I'd have to agree on Kurashev. He has great upside still. He's a rookie thrust into the big leagues due to extenuating circumstances, i.e. Toews, Dach, and Nylander all on LTIR.

Had those players been healthy, Kurashev would have been developing in Rockford with a likelihood of being the first recall.

Like every other rookie that has played this season, Kurashev is hitting a wall. That's to be expected. When he's been playing well, he has shown ability to play middle 6. At least 3rd line with tantalizing skill to play top lines if needed.

He'll be stronger next season as will the other rookies. Not worried at all.
- Theo Fox

Theo, responding to the earlier post about Strome being the only middle 6 forward (out of our 2nd tier) on a contender, where do you think Suter, Kurashev, Hagel, Strome, and even Hinostroza top out on a contender? Do you see any or all as middle 6? I agree with previous posts that Vinnie is probably a 4th liner that can maybe play up due to injury. I also think that Hagel is a solid middle 6 forward on almost every team due to his playmaking and puck retrieval skills.

Agree the Merrill trade was a depth move, just what a Soderberg/Janmark trade would be. The returns would be comparable, a 4th or 5th and maybe a B/C prospect.
- boilermaker100

Merrill is probably the Habs #4-5 D-man until Chariot comes back. Their problem is Weber sucks.

You can find a veteran who wants the same amount of money who is better at hockey who does the same thing. He is a liability. At least once per game (it seems that way) his play is responsible for the puck hitting the back of the net.
- NamedSources

Not last night, but only because Lankinen stopped Sherwood's breakaway attempt.

You can find a veteran who wants the same amount of money who is better at hockey who does the same thing. He is a liability. At least once per game (it seems that way) his play is responsible for the puck hitting the back of the net.
- NamedSources

Best case scenario is that Z's agent says no to the offer. Allowing Stan to trade him tomorrow.

According to Powers and Lazerus, Zadorov has been offered $3.5M (not sure about years) but he wants $4.0M. He's currently making $3.2M which is the minimum Chicago can offer.
- Theo Fox

He can go pound sand. He isn't worth 4 and I am not even sure I would pay him 3.5 .He is not good.

Some would not even made '10, '13, '15 cup teams.
- rpeters01

Are you saying as is, or where they top out?

Best case scenario is that Z's agent says no to the offer. Allowing Stan to trade him tomorrow.
- BGKarras

Maybe in the off-season but I doubt he gets moved now after de Haan has arrived at his yearly injury.

Are you saying as is, or where they top out?
- tvetter

As of now who knows where they top out?

Maybe in the off-season but I doubt he gets moved now after de Haan has arrived at his yearly injury.
- Elbows15

If the Hawks weren't rebuilding I would agree but I think Hawks care more about development than wining games. Plus if they get the right offer why wait.

Best case scenario is that Z's agent says no to the offer. Allowing Stan to trade him tomorrow.
- BGKarras

Lets hope

Not a fan of big Z,trade him and highmore.

Not a fan of big Z,trade him and highmore.
- Tatoo

The only reason to trade Highmore is because he takes up a space out of the 50 contracts. He's not going to get anything in return, and his contract can be completely buried on the taxi squad or Rockford. I say keep in to help Rockford next season, and then let him walk.

Not a fan of big Z,trade him and highmore.
- Tatoo

To what team and for what?

If the Hawks weren't rebuilding I would agree but I think Hawks care more about development than wining games. Plus if they get the right offer why wait.
- NamedSources

Winning games is part of development. They are 2 points out of a playoff spot as improbable as that seems. The question becomes is it better for the development of all the young d-men to be thrust into hard minutes rn?

Look. I hope they send him packing but I don't see it happening rn. His rights can be moved in the off-season. I doubt the return will change much.

He can go pound sand. He isn't worth 4 and I am not even sure I would pay him 3.5 .He is not good.
- Elbows15

There are plenty of big, slow, physical Dmen around who are about to be UFA after this season if the Hawks really want that - Oleksiak, Forbort, Tinordi, Gudbranson, Ian Cole and probably others.

No need to pay Z any more than what he is making now which is already too much. Hell, I'd pay Chara for another season before overpaying to sign Zadorov.

