Initially Tocchet liked Lafferty. And then he pressboxed him.

A whole bunch of guys around the league are going to be looking for PTOs come September. No sense tying up a 50 man roster with players who will never make it or just use up a spot at the bottom of a bad team NHL roster. And the Hawks are a bad team, a very bad one.
- RickJ

Not only is the Blackhawks team assuredly going to be near the bottom of the standings, it would go against KD’s build plan to sign more than one and probably not two top caliber free agents (or trade for them).

The exception would be to keep Bedard happy and productive and by adding a genuine offensive linematte. Although we still will loose often, the team needs to be competitive and not too badly overmatched. There is enough talent on most rosters whereas a tired or disinterested team will loose as long as their opponent has a descent talented roster

I would add to Rick’s remark, that KD is not likely going to be involved in a summertime bidding war for anyone’s service unless he really does see someone as a long term fit. Plenty of fodder come this fall/agreed many players will be looking for work

Maybe Stamkos and one or two veterans as long as the veterans are not especially drawing big salaries- expect a dman and maybe a forward if Athensieu is let go

Fairly weak season last year and wants too much money.
- RickJ

He supposedly was asking 4 x 5M from Toronto. I'd pass on him.

Kane has officially re-signed with Detroit for 1 year. $4 million base plus another $2.5 million in potential bonuses.

Always seems to be injured, is small, and I heard he would like to play for a team out west closer to home (SoCal). Unless it was for 3rd or 4th round I would pass.
- Revco38

He should be happy he is in the league at all.

He supposedly was asking 4 x 5M from Toronto. I'd pass on him.
- boilermaker100

Detroit traded him instead of signing him as a UFA; Bruins werent willing to cough up big $ and now the Leafs won't (or can't). Injury history too. Like u, I pass.

Detroit traded him instead of signing him as a UFA; Bruins werent willing to cough up big $ and now the Leafs won't (or can't). Injury history too. Like u, I pass.
- RickJ

Hard pass.

I think KD will surprise us tomorrow and sign/trade for a player we haven’t thought of.

Initially Tocchet liked Lafferty. And then he pressboxed him.

A whole bunch of guys around the league are going to be looking for PTOs come September. No sense tying up a 50 man roster with players who will never make it or just use up a spot at the bottom of a bad team NHL roster. And the Hawks are a bad team, a very bad one.
- RickJ

He is a try hard guy and if he wants a 1 year vet min deal, fine. He has value then because as we both knew, too many GMs fall in love with those types and u might get a 3rd for him at the TDL.

The question to me is it better to have a plug like Lafferty or let Slaggert get those minutes cause to me, at worse, they are equal rn

For a 4th line center/penalty killer, Kings didn’t qualify Blake Lizotte. A KD type of player for sure, high motor and a pain in the ass to play against

I’ve also seen that the Bolts are trying to re-sign Hedman too.

Maybe Tampa needs us to take Cirelli off their hands. 🤣
- DarthKane

Hey why not fleece when we can.

For a 4th line center/penalty killer, Kings didn’t qualify Blake Lizotte. A KD type of player for sure, high motor and a pain in the ass to play against
- LAHawk

Sam Steel wasn't qualified either. I thought he had a decent year with Dallas.

Sam Steel wasn't qualified either. I thought he had a decent year with Dallas.
- boilermaker100

Hayton not qualified too. He is no going to play the same way as he started out, his style changed and Utah doesn’t see him as a valuable player to retain

Another player available is Skinner. But he has a concussion history and I wouldn’t give him term or a big salary either.

You know Tampa you think could have got more for Sergashev. But I like Mooser (sic?) going to Tampa. Wow look at Tampa dmen crew next year. McDonough trying to cover quality minutes they lost now that Sergashev was peddled. Maybe Mooser will help somewhat if he is ready to step up

Why is Kane only signing a one year deal?

Sam Steel wasn't qualified either. I thought he had a decent year with Dallas.
- boilermaker100

He did have a good year. That is a bit of a shock. Maybe arb eligible and they want to negotiate something lower?

Just reviewing the young forwards and particularly those who will play center in light of the failed attempt to land Demidov at #4 overall

Greene not ready. Think he as the feet to be a shadow as a third line, not sure he is bona fide L2 but could become very good third line. Moore is more a distributor than scorer and winds up at center. This Boisvert has to make it either at wing or center on L2. Because his feet and his game won’t translate to other lines. He should get good prep at North Dakota.

KD drafted big kids this year who compete but they can skate, not slow afoot- which is his battle cry to compete and can skate! Interesting because you figure some of the kids who are big and can skate will develop and cut it in NHL. So they have that if say Demidov landed here but later had the knee issue.

Don’t know if they will have good odds to win lottery next two drafts and if KD had got Demidov, you figure they would not be in lottery for Bedard’s nephew in ‘26

I could imagine eventually KK and Leveshunov, Rinzell and Vlasic then either DelMastro or Allen part of third pair. Although if Crevier sticks around I am intrigued if he gets paired with Vlasic More likely that could happen down the road after Crevier develops more in AHL and Phillips eventually is dealt I don’t know that Kaiser long term holds onto third pair

And BTW look who is in this July no ice camp: T Harding
Roos could still return to Rockford and darkhorse as injury relief in NHL

I think you are being generous in your evaluation of Robertson.

He has been hanging around Toronto for 5 years and has played 87 NHL games. Why? - sure an injury history but the Leafs just have other better forwards than him. He creates some offence but has no clue defending and he is small. Guys like him need to be a Brendan Gallagher or Cam Atkinson to make and stay in the NHL.

