Maybe Mitchell will wear Jeff Hamilton’s #51?
- DarthKane

Wasn’t that Soupy Campbell’s number?

Good news on Mitchell. Awful news on Cave.

That is all.

Back to bunker to prevent spread of infection thru interwebs.

Buyout Seabrook

With this crazy circumstance involving the pandemic and the cap going WAY down I’m sure they’ll allow each team one buyout. Seabs is a goner.

Keith, Boqvist, and Murphy are locks.

Then I’d look to give as much ice time as possible to Mitchell, Carlsson, and Beaudin. Preferably 2 of those 3 getting a starting spot on any given night. Rotating the odd man out(7th D).

So the 6th starting role(which should be another veteran) will depend on how de Haan recovers. If he’s back 100% then he gets the spot and I’d look to trade Maatta. If he doesn’t recover then keep Maatta and put de Haan on IR or trade him if possible.

Buyout Seabrook

With this crazy circumstance involving the pandemic and the cap going WAY down I’m sure they’ll allow each team one buyout. Seabs is a goner.

Keith, Boqvist, and Murphy are locks.

Then I’d look to give as much ice time as possible to Mitchell, Carlsson, and Beaudin. Preferably 2 of those 3 getting a starting spot on any given night. Rotating the odd man out(7th D).

So the 6th starting role(which should be another veteran) will depend on how de Haan recovers. If he’s back 100% then he gets the spot and I’d look to trade Maatta. If he doesn’t recover then keep Maatta and put de Haan on IR or trade him if possible.
- SimpleJack

Trade Maatta regardless. He is slow AF. The Hawks need more mobility on D. Murphy is much better. Don't be afraid to play the kids. It just might force the forwards to be more responsible.

It is still too early to make cap projections. There are just too many variables still in play.

Trade Maatta regardless. He is slow AF. The Hawks need more mobility on D. Murphy is much better. Don't be afraid to play the kids. It just might force the forwards to be more responsible.

It is still too early to make cap projections. There are just too many variables still in play.
- Elbows15

From an on-ice perspective, yes, Maatta would be the vet to go. But I think we need to consider that each of the vet brings back in a deal. I’m a big Murphy fan but he would bring back the best return between himself, Maatta and de Haan. Is de Han’s health a consideration in a trade too?

Buyout Seabrook

With this crazy circumstance involving the pandemic and the cap going WAY down I’m sure they’ll allow each team one buyout. Seabs is a goner.

Keith, Boqvist, and Murphy are locks.

Then I’d look to give as much ice time as possible to Mitchell, Carlsson, and Beaudin. Preferably 2 of those 3 getting a starting spot on any given night. Rotating the odd man out(7th D).

So the 6th starting role(which should be another veteran) will depend on how de Haan recovers. If he’s back 100% then he gets the spot and I’d look to trade Maatta. If he doesn’t recover then keep Maatta and put de Haan on IR or trade him if possible.
- SimpleJack

I'm thinking along the same lines: compliance buy out of Seabrook, play at least 2 more youth D as starters in addition to Boqvist, and decide on Maatta's fate depending on de Haan's health.

For the youth, none of them should be regular scratches. A game here and there to observe from the press box is fine. But if they're going to sit for long stretches, it's better to start and play big minutes in Rockford instead.

The dichotomous fate of de Haan and Maatta is where retaining a cheap veteran like Koekkoek should be at least considered as the 7th man.

Keith - Boqvist
Carlsson - Murphy
de Haan/Maatta - Mitchell
Koekkoek (Beaudin as first recall)

I guess Koekkoek could walk and just retain both de Haan and Maatta but that would mean Carlsson is scratched unless de Haan goes on LTIR which could also be where we find Shaw.

Of course this all assumes the youth step up. Otherwise, would it be better to roll out de Haan, Maatta, and Koekkoek along with Keith, Murphy, and Boqvist?

May still be ugly but at least let the youth develop in the right environment, i.e. the AHL.

From an on-ice perspective, yes, Maatta would be the vet to go. But I think we need to consider that each of the vet brings back in a deal. I’m a big Murphy fan but he would bring back the best return between himself, Maatta and de Haan. Is de Han’s health a consideration in a trade too?
- DarthKane

No one is trading for de Haan at this point. Murphy is also cheaper and has some injury concern of his own. I feel Murphy has more value to the Hawks than what he would garner in return. I keep Murphy for at least one more season. Buys some time for Mitchell/Boqvist to mature a bit more.

LBH. Maatta just is not very good. I think they could replace him easily.

I'm thinking along the same lines: compliance buy out of Seabrook, play at least 2 more youth D as starters in addition to Boqvist, and decide on Maatta's fate depending on de Haan's health.

For the youth, none of them should be regular scratches. A game here and there to observe from the press box is fine. But if they're going to sit for long stretches, it's better to start and play big minutes in Rockford instead.

The dichotomous fate of de Haan and Maatta is where retaining a cheap veteran like Koekkoek should be at least considered as the 7th man.

Keith - Boqvist
Carlsson - Murphy
de Haan/Maatta - Mitchell
Koekkoek (Beaudin as first recall)

I guess Koekkoek could walk and just retain both de Haan and Maatta but that would mean Carlsson is scratched unless de Haan goes on LTIR which could also be where we find Shaw.

Of course this all assumes the youth step up. Otherwise, would it be better to roll out de Haan, Maatta, and Koekkoek along with Keith, Murphy, and Boqvist?

May still be ugly but at least let the youth develop in the right environment, i.e. the AHL.
- AEL_Fox

At this point, I wouldn't count on de Haan for more than 30 games before one of his shoulders acts up.