As of now who knows where they top out?
- rpeters01

No one, but the majority of them were thrown to the wolves this season due to injuries to Toews, Dach, Nylander and Shaw. I think that they've performed very well under the circumstances. If this is how they perform as rookies called up a year or two too soon, I have high hopes for them.

There are plenty of big, slow, physical Dmen around who are about to be UFA after this season if the Hawks really want that - Oleksiak, Forbort, Tinordi, Gudbranson, Ian Cole and probably others.

No need to pay Z any more than what he is making now which is already too much. Hell, I'd pay Chara for another season before overpaying to sign Zadorov.
- RickJ

Just like Perlini, and Strome, Zadorov is a RFA. Stan will pay what Stan wants to pay, or Zadorov will sit, or go to the KHL.

Maybe in the off-season but I doubt he gets moved now after de Haan has arrived at his yearly injury.
- Elbows15

Possibly but if a good situation pop's up I Stan takes it. We can then evaluate Stillman to see what he's game is like.

There are plenty of big, slow, physical Dmen around who are about to be UFA after this season if the Hawks really want that - Oleksiak, Forbort, Tinordi, Gudbranson, Ian Cole and probably others.

No need to pay Z any more than what he is making now which is already too much. Hell, I'd pay Chara for another season before overpaying to sign Zadorov.
- RickJ

You forgot dumb. As far as hockey IQ goes.

Possibly but if a good situation pop's up I Stan takes it. We can then evaluate Stillman to see what he's game is like.
- BGKarras

You can say that about anyone, BG. I am trying to be realistic. lol

I asked yesterday, is it worth retaining Zadorov as his presence reduces how often the opposition runs our young dmen

Some feel the opponent still will run our players. True, but not all the time as Zadorov leaves a few sore bodies with his hits

Putting this in context....is it worth offering $3.5 or $3.75 with a small bonus clause for performance (we can joke, it is for hits and or fights but reality it is gp). What you say.....am I over reacting to letting young dmen learn their craft and how to better watch their own safety through experience 1-2 years with Zadorov around. Maybe after one but more likely two seasons either Phillips or Vlasic could replace Zadorov as a physical presence?

Withholding appraisal on Stillman until we see him for a good stretch of games
- jhawk59

I am out on Zadorov even for $3mil. I think there will be plenty of serviceable veteran physical 3rd pairing defenders making less next year.

You can say that about anyone, BG. I am trying to be realistic. lol
- Elbows15

Lol... Very true
Good point about deHaan. I said last night he should be bubble wrapped

Theo, responding to the earlier post about Strome being the only middle 6 forward (out of our 2nd tier) on a contender, where do you think Suter, Kurashev, Hagel, Strome, and even Hinostroza top out on a contender? Do you see any or all as middle 6? I agree with previous posts that Vinnie is probably a 4th liner that can maybe play up due to injury. I also think that Hagel is a solid middle 6 forward on almost every team due to his playmaking and puck retrieval skills.
- tvetter

To answer your question about where each tops out on a contender:

Suter: 3rd line but can play 2nd without being a defensive liability

Kurashev: ditto Suter

Hagel: ditto Suter and Kurashev

Strome: 2nd line if the wingers are complementary and quicker/more agile

Hinostroza: 4th line but can play 3rd line without being a defensive liability

You didn't ask about these prospects but Reichel and Borgstrom are the only ones in the system who have true top 6 potential.

No one, but the majority of them were thrown to the wolves this season due to injuries to Toews, Dach, Nylander and Shaw. I think that they've performed very well under the circumstances. If this is how they perform as rookies called up a year or two too soon, I have high hopes for them.
- tvetter

We had high hopes for Panik, Duclair, heck Viktor Stahlberg.

To answer your question about where each tops out on a contender:

Suter: 3rd line but can play 2nd without being a defensive liability

Kurashev: ditto Suter

Hagel: ditto Suter and Kurashev

Strome: 2nd line if the wingers are complementary and quicker/more agile

Hinostroza: 4th line but can play 3rd line without being a defensive liability

You didn't ask about these prospects but Reichel and Borgstrom are the only ones in the system who have true top 6 potential.
- Theo Fox

Theo, some day maybe? Right now 4 out of 5 don't make our Cup teams which was my original point.