I'll go on record that I was hoping Seth Jones would have been available in free agency when his Columbus contract expired a few years ago. I remember that several OT game during the COVID playoffs in 2020 when he logged about 60 minutes of ice team. Torts sang his praises and I thought he would be a good add to Chicago since the play of Keith and Seabook were declining.

Then Seth said he wasn't re-upping in Columbus and Jarmo put him on the market. I didn't mind the 9.5M contract because I thought that was going to be his UFA cost anyway. I didn't like the trade because I thought at the time Stan overpaid and was bidding against himself. In hindsight Boqvist hasn't moved the needle, and Sillinger, one of the 1st round picks CBJ got, is meh up to this point. But that other 1st round pick traded turned out to be 4th OA and that's the one that hurts.

Now, I admit I'm in the trade Seth camp. I believe he is one of three players on the team along with Bedard and Vlasic that would get a decent return. Something like when a few weeks ago I speculated on a trade to Utah for a 1st (or maybe a young forward prospect).

I don't know how long it will be before the Hawks becomes a playoff contender much less a Cup contender. I would like to think 3 more seasons to make the playoffs, then experience a couple of years of growing pains while learning what playoff hockey is all about. If all the stars align - lack of injuries, puck luck, etc. - then maybe a Cup run. So at least 6 years, about the time Jones' contract expires. I don't know how much of a contributor he'll be in years 5 and 6, but I would rather trade him soon since I fear his play will fall off in a few years. I would even retain 2M on his contract. Yesterday I wrote about potentially expensive contracts facing KD in about 4-5 years. When that time occurs I'd rather have 2M on the books versus 9.5M.

End of dissertation.

Would it be worse than the instant hate Jonrs got from fans and bloggers in Chicago before he ever stepped on the ice in a Hawk uniform?

At least Leaf fans will be glad he was the reason Marner would no longer be a Lesf.
- LAHawk

I think this is being misrepresented, they told the fans that they were rebuilding. Then they traded 2 firsts and then some for S Jones.

I do think he's overpaid but i think he's better and more durable than Murphy although Murphy has looked much better in LRs system.

Once he's off the power play and playing about 20 minutes a game he'll be a better defender. For me the weird part is it seems like some nights he can't stay on his feet? Not always but I do wonder if there is something going on behind the scenes with him be it medical or maybe self medicating or is it that ankle fracture?

I'll go on record that I was hoping Seth Jones would have been available in free agency when his Columbus contract expired a few years ago. I remember that several OT game during the COVID playoffs in 2020 when he logged about 60 minutes of ice team. Torts sang his praises and I thought he would be a good add to Chicago since the play of Keith and Seabook were declining.

Then Seth said he wasn't re-upping in Columbus and Jarmo put him on the market. I didn't mind the 9.5M contract because I thought that was going to be his UFA cost anyway. I didn't like the trade because I thought at the time Stan overpaid and was bidding against himself. In hindsight Boqvist hasn't moved the needle, and Sillinger, one of the 1st round picks CBJ got, is meh up to this point. But that other 1st round pick traded turned out to be 4th OA and that's the one that hurts.

Now, I admit I'm in the trade Seth camp. I believe he is one of three players on the team along with Bedard and Vlasic that would get a decent return. Something like when a few weeks ago I speculated on a trade to Utah for a 1st (or maybe a young forward prospect).

I don't know how long it will be before the Hawks becomes a playoff contender much less a Cup contender. I would like to think 3 more seasons to make the playoffs, then experience a couple of years of growing pains while learning what playoff hockey is all about. If all the stars align - lack of injuries, puck luck, etc. - then maybe a Cup run. So at least 6 years, about the time Jones' contract expires. I don't know how much of a contributor he'll be in years 5 and 6, but I would rather trade him soon since I fear his play will fall off in a few years. I would even retain 2M on his contract. Yesterday I wrote about potentially expensive contracts facing KD in about 4-5 years. When that time occurs I rather have 2M on the books versus 9.5M

End of dissertation.
- boilermaker100

Seth Jones is a good #2 or #3 defenseman on a contender, unfortunately he gets paid like a #1 on a contender. I’m okay if they trade him, but then you have to replace his 25 minutes a night of TOI. Currently they have an abundance of young LD’s, but weak on the right side. KD has already stated that he wants to be more competitive this coming season. TBH, that will be a tall order without Jones, unless they bring in two capable RD’s that can eat 22 minutes each. If indeed he’s part of a Marner trade, then I hope it’s a three team trade where they get a good young player, and of course they’ll have to take on a veteran to somewhat even out the cap hit.

