If Vegas falls short in pursuit of The Holy Grail, one area surely they would admit could be upgraded is the quality of their blueline corps. Actually probably each team would claim the same for their beleaguered backline. So Vegas will think long and hard what to do and there are corresponding moves most likely which would allow them to retain the valuable players at this position
- jhawk59

Just a thought and not saying that the Blackhawks get in on this but wouldn't hurt to at least try. What if Vegas goes for quantity over quality so instead of moving Miller and/or McNabb, they try to trade one of their higher priced D men in Theodore or Schmidt?

If DeBrincat was 4 inches taller he'd be Brett Hull.

Tyler, if I could hijack the thread to ask a question I'm sure has been asked before.. Who on defense do we target in the offseason? It's clear that scoring is not the problem.
- Q-stache

I'm going to have an entire blog on offseason D targets.

It will be coming up right after the season ends.

Honestly, I think that's best for Barratt to stay another year at the NCAA level. Guessing Mitchell leans that way, too.

If I had to wager, I'd guess that Entwistle and Kurashev join the Hogs once their junior seasons end. Possibly Beaudin as well. Wouldn't be upset, though, if Kurashev and Beaudin stay another year in juniors given that they were just drafted a year ago. Entwistle is further along so he's pretty much a shoo-in to start his pro career soon.
- AEL_Fox

Think a lot depends on what type of team Quebec has next season. Kurashev was a one man show this year. Beaudin had a pretty dominant year in the Q. I wonder if either of them have anything to gain by going back to juniors for another year. Both have already signed their ELCs.

Think a lot depends on what type of team Quebec has next season. Kurashev was a one man show this year. Beaudin had a pretty dominant year in the Q. I wonder if either of them have anything to gain by going back to juniors for another year. Both have already signed their ELCs.
- Elbows15

Can they go to the AHL? don't they have to be in either the NHL or go back to Jrs?

Can they go to the AHL? don't they have to be in either the NHL or go back to Jrs?
- tvetter

Both turn 20 in October. So, i am not sure. I have seen it stated if they turn 20 by Dec.31st of the current season and also saw it as having to turn 20 before the season starts. I guess it depends on when the junior season starts. *shrugs*

Just a thought and not saying that the Blackhawks get in on this but wouldn't hurt to at least try. What if Vegas goes for quantity over quality so instead of moving Miller and/or McNabb, they try to trade one of their higher priced D men in Theodore or Schmidt?
- AEL_Fox

Sure worth trying

Imagine the grumbling and cry out to change the shootout if the difference maker for whom.makes playoffs is the shootout win by Colorado over Arizona friday night


I personally do not care for the entertainment value of shootouts. I want one of the team's to get one point and the other two points through an extra five minute period. I would go as far as a 3-3 for only two minutes of still tied after the five minute frame.

Overall the shootout is not entirely fair. Make teams decide in regulation or how they do in playoffs. If there must be 4-4 even 3 3 I can live with it. But I hate the shootout. It is an economically driven concept the owners brought to fruition and it is not necessary. Not nowadays anyways. I would be curious which way the board feels on this subject. Maybe if a vote was conducted I loose.?!

Imagine the grumbling and cry out to change the shootout if the difference maker for whom.makes playoffs is the shootout win by Colorado over Arizona friday night


I personally do not care for the entertainment value of shootouts. I want one of the team's to get one point and the other two points through an extra five minute period. I would go as far as a 3-3 for only two minutes of still tied after the five minute frame.

Overall the shootout is not entirely fair. Make teams decide in regulation or how they do in playoffs. If there must be 4-4 even 3 3 I can live with it. But I hate the shootout. It is an economically driven concept the owners brought to fruition and it is not necessary. Not nowadays anyways. I would be curious which way the board feels on this subject. Maybe if a vote was conducted I loose.?!
- jhawk59

Didn’t the Flyers get in on the last day with a shootout win (over the Rags?) the year the Hawks beat them for the Cup?

TV loves the SO - gives them a time certain for their time slot schedules and the games come to a decision other than a tie, which the fans prefer in general. I’m guessin (only guessing) that they would prefer a change in the playoffs - I doubt they’re happy about games that go long into an OT or two or three....

Just a thought and not saying that the Blackhawks get in on this but wouldn't hurt to at least try. What if Vegas goes for quantity over quality so instead of moving Miller and/or McNabb, they try to trade one of their higher priced D men in Theodore or Schmidt?
- AEL_Fox

That's not a bad idea. I ran the VGK cap numbers once and if they want to sign Karlsson for 6 or 7M then fill out the roster with a bunch of ELC contracts they have to unload about 10-12M of contracts. Eakin, McNabb and Miller account for about 10M. Theodore or Schmidt would account for between 5 and 6M. Vegas would not want salary back. I suspect maybe a #1 draft choice and a top prospect would be the price for either of those two. Vegas would also have to move someone else, maybe Eakin since they probably don't want to lose another D-man.

