News flash. The leafs ain’t trading their top prospect for the proverbial bag of pucks. Any team that wants Alex Nylander can do so next season for free when the Blackhawks waiver him
- BernardShakey

Yeah, I know. It would take a lot to snag Robertson from the Leafs. I love his upside.

Where do the Leafs project him to play in the lineup short term and long term? He has the goods to make the team next season.

Saw a report stating that Holtz and Raymond wont be able to play in the NHL next season as their SHL contracts won't allow them to. Whoever drafts them won't have their services until 2021-22 at the earliest.

Not sure if either were NHL-ready anyway. I would think Lafreniere definitely is. Lundell, too. Possibly Byfield.
- AEL_Fox

Maybe that will scare off teams from drafting them and one will fall to the Hawks?

Maybe that will scare off teams from drafting them and one will fall to the Hawks?
- DarthKane

Honestly, the Suter signing helped me not care as much about drafting a prospect who is NHL ready.

Not that the Hawks draft position would enable them to draft someone of that caliber outside of winning the Lafreinere sweepstakes.

Watch, Suter will flop big time and be the next Tony Salmelainen or Reto Von Arx.

The Euro scouts for the Hawks keep knocking it out of the park. Now if they can get their pro scouting up to par, this team will be on its way.

Tyler. The Hawks have been putting building blocks in place through the draft. Up to 2017 they were Cup chasing. Even in 2018 one could argue they were taking a run with some of their UFA signings.

However, after the Pred series there was a definite shift in philosophy as far as drafting is concerned. They started drafting D men earlier. IMO, that is where rebuilds start.
- Elbows15

Elbows - I'm with you! The pro scouting needs to be improved indeed.

The Hawks have been building slowly through the draft, but when looking at the Kings, LA have pivoted out of their Cup chasing years, and are rebuilding in a different way.

2019 - 9 picks (2 x 1st rd, 2 x 2nd rd, 2 x 4th rd)
2020 - 11 picks (3 x 2nd rd, 2 x 3rd, 2 x 4th)

... and so on.

Like I mentioned in the blog, I'm not saying the Hawks should have or could have went this route, especially when you have guys like Kane and Toews playing the best hockey of their careers.

I agree with the building through defence. If the stars align, the Hawks should be in good shape with guys like Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Carlsson, Vlasic, Kalynuk, Regula, Krys, etc.

Tyler - assuming that North America comes out of this COVID situation in the next year, do you think that teams (GM's) will ultimately start to be a bit more conservative and be less aggressive with FA's? I know there will always be Tallon's and such out there, but we are going to see 2-3 straight years of teams having to be quite frugal with their cap dollars.

Maybe we just see a string of 1 year deals for the next couple of years until the financial situation improves?
- Chunk

100%.

There will be a lot of 1 and 2-year deals.

There will be deals for players that you will have to do a double take to wonder why "he signed for so little".

There will be NHL-quality players who will find themselves out of a job and heading oversees or to the minors because teams simply do not have cap space for them.

These next few years will be the years of cheap contracts and GMs being extremely creative to form their team.

It's been announced that the reason why Gilbert isn't at training camp is because he has sustained an upper body injury.

UPDATE: Wrist injury requiring surgery.
- AEL_Fox

This makes more sense. Not sure why they didn't say something earlier.

I was confused as to why he wasn't at training camp.

Yeah, I know. It would take a lot to snag Robertson from the Leafs. I love his upside.

Where do the Leafs project him to play in the lineup short term and long term? He has the goods to make the team next season.
- AEL_Fox

By all accounts, I would say he's on the team next year in TOR.

The Leafs media are raving about this guy and for good reason. He's got a ton of skill.

The Leafs are in it tough against the cap as well. Robertson will offer a cheap top 9 option in 2020-21.

By all accounts, I would say he's on the team next year in TOR.

The Leafs media are raving about this guy and for good reason. He's got a ton of skill.

The Leafs are in it tough against the cap as well. Robertson will offer a cheap top 9 option in 2020-21.
- Tyler Cameron

As you well know - just about anybody who is drafted or signed by the Leafs is elevated to exalted status by local media as the player who will end their 54 year losing streak.

The kid has talent and has put the puck in the net at lower levels. But the main reason they need him is he will be cheap on an ELC. Myself, I hope Radko Gudas knocks him into the 5th row of empty seats at Scotiabank Arena so I can see the look on Dubas and Shanahan's face when he lands.

Saw a report stating that Holtz and Raymond wont be able to play in the NHL next season as their SHL contracts won't allow them to. Whoever drafts them won't have their services until 2021-22 at the earliest.

Not sure if either were NHL-ready anyway. I would think Lafreniere definitely is. Lundell, too. Possibly Byfield.
- AEL_Fox

Oh, Byfield stays, and will be an on the job contributor, as he skates reads and grits as well as any player in the class and like Dach, he will grow and fill out and learn to play the quicker high paced less thinking, just doing pro style...
Sure the nhl loves prospects like Stützle who have shown they might play fast as nhlewrs, but big guys that move and are difficult to slow, they are always gonna be valuable.
Can anyone argue Washington Wilson doesn't make an impact?
Well these more skilled big guys eventually start doing in on the down low when the playoffs begin and they are rounded out.

100%.

There will be a lot of 1 and 2-year deals.

There will be deals for players that you will have to do a double take to wonder why "he signed for so little".

There will be NHL-quality players who will find themselves out of a job and heading oversees or to the minors because teams simply do not have cap space for them.

These next few years will be the years of cheap contracts and GMs being extremely creative to form their team.
- Tyler Cameron

A two-tier league - stars/superstars, and cheap ELCs and bottom-level vets.

No middle-class - where teams get their depth.

The quality of play will not be nearly as good as it should be.

Oh, Byfield stays, and will be an on the job contributor, as he skates reads and grits as well as any player in the class and like Dach, he will grow and fill out and learn to play the quicker high paced less thinking, just doing pro style...
Sure the nhl loves prospects like Stützle who have shown they might play fast as nhlewrs, but big guys that move and are difficult to slow, they are always gonna be valuable.
Can anyone argue Washington Wilson doesn't make an impact?
Well these more skilled big guys eventually start doing in on the down low when the playoffs begin and they are rounded out.
- wiz1901

Right on Wiz. Well said. I immediately accepted the draft pick at 3 because this kid had the mold of a future 1, just give it time. He’s going to fill out his frame, he’s got the work ethic and leader-esque qualities you see of an eventual captain. The Hawks did not have a player like this in their system. It was a jolt for the inevitable youth movement. I really enjoyed watching him this season because he played well at such a young age. He looked like he belonged.

I re-watched his highlights from this season and it only reaffirmed how excited I am to have this kid on our side. What a special player he will be in this league.

He IS going to be this organization’s franchise player.

It’s nice to see that there will be hope for the post-19/88/2/7 days with Kirby leading the charge.

Right on Wiz. Well said. I immediately accepted the draft pick at 3 because this kid had the mold of a future 1, just give it time. He’s going to fill out his frame, he’s got the work ethic and leader-esque qualities you see of an eventual captain. The Hawks did not have a player like this in their system. It was a jolt for the inevitable youth movement. I really enjoyed watching him this season because he played well at such a young age. He looked like he belonged.

I re-watched his highlights from this season and it only reaffirmed how excited I am to have this kid on our side. What a special player he will be in this league.

He IS going to be this organization’s franchise player.

It’s nice to see that there will be hope for the post-19/88/2/7 days with Kirby leading the charge.
- TommyHawk

I also had a bit of an epiphany recently, or maybe it was too much to drink, but would it be crazy to seriously consider taking Byfield at 1-1 if you’re the Hawks? AL is a lock to be an impact player, we know this. You’d be foolish to even think elsewhere with this kind of talent available to you.

But from the Hawks perspective, imagine having two 6’4” two-way towers with speed and stride coming at you on two different lines? It would be a new age Crosby-Malkin domination; and we’ve seen how good McDavid-Draisaitl have been and carried Edmonton this year. Two elite 2C’s makes some sense. And of course Toews makes a hell of a 3C by that point.

Wyatt Kalynuk sounds like a Duncan Keith type... Boy, if the Hawks can get anything close to a youthful Keith as a UFA, that's a steal.. Responsible defensively, great positioning and a nice crisp quick first pass?.... I like the language Tony is speaking. I mean Duncan Keith much like Hossa aren't players you can just replace, their game and their style is unique but if the Hawks can get something close to a Keith to eventually step in and takeover his spot in 2-3 years - I'll be a happy Hawks fan!

Now I just have to figure out how to pronounce his name. Kali-nuck, Kale-nuck?

As for the other guy - Suter, he looks pretty intriguing, I mean the Hawks have a good eye for European talent as can be seen with recent signings especially Panarin and Kubalik, who was recently named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, obviously Panarin won it - of course Kubalik doesn't stand a chance against Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar - but still, it shows the Hawks have an excellent scouting staff - it shows the Hawks have an eye for that European talent and if the Hawks can keep bringing in these Euro's with professional experience on cheap ELC's it could pay dividends when it comes to the cap.

Anyway, who's the 3rd signing? all Tyler discussed was Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter...

Wyatt Kalynuk sounds like a Duncan Keith type... Boy, if the Hawks can get anything close to a youthful Keith as a UFA, that's a steal.. Responsible defensively, great positioning and a nice crisp quick first pass?.... I like the language Tony is speaking. I mean Duncan Keith much like Hossa aren't players you can just replace, their game and their style is unique but if the Hawks can get something close to a Keith to eventually step in and takeover his spot in 2-3 years - I'll be a happy Hawks fan!

Now I just have to figure out how to pronounce his name. Kali-nuck, Kale-nuck?

As for the other guy - Suter, he looks pretty intriguing, I mean the Hawks have a good eye for European talent as can be seen with recent signings especially Panarin and Kubalik, who was recently named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, obviously Panarin won it - of course Kubalik doesn't stand a chance against Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar - but still, it shows the Hawks have an excellent scouting staff - it shows the Hawks have an eye for that European talent and if the Hawks can keep bringing in these Euro's with professional experience on cheap ELC's it could pay dividends when it comes to the cap.

Anyway, who's the 3rd signing? all Tyler discussed was Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter...
- Savard2Secord

Ian Mitchell was officially announced as a signing. The great news for the Hawks is that his three-year contract officially begins next season and not this year, meaning he won’t be in the same contract year that Dach and Boqvist will be in.

Wyatt Kalynuk sounds like a Duncan Keith type... Boy, if the Hawks can get anything close to a youthful Keith as a UFA, that's a steal.. Responsible defensively, great positioning and a nice crisp quick first pass?.... I like the language Tony is speaking. I mean Duncan Keith much like Hossa aren't players you can just replace, their game and their style is unique but if the Hawks can get something close to a Keith to eventually step in and takeover his spot in 2-3 years - I'll be a happy Hawks fan!

Now I just have to figure out how to pronounce his name. Kali-nuck, Kale-nuck?

As for the other guy - Suter, he looks pretty intriguing, I mean the Hawks have a good eye for European talent as can be seen with recent signings especially Panarin and Kubalik, who was recently named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, obviously Panarin won it - of course Kubalik doesn't stand a chance against Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar - but still, it shows the Hawks have an excellent scouting staff - it shows the Hawks have an eye for that European talent and if the Hawks can keep bringing in these Euro's with professional experience on cheap ELC's it could pay dividends when it comes to the cap.

Anyway, who's the 3rd signing? all Tyler discussed was Wyatt Kalynuk and Pius Suter...
- Savard2Secord

Article from March says Kalunuk’s rights were controlled by Philly until summer 21- maybe just a mistake?

Anyway, with all the D prospects in our pipeline how did we sign this guy? Sounds like Flyers were high on him (and they have more urgent need). Great coup. Hope he turns out to be as good as Granato thinks he will be.


https://www.nbcsports.com...fenseman-wisconsin-hockey

100%.

There will be a lot of 1 and 2-year deals.

There will be deals for players that you will have to do a double take to wonder why "he signed for so little".

There will be NHL-quality players who will find themselves out of a job and heading oversees or to the minors because teams simply do not have cap space for them.

