Last week you said Bowman would be stupid to sign Strome now, that it would be better to sign him next summer to see what kind of numbers he puts up. It’s easy to be a genius when you aren’t really tasked with the responsibilies, isn’t it?
- paulr

Toronto just set the market with guys who have similar comps to Strome.....small sample size, but with very decent cap hits.

I wouldn't think Strome's agent will take this, but it's worth discussing.

Have to be flexible and when the market is there....you gotta pounce.

What I did say was that signing him anywhere close to 7-8 million as a poster alluded to a combined total for him and DeBrincat would be close to 15 million, would be foolish.

Nah, gotta bank some cap space for next year to extend Dcat and Strome. Already got Murphy on the way out next year to be replaced by Beaudin/Beauquist. Dach will take over at 3C after renting Eakin for a year.

Also may have to extend Crawford, if healthy, at a discount for another year or two or sign a vet goalie replacement. That's unless Delia and Lankinen turn into the next Binnington.
- boilermaker100

With Eakin, Crawford off the books (I don't think Crow's health is going to let him play beyond this season) and trading Murphy, you definitely have enough space for Dcat, Strome and Pavelski moving forward.

I also think CCs next contract is a factor. I do not think he will get paid more if he stays w the Hawks after this year.
- frafra

If Crawford is healthy I’d bring him back, but I’d go one year at a time. It wouldn’t be as cheap as people think, likely $4-$5 million.

If the Hawks are talking to Vegas I think 2 things.

1) Hawks possibly take on one or more expiring contracts.

Eakins, Reaves, Haula, Merrill or Holden

2) Hawks likely interested in LW Nikita Gusev (There were reports of teams asking about him from Vegas)

3) If Gus is going to get traded (big if) then it could be here and move parts could be moving, as the Hawks will expect a bit of a return on a bargain contract to help Vegas out.

4) If the Hawks are taking Clarkson's money for next year, they would only do it for a pretty good sweetener IMO. Like Gusev, or a top prospect. Could be a real interesting deal if they make it.
- breadbag

I would hope the Hawks are NOT taking on a dead contract unless the deal is too good to pass up. IE....multiple picks, or a PROVEN NHL asset(s)

Do you think they would have still got Dach at 10?
- SoftServe

No, he was definitely on the Kings radar at #5.

This from Pierre LeBrun's column on The Athletic:

Blackhawks plans

My sense is the Blackhawks don’t plan on a lot of UFA action early this week but that could change later in the week. A source suggested the Hawks are more focused on trades early this week. And I think part of that is that the term it’s going to take to sign most UFAs on the market isn’t terribly appealing to a Chicago team that has a good cap situation. A year from now, the Hawks don’t want to be in a position to have to shed assets just to sign their RFAs. So for now it’s about trades where there are players out there with shorter terms left on their contracts. But obviously, if that doesn’t work out, the UFA market will also come into play.

No surprise here IMO.

I would hope the Hawks are NOT taking on a dead contract unless the deal is too good to pass up. IE....multiple picks, or a PROVEN NHL asset(s)
- SteveRain

I agree. If there was a time for the Hawks to pounce on other teams financial dilemmas, now is that time. Get a player or two who can help them win.

bogiedoc - don’t think Dach can play in Rockford next season.
- Z3Hawk

Nope, WHL or NHL are the only option. If I have to guess I’d say WHL for one season then a gradual introduction into the NHL.

Filling their blue line w quality defenders would help the cause IMO.
- frafra

I would agree....and I have to think they had a few defenders matched closely with Byram and that's why they went the F route.

Was very happy to see the plethora of US development kids get taken. Hopefully this transpires to a nice run of dominance in international events.

I heard some things as I had a few spies at the Draft and there was a lot of chatter between the teams.

James Cybulski just dropped this nice nugget.
- Tyler Cameron

So another team would have taken Byram at 3 (not Dach)

I may be in the minority with this, but I would prefer for Seabrook to stay and the Hawks find a way for him to play effectively.
- DarthKane

I think that would be great if they can make it happen and definitely easier for the Hawks if he can play near his salary commitment. Without a doubt the issue with Seabrook is physical wear and tear and the question will be can he get back to form and if he does, how long can he maintain it.

Stan Bowman might get aggressive and two years from now the Hawks roster might not have #7 (or #2) on it. I know some folks like to say that Seabrook's contract is untradable, but I think we've seen enough deals to know everyone can be traded for the right sweetner.

If Crawford is healthy I’d bring him back, but I’d go one year at a time. It wouldn’t be as cheap as people think, likely $4-$5 million.
- DarthKane

I would like one year deals with him. Will be interesting to see at what cost, especially with his history of injuries more recently.

This from Pierre LeBrun's column on The Athletic:

Blackhawks plans

My sense is the Blackhawks don’t plan on a lot of UFA action early this week but that could change later in the week. A source suggested the Hawks are more focused on trades early this week. And I think part of that is that the term it’s going to take to sign most UFAs on the market isn’t terribly appealing to a Chicago team that has a good cap situation. A year from now, the Hawks don’t want to be in a position to have to shed assets just to sign their RFAs. So for now it’s about trades where there are players out there with shorter terms left on their contracts. But obviously, if that doesn’t work out, the UFA market will also come into play.

