When Hawks add free agents I hope they add a Jerk like Perry. Big, tough, some skill, agitator, defends teammates, heavy hitter, (but faster than Perry)
- Ztra

Dakota Joshua

You haven't posted about KD needing to manage the cap properly at the start of the teardown??.... It was one of my first thoughts from the very beginning. Living thru a 3 cup run and seeing the cap kill it I hoped, from the jump as they now say, KD had learned from all of that and had ideas on minimizing its effects. Especially long term.

Ok, wrong guy. .... I still hold managing the cap to me is, after watching my organIzation's best teams ever dismantled, as important as scouting and developing.
- Mr Ricochet

It was also less cap management and more bad player scouting and being overly loyal to certain players.

Other than Panarin - a lot of very bad trades (including Panarin) and poor internal and external evaluation of prospects and players kinda killed them.

Danault staying with the Hawks extends the window at least until Seabrook completely fell apart. Obviously keeping Panarin. They should have let Sharp walk or moved him immediately after 2015 was probably an oops.

Jokiharju was probably the best defender the Bowman group drafted until it was too late. Looks like maybe there were some changes in their scouting department around 2019 because that when they took Vlasic and then in the next one Philips, Kaiser and EDM.

Bowman hit on zero of his top 10 picks to reload. If he hit on both of those, the window def extended as well.

Soooooo - while the cap certainly made some things complicated - it definitely wasn't the biggest reason that team just wasted away.

It's just the reality of the cap. Once your stars age out - if you don't find some gems like Dallas has and Tampa was able to - then you kinda fizzle out.

I think that you need to maximize the opportunities for the superstars you have. They have the otherworldly player with Bedard. If another pick pops into something special thats neat but they really need to maximize his prime years and being overly patient would be as bad as signing a half dozen 30 year olds this offseason.

Goofy stuff like a hot goalie can throw some things off in the playoffs but typically teams without super stars don't win the championships. St Louis is probably the most average roster to win recently.
- fattybeef

Well i think that's the reason for 33 picks in the top 100 over this 5 year span. I think KD understands he has one chance to build a contender through the draft before Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski, and Nazar hit their prime. On the flip side you have the luxury to develop and groom the talent you draft which is really an important part of this.

It was also less cap management and more bad player scouting and being overly loyal to certain players.

Other than Panarin - a lot of very bad trades (including Panarin) and poor internal and external evaluation of prospects and players kinda killed them.

Danault staying with the Hawks extends the window at least until Seabrook completely fell apart. Obviously keeping Panarin. They should have let Sharp walk or moved him immediately after 2015 was probably an oops.

Jokiharju was probably the best defender the Bowman group drafted until it was too late. Looks like maybe there were some changes in their scouting department around 2019 because that when they took Vlasic and then in the next one Philips, Kaiser and EDM.

Bowman hit on zero of his top 10 picks to reload. If he hit on both of those, the window def extended as well.

Soooooo - while the cap certainly made some things complicated - it definitely wasn't the biggest reason that team just wasted away.
- fattybeef

Health is a big factor too. Kopitar snd Doughty are still playing well, and are playing the entire season. Bet the Hawks would rather have had Hosss than the cap relief, let alone Toews health issues.

One thing is obvious to me LA, you've lived in California to long.
- BetweenTheDots

There's 32 teams.

In the last 20 years only like 12 different franchises have won. Certainly not all of them were a complete dumpster fire.

The Sharks had a tremendous team for a really long time. Unfortunately so did the Wings, Hawks and Kings during those players prime.

The best KFC and crew can do is build a competitive group that if healthy and firing on all cylinders has a good shot to win most 7 game series.

With the salary cap it's unrealistic and ridiculous to say that if a group of players don't win a cup they didn't have success.

Well i think that's the reason for 33 picks in the top 100 over this 5 year span. I think KD understands he has one chance to build a contender through the draft before Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski, and Nazar hit their prime. On the flip side you have the luxury to develop and groom the talent you draft which is really an important part of this.
- BetweenTheDots

Well Bedard is the centerpiece but the other darts are trying to find that Robertson, Kutcherov, Pavelski, whoever that was overlooked and fell so they don't have to go out and buy everyone like Vegas has.

