I know that you’re probably half joking, but I’d rather sign him this summer. The Hawks for the most part have been hard to watch, we deserve a top three pick, make our improvements over the summer. I’ll always root for them to win, but under these circumstances, I’d also want a top pick.
- Angotti

I am 3/4 joking, but I said nothing about trading the Hawks' 1st rounder.

Sure it is because you said MAYBE? Even you don't know what KK will be.
- BetweenTheDots

Since we're splitting hairs, I said "might". Also, what I said was in response to what HawkintheD posted about possibly packaging him. Do keep up Dots

Great take wiz.

I just took a look at some of the Hawks advanced stats on D. Vlasic is really having a down year. His best partner is Murphy by a fraction. I think he's trying to do too much instead of just concentrating on being a defensive monster. I get that he kind of has had to this year, but it's not his best usage.

The kids all seem to have some strong points to their games, but need to become more complete. The good news is that they have time to get minutes in now with Jones gone and Anders apparently now more willing to sit Brodie.
- Chunk

Agreed and it doesn't help that he's changed systems, played up and down the pairings/specials teams, helping mentor the giraffe and having quite a few different partners throughout the season. Seems to keep an even keel about it though and keeps grinding so hopefully it's just a transition year overall and it makes him even better going forward.

A Sportsnet rumour has Donato going to Ottawa for a second.

A Sportsnet rumour has Donato going to Ottawa for a second.
- paulr

I'd rather have him stay in Chicago. We need at least one veteran who can skate and score, we currently have none.

Since we're splitting hairs, I said "might". Also, what I said was in response to what HawkintheD posted about possibly packaging him. Do keep up Dots
- Assman22

I'll try but unless my 7th OA pick doesn't show any sort of growth, or is unhappy being a Blackhawk I trust what i saw in him when i drafted him.

Gotta keep in mind many teams want the Blackhawk prospects since i believe they drafted over 20 prospects in the top 100 in the last 3 years.

I don't know if this is true but i also heard not this year but next years draft class is suppose to be a good one.

I'd rather have him stay in Chicago. We need at least one veteran who can skate and score, we currently have none.
- Dieselhead

I beg to differ as Bertuzzi has 130 career goals, TT has 169, and Donato has 99 with about a quarter of those coming this year. I like Donato, but I wouldn’t overpay for a career year. I’d rather get a prospect for him, add to the trade if need be, KD has enough picks for now.
Edit- Bertuzzi is not a great skater, but he can score.

A Sportsnet rumour has Donato going to Ottawa for a second.
- paulr

Ottawa would be drafting near the middle of a given round with their own pick. Ottawa also is strapped for cap space, so they'd have to be a bit creative.

Hope the cheering for the anthem is extra loud tomorrow
Might sway Tkachuk to ask to be traded to the Blackhawks

If Chicago can land Schaefer it’s extremely likely one or two of their defensive prospects will be moved to try to acquire a young forward.
- paulr

I'm not rigid about trading our prospects, but we are in the process of developing them.

Everyone made the assumption Clarke is a can't miss prospect, but the way i hear it he's been a healthy scratch, in the meantime you got Faber playing for team USA and excelling in Minnesota.

There's plenty of room for young Blackhawk defenseman to grow with the team until there isn't.

Ottawa would be drafting near the middle of a given round with their own pick. Ottawa also is strapped for cap space, so they'd have to be a bit creative.
- 333inthe3rd

Ottawa also doesn't have a 2nd rounder for next season so it'd be in this summer's weak draft where Hawks already have two 2nds or in 2027 where they also have two 2nds currently.

Ottawa also doesn't have a 2nd rounder for next season so it'd be in this summer's weak draft where Hawks already have two 2nds or in 2027 where they also have two 2nds currently.
- Assman22

Ottawa or whomever they trade with, I could see a pick that comes back being further out, like 26 or even more likely 27. I could see KD try to swing a deal to get a 1st for 2027. He is doing well as spreading out the picks and probably will keep trying to keep the train coming in with picks in round 1. Maybe even a deal where we send one of our 2nds in 2026 to trade up to get a 1st.

Great debut by Knight. Going to post a write up from the Athletic that talks about some of the finer points of his game but also mention how ridiculously easy he made that 2 on 0 save in the first. Looked like he barely moved.

