What a sad and disappointing blog this was. I'm sorry but Stans window to win a 4th cup is either this year or next year. Stan has nobody else to blame for this team but himself. Giving out ridiculous long term no movement clauses with a aging team.

Then to not Bring In anyone to help solidify the Kane line , or move out useless defenseman like, rutta, Gustafson, murphy and Seabrook he should have been fired for that contract . They fired Talon over the hossa contract and hossa was clearly in his prime.

I'd like to see Hillman, joki,forsling make the jump and be given the chance to play and learn this year if their done with any trade


Stans had 3years since winning a cup to put a talented team on the ice that will make the playoffs and be fun to watch.

I agree. SIX million for 6 years seems right. Schmaltz made some big strides from year one to year two and looks the part. The only thing that I wish he would improve on is FACEOFFS. I love seeming him use his speed in the middle of the ice but he needs to get better at the dot

I'm not sure where Debrincat will play, he jumped between LW and RW last year. Does anyone (cough, cough, LBR, cough, cough) have the stats on how much time he spent at each position?

I was assuming he Hawks wanted Schmaltz at 2C, if they don't then there are some better options for the top 6:

Saad - Toews - Debrincat
Schmaltz - Anisimov - Kane

The 3rd line is a bit shaky. I think Sikura and Kahun will get a shot one he wings but neither is a lock, plus who then centres the line?

I'd say Kunitz and Kruger are locks for the 4th line, but Kunitz could be more of the 13th forward. I expect Hayden and Ejdsell to get a look, but much like Sikura and Kahun their success is far from guaranteed.

I've suggested that Gagner or Pageau could be good trade targets for the middle to bottom 6. Rick Nash, Jannik Hansen, and Tommy Wingels could be solid options n the UFA market.
- DarthKane

The problem I see with Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane is it doesn't maximize Kane's playmaking ability because neither Schmaltz or Anisimov is a prolific goalscorer. Schmaltz made strides is shooting more as the season went on but is still more of a distributer than sniper and Anisimov is a garbage goal guy off rebounds and tips. Kane does well with a sniper on his line and DeBrincat is that.

I would prefer to wait until next summer to see what he does this season even though it could mean another $1M or so to get him signed. So I would prefer to pay him $6.5M after the 2018/19 season (if he earns it) rather than locking him up for less before he proves it this season.

Edit: or extend him during this season if he proves it for several months.
- EbonyRaptor

At some point the Hawks need to decide if they're going all-in with guys like Schmaltz and Debrincat. Given there situation I don't know if they have any other realistic options.

The problem I see with Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane is it doesn't maximize Kane's playmaking ability because neither Schmaltz or Anisimov is a prolific goalscorer. Schmaltz made strides is shooting more as the season went on but is still more of a distributer than sniper and Anisimov is a garbage goal guy off rebounds and tips. Kane does well with a sniper on his line and DeBrincat is that.
- EbonyRaptor

Agreed. The Schmaltz-AA-Kane line isn't my preferred option, I would rather see #8 playing centre. Schmaltz was third in the league at takeaways last year with much fewer giveaways than the other guys at the top of the list. Moving Debrincat to 2LW works for that line, but it shifts the void to 1RW.

Saad - Toews - ???
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane

Jason Zucker just signed 5-years at $5.5M. He is a decent comparison for Schmaltz so hopefully that helps keep Schmaltz at around $6M or under.
- EbonyRaptor

Zucker isn't a close comparable for Schmaltz - he is 4 years older, he had a bridge deal between ELC/new contract, and it took his 5 seasons to get over 50 points for the first time. When looking at comparables, go by the reported arbitration case rule: they are supposed to be within two years in age or within 70 games played.

Schmaltz's comparables are going to be in a younger range - his closest are Drouin and Landeskog rn.

At some point the Hawks need to decide if they're going all-in with guys like Schmaltz and Debrincat. Given there situation I don't know if they have any other realistic options.
- DarthKane

They are nice pieces if slotted with players that compliment their games. Trouble with Schmaltz is you don't know if he is a C or a W yet, and he certainly doesn't have true "core" player upside. Second liner at best.

ADB....a shooter for sure, but on a line with other one and done guys, not sure he's a big contract candidate either.

Who should they go all in on? Guys who are truly replacemnts for the caliber of talent that was 19, (still is) 88, 2, and 7.

Aint got none of those guys ANYWHERE in the system.

