Training Camp PTO/UFA signings?
With Training Camps set to open on the 11th of September, there are several UFAs still available and looking to sign NHL contracts. Could the Hawks be interested in inviting a few PTOs and/or signing someone to add depth to the team?
The best situation would be signing someone who helps fill a vacant role and flip them later at the trade deadline for a pick in the upcoming draft. This would provide more time for a prospect to marinade in the minors.
There are a few interesting names of note out there:
• Nazem Kadri
• Phil Kessel
• P.K. Subban
Most of the above listed players are waiting for teams to settle their cap issue problems before they can sign their own contracts and are not realistic Blackhawk signings.
With the recent NHL 32 in 32 article (Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2022-23 (nhl.com)), the Hawks only have projections of Kane (78 points), S. Jones (46 points), Toews (44 points) and Raddysh (35 points) making the list of top 250 players in the NHL. Other player to possibly consider for fantasy pools listed were, Athanasiou, Domi and Kurashev.
There is a definite lack of NHL ready talent on the team. Scoring is going to be a problem. Would GM KD be interested in inviting a player to camp on a PTO and signing them to a short-term contract to flip at the deadline? Forward depth for the Hawks remains a real concern. Would KD consider centers Paul Stastny, Sam Gagner, Brian Boyle, or Derick Brassard as a stopgap? At wing would KD consider Phil Kessel, Evan Rodrigues, Sonny Milano, or Sam Steel?
Who do you believe would best fit KDs new system focused on speed, compete, grit and character?

Training Camp PTO/UFA signings?
With Training Camps set to open on the 11th of September, there are several UFAs still available and looking to sign NHL contracts. Could the Hawks be interested in inviting a few PTOs and/or signing someone to add depth to the team?
The best situation would be signing someone who helps fill a vacant role and flip them later at the trade deadline for a pick in the upcoming draft. This would provide more time for a prospect to marinade in the minors.
There are a few interesting names of note out there:
• Nazem Kadri
• Phil Kessel
• P.K. Subban
Most of the above listed players are waiting for teams to settle their cap issue problems before they can sign their own contracts and are not realistic Blackhawk signings.
With the recent NHL 32 in 32 article (Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2022-23 (nhl.com)), the Hawks only have projections of Kane (78 points), S. Jones (46 points), Toews (44 points) and Raddysh (35 points) making the list of top 250 players in the NHL. Other player to possibly consider for fantasy pools listed were, Athanasiou, Domi and Kurashev.
There is a definite lack of NHL ready talent on the team. Scoring is going to be a problem. Would GM KD be interested in inviting a player to camp on a PTO and signing them to a short-term contract to flip at the deadline? Forward depth for the Hawks remains a real concern. Would KD consider centers Paul Stastny, Sam Gagner, Brian Boyle, or Derick Brassard as a stopgap? At wing would KD consider Phil Kessel, Evan Rodrigues, Sonny Milano, or Sam Steel?
Who do you believe would best fit KDs new system focused on speed, compete, grit and character?
- SchwiftyHawk

via GIPHY

Training Camp PTO/UFA signings?
With Training Camps set to open on the 11th of September, there are several UFAs still available and looking to sign NHL contracts. Could the Hawks be interested in inviting a few PTOs and/or signing someone to add depth to the team?
The best situation would be signing someone who helps fill a vacant role and flip them later at the trade deadline for a pick in the upcoming draft. This would provide more time for a prospect to marinade in the minors.
There are a few interesting names of note out there:
• Nazem Kadri
• Phil Kessel
• P.K. Subban
Most of the above listed players are waiting for teams to settle their cap issue problems before they can sign their own contracts and are not realistic Blackhawk signings.
With the recent NHL 32 in 32 article (Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2022-23 (nhl.com)), the Hawks only have projections of Kane (78 points), S. Jones (46 points), Toews (44 points) and Raddysh (35 points) making the list of top 250 players in the NHL. Other player to possibly consider for fantasy pools listed were, Athanasiou, Domi and Kurashev.
There is a definite lack of NHL ready talent on the team. Scoring is going to be a problem. Would GM KD be interested in inviting a player to camp on a PTO and signing them to a short-term contract to flip at the deadline? Forward depth for the Hawks remains a real concern. Would KD consider centers Paul Stastny, Sam Gagner, Brian Boyle, or Derick Brassard as a stopgap? At wing would KD consider Phil Kessel, Evan Rodrigues, Sonny Milano, or Sam Steel?
Who do you believe would best fit KDs new system focused on speed, compete, grit and character?
- SchwiftyHawk

The worst player(s) available. Embrace the tank.

