Last two games Zadorov was not noticeable due to his lack of glaring mistakes. That's a good thing for a defenseman. Where has that type of play been for the majority of the season?

Z is arbitration eligible. If Stan offers him the QO of 3.2M and, as reported earlier, Z was asking for 4M, then asks for arbitration, the arbitrator usually splits the difference. So will Stan risk keeping him for a year at 3.6M. Stan can't walk away from the arbitrator's decision since the award is less than walk away amount of 4.5M. If he reverts back to his usual lackadaisical play, he'll be harder to move at the TDL.

IMO, it's time to just let him walk. Stan lost the Saad trade. Don't compound it by extending him, or "paying" Seattle to take him off the Hawks' hands.
- boilermaker100

It shouldn't even be a question. The QO for Zadorov would need a 10% kicker over his current deal which would put him at $3.5M minimum. Even at his fewer mistake best, Zadorov hasn't shown he is more than a 6D. While they may not be up against the cap right now, justifying that much money for a 6D is not good cap mgmt.

Let him walk. He has had a 56game trial period and failed miserably to show he is worth even half of his current contract.

It shouldn't even be a question. The QO for Zadorov would need a 10% kicker over his current deal which would put him at $3.5M minimum. Even at his fewer mistake best, Zadorov hasn't shown he is more than a 6D. While they may not be up against the cap right now, justifying that much money for a 6D is not good cap mgmt.

Let him walk. He has had a 56game trial period and failed miserably to show he is worth even half of his current contract.
- TheTrob

Not debating whether they should try and sign big Z or not, but the qualifying offer is 100% or $3.2 mil.

Maybe it hinges on Toews, but not necessarily. Strome has some skills that others on the roster don't possess. That being said, I believe that the current thinking of JC is that he would rather ice guys who compete hard every shift even if they don't have the skills that Strome does. Push comes to shove, you are keeping a Kurashev, Suter, Hagel over Strome. Hinostroza has been playing hard since his return, and makes 1/3 of the salary, but if it were to come down to those 2 for a roster spot, it goes to Strome. Bottom line, as others upthread have said, no matter how good you may be defensively or in goal, you still need to score, and one thing Strome has been able to do is put points on the board.

I think it may also hinge a bit on Nylander. Nylander compete wise is similar to Strome, but bottom line has more skill, and at a lower cap hit. If you are making a choice between those two, then Strome is gone and Nylander stays.
- TheTrob

Wow, 15 points. And a smooth -16 to lead the team in that category. Stan must be very thrilled at the value for the buck he's getting from that non compete lard ass.

They are shipping that stiff out of town as soon as they can.

Not debating whether they should try and sign big Z or not, but the qualifying offer is 100% or $3.2 mil.
- LAHawk

Here's a link to support your statement.

https://www.capfriendly.c...alifying-offer-calculator

In the FWIW department, Ek reporting that the Central playoffs begin Saturday, East on Sunday, West on Monday and the North mid to late next week.

Last two games Zadorov was not noticeable due to his lack of glaring mistakes. That's a good thing for a defenseman. Where has that type of play been for the majority of the season?

Z is arbitration eligible. If Stan offers him the QO of 3.2M and, as reported earlier, Z was asking for 4M, then asks for arbitration, the arbitrator usually splits the difference. So will Stan risk keeping him for a year at 3.6M. Stan can't walk away from the arbitrator's decision since the award is less than walk away amount of 4.5M. If he reverts back to his usual lackadaisical play, he'll be harder to move at the TDL.

IMO, it's time to just let him walk. Stan lost the Saad trade. Don't compound it by extending him, or "paying" Seattle to take him off the Hawks' hands.
- boilermaker100

Stan has been a lot better at correcting his sins from the past. Manning, Gustafsson and then he was able to move most if not all the vets he wanted at the TDL this year.

He'll find a way to keep Z at his price or move him to a team that sees some value in the big Cossack.

Did anyone go to the game last night? How was it ? Does anyone think they will be at 100% capacity come September?

Did anyone go to the game last night? How was it ? Does anyone think they will be at 100% capacity come September?
- TJYTJY

A friend of mine was there, and said the energy was great. Next season? We'll see - they do play during cold and flu season.....

Not debating whether they should try and sign big Z or not, but the qualifying offer is 100% or $3.2 mil.
- LAHawk

You are correct, my mistake, rule is actually: players who earned less than $660,000 in the previous season must be offered 110 percent of last season's salary. Players making up to $1 million must be offered 105 percent. Players making over $1 million must be offered 100 percent.

A friend of mine was there, and said the energy was great. Next season? We'll see - they do play during cold and flu season.....
- mohel

He have a dog & Avs tattoo?

Stan's after season locker clean-out press conference should be interesting. Hopefully we find out something about Toew's other than what Dreger said (and not a peep from anyone since), and his thoughts about what the Hawks need to shore up as far as personnel next year.

He have a dog & Avs tattoo?
- I Am The Breadman

Not that friend.

Wow, 15 points. And a smooth -16 to lead the team in that category. Stan must be very thrilled at the value for the buck he's getting from that non compete lard ass.

They are shipping that stiff out of town as soon as they can.
- RickJ

I'm not saying he hasn't been poop this season, but the previous 2 seasons with the Hawks he was at a .88 and .66 PPG rate, and Career is a .6. Yes, he is a defensive liability on most nights and his compete level is crap way too often.