Thanks, can you keep us updated on what he says.
- DarthKane

Basically said Stan is confused and has no idea what to do with extra salary cap money as he’s inexperienced at that.

Hawks are definitely moving forward with a plan as evidenced by their recent moves. I think they know they still have a shot at playoffs, so they got the short term stop gaps they signed as UFA. Looking at the line up Justin posted for 2018/2019.

Saad-Toews-Debrincat
Ejdsell-Schmaltz-Kane
Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden

Martinsen, Kampf

Keith-Jokiharju
Manning-Murphy
Gustafsson-Seabrook

Rutta

Crawford
Ward

Compared to start of last season.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hartman-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Debrincat
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden

Kero

Keith-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta
Kempny-Murphy

Osterle, Franson

Crawford
Forsberg

Not too many huge differences.

Nice exploration, Justin.

Now let me throw some cold water on all this.

Crawford is 33-34 this year, and hasn't played or apparently trained meaningfully since December. Whatever the condition is, and especially if it is/was a concussion, there's probably a high likelihood of recurrence IF he plays again regularly.

Start there. So 34 year old Cam Ward who is the guy that made the'Canes go out and sign Scott Darling is arguably your best goaltender.

The defense, after a 35 year old Keith and a supposedly renewed Seabrook, is ehhhh, not very good. Although I suspect Boqvist may be playing in Chicago and contributing in 19-20. Maybe Jokiharju too. But Jokiharju especially probably has a ways to go as a defender in the pros.

Hawks are also very suspect down the middle right now—although IF Schmaltz improves this year in a couple of key areas of center play, that would help. Big IF, because those specific improvements were supposed to have happened last summer and really didn't.

I just think a lot of (unrealistic at this point) hope is being pinned on a "not too painful" transition from the core of the last several years to a new generation.

I would suggest the team needs at least a couple more players at a similar stage of their career and development as where Saad is: good, proven young talent without "holes" in their games to make that transition.

Keith, Seabrook, Toews, whatever is left of Crawford are all getting old fast.

And a lot is being assumed about prospects and draft picks. Reminds me some of the early 2000s when everyone thought Steve McCarthy, Yakubov, Vorobiev, Babchuk, et al were part of a bright future. And they weren't.

On a positive note, I don't think the Hawks included Hinostroza in the deal to AZ just to sit on the cap room the deal created. On a negative note, I heard yesterday, the front office is all tied up in knots trying to agree on what is fair return in an acquisition of a top 6 LW, and other teams are getting frustrated with it.

Personally, in spite of "we like our team," I give the Hawks enough credit to think they really don't. But they are having a hard time doing anything about it right now.
- John Jaeckel

Very good points. The only thing I would note is that this supposes that no other moves are made and the Hawks strictly go with what is in the pipeline (or currently on the roster). That is virtually never the case.

Why do you want an inconsistent over 30 winger that has been a bit on an enigma everywhere he's gone? Rick Nash is not a winner and I don't want him in our locker room!

Hawks are definitely moving forward with a plan as evidenced by their recent moves. I think they know they still have a shot at playoffs, so they got the short term stop gaps they signed as UFA. Looking at the line up Justin posted for 2018/2019.

Saad-Toews-Debrincat
Ejdsell-Schmaltz-Kane
Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden

Martinsen, Kampf

Keith-Jokiharju
Manning-Murphy
Gustafsson-Seabrook

Rutta

Crawford
Ward

Compared to start of last season.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hartman-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Debrincat
Bouma-Wingels-Hayden

Kero

Keith-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta
Kempny-Murphy

Osterle, Franson

Crawford
Forsberg

Not too many huge differences.
- breadbag

Nope. On the bright side the draft is in Vancouver next year and I should be able to make it.

What a sad and disappointing blog this was. I'm sorry but Stans window to win a 4th cup is either this year or next year. Stan has nobody else to blame for this team but himself. Giving out ridiculous long term no movement clauses with a aging team.

Then to not Bring In anyone to help solidify the Kane line , or move out useless defenseman like, rutta, Gustafson, murphy and Seabrook he should have been fired for that contract . They fired Talon over the hossa contract and hossa was clearly in his prime.

