This is the most simultaneous players a team has had on LTIR since our inception in 2015.#VegasBorn currently has 7 players on LTIR.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) April 12, 2022
The previous the record was 6, held by both the #Blackhawks in 2021, and the #LeafsForever in 2020.https://t.co/Sxtahahh6c pic.twitter.com/aE5TSPSmWR
Patrick Kane could certainly gain assets like this if he ever agreed to waive his no movement clause. Alex DeBrincat most certainly would and perhaps even Kirby Dach to a lesser extent. Jonathan Toews wouldn't on his own but salary retention could help a bit.
Seth Jones likely could get some favorable returns assuming Davidson desires to move him before his new contract kicks in. Connor Murphy and Dylan Strome are similar to Toews in that they alone wouldn't bring back much but sweetening the pot could nudge a trade partner.
One way to entice suitors is to take back bad contracts including those of players on LTIR who are likely -- or already confirmed -- to never play again due to injuries. This is where shipping out Toews, Jones, or Murphy may not be as difficult as originally thought.
For instance, consider some of the following trade possibilities that I have brainstormed here and there on CapFriendly. Admittedly, many of my brainstorms are laughable while some may not be too far off from viable offers that even fans of other teams may say yes to.
Are the Stars still interested in Jones like they were last summer? If so, what about sending Jones to Dallas in exchange for a package that included Ben Bishop's contract, Anton Khudobin, a 1st round pick, and a prospect or two like Thomas Harley and/or Mavrik Bourque?
The Sabres are reportedly interested in a RHD to play with the 2021 1st overall pick Owen Power. Could Murphy fit that bill? If so, what about shipping Murphy to Buffalo in exchange for Kyle Okposo and a 1st round pick? An additional asset may be needed on either or both sides.
Then there's the 4 years remaining at $7.85M AAV on Shea Weber's contract. Would the Canadiens be willing to unload that cap hit plus a 1st round pick to the Hawks say for once-coveted francophone Nicolas Beaudin and maybe another asset or two?
Just some food for thought even if these trade ideas came out of fantasy land.
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Blackhawks Game Summary
Tuesday Boxscore
Kurashev - Toews - Kane Reichel - Strome - DeBrincat Raddysh - Dach - Lafferty Katchouk - R Johnson - Entwistle
Vlasic - S Jones McCabe - Regula Stillman - C Jones
Delia Lankinen
Scratches: Borgstrom, T Johnson, Kubalik, de Haan, Gustafsson
1st Goal (0-1): Moore (Danault, Arvidsson) 2nd Goal (0-2): Danault (Roy, Arvidsson) 3rd Goal (1-2): Raddysh (Kurashev, Toews) 4th Goal (1-3): Lizotte (Iafallo, Brown) 5th Goal (1-4): Spence (Kopitar, Kaliyev) 6th Goal (2-4): Kane (Raddysh, Kurashev) 7th Goal (2-5): Lizotte (Brown, Edler) EN
SOG For/Against: 20/36 PP: 0-for-5 PK: 3-for-3 Faceoffs Won: 55%
FINAL: Kings 5, #Blackhawks 2
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) April 13, 2022
Shot attempts: 58-47 LAK
Shots on goal: 36-20 LAK
5-on-5 scoring chances: 21-14 LAK
5-on-5 high danger chances: 6-5 CHI pic.twitter.com/sHvBjhoDQc
Blackhawks Notebook
😬 pic.twitter.com/jitQhOsQS1
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 12, 2022
* Philipp Kurashev is starting to heat up in terms of converting his above average offense talent into results on the scoresheet. He's generally been a reliable player in his own end who competes up and down the ice. Top 6 may not be realistic but middle 6 maybe more so.
* Taylor Raddysh dished out 8 hits (so did Reese Johnson) to go along with his goal and assist. Skating is not a detriment anymore and his compete level at both ends will make him more invaluable as a budding power forward who has the ability to be a 30-goal scorer.
* Boris Katchouk, Sam Lafferty, and Johnson are bringing the energy and grit each night as shift-disturbing role players. If the forward depth improves for the Hawks next season, look for a threesome out of this trio plus MacKenzie Entwistle to form the 4th line.
* Alec Regula is stating his case to be in the mix with Ian Mitchell and Jakub Galvas for next year's Chicago roster. Much improved after a ho-hum start to his season in the AHL, Regula has grown immensely by leveraging his skating, shot, reach, and smarts to play a two-way game.
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IceHogs Notebook
With his 18th win of the season last night, goalie Arvid Soderblom became the winningest IceHogs rookie goalie ever, passing Collin Delia (2017-18) and Alec Richards (2010-11)! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/yRQWfYzuFD
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 11, 2022
* At present, the Hogs sit in the 9th seed in the AHL's Western Conference and 4th seed in the Central Division after going 10-2-1 in their last 13 contests to gain considerable ground in the race for a berth for the Calder Cup playoffs.
* Forward Cam Morrison is out for up to 3 weeks due to a left knee injury. Also, forward Chad Yetman and goalie Tom Auburn have been reassigned to the ECHL while defenseman Jacob LeGuerrier has been recalled from the Fuel.
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See you on the boards!
Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago