As we know, the market is down for most free agents .... they will not get the big contracts that they might have in other non pandemic years. THEO: do you think that possibly Bowman might be waiting out, until he can sign a desent top six forward at bargain price ??? He will have more to spend if they can dump some salary in a trade or say LTI Zach Smith.
- chuckdahammer

The market for forwards, be it via trade. free agency, etc. is depressed this year. Defenseman and goaltenders were where the money/action was spent. My guess is a pick did not come back with Saad, because no one would give him a pick. Look, Tampa Bay can't give away T. Johnson, there are other names out there that teams are trying to move and can't.

The market for forwards, be it via trade. free agency, etc. is depressed this year. Defenseman and goaltenders were where the money/action was spent. My guess is a pick did not come back with Saad, because no one would give him a pick. Look, Tampa Bay can't give away T. Johnson, there are other names out there that teams are trying to move and can't.
- LAHawk

Then why trade Saad for less than equal value (my opinion only)?

Unless Stan was specifically instructed to reduce cash expenditures (and the deal did save Rocky $2.3MM), which I’m thinking was the reason for the deal, keep and see what happens later.

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.
- Chunk

All i know is this, whatever they change their name to or don't change their name, I'll still be a fan of the Chicago Hockey team that plays on Madison Street.

Then why trade Saad for less than equal value (my opinion only)?

Unless Stan was specifically instructed to reduce cash expenditures (and the deal did save Rocky $2.3MM), which I’m thinking was the reason for the deal, keep and see what happens later.
- StLBravesFan

Because in this climate, that is FMV for Saad. I doubt the market will be any better at the TDL (who knows if there will be a TDL?) Then after the year if you can't move him you lose him for nothing.

From 31 thoughts

23. I’ve chased Jonathan Toews during the off-season. He prefers his privacy and declines interviews, which is totally understandable. I only bring it up because the fact he surfaced to give an interview to The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus about the Blackhawks’ direction is significant. Toews wanted to make a point. Chicago’s decision making says to me that Blackhawks ownership doesn’t feel the team can contend for a Stanley Cup, knows the economics are extremely challenging without fans and are punting on next season.

Then why trade Saad for less than equal value (my opinion only)?

Unless Stan was specifically instructed to reduce cash expenditures (and the deal did save Rocky $2.3MM), which I’m thinking was the reason for the deal, keep and see what happens later.
- StLBravesFan

It's more than that when you look at actual cash outlay on the contracts.

Saad is scheduled to earn 6.5M this season, while Zadorov gets 3.2M. Coincidentally Wallmark's and Janmark's salaries total 3.2M, so you got Saad's roster replacement plus 2 players for less than Saad's salary.

Also, Maatta, 750K now paid by Hawks versus 4M if still on team = 3.25M cash savings.

And Crawford, assuming the 3.5M offer was valid versus Subban 750K this year (950K next year for 850K AAV) = 2.75M cash savings.

It's more than that when you look at actual cash outlay on the contracts.

Saad is scheduled to earn 6.5M this season, while Zadorov gets 3.2M. Coincidentally Wallmark's and Janmark's salaries total 3.2M, so you got Saad's roster replacement plus 2 players for less than Saad's salary.

Also, Maatta, 750K now paid by Hawks versus 4M if still on team - 3.25M cash savings.

And Crawford, assuming the 3.5M offer was valid versus Subban 750K this year (950K next year for 850K AAV) = 2.75M cash savings.
- boilermaker100

Yeah - I was only considering the Saad - Zadorov trade.

Cap space in most years is an Asset - not so much this year with a shortened season and likely much lower revenue base

so while we have cap space to potentially take on a bad contract with a sweetener, this year teams are less likely to do that as they done have the revenue base to offset that dead contract

certainly makes this off season a very disjointed one to analyze trades

Then why trade Saad for less than equal value (my opinion only)?

Unless Stan was specifically instructed to reduce cash expenditures (and the deal did save Rocky $2.3MM), which I’m thinking was the reason for the deal, keep and see what happens later.
- StLBravesFan

Keep in mind Wirtz Corp splits the land around the stadium and stadium with Reinsdorf. They also own the rights to concessions and beer money.

Without parking - food - booze and butts in the seats it isn't pretty on the books.

While people have been buying more beer and alcoholic beverages for home consumption, the bars and restaurants being closed or at a smaller capacity can't be helpful.

Not that they can cry poor but I wouldn't think the business is in a position it was a year ago. Either hockey wise or other.

And there is no end in sight to these strange times.

All i know is this, whatever they change their name to or don't change their name, I'll still be a fan of the Chicago Hockey team that plays on Madison Street.
- BetweenTheDots

Game time 730pm "The Chicago West Side Hockey Team"

BTW can the team name technically be changed to "The Chicago Bl-Hawks?" But if spoken as if this is just an abbreviation, the demonstrative anti Blackhawks people remain offended. Maybe some painting easels of their work should be encased in the walls of "The Blackhawks' United Center." So United Center is re- named too. Maybe a small walk through room indentation in the wall next to the team's gift shop with the history of The Blackhawk Indian? Nope that would be like rubbing salt in the wound. Tried to show compassion and respect but an indiginous people would view it as white supremacy gamesmanship.

Keep in mind Wirtz Corp splits the land around the stadium and stadium with Reinsdorf. They also own the rights to concessions and beer money.

Without parking - food - booze and butts in the seats it isn't pretty on the books.

While people have been buying more beer and alcoholic beverages for home consumption, the bars and restaurants being closed or at a smaller capacity can't be helpful.

Not that they can cry poor but I wouldn't think the business is in a position it was a year ago. Either hockey wise or other.

And there is no end in sight to these strange times.
- fattybeef

An innoculation. Trotted out by Country's Health Department. Need something concrete believable by a sincere voice at this sensitive time in our country.

the sensitivity is such a big issue

Next thing you could have heard a complaint about if Ville Pokke had stuck in the NHL

The broadcaster says, Kucherov just waltzed around a failed Pokke check!

Or Pokke checked O'Reilly into the boards and away with the puck comes the Blackhawks.
Making any of these transitional play- by - play descriptions rather tough is the fact that this hockey player was not particularly physical or too good a player.

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

OK, then why did Michael Nylander wind up on this roster and why is he still on this roster? He fits none of those attributes.

"Here Come the Hawks" by Frank Pellico organ music UTube

Here Come the Hawks. Mighty BLACKHAWKS. Take the attack, we'll back you....

Those last music lines though is from the vocal singing of the song.

OK, then why did Michael Nylander wind up on this roster and why is he still on this roster? He fits none of those attributes.
- jrsamu

The senior Nylander was a stud. He was slick with the puck. That 2002-2003 season fell apart when we traded him for Nikolishin and that worthless bum (at that point) Simon. We keep Nylander and we have two good scoring lines and i think we would have made the playoffs for the second year in a row.

OK, then why did Michael Nylander wind up on this roster and why is he still on this roster? He fits none of those attributes.
- jrsamu

Because they need one old and wylie vet at 48?

OK, then why did Michael Nylander wind up on this roster and why is he still on this roster? He fits none of those attributes.
- jrsamu

Hoping he develops a better game. Could be be at the end of the line in Chicago. Sometimes a talented player really does grasp the opportunity after struggling to adapt.

Because they need one old and wylie vet at 48?

- LAHawk

Even better. Good chuckle over here.

Hoping he develops a better game. Could be be at the end of the line in Chicago. Sometimes a talented player really does grasp the opportunity after struggling to adapt.
- jhawk59

Hawks should go after Matt Martin

Yeah - why didn’t the Colonel name his division after his company - the Manor Houses, or something?

Could have had Juan Valdez on the sweater.

OH NO!!!!
- StLBravesFan

Now that there is funny

Keep in mind Wirtz Corp splits the land around the stadium and stadium with Reinsdorf. They also own the rights to concessions and beer money.

Without parking - food - booze and butts in the seats it isn't pretty on the books.

While people have been buying more beer and alcoholic beverages for home consumption, the bars and restaurants being closed or at a smaller capacity can't be helpful.

Not that they can cry poor but I wouldn't think the business is in a position it was a year ago. Either hockey wise or other.

And there is no end in sight to these strange times.
- fattybeef

Yup

Brendan Gallagher signed 6 x 6.5 in Mtl. Too Much? Too Long? Both?

Brendan Gallagher signed 6 x 6.5 in Mtl. Too Much? Too Long? Both?
- powerenforcer

I'd say about 2-3 years too long. I don't have a problem with the AAV. He's pretty good.

The senior Nylander was a stud. He was slick with the puck. That 2002-2003 season fell apart when we traded him for Nikolishin and that worthless bum (at that point) Simon. We keep Nylander and we have two good scoring lines and i think we would have made the playoffs for the second year in a row.
- Popsghostly

He was s-m-o-o-t-h especially if you saw him when you were seated close to ice level. He and Zhamnov would be a nice 1-2C combo today. Back in the clutch/grab era not so much.

Brendan Gallagher signed 6 x 6.5 in Mtl. Too Much? Too Long? Both?
- powerenforcer

Well, we'll know what Saad will be asking for. Career stats comparison:
Saad age 28, 588 games played, 169 G, 178 A, 347 points
Gallagher age 28, 547 games, 173 G, 161 A, 334 points

Well, we'll know what Saad will be asking for. Career stats comparison:
Saad age 28, 588 games played, 169 G, 178 A, 347 points
Gallagher age 28, 547 games, 173 G, 161 A, 334 points
- boilermaker100

Gallagher>Saad