Today is the 5th anniversary of the passing of Stan Mikita. Nice write up over at Bleacher Nation.

https://www.bleachernatio...ckhawks-icon-stan-mikita/

Looks like Stalock landed with the Ducks, for 1 year and $800K.

None of us can predict where the hawks end up in the final standings, but I think we know they aren't a post season team as of yet.
In a year, when Nazar, and the kids start getting their chances we may see a shift, but unless I am delusional, there is a strong chance they finish 2-9.
They CAN win a second lottery then they will get one of the talented two forwards in 2024 or if the finished 3-9, go with BPavailable.

This would be a nice year to grab one of the top two, but there is always a chance in future years that they win a top slot, but they have will have to be showing m ore success before the 2025 of Bedard's cousin's draft in 2026.

Anyway now that can be a little more selective in the type of players that have not yet drafted in the 2025-26 selections, which will be the case as we climb higher in the standings by then.

Tony Esposito day #35

Looks like Stalock landed with the Ducks, for 1 year and $800K.
- 333inthe3rd

That’s awesome. He was a quality netminder for the Hawks last season and even a better person. I’m glad Stalock has the opportunity to continue his playing career.

Looks like Stalock landed with the Ducks, for 1 year and $800K.
- 333inthe3rd

I would have re-signed him and sent Mrazek to Rockford with Commesso, or Indy if you wanted Stauber in Rockford.

I would have re-signed him and sent Mrazek to Rockford with Commesso, or Indy if you wanted Stauber in Rockford.
- vabeachbear

Need Mrazek as a tank commander for one more season.

Would expect Söderblom to get 30-40 starts now.

None of us can predict where the hawks end up in the final standings, but I think we know they aren't a post season team as of yet.
In a year, when Nazar, and the kids start getting their chances we may see a shift, but unless I am delusional, there is a strong chance they finish 2-9.
They CAN win a second lottery then they will get one of the talented two forwards in 2024 or if the finished 3-9, go with BPavailable.

This would be a nice year to grab one of the top two, but there is always a chance in future years that they win a top slot, but they have will have to be showing m ore success before the 2025 of Bedard's cousin's draft in 2026.

Anyway now that can be a little more selective in the type of players that have not yet drafted in the 2025-26 selections, which will be the case as we climb higher in the standings by then.
- wiz1901

Give me the best possible d-man in the top-7 (which is where I expect we pick):

1. Yakemchuk
2. Levshunov
3. Richardinson

In that order (preference for RHD to LHD).

I would have re-signed him and sent Mrazek to Rockford with Commesso, or Indy if you wanted Stauber in Rockford.
- vabeachbear

I loved seeing Stalock play here, and I'm also glad he found a home this summer. But he is not the future. I do believe if he had stayed healthy, he'd have drawn interest at the deadline.

As frustrating as Mrazek can be, we should hope that he stays healthy and plays well enough to draw interest at the next deadline. He would have to be a disaster while not injured in order to get brutally demoted. Having a guy like that kick around the farm system isn't good for anybody.

Also, I would like to see more competition from the prospects for that second spot, and having Stalock here would preclude that possibility.

I loved seeing Stalock play here, and I'm also glad he found a home this summer. But he is not the future. I do believe if he had stayed healthy, he'd have drawn interest at the deadline.

As frustrating as Mrazek can be, we should hope that he stays healthy and plays well enough to draw interest at the next deadline. He would have to be a disaster while not injured in order to get brutally demoted. Having a guy like that kick around the farm system isn't good for anybody.

Also, I would like to see more competition from the prospects for that second spot, and having Stalock here would preclude that possibility.
- 333inthe3rd

Ya right, like that's ever going happen
and Stalock is a better goalie and you could get more for him at the deadline, and he'd be way more affordable for the team trading for him.

not any different if than if Mrazek is here

Need Mrazek as a tank commander for one more season.

Would expect Söderblom to get 30-40 starts now.
- TommyHawk

I think the goaltending situation becomes interesting in the 24/25 season. Mrazek should be gone and I don't think it's fair to say Soderblom would be a true #1 capable of handling 70+ games. At the same time, I think Commesso's development will likely be better served by another year in Rockford (unless his play proves otherwise).

There could be some short-term solutions via UFA but if Soderblom and/or Commesso aren't developing as expected KD could make a bigger move.

Some of the free agent goalies in 24/25 include; Broissot, Samsonov, Wedgewood and a bunch of others.

I think the goaltending situation becomes interesting in the 24/25 season. Mrazek should be gone and I don't think it's fair to say Soderblom would be a true #1 capable of handling 70+ games. At the same time, I think Commesso's development will likely be better served by another year in Rockford (unless his play proves otherwise).

