https://twitter.com/PuckPedia/status/1829890749451944137?t=wT9Utu2syp01zaN-FikXzg&s=19

Puckpedia also saying the same no cap hit year 9.

I was just thinking maybe Bedard will do a Crosby, $9,800,000 per AAV, hahaha
- BetweenTheDots

Sounds like the next loophole to be closed up.

With Johnny Gaudreau's unfortunate passing. Jackets find themselves about 2.5M under the cap floor. They might have to take on a bad contract or sign a UFA like Tyler Johnson or Mike Hoffman.

Tyler Johnson has signed a PTO with the Bruins.

Tyler Johnson has signed a PTO with the Bruins.
- DarthKane

I have a penny that says he is gone by the beginning of the season.

I have a penny that says he is gone by the beginning of the season.
- bjphawkfan

I wouldn't take that bet ... I would rather have that penny.

Didn't see the article, but see Wiz's buddy Pronman has Nazar as14th best Hawks prospect, and may play some NHL games as a bottom 6 forward.

Hope he's wrong, don't really get it, guess its click bait
- vabeachbear

I saw it too and then closed the article and tried to forget everything I read.
As far as being close to NHL ready,both Korch and Nazar are ahead of Levshunov.
Not sure Nazar has the makings of a bottom 6 dude.
Seems like 3rd line C or 2nd line C/W.

Someone mentioned it a few weeks ago here on the board, Cam Robinson and elite prospects liked Nazar better than Cooley. Doesn't need to mean anything,just throwing it out there as differing opinions from different people.
- Captain Serious

Saw that too. Tbf, Pronman also had Alex Vlasic a rung lower than Nazar last year in the category of "Might play NHL games" I believe?

As much as Wiz winges about scribes rating prospects, I'll concede he's got a point to a degree. Wheeler seems to be a bit more on point but who knows? I mean besides Elbows of course.
- HawkintheD

Corey Pronman’s crowning of the Chicago Blackhawks speedy forwards really had me going in the rankings that seems less player potenial then a ranking of who gets their audience on the big stage quicker, now the last Free Agent spending harvested so many seasoned journeymen that it makes the journey to the parent club less likely if the lad was expecting a nice little eight or nine game call-up, where the big club is nursing bruises, more likely are gifted one game cameos,
We have waited for NHL introductions and may see Nazar later than expected but I think Corey is convoluted rankings are either horsefeathers, or we may be trouble with the hype we have bought on their upside.
And that also is a real issue: You don’t know if a talented first rounder really CAN take hold as an NHL play who dominates in areas, besides foot speed, until they actually do. Reichel as an example.

But the Pronman list seems to be a list of current futures, starting and ranking from the guys who are going to be here sooner than later.
The list disturbed me so much I copied it for later flames of Corey Pronman.

Just to rank Vanacker ahead of Nazar NOW is like a pie in the sky guess at best. Why? Because they signed him early?

Ben Pope article on Vlasic:
https://chicago.suntimes....l-season-weight-slap-shot

Ben Pope article on Vlasic:
https://chicago.suntimes....l-season-weight-slap-shot
- 35Tony0

Thanks

I just hope his added weight and strength doesn't affect his quickness.

Thanks

I just hope his added weight and strength doesn't affect his quickness.
- BetweenTheDots

A few lbs probably won't slow him down noticeably and some added strength will help him. The Hawks do kind of need him to be physical on the back end and I expect him to assert himself more and be one of those guys who steps up when someone takes liberties.

A few lbs probably won't slow him down noticeably and some added strength will help him. The Hawks do kind of need him to be physical on the back end and I expect him to assert himself more and be one of those guys who steps up when someone takes liberties.
- breadbag

The kid is under contract and trying to get stronger so that is terrific; the present examples as younger pros are in the pros and the system so everyone in the system (all with a desire to playe alongside connor Bedard) are "hearing the message.")

I think that next UFA signings will not be older lesser light scorers and big checkers but a BIG signing of a scorer, whenever the situation allows.

A few lbs probably won't slow him down noticeably and some added strength will help him. The Hawks do kind of need him to be physical on the back end and I expect him to assert himself more and be one of those guys who steps up when someone takes liberties.
- breadbag

If he did keep his quickness and is stronger with a better shot that contract might look like a great deal for the Blackhawks

If he did keep his quickness and is stronger with a better shot that contract might look like a great deal for the Blackhawks
- BetweenTheDots

Vlasic is the next hjlmarrson for the Hawks imo.

