IMO, KD isn't going to make a big splash this summer even though he said that bottoming out isn't acceptable any more and he needs to improve the team. No Necas , no Guentzel. Prepare to be disappointed.
- boilermaker100

I expect it. I only think he made that comment to temporarily appease the players after the exit interviews, especially with Foligno and Jonrs.

I checked Campbell's buy out terms. If EDM buys him out this summer, their cap hits for the next six years are 1.1M, 2.3M, 2.6M. 1.5M, 1.5M, 1.5M. Assuming the cap makes some more dramatic leaps upwards, not that onerous. But they have to pay Bouchard next year too in addition to Drai so could be every penny counts.

If the Hawks obtain him, keep him around for a couple of years, then buy him out when they have to pay Bedard, Nazar et al the buyout hits are 2.4M and 1.3M. Not that bad either.
- boilermaker100

I’ve stated that before, I would take on Campbell’s contract for the right return, and Holloway would be okay by me.

At #18OA if Connelly and Hage are available I’m leaning towards Connelly. I know he has some question marks about his maturity, but what I’ve read to date looks like he has moved past that part in his life and has made amends. I’m not sure I would pass up a talent such as his that truly fits what KD is looking for a player. I’m just not sure, they would want him with that potential baggage. I would take a chance if I were the Hawks. Thoughts?

I thought when reading thsi earlier, that someone had big hopes and draft slotting for Alfons Frelj, and although he is an interesting LD, with his decent size, feet, puckhandlking ability, who can eb a great attacking force, but he simply gets caught up ice (even MORE than Yakemchuk, Parekh, and they are known finishers) and make loads of questionable risky plays, that are like a lack go understanding his complete job. He is like Detriot’s Shane Ghost, you like him until he messes up.

At #18OA if Connelly and Hage are available I’m leaning towards Connelly. I know he has some question marks about his maturity, but what I’ve read to date looks like he has moved past that part in his life and has made amends. I’m not sure I would pass up a talent such as his that truly fits what KD is looking for a player. I’m just not sure, they would want him with that potential baggage. I would take a chance if I were the Hawks. Thoughts?
- Revco38

If Connelly passes your interview and is there at #18, no question it is worth adding him...he can see that the past issues in Chicago and the Corey Perry quick departure, that he will have to have REALLY grown up since he bullied and drew hurtful symbols when he was a younger boy.

I just wonder if Kyle's leadership allows him to select Connelly.

The thing about Hage is is a great kid, player and I just think that his loss of his father in the past year places him as a person very relatable to Kochinski, and I like him as a centre.
Believe me, I had Connelly in my top ten all of 2023 on my board.
Some team is gonna get a player at a draftv slot who should in all likihood be good much earlier.
He is not the finished product but there is no denying he has the makings of a good HLer.

At #18OA if Connelly and Hage are available I’m leaning towards Connelly. I know he has some question marks about his maturity, but what I’ve read to date looks like he has moved past that part in his life and has made amends. I’m not sure I would pass up a talent such as his that truly fits what KD is looking for a player. I’m just not sure, they would want him with that potential baggage. I would take a chance if I were the Hawks. Thoughts?
- Revco38

There’s no way the Hawks take Connelly, they can’t afford the negative PR. I think it’s a close decision between Connelly and Hage, the better story is definitely Hage and that may be enough to differentiate between the 2.

There’s no way the Hawks take Connelly, they can’t afford the negative PR. I think it’s a close decision between Connelly and Hage, the better story is definitely Hage and that may be enough to differentiate between the 2.
- DarthKane

I get that and know this is as much about talent as it is character and marketing. Shame he is definitely a top 10 talent. OK size great speed really think you would complement what we already have.

Ben Pope tweeted that Reese Johnson expects to become an UFA so it sounds like he won't be qualified as a RFA.

June 30th is the deadline for extending qualifying offers. Phillips, Crevier, Roos, Raddysh, Entwistle, Joey Johnson, Teply among the other RFA's.

Would Blackhawk interest in one of the Vegas UFA goalies, Adin Hill or Logan Thompson mean a loss of confidence in Soderholm's upside?
- wiz1901

I'm thinking Soderholm is not in our long-term plans.

There’s no way the Hawks take Connelly, they can’t afford the negative PR. I think it’s a close decision between Connelly and Hage, the better story is definitely Hage and that may be enough to differentiate between the 2.
- DarthKane

I still think if they go Demidov at 2nd OA, Jiricek will be their choice at 18 if he's there. Unless some other player falls that KD can't pass up. With some of these crazy mock drafts out there it'd be crazy to think someone like Silayev or Eiserman could fall to us at 18?

