So spot on ! LA ! they are talking flat cap for another 3 to 5 years, Don't spend to spend. I hope they let big AZ walk or trade for a draft pick, I'd love to see Strome traded too but wishful thinking. Build cap space for down the line and strike for that big center ! Hope they take Mctavish!

Watching Vegas, and knowing they went a couple of games dressing only 18 players due to cap reasons, and are weak at center (even if Krebs plays for them next year), would you do:

Fleury ($7Mil. for one year) of course he would have to waive. Vegas can't really afford to go with $12 mil. in goalies next year, and it is obvious that Fleury and Lehner cannot really coexist.
Vegas #2 (which is the Devils pick)

for:
Strome
Delia (Vegas has no #3 goalie, would become #2 under this scenario)

Hawks gain a veteran goalie to help Landinen for one year, lose a goalie that in 2 years will be way down the depth chart (if not already), and another pick

Vegas gains cap space, and a center that possibly bolsters a weak spot in their line-up, and a backup to Lehner.
- LAHawk

This is a good idea if Fleury waives. Maybe he doesn't want to play for a rebuilding team so the Hawks could promise to move him again and retain salary to get more picks or young assets.

The number of bad contracts that can be traded away will be inversely proportional to the length of time the salary cap stays flat or relatively flat.

The Hawks will have to take back a bad contract to give one up. The mistake was made when they gave Strome that deal. And then not play him much at center, the only position where he really adds any value (albeit all on one end of the ice). Pouring gasoline on a dumpster fire.

Why would the Hawks need to move Shaw's contract? Why would a team want it? Are there teams that need to get to the floor in this flat cap era?

Not disagreeing, just don't know the rationale.

Mohel

Just thinking of the Clarkson/Horton scenario with Toronto

I can't see Vegas even considering that. The gain about $3M in space, but get back the Hawks' 3rd best goalie, and a center who plays nothing like the Vegas type of play - fast and hard on the puck.
- mohel

I dont disagree that Vegas would turn that offer down, but from the Hawks perspective I think a veteran who can bail out a young defense who will make LOTS of mistakes is a huge variable a confidence builder. Anyone who plays hockey knows the mental mindset of having a good goalie who you can trust and push the play vs a goalie were you are constantly on your heels in fear any mistake you make ends up in your net.

I think a kid like Lakinen would flourish learning behind a savvy goalie in the flower.

From the Vegas perspective though, do they trust Lehner to be THE guy given he's started all of 1 game so far this postseason?

Why would the Hawks need to move Shaw's contract? Why would a team want it? Are there teams that need to get to the floor in this flat cap era?

Not disagreeing, just don't know the rationale.

Mohel

Just thinking of the Clarkson/Horton scenario with Toronto
- LAHawk

His 3.9 cap hit is actually a 1 million signing bonus and an actual salary of 1.9 million. so for fiscally aware teams, that also is a little more attractive.

I can't see Vegas even considering that. The gain about $3M in space, but get back the Hawks' 3rd best goalie, and a center who plays nothing like the Vegas type of play - fast and hard on the puck.
- mohel

Nicolas Roy is a bad skater. Vegas survived with Paul Stasny (albeit much better defensively)

$3 mil. is huge when Vegas is looking for a replacement for Alec Martinez next year.

Just a proposal. If Fleury doesn't waive who else would they possibly move, or are they going to stay with the same team they have this year, minus Martinez?

I dont disagree that Vegas would turn that offer down, but from the Hawks perspective I think a veteran who can bail out a young defense who will make LOTS of mistakes is a huge variable a confidence builder. Anyone who plays hockey knows the mental mindset of having a good goalie who you can trust and push the play vs a goalie were you are constantly on your heels in fear any mistake you make ends up in your net.

I think a kid like Lakinen would flourish learning behind a savvy goalie in the flower.

From the Vegas perspective though, do they trust Lehner to be THE guy given he's started all of 1 game so far this postseason?
- SteveRain

Fleury has one year left, Lehner has 4. They have zero goalie prospects in the system. The Knights better hope that Lehner is the guy.

I dont disagree that Vegas would turn that offer down, but from the Hawks perspective I think a veteran who can bail out a young defense who will make LOTS of mistakes is a huge variable a confidence builder. Anyone who plays hockey knows the mental mindset of having a good goalie who you can trust and push the play vs a goalie were you are constantly on your heels in fear any mistake you make ends up in your net.

I think a kid like Lakinen would flourish learning behind a savvy goalie in the flower.