To take a closer look at Knight’s game, The Athletic’s goalie expert Jesse Granger broke down Knight’s play during his Blackhawks’ debut.

Granger: Knight’s superb puck tracking and mental processing were on full display in his Chicago debut. The Kings applied heaps of pressure in the opening minutes, but Knight stood tall and did an exceptional job following the puck through chaotic situations.

The first example came on this sprawling stop on Warren Foegele’s rebound attempt. Watch how quickly Knight finds the puck after the knuckling shot from the point bounced off his glove awkwardly.

Not only does he find the puck immediately, but there’s very little lag time between finding it and reacting. His processing speed is really impressive here. Knight has already rotated his hips back toward the post and begun his butterfly slide before the puck even gets to Foegele’s stick. Those milliseconds he shaved off that movement ended up being the difference between a save and a goal, as he just barely got a piece of the shot.

Knight robbed Foegele again later in the period and again showed off those puck-tracking skills. First, Knight stuffed Foegele’s initial drive. The way he slides across calmly and efficiently without losing balance is a great example of the movement skills Ellis mentioned.
- HawkintheD

2-0 save, we must have been on a power play.

Possibly Kaiser on the left side as well. Lev looking more like at least one of their future top pairing guys and Rinzel developing nicely, I think takes some pressure off the idea that KK has to hit as a first pairing dman.

KK might still develop for us but also wouldn’t be surprised to see him in part of a package to get a young fwd, especially with the emergence of some of these guys like Vlasic and now possibly EDM as well.
- HawkintheD

I see KK ending up like Soup Campbell, but it will take time. Hopefully by the time he's 25.

Great take wiz.

I just took a look at some of the Hawks advanced stats on D. Vlasic is really having a down year. His best partner is Murphy by a fraction. I think he's trying to do too much instead of just concentrating on being a defensive monster. I get that he kind of has had to this year, but it's not his best usage.

The kids all seem to have some strong points to their games, but need to become more complete. The good news is that they have time to get minutes in now with Jones gone and Anders apparently now more willing to sit Brodie.
- Chunk

Most of the time Vlasic is paired with Crevier who won't be winning the Norris Trophy.

A Sportsnet rumour has Donato going to Ottawa for a second.
- paulr

He's worth more to us than a 2nd. It's not like we have a ready replacement.

Most of the time Vlasic is paired with Crevier who won't be winning the Norris Trophy.
- rpeters01

Yeah, Crevier didn’t have a great game last night, overall have liked him this year though and other than Murph, until Lev gets promoted and later, Rinzel, he’s currently our only other RHD. Please don’t take this as me missing Seth.

He's worth more to us than a 2nd. It's not like we have a ready replacement.
- rpeters01

I would want a first for Donato at this point, maybe early second plus. His value has done nothing but go up every week this season. Obviously there's a UFA pecking order. Rantanen maybe, Marchand, Nelson, Gourde, etc. Donato's advantage is his cap hit, which makes a deal less complicated.

Ottawa also doesn't have a 2nd rounder for next season so it'd be in this summer's weak draft where Hawks already have two 2nds or in 2027 where they also have two 2nds currently.
- Assman22

Ask for Brantford LD Tomas Hamara and a lower pick. Hamara has looked good in the Brantford games I have watched.

Frederic traded to the Oilers and Evans extended by the Habs, this makes Donato more attractive, less supply, more demand. Also, Marchand is out for a bit, so he’s out of the trade market.

Frederic traded to the Oilers and Evans extended by the Habs, this makes Donato more attractive, less supply, more demand.
- Angotti

That had to be the least exciting three way trade ever.

Hope the cheering for the anthem is extra loud tomorrow
Might sway Tkachuk to ask to be traded to the Blackhawks
- captainserious

I’d move the #1 and more for Tkachuk.

I’d move the #1 and more for Tkachuk.
- Angotti

They better get it done before his full NMC kicks in this summer.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks prospect Ryan Greene is grateful he decided to return for his junior year at BU. After it ends, he's ready to turn pro.

"I feel really good with where my game is. I’m playing some of the best hockey I’ve ever played."

Saw some rumors that Mrazek is the one the Hawks are looking to move. Another note I saw, it's been 3 year since a Blackhawk goalie made 40+ saves and allowed 1 goal or less.