I am not sure. But hiring Mark Hunter as the GM and/or Dale Hunter as the Coach intrigues me.
- -Doh-

*Sigh* We've been through this.

The Hunter brothers have their own kingdom going with the London Knights. It's all theirs and they have control. Combine that with their previous experience dealing with ownership of other NHL teams, they're not going anywhere.

Any coaching staff that will put out a competitive, winning team regardless of the personnel making up the roster.
- Rota's Rooter

Well played, Rooter!

I think that the TDL will be disappointing to Hawk fans on this blog with only deHaan being moved for a 4th or 5th round pick. What will be even more disappointing for some on this board, the Hawks do not move Kubalik or Strome. In fact they will resign them this summer for about the same salaries they are making now for 2 or 3 more years. They will also sign Dach, Kurashev, Kalynuk, Caleb Jones, Altybarmakyan, and Lankinen with small increases.

So here are your 2022 - 2023 Hawks
Kane, Toews, Debrincat, T.Johnson, Kubalik, Connolly, Strome, Hagel, Borgstrum, Dach, Reichel, Kurashev, