Definitely going to happen.
that or some AHL vets/tweeners are going to see an opportunity to try and sign some league min. contracts for NHL spots while some established NHL guys price themselves out of the league.
- BINGO!

That or guys will be paid closer to their real value. Less 50 point players making 6-7M for instance.

Theo enjoyed your blog. JC is in contract talks ? If that's true , it's truly disappointing that Chicago is offering a young inexperienced coach with a losing record a extension.

Regarding Chicago's wingers I see a few areas that need immediate attention solid defensive play from their forwards to help support the defense and a sustainable attack with a hard forechecking

Bingo - we’re not far from SK - come down sometime and watch your “futures” play in Rosemont....
- StLBravesFan

2100 km from where I live.

But i was hoping to drive down to Raleigh when this is all done, and the fastest route is via Chicago anyway so.... Might be able to plan a stop on a road trip through there.

That or guys will be paid closer to their real value. Less 50 point players making 6-7M for instance.
- Elbows15

True, true.

2100 km from where I live.

But i was hoping to drive down to Raleigh when this is all done, and the fastest route is via Chicago anyway so.... Might be able to plan a stop on a road trip through there.
- BINGO!

i will show you all the good spots.

Theo enjoyed your blog. JC is in contract talks ? If that's true , it's truly disappointing that Chicago is offering a young inexperienced coach with a losing record a extension.

Regarding Chicago's wingers I see a few areas that need immediate attention solid defensive play from their forwards to help support the defense and a sustainable attack with a hard forechecking
- Taylorst1

Thanks, Taylor.

Supporting the defense and sustaining the forecheck are definitely areas of work for the wingers.

Lehner reportedly getting new contract with Vegas at $5M x 5 years.
- Theo Fox

Lehner now saying he hasn't sign anything yet despite reports saying he did.

True, true.
- BINGO!

and players may have to put together a couple of good seasons before seeing a drastic jump in salary. too many players get paid for their one magical season instead of what is their career norms. much harder with guys coming off their ELCs but GMs often fail to use their leverage in those situations.

i am actually on the players' side when it comes to making as much as they can because their earning window is limited .

Lehner now saying he hasn't sign anything yet despite reports saying he did.
- Theo Fox

I mean this with all props to what you bring, but (frank) Lard Ass.

Thanks, Taylor.

Supporting the defense and sustaining the forecheck are definitely areas of work for the wingers.
- Theo Fox

Personally believe this is where the lack of mobility on defense is a huge problem. Asking forwards to try to forecheck without much support from the D-men just won't work. I agree the forwards needs to do a better job but with the D-men playing so far back because of their lack of speed, its pretty difficult for the forwards keep reasonable gaps and be effective on the forecheck.

The Hawks need to be a trap team with the current make-up of D-men.

Lehner now saying he hasn't sign anything yet despite reports saying he did.
- Theo Fox

If that is true , wow that's a good deal for a 28 year old 5x5 . Chicago if they signed him they might be looking back and saying wish we had t committed 5 million , based on the covid affecting the salary caps future. But it's a good deal

Personally believe this is where the lack of mobility on defense is a huge problem. Asking forwards to try to forecheck without much support from the D-men just won't work. I agree the forwards needs to do a better job but with the D-men playing so far back because of their lack of speed, its pretty difficult for the forwards keep reasonable gaps and be effective on the forecheck.

The Hawks need to be a trap team with the current make-up of D-men.
- Elbows15

Elbow that's what I was thinking the other day . The trap was used by New Jersey and effectively they won a cup playing the trap.

It's boring hockey but Chicago doesn't have the horses to play a fast hard forechecking and stay responsible defensively

You might not want to draft a Russian goalie if available at #17, but, 3 of the final 4 NHL playoff teams haVe a Russian goalie. 1st time it’s ever happened.

You might not want to draft a Russian goalie if available at #17, but, 3 of the final 4 NHL playoff teams haVe a Russian goalie. 1st time it’s ever happened.
- scottak

Khudobin isn't Russian.

Bjugstad with salary retained to Wild for a conditional 7th round pick

Some will have to shed a couple million but most will be fine. Going to need some league minimum contracts.
- BINGO!

We had this discussion a month ago. You can't shed contracts if nobody will take the player and they have years left. Shaw, deHaan, Smith, Seabrook type players to use them as an example.

Bjugstad with salary retained to Wild for a conditional 7th round pick
- ikeane

Dang... that’s not much of a return.

Edit: the pens are retaining 50%. Doesn’t paint a nice picture for trading Smith or Maatta. At least Maatta has some value though.

Dang... that’s not much of a return.
- DarthKane

Pure salary dump

I mean this with all props to what you bring, but (frank) Lard Ass.
- Elbows15

No worries! I'm in the camp that think the Blackhawks made the right choice to trade Lehner for whatever assets they could get.

Dang... that’s not much of a return.

Edit: the pens are retaining 50%. Doesn’t paint a nice picture for trading Smith or Maatta. At least Maatta has some value though.
- DarthKane

Bjustad had no value at all. Pretty sure we all knew Smith has no value back when he was acquired. I would take that deal for Maatta. 2026 7th for Maatta if he is still in the league.

Personally believe this is where the lack of mobility on defense is a huge problem. Asking forwards to try to forecheck without much support from the D-men just won't work. I agree the forwards needs to do a better job but with the D-men playing so far back because of their lack of speed, its pretty difficult for the forwards keep reasonable gaps and be effective on the forecheck.

The Hawks need to be a trap team with the current make-up of D-men.
- Elbows15

Agree with you here. It's not just the forwards but the blueliners need a stronger transition game.

With the D corps progressively getting younger over the next few years, that should help as Boqvist and the prospects are more mobile and many are billed as mail carriers.

Where the defensemen and forwards need to both improve is passing. The D need to make one quick, crisp pass out of the zone with the forwards being open to receive the pass cleanly then do something productive with it to continue the attack.

Wait. Someone gave Zack Smith a M-NTC? He has to submit a 10 team no trade list. Like his play isn't a 30 team no trade list.

Personally believe this is where the lack of mobility on defense is a huge problem. Asking forwards to try to forecheck without much support from the D-men just won't work. I agree the forwards needs to do a better job but with the D-men playing so far back because of their lack of speed, its pretty difficult for the forwards keep reasonable gaps and be effective on the forecheck.

The Hawks need to be a trap team with the current make-up of D-men.
- Elbows15

Perhaps not necessarily a trap, but definitely a simplified, defensively-oriented system. Oh, and all the players need to be committed to executing it - like NYI.

Agree with you here. It's not just the forwards but the blueliners need a stronger transition game.

With the D corps progressively getting younger over the next few years, that should help as Boqvist and the prospects are more mobile and many are billed as mail carriers.

Where the defensemen and forwards need to both improve is passing. The D need to make one quick, crisp pass out of the zone with the forwards being open to receive the pass cleanly then do something productive with it to continue the attack.
- Theo Fox

The heck with progressively. Get them in there ASAP. Bowman needs to be looking to get rid of Maatta, Special K and de Haan by any means necessary. Or have them visit the Khabby staircase.

Bjustad had no value at all. Pretty sure we all knew Smith has no value back when he was acquired. I would take that deal for Maatta. 2026 7th for Maatta if he is still in the league.
- Elbows15

Would you retain half his salary too?... I wouldn’t. Maatta should at least warrant a clean salary trade - or perhaps some comparable salary coming back in a player contract.