The rebuild is structurally complete. Another high draft pick. The picks playing well (that's what our whole game plan hinges on), we already rebuilt. What else do you expect. Yes we have to replace Hossa. We can do that with a little cashola in our reserves in a year or two. Lol. Otherwise...the rebuild is here
- just69sayin

The rebuild hasn't even started, wait till we have to replace Toews, Kane and Keith. Those replacements are not on the team.

Seabrook HOF 2044
- just69sayin

Same year as Roenick.

You are correct on that, but I have to wonder with the cap shrinking what teams will require and what players will sacrifice to stay around their present teams if the roll back I expect truly happens...
- wiz1901

The next CBA will be interesting to say the least.

If it does happen like you think it can. You have to think the GM of any team has some considerable leverage in negotiating with that said player if indeed that player wanted to stay with his current team. Could get interesting moving forward.
- BGKarras

Any GM can "force" a bridge contract. But they better have a "Plan B" in three years.

Thanks, Tommy.

Even with concern about the defensive play of a line with Strome centering DeBrincat and Nylander, one solution is making sure they have favorable matchups as the Toews line and Dach line can take on tougher matchups.

Or create new lines that have the right mix of defensive awareness and offensive talent on each one. What I shared was just an example.
- AEL_Fox

How about Lafreniere on Toews left and Saad on third line, let Toews teach Lafreniere how to play a two way game in the NHL, plus they both speak French.

We know what drives the personality and the business acumen of the wealthy: It is all about money. So it should be no surprise as we have heard that the NHL (and assume the owners) do not want to return monies already paid for games yet to be played to the amalgam.of cable and or TV .

A couple other points go hand - in - hand with that - most notable may be the desire from the nhl/owners to have a friendly relationship and therefore not a bad taste in negotiating the next network contract.

Well yeah this is not a good thing to play hockey in warm weather amidst the economic woes due to Covid19. But you know the elitist wealthy only care about money and prefer to push for their way. I really believe the players are divided on this issue but if the league continues the season obviously the players association is thumbs up with it.

I suggest that most folks want entertainment and although not thrilled will enjoy the continuation of a season. Myself I am so wishing that the NHL draft was not postponed. And I really wonder whom the next President will be btw. It is said patience is a virtue, eh? Oh what an understatement if Lafraniere skates for a mid level team like the Penguins and not for one of the worse teams in the league next season
- jhawk59

Jhawk, you bring up some good points. This entire covid pandemic I truly question all the so called experts , they have been so wrong on a grand scale , and yes i understand it's a novel virus but if you listen to Fauci that man is a walking sideshow the way he flip flops or his certain views .

I also point out look af who has been funding many of these doctors, the Chinese government based on recent arrests and officials quiting. It's a agenda their pushing.


Now money will always be a factor in business decisions, people forget if a company isn't profiting it goes bankrupt and people lose their jobs, so these owners who all put up capital for their dreams I don't fault them for wanting to not lose money.

I just think between these so called experts and politicians all playing politics because it's a election year you won't get any real certainty with many different things .

How about Lafreniere on Toews left and Saad on third line, let Toews teach Lafreniere how to play a two way game in the NHL, plus they both speak French.
- Angotti

I don't see saad being on this team come next season , chicago needs cap relief , and unless some miracle happens where Seabrook gets bought out, I see saad as the x factor getting moved

How about Lafreniere on Toews left and Saad on third line, let Toews teach Lafreniere how to play a two way game in the NHL, plus they both speak French.
- Angotti

That would be nice, the way i understand it Lafreniere compete level is i want the puck back, and defensive drive won't be a problem with him.

I don't see saad being on this team come next season , chicago needs cap relief , and unless some miracle happens where Seabrook gets bought out, I see saad as the x factor getting moved
- Taylorst1

I’m not saying these guys should be dealt, but if the Hawks need cap space then Saad and Murphy are the likely targets. Maatta could be moved, for minimal return. Ideally Smith is traded, but a buyout is more likely.

I just found out that Blackhawks legend Dylan Olsen is vacationing close to our family’s vacation spot. If I’m lucky, maybe I can get an autograph.

I’m not saying these guys should be dealt, but if the Hawks need cap space then Saad and Murphy are the likely targets. Maatta could be moved, for minimal return. Ideally Smith is traded, but a buyout is more likely.
- DarthKane

Alright I go along with what you say. Although I suspect and strongly endorse the idea that Murphy is last veteran to be chopped. The team has too much greenhorns they are trying to promote. (Some of them may go back to Rockford a while longer). Murphy is needed now and really if he does get moved later on, someone in top six besides Carlsson should have some physical part as to checking. I can imagine accentuating the puck movers skill guys but do not go too light on non physical dmen

I just found out that Blackhawks legend Dylan Olsen is vacationing close to our family’s vacation spot. If I’m lucky, maybe I can get an autograph.
- DarthKane

He should ask for your autograph, otherwise ask him to sign it "Patrick Kane."

I’m not saying these guys should be dealt, but if the Hawks need cap space then Saad and Murphy are the likely targets. Maatta could be moved, for minimal return. Ideally Smith is traded, but a buyout is more likely.
- DarthKane

What team won't need cap space?

