If it’s true that Matthews is looking for a $15M a season salary what better scenario than seeing the Leafs move Matthews for Bedard plus something?
- paulr

Paul with a Lemaire slapshot from center ice! I can see that happening. Awesome post.

They still have to develop a good culture, and that's hard to do if they keep losing. Otherwise this team will turn into another Oilers story. There lies a balance in there somewhere.

They could have kept Reichel down in Rockford if it was all about tanking for Bedard. He should help them win a few more games down the home stretch. There's a limit to how far they can go with the tank.

Even in this chaos, they still developed Domi to the point where he was worth more than the 6th rounder he fetched at last year's deadline, and Lafferty became a real tradable asset as well. It's a tough balance to strike, stripping the team down for the tank and maintaining a culture where players are putting forth a serious effort every night.
- 333inthe3rd

Eh let’s hold off on the culture of losing concern until they get long term building blocks that are nhl ready. Then I would agree with you. However am
I worried that guys on this team are perennial losers even veterans? Not really. When it’s time to win they’ll surround the young core with the right veterans. Just like they did 13-14 years ago.

The NHL had a problem roughly twenty years ago due to Mario being extremely pissed about being owed so much money and the Pens not being able to pay. So all of a sudden Lemieux winds up with a piece of the team. Not too long after that the lockout happens in 2005 and son of a b!tch who gets fist pick in the Crosby draft.
Doesn't prove anything, but it is quite the coincidence. It's one of the reasons I don't laugh at PE. I have often posted that money is first and hockey second. I'm not sure how they got Gretzky off their back due to him being owed a poop ton of money too.
- 6628

I laughed at PE because he went from to Bettman hates Chicago and won’t let them get the first to, Bettman knows Chicago is an important NHL city and will make sure Chicago wins the lottery. He’s pretty much hedged his bet, don’t you think?

As for what happened with Crosby and Edmonton, yes it’s a strange coincidence. But the one thing that’s makes me feel comfortable that the lottery isn’t rigged is because KPMG, a huge worldwide multibillion dollar company, audits the lottery. Now it’s very Difficult for anyone to suggest KPMG is willing to be in on rigging NHL draft lotteries. That requires even more proof.

We haven't had trade of this nature since Lindros lol.

What if this kid refuses to go the Yotes or Jackets like Lindros with Quebec? It might be game on for a trade like that.
- 6628

Great point…..or like the sisters when they wanted to go to the same team.

We're getting the Russian
- vabeachbear

I have a feeling that the Hawks will be placed in a position where Michkov is the best player on the board when they are on the clock and then they have a tough decision to make IMO.

The world's political climate is one thing plus Michkov is signed in the KHL until 24-25. I don't know how easy it would be for him to walk away from that contract if he wants to. Does anyone know if he even wants to play in the NHL? Do they let him play out 3 more seasons there? Do Hawk fans/management have the patience?

I can just picture them selecting Michkov and it turning into another Maxim Shalunov situation where the player doesn't want to leave the motherland.

Has anyone read or heard of the kids intentions? I have to think NHL teams have their scouts trying to figure out which way the wind is blowing with this kid.

I laughed at PE because he went from to Bettman hates Chicago and won’t let them get the first to, Bettman knows Chicago is an important NHL city and will make sure Chicago wins the lottery. He’s pretty much hedged his bet, don’t you think?

As for what happened with Crosby and Edmonton, yes it’s a strange coincidence. But the one thing that’s makes me feel comfortable that the lottery isn’t rigged is because KPMG, a huge worldwide multibillion dollar company, audits the lottery. Now it’s very Difficult for anyone to suggest KPMG is willing to be in on rigging NHL draft lotteries. That requires even more proof.
- paulr

I'll save PE the keystrokes. Who hires KPMG and is responsible for them getting paid?

Great point…..or like the sisters when they wanted to go to the same team.
- SteveRain

Absolutely, good catch

I laughed at PE because he went from to Bettman hates Chicago and won’t let them get the first to, Bettman knows Chicago is an important NHL city and will make sure Chicago wins the lottery. He’s pretty much hedged his bet, don’t you think?

As for what happened with Crosby and Edmonton, yes it’s a strange coincidence. But the one thing that’s makes me feel comfortable that the lottery isn’t rigged is because KPMG, a huge worldwide multibillion dollar company, audits the lottery. Now it’s very Difficult for anyone to suggest KPMG is willing to be in on rigging NHL draft lotteries. That requires even more proof.
- paulr

Not a tin foil hat guy but with Espn having their own employees bash the nhl and really the nhl being treated like a red headed step child vs ncaa football, basketball, nfl and nba….they need major usa markets to be good. I mean quick just refused to go Columbus and quickly was flipped to Vegas. I love hockey but I’m not paying for espn+ to watch a quack like bucciogross lead a craptacular
Panel of misfits. Just put the nhl back on the deuce and call it a day.

