Tyler Cameron: "Part Best of" Blackhawks Armchair GMing 6
We're on episode 6 of our Armchair GMin' and this edition features GM Theo, or as many of you know him AEL_Fox.

To set the table, let's look at what Theo was working with to construct this team.

Umm First?

Just don't see compliance buyouts happening. The owners are businessmen first and a 2-3 year cap amnesty is much cheaper than paying huge bucks at a time of highly reduced income. Rocky will pay himself $20-30M before 1-2 of his players to then be signed against him and I doubt all the other owners can afford compliance buyouts? The rules that would be applied to a "cap amnesty" will require the most negotiation between the owners.

Little Sunday afternoon conversation topic:

Assuming the playoff format returns with 24 teams, does anyone think the team can make some noise in the playoffs? What's realistically the best you can see this team performing?

I think playoff exposure (of any kind) to the likes of Dach, DeBrincat, Strome, Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Nylander, and perhaps even Mitchell would be fantastic, even in an odd year like this one. Let them get a taste of competitive, high-stakes hockey.
- TommyHawk

The league has determined that guys signed since the shut down cannot burn off this year and play this season...

I would love to see the Vancouver Canuck drop the ball and let Jacob Markstrom leave, but I really don't think he is leaving for $ 4 million.

The league has determined that guys signed since the shut down cannot burn off this year and play this season...
- wiz1901

As much as I would like to see Mitchell, I'll take his 3 years starting next year vs. this year. Especially if it's only for a few games.

Hopefully he'll be around the team - maybe even allowed to practice - which will be beneficial for him.

Ya I am starting to think buyouts are not happening . Also no way in hell Markstrom is signing for that . I was thinking maybe the HAWKS would take a run t him for around 7 mil for 3 or 4 years . I don't think the Leafs are going for that deal either

Nice way to pair experienced D with newbies.

Vancouver has increased it's talent level. I imagine that L Ericsson becomes a compliance buyout. Some folks feel this team is close or on the threshold as a serious playoff contender.

I just don't know enough about their preference to retain Markstrom; his performance last season suggests that he will cost more whenever the contract renewal is due. They have a young kid from BU or BC (Hockey East) whom has put in AHL time. He was highly touted when choosen in round one. Played well in NHL time during the currenly suspended season. Is that whom they would want to turn to?

Anyway I see a parallel in comparing their goaltending to ours. Do you go with the more expensive goaltender for one more season? I might not want to afford both Crawford and Markstrom. We are surely sitting on pins and needles not knowing what Rocky's expectation is for the team primarily next season and thereafter. Mandate: playoffs (?) while the youth continue to roll in?

Another line of thinking is: How do you put together a roster with expansion looming. I mean for Vancouver they have to trade Markstrom or risk loosing him or that kid? Right?

I personally do not think goaltenders are going to fetch a high price. Most teams have adequate or strong netminders. I am not questioning trading for him or Theo's reasoning. I am just throwing my own thoughts out for Theo to catch and see how deep he thought out Vancouver's willingness to retain Marksttom

BRW: While I like Delia and suspect that Laakinen could be ok, certainly the better young goaltender is the Vancouver kid

Another comparison between Vancouver and Chicago is the need for the team to protect their top young studs. And I mean from becoming overly battered and bruised.

Hughes on defense and Peterrsson up front is the real deal. Whereas for Chicago we have identified our too young studs to be, namely Boqvist, Mitchell, Dach. We know that Chicago needs to become better in the grittiness and dishing out punishment areas. To some extent teams do not run our top young prize players if they realize we return the same intensity.

Interestingly, though, both teams have several other prospects beside the more publicized guys....there is numbers in the prospects in the system ready soon to break into the NHL.

So it would be intriguing to see them complete a trade between themselves.

Overall I too like Theo's armchair architecture though I am cautious about whether Markstrom and Crawford both should share the same crease.

Sign Matt Martin for toughness .

Ya I am starting to think buyouts are not happening . Also no way in hell Markstrom is signing for that . I was thinking maybe the HAWKS would take a run t him for around 7 mil for 3 or 4 years . I don't think the Leafs are going for that deal either
- oldduffman

Agreed, and income will be down 2-3 years. Until they get the cap figured out it's going to be more "what we offer" than "what they will take." Probably sucks to be an FA right now.

