Here's the problem with this. I love Toews, he's still a very good player, maybe not an elite #1 center, but still a very good one. The issue is for those of you who are old enough to understand the reference, Toews is going to decline into a Brent Sutter. Sutter was a fantastic #1 center for the Islanders in the 80s, was two-way and could score. But by the time he got to the the Hawks in the mid 90s and aged, he was a #3 center at best. Toews to me will eventually evolve into a #3 center. So the hope here is that as Toews slowly becomes a very good #3 checking center, Kirby Dach can (hopefully) elevate into the #1 center. But that still leaves you without a #2. And I like Strome enough, even without the wheels, to fill that role. I think it would be a mistake to move him, especially if you can lock him up for 4 million or less. His mid-season concussion and struggles coming back from that actually saved the Hawks money, and that's a good thing. I don't think that changes who he is as a player or him maxing out as a #2.
- Budi1782

What you described makes sense and would be the ideal situation with the future center depth being Dach and Strome as the top 6 centers and Toews as 3C.

The thing that doesn't make this ideal now is Strome doesn't play solid enough defense that one would expect of a 3C if Toews is presently considered 1C and Dach as 2C.

Then again, it may not be as big a deal if Strome has complementary wingers who make his line as a whole capable of playing all zones respectably and/or the other lines are defensively sound.

IMO, trading Strome wouldn't be the wisest move unless a center capable of playing at least top 9 and ideally 2C is acquired. Not necessarily in the same trade but perhaps through another trade, the draft, or free agency.

Or perhaps a prospect like Kurashev, Barratt, or Wise grows leaps and bounds.

What you described makes sense and would be the ideal situation with the future center depth being Dach and Strome as the top 6 centers and Toews as 3C.

The thing that doesn't make this ideal now is Strome doesn't play solid enough defense that one would expect of a 3C if Toews is presently considered 1C and Dach as 2C.

Then again, it may not be as big a deal if Strome has complementary wingers who make his line as a whole capable of playing all zones respectably and/or the other lines are defensively sound.

IMO, trading Strome wouldn't be the wisest move unless a center capable of playing at least top 9 and ideally 2C is acquired. Not necessarily in the same trade but perhaps through another trade, the draft, free agency (NHL, Europe, NCAA), or a prospect like Kurashev, Barratt, or Wise growing leaps and bounds.
- AEL_Fox

Dont you think the Hawks have already made their assessment of Strome and decided what his ceiling is as a player, whether they can win with him as a center and how much they are willing to pay on a new contract?

My thinking is he is about a $3-3.5M resign for 2 years at which time they will have to pay Dach and Bovqist. He isnt likely to turn into a Ryan OReilly or Brayden Schenn but he will put up a reasonable number of points which will likely be offset by a lot of mediocre defensive play.

I just dont see the Hawks valuing Strome as a must keep piece. If the right deal is out there he's gone.

I would not draft a goalie with a top ten pick unless I already had a loaded roster. Even then I’m not sure I would use a top ten pick on a goalie.
- Angotti

I would pull a Ryan Pace and trade our 9th pick and Dach and move up to 8th.

Here's the problem with this. I love Toews, he's still a very good player, maybe not an elite #1 center, but still a very good one. The issue is for those of you who are old enough to understand the reference, Toews is going to decline into a Brent Sutter. Sutter was a fantastic #1 center for the Islanders in the 80s, was two-way and could score. But by the time he got to the the Hawks in the mid 90s and aged, he was a #3 center at best. Toews to me will eventually evolve into a #3 center. So the hope here is that as Toews slowly becomes a very good #3 checking center, Kirby Dach can (hopefully) elevate into the #1 center. But that still leaves you without a #2. And I like Strome enough, even without the wheels, to fill that role. I think it would be a mistake to move him, especially if you can lock him up for 4 million or less. His mid-season concussion and struggles coming back from that actually saved the Hawks money, and that's a good thing. I don't think that changes who he is as a player or him maxing out as a #2.
- Budi1782

I like Strome - as a 3C we suck if he's our 2C.

Ye of little faith - I've already informed you the Hawks will win the lottery and select Lafreniere with the #1 OA, and within 2 years the Lafreniere-Dach-Kane line will be the toast of the league.
- EbonyRaptor

What is your "plan B?"

Berwyn.
- Elbows15

Cool thx I was just wondering

Dont you think the Hawks have already made their assessment of Strome and decided what his ceiling is as a player, whether they can win with him as a center and how much they are willing to pay on a new contract?

