So, will Lardis spend a year in the A?
- bjphawkfan

He should. This season his game grew, he became less of a perimeter player and his defensive game has improved. He has NHL caliber skating and shooting skills and I think his vision and hockey IQ are NHL ready. But I suspect he’ll need next season to understand the speed and physicality of pro hockey.

So why are we trading Donato for a 3rd rounder?
- totem

rather se Hawks resign Donato 2 years 3.5 million per year. Reward him for being the most consistent and best player throughout the season.

rather se Hawks resign Donato 2 years 3.5 million per year. Reward him for being the most consistent and best player throughout the season.
- Scott1977

Ok, this is a bit of a surprise as you're usually a bit of a "Trade 'em all" guy, but I agree with you especially if he would resign at that number and also if it only gets them a 3rd.

He should. This season his game grew, he became less of a perimeter player and his defensive game has improved. He has NHL caliber skating and shooting skills and I think his vision and hockey IQ are NHL ready. But I suspect he’ll need next season to understand the speed and physicality of pro hockey.
- paulr

How do you compare Lardis’ speed to Nazar, on par?

How do you compare Lardis’ speed to Nazar, on par?
- Angotti

Like Nazar, Lardis is up to full speed in two or three strides. But I think Lardis’ top end is faster. The draft publications in 2023 had Moore, Tanner Molendyk and Lardis ranked as the fastest skaters in the draft.

The advantage Lardis has is I think Lardis has a better shot and release.

Nazar’s advantage is he plays a much more robust game. He’ll play the game hard anywhere on the ice.

I see Nazar as a bonafide NHL player with allot of upside. I’m not certain what to expect from Lardis when he’s in Rockford next season? Will he build on his more assertive season or will he revert to a perimeter game?

Ok, this is a bit of a surprise as you're usually a bit of a "Trade 'em all" guy, but I agree with you especially if he would resign at that number and also if it only gets them a 3rd.
- HawkintheD

Here’s my take. I’d like them to re-sign Donato, however if all you can get is a 3rd for him, then that tells me that $3.5M is too much for him. I understand that the Hawks have plenty of cap space, but KD should not overpay for a third or fourth liner anymore. Time to buckle up on contracts like a playoff team, although they’re not there yet. If a third or fourth liner doesn’t want to sign with the Hawks for a fair contract for both sides, then bring up kids for that role.

Like Nazar, Lardis is up to full speed in two or three strides. But I think Lardis’ top end is faster. The draft publications in 2023 had Moore, Tanner Molendyk and Lardis ranked as the fastest skaters in the draft.

The advantage Lardis has is I think Lardis has a better shot and release.

Nazar’s advantage is he plays a much more robust game. He’ll play the game hard anywhere on the ice.

I see Nazar as a bonafide NHL player with allot of upside. I’m not certain what to expect from Lardis when he’s in Rockford next season? Will he build on his more assertive season or will he revert to a perimeter game?
- paulr

That is amazing news and thanks, I don’t care what HD says about you.

That is amazing news and thanks, I don’t care what HD says about you.
- Angotti

(frank) HD! He’s not right in the head.

And Vanacker is another guy who can fly. I think he’s a sure fire NHL player.

Ok, this is a bit of a surprise as you're usually a bit of a "Trade 'em all" guy, but I agree with you especially if he would resign at that number and also if it only gets them a 3rd.
- HawkintheD

I don’t like signing guys after career years. He’s shooting 15% career avg is 10% ish. He is also second in the team in shots. Not sure that’s what you want down the road here.

Almost every guy is going to want to turn a career year into the biggest contract he can. Donato’s one chance to get paid. I would be very surprised if he takes a discount to stay.

(frank) HD! He’s not right in the head.

And Vanacker is another guy who can fly. I think he’s a sure fire NHL player.
- paulr

Agree! (about me)

You watch much or any college hockey? Moore is supposed to be a jet and wonder if Boisvert's also a speed demon.

I don’t like signing guys after career years. He’s shooting 15% career avg is 10% ish. He is also second in the team in shots. Not sure that’s what you want down the road here.

Almost every guy is going to want to turn a career year into the biggest contract he can. Donato’s one chance to get paid. I would be very surprised if he takes a discount to stay.
- bhawks2241

Don't really disagree with you or Lou but Donato who was brought in as pretty much a placeholder is still young enough to be a productive bottom 6 guy.

To me the real question would be is if he's blocking one of the prospects from grabbing a spot.

KFC signed some extra dmen and I believe the thought was a lot of these guys weren't ready. I think more were ready than he anticipated and I'm hoping it forces his hand to buyout Brodie when the season is over.

Also agree with Lou about not overpaying for guys but he absolutely got a bargain out of Vlasic and I think the deals he gave Bert and TT were market value even before the news of pretty healthy Cap increase.

I don’t like signing guys after career years. He’s shooting 15% career avg is 10% ish. He is also second in the team in shots. Not sure that’s what you want down the road here.

Almost every guy is going to want to turn a career year into the biggest contract he can. Donato’s one chance to get paid. I would be very surprised if he takes a discount to stay.
- bhawks2241

It kind of shows the dilemma they have this year. They have to spend $20m or so to even get to the cap floor. And they need to reserve a few spots for young guys. So they need to use $15-20m for about 3 spots.

But Rantinen and Marner are likely not coming (I'm guessing they are signed before FA). Boeser or Ehlers? Possible. But the cap is rising and so everyone has more money to get the top players. If you don't get any of those guys, you may end up overpaying for mid-level talent anyhow. Or else trading young players when you haven't been able to see them at higher levels yet.