What team won't need cap space?
- rpeters01

New Jersey & Ottawa.

New Jersey & Ottawa.
- DarthKane

20 whatever teams trading with two won't work...

I just found out that Blackhawks legend Dylan Olsen is vacationing close to our family’s vacation spot. If I’m lucky, maybe I can get an autograph.
- DarthKane

Maybe you could teach him how to pivot backwards when the puck transitions to the opposition...

20 whatever teams trading with two won't work...
- rpeters01

Those two teams just need to trade with the Hawks, who cares about everyone else.

That would be nice, the way i understand it Lafreniere compete level is i want the puck back, and defensive drive won't be a problem with him.
- BetweenTheDots

I don’t even want to think about this kid coming to us, because it truly is a game changer that adds a gun where we need one.

But if I was the GM selecting first overall, I would have to think twice if Ottawa offered both those picks to me, because it is not like the rest of the top 11 can’t be true high end NHLers....

Maybe you could teach him how to pivot backwards when the puck transitions to the opposition...
- wiz1901

I’m good, but I can’t work miracles.

I don’t even want to think about this kid coming to us, because it truly is a game changer that adds a gun where we need one.

But if I was the GM selecting first overall, I would have to think twice if Ottawa offered both those picks to me, because it is not like the rest of the top 11 can’t be true high end NHLers....
- wiz1901

Yea i hear you but, it'll be hard to trade that #1 considering he can snipe, handle the puck like he does, seems to know where his teammates are without looking and plays defense, this kid checks a lot of boxes and comes in over a 190 pounds already, i believe if we lose in the 1st round, 12.5% chance

I don’t even want to think about this kid coming to us, because it truly is a game changer that adds a gun where we need one.

But if I was the GM selecting first overall, I would have to think twice if Ottawa offered both those picks to me, because it is not like the rest of the top 11 can’t be true high end NHLers....
- wiz1901

Wiz, that is a great question. A part of me says if blessed with the 1st pick, take it and run to select Lafreniere whenever Draft Day is.

Lafreniere is a game-changing franchise player. I would be surprised if he was not a top 10 (if not top 5) player in the NHL in due time.

But it would be enticing to think about snagging the 3rd and 5th picks who can be two of Byfield, Stutzle, Rossi, Drysdale, Perfetti, Raymond, or Holtz.

Do you want two elite talents or just one ultra elite talent?

Yea i hear you but, it'll be hard to trade that #1 considering he can snipe, handle the puck like he does, seems to know where his teammates are without looking and plays defense, this kid checks a lot of boxes and comes in over a 190 pounds already, i believe if we lose in the 1st round, 12.5% chance
- BetweenTheDots

I just replied to Wiz's post. Very exciting to think about but I would also keep the 1st overall. Lafreniere is everything you described plus more as he also plays physical.

It's one thing to have a supremely talented offensive player who is just as good defensively but what puts Lafreniere over the top for me is his drive to retrieve the puck and will plow through the opposition to get it.

Wiz, that is a great question. A part of me says if blessed with the 1st pick, take it and run to select Lafreniere whenever Draft Day is.

Lafreniere is a game-changing franchise player. I would be surprised if he was not a top 10 (if not top 5) player in the NHL in due time.

But it would be enticing to think about snagging the 3rd and 5th picks who can be two of Byfield, Stutzle, Rossi, Drysdale, Perfetti, Raymond, or Holtz.

Do you want two elite talents or just one ultra elite talent?
- AEL_Fox

It is an intriguing question and one that can be effectively argued from both sides. I come down on the side of adding Lafreniere to the roster rather than 2 of the others for two main reasons - (1) quality over quantity is always preferred except for special and unusual circumstances, and (2) Lafreniere is a ready to play top line player where the other will almost certainly need more seasoning before they can contribute in a meaningful enough way to improve the Hawks chances while we're still in the T&K era.

How about Lafreniere on Toews left and Saad on third line, let Toews teach Lafreniere how to play a two way game in the NHL, plus they both speak French.
- Angotti

That would work well, actually. Saad is versatile so he still thrives on any line you put him. Saad would be shifting to RW so not sure if that impacts his play.

Also, Nylander started to gain some chemistry and confidence playing with Kane before the season shut down.

Lafreniere - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Saad
Carpenter - Kampf - Highmore

Lafreniere could also swap with Nylander so Dach doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting defensively.

Nylander would be with two defensively responsible linemates in Toews and Kubalik.

That would work well, actually. Saad is versatile so he still thrives on any line you put him. Saad would be shifting to RW so not sure if that impacts his play.

Also, Nylander started to gain some chemistry and confidence playing with Kane before the season shut down.

Lafreniere - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Saad
Carpenter - Kampf - Highmore

Lafreniere could also swap with Nylander so Dach doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting defensively.

Nylander would be with two defensively responsible linemates in Toews and Kubalik.
- AEL_Fox

Where do I sign up? Hawks lose in 5 with three overtime games, and win lottery.