Now off to read The Athletic article of the same name.

I wrote this article this morning and saw Powers and Lazerus posted the same theme. Let's see how close we are.

Enjoy the read guys and gals!
- Tyler Cameron

Tyler, this post should have qualified you to claim the highly coveted "First" classification.

Tyler, this post should have qualified you to claim the highly coveted "First" classification.
- riozzo

I should have claimed "first", however, I felt like it was cheating if I did it. Ha

If it comes down to a choice between Carlsson and Nylander - I protect Nylander. If it's between Nylander and Hagel - I protect Nylander. If it's between Carlsson and Hagel - I protect Carlsson.

To me since they are building i put Murphy out there. Unless he takes another step or signs a friendly extension, but it probably can't happen because the exp draft is in June and i think the Hawks wouldn't be able to sign him till July? He also had back surgery, is that going to be an issue going forward, probably, missed a few more games this past year. Then there is the chance if they protect him they lose him a year later to free agency.

So long Alex.
Good luck.
Hope you like coffee.

What possibly could lead you to think nhl gms have learned?

what I do is I deal from a position of strength.

* Toews
* Kane
* DeBrincat
* Strome
* Nylander

keith
Murphy

I keep SAAD if he resigns but Im not sure he does. I ask/insist Seabs to wave and let him be exposed.

so now you are a team that has extra spots. Im not sure I see Carlson hagle or Highmore anymore then fring players. there are teams that are going to have to expose some really good players so I make offer for a few players at a med to low value because they either lose them for free compared to getting a 1st round talent player for 2nd round pick or A prospect for B prospect that does not have to be protected. there are going to be some good D and maybe goalies that have to be exposed. if you could trade for thacter Demko for a 2nd and b prospect and protect him would you? there are also guys that would be available that are better then Highmore and hagel and Carlson.

Perhaps I don't know the "rules" for who can be grabbed, but why isn't Kubalik on either of your lists?

Perhaps I don't know the "rules" for who can be grabbed, but why isn't Kubalik on either of your lists?
- ktsparks

I believe he falls in the 2 year exemption

what I do is I deal from a position of strength.

* Toews
* Kane
* DeBrincat
* Strome
* Nylander

keith
Murphy

I keep SAAD if he resigns but Im not sure he does. I ask/insist Seabs to wave and let him be exposed.

so now you are a team that has extra spots. Im not sure I see Carlson hagle or Highmore anymore then fring players. there are teams that are going to have to expose some really good players so I make offer for a few players at a med to low value because they either lose them for free compared to getting a 1st round talent player for 2nd round pick or A prospect for B prospect that does not have to be protected. there are going to be some good D and maybe goalies that have to be exposed. if you could trade for thacter Demko for a 2nd and b prospect and protect him would you? there are also guys that would be available that are better then Highmore and hagel and Carlson.
- kmw4631

Do you know how fast the NHLPA would file a grievance? The owners would not back this up either after they just signed to extend labor peace for another 4 years. You have a better chance of just wishing COVID disappears than Seabrook as a Kraken

I believe he falls in the 2 year exemption
- riozzo

Correct.

He's exempt, which is great that the Hawks don't have to protect him.

Correct.

He's exempt, which is great that the Hawks don't have to protect him.
- Tyler Cameron

Yeah.

They just have to resign him.

Correct.

He's exempt, which is great that the Hawks don't have to protect him.
- Tyler Cameron

One in a row for me!

I am in the minority with my opinion that established clubs are not going to bend over to the extent they did for the Golden Knights with the "don't take this guy" deals.

I think the Tyler scenarios are close to reality in that the team is going to decide in advance who of the regular veteran line-up are going to find expendable, and which possible inexperienced assets are not seen as high end players, but more interchangeable low end of the line up guys.

So whether it is Saad or Murphy or Alex Nylander or Lucas Carlsson will depend upon the contracts, their tire wear, and their improvement upside with the two younger guys.

If you look at the Vegas template, the number one move was to get a quality starting goalie that the depended on.
I think that the KRAKEN will look for a similar move.

