Athletic's Scott Wheeler latest tiers.

Tier 1
Celebrini

Tier 2
Demidov
Levshunov

Tier 3
Buium
Parekh
Eiserman
D!ckinson
Catton
Helenius
Silayev
Lindstrom
- boilermaker100

Then we need to get the 20th pick up to 11.

May the hockey gods smile upon us one more time while Bettman’s balls bounce around
- TheDrumonMadison

Um, yeah, this!

I don't know if it's been mentioned here, but I think the whole Jones for Marner scenario isn't going to happen for two reasons- first, Marner would have to waive his NMC.

Most importantly, Marner is a UFA in 25-26. Why would the Leafs ever want to be locked in for 5 more years of Jones? Tavares and Marner are both off of the books in 25-26 if the Leafs want to pursue a stud FA defenseman. I think the Leafs will look to either getting a younger D-Man than Jones in any event.
- Popsghostly

This whole Jones for Marner trade talk started yesterday when Friedman was spitballing, yes he actually said "spitballing" about the scenario.

Both guys have NMC's that would have to be waived. Then as you say how does that help Toronto cap situation? The trade would be cap hit neutral. They either pay Jones for several years or pay Marner's extension. It ain't gonna happen. Eliotte should not have said anything and countless key strokes would have not been enetered onto the internet.

Maybe there's a long term plan to replace Jones in a few years. Draft Levshunov who would probably spend another year at MSU and then a year at Rockford. Say he graduates to the big club for the 26/27 season. Rinzel would be on the same time line, maybe another year away. By that time Murphy is bye-bye. Seth has 2-3 years fewer on his contract and is becoming more impatient if the team is not in playoff mode by then. I would guess a decent RD free agent is also signed for 3-4 years to help during this transition period.
- boilermaker100

Hopefully by that time, Jones' contract is looking like Campbell's contract back in 2010 and we need a guy like Jones.

This.

Seth may waive his NMC some day, but doubt it is this summer for Toronto. A couple of reasons are taxes are higher up there and he's more or less out of the limelight here. He would be under a microscope in Toronto just like Tavares, Marner, Rielly and whoever else falls out of favor.

Yes, Jones says the right thing about being tired of losing and wants to play for a contender so the trade door is not completely shut.

Someone here or somewhere else brought up a three way trade. Marner to Chicago, Jones to maybe Utah and a couple of picks or prospects from Utah to TOR.

Marner is a skilled player that the Hawks could desperately use, but I don't think he's got the intangibles the Hawks are looking for.
- boilermaker100

We need Perry's intangibles...

We need Perry's intangibles...
- rpeters01

... just not his affinity for drink.

This whole Jones for Marner trade talk started yesterday when Friedman was spitballing, yes he actually said "spitballing" about the scenario.

Both guys have NMC's that would have to be waived. Then as you say how does that help Toronto cap situation? The trade would be cap hit neutral. They either pay Jones for several years or pay Marner's extension. It ain't gonna happen. Eliotte should not have said anything and countless key strokes would have not been enetered onto the internet.
- boilermaker100

Yeah Boiler, think Friedman was just coming up with stuff.

Others have said this too, not as many points, but I think Jones played his best hockey of his time with the Hawks this year. While he only played 67 games, -15 isn't too bad given the minutes he plays and the lack of talent. As the time gets better around him, I think he'll get better and better.

Back to plus/minus though, McCabe is an anomaly. He was plus 7 on a horrible Hawks team and plus 20 last year. The eye test shows he's slow, plodding and out of position however. One of the Leafs post-mortems did mentioned maybe McCabe is not the answer at a 1-2 as we've seen.

Looks like Travis Green is the new coach in OTT.

It seems that CHI fans are the main/only people with a largely negative view of Jones. Almost everyone else that I've read or spoken to would love to have him on the team. Oddly, the same can be said about Murphy (especially at his cap hit). The trouble with trading Jones, is that the Hawks will need to find someone to replace him. It's all well and good to say they can sign X because he will be a free agent, but that player has to want to come to the Hawks. All I'm saying is that if you get rid of Jones, you better have a damn good plan ready to replace him.
- Chunk

Twenty-five minutes a night is not easily replaceable. Would like to see the Hawks sign a #4 or#5 RD(Demelo?), as well as a #6 or #7 RD to fill in when Murph or a RD goes down, they have plenty of young depth on the left side.

