Not sure why I've got such a short fuse today, but this kind of stuff always gets me all bent out of shape.
- Chunk

You’re the only guy I’ve ever met admit that.

I know some have advocated for keeping Strome around if Toews isn't ready but I just don't see him getting any thicker and harder to play against.

In Strome's case it's addition by subtraction. Nylander's had one season and essentially he's getting one more in a Hawk uni to figure it out. Like you mention, some of the tools are there and if the lightbulb goes on it's a win. If not, next!
- HawkintheD

Love the way you put it. I picture the GM saying "next" and a couple of big bouncers appear, beat the guy's ass as they kick him out of the building ending up with the guy picking himself up in the parking lot.

That was his qualifying offer 5 % above his previous salary $833,000 X 1.05%
- LAHawk

Thanks LA!

This is the dumbest poop. How many times have turds been touted as the top 10 or 20 or 50 prospects. At one point in time, Nail Yakupov was the consensus top prospect in all of hockey. Let the kids develop and break into the NHL. Any ranking of prospects is speculation at best. Waste of damn keystrokes.
- Chunk

The only way to get high on those lists is to draft the players the "talking heads" say to draft. In other words, NOT Dach or Reichel, the kid who was on nobody's list and played against men last season and the kid playing in the NHL at 18 (jury's still out on that move). Mel Kiper everyone's guru on the NFL is never even close on the top 10 or first round of draft picks.

Not sure why I've got such a short fuse today, but this kind of stuff always gets me all bent out of shape.
- Chunk

Maybe it’s because you don’t know anything about hockey, at least that’s what I read a page or two back.

The year is 2028 Blackhawks GM Doug Wilson trying to get back into the playoffs since 2020 "in the bubble" says he's accelerating the teams rebuild by sending 3 first round draft choices and up and coming defenseman Brent Seabrook Jr. to Columbus for free agent defenseman to be in one year Adam Boqvist. Boqvist signs a new 8 year contract at $20 million per season. Wilson says "these kind of number one defense men don't come around often and you have to go get them when you can." Two of the number one picks came from the Patrick Kane trade deadline deal with Vegas where the NHL's all time leading goal scorer was traded along with #1 goalie Kevin Lankinen to the first time Stanley Cup champs. Blackhawks head coach Joel Queneville says he's excited by the move.

Got to love when some supposed "connected" insider who runs a blog, Eklund, wrongfully claims the Hawks signed UFA Alexander Nylander.

Eklund has ZERO clue (E5)

Maybe it’s because you don’t know anything about hockey, at least that’s what I read a page or two back.
- Angotti

I saw. That argument was so well thought out and articulated, that I didn't have a snappy response.

Great list Theo!

The young forwards definitely don’t get me as excited as the young defenseman. The theory of trading a young dman for a forward makes lots of sense. Looking at our LD on the hawks and in the system, it is definitely a strength albeit no #1 guy yet.

McCabe
Dehaan
Kaylnuk (both sides)
Stillman
C Jones
Beaudin
Vlasic
Allen
Kaiser
Phillips
Etc.

Nothing to get overly excited about but absolutely some parts to a big deal there. I can see Beaudin as part of a large move if Bowman has any left in the tank this off-season.

EXCELLENT WRITE UP THEO !

Hawks seem pretty stocked up on potential third and fourth lines players and that's fine. Too many times, everyone looks at your top six, but your third and fourth lines play key role and many times, teams scramble to trade for bottom six help. Also, there are some current top six players, that were drafted low and have worked their way into top pairing roles. I believe Mark Stone and Brayden Point were third or fourth rounders, and have worked their way into first and second line material. Hawks system might have playeror two that can work himself up to the second line. But we'll have to wait and see

Great list Theo!

The young forwards definitely don’t get me as excited as the young defenseman. The theory of trading a young dman for a forward makes lots of sense. Looking at our LD on the hawks and in the system, it is definitely a strength albeit no #1 guy yet.

McCabe
Dehaan
Kaylnuk (both sides)
Stillman
C Jones
Beaudin
Vlasic
Allen
Kaiser
Phillips
Etc.

Nothing to get overly excited about but absolutely some parts to a big deal there. I can see Beaudin as part of a large move if Bowman has any left in the tank this off-season.
- zm333

Most teams struggle to get one #1D, let alone a #1LD and RD. I get what you are saying, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it. Hopefully one of the prospects explodes.

You’re the only guy I’ve ever met admit that.
- paulr

Don't get used to it. According to me, everything else about me is perfect.

Don't get used to it. According to me, everything else about me is perfect.
- Chunk

Works for me!

FROM EK:

The Chicago Blackhawks have made another sneaky solid signing…They have grabbed UFA Alex Nylander for just over 800k. The Hawks are going for it and frankly are making a serious pitch to be a contender…frankly I love it.

FROM EK:

The Chicago Blackhawks have made another sneaky solid signing…They have grabbed UFA Alex Nylander for just over 800k. The Hawks are going for it and frankly are making a serious pitch to be a contender…frankly I love it.
- glennjpawlak22

It's like he doesn't read it before he posts it.

It's like he doesn't read it before he posts it.
- Chunk

Like a former blogger we had.

It's like he doesn't read it before he posts it.
- Chunk

Continually validates he really has no clue

The year is 2028 Blackhawks GM Doug Wilson trying to get back into the playoffs since 2020 "in the bubble" says he's accelerating the teams rebuild by sending 3 first round draft choices and up and coming defenseman Brent Seabrook Jr. to Columbus for free agent defenseman to be in one year Adam Boqvist. Boqvist signs a new 8 year contract at $20 million per season. Wilson says "these kind of number one defense men don't come around often and you have to go get them when you can." Two of the number one picks came from the Patrick Kane trade deadline deal with Vegas where the NHL's all time leading goal scorer was traded along with #1 goalie Kevin Lankinen to the first time Stanley Cup champs. Blackhawks head coach Joel Queneville says he's excited by the move.
- rpeters01

- Ogilthorpe2

This makes me laugh more each time I see it.

Eklund is a clueless buffoon. Nylander UFA? He must be working for CNN.

Love the way you put it. I picture the GM saying "next" and a couple of big bouncers appear, beat the guy's ass as they kick him out of the building ending up with the guy picking himself up in the parking lot.
- 6628

Love the way you visualized it!

Eklund is a clueless buffoon. Nylander UFA? He must be working for CNN.
- Diamondhands

Then you should stop watching that network

At worst, Slaggert is a top 5 prospect.

If Bowman wants to get right against the cap (with Shaw's LTIR), mission accomplished.

Still a move(s) to be made. See ya Strome & Delia. Maybe Connolly and deHaan (but I am ok with them sticking around and creating some competition and lending more veteran presence). I really cannot see Strome on the camp opening roster.

36 days until the start of training camp.

Amazing write-up, Theo!

I'm getting pumped for Blackhawks hockey again.

I still think Strome gets moved before the season begins to open up a little room up front.