Can someone please offer some clarity on this issue. Do we NEED to trade Hossa's contract? I thought that after he was put on LTIR this season we do not need to wait for the season to start to put him on LTIR in subsequent season's. For the life of me I cannot keep this one straight.
- tyweb69

This is a good explanation of the information you’re looking for:

https://www.capfriendly.com/ltir-faq

Smallish D and ranked #16 by Sportsnet.
Why we do that in the top 5? Maybe with our 2nd pick in the first round if he is still there.
- 67hawks

I know mock draft boards are all over the place , The Athletic's Scott Wheeler had him ranked # 4 , I have only seen him on TV, I just want to see them pick the most ready D , We can't start next season we this same group.

Granato I can see but, Eddie? I like him as a color guy but he coached the Pens for parts of 2 seasons and that didn't go well. Zero GM experience. He may be better off staying in the booth.
- Rota's Rooter

Everybody thought the same thing about Dale, and while those will argue to 2010 Stanley Cup was totally his, and 13 and 15 were a lot of integral parts he left in place .
Now he goes to Florida, gets them on the right track, the new owners made a one year mistake and it cost Dale a great head coach and Gerard Gallant,but quickly realized that Dale was the right man for the job and brought him back. Myself personally I think given the chance Edzo Would do a good job, but he’s not going to be stupid and he’s gonna want total autonomy over any moves he makes. Otherwise you are right he could stay right in the booth either way it’s a win-win for him.

"I had chemistry with a player like I never had chemistry with anyone before. That player's gone now." -Patrick Kane talking about Artemi Panarin.


Good thing the Hawks got rid of that 70 point "lazy and soft" Russian for the bigger "playoff player" Saad and his 34 point pace in 82 games...oh wait, the Hawks are now in the NHL's basement. Stan Bowman HAS GOT TO GO! This team is an absolute disgrace.

If 45 year old Rick Nash got the trade package that NYR received from Boston, imagine what Panarin would have fetched at the 2019 Trade Deadline? We get an AHL goalie and 34 point winger making $6mil for the next 5 years. I'm sorry but Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews need to STOP playing on the same line. That is a $16.5mil third line that produces absolutely no offense.

Here is question to panel do the hawks entertain the thought of trading kieth or kane in the offseason to maybe turn this around quicker. What would be the potential suiters and what would be the trades look like.

Here is question to panel do the hawks entertain the thought of trading kieth or kane in the offseason to maybe turn this around quicker. What would be the potential suiters and what would be the trades look like.
- Scott1977

I can't envision any scenario where trading arguably a top 5-10 NHL talent speeds up recovery. Your not going to get an equal talent +++

Here is question to panel do the hawks entertain the thought of trading kieth or kane in the offseason to maybe turn this around quicker. What would be the potential suiters and what would be the trades look like.
- Scott1977

If they trade Kane then I will stop watching. Last night he was once again the only reason to watch this dumpster fire of a team. He was making plays, creating offense, carrying the puck, and put Jurco/Anisimov in position for another 2 goals if they were aware or could hold onto passes. Kane is the Franchise. Trade that bum Toews who is playing like a 3rd line center. No speed, no hands, no strength, and the effort isnt even there anymore. 34 point pace over 82 games for Saad, and 51 point pace over 82 games for Toews. BAD.

If they trade Kane then I will stop watching. Last night he was once again the only reason to watch this dumpster fire of a team. He was making plays, creating offense, carrying the puck, and put Jurco/Anisimov in position for another 2 goals if they were aware or could hold onto passes. Kane is the Franchise. Trade that bum Toews who is playing like a 3rd line center. No speed, no hands, no strength, and the effort isnt even there anymore. 34 point pace over 82 games for Saad, and 51 point pace over 82 games for Toews. BAD.
- EnzoD

Shhh - don’t let other teams’ GMs see this - you’ll kill the market.

Quinton Hughes is listed as 5'9" 170. Talent aside, this board would explode if the Hawks drafted a smurf sized d-man who is committed to a college program. We may not see the kid for 4 years and then he could tell the Hawks to go pound sand and go to free agency.

I have to think they go for the biggest, most NHL ready, bad-a$$ available on the board when it's their pick.
- Rota's Rooter

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/
Well, Oliver Wahlstrom has committed to Harvard,
Brady Tkachuk is going to Boston University,
Quinton Hughes is already at Michigan
Joel Farabee is committed to Boston University,
Bode Wilde to Harvard University,
Mattias Samuelsson committed to the University of Michigan
K'Andre Miller ommitted to the University of Minnesota
and all these players are close to first round, or definite off the board.

If a youngster decides to play in one of the three major CHL junior leagues, he is NOT eligible for college.