98 held to 0 pts again.
Anyone else here think he might not be the king's sh!t? That the hype might have been a bit overblown?
- captainserious

Yeah.......no.

After his first NHL season at 18, he has a major injury, in the middle of a rebuild where most of the building parts haven't arrived, but loves playing and continues playing.

I cannot think of any better way to get harder, continues to see which of his skills (besides one of the best & most deceptive shots the leagu was seen) than to cotinue competing against strog competitors.

Could this 18 be physically feeling it?

Well, I bet he isn't saying, mostly because he loves the sport.

If there was any inclination inside the team hierarchy that his expectations were overblown, I am fairly certain there are 31 other teams picking up the phone on him...

No one talks about slaggert. I think he has a high upside. Much like Hagel. Thoughts?
- glennjpawlak22

I think the hawks were gifted that Hagel choose them and had spent the time before to build his body and tools so he could compete.

I said Hagel had upside but the evidence was the haul his salary deal AND abilities and then he putting up numbers besides all around press out there.

Slaggert comes hockey smart and there is enough there to seen there may be a player there too.

Not sure his NHL sample size has him solidified just yet.

Seth Jones is a good #2 or #3 defenseman on a contender, unfortunately he gets paid like a #1 on a contender. I’m okay if they trade him, but then you have to replace his 25 minutes a night of TOI. Currently they have an abundance of young LD’s, but weak on the right side. KD has already stated that he wants to be more competitive this coming season. TBH, that will be a tall order without Jones, unless they bring in two capable RD’s that can eat 22 minutes each. If indeed he’s part of a Marner trade, then I hope it’s a three team trade where they get a good young player, and of course they’ll have to take on a veteran to somewhat even out the cap hit.
- Angotti

Agree with all of this Lou.

Retaining 2M in a Jones trade would help put his cap hit more in line with a 2nd pairing guy.

Yes, would need at least 2 RD, one to replace Jones and one for 3rd pair/Murphy insurance. Might not be a #1 RD UFA that would come here, but with the leftover 7.5M in cap space gained and with the tons of space the team already has, they should be able to sign a decent guy at around 5M and another at 3-4M.

Toronto won't do this but in a 3 way trade where the Hawks retain half of Marner's cap hit, try to get Cowan or Minton as the sweetener instead of a pick.

Buffalo fan on capfriendly proposing a Skinner to Chicago trade.

Skinner and Buffalo's 1st to Chicago. Teams exchange their own 2nd rounders.

3 years of Skinner at 9M for the 11th overall? If Hawks are sellers in year 3, flip him for more assets at the TDL?

Anybody figure out what TB is doing with that McDonagh trade? They are definitely adding to their defensive depth. Maybe it was a pre-emptive move if TOR was going to ask for him and Saros back in a Marner trade.

TB with 5M in cap space and need to sign a few players to fill out the roster. Stamkos will take up all that 5M if he re-signs there. Who gets moved?
Cirelli 7 x 6.25M, Sheary 2 x 2M, Paul 5 x 3.25M?

Agree with all of this Lou.

Retaining 2M in a Jones trade would help put his cap hit more in line with a 2nd pairing guy.

Yes, would need at least 2 RD, one to replace Jones and one for 3rd pair/Murphy insurance. Might not be a #1 RD UFA that would come here, but with the leftover 7.5M in cap space gained and with the tons of space the team already has, they should be able to sign a decent guy at around 5M and another at 3-4M.