From the Vegas perspective though, do they trust Lehner to be THE guy given he's started all of 1 game so far this postseason?
- SteveRain

With the Seabrook and Shaw deals (Toews, too?) on LTIR, the Hawks should be looking for bad contracts to eat for the next couple years. Even though Vegas likely needs to move a goalie, Flower's deal is not a bad contract. I think they'll have places to move him without a very high #2 (and a bad contract in return) as the sweetener. Who knows, though, as it was established yesterday that I am nothing if not obtuse.

His stock has fallen quite a bit from last year when some had him as possibly the first player chosen.

The Athletic did a mock with Powers choosing. Surprisingly he didn't take Max Shalunov's little brother but Matthew Coronato. Anyone who watch's the Chicago Steel with any regularity have any thoughts?

Also, speaking of siblings, Theo or anyone else have any thoughts on drafting Kirby's? Colton Dach is expected to go in the 2nd or 3rd round and sounds similar to Kirby with a shoot first mentality.
- HawkintheD

You are doing a Stan reclamation project before Stan?

I for one am glad the talk about getting the first pick is over for 6 months.

Fleury has one year left, Lehner has 4. They have zero goalie prospects in the system. The Knights better hope that Lehner is the guy.
- LAHawk

Dont disagree but just strange they are riding Fleury instead of Lehner. Maybe some buyer's remorse?

With the Seabrook and Shaw deals (Toews, too?) on LTIR, the Hawks should be looking for bad contracts to eat for the next couple years. Even though Vegas likely needs to move a goalie, Flower's deal is not a bad contract. I think they'll have places to move him without a very high #2 (and a bad contract in return) as the sweetener. Who knows, though, as it was established yesterday that I am nothing if not obtuse.

- mohel

If you are obtuse, what does that make me?

The rebuild is going to tax fans mentally.....hawks need to stay the course UNLESS a can't MISS deal falls in their lap. No idea, what said can't miss deal is, but outside of that....sign cheap veterans who have value come the deadline, and flip them for future picks/assets in future years. Exactly what they did with soderberg and Janmark.

With the Seabrook and Shaw deals (Toews, too?) on LTIR, the Hawks should be looking for bad contracts to eat for the next couple years. Even though Vegas likely needs to move a goalie, Flower's deal is not a bad contract. I think they'll have places to move him without a very high #2 (and a bad contract in return) as the sweetener. Who knows, though, as it was established yesterday that I am nothing if not obtuse.

- mohel

Is Strome's contract bad? One year at $3 mil.? Depends on how desperate Vegas wants the cap space. They need to replace Martinez, who is going to command an easy $5 mil. as a UFA.

Dont disagree but just strange they are riding Fleury instead of Lehner. Maybe some buyer's remorse?
- SteveRain

Lehner got hurt, Fleury got hot, nominated for the Vezina Trophy this year. Lehner played in the bubble last year, and Fleury was butt hurt about it.

Is Strome's contract bad? One year at $3 mil.? Depends on how desperate Vegas wants the cap space. They need to replace Martinez, who is going to command an easy $5 mil. as a UFA.
- LAHawk

I would think that Vegas wouldn't want Strome, and would only take him if necessary to help offset another team taking a bad contract. My take is that Flower is not a contract that requires a bunch of sugar. But I could be wrong about that.

I hope Raty makes it to the 11th pick. He is the kind of player that the Hawks seem to gravitate to. Hopefully he will play center, but it seems like his upside is substantially better than the other options who will be available at that pick.
- jrsamu

Oh he will!

This is from me yesterday:
I was happy when a team behind us didn't jump to one or two.

I guess it was nice the way it worked out because the Devils already got two #1s in Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.

It puts Owen Power on the Sabres, but you have to wonder if they were thinking about retooling the offensive , and now here they are.

Seattle will have a big decision of big defenseman prospect in what might look like a reach (but not really) and then Bob Murray who might have had a perfect marriage of Owen Power and Drysdale as a pairing also has to think hard if they want to pass on defenseman.
Columbus probably doesn't care because unless Matty Beniers is still there, they have a chance for a good wing and and maybe the top four defenseman won't be gone by slot five and the get a young kid to try and fit in Seth Jones' shadow.
Think about that:
There could be four defenseman in the top four picks and four forwards go to Columbus, Detroit, San Jose and Los Angeles respectively...unless one or two take goalies...or they decide Corson Ceulemans (6' 1" 188) or Carson Lambos (6'1 197) are the answer and forwards keep a dropping....you just cannot predict who is left at slot #11...

