If the Hawks give an offer sheet to LaFreniere it would like cost them only a 2nd round pick. Rangers probably would have to unload someone to match. I would take a run at him.

Chunk already posted this but Sharp wasn't a younger player when he became a more consistent goal scoring threat. He was 24 and turned 25 when he first hit the 20 goal mark and it wasn't until the following season he really took off with 36 goals.

Not saying that's Kurashev's career arc but it does happen. Maybe he ends up just being decent depth on the third line but like anything, time will tell.
- HawkintheD

Sharp always seemed to be trying to put himself in scoring position. I don't see that in Kurashev. Sharp also had a quick release and an accurate shot.

That is a meaningless statistic for multiple reasons. O zone vs D zone starts would be the biggest. Who he's playing against, etc.
- rpeters01

It's not useless if the way that they used him has not changed.

If the Hawks give an offer sheet to LaFreniere it would like cost them only a 2nd round pick. Rangers probably would have to unload someone to match. I would take a run at him.
- -Doh-

Good idea, but does Davidson want to go down that road seeing just started being a gm. It might ruffle some gm's the wrong way and wouldn't want to deal with him going forward. Or KD could establish himself as aggressive and sure of himself gm. My point is thread lightly when coming to offer sheets could come back bite him in the ass down the road. Just my opinion.

Good idea, but does Davidson want to go down that road seeing just started being a gm. It might ruffle some gm's the wrong way and wouldn't want to deal with him going forward. Or KD could establish himself as aggressive and sure of himself gm. My point is thread lightly when coming to offer sheets could come back bite him in the ass down the road. Just my opinion.
- Scott1977

If Lafreniere or another RFA is a player Davidson feels could potentially be an important component and feels an offer sheet and resulting loss of draft picks is good value, he makes the move. It’s got nothing to do with how Davidson appears to other GMs. And yes, one day it could bite him in the ass, when the Hawks are competitive and they have a similar situation one of their RFAs may get offer sheeted. Let’s hope if or when that happens the Hawks are closer to being a contending team then the Rangers.

If the Hawks give an offer sheet to LaFreniere it would like cost them only a 2nd round pick. Rangers probably would have to unload someone to match. I would take a run at him.
- -Doh-

Doesn't fit the profile of a good to excellent skater

That is a meaningless statistic for multiple reasons. O zone vs D zone starts would be the biggest. Who he's playing against, etc.
- rpeters01

I agree, zone starts (deployment/role) tell you much. Kurashev has had 50% Ozone starts in all 3 of his NHL yrs. I like the Dobber site as it gives you a nice blend of stats (traditional/fancy) on one page. Click around and notice Kurashev's line combinations and you'll see LR trusted him up and down the lineup in many different roles. ...... Maybe this yr with some depth LR can give him a role, coach him to it and see how he fares instead of giving him multiple roles/linemates.

https://frozenpool.dobber.../players/philipp-kurashev

Doesn't fit the profile of a good to excellent skater
- vabeachbear

I’ll be honest I’ve never really paid attention to him but looking back at scouting reports of the 2020 draft, including Wiz, he’s considered to be a very good skater.


Wiz’s scouting report.

Off the charts hockey sense and imagination on offense starting with the 2018 World U-18s where he surprised his linemates with passes that could have been coming from a seasoned NHL pro. Fluid and fearless going inside the circles in the attack zone, where he steps out front to screen and set up for tip ins. Will be a solid attacking wing but might also find a home as a NHL centre with the way he easily makes his way inside. A smooth high speed heads up player who moves effortlessly through the attack zone with such good confidence and presence. Just don't try and categorizing him as a finese player[ because he will physically grind out with anyone, finishing his checks and is fearless on the forecheck. Doesn't necessarily fit the category of a blazer as he uses his hands more than blades to elude checkers.There is no denying how quickly he lets the puck fly, and how decisive he is while possessing it. He plays within the dots all the time. Will fire cutting towards the net, and always has his stick down looking for the puck. Has displayed elite playmaking skills and a strong wall game. In a blink of the eye, he can come off the boards and drive on the net, draw attention and pass to his open teammate. Strong and difficult to move and not adverse to giving as well as submitting. Although he must improve his first step, he still manages to keep churning when carrying in the high traffic areas. It is his all around hockey abilities that round him as a guy who will build chemistry quicky with good NHL players and improve the attask of whichever team selects him early in the first. You has to see him as both finisher and offensiev generator/creator who will go get the puck when his teams himto help them catch up.


--Bill Placzek-

If they are very good by the end of their ELC. Hopefully a bunch of them are, and the Hawks get back into cap hell. That would mean they are good again.
- mohel

Yes, but hopefully KD has learned the difference between cap hell and up against the cap. CAR for instance is a good team every yr but is not in cap hell. And of course now that LVG has won a cup their model has to be looked at. Always in cap hell but figuring it out as they go.

If Lafreniere or another RFA is a player Davidson feels could potentially be an important component and feels an offer sheet and resulting loss of draft picks is good value, he makes the move. It’s got nothing to do with how Davidson appears to other GMs. And yes, one day it could bite him in the ass, when the Hawks are competitive and they have a similar situation one of their RFAs may get offer sheeted. Let’s hope if or when that happens the Hawks are closer to being a contending team then the Rangers.
- paulr

I thought Davidson said at his last presser that the roster is done except for possibly picking up a veteran D ?

I thought Davidson said at his last presser that the roster is done except for possibly picking up a veteran D ?
- LAHawk

He did, I was just adding my 2 cents about how to handle an RFA offer sheet. If the right RFA presented itself do you think Davidson would at least consider it?

Yes, but hopefully KD has learned the difference between cap hell and up against the cap. CAR for instance is a good team every yr but is not in cap hell. And of course now that LVG has won a cup their model has to be looked at. Always in cap hell but figuring it out as they go.
- Mr Ricochet

Sounds like we agree.

Yes, but hopefully KD has learned the difference between cap hell and up against the cap. CAR for instance is a good team every yr but is not in cap hell. And of course now that LVG has won a cup their model has to be looked at. Always in cap hell but figuring it out as they go.
- Mr Ricochet

Kind of like 2010 to 2018?

I thought Davidson said at his last presser that the roster is done except for possibly picking up a veteran D ?
- LAHawk

That may be true. But I bet he is answering his phone and making calls. I can see them being part of any Karlsson deal. Maybe he also moves a couple of forwards.

If Lafreniere or another RFA is a player Davidson feels could potentially be an important component and feels an offer sheet and resulting loss of draft picks is good value, he makes the move. It’s got nothing to do with how Davidson appears to other GMs. And yes, one day it could bite him in the ass, when the Hawks are competitive and they have a similar situation one of their RFAs may get offer sheeted. Let’s hope if or when that happens the Hawks are closer to being a contending team then the Rangers.
- paulr

I agree with you I was just stating to tread lightly when exploring an offersheet offer.

Kind of like 2010 to 2018?
- paulr

Like every good team that has more good (aka, expensive) players than the cap allows them to keep.

There is no reason to tank anymore. They got the biggest draft prize of the decade, and even if they progress significantly points-wise this year, they are still likely to pick top 10 again next June. Time to start moving incrementally forward.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think the example those who do think the tank needs to continue would point to McDavid. A truly generational talent with Leon on the roster and they still haven't won a cup.

Little doubt the Hawks will draft top 10 but top 5 is the hope. Giving Bedard Hall to skate with and Foligno and Perry as seasoned vets with muscle/grit is enough to allow Bedard to develop and still have a great chance at a top 5 pick. ...... Just might be KD has covered all his bases for the 2023/24 season.

Kind of like 2010 to 2018?
- paulr

Were they? I'm hoping KD has figured out a different model. To win some cups and not have to strip the thing bare/tank as a result of winning those cups. A model where a TT doesn't have to be sacrificed to keep the train rolling.

Were they? I'm hoping KD has figured out a different model. To win some cups and not have to strip the thing bare/tank as a result of winning those cups.
- Mr Ricochet

I’d gladly have a few lean years as a result of winning three cups. But yes, if KD can figure out how to contend, win a few cups, fight cap hell for seven or eight years, try to maintain a winning team without losing prospects, draft picks and giving up their future I hope he can do it because it will be the new model in the hard cap era.

I think the biggest problem with bringing the kids along early during the cup years was that they were not yet ready. Which of the players they burned a year on during the cup years ended up biting them when they had to sign them to a bridge?

The difference now is that they have plenty of cap space and are slowly bringing in players into the mix, not signing them all at once. They can also slowly add in FA's as they see fit when the team is ready. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the contracts at this point. The kids are going to have to get paid at some point. At least they have the picture in front of them instead of hastily reacting.
- Chunk

This, and IMO can't be under emphasized. Massaging/managing the cap should show hawks fans that it is as important as drafting, trading, hiring the right coaches. As important as anything an NHL organIzation does.