The worst player(s) available. Embrace the tank.
- paulr

Rocco Grimaldi!

via GIPHY

Rocco Grimaldi!

via GIPHY

- DarthKane

#Bedardorbust

According to Scott Powers the Hawks are signing defenseman Jack Johnson to a 1 year deal.

According to Scott Powers the Hawks are signing defenseman Jack Johnson to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

Who is the pay cheque endorsed to?

Training Camp PTO/UFA signings?
With Training Camps set to open on the 11th of September, there are several UFAs still available and looking to sign NHL contracts. Could the Hawks be interested in inviting a few PTOs and/or signing someone to add depth to the team?
The best situation would be signing someone who helps fill a vacant role and flip them later at the trade deadline for a pick in the upcoming draft. This would provide more time for a prospect to marinade in the minors.
There are a few interesting names of note out there:
• Nazem Kadri
• Phil Kessel
• P.K. Subban
Most of the above listed players are waiting for teams to settle their cap issue problems before they can sign their own contracts and are not realistic Blackhawk signings.
With the recent NHL 32 in 32 article (Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2022-23 (nhl.com)), the Hawks only have projections of Kane (78 points), S. Jones (46 points), Toews (44 points) and Raddysh (35 points) making the list of top 250 players in the NHL. Other player to possibly consider for fantasy pools listed were, Athanasiou, Domi and Kurashev.
There is a definite lack of NHL ready talent on the team. Scoring is going to be a problem. Would GM KD be interested in inviting a player to camp on a PTO and signing them to a short-term contract to flip at the deadline? Forward depth for the Hawks remains a real concern. Would KD consider centers Paul Stastny, Sam Gagner, Brian Boyle, or Derick Brassard as a stopgap? At wing would KD consider Phil Kessel, Evan Rodrigues, Sonny Milano, or Sam Steel?
Who do you believe would best fit KDs new system focused on speed, compete, grit and character?
- SchwiftyHawk

Good topic. Want to be the next blogger?

According to Scott Powers the Hawks are signing defenseman Jack Johnson to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

Should be worth a 4th or 5th rounder at the TDL.

According to Scott Powers the Hawks are signing defenseman Jack Johnson to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

Initially I thought Johnson should wear #6 to represent the conditional 6th round pick the Hawks will get for him at the TDL. But since #6 is taken he can go with 33 or 42.

Should be worth a 4th or 5th rounder at the TDL.
- boilermaker100

Just like deHaan. oh wait.

Initially I thought Johnson should wear #6 to represent the conditional 6th round pick the Hawks will get for him at the TDL. But since #6 is taken he can go with 33 or 42.
- DarthKane

Whatever number he wears hope its on a windbreaker.

Its the kinda move that makes you wonder why the pro scouting staff is still around.

Its the kinda move that makes you wonder why the pro scouting staff is still around.
- Elbows15

Signed per CapFriendly, 1yr/$950K, whatever… is there a trade in the works? They already have McCabe, Stillman, C Jones, now Johnson on the roster for the left side. This does not include Vlasic, so he must be staying in the A.

Signed per CapFriendly, 1yr/$950K, whatever… is there a trade in the works? They already have McCabe, Stillman, C Jones, now Johnson on the roster for the left side. This does not include Vlasic, so he must be staying in the A.
- Angotti

Well, if the market is mediocre LD, the Hawks certainly have enough. Its a whatever move except the evaluation process of pro players seems to still be an area of concern. Cause J. Johnson truly does suck.

Its the kinda move that makes you wonder why the pro scouting staff is still around.
- Elbows15

Hmmm… I dunno? If the pro scouting staff were looking for the perfect player to personify a roster that truly blows donkey… then they nailed it with signing Jack Johnson.

Well, if the market is mediocre LD, the Hawks certainly have enough. Its a whatever move except the evaluation process of pro players seems to still be an area of concern. Cause J. Johnson truly does suck.
- Elbows15

What are you talking about? Is there another defenseman available that would give them a better chance at Bedard? 😁

Well, if the market is mediocre LD, the Hawks certainly have enough. Its a whatever move except the evaluation process of pro players seems to still be an area of concern. Cause J. Johnson truly does suck.
- Elbows15

That is the purpose of the signing.

That is the purpose of the signing.
- paulr

Also to keep the youngsters away from the train wreck that is going to be next season.

Also to keep the youngsters away from the train wreck that is going to be next season.
- LAHawk

If I have to pay for the tv package to watch the Hawks, I’d rather watch a young defenseman like Vlasic or Mitchell vs C Jones and J Johnson. This is just a whatever move, so was C Jones signing for $1.3M.

If I have to pay for the tv package to watch the Hawks, I’d rather watch a young defenseman like Vlasic or Mitchell vs C Jones and J Johnson. This is just a whatever move, so was C Jones signing for $1.3M.
- Angotti

IMO if Murphy proves himself to be healthy in training camp that he will be gone before the year starts.

IMO if Murphy proves himself to be healthy in training camp that he will be gone before the year starts.
- LAHawk

You might say the same about McCabe.

Considering virtually all of the forwards are on, at most, two year contracts (and mostly reasonable ones at that), I would think that KD wants to arrange the D0man contracts the same way. McCabe has three years left, and Murphy has four.

Both could be reasonable minute munchers on a good team. I think McCabe specifically could show a lot better on a better team.

According to Scott Powers the Hawks are signing defenseman Jack Johnson to a 1 year deal.
- DarthKane

What a great signing, he's really going to fill out the back end nicely.

What a great signing, he's really going to fill out the back end nicely.
- BetweenTheDots

I don't see the downside. The Hawks now have TWO "Captain Americas" on the team. What's not to like?

2022-23 how low will they go?
In the 2003-04 season the Chicago Blackhawks had one of their worse seasons in recent times, last in the Central Division with 59 points in an 82-game season. Coach Brian Sutter went 20-43-11-8. Only Pittsburgh was worse league wide with 58 points.
Tyler Arnason led the team in point with 55 and assists with 33, and second with 22 goals. Tuomo Ruutu lead the lead in goals with 23. On defense Bryan Berard lead the team with 13 goals and 34 assists for 47 points over the year. Secondary scoring was supplied by Mark Bell and Kyle Calder, both of whom had 21 goals. Steve Sullivan and Alexei Zhamnov had 15 and 6 goals prior to being traded off to Nashville and Philadelphia. Centre Brett McLean was the only other player to beat double digits in goals with 11.
So how do the 2022-23 Hawks compare?
Seth Jones should come close to Bryan Berard’s point total of 47 points through assists, but Berard’s 13 goals might be a struggle. In the past S. Jones has put up double digits in goals, we will have to see if his shooting percentage increases for the 22-23 season.
The 03-04 Hawks had 8 goals from defenseman Nathan Dempsey prior to being traded to Los Angles, but the 2022-23 Hawks collectively don’t put up a lot of goals. Both Jones brother had 5 goals each, McCabe and Murphy had 4 each, Stillman 2 goals, while Vlasic and Regula had 1 goal each. Departed de Haan had 4, Gustafsson had 3. And new signee Jack Johnson had all of 1 goal last season. Note, Mitchell and Beaudin had 0 goals. So, goals won’t be coming from the defense.
Up front for the 2022-23 Hawks, Kane should easily top Tyler Arnason’s team leading 55 points. The recent NHL 32 in 32 article (Chicago Blackhawks fantasy projections for 2022-23 (nhl.com)), the Hawks only have projections of Kane (78 points).
But this is where the skill level drops off significantly. Toews was projected at (44 points) and Raddysh (35 points). Other player to possibly consider for fantasy pools listed were, Athanasiou, Domi and Kurashev and they didn’t make it to the 35-point threshold in the article.
Whereas the 03-04 Hawks had 4 players reaching 20 goals: Ruutu (23), Arnason (22), Bell (21) and Calder (21). Sullivan had 15 goals prior to being traded and another 9 after with Nashville for (24) on the season. Zhamnov had 6 goals with the Hawks and 5 with Philadelphia for a total of (11) over 40 games. You could argue that the 03-04 Hawks had 6 potential 20 goal scores on their team for much of the season.
The 2022-23 Hawks should have Kane as a lock for 20-goals, but serious questions remain for Toews, Raddysh, Domi, Athanasiou, Kurashev and T. Johnson. Toews, Athanasiou and T. Johnson have recently missed significant time due to their health. Raddysh has shown potential in a small sample size. Toews, Domi, Johnson and Athanasiou have all shown the potential to score in the NHL but haven’t done so recently. Maybe one of Lafferty , Kurashev, Entwistle, or Sikura might break out, but it would be surprising if any of them hit the 20 goals mark. There is also the possibility of Reichel sticking with the NHL club and putting up 20 goals. The 2022-23 Hawks have a lot of new players, a new rookie coach, a new system to contend with as well, it takes time to gel.
Last season the 2021-22 Hawks scored 213 goals. The 2003-04 Hawks only managed 188 goals. With the loss of DeBrincat and his 41 goals, not to mention the goals Strome, Hagel, Kubalik and Dach, we might see the 2022-23 Hawks score less than 188 goals.