Weaponizing Cap Space
In the modern era team need to weaponize their cap space to other team’s detriment. By taking on a bad contract future picks or prospects for the farm system. We have seen Montreal pick up a 1st to take on Sean Monahan’s contract.
Currently the Hawks have room under the cap, is there anyone else?
The Hawks could take on a bad contract and help a team get under the Salary Cap. Could this bad contract also have a second advantage besides the draft pick or prospect coming along, in addition to being a possible trade deadline deal.
I wanted to look at another angle, could the player have an intrinsic skill or ability that GM KD is looking to build around – speed, compete, grit and character and help the Blackhawks develop the team culture KD is looking for. Scanning through each team’s worst contracts, I was curious if there were any potential players that fit KD new style.
I figured KD would look at only short-term contracts that were soon to expire, so ruled out contracts like Jeff Skinner which still had 5 years at $9 million.
Arizona
Andrew Ladd 1 year @ $5.5M
A player we all know, the 36 year-old left winger who won two cups with Chicago, battled injuries and made a surprising return after missing significant time to injuries.
Buffalo
Kyle Okposo 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old right winger who still scores in the 20+ range, but is not great defensively. Injuries have been an issue.
Calgary
Milan Lucic 1 year @ $5.2M
A 34 year-old left winger power forward who is better suited to the bottom two lines. Scoring has dried up, but size and intimidation are still in abundance. Lack of speed is an issue.
Colorado
Erik Johnson 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old former right handed two way defenseman who is big and skates well. Age and injuries have been limiting his number of games per season.
Florida
Patric Hornqvist 1 year @ $5.3M
A 35 year-old gritty right winger who gets most of his goals in close to the net. Injuries and age are wearing him down, but he still has some of speed.
New Jersey
Tomas Tatar 1 year $4.5M
A 31 year-old left handed winger capable of playing either side, who has settled into about 15 goals per season. Not great defensively and can go on scoring droughts.
Philadelphia
James van Riemsdyk 1 year @ $7.0M
A 33 year-old left wing power forward with good hands around the net, who is still capable of putting up 20+ goals, but is not great defensively.
Pittsburgh
Jason Zucker 1 year @ $5.5M
A 30 year-old quick left winger who has previous seasons of 20+ goals, who has recently been battling injuries.
Patric Hornqvist and Erik Johnson were names that caught my attention, they are the type of players contending teams look to trade for, but as they are already on contenders, they might not be so readily available.
Other factors you would need to consider was your limit of being able to retain salary on 3 contracts, which might factor heavily if Kane, Toews or S. Jones decide they wish to seek a trade. To maximize the return KD might want to retain half of those current Blackhawk players salary.
Additionally having a slot open in case another team required a third team to retain half a player’s salary to facilitate a trade to another team might be something KD would leave available. Weighing these options is so speculative being on the outside and guessing what each GM is pitching to KD.
Let me know who would best suit KD’s plan or if there was another player you think KD would have interest in?
- SchwiftyHawk

Pretty sure it was one cup but I digress.

[quote=SchwiftyHawk]Weaponizing Cap Space
In the modern era team need to weaponize their cap space to other team’s detriment. By taking on a bad contract future picks or prospects for the farm system. We have seen Montreal pick up a 1st to take on Sean Monahan’s contract.
Currently the Hawks have room under the cap, is there anyone else?
The Hawks could take on a bad contract and help a team get under the Salary Cap. Could this bad contract also have a second advantage besides the draft pick or prospect coming along, in addition to being a possible trade deadline deal.
I wanted to look at another angle, could the player have an intrinsic skill or ability that GM KD is looking to build around – speed, compete, grit and character and help the Blackhawks develop the team culture KD is looking for. Scanning through each team’s worst contracts, I was curious if there were any potential players that fit KD new style.
I figured KD would look at only short-term contracts that were soon to expire, so ruled out contracts like Jeff Skinner which still had 5 years at $9 million.
Arizona
Andrew Ladd 1 year @ $5.5M
A player we all know, the 36 year-old left winger who won two cups with Chicago, battled injuries and made a surprising return after missing significant time to injuries.
Buffalo
Kyle Okposo 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old right winger who still scores in the 20+ range, but is not great defensively. Injuries have been an issue.
Calgary
Milan Lucic 1 year @ $5.2M
A 34 year-old left winger power forward who is better suited to the bottom two lines. Scoring has dried up, but size and intimidation are still in abundance. Lack of speed is an issue.
Colorado
Erik Johnson 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old former right handed two way defenseman who is big and skates well. Age and injuries have been limiting his number of games per season.
Florida
Patric Hornqvist 1 year @ $5.3M
A 35 year-old gritty right winger who gets most of his goals in close to the net. Injuries and age are wearing him down, but he still has some of speed.
New Jersey
Tomas Tatar 1 year $4.5M
A 31 year-old left handed winger capable of playing either side, who has settled into about 15 goals per season. Not great defensively and can go on scoring droughts.
Philadelphia
James van Riemsdyk 1 year @ $7.0M
A 33 year-old left wing power forward with good hands around the net, who is still capable of putting up 20+ goals, but is not great defensively.
Pittsburgh
Jason Zucker 1 year @ $5.5M
A 30 year-old quick left winger who has previous seasons of 20+ goals, who has recently been battling injuries.
Patric Hornqvist and Erik Johnson were names that caught my attention, they are the type of players contending teams look to trade for, but as they are already on contenders, they might not be so readily available.
Other factors you would need to consider was your limit of being able to retain salary on 3 contracts, which might factor heavily if Kane, Toews or S. Jones decide they wish to seek a trade. To maximize the return KD might want to retain half of those current Blackhawk players salary.
Additionally having a slot open in case another team required a third team to retain half a player’s salary to facilitate a trade to another team might be something KD would leave available. Weighing these options is so speculative being on the outside and guessing what each GM is pitching to KD.
Let me know who would best suit KD’s plan or if there was another player you think KD would have interest in?


Until Kane and/or Toews is traded, I wouldn’t take on any bad contracts, you will probably have to eat some contracts on any return for either.

Pretty sure it was one cup but I digress.
- rpeters01

Good catch, he won one cup with Carolina in 2006 and one with the Hawks in 2010.

Weaponizing Cap Space
In the modern era team need to weaponize their cap space to other team’s detriment. By taking on a bad contract future picks or prospects for the farm system. We have seen Montreal pick up a 1st to take on Sean Monahan’s contract.
Currently the Hawks have room under the cap, is there anyone else?
The Hawks could take on a bad contract and help a team get under the Salary Cap. Could this bad contract also have a second advantage besides the draft pick or prospect coming along, in addition to being a possible trade deadline deal.
I wanted to look at another angle, could the player have an intrinsic skill or ability that GM KD is looking to build around – speed, compete, grit and character and help the Blackhawks develop the team culture KD is looking for. Scanning through each team’s worst contracts, I was curious if there were any potential players that fit KD new style.
I figured KD would look at only short-term contracts that were soon to expire, so ruled out contracts like Jeff Skinner which still had 5 years at $9 million.
Arizona
Andrew Ladd 1 year @ $5.5M
A player we all know, the 36 year-old left winger who won two cups with Chicago, battled injuries and made a surprising return after missing significant time to injuries.
Buffalo
Kyle Okposo 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old right winger who still scores in the 20+ range, but is not great defensively. Injuries have been an issue.
Calgary
Milan Lucic 1 year @ $5.2M
A 34 year-old left winger power forward who is better suited to the bottom two lines. Scoring has dried up, but size and intimidation are still in abundance. Lack of speed is an issue.
Colorado
Erik Johnson 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old former right handed two way defenseman who is big and skates well. Age and injuries have been limiting his number of games per season.
Florida
Patric Hornqvist 1 year @ $5.3M
A 35 year-old gritty right winger who gets most of his goals in close to the net. Injuries and age are wearing him down, but he still has some of speed.
New Jersey
Tomas Tatar 1 year $4.5M
A 31 year-old left handed winger capable of playing either side, who has settled into about 15 goals per season. Not great defensively and can go on scoring droughts.
Philadelphia
James van Riemsdyk 1 year @ $7.0M
A 33 year-old left wing power forward with good hands around the net, who is still capable of putting up 20+ goals, but is not great defensively.
Pittsburgh
Jason Zucker 1 year @ $5.5M
A 30 year-old quick left winger who has previous seasons of 20+ goals, who has recently been battling injuries.
Patric Hornqvist and Erik Johnson were names that caught my attention, they are the type of players contending teams look to trade for, but as they are already on contenders, they might not be so readily available.
Other factors you would need to consider was your limit of being able to retain salary on 3 contracts, which might factor heavily if Kane, Toews or S. Jones decide they wish to seek a trade. To maximize the return KD might want to retain half of those current Blackhawk players salary.
Additionally having a slot open in case another team required a third team to retain half a player’s salary to facilitate a trade to another team might be something KD would leave available. Weighing these options is so speculative being on the outside and guessing what each GM is pitching to KD.
Let me know who would best suit KD’s plan or if there was another player you think KD would have interest in?
- SchwiftyHawk

Another mini blog column by you Schwifty. Thanks for trying to keep the conversation going with these posts. Are you secretly auditioning for the full time job? LOL.

Weaponizing cap space is a long and dear subject by posters here including myself. I think we are all looking for payback of some sort for a couple of Stan's moves involving moving assets to facilitate a cap dump and getting little in return. The Bickell and Sharp trades come to mind.

KD has already been on a receiving end of a cap dump move by obtaining Mrazek and a 1st at the draft even though sending back a 2nd was overpay IMO.

Players you mentioned like Ladd and Oposko don't have to be moved because ARI and BUF aren't contenders and are barely above the cap floor. Moving them and attaching assets ain't going to happen. Lucic has a modified NTC with a 10 team trade list. Doubt if a probable bottom dweller like the Hawks are on his list.
It was rumored Philadelphia didn't want to part with a 1st to move JVR during the Gaudreau sweepstakes. Hawks already have enough veteran D so why pursue Erik Johnson? Remember, you really don't want to obtain a player who will improve the team this season.

Teams in cap trouble like Vegas and Calgary have already made their moves by given up a player and pick for "future considerations". I always wonder what those considerations are and how Vegas and Calgary chose CAR and MTL as their trading partners instead of other teams.

I think the roster is set for the season. Maybe being a middleman at the TDL and taking on a couple of million is a possibility that will return a mid round pick.

Just a FYI for anyone out there who gets the CenterIce package on DirectTV. I received my renewal notice for the upcoming season. $69.99 for the year - 3 monthly payments of $23.33.

Pronman over at the Athletic has the Hawks under 23 year old prospect list rated #13 in the league. Reichel, Nazar, Korchinski, Kurashev, Vlasic, Greene, C. Dach, Kaiser, Rinzel, Regula in that order are his top 10 prospects.

Del Mastro, Allan, Safonov, Commesso and Slaggert are 11-15.

Thought Del Mastro and Slaggert had a decent WJC tournament. Maybe Pronman developed his list before those games?

"Have a chance to play" according to him, include Beaudin, Hayes, James, Kelley, Ludwinski, Phillips, Stjernborg, Tepley, Thompson.

Pronman over at the Athletic has the Hawks under 23 year old prospect list rated #13 in the league. Reichel, Nazar, Korchinski, Kurashev, Vlasic, Greene, C. Dach, Kaiser, Rinzel, Regula in that order are his top 10 prospects.

Del Mastro, Allan, Safonov, Commesso and Slaggert are 11-15.

Thought Del Mastro and Slaggert had a decent WJC tournament. Maybe Pronman developed his list before those games?

"Have a chance to play" according to him, include Beaudin, Hayes, James, Kelley, Ludwinski, Phillips, Stjernborg, Tepley, Thompson.
- boilermaker100

Crevier?

Pronman over at the Athletic has the Hawks under 23 year old prospect list rated #13 in the league. Reichel, Nazar, Korchinski, Kurashev, Vlasic, Greene, C. Dach, Kaiser, Rinzel, Regula in that order are his top 10 prospects.

Del Mastro, Allan, Safonov, Commesso and Slaggert are 11-15.

Thought Del Mastro and Slaggert had a decent WJC tournament. Maybe Pronman developed his list before those games?

"Have a chance to play" according to him, include Beaudin, Hayes, James, Kelley, Ludwinski, Phillips, Stjernborg, Tepley, Thompson.
- boilermaker100

Ah yes, the recency bias list. Well done Pronman. Did he say what this is actually based on?

Pronman over at the Athletic has the Hawks under 23 year old prospect list rated #13 in the league. Reichel, Nazar, Korchinski, Kurashev, Vlasic, Greene, C. Dach, Kaiser, Rinzel, Regula in that order are his top 10 prospects.

Del Mastro, Allan, Safonov, Commesso and Slaggert are 11-15.

Thought Del Mastro and Slaggert had a decent WJC tournament. Maybe Pronman developed his list before those games?

"Have a chance to play" according to him, include Beaudin, Hayes, James, Kelley, Ludwinski, Phillips, Stjernborg, Tepley, Thompson.
- boilermaker100

Jumping from 23rd to 13th after 1 draft is impressive. It came at a cost (Dach and DeBrincat) and there's no guarantee any of these prospects play in the NHL (other than Reichel who already has), but it's still impressive.

The Hawks have 11 combined picks in the first 3 rounds in the 23 & 24 and I expect that number to increase after the 23 TDL. With the addition of a top 5 pick in 23 (hopefully top 2) I would expect to see the Hawks move into the top 7 next year (prospects ratings).

The upcoming WJHC will be a great opportunity for some of the Hawks prospects, namely Nazar and Korchinski to show what they can do on a bigger stage.

I thought Commesso would have been higher than #14 on the Hawks prospect list. I've heard/seen nothing but rave reviews for the kid.

Its one thing to have a list of good prospects, but it's another to have a development strategy. For the first time in a very long time it feels like the Hawks have a measured approached to cultivating talent. Again, that's no guarantee but it increases the likelihood of more prospects becoming full time NHL contributors.

Jumping from 23rd to 13th after 1 draft is impressive. It came at a cost (Dach and DeBrincat) and there's no guarantee any of these prospects play in the NHL (other than Reichel who already has), but it's still impressive.

The Hawks have 11 combined picks in the first 3 rounds in the 23 & 24 and I expect that number to increase after the 23 TDL. With the addition of a top 5 pick in 23 (hopefully top 2) I would expect to see the Hawks move into the top 7 next year (prospects ratings).

The upcoming WJHC will be a great opportunity for some of the Hawks prospects, namely Nazar and Korchinski to show what they can do on a bigger stage.

I thought Commesso would have been higher than #14 on the Hawks prospect list. I've heard/seen nothing but rave reviews for the kid.

Its one thing to have a list of good prospects, but it's another to have a development strategy. For the first time in a very long time it feels like the Hawks have a measured approached to cultivating talent. Again, that's no guarantee but it increases the likelihood of more prospects becoming full time NHL contributors.
- DarthKane

Indeed, the perceived improvement is nice to be noticed. That said, these lists should be taken with a grain of salt. It's not like these national guys go in depth into each team's prospects and actually break things down.