IIRC KD was in on the ground floor as an intern when the Hawks were building and then winning 3 cups. If anyone has had then chance to learn from the inside it is KD.

The answers to managing the cap is way beyond me but not so much so I don't understand its importance. ...... As you rightly point out the picture is in front of KD meaning he and his crew has the chance to come into it with a plan, a plan based on what KD has learned from the ground floor on the inside as the club won 3 cups.

What that plan is, and its execution, is beyond important.

I’d gladly have a few lean years as a result of winning three cups. But yes, if KD can figure out how to contend, win a few cups, fight cap hell for seven or eight years, try to maintain a winning team without losing prospects, draft picks and giving up their future I hope he can do it because it will be the new model in the hard cap era.
- paulr

Is a new era upon us where the cap doesn't stay flat?.. Regardless, you are correct, even if we are out of the flat cap era, if KD can find a model to win and manage the cap to keep on winning a couple cups over time he will be the first one to do it.

Is that even possible? IMO Carolina is the closest to doing so but they have yet to win a cup but are a top NHL squad yr after yr.

Again, it may not be possible and indeed the system is set up not to. But if it is possible my hope is KD can crack the code.

Like every good team that has more good (aka, expensive) players than the cap allows them to keep.
- mohel

Do you have a core of 3 or 4 players and when a 5th or 6th plays well enough to be a core player you move that player(s) out for very good futures/draft picks/prospects to keep the train rolling and avoid cap hell?

Seems like a core in the cap world can't be too big with too many players.

Is a new era upon us where the cap doesn't stay flat?.. Regardless, you are correct, even if we are out of the flat cap era, if KD can find a model to win and manage the cap to keep on winning a couple cups over time he will be the first one to do it.

Is that even possible? IMO Carolina is the closest to doing so but they have yet to win a cup but are a top NHL squad yr after yr.

Again, it may not be possible and indeed the system is set up not to. But if it is possible my hope is KD can crack the code.
- Mr Ricochet

I doubt it’s possible to stay competitive for a decade, win cups, while not selling off the future to get that job done while operating in a salary cap.

Do you have a core of 3 or 4 players and when a 5th or 6th plays well enough to be a core player you move that player(s) out for very good futures/draft picks/prospects to keep the train rolling and avoid cap hell?

Seems like a core in the cap world can't be too big with too many players.
- Mr Ricochet

The only way to lock up the core, regardless of number and fill the team with quality depth is to convince everyone to sign for a smaller contract, beginning with the top player. If the top player can’t be convinced to take less to give the team its best chance to win, it will be difficult to get the remaining core to do likewise. And human nature being what it is, what chance do you think there is that that will happen?

Man, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set up PERFECTLY to be a trade partner with the Hawks.

They're finalists for Karlsson, which would mean they'd have 3 d-men - all over the age of 33 - making a combined $25m. That's lunacy. They'd surely look to move Petry, who has two years left at $6.25m AAV out to clear space for EK.

Enter Chicago. Ripe with ample cap space and trade familiarity with Dubas now at the helm, Chicago could help facilitate a trade by taking on salary (Petry) while scooping up another future 1st round pick. The team currently has 2 first round picks in 2024 and 2025, and only one in 2026. I could envision Pittsburgh being willing to part with a 1st round pick in 3 years to move out Petry's contract now. By 2026, dinosaurs Crosby, Malkin, and Letang won't be able to carry the team the way they are now so it could be a nice early/middle of the first round pick.
- TommyHawk

Could not agree with your post anymore and would add another reason CHI and PIT make perfect trade partners is the urgency PIT feels to make their moves this offseason to compete for a cup is their core 3 is 35, 36 and 36 yrs old. No time for lollygagging for Dubas who as you point out has a history of trading with KD.

You may not have seen this but earlier in this thread I laid out a couple scenarios for a CHI and PIT trade all the way up to KD taking on 10+ mil in cap hits of Granlund and Petry. Those hits are for 1 and 2 yrs, seemingly in KD's window for when Bedard ends his ELC. Throw Carter's 3.2 mil cap hit in as a possibility too.

Indeed, the Hawks can help PIT acquire Karlsson without taking on a portion of Karlsson's cap hit and PIT has the draft capital to make that happen.