It was mentioned earlier that Vegas is lacking center depth and would probably want to improve that situation over the summer. Especially if they get bounced out of the playoffs tonight and fail to win the Cup this year. So Strome to VGK?

Probably have to take back some salary for them to fit in Strome's $3M. I doubt if they move their top forwards. How about 1 year at 2.5M of Brayden McNabb, 6-4, 215 pound LD? He can replace Z or deHaan, eat up some ice time, and give the kiddos another year to mature.

Don't know if Vegas would do that though, unless they extend Martinez. Don't think they would trade a veteran LD if they lose Martinez in free agency.
- boilermaker100

Like the idea but tuch might be a better option. Maybe expand the deal to get both. So what teams are up against the cap use those teams to the advantage of the hawks.

It is really funny to see perspectives from other teams fans. I've watched a bunch of mock expansion drafts and a majority of them are taking Big Z. Most of them also consider him to be a quite good defender. "He's not going to give you much offense, but he's a beast in his own end." It could be why he still garners interest from teams.

Like the idea but tuch might be a better option. Maybe expand the deal to get both. So what teams are up against the cap use those teams to the advantage of the hawks.
- Scott1977

Vegas isn't trading Tuch, not with a cap hit of $4.75 million for the next 5 years. If worst came to worst they could buy out MAF and save $4 mil. this year and $2 mil. next, when they have a bit more wiggle room. Or trade him and retain some salary, he has one year left.

Looks like the Kraken hired Hakstol as their first coach.

#ASF

Looks like the Kraken hired Hakstol as their first coach.

#ASF
- Chunk

Whodat?

Vegas isn't trading Tuch, not with a cap hit of $4.75 million for the next 5 years. If worst came to worst they could buy out MAF and save $4 mil. this year and $2 mil. next, when they have a bit more wiggle room. Or trade him and retain some salary, he has one year left.
- LAHawk

Maybe they'll move Riley Smith. 30 years old one year left at 5M. Strome for him as a cap dump with a younger asset?

Who would you pick at 11? Mctavish is the player i would like the hawks to pick but i think he is pick before 11th pick. But hawks need to use the LTRI money to gain more assets whether that's picks young players bowman needs to be creative this off-season. Again a lot of decisions and moves hinge on Towes coming back or not. Strome Zadorov need to be moved maybe even suter if he wants to much money. Would also explore moving one of young d man.
- Scott1977

I really don't know who they should draft, I haven't really been paying attention tot he draftees in the first round this year, though not like I really know all that much about the draftees in any year. To those that say draft best player available, I really don't agree with that any longer. I think the team should draft for what they need in their system, because like someone else said earlier, you never know when a good player of a certain position is going to be on the trade block, and whether you will have the pieces to acquire them. For instance, we have a bunch of defenseman prospects in the Hawks system. If the best player available is a defenseman at #11, I don't think they should chose them, but rather should still go after either a projected top 6 center, or top 6 winger. That is the need for this team moving forward, in my opinion.

As far as Zadorov, I'm always on the fence about him. Did you notice how when forecheckers would go back for the puck, and zad would get there first, that they would just peal off most of the time? The opposing forecheckers are scared poopless of him most of the time. That is what I like about him, and that his stats were above par, so maybe the hawks should keep him, but not for what he is asking for.

And it definitely all hinges on Toews situation. Hopefully we will know soon what is going on with him.

Vegas isn't trading Tuch, not with a cap hit of $4.75 million for the next 5 years. If worst came to worst they could buy out MAF and save $4 mil. this year and $2 mil. next, when they have a bit more wiggle room. Or trade him and retain some salary, he has one year left.
- LAHawk

He be a better option did not say Vegas would trade him. Plus there was a proposed trade last offseason strome for tuch straight up but bowman wanted a prospect or pick for taking tuch's contract.

Maybe they'll move Riley Smith. 30 years old one year left at 5M. Strome for him as a cap dump with a younger asset?
- boilermaker100

Don't see them doing that either, they will use Krebs next year as a top 6 center, they will then go Karlsson, Krebs, Stephenson, Roy/Kolesar at center. They aren't going to break up the Karlsso/Smith/Marchessault line.

I’m not disagreeing, but when other GM’s know that you are up against the cap, they will not offer equal value in return, that’s just real world.
- Angotti

Yeah, I know, but that was a no-value return and as such unacceptable.

Yeah, I have to agree. They've got a number of goalies in the system and a few that project to be above average.