Toronto won't do this but in a 3 way trade where the Hawks retain half of Marner's cap hit, try to get Cowan or Minton as the sweetener instead of a pick.
- boilermaker100

Yeah, we'd have to retain at least 20% of Jones salary for anyone to take him on as well as likely having to give up #20 and more I think as a sweetener. That's a hefty cap hit for a significant amount of time. We were able to get a 2nd for Johnson's 3 years at $5M. Add to the fact that while he's taking the heat for the playoff failure, Marner is still one heck of a player. He's able to put up 80-100 points a year and his plus/minus is very good showing his general skill without the puck. It was only last year where Leafs faithful were praising Marner over Nylander after their exit to the Cats. How quickly fortunes fade.

That said, Leyshunov at #2 and Marner would be a change of pace. Definitely improve the offensive output. Jones played well this year and think he'll get better in subsequent years up to a certain point as the team improves but eventually decline sets in. Jones is still a good defenseman, 25 minutes a night against the top opposition but not at his salary as many here have commented. Still I'd much rather have him than Nurse.

Buffalo fan on capfriendly proposing a Skinner to Chicago trade.

Skinner and Buffalo's 1st to Chicago. Teams exchange their own 2nd rounders.

3 years of Skinner at 9M for the 11th overall? If Hawks are sellers in year 3, flip him for more assets at the TDL?
- boilermaker100

I don’t see a big problem making a move like this. If he skates as well as he used to he’d look good on Bedard’s wing. The contract doesn’t hurt the team even if he plays for the Hawks for the remainder of the term. However for helping Buffalo with that significant cap hit, especially in real dollars, I think Buffalo’s first this year and second this year or next is fair with a very late draft pick or a low end prospect, like Reese Johnson going the other way.

Anybody figure out what TB is doing with that McDonagh trade? They are definitely adding to their defensive depth. Maybe it was a pre-emptive move if TOR was going to ask for him and Saros back in a Marner trade.

TB with 5M in cap space and need to sign a few players to fill out the roster. Stamkos will take up all that 5M if he re-signs there. Who gets moved?
Cirelli 7 x 6.25M, Sheary 2 x 2M, Paul 5 x 3.25M?
- boilermaker100

Saw this article
https://www.thefourthperi...ng-start-talking-contract

1st thing that popped into my head was Kyle should go after Cirelli.
If they resign Stamkos someone is going to have to leave

Buffalo fan on capfriendly proposing a Skinner to Chicago trade.

Skinner and Buffalo's 1st to Chicago. Teams exchange their own 2nd rounders.

3 years of Skinner at 9M for the 11th overall? If Hawks are sellers in year 3, flip him for more assets at the TDL?
- boilermaker100

Yeah, the Hawks would have to do that deal. But Buffalo is not in any kind of cap purgatory, and Skinner's buyout is relatively cheap if they wanted to part ways. https://www.capfriendly.c...t-calculator/jeff-skinner

Anybody figure out what TB is doing with that McDonagh trade? They are definitely adding to their defensive depth. Maybe it was a pre-emptive move if TOR was going to ask for him and Saros back in a Marner trade.

TB with 5M in cap space and need to sign a few players to fill out the roster. Stamkos will take up all that 5M if he re-signs there. Who gets moved?
Cirelli 7 x 6.25M, Sheary 2 x 2M, Paul 5 x 3.25M?
- boilermaker100

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-from-nashville-predators
McDonagh requested to be traded back.

I don’t see a big problem making a move like this. If he skates as well as he used to he’d look good on Bedard’s wing. The contract doesn’t hurt the team even if he plays for the Hawks for the remainder of the term. However for helping Buffalo with that significant cap hit, especially in real dollars, I think Buffalo’s first this year and second this year or next is fair with a very late draft pick or a low end prospect, like Reese Johnson going the other way.
- paulr

I thought the Hawks were through taking on bad contracts, and actually wanted to try and improve the club with acquisitions by weaponizing it's draft capital?

