He is still only a kid so maybe, but at least the overall trend is positive in that he finds ways to open areas to finish chances really well. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that I wouldn't put too much into a couple games here and there or an OHL playoff series. Give him time to mature and let's see how he plays in the pro leagues. He isn't probably a superstar in the making, but he looks like he has potential to be a decent finisher.
- breadbag

I said if he can play through a very tough and dirty team in London he is ready to move to pro where he’ll have to prove he can play at that level. If he fails against London, the hill to professional hockey will be that much more steep. Lardis has come a very long way this season, he’s much more engaged and playing in the tough areas on the ice. I’ve been watching him closely all season, I’ve seen him play live six times and watched dozens of games on TV. I’d love for him to be a Blackhawk one day but unlike teammate Marek Vanacker who gets his nose dirty in all areas of the ice, I think Vanacker is close to NHL ready, I’m not sure Lardis is, yet.

Rantanen won't sign in Carolina. TO me here is in for Davidson.

Talk to his agent. IF you trade for him would he take 8 years and an AAV 13-14 million?

If so, send them both 1st round picks next year, Donato, and a prospect to start with. Anyone not named Vlassic, Nazar, Bedard, Knight is available.

They have OOGLES of cap space this summer (38 milion) and next summer (85+ million). You are going to have to overpay to get a big fish. Here is your chance.

lots of ifs and starts with Rantanen's asks but how many legit cup contenders can squeeze him in this summer? So does he want to be a mercenary and go every few years and buy into what's coming here and see the LT plan.
- SteveRain

Why would Rantanen sign for a team a long way from being a contender in Chicago, but not want to sign with a contender? I don’t see any way KD can sign him, unless no other contending team is interested. And if Davidson has a deal in place and Rantanen has indicated he would sign you can be sure someone on Chicago’s roster we covet will be included in the deal. Carolina may take draft picks but they’ll also want a Nazar, Vlasic, Knight, Levshunov etc..

Foligno full participant in practice. D!ckinson, Kurashev, AA, and Brodie wearing white jerseys indicating they aren't in line to play tomorrow.

Apparently, the white jerseys aren't non-contact, so looks like D!ckinson is closer to actually returning.

Matinez with a maintenance day.

Why would Rantanen sign for a team a long way from being a contender in Chicago, but not want to sign with a contender? I don’t see any way KD can sign him, unless no other contending team is interested. And if Davidson has a deal in place and Rantanen has indicated he would sign you can be sure someone on Chicago’s roster we covet will be included in the deal. Carolina may take draft picks but they’ll also want a Nazar, Vlasic, Knight, Levshunov etc..
- paulr

Again, going to come down to does Rantanen want to play for a contender on a lesser term and AAV because is anyone going to be able to offer him both and FILL out a roster? Briefly looking at puck pedia....not seeing a lot of options.

So the hawks can do both. It's the same conversation that's going to come up this summer when it comes to marner and Rantanen. Issue is both can't get 8 years as an UFA and this is that chance for rantanen to secure that.

I don't disagree on Carolina's ask...but to me it comes down to IF Rantanen would sign here before 7/1 because if you get that indication he would....I would think you would have to explore it. Carolina doesn't have a lot of leverage here. He isn't signing there so either you keep him and hope you can win the cup or else you end up like you did with Guenztel and come up short and watch him walk for nothing.

Foligno full participant in practice. D!ckinson, Kurashev, AA, and Brodie wearing white jerseys indicating they aren't in line to play tomorrow.

Apparently, the white jerseys aren't non-contact, so looks like D!ckinson is closer to actually returning.

Matinez with a maintenance day.
- Chunk

Unless there is an injury, there is no reason for TJ Brodie to skate another second for this team.

Why would Rantanen sign for a team a long way from being a contender in Chicago, but not want to sign with a contender? I don’t see any way KD can sign him, unless no other contending team is interested. And if Davidson has a deal in place and Rantanen has indicated he would sign you can be sure someone on Chicago’s roster we covet will be included in the deal. Carolina may take draft picks but they’ll also want a Nazar, Vlasic, Knight, Levshunov etc..
- paulr

I thought the word on him was he had a team in mind for next season. If he wants to sign here, great. No need to trade anything if this is his preferred destination. Let him play for a Cup somewhere and then call the press conference in July.

Again, going to come down to does Rantanen want to play for a contender on a lesser term and AAV because is anyone going to be able to offer him both and FILL out a roster? Briefly looking at puck pedia....not seeing a lot of options.

So the hawks can do both. It's the same conversation that's going to come up this summer when it comes to marner and Rantanen. Issue is both can't get 8 years as an UFA and this is that chance for rantanen to secure that.

I don't disagree on Carolina's ask...but to me it comes down to IF Rantanen would sign here before 7/1 because if you get that indication he would....I would think you would have to explore it. Carolina doesn't have a lot of leverage here. He isn't signing there so either you keep him and hope you can win the cup or else you end up like you did with Guenztel and come up short and watch him walk for nothing.
- SteveRain

But teams right now can look at him strictly as a rental. I'm sure the Canes put their best foot forward on a deal. If that isn't good enough, then I think Rantanen is going to hit FA regardless of which team he plays out the year with (unless he has a team in mind that he is dead set on playing for).

If I'm Carolina, I think I just take the lumps on the deal and try and win the cup with him this year. I don't think they needed to do the deal with the Avs in the first place, but they are where they are now.

Unless there is an injury, there is no reason for TJ Brodie to skate another second for this team.
- SteveRain

Lots of truth here.

Why would Rantanen sign for a team a long way from being a contender in Chicago, but not want to sign with a contender? I don’t see any way KD can sign him, unless no other contending team is interested. And if Davidson has a deal in place and Rantanen has indicated he would sign you can be sure someone on Chicago’s roster we covet will be included in the deal. Carolina may take draft picks but they’ll also want a Nazar, Vlasic, Knight, Levshunov etc..
- paulr

Probably doesn't want to live in Carolina long term being from another country. Not exactly a free agent destination for the big names and somewhat akin to Winnipeg.

Rantanen won't sign in Carolina. TO me here is in for Davidson.

Talk to his agent. IF you trade for him would he take 8 years and an AAV 13-14 million?

If so, send them both 1st round picks next year, Donato, and a prospect to start with. Anyone not named Vlassic, Nazar, Bedard, Knight is available.

They have OOGLES of cap space this summer (38 milion) and next summer (85+ million). You are going to have to overpay to get a big fish. Here is your chance.

lots of ifs and starts with Rantanen's asks but how many legit cup contenders can squeeze him in this summer? So does he want to be a mercenary and go every few years and buy into what's coming here and see the LT plan.
- SteveRain

Can’t trade for Rantanen, if a team retains salary on a player, such team cannot acquire player until he’s a free agent on 7/1.

Can’t trade for Rantanen, if a team retains salary on a player, such team cannot acquire player until he’s a free agent on 7/1.
- Angotti

Well doesn't that just crap in everyone's Wheaties.

I know this will be unpopular but i sure hope they don't sign Marner or Rantanen. If they make a move i want a younger player even if it costs the Blackhawks more, and i mean in trade.

Well doesn't that just crap in everyone's Wheaties.
- Chunk

Damn you CBA....so there's go that idea.....onward.....gotta free up some F spots for the kids this spring.

The rule in a rebuild, no declining players when your prime draft picks are ready to roll.

But teams right now can look at him strictly as a rental. I'm sure the Canes put their best foot forward on a deal. If that isn't good enough, then I think Rantanen is going to hit FA regardless of which team he plays out the year with (unless he has a team in mind that he is dead set on playing for).

If I'm Carolina, I think I just take the lumps on the deal and try and win the cup with him this year. I don't think they needed to do the deal with the Avs in the first place, but they are where they are now.
- Chunk

Also, what is Rantanen without MacKinnon is the question. Is he worth an enormous contract? Since the trade

MacKinon - 13 games - 18 points
Necas - 13 games - 13 points

Rantanen - 12 games - 6 points

Rantanen is at his peak right now, 28 years old. Is he a 100 points player without one of the games top players on his line? Or is he an 80 point player? I like him a lot as a player, but a team in a win now position is likely going to overpay to get him and then worry about figuring out the back half of his absurd contract.

The rule in a rebuild, no declining players when your prime draft picks are ready to roll.
- BetweenTheDots

What's the rule on sticking your prime asset with a non-existing supporting cast? As we discussed last week, this is THE worst set up any top pick has ever had with Jack Eichel being a close 2nd.

Very happy they moved Jones....great trade. KD fans can flex all day.

Now KD MUST find him a legit top 3 linemate or else this kid goes his entire ELC without anyone knowing where his ceiling is and dragging inferior players up and down the ice...and people wonder why he isn't producing consistently. Shocker.

Also, what is Rantanen without MacKinnon is the question. Is he worth an enormous contract? Since the trade

MacKinon - 13 games - 18 points
Necas - 13 games - 13 points

Rantanen - 12 games - 6 points

Rantanen is at his peak right now, 28 years old. Is he a 100 points player without one of the games top players on his line? Or is he an 80 point player? I like him a lot as a player, but a team in a win now position is likely going to overpay to get him and then worry about figuring out the back half of his absurd contract.
- breadbag

Trades impact everyone differently. New town, new system, new teammates....did Rantanen expect to be traded? Doubtful. Did he likely drop down from where he was team wise? Likely.

How many players in year 1 of a HUGE deal press and dont perform? A lot.

Pretty sure Rantanen is going to be OK. I mean if we want to be fair.....marner got moved off McDavid's line at the 4 nations for not gelling and performing and pretty sure Marner is a damn good player.

Why would Rantanen sign for a team a long way from being a contender in Chicago, but not want to sign with a contender? I don’t see any way KD can sign him, unless no other contending team is interested. And if Davidson has a deal in place and Rantanen has indicated he would sign you can be sure someone on Chicago’s roster we covet will be included in the deal. Carolina may take draft picks but they’ll also want a Nazar, Vlasic, Knight, Levshunov etc..
- paulr

Hawks cannot trade for him due to retaining money in his contract. Only way Hawks can get Rantanen is as a free agent.

Stat of the day. Brandon Hagel has 30 goals this year, zero power play goals. Not knocking the trade because the results are TBD, however that’s impressive.
- Angotti

He's not the same player we traded he's further developed. What is he 26 now? Hmm. Tells you something.

He's not the same player we traded he's further developed. What is he 26 now? Hmm. Tells you something.
- rpeters01

What does it tell you?

Probably doesn't want to live in Carolina long term being from another country. Not exactly a free agent destination for the big names and somewhat akin to Winnipeg.
- Assman22

You haven't been to North Carolina lately. One of the hottest areas in the country for population growth. We're not talking Columbus.

What does it tell you?
- paulr

Guys aren't busts at 22. This board will go nuts before then but I think it's going to take KK until he's 24-25 to mature.

He's not the same player we traded he's further developed. What is he 26 now? Hmm. Tells you something.
- rpeters01

He's playing with one of the best forward groups in the league. And he's playing for Jon Cooper, to your point.

Also, what is Rantanen without MacKinnon is the question. Is he worth an enormous contract? Since the trade

MacKinon - 13 games - 18 points
Necas - 13 games - 13 points

Rantanen - 12 games - 6 points

Rantanen is at his peak right now, 28 years old. Is he a 100 points player without one of the games top players on his line? Or is he an 80 point player? I like him a lot as a player, but a team in a win now position is likely going to overpay to get him and then worry about figuring out the back half of his absurd contract.
- breadbag

I'm betting he signs with Vegas or Tampa.

He's playing with one of the best forward groups in the league. And he's playing for Jon Cooper, to your point.
- 333inthe3rd

I want Cooper 😫