I agree that this IS a concern of mine, but do you REALLY think a team is going to have such a bad image about their organization, that they by-pass a prospect because he may walk away from them?

But I am willing to play the mental gymnastics with you, so lets use last year's 2017 results:

Did Casey Mittelstadt last to pick seven Buffalo because the teams ahead were afraid he wouldn't sign with them or was it his lack of solid training regime stats at the pre-draft tire kick?
Why wasn't Buffalo afraid, since they are in a position where I would consider signing elsewhere,lol!
Josh Norris was picked by San Jose, despite being committed to the University of Michigan. Granted I had him as a second rounder in my mock b/c he isn't gonna score a whole lot, imo.

dallas was happy to give the Hawks an extra pick to move up and select Jake Oettinger, who basically took steps backward in college this year, let alone them seemingly being worried if he signs...

Eeli Tolvanen committed to Boston, got picked by Nashville and wormed out of the commit to play in Finland instead...did HIS "commitment lead to him being there late in the first? Maybe.

So I am not sure the teams will shy away, maybe they will ask in the pre-draft interview process if the player would be interested in playing for THEIR organization..

I spent some time somewhere on the-rink talking about this draft class and how it might be Christmas for more than one team in the top ten, because teams are already falling in love with guys and gonna draft them, maybe earlier than we expect....

If they trade Kane then I will stop watching. Last night he was once again the only reason to watch this dumpster fire of a team. He was making plays, creating offense, carrying the puck, and put Jurco/Anisimov in position for another 2 goals if they were aware or could hold onto passes. Kane is the Franchise. Trade that bum Toews who is playing like a 3rd line center. No speed, no hands, no strength, and the effort isnt even there anymore. 34 point pace over 82 games for Saad, and 51 point pace over 82 games for Toews. BAD.
- EnzoD

Kane would relish a trade right now. You can see the disgusted look on his face whenever the camera pans our bench.

I know mock draft boards are all over the place , The Athletic's Scott Wheeler had him ranked # 4 , I have only seen him on TV, I just want to see them pick the most ready D , We can't start next season we this same group.
- CTblackhawkfan

Go look at mine as as many as 16 guys considered defenseman could go in the first round.
I have profiles written for the top ten, and maybe if I got off this board now, I good put more up.

There are seven defenders who could go early AFTER the best one Dahlin.

Everybody is lighting candles that their team wins the lottery because he is a decade plus player, Erik Karlsson plus ability, and big fluid and plays aggressively angry but in control.

But teams are spending lots of time watching all the rest of the defenders because in the same way LA's Doughty was watched over and over as a almost six footer, to see how he handled every game situation (and obviously raised teams besides the Kings rankings) and rose to #2 overall....well, there is so much to like in this think defense prospects group, it is difficult to say they all fail, so you have to figure that the teams are gonna micro analyze the upside on the kids and a team or two ISA GOING To win the draft and not be picking 1, 2, or 3...

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/

Do the Hawks need to? Technically no. But they'll never get 100% full use of the cap space as long as they have the contract on their books. There are different strategies the team can use for putting Hossa on LTIR, but they all have their downside.

If the Hawks want to take a serious run within the next 3 years I think they need to trade Hossa's contract.
- DarthKane

There is information out there that says the Hawks get the greatest benefit or write-off concerning Hossa’s contract the closer they are to the Cap on a triggering day. If they are magically right at the Cap they get an entire write-off. Each dollar below they lose that dollar.

Does add complication. The NHL can’t get out of it’s own way. Would think that LTIR would simply eliminate the contract. Doesn’t - it continues to exist and can be traded to teams needing to get to the floor. It is a complete mess that you think will get addressed soon.

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/
Well, Oliver Wahlstrom has committed to Harvard,
Brady Tkachuk is going to Boston University,
Quinton Hughes is already at Michigan
Joel Farabee is committed to Boston University,
Bode Wilde to Harvard University,
Mattias Samuelsson committed to the University of Michigan
K'Andre Miller ommitted to the University of Minnesota
and all these players are close to first round, or definite off the board.

If a youngster decides to play in one of the three major CHL junior leagues, he is NOT eligible for college.

I agree that this IS a concern of mine, but do you REALLY think a team is going to have such a bad image about their organization, that they by-pass a prospect because he may walk away from them?

But I am willing to play the mental gymnastics with you, so lets use last year's 2017 results:

Did Casey Mittelstadt last to pick seven Buffalo because the teams ahead were afraid he wouldn't sign with them or was it his lack of solid training regime stats at the pre-draft tire kick?
Why wasn't Buffalo afraid, since they are in a position where I would consider signing elsewhere,lol!
Josh Norris was picked by San Jose, despite being committed to the University of Michigan. Granted I had him as a second rounder in my mock b/c he isn't gonna score a whole lot, imo.

dallas was happy to give the Hawks an extra pick to move up and select Jake Oettinger, who basically took steps backward in college this year, let alone them seemingly being worried if he signs...