I think it would almost be smart of them to try to get some deferred picks (2026 2027) to spread some of this out a bit with the surplus they have now.

After picking 33 times if they don't have enough of a core to start building a team then it's probably not the right group making the picks.

If you see Korch take a good step forward next year, Nazar around 35 points and Hayes jumping past Reichel in the depth chart - I think we can start to get excited.

When Hawks add free agents I hope they add a Jerk like Perry. Big, tough, some skill, agitator, defends teammates, heavy hitter, (but faster than Perry)
- Ztra

Dakota Joshua.

Well Bedard is the centerpiece but the other darts are trying to find that Robertson, Kutcherov, Pavelski, whoever that was overlooked and fell so they don't have to go out and buy everyone like Vegas has.

I think it would almost be smart of them to try to get some deferred picks (2026 2027) to spread some of this out a bit with the surplus they have now.

After picking 33 times if they don't have enough of a core to start building a team then it's probably not the right group making the picks.

If you see Korch take a good step forward next year, Nazar around 35 points and Hayes jumping past Reichel in the depth chart - I think we can start to get excited.
- fattybeef

He's not going to hit on all of them but he gives the Blackhawks the best odds and he gets to scoop up players he felt should of gone higher.
I know many are impatient but

Bedard 18
Nazar 20
Reichel 21
Slaggert 21
Korchinski 19
Kaiser 21
Vlasic 22

Lardis 18
Ludwinski 20
Hayes 20
Savoie 20
DelMastro 21
Allen 21

I mean he's building the pipe line, we'll see who we draft with the 2nd pick but this doesn't even include players drafted and not signed yet. Go ahead sign FAs but just keep feeding the pipeline and be like the Cubs and build the best farm system in the NHL once that happens you pull the pin and go for it, about year 5, 2027.

There's 32 teams.

In the last 20 years only like 12 different franchises have won. Certainly not all of them were a complete dumpster fire.

The Sharks had a tremendous team for a really long time. Unfortunately so did the Wings, Hawks and Kings during those players prime.

The best KFC and crew can do is build a competitive group that if healthy and firing on all cylinders has a good shot to win most 7 game series.

With the salary cap it's unrealistic and ridiculous to say that if a group of players don't win a cup they didn't have success.
- fattybeef

I think the Sharks, Preds and other teams that didn't win a SC were a failure, i felt that way with the Blackhawks in the 80s and 90s. The worst part was knowing we weren't good enough to win a SC.

He's not going to hit on all of them but he gives the Blackhawks the best odds and he gets to scoop up players he felt should of gone higher.
I know many are impatient but

Bedard 18
Nazar 20
Reichel 21
Slaggert 21
Korchinski 19
Kaiser 21
Vlasic 22

Lardis 18
Ludwinski 20
Hayes 20
Savoie 20
DelMastro 21
Allen 21

I mean he's building the pipe line, we'll see who we draft with the 2nd pick but this doesn't even include players drafted and not signed yet. Go ahead sign FAs but just keep feeding the pipeline and be like the Cubs and build the best farm system in the NHL once that happens you pull the pin and go for it, about year 5, 2027.
- BetweenTheDots

KD should use some draft capital to trade for young forwards that may not be a fit with their NHL team (but still talented) and/or on teams that don’t have a roster spot for them (ie if they’re a cup contender).

I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but one of the guys is target (but not necessarily the only one) would be Nick Robertson in Toronto. Yes, he’s a bit on the smaller side but I think there is more potential there.

Another option, albeit less likely, would be Dylan Holloway in Edmonton. He’s an RFA at the end of the season and will require going through waivers next year. I don’t know if I’d part with #20. Maybe #34 and later pick or prospect.

When Hawks add free agents I hope they add a Jerk like Perry. Big, tough, some skill, agitator, defends teammates, heavy hitter, (but faster than Perry)
- Ztra

Dakota Joshua

KD should use some draft capital to trade for young forwards that may not be a fit with their NHL team (but still talented) and/or on teams that don’t have a roster spot for them (ie if they’re a cup contender).

I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but one of the guys is target (but not necessarily the only one) would be Nick Robertson in Toronto. Yes, he’s a bit on the smaller side but I think there is more potential there.

