I suspect the NHL will have games to play. That said, Hockey Related Revenue is gonna be very low, and the players are gonna get snarly. I believe they still split the pot despite the level cap. Add in last season's overage the players still owe, and there's not much actual pay hitting the wallets of the players (relatively, of course).

I remain skeptical that minor and junior leagues will have the financial strength to play without normal revenues. Heck, in Illinois they're telling us not to have family over for Thanksgiving dinner - doesn't seem like full crowds are around the corner.

We shall see.
- mohel

They can always offer shares instead of cash if it's that bad, but I'm sure owners will do everything in their power not to go down this road

Mitchell boqvist Carlson
- Scott1977

Beaudin is my sleeper, I would not be surprised if he ends up being the most dependable of our D prospects. They’ll be some with better offense and maybe some with better defense, but he’ll be very consistent, time will tell.

Beaudin is my sleeper, I would not be surprised if he ends up being the most dependable of our D prospects. They’ll be some with better offense and maybe some with better defense, but he’ll be very consistent, time will tell.
- Angotti

It would be great if he turns into a viable top 4 guy, but from everything that I’ve read, he’s more likely be a guy who’s just good enough to get a taste of the NHL, but not as much more than a 5 or 6 at best. Probably more likely to be Jordan Hendry type than a Hjalmarsson...but I hope you are right.

Unless another move is made, I think you’ve got to ride Subban. Give him his shot at being a full time number 1 and see if he rises to the occasion or not. He has the pedigree, let him sink or swim, and then go from there.
- Ogilthorpe2

That is the best choice. Subban has more NHL experience. I don't want to see Laakinen or Delia rushed to #1 starter because they aren't close to Subban to handle the pressure of a #1. The post above yours mentioned rotating Delia and Laakinen so that both would stay fresh. I would not make Subban a big workhorse; allow both kids behind him an opportunity ..This method is probably the best way to see if any of the threesome can step up

That is the best choice. Subban has more NHL experience. I don't want to see Laakinen or Delia rushed to #1 starter because they aren't close to Subban to handle the pressure of a #1. The post above yours mentioned rotating Delia and Laaki en so that both would sta fresh. I would not make Subban a big workhorse; low both kids behind him an opportunity ..This i dred is probably the best way to see if any of the threesome can step up
- jhawk59

Problem with this is that Subban, in admittedly small sample sizes, has been at his best when he is more of an every day workhorse.

https://www.si.com/hockey...100-ncaa-players-to-watch

The Hockey News has their Top 100 NCAA players to watch. Several Hawks prospects including goalies Commesso and Basse:

Kaiser, 18th
Slaggert, 34th
Commesso, 47th
Basse, 59th
Vlasic, 67th
Demin, 81st

Notably not on the list are other NCAA prospects Wise, Slavin, and Ess. Not really surprised about any of them not making it but still like Wise's potential if he can stay healthy and ramp up his development.

https://www.si.com/hockey/news/top-100-ncaa-players-to-watch

The Hockey News has their Top 100 NCAA players to watch. Several Hawks prospects including goalies Commesso and Basse:

Kaiser, 18th
Slaggert, 34th
Commesso, 47th
Basse, 59th
Vlasic, 67th
Demin, 81st

Notably not on the list are other NCAA prospects Wise, Slavin, and Ess. Not really surprised about any of them not making it but still like Wise's potential if he can stay healthy and ramp up his development.
- Theo Fox

Doing the multiplication with 31 teams, that seems to be a pretty decent ranking and representation for the Hawks.

Nice one, Theo.

After listening to Stan Bowman's media tour, as well as following some breadcrumbs, I suspect Stan finds himself a goalie that becomes available thanks to the expansion draft.

I forget which of the podcasts it was, but he really leaned in and almost showed his cards about this being his exact strategy.

The breadcrumbs I speak of are the rumours that were out there about Stan looking into "younger" goalies like Matt Murray, Darcy Keumper, and even those weird whispers about Ilya Sorokin.

So I can very much see the Hawks rolling with Delia, Lankinen, and Subban - and competing the best they can with these guys (all while secretly hoping for another high draft pick).

Then in the offseason, Stan goes out and tries to poach a younger tender of the future like Korpisalo, Georgiev or that monster from PHI, Ivan Fedotov. Then they can take their time with Drew Commesso.

Will it all play out this way for Stan? We'll see.

Problem with this is that Subban, in admittedly small sample sizes, has been at his best when he is more of an every day workhorse.
- Ogilthorpe2

Subban may play a lot but every five or so games put a back up in. And with a condensed schedule, the goaltenders could be swapped for a start on a back -to -back or if four games in one week. By swapping, I refer to the Rockford express..Whomever is freshest or played more recent between Delia and Laakinen..
Of course if Rockford has a three headed goaltender set up, lots of juggling whom starts game - to - game in the AHL.

Does anyone know what the attraction to Gus by Flyers and not Gotsiphere? What differencebetween them?

Doing the multiplication with 31 teams, that seems to be a pretty decent ranking and representation for the Hawks.
- StLBravesFan

Wonder what the % breakdown is for different teams' prospects between junior, Euro and college players. Teams that don't draft many collegians won't have many in the top 100 list.

Does anyone know what the attraction to Gus by Flyers and not Gotsiphere? What differencebetween them?
- jhawk59

I think they thought they signed a different Eric Gustafsson.