Again, I get your point on the 3rd party but hawks also ran and paid their own audit and miraculously rocky Wirtz was found to be Scott clean which you’ll never convince me a weasel like McDonough 100% doesn’t cya with that beach thing. Way too many employees knew in different divisions and a very hands on owner in the building doesn’t catch wind? Nope. Amazing what happens when somebody is footing the bill or back owed funds are in play.

Sad thing is if the hawks win the lottery outsiders will
Say it’s rigged and bash them and if they lose the lottery others will
Say it’s because league is still punishing the hawks.

See what happens.

Eh let’s hold off on the culture of losing concern until they get long term building blocks that are nhl ready. Then I would agree with you. However am
I worried that guys on this team are perennial losers even veterans? Not really. When it’s time to win they’ll surround the young core with the right veterans. Just like they did 13-14 years ago.
- SteveRain

The culture starts with the coaching staff. I agree that it's too soon to add vets beyond two years of term, if that's what you meant. At this point they are here to get to where they can be dealt at a trade deadline, and they know it, too. So you have young players trying to make it in the NHL, and veterans who are trying to play themselves into a better situation.

Great point…..or like the sisters when they wanted to go to the same team.
- SteveRain

Just get some sucker of a GM to make a terrible trade.

I have a feeling that the Hawks will be placed in a position where Michkov is the best player on the board when they are on the clock and then they have a tough decision to make IMO.

The world's political climate is one thing plus Michkov is signed in the KHL until 24-25. I don't know how easy it would be for him to walk away from that contract if he wants to. Does anyone know if he even wants to play in the NHL? Do they let him play out 3 more seasons there? Do Hawk fans/management have the patience?

I can just picture them selecting Michkov and it turning into another Maxim Shalunov situation where the player doesn't want to leave the motherland.

Has anyone read or heard of the kids intentions? I have to think NHL teams have their scouts trying to figure out which way the wind is blowing with this kid.
- Rota's Rooter

Well if they draft him the athletic better start taking donations as Scott powers will want to be Russia quarterly. Still see posts on his Twitter on shalunov. 😳

The culture starts with the coaching staff. I agree that it's too soon to add vets beyond two years of term, if that's what you meant. At this point they are here to get to where they can be dealt at a trade deadline, and they know it, too. So you have young players trying to make it in the NHL, and veterans who are trying to play themselves into a better situation.
- 333inthe3rd

Big fan of Richardson so far. Doesn’t get too high or low in a brutal spot. Just hope he gets a shot to navigate this roster when it’s good and they don’t go find a cheerleader like savard and then quickly pivot to a true coach.

KD clearing a contract off the books.

https://twitter.com/fried...tatus/1633544667445731350

KD clearing a contract off the books.

https://twitter.com/fried...tatus/1633544667445731350
- Rota's Rooter

#kdfail

The NHL had a problem roughly twenty years ago due to Mario being extremely pissed about being owed so much money and the Pens not being able to pay. So all of a sudden Lemieux winds up with a piece of the team. Not too long after that the lockout happens in 2005 and son of a b!tch who gets fist pick in the Crosby draft.
Doesn't prove anything, but it is quite the coincidence. It's one of the reasons I don't laugh at PE. I have often posted that money is first and hockey second. I'm not sure how they got Gretzky off their back due to him being owed a poop ton of money too.
- 6628

Always open to the possibility. How much money would owners make if they knew their team would take a complete dump, kind of like Blackhawks vs the Senators? That's why I'm curious to see how we play against Detroit tonight. Those black and white stripe people carry a ton of weight in a game.

Have to admit the contests have gotten tighter and tighter so i am very intrigued about tonights game. If they win tonight which I'll enjoy, but at the same time we will probably pass 3 more teams in the standings by the end of the year.

Always open to the possibility. How much money would owners make if they knew their team would take a complete dump, kind of like Blackhawks vs the Senators? That's why I'm curious to see how we play against Detroit tonight. Those black and white stripe people carry a ton of weight in a game.