Many have criticized the fact that the expansion rules include that excessive amount of defenseman they must select.

So, does that mean Seattle views the available veteran defenders like they are more tradable commodes, or do available forwards add more value, especially guys like Saad and even Nylander who have been there and can fill the line up form day one.

So to me the essential question is just which goaltenders will be made available.

Do the Hawks go young in net, after resigning Crawford to a deal that doesn't include the no trade clause?
Are the net minders currently in net the placeholders until the young Russian who they draft later in the Fall back up the Rockford guys with him as the heir apparent?

I just dont think teams like the Hawks who are basically on the outside looking in as Cup challengers are going try and save that one player that Seattle gets to pluck off the roster.

Why have the Hawks forgotten about Dennis Gilbert
- bjphawkfan

It might be his heavy boots?

Please don't ever do this again.
- Elbows15

Release the Kraken, Elbows!

Carlsson is a keeper in my book so you try your best to protect him. He's the most balanced of the D prospects, at least at present. At worst, he's a 3rd pair minute muncher..
- AEL_Fox

Everything depends upon Nylander's 2020-21 improvements but I agree Carlsson is an NHL defender at a great Cap number so he looks like a keep...unless the stable of defenders take his NHL job.

If it comes down to a choice between Carlsson and Nylander - I protect Nylander. If it's between Nylander and Hagel - I protect Nylander. If it's between Carlsson and Hagel - I protect Carlsson.
- EbonyRaptor

I am not flip flopping, but I am with you IF Nylander shows more next season.

There is of course the fact he will want a fatter contract deal if there is improvement.

I guess Carlsson is gonna want a major league deal to, these breeding sobs....

I am not flip flopping, but I am with you IF Nylander shows more next season.

There is of course the fact he will want a fatter contract deal if there is improvement.

I guess Carlsson is gonna want a major league deal to, these breeding sobs....
- wiz1901

For the next three years, GM's will be ramming contracts down players throats there won't be much negotiating.

Everything depends upon Nylander's 2020-21 improvements but I agree Carlsson is an NHL defender at a great Cap number so he looks like a keep...unless the stable of defenders take his NHL job.
- wiz1901

Course ... things change dramatically if the Hawks are fortunate to snag the #1 pick and have to find a spot in the lineup for Laffy. That makes Nylander a much easier loss to take.

I'm a little confused about the idea that Saad would be eligible for the Seattle expansion draft - isn't the draft after the 2020/21 season and isn't that when Saad's contract expires - meaning he isn't the Hawks' 'property' that needs to be protected/exposed? Maybe the thinking is that it's only applicable if Saad re-signs with the Hawks - but then he either signs for a cap friendly deal in which case the Hawks would probably want to protect him or he signs for a not-so-cap-friendly deal in which case Seattle probably wouldn't select him and the Hawks would be stuck with the contract - not to mention Saad and his agent will know what's going on and demand a NTC. It seems unlikely he would be part of the expansion draft considerations. What am I missing?

I give Seattle one season before they are in cap hell. Simply too tempting.

Every team likely has their Saad. Seattle can sit and 🍒 cherry pick. They should be very good.
- rpeters01

That much is understood and accepted. I hope Saad and Murphy can be used in trade. We aren't desiring to replace Saad $ on salary cap and likely this is possible only if dealing with expansion Seattle. If it comes down to Murphy or Carlsson, trade Murphy to them Seattle may not wish to trade Murphy back in a one sided exchange where they come out like a bandit. Perhaps Seattle's able to pick and choose better than what Murphy gives them

For the next three years, GM's will be ramming contracts down players throats there won't be much negotiating.
- rpeters01

You would think so, but time after time the gm's spend spend spend, hence the hard cap era

I give Seattle one season before they are in cap hell. Simply too tempting.
- rpeters01

If they’re as successful as VGK was in their first three season, I’m sure they won’t mind.

I should have claimed "first", however, I felt like it was cheating if I did it. Ha
- Tyler Cameron

Hawks are in a "good" position Tyler can also be read "they don't have enough good players." Do we have to protect a goalie? There will be better choices than any of our three, four, five, for Seattle to take!