No one is trading for de Haan at this point. Murphy is also cheaper and has some injury concern of his own. I feel Murphy has more value to the Hawks than what he would garner in return. I keep Murphy for at least one more season. Buys some time for Mitchell/Boqvist to mature a bit more.

LBH. Maatta just is not very good. I think they could replace him easily.
- Elbows15

I don’t disagree, but who would want him then?

No one is trading for de Haan at this point. Murphy is also cheaper and has some injury concern of his own. I feel Murphy has more value to the Hawks than what he would garner in return. I keep Murphy for at least one more season. Buys some time for Mitchell/Boqvist to mature a bit more.

LBH. Maatta just is not very good. I think they could replace him easily.
- Elbows15

I hang on to Maatta he is only a vet in terms of playing time ,but what is he 26 ,young for a defenseman .He been down the road in long playoffs . De Hann is very suspect .Maatta is insurances for De Hann and if the kids show well he could be moved at the trade deadline if we are out of it ,when his value is greatest .

Assuming Mitchell has signed and there is a 20/21 season the Hawks situation on defense is certainly interesting.

Keith
Seabrook
de Haan
Murphy
Maatta
Boqvist
Carlsson
Beaudin
Mitchell

Two of the last 3 can play in Rockford, but I’d have to think the Hawks want to get them playing in the NHL.

Could 2 of de Haan, Murphy and Maatta be dealt?

I think the most likely scenario is in the middle. One trade and one guy sent to Rockford.
- DarthKane

Still have Gilbert, Regula and future draft picks as well.

I don’t disagree, but who would want him then?
- DarthKane

Ottawa is gonna need to get to the floor. As long as teams give up a 1st for guys like Brady Skjei, someone will be dumb enough to take him.

So what’s the next topic to be beaten to death, now that Mitchell kept his word and signed?

I hang on to Maatta he is only a vet in terms of playing time ,but what is he 26 ,young for a defenseman .He been down the road in long playoffs . De Hann is very suspect .Maatta is insurances for De Hann and if the kids show well he could be moved at the trade deadline if we are out of it ,when his value is greatest .
- oldduffman

The problem is he moves like he is 36. Playing him won't help his trade value.

The Hawks have enough vet D-men. Clear the space and let the kids play.

Ottawa is gonna need to get to the floor. As long as teams give up a 1st for guys like Brady Skjei, someone will be dumb enough to take him.
- Elbows15

Or does he get bought out? The cap hit would be $680K for 4 years.

I hang on to Maatta he is only a vet in terms of playing time ,but what is he 26 ,young for a defenseman .He been down the road in long playoffs . De Hann is very suspect .Maatta is insurances for De Hann and if the kids show well he could be moved at the trade deadline if we are out of it ,when his value is greatest .
- oldduffman

Agreed

The Hawks have enough vet D-men. Clear the space and let the kids play.
- Elbows15

Not if Seabs is bought out(highly likely), Maatta is traded, and de Haan(as you’ve said yourself and I agree) is injury prone.

Can’t be stuck with only Keith and Murphy and then a bunch of kids. We need to keep one of de Haan and Maatta.

So what’s the next topic to be beaten to death, now that Mitchell kept his word and signed?
- gifman

Mitchell is no Trubinsky. Actually he can perform like a quarterback, particularly on pp. Keith shots miss net and Trubinsky misfires. Mitchell gotta be better than them. I would be ecstatic if he was rookie of the year. With Caufield in Packer-land, Mitchell might be pretty good by season end. Well improves even if a short season

Next years current roster projection, assuming we keep Strome, dump Smith, buyout Seabrook, and keep Maatta around until de Haan is ready:

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula

Nylander-Strome-Kane

DeBrincat-Dach-Saad (Cat bounces back and this becomes the best 3rd line in the NHL)

Highmore-Kampf-Shaw/Carpenter


Keith-Boqvist
de-Haan/Maatta-Mitchell
Beaudin/Carlsson-Murphy

Crawford
Subban/Lankinen

If we get several things to go our way we can make some noise in the playoffs. Definitely possible. I think we’re establishing a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans.

There are still plenty of question marks on the D. At least the answers are not Dahlstrom, Hillman, Franson, Runblad, Gus, Davidson, Ehrhoff, Manning, Scuderi or Svedberg.

Mitchell is no Trubinsky. Actually he can perform like a quarterback, particularly on pp. Keith shots miss net and Trubinsky misfires. Mitchell gotta be better than them. I would be ecstatic if he was rookie of the year. With Caufield in Packer-land, Mitchell might be pretty good by season end. Well improves even if a short season
- jhawk59

I recall past reports stating that Mitchell wasn't consistent with getting his point shot through to the net during his freshman year but has since improved significantly.

Next years current roster projection, assuming we keep Strome, dump Smith, buyout Seabrook, and keep Maatta around until de Haan is ready:

Kubalik-Toews-Caggiula

Nylander-Strome-Kane

DeBrincat-Dach-Saad (Cat bounces back and this becomes the best 3rd line in the NHL)

Highmore-Kampf-Shaw/Carpenter


Keith-Boqvist
de-Haan/Maatta-Mitchell
Beaudin/Carlsson-Murphy

Crawford
Subban/Lankinen

If we get several things to go our way we can make some noise in the playoffs. Definitely possible. I think we’re establishing a perfect blend of young talent and experienced veterans.
- SimpleJack

Another draft lottery will be exciting.

I recall past reports stating that Mitchell wasn't consistent with getting his point shot through to the net during his freshman year but has since improved significantly.
- AEL_Fox

Isn’t Bovquist going to be point on pp1. I bet Keith starts out on pp 2

Another draft lottery will be exciting.
- DarthKane

Guess it hasn’t been 15 posts since your last serious statement...😉