The S. Jones for Marner rumors seem to be still popping up. Marner is making a lot and I would be uncertain how to fit him in in a couple of years, so I would hesitate to trade for him. In the spirit of crazy trade proposal season, though, I'll throw out the following:

S. Jones to Toronto
Marner to Washington
Carlson and 2022 draftee Andrew Cristall to Chicago

.... or similar, theme is Jones to Toronto, Marner to third team, RD and prospect to Chicago.
- totem

Thats an interesting type of proposal. My simple brain just assumed it had to be a one for one deal.

Powers opining in his Athletic piece today that the Hawks consider Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov as their top 3 choices with the latter 2 in no set order.

Also, Demidov will be in the country in June attending a camp with his agent's (Dan Milstein) other clients. Powers also writes Demidov suffered a knee injury late in the season that doesn't require surgery, but takes 6-8 weeks recovery time.

Kantserov underwent shoulder surgery after the KHL season. He injured it originally in December and aggravated it later.
- boilermaker100

As a 19 yr old Kantserov put up 15 in 53 then in the playoffs he tallied 13 in 23, all with his KHL club. That playoff showing is impressive on it's own, IIRC he averaged near 15:00 per game in the playoffs, but now we find out he was injured during that time????

Hawks just might have a player here. https://www.eliteprospect...er/709028/roman-kantserov

Maybe there's a long term plan to replace Jones in a few years. Draft Levshunov who would probably spend another year at MSU and then a year at Rockford. Say he graduates to the big club for the 26/27 season. Rinzel would be on the same time line, maybe another year away. By that time Murphy is bye-bye. Seth has 2-3 years fewer on his contract and is becoming more impatient if the team is not in playoff mode by then. I would guess a decent RD free agent is also signed for 3-4 years to help during this transition period.
- boilermaker100

I think KD is planning on being stuck with his contract. I like how Vlasic and Jones contract expire at the same time, so you have stability for the next 6 years at that position.

I bet KD has a chart percentage on positions, cost and value and will try to stick to those percentage

So you have $14 mil tied to the 1st pairing, what is that about 15%?

This.

Seth may waive his NMC some day, but doubt it is this summer for Toronto. A couple of reasons are taxes are higher up there and he's more or less out of the limelight here. He would be under a microscope in Toronto just like Tavares, Marner, Rielly and whoever else falls out of favor.

Yes, Jones says the right thing about being tired of losing and wants to play for a contender so the trade door is not completely shut.

Someone here or somewhere else brought up a three way trade. Marner to Chicago, Jones to maybe Utah and a couple of picks or prospects from Utah to TOR.

Marner is a skilled player that the Hawks could desperately use, but I don't think he's got the intangibles the Hawks are looking for.
- boilermaker100

I agree with you, Marner isn't the guy.

Powers opining in his Athletic piece today that the Hawks consider Celebrini, Demidov and Levshunov as their top 3 choices with the latter 2 in no set order.


.
- boilermaker100

I'm in the camp you just can not take a chance drafting a Russian high, especially in the top 5, but if KD has the balls to draft Demidov anyways I'm equal parts scared to death and really excited. ...... Paired with Bedard they would threaten a lotta records over the course of a decade plus.

I'm gonna assume rink rat Bedard will improve defensively but there is a chance he'll be a liability outside of the Ozone his whole career and a high energy puck hound like Demidov would be ideal as a linemate for The Phenom.

I think KD is planning on being stuck with his contract. I like how Vlasic and Jones contract expire at the same time, so you have stability for the next 6 years at that position.

I bet KD has a chart percentage on positions, cost and value and will try to stick to those percentage

So you have $14 mil tied to the 1st pairing, what is that about 15%?
- BetweenTheDots

I get what you’re saying, but not sure how much stability you have with Jones. Sure Vlasic is young and you can project him as a first pairing d-man for the next 6 years. Jones is 30 at the start of the season and who knows how his skills will\wont decline. Arguably Jones isn’t a #1 now, 2-4 sure.

So the hope is that as Jones declines someone else can step up and be a top line defenseman. The problem comes when your #4 defenseman is making #1 money.

I'm in the camp you just can not take a chance drafting a Russian high, especially in the top 5, but if KD has the balls to draft Demidov anyways I'm equal parts scared to death and really excited. ...... Paired with Bedard they would threaten a lotta records over the course of a decade plus.

I'm gonna assume rink rat Bedard will improve defensively but there is a chance he'll be a liability outside of the Ozone his whole career and a high energy puck hound like Demidov would be ideal as a linemate for The Phenom.
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe at #4 you take a shot a Demidov, especially if you have him at #2 on your board. Recent rumors are that Michkov may come over earlier than expected, maybe Demidov follows suit.

