When you look at the list of unsigned RFA's (and most will eventually be resigned) and then the amount of cap space remaining on the teams' chart, it makes one wonder where the $ are going to come from to sign the remaining UFA's. A lot of these guys are probably adjusting their $ demands as their desired location lists shorten.

Would you take a chance on yet another Swede on a one year cheap contract. Soderberg is a guy that stood out for me when we played the Coyotes. I like the one year deals Stan has made so far and would not be averse to adding more of these. We have not been able to get any picks this off season but that could change at the TDL if you have some useful cheap assets to offer.
- 67hawks

I think you are onto something with the one-year deals on the new players and flipping them at the TDL for draft picks.

Count me as one of them but there were many who lamented the recent transactions not netting any futures whether draft picks or prospects who project to the NHL.

However, by bringing on new roster players (Zadorov, Janmark, Wallmark) with one-year on their contracts, then Bowman essentially delays by a half year when to recoup those futures.

For draft picks at least, they can't be used until June 2021 assuming that's when the next draft will be so it didn't matter if the picks are received now versus March (or whenever the TDL will be).

I predict Janmark and Wallmark will be flipped for draft picks at the TDL but Zadorov will be re-signed at some point.

Not to continue this conversation but are you honestly trying to equate random events, or violence conducted on an individual by a non-rational actor (such as shark attack), to decades/centuries of deliberate violence (physical/mental/economic) against entire races of people by other humans (including government sanctioned actors- hell its even in the US constitution)? Sorry, they are not even close to the same thing.
- Revco38

Then please don't.

Seriously everyone, let's stop with this. All it does is get people fired up and then the name calling starts. Keyboard arguing doesn't help or solve anything.

Oh goody, the usual suspects are pontificating on social justice again. Nothing I like more than coming to a hockey blog and having to suffer through political correct genuflecting by those who think they are enlightened.
- EbonyRaptor

Thought we got rid of it, but NO.

Was just getting back to enjoying coming around again almost daily, Oh well.

I agree but I don't know what is worse- the people who are offended by people being offended or people who are offended.

Oggi was right we can discuss this since it was our Blackhawk statue which was defaced.

But yes, it would be best if this was focused on whether Strome is resigned or whether we will tank with the current roster at hand.
- Popsghostly

Believe me - I ignore the stuff a whole lot and only rarely throw my 2 cents in to the mix. I think it's best to ignore the subjects that inevitably lead to political or ideological or social justice arguments, even if they are tangentially related to hockey or the Hawks because of that inevitability. There's no point to it. It always redounds to one's deeply held beliefs that are not going to be changed by internet arguments. It's just mind bogglingly frustrating that they feel compelled to spew their thoughts on that stuff when in reality no one gives a crap what they think. It serves only one purpose and that is to cause arguments for the sake of causing arguments.

When you look at the list of unsigned RFA's (and most will eventually be resigned) and then the amount of cap space remaining on the teams' chart, it makes one wonder where the $ are going to come from to sign the remaining UFA's. A lot of these guys are probably adjusting their $ demands as their desired location lists shorten.

Would you take a chance on yet another Swede on a one year cheap contract. Soderberg is a guy that stood out for me when we played the Coyotes. I like the one year deals Stan has made so far and would not be averse to adding more of these. We have not been able to get any picks this off season but that could change at the TDL if you have some useful cheap assets to offer.
- 67hawks

On Soderberg, he is one bottom 6 player who I would group in that category that Janmark and Wallmark in: hard working player who competes across the entire ice. He has bigger offensive upside and plays with a ton of grit.

If the team is trending toward just blowing it up, Soderberg would be a good candidate on a one-year deal as you proposed. A line of Soderberg, Janmark, and Wallmark would be pretty effective to help change how the team plays.

Colliton and Mitell would also salivate at an all Swedish line.

The question again is who on the current roster gets bumped out?

Hey all. Talking about the logo and recent protests is fine because they are relevant to the Blackhawks organization. Just keep the commentary respectful and on point.

I think you are onto something with the one-year deals on the new players and flipping them at the TDL for draft picks.

Count me as one of them but there were many who lamented the recent transactions not netting any futures whether draft picks or prospects who project to the NHL.

However, by bringing on new roster players (Zadorov, Janmark, Wallmark) with one-year on their contracts, then Bowman essentially delays by a half year when to recoup those futures.

For draft picks at least, they can't be used until June 2021 assuming that's when the next draft will be so it didn't matter if the picks are received now versus March (or whenever the TDL will be).

I predict Janmark and Wallmark will be flipped for draft picks at the TDL but Zadorov will be re-signed at some point.
- Theo Fox

When Stan started making these moves (Maatta, Saad) I thought that they were just going to go full youth movement to kind of see where their young D and some of the young forwards were in their development. I was fully on board with this approach, as I think next season is going to be an overall disaster (logistically, COVID shutdowns, CAN/USA border issues, etc).

With these recent signings, I think they are just simply bringing in guys that play the way that the staff wants. Even if they don't get 100% buy-in from every player on the team, you have a much better overall defensive effort.

I'm not completely buying the Swedish player angle you put forth before, but I think its more of a "more guys that play this way" push.

On Soderberg, he is one bottom 6 player who I would group in that category that Janmark and Wallmark in: hard working player who competes across the entire ice. He has bigger offensive upside and plays with a ton of grit.

If the team is trending toward just blowing it up, Soderberg would be a good candidate on a one-year deal as you proposed. A line of Soderberg, Janmark, and Wallmark would be pretty effective to help change how the team plays.

Colliton and Mitell would also salivate at an all Swedish line.

The question again who on the current roster gets bumped out?
- Theo Fox

Careful what you wish for there. Stahlberg, Gus, and Forsling were all Swedish.

Sometimes it's fun to cherry pick bad examples.

When Stan started making these moves (Maatta, Saad) I thought that they were just going to go full youth movement to kind of see where their young D and some of the young forwards were in their development. I was fully on board with this approach, as I think next season is going to be an overall disaster (logistically, COVID shutdowns, CAN/USA border issues, etc).

With these recent signings, I think they are just simply bringing in guys that play the way that the staff wants. Even if they don't get 100% buy-in from every player on the team, you have a much better overall defensive effort.

I'm not completely buying the Swedish player angle you put forth before, but I think its more of a "more guys that play this way" push.
- Chunk

Based on what we know so far, my take is that the youth movement is still on but it doesn't necessarily mean a full infusion of youngsters this coming season.

We may see a few more but part of the new direction is what you stated, i.e. playing the way the team needs to in order to win. Bring in players who can role model this so the youngsters have a blueprint.

As for the new guys being Swedish, we can chalk that up to coincidence unless there is evidence that there is a specific plan to target Swedish players which wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility given Colliton and Mitell's connection to Swedish game play.

Doesn't matter to me what a player's nationality is as long as they compete hard in all zones.

Yeah, I don't see it happening either. In the Herald this morning Dietz shares Kris Versteeg's thoughts from an interview on Sirius/XM as far as what he thinks we might see this year.

Anything's possible, but I don't really see it playing out this way...or I should say I don't see Toews losing his role as 1C and I don't see Keith being completely taken off the PP.

It makes one wonder how ugly things could get.

Would Keith be yanked off the power play? Will Toews lose his role as No. 1 center? Will Seabrook -- assuming his rehab goes well -- continue sitting out? Will young players be on the ice in the waning moments of a tight game?

Versteeg wouldn't bet against any of it.

"I would be interested to see ... whether young guys will start taking situations away," Versteeg said. "It'll be interesting going forward where you see time on ice for players and how they're going to manage that. I can't see (the veterans) getting a lot of the prime opportunity anymore."

Wait. All of them?

"I think everyone but Kane, yep," Versteeg said.
- HawkintheD

As the curtain dropped on Chicago's hockey team last year, 19 was still our best Center. It wasn't even close. Maybe that's part of the problem? Hopefully Dach takes another huge step. That's asking a lot for a 19-20 year old but he appeared to take a huge step during the shut down. I'd like to see him take boxing lessons seriously. People never messed with Joe Thornton because they knew they would get clocked. Dach only needs to show one and hopefully the cheap shots would stop.

Based on what we know so far, my take is that the youth movement is still on but it doesn't necessarily mean a full infusion of youngsters this coming season.

We may see a few more but part of the new direction is what you stated, i.e. playing the way the team needs to in order to win. Bring in players who can role model this so the youngsters have a blueprint.

As for the new guys being Swedish, we can chalk that up to coincidence unless there is evidence that there is a specific plan to target Swedish players which wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility given Colliton and Mitell's connection to Swedish game play.

Doesn't matter to me what a player's nationality is as long as they compete hard in all zones.
- Theo Fox

I'm hoping one of the by products of this is some sustained O-Zone time. I don't see it going back to where the Hawks spend the majority of the game in the opposing zone a la the glory years; but the last few years we rarely see a cycle or any sustained pressure. Just a lot of one and dones and the other way the puck goes.

$5 mil cap hit would be a lot for a 3C. Def better fit for 3C than Strome but gotta think Carpenter is the 3C going into the season. Strome is wing or trade fodder imo
- Assman22

Agree about $5M being too much for a 3C, but ugh to the idea of Carpenter.

As the curtain dropped on Chicago's hockey team last year, 19 was still our best Center. It wasn't even close. Maybe that's part of the problem? Hopefully Dach takes another huge step. That's asking a lot for a 19-20 year old but he appeared to take a huge step during the shut down. I'd like to see him take boxing lessons seriously. People never messed with Joe Thornton because they knew they would get clocked. Dach only needs to show one and hopefully the cheap shots would stop.
- rpeters01

Think you've mentioned the boxing lessons thing before. I don't know if it will take that and certainly don't want to see the kid getting in fights on a regular basis. Not saying it's a horrible idea, just don't want to see him become John Scott (RF).

He did lay some pretty nice hits in the playoffs and I know that was one thing Kelly noted when the Hawks picked him was how he responded to being targeted in the playoffs in the WHL.

Agree about $5M being too much for a 3C, but ugh to the idea of Carpenter.
- tvetter

Yeah what is it with JC's love for Carpenter? There were good stretches of last year where he was playing 2C with Kane...

He's a competitor yeah but belongs nowhere other than the 4th line.

Agree about $5M being too much for a 3C, but ugh to the idea of Carpenter.
- tvetter

That would most assuredly signal the tank is on. I think with who all they've picked up, maybe Shaw coming back, and the possibility of a rookie making the jump (maybe Hagel) 22 should be their 13th forward.

I know we are not exactly in cap heaven, but I would love to see Bowman take advantage of some other teams cap struggles to our advantage the way he was taken in the past...examples: The Teuvo/Bickell for trade picks trade, or Timonen for two 2nds.
Finding ways the "Help" cap strapped teams, while making your team better for the future is what we need. Does that mean Tyler Johnson from the Lightning, or Fleury from Vegas. I don't know, but if he really want to focus on the future, these are the things that help build that foundation.
- spudrock512

A few of us now believe Stan is operating within a set cash budget. If so, as nice as it would be these kinds of moves will not happen.

A few of us now believe Stan is operating within a set cash budget. If so, as nice as it would be these kinds of moves will not happen.
- rpeters01

If we moved Strome and/or Nylander, is Johnson still a serviceable 2L player if we got a pick and they took one of our bad contracts?

And I have no problem with that strategy. That is why Stan is doing all these one year deals and also got one expiring contract out of the way. He is anticipating that there will be not much of a season, if any, next year and positioning the team for the time when things become more normal.
- 67hawks

The AHL may not have much of a season either? Any move we want to make this year will be there next year as well with potentially more clarity where hockey and the world is headed.

