Theo, thanks for continuing to keep the content rolling and writing up with solid details.

I've been wondering if may be the will now just keep De Haan, since they moved Zadorov. I was thinking it was maybe trade De Haan and keep Z or the opposite depending on the return for each.

Feels like the team is at a point where they won't be signing anyone else unless they do trade more assets.

I think on the blueline we are going to see Stillman/C Jones/Kalynuk/Mitchell battle out for the the 5D, 6D and 7D spots with Jones probably a lock IMO.
- breadbag

They need to move someone to clear a bit of salary one way or another. They are already dipping into LTIR money leaving them about 3.2M to sign Hagel and Nylander.

Plus, there is still a glut of guys for limited spots. None of whom are waiver eligible. Kalynuk is the only one of defense waiver exempt.

I am ready this morning for all the arrows to sling my way:

IMO you need to keep Strome until you have a good idea what the availability of Toews is like. Stan in his presser wasn't optimisitc that just because he started skating, that he will be able to play NHL hockey this year.

Speaking of overly optimistic, what indications are there that Dach is a #1 center, let alone a #2? Injury or no, he had his lunch handed to him playing in that role last year.. His chemistry with Kane is zero, Dach loves to carry the puck, and if you play him with Kane and ADB, they don't allow you to play with 3 pucks, because ADB likes to lug the puck also. Then you have the fact that Dach is right handed, and his passes to Kane will mostly be backhanded, that is why Kane likes to play with left handed center iceman (only right handed center that worked for a few games was during the playoffs when they threw Kane/Shaw/Saad together).

I have no advanced stat or metrics to back any of this up, except for my 55 years of watching and 30 years of playing hockey (when there was no face shields, an external mouthguard, and Northland sticks). In addition I probably took too many shots to the head
- LAHawk

I hope this blackened doesn't mean you are anti fancy stats? My life profile mirrors yours and even being slow in the head I've incorporated the fancies into all my evaluations. Eye test 1st, 2nd, 3rd then the fancies. ..... Not LBR level fancies but the rudimentary and intermediate fancies.

As an old guy you go back to a 19-20 yr old playing in the NHL was idiotic in 99% of cases until the cap, especially the flat cap, era. Until recently a Dach would be properly slotted, finish his jr eligibility and a yr or two in the AHL then the NHL.

The kid did not have that benefit and in his 20 yr old yr he came back too soon after mutilating his wrist. ....... Like Boqvist he wasn't brought along properly and is waaaaaay too young to make any kinda determination.

Kid is too young to be in the bigs, playing center not wing, injured for 1/2 of his 2 yrs and going against top lines and pairings, without being sheltered (although an LBR would argue that). ..... And we expect what from Dach, or anyone, in this context?

Your eye backs up the fancies last yr. Dach with Kane and Dcat had a 43% shot percentage and 43% Corsi. Exchange Strome for Kane and the shot percentage jumps to 50% and the Corsi is 60%........ Dach is a classic centerman in that he dishes instead of shooting and those kinds carry/hold the puck.

Meant to ask this question around the internets. Reading where some think Dach would be better at wing. To me that is beyond nuts. I thought the Hawks would go Zegras 3 yrs back. The most freakishly skilled player in that draft. As close to a Kane in awhile as far as hands/vision. He'll put up 90 points in the NHL ......

When they went Dach I searched film. Maybe 5 minutes in it was easy to see the kid's weight in the Ozone always leaned back. It's in his DNA to be responsible if not lean defensive and that right away explained his pedestrian Jrs numbers to me. Kid was never gonna take a chance to put up points in the Ozone at the risk of being compromised defensively. Not 10 minutes in I had him pegged as a Johanssen (NSH) floor. Huge player, ++skater, responsible in all 3 zones, dish not shoot, 55-60 points. 2C floor, 1C ceiling.