Skinner is 32 with a $9 million dollar cap hit for 3 years and a big decline (36 points) in production last year. I would rather have Hall play with Bedard, and if he stays injury free, either flip him at the deadline (which would be much easier with his expiring contract), or resign him for a couple of more years.

Yeah, we'd have to retain at least 20% of Jones salary for anyone to take him on as well as likely having to give up #20 and more I think as a sweetener. That's a hefty cap hit for a significant amount of time. We were able to get a 2nd for Johnson's 3 years at $5M. Add to the fact that while he's taking the heat for the playoff failure, Marner is still one heck of a player. He's able to put up 80-100 points a year and his plus/minus is very good showing his general skill without the puck. It was only last year where Leafs faithful were praising Marner over Nylander after their exit to the Cats. How quickly fortunes fade.

That said, Leyshunov at #2 and Marner would be a change of pace. Definitely improve the offensive output. Jones played well this year and think he'll get better in subsequent years up to a certain point as the team improves but eventually decline sets in. Jones is still a good defenseman, 25 minutes a night against the top opposition but not at his salary as many here have commented. Still I'd much rather have him than Nurse.
- Popsghostly

I've never been a Jones guy, he wasn't who I wanted on the team, but I just think if we move Jones right now, that creates a pretty big hole. Yes he should have been making closer to 7.5 mil, but he is still a top pair guy. There is a reason why NHL coaches play him 25+ minutes a night. We don't yet have someone to replace him. Vlasic and Korchinski each put up about half of Seth's offense (total and even strength). We are going to pay nearly as much to replace him on the UFA market and there really aren't many choices for righties. We have Murphy who is often hurt and with age that might only get even worse. I still wonder if he is closer to end of career than we think. If we move Jones, we need to somehow trade or pick up even more RD depth, because it's lacking.

I get what you are saying but i do have one

LVGK, i think another one was the Blues
- BetweenTheDots

Blues lost to the Canadians in 1968 SCF, their first season.

I thought the Hawks were through taking on bad contracts, and actually wanted to try and improve the club with acquisitions by weaponizing it's draft capital?

Skinner is 32 with a $9 million dollar cap hit for 3 years and a big decline (36 points) in production last year. I would rather have Hall play with Bedard, and if he stays injury free, either flip him at the deadline (which would be much easier with his expiring contract), or resign him for a couple of more years.
- LAHawk

Skinner isn’t going to hurt the team on the ice or with his contract. In fact with more ice time I think he’s a large improvement over most of the roster over the last two seasons. But the reward of the trade could be significant. That number 11 draft pick could be a game changer, possibly an Eiserman, a D!ckinson, a Parekh or a Yakemchuck. As in all trades does a move like this make the team better long term? I think so.

So you think Dale knew what was happening?
That's a crappy position to be in.
I remember Havlat going off in the media about McEgo when Tallon was demoted
- captainserious

Tallon wasn't demoted, he was fired. Then Rocky put it out there you have to bring up your young people and move your old ones out. Tallon threatened a slam dunk age discrimination suit and Rocky found a job for him to end the court talk.

Buffalo fan on capfriendly proposing a Skinner to Chicago trade.

Skinner and Buffalo's 1st to Chicago. Teams exchange their own 2nd rounders.

3 years of Skinner at 9M for the 11th overall? If Hawks are sellers in year 3, flip him for more assets at the TDL?
- boilermaker100

I might be wrong but I think if we need to take Skinner, I'd push for more than the 1st round pick. Cap space is worth a lot these days. I'd like a youngish prospect or player included if it was me.

Treviling is concerned about Woll's injury history

https://heavy.com/sports/...stion-goalie-joseph-woll/
- LAHawk

Thanks, LA......... Really tough when your #1 is injury prone especially when he's not quite established yet. No doubt Toronto will see changes and if they think they have a legit shot at a cup with a legit top level #1 goalie maybe they do a Marner for Soros deal.

Would they then extend Soros, who at 29 is gonna want to be paid, and run a Boston like Tandem of Soros and Woll until the cap makes em bust that up? Or let Soros walk and end up with very little for Marner?

