We're back with another Blackhawks Armchair GM blog.
Before we jump in though, there was a small piece of news out of Rockford this weekend. Anton Wedin has decided to head back to the SHL.
Wedin played just one season in North America. In 31 games with the IceHogs, Wedin posted 17 points. He also played 4 NHL games.
Wedin isn't a huge loss and it was expected to see the RFA head back home after an injury-riddle season in Rockford.
Wedin was one of the older players (27) and as I mentioned in previous blogs, I would like to see the 'Hogs have more veteran presence this season.
So, I would like to see some more veteran players added to go along with the younger 'Hogs.
Ok, now on to our Armchair GM – Part 5. This edition features nickmo2699.
Let's see what he did as GM.
Before we get into the RFA and UFA signings, let's just look at the basics; GM Nickmo has dropped the 2020-21 salary cap to $80.5M and has included a compliance buyout. He is also assuming Andrew Shaw is going to be exiled to the LTIR.
Now, let's dive in:
* Ian Mitchell (3 years, $925k AAV) – Yep. Done deal. (He sent this to me before the signing).
* Drake Caggiula (1 year, $1.4M AAV) – This is a tad high for me but as I've said in the past Armchair GM blogs, I don't mind it if it's only 1 year for Caggiula. I like the guy, I'm just really worried about the dude's health. He's Shaw 2.0 right now for me in terms of concussion health.
* Dominik Kubalik (4 years, $4M AAV) – this would be a nice deal for Chicago. If Kubalik's camp is looking for job security for their client, $4M per is a nice set up for both sides.
* Dylan Strome (2 years, $4M AAV) – I can honestly see this as the deal for Strome. I can see the Strome camp asking for around $4M AAV and over 2 years it's digestible for CHI.
* Slater Koekkoek (2 years, $1.25M AAV) – I know he's just "a guy" to most but I think Koekkeok is a guy worth keeping around. He's was real solid a times this year and at $1.25 – a small bump from last year – is the price, it's a great 6th or 7th dman.
* Mattias Janmark (2 years, $2M AAV) – the 27-year old Swede would be a nice pickup. He's versatile forward that would be taking a haircut in pay (Janmark made $2.3M last year in DAL). I'm not sure the Hawks need another bottom 6 forward, but I don't hate the move.
* Corey Crawford (2 years, $3.75M AAV) – I would love this deal for the Hawks and Crawford. I do believe Crow signs a 2 or 3-year extension in Chicago and while I'm not sure he goes below $4M per year, it's a wacky time out there and I can see he and his family doing anything they can to stay in Chicago.
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GM Nickmo also jumped into the trade market with a couple of deals. Let's talk to it:
* CHI trades Brandon Saad and a 2020 3rd round pick to COL for J.T. Compher – the thing about this trade is that I could actually see the Hawks making this deal. It would be the typical "trade for cost-certainty" moves that Bowman did with the Panarin and Hjalmarsson trades.
The Northbrook, Illinois native, Compher would be a nice fit in Chicago. He's 25-years old and I believe has more offensive potential than his 30+ points he's been clipping at the last couple of seasons.
The former captain of the University of Michigan was a stud in the NCAA and put in the right position, I think he could hit 40-50 points… heck, maybe 60 if he lands on Kane's line.
I don't think the Hawks need to throw in a 3rd round pick as Saad would be a great addition to the Avs and their Stanley Cup aspirations. Maybe a couple of prospects on either side flush out this deal but I do like both Compher and Saad and would have to seriously consider a deal like this.
* CHI trades Zack Smith, Brandon Hagel, 2020 2nd round pick to DET for 2020 3rd round pick (SJS) and 2020 4th round pick (EDM) – this is essentially a dump of Zack Smith.
I would pass on this and GM Nickmo has cap space to eat Smith's contract or send him to the AHL to help the Rockford crew.
I really like Hagel and want to see more of him. I also don't want to give up a 2nd round pick in a deep draft.
I pass on this deal.
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Now, what does the lineup look like with these moves?
Kubalik – Toews – Kane
DeBrincat – Strome – J.T. Compher
Janmark – Dach – Caggiula
Carpenter – Kampf – Nylander
Keith – Murphy
de Haan – Boqvist
Maatta – Mitchell
Crawford
Delia
Extras: Highmore, Koekkoek, Beaudin
LTIR: Shaw
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Not bad, not bad, GM Nickmo.
I think this is a pretty realistic view of what could happen this offseason; as in… I don't think there will be a ton of trades/moves.
The Brandon Saad move would be big but I think Compher could really be a steal with 3 more years at $3.5M. He would immediately save the Hawks $2.5M per year.
GM Nickmo did some solid work with his signings, so I like those moves. However, ultimately there at a couple really big "ifs" with his team:
* If the league approves a compliance buyout
* If Andrew Shaw is unfit to play and ends up on the LTIR (which wouldn't happen until day 1 of the season)
So, if those things happen, I like the team as GM Nickmo constructed it.
Good work, sir!
I suspect the Saad for Compher trade will spark some chatter on the message board, so let's hear it.
If you think you can put together a better team then our friend nickmo2699, please DM me.
Until then, stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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