Othmann and a 1st would be a nice package for Kane. KD could ask for that but some things have to fall into place to get that return.

Kane really has to be disenchanted with the direction of the Hawks to waive his NMC. Personally I see him sticking around and chasing Stan Makita's franchise point total.

And if he does waive and only wants to go to the New York, the Rangers have the negotiating edge. Now if Kane waives and names maybe three teams he would play for, KD can play one team off against another and a bidding war could ensue.
- boilermaker100

It will be interesting to see what happens to Kane. It's not like he has to chase a Stanley Cup since he's won 3. He's just so good at creating scoring chances, i wouldn't mind seeing him stick around and improve 1 year players trade stock for the next few years. I guess we'll see

I'm under no delusions that they will be any good. I just like asking the "what if" questions.
- Chunk

Most players are playing for their next contract. They can ice two lines, a competent defense, better goalie(s) than last year at the end, I see 78 points except KD will probably trade some players off at the deadline.

Most players are playing for their next contract. They can ice two lines, a competent defense, better goalie(s) than last year at the end, I see 78 points except KD will probably trade some players off at the deadline.
- rpeters01

MAF>Mrazek

MAF>Mrazek
- BetweenTheDots

I said post MAF and even he sucked the first half of the year.

Vlasic gave up 43 to Blackwell and will be wearing 72. Ya think someone would tell the kid to pick a different number but here we are.

Domi will wear 13
AA 89
Stalock 32
Sikura 79 and the other two we know
- Elbows15

Vlasic will have his pick of a single digit number as soon as #5 and or #6 get moved. I’m with Ogie on retired numbers, doesn’t make any sense, just retire the jersey with the name, keep the numbers available for the next generation.

I said post MAF and even he sucked the first half of the year.

- rpeters01

In my book MAF is way overrated, but that’s just me…. he likes to put on a show with the glove saves, then he’ll let one in with his team down by one and six minutes to go in the third.

Vlasic will have his pick of a single digit number as soon as #5 and or #6 get moved. I’m with Ogie on retired numbers, doesn’t make any sense, just retire the jersey with the name, keep the numbers available for the next generation.
- Angotti

2 and 7 will probably be retired within a couple of years eventually followed by 19 and 88.

In my book MAF is way overrated, but that’s just me…. he likes to put on a show with the glove saves, then he’ll let one in with his team down by one and six minutes to go in the third.
- Angotti

I think Vegas thought the samething and brought in panda just to learn they kind of suck as a team, we really only have 1 top 4 dman so tough to judge a goalie when he's getting minimal help from his dmen and forwards

Also they traded away or let walk 108 goals last year and replaced it with 32?

I'll be surprised if they get over 50 points this year. I doubt they get anywhere near 200 goals scored this season, damn be lucky to get to 175.

175 goals for, 300 against, its going to be a rough season

KD has built this team to insure we have the worst record and he did a great job.

In my book MAF is way overrated, but that’s just me…. he likes to put on a show with the glove saves, then he’ll let one in with his team down by one and six minutes to go in the third.
- Angotti

I was never a Fluery fan. He's been very good at times and built a helluva career but I prefer a quiet efficient goalie and Fluery is all athleticism. Athletic goalies usually fall of in their early mid 30's but Fluery has hung on.

If you're old school you'd call fleury a hot dog.

Also they traded away or let walk 108 goals last year and replaced it with 32?

I'll be surprised if they get over 50 points this year. I doubt they get anywhere near 200 goals scored this season, damn be lucky to get to 175.
- BetweenTheDots

It's been a few years since I could sit thru a whole Bears game. The incompetence system wide was such a turn off they weren't worth wasting time over.

The very first preseason game this yr it took maybe a quarter for me to think this group seems competent, professional. 3 games in now and the contrast is stark to the last 4-5 yrs. The club looks professional from top to bottom, prepared, execute and bought in. What that means as far as wins losses we will see but they look to be professional/competent.

No way to know yet but I get the feeling we'll see the same with the Hawks under Richardson. A professional hockey man that will be respected by his players. A coached up prepared team that is bought in. Like the Bears hard to say what that translates to as far wins and losses but like the Bears after 4-5 yrs of total incompetence I think we'll see professionalism.

Here's an excerpt from and a link to the Daily Face Off podcast with Frank Seravilli discussing a potential Kane trade. You may remember that Seravilli was one of the first to mention the likelyhood of a Debrincat trade. Sounds like NYR, EDM and TOR may be interested.

https://open.spotify.com/...KqXfxiRUiVLjRV774suA&nd=1

Frank Seravalli on the future of Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane, if he’s going to play in Chicago this season or ask for a trade.

“Okay, so I mentioned this on free agent day, July 13th. My reporting hasn’t changed since then. I think there have been a number of teams that have reached out to the Blackhawks specifically to ask the question. Saying, what’s going on here? Is he open to a move? He does have the full no-move, no-trade, so he controls what happens.

And my intelligence at the time, and remains this, that he’s not interested in a trade before the season starts. That if he is going somewhere, that he’d like to go at the deadline if he decides, or sometime around then.

So probably some time into 2023. Obviously, that can change but I’m told the teams that had at least preliminarily discussed or talked about the idea that either internally or externally, what have you.

The New York Rangers. The Edmonton Oilers. The Toronto Maple Leafs. I’m sure a team like, I don’t know, pick a team like the Vegas Golden Knights. Someone that is always in the mix, has expressed some kind of interest. I wonder about a team like the Los Angeles Kings. There’s many teams that could fit, not salary cap wise but a star like Patrick Kane in the mix.

Gregor:

“And actually Frank, I crunched all the numbers for Kane and because he’s alreay had a signing bonus, he’s only owed $2.9 million in actual dollars during the season.

So, if Chicago is going to trade him, and they retain 50 percent. If you get a third team involved, like an Arizona. Heck, Carolina and Florida did it last year, right? You retain to get picks. To do it for Patrick Kane. Let’s say it’s Arizona. You would only have to be paying him $700,000 in actual money.

Seravalli:

“Yeah, with a star like Patrick Kane, who is still very much in his prime, you’re not concerned about the salary being paid. You’d be willing. If it was $14 million this year, you’d bend over backwards in order to make it happen. You’d do cartwheels to make it happen. It’s the cap hit and that obviously . That’s what I’m saying. It’s very manageable if you use a third-party broker to fit in on any team, and that’s right now.

As each day goes along on a 186 day schedule, it’s one less day that he needs to be paid on your cap. So, at the end, you’re probably talking about like, I don’t know, $800,000 or $900,000 cap hit. Something like that.”

Gregor:

“If it was full season, it’s $700,000 in actual dollars, and the reason I use that Frank is cause when you’re the third-party broker, you’re paying not so much for the cap hit, but the actually dollars you’re going to pay for the player who is not going to play for you. And if you look at the average one based on previous years, that $700,000 just to be the third party team to take, cause the cap hit is irrelevant for your team cause you’re not close to the cap, is about a third-round pick.

So it wouldn’t be that hard to facilitate for these other teams if they want to get a third-party involved.

Seravalli:

“It would be very easy. That’s not the hang-up. It’s all about Patrick Kane choosing essentially your team and the fit. But I know those teams that I mentioned have been working through the process to try and at least conjure up what it may look like, what it may take, even though the Blackhawks, you know, haven’t really engaged with anyone to may knowledge.

Gregor:

“From a pure excitement standpoint, you put Kane with Draisaitl and McDavid, that’s the three top scorers the last four years in the National Hockey League. that’d be sick.

But the problem is Edmonton probably need to focus on their defense first, but from an enterainment standpoint, but hey, you put Kane with Matthews and Marner. You mentioned Toronto. You put him with Panarin again. Those two were lights out in Chicago before.

So, any team where Kane goes, he’s gonna pick, he’s gonna have some elite guys to play with, the teams that have interest in him. Kane’s still one of the most dynamic players in the National Hockey League. There’s no question about it.

And he’s a proven, proven, that guy shows up in the post season. Been proven time and time again.

Seravalli:

“Day two of the draft, this year in Montreal, there was a lot of talk behind the scenes, quietly about the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks talking about Patrick Kane.

I don’t think it ever really got that far given that Kane controls it and wasn’t ready but make no mistake the Rangers were one of those teams that, can we get Panarin and Kane back together? When with that team that they have. They are already a legitimate Cup contender from jumpstreet. You add a Patrick Kane in there in that type of market.”

Hawks have announced uniform numbers for their new players. There's a picture of the sweaters out there but I haven't been able to paste it here.

Anyway to all Tony-O fans, Mrazek is now officially #34. Note that the intern over at the Hawks official web site hasn't updated the roster page yet.
- boilermaker100

You sure it's an intern :D ??? I remember seeing that they had left DeBrincat celebrating a goal on their little banner selling tickets... for about a month plus after he got traded --- that was some crack attention to detail as well. Makes you wonder - are they diving into the volunteer staffing model.

It's been a few years since I could sit thru a whole Bears game. The incompetence system wide was such a turn off they weren't worth wasting time over.

The very first preseason game this yr it took maybe a quarter for me to think this group seems competent, professional. 3 games in now and the contrast is stark to the last 4-5 yrs. The club looks professional from top to bottom, prepared, execute and bought in. What that means as far as wins losses we will see but they look to be professional/competent.

No way to know yet but I get the feeling we'll see the same with the Hawks under Richardson. A professional hockey man that will be respected by his players. A coached up prepared team that is bought in. Like the Bears hard to say what that translates to as far wins and losses but like the Bears after 4-5 yrs of total incompetence I think we'll see professionalism.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm a Bears fan and it's refreshing to see the professionalism they are showing in the preseason. Bears are in a transition period, i believe this gm will pay the offense instead of the defense. Oline already looks better than it has for years but in football the most dominant player on the field is the QB, and they might have one, we'll see.

Even if this Blackhawks team is discipline, they just don't have the talent. The 19 players they dress each night, no matter how discipline are going to struggle to score.

I was never a Fluery fan. He's been very good at times and built a helluva career but I prefer a quiet efficient goalie and Fluery is all athleticism. Athletic goalies usually fall of in their early mid 30's but Fluery has hung on.

If you're old school you'd call fleury a hot dog.
- Mr Ricochet

I must be old school.

I'm a Bears fan and it's refreshing to see the professionalism they are showing in the preseason. Bears are in a transition period, i believe this gm will pay the offense instead of the defense. Oline already looks better than it has for years but in football the most dominant player on the field is the QB, and they might have one, we'll see.

Even if this Blackhawks team is discipline, they just don't have the talent. The 19 players they dress each night, no matter how discipline are going to struggle to score.
- BetweenTheDots

I do think the Bears have more talent than the Hawks. But the Bears have been said to be weak on the offensive line then got some injuries. Weak at WR then got a slew of injuries. Weakish in the defensive backfield and are filling 2 of those spots with rookies. A QB in his 2nd yr that is still a question and had a rough first yr under a grade school coaching staff.

All those questions are why some pundits have em losing the most games in the NFL but a competent professional coaching staff and front office has worked thru those questions/set backs so far.

I see the Hawks in that prism this yr. Simply competent professional coaching despite what might be the least talented 23 man roster in the league will show improvement. At the very least a culture and foundation that can be built of off in the coming yrs...... Don't get me wrong I'm hoping they finish dead last but I can see a scenario we've seen with the Bears in the preseason where they surprise.

I do think the Bears have more talent than the Hawks. But the Bears have been said to be weak on the offensive line then got some injuries. Weak at WR then got a slew of injuries. Weakish in the defensive backfield and are filling 2 of those spots with rookies. A QB in his 2nd yr that is still a question and had a rough first yr under a grade school coaching staff.

All those questions are why some pundits have em losing the most games in the NFL but a competent professional coaching staff and front office has worked thru those questions/set backs so far.

I see the Hawks in that prism this yr. Simply competent professional coaching despite what might be the least talented 23 man roster in the league will show improvement. At the very least a culture and foundation that can be built of off in the coming yrs...... Don't get me wrong I'm hoping they finish dead last but I can see a scenario we've seen with the Bears in the preseason where they surprise.
- Mr Ricochet

I like your optimism Rico, i just wonder where they are going to make up the 68 point difference they traded away or let walk. They will have to be outstanding defensively

I like your optimism Rico, i just wonder where they are going to make up the 68 point difference they traded away or let walk. They will have to be outstanding defensively
- BetweenTheDots

If Reichel plays all year I would project him for 30, Kurashev for 30 (9 more), as long as we are projecting add 18 more for Anthanaseun(18 points in only 28 games), and you basically make up those 68 points assuming all else stays the same?

If Reichel plays all year I would project him for 30, Kurashev for 30 (9 more), as long as we are projecting add 18 more for Anthanaseun(18 points in only 28 games), and you basically make up those 68 points assuming all else stays the same?
- LAHawk

30 goals each?

My apologies my previous post was goals and i switched to points. I meant goals

30 goals each?
- BetweenTheDots

Points, you said 68 points.

It's been a few years since I could sit thru a whole Bears game. The incompetence system wide was such a turn off they weren't worth wasting time over.

The very first preseason game this yr it took maybe a quarter for me to think this group seems competent, professional. 3 games in now and the contrast is stark to the last 4-5 yrs. The club looks professional from top to bottom, prepared, execute and bought in. What that means as far as wins losses we will see but they look to be professional/competent.

No way to know yet but I get the feeling we'll see the same with the Hawks under Richardson. A professional hockey man that will be respected by his players. A coached up prepared team that is bought in. Like the Bears hard to say what that translates to as far wins and losses but like the Bears after 4-5 yrs of total incompetence I think we'll see professionalism.
- Mr Ricochet

I felt the same way after the first Bear's preseason game. It was definitely a change in professionalism. I don't think this team will beat themselves with bonehead plays.

30 goals each?

My apologies my previous post was goals and i switched to points. I meant goals
- BetweenTheDots

Everyone is forgetting Sikura and signing Piri. Plenty of points out there.

Building a Team to Tank
Has KD done enough to ensure the Blackhawks will bottom out and have the best chance for the first overall pick in the 2023 draft?
In the attempt to remake the team, KD ripped the band-aid off and traded away youngsters Hagel, DeBrincat, Dach for picks and prospects, and didn’t qualify Strome and Kubalik. This looks to strip away most of the secondary scoring plus a big chunk of DeBrincats first line 41 goals. Replacements were brought in Domi, Athanasiou, and Colin Blackwell. Sure, Dome and Athanasiou have put up 30 goals in the past, but they are far from a sure thing. Each was a one off 30 goal season a few years back and neither have shown anything close to producing those numbers again. Blackwell showed some promise and looked like he could play in the NHL and even got ice-time with Toronto during the playoffs, scoring a goal and an assist over 7 games. But Blackwell figures to play in the bottom six.
But could KD have done more to help the team tank?
Goaltender Petr Mrazek was brought in after spending the past two seasons battling injuries. When in net for the Leafs, his numbers weren’t great 3.34 Goals Against average and a .888 save%. Is Mrazek another 20 games away from possibly another season ending groin injury? UFA backup goaltender signee Alex Starlock endured a rough season only playing one NHL game for San Jose where he had a .786 Goals Against average and came away with a 7.81 goal per game average. Yikes! His play wasn’t much better at the AHL where he played 5 games for the Bakersfield Condors and had a 3.81 Goals Against average and .862 save%. Things were not much better with the San Jose Barracuda with 4.04 Goals Against average and a .872 save%. Goaltending looks set to bleed goals every night with a few blow outs mixed in.
On defence HockeyBuzz Fan Favourite Erik Gustafsson wasn’t retained? ; ) But instead 35 year-old recent Stanley Cup champion Jack Johnson was signed, analytically one of the worse NHL defensemen. Johnson played simple decent hockey for 13 min per game for Colorado during the playoffs and surprisingly didn’t look bad. For a full season and probably an expanded role with more minutes with the Blackhawks, Johnson should return to his historical bad play and haemorrhage shots against his own team, get caught up in the neutral zone multiple times during a game, make errant passes that get easily get picked off by the opposing team. Johnson statistically has this amazing ability to drag down every other defenseman’s stats when they play with him, even elite defensemen.
KD has added plenty of veteran AHL / fringe NHL’s to shield the kids from the NHL this season, it might not be pretty.