I am not even sure Shalunov is playing for Russia in the tournament. He had been injury for most of the last month of the season. From what I have heard Maxim is a streakish player... Plays lights out about half of the games for his Moscow club.. Than coasts for 15 games and than always seems to have a yearly injury problem that keeps him off the ice for 2 to three weeks. Surprisingly, was tied with one other player for most points on the team in the season and tied for top honors in the KHL with most + numbers. I am not so sure if Maxime would do well here in the NHL. He reminds me of our old buddy Bickell. When he came to play he was a very tough Hombres. However, there were many games where Brian would just coast.
- spanky

Yeah, that's what I'm generally afraid of with Shalunov. Flashes of brilliance but a lot left to be desired over the course of a full season. Not sure if that's worth it.

While it would be asking way too much for the next Panarin, the Hawks also don't need the next Yakupov either. How about splitting the difference and getting a someone in the middle.

Someone like Dadonov? He had a pretty good season with the Panthers in his return season to the NHL (28 goals, 65 points in 74 games). Even a player with offense like that would be a tad much to ask for.

Darren Dreger reporting that Vegas will pursue one of, and possibly both, Tavares and Eric Karlsson....that’d be fun.

Darren Dreger reporting that Vegas will pursue one of, and possibly both, Tavares and Eric Karlsson....that’d be fun.
- EnzoD

It’s hard to argue that Vegas isn’t a prime UFA destination. Vegas also has the assets to trade for Karlsson - draft picks, young players (ie Theodore) and prospects (maybe one of their first rounders from last year).

It’s hard to argue that Vegas isn’t a prime UFA destination. Vegas also has the assets to trade for Karlsson - draft picks, young players (ie Theodore) and prospects (maybe one of their first rounders from last year).
- DarthKane

Yep. The assets for Karlsson and the cap space for both with an (obviously) talented and deep roster already. Not to mention every day is sunny and you have a rabid fan base with plenty of “fun” outside the rink. I’d love to see at least one of them end up there.

https://www.tsn.ca/off-se...cago-blackhawks-1.1086162

It's the Hawks turn on TSN's annual off-season game plan for each team. A few summarized tidbits, some of which isn't earth shattering while others are head scratchers.

Heroes:
Crawford, DeBrincat, Gustafsson

Zeroes:
Keith, Sharp, Seabrook

1st round 8th pick:
Boqvist, Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi

1st round 27th pick:
Hallander, Olofsson, Kaut, Sandin

Top needs:
PP quarterback, 2 top-9 forwards

No mention of the blueline being a top area of need yet they mention Faulk, Severson, Brodie, and Martinez as D candidates to pursue

Trade bait:
Anisimov, Hinostroza, Murphy, Forsling

Off season additions:
Nash (Rick, not Riley), Wingels, Ho-Sang, Severson

Projected depth chart:
Saad - Toews - Nash
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Duclair - Hinostroza - Sikura
Ejdsell - Wingels - Jurco
Kahun - Kampf - Ho-Sang
Highmore - Kero - Hayden

Keith - Severson
Oesterle - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Rutta
Forsling - Clendening
Tuulola - Dahlstrom

Crawford
Forsberg
Berube

With that depth chart, the Hawks are looking at another bad season. Crawford can provide only so many goalie wins.

https://www.tsn.ca/off-se...cago-blackhawks-1.1086162

Also, TSN lists the Hawks top prospects. I assume the list to be in rank order since there is no other rhyme or reason as to how the prospects are listed.

Top 10:
Jokiharju
Sikura
Mitchell
Krys
Soderlund
Kayumov
Carlsson
Ejdsell
Altybarmakyan
Galvas

The rest:
Dahlstrom
Highmore
Snuggerud
Tuulola
Kahun

https://www.tsn.ca/off-season-game-plan-chicago-blackhawks-1.1086162

It's the Hawks turn on TSN's annual off-season game plan for each team. A few summarized tidbits, some of which isn't earth shattering while others are head scratchers.

Heroes:
Crawford, DeBrincat, Gustafsson

Zeroes:
Keith, Sharp, Seabrook

1st round 8th pick:
Boqvist, Wahlstrom, Kotkaniemi

1st round 27th pick:
Hallander, Olofsson, Kaut, Sandin

Top needs:
PP quarterback, 2 top-9 forwards

No mention of the blueline being a top area of need yet they mention Faulk, Severson, Brodie, and Martinez as D candidates to pursue

Trade bait:
Anisimov, Hinostroza, Murphy, Forsling

Off season additions:
Nash (Rick, not Riley), Wingels, Ho-Sang, Severson

Projected depth chart:
Saad - Toews - Nash
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Duclair - Hinostroza - Sikura
Ejdsell - Wingels - Jurco
Kahun - Kampf - Ho-Sang
Highmore - Kero - Hayden

Keith - Severson
Oesterle - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Rutta
Forsling - Clendening
Tuulola - Dahlstrom

Crawford
Forsberg
Berube

With that depth chart, the Hawks are looking at another bad season. Crawford can provide only so many goalie wins.
- AEL_Fox

I don't agree with all of this but interesting take on the Hawks from an outsider.

