Blackhawks Updates
Alex DeBrincat
According to Pierre LeBrun from TSN and the Athletic:
The L.A. Kings had talks with Chicago on Alex DeBrincat but opted for Kevin Fiala instead, and there's no question the Blackhawks want more than what Minnesota got for Fiala, which was still a very solid return.
But it speaks to Chicago's valuing DeBrincat as a more proven NHL goal scorer than Fiala so far, and it's hard to dispute that.
So it's probably going to take a three-asset package to get DeBrincat from the Blackhawks, although it's not that simple to suggest it's a firm price because it depends on the varying quality of the assets and on the organization offering them.
The sense is that some of the teams that were in on Fiala may now focus their attention on DeBrincat, who already has drawn plenty of interest over the past month. Next Thursday's first round will act as a pressure point of sorts because the Blackhawks would want a first-round pick that night as part of any DeBrincat package.
I wonder if Seattle makes a pitch on DeBrincat. My TSN colleague Chris Johnston reported during one of our Insider Trading segments Thursday that Seattle was among the final teams hot on Fiala's trail, which speaks to the aggressive nature I was talking about in my rumblings from Wednesday as far as expecting the Kraken to try to make some things happen this offseason.
Couple this LeBrun commentary with what was reported by Al Cimaglia -- a Blackhawks reporter to the NHL Radio Network -- and one can surmise what might have been offered or not offered to Chicago in exchange for Alex DeBrincat.
If Cimaglia is on point with general manager Kyle Davidson's ask for three 1st round picks, then perhaps the team that got their trade proposal rejected only offered up two 1st rounders. Was another draft pick in the deal a 2nd rounder or later?
Or maybe the caliber of the "high-end younger player who can play in Chicago this season" in the trade package wasn't up to Chicago's standard. As LeBrun stated, "it depends on the varying quality of the assets and on the organization offering them."
For sake of example, pretend it was the Devils who made the offer. What if they offered up Nolan Foote as the NHL-ready youngster rather than Alexander Holtz? That would be a valid reason to nix the deal as Holtz has the greater upside.
Regardless, trade winds should pick up over the next week as teams prepare for the draft which starts on Thursday, July 7. Davidson has been vocal about wanting to get into this year's 1st round. Trading DeBrincat is one path toward that end.
And on LeBrun postulating that the Kraken may have interest in DeBrincat, they do have a 1st in each of the next three drafts but not much in the way of an NHL-ready youngster worth trading for who is high-end and who isn't named Matthew Beniers.
Trades
This isn't really news -- or at least not "hot off the presses" news -- as Davidson has proclaimed this in past interviews. What could be inferred, though, is that he won't force other transactions either but let them play out organically instead.
More specifically, Davidson has made it known that he won't trade Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Seth Jones. For one thing, he can't because they have NMCs. But if DeBrincat gets traded, what if they ask out and waive those clauses?
In that case, Davidson has prime trade capital to work with to gain back futures that he covets for the rebuild such as 1st round picks and top-shelf prospects. But time may not be on his side as days are ticking away towards this year's draft.
Buyouts
Is Davidson looking to buy out any current players? Brett Connolly and Jujhar Khaira come to mind but the impact on the team's salary cap would need to be factored in. Does Davidson have the green light to eat money like that for a year or two?
Derek King
Good on the Blackhawks for attempting to keep Derek King in the fold. It's debatable whether he's NHL head coaching material but he does bring considerable value to the organization through the development of the youth whether on the parent or farm club.
October in Milwaukee
Fiserv Forum is where the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA and the Golden Eagles basketball teams of Marquette University play their home games. The Blackhawks will also host the annual Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in September against the Wild.
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IceHogs Updates
Like the Seamus Malone signing last week, this AHL deal with Andrew Perrott is for minor league depth until proven otherwise. Based on limited scouting reports, Perrott is competitive, gritty, and hard working at both ends with improved skating.
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See you on the boards!
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