I think it depends on whether or not Toews returns. Then there's Nylander returning and possibly Strome on the team still. If those 3 are in the lineup, Kurashev may not have a spot.

It gets muddier when factoring in the future of Kampf, Hagel, Gaudette, Hinostroza, and Suter as well as Carpenter and Connolly.

I wouldn't mind if Kurashev made the Hawks roster again but it's a matter of where he plays. If there's no spots, it doesn't hurt for him to play 1C in Rockford until there's an opening.

DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
Suter - Strome - Hagel
Entwistle - Kampf - Hardman

Kurashev?

Possibilities: Carpenter, Connolly, Gaudette, Hinostroza
- Theo Fox

Trade kurashev in a package deal to get something hawks need power forward top 3 veteran d man to steady the defensive core. Or something else. All depends on towes and whether he comes back and if strome stays. Hate to lose him seems to have a lot of potential and upside. And maybe another season in the rock will better for development

Where is VopatsRash? I missed the game but this site deserves a Nashville Predator game summary from him doesn't it? Maybe he's working on the brand new team banner celebrating playoff qualification in a 56 game season.
- RickJ

Maybe he went for a walk in the woods and came across 4 guys on a canoe trip. (One of them looked like Burt Reynolds.)

You probably know the rest of the story.

I'm not picking on you but this statement and line of thinking in general.

Wouldn't any player be better if they were playing with a top 6 center?

I've read people say Strome would be fine if he had high level wingers. Who wouldn't? Strome irks me. A #3 overall pick and he needs better wingers to play with?

Sorry. I expect him to make the wingers on his line better.
- Rota's Rooter

Sure but he did hold his own this year, i think if he played a 82 game season he would of ended up around 55 points give or take, he has more assists this year than Saad has had in his last 2 years? With worse linemates

Yes and no. How many points would Kane score if he played an entire season with Kampf and Carpenter?
- tvetter

Probably not much less I would think.

Think about his career over the years and how many seasons has he consistently played with a true top-notch linemate. Early on and on special occasions with Toews, the couple of seasons with Panarin and recently with El Gato are probably the only times he's played with someone who I think could be considered his equal.

Most seasons he's making linemates better by dragging around the likes of Handzus, Anisomov and a few other mouth breathers.

Wasn't that another reason for the re-acquisition of Saad was to get Toews started again since Kane can pretty much make anyone look good?

He signed for 6X6 when the cap was $75 million, that priced him out of Chicago. Saad is neither an elite playmaker or goal-scorer, but rather a complementary winger. He is perfect for the Av's as he is arguably the 6th-7th best forward on the team. For $3.5-$4 mil (Kubalik's salary), I wouldn't mind Stan resigning him, anything more, let him get paid elsewhere.
- LAHawk

Agree. He's paid a lot of money but I'm not sure he can count that high. Classic case of a guy with high physical ability but not so much hockey IQ.

I'm ok with those lines, but would prefer:

ADB-Toews-Kubalik
Hagel-Dach-Kane
Suter-Strome-Nylander
Entwistle-Kampf-Hardman

1) Toews and Kubalik showed great chemistry in those last couple of months before the COVID shut down.
2) I think Toews would thrive with 2 shooters given his playmaking ability
3) This could be a really good shut down line with the improvements ADB and Kubalik showed on the defensive side.
4) If Kane can't get Dach going, who can?
5) Hagel and Dach retrieving the puck for Kane can get him back to scoring 25+ goals per year, while still getting almost an assist per game.
- tvetter

Hagel -Toews - Kane
ADB-Strome-Kubalik
Suter-Dach-Nylander
Hardman-Gaudette-Entwhistle
Kurashev/Kampf

Dach has a lot of growing up to do to play as a #1 or #2 center. Might as well put Toews and Kane back together and see if the chemistry is still there. ADB/Strome has chemistry. Dach and Suter are your #1 PK unit (as was the case last few games of the year). Put ADB with Toews and Kane when you need the nuclear option.

the athletic went thru some things that would be best case scenario off season. It mentioned outside of hamilton there is not much out there in regard to younger ish D. they mention hamilton not being any good DEF.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/hamildo01.html

he was +20 after being + 30 last year (the best of any carolina D) he was 2nd on the team in Exp +/- he was the highest rated D man in Coris/fenwick. Def pt shares he was 1st on the team. is he really that bad Def? 8 mil is alot for him but 8 X 7 If that is what it would take. would make more sense then Murph at $5 X 6 or so? maybe someone who has followed him closer can tell. the few times I saw him this year he looked way better then any D on our team.

there are 3-4 D in this draft that could be #1 types but they are going to be gone unless we move up. there are only 2 chances this year instead of 3 last couple.

the athletic went thru some things that would be best case scenario off season. It mentioned outside of hamilton there is not much out there in regard to younger ish D. they mention hamilton not being any good DEF.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/hamildo01.html

he was +20 after being + 30 last year (the best of any carolina D) he was 2nd on the team in Exp +/- he was the highest rated D man in Coris/fenwick. Def pt shares he was 1st on the team. is he really that bad Def? 8 mil is alot for him but 8 X 7 If that is what it would take. would make more sense then Murph at $5 X 6 or so? maybe someone who has followed him closer can tell. the few times I saw him this year he looked way better then any D on our team.

there are 3-4 D in this draft that could be #1 types but they are going to be gone unless we move up. there are only 2 chances this year instead of 3 last couple.
- kmw4631

Runblad had good fancy stats too. Was he really that bad defensively? Watch him play the rest of this series and let us know what you think.

the athletic went thru some things that would be best case scenario off season. It mentioned outside of hamilton there is not much out there in regard to younger ish D. they mention hamilton not being any good DEF.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/hamildo01.html

he was +20 after being + 30 last year (the best of any carolina D) he was 2nd on the team in Exp +/- he was the highest rated D man in Coris/fenwick. Def pt shares he was 1st on the team. is he really that bad Def? 8 mil is alot for him but 8 X 7 If that is what it would take. would make more sense then Murph at $5 X 6 or so? maybe someone who has followed him closer can tell. the few times I saw him this year he looked way better then any D on our team.

there are 3-4 D in this draft that could be #1 types but they are going to be gone unless we move up. there are only 2 chances this year instead of 3 last couple.
- kmw4631

I am not one for advance stats, but how many times did he start in the defensive zone, and was he sheltered as far as who he played against? He is going to ask for #1 D type salary. Is he really a #1 D like a Pieterangelo? I don't think so, Hawks need a shut down defenseman, Hamilton is great on Carolina because their other defenseman are so strong, I can't see him ever be in the conversation ofr a Norris Trophy. Maybe San Jose can sign him, then they will have 4 extremely overpayed defeseman.

So do we know yet If Toews Is suffering from a medical Issue or Is there more to the story? I have a feeling that J.T. Is Disgruntled with Bowman and don't be surprised If Stanley Is frantically on the phones trying to work out a trade that works for Toews and the Hawks.
- Shady1962

Guess it is a medical issue. My best guess cancer.

No problems, I’m lactose intolerant and I just had a cheese pizza and a milkshake
- paulr

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is back!

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!

the athletic went thru some things that would be best case scenario off season. It mentioned outside of hamilton there is not much out there in regard to younger ish D. they mention hamilton not being any good DEF.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/hamildo01.html

he was +20 after being + 30 last year (the best of any carolina D) he was 2nd on the team in Exp +/- he was the highest rated D man in Coris/fenwick. Def pt shares he was 1st on the team. is he really that bad Def? 8 mil is alot for him but 8 X 7 If that is what it would take. would make more sense then Murph at $5 X 6 or so? maybe someone who has followed him closer can tell. the few times I saw him this year he looked way better then any D on our team.

there are 3-4 D in this draft that could be #1 types but they are going to be gone unless we move up. there are only 2 chances this year instead of 3 last couple.
- kmw4631

Please no, he's way overrated

He signed for 6X6 when the cap was $75 million, that priced him out of Chicago. Saad is neither an elite playmaker or goal-scorer, but rather a complementary winger. He is perfect for the Av's as he is arguably the 6th-7th best forward on the team. For $3.5-$4 mil (Kubalik's salary), I wouldn't mind Stan resigning him, anything more, let him get paid elsewhere.
- LAHawk

Teams need those guys to win cups though. 6 million for 20 goals and 40 or 50 points has been market value for the last 5 years.

When you look at the rest of the league, regardless of if the Hawks could afford it or not, 6 million for consistent numbers and responsible 3 zone play with size and speed is not overly egregious. Maybe 5 is more appropriate since he didn't blossom into some star but splitting hairs at that point.

If Kubalik puts up another 25-30 goal (over 82 games) season then he's probably going to command closer to 7 since that's what that type of production costs plus he skates good and has a bomb of a shot.

Trade kurashev in a package deal to get something hawks need power forward top 3 veteran d man to steady the defensive core. Or something else. All depends on towes and whether he comes back and if strome stays. Hate to lose him seems to have a lot of potential and upside. And maybe another season in the rock will better for development
- Scott1977

No one is trading a power forward or anything desirable that we need for a pile of average players with average potential. Such as Kurachev.

If you anticipate to speculate on trades, stop thinking teams are going to trade their desirable for our junk heap or so so players. Like teams are lined up and interested. Even when a player has a salary causing salary cap problem

Kurashev who disdains hard checks and disappeared at times. Nice third line and second line fill in usefulness when he wants to play.

And I bet Shulanov would have issues once he is here for a while. Not happy. And or inconsistent play. Those have been his domain

Teams need those guys to win cups though. 6 million for 20 goals and 40 or 50 points has been market value for the last 5 years.

When you look at the rest of the league, regardless of if the Hawks could afford it or not, 6 million for consistent numbers and responsible 3 zone play with size and speed is not overly egregious. Maybe 5 is more appropriate since he didn't blossom into some star but splitting hairs at that point.

If Kubalik puts up another 25-30 goal (over 82 games) season then he's probably going to command closer to 7 since that's what that type of production costs plus he skates good and has a bomb of a shot.
- fattybeef

He is an RFA still when his contract is up after next season. Even if he scores 25-30, I doubt he is offered more than ADB's $6.4M

the athletic went thru some things that would be best case scenario off season. It mentioned outside of hamilton there is not much out there in regard to younger ish D. they mention hamilton not being any good DEF.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/h/hamildo01.html

he was +20 after being + 30 last year (the best of any carolina D) he was 2nd on the team in Exp +/- he was the highest rated D man in Coris/fenwick. Def pt shares he was 1st on the team. is he really that bad Def? 8 mil is alot for him but 8 X 7 If that is what it would take. would make more sense then Murph at $5 X 6 or so? maybe someone who has followed him closer can tell. the few times I saw him this year he looked way better then any D on our team.

there are 3-4 D in this draft that could be #1 types but they are going to be gone unless we move up. there are only 2 chances this year instead of 3 last couple.
- kmw4631

Hamilton is a monster. He also isn't a hockey obsessed bro like say a Patrick Kane where every moment is hockey hockey hockey - which I could care less about but it apparently rubs some people the wrong way.

He's a bigger dude and while hes been mostly healthy did suffer a nasty leg break. On the flip side he's only skating like 20-22 mins a night and doesn't have the miles of Seabrook or even Karlsson at that stage.

If the Hawks think they can win in the next 3 years - Pay the man whatever he wants and go for one more with Kane and Keith.

Here is a neat analysis:

https://jfresh.substack.c...e-hamilton-actually-elite

I am not one for advance stats, but how many times did he start in the defensive zone, and was he sheltered as far as who he played against? He is going to ask for #1 D type salary. Is he really a #1 D like a Pieterangelo? I don't think so, Hawks need a shut down defenseman, Hamilton is great on Carolina because their other defenseman are so strong, I can't see him ever be in the conversation ofr a Norris Trophy. Maybe San Jose can sign him, then they will have 4 extremely overpayed defeseman.
- LAHawk

he was 51.5 O starts the last 2 years. in comparison Keith was a little over 53%. I guess outside of jumping up to #1 or # 2 this year how do we get better in our top 6 on D? Keith is going to get worse each year and he is not good now. ZAD and Murph are who they are. all the young's look to be NHL players but I do not see any that are above # 3 boquist probably highest and then 4,5,6 7 kalynuk mitchell beudin, stillman, I think Zad is a bottom pairing and murp is a 2nd pairing for a few more years. even if hamilton ends up just a # 2 on our team that still makes him the best.

he was 51.5 O starts the last 2 years. in comparison Keith was a little over 53%. I guess outside of jumping up to #1 or # 2 this year how do we get better in our top 6 on D? Keith is going to get worse each year and he is not good now. ZAD and Murph are who they are. all the young's look to be NHL players but I do not see any that are above # 3 boquist probably highest and then 4,5,6 7 kalynuk mitchell beudin, stillman, I think Zad is a bottom pairing and murp is a 2nd pairing for a few more years. even if hamilton ends up just a # 2 on our team that still makes him the best.
- kmw4631

I agree, and he should be able to play Colliton's system. I guess my point is the Hawks are not at the stage that a big FA signing is going to make a difference. Even with Hamilton and a healthy Toews, I still don't see this club as a playoff team.