I'm wondering how they land Damon Severson? He doesn't have anyone coming off the roster so picks and prospects?

I know the Hawks have liked him in the past and his stock fell a bit this year in NJ, but he's still a very good defenceman and one that the Hawks would welcome on the roster for the right price.

I don't agree with all of this but interesting take on the Hawks from an outsider.

I'm wondering how they land Damon Severson? He doesn't have anyone coming off the roster so picks and prospects?

I know the Hawks have liked him in the past and his stock fell a bit this year in NJ, but he's still a very good defenceman and one that the Hawks would welcome on the roster for the right price.
- Justin Lowe

Read on a Rangers blog Carolina is in fire sale mode everybody but aho I find this a little misleading but with new owner and management they might want to start over and bring their type of players in. If true Bowman better be calling for one of their young d man Salvin Faulk Pesce Fleury forwards McGinn Rask Lindholm Roy.

I think Salvin Pesce Faulk price would be to high, but Fleury Roy and McGinn could be had. Maybe 27th pick a 3rd hossa and sikrua for those three something along those lines. Personally I think the hawks should have a fire sale to and tear it down and rebuild just do not want end up being a one and done team in the playoffs or become Detroit stuck in the middle. Doubt it happens since Bowman's and Q jobs are on the line. If the hawks do continue with this rebuild on the fly need to get some bigger players I look at the playoffs teams hawks the size physicality speed and willingness to grind it out all over the ice hawks would get mauled. They have really no one that can play that type of game besides Hayden and Martinsin.

I don't agree with all of this but interesting take on the Hawks from an outsider.

I'm wondering how they land Damon Severson? He doesn't have anyone coming off the roster so picks and prospects?

I know the Hawks have liked him in the past and his stock fell a bit this year in NJ, but he's still a very good defenceman and one that the Hawks would welcome on the roster for the right price.
- Justin Lowe

I’ve read a few times over the past couple years that the Hawks were interested in Severson. Could be a good fit but I doubt he’d be cheap. Maybe Murphy and Severson could be the core of a deal?

Interesting he lists Ho-Sang, that name is out of the blue. If the Hawks aren’t sold on Duclair I could see a Duclair for Ho-Sang (type) swap as Ho-Sang has one more year left on his ELC.

Haha Haha Haha, I'm wrong, Haha you're so funny, thank you

So do you include ego maniac in your resume as well or do you leave that part out, Haha
- BetweenTheDots

So if a person disagrees with you that person simply must be an ego maniac? Dots doesn’t such thinking actually make YOU the ego maniac. All I’m doing is having a different version of things regarding a sport.

I don't agree with all of this but interesting take on the Hawks from an outsider.

I'm wondering how they land Damon Severson? He doesn't have anyone coming off the roster so picks and prospects?

I know the Hawks have liked him in the past and his stock fell a bit this year in NJ, but he's still a very good defenceman and one that the Hawks would welcome on the roster for the right price.
- Justin Lowe

Didn't they also mention Josh Ho Sang on the depth chart?

Did I miss something - how did the Hawks get him from the Isles?

Didn't they also mention Josh Ho Sang on the depth chart?

Did I miss something - how did the Hawks get him from the Isles?
- StLBravesFan

Toews for HoSang

Man, I bet a lot of teams are kicking themselves for passing on Brayden Point. 22 years old, 66 point season and has been a workhorse for Tampa. He topped their team in PK minutes and played a big role. Not bad for a 3rd round pick in 2014.
- breadbag

I think that Point was actually given special permission to enter the WHL, at a very young age. He was well known. He certainly was a very fine, highly skilled player for the Moose Jaw Warriors. At some point his size forced him down the Draft - how he hit the 3rd Round is mindnumbing. When something like this happens the team that drafts the player gets lots of credit but the truth is they passed on him too before taking him.

I’ve read a few times over the past couple years that the Hawks were interested in Severson. Could be a good fit but I doubt he’d be cheap. Maybe Murphy and Severson could be the core of a deal?

Interesting he lists Ho-Sang, that name is out of the blue. If the Hawks aren’t sold on Duclair I could see a Duclair for Ho-Sang (type) swap as Ho-Sang has one more year left on his ELC.
- DarthKane

I cannot see the Ho-Sang thing coming to fruition. We do not need that type of forward on our depth chart which is full of them (including the newly added Sikura). I don't think that the TSN guys did their homework on that one.

So, who are the Hawks getting from Carolina? What picks and prospects are they going to have to give up?

Or is the new management of Carolina thinking that the Hawks fleeced them a couple of times and now don't want to do business with them?

Well color me tickled...

Ek now reporting that the Hawks may try to trade Toews to MTL so they have room to go after Erik Karlsson. Does he read this stuf to someone else before posting, or just think “hey someone said something, let’s publish it”?

Well color me tickled...

Ek now reporting that the Hawks may try to trade Toews to MTL so they have room to go after Erik Karlsson. Does he read this stuf to someone else before posting, or just think “hey someone said something, let’s publish it”?
- Chunk

He gets it from the Onion

Yeah, that's what I'm generally afraid of with Shalunov. Flashes of brilliance but a lot left to be desired over the course of a full season. Not sure if that's worth it.

While it would be asking way too much for the next Panarin, the Hawks also don't need the next Yakupov either. How about splitting the difference and getting a someone in the middle.

Someone like Dadonov? He had a pretty good season with the Panthers in his return season to the NHL (28 goals, 65 points in 74 games). Even a player with offense like that would be a tad much to ask for.
- AEL_Fox

The Athletic had a good article on Shalunov. Says he was a bit of a late bloomer, but really coming into his own now (both sides of the puck). I believe he will be 27 when his KHL contract is up and he plans to come over then. If memory serves, Bowman said that with his extended development in the KHL, he should be able to step right into the lineup when he comes over.

Eklund doubling down on Toews to Montreal AND linking the Hawks to Eric Karlsson. The man knows how many Hawks fans use this site and is craving clicks!!!!

https://www.tsn.ca/off-season-game-plan-chicago-blackhawks-1.1086162

Also, TSN lists the Hawks top prospects. I assume the list to be in rank order since there is no other rhyme or reason as to how the prospects are listed.

Top 10:
Jokiharju
Sikura
Mitchell
Krys
Soderlund
Kayumov
Carlsson
Ejdsell
Altybarmakyan
Galvas

The rest:
Dahlstrom
Highmore
Snuggerud
Tuulola
Kahun
- AEL_Fox

No Hillman or the Notre Dame dman. Bottom pair who provide some degree of toughness and looking after their own end if ice.

You never take stories seriously. They could not have thoroughly contemplated each player; let's just run with one pie e of my nfirmation they gleaned somewhere. The writer is looking to paint a story with a broad paintbrush.

Why would you trade your only muscle, and in Murphy he probably is better once Q is gone. Seabrook will be moved sooner or later if dome team cannot be enticed this summer. So who is left, but Svedberg resppears or later in season Hillman could get some games.

Yep. The assets for Karlsson and the cap space for both with an (obviously) talented and deep roster already. Not to mention every day is sunny and you have a rabid fan base with plenty of “fun” outside the rink. I’d love to see at least one of them end up there.
- EnzoD

I don't know Enzo...I saw you and Darth discussing this. Seems that Vegas got a ton of breaks coming in here especially in their 'expansion' draft. Lot of other teams and fan bases probably not terribly thrilled with how this worked out.

As far as the clickbait regarding Toews...lol...but both Bowman and Bergevin are under the gun to upgrade/make changes this offseason.

I don't know Enzo...I saw you and Darth discussing this. Seems that Vegas got a ton of breaks coming in here especially in their 'expansion' draft. Lot of other teams and fan bases probably not terribly thrilled with how this worked out.

As far as the clickbait regarding Toews...lol...but both Bowman and Bergevin are under the gun to upgrade/make changes this offseason.
- DK002

This fan is mainly shocked at the ineptitude of all 30 other GMs in allowing a team of all "rejects" or "castoffs" to be a Top 4 team in the entire league year 1......You'd have to think that Seattle will get the same Expansion Draft rules, right? Might be more likely to see Toews/Seabrook head to Seattle next summer......

Toews for HoSang
- BlazinMike

No.
Punk kid. Until he shows he can play and produce AHL, even then no thank you for problem child. Just draft and develop.

Nash, Rick
So is the past his prime get injured - seems to never avoid. Would he be a large island into his only physical play?

Tavarev does not want to play for a bad team no mater the money. He is an average skater. Quit dreaming about his arrival

The Athletic had a good article on Shalunov. Says he was a bit of a late bloomer, but really coming into his own now (both sides of the puck). I believe he will be 27 when his KHL contract is up and he plans to come over then. If memory serves, Bowman said that with his extended development in the KHL, he should be able to step right into the lineup when he comes over.
- Chunk

I remember that article. A part of me is curious to see what he can provide. Assuming he is cleared to play outside of the KHL and he lives up to his desire to cross the pond, I would love to see him in camp and let him prove himself.

One perspective is whether he would be a good regular season player only or if his skill set and stature (i.e. offensive forward with big body but does he play physical) translates into being a playoff contributor as well. Generally, that line of thinking should be part of the equation for determining whether trade targets, free agents, and prospects are worth investing in.

This fan is mainly shocked at the ineptitude of all 30 other GMs in allowing a team of all "rejects" or "castoffs" to be a Top 4 team in the entire league year 1......You'd have to think that Seattle will get the same Expansion Draft rules, right? Might be more likely to see Toews/Seabrook head to Seattle next summer......
- EnzoD

This fan is absolutely certain that every GM (and owner) knew that Vegas was going to be good this season. Bettman could not afford another Arizona franchise in this league. Seattle (or whoever) WILL be a top team when they come into the league. Think about it, why would new owners not want to get the same treatment the Vegas franchise got?