There is rumors or just merely conjecture that Donato could be someone other teams may like to add. There has been rumor and merely conjecture that Athensieu might not be a favorite and actually Richardson doesn’t like something about his game. But by season end would both veterans be jettisoned insofar as to bring in two kids? Both gone - wouldn’t surprise me at all.

Vlasic is the next hjlmarrson for the Hawks imo.
- Scott1977

Defensively i think so. I believe Vlasic was on the first unit PP in Rockford and will contribute more offensively then Nik did over his career.

Defensively i think so. I believe Vlasic was on the first unit PP in Rockford and will contribute more offensively then Nik did over his career.
- BetweenTheDots

Didn't watch any of Hammer in Rockford.
But the dude had untapped offensive potential,he just sacrificed it to play the shut down role to perfection.

His shot was hard and almost always on net. I'm sure if he was given more freedom he would have been able to pot 10+ goals a season.

Never forgetting his game winning goal against the Red Wings !!!

Didn't watch any of Hammer in Rockford.
But the dude had untapped offensive potential,he just sacrificed it to play the shut down role to perfection.

His shot was hard and almost always on net. I'm sure if he was given more freedom he would have been able to pot 10+ goals a season.

Never forgetting his game winning goal against the Red Wings !!!
- captainserious

His shot when he had the time and space was a rocket

I found this on the Hockey News site. A proposed depth chart for the Hawks along with a list of players in the minors and other prospects. Last year's stats can be found by scrolling right.

Other teams lineups can be found by clicking on the divisions at the top of the page.

https://thehockeynews.com...ed-lineup-and-depth-chart

The Hockey News issued their predictions for the 24/25 season.

Notable Hawks include:

Bedard - 80 points
TT - 58
Hall - 49
Bertuzzi - 46
Kurashev - 38
AA - 37
Reichel - 37

Jones - 36
KK - 30
Vlasic - 18

Brossoit - 14 wins
Mrazek - 24

The Hockey News issued their predictions for the 24/25 season.

Notable Hawks include:

Bedard - 80 points
TT - 58
Hall - 49
Bertuzzi - 46
Kurashev - 38
AA - 37
Reichel - 37

Jones - 36
KK - 30
Vlasic - 18

Brossoit - 14 wins
Mrazek - 24
- DarthKane

Based on the goalie wins projecting at least 76 points for the Blackhawks

Based on the goalie wins projecting at least 76 points for the Blackhawks
- BetweenTheDots

I don't see the Hawks getting to 76 points imo more like 65 to 70 point range still top 7 pick I the upcoming draft. Just not enough high end talent especially if the plan is to stick kk slaggert and nazar in Rockford for the development which I hope is the plan. Bottom 6 scoring and defense core are marginly better.

Based on the goalie wins projecting at least 76 points for the Blackhawks
- BetweenTheDots

Some losses will surely be 1 pt. losses. I just don't see 80+ points.

I found this on the Hockey News site. A proposed depth chart for the Hawks along with a list of players in the minors and other prospects. Last year's stats can be found by scrolling right.

Other teams lineups can be found by clicking on the divisions at the top of the page.

https://thehockeynews.com...ed-lineup-and-depth-chart
- boilermaker100

The Hockey News issued their predictions for the 24/25 season.

Notable Hawks include:

Bedard - 80 points
TT - 58
Hall - 49
Bertuzzi - 46
Kurashev - 38
AA - 37
Reichel - 37

Jones - 36
KK - 30
Vlasic - 18

Brossoit - 14 wins
Mrazek - 24
- DarthKane

The Hockey News can't seem to be on the same page (likely different writers) but they project KK to not make the lineup and also put up 30 points in the NHL.

That "projected" top 4 not looking so hot IMO. I mean, one of Brodie or Martinez on the 2nd pair but both of them together, don't look so hot to me. I still think KK makes the lineup, he was ahead of Kaiser/Phillips in the pecking order last year (the coach gave him a fair bit more minutes) and I can't see them passing him when he likely increases that gap with another year under his belt. Yes, we are developing guys and he has to earn his spot, but we aren't tanking either, so I think he will just bring more to the table than at least one of them and probably both of them.

Martinez is 37 and has played so many minutes in his career, he is gonna be basically the new 3 wheeled shopping cart. With his age he has been missing more and more time, I hope they keep him for the 3rd pair so he can take PK duties and block shots without wearing him out. I can't see him playing everyday as he was starting to show more wear and tear. He has averaged about 65 games per 82 game span since age 30, and that number is likely going to trend down. Play him 50-55 games, keep his minutes a bit lower so the minutes you do get are better.