Ah yes, the recency bias list. Well done Pronman. Did he say what this is actually based on?
- Chunk

Pronman didn't list his criteria. Maybe his ranking is per his own eyeballs or a consensus of what he reads or hears about prospects. Here's his write ups on Reichel, Nazar and Korchinski.

1. Lukas Reichel, LW

20 years old | 6 feet | 170 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 17 in 2020
Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Reichel had an excellent season, being a point-per-game winger in the AHL as a teenager. He’s a well-rounded forward prospect who has NHL skill and can play at an NHL pace. He’s able to beat defenders one-on-one at a high rate while also being able to hit seams and make creative plays. Reichel isn’t overly physical, but his game has a lot of energy and he doesn’t shy from using his speed to attack the high percentage areas. The toolkit itself doesn’t look high-end, but the results consistently are, and Reichel is trending to becoming a top line winger.

2. Frank Nazar, C

18 years old | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 13 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Nazar brings a lot of speed and energy to his shifts. He lacks ideal NHL size, but he makes up for it with his effort. He is hard on pucks and shows no fear in how he attacks the interior third of the offensive zone. He can make an occasional flashy deke or pass, but most of his offense comes from the high percentage areas. Nazar’s great speed helps him get to the net and turn around a lot of defenders. He projects as a top-six forward, possibly down the middle.

3. Kevin Korchinski, D

18 years old | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 7 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Korchinski has a clear NHL toolkit. He’s a 6-foot-2 defenseman who can skate and has offensive abilities. He’s able to carry pucks up ice well with his skating, and has excellent edgework to evade pressure. Korchinski shows touch and vision with the puck to run a power play and create off the blue line due to his skill and feet. Despite his size and skating, he’s mediocre defensively. He doesn’t compete that hard on that side of the ice and is overly aggressive offensively. That’s a concern, but he generates so much offense that it makes up for those issues to an extent. Korchinski projects as a top-four defenseman.

And the writers at SecondCityHockey have started their list of top 25 under 25 years old Hawk prospects. https://www.secondcityhockey.com/

They do one a day and are counting down from 25. Here is their criteria.

Second City Hockey’s 2022-23 preseason Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 series ranks the organization’s top 25 players under the age of 25 by Oct. 1, 2022. The rankings are determined by a composite score from all four SCH writers. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production against future projection to rank each player. All four ballots will be released after the series is completed.

So far:
25 - Katchouk
24 - Beaudin
23 - Ludwinski
22 - Entwistle
21 - Rolston
20 - Del Mastro

And the writers at SecondCityHockey have started their list of top 25 under 25 years old Hawk prospects. https://www.secondcityhockey.com/

They do one a day and are counting down from 25. Here is their criteria.

Second City Hockey’s 2022-23 preseason Blackhawks Top 25 Under 25 series ranks the organization’s top 25 players under the age of 25 by Oct. 1, 2022. The rankings are determined by a composite score from all four SCH writers. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production against future projection to rank each player. All four ballots will be released after the series is completed.

So far:
25 - Katchouk
24 - Beaudin
23 - Ludwinski
22 - Entwistle
21 - Rolston
20 - Del Mastro
- boilermaker100

Do the writers list what their qualifications are to compile this list?

Pronman didn't list his criteria. Maybe his ranking is per his own eyeballs or a consensus of what he reads or hears about prospects. Here's his write ups on Reichel, Nazar and Korchinski.
- boilermaker100

1. Lukas Reichel, LW

20 years old | 6 feet | 170 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 17 in 2020

2. Frank Nazar, C

18 years old | 5-foot-10 | 180 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 13 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

3. Kevin Korchinski, D

18 years old | 6-foot-2 | 185 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 7 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player





Interesting that the three players are listed in the reverse of the spots an NHL team GM and his scouting staff drafted them, isn't it...

it is because the opinion of the various people he asked.
The man's paid job is to complie lists so you will comment, so he does.
I doubt this is his opinion, it is a consensus and guess like ALL OF OUR OPINIONS.