But first his size/skating combo jumped off the screen and you don't need a scout's eye to see that. Reading around one scout said there are only a handful of players on earth with his size/skating/hands combination. 100% agree and add playing responsibly, never cheating the game this kid is a dream centerman.

Curious if you, or anyone else, sees Dach as anything other than a centerman?

They need to move someone to clear a bit of salary one way or another. They are already dipping into LTIR money leaving them about 3.2M to sign Hagel and Nylander.

Plus, there is still a glut of guys for limited spots. None of whom are waiver eligible. Kalynuk is the only one of defense waiver exempt.
- Elbows15

I didn't go in and do it myself, but I recall seeing posts that they can put together a compliant roster as is to start the year and LTIR Shaw. I.e. They have a couple waiver exempt forwards and they can bury a guy like Connolly/Carpenter. Low risk that either would be taken and probably not an issue if they are.

They need to move someone to clear a bit of salary one way or another. They are already dipping into LTIR money leaving them about 3.2M to sign Hagel and Nylander.

Plus, there is still a glut of guys for limited spots. None of whom are waiver eligible. Kalynuk is the only one of defense waiver exempt.
- Elbows15

One has to think at least one of Strome, deHaan, Delia, Subban or Conolly will be moved. Add a very uncertainty of Fleury playing for the Hawks and things get interesting.

LA is right though I think about Strome and uncertainty of Toews.

I hope this blackened doesn't mean you are anti fancy stats? My life profile mirrors yours and even being slow in the head I've incorporated the fancies into all my evaluations. Eye test 1st, 2nd, 3rd then the fancies. ..... Not LBR level fancies but the rudimentary and intermediate fancies.

As an old guy you go back to a 19-20 yr old playing in the NHL was idiotic in 99% of cases until the cap, especially the flat cap, era. Until recently a Dach would be properly slotted, finish his jr eligibility and a yr or two in the AHL then the NHL.

The kid did not have that benefit and in his 20 yr old yr he came back too soon after mutilating his wrist. ....... Like Boqvist he wasn't brought along properly and is waaaaaay too young to make any kinda determination.

Kid is too young to be in the bigs, playing center not wing, injured for 1/2 of his 2 yrs and going against top lines and pairings, without being sheltered (although an LBR would argue that). ..... And we expect what from Dach, or anyone, in this context?

Your eye backs up the fancies last yr. Dach with Kane and Dcat had a 43% shot percentage and 43% Corsi. Exchange Strome for Kane and the shot percentage jumps to 50% and the Corsi is 60%........ Dach is a classic centerman in that he dishes instead of shooting and those kinds carry/hold the puck.

Meant to ask this question around the internets. Reading where some think Dach would be better at wing. To me that is beyond nuts. I thought the Hawks would go Zegras 3 yrs back. The most freakishly skilled player in that draft. As close to a Kane in awhile as far as hands/vision. He'll put up 90 points in the NHL ......

When they went Dach I searched film. Maybe 5 minutes in it was easy to see the kid's weight in the Ozone always leaned back. It's in his DNA to be responsible if not lean defensive and that right away explained his pedestrian Jrs numbers to me. Kid was never gonna take a chance to put up points in the Ozone at the risk of being compromised defensively. Not 10 minutes in I had him pegged as a Johanssen (NSH) floor. Huge player, ++skater, responsible in all 3 zones, dish not shoot, 55-60 points. 2C floor, 1C ceiling.

But first his size/skating combo jumped off the screen and you don't need a scout's eye to see that. Reading around one scout said there are only a handful of players on earth with his size/skating/hands combination. 100% agree and add playing responsibly, never cheating the game this kid is a dream centerman.

Curious if you, or anyone else, sees Dach as anything other than a centerman?
- Mr Ricochet

I definitely don't see him as a wing. He's only 20. If he could have played AHL year one that's where he would have been. It's unfortunate he got hurt. Still playing catch up now.

