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Quick Hits and Rumors on Hawks

June 4, 2019, 9:28 PM ET [244 Comments]
Tyler Cameron
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


A few things going on in Blackhawks land, so I’m popping in here with a few quick hits and rumors (<- removed the “U” for my US friends).

After this blog, you can expect two more this week:

Draft Preview: Bowen Byram – Thursday
Re-Draft Friday: 2015 – Friday

Let’s jump right into these:

* Marc Crawford – with what appeared to be out of left-field, the Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that they have hired Marc Crawford.

Here’s a great line from his chat with the media yesterday as well: “If I was the head coach I would do things almost exactly like he is doing them."

My initial thoughts were that the Tomas Mitell was 100% a Jeremy Colliton pick, while Marc Crawford was brought in at the urging/forcefulness of Stan Bowman.

What Crawford brings is a veteran presence on a bench that would have been (and might still be) the youngest average of any NHL coaching staff.

While he was reported to be interviewing for head coaching positions around the league, Crawford does appear to be comfortable as an assistant. His comment above sounds like he’ll work well with Colliton.

I have a couple of questions; first, will all three coaches be on the bench or will there be an “eye in the sky”? Looking at all three of the assistants, I would wager that all of them will stand on the bench to help out. Whose responsibilities are what? TBC on that one.

Lastly, did Crawford take this job thinking he may one day get a shot at the head coach here is the “youngster” Colliton doesn’t pan out?

* Kevin Hayes
– he’s been traded to Philadelphia and expected to sign there. Elliotte Friedman reported a couple of times – and most recently on the latest 31 Thoughts podcast – that the Blackhawks were doing their due diligence on Hayes.

What does this mean? With Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome solidifying 1C and 2C it signals to me that the Hawks are looking for an upgrade in that tier 2 UFA centre position. That means Artem Anisimov will either be wearing another sweater next year or playing LW. My guess is he is moved in a trade post-July 1st.

Love Hayes or hate him (I still kind of hate him), he’s a valuable player and plays the centre position well. The only thing is, who else is in that category?

Matt Duchene, 28 (70 points in 2018-19) – he’s the top of the class so I put him in the tier 1 category. I think he’s out of the Hawks range.

Marcus Johansson, 28 (30 points in 58 games) – he’s currently competing for a Stanley Cup and is looking like he’s finally 100%(ish) in the health category. He made 4.8M AAV last year and could be a target for Chicago.

Ryan Dzingel, 27 (56 points in 76 games) – I’m only putting him in here to explain why he doesn’t fit here as a centre. He’s a winger and should stay as one. He only took 90 faceoffs last year (40%) and 56 the year before (42.9%). Let’s not pencil him in as a centreman.

Derick Brassard, 31 (23 points in 70 games) – he had a rough year last year and no longer appears to be a top 6 threat. However, there were rumors that Chicago was interested in Brassard the past couple of seasons. He’s a guy that could bounce back and if he can put up 35-40 points, could be a valuable 3rd line centre at a fraction of the cost he was paid last 5 seasons, which was $5M per.

After these UFA pivots, there’s not much there to like. You have to also ask yourself if these guys are worth signing when you have a 3rd line centre in Artem Anisimov on payroll at $4.55M.

Could the Hawks look for an RFA to acquire or offer sheet? Highly unlikely, but maybe they explore something with Vegas as we all know the cap hell they face; Wild Bill Karlsson is up for review and might be out of the Hawks price range but maybe not? Like I said, highly unlikely.

I firmly believe the best route the Hawks can go is acquiring centre depth in a trade. Cody Eakin and Nazem Kadri are a couple of potentially available centres that are at the Kevin Hayes / tier 2 level that the Hawks should be looking at.

Not that it matters because he would need to be traded and doesn’t have a say, but Cody Eakin will be working out with Jonathan Toews this summer in cottage country. If he were to be dealt to Chicago he’d be a great fit alongside his fellow friend from Winnipeg.

* UFA Defencemen – apparently, the Hawks were downplaying their interest in dipping into the free agent market for a defenceman. Elliotte Friedman also reported this on his latest 31 Thoughts podcast.

The crop of UFA D’s is not the best, so let’s hope if Stan Bowman does go that route that he better top last year’s “prize” Brandon Manning.

* Trading the 3rd Overall Pick? – there was some chatter that the Hawks will look at all options heading into the draft. Could that Hawks actually be considering trading out of that 3rd spot?

If it’s picks for picks, there are a couple options:

CHI 3rd for LA 5th and 22nd
CHI 3rd for BUF 7th and 30th

Those aren’t that appealing for me, however, if the Hawks feel like they can get the player they want in the 5th or 7th spot, then maybe it makes sense to add another 1st rounder.

* Blackhawks Chatter – there is a lot of chatter picking up around the league and specifically with Chicago.

Originally, it sounded like the Hawks would make some minor additions and tweaks this offseason, however, chatter is picking up that the Hawks are looking to revert to their bold selves.

It sounds like the Hawks are exploring larger, more creative moves. I was told don’t be surprised to see a name like Saad, Keith and/or a top defensive prospect to surface as a possible trade candidate.

--

All I have for now. Buckle up!

TC
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