I would love to see the Vancouver Canuck drop the ball and let Jacob Markstrom leave, but I really don't think he is leaving for $ 4 million.
- wiz1901

Next to Lehner, Markstrom is probably the top free agent goalie. His ability to stay healthy is a concern, but his performance when healthy is not. I’d be more than happy with Markstrom on the team, but I think the Hawks will spend the money on Crawford then have one of the Rockford goalies duel it out for the backup role.

I still think the Hawks could make a trade to get one of the goalies out of New York (Rangers) or Pittsburgh in addition to re-signing Crawford.

Next to Lehner, Markstrom is probably the top free agent goalie. His ability to stay healthy is a concern, but his performance when healthy is not. I’d be more than happy with Markstrom on the team, but I think the Hawks will spend the money on Crawford then have one of the Rockford goalies duel it out for the backup role.

I still think the Hawks could make a trade to get one of the goalies out of New York (Rangers) or Pittsburgh in addition to re-signing Crawford.
- DarthKane

I think NY would take Mitchell and Dach for Lundqvist.

Nice job Theo, I do like this lineup. I have to agree with Wiz, not sure that Markstom signs for $4M.

I think NY would take Mitchell and Dach for Lundqvist.
- rpeters01

Unlikely. Chicago would need to throw in much more than that, at least a first round pick and Boqvist.

Thank you, Tyler! Hope to see more armchair GM entries from others, too. This is a fun activity that I encourage others to do even if you don't feel like sharing.

For sh!ts and giggles, I recently created an even zanier CapFriendly lineup trading two of the core. Not realistic but again just for fun.

It's been a few weeks since I created this armchair GM entry so have had time to sit in the corner and think about what I did.

On compliance buyouts, I would agree with rpeters that there will be no compliance buyouts. Someone still has to pay the salary even if it doesn't count against the cap (i.e. the salary just doesn't get erased) and the owners are hurting financially even if they make astronomically more money than any of us would ever dream of. A cap amnesty would be a good alternative, though.

On Markstrom, it is pretty unrealistic that he would sign at $4M when other teams could pay him $5-6M. Whether he re-signs with the Canucks depends on if they hand the net over to Demko with Domingue or someone else as backup.

On the Blackhawks goalie situation, I envision Crawford re-signing with one of Subban, Delia, or Lankinen backing him up.

On the Maatta trade, agree with Tyler that the Hawks would need to add more to obtain Boqvist + draft pick. Maatta for the 3rd rounder alone is realistic, though.

On the Nylander trade, agree again with Tyler that the Leafs would not give up a 1st rounder along with Kapanen. I was getting greedy as I would like the Hawks to gain another 1st rounder for this draft.

Tyler this just a hypothetical option but it all depends on if seabrook plays so for this case say he cannot play anymore would a trade to Toronto make sense:
Seabrook sikrua quenville and a 2nd in next year's draft or this draft depending on which Toronto wants for:
Hyman or kappean and 3rd or prospect.
Plus i have mentioned this before i like the hawk to pursue a player like miles wood from jersey or greenway from minn some player along those lines. Last what teams could absorb Matta's contract is better question.

Only way Vancouver loses Markstrom is if he wants to leave, and if he does, he'll get more money and term. And I don't see the others teams involved agreeing to those trades.

Tyler this just a hypothetical option but it all depends on if seabrook plays so for this case say he cannot play anymore would a trade to Toronto make sense:
Seabrook sikrua quenville and a 2nd in next year's draft or this draft depending on which Toronto wants for:
Hyman or kappean and 3rd or prospect.
Plus i have mentioned this before i like the hawk to pursue a player like miles wood from jersey or greenway from minn some player along those lines. Last what teams could absorb Matta's contract is better question.
- Scott1977

Darth Probert is correct

I will add this: As you said, if Seabrook plays. Optimisticly he has to play regularly, each game, even should that mean 15:00 or less TOI. This just so he is not seen much less the player he once was/not held back and he is fully recovered.

