Another upside of daHaan, Maata, is Keith's time on the PK will be limited. If Gus is still around and on PP1, and Seabrook on PP2, Keith could be around 18-20 minutes per game next year, which should keep him fresh.

Pavelski- I'd go 2-3 years tops (I don't see him wanting to leave though)
Lee- I'd go longer, but not the 7 years that he wants.
- I Am The Breadman

Bowman said on talk radio he is looking to add only one year contracts at this point. And I can see why. Cap likely only goes up 2 million next year. We have added d-men whose contracts go longer than just this upcoming season. We lose Craw's 6 million hit...but I gave Cat 8 million per year and Strome with 6 million per year. If you do that, and add some lower end guys, you only have about 2 million for 3 players remaining. Of course, they could trade AA or Murphy to help with that, but I just don't see anyway you can sign a guy at long term and high end money right now.

I wonder how long the talks have been going on to get Maata and DeHaan and how big of a role thstvplayed in not drafting Bynum.

I think either Gus or Murphy are moved

As well as AA

Which potentially frees up an additional 5.75-8mil - pending on the return.

After singing the RFA's, that could leave the Hawks around 11-14mil to spend.

I think with DeHaan starting on LTIR, the Hawks NEED to be close to the cap ceiling to get the most out of that space, so anticipate them spending to the cap.

I could see a Lee signing and then a bottom 6 guy - pending on the next trade
- PatShart

Who would they get rid of when daHaan gets off LTIR?

So let's count the teams in the past 1.5 seasons

Blackhawks
Predators
Flyers
Stars

A bit alarming that no one has wanted him for a full season. The dude has some tools and and on-ice motor. You have to wonder if he stirs the pot in the room
- phantasmo

From Meltzer’s blog regarding the Hartman trade:

“For the 2018-19 season, Hartman finished with 12 goals and 26 points in a combined 83 games between Nashville and Philadelphia. All of his points came at even strength; respectable overall production for a bottom-six forward.

Hartman's defensive play in Philly was inconsistent. He made a few good plays but was also a culprit on several weak-side coverage breakdowns that led to goals against. Additionally, discipline was periodically an issue. In a couple of games, he took multiple needless minors. In terms of his forechecking presence, there were some games where Hartman was highly effective in pressuring the opposition and some in which he was not noticeable.

The inconsistencies within his game is why Hartman will now be joining his fourth NHL organization. The flip side is that four organizations have been sufficiently impressed by what they've seen of him at his best to bring him into the fold and aim to see that version of the player on a more consistent basis.”

Another upside of daHaan, Maata, is Keith's time on the PK will be limited. If Gus is still around and on PP1, and Seabrook on PP2, Keith could be around 18-20 minutes per game next year, which should keep him fresh.
- LAHawk

That’s the beauty of getting the right guys on your roster - other players then benefit from being properly slotted.

I think (or hope at least) we’ll see Seabrook benefit from this as well.

Who would they get rid of when daHaan gets off LTIR?
- mohel

Hopefully if they are playing well, that would be a GOOD problem to have.

Bowman said on talk radio he is looking to add only one year contracts at this point. And I can see why. Cap likely only goes up 2 million next year. We have added d-men whose contracts go longer than just this upcoming season. We lose Craw's 6 million hit...but I gave Cat 8 million per year and Strome with 6 million per year. If you do that, and add some lower end guys, you only have about 2 million for 3 players remaining. Of course, they could trade AA or Murphy to help with that, but I just don't see anyway you can sign a guy at long term and high end money right now.
- onehundredlevel

My line of thinking as well, and that’s perfectly fine for the Hawks.

FA is a sham anyways, and unless you’re getting a rare guy like Hossa, teams that overspend in FA are never winning.

The teams that win are the ones that build from within, and supplement their roster via trades. But teams never let players they want to keep reach free agency - they find a way to keep them. Free agents are free agents for a reason.

Scoring isn’t a need for the Hawks, PK and defensive responsibility from the forwards is, so it makes perfect sense to sit out the rat race for some of these higher end available players and instead shore up the bottom six with short-terms deals with players that could/will be replaced when some of the younger guys (Entwhistle, Kurashev, etc.) are ready to step in.

Take care of your own guys (DeBrincat and Strome), wait for some of the younger kids in the pipeline to matriculate in, and you have your roster intact for the foreseeable future. No need to overcommit in the free agent market.

Another upside of daHaan, Maata, is Keith's time on the PK will be limited. If Gus is still around and on PP1, and Seabrook on PP2, Keith could be around 18-20 minutes per game next year, which should keep him fresh.
- LAHawk

It helps to have options to work on the PK. I think the same thing about Seabrook too. Take a bit of those hard minutes off him and just let him focus a bit more on his 5v5 and his one-timer on the PP unit. To me, the offensive side of the game for Seabrook is still a strength with his shot, passing and knack to sneak into the middle so Kane or someone can find him for a chance.

It helps to have options to work on the PK. I think the same thing about Seabrook too. Take a bit of those hard minutes off him and just let him focus a bit more on his 5v5 and his one-timer on the PP unit. To me, the offensive side of the game for Seabrook is still a strength with his shot, passing and knack to sneak into the middle so Kane or someone can find him for a chance.
- breadbag

Agreed - Seabs still has the team’s best slap shot from the point.

I wonder if the way the defense is now, fi JC spreads out the minutes on D at the beginning of the year, and goes rotation

Keith, Murphy (Joki)
Maata, Gus
daHaan, Seabrook

No matching up the D with the other teams top lines. D won't get as tired playing JC's man and a half system.

sage, ogie, taylor etc...you guys wake up and check out the buzz right away...its 6 AM in chitown
- bogiedoc

How do you know what time I woke up? There’s a reason they call them red eye flights.