My thinking is he is about a $3-3.5M resign for 2 years at which time they will have to pay Dach and Bovqist. He isnt likely to turn into a Ryan OReilly or Brayden Schenn but he will put up a reasonable number of points which will likely be offset by a lot of mediocre defensive play.

I just dont see the Hawks valuing Strome as a must keep piece. If the right deal is out there he's gone.
- RickJ

Is Strome a key, must have piece required for long term success? Maybe, maybe not. He’s only 23 so I’d say it’s way to early to give up on the kid. He’s not earned a big money deal yet, so a 2-3 year deal with a reasonable cap hit would be fair, probably around the $3.5 million mark.

I’m not worried about Strome being a 2C, 3C, top 6 or top 9 forward. None of that matters as long as Strome is consistently contributing towards the office. This season wasn’t as good as last year, he was still on a 54(ish) point pace which isn’t bad for a down season.

It’s not like the Hawks have another centre waiting to take Strome’s place. I think having Dach, Strome and Toews down the middle (however they’re ordered) is damn good.

Dont you think the Hawks have already made their assessment of Strome and decided what his ceiling is as a player, whether they can win with him as a center and how much they are willing to pay on a new contract?

My thinking is he is about a $3-3.5M resign for 2 years at which time they will have to pay Dach and Bovqist. He isnt likely to turn into a Ryan OReilly or Brayden Schenn but he will put up a reasonable number of points which will likely be offset by a lot of mediocre defensive play.

I just dont see the Hawks valuing Strome as a must keep piece. If the right deal is out there he's gone.
- RickJ

You could very well be right. My current sentiments are very close to how Darth responded to your post.

I would rather be patient with Strome especially if he is re-upped on a reasonable bridge deal.

However, as you ended your post, if the right deal comes along, then by all means consider trading him.

The questions, though, are what would the right deal consist of and is there a team out there that would pony up the assets?

Nice. I know he went to COD and is from this general area, but what town specifically is he from do u know?
- SimpleJack

Naperville.

Cozens !!!
- oldduffman

Shows you what a scout I am, watching the World Jrs, I thought he had the most upside............

Good thing I wasnt making the pick.

Ya know that old trees just grow stronger
And old rivers just grow wilder every day
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say - “Hello in there”

Alef ha-shalom.
- StLBravesFan

"Woke up this morning, put on my slippers.
Walked in the kitchen and died"

John Prine had a talent for taking things that happened in his life (and everyone's) and writing lyrics and songs that were memorable. Some silly and some much deeper.

Here he is doing a play-by-play of events that influenced his song "Chain Of Sorrow"

https://youtu.be/lFD2wZaBciY

John's house was a block from Southport on Addison.
Irt was up for sale, and I toured it as a interested customer (lurker).

The Earl of Old Town was an uncle to a girlfriend of mine while in college, and Earl Pionke would let us in as long as we drank...
- wiz1901

I say this with the deepest respect and hints of jealousy, they should do a Hulu series on "The lifetime of Adventures of Wiz"

I would pull a Ryan Pace and trade our 9th pick and Dach and move up to 8th.
- rpeters01

Dont you just have the feeling he'll f up those two second rounders somehow.

McCaskeys should have that electro shock thing they put on Cliff from Cheers that would shock him everytime he was going to tell a long story.

Everytime Pace is on the phone with someone, talking about moving up when he doesn't need to --BZZZZZ, shocks the poop out of him

Dont you just have the feeling he'll f up those two second rounders somehow.

McCaskeys should have that electro shock thing they put on Cliff from Cheers that would shock him everytime he was going to tell a long story.

Everytime Pace is on the phone with someone, talking about moving up when he doesn't need to --BZZZZZ, shocks the poop out of him
- vabeachbear

Maybe, only because they don't have a first rounder to swing and miss on. I like the idea of the Claven Collar though.

If anything, hopefully he trades one of the 2nd rounders and moves back a little in that round and also nets an extra pick in another round.

*NEW* blog up: https://bit.ly/2JQEH1m

Random Blackhawks spotlight: Jack Skille edition.

Dont you just have the feeling he'll f up those two second rounders somehow.

McCaskeys should have that electro shock thing they put on Cliff from Cheers that would shock him everytime he was going to tell a long story.

Everytime Pace is on the phone with someone, talking about moving up when he doesn't need to --BZZZZZ, shocks the poop out of him
- vabeachbear

Just tell him the draft starts day 3. He's great day 3. Can't draft a first or second rounder to save his life.

I say this with the deepest respect and hints of jealousy, they should do a Hulu series on "The lifetime of Adventures of Wiz"
- vabeachbear

I agree. I'd even read a biography.