I wouldn’t mind Jay Beagle as a third line center. We could use someone that’s 58% at the dot and has no problem playing in a bottom six role.
- walleyeb1

Beagle was impressive for the Caps in the playoffs.

He's asking huge bucks. Don't see it happening.
- Justin Lowe

Not sure they would be better off, but what if:

Traded CC and went with Ward and Forsberg
Got rid of Hossa's contract

Then they could afford a Stastny or JVR

Another thought on CC- if he is mostly healthy, plays well, but the Hawks are out of it before the trading deadline, then his value for a trade could be very high to a team in the playoff hunt that needs a better goalie. If that happens and the Hawks went nowhere with him, then it's time to look elsewhere and get at least a first rounder for him later in the season.

2. Bad news, it looks like the same things as last year: 'This includes Marian Hossa, whose contract will need to be on the books all summer until the team can place him on long-term injured reserve on the first day of the 2018-19 regular season, just like it did last year.'
https://chicago.suntimes....breakdown-2018-offseason/

I find it hard to believe that none of the basement teams want the free $4MM that Hossa's contract offers.
- ObeseOprah

Based on last years finish, we may have to re-define who we consider the basement teams.

I wouldn’t mind Jay Beagle as a third line center. We could use someone that’s 58% at the dot and has no problem playing in a bottom six role.
- walleyeb1

He could take some defensive pressure off Toews too.

If the Hawks are looking at guys like Beagle and Grant, then they know they're out of the race for guys like Stastny. A better pick would be Riley Nash at 3C for $2-3m.

Also reports are the Jets are exploring moving salary to make room for Stastny.
- L_B_R

I'd be seeing what I could do to take some salary off them

Martinsen is gone to Europe. I'd also argue that the Hawks have too many puck-moving dmen and not enough stay-at-home shutdown guys. What I wouldn't give for a Hammer-Oduya pairing to come fix this.
- ObeseOprah

Martinsen was just re-signed a couple of weeks ago.

“...everyone would be calling for Stan's head because he didn't upgrade the position."

Ward is not an upgrade....so there’s that.
- Ogilthorpe2

What Ward has is experience. He's not going to be a world beater, but you aren't going to screw up future development either. For 1/$2.5 mil, it's worth not messing up Forsberg, Delia, Lankinen, etc.

What Ward has is experience. He's not going to be a world beater, but you aren't going to screw up future development either. For 1/$2.5 mil, it's worth not messing up Forsberg, Delia, Lankinen, etc.
- CanOCorn

pretty sure if Crawford is healthy the Hawks have to put Forsberg on waivers to send him to Rockvegas. Kinda risky

Ek now saying hawks have interest with Ian Cole

pretty sure if Crawford is healthy the Hawks have to put Forsberg on waivers to send him to Rockvegas. Kinda risky
- mrpaulish

I'm wondering if the hawks might end up starting the year carrying 3 goalies if Forsberg shows in camp that he is gonna step it up. I could totally see them taking their time to decide what to do. Or maybe (not saying I'd want this) maybe they carry 3 goalies until teams see Crawford is healthy and playing well and the Hawks move him (if that is their plan). Not ideal, but they've gone with 3 goalies in the past.

Ek now saying hawks have interest with Ian Cole
- dirt4949

Franson 2.0?

Ek now saying hawks have interest with Ian Cole
- dirt4949

Pass.

Justin, thank you for today's informative blog. Great intel, especially quotes from your sources.

And happy birthday!

Thanks for the blog Justin! That lineup will get the Hawks another lottery pick. That defense group, even adding DeHaan, may be the worst in the NHL.

He could take some defensive pressure off Toews too.
- DarthKane

If the Hawks add 1-2 centers this summer (depending on Anisimov's status with the team), whoever they are, the ideal goal would be to do just as you stated so that Toews can focus more on generating offense and centering a top-6 line rather than playing shutdown pivot.

So yes, Beagle would be great to consider. Nash, too. Pageau as well but he would need to be acquired via trade since he's not a free agent.

Just as important as the bottom-6 centers is who you flank them with, maybe something like:

Hinostroza - Nash - Hayden
Martinsen - Beagle - Wingels or Roussel

I'm wondering if the hawks might end up starting the year carrying 3 goalies if Forsberg shows in camp that he is gonna step it up. I could totally see them taking their time to decide what to do. Or maybe (not saying I'd want this) maybe they carry 3 goalies until teams see Crawford is healthy and playing well and the Hawks move him (if that is their plan). Not ideal, but they've gone with 3 goalies in the past.
- breadbag

My gut is that the Hawks are leaning toward starting the year with 3 goalies as well.

Unless it's post-concussion syndrome, I don't think Crawford has a long-term physical injury otherwise it would be relatively easy for team doctors to put a timetable on his recovery. I think something else is plaguing him that may have him being touch-n-go where he may be able to play a string of games but then be out for just as long or longer.

Hence, Ward. Not the best goalie on the market but a minutes muncher with pro experience to help mentor Forsberg. They could platoon or do some sort of 70/30 split (or whatever ratio greater than 50/50) while Crawford is on the shelf for however long.

Happy Birthday Justin...

still looking overall at a lot of moves to make.

Backup Goalie - Ward

2 vet dmen - cole? De Haan, Faulk?

depth center - Beagle?

Power Forward - JVR? Simmonds? Lucic? Other?