Just a little history lesson. Summarizing his Wikipedia page. ---

Blackhawk was a leader (not a chief) of the Sauk Tribe which resided in Illinois and Wisconsin at the time. He fought with the British in the War of 1812 hoping to defeat the American settlers entering the tribe's territory. Later in 1832 he led the Sauks against the Americans in what is known as the Blackhawk War, again in an effort to stem the tide of American settlers moving westward. He was defeated, captured, sent East and was in captivity for a short period. While in captivity he related his life story to an American writer who published his autobiography which became a best seller at the time. After his imprisonment he returned to Iowa where the Sauks then lived and tried to reconcile with the American settlers and his Sauk rivals. He died in 1838.

Sounds to me that he was a great Native American patriot who did his best to defend his people, homeland and the Sauk culture and heritage. What's wrong with a sports team honoring his legacy?

If we moved Strome and/or Nylander, is Johnson still a serviceable 2L player if we got a pick and they took one of our bad contracts?
- Popsghostly

Seabrook makes more than Johnson how would that help them in fact I think Dinky makes slightly more? They could save $2m taking deHaan or Smith but then Stan's costs go up.

Careful what you wish for there. Stahlberg, Gus, and Forsling were all Swedish.

Sometimes it's fun to cherry pick bad examples.
- Chunk

Whatever happened to Ville Polka?

I think you are onto something with the one-year deals on the new players and flipping them at the TDL for draft picks.

Count me as one of them but there were many who lamented the recent transactions not netting any futures whether draft picks or prospects who project to the NHL.

However, by bringing on new roster players (Zadorov, Janmark, Wallmark) with one-year on their contracts, then Bowman essentially delays by a half year when to recoup those futures.

For draft picks at least, they can't be used until June 2021 assuming that's when the next draft will be so it didn't matter if the picks are received now versus March (or whenever the TDL will be).

I predict Janmark and Wallmark will be flipped for draft picks at the TDL but Zadorov will be re-signed at some point.
- Theo Fox

But the draft was only a week ago: Stan could have moved Saad out for picks last Tuesday night, not having to wait until next year - had he been able to negotiate draft picks coming back (as NYI did for D Toews).

But the draft was only a week ago: Stan could have moved Saad out for picks last Tuesday night, not having to wait until next year - had he been able to negotiate draft picks coming back (as NYI did for D Toews).
- StLBravesFan

There were rumors that the Hawks wanted to move up to spot 10,11,12. Maybe he was the trade chip offered up by Stan to move up?

Just a little history lesson. Summarizing his Wikipedia page. ---

Blackhawk was a leader (not a chief) of the Sauk Tribe which resided in Illinois and Wisconsin at the time. He fought with the British in the War of 1812 hoping to defeat the American settlers entering the tribe's territory. Later in 1832 he led the Sauks against the Americans in what is known as the Blackhawk War, again in an effort to stem the tide of American settlers moving westward. He was defeated, captured, sent East and was in captivity for a short period. While in captivity he related his life story to an American writer who published his autobiography which became a best seller at the time. After his imprisonment he returned to Iowa where the Sauks then lived and tried to reconcile with the American settlers and his Sauk rivals. He died in 1838.

Sounds to me that he was a great Native American patriot who did his best to defend his people, homeland and the Sauk culture and heritage. What's wrong with a sports team honoring his legacy?
- boilermaker100

You honor a person’s legacy better by treating his people - contemporary or future generations - well, than by erecting a statue, put ting his likeness on a stamp, or using it as a logo for a sports team.

We have not treated his people well since his death 182 years ago.

You honor a person’s legacy better by treating his people - contemporary or future generations - well, than by erecting a statue, put ting his likeness on a stamp, or using it as a logo for a sports team.

We have not treated his people well since his death 182 years ago.
- StLBravesFan

Or you honor the individual.