I see them going with Woll as their #1 and sign a legit #2 to take 25-30 starts. ..... But yea, an injury prone #1 is a bad spot to be in but IMO Woll has some big time ability and at 25 coming up thru The Program, Boston College and the AHL with a very good 50ish NHL games he's primed.

https://www.nhl.com/news/ryan-mcdonagh-traded-to-tampa-bay-lightning-from-nashville-predators
McDonagh requested to be traded back.
- ObeseOprah

Interesting. Thanks for the link.

He got 8 mins of ice time because it was a game they wanted to win against a tough opponent - the host Czechs. Add to that he has no clue how to play without the puck.

Whats happening is a young kid who still belongs at a junior level is getting schooled by players who play a man's game. Love the kid's enthusiasm and dedication but not ready to participate with the best players in the game. But in Chicago he sells tickets and jerseys - the team and the NHL consider that very important.
- RickJ

Not watching or reading about the WC going on I assumed as you did. Coach wanted a win, structural hockey was the scheme and right now Bedard doesn't fit that profile, or he simply won't take coaching.

Bedard would be a waste in jrs and in the NHL right now with bad mates, no existing cultue/structure and being smaller than almost everyone while being the focus of the other coach in yr 2 of a total tear down the circumstances for his rookie yr were terrible.

But his attention to anything not offensive off the puck needs a lotta work, and that's an understatement. He did however improve in fundamental things like shorter shifts and reducing times skating into 3-4 guys and coughing. .... Point is the kid was aware of deficiencies and addressed them.

I can't believe as he settles into being a pro and watching Crosby highlights he won't work on his 200 ft game in a big way. Like any jr aged player we'll see this kid develop right in front of our eyes and my hope is a lot of that will be off the puck cuz most agree he has superstar ability but to be one of the greats his total game has to improve.

Loved reading he only got 8 minutes. It can only help him and any team he's on.

Thats what happens when most of your talent all matures at the same time - which is probably going to bite Kyle in the ass. Some of these seconds and firsts - this year and the next should be moved for proven assets OR for picks in 26 or 27.
- fattybeef

Ideally you can spread your picks out at some point, they did need a huge influx of talent in the system so loading up on picks in Yr 1 and 2 was good, you'd think the organIzation has thought about this. ...... The cap comes for everyone who wins. Just a matter of when, why and how you planned/prepared for it in the organIzational plan formulated on Day 1 of the rebuild.

Hopin KD and Crew are up to it.

No one talks about slaggert. I think he has a high upside. Much like Hagel. Thoughts?
- glennjpawlak22

I've thought about a Slaggert-Hagel comparison. IMO during his 16 NHL games he was better than he was seeing hin with the NTDP and Notre Dame. Might be a guy so well schooled/coached/developed coming up thru The Mission, The Program and 4 full yrs at Notre Dame that the better the structure the better he plays.

Looking over is EP page the kid never put up many pts so I don't see him showing the offense Hagel does but like Hagel he's a high IQ guy that simply makes plays in all 3 zones, a lot of them.

Slaggert has a chance to be a difference making bottom 6 guy on a very good team. Competitive gamers with a high IQ carve out good long NHL careers.

I've thought about a Slaggert-Hagel comparison. IMO during his 16 NHL games he was better than he was seeing hin with the NTDP and Notre Dame. Might be a guy so well schooled/coached/developed coming up thru The Mission, The Program and 4 full yrs at Notre Dame that the better the structure the better he plays.

Looking over is EP page the kid never put up many pts so I don't see him showing the offense Hagel does but like Hagel he's a high IQ guy that simply makes plays in all 3 zones, a lot of them.

Slaggert has a chance to be a difference making bottom 6 guy on a very good team. Competitive gamers with a high IQ carve out good long NHL careers.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree, and always find that interesting when that happens.

Same with Bedard (at least in first few games of the worlds until he became a bust) playing out there with real top 6 NHLers, you see even more so just how good he really is