TJ Brodie also showing wear, if you look at the metrics for his skating that they've been tracking, his is trending down year over year over year. He has at least been more durable and able to stay in the lineup.

The one thing that is very likely, there will be injuries on the back end, if we look at the history of our blueliners. There will be minutes for some call ups and chances for the young guys.

I could end up dead wrong, but I look at KK last season, first pro season, his top minute "linemates" were Megna, Kurashev, Bedard and Foligno. Not exactly strong defense from that whole group. I mean, you got an 18 year old, a 19 year old, a waiver wire pickup (so we could have a warm body), young forward who has struggled defensively and a guy on the tail end of his career.

The 3 key positions there for defending in that situation are Bedard, Korchinski and Megna as the C and two D. You got a very young Bedard who frankly doesn't yet have the experience or strength to defend against the other team's top players. Korchinski who also is still getting up to speed and strength in his first pro season, and then Megna who wasn't good enough to stick with the terrible SJ Sharks or the non-playoff Kraken so we got him for free off the discard pile. Going into this season both Bedard and Kurashev should be more prepared/ready and have better overall support in terms of partner and wings.

Didn't watch any of Hammer in Rockford.
But the dude had untapped offensive potential,he just sacrificed it to play the shut down role to perfection.

His shot was hard and almost always on net. I'm sure if he was given more freedom he would have been able to pot 10+ goals a season.

Never forgetting his game winning goal against the Red Wings !!!
- captainserious

Based on what? He was never a scorer (Sweden - jrs, SEL, AHL, NHL).

Based on what? He was never a scorer (Sweden - jrs, SEL, AHL, NHL).
- Chunk

A lock down defenseman, preventing goals against. ANY offense from The Hammer was a huge plus.

The Hockey News can't seem to be on the same page (likely different writers) but they project KK to not make the lineup and also put up 30 points in the NHL.

That "projected" top 4 not looking so hot IMO. I mean, one of Brodie or Martinez on the 2nd pair but both of them together, don't look so hot to me. I still think KK makes the lineup, he was ahead of Kaiser/Phillips in the pecking order last year (the coach gave him a fair bit more minutes) and I can't see them passing him when he likely increases that gap with another year under his belt. Yes, we are developing guys and he has to earn his spot, but we aren't tanking either, so I think he will just bring more to the table than at least one of them and probably both of them.

Martinez is 37 and has played so many minutes in his career, he is gonna be basically the new 3 wheeled shopping cart. With his age he has been missing more and more time, I hope they keep him for the 3rd pair so he can take PK duties and block shots without wearing him out. I can't see him playing everyday as he was starting to show more wear and tear. He has averaged about 65 games per 82 game span since age 30, and that number is likely going to trend down. Play him 50-55 games, keep his minutes a bit lower so the minutes you do get are better.

TJ Brodie also showing wear, if you look at the metrics for his skating that they've been tracking, his is trending down year over year over year. He has at least been more durable and able to stay in the lineup.

The one thing that is very likely, there will be injuries on the back end, if we look at the history of our blueliners. There will be minutes for some call ups and chances for the young guys.

I could end up dead wrong, but I look at KK last season, first pro season, his top minute "linemates" were Megna, Kurashev, Bedard and Foligno. Not exactly strong defense from that whole group. I mean, you got an 18 year old, a 19 year old, a waiver wire pickup (so we could have a warm body), young forward who has struggled defensively and a guy on the tail end of his career.

The 3 key positions there for defending in that situation are Bedard, Korchinski and Megna as the C and two D. You got a very young Bedard who frankly doesn't yet have the experience or strength to defend against the other team's top players. Korchinski who also is still getting up to speed and strength in his first pro season, and then Megna who wasn't good enough to stick with the terrible SJ Sharks or the non-playoff Kraken so we got him for free off the discard pile. Going into this season both Bedard and Kurashev should be more prepared/ready and have better overall support in terms of partner and wings.
- breadbag

I think KK starts in Rockford paired with Levshunov. KK could come up if injuries, but only if he is going to take regular shifts. If Martinez is moved at the deadline/Murphy on the IL for a while, it would depend on who is playing better KK or Levshunov who gets the call up, especially since Levshunov is a right shot.

At seasons end Kaiser was playing better than KK, I think he starts on the Hawks paired with Murphy as the third pairing.