I'd like to see Hillman, joki,forsling make the jump and be given the chance to play and learn this year if their done with any trade


Stans had 3years since winning a cup to put a talented team on the ice that will make the playoffs and be fun to watch.
- Taylorst1

Talon was not fired for the Hossa contract. One of the reasons he was "reassigned" was because he missed the filing deadline for qualifying offers to Versteeg, Bickell, Cam Barker, Ben Eager, Colin Fraser, Troy Brouwer, Aaron Johnson and Corey Crawford, which in effect made them UFA's. They subsequently resigned all of the players, but the contracts to Versteeg and Barker wound up at 3 years $9.25 mil, which was considered to be higher than market value and inflated because they were UFA's instead of RFA's.

There is potential for some serious issues at LW this season. Saad at 1LW and Kunitz at 4LW are good bets, but there is a big cap with the middle 2 LWs.

The team is hoping that Kahun and Ejdsell can will those voids, but it's a risk. I believe (for no particular reason) that Kahun can fill the 3LW slot but I'm not sure about Ejdsell yet. I'm not saying he can't fill the role, but he's just not a lock.

I think the Hawks need to make another move to land a middle 6 winger. Somebody with a reasonable contract that expires in the next 1-2 seasons. Sam Gagner (not because of the Kane connection) and Jean-Gabriel Pagueau are two guys that come to mind. Both guys have cap hits of around $3.1 million for the next two years, that shouldn't interfere with re-signing Schmaltz and DeBrincat. Both Vancouver and Ottawa are clubs that would be looking for prospects so the Hawks wouldn't have to part with a significant asset.

Gagner and Pageau are not superstars, but they're solid, cost-effective depth forwards that can help fill a temporary void. Just to be clear, I'm suggesting Stan go after one of these guys, not both.
- DarthKane

I was all for signing Gagner when he was available for cheap as a UFA. But he is neither cheap nor temporary now in my view as he is owed $3.15M for the next 2 years. The Canucks would probably gladly unload him on us.

Talon was not fired for the Hossa contract. One of the reasons he was "reassigned" was because he missed the filing deadline for qualifying offers to Versteeg, Bickell, Cam Barker, Ben Eager, Colin Fraser, Troy Brouwer, Aaron Johnson and Corey Crawford, which in effect made them UFA's. They subsequently resigned all of the players, but the contracts to Versteeg and Barker wound up at 3 years $9.25 mil, which was considered to be higher than market value and inflated because they were UFA's instead of RFA's.
- TheTrob

We paid for that mistake for years as it was essentially the start of our Cap woes.

They are nice pieces if slotted with players that compliment their games. Trouble with Schmaltz is you don't know if he is a C or a W yet, and he certainly doesn't have true "core" player upside. Second liner at best.

ADB....a shooter for sure, but on a line with other one and done guys, not sure he's a big contract candidate either.

Who should they go all in on? Guys who are truly replacemnts for the caliber of talent that was 19, (still is) 88, 2, and 7.

Aint got none of those guys ANYWHERE in the system.
- Return of the Roar

I don't think the question is if Schmaltz is a W or C, I think it is just that he can play both. I think the #1 reason he moved to wing last season was to move AA up and out of the 3rd line where he was failing to thrive with the defensive assignment. Schmaltz seems like he is on the cusp of moving out the shadow of his linemates with some of the plays he made, especially beating defenders 1 on 1 like he did at times. I think he will get some credit for just how good he is as he continues to shoot more and play with confidence.

Debrincat showed he is more than a shooter. I know everyone talks about his great shot, but the kid made some fantastic passes and he seems to think the game at a high level like Kane/Toews on the ice. I think this kid could play on either wing on any of the top 3 lines and have success. He had a real positive impact on his linemates all year. I think his goal total could really depend on his icetime and PP time this year. If they find him a spot to shoot from on the 1st (preferably) or 2nd PP unit, he can snipe some goals.

Why do you want an inconsistent over 30 winger that has been a bit on an enigma everywhere he's gone? Rick Nash is not a winner and I don't want him in our locker room!
- Power29

Because if you can get him at $2mil or under he has the potential to be a difference maker and is still probably a better option than a whole bunch of guys you are still waiting to prove belong in the NHL or take the "next step"

Let me ask this, would you rather have the recently departed Hinostroza @ $1.5 mil or Rick Nash at the same price?

We paid for that mistake for years as it was essentially the start of our Cap woes.
- 67hawks

Yup. It has also always been surprising to be that Stan has not taken more heat for that. As Asst. GM, it was most likely his job to send out those offers. Tallon fell on the sword for it I think because he realized his days were numbered as GM anyway.