Where's the money coming from...Hossa's cap hit is still there and teams aren't exactly falling over themselves to help the Hawks out on this one. The squeeze is on. What are the Hawks willing to give up to move that cap hit? And if you move AA - who's going to go to the net and plant themselves there - he's the only guy on the team that does it.

Should be an interesting weekend.

pretty sure if Crawford is healthy the Hawks have to put Forsberg on waivers to send him to Rockvegas. Kinda risky
- mrpaulish

Yeah that could be a problem.

Thanks for the blog Justin! That lineup will get the Hawks another lottery pick. That defense group, even adding DeHaan, may be the worst in the NHL.
- EnzoD

Hawks need to add 2 top-4 D to get to average.

We shall see.

2. Bad news, it looks like the same things as last year: 'This includes Marian Hossa, whose contract will need to be on the books all summer until the team can place him on long-term injured reserve on the first day of the 2018-19 regular season, just like it did last year.'
https://chicago.suntimes....breakdown-2018-offseason/

I find it hard to believe that none of the basement teams want the free $4MM that Hossa's contract offers.
- ObeseOprah

My guess is the 3 year term is what's giving teams a problem.

I don't see the Hawks finding a taker for Hossa's contract. There just isn't any teams that really need it.

Hawks need to add 2 top-4 D to get to average.

We shall see.
- Carnage71

If Crawford is healthy and te Hawks 1 real TOP 4 D man. Then they could get in the playoffs again . Is that enough to win a series in the playoffs? Nah.

Whew that was a lot of comments. Someone asked for Canes fan perspective, I’ll try to remember and address what I can. Guess first is Faulk and Ward. Put simply they’re enigmas.

In regards to Ward the Canes haven’t been making the playoffs with him, he’s not elite and it’s time to move on. 2006 and 2009 were awhile ago. That said he’ll let in the softest goal you’ve ever seen and make the save of the year in the same game. For some reason he curses any goalie that comes in, see Lack, Khudobin, and Darling. Despite the soft goals it was rare that I would say he lost the Canes games, if anything there were times last year when it felt like he was the only reason they were still in a game. 1 yr 2.5 isn’t a bad deal, it’s not jump up with joy, but not end of the world either.

Faulk is a two-way defender that found offense and forgot what it’s like to defend when given the C. That’s how I see his career. When paired with a defense minded partner, or even a conservative two-way guy he’s a very effective guy in the top 4 and potent on the power play. As for potential trades I’ve seen from other places every single one involved Saad and Hossa’s contract for Faulk. I don’t see anyway the Canes add in a Roy or Zykov(especially since he’s penciled in for next season) to take on Hossa’s contract even if Saad is the return.

A couple random tidbits someone asked about McKeown, I felt had he been left handed he would’ve been the guy instead of Fleury to step up last year. Great outlet passes and above average speed. I could see him on a 2nd pairing someday, but maybe I’m missing something. Faulk has a NTC that kicks in July 1 I’d think any trade would happen before then if it does. Jordan Staal has never had a concussion that I’m aware of although that trade offer was something that Canes would have zero incentive to do. I probably missed some things but honestly it was a lot of comments.
- Wolfpack5

(from the previous blog)

Wolfpack, thanks for the insights about Hurricane players who have been circulating in Blackhawk rumors. Much appreciated to get the take from someone like you or Bingo who watch and monitor the Canes religiously like we do with the Hawks.

Hawks need to add 2 top-4 D to get to average.

We shall see.
- Carnage71

I also think the Hawks need at least 2 young but experienced blueliners to substantially upgrade the backend, i.e. players like de Haan, Moore, Hickey, Pateryn, Holden.

If the Hawks start the year with more than one of Rutta, Gustafsson, and Oesterle in the starting 6, then it's not going to be a significant upgrade in defensive play. I'm fine with one of them starting and another being the 7th man.

Maybe something like:

Keith - Seabrook
de Haan - Murphy
Moore - Rutta

7th man: Oesterle, Gustafsson, or even Forsling although I think they are trade chips this summer

HENCE the torches
- mrpaulish

IT's all what the aspirations are for Forsberg LT and what the LEGIT health status of Crawford is. To me, if the Hawks truly felt 100% confident CC would be their September and could play his 55-60 games then they can spot start Forsberg and see if he can be a viable LT answer.

However, this Ward signing to me IMO shows that the Hawks regardless of what BS spin they have thrown the media puppets, don't have faith CC will be ready and is still battling symptoms. So Ward becomes your 1B and odds are CC may very well start the year on the IR.

I agree on JVR....he will cost too much as will Neal. I wouldn't mind seeing Ian Cole sign here, but all in all......this will be a young team who's ceiling is a wild card and a beat waiting at the hands of the Sharks or Preds or Jets come April.

Baring a massive amount of shuffling salaries, creating holes by those traded (AA or Murphy) and improving the team.

Almost seems impossible at this point and the Hossa trade talks seem to have ramped back up a bit signaling bowman may package a young player or pick to rid himself of that deal...…..

If Crawford is healthy and te Hawks 1 real TOP 4 D man. Then they could get in the playoffs again . Is that enough to win a series in the playoffs? Nah.
- mrpaulish

Agreed. they are getting by SJ or WPG or NSH will this group of Fs. This team has far too many question marks on guys they won't trade or can't trade due to contracts. But instead will create new holes by trading guys who have value.

IN the end.....you may get a team equal to last year and then will need to light candles for so many to bounce back. We aren't talking about 1 or even 2 guys here....we are talking about 4 and to think all 4 will bounce back is crazy IMO