I am thinking best case is something like
Donato or similar $4m
Boeser $9m
Ehlers $9m

No idea about trades, offer sheets, etc. Would like to add in FA and keep the yutes just a little while longer to get a better idea of what they can do.

Agree! (about me)

You watch much or any college hockey? Moore is supposed to be a jet and wonder if Boisvert's also a speed demon.
- HawkintheD

I’ve watched about three Gopher games, Moore can fly, however I don’t see a top six forward there, but I’m obviously not a scout. From what I’ve read about Boisvert, he needs to keep working on his skating, but I’ve never seen him play, maybe someone else like Wiz can chime in.

Ok, this is a bit of a surprise as you're usually a bit of a "Trade 'em all" guy, but I agree with you especially if he would resign at that number and also if it only gets them a 3rd.
- HawkintheD

I just keep still young 28 , 29 2 or 3 years the young players still going to need a veteran to help them.

I’ve watched about three Gopher games, Moore can fly, however I don’t see a top six forward there, but I’m obviously not a scout. From what I’ve read about Boisvert, he needs to keep working on his skating, but I’ve never seen him play, maybe someone else like Wiz can chime in.
- Angotti

That is one of the two knocks on Boisvert. One is when contacted handling the puck he has a tendency to not keep his feet or lose the puck but several scouts said as he fills out and gets stronger that shouldn't be an issue.

The first thing Boisvert addressed when asked was i need to improve my skating, first step, balance and edge work so it'll be interesting to see how he progresses.

On another note the interesting thing i see in Nazar is he is doing what Jack Hughes did 1st few years he entered the league, thinks his skates are just going to respond to what he wants to do on the ice all the time and sometimes is stumbling about

I just keep still young 28 , 29 2 or 3 years the young players still going to need a veteran to help them.
- Scott1977

There's a kid who improved his skating and speed so not a bad player to keep around.

I know i got scolded by Paul here about this a year or 2 ago, but I'll say it again, can't wait to see a line of Moore, Nazar and Lardis that'll be so much fun

Speaking of Nazar i loved his little move when exiting the zone the defenseman went after him, he turned around protected the puck dished it to a team mate who then got it to Donato for his first goal of the game.

I’ve watched about three Gopher games, Moore can fly, however I don’t see a top six forward there, but I’m obviously not a scout. From what I’ve read about Boisvert, he needs to keep working on his skating, but I’ve never seen him play, maybe someone else like Wiz can chime in.
- Angotti

Moore I’m not sure. He doesn’t play top line minutes or first PP usually (I think) bc Gophers are stacked. Haven’t watched a game in a month plus so idk now.

It kind of shows the dilemma they have this year. They have to spend $20m or so to even get to the cap floor. And they need to reserve a few spots for young guys. So they need to use $15-20m for about 3 spots.

But Rantinen and Marner are likely not coming (I'm guessing they are signed before FA). Boeser or Ehlers? Possible. But the cap is rising and so everyone has more money to get the top players. If you don't get any of those guys, you may end up overpaying for mid-level talent anyhow. Or else trading young players when you haven't been able to see them at higher levels yet.

I am thinking best case is something like
Donato or similar $4m
Boeser $9m
Ehlers $9m

No idea about trades, offer sheets, etc. Would like to add in FA and keep the yutes just a little while longer to get a better idea of what they can do.
- totem

Donato on a good deal yes. Probably going to pay a premium this offseason if you want to get actual talent. That would mean last year of a top 5 pick.

Moore I’m not sure. He doesn’t play top line minutes or first PP usually (I think) bc Gophers are stacked. Haven’t watched a game in a month plus so idk now.
- bhawks2241

I've never watched a Gopher game but the beauty of this place and social media, message boards, etc, is we can post like experts or even MexicoHawk.

rather se Hawks resign Donato 2 years 3.5 million per year. Reward him for being the most consistent and best player throughout the season.
- Scott1977

If the market for Donato is a 3rd rounder or less then I wouldn’t deal him. I’d look to trade Donato for a younger forward in his early 20s. It doesn’t have to be a top prospect, I’d be ok with a bottom 6 forward that’s NHL ready (preferably a centre).

I wouldn’t be opposed to re-signing Donato, but a pending UFA having a career year is always a risk. KD should only pay the price for a decent bottom 6 forward, I’d be ok with a term between 2-4 years.

I've never watched a Gopher game but the beauty of this place and social media, message boards, etc, is we can post like experts or even MexicoHawk.
- HawkintheD

Hahaha not sure I know anything even from watching 4-5 games! Probably less.

Nazar is showing me he's doing many little things well

What the hell is going on

Nazar is showing me he's doing many little things well

What the hell is going on
- BetweenTheDots

He's looking more and more like a Brayden Point Lite..maybe if he can put it all together he could be a pretty good Point copy.

Donato with another goal,last game give and go Bedard one timer.
Tonight Bedard makes a nice pass for a Donato goal. I was sure he was going to shoot that.

Good start for the young guys!

Nazar is showing me he's doing many little things well

What the hell is going on
- BetweenTheDots

Love seeing 3 guys on the Blues focusing on Bedard. Nice little pass back to Donato and he has all day to unleash the nice wrister.

Del Mastro at forward? He can’t skate backwards. Look liked a forward trying to flip his hips and skate backwards.

Also had a slapper at 86mph from him last night. I like that.