Another option, albeit less likely, would be Dylan Holloway in Edmonton. He’s an RFA at the end of the season and will require going through waivers next year. I don’t know if I’d part with #20. Maybe #34 and later pick or prospect.
- DarthKane

I would seriously consider Holloway with pick #20, you get Levshunov with #2 and a good young forward with size in Holloway, not a bad first round. TBH, I don’t think that the Oilers move Holloway unless a bad contract is included, as they need cap space.

So, how about these additions for next season. With these additions and another year of experience for the young guys, they will be very watchable next year.
Dakota Joshua - FA 3 years
Jake DeBrusk - FA 3 years
Dylan DeMelo RD - FA 2 years
Dylan Holloway - Trade
Draft Levshunov and let him play at either MS or the Rock for a year or two.

I would seriously consider Holloway with pick #20, you get Levshunov with #2 and a good young forward with size in Holloway, not a bad first round. TBH, I don’t think that the Oilers move Holloway unless a bad contract is included, as they need cap space.
- Angotti

Well someone on this board wouldn't like it. Said that the GM from Montreal was stupid for trading their second first round pick (#31) for Newhook. I heard you don't trade #1 picks in a rebuild.

So, how about these additions for next season. With these additions and another year of experience for the young guys, they will be very watchable next year.
Dakota Joshua - FA 3 years
Jake DeBrusk - FA 3 years
Dylan DeMelo RD - FA 2 years
Dylan Holloway - Trade
Draft Levshunov and let him play at either MS or the Rock for a year or two.
- Angotti

i like all these moves. Depends on how much KD has to overpay to obtain the players though. All things being equal, each of the 3 free agents would probably opt to sign with a team in the running to make the playoffs..

He's not going to hit on all of them but he gives the Blackhawks the best odds and he gets to scoop up players he felt should of gone higher.
I know many are impatient but

Bedard 18
Nazar 20
Reichel 21
Slaggert 21
Korchinski 19
Kaiser 21
Vlasic 22

Lardis 18
Ludwinski 20
Hayes 20
Savoie 20
DelMastro 21
Allen 21

I mean he's building the pipe line, we'll see who we draft with the 2nd pick but this doesn't even include players drafted and not signed yet. Go ahead sign FAs but just keep feeding the pipeline and be like the Cubs and build the best farm system in the NHL once that happens you pull the pin and go for it, about year 5, 2027.
- BetweenTheDots

You had me until you said cubs.

Well someone on this board wouldn't like it. Said that the GM from Montreal was stupid for trading their second first round pick (#31) for Newhook. I heard you don't trade #1 picks in a rebuild.
- LAHawk

I admitted i was wrong, it's a brilliant move compared to what LA did to trade and sign PLD, hahaha. I felt they could of gotten him cheaper Sakic was kind of stuck with the salary cap and all. Loved the Monahan trade for and trade away. I thought when he traded for Newhook it was a biased move because he worked for the agency that represented him.

Over half the GMs don't know what they are doing its just the way it is, dumb stupid clueless use whatever word you want but it doesn't change the fact they are.

You know i see those Leafs fans, Canucks fans, Oilers fans who go to arenas and watch their hockey team, do you really believe they are happy to see their team just make the playoffs? Maybe you consider that a successful season, i sure don't. If a team within their cup run doesn't at least win 1 Cup, then what was the point other than breaking your fans hearts

There's no better feeling as a sports fan than winning a championship, I've got to enjoy 5 in my lifetime.

Not sure how new this Kantserov interview is(edit-new interview/Scott Powers),but this line from his interpreter about St.Petersburg creating "hurdles" was a bit surprising:

The Blackhawks have the second pick in the draft, and Ivan Demidov is one of the players who could go early. What do you know about him? I think you played against him some in the MHL.

(Interpreter) He is saying congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks in the second pick. He’s really happy for the team. He does know Demidov. He doesn’t know him as well, but he definitely is aware of the fact that he is a great skater, a great shooter, everything you can only mention in the young player and the huge prospect and player he is. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances with St. Petersburg SKA. I would say they’re creating some hurdles for him to come to the NHL and to be selected in the draft. So hopefully it’s all going to be resolved and he get his chance to play in NHL. But he has another year of playing for SKA, and hopefully after that, they will let him come to the NHL and he gets his chance to play in the NHL because he’s a brilliant player on the ice.

