Theo Fox: Free Agency: Preview A look at a possible game plan for the Blackhawks once the NHL free agency period begins on July 28.

Plus, thoughts on Niklas Hjalmarsson's pending retirement and whether the Hawks have his replacement in the system.

1st

Thanks for a great preview/write up yet again Theo!

Should be a real interesting couple of days coming up.

Very detailed Theo!! Nicely done.

Of our re-signs....I like Hagel and Suter for deals...the rest, only if on a team friendly contract...if not, bye-bye.
The free agent market not much exciting either. I don't see any big splash. No doubt Stan inks a couple of guys to fill out the roster. But, I can't see any signing that greatly moves the needle. Get Hagel and Suter inked....then tinker a little.

I'm getting optimistic about our chances this year... if the Hawks can get a 1A/B goaltender with Lankinen, as he seemed to tire as the season went on. I would like to see how much Linus Ullmark wants on a new contract.... only 27 and had good numbers on a bad team.

Very interesting write up, well put.

Thank you, Theo.
Looking forward to seeing how the 'Hawks roster turns out from now until 2 weeks from now.
With hockey being so reliant on team chemistry for success, sometimes seemingly minor moves turn out to be very important.

I'm getting optimistic about our chances this year... if the Hawks can get a 1A/B goaltender with Lankinen, as he seemed to tire as the season went on. I would like to see how much Linus Ullmark wants on a new contract.... only 27 and had good numbers on a bad team.
- DuKen

Rumor is at least $5M per on a multi year deal.

Seems the Jones trade & signing will make or break Stan as GM

Huge Gamble in my estimation

Seems the Jones trade & signing will make or break Stan as GM

Huge Gamble in my estimation
- Colbyboy

I agree, this move was out of character for Stan, it could work out pretty well if Jones turns out to be an elite player on the Blackhawks for the next number of years, but if he is just okay then this could turn out to be such a damaging move.

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I most interested to see what the Hawks do with their goaltending. Over a longer season they need a veteran to help Lankinen, I would have liked Subban to be that guy but I don’t have confidence that he can deliver. Delia is a proven AHL goalie, nothing more. He’s a good #3 option, but even at that I wouldn’t want him to take away playing time from Soderblom or Morris.

I know there are rumours that the Hawks are looking at Fleury and for the right prices (i.e. the Hawks get another asset for taking on the contract) I’d be ok with it. But I don’t see it realistically happening.

Maybe the Hawks bring back Lehner?

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I most interested to see what the Hawks do with their goaltending. Over a longer season they need a veteran to help Lankinen, I would have liked Subban to be that guy but I don’t have confidence that he can deliver. Delia is a proven AHL goalie, nothing more. He’s a good #3 option, but even at that I wouldn’t want him to take away playing time from Soderblom or Morris.

I know there are rumours that the Hawks are looking at Fleury and for the right prices (i.e. the Hawks get another asset for taking on the contract) I’d be ok with it. But I don’t see it realistically happening.

Maybe the Hawks bring back Lehner?
- DarthKane

Oh no you didn't!

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I most interested to see what the Hawks do with their goaltending. Over a longer season they need a veteran to help Lankinen, I would have liked Subban to be that guy but I don’t have confidence that he can deliver. Delia is a proven AHL goalie, nothing more. He’s a good #3 option, but even at that I wouldn’t want him to take away playing time from Soderblom or Morris.

I know there are rumours that the Hawks are looking at Fleury and for the right prices (i.e. the Hawks get another asset for taking on the contract) I’d be ok with it. But I don’t see it realistically happening.

Maybe the Hawks bring back Lehner?
- DarthKane

No thanks.

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I most interested to see what the Hawks do with their goaltending. Over a longer season they need a veteran to help Lankinen, I would have liked Subban to be that guy but I don’t have confidence that he can deliver. Delia is a proven AHL goalie, nothing more. He’s a good #3 option, but even at that I wouldn’t want him to take away playing time from Soderblom or Morris.

I know there are rumours that the Hawks are looking at Fleury and for the right prices (i.e. the Hawks get another asset for taking on the contract) I’d be ok with it. But I don’t see it realistically happening.

Maybe the Hawks bring back Lehner?
- DarthKane

Admit it, you did this to send Elbows over the edge into the abyss.

It will be interesting to see today who gets qualified and who does not. As for free agency defense depending on asking price McCabe Cole would two i target
Center wennberg clending bozak
Goalies reimer or continue to explore Fleruy from vegas in some kind of transaction. Don't see happening but would not hurt call and see if there is deal to be had.