Problem with this is that Subban, in admittedly small sample sizes, has been at his best when he is more of an every day workhorse.
- Ogilthorpe2

If they play a condensed season there will probably be plenty of back to backs. You give him 2 out of every three starts and that should meet Subban's "workhorse". Most #1's played 66% to 75% of their teams starts.

Not to be a debby downer but with exception of few prospects beaudin carlson Mitchell reichel commesso there isn't much to get excited about going forward for the hawks imo.
- Scott1977

Agreed long road to go. Some guys will be on 2nd contracts before "back filling" is done. In today's cap world unless GM's go back to "bridge deals" and I argue what do they have to lose if they don't force them? Because, otherwise they will be dumping players anyway. You better have a never ending pipeline of up and coming talent.

I mean if you draft a dman at 18, some say it takes a while. So 4 to 6ish years. Closer to 6, they started imho to tinker with rebuilding 2017, 2018 so to see a player develop you are talking about 2022 and on.
- BetweenTheDots

I probably wasn't clear, I don't necessarily mean anyone drafted in the last two years.

Just who would you say from the time they came up, after a year or two, you said, "Wow, that guy has really gotten better".

I just don't remember who I would say that about. Go back 10 years, 15 if you want.

If you are doing what you should, players improve. Seems to me, they get worse.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some and focusing on the negative.

Time will tell. Also comes down to coaching is brookbank and king the right coaches for the d prospects?
- Scott1977

Soup Campbell is our secret coaching weapon.

Theo nice blog you keep them flowing and interesting!
You got just about everyone but missed Scott Foster?

Nice one, Theo.

After listening to Stan Bowman's media tour, as well as following some breadcrumbs, I suspect Stan finds himself a goalie that becomes available thanks to the expansion draft.

I forget which of the podcasts it was, but he really leaned in and almost showed his cards about this being his exact strategy.

The breadcrumbs I speak of are the rumours that were out there about Stan looking into "younger" goalies like Matt Murray, Darcy Keumper, and even those weird whispers about Ilya Sorokin.

So I can very much see the Hawks rolling with Delia, Lankinen, and Subban - and competing the best they can with these guys (all while secretly hoping for another high draft pick).

Then in the offseason, Stan goes out and tries to poach a younger tender of the future like Korpisalo, Georgiev or that monster from PHI, Ivan Fedotov. Then they can take their time with Drew Commesso.

Will it all play out this way for Stan? We'll see.
- Tyler Cameron

Thanks, Tyler!

What you described sounds really plausible. Yes, there is a youth movement but I think the goalie situation is a bit different.

I like how you laid it out as far as scenario that may very well play out given how the tea leaves are reading.

Theo nice blog you keep them flowing and interesting!
You got just about everyone but missed Scott Foster?
- rpeters01

Funny you bring up Scott Foster. In the most recent Athletic article by Pierre LeBrun, he spotlights Seabrook and the tough path he's been on for many reasons (not just his injuries).

Here's an excerpt about a spooky coincidence that hit Seabrook in an emotional way:

“We’re getting dressed before the game and Scott (Foster) comes and sits in one of the goaltender stalls, which is right beside mine,” Seabrook said. “So I introduce myself, and we shake hands. He said, ‘Hey, I’m Scott.'”

Seabrook immediately is weirded out, thinking to himself how crazy it is that the emergency goalie shares the name of his pal who just passed away. Whose memory was filling his heart and mind so heavily in this very moment before his 1,000th game. A day after Rosie said Scotty would be there in his own way.

“I started thinking to myself, ‘He’s here.’ If you believe in that kind of stuff,’’ Seabrook said. “I didn’t really believe in that stuff — until that moment.’’

Considering there will not be a 20/21 season, we really do not have to worry about goalies for awhile.

Considering there will not be a 20/21 season, we really do not have to worry about goalies for awhile.
- TJYTJY

Probably one of those same people that was saying there wouldn’t be a finish to the 2020 season either.

Speaking of goalie prospects, former Hawks prospect Alexis Gravel is starting his 5th year with the Halifax Mooseheads.

Can never have enough goalie lottery tickets in the system so it's still a head scratcher why he was not retained especially over a NCAA Division III goalie in Tom Aubrun.

The simplest answer is the Hawks player personnel staff see more potential in Aubrun over Gravel.

Same with Cale Morris being considered >> than Gravel, too.

https://twitter.com/Sport...tatus/1327384420408565763

Clip circulating on social media of Mattias Janmark doing a quick consolation of Jamie Benn after the Stars were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals.

Janmark may have to do that quite a lot this season.

Probably one of those same people that was saying there wouldn’t be a finish to the 2020 season either.
- SimpleJack

No never said that. Too much money would have been lost by both sides. Check back in when they cancel the season Simple Jack

I think they thought they signed a different Eric Gustafsson.
- powerenforcer

They must be hoping for him to play like a different Gus. Which might catch us all a bit off guard since he will have the best team and fellow dmen support he has ever experienced. Hart is arguably to some, but in my book the best goaltender he has (will be) playing along side.

On PP if Philly has man in front of net MAYBE Gus pounds some shots for goals. Lots of talent up front to make PP work now ADD Gus but minus Ghost.

Meet the new Gus. Same as the old Gus. Probably for the most part. Don't be fooled again. Chi, Calgary, Philly.