I admitted i was wrong, it's a brilliant move compared to what LA did to trade and sign PLD, hahaha. I felt they could of gotten him cheaper Sakic was kind of stuck with the salary cap and all. Loved the Monahan trade for and trade away. I thought when he traded for Newhook it was a biased move because he worked for the agency that represented him.

Over half the GMs don't know what they are doing its just the way it is, dumb stupid clueless use whatever word you want but it doesn't change the fact they are.

You know i see those Leafs fans, Canucks fans, Oilers fans who go to arenas and watch their hockey team, do you really believe they are happy to see their team just make the playoffs? Maybe you consider that a successful season, i sure don't. If a team within their cup run doesn't at least win 1 Cup, then what was the point other than breaking your fans hearts

There's no better feeling as a sports fan than winning a championship, I've got to enjoy 5 in my lifetime.
- BetweenTheDots

Going deep in the playoffs is success.

He's not going to hit on all of them but he gives the Blackhawks the best odds and he gets to scoop up players he felt should of gone higher.
I know many are impatient but

Bedard 18
Nazar 20
Reichel 21
Slaggert 21
Korchinski 19
Kaiser 21
Vlasic 22

Lardis 18
Ludwinski 20
Hayes 20
Savoie 20
DelMastro 21
Allen 21

I mean he's building the pipe line, we'll see who we draft with the 2nd pick but this doesn't even include players drafted and not signed yet. Go ahead sign FAs but just keep feeding the pipeline and be like the Cubs and build the best farm system in the NHL once that happens you pull the pin and go for it, about year 5, 2027.
- BetweenTheDots

This isn't baseball.

I want Bedard challenging for cups between 20 and until he falls apart. Not at 25 like Mackinnon or McDavid where they'll probably only get one shot.

That way they get two attempts, not dissimilar how Stamkos had a run to the conference finals before Cooper took over and then him and Kucherov as a pair had a shot at two (14-15 losing to the hawks and the conference finals the next year) until they ultimately won back to back.

Same thing with Crosby. Had their initial run and won two. Retooled. Won two again.

Datsyuk was able to have two separate runs 6 or 7 years apart.

Toews and Kane should have had a second shot if the pro scouting didn't suck.

For that to happen they need to start building a team now, not sitting on their Richards waiting for all of their flowers to blossom.

MacKinnon will be 29 to start next year. Not a lot of options for that group other than to run it back until he slows down but they could very well be one and done. Makar looks pretty beat up at this stage, how long will he be able to maintain that elite level of skating? If there is a miracle of modern science and Landeskog comes back maybe they have one more deep run in them.

They don't need to be a playoff team next year but they do need to be good enough to go on a heater and tease being in a wild card spot (kinda like Philly did but hopefully less theatrical).

This isn't baseball.

I want Bedard challenging for cups between 20 and until he falls apart. Not at 25 like Mackinnon or McDavid where they'll probably only get one shot.

That way they get two attempts, not dissimilar how Stamkos had a run to the conference finals before Cooper took over and then him and Kucherov as a pair had a shot at two (14-15 losing to the hawks and the conference finals the next year) until they ultimately won back to back.

Same thing with Crosby. Had their initial run and won two. Retooled. Won two again.

Datsyuk was able to have two separate runs 6 or 7 years apart.

Toews and Kane should have had a second shot if the pro scouting didn't suck.

For that to happen they need to start building a team now, not sitting on their Richards waiting for all of their flowers to blossom.

MacKinnon will be 29 to start next year. Not a lot of options for that group other than to run it back until he slows down but they could very well be one and done. Makar looks pretty beat up at this stage, how long will he be able to maintain that elite level of skating? If there is a miracle of modern science and Landeskog comes back maybe they have one more deep run in them.

They don't need to be a playoff team next year but they do need to be good enough to go on a heater and tease being in a wild card spot (kinda like Philly did but hopefully less theatrical).
- fattybeef

Crosby won one cup in that late 2000’s run, not two. I hope the Hawks are markedly better, but aside from Nazar and the exits of AHL level players… only free agency is going to improve this team early next season.