In terms of Bedards D, let’s give it a bit of time. He’s probably not being asked to do a lot defensively, and the plan was most likely to let him settle in without worrying about the defensive end in relation to needing him much more offensively.

Winning the draft lottery is obviously the desired outcome. If the Hawk don't win, then I don't see too much difference between drafting 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. It all depends on what each team wants. Maybe the Hawks are high on Levshunov and drafting 4th, and the 2nd and 3rd place teams want Demidov and Eiserman.

I find I am far less stressed for this draft lottery than last year for some reason.

I'd like to see KD move up from #20, but I'm not counting on it. I think it would take another future first round pick to make that happen. Going from #20 to #10 would be worth it (if it was the Leaf's 2025 pick). But to move up 3-4 spots I wouldn't pay more than a late second round.

Maybe at #4 you take a shot a Demidov, especially if you have him at #2 on your board. Recent rumors are that Michkov may come over earlier than expected, maybe Demidov follows suit.

In terms of Bedards D, let’s give it a bit of time. He’s probably not being asked to do a lot defensively, and the plan was most likely to let him settle in without worrying about the defensive end in relation to needing him much more offensively.
- TheTrob

Assuming one of Demidov or Levshunov is taken #1-#3 then you definitely take the other one at #4.

I am just not sold on Lindstrom, I could be wrong, but I am getting Kirby Dach vibes.

I get what you’re saying, but not sure how much stability you have with Jones. Sure Vlasic is young and you can project him as a first pairing d-man for the next 6 years. Jones is 30 at the start of the season and who knows how his skills will\wont decline. Arguably Jones isn’t a #1 now, 2-4 sure.

So the hope is that as Jones declines someone else can step up and be a top line defenseman. The problem comes when your #4 defenseman is making #1 money.
- TheTrob

Very true, but that contract will look less ugly as the cap increases. Presumably, some of these up-and-coming D-men will ultimately surpass him. At the end of the day, if KD is able to secure good talent with reasonable contracts (a la Vlasic), the Hawks will be in a very good position.

3-1-3-4-3

I get what you’re saying, but not sure how much stability you have with Jones. Sure Vlasic is young and you can project him as a first pairing d-man for the next 6 years. Jones is 30 at the start of the season and who knows how his skills will\wont decline. Arguably Jones isn’t a #1 now, 2-4 sure.

So the hope is that as Jones declines someone else can step up and be a top line defenseman. The problem comes when your #4 defenseman is making #1 money.
- TheTrob

These are the top 25 highest paid defenseman in the league , with Jones T-5. Where would you rate his performance compared to this list ? If he is not a #1 defenseman, he is #33 and below. IMO he is somewhere between #10-#15, so not too far off what he is getting paid.

1 Erik Karlsson Pittsburgh Penguins $11.5 million
T-2 Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo Sabres $11 million
T-2 Drew Doughty Los Angeles Kings $11 million
4 Zachary Werenski Columbus Blue Jackets $9.58 million
T-5 Charles Mcavoy Boston Bruins $9.5 million
T-5 Seth Jones Chicago Blackhawks $9.5 million
T-5 Adam Fox New York Rangers $9.5 million
8 Darnell Nurse Edmonton Oilers $9.25 million
9 Roman Josi Nashville Predators $9.06 million
T-10 Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche $9 million
T-10 Dougie Hamilton New Jersey Devils $9 million
12 Alex Pietrangelo Vegas Golden Knights $8.8 million
13 Mikhail Sergachev Tampa Bay Lightning $8.5 million
14 Miro Heiskanen Dallas Stars $8.45 million
15 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres $8.35 million
T-16 Brent Burns Carolina Hurricanes $8 million
T-16 Jacob Trouba New York Rangers $8 million
T-16 Jake Sanderson Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 Thomas Chabot Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 John Carlson Washington Capitals $8 million
21 Victor Hedman Tampa Bay Lightning $7.88 million
22 Shea Weber Arizona Coyotes $7.86 million
23 Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks $7.85 million
24 Dmitry Orlov Carolina Hurricanes $7.75 million
25 Jared Spurgeon Minnesota Wild $7.58 million

Winning the draft lottery is obviously the desired outcome. If the Hawk don't win, then I don't see too much difference between drafting 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. It all depends on what each team wants. Maybe the Hawks are high on Levshunov and drafting 4th, and the 2nd and 3rd place teams want Demidov and Eiserman.

