Alex DeBrincat
TRADE TARGETS 🎯: #Blackhawks 41-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat leads off the first board of the summer as the No. 1 player available.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 9, 2022
Here are @DailyFaceoff's 25 names in play with exactly 5 weeks until the #NHLDraft:https://t.co/JTDhFISc45
One way to conceptualize what type of return the Hawks could expect if DeBrincat were to be shipped out is to look at the return if another team offer-sheeted him and they declined to match. DeBrincat will earn $9.0M ($6.4M cap hit) in 2022-23 and is poised to cash in big on his next deal.
If another team submitted an offer sheet in the likely range of $8.4M to $10.5M, the Hawks would receive two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, and a 3rd round pick. In the unlikely event the offer sheet is for more than $10.5M, the Hawks would receive four 1sts.
Converting that offer-sheet currency into trade currency, the Hawks don't necessarily need to ask for picks in return but instead receive a combination of picks plus current roster players and/or prospects who are the caliber of a 1st or 2nd round selection.
Trading an all-star player just entering their prime isn't something any team should easily do. Ensure the return includes 1st rounders plus youngsters already in the NHL proving they can hit high-impact potential and/or prospects on a trajectory towards that end.
For instance, the Devils have come up in recent trade rumors as a possible suitor for DeBrincat. General manager Kyle Davidson could start with the following trade package then negotiate from there to obtain what he feels is fair value from New Jersey.
Devils receive: * Alex DeBrincat * Wyatt Kalynuk (or a mid-range pick)
Blackhawks receive: * 2022 1st * 2023 1st * Dawson Mercer or Alexander Holtz * Ty Smith, Nolan Foote, or Chase Stillman
Sure, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald -- as well as their fans -- could scoff at this trade proposal and figuratively walk away from the table. Remember, though, that the Hawks don't have to trade DeBrincat. Davidson also has the luxury to play hard ball.
But nobody should be untouchable in a rebuild. The more the Hawks hold onto players, the more they revert back to what contributed to their demise in the first place: holding onto their veterans -- both young and old -- too long at the expense of replenishing the system.
DeBrincat isn't the only high-octane winger perking the interest of teams around the league. That same franchise from Newark also has keen interest in bringing aboard either unrestricted free agent New Jersey native Johnny Gaudreau or Bruins superstar David Pastrnak.
So if Davidson desires to get something done with Fitzgerald, he's going to have competition with Flames general manager Brad Treliving and Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Yet, Davidson's phone is sure to be off the hook with many teams interested in DeBrincat.
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Head Coaching Candidates
Coaching updates, per sources:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 9, 2022
> #Blackhawks have sought permission to intvw #GoHabsGo Luke Richardson & #Canucks Brad Shaw. Derek King still a strong candidate.
> David Quinn intvw'ing w #LGRW & #Flyers
> #Flyers intvw'd Jeff Blashill, believe Bruce Cassidy also on their list.
Except for being a coach for multiple NHL teams, interim head coach Derek King also fits this hiring profile to some degree hence why he's also considered to be a candidate. For what it's worth, King has coached at the pro level -- mainly the AHL -- since 2002.
Also yesterday, Elliotte Friedman from TSN stated, "I can see Chicago being interested in Cassidy, too." Like both Richardson and Shaw, Cassidy also fits the profile that Pope described having been an NHL head coach for 8 seasons for the Capitals and Bruins.
This is where Lightning assistant coach Jeff Halpern may be someone the Hawks should consider. Halpern is not yet 50 (he's 46) but is in his fourth season with the Tampa Bay coaching staff. He previously served as an assistant with their AHL affiliate for two years.
Here's a sampling of former players who are current NHL assistant coaches and may at least be worth some consideration:
* Scott Arniel (Capitals) * Kevin Dean (Bruins) * Dan Hinote (Predators) * Charlie Huddy (Jets) * Ryan Huska (Flames) * Jay Leach (Kraken) * John MacLean (Sharks) * John Madden (Sharks) * Manny Malhotra (Maple Leafs) * Dave Manson (Oilers) * Kirk Muller (Flames) * Joe Sacco (Bruins) * Cory Stillman (Coyotes) * Marco Sturm (Kings) * Trent Yawney (Kings)
It should be noted that Hinote, Huska, Leach, Malhotra, and Sturm are still in their 40's. Madden is 49.
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AHL Contracts
Welcome back Cliff Watson & Riley McKay and welcome to the Hogs, Mitchell Weeks! https://t.co/EgeRlyseJu
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) June 9, 2022
McKay and Watson are nothing more than depth signings as career minor leaguers. Of the two, Watson is the most reliable providing a steady blueline presence as a no-frills defender who keeps it simple. As for McKay, he's an enforcer -- no more, no less. Play him limitedly.
Weeks could be a career minor leaguer, too, but is a lottery ticket until proven otherwise. Who knows if he's a diamond in the rough who can ascend to at least parlay early productivity into an NHL contract then push the envelope in due time for a cup of coffee.
In the 2018 OHL draft, Weeks was the 1st overall pick by the Sudbury Wolves. His junior stats were far from impressive as his GAA hovered around 4.00 and save percentage was in the .860 to .894 range. He at least was a workhorse last season playing 61 of 66 games.
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See you on the boards!
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago