Tough call.

I would think about it. It's a deep draft though, I personally would like to see them hold on to that pick.

However, it all depends on the greater plan this offseason. How much money do they need this year.
- Justin Lowe

Its a shame that the draft comes before free agency. If it was flipped and we were able to acquire D help we could maybe draft for other areas.

Its a shame that the draft comes before free agency. If it was flipped and we were able to acquire D help we could maybe draft for other areas.
- z1990z

The draft probably won't play a role in which FA's we sign. #8 may play this year, but most likely is still a year or two away.

Are the hawks looking for a hockey trade or salary dump.

Anyone have thoughts on what they are going to do for a backup net minder? Do we spend money on a FA or do they see if Delia/Forsberg can handle the job? And do we know if CC is going to be able to come back???
- z1990z

I have no idea, but I think it’d be a big mistake to bring Delia up. He needs to continue to develop in Rockford. He needs to be starting not backing up.

Carry over from last blog column is a response to the Clendenning situation which, quite frankly, cannot be ignored.

As Justin has said, Bowman has signed 459 prospects. Just like if you sing the old beer song "99 bottles of beer in cellar" - alright I don't know the exact title - but the point is where does all that beer go AND where do you put all the signed prospects

. How many spots do you have in Chicago, AHL, ECHL. These prospects expect to play North America and not long if a couple are assigned ECHL.

So is Clendenning better now and could be successful in the NHL game. If so, how much better are weak areas of game? Good enough to beat out one of the incumbent, even Dahlstom? Yes Clendenning looks great paired with Franson as two experienced NHL players should TOGETHER paired in the AHL

Consider Seabrook and Crawford as good as gone by trade deadline. Teams may want to see both are still good enough, although Uncle Dale may not need to be sold on Seabrook because he already is hook, line, dagger in.

Crawford could be the veteran proven winner not expected to choke or whom plays very well even if one softie goes by. Unlike Rhinne. And at trade deadline a Washington team makes one last run for a Cup, but needs a second experienced goaltender. At lower cost trade deadline (they aren't keeping either current goaltender long term due to Samsonov and salary cap).

So I just painted where two players wind up because they do move on at some point and it appears appropriate before or during next season. Of course which knows what address Stan ships them off to.

Now I have mentioned that I bet that Bowman planned all along to give whomever at Rockford deserved a look, a genuine NHL look. You see he knows a rebuild or retool is around the corner so he wants to take his several years of investment, for example in Gus, and increase the value by showcasing in the NHL.

He had Dahlstrom and Orsterle come along. Fotsling was not ready, Ruuta is perhaps miscast but not more than a skill third pair, while Q messed with Kempny and Bowman pretended Seabrook would not continue to slip.

Bowman knows there is room on rosters around the league on bottom rung pair or as depth dmen for all his offensive dmen. Wonderful, Stan; when does he commence movement with Seabrook, Gus, Orsterle, Ruuta. I think they all will go. There is better talent, same or higher ceiling prospects. It will all get played out. I say the best talent on defense recently signed or has yet to turn pro. Not Dahlstrom or Snuggerud. Maybe Raydsh proves worthy. Like I said, it will get played out at various venues.

I do not think Murphy goes anywhere. He is the muscle guy at least one more season. And Stan would love to see Murphy play better away from the meddling coach Q

It is important to consider the impact of a work stoppage after next season. If Stan has the team winning even a bit more and can eliminate some of coach Q coaching issues - a big one is the PP; an annoying one is the puck drop pass at our blueline so our guy rushes in at speed. Please. Point being, fill seats, improve morale, then can go with prospects if not seen as a playoff contender. It is last 20 -25 which about half are home games before the following season a work stoppage

Anyway, the AHL guys might get a year and one half AHL experience before a CBA is resolved. Enough development time to then play last half of
that season with - yes it had been so before - Yeo, even three rookies on defense. Dare say two of them might be a pair.

Tuulola, Gilbert, Carlsson, Hillman, Forsling, Rydash then you have Snuggerud, Dahlstrom.

Clendenning? He would have to win NHL job. I know, you day the new agenda for Rockford is to have some veterans who are good but not NhL prospects. Wow, Franson or Clendenning part of that? Oh yes, I omitted Norrel
l. He played ok last year, but left off playoff roster. Then you have Svedberg who maybe is a tad improved, challenging more at center ice.

I need one of those beers. I think I can keep count how many I consume. Keeping track of 459 prospects - do I need a spreadsheet?

Here in Finland the HIFK´s fans are really raving Kevin Lankinen. I know nothing about him cause I don´t watch FEL that much but they say Kevin is a great kid with good personality to start with. And like I wrote earlier many of those fans thinks Lankinen is one of the best goalies ever played in HIFK. Maybe Lankinen could be another Antti Raanta? We´ll see.
- MjulQvist

I’d be good with that, might be a backup option.

I have no idea, but I think it’d be a big mistake to bring Delia up. He needs to continue to develop in Rockford. He needs to be starting not backing up.
- walleyeb1

I agree. Need to spend some money in FA and bring in a legit back up. If CC goes down again? Would Anti Raanta resign? Or swing a deal and bring Darling back?