I like the trades. But I also liked Kahun, Forsling and Forsberg. We are acting like these deals are grand theft by Bowman. But if Maatta and DeHaan are oft injured or Kahun, Forsling, and/or Forsberg turn out to be studs it will not be looking so great in a couple of years.

Personally I liked Forsberg more than Delia. Now I am hoping Lankinen vaults over Delia in camp.

Do you think Bowman is targeting players with double "A's" in their name?
Maatta
DeHaan
Saarela
- -Doh-

That's why he won't trade Saad.

I'm sure this has been explained 100x, but if Joki stays in Rockford all year, do the Hawks have to protect him for the expansion?

I'm sure this has been explained 100x, but if Joki stays in Rockford all year, do the Hawks have to protect him for the expansion?
- PatShart

Yes. AHL couts as pro experience and he'll have 3 by 2021.

I like where your heads at.
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler this just an assumption on my end but with the hawks and vegas continues to link as trade partners i woukd have to think a trade is coming within the next 24 to 48 hours. I understand also other teams have talk to vegas but its just seems likely. A trade happens.

Yes. AHL couts as pro experience and he'll have 3 by 2021.
- L_B_R

How do you rate the Hawks D prospects as far as upside?

Joki
Vlasic
Beaudin
Bovquist
Mitchell

I have a trade idea...

To Toronto: Gus, Anisimov

To Hawks: Nylander, Zaitsev

Toronto gets cap space to get Marner signed ($6,000,000), depth in Anisimov and an offensive defenseman that would fit their system like a glove, the Hawks get a well needed right-handed defenseman in Zaitsev and a young winger/center with lots of potential that can score in Nylander...

And given Bowman's recent trades, this idea isn't that far fetched..

Maybe Bowman has to add a pick or a mid-level prospect but I think this trade would work out well for both teams - both teams win this one.

Colorado trades Soderberg to Arizona.

Toronto aren't giving Hymen away unless they get something they really want. Remember, there are 29 other teams to deal with to find any need they may have. Hymen is similar in value to Toronto as ADB is to the Hawks, would you settle for a defenseman you didn't really want in exchange for ADB? I didn't think so.
- paulr

I agree with your logic. The question is, "Does Toronto (or any team needing young defensemen) value any of our young defensemen?" I was just saying there might be a deal to be had here, especially if Toronto is looking to dump salary.

I do not know which one of our young defensement would bring Hyman back in a trade.

I have a trade idea...

To Toronto: Gus, Anisimov

To Hawks: Nylander, Zaitsev

Toronto gets cap space to get Marner signed ($6,000,000), depth in Anisimov and an offensive defenseman that would fit their system like a glove, the Hawks get a well needed right-handed defenseman in Zaitsev and a young winger/center with lots of potential that can score in Nylander...

And given Bowman's recent trades, this idea isn't that far fetched..

Maybe Bowman has to add a pick or a mid-level prospect but I think this trade would work out well for both teams - both teams win this one.
- Savard2Secord

Both Nylander and Zaitsev are over paid, and the financial commitment for both is at least 5 years. If Stan does this trade, I take back everything good I said about his work this offseason.

You trade for one IMO.

Adam Lowery or Cody Eakin... done.

... it's so easy being a GM. ha.
- Tyler Cameron

Some other options beyond Tanev (ideal), Lowery or Eakin:

Pageau OTT: Only a year left on his deal, and while he missed some time last season, he's strong defensively and is in a similar mold to Kruger is how he's able to flip the ice. Played against some high QOC over the years and done well.

Paquette TBL: RFA but 25 so may sign a short 1-2 year deal. Tampa is cap strapped and they can't afford to pay all their RFAs. Great on the backcheck, transitions and puck recovery numbers are strong.

Johan Larsson BUF: Under the radar pick but is good on the PK. RFA but 26 so prob okay with a short deal (Buffalo did qualify him). Did a lot with not much on a bad Buffalo team.

If 2 years with low cap hit was acceptable, there are some other options as well: Coleman NJD $1.8m x 2, Glendening DET $1.8m x 2, Hyman TOR $2.25m x 2, etc etc. All of these would like cost more to acquire though, esp Hyman.

I have lots of opinions on PK lower line forward options lol.

Yes. AHL couts as pro experience and he'll have 3 by 2021.
- L_B_R

Thanks

Hopefully if they are playing well, that would be a GOOD problem to have.
- LAHawk

When he's healthy - if he's on LTIR and they are at the cap - players totalling daHaan's salary have to come off the roster to activate him. So, several ELC guys to the Rock - still have to have enough rostered players, remember. Or, a decent salary has to go - at a time when there are few trades and everyone knows they're stuck. Who goes? Imo, not a good problem to have.

Another upside of daHaan, Maata, is Keith's time on the PK will be limited. If Gus is still around and on PP1, and Seabrook on PP2, Keith could be around 18-20 minutes per game next year, which should keep him fresh.
- LAHawk

That's a good point.

How do you rate the Hawks D prospects as far as upside?

Joki
Vlasic
Beaudin
Bovquist
Mitchell
- LAHawk

In this order for now:
Boqvist
Jokiharju/Mitchell
Beaudin
Vlasic

Boqvist has the highest ceiling potential imo while Jokiharju and Mitchell are high level, well rounded types. I'm quite high on Beaudin, think he does so many things really well and doesn't have a lot of glaring mistakes, but maybe not as much high end potential as the other 3. Vlasic is pretty rough around the edges right now, so it's hard to really judge but think atm he's behind the rest but only slightly and in a year he could be higher on the list.