Stan's after season locker clean-out press conference should be interesting. Hopefully we find out something about Toew's other than what Dreger said (and not a peep from anyone since), and his thoughts about what the Hawks need to shore up as far as personnel next year.
- LAHawk

If you are expecting anything in the way of revelations you are going to be disappointed. You'll get a whole bunch of nothing. He will talk about the progress so many made this season and all the rookies that got a chance to play, and point out the positives from Hagel, Lankinen, Kurashev, Suter, etc. He'll mention the great seasons that Kane and ADB had. You may hear something about how they hope Toews will be back, but nothing definitive. Other than that nothing definitive, maybe some more "we need to be harder to play against",etc.

I'm not saying he hasn't been poop this season, but the previous 2 seasons with the Hawks he was at a .88 and .66 PPG rate, and Career is a .6. Yes, he is a defensive liability on most nights and his compete level is crap way too often.
- TheTrob

Strome is at an age and point of his career where the trend should be up, not down. What's your thought as to why this is happening?

Stan's after season locker clean-out press conference should be interesting. Hopefully we find out something about Toew's other than what Dreger said (and not a peep from anyone since), and his thoughts about what the Hawks need to shore up as far as personnel next year.
- LAHawk

And I'll go all Illuminati here, I wonder how much truth there was in that report.

Toews gave an exclusive to only Dreger? No update from the club at that time, nothing from any other writer. It was a national game when he was on so how much of that was some producer insisting that we have to have some Hawk news?

Strome is at an age and point of his career where the trend should be up, not down. What's your thought as to why this is happening?
- mohel

Good question Mo, but i don't buy the he is lazy, doesn't work out etc. Reminds me of the excuse for Seabrook's downfall, (he is out of shape, eating his way out of the league). Maybe the concussion, the ankle,or the league has just gotten too fast for him.

And I'll go all Illuminati here, I wonder how much truth there was in that report.

Toews gave an exclusive to only Dreger? No update from the club at that time, nothing from any other writer. It was a national game when he was on so how much of that was some producer insisting that we have to have some Hawk news?
- Rota's Rooter

i agree, calculated risk. If he comes back, looks like Dreger had the scoop, if not, he could just say he suffered a setback. You would think Lazeraus or Pope would have had something, at least a follow-up. I think their Blackhawk sources would be stronger thna Dreger.

So, sarcastic comments aside, at what point is David Kampf expendable?

I would assume that the Hawks are moving on (or at least trying to) from Carpenter. Kampf has been a dependable (in that you know what you will get from him) player, but he obviously has limitations. I'd say if Toews comes back, they can/will move on. I don't think they want to leave all the heavy defensive lifting to Dach.
- Chunk

For what he can do in his correct role and what his cost should be? I think at least one more season.

Poor guy can't score in a cat house with a barge of C-notes.

Strome is at an age and point of his career where the trend should be up, not down. What's your thought as to why this is happening?
- mohel

Simple. He is too slow for this league.

Wow, 15 points. And a smooth -16 to lead the team in that category. Stan must be very thrilled at the value for the buck he's getting from that non compete lard ass.

They are shipping that stiff out of town as soon as they can.
- RickJ

lard ass? Hardly. The rest is accurate AF, tho.

Simple. He is too slow for this league.
- Elbows15

Agreed. But, unless he has gotten slower, wasn't he too slow a couple years ago, when he had 20G and 37A in a full season? From .73 ppg to .65 to .38.

Strome is at an age and point of his career where the trend should be up, not down. What's your thought as to why this is happening?
- mohel

I would throw this season out for a lot of players this season. Strome wasn't signed until the last minute, missed a length of time with a concussion, maybe had some Covid related effects, and ultimately missed more than a quarter of the season. Mix that in with playing with rotating line-mates and rookies and it wasn't a great season for him in any aspect really.

Personally, he doesn't move the needle for me, and I have no problem with trading him. I think at this point I would rather see someone like a Hagel in the lineup over a Strome, or even a Nylander. Hagel may not have as much talent, but you know you are gonna get full effort and hustle. On the flip side, Nylander may be the same on the effort/compete scale as Strome, but I think he has a better skill set. Both Hagel and Nylander will be significantly cheaper for the next few years as well.

Agreed. But, unless he has gotten slower, wasn't he too slow a couple years ago, when he had 20G and 37A in a full season? From .73 ppg to .65 to .38.
- mohel

As far as points, he needs linemates that can finish plays. He never really played on a line with ADB and/or Kane for a significant bit of time. We can lament his lack of PPG, but the other Hawk centers didn't rack up the points either. Suter led with 25 playing mostly first line minutes.

I would throw this season out for a lot of players this season. Strome wasn't signed until the last minute, missed a length of time with a concussion, maybe had some Covid related effects, and ultimately missed more than a quarter of the season. Mix that in with playing with rotating line-mates and rookies and it wasn't a great season for him in any aspect really.

Personally, he doesn't move the needle for me, and I have no problem with trading him. I think at this point I would rather see someone like a Hagel in the lineup over a Strome, or even a Nylander. Hagel may not have as much talent, but you know you are gonna get full effort and hustle. On the flip side, Nylander may be the same on the effort/compete scale as Strome, but I think he has a better skill set. Both Hagel and Nylander will be significantly cheaper for the next few years as well.
- TheTrob

Strome at least shows up on the score sheet more than I would expect. He does have some hands down low. So he's not useless, but no way he's a complete player. IMO Nylander has shown zero. They both seem to be riding the coat tails of a big brother. And in Nylander's case the old man too.