I'm getting optimistic about our chances this year... if the Hawks can get a 1A/B goaltender with Lankinen, as he seemed to tire as the season went on. I would like to see how much Linus Ullmark wants on a new contract.... only 27 and had good numbers on a bad team.
- DuKen

the biggest question is can lankinen handle the load of number one goalie for 82 game season. A veteran backup is needed to help him imo.

Don't like the Jones extension and the price paid, but here are some mitigating factors:

1. High salaries to top players will continue setting the trend and other teams will be forced to pay $9-$10m to top defensemen. So everyone will have cap issues, not just Hawks.

2. Cap hit is not an issue for the next three years as Hawks can exceed the cap by $6.8m - Seabrook IR. Cap will be higher after 2024, so the $1m overpayment or so will not be an issue.

3. Hawks did not have anyone ready to step up and be a consistent first pair D. Murphy was tried there, but he is good 2nd pair option and there is a dime-a-dozen of those in the NHL.

4. Given the state of the franchise on and off the ice, please keep in mind that many free agents may not have wanted to play for Chicago and Bowman probably realized that. Jones could have been the only option.

Lehner too expensive. An expensive goaltender as a starter or back up would maybe make sense if we could fit it into salary cap and we know we are in playoffs.

First the defense has to be solid. The defense will be the strength of the team. For that to happen, new forwards and I doubt Colliton and his system lasts.

Also Bowman seems to have accepted that a playoff team must be able to cycle pucks and have willingness to do so. Prelude to that was Jones trade and draft strategy of size and some toughness in '21 draft. We'll, this too is necessary: more size and more players who willingly play cycle game. Not only or primarily on bottom lines

And catch this....Bowman nailed the talent part of the equation drafting Boqvist, even "Joke e har ju."

But Oglethorpe, Scott, Elbows .....please realize Bowman accepts that he blew it with both picks. An NHL defense needs at least one big boy size wise and who will use his strength and some meaness. What top pair guy do we have whom fits the "bill."

Seabrook is gone. The pedestrian skating Murphy is fine now t I think he gets moved later. Murphy is your muscle by default - whom else (?) - not really too good to expect Murphy as your main muscle guy on defense. Mirony is just OK and his skating really is acceptable but, honestly, below par skating.

Overpaid S Jones. He who is perhaps not a true top pair calibre. Because Boqvist is brittle and probably going to a concussed career. Talanted .... see him become a go to strong second pair. Woul 've loved Mitchell gone in his place for the trade that went down

Wow we could have had Sillinger. And without a Jones type we would have to outshoot outscore opponents.

Sorry I am saddened but we needed Jones. Big salary Jones. Yep, just him and Kane muchos dollars most likely since in two years Toewes makes much less or retires. Now about Toews...this I believe...when current contract is up, if he still plays maybe he gets half what is paid now. Which could be gratuitous depending what he has left besides the great leader and experience

Jones was a reality check trade by Bowman. If the defence rounds into a deep talented group within and during next few years with Jones as the main big guy, we paid a heavy price in draft choices.

I think we had to. To get in line to becone a playoff team we needed Jones. Darn because I wanted Boqvist to make it. And here was Sillinger ...so many of us have so much desired this kind of player. He slipped through I thought correctly would have been in our grip. Double darn it.

As I mentioned in the previous blog, I most interested to see what the Hawks do with their goaltending. Over a longer season they need a veteran to help Lankinen, I would have liked Subban to be that guy but I don’t have confidence that he can deliver. Delia is a proven AHL goalie, nothing more. He’s a good #3 option, but even at that I wouldn’t want him to take away playing time from Soderblom or Morris.

I know there are rumours that the Hawks are looking at Fleury and for the right prices (i.e. the Hawks get another asset for taking on the contract) I’d be ok with it. But I don’t see it realistically happening.

Maybe the Hawks bring back Lehner?
- DarthKane

Suban is 27, has as much NHL experience as some of these guys, played in big games and when Lankinen tired we forget threw 2 shutouts last year. I don't think we need anymore backup than him and he will be cheap. They love him in the locker room. Lankinen has proven he can rise to the occasion I'm going with those two and pocketing the cap space until the Defense and Forwards are figured out.

Thanks for another great blog Theo!
We forget Hjalmarsson was not only warrior and 3 cup player but he played his off side his entire career to help the team out. I always thought he had a fantastic quick first step which made him so good.

Suban is 27, has as much NHL experience as some of these guys, played in big games and when Lankinen tired we forget threw 2 shutouts last year. I don't think we need anymore backup than him and he will be cheap. They love him in the locker room. Lankinen has proven he can rise to the occasion I'm going with those two and pocketing the cap space until the Defense and Forwards are figured out.

- rpeters01

I’m with you, we are not winning the cup this year. Let’s see what we have with Lankinen and Subban in goal, as well as Kalynuk and Mitchell on defense, and Borgstrom and Nylander up front. The Hawks have quantity, time to figure out where the quality is and purge the excess.

Lehner too expensive. An expensive goaltender as a starter or back up would maybe make sense if we could fit it into salary cap and we know we are in playoffs.

First the defense has to be solid. The defense will be the strength of the team. For that to happen, new forwards and I doubt Colliton and his system lasts.

Also Bowman seems to have accepted that a playoff team must be able to cycle pucks and have willingness to do so. Prelude to that was Jones trade and draft strategy of size and some toughness in '21 draft. We'll, this too is necessary: more size and more players who willingly play cycle game. Not only or primarily on bottom lines

And catch this....Bowman nailed the talent part of the equation drafting Boqvist, even "Joke e har ju."

But Oglethorpe, Scott, Elbows .....please realize Bowman accepts that he blew it with both picks. An NHL defense needs at least one big boy size wise and who will use his strength and some meaness. What top pair guy do we have whom fits the "bill."

Seabrook is gone. The pedestrian skating Murphy is fine now t I think he gets moved later. Murphy is your muscle by default - whom else (?) - not really too good to expect Murphy as your main muscle guy on defense. Mirony is just OK and his skating really is acceptable but, honestly, below par skating.

Overpaid S Jones. He who is perhaps not a true top pair calibre. Because Boqvist is brittle and probably going to a concussed career. Talanted .... see him become a go to strong second pair. Woul 've loved Mitchell gone in his place for the trade that went down

Wow we could have had Sillinger. And without a Jones type we would have to outshoot outscore opponents.

Sorry I am saddened but we needed Jones. Big salary Jones. Yep, just him and Kane muchos dollars most likely since in two years Toewes makes much less or retires. Now about Toews...this I believe...when current contract is up, if he still plays maybe he gets half what is paid now. Which could be gratuitous depending what he has left besides the great leader and experience

Jones was a reality check trade by Bowman. If the defence rounds into a deep talented group within and during next few years with Jones as the main big guy, we paid a heavy price in draft choices.

I think we had to. To get in line to becone a playoff team we needed Jones. Darn because I wanted Boqvist to make it. And here was Sillinger ...so many of us have so much desired this kind of player. He slipped through I thought correctly would have been in our grip. Double darn it.
- jhawk59

Agree with some of your points did bowman overpay yes my biggest problem was the 2022 1st i don't think he needed to add that. Plus imo i think bowman is on the hot seat much like pace with the bears and had to make big move. Contract overpaid by million and half could affect moves down the line. The next 3 years i think will be fine and some point the cap has to go significantly for the NHL to grow. So we move on what is done is done cannot change what happen so lets see what comes next in the upcoming weeks.

Suban is 27, has as much NHL experience as some of these guys, played in big games and when Lankinen tired we forget threw 2 shutouts last year. I don't think we need anymore backup than him and he will be cheap. They love him in the locker room. Lankinen has proven he can rise to the occasion I'm going with those two and pocketing the cap space until the Defense and Forwards are figured out.

- rpeters01

Totally disagree. Suban does not instill any confidence. His rebound control is terrible. Yes, when he is on his game he is difficult to beat, but he runs hot/cold without any consistency.

Someone like Halak/Varlamov/Khudobin who could play 30-35 games and capable of coming into 1a/1b situation would be much better for the team.

I’m with you, we are not winning the cup this year. Let’s see what we have with Lankinen and Subban in goal, as well as Kalynuk and Mitchell on defense, and Borgstrom and Nylander up front. The Hawks have quantity, time to figure out where the quality is and purge the excess.
- Angotti

Suban was 3.20 GA with .900 save percentage. That tells you right there he face a barrage of shots. Pretty good, imagine with better defense how much better both he and Lankinen may be? They won't wear out as fast with better D.

Totally disagree. Suban does not instill any confidence. His rebound control is terrible. Yes, when he is on his game he is difficult to beat, but he runs hot/cold without any consistency.

Someone like Halak/Varlamov/Khudobin who could play 30-35 games and capable of coming into 1a/1b situation would be much better for the team.
- CSKA1981

Yikes two Russian goalies don't get Ogi going. Lehner has as bad a rebound control as any goalie.

Another nice write up Theo. Will name of players qualified or non qualified be released today? I have a feeling that they qualify Z today, we’ll see.