Mackinnon seems to make his team better, Stamkos - well not so much
- riozzo

Great player, but keep in mind he's going against Calgary's defense which ain't all that good

Great player, but keep in mind he's going against Calgary's defense which ain't all that good
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah I thought Calgary's defence was supposed to be good but what I have seen of this series not impressed at all .

Out here in Vegas, some NFL guys on the radio think the town will love the Raiders more than the Knights, simply because it's the NFL

They will not. This town LOVES hockey and the Knight players
- PatShart

I'm sure the NFL will go over well in Vegas. But every Knights practice at their headquarters rink in Summerlin is standing room only. The ice at that rink isn't big enough for the public skating sessions. At times the lines to get into the pro shop is way down the hall. Vegas has hockey fever and it's incredible.

Why's that? If the Hawks are in a playoff position, I don't think that happens.
- HawkintheD

They have a long ways to go to make playoffs. That winning streak is last winter is practicly an aberration. There needs to be toughness, grit sandpaper type players. You cannot count on Crawford's health long term. The team may be bouyed by the effort and skill of new players

I am betting on Colliton riding the.message of backchecking. The new players will have the compete factor.show but the Strome DeBrincat must do.their part too

I'm sure the NFL will go over well in Vegas. But every Knights practice at their headquarters rink in Summerlin is standing room only. The ice at that rink isn't big enough for the public skating sessions. At times the lines to get into the pro shop is way down the hall. Vegas has hockey fever and it's incredible.
- 6628

Hats off to the GM and HC. They have done a fantastic job with that team.

Great player, but keep in mind he's going against Calgary's defense which ain't all that good
- BetweenTheDots

More to the point, the Flames have no forward lines that their coach can use to matchup against MacKinnon and his 2 wingers. And the Avs coach knows this and double shifts his best guy regularly.

MacKinnon is an absolute horse, a top 3 center in the NHL.

I am not impressed nor see UFA dman that can come here and fill a top 4 role. High quality dmen are premium in the league...and they will probably overpay for one.

It looks like a hockey trade is the only way to get improvement but the price will be high there too.

For the hawks to get better defensively; it is going to have to happen from with in: scheme, structure, commitment and all around player growth and improvement.

You want to move seabs and his entire contract it will cost you the #3 pick or a couple of those defensive prospects...and you are probably take a bad player/contract back...

More to the point, the Flames have no forward lines that their coach can use to matchup against MacKinnon and his 2 wingers. And the Avs coach knows this and double shifts his best guy regularly.

MacKinnon is an absolute horse, a top 3 center in the NHL.
- RickJ

he has been flying all over the ice...looks like flames are going to have to assign a guy that matches with him defensively all game long...

team matchups in the playoffs are big and it looks like the aves have the adv unless smith goes head standing and steals a couple of games...

Hats off to the GM and HC. They have done a fantastic job with that team.
- z1990z

They also had very favorable expansion draft rules - much more oriented toward the new franchise than past expansions - and (in the first post-cap expansion) no high-cap-hit legacy contracts to put them up against the cap.

Same rules for Seattle, I think - let’s see what they can do.

Kid is a helluva goal scoring talent. Are we thinking he is an option at #3?
- z1990z

There’s no doubt... absolutely.

They also had very favorable expansion draft rules - much more oriented toward the new franchise than past expansions - and (in the first post-cap expansion) no high-cap-hit legacy contracts to put them up against the cap.

Same rules for Seattle, I think - let’s see what they can do.
- StLBravesFan

Favorable expansion draft rules + a coach like Gallant who preaches consistency and relentlessness are the key ingredients to Vegas success, IMO. Seattle may have the same rules but that's just part of the equation to have the same success as Vegas, i.e. playoffs in the first 2 seasons and Cup Final appearance in the inaugural year.

My guess is Seattle will at least be competitive right out of the gate but maybe not one of the best in the NHL like Vegas has been able to be.

The Hawks have never had success drafting a goalie in the 2nd round. Pass.
- DarthKane

Yeah that’s why I’m hoping that Mads drops to the fourth round.

Not sure if anyone watches Melrose/Buccigross but interestingly enough last night Bucci doubled down on his prediction that Hayes would end up a Blackhawk this summer. Take that for what you will.

Not insinuating it’s the RIGHT move with the available cap space, and for whatever reason he continues to be deployed poorly by Maurice, but he’s 6’5”, a very solid two-way forward, and would slot in perfectly on the third line with Saad. I really like that potential duo.

We all want to see the Hawks improve their defense, but a big part of that is improving the defensive play of your forwards. Bringing in forwards that would improve your team defense as a whole goes a long way in helping out your d-man group.

If AA is moved, you’re really only incurring an additional $1.5M cap hit (assuming he’s gets a small play raise to $6M AAV) so it’s not going to hamper you too much.

I could easily see Stan adding a couple strong defensive forwards that would drastically improve the bottom-six, and hope that a full summer/training camp under Colliton will improve the team defense as a whole rather than going out and forcing a top-4 d-man acquisition that we could end up drastically overpaying for.