There could be some short-term solutions via UFA but if Soderblom and/or Commesso aren't developing as expected KD could make a bigger move.

Some of the free agent goalies in 24/25 include; Broissot, Samsonov, Wedgewood and a bunch of others.
- DarthKane

Hockey is a copy cat sport. If Vegas wins again with Aiden Hill, and another team with no true top level talent goaltender wins, you might see more teams spending money elsewhere and not prioritizing spending on top level goaltending (Kings, Maple Leafs, Edmonton, etc.

Could go back to the way it was in the 90's (and even before salary caps), the Red Wings never prioritized goaltending, they won cups with Osgood and Vernon (sorry Vernon in the Hall of Fame is criminal IMO. He was no better than a journeyman.

I think the goaltending situation becomes interesting in the 24/25 season. Mrazek should be gone and I don't think it's fair to say Soderblom would be a true #1 capable of handling 70+ games. At the same time, I think Commesso's development will likely be better served by another year in Rockford (unless his play proves otherwise).

There could be some short-term solutions via UFA but if Soderblom and/or Commesso aren't developing as expected KD could make a bigger move.

Some of the free agent goalies in 24/25 include; Broissot, Samsonov, Wedgewood and a bunch of others.
- DarthKane

Includes our old friends Delia and Lankinen.

My predictions for goaltending duos in years after this.

24-25 Soderblom- cheap veteran FA
25-26 Soderblom (if he shows he's worth being extended)-Commesso
or, cheap veteran FA (if Soderblom not around)-Commesso
26-27 Commessso-Gajan

Hopefully Commesso and Gajan can be a 1A and 1B combination.

Commesso would spend this season and next at the Rock. I see Gajan staying in Europe for a season than signing his ELC and spending 2 seasons in Rockford.

Ya right, like that's ever going happen
and Stalock is a better goalie and you could get more for him at the deadline, and he'd be way more affordable for the team trading for him.

not any different if than if Mrazek is here
- vabeachbear

I just looked at Mrazek's buyout calculation, and it was pretty cheap. Assuming it was the same calculation during the window, I have to wonder why they didn't buy him out.

So they are stuck with him now. Remember, the Hawks took him on as the price for getting to move up in last year's draft. Sure, having Stalock at $800K is better than Mrazek at $3.8 mill. Nobody disagrees with that.

But the argument at hand is Stalock versus the prospects in the system. Because they decided not to buy out Mrazek. In the meantime, if not Mrazek, I hope at least one prospect proves worthy enough to be a starting goalie. That would mean the front office wouldn't have to shop for a veteran starter next summer.

I just looked at Mrazek's buyout calculation, and it was pretty cheap. Assuming it was the same calculation during the window, I have to wonder why they didn't buy him out.

So they are stuck with him now. Remember, the Hawks took him on as the price for getting to move up in last year's draft. Sure, having Stalock at $800K is better than Mrazek at $3.8 mill. Nobody disagrees with that.

But the argument at hand is Stalock versus the prospects in the system. Because they decided not to buy out Mrazek. In the meantime, if not Mrazek, I hope at least one prospect proves worthy enough to be a starting goalie. That would mean the front office wouldn't have to shop for a veteran starter next summer.
- 333inthe3rd

Does it really matter? Based on both goalies injury history, neither one is probably going to play more than 30 games this year.

And I guess this year the myth of Alex Stalock is last years myth of Adam Gaudette and the year before myth of Dylan Sikura.

Among 52 goalies who played over 25 games in the 2022-23 season, Stalock ranked 34th in goals saved above expected. He is 36 years old and coming off of a decent season but he’s nothing more than a stop-gap backup goalie

Does it really matter? Based on both goalies injury history, neither one is probably going to play more than 30 games this year.

And I guess this year the myth of Alex Stalock is last years myth of Adam Gaudette and the year before myth of Dylan Sikura.

Among 52 goalies who played over 25 games in the 2022-23 season, Stalock ranked 34th in goals saved above expected. He is 36 years old and coming off of a decent season but he’s nothing more than a stop-gap backup goalie
- LAHawk

Remember when he started the first 10 games or so with Ottawa after being traded and had like 7 points and people lost their poop? That was awesome.

Hey, he got a vet minimum contract out of StL this season, so there's that.

Talk about the summer doldrums. Over the past few weeks my highlight was talking to someone wearing a "Kyle from Chicago" shirt at Gen Con in Indy last week.

The Dubas Pens remind me a lot of the 21-22 Hawks with expensive additions to an aging core. We'll get to see on opening night.

I just looked at Mrazek's buyout calculation, and it was pretty cheap. Assuming it was the same calculation during the window, I have to wonder why they didn't buy him out.