Regarding the center position, they seem to have a number of viable options (Dach, Suter, Kurashev, Kampf, Strome - for now- and theoretically Borgstrom and Reichel) outside of Toews, but a lot of it is kind of average or completely unknown. I'm most intrigued to see Borgstrom. Big kid, his recent tape looks like he's pretty aggressive, and seems to have a really good shot. It doesn't show much of his defensive acumen, so let's see if that lives up to the hope I have.
- Chunk

Seeing all of the centers listed out like that...we do have a lot, and I spaced about Borgstrom. Who out of those are really projected to be top 6, though?. Dach, yes. Maybe Kurashev, reichel, or borgstrom become that, but I still think they should pad that position a bit in their prospect pool.

One thing I have noticed about Bowman, is that he loads up on the types of players that they are missing, and then waits for the cream to rise to the top. That's why I think they will pick a center again this draft with that #11. He has been loading up on centers lately, ones with any top 6 potential. Although with that list, maybe he has enough now. If that is the case, I bet he goes with a winger, possibly RW.

Whodat?
- powerenforcer

Coached the Flyers for 2 or 3 years. Most recently an assistant with the Leafs

Coached the Flyers for 2 or 3 years. Most recently an assistant with the Leafs
- boilermaker100

If I’m not mistaken he also coached Toews at North Dakota.

If I’m not mistaken he also coached Toews at North Dakota.
- Angotti

Let the rumors begin. Toews waives and Seattle selects him to be the face of the franchise.

I don't think the Blackhawks draft a goalie this year. I think Soderblom was basically their goalie pick this year. In my opinion they need to draft another center that projects in the top 6. Their lacking on that in their prospect pool, so I think they will take a center at #11.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I don’t think the current pipeline of netminders should deter Stan from selecting a goalie in the first round if they’re the best player available. I wouldn’t draft either goalie in the first round and I doubt Stan will too. I’d be surprised if the Hawks drafted at #11, I think Stan will make a (poorly timed) move.

Odds on Draft Day:
- draft at #11: 5%
- trade up: 0% (this is Stan we’re talking about)
- trade down to acquire more picks: 85% (if one or both of the goalies are available some GM will want to make this move)
- trade #11 for a young (yet disappointing) player: 10%

Let the rumors begin. Toews waives and Seattle selects him to be the face of the franchise.
- boilermaker100

Read JJ’s blog tomorrow and I bet this will be his lead story.

The Canucks GM has stats he wants to bring more size and strength to their defense. Stan needs to immediately pick up the phone and call Benning to unload Zadorov.

The Canucks GM has stats he wants to bring more size and strength to their defense. Stan needs to immediately pick up the phone and call Benning to unload Zadorov.
- DarthKane

Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat for Zadorov, Dehann and a 7th. Make it happen Stan!

Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat for Zadorov, Dehann and a 7th. Make it happen Stan!
- paulr

Z and a 4th to the Canucks for Ferdland 2x3.5M, Beagle 1x3M, Virtanen and their 1st. They need the cap space to sign Hughes and Pettersen and net about 5.5M in the deal.

Hawks get the 9th pick and another project in Virtanen.

Let the rumors begin. Toews waives and Seattle selects him to be the face of the franchise.
- boilermaker100

Sounds too much like a Bettman thing, but he hates Chicago so he wouldn't want to help them. Unless he steps down and McD becomes commish, then this would have his fingerprints all over it.

Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat for Zadorov, Dehann and a 7th. Make it happen Stan!
- paulr

Benning would need to retain some salary

Z and a 4th to the Canucks for Ferdland 2x3.5M, Beagle 1x3M, Virtanen and their 1st. They need the cap space to sign Hughes and Pettersen and net about 5.5M in the deal.

Hawks get the 9th pick and another project in Virtanen.
- boilermaker100

Virtanen is under investigation for abuse charges i believe.

Sounds too much like a Bettman thing, but he hates Chicago so he wouldn't want to help them. Unless he steps down and McD becomes commish, then this would have his fingerprints all over it.
- powerenforcer

Why did Bettman allow the Hawks to put Toews on LTIR? Should've denied it.

Rocky fired McD for running a sexual abuse camp, so Commisioner McD would probably not help the Hawks either.

We are doomed.

Virtanen is under investigation for abuse charges i believe.
- Scott1977

He'll fit right in.

Why did Bettman allow the Hawks to put Toews on LTIR? Should've denied it.

Rocky fired McD for running a sexual abuse camp, so Commisioner McD would probably not help the Hawks either.

We are doomed.
- mohel

So you know this as fact? Did you hear this from JJ's source?