Eeli Tolvanen committed to Boston, got picked by Nashville and wormed out of the commit to play in Finland instead...did HIS "commitment lead to him being there late in the first? Maybe.

So I am not sure the teams will shy away, maybe they will ask in the pre-draft interview process if the player would be interested in playing for THEIR organization..

I spent some time somewhere on the-rink talking about this draft class and how it might be Christmas for more than one team in the top ten, because teams are already falling in love with guys and gonna draft them, maybe earlier than we expect....
- wiz1901

No mental gymnastics needed Wiz. You are more aware of the eligible draft talent than I will ever be. I lost sight of the fact that sometimes teams have to be patient when drafting, think long term, however there does seem to be more of a trend of NCAA players waiting it out and going to a team other then the one they were drafted by.

There is information out there that says the Hawks get the greatest benefit or write-off concerning Hossa’s contract the closer they are to the Cap on a triggering day. If they are magically right at the Cap they get an entire write-off. Each dollar below they lose that dollar.

Does add complication. The NHL can’t get out of it’s own way. Would think that LTIR would simply eliminate the contract. Doesn’t - it continues to exist and can be traded to teams needing to get to the floor. It is a complete mess that you think will get addressed soon.
- Z3Hawk

Except when it comes to the Penguins.....Still have to wonder why the league nixed the Brassard trade, but let Vegas pick up a bunch of his salary.

Spoiler alert - Vegas wins the SC defeating Pitt.

No mental gymnastics needed Wiz. You are more aware of the eligible draft talent than I will ever be. I lost sight of the fact that sometimes teams have to be patient when drafting, think long term, however there does seem to be more of a trend of NCAA players waiting it out and going to a team other then the one they were drafted by.
- Rota's Rooter

No, I LIKE to do this...and I share the concern.

It bothers me that Hayes made the decision he did, that Tracey Myers reported it earlier, was shutdown by the hawks to say anymore, and that the compensation if this happens to a team is a pick 31 slots later...
Would Hayes signing with the Hawks have changed their team and their future from 2014-2015 season on?
I actually don't see Hayes as a better player than the forward contingent they had...they won the Cup...
but it begs the question, if Kevin Hayes had been patient, and been willing to develop in the AHL a season, he would have had a spot into this season...

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2018/
Well, Oliver Wahlstrom has committed to Harvard,
Brady Tkachuk is going to Boston University,
Quinton Hughes is already at Michigan
Joel Farabee is committed to Boston University,
Bode Wilde to Harvard University,
Mattias Samuelsson committed to the University of Michigan
K'Andre Miller ommitted to the University of Minnesota
and all these players are close to first round, or definite off the board.

If a youngster decides to play in one of the three major CHL junior leagues, he is NOT eligible for college.

I agree that this IS a concern of mine, but do you REALLY think a team is going to have such a bad image about their organization, that they by-pass a prospect because he may walk away from them?

But I am willing to play the mental gymnastics with you, so lets use last year's 2017 results:

Did Casey Mittelstadt last to pick seven Buffalo because the teams ahead were afraid he wouldn't sign with them or was it his lack of solid training regime stats at the pre-draft tire kick?
Why wasn't Buffalo afraid, since they are in a position where I would consider signing elsewhere,lol!
Josh Norris was picked by San Jose, despite being committed to the University of Michigan. Granted I had him as a second rounder in my mock b/c he isn't gonna score a whole lot, imo.

dallas was happy to give the Hawks an extra pick to move up and select Jake Oettinger, who basically took steps backward in college this year, let alone them seemingly being worried if he signs...

Eeli Tolvanen committed to Boston, got picked by Nashville and wormed out of the commit to play in Finland instead...did HIS "commitment lead to him being there late in the first? Maybe.

So I am not sure the teams will shy away, maybe they will ask in the pre-draft interview process if the player would be interested in playing for THEIR organization..

I spent some time somewhere on the-rink talking about this draft class and how it might be Christmas for more than one team in the top ten, because teams are already falling in love with guys and gonna draft them, maybe earlier than we expect....
- wiz1901

Good insight Bill, Lot of us, or I will just speak for myself, hoping that Keith Tkachuks Kid falls into our lap, and is NHL ready next year. But after seeing your list I wonder, looking forward to next season how do they fix this mess for next season since this would be geared for maybe two or three years down the road?

Except when it comes to the Penguins.....Still have to wonder why the league nixed the Brassard trade, but let Vegas pick up a bunch of his salary.

Spoiler alert - Vegas wins the SC defeating Pitt.
- powerenforcer

Same thought came to my head. Do not worry. If the Pens face this type of cap dilemma in the future, the league will change the rule.