This Aatu Räty content below is what I wrote starting two and half years ago. I did little to alter the profile despite his fall from grace. I CANNOT unsee what I saw.
So yes there is a very good possibility he is NOT the NHL 3rd line centre the "experts" are now projecting him as.
I always say they are kids and behind the scenes who knows what goes on, what changes in their desire and psyche by the time they are responsible young adults...
Could we all agree that the top of almost every draft is filled with "responsible 18 year olds" and not many kids with issues...they draft later in the first and later rounds:
Aatu Räty
At first looks, I was very willing to project Aatu Räty as the front runner to be selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He's big and strong and has great vision.and play-making skills. He is a natural centre who can play all three positions if necessary. He has versatility, but centre has always been a highly sought after position to fill so teams will look at the fact that Aatu Räty has shown that he already plays the position of centre with a responsible 200 foot two-way game.
In second and thrid looks, his skating is not as effortless and clean as I noted.
There is need for improvemnet. He needs to change directions quicker. When he widens his skating base, he is almost impossible to get off the puck. He did not look out of place in the 8 Nations - Ivan Hlinka Cup tournament, and the Under 20 Four Nations Tournament, he did not look at all our of place, as he plays a power game and he attacks into the offensive zone with physicality and some chippiness and when he doesn’t have the puck on the attack, he supports his linemate that does by finding and filling the empty creases in coverage, where he can provide an outlet for the puck to be sent. It is tough to try and separate the positive qualities…his good hands and high pace of play, the aggressiveness and his quickness to get off shots on net. An excellent stickhandler while on the move, he has soft hands and gets the biscuit to his wingers. Has some chippiness and will get involved while he is in the corners. In the Four Nations, he opened the scoring against Sweden when he cut for the middle ice and used a speeding defender as a screen for his shot. His role as a younger on the Finnish World Junior Under 20 team was smaller, because the veteran players were cast into the top line combinations and on power play, while he was asked to be the 4th line centre man who saw little or no power play time. He was asked to help out on the penalty kill. Even though the competition was older, he wanted the puck his stick, always ready to shoot or make a play. Against Switzerland, he bursted off the boards to behind the Swiss goal and scored on the wraparound at the other post before the play happening. Goes into the corners and along the wall to dig pucks out. His body frame has not filled out and there is room add muscle. He can still add more leg strength and that will add to the strong stop/start burst already in place. And like advanced younger players who are asked to play at higher competition levels with older players (and men with Kärpät Oulu in the top-tier Finnish Liiga), there are times when he seemed to lack the vision to good decisions in his passes when rushed or fatigued. There is no doubt that he is a smart player, and is the man against boys when playing inside his age group. You want to know why he is on top of draft lists? He’s a high paced locomotive who reaches top speed, then makes plays at top speed, as if he is playing at a higher speed than the rest of the ice. There is talk about his skating not being dymanic, but that will come. This past January 2020 in the U-18 Five Nations tournament, he play demonstrated why he is a notch up on most 2021 draft prospects. A rangy pass-first centre, who is a really fine stickhandler and involved forward.
And the the 2020-21 season happened.

Expected BREAKING NEWS

based upon former two Blackhawk signing as depth

And Sikura has even suited up for some playoff action, but Jurco I think not

The new third string Vegas goaltender shall be
Colin Delia. Yes...they like him more than O Dansk and others

So spot on ! LA ! they are talking flat cap for another 3 to 5 years, Don't spend to spend. I hope they let big AZ walk or trade for a draft pick, I'd love to see Strome traded too but wishful thinking. Build cap space for down the line and strike for that big center ! Hope they take Mctavish!
- CTblackhawkfan

I'm also onboard for picking McTavish and letting Zadorov go. BTW, I'm also in CT, in Fairfield county!

Zad had a pretty good WC, Shalunov not so much. healthy scratch on a elimnation game. feeling like maybe we attempt to trade his rights for a 4th or 5th if his agent includes Damir.

Fleury has one year left, Lehner has 4. They have zero goalie prospects in the system. The Knights better hope that Lehner is the guy.
- LAHawk

He’s not.

He’s not.
- Ogilthorpe2

If Vegas decides they need to part with Flower (with Lehner seemingly living on the edge, this is no given), what would Vegas need to add to get the Hawks to do a Lanky for Flower swap? This would save about $6.2M in cap space for Vegas, and would give them a viable goalie if (when?) Lehner loses his water.

He’s not.
- Ogilthorpe2

No, clearly he’s not. That shellacking Colorado put on him in game one was all one needed to see.

Wow. Just saw the Schiefle hit. As nasty a charge as I ever seen.
#RaffiTorresEsque

40 games plus how ever many games Evans misses. Without pay. Winnipeg must also pay the salary to charity.

Wow. Just saw the Schiefle hit. As nasty a charge as I ever seen.
#RaffiTorresEsque

40 games plus how ever many games Evans misses. Without pay. Winnipeg must also pay the salary to charity.
- 35Tony0

He's having a telephone hearing today, which means he will get five games or less.