LA now in full rebuild with Toffoli and now Martinez gone. Time for Stan to follow suit.
- z1990z

Both teams have been in rebuild mode for awhile.

The kid from Denver Ian Mitchell has two options after this season. Sign with the Hawks or return to Denver for his senior season. On the broadcast last week Dave Starman said more than once that Mitchell will be with the Hawks very soon. Starman is pretty tuned into the college scene.
- Elbows15

Well, thanks Eric Nest ,

That IS comforting.

Stan is going to get a 3rd for Lehner and a 4th for Gus, and you’ll like it.

Elbows you’re not paying attention. Please don’t deviate from the narrative
- paulr

I don't like reindeer games, paul

Well, thanks Eric Nest ,

That IS comforting.
- wiz1901

Further. Starman is a huge Mitchel fan. He has been touting him since his freshman year and feels the Hawks got him as a steal as a 2nd round pick.

Stan is going to get a 3rd for Lehner and a 4th for Gus, and you’ll like it.
- Angotti

I am okay with both.

You know how to spoil someone's day, Wiz.
- boilermaker100

around here does...
usually my wife's by my over involvement in hockey, when she expects w o r k around here done...

btw this draft class is one I really like, but you haven't heard that from me before right?

We can ooooh and aaaah about the top pick and that really strong top 7 after that, and the kid most likely to drop and be a star in "little" Marco Rossi, but in my humble opinion, there is a strong top twenty.

and guys not in my top 20, a group of defenders second level forwards are plenty good players too.

My point is that whether the Blackhawks are fortunate to select in the top 8 or later there is lots of upside in the guys there and less "iffy-ness than I usually feel about the success of this players...
so not having to tradeaway that first rounder to bolster a contending roster has a positive side especially with this draft class.

What are we even talking about? Goalie is 3rd most important position in sports behind QB and Ace Starting Pitcher. Should do whatever it takes to lock up Lehner long-term. Let Corey ride off into sunset or trade him for anything you can get. Should also be selling Gus, Kampf, Caguila, Matta and guys like Smith or Shaw if anyone is big enough sucker enough to take those salaries on.

Truth be told if you had to trade Saad to keep Lehner I would do that too. If this is a rebuild which we all know it is, first piece to secure is your franchise goalie. Love Crow but he has a two-year shelf life on the outside.

Did you really use Jeff Osborn from the rink as a true source? 😂😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️

No. That guy has zero contacts. I’m surprised you surprised that considering who his partner in crime is on the rink.

I’ve played at Canlan in romeoville with Osborn. He’s a beer league goalie. He’s not a trade breaker.

Mercy. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Tidbits from The Athletic team on what they are hearing re: Blackhawks TDL activity:

- The Blackhawks are more active in some ways leading up to the deadline than in years past, according to multiple league sources.

- As always, Bowman has his untouchables — or at least a list of players who would be very, very difficult to obtain — but that list is shorter than usual...If a team is calling about Dominik Kubalik, Alex Nylander, Ian Mitchell or a number of other young players, the price would probably be too overwhelming for a lot of teams.

- The Blackhawks have also put some large price tags — think first-round draft picks and prospects — on a number of their potential rentals like Robin Lehner and Erik Gustafsson. No one biting.

Plus, Gus says worries about not getting a contract when DBC did had him thinking too much and affected his game until the holidays. Strome expressed similar concerns.

Tidbits from The Athletic team on what they are hearing re: Blackhawks TDL activity:

- The Blackhawks are more active in some ways leading up to the deadline than in years past, according to multiple league sources.

- As always, Bowman has his untouchables — or at least a list of players who would be very, very difficult to obtain — but that list is shorter than usual...If a team is calling about Dominik Kubalik, Alex Nylander, Ian Mitchell or a number of other young players, the price would probably be too overwhelming for a lot of teams.

- The Blackhawks have also put some large price tags — think first-round draft picks and prospects — on a number of their potential rentals like Robin Lehner and Erik Gustafsson. No one biting.

Plus, Gus says worries about not getting a contract when DBC did had him thinking too much and affected his game until the holidays. Strome expressed similar concerns.
- pdx2ord

This just in:
Blowman just doubled his chip order but have no fear, he switched to the Costco veggie chips, super-size bags.

Both teams have been in rebuild mode for awhile.
- mohel

Not entirely true.