I would give up nothing to the Leafs to acquire him.
- RickJ

The kid was caught up in the salary cap issues the Leafs have been having for years. He was also in and out of the lineup because there was no real fit for him. The Leafs call him up he scores some goals then they send him down. Then add in some injuries. Yes he’s small but he’s no shrinking violet, he gets his nose in the dirty areas. He’s a strong forechecker and has the ability to steal pucks. He’ll bang around along the boards and in the corners and in from of the net and he’ll get involved in the after whistle stuff. A couple times this year I saw him go after players who hit Matthews. Like I said he was a big scorer in junior a point a game in his second last season and almost a two point a game player in his last year with the Petes. To me he’s exactly the type you go after in the Hawks situation. He had tons of promise from junior, he’s willing to play in the hard areas, if he doesn’t work out it doesn’t matter but if he does and he proves he can score in the NHL he’s young enough to consider keeping or move him at the TDL.

Hayton not qualified too. He is no going to play the same way as he started out, his style changed and Utah doesn’t see him as a valuable player to retain

Another player available is Skinner. But he has a concussion history and I wouldn’t give him term or a big salary either.

You know Tampa you think could have got more for Sergashev. But I like Mooser (sic?) going to Tampa. Wow look at Tampa dmen crew next year. McDonough trying to cover quality minutes they lost now that Sergashev was peddled. Maybe Mooser will help somewhat if he is ready to step up
- jhawk59

Arizona was a dumpster fire for all of Hayton’s time there, wouldn’t be surprised to see Boston or Detroit try a reclamation project on him if Utah doesn’t go to arbitration. The kid was a stud in juniors and at the WJC, Chayka did pick him well ahead of where most pundits had him going though. Definitely has some raw talent and a higher ceiling than most of our bottom 9.

Why is Kane only signing a one year deal?
- bjphawkfan

His options are quite limited.

I saw this Rick,

Why can't Boisvert play 3C in the Bigs? He has the size and hunger to do so. He's not a fancy perimeter player. He can skate.........


I dunno if he's got the tools to play cecking centre as a fall back...morec like they would trdae Sacha if he faisl as a 2nd Line centre in the NHL and they need him to play down.

YOU wish this kid skated like Bolland did.
- wiz1901

Is it a foot quickness thing where he probably needs to do a lot of plyometrics?

Though coming from a boxing background wouldn't you think his footwork would be top notch.

Not only is the Blackhawks team assuredly going to be near the bottom of the standings, it would go against KD’s build plan to sign more than one and probably not two top caliber free agents (or trade for them).

The exception would be to keep Bedard happy and productive and by adding a genuine offensive linematte. Although we still will loose often, the team needs to be competitive and not too badly overmatched. There is enough talent on most rosters whereas a tired or disinterested team will loose as long as their opponent has a descent talented roster

I would add to Rick’s remark, that KD is not likely going to be involved in a summertime bidding war for anyone’s service unless he really does see someone as a long term fit. Plenty of fodder come this fall/agreed many players will be looking for work

Maybe Stamkos and one or two veterans as long as the veterans are not especially drawing big salaries- expect a dman and maybe a forward if Athensieu is let go
- jhawk59

It's not just Bedard to placate. Korch, Vlasic and the other younger defenders need someone to pass the puck to who is going to be in the right space and hopefully keep it in the other end for a bit.

He did have a good year. That is a bit of a shock. Maybe arb eligible and they want to negotiate something lower?
- Revco38

I read that Sam Steel is still resigning with Dallas.

Hard pass.

I think KD will surprise us tomorrow and sign/trade for a player we haven’t thought of.
- DarthKane

I'd give him 2x5mil
He could create some space for Bedard.
Sign him or Arvidsson.
Teravainen and Marchesaault are also available. Marchessault isn't going to be resigned by Vegas. He is on the smaller side,but plays a bit bigger.

Just reviewing the young forwards and particularly those who will play center in light of the failed attempt to land Demidov at #4 overall

Greene not ready. Think he as the feet to be a shadow as a third line, not sure he is bona fide L2 but could become very good third line. Moore is more a distributor than scorer and winds up at center. This Boisvert has to make it either at wing or center on L2. Because his feet and his game won’t translate to other lines. He should get good prep at North Dakota.

KD drafted big kids this year who compete but they can skate, not slow afoot- which is his battle cry to compete and can skate! Interesting because you figure some of the kids who are big and can skate will develop and cut it in NHL. So they have that if say Demidov landed here but later had the knee issue.

Don’t know if they will have good odds to win lottery next two drafts and if KD had got Demidov, you figure they would not be in lottery for Bedard’s nephew in ‘26

I could imagine eventually KK and Leveshunov, Rinzell and Vlasic then either DelMastro or Allen part of third pair. Although if Crevier sticks around I am intrigued if he gets paired with Vlasic More likely that could happen down the road after Crevier develops more in AHL and Phillips eventually is dealt I don’t know that Kaiser long term holds onto third pair

And BTW look who is in this July no ice camp: T Harding
Roos could still return to Rockford and darkhorse as injury relief in NHL
- jhawk59

Really? Two days after getting drafted, and has not even stepped on practice ice in the NCAA yet? You've already determined limited positions and have him boxed in at limited spots???

@thegoldenmuzzy
Says it looks like Bertuzzi is signing a 4 year deal with the Blackhawks?

Really? Two days after getting drafted, and has not even stepped on practice ice in the NCAA yet? You've already determined limited positions and have him boxed in at limited spots???
- vabeachbear

You have a problem with that? Seems sensible to me.

@thegoldenmuzzy
Says it looks like Bertuzzi is signing a 4 year deal with the Blackhawks?
- captainserious

He wasn't mentioned as much as others but if true that would be decent. Another guy who has had some injuries but played 80 g's last season.