Great....
- SteveRain

Chin up Steve. Let's see what actually happens this offseason before writing it off already. Gotta think that the guys in the room will be happy that Donato is sticking around (considering the interviews from the players yesterday) so maybe they get all pumped up and actually start on time in the 1st.

We'll see how Veleno fits in.

Blackhawks get Raty, Shea Weber's cap hit from Utah.

https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1898105123454210333
- MartiniMan

Why? I don't think either will sniff the NHL on a regular basis.

Why? I don't think either will sniff the NHL on a regular basis.
- bhawks2241

Chess, not checkers.

Mrazek back to the Wings
Craig Smith

Veleno
- BetweenTheDots

As per my post the day after we received Travis Knight, Mrazek to Detroit. Shocking that we actually got a player back (even giving up Smith too).
We moved Smith that opened up a slot for a younger player.
Kept Donato, who I hope they try to re-sign at a reasonable number for reasonable term.

Chin up Steve. Let's see what actually happens this offseason before writing it off already. Gotta think that the guys in the room will be happy that Donato is sticking around (considering the interviews from the players yesterday) so maybe they get all pumped up and actually start on time in the 1st.

We'll see how Veleno fits in.
- Chunk

This point chunk I hope they lose every game and the young kids progress. Improves their odds of the best draft pick possible which is what Davidson is after. Maybe catch San Jose and then draft the next Makar D men, and go all in to get another pick 2-4 to get that F.....

Wow, Fraser Minten part of the return to BOS for Carlo to the Leafs.

Wow, Fraser Minten part of the return to BOS for Carlo to the Leafs.
- Chunk

Panthers are going to be tough......come playoff time.

I can't wait for Marchand to stare down Jones during games befuddled at his idiocy come spring time.....

So far, Davidson is kind of proving his haters wrong when it comes to making trades.


He got a great young goalie. He got rid of Mrazek for a younger asset.
They can either use Weber's contract to reach the floor if needed or put him on LTIR.

This point chunk I hope they lose every game and the young kids progress. Improves their odds of the best draft pick possible which is what Davidson is after. Maybe catch San Jose and then draft the next Makar D men, and go all in to get another pick 2-4 to get that F.....
- SteveRain

Some kids will progress, some will stay the same, some will regress. The Hawks will draft a bunch more kids this year and add a couple pieces through trade and/or FA.

Don't get too tied up in the exact process, but look for improvement. Bertuzzi and TT were steps in the right direction. It just happens that most of the rest of the team really is/was dogpoop.

It wouldn't surprise me if KD tries to go bold again during the draft and get two great pieces. I would think/hope that if he is going to do that, he would not do it on draft day though. If he could find a way to go Schaefer-Misa, I think you'd have a good portion of the fans wetting themselves.

So far, Davidson is kind of proving his haters wrong when it comes to making trades.


He got a great young goalie. He got rid of Mrazek for a younger asset.
They can either use Weber's contract to reach the floor if needed or put him on LTIR.
- breadbag

Idk about that. Jones gave 2 teams. I think a lot of us undervalued Jones. Contending teams often are desperate for upgrades on defense.

Man that Byram trade for the Avs looks so bad now. Basically, Byram and a 2nd for Charlie Coyle.Yikes.

Some kids will progress, some will stay the same, some will regress. The Hawks will draft a bunch more kids this year and add a couple pieces through trade and/or FA.

Don't get too tied up in the exact process, but look for improvement. Bertuzzi and TT were steps in the right direction. It just happens that most of the rest of the team really is/was dogpoop.

It wouldn't surprise me if KD tries to go bold again during the draft and get two great pieces. I would think/hope that if he is going to do that, he would not do it on draft day though. If he could find a way to go Schaefer-Misa, I think you'd have a good portion of the fans wetting themselves.
- Chunk

I could definitely see draft day deals happening. All things considered this season is a step forward. More of our prospects with potential are playing Pro Hockey. More of the college guys are inching towards going pro (with probably a couple coming this season to pro hockey.) More of the NHL minutes went to young players this season. We are actually on target to finish about 10 points higher in the standings than last season. That's pretty reasonable based on historic improvement of teams in the basement. It takes more than one or two years to step from the bottom to the playoffs.

Some kids will progress, some will stay the same, some will regress. The Hawks will draft a bunch more kids this year and add a couple pieces through trade and/or FA.

Don't get too tied up in the exact process, but look for improvement. Bertuzzi and TT were steps in the right direction. It just happens that most of the rest of the team really is/was dogpoop.

It wouldn't surprise me if KD tries to go bold again during the draft and get two great pieces. I would think/hope that if he is going to do that, he would not do it on draft day though. If he could find a way to go Schaefer-Misa, I think you'd have a good portion of the fans wetting themselves.
- Chunk

i agree and with the cap rising and wait for it.....young talent under 28....being signed to extensions by the minute....he best do it.

I'll wait to see how this unfolds but I am a results driven person.

the Jones trade was sensational. Huge win......

Today....step back IMO. Donato will NEVER have a greater value than he did today.

Play the kids, let them take some lumps, evaluate internally and externally more, and figure out a way to take a step forward. Hate to say it..but San Jose, and Anaheim are ahead here it seems......That's what's most frustrating for me. hawks just can't get this rolling up hill....at all. That MUST change next year. Coach will be factor but Wirtz can't be overly patient with 8 year plan which some here think is OK....it'll hurt attendance and then you will see panic and a rushed process.

24 yr old defensemen still in Europe and an AHL 0.5ish pt per game player.

all to get to the floor.

Just hope that D man gets here soon before Dots writes off any extension for him...
- SteveRain

Söderström was 11th overall in 2019, he’s a RD so just probably another dart. I don’t think anyone here wants to be in the lottery next year, but you can’t go out and sign six free agents either. Sign Boeser and trade for another forward. With the young D gaining experience and better goaltending, we should see some good improvement next year.

I could definitely see draft day deals happening. All things considered this season is a step forward. More of our prospects with potential are playing Pro Hockey. More of the college guys are inching towards going pro (with probably a couple coming this season to pro hockey.) More of the NHL minutes went to young players this season. We are actually on target to finish about 10 points higher in the standings than last season. That's pretty reasonable based on historic improvement of teams in the basement. It takes more than one or two years to step from the bottom to the playoffs.
- breadbag

Young players I can agree with.

Points doesn't mean much to me....it's final standings. Right now they are 31 of 32...last year they finished 31 of 32

Söderström was 11th overall in 2019, he’s a RD so just probably another dart. I don’t think anyone here wants to be in the lottery next year, but you can’t go out and sign six free agents either. Sign Boeser and trade for another forward. With the young D gaining experience and better goaltending, we should see some good improvement next year.
- Angotti

I don't know the history, but kind of feels like Soderstrom is a throw in with an iffy chance of coming back over the play in NA. I know he played 53 games over 4 seasons with Arizona, which isn't the best system to be coming up in. He might be more NHL ready at this point if he actually wants to come back to try to make it work in the NHL.

Söderström was 11th overall in 2019, he’s a RD so just probably another dart. I don’t think anyone here wants to be in the lottery next year, but you can’t go out and sign six free agents either. Sign Boeser and trade for another forward. With the young D gaining experience and better goaltending, we should see some good improvement next year.
- Angotti

Boeser I would love.....I am open to anything here if it's Marner or Boeser or offer sheeting some guy, trading for a kid, trading to have multiple picks in the top 4 come June.

They just MUST improve.

i agree and with the cap rising and wait for it.....young talent under 28....being signed to extensions by the minute....he best do it.

I'll wait to see how this unfolds but I am a results driven person.

the Jones trade was sensational. Huge win......

Today....step back IMO. Donato will NEVER have a greater value than he did today.

Play the kids, let them take some lumps, evaluate internally and externally more, and figure out a way to take a step forward. Hate to say it..but San Jose, and Anaheim are ahead here it seems......That's what's most frustrating for me. hawks just can't get this rolling up hill....at all. That MUST change next year. Coach will be factor but Wirtz can't be overly patient with 8 year plan which some here think is OK....it'll hurt attendance and then you will see panic and a rushed process.
- SteveRain

I agree that Donato likely peaked his overall value this year. However, he is a guy that the kids can model after his work ethic (worked on both his shot and speed in the offseason and that showed through this year), and dedication to the fundamentals of the game. Have a guy like Nazar stapled to his hip and see what that kind of dedication COMBINED with high end talent can produce.

Young players I can agree with.

Points doesn't mean much to me....it's final standings. Right now they are 31 of 32...last year they finished 31 of 32
- SteveRain

Those points matter though, even if you aren't climbing in rank yet, it's improved. Also the goal differential is not as bad, we were -111 last year. We now sit at -46. On track to be around -60. That's about a 50 goal improvement. That means they are playing less like crap.

Those points matter though, even if you aren't climbing in rank yet, it's improved. Also the goal differential is not as bad, we were -111 last year. We now sit at -46. On track to be around -60. That's about a 50 goal improvement. That means they are playing less like crap.
- breadbag

Plus a huge improvement in special teams.

I don't know the history, but kind of feels like Soderstrom is a throw in with an iffy chance of coming back over the play in NA. I know he played 53 games over 4 seasons with Arizona, which isn't the best system to be coming up in. He might be more NHL ready at this point if he actually wants to come back to try to make it work in the NHL.
- breadbag

My guess is that Soderstrom could come over for one year to fill in at ROC, if they need a RD for a year. Might be able to fill in for CHI if there are injuries. Doubt there is anything long term there, but he does seem to have some decent offense.

Raty looks like org depth, think he might not get a RFA tender this summer. Would rather keep Guttman based on just looking at stats.

Plus a huge improvement in special teams.
- paulr

I think in some regards that speaks to the strengths and weakness of the team. While we lack some depth, we aren't that bad in our own zone. We do have guys that can score when they can get setup to make a play, but we just don't have that ability to transition well from our end of the ice to their end of the ice with control of the puck to make things happen enough.

Rumour has it Matthews, Marner and Nylander have the Florida flu and will be out of the lineup until July.

Those points matter though, even if you aren't climbing in rank yet, it's improved. Also the goal differential is not as bad, we were -111 last year. We now sit at -46. On track to be around -60. That's about a 50 goal improvement. That means they are playing less like crap.
- breadbag

There a gold standard!

I worked for a company that made printing ink years ago and our motto in Quality Control was "We f#$@ up less than our competition!"

Plus a huge improvement in special teams.
- paulr

special teams is a valued point, but overall....while they may be in more games the results are the same. Results are all that matter. Not into moral victories. If you are scheduled to pick 2nd again, who cares...30 teams were better than you.

That's my issue. They need to start picking in the bottom part of the top 10 or early 10s....then we have improvement.

Rumour has it Matthews, Marner and Nylander have the Florida flu and will be out of the lineup until July.
- paulr

At least they won't likely have to get past Boston in the PO's.