Yeah that’s why I’m hoping that Mads drops to the fourth round.
- walleyeb1

I think he’s a bit too small for a goalie.

Kid is a helluva goal scoring talent. Are we thinking he is an option at #3?
- z1990z

I really don’t see him as a number three pick, but who knows stranger things have happened. I have no idea where the Blackhawks scouting staff have him rated. A number of first round projections in one spot:

http://www.mynhldraft.com.../2019-nhl-draft-rankings/

Not sure if anyone watches Melrose/Buccigross but interestingly enough last night Bucci doubled down on his prediction that Hayes would end up a Blackhawk this summer. Take that for what you will.

Not insinuating it’s the RIGHT move with the available cap space, and for whatever reason he continues to be deployed poorly by Maurice, but he’s 6’5”, a very solid two-way forward, and would slot in perfectly on the third line with Saad. I really like that potential duo.

We all want to see the Hawks improve their defense, but a big part of that is improving the defensive play of your forwards. Bringing in forwards that would improve your team defense as a whole goes a long way in helping out your d-man group.

If AA is moved, you’re really only incurring an additional $1.5M cap hit (assuming he’s gets a small play raise to $6M AAV) so it’s not going to hamper you too much.

I could easily see Stan adding a couple strong defensive forwards that would drastically improve the bottom-six, and hope that a full summer/training camp under Colliton will improve the team defense as a whole rather than going out and forcing a top-4 d-man acquisition that we could end up drastically overpaying for.
- TommyHawk

Hayes is a big guy with low penalty minutes which suggests to me that he does not play to his size. And other than one year, his production has not been high. I would welcome him back, but the numbers would have to be right -salary with term would have to be about what he got this year.

Not sure if anyone watches Melrose/Buccigross but interestingly enough last night Bucci doubled down on his prediction that Hayes would end up a Blackhawk this summer. Take that for what you will.

Not insinuating it’s the RIGHT move with the available cap space, and for whatever reason he continues to be deployed poorly by Maurice, but he’s 6’5”, a very solid two-way forward, and would slot in perfectly on the third line with Saad. I really like that potential duo.

We all want to see the Hawks improve their defense, but a big part of that is improving the defensive play of your forwards. Bringing in forwards that would improve your team defense as a whole goes a long way in helping out your d-man group.

If AA is moved, you’re really only incurring an additional $1.5M cap hit (assuming he’s gets a small play raise to $6M AAV) so it’s not going to hamper you too much.

I could easily see Stan adding a couple strong defensive forwards that would drastically improve the bottom-six, and hope that a full summer/training camp under Colliton will improve the team defense as a whole rather than going out and forcing a top-4 d-man acquisition that we could end up drastically overpaying for.
- TommyHawk

One good thing about Hayes is that he was one of the Rangers top PK forwards. The bad news is that the Rangers PK ranked 27th.

I don’t see Hayes happening. If Anisimov isn’t worth $4.55 and Saad isn’t worth $6 I don’t see Hayes being worth close to $6. I’d rather Stan spend the money on defense.

Not sure if anyone watches Melrose/Buccigross but interestingly enough last night Bucci doubled down on his prediction that Hayes would end up a Blackhawk this summer. Take that for what you will.

Not insinuating it’s the RIGHT move with the available cap space, and for whatever reason he continues to be deployed poorly by Maurice, but he’s 6’5”, a very solid two-way forward, and would slot in perfectly on the third line with Saad. I really like that potential duo.

We all want to see the Hawks improve their defense, but a big part of that is improving the defensive play of your forwards. Bringing in forwards that would improve your team defense as a whole goes a long way in helping out your d-man group.

If AA is moved, you’re really only incurring an additional $1.5M cap hit (assuming he’s gets a small play raise to $6M AAV) so it’s not going to hamper you too much.

I could easily see Stan adding a couple strong defensive forwards that would drastically improve the bottom-six, and hope that a full summer/training camp under Colliton will improve the team defense as a whole rather than going out and forcing a top-4 d-man acquisition that we could end up drastically overpaying for.
- TommyHawk

Can't skate worth a poop. Ya, he's big, but so is his attitude. If he played all his games against the hawks he'd be an all star, but a good defensive team would strip the puck from him long before he got any momentum going. I'd pass.

Not sure if anyone watches Melrose/Buccigross but interestingly enough last night Bucci doubled down on his prediction that Hayes would end up a Blackhawk this summer. Take that for what you will.

Not insinuating it’s the RIGHT move with the available cap space, and for whatever reason he continues to be deployed poorly by Maurice, but he’s 6’5”, a very solid two-way forward, and would slot in perfectly on the third line with Saad. I really like that potential duo.

We all want to see the Hawks improve their defense, but a big part of that is improving the defensive play of your forwards. Bringing in forwards that would improve your team defense as a whole goes a long way in helping out your d-man group.

If AA is moved, you’re really only incurring an additional $1.5M cap hit (assuming he’s gets a small play raise to $6M AAV) so it’s not going to hamper you too much.

