Agreed with the earning spots, which is why I’m glad we left Hayden and Forsling down for the second half this year.

There’s also a decent crop of 2nd-5th round picks from the last three years that are aging out of juniors and college. Some of these guys (Russians and Swedes) have some experience playing against men in the KHL or SEL. Stan does fairly well in the second round, so you might see Kayumov in Rockford. Hillman and Mitchell are already there. I think Krys is doing another’s year with the A on his chest in college.
Next year will likely have an ‘Andrew shaw’ character, someone without any expectations who surprises everyone and steals a roster spot. I don’t know who that’ll be, I’d like to hope it’s the kid from team Germany, Dominik Kahun.
- ObeseOprah

Evan Barratt from Penn State? He's been described as an Adam Burish/Andrew Shaw type.

Agree with the rest of your post about later round draft picks being possible contributors in Rockford then the Hawks for some of them. In addition to Hillman, Gilbert, Kayumov, Krys, and Kahun (free agent, not draft pick, but still a prospect), there's prospects like Mitchell, Soderlund, From, Carlsson, and of course Jokiharju. Preach patience with development and bring them along the right way and bring them up at the right time.

I do not see any UFA other than Tavares or Carlson and even then a question the cap space and the length of contract. Stan has already proven he is a terrible contract negotiator.

Also... loving the off-season chatter from the previous thread.

I didn't buy the Stan Bowman "we're going to be back with the same team" narrative when he said it months ago and I still don't believe it. I think this team has a lot of the same pieces but will look fairly different come fall.

I've been hearing a lot of whispers that the Hawks would still like some of the spotlight this off-season and are evaluating A LOT of different targets. It doesn't sound like they will shy away from making a splash if they think it makes sense.

Here's more confirmation on that:

@CraigCustance
6h6 hours ago

It's going to be an interesting free agent market this summer with more money in the system. Heard from multiple people while reporting The Top 20 UFAs who said Chicago is expected to be a major player.
- Justin Lowe

They need to do something. They go as is next year?

Hayden and Forsling have shots for sure. I think Hayden is as close to 100% than any.

I think they like that Kampf can play effectively at the NHL level and he may make the team, but no harm in having him play more AHL games.

Another one to keep an eye on would be Martinsen. I heard they view him as a better and faster version of Lance Bouma and they may look to resign him on the cheap. Just like with Bouma, Martinsen's physical presence is something the Hawks know they need a lot more of next year.
- Justin Lowe

Martinsen faster than Bouma ???????
I don't agree with that.
Martinsen younger than Bouma yes.

Stop the presses. Call all the dirty Ulf haters

If we move roughly to mid first round i found a diamond in the rough. A big dman still growing who understands what it takes and plays like a big man. He could not play his dad's way...........so his dad instructions are not his style..........he kees it simple.......

This is Dirty Ulf's son Mattias whom wiz has rated around #23.

Evan Barratt from Penn State? He's been described as an Adam Burish/Andrew Shaw type.

Agree with the rest of your post about later round draft picks being possible contributors in Rockford then the Hawks for some of them. In addition to Hillman, Gilbert, Kayumov, Krys, and Kahun (free agent, not draft pick, but still a prospect), there's prospects like Mitchell, Soderlund, From, Carlsson, and of course Jokiharju. Preach patience with development and bring them along the right way and bring them up at the right time.
- AEL_Fox

Oh you spoiled the big secret. Question is, what year and how much prep time in Rockford. You need his type EVAN BARRETT. I also see 80'soverachieving hungry type so grateful for an opportunity, who will surprise with more output from third or fourth role like Sikula's brother. Louis is another who will surprise teams with skill and improving defensive effort. Now we just need to slide Hayden, Samuelson son the forward, Knott into lineup. Let ' em battle for regular work

Carolina doesn't have a GM

But yeah, uh... we're not trading Justin Faulk and Andrei "40 goals in 44 games" Svechnikov for a bunch of picks.
- BINGO!

Haha I was gonna put the guys name but wasn't sure if they had hired anyone yet or not. Whoever it would be that did that trade though, would be fired, on the spot haha.

Arm chair gm so take for what it is:

AA skirua orestle Nashville's 1st and a 3rd to Calgary
Hamilton and ferland

Hossa duclair next year's 2nd forsling to Ottawa

pageau and harpur/borowiecki

Or change the 2nd to a first 1st for stone or Hoffman and harpur/borowiecki

Thoughts no chance close or could work maybe few interchangeable parts here and there.

I do not see any UFA other than Tavares or Carlson and even then a question the cap space and the length of contract. Stan has already proven he is a terrible contract negotiator.
- Rayipsd

Cant see Tavares signing with chicago unless toews, kane or Seabrook’s contract are dumped. Tavares will likely want at least 10 mil per over 8 years. If they are going to spend money they should obviously focus on defense.

