krejci are the top UFA Cs...
- Popsghostly

Or Nugent-Hopkins

GREAT sticky notes. Here's one that I'd like to add to Kubalik.
STOP forcing the 5 hole. When you elevate you score. Work all summer on shots UNDER the bar and watch video of the CAT.
- Hawkytalk

Elevating the puck when in close is something that would aid a lot of the Hawks. Also developing a good backhand would be a good idea.

Or Nugent-Hopkins
- LAHawk

Interesting I missed him... Wonder if he'd leave and at what cost. He's late 20's so much risk here of giving him a 6-8 which his camp probably wants.

Wonder what it would cost to trade for Eichel. I can't imagine him donning a Sabres jersey next year.

Sounds like Stan is going to keep Z? Maybe he's realized that Mitchell isn't ready for the NHL and Boqvist is injury prone and wants Murphy, Keith and Zadirov around to supplement Kalynuk, Stillman and 2 of Beaudin, Boqvist, Mitchell.
deHaan the odd man out via expansion or trade?
- boilermaker100

One possibility of why Bowman is trying to sign Zadorov is to establish a known quantity for trade purposes rather than trading his rights. There are pros and cons to each scenario, of course. Who knows.

It's not looking good UFA-wise when Danault and C a 35-year old Krejci are the top UFA Cs...
- Popsghostly

Danault also recently went into concussion protocol. Teams that pursue him may be proceeding with caution.

Interesting I missed him... Wonder if he'd leave and at what cost. He's late 20's so much risk here of giving him a 6-8 which his camp probably wants.

Wonder what it would cost to trade for Eichel. I can't imagine him donning a Sabres jersey next year.
- Popsghostly

Wennberg is a UFA, having a good year with the Panthers this year.
Blake Coleman, perfect 3 C, don't think Tampa can afford him at all, made $1.8 mil. this year

Or Nugent-Hopkins
- LAHawk

Strome, $950k, 2-way contract

Wennberg is a UFA, having a good year with the Panthers this year.
Blake Coleman, perfect 3 C, don't think Tampa can afford him at all, made $1.8 mil. this year
- LAHawk

Colman goodrow he might be an rfa also would like bowman pursue miles wood from jersey don't what jersey sees in him as part of their future but still young and brings some elements hawks are lacking. Curious what a trade for wood or player like wood look like.

Getzlaf is a UFA - Stan!!!!
- glennjpawlak22

How about getting the next Getzlaf or the next whomever. Veterans have value but you're talking in the now and this team isn't ready to contend now. It's time to be looking down the road.

Strome, $950k, 2-way contract
- glennjpawlak22

Well here's what we lost for him:

Schmaltz

52 games G10 A22 P32