If players want Chicago, Bedard, the coaching staff, future salary bumps, those players will forgo signing where they don't want to be.

I think the opportunities for a big market team like the Blackhawks to add "some high talent additional" eg. a boast in scoring & chemistry to benefit the player they are going to build around should start to be coming their way.

As far as this business of "trading out of the pick for ______..." discussion:
It would be a stroke of luck if more than one GM has any true young talent they are waving around for one of that first half dozen.
GM's are usually not unloading previously drafted early prime beef to get another chance to select up there in the top half dzn., sure,but, there may be unsigned drafted guys, although i am not sure trading players that haven't become exciting names your hometown fan-talk is clamoring about gets you much first rd.currency,


If they warrant a team in the top half dozen to step away from the mike, you might as well look towards which teams will be reaching the point to attempt a Chicago roster purge, and the hawks are now positioned to be the team adding the new DeBrincats, Hagels, Kanes and Dach I. We can pursue in the next sell-off, and we maybe get lucky there (that way)

Could there be a RFA or two may be looking to look for a new destination, like the Forwrd/Dee Holloway & Boberg combo moved in tandem to the Blues?

I just think there may be some imaginary opportunities, even as the team climbs up in wins in the standings and the Hawks select later, or two teams win the lottery spots.

I think the opportunities for a big market team like the Blackhawks to add "some high talent additional" eg. a real player, who brings boost in scoring & chemistry to benefit the player they are going to build around is.

Would it be possible to trade Jones with a diminishing cap retention? Maybe a million less each year until his contract runs out? Not sure of the rules on this.

Could there be a RFA or two may be looking to look for a new destination, like the Forwrd/Dee Holloway & Boberg combo moved in tandem to the Blues?
.
- wiz1901

Knies is likely the only RFA worth the offer sheet compensation (1st,3rd) and you have to wonder how much of his game/stats are buoyed by playing with Matthews regularly. Is Knies worth a 2026 1st & 3rd?

The best player is James Hagens by a lot, unless Frondell adds beast mode before the selecting begins...
- wiz1901

Hagens is also the best skater in the draft if I remember correctly and Kyle perennially has a boycrush for the best skater(s) in the draft.

I think if Hawks drop to four they explore trading the pick for ready to go assets.
- Scott1977

I really don't, you want a top 4 pick this year. Tis the draft to take whichever kid falls to you if you do end up picking 4th and say thank you.

Would it be possible to trade Jones with a diminishing cap retention? Maybe a million less each year until his contract runs out? Not sure of the rules on this.
- bjphawkfan

Nope. Whatever the retention is stays the same each year. Assuming most of the trade talk around Seth is relating to Dallas, they are in sort of a weird cap situation.

Benn comes off the books, but they still have Seguin for two more years. They only have seven forwards signed for next year at this point. I am under no delusions that Nill can figure things out to keep his team competitive, but adding Jones contract when you still have Heiskanen is kinda tough. Maybe if they get the Hawks to keep $2M per year it works better? Who knows.

I know one thing for sure. Whatever KD does, there will be at best a 50/50 split on people who love or hate the move.

Big exhibition game tonight, 7 pm CDT.

Knies is likely the only RFA worth the offer sheet compensation (1st,3rd) and you have to wonder how much of his game/stats are buoyed by playing with Matthews regularly. Is Knies worth a 2026 1st & 3rd?
- Assman22

Most likely knies be playing with Benard

I really don't, you want a top 4 pick this year. Tis the draft to take whichever kid falls to you if you do end up picking 4th and say thank you.
- BetweenTheDots

I said explore or listen to offers didn't say the would trade the pick. If Hawks drop to 4 it's matone or McQueen I think Shaffer Misa and hagens would be gone by then imo.

I said explore or listen to offers didn't say the would trade the pick. If Hawks drop to 4 it's matone or McQueen I think Shaffer Misa and hagens would be gone by then imo.
- Scott1977

It's Martone, not even close

I haven't seen a mock draft that has had Schaefer, Hagens, Martone and Misa not the 1st 4 off the board in no particular order.

In spite of his junior showing i keep hearing that Martone is a lot like the Tkachuk Brothers, you don't pass on a kid like that, guess what we need a kid like that

It's Martone, not even close

I haven't seen a mock draft that has had Schaefer, Hagens, Martone and Misa not the 1st 4 off the board in no particular order.

In spite of his junior showing i keep hearing that Martone is a lot like the Tkachuk Brothers, you don't pass on a kid like that, guess what we need a kid like that
- BetweenTheDots

I think Caleb Desnoyers is the closest North American player to cracking into that top four on draft day. He’s a big three zone player who’s a better playmaker than finisher. He’s got an edge to his game and he’s excellent on face offs. His problem is playing in the weaker QMJHL it’s hard to get a good read to compare him to other prospects.

The WJC is traditionally a 19 year old tournament. Martone didn’t “flame out” he just wasn’t ready for the competition. Very few 18 year olds dominate the WJC, and usually 17 year olds are in it for the experience and for future WJC tournaments. I do remember one 17 year old dominating the tournament. He’s the guy you’re suggesting should be a winger.
- paulr

Going by what the experts say Paul....I don't have any vendetta against Martone. They say his draft stock dropped after the showing for canada and given that Canada $hit the bed I would think ANYONE on that team took a hit.

Going by what the experts say Paul....I don't have any vendetta against Martone. They say his draft stock dropped after the showing for canada and given that Canada $hit the bed I would think ANYONE on that team took a hit.
- SteveRain

Steve my point is you are looking for problems with Bedard, his size, his strength, his position etc.. As a 17 year old he absolutely dominated the WJC two years ago. And you’re Completely overlooking what he’s actually accomplished, like tied with the most points 112 after 100 games with Matthews while MacKinnon and Jack Hughes required 143 and 160 games respectively to get there. Now you’re looking for for problems with Martone who had a very minor role on Team Canada.

I think Caleb Desnoyers is the closest North American player to cracking into that top four on draft day. He’s a big three zone player who’s a better playmaker than finisher. He’s got an edge to his game and he’s excellent on face offs. His problem is playing in the weaker QMJHL it’s hard to get a good read to compare him to other prospects.
- paulr

It's funny how many want a Tkachuck kind of player but yet don't want to draft one. Hagens didn't have the best tournament either, other then Shaefer what draft eligible player did?

It's funny how many want a Tkachuck kind of player but yet don't want to draft one. Hagens didn't have the best tournament either, other then Shaefer what draft eligible player did?
- BetweenTheDots

It takes a bit longer for a bigger physical player to establish his game in the NHL. Look at Byfield, Tim Wilson or even the Tkachuck brothers. None really came into their own right away. It’s the Tik Tok world we live in, we’re not happy with immediate results, we want the results yesterday. Then others in the media react to injuries real or perceived. From what I’ve seen Misa is definitely a better player than Martone, at this time, but will he be long term and will Martone’s intangibles make him the better player down the road? If Schaefer is gone and Misa and Martone are available when KD selects it won’t be an easy decision.

Most likely knies be playing with Benard
- Scott1977

Meaning what? Are you saying Bedard is on the level of playing with Matthews (and Marner)? Hope not

I think Caleb Desnoyers is the closest North American player to cracking into that top four on draft day. He’s a big three zone player who’s a better playmaker than finisher. He’s got an edge to his game and he’s excellent on face offs. His problem is playing in the weaker QMJHL it’s hard to get a good read to compare him to other prospects.
- paulr

Yes and Frondell is right there too. Someone will gamble on McQueen's back though just like Lindstrom last year and if/when healthy, McQueen is nasty

It takes a bit longer for a bigger physical player to establish his game in the NHL. Look at Byfield, Tim Wilson or even the Tkachuck brothers. None really came into their own right away. It’s the Tik Tok world we live in, we’re not happy with immediate results, we want the results yesterday. Then others in the media react to injuries real or perceived. From what I’ve seen Misa is definitely a better player than Martone, at this time, but will he be long term and will Martone’s intangibles make him the better player down the road? If Schaefer is gone and Misa and Martone are available when KD selects it won’t be an easy decision.
- paulr

Yeah, it's kinda strange that the guys who seem to break out earliest are the "mid-sized" guys around 6' and 190-200lbs.

I'm sure there is something to the fact that there are far more players in the NHL that are the same size or bigger than some of these kids that come in.

Meaning what? Are you saying Bedard is on the level of playing with Matthews (and Marner)? Hope not
- Assman22

They are different players in different situations. You can't really say either way. Judge the players by what they are able to do in their situations. That Bedard can come close to 1PPG on this team is certainly notable.

It takes a bit longer for a bigger physical player to establish his game in the NHL. Look at Byfield, Tim Wilson or even the Tkachuck brothers. None really came into their own right away. It’s the Tik Tok world we live in, we’re not happy with immediate results, we want the results yesterday. Then others in the media react to injuries real or perceived. From what I’ve seen Misa is definitely a better player than Martone, at this time, but will he be long term and will Martone’s intangibles make him the better player down the road? If Schaefer is gone and Misa and Martone are available when KD selects it won’t be an easy decision.
- paulr

I don't want one of the "John's," Hayden and Quenville.

Knies is likely the only RFA worth the offer sheet compensation (1st,3rd) and you have to wonder how much of his game/stats are buoyed by playing with Matthews regularly. Is Knies worth a 2026 1st & 3rd?
- Assman22

Knies and Donato’s stats are very similar this year, however Knies is bigger, younger and overall a better player than Donato. If I’m not mistaken he plays with Mathews, so his stats could be skewed. The Hawks will be a lottery team again next year, so I’m on the fence as far as giving up the Hawks first for him. Also, with the cap going up, I doubt that Toronto lets Knies go, especially with Tavares’ cap hit going away or being largely reduced. Bottom line, yes I’d like to see the Hawks acquire Knies, but depends on cost.

They are different players in different situations. You can't really say either way. Judge the players by what they are able to do in their situations. That Bedard can come close to 1PPG on this team is certainly notable.
- Chunk

It's crazy how hard people are on young players, other than Celebrini no one is producing like Bedard is especially on a sh!t team.

I can't imagine how many points Bedard would've of scored if he was drafted by the Blackhawks the Kane or Toews year. 100 at least.

I don't want one of the "John's," Haydn and Quenville.
- rpeters01

No need to worry, neither are in the draft.

Nope. Whatever the retention is stays the same each year. Assuming most of the trade talk around Seth is relating to Dallas, they are in sort of a weird cap situation.

Benn comes off the books, but they still have Seguin for two more years. They only have seven forwards signed for next year at this point. I am under no delusions that Nill can figure things out to keep his team competitive, but adding Jones contract when you still have Heiskanen is kinda tough. Maybe if they get the Hawks to keep $2M per year it works better? Who knows.

I know one thing for sure. Whatever KD does, there will be at best a 50/50 split on people who love or hate the move.
- Chunk

It depends on retention and return. I know that Jones gets hammered here at times, he’s a frustrating player, yet multiple coaches have given him around 25 minutes of ice time consistently. IMHO he adds value to a team, however he’s overpaid a bit. If KD retains $2M, then I expect a decent asset coming back, if not, then I’ll be part of the 50% of unhappy customers.

Steve my point is you are looking for problems with Bedard, his size, his strength, his position etc.. As a 17 year old he absolutely dominated the WJC two years ago. And you’re Completely overlooking what he’s actually accomplished, like tied with the most points 112 after 100 games with Matthews while MacKinnon and Jack Hughes required 143 and 160 games respectively to get there. Now you’re looking for for problems with Martone who had a very minor role on Team Canada.
- paulr

Paul please don't break out your spin tactics. We are from that and reason why this board's population in posts continues to drop by the minute vs the once lively board of many respected posters because they didn't jive with the talking points here...or dare challenge the clique you seem to run.

Where did I question Bedard's out put? Please show me. I am curious. What I pointed out is that through 1-1/2 seasons he is very easily pushed off the puck and given the size of his lower body....it's not due to strength. There is NO denying his skill set. THe kid is a remarkable player, and has generational talent. However, with his size and strength we will see if it gets better with age...but maybe like Kane he is best suited at wing where he can focus on driving the offensive play through him and not have as strong of defensive responsibilities to focus on. Something to keep an eye on, but it's very fair to point out that championships are won down the middle and they need centers and likely those with size when the game gets tighter playing for the cup.

Misa is also having an out of this world season as is Lardis. Some of these kids have question marks and curious of martone's skating will be deterrent as it's a fast game as we will see tonight. Size and speed and skill.....