Good post, Tommy. I tend to agree on Dach, but it is pretty early in the process with him. I would pump the brakes until camp is underway, but I do share the enthusiasm for him.
- mohel

It’s the dog days of August. Not much to be excited about now, so may as well go overboard for a draft pick right?

Sure is! Would’ve loved to see Jok go to TB with a couple other pieces for Point rather than Nylander.
- Assman22

For Point!!!!!! Sure , Joker and a couple pieces...IF, those pieces were D-cat and Dach......

No way TB gives up Point without HUGE return coming back....

Must admit not a fan of Lehner signing. I think it actually reduces your cap by 5 million . I mean let face it every night there is going to be a player who is getting paid 5-6 million dollar guy sitting on your bench. Another 5-6 million dollar defence men maY LOOK AT LOT BETTER.
- Ging72

That is not the way to look at it. Only a few teams have 6-7 million tied up in goaltending. Many teams have 10-11 million. And that is where the Hawk sit. No different than Habs with 11 million on Price and a dud. Actually better as we may actually have TWO #1s and if an injury occurs we SHOULD be OK, Habs would be screwed.
Also...Tamps,Boston, NYR, Florida, Vegas....many teams have 8-9-10+ million in the net.

It may be a little high having 11 million in goalies, but only for this year. Next year will be Lehner and a cheaper backup. and if Lehner signs at 8 million or so, the NET price will be a little better.

I know the crawford fans will disagree...and I like Crawford. I just think at his age and last few years injury-wise.....it is the Hawks plan all along to get a look at Lehner....if they like, they extend in-season.

It’s the dog days of August. Not much to be excited about now, so may as well go overboard for a draft pick right?
- TommyHawk

Agree on Dach especially because I'm not convinced Toews makes it to the end of his contract due to the cap moreso than his play. If he becomes an 18 goal 40 points player which is fair production for a beat up 34 year old will have to do something with him.

For Point!!!!!! Sure , Joker and a couple pieces...IF, those pieces were D-cat and Dach......

No way TB gives up Point without HUGE return coming back....
- hawk35

Correct nobody wins a trade with TB.

Just watched the final ‘On the Clock’ video that the Blackhawks put out, and there was an interesting nugget in there at the draft between Kelley/Stan where Stan tells Kelley that he didn’t receive a single offer from anyone to trade up to 3. Those picks are truly premium picks, so it wouldn’t make any sense for any team to even bother making proposals without offering the house.
- TommyHawk

I caught that too, I'm sure there are many ways to read into that. There wasn't a big difference from #3 - #10 as there might have been in previous drafts. My guess is that teams didn't want to part with an asset to draft #3 when they were happy with the guy they could get as #8 (for example).

But the more correct assumption is that the other 30 GMs knew that Stan would screw up the pick and totally waste the third overall selection so it would be pointless to trade with him.

Another thought on the goaltending .... Yes lot of many but for one year. Next year Crawford will probably retire, based on this health history not performance. Let's say this year, the goaltending duties are split. Each goalies have solid seasons. Lehner will be coming off a stellar "back up" of split role and probably won't command as much as say Price or Vasilevski. If Crawford does not want to retire next season, most likely a team friendly deal would be in order

Good post, Tommy. I tend to agree on Dach, but it is pretty early in the process with him. I would pump the brakes until camp is underway, but I do share the enthusiasm for him.
- mohel

Meh! He needs 20 lbs of muscle Pallie!

But the more correct assumption is that the other 30 GMs knew that Stan would screw up the pick and totally waste the third overall selection so it would be pointless to trade with him.
- DarthKane

Meh! He needs 20 lbs of muscle Pallie!
- paulr

Everyone needs 20 lbs of muscle, sizzle chest. But Dach has been categorized as "Not a Smurf", so in this case size does not matter.

It’s the dog days of August. Not much to be excited about now, so may as well go overboard for a draft pick right?
- TommyHawk

For sure. I love the intangibles on the kid. If his skills match, the Hawks will have something special.

Everyone needs 20 lbs of muscle, sizzle chest. But Dach has been categorized as "Not a Smurf", so in this case size does not matter.
- mohel

He's not s smurf physically but he is mentally, he plays soft as Charmin. Stop drinking the Kool Aid, Stan made the wrong pick.

Lehner at $5m > Ward at $3m.

To me, given Crawford's history, Lehner falling into our lap is this teams biggest upgrade. It is just as big of a gift as the #3 pick, and I'll take both.

I have to imagine the competition between Craw and Lehner will be intense, and that cannot be overlooked. Craw may play balls out lights out if healthy - and Lehner will be there if not.

Lehner at $5m > Ward at $3m.

To me, given Crawford's history, Lehner falling into our lap is this teams biggest upgrade. It is just as big of a gift as the #3 pick, and I'll take both.

I have to imagine the competition between Craw and Lehner will be intense, and that cannot be overlooked. Craw may play balls out lights out if healthy - and Lehner will be there if not.
- ItHossaGood

Wouldn't be surprised if Corey just wants to have fun this year and call it a career, he's been through a lot.