So they are stuck with him now. Remember, the Hawks took him on as the price for getting to move up in last year's draft. Sure, having Stalock at $800K is better than Mrazek at $3.8 mill. Nobody disagrees with that.

But the argument at hand is Stalock versus the prospects in the system. Because they decided not to buy out Mrazek. In the meantime, if not Mrazek, I hope at least one prospect proves worthy enough to be a starting goalie. That would mean the front office wouldn't have to shop for a veteran starter next summer.
- 333inthe3rd

Stalock was better than Mrazek last season but I don't think he can make much of a difference on this team. Plus, the Hawks don't have any salary cap concerns this season.

If the Hawks want to keep Stauber and Commesso in Rockford for most or all of the season they'll need to sign/acquire another netminder. Somebody who will likely sit in the pressbox in Rockford or the bench in Chicago. Chances are that Mrazek will miss time with injury, he always does. Maybe one of Halak, Hutchinson or Dell gets a PTO at training camp?

It is Billy Gardner Day. #34

Includes our old friends Delia and Lankinen.

My predictions for goaltending duos in years after this.

24-25 Soderblom- cheap veteran FA
25-26 Soderblom (if he shows he's worth being extended)-Commesso
or, cheap veteran FA (if Soderblom not around)-Commesso
26-27 Commessso-Gajan

Hopefully Commesso and Gajan can be a 1A and 1B combination.

Commesso would spend this season and next at the Rock. I see Gajan staying in Europe for a season than signing his ELC and spending 2 seasons in Rockford.
- boilermaker100

Gajan will play this season with Green Bay in the USHL and then is planning to go to Minnesota-Dultuh for the 24-25 season.

Gajan will play this season with Green Bay in the USHL and then is planning to go to Minnesota-Dultuh for the 24-25 season.
- Black Raven

Didn’t know that. Thanks for the info. So his career path may take longer than I surmised. A year in the USHL, at least 2 years in college, than at least a year in the AHL

Stalock was better than Mrazek last season but I don't think he can make much of a difference on this team. Plus, the Hawks don't have any salary cap concerns this season.

If the Hawks want to keep Stauber and Commesso in Rockford for most or all of the season they'll need to sign/acquire another netminder. Somebody who will likely sit in the pressbox in Rockford or the bench in Chicago. Chances are that Mrazek will miss time with injury, he always does. Maybe one of Halak, Hutchinson or Dell gets a PTO at training camp?
- DarthKane

They can sign Martin Jones, and he probably defaults to #1 for this yea. This would cause Soderblom to start in Rockford again which i don't think the organization wants right now.

Hockey is a copy cat sport. If Vegas wins again with Aiden Hill, and another team with no true top level talent goaltender wins, you might see more teams spending money elsewhere and not prioritizing spending on top level goaltending (Kings, Maple Leafs, Edmonton, etc.

Could go back to the way it was in the 90's (and even before salary caps), the Red Wings never prioritized goaltending, they won cups with Osgood and Vernon (sorry Vernon in the Hall of Fame is criminal IMO. He was no better than a journeyman.
- LAHawk

True....and the Hawks won their last 2 Cups with mediocre goaltending from Crawford (not elite, Osgood 2.0).

Does it really matter? Based on both goalies injury history, neither one is probably going to play more than 30 games this year.

And I guess this year the myth of Alex Stalock is last years myth of Adam Gaudette and the year before myth of Dylan Sikura.

Among 52 goalies who played over 25 games in the 2022-23 season, Stalock ranked 34th in goals saved above expected. He is 36 years old and coming off of a decent season but he’s nothing more than a stop-gap backup goalie
- LAHawk

While I kind of agree with your point, I don't think Gaudette or Sikura ever contributed anything close to what Stalock did.

Not saying Stalock is the next Ken Dryden, just saying I thought he was much better, and not on the same level as Mrazek last year.

And if the goal is to have a vet starter, at least to the trade deadline where he can moved and Soderblom can take over #1 duties, at 800K, I think he is a better trade asset than Mrazek.

While I kind of agree with your point, I don't think Gaudette or Sikura ever contributed anything close to what Stalock did.

Not saying Stalock is the next Ken Dryden, just saying I thought he was much better, and not on the same level as Mrazek last year.

And if the goal is to have a vet starter, at least to the trade deadline where he can moved and Soderblom can take over #1 duties, at 800K, I think he is a better trade asset than Mrazek.
- vabeachbear

I think if healthy, Stalock is likely a slightly better option than Mrazek at this point. That said, it's kinda splitting hairs. I think even if both were completely healthy last year, neither would have garnered much attention at the TDL.

With Mrazek having two years remaining on his contract (when acquired) and Stalock only getting a 1-year deal, this was always the way it was going to go. The good news is that it still offers a lot of leeway for opportunities to go to younger guys to start with the big club.