I have no idea, but I think it’d be a big mistake to bring Delia up. He needs to continue to develop in Rockford. He needs to be starting not backing up.
- walleyeb1

Same can be said for Forsberg. I think he can have a good chance to develop with time down in Rockford. As a backup to Crow, or a starter in the NHL, I'm not sold. I think time in the AHL can help him develop or increase his trade value.

But then reverse side, like you said, I think Delia needs to start too. And who knows the progression that the new signee is going to take. Do you sign a for sure backup to Crow and get rid of Forsberg now?

Are the hawks looking for a hockey trade or salary dump.
- Scott1977

Yes

Anyone read on Barstool today that Tkachuk (sp, sorry) might be dropping to #8? That would be a pretty cool dilemma

I agree. Need to spend some money in FA and bring in a legit back up. If CC goes down again? Would Anti Raanta resign? Or swing a deal and bring Darling back?
- z1990z

Raanta signed a 3 year deal with Arizona a month ago.

Raanta signed a 3 year deal with Arizona a month ago.
- ObeseOprah

Hossa for Raanta. Win-Win. Pho saves real cash, Chi saves cap space.

Hossa for Raanta. Win-Win. Pho saves real cash, Chi saves cap space.
- powerenforcer

Raanta is their starter.

Hossa for Raanta. Win-Win. Pho saves real cash, Chi saves cap space.
- powerenforcer

No thanks, no more retreads please

No thanks, no more retreads please
- riozzo

Unless that retread is Byfuglien, he can retread here any time he wants.

Anyone read on Barstool today that Tkachuk (sp, sorry) might be dropping to #8? That would be a pretty cool dilemma
- phantasmo

Brady Tkachuk. I'd pass. Let someone else take the chance.

As someone else mentioned it looks like Brady will continue his NCAA career then test free agency regardless of who drafts him.

Brady Tkachuk. I'd pass. Let someone else take the chance.

As someone else mentioned it looks like Brady will continue his NCAA career then test free agency regardless of who drafts him.
- Rota's Rooter

Where was it reported that he would do that? I'm not huge on Tkachuk (especially at #8), but that's more on what I've watched and read about his skills. I think mid-1st is right where he should be.

If he somehow fell to #27 (I know, fat chance) I'd take him there, but I would really prefer we get the best player available at 8.

Anyone read on Barstool today that Tkachuk (sp, sorry) might be dropping to #8? That would be a pretty cool dilemma
- phantasmo

No surprise there. I have been saying all along that the most likely name to drop out of the top 5 is Tkachuk.

I look at it this way, who is willing to loose 5.2M in cap space a year for $3.0M and gain an asset in the form of a player or draft pick? So is a development player worth cap space you may never use? And I am sure the hawks would throw in the 3.0M.
- riozzo

While Hawks can't throw in $$, otherwise what you are saying is exactly how Hawks could move Hossa. Basically paying someone to take his contract with another asset. It's just the idea his contract will have value to a team on it's own isn't true anymore. No one is struggling to get to the Cap floor or trying to find ways to get there on paper without spending $, like Arizona used to be.

Unless that retread is Byfuglien, he can retread here any time he wants.
- ObeseOprah

Again Big Buff proved you live and die with him. An old issue, keeping bouncing pucks in at blueline. It is almost like picking pedals off a flower and saying, love having him, or darn Buff for turnovers. Curiously after how he disturbed Louongo, why eventually did Jets not plant him in front of superman aka MA Fluery.

Unless that retread is Byfuglien, he can retread here any time he wants.
- ObeseOprah

Nope, Buff has to be nearing that cliff as well.

Brady Tkachuk. I'd pass. Let someone else take the chance.

As someone else mentioned it looks like Brady will continue his NCAA career then test free agency regardless of who drafts him.
- Rota's Rooter

I would certainly think that - like in other sports - the entry level soon-to-be-draftees would be interviewed and investigated extensively by teams interested in them.

This kind of thing would fall out, most likely....

While Hawks can't throw in $$, otherwise what you are saying is exactly how Hawks could move Hossa. Basically paying someone to take his contract with another asset. It's just the idea his contract will have value to a team on it's own isn't true anymore. No one is struggling to get to the Cap floor or trying to find ways to get there on paper without spending $, like Arizona used to be.
- Antilles

What if they are actually right this time when they say the cap is going up?

Where was it reported that he would do that? I'm not huge on Tkachuk (especially at #8), but that's more on what I've watched and read about his skills. I think mid-1st is right where he should be.

If he somehow fell to #27 (I know, fat chance) I'd take him there, but I would really prefer we get the best player available at 8.
- Chunk

He's already said he's returning to Boston U. a week ago however, it looks like the NY Rangers are grabbing their head coach so who knows.

edit: Bleacher Reports says David Quinn has been hired as the new coach of the NY Rangers.
Also happy anniversary on Alpo Suhonen being named the Hawks HC on this day in 2000.

Unless that retread is Byfuglien, he can retread here any time he wants.
- ObeseOprah

Or Frolik.