Except when it comes to the Penguins.....Still have to wonder why the league nixed the Brassard trade, but let Vegas pick up a bunch of his salary.

Spoiler alert - Vegas wins the SC defeating Pitt.
- powerenforcer

Yeah I want to know too, but pretty much sure it was simply a technicality that held and reworked the deal, not the league seeing colusion

Good insight Bill, Lot of us, or I will just speak for myself, hoping that Keith Tkachuks Kid falls into our lap, and is NHL ready next year. But after seeing your list I wonder, looking forward to next season how do they fix this mess for next season since this would be geared for maybe two or three years down the road?
- wonthecup10

I think they play the kids the drafts and try and sign a star to a humble deal along the way...I thought this article is a good framework:

https://theathletic.com/257759/?shared_by=45633

I do not know who takes ownership of this mess on defense. My guess is that it is shared.

Bowman fired Kitchen.
Bowman lost TVR in the expansion draft, let Campbell retire and Oduya walk.
Bowman swapped out Hammer for Murphy.
Bowman and Q hired Ulfie, who did not have a great NHL track record anyway.
Q allocates playing time, plays guys on their off sides, puts them through the blender.

Q and Bowman are staying. PERIOD. I am not so sure about Ulfie. There are no signs that the defense is improving.

We can say fire Bowman and Q. It is not happening.
We can say Bowman and Q are at loggerheads. I think they probably do not agree on everything, but that can be a healthy organizational dynamic.

I am not giving up. Things can change quickly.

But I would like to see them bring in an established winning NHL defensive coach who blends physicality with puck movement.

In the mean try a novel approach. Tell the Dmen to play DEFENSE. Stop risky pinches. Stop joining or leading the rush before it is safe. Clear the crease and your zone. Try to win a game 2 to 1.

Good insight Bill, Lot of us, or I will just speak for myself, hoping that Keith Tkachuks Kid falls into our lap, and is NHL ready next year. But after seeing your list I wonder, looking forward to next season how do they fix this mess for next season since this would be geared for maybe two or three years down the road?
- wonthecup10

This cannot be fixed in one off season. It will take a combination of
-several productive drafts
-smart asset management
-free compliance buyouts
-escalating cap
-and patience, meaning no stupid TDL deals chasing an impossible goal

Eddie will be known for calling meetings at tree turdy tree every afternoon....just so he can say that.

Pat Foley will attend doing Harry Caray impersonations....
- TrueGrit

I cringe whenever I hear them say that, trying to imitate neighborhood guys. I grew up on the west side and I never heard anybody say three-thirty-three like that. The only thing that came close was when people would ask people if they were going to the one, two, three disco at Diversey and Central. It would come out as "Are you going to the tree?"

I do not know who takes ownership of this mess on defense. My guess is that it is shared.

Bowman fired Kitchen.
Bowman lost TVR in the expansion draft, let Campbell retire and Oduya walk.
Bowman swapped out Hammer for Murphy.
Bowman and Q hired Ulfie, who did not have a great NHL track record anyway.
Q allocates playing time, plays guys on their off sides, puts them through the blender.

Q and Bowman are staying. PERIOD. I am not so sure about Ulfie. There are no signs that the defense is improving.

We can say fire Bowman and Q. It is not happening.
We can say Bowman and Q are at loggerheads. I think they probably do not agree on everything, but that can be a healthy organizational dynamic.

I am not giving up. Things can change quickly.

But I would like to see them bring in an established winning NHL defensive coach who blends physicality with puck movement.

In the mean try a novel approach. Tell the Dmen to play DEFENSE. Stop risky pinches. Stop joining or leading the rush before it is safe. Clear the crease and your zone. Try to win a game 2 to 1.
- -Doh-

What we are all missing sight of is the cycle game - completely gone. now is all about board battles that we suck at...

What we are all missing sight of is the cycle game - completely gone. now is all about board battles that we suck at...
- riozzo

Yeah, Hawks used to be lethal with the cycle attack. Defensemen and forwards interchanging all over the (frank)in place. It had to be confusing to try to defend. Agree, that is totally gone.

Usually the center or wing will bring the puck into the zone, spin around waiting for a passing lane, then get gummed up and rush is over it seems.

I cringe whenever I hear them say that, trying to imitate neighborhood guys. I grew up on the west side and I never heard anybody say three-thirty-three like that. The only thing that came close was when people would ask people if they were going to the one, two, three disco at Diversey and Central. It would come out as "Are you going to the tree?"
- tim62b

Once. Only once did I let the Greek kids convince me to go that place. Never again.

I did love Central Gyros around the corner. Combo plate with gyros, shish kabob, Greek sausage and a bottle of that Greek wine. Memories.