I find I am far less stressed for this draft lottery than last year for some reason.

I'd like to see KD move up from #20, but I'm not counting on it. I think it would take another future first round pick to make that happen. Going from #20 to #10 would be worth it (if it was the Leaf's 2025 pick). But to move up 3-4 spots I wouldn't pay more than a late second round.
- DarthKane

Caufield has already been drafted?

These are the top 25 highest paid defenseman in the league , with Jones T-5. Where would you rate his performance compared to this list ? If he is not a #1 defenseman, he is #33 and below. IMO he is somewhere between #10-#15, so not too far off what he is getting paid.

1 Erik Karlsson Pittsburgh Penguins $11.5 million
T-2 Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo Sabres $11 million
T-2 Drew Doughty Los Angeles Kings $11 million
4 Zachary Werenski Columbus Blue Jackets $9.58 million
T-5 Charles Mcavoy Boston Bruins $9.5 million
T-5 Seth Jones Chicago Blackhawks $9.5 million
T-5 Adam Fox New York Rangers $9.5 million
8 Darnell Nurse Edmonton Oilers $9.25 million
9 Roman Josi Nashville Predators $9.06 million
T-10 Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche $9 million
T-10 Dougie Hamilton New Jersey Devils $9 million
12 Alex Pietrangelo Vegas Golden Knights $8.8 million
13 Mikhail Sergachev Tampa Bay Lightning $8.5 million
14 Miro Heiskanen Dallas Stars $8.45 million
15 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres $8.35 million
T-16 Brent Burns Carolina Hurricanes $8 million
T-16 Jacob Trouba New York Rangers $8 million
T-16 Jake Sanderson Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 Thomas Chabot Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 John Carlson Washington Capitals $8 million
21 Victor Hedman Tampa Bay Lightning $7.88 million
22 Shea Weber Arizona Coyotes $7.86 million
23 Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks $7.85 million
24 Dmitry Orlov Carolina Hurricanes $7.75 million
25 Jared Spurgeon Minnesota Wild $7.58 million
- LAHawk

That Hedman contract is perfect. Reasonable number and ends when he is 34.

That Hedman contract is perfect. Reasonable number and ends when he is 34.
- Chunk

He should have gotten more, after all, no future for his kid in Hockey, so he'll need to pay for college out of his own pocket

These are the top 25 highest paid defenseman in the league , with Jones T-5. Where would you rate his performance compared to this list ? If he is not a #1 defenseman, he is #33 and below. IMO he is somewhere between #10-#15, so not too far off what he is getting paid.

1 Erik Karlsson Pittsburgh Penguins $11.5 million
T-2 Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo Sabres $11 million
T-2 Drew Doughty Los Angeles Kings $11 million
4 Zachary Werenski Columbus Blue Jackets $9.58 million
T-5 Charles Mcavoy Boston Bruins $9.5 million
T-5 Seth Jones Chicago Blackhawks $9.5 million
T-5 Adam Fox New York Rangers $9.5 million
8 Darnell Nurse Edmonton Oilers $9.25 million
9 Roman Josi Nashville Predators $9.06 million
T-10 Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche $9 million
T-10 Dougie Hamilton New Jersey Devils $9 million
12 Alex Pietrangelo Vegas Golden Knights $8.8 million
13 Mikhail Sergachev Tampa Bay Lightning $8.5 million
14 Miro Heiskanen Dallas Stars $8.45 million
15 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres $8.35 million
T-16 Brent Burns Carolina Hurricanes $8 million
T-16 Jacob Trouba New York Rangers $8 million
T-16 Jake Sanderson Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 Thomas Chabot Ottawa Senators $8 million
T-16 John Carlson Washington Capitals $8 million
21 Victor Hedman Tampa Bay Lightning $7.88 million
22 Shea Weber Arizona Coyotes $7.86 million
23 Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks $7.85 million
24 Dmitry Orlov Carolina Hurricanes $7.75 million
25 Jared Spurgeon Minnesota Wild $7.58 million
- LAHawk

I think he should have been somewhere around the 8 mil, but it is what it is, the deal was signed. I think with the cap going up, they will just have to manage around it and take it year by year until his cap hit is actually a problem. Maybe at that time there will be an opportunity to make a change. With the CBA set to expire Sept. 15, 2026, there will be some unknowns. Maybe there will be changes the cause the league to implement more buyouts, who knows.