LA has come out and admitted to their players, Doughty/Kopitar, they are rebuilding. THey have sold guys like Torfoli, Martinez

Hawks are still retooling on the fly...trying to figure out the right formula to get the aging core back to the dance. That's why guys like Keith, Crawford, and some others haven't been shipped off.

What are we even talking about? Goalie is 3rd most important position in sports behind QB and Ace Starting Pitcher. Should do whatever it takes to lock up Lehner long-term. Let Corey ride off into sunset or trade him for anything you can get. Should also be selling Gus, Kampf, Caguila, Matta and guys like Smith or Shaw if anyone is big enough sucker enough to take those salaries on.

Truth be told if you had to trade Saad to keep Lehner I would do that too. If this is a rebuild which we all know it is, first piece to secure is your franchise goalie. Love Crow but he has a two-year shelf life on the outside.
- ChiTownHawkFan

WEll, they are up against the cap without buying out turds like Smith, and putting guys on LTIR prior to season and then riding with a roster without a lot of margin for error should a large star get hurt....wouldn't be wise.

Im torn on Lehner. I think he realizes his chances of resigning here AND getting what he wants with term and AAV are slim. THink we have seen it affect his play and he isn't as vocal about the team postgame as he was before.

Truth be told....Bowman's trades/signings this past offseason....

1. Lehner was excellent but if he's not being extended he has to be dealt at the deadline. This team isn't making the playoffs.

2. SMith is a bust. Just awful

3. Maata….Ok....has some value, not great, not horrible

4. Shaw....awful....given his concussion history and now Hawks are stuck eating a sizeable cap hit because 5 years ago he was a great role player. Even if he comes back he's 1 hit away from being done and with his game....you will lose the very same edge that cemented his career in the NHL

5. Carpenter...excellent

What are we even talking about? Goalie is 3rd most important position in sports behind QB and Ace Starting Pitcher. Should do whatever it takes to lock up Lehner long-term. Let Corey ride off into sunset or trade him for anything you can get. Should also be selling Gus, Kampf, Caguila, Matta and guys like Smith or Shaw if anyone is big enough sucker enough to take those salaries on.

Truth be told if you had to trade Saad to keep Lehner I would do that too. If this is a rebuild which we all know it is, first piece to secure is your franchise goalie. Love Crow but he has a two-year shelf life on the outside.
- ChiTownHawkFan

That's why if any Swede on the Hawks knows Markstrom well, they need to plant the seed in his camp the Hawks are interested.

I see how /why Vancouvers will have to make decisions or trade a hard line with resigning him b/c of their growing crop of young emergiung players who will want to be paid.
This may be an opportunity. Of late, he looks like an emerging player while imo, Crow AND Lehner are not worth worth top goalie resin dollars. (not until he can consistently win in OT shoot-outs)

Kampf may not score but he is a nice player to me....

This just in:
Blowman just doubled his chip order but have no fear, he switched to the Costco veggie chips, super-size bags.
- savvyone-1

WEll apparently the narrative is that Uncle Dale was a god, and Stan sucks.

I was a dale supporter....he had his wins, had his losses, and its' been 10+ years since he's been here.

Bowman....next few days shapes his offseason. I don't see any reason to stand pat and ride out this maddening/inconsistent season....they are closer to the bottom then the WC...he should be listening to offers on Murphy and Saad who could fetch the biggest return where he doesn't have to go back to the agent to get the player to waive (Keith)

Im not advocating trading Murphy as they will need him, but teams get stupid/crazy this time of year.....

Part of me wants them to stand pat just to watch the clique defend Stan. Should be entertaining either way.

That's why if any Swede on the Hawks knows Markstrom well, they need to plant the seed in his camp the Hawks are interested.

I see how /why Vancouvers will have to make decisions or trade a hard line with resigning him b/c of their growing crop of young emergiung players who will want to be paid.
This may be an opportunity. Of late, he looks like an emerging player while imo, Crow AND Lehner are not worth worth top goalie resin dollars. (not until he can consistently win in OT shoot-outs)

Kampf may not score but he is a nice player to me....
- wiz1901

Kampf should only play on the PK and a rare shift as a 4th liner.....his biggest attribute is taking a puck in deep skating around the net and then.....reversing it to nobody.

Stan is going to get a 3rd for Lehner and a 4th for Gus, and you’ll like it.
- Angotti

If only that low a pick I would rather we keep them and force the other team to try to pry other help for a pittance.