I could easily see Stan adding a couple strong defensive forwards that would drastically improve the bottom-six, and hope that a full summer/training camp under Colliton will improve the team defense as a whole rather than going out and forcing a top-4 d-man acquisition that we could end up drastically overpaying for.
- TommyHawk

Pretending that rumor comes true, I'd consider slotting Hayes at RW with DeBrincat and Strome especially if Kane is with Toews and Perlini is either not re-signed or he doesn't progress over the summer to be top 6 material.

LW - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Hayes
Saad - Anisimov - RW
Caggiula - Kampf - RW

Would think Kahun, Sikura, Perlini, and Kubalik are in the mix for those open spots. Possibly Hayden and Highmore as far as other internal candidates, at least for 13th forward.

Outside candidates: names like Tanev, Copp, Nelson, Dzingel, Ferland, Donskoi, Eakin, Bellemare, Connolly, etc. have been thrown around these boards.

EDIT: Agree with others that cap space and assets are best used on other acquisitions. Hayes would be good if the contract was appropriate but think he will get paid a lot more than what the Hawks should dole out.

They have a long ways to go to make playoffs. That winning streak is last winter is practicly an aberration. There needs to be toughness, grit sandpaper type players. You cannot count on Crawford's health long term. The team may be bouyed by the effort and skill of new players

I am betting on Colliton riding the.message of backchecking. The new players will have the compete factor.show but the Strom .e DeBrincat must do.their parttb too
- jhawk59

Do they have a long way to go to be legit contenders? Sure. Playoffs, not so much. Agree to disagree.

While there are still questions, there’s not as many as last year and a bunch of them were an answer in the positive column.

Is Toews done? No.
Is Saad also no good anymore? No, he’s fine.
Can Schmaltz be the team’s long term solution at 2C? No but Strome can.
Is Dinky a one season wonder? No.
Can Kahun and Kampf play on NA ice? Yes.

You get the idea. Do they have some holes to fill? Sure. But the team isn’t as bereft or talent as many believed it was going into the season that just concluded.

Hayes is a big guy with low penalty minutes which suggests to me that he does not play to his size. And other than one year, his production has not been high. I would welcome him back, but the numbers would have to be right -salary with term would have to be about what he got this year.
- 67hawks

I admittedly don’t watch enough of him to know, but he routinely puts up 45-50 points which considering the amount of ice time he sees is pretty solid. Keep in mind that NYR hasn’t exactly had much top-six talent over the years. They’ve been anchored by goaltending and strong defensive play, while their forwards were just “decent”. Guys like Zucc, Stepan, Kreider, etc. Solid, but not Toews/Kane/Cat where opposing teams really have to hone in on them. I like Hayes potential (again, I don’t know too much about his skating and physical ability), but I do know that he plays a good 200 foot game and quite frankly that’s what the Hawks need from their forwards.

Pretending that rumor comes true, I'd consider slotting Hayes at RW with DeBrincat and Strome especially if Kane is with Toews and Perlini is either not re-signed or he doesn't progress over the summer to be top 6 material.

LW - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Hayes
Saad - Anisimov - RW
Caggiula - Kampf - RW

Would think Kahun, Sikura, Perlini, and Kubalik are in the mix for those open spots. Possibly Hayden and Highmore as far as other internal candidates, at least for 13th forward.

Outside candidates: names like Tanev, Copp, Nelson, Dzingel, Ferland, Donskoi, Eakin, Bellemare, Connolly, etc. have been thrown around these boards.

EDIT: Agree with others that cap space and assets are best used on other acquisitions. Hayes would be good if the contract was appropriate but think he will get paid a lot more than what the Hawks should dole out.
- AEL_Fox

The Tanev, Copp, Lowry line has been one of the more consistent and effective lines (mostly in a defensive role) for the Jets in the playoffs. To get one (Tanev) or two (+Copp) would be stellar for the depth and PK.

One good thing about Hayes is that he was one of the Rangers top PK forwards. The bad news is that the Rangers PK ranked 27th.

I don’t see Hayes happening. If Anisimov isn’t worth $4.55 and Saad isn’t worth $6 I don’t see Hayes being worth close to $6. I’d rather Stan spend the money on defense.
- DarthKane

But spend it how?

They’ll have to pony up serious capital (not $) to acquire a bonafide top-4 d-man, and the market is (per usual) pretty weak in that regard. Those guys as we all know aren’t readily available. Count me out on Stan overpaying big time on the market for a d-man. We’ve seen how the Jack Johnson’s, Karl Alzner’s, Kris Russell’s, etc. are overpaid every summer and under perform.

One good thing about Hayes is that he was one of the Rangers top PK forwards. The bad news is that the Rangers PK ranked 27th.

I don’t see Hayes happening. If Anisimov isn’t worth $4.55 and Saad isn’t worth $6 I don’t see Hayes being worth close to $6. I’d rather Stan spend the money on defense.
- DarthKane

This