Another thought on the goaltending .... Yes lot of many but for one year. Next year Crawford will probably retire, based on this health history not performance. Let's say this year, the goaltending duties are split. Each goalies have solid seasons. Lehner will be coming off a stellar "back up" of split role and probably won't command as much as say Price or Vasilevski. If Crawford does not want to retire next season, most likely a team friendly deal would be in order
- chuckdahammer

If Crow is healthy all year and plays 50+/- games at a high level he will not retire. There will be teams, maybe not the Blackhawks, willing to give him another year or two at $6 mil +/-.

He's not s smurf physically but he is mentally, he plays soft as Charmin. Stop drinking the Kool Aid, Stan made the wrong pick.
- DarthKane

Dach is, in the immortal words of Pallie Mo, a Lavender sniffer. Not one fight. He's as soft as they come.

This may be true of all teams, but the health of the new players is critical to the Hawks. DeHaan, Maatta, Shaw, Lehner each have had health issues. If they are healthy all year and Dach makes the team and excels this summer would be considered a very good summer for Bowman.
- -Doh-

Personally, I question alot of these moves. Yes the players brought in this off-season are quality NHLers, but it is terrible given the roster congestion. Maata is a great offensive D, but how will he get his fair share of TOI when he is behind De Haan and Keith? And Gustafson was playing very well, and is suddenly is out of a spot? There is 16+M on LD, and a MASSIVE hole on RD. That is a concern. Goaltending as well, yes you have 2 starting goalies, but you can only play 1, and paying 11M for the duo won't make you better than Price/Bobrovski/Vas...... While the acquisitions were quality players, you still need another top 6 winger, and a true #2C. Maybe these assets will be flipped yet again to address those need, but until then I am a skeptic.

...and a MASSIVE hole on RD. That is a concern. Goaltending as well, yes you have 2 starting goalies, but you can only play 1, and paying 11M for the duo won't make you better than Price/Bobrovski/Vas...... While the acquisitions were quality players, you still need another top 6 winger, and a true #2C.
- bikeguy99

No, this isn't true. Connor Murphy is no worse than an average #4 and I think he'll ascend to be a little above that. 'Massive hole' is definitely not an accurate assessment of his contribution.

If Crow+Lehner ends up playing as well as Price in his glory years, then it's a great $11 MIL investment, no?

A "true #2C" is just blogspeak. What you need is a "capable 2C". We have a couple guys that could step in short term and be at least average in that role, if not slightly better.

Early Prediction: Hawks over Devils in cup finals.

No, this isn't true. Connor Murphy is no worse than an average #4 and I think he'll ascend to be a little above that. 'Massive hole' is definitely not an accurate assessment of his contribution.

If Crow+Lehner ends up playing as well as Price in his glory years, then it's a great $11 MIL investment, no?

A "true #2C" is just blogspeak. What you need is a "capable 2C". We have a couple guys that could step in short term and be at least average in that role, if not slightly better.

Early Prediction: Hawks over Devils in cup finals.
- DontKnowNutin

Devils had a busy offseason as well. I like what they did as well. I'd love to see your prediction come true. I think that would be an entertaining series.

Personally, I question alot of these moves. Yes the players brought in this off-season are quality NHLers, but it is terrible given the roster congestion. Maata is a great offensive D, but how will he get his fair share of TOI when he is behind De Haan and Keith? And Gustafson was playing very well, and is suddenly is out of a spot? There is 16+M on LD, and a MASSIVE hole on RD. That is a concern. Goaltending as well, yes you have 2 starting goalies, but you can only play 1, and paying 11M for the duo won't make you better than Price/Bobrovski/Vas...... While the acquisitions were quality players, you still need another top 6 winger, and a true #2C. Maybe these assets will be flipped yet again to address those need, but until then I am a skeptic.
- bikeguy99

The Hawks are not Tampa on paper. But are they really that far from St Louis on paper with all the moves? Signing Lehner for $5 this year is a lot cheaper than someone else possibly not as good for $10 next year. Opportunity knocked, Stan opened the door and said hello.

The Hawks are not Tampa on paper. But are they really that far from St Louis on paper with all the moves? Signing Lehner for $5 this year is a lot cheaper than someone else possibly not as good for $10 next year. Opportunity knocked, Stan opened the door and said hello.
- rpeters01

I bet Lehner doesn't get re-signed with Chicago until after the season ends. They probably don't want to annoy Crow even though Crow is as good as gone after this season. It would shake up the room too much (See Edmonton and the handling of Talbot and Koskinen)

I bet Lehner doesn't get re-signed with Chicago until after the season ends. They probably don't want to annoy Crow even though Crow is as good as gone after this season. It would shake up the room too much (See Edmonton and the handling of Talbot and Koskinen)
- Slofire94

Possibly, though I think the veteran leadership in the Hawks room is a lot stronger than what was in EDM at the time.

Possibly, though I think the veteran leadership in the Hawks room is a lot stronger than what was in EDM at the time.
- HawkintheD

There are seven players left from the 205 team (including Shaw returning). Not saying the room would be sad, but if Lehner plays like last yearr and is signed, the players know that at the end of the day it is business, and a 36 y.o goalie who is one hit away from LTIR, plus other injuries that crop up on an older goaltender, it's time to move on.

Dach is, in the immortal words of Pallie Mo, a Lavender sniffer. Not one fight. He's as soft as they come.
- paulr

Dach is going back to the W to learn fighting according to Darth. He's not going back to play against smaller players for no reason. Dach Smash!

The additions of Marc Crawford and Tomas Mitell should help out too...hopefully