Well someone on this board wouldn't like it. Said that the GM from Montreal was stupid for trading their second first round pick (#31) for Newhook. I heard you don't trade #1 picks in a rebuild.
- LAHawk

I think most of the push back at trading picks in a full teardown rebuild is centered around trading picks in the top 5-10 of the draft where you can much more often land a good top end player and in some cases a truly elite player.

Newhook is decent, a third line guy with potential to maybe be a 2nd line guy on a good team. They gave up a prospect plus the 31st overall and the 37th overall for him.

This isn't baseball.

I want Bedard challenging for cups between 20 and until he falls apart. Not at 25 like Mackinnon or McDavid where they'll probably only get one shot.

That way they get two attempts, not dissimilar how Stamkos had a run to the conference finals before Cooper took over and then him and Kucherov as a pair had a shot at two (14-15 losing to the hawks and the conference finals the next year) until they ultimately won back to back.

Same thing with Crosby. Had their initial run and won two. Retooled. Won two again.

Datsyuk was able to have two separate runs 6 or 7 years apart.

Toews and Kane should have had a second shot if the pro scouting didn't suck.

For that to happen they need to start building a team now, not sitting on their Richards waiting for all of their flowers to blossom.

MacKinnon will be 29 to start next year. Not a lot of options for that group other than to run it back until he slows down but they could very well be one and done. Makar looks pretty beat up at this stage, how long will he be able to maintain that elite level of skating? If there is a miracle of modern science and Landeskog comes back maybe they have one more deep run in them.

They don't need to be a playoff team next year but they do need to be good enough to go on a heater and tease being in a wild card spot (kinda like Philly did but hopefully less theatrical).
- fattybeef

At some point you have to accept that Bedard landed in the Hawks lap during the early days of a full rebuild and not when they already had pieces in place. It's just the reality of the situation. Bedard is a great player, but he is just one piece of the puzzle. Those teams you want them to emulate had a lot of depth and it wasn't built in a couple seasons.

Tampa, they managed a run to the conference final in Stamko's third season, but it wasn't until year 7 with the team that they were a legit threat to win it all. A run they made mostly on the backs of guys they drafted between 2007-2011.

Stamkos draft TB - 2008
Palat draft TB 2011
Kucherov draft TB 2011
Johnson undrafted TB signing
Killorn draft TB 2007
Hedman draft TB 2009

Much of their continued success was drafting players and replacing guys they had to let go.

Bedard should be able to have a long career and there is no reason to think he won't have a lot of chances at the cup, but let the GM build the team.

Well someone on this board wouldn't like it. Said that the GM from Montreal was stupid for trading their second first round pick (#31) for Newhook. I heard you don't trade #1 picks in a rebuild.
- LAHawk

While I wouldn't trade my 1st rounders as a normal course of action during the first few years of a rebuild, it wouldn't be the worse situation if the guy you are acquiring is very young and will be able to contribute greatly when you are ready to compete.

Is Newhook worth what you gave up for him? Maybe. Would I trade #20 for Holloway? at first thought, I would as he's young, and think he has potential to grow with Bedard.

Would Edmonton do it?? Can't see why.

At some point you have to accept that Bedard landed in the Hawks lap during the early days of a full rebuild and not when they already had pieces in place. It's just the reality of the situation. Bedard is a great player, but he is just one piece of the puzzle. Those teams you want them to emulate had a lot of depth and it wasn't built in a couple seasons.

Tampa, they managed a run to the conference final in Stamko's third season, but it wasn't until year 7 with the team that they were a legit threat to win it all. A run they made mostly on the backs of guys they drafted between 2007-2011.

Stamkos draft TB - 2008
Palat draft TB 2011
Kucherov draft TB 2011
Johnson undrafted TB signing
Killorn draft TB 2007
Hedman draft TB 2009

Much of their continued success was drafting players and replacing guys they had to let go.

Bedard should be able to have a long career and there is no reason to think he won't have a lot of chances at the cup, but let the GM build the team.
- breadbag

Let's not forget,MacKinnon didn't turn into this beast until his 4th or 5th season.
Bedard could possibly start beast mode next season if they put a few players around him.

I haven't seen MacKinnon or Makar slow down thus far. I believe they'll have the same production for another few years. Col just needs to make sure the rest of the team is adequate