No surprise here IMO.
- golfbard

This would be the more prudent approach. I still think the Hawks should go after Tanev hard, the rest of the team’s deficiencies can be addressed via trade. The Hawks still have too many forwards.

I would hope the Hawks are NOT taking on a dead contract unless the deal is too good to pass up. IE....multiple picks, or a PROVEN NHL asset(s)
- SteveRain

I agree it only works if the Hawks get something decent in return. I think Bowman will be willing to take one year of cap if it gives him some cost control 2-3 years from now with more young talent.

This would be the more prudent approach. I still think the Hawks should go after Tanev hard, the rest of the team’s deficiencies can be addressed via trade. The Hawks still have too many forwards.
- DarthKane

Be curious to see what they think they can get from subtracting from their system/team to help fill holes below....

top 4 or high #5 d man
another top 6 F
depth scoring

I would agree....and I have to think they had a few defenders matched closely with Byram and that's why they went the F route.

Was very happy to see the plethora of US development kids get taken. Hopefully this transpires to a nice run of dominance in international events.
- SteveRain

I still think he can be a good defenseman. His struggles are highlighted even more because their blue line as a whole is atrocious. I do not expect him to go anytime soon, so I hope they can fill their back end with quality players who will also help him improve moving forward.

Was it that awful? Toronto gave up a player they were trying to shed and then a 1st round pick....that will more then likely be in the 20s. Hawks gave up Teuvo and Bickell as Im guessing Bowman didn't want to move a high pick.

Trust me it'll hurt when Toronto goes shopping this spring and doesn't have a 1st round pick in the upcoming draft to shop with, and then do they take the chance of giving up the 2021 pick as well?

When Carolina buys out Marleau they get a small cap hit, a 1st round pick, and a 7th round pick for a 6th round pick.

That's not bad.
- SteveRain

Shopping in springtime is highly overrated.

Toronto, Tampa and even the Perds
have gotten rid of cap on the cheap.

TT worth more than JT Miller
Subban for 2nds and 2 prospects

I wonder if the Hawks have asked Seabrook to waive or not.
- DarthKane

I was wondering the sequence of events also.

Work out the trade then ask the player or ask the player then try to work out the trade.

Was it that awful? Toronto gave up a player they were trying to shed and then a 1st round pick....that will more then likely be in the 20s. Hawks gave up Teuvo and Bickell as Im guessing Bowman didn't want to move a high pick.

Trust me it'll hurt when Toronto goes shopping this spring and doesn't have a 1st round pick in the upcoming draft to shop with, and then do they take the chance of giving up the 2021 pick as well?

When Carolina buys out Marleau they get a small cap hit, a 1st round pick, and a 7th round pick for a 6th round pick.

That's not bad.
- SteveRain

Exactly, the cost for Muzzin at the TDL was a first. They have no maneuvering room, with a defense core that currently is arguably worse than ours. My guess is that they will still try and move Nylander.

Do you think they would have still got Dach at 10?
- SoftServe

No he’d be gone, probably would have gone for Caufield at #10.

Nope, WHL or NHL are the only option. If I have to guess I’d say WHL for one season then a gradual introduction into the NHL.
- DarthKane

Darth that is actually what I said - can’t play in Rockford next year.

It’s just funny to me how much a perfect trade fit Vegas is for the Hawks.

They’ve got so many tantalizing pieces that would slot in perfectly in our lineup(s).

If I’m Stan, I’m harassing McPhee until something gets finalized.

Eakin, Gusev, Marchessault, Miller, McNabb, Stastny, Haula... all guys that would make a lot of sense for us.

It really is time for Stan to get a taste of the other side of having cap space.

I just really hope Stan’s shopping isn’t done via free agency. If the Hayes deal is a precedent of what’s to come, it’s going to be a scary, scary market.

Stan likes acquiring guys with term to their deal, and that’s how I see him using the available cap space up.

Filling their blue line w quality defenders would help the cause IMO.
- frafra

So would getting some forwards that know what "200 foot game" means.

Be curious to see what they think they can get from subtracting from their system/team to help fill holes below....

top 4 or high #5 d man
another top 6 F
depth scoring
- SteveRain

That is a good question. I think they’ll look to improve their bottom 6 forwards and defensive depth. The top 6 is fine, both in the short term and long term.

As much as the Maatta Trade surprised us, Stan upgraded the defense without giving up much.

It’s just funny to me how much a perfect trade fit Vegas is for the Hawks.

They’ve got so many tantalizing pieces that would slot in perfectly in our lineup(s).

If I’m Stan, I’m harassing McPhee until something gets finalized.

Eakin, Gusev, Marchessault, Miller, McNabb, Stastny, Haula... all guys that would make a lot of sense for us.

It really is time for Stan to get a taste of the other side of having cap space.
- TommyHawk

I am with you on all except Gusav, rumor is he is going back to the KHL.