Any chance you can define "overpay" here? I mean with an actual number. Or do you want to leave that vague enough to declare that they overpaid no matter the number?
- mohel

IMO.....anything north of 5 AAV is an overpay for CC given the flat cap, his age, his injury history, etc.

IF this team was ready to win NOW and the goalie position was the last piece that's a whole other animal, and maybe that is going to be a tough call for CC.

Does he want another run at a cup with a team further along then the Hawks which means uprooting his young family OR does he stay here for a small pay cut?

Some thought Perlini would get 2mil+....

Strome should get @2m at best. Hes a RFA

And I'd trade DeHaan before Maata

Same salary. Maata is younger. Dehaan is injury prone.

Maata has won before and his game elevated in the playoffs, and I thought he and Koekkoek player well together. I think the experience Koekkoek even had coming from a winning organization/part of playoff runs in TB helped him.

If move DeHaan for anything they can get. Anything. Resign Koekkoek

I think guys that have won like Keith, Seabrook, Maata - are going to go a long ways in helping develop the next generation of Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin and Carlson.
- PatShart

My question is depth scoring......

20-19-8
12-77-88
91-65/17-17/65

That isn't a bad top 9 right now......I enjoy Highmore and Kampf and even Carpenter and you have yourself a decent top 12.

Still think Nylander is going to get another look and it would be nice to see him flourish as it's a nice insurance policy for when 91 and/or 65 get another concussion.

Agreed on Dehaan. He just looked older, slower, and bad in both series. Maata wasn't nearly as exposed. They will need some veterans to help get the younger guys up to speed.

Keith, Murphy, Maata/Seabrook, and kids.

I don't know....call me nuts....but on paper they don't look as bad and with some younger guys taking the next step and having a stop gate in goal.....they can contend for a WC spot if not, and they get nuked early, you launch Colliton.

I'd like to see the Hawks trade Murphy and Sikura to CAL for Sam Bennett

Next years group..
Kubilak-Toews-Saad
Debrincat-Dach-Kane
Bennett-Strome-Shaw
*This line immediately becomes one that is tough to play against. And can match up well. What doesnt Strome like to do? Go to corners/compete for pucks. Well, those 2 will. And Strome is good enough/smart enough to make plays with the open ice

Suter, if hes any good, can slide on this line - moving Shaw/Bennett down as well- creating depth.

My question is depth scoring......

20-19-8
12-77-88
91-65/17-17/65

That isn't a bad top 9 right now......I enjoy Highmore and Kampf and even Carpenter and you have yourself a decent top 12.

Still think Nylander is going to get another look and it would be nice to see him flourish as it's a nice insurance policy for when 91 and/or 65 get another concussion.

Agreed on Dehaan. He just looked older, slower, and bad in both series. Maata wasn't nearly as exposed. They will need some veterans to help get the younger guys up to speed.

Keith, Murphy, Maata/Seabrook, and kids.

I don't know....call me nuts....but on paper they don't look as bad and with some younger guys taking the next step and having a stop gate in goal.....they can contend for a WC spot if not, and they get nuked early, you launch Colliton.
- SteveRain

I give DeHaan the benefit of the doubt only in that he was injured, out of game action for a much longer period of time than just the pandemic break and probably limited in the off-ice work he could do during that time off. But mostly because DeHaan was the Hawks best defensemen before he got injured. It's kinda a wash between Maata and DeHaan. DeHaan has a better top end, but is more injury prone than Maata. Maata is younger, but his buyout cost if going that route is much more reasonable.

I'd like to see the Hawks trade Murphy and Sikura to CAL for Sam Bennett

Next years group..
Kubilak-Toews-Saad
Debrincat-Dach-Kane
Bennett-Strome-Shaw
*This line immediately becomes one that is tough to play against. And can match up well. What doesnt Strome like to do? Go to corners/compete for pucks. Well, those 2 will. And Strome is good enough/smart enough to make plays with the open ice

Suter, if hes any good, can slide on this line - moving Shaw/Bennett down as well- creating depth.
- PatShart

Right now Murphy is your 2nd best defenseman and has a very reasonable cap hit for a top 4 d-man. You move him then you better expect a whole bunch of improvment and development from the kids like Boquist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Regula, etc.

Tyler, nice blog to stir conversation around ideas for the 2020-21 roster. Not that this online community doesn't do this year round but things could get interesting as some teams may follow through with what Bergevin alluded to with his comment about non-playoff teams making some moves while the playoffs are still occuring.

In Blackhawks land, things have been interesting already with internal movement through prospect and free agent signings, i.e. Suter, Mitchell, Kalynuk, Morrison, Barratt, Altybarmakyan, etc.

Right now Murphy is your 2nd best defenseman and has a very reasonable cap hit for a top 4 d-man. You move him then you better expect a whole bunch of improvment and development from the kids like Boquist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Regula, etc.
- TheTrob

He may be the 2md best Dman.

But as far as RHD...they have Boqvist and Seabrook (not trading him). The big question is Mitchell. I dont know anything but the hype on him....but has he been told he's going to be given a shot with the club right out of the gate? If yes, then theres another RHD.

And I think Koekkoek played well in the "playoffs" where he wont cost much and plays the right side.

So if Mitchell is "up", I'd be ok with them moving Murphy because I think they can make a hockey trade with him to improve the forwards rather than a salary dump

If Mitchell is slated to start at the Rock then I'm all for keeping Murphy

For the blueline, I see this as a possible starting point to build out pairs:

DEFINITE: Keith, Murphy, Seabrook

PICK ONE: de Haan or Maatta (one likely gone via trade)

LIKELY RE-SIGNED: Koekkoek (getting better and can be had for cheap as a 5/6/7)

YOUNGSTERS: Boqvist, Carlsson, Mitchell

At least one of these youngster makes the team, likely 2 depending on Seabrook's health and/or whether Bowman can find takers for de Haan, Maatta, or even Murphy if the price is right.

Continue to marinate Beaudin and Krys while bringing along rookie pros Kalynuk and Regula slowly but surely in the minors so to not rush them.

Gilbert is also there if needed but he's lower on the depth chart, IMO, despite having a few cups of coffee already.

I do not like Colliton's defensive system. The Islanders supposedly play a man to man defense and look at how good they are defensively as a TEAM. No number one defensmen just six good reliable defensemen and the team supports their play. Vegas too ... no number one or two defensemen ... just a bunch of good solid defensemen that get support from their forwards. Watching the emergence of Hughes in Vancouver and Makar in Colorado, it's frustrating to watch the regression of Boquist ! The Hawks really need for Boquist or possibly Ian Mitchell, to make an impact in their line up next year .... similar to what Hughes and Makar have done this year. This what make trading other plays easier and clear out some salary. Strome needs a "show me" contract - 2 million for one year. Kubalik: 3 million for two years. Don't forget, the expansioin draft might help us with salary cap if the Kraken takes a veteran off our hands
- chuckdahammer

Doesn't he have to establish a certain level of play before we can say that he has regressed? This was his first year. Let's let him actually get going in his career.

Early rumors that the NHL will start the next season without fans. May not be a surprise to many but still noteworthy if this is in fact the case.

@TheFourthPeriod

I'm told the NHL is preparing for a scenario where the 2020-21 season starts with no fans. Obviously, not their first choice, obviously it's going to be very fluid until things stabilize, and they're evaluating all options/scenarios (% of capacity, gradual increase, etc.).

Miles Wood? The hell did he do to deserve 2.75m? Besides getting crushed every time he is on the ice. The Hawks don't need anymore guys who can't get out of their zone.

Give em Maatta and take a mid to late round pick.

There is no need for Caggs. He misses half a season anyway.

Special K. 2 years? Why? Expansion fodder I guess but no one will take him.

Maatta elevated his play? He scored 2 fluke goals while shooting 30%. If someone wants him, ship him out. de Haan, too.

For the blueline, I see this as a possible starting point to build out pairs:

DEFINITE: Keith, Murphy, Seabrook

PICK ONE: de Haan or Maatta (one likely gone via trade)

LIKELY RE-SIGNED: Koekkoek (getting better and can be had for cheap as a 5/6/7)

YOUNGSTERS: Boqvist, Carlsson, Mitchell

At least one of these youngster makes the team, likely 2 depending on Seabrook's health and/or whether Bowman can find takers for de Haan, Maatta, or even Murphy if the price is right.

Continue to marinate Beaudin and Krys while bringing along rookie pros Kalynuk and Regula slowly but surely in the minors so to not rush them.

Gilbert is also there if needed but he's lower on the depth chart, IMO, despite having a few cups of coffee already.
- AEL_Fox

Special K isn't improving. He still suck as much as he ever did. Can't win a board battle. He is fundamentally inept. Never has his stick on the ice. He is out of position constantly.

I think too if the plan is to keep Colliton they need to fire all the assistants. Bring in some experience. If Crawford was ok with them not calling a timeout with a min left, and other shoddy line decisions...then hes an idiot too.

If Crawford didnt like those moves and JC still made them, then why is he there?

Bring in some bigger voices behind the bench and not those muppets

Kubalik showed he could be a major league scorer, but lacked NHL over all game and is a guy who basically you get the puck to in looks, but don't expect consistent zone entires, c carriers or wall takeaway.

Strome IS NHL PLAYER, but one whose still a finesse big man with more work do on his feet. He isn't skating in concrete though as some suggest.

If Caggiula didn't earn a new contract I dont know who did.
- wiz1901

Caggs can go. He has never played a full season in his career. He bring something but he isn't worth carrying in the way of a younger player.

Strome is what he is at this point as a skater. Below average. He has been working on his skating for years allegedly. His defensive liabilities outweigh whatever offense he brings. I would move him

I think too if the plan is to keep Colliton they need to fire all the assistants. Bring in some experience. If Crawford was ok with them not calling a timeout with a min left, and other shoddy line decisions...then hes an idiot too.

If Crawford didnt like those moves and JC still made them, then why is he there?

Bring in some bigger voices behind the bench and not those muppets
- PatShart

Then why keep Colliton? Just get rid of him and hire a bigger voice guy to be the HC

This team needs an infusion of mobility on the backend. If Murphy is you 2nd best D-man, then Maatta and de Haan need to be launched. That is just too much slow. Teams will continue to dump it in, win the board battle and have a grand ol time in the Hawks; zone.

Early rumors that the NHL will start the next season without fans. May not be a surprise to many but still noteworthy if this is in fact the case.

@TheFourthPeriod

I'm told the NHL is preparing for a scenario where the 2020-21 season starts with no fans. Obviously, not their first choice, obviously it's going to be very fluid until things stabilize, and they're evaluating all options/scenarios (% of capacity, gradual increase, etc.).
- AEL_Fox

If they’re expecting any fan attendance before 2021-22 (next September), I think any sport is fooling itself.

There needs to be a tested, safe, effective vaccine, produced in sufficient quantities to provide two doses to everyone (that’s what the latest science seems to be pointing to), distributed to all of the population that has been educated to accept it and get vaccinated....

Caggs can go. He has never played a full season in his career. He bring something but he isn't worth carrying in the way of a younger player.

Strome is what he is at this point as a skater. Below average. He has been working on his skating for years allegedly. His defensive liabilities outweigh whatever offense he brings. I would move him
- Elbows15

He's not arbitration eligible. If they want to keep him, can't they just give him a QO? I think his is still sub $900K. Personally, I would move him as well, but if they are trying to make the numbers work...

If they’re expecting any fan attendance before 2021-22 (next September), I think any sport is fooling itself.

There needs to be a tested, safe, effective vaccine, produced in sufficient quantities to provide two doses to everyone (that’s what the latest science seems to be pointing to), distributed to all of the population that has been educated to accept it and get vaccinated....
- StLBravesFan

Russia has one. I don't know about the tested, safe and effective part, but they have one.

Russia has one. I don't know about the tested, safe and effective part, but they have one.
- Chunk

I think they may have tested it on Alexey Navalny....

This team needs an infusion of mobility on the backend. If Murphy is you 2nd best D-man, then Maatta and de Haan need to be launched. That is just too much slow. Teams will continue to dump it in, win the board battle and have a grand ol time in the Hawks; zone.
- Elbows15

Mitchell should be one, and Carlsson seemed to move quite well. I don't get why he isn't mentioned more. He was pretty solid when he played.

Nice blog Tyler! I will just say if you're a million high on Crawford, Kubalik and Strome each, things look a lot different. I believe Stan will be making "take it or sit/play for somebody else" offers with microscopic negotiating room. So will any other smart GM but Stan has an MBA from my alma mater I have faith in him.

PS. I've always been a guy forecasting future contracts high on this board.

Elbows shows up loaded. With opinions....

If they’re expecting any fan attendance before 2021-22 (next September), I think any sport is fooling itself.

There needs to be a tested, safe, effective vaccine, produced in sufficient quantities to provide two doses to everyone (that’s what the latest science seems to be pointing to), distributed to all of the population that has been educated to accept it and get vaccinated....
- StLBravesFan

Dolphins just announced they'll have 13,000 in attendance to start this fall. Cowboys say they'll have fans, too.