But I will give it to him to attempt heap every teams fanbase on him for doing ranks...but he is not the guy I am going to let myself get reality checked by him.

Isn't it terrific that our blog board members have all become co-bloggers?

Pronman:
"...whether there’s enough pure talent there to be an NHL player is something I’m still unsure about..."

I think that statement is this open ended enough to pull the rest of my hair out.

How many pure talent guys have failed after being draft top ten?

Maybe less in the last ten years as the young player commitments to their improvement since their child starts with the game are so much more advanced and the training as they are teens is also so advanced.

But just because you played well as a junior, grew three inches, and seem to have good instincts, your talent level continues to grow or should or can.
Sure, the Blackhawks KNEW Bobby Hull was the real deal, talent-wise.

But did Nashville KNOW their current goalie would become the horse horse?

Or Pittsburgh feeling insured that Jake Guentzel was a 40 goal scorer?

Or one of the bigger surprises, Brad Marchand a first line impact guy?

How about Dallas' second rounder Jason Robertson below level skating? (U think teams wouldn't like him now?)

When the Blues pick 20th overall and Robert Thomas gets to almost 220 lbs and is a top 40 scorer now?

My point is maybe the list is a "Cool your jets" moment for fans with Corey, but remember when he is incorrect, he just says "Oh, he exceeded my expectations!" Pretty easy out.

Isn't it terrific that our blog board members have all become co-bloggers?
- wiz1901

Gotta do something until we get a new person. Nominating hasn't worked. Apparently no one has put their name in the hat to take it up. It doesn't help that there is virtually nothing going on right now.

Do the writers list what their qualifications are to compile this list?
- LAHawk

The writer's qualifications? Who knows? Our former poster here, L_B_R is one of the four. Others could be just fans.

Wouldn't be surprised if some contributors here know more about the game than some of them.

Gotta do something until we get a new person. Nominating hasn't worked. Apparently no one has put their name in the hat to take it up. It doesn't help that there is virtually nothing going on right now.
- Chunk

One of these days Theo's last blog here is going to fall off the HockeyBuzz home page.

If not done so yet, everyone should bookmark this link to his last blog and call it up to continue the conversation throughout the course of the season. Just my feeling, but I have little confidence in EK finding a replacement blogger soon.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...One-Last-Shift/284/118428

One of these days Theo's last blog here is going to fall off the HockeyBuzz home page.

If not done so yet, everyone should bookmark this link to his last blog and call it up to continue the conversation throughout the course of the season. Just my feeling, but I have little confidence in EK finding a replacement blogger soon.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...One-Last-Shift/284/118428
- boilermaker100

I don't think he would. This page has more blog hits then almost all the others combined, off season or no. EK will not want to lose that revenue.

One of these days Theo's last blog here is going to fall off the HockeyBuzz home page.

If not done so yet, everyone should bookmark this link to his last blog and call it up to continue the conversation throughout the course of the season. Just my feeling, but I have little confidence in EK finding a replacement blogger soon.

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...One-Last-Shift/284/118428
- boilermaker100

Pretty sure you just click on the Blackhawk logo on the front page at any time, and it gives you all the Blackhawk blogs in order, last one first, and so on.....

Pretty sure you just click on the Blackhawk logo on the front page at any time, and it gives you all the Blackhawk blogs in order, last one first, and so on.....
- vabeachbear

Ah, that works too. Thanks for the tip.

I know Roumeliotis is kind of the general Blackhawks info guy, but this was at least a good overview of Kaiser.

https://www.nbcsports.com...yatt-kaisers-stock-rising

We need a new blogger. Hope someone steps forward. This blog has kept me going since 2011 or so. Can't imagine long winter game days without hanging out here.

We need a new blogger. Hope someone steps forward. This blog has kept me going since 2011 or so. Can't imagine long winter game days without hanging out here.
- Popsghostly

It sounds like your volunteering!!