I was all for signing Gagner when he was available for cheap as a UFA. But he is neither cheap nor temporary now in my view as he is owed $3.15M for the next 2 years. The Canucks would probably gladly unload him on us.
- 67hawks

$3.15 for a middle-6 forward is a good price. I wouldn't judge his performance last season too harshly. The Canucks were really bad, if Gagner played some time in the Hawks top 9 he's be playing with much better forwards. Would Gagner return to his 16/17 numbers? Probably not, but he'd be better that last season. Plus he's under contract for only 2 more seasons. I don't think it would be unrealistic for the Canucks to retain a small portion of his cap hit either.

I think Pageau is a better option than Gagner, but Gagner could work too.

Because if you can get him at $2mil or under he has the potential to be a difference maker and is still probably a better option than a whole bunch of guys you are still waiting to prove belong in the NHL or take the "next step"

Let me ask this, would you rather have the recently departed Hinostroza @ $1.5 mil or Rick Nash at the same price?
- TheTrob

Nash would be short term and not cost us assets as some of the trade options would. He would be gone at the end of the year leaving us a clean slate as far as the Cap goes. I think that if his ice time was controlled, he could provide us valuable PP minutes.

Nice exploration, Justin.

Now let me throw some cold water on all this.

Crawford is 33-34 this year, and hasn't played or apparently trained meaningfully since December. Whatever the condition is, and especially if it is/was a concussion, there's probably a high likelihood of recurrence IF he plays again regularly.

Start there. So 34 year old Cam Ward who is the guy that made the'Canes go out and sign Scott Darling is arguably your best goaltender.

The defense, after a 35 year old Keith and a supposedly renewed Seabrook, is ehhhh, not very good. Although I suspect Boqvist may be playing in Chicago and contributing in 19-20. Maybe Jokiharju too. But Jokiharju especially probably has a ways to go as a defender in the pros.

Hawks are also very suspect down the middle right now—although IF Schmaltz improves this year in a couple of key areas of center play, that would help. Big IF, because those specific improvements were supposed to have happened last summer and really didn't.

I just think a lot of (unrealistic at this point) hope is being pinned on a "not too painful" transition from the core of the last several years to a new generation.

I would suggest the team needs at least a couple more players at a similar stage of their career and development as where Saad is: good, proven young talent without "holes" in their games to make that transition.

Keith, Seabrook, Toews, whatever is left of Crawford are all getting old fast.

And a lot is being assumed about prospects and draft picks. Reminds me some of the early 2000s when everyone thought Steve McCarthy, Yakubov, Vorobiev, Babchuk, et al were part of a bright future. And they weren't.

On a positive note, I don't think the Hawks included Hinostroza in the deal to AZ just to sit on the cap room the deal created. On a negative note, I heard yesterday, the front office is all tied up in knots trying to agree on what is fair return in an acquisition of a top 6 LW, and other teams are getting frustrated with it.

Personally, in spite of "we like our team," I give the Hawks enough credit to think they really don't. But they are having a hard time doing anything about it right now.
- John Jaeckel

i think it's going to take a Top 5 Draft pick next year, a top D/F UFA signing, and a Seabrook buyout to get the Hawks back into contention within the next 3 years. You just look at the rosters in the Central Division alone that the Hawks have to matchup with 5x a year in STL, NSH, and WPG, and it's a prayer to think the Hawks can be ahead of them in the division. You add arguably the best player in the world on Colorado in Mackinnon with his "Robin" in Rantanen, and Colorado is probably ahead of the Hawks too. Hawks, at best, are a wild card team...if all those things you mentioned go right.

Zucker isn't a close comparable for Schmaltz - he is 4 years older, he had a bridge deal between ELC/new contract, and it took his 5 seasons to get over 50 points for the first time. When looking at comparables, go by the reported arbitration case rule: they are supposed to be within two years in age or within 70 games played.

Schmaltz's comparables are going to be in a younger range - his closest are Drouin and Landeskog rn.
- L_B_R

Landeskog? Really? I feel like he's so old.

Landeskog? Really? I feel like he's so old.
- BlazinMike

He's 25.

He's 25.
- DarthKane

Halfway to 50.

I think i just mentally believe he's older because he's been around a while. Didnt he come in as an 18yr old?

Halfway to 50.

I think i just mentally believe he's older because he's been around a while. Didnt he come in as an 18yr old?
- BlazinMike

Ya...he's played 7 seasons. He's clearly on the wrong side of 24 and his career is going downhill.