Seabrook came into this league with slow feet, according to Mike Smith in that Mike Smith article. Yet he has a nice long career. He might be of some help just due to his experience and know how.

But realize this: no one is going to expect to surrender anything good when they are taking on Seabrook"s contract. A #2 2021 is too much to receive; they would never be be philanthropical. And they have to protect him too per contract as far as The Expansion Draft.

Giving Toronto garbage just so they have a couple of cheap contracts? Nope. They can find players to fill those bottom roster spots.

Hyman has been a good fit for them. If his contract remains the bargain I think it is, then they aren't trading him or any descent player who gets playing time just to create more salary cap room. Seabrook salary covers more than the amount they give up.

A young gun like Kapanen is more likely bait for possibly upgrading on defense.

Please take no offense Scott if I appear a harsh critic. I know I sometimes don't see issues clearly. It is a good thing to churn out ideas for trades. But in reality trades are difficult to complete.

Darth Probert is correct

I will add this: As you said, if Seabrook plays. Optimisticly he has to play regularly, each game, even should that mean 15:00 or less TOI. This just so he is not seen much less the player he once was/not held back and he is fully recovered.

Seabrook came into this league with slow feet, according to Mike Smith in that Mike Smith article. Yet he has a nice long career. He might be of some help just due to his experience and know how.

But realize this: no one is going to expect to surrender anything good when they are taking on Seabrook"s contract. A #2 2021 is too much to receive; they would never be be philanthropical. And they have to protect him too per contract as far as The Expansion Draft.

Giving Toronto garbage just so they have a couple of cheap contracts? Nope. They can find players to fill those bottom roster spots.

Hyman has been a good fit for them. If his contract remains the bargain I think it is, then they aren't trading him or any descent player who gets playing time just to create more salary cap room. Seabrook salary covers more than the amount they give up.

A young gun like Kapanen is more likely bait for possibly upgrading on defense.

Please take no offense Scott if I appear a harsh critic. I know I sometimes don't see issues clearly. It is a good thing to churn out ideas for trades. But in reality trades are difficult to complete.
- jhawk59[/quote
I only bring this up because horton and clarkson LTRI contracts come off the books for Toronto and since they right up at the cap it would give the leafs flexibility to spend over the cap for the next 4 years. As for the return i was just speculating what maybe a type of trade might look like. No hard feelings its your opinion and i respect that. But its how some teams operate take arz for example a dumping ground for bad contracts. Shaw and smith contracts could also be options for Toronto.

Unlikely. Chicago would need to throw in much more than that, at least a first round pick and Boqvist.
- DarthKane

Add Saad to balance salary.

Only way Vancouver loses Markstrom is if he wants to leave, and if he does, he'll get more money and term. And I don't see the others teams involved agreeing to those trades.
- DarthProbert

Negotiations haven’t gone well, the Canucks don’t want to give Markstrom the term he’s looking for.

Only way Vancouver loses Markstrom is if he wants to leave, and if he does, he'll get more money and term. And I don't see the others teams involved agreeing to those trades.
- DarthProbert

Exactly...so let's set that stage: The Hawks and the goalie have mutual friends, and Crawford would love to stay and he knows they are looking for bonus only type deal that has him making less than his last deal, so Crow goes hardball and the hawks let Markstrom know they have interest and sign him long term as Crawford's replacement...that happens only because Vancouver feels they have to play hard ball with him long term because they have their kid forwards to eventually pay and Hughes and must have $ to get better players to start their run.

Markstrom has got to want to leave an up and coming team dynamic to play for a team that is much farther behind it's rebuild (right?) and he is only 5 years younger than Crawford...is he going to continue getting better and leading the hawks to the Cup in 5 years? IS he thinking the difference in m one from the Hawks is SO important he leaves the up n comer for the Swedish player Friendly destination with no guarantees?

Those are puzzle pieces.

So if I’m understanding this armchair GMing thing, 3 absolute garbage players net you a solid player in Kapanen PLUS a 1st, and then some.

This guy must’ve helped with the Turbo trade 🙄