WEll, they are up against the cap without buying out turds like Smith, and putting guys on LTIR prior to season and then riding with a roster without a lot of margin for error should a large star get hurt....wouldn't be wise.

Im torn on Lehner. I think he realizes his chances of resigning here AND getting what he wants with term and AAV are slim. THink we have seen it affect his play and he isn't as vocal about the team postgame as he was before.

Truth be told....Bowman's trades/signings this past offseason....

1. Lehner was excellent but if he's not being extended he has to be dealt at the deadline. This team isn't making the playoffs.

2. SMith is a bust. Just awful

3. Maata….Ok....has some value, not great, not horrible

4. Shaw....awful....given his concussion history and now Hawks are stuck eating a sizeable cap hit because 5 years ago he was a great role player. Even if he comes back he's 1 hit away from being done and with his game....you will lose the very same edge that cemented his career in the NHL

5. Carpenter...excellent
- SteveRain

^ Lehner was a surprise. He wasn't part of SBs plan until Lehner's people reached out to SB. What was SBs plan for the goalie situation before that ? We will probably see that "plan" next season

Smith for AA was good on paper. I am not faulting him for that

You forgot Blowman will need to call Daddy and ask if he can make those deals first. Wish we had Uncle Dale back. The team has been in such disarray since potato chip Blowman came riding into Chicagoland on Daddy’s coattails.
- paulr

yep.....preach on!!!

Build around kane dach boqvust toews dcat murphy kubalik Nylander anyone else sell but make hockey trades that helps both teams. Hoping mithcell signs could be part of young core.

^ Lehner was a surprise. He wasn't part of SBs plan until Lehner's people reached out to SB. What was SBs plan for the goalie situation before that ? We will probably see that "plan" next season

Smith for AA was good on paper. I am not faulting him for that
- squishy24

WEll, we have seen what happens when they rely on Crawford for 60+ games the last few years....its ugly. He ultimately breaks down around X mas time and this team bottoms out quickly.

THe other issue is the confidence of the rookie backup who will be absolutely exposed behind this dumpster fire of a D corps. Whatever goalie they feel is their potential solution for the long term, I would hope....they play the other before they ruin that kid's mental stamina.

Further. Starman is a huge Mitchel fan. He has been touting him since his freshman year and feels the Hawks got him as a steal as a 2nd round pick.
- Elbows15

I share that same sentiment.

I don't see Mitchell as an NHL all-star, but I see him being one of those guys that has more value to his organization than to other teams around the league.

A perennially safe top-4 d-man. Can't wait to have him here.

That's why if any Swede on the Hawks knows Markstrom well, they need to plant the seed in his camp the Hawks are interested.

I see how /why Vancouvers will have to make decisions or trade a hard line with resigning him b/c of their growing crop of young emergiung players who will want to be paid.
This may be an opportunity. Of late, he looks like an emerging player while imo, Crow AND Lehner are not worth worth top goalie resin dollars. (not until he can consistently win in OT shoot-outs)

Kampf may not score but he is a nice player to me....
- wiz1901

How would you feel if the Hawks let both Crawford and Lehner walk this summer? Trade them both by the deadline, continue to accumulate assets, and give one of the kids a shot the rest of the season to see what they've got. If the team is rebuilding, would rather see them rebuild the right way.

If none of the kids in the farm system look like they can handle a starting role, you find a cheap netminder this off-season to keep the seat warm while they continue to develop.

Guys like Francouz, Greiss, Dell...or even older guys like Halak and Khudobin might be willing to come here because they'd have the ability to start (even though the team is rebuilding).

The team is going to be pressed right up against the cap again, and would rather they re-sign their younger forward talent than commit big dollars to a goalie when the team isn't ready to contend. It's the baseball equivalent of signing a closer to a long-term deal when your team is clearly not in a contending state.

^ Lehner was a surprise. He wasn't part of SBs plan until Lehner's people reached out to SB. What was SBs plan for the goalie situation before that ? We will probably see that "plan" next season

Smith for AA was good on paper. I am not faulting him for that
- squishy24

The paper being some cap relief. Though not saying much at this point, AA is still the better player. Little known fact. AA was actually the Hawks best PK'er last season. At least by metrics.

@CRoumeliotis

11 NHL scouts/reps listed for #Blackhawks-Rangers: BOS, CAR, COL, DET, MTL, NSH, PIT, STL, TB (2), WSH