What Karlsson did/does is incredible no doubt. And it’s possible Parekh can do similar things, offensively. But the problem is that offensive output commands a crazy salary and I don’t think there’s value in a guy chewing up that kind of cap space when he has to be protected in defensive situations. And in the cap world it’s vital how that cap room is used. I see far more value in building a defense around solid defensive players who can move the puck out of the zone and chip in with more moderate scoring totals. When push comes to shove, and revising golf terminology, score for show defend for dough. I’d take a Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Hedman or Makar over Karlsson any day. All of the aforementioned bring an element of defense that eludes Karlsson.
- paulr

This is the way I'm wired too...... But I also wonder if Carolina went in thinking that way as they built their team the last 3 yrs and it failed. I thought sure 3 yrs ago this team would win a cup. ... I still like to build conservatively and admit I have blind spots for Bouchards, Clarkes who fall short of my criteria but produce in the Bigs.

GMing just ain't easy at all.

What Karlsson did/does is incredible no doubt. And it’s possible Parekh can do similar things, offensively. But the problem is that offensive output commands a crazy salary and I don’t think there’s value in a guy chewing up that kind of cap space when he has to be protected in defensive situations. And in the cap world it’s vital how that cap room is used. I see far more value in building a defense around solid defensive players who can move the puck out of the zone and chip in with more moderate scoring totals. When push comes to shove, and revising golf terminology, score for show defend for dough. I’d take a Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Hedman or Makar over Karlsson any day. All of the aforementioned bring an element of defense that eludes Karlsson.
- paulr

100%… fun to watch, but hard to win with due to the cap hit and his defense.

This is the way I'm wired too...... But I also wonder if Carolina went in thinking that way as they built their team the last 3 yrs and it failed. I thought sure 3 yrs ago this team would win a cup. ... I still like to build conservatively and admit I have blind spots for Bouchards, Clarkes who fall short of my criteria but produce in the Bigs.

GMing just ain't easy at all.
- Mr Ricochet

Carolina failed, imo, because of the same issue affecting Detroit - their best players, while very good, are not quite good enough.

Carolina failed, imo, because of the same issue affecting Detroit - their best players, while very good, are not quite good enough.
- mohel

You know they had all the momentum going their way and that 2nd goal against seemed to just mentally affect the Carolina team as a whole.

Also i don't think they are a deep talented team. I think the Rangers got lucky with those 2 high draft picks and Fox wanting to play for NY that helped them add depth to their team

Friedman believes that forward Martin Nečas, now a restricted free agent after completing a two-year, $6MM bridge deal, could have his signing rights traded this summer.

What will it take, Phillips and the Canucks 2nd? Not enough?
- Angotti

Tampa's 20th and 56th 2nd and maybe a player (guttman)

Just going to say we might suck now but I'd rather have 3 cups in 6 years than be a Boston or Carolina fan right now.

Gustav fricking Forsling with the game winning goal

Gustav Forsling with the series winning goal for FLA.
With 1:26 to go in the 3rd.

Just going to say we might suck now but I'd rather have 3 cups in 6 years than be a Boston or Carolina fan right now.

Gustav fricking Forsling with the game winning goal
- BetweenTheDots

Just shows you that some just need time to develop and grow into their body

Gustav Forsling is a darn good hockey player. He plays a very structured game, controls the gaps as good as anybody. Wish the Hawks had a guy like that, oh wait… jk, water under the bridge.

Just shows you that some just need time to develop and grow into their body
- Scott1977

Completely agree, i wonder if this will be a luxury for the future Blackhawks? Since it sounds like KD wants players of players

Layers of players, oops

Gustav Forsling is a darn good hockey player. He plays a very structured game, controls the gaps as good as anybody. Wish the Hawks had a guy like that, oh wait… jk, water under the bridge.
- Angotti

Just wait until Vlasic reaches his potential.

Yep, and this yr it's on steriods. Anyone in the top 8ish could go anywhere.
- Mr Ricochet

I look at the Hawks current dee corps and then look at various star impact defenders currently playing in the playoffs, and wonder what high end skills I want from THE defense prospect the Blackhawks to possess.
Do I want him to fly like Montour (or Makar)?
Do I want him to shoot like Forsling?
Do I want him to have physicality and offensive chops of McAvoy?
Do I want him to have the quick boots and defensive chops to ensure the back end is secured?
Do I want the one how stick handles better than the rest?

I know I will disappointed if there isn’t a clear cut prospect who projects as equals to NHL impact defenders. You see one? Or do you see less upside?

Cayden Lindstrom is the selection.

Dach was my final selection for the Hawks a few year back, and I don't think that it is tough to not see a big man with his tools and attitude - how he is he differnet than the selection of Korchinski i????????
I am going flash backward to KK's draft year when I told you all that he was a dark horse than many teams were team's saw as a possible early selection of a kid that "showed skill" but was so far from the polished smart evolved defender, simply a excellent skating and passing big kid.

All season, I never chimed in any opinions when the blog went Korbustki...

I personally think that keeping Korchinski in Chicago was a surprising decision, but one that eleiminated a WHL season of him continuing w/o nhl coaching, and experience.

I thought that KK around pros and pro coaching was an excellent move but I did expect him to sit in the press box more.

I think the Blackhawks have an idea what they see in KK. (Just ask Pat Boyle, Chris McWosters, or their insider)
But I am completely convinced they see the upside, but at this juncture cannot predict his final player outcome.
I cannot say what type he becomes. Has the year re-wired his ideas as to the necessary ways he has to defend? Does he possess a large cnavass to eventaul be a solid attacking defender besides a skater and passer?

My entire point above is:

They already drafted a high potential but rough block of clay to mold for the backside.

I don't see what stops them from doing the same with the big Centre position in Cayden Lindstom.

There is potential with the size, feet and speed in him.
Do not fear a Dach repeat.
This kid huge, fast and highly physical.

Was Montrel when they shocked the hocket draft with selecting Juraj Slafkovsky first overall?

Just wait until Vlasic reaches his potential.
- Chunk

The crazy thing is I wasn’t expecting him to have the skating ability and agility he has. If the Hawks select Levshunov or D!ckinson to play with Vlasic, the hawks may have their shutdown pairing.

What Karlsson did/does is incredible no doubt. And it’s possible Parekh can do similar things, offensively. But the problem is that offensive output commands a crazy salary and I don’t think there’s value in a guy chewing up that kind of cap space when he has to be protected in defensive situations. And in the cap world it’s vital how that cap room is used. I see far more value in building a defense around solid defensive players who can move the puck out of the zone and chip in with more moderate scoring totals. When push comes to shove, and revising golf terminology, score for show defend for dough. I’d take a Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Hedman or Makar over Karlsson any day. All of the aforementioned bring an element of defense that eludes Karlsson.
- paulr

Yup and I don't disagree with any of that.

This is the way I'm wired too...... But I also wonder if Carolina went in thinking that way as they built their team the last 3 yrs and it failed. I thought sure 3 yrs ago this team would win a cup. ... I still like to build conservatively and admit I have blind spots for Bouchards, Clarkes who fall short of my criteria but produce in the Bigs.

GMing just ain't easy at all.
- Mr Ricochet

Carolina got goalered which is tough to avoid.

They also don't have superstars. Aho very good player. Jarvis, TT, Svechnikov, Necas, Skjei, Slaven all good players.

Not really anyone who's going to take over a game though and is going to provide the magic when you need it.

No one on the Kane, Keith or Toews level. Or MacKinnon, Makar, Landeskog and Rantanen.

I look at the Hawks current dee corp and then look at various star impact defenders currently playing in the playoffs, and wonder what high end skills I want from THE defense prospect the Blackhawks to possess.
Do I want him to fly like Montour (or Makar)?
Do I want him to shoot like Forsling?
Do I want him to have physicality and offensive chops of McAvoy?
Do I want him to have the quick boots and defensive chops to ensure the back end is secured?
Do I want the one how stick handles better than the rest?

I know I will disappointed if there isn’t a clear cut prospect who projects as equals to NHL impact defenders. You see one? Or do you see less upside

Cayden Lindstrom is the selection.
- wiz1901

I've been saying big centerman who gas the skill set he does be perfect one two punch down the middle if does work out at then a power forward on the wing. Then I would try trade up and get yamechuk

I've been saying big centerman who gas the skill set he does be perfect one two punch down the middle if does work out at then a power forward on the wing. Then I would try trade up and get yamechuk
- Scott1977

What if Celebrini says he would appreciate a trade; doesn’t want to play on west coast. Hypothetical situation after his rookie season. What would it cost/is it worth paying their price? Is next year Befard’s cousin draft year? Irregardless the 2025 draft has some good ones at the top. Could trade our first which if it is top five maybe if it is top three? + a good prospect. They would ask for our #2 overall in ‘24 or Rinzel or either Nazar or O Moore

What a one two punch with Bedard and Celebrini. Seperate or together. You could have a computer play your games in Strat o matic or whatever is the most accurate game with the dice and cards. You could replay Blackhawks season and you make a trade to have Celebrini. Just for the fun of it

I look at the Hawks current dee corp and then look at various star impact defenders currently playing in the playoffs, and wonder what high end skills I want from THE defense prospect the Blackhawks to possess.
Do I want him to fly like Montour (or Makar)?
Do I want him to shoot like Forsling?
Do I want him to have physicality and offensive chops of McAvoy?
Do I want him to have the quick boots and defensive chops to ensure the back end is secured?
Do I want the one how stick handles better than the rest?

I know I will disappointed if there isn’t a clear cut prospect who projects as equals to NHL impact defenders. You see one? Or do you see less upside?

Cayden Lindstrom is the selection.
- wiz1901

They could trade down to get him

I like the idea of acquiring Necas, but I think it would take more than that. Chicago’s 2nd round pick in 2024 may not even be enough. It might take either Tampa’s first round pick in 2024 or Toronto’s in 2026 plus a player.

1st round pick (TB ‘24 or TOR ‘25) + Raddysh + Entwistle
- DarthKane

No thank you

What a game, congrats to the Stars, we are going to have a Stanley Cup winner who's either never won one or it's been 20 plus years.

Bring him to work exclusively with the defensemen.
- paulr

That is what I was thinking too.
If they decide to draft a dman.
And they already have Korch going into his 2nd year. Why not give Yawney a job to help develop Korch/Allan/DelMastro/Kaiser/if they draft a dman.

I believe JJ mentioned it here on a few occasions that Yawney was a big help in helping Keith and Seabrook develop.
Edit: I know he was a head coach for a short time,but I think he was the Norfolk coach for a while.

Just shows you that some just need time to develop and grow into their body
- Scott1977

Drafted in 2014. No team would wait 10 years.

According to a trade value chart the Hawks could trade the Tampa 1st and the Hawks 2nd for the 10th pick in the draft. Would you do it?

Maybe if they had someone rated in the top 9 (maybe they even had them in their to 6) and they are available at 10.

According to the trade value chart the Hawks could trade their later picks in the 2nd round for the 21st pick in the draft. Would you do it?

Would you trade the Tampa 1st, and all our 2nd round picks for the 10th overall and the 21st overall picks?