These next few years will be the years of cheap contracts and GMs being extremely creative to form their team.
- Tyler Cameron

Yup, and these kids going into their bridge deals are going to get hit hard, a guy that may have gotten 4-5 million will now be offered 2-3 million... This makes poaching a real issue....I mean teams with cap space could potentially poach some great young talent on the cheap without having to give up much for compensation...

Of course the soon to be UFA's heading into their 3rd contract which is where they make their future $$$$$ are going to get hit hard too... A guy that would normally get 7-8 on a 8-year contract may have to settle for a 2-year deal at 5 mill per.. And that is risky as a player because what happens if a player gets injured and they're no longer the same player?... That's why these kids sign these crazy long-term deals - they want the security.. And if I was a player exiting my RFA status I would be concerned, not only because I will be paid less, but I would have less security.. I mean I don't foresee young top 6 or top 4 biting the bullet and signing long-term deals worth only a fraction of what they would be worth under normal circumstances just for the security.... I mean if a guy knows he's worth 8M down the road but is only getting offered 5 per, I mean he's not going to take a long term deal at 5 for security... So these guys are pretty much gambling now... Take less term and more money and risk it - or take more term and less money for security? tough choice.

A two-tier league - stars/superstars, and cheap ELCs and bottom-level vets.

No middle-class - where teams get their depth.

The quality of play will not be nearly as good as it should be.
- StLBravesFan

Likely for a couple years, but once the cap starts going up again, it should (will) go back to normal.

A two-tier league - stars/superstars, and cheap ELCs and bottom-level vets.

No middle-class - where teams get their depth.

The quality of play will not be nearly as good as it should be.
- StLBravesFan

the quality is a bit hampered because of the cap anyway. a lot of meh teams and 2-5 somewhat entertaining ones.

No and there won't be.
- Elbows15

Typical

Ian Mitchell was officially announced as a signing. The great news for the Hawks is that his three-year contract officially begins next season and not this year, meaning he won’t be in the same contract year that Dach and Boqvist will be in.
- TommyHawk

https://twitter.com/CapFr...tatus/1283775967337631749

On CapFriendly's Twitter page, they made note that Beaudin's ELC can slide a year if he plays less than 9 games total. This will help as well to spread out when ELCs expire.

No.
Because teams can't comment on the health of their players, and because other teams have used the EXACT same language 'not fit to practice', the most likely conclusion is he's tested positive for COVID-19.

If that's the case, you won't hear anything until he's tested negative twice and returns to the ice.

If he was opting out, that's what they would have said, but they used the league approved language.

As Sigmund Freud said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."
- scottak

I could have swore other teams have actually come out and said “so and so has tested positive” and not just kept it at “so and so is unfit to play”. Maybe some teams are saying it and some aren’t.

A “shuffling” is a rearranging of personnel...what chicago did was a blood letting because they’re now turning back the clock to when the team was cheap....and lousy!

I grew up with the 80’s chicago team...god they were awful.

Those 3 cups are gonna seem like a billion years ago pretty soon.

[quote=Elbows15]Not saying you, but it is still a bit early to call that trade.

I thought Nylander progressed last season. He really seemed to be finding his niche in the latter part of the season.He appeared to be just playing as opposed to thinking about his responsibilities during his shifts.
- LAHawk[/quot

My point is how many looked at the trade in a vacuum. Even if Joki becomes a top 4 defenseman with Buffalo, with Bovquist, Mitchell, Murphy as right handed shots, and others that can play their offsides, and Seabrook isn t going anywhere, would Joki even make this team?

I got that. I didn't like the trade when it happened. I understand what he was trying to do, tho.

I like Boqvist and Mitchell more and think those two have bigger upsides. Like mentioned, it seemed Nylander was starting to play with confidence toward the end of the season. He definitely has a lot of skill.

To be fair, his skating dramatically improved this year (until his ankle sprain happened).

Its better to have strength up the middle then the wings.

Its a flat cap and he's a RFA. It can't cost an absurd amount of money to keep him and if he continues to get better strength wise and skating wise it shouldn't be that difficult to move him if needed.
- fattybeef

I disagree about his skating. He may have been a bit better but he still struggles getting up to speed. Once he is going, he is okay-ish.

It must hurt if your team lost 6 Stanley cup finals in a row. Yikes.