No one is trading a power forward or anything desirable that we need for a pile of average players with average potential. Such as Kurachev.

If you anticipate to speculate on trades, stop thinking teams are going to trade their desirable for our junk heap or so so players. Like teams are lined up and interested. Even when a player has a salary causing salary cap problem

Kurashev who disdains hard checks and disappeared at times. Nice third line and second line fill in usefulness when he wants to play.

And I bet Shulanov would have issues once he is here for a while. Not happy. And or inconsistent play. Those have been his domain
- jhawk59

Just giving my opinion with kurashev. You are correct no is going give up what mentioned but that doesn't mean he cannot be traded. I don't foresee any big trades or signings from bowman and company this offseason just some 1 year contract for veterans that can flipped at the tdl. Most likely be another year in which young players get opportunity and others to continue to develop and take the next step.

Hamilton is a monster. He also isn't a hockey obsessed bro like say a Patrick Kane where every moment is hockey hockey hockey - which I could care less about but it apparently rubs some people the wrong way.

He's a bigger dude and while hes been mostly healthy did suffer a nasty leg break. On the flip side he's only skating like 20-22 mins a night and doesn't have the miles of Seabrook or even Karlsson at that stage.

If the Hawks think they can win in the next 3 years - Pay the man whatever he wants and go for one more with Kane and Keith.

Here is a neat analysis:

https://jfresh.substack.c...e-hamilton-actually-elite
- fattybeef

If Stan signs Hamilton, then he truly does not have any clue, and should be fired at the press conference.

Read that guys article and understand, this team is not a team Hamilton would succeed on.

This should twist some here into a pretzel.

Stevie Y is thought by many here to be a hockey genius. Many of the same peeps love some Torts and Gallant. Today - with those heavyweights available - Stevie Y re-upped his young coach because he likes the team's development.

When heroes fall......

This should twist some here into a pretzel.

Stevie Y is thought by many here to be a hockey genius. Many of the same peeps love some Torts and Gallant. Today - with those heavyweights available - Stevie Y re-upped his young coach because he likes the team's development.

When heroes fall......
- mohel

And looks like Buffalo is going to keep Don Granato

And looks like Buffalo is going to keep Don Granato
- LAHawk

Well, that organization is a crap show.

Stevie, though, is a genius who would never pass up the chance to hire Torts or Gallant. Stevie is the gold standard of smart executives who the kool kids say "gets it".

he was 51.5 O starts the last 2 years. in comparison Keith was a little over 53%. I guess outside of jumping up to #1 or # 2 this year how do we get better in our top 6 on D? Keith is going to get worse each year and he is not good now. ZAD and Murph are who they are. all the young's look to be NHL players but I do not see any that are above # 3 boquist probably highest and then 4,5,6 7 kalynuk mitchell beudin, stillman, I think Zad is a bottom pairing and murp is a 2nd pairing for a few more years. even if hamilton ends up just a # 2 on our team that still makes him the best.
- kmw4631

I'm not trying to be insulting here, most of these kids have just barely gotten a taste of NHL action. How can you make any real assessment of their ceiling?

If you look at the vast majority of defensemen, they all started out slow. Even when you look at Hughes, Makar, Dahlin, they may put up points, but their work in the D-zone needs a lot of work.

Teams need those guys to win cups though. 6 million for 20 goals and 40 or 50 points has been market value for the last 5 years.

When you look at the rest of the league, regardless of if the Hawks could afford it or not, 6 million for consistent numbers and responsible 3 zone play with size and speed is not overly egregious. Maybe 5 is more appropriate since he didn't blossom into some star but splitting hairs at that point.

If Kubalik puts up another 25-30 goal (over 82 games) season then he's probably going to command closer to 7 since that's what that type of production costs plus he skates good and has a bomb of a shot.
- fattybeef

Washington has three forwards making $6M or more. Florida has zero. Carolina has two. Tampa has three. Vegas has two. All these guys are far better than Saad.