Another thing I am sure Stan and other GM's are thinking about is the expansion draft. If they protect 3D, Keith and Seabrook are 2 candidates because of their NMC (unless they waive, little chance) Joki and Theodore/Schmidt make 4. Someone would be lost.

Both turn 20 in October. So, i am not sure. I have seen it stated if they turn 20 by Dec.31st of the current season and also saw it as having to turn 20 before the season starts. I guess it depends on when the junior season starts. *shrugs*
- Elbows15

I read if a junior player turns 20 by December 31 of a given year he can start that year's season in the AHL or NHL. Also if a player completes 4 years in the juniors they can move up.

Sounds like the Coyotes have reach an agreement with Schmaltz on a long term contract.

Sounds like the Coyotes have reach an agreement with Schmaltz on a long term contract.
- DarthKane

7 years at $5.85 million AAV.

7 years at $5.85 million AAV.
- DarthKane

Other factors and benchmarks at play but thinking that sets a bar for the Hawks, i.e. DeBrincat earns more than that and Strome earns around that for about the same term plus or minus.

Other factors and benchmarks at play but thinking that sets a bar for the Hawks, i.e. DeBrincat earns more than that and Strome earns around that for about the same term plus or minus.
- AEL_Fox

Agree and keeping fingers crossed Cat is under $8M. Hopefully both come in at under $14M.

7 years at $5.85 million AAV.
- DarthKane

A steal or a millstone? Time will tell, but I'm glad he's there problem, not ours.

Agree and keeping fingers crossed Cat is under $8M. Hopefully both come in at under $14M.
- EbonyRaptor

That’s what I was thinking around $8 million for #12 and $6 million for #17.

Agree and keeping fingers crossed Cat is under $8M. Hopefully both come in at under $14M.
- EbonyRaptor

Sounds about right. DeBrincat at $7.5M to $8M + Strome at $5M to $6M

That’s what I was thinking around $8 million for #12 and $6 million for #17.
- DarthKane

Gardiner? No thanks. Good with the puck a nightmare without it.

I'd like to see Bowman try to replicate what he did in the trade for Strome and Perlini, target a young highly rated defenseman who hasn't lived up to expectations and make him an reclaimation project. I'm hoping Koekkoek can improve next season.
- paulr

Bingo! Under the radar moves This is where Stan does his best work, leave actually negotiating the contract to someone else however.

Sounds about right. DeBrincat at $7.5M to $8M + Strome at $5M to $6M
- AEL_Fox

Those were the numbers I gave yesterday, glad we're on the same page.

In regards to Schmaltz, thanks DK for breaking the info. That's better than what was first reported as his asking price. Still glad for Schmaltz getting locked up long. I hope for a better season for him after he's healed.

Those were the numbers I gave yesterday, glad we're on the same page.

In regards to Schmaltz, thanks DK for breaking the info. That's better than what was first reported as his asking price. Still glad for Schmaltz getting locked up long. I hope for a better season for him after he's healed.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, wasn't upset that he was traded especially in retrospect now for the return we got, but still wish Schmaltz well on the Coyotes. Before his injury, he was on pace to at least match his career high of 52 points. Depending on his linemates, he should be a 50-60 point player.

https://www.secondcityhoc...rockford-icehogs-ahl-2019

For those who have wondered about Hillman's progress and future with the Hawks organization.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2019/3/30/18287431/blackhawks-prospect-blake-hillman-ian-mitchell-future-rockford-icehogs-ahl-2019

For those who have wondered about Hillman's progress and future with the Hawks organization.
- AEL_Fox

Good read. Thanks.
There's a definite need for defensively minded d-men.

[quote=AEL_Fox]Sounds about right. DeBrincat at $7.5M to $8M + Strome at $5M to $6M.

Schmaltz' 5.85M also sets the bar for this summer's crop of RFA's like Laine, Point, Karlsson, Kapanen, and Johnsson.

34 centers have higher cap hit this year than Schmaltz' new deal. So, if he plays up to a true 1C, then a good deal for Phoenix. But he'll likely be an average 2C and he is an RFA, so probably a fair deal to slightly rich. Down to ~65 centers make at least $4.75 (cap hit), so with inflation over six year term, not ridiculous. Personally, I'd prefer quite a few other 2C for the same money over Schmaltz.

ADB and Strome are each RFA. If they sign longer term deals, I could see ADB 7x7 and Strome 6x6.25.