I didn't go in and do it myself, but I recall seeing posts that they can put together a compliant roster as is to start the year and LTIR Shaw. I.e. They have a couple waiver exempt forwards and they can bury a guy like Connolly/Carpenter. Low risk that either would be taken and probably not an issue if they are.
- breadbag

Stan has so many guys to get rid of there are not enough spots in the NHL.

I had a thought last night about this upcoming season...maybe I'm wrong/right or somewhere in between. I think this upcoming season is a bridge year and a chance to give the younger players a chance to get a full or mostly full season in RFD. There are still a lot of open slots after this year. Maybe there is something to "giving Toews/Kane" another chance at the cup while their prospect get more development. Jones & McCabe are both still you. Toews will be in his last year after this season and very could retire after his contract expires or do a series of 1 year contracts.
Kane, who I anticipate still playing at a top level will either be traded or extended after this year. You will have Tyler Johnson for two more years, hopefully he is still serviceable but in the end not a bad thing. I think we may be thinking to much about next year and not the big picture. After this season we have 1 long term contract.
- NamedSources

YES. I am on the same page. This might also be similar to what the Pens did with their retool, except Stan seems to also be looking toward the future (to a degree).

If it falls apart this year you have some pieces to move for assets. You then still have Jones, Dach, Dcat, Reichel, Borgstrom, and the slew of young D prospects to build around.

Full rebuilds don't work very often in the NHL. Look at the Oilers, Leafs, Sabres, Wings, etc. How are those rebuilds going? Leafs have some talent but won't sniff the cup. Oilers are a first round exit team. Everyone else on that list just sucks.

No arrows. I agree on Strome. I actually am okay with him on the team. More so if Toews is not 100%.

I think Dach can be on a strong line with Adb & Kane. They showed signs of it in the bubble. My knock on Dach is carrying the puck, trying to slip past defenders. He gets stripped & loses the puck every time. That is a trend that needs to stop. Other than that, I like where he is heading.
- I Am The Breadman

They tried that with Strome last season and he ended up being benched. Just move on from him.

Hawk drafts: https://www.hockeydb.com/...aft/teams/dr00005218.html

I hope this blackened doesn't mean you are anti fancy stats? My life profile mirrors yours and even being slow in the head I've incorporated the fancies into all my evaluations. Eye test 1st, 2nd, 3rd then the fancies. ..... Not LBR level fancies but the rudimentary and intermediate fancies.

As an old guy you go back to a 19-20 yr old playing in the NHL was idiotic in 99% of cases until the cap, especially the flat cap, era. Until recently a Dach would be properly slotted, finish his jr eligibility and a yr or two in the AHL then the NHL.

The kid did not have that benefit and in his 20 yr old yr he came back too soon after mutilating his wrist. ....... Like Boqvist he wasn't brought along properly and is waaaaaay too young to make any kinda determination.

Kid is too young to be in the bigs, playing center not wing, injured for 1/2 of his 2 yrs and going against top lines and pairings, without being sheltered (although an LBR would argue that). ..... And we expect what from Dach, or anyone, in this context?

Your eye backs up the fancies last yr. Dach with Kane and Dcat had a 43% shot percentage and 43% Corsi. Exchange Strome for Kane and the shot percentage jumps to 50% and the Corsi is 60%........ Dach is a classic centerman in that he dishes instead of shooting and those kinds carry/hold the puck.

Meant to ask this question around the internets. Reading where some think Dach would be better at wing. To me that is beyond nuts. I thought the Hawks would go Zegras 3 yrs back. The most freakishly skilled player in that draft. As close to a Kane in awhile as far as hands/vision. He'll put up 90 points in the NHL ......

When they went Dach I searched film. Maybe 5 minutes in it was easy to see the kid's weight in the Ozone always leaned back. It's in his DNA to be responsible if not lean defensive and that right away explained his pedestrian Jrs numbers to me. Kid was never gonna take a chance to put up points in the Ozone at the risk of being compromised defensively. Not 10 minutes in I had him pegged as a Johanssen (NSH) floor. Huge player, ++skater, responsible in all 3 zones, dish not shoot, 55-60 points. 2C floor, 1C ceiling.