I still think if they go Demidov at 2nd OA, Jiricek will be their choice at 18 if he's there. Unless some other player falls that KD can't pass up. With some of these crazy mock drafts out there it'd be crazy to think someone like Silayev or Eiserman could fall to us at 18?
- BetweenTheDots

I’d go with Demidov at 2, Hage at 18 then a defenseman at 34 (maybe Emery if he’s available).

I still think if they go Demidov at 2nd OA, Jiricek will be their choice at 18 if he's there. Unless some other player falls that KD can't pass up. With some of these crazy mock drafts out there it'd be crazy to think someone like Silayev or Eiserman could fall to us at 18?
- BetweenTheDots

Silayev could and they’d be wise to pass. Eiserman won’t make it past 14 if he falls imo

I’d go with Demidov at 2, Hage at 18 then a defenseman at 34 (maybe Emery if he’s available).
- DarthKane

I’m with you! Hage or Nygard at 18 and Emery/Elick at 34, and hope Mews falls to 50

Ben Pope tweeted that Reese Johnson expects to become an UFA so it sounds like he won't be qualified as a RFA.

June 30th is the deadline for extending qualifying offers. Phillips, Crevier, Roos, Raddysh, Entwistle, Joey Johnson, Teply among the other RFA's.
- boilermaker100

Expecting that only J. Anderson, Phillips and Crevier will be back. Rockford is filling up with younger prospects and the NHL team has only a spot or two left.

Maybe Teply could get 1 more year if they think he has any upside.

Silayev could and they’d be wise to pass. Eiserman won’t make it past 14 if he falls imo
- Assman22

Catton and senncka are the wild cards to me where do they go? Top 5 6 through 10 11through 20. My point is one or two players are going to drop that might have gone in the top 12 similar to Moore last year.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...li-mcgroarty-buyouts.html

McGroarty possibly available from WPG. Wonder what it would cost.

What about mine?
- paulr

Especially yours ya Pinko!

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/06/morning-notes-toffoli-mcgroarty-buyouts.html

McGroarty possibly available from WPG. Wonder what it would cost.
- totem

I mentioned his possible avaiabilty a few blogs back.

More and more when teams start catching the vapors that their draftees start telling them, "I want to stay in school." the more reactive trades will be happening.McGroarty is 20 years old and fits what I would be looking for to fill my roster.

I think that the 2025-26 season would be a grand unveiling of MANY youngsters, so filling the team with team in a year is to my liking.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/06/morning-notes-toffoli-mcgroarty-buyouts.html

McGroarty possibly available from WPG. Wonder what it would cost.
- totem

The peg would be looking for a serviceable player to help them now not any future considerations. Do not think we have anyone that fits their needs.

If Connelly passes your interview and is there at #18, no question it is worth adding him...he can see that the past issues in Chicago and the Corey Perry quick departure, that he will have to have REALLY grown up since he bullied and drew hurtful symbols when he was a younger boy.

I just wonder if Kyle's leadership allows him to select Connelly.

The thing about Hage is is a great kid, player and I just think that his loss of his father in the past year places him as a person very relatable to Kochinski, and I like him as a centre.
Believe me, I had Connelly in my top ten all of 2023 on my board.
Some team is gonna get a player at a draftv slot who should in all likihood be good much earlier.
He is not the finished product but there is no denying he has the makings of a good HLer.
- wiz1901

College kids in the US have done far worse, and there have been zero consequences for it, why should anyone think what Connolly did deserve to be punished?

College kids in the US have done far worse, and there have been zero consequences for it, why should anyone think what Connolly did deserve to be punished?
- LAHawk

He did deserve to be punished. But he also seems like he has made and effort to make amends, and he deserves a second chance.

But it's just bad PR for most if not all teams, especially the Blackhawks with their handling of the Kyle Beach situation. It is fodder for a douchebag like Lazerus, who will probably never let go of what the kid did as a young teenager if the Hawks were to draft him.

He did deserve to be punished. But he also seems like he has made and effort to make amends, and he deserves a second chance.

But it's just bad PR for most if not all teams, especially the Blackhawks with their handling of the Kyle Beach situation. It is fodder for a douchebag like Lazerus, who will probably never let go of what the kid did as a young teenager if the Hawks were to draft him.
- MartiniMan

I haven’t seen him criticize his beloved Northwestern, I doubt he would Connelly

I thought you were a communist…
- Angotti

Apparently I am ….

He did deserve to be punished. But he also seems like he has made and effort to make amends, and he deserves a second chance.

But it's just bad PR for most if not all teams, especially the Blackhawks with their handling of the Kyle Beach situation. It is fodder for a douchebag like Lazerus, who will probably never let go of what the kid did as a young teenager if the Hawks were to draft him.
- MartiniMan

Well then, if I were Kyle, I'd draft him if only to rile Lazerus.

I thought you were a communist…
- Angotti

A communist with integrity issues.....