Have to admit the contests have gotten tighter and tighter so i am very intrigued about tonights game. If they win tonight which I'll enjoy, but at the same time we will probably pass 3 more teams in the standings by the end of the year.
- BetweenTheDots

And the last sentence 100% defeats the purpose. Getting a non top 3 pick can’t happen. If this team ends up picking 6th-10th what does that do? Kicks the can down the road.

Always open to the possibility. How much money would owners make if they knew their team would take a complete dump, kind of like Blackhawks vs the Senators? That's why I'm curious to see how we play against Detroit tonight. Those black and white stripe people carry a ton of weight in a game.

Have to admit the contests have gotten tighter and tighter so i am very intrigued about tonights game. If they win tonight which I'll enjoy, but at the same time we will probably pass 3 more teams in the standings by the end of the year.
- BetweenTheDots

To be clear, I didn't say anything about the officials.

Earlier in the season I had Bedard fever. More recently I'm hoping for at least Fantilli that way if the Hawks do end up with #1 Bedard it'll be a pleasant surprise.
- Hawksfan74

In the past 10 draft lotteries the worst team only won 4 times, including the past 2 consecutive years.

Buffalo finished last 4 times, winning the lottery twice in 2018 (Rasmus Dahlin) and 2021 (Owen Power). In the other two lotteries Edmonton (Connor McDavid) and Florida (Aaron Ekblad) won and drafted #1 overall.

The 2nd seed won 3 times and the third time twice.

Are you trying to elicit a response from Ogi?
- mohel

If it would get him back......

Na, gut feel of mine, timing coming over makes sense for Hawks timeline. Was right up there with Bedard for a while, then when Russian thing happened, he's dropped.

He is playing against men and playing better and better.

I think you would see his ratings being higher if he played in the World Jrs.

He'll be a steal at 3 or 4. Though I think I like Carlsson over Fantilli. I haven't seen them outside of World Jrs and a couple Michigan games, but Fantilli hasn't overly impressed me.

I laughed at PE because he went from to Bettman hates Chicago and won’t let them get the first to, Bettman knows Chicago is an important NHL city and will make sure Chicago wins the lottery. He’s pretty much hedged his bet, don’t you think?

As for what happened with Crosby and Edmonton, yes it’s a strange coincidence. But the one thing that’s makes me feel comfortable that the lottery isn’t rigged is because KPMG, a huge worldwide multibillion dollar company, audits the lottery. Now it’s very Difficult for anyone to suggest KPMG is willing to be in on rigging NHL draft lotteries. That requires even more proof.
- paulr

Paul - I never said Chicago was an important NHL city. In fact I am sure Bettman has no clue what is an important NHL city, as he is playing a major league team in a college stadium. As we can see now, it was McD who was pushing Chicago on the league, with all the outdoor games and prime time games.

I guess you didn't catch my sarcasm in that post.

Strange coincidence? Really? You must work for KPMG if you think they are the cleanest company on earth. Money talks. Money also makes people quiet.

KD clearing a contract off the books.

https://twitter.com/fried...tatus/1633544667445731350
- Rota's Rooter

He even scored a goal at Rockford in two games of action. What's a guy gotta do to make it in this day and age?

Paul - I never said Chicago was an important NHL city. In fact I am sure Bettman has no clue what is an important NHL city, as he is playing a major league team in a college stadium. As we can see now, it was McD who was pushing Chicago on the league, with all the outdoor games and prime time games.

I guess you didn't catch my sarcasm in that post.

Strange coincidence? Really? You must work for KPMG if you think they are the cleanest company on earth. Money talks. Money also makes people quiet.
- powerenforcer

As crazy as it sounds, that college rink is an improvement over the arena in Glendale. The luxury revenue is about the same, and judging by what tickets are going for in their game versus Edmonton in two weeks, they're doing okay. It used to be that the only tickets in demand in Glendale were Hawks and Wings, because of all the transplants out there. And they would package a $25 gift card for Papa John's with a couple of random games on the schedule, in an effort to get fans to make the trek out to Glendale.

KD clearing a contract off the books.

https://twitter.com/fried...tatus/1633544667445731350
- Rota's Rooter

Five open contract spots.

Would assume that Kaiser and Commesso get entry-level deals after their seasons, which would leave 3 more open spots. Slaggert gets a look maybe? Any undrafted NCAA stars worth a gamble?

Five open contract spots.

Would assume that Kaiser and Commesso get entry-level deals after their seasons, which would leave 3 more open spots. Slaggert gets a look maybe? Any undrafted NCAA stars worth a gamble?
- TommyHawk

I’m sure it’s a long shot with KD, but possibly sign Wise?

[quote=LFS]
A bit Lippy there Bud ..