Cant see Tavares signing with chicago unless toews, kane or Seabrook’s contract are dumped. Tavares will likely want at least 10 mil per over 8 years. If they are going to spend money they should obviously focus on defense.
- golfbard

He's going to get at least $12 mill per.

At least.

He's going to get at least $12 mill per.

At least.
- BINGO!

12 million dollarinis per year?
Yikes!
He'll never get to a Cup contender getting that kind of kimchi....

He's going to get at least $12 mill per.

At least.
- BINGO!

Agreed on Tavares.

On a side note.... what's the over/under on the Discover Cash Back Match back commercial tonight. ....I'll say 15 !!

Ridiculous that Bettmans NHL can't sell advertising to more that a few buyers.

And......hopefully NO Mike Milburry tonight. His commentary or lack of it is just plain terrible.

Arm chair gm so take for what it is:

AA skirua orestle Nashville's 1st and a 3rd to Calgary
Hamilton and ferland

Hossa duclair next year's 2nd forsling to Ottawa

pageau and harpur/borowiecki

Or change the 2nd to a first 1st for stone or Hoffman and harpur/borowiecki

Thoughts no chance close or could work maybe few interchangeable parts here and there.
- Scott1977

The proposed trade with the Flames is a good start. I'd swap out Sikura, though, for one of our higher-end D prospects. If the Flames are losing one of its top 4 defenders (arguably their best one), I would think they would want a D prospect in return to replenish what was lost. Forsling maybe? I'd consider Jokiharju even for Hamilton.

For the proposed Senators trade, I would go all in and aim for Stone or Hoffman. Nice player but don't know if Pageau fills any needs. I do like Borowiecki. Big and physical. Don't know much about Harpur except that he's 6'6" 220 lb. Not sure if he's closer to Svedberg than Chara.

The proposed trade with the Flames is a good start. I'd swap out Sikura, though, for one of our higher-end D prospects. If the Flames are losing one of its top 4 defenders (arguably their best one), I would think they would want a D prospect in return to replenish what was lost. Forsling maybe? I'd consider Jokiharju even for Hamilton.

For the proposed Senators trade, I would go all in and aim for Stone or Hoffman. Nice player but don't know if Pageau fills any needs. I do like Borowiecki. Big and physical. Don't know much about Harpur except that he's 6'6" 220 lb. Not sure if he's closer to Svedberg than Chara.
- AEL_Fox

As for harpur all i know plays with an edge and young moblie d man not a blazer as for skate ing but not a pilon if anyone has any other info on him it would be welcome i take out skirua for mitchell

I am light years from an NHL caliber player, however, if Marchandt licked me under the nose he is going down hard. I thought the NHL warned this arseclown?

I am light years from an NHL caliber player, however, if Marchandt licked me under the nose he is going down hard. I thought the NHL warned this arseclown?
- riozzo

Dirty player diry hit like on callahan but never answers the bell when challenge.

I am light years from an NHL caliber player, however, if Marchandt licked me under the nose he is going down hard. I thought the NHL warned this arseclown?
- riozzo

If a player spits on another player, they get fined and suspended. And the intermission crew has the nerve to ask, how do you stop this? If the league doesn't suspend him, then a player must. (If you know what I mean)

Refs giving this game to Boston.

Miss an obvious interference on Chara that leads the lead goal. Then Chara hooks Johnson down to the ice, and acts like he gets speared.

Anyone not seeing that Bettman wants a tied series?

If a player spits on another player, they get fined and suspended. And the intermission crew has the nerve to ask, how do you stop this? If the league doesn't suspend him, then a player must. (If you know what I mean)
- powerenforcer

I must be missing something on this: he actually licks? I would bet anything a few players around the league will nail him really good. What could be going through his mind....licking.....that is going too far...
.does he need psycological testing? Is he married?

Refs giving this game to Boston.

Miss an obvious interference on Chara that leads the lead goal. Then Chara hooks Johnson down to the ice, and acts like he gets speared.

Anyone not seeing that Bettman wants a tied series?
- powerenforcer

I think it’s time you just suspend your disbelief and watch and enjoy what has been a terrific game and an excellent second round.

I must be missing something on this: he actually licks? I would bet anything a few players around the league will nail him really good. What could be going through his mind....licking.....that is going too far...
.does he need psycological testing? Is he married?
- jhawk59

Yes, they showed him doing it. One reason might be he is a homosexual and they can't do anything about it or else they will be called a homophobe.

Yes, they showed him doing it. One reason might be he is a homosexual and they can't do anything about it or else they will be called a homophobe.
- powerenforcer

Yep - I’m sure that’s it.

Yes, they showed him doing it. One reason might be he is a homosexual and they can't do anything about it or else they will be called a homophobe.
- powerenforcer

Any updates on rockford game

Any updates on rockford game
- Scott1977

Ejdsell scored again...having a nice playoff so far. Game is tied at 1.

Edit: When I say scored again, I mean he has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 2.5 games.

Any updates on rockford game
- Scott1977

Looks like it is 1 - 1 at the 2nd intermission.