But first his size/skating combo jumped off the screen and you don't need a scout's eye to see that. Reading around one scout said there are only a handful of players on earth with his size/skating/hands combination. 100% agree and add playing responsibly, never cheating the game this kid is a dream centerman.

Curious if you, or anyone else, sees Dach as anything other than a centerman?
- Mr Ricochet

Not anti stats, too stupid/not patient enough to understand most of them. I remember Grant Mulvey as an 18 year old, big body, was like a large puppy for the first couple of years before becoming a 30 goal scorer. I do see Dach as a Wheeler type, drafted as a natural center but has found more success on the wing.

I didn't go in and do it myself, but I recall seeing posts that they can put together a compliant roster as is to start the year and LTIR Shaw. I.e. They have a couple waiver exempt forwards and they can bury a guy like Connolly/Carpenter. Low risk that either would be taken and probably not an issue if they are.
- breadbag

They can but you don't gain any space by putting Carpenter and Connelly in the minors because you need to replace their spots on the roster so it fairly cancels any savings.

Their waiver exempt forwards are Dach and Kruahev. Kurashev makes ~850K.

They Hawks don't play on the 1st day of the season so the whole when the use the LTIR for Shaw is moot. On day one, they place him there.

The roster at CF shows 22 players and probably isn't the collection of stiffs they will run out there but as far as the cap total, it won't change much. Probably 100K or so either way.

TT was a first round pick and doing well in Carolina.

But yeah otherwise their drafting hasn't been especially good.
- fattybeef

Well agree drafting hasn't been particularly good but that's expected given from 2011 onward up to 2017 we had powerful teams whereby we either traded our 1st rounder to win now or had a pick in the 20-31 range.

They tried that with Strome last season and he ended up being benched. Just move on from him.
- Elbows15

I'm not as down on him. I think he still has value. If he parked his ass in the blue paint, where he's most useful, I'd like him more. I think injuries are a major factor & one definitely made him slower. I still think we need depth for Toews. If they don't resign Strome, that's fine, but I'm on board with keeping him.

If this team doesn't reach 95 points I think somebody else will be making the trades.
- rpeters01

Good point plus i think JC will be on short leach. I m hoping with additions and more seemingly coming that the season goes well. Two biggest question is Towes going be able to play and the fleury situation how that turns out.

They can but you don't gain any space by putting Carpenter and Connelly in the minors because you need to replace their spots on the roster so it fairly cancels any savings.

Their waiver exempt forwards are Dach and Kruahev. Kurashev makes ~850K.

They Hawks don't play on the 1st day of the season so the whole when the use the LTIR for Shaw is moot. On day one, they place him there.

The roster at CF shows 22 players and probably isn't the collection of stiffs they will run out there but as far as the cap total, it won't change much. Probably 100K or so either way.
- Elbows15

My point still remains that they don't need to make any moves. They can gain some space based on the amount you can bury, which is 1,075,000. Also don't forget that Kalynuk is exempt as well and they can have a roster of 20 players, so they don't need to have 22 active players.

One has to think at least one of Strome, deHaan, Delia, Subban or Conolly will be moved. Add a very uncertainty of Fleury playing for the Hawks and things get interesting.

LA is right though I think about Strome and uncertainty of Toews.
- Popsghostly

Fleury is the elephant in the room. It all changes based on him but I am going off what we currently know.

I wonder how much say or influence Colliton has in the draft and trades. Maybe he is not a lavender sniffer after all. It should be interesting to see how he coaches this group of experienced players.

My point still remains that they don't need to make any moves. They can gain some space based on the amount you can bury, which is 1,075,000. Also don't forget that Kalynuk is exempt as well and they can have a roster of 20 players, so they don't need to have 22 active players.
- breadbag

I already mentioned Kalynuk is exempt. So he won't be here. You can go with 20 but the Hawks won't do that and most teams won't unless they absolutely have to. The Hawks don't have to as I explained about using Shaw's LTIR. The problem is they won't be accruing any cap space during the season.
Still don't have Hagel signed, tho. My guess is he going to come in ~2M.

Fleury is the elephant in the room. It all changes based on him but I am going off what we currently know.
- Elbows15

hopefully he doesn't take a month to decide. 7 million sitting in limbo

Great write up as always Theo.

Interesting thought about the Hawks bringing in another vet goalie in case Fleury doesn't work out. I really hope he doesn't sit on his decision for 2 weeks, but I guess that's up to him. So, who do they bring in? Dubnyk, Schneider? Or do they throw that same money at somebody like Rask for a year if Fleury retires?

I would love to see them deal de Haan. Philly signed a bunch of garbage defensemen yesterday: Seeler, Clendening, Yandle. They have revamped their entire defense. Maybe Stan can retain 25% and send de Haan to Philly.
- biskit67

That's the thinking I have with destinations for de Haan: find teams short on D-men with experience. As the free agency frenzy dies down (pretty slow today), rosters will be shaken out more so GMs will see where holes still exist then start going down the list of options where someone like de Haan may be.

Bowman will need to be the same but need to wait, too, for Fleury to make a decision as that could free up $7M to play with on the market.

I'm not as down on him. I think he still has value. If he parked his ass in the blue paint, where he's most useful, I'd like him more. I think injuries are a major factor & one definitely made him slower. I still think we need depth for Toews. If they don't resign Strome, that's fine, but I'm on board with keeping him.
- I Am The Breadman

He can't park his ass anywhere. He knocked over by a whisper.

He had a huge opportunity last season to prove something. Even before his injuries he was scratched. He just doesn't move well enough for today's NHL.


Also, I already have enough players on this team I dislike, I need one less. lol

hopefully he doesn't take a month to decide. 7 million sitting in limbo
- SaskHawkFan

Tho, in a way he saves Bowman from himself. So it may be a good thing.

Good point plus i think JC will be on short leach. I m hoping with additions and more seemingly coming that the season goes well. Two biggest question is Towes going be able to play and the fleury situation how that turns out.
- Scott1977

Specifically JC and the defense depending on how goaltending pans out but I think JC's time is now.

I think Stillman is likely one of the starters regardless of de Haan's status. I think he showed really well and was a very willing defender.

I think the only way you see Mitchell in the starting lineup to begin the year is if de Haan is gone (with no other defenseman coming back) or there is an injury. Without that, he needs to be able to beat out Kalynuk and/or C. Jones which he may or may not be able to do. I think he showed pretty well last year under the circumstances, but he'll need to take another step or two to secure regular time.

If other teams are interested in Fleury at the TDL (assuming he plays), the Hawks would not have to retain any salary to move him.
- Chunk

Agree, Stillman is one of the starters on D regardless of de Haan's status. If de Haan is gone, I could see Bowman finding one more free agent D-man on the cheap for one year.

If there is a youngster to play in the top 6, it's Kalynuk then have Mitchell and Beaudin be the top pair in Rockford to play big minutes and in all situations. I also wouldn't mind if all 3 started in the AHL.

Would hope for Ritchie as a 3rd line addition


Since Sens need to get towards the cap floor, how about Shaws contract and DeHaan for Logan brown?

If Flower retires, flip brown to the Rangers for Georgiev? Something like that? Would rather have Georgiev than Dubnyk
- ikeane

That trade scenario could be plausible. Senators aren't high on Brown anymore and the Rangers are looking to ship out Georgiev. Bowman does love his 1st round reclamation projects and Brown could be one of them if he's retained.

The only downside is Georgiev doesn't have much of an NHL track record that Bowman may be seeking if he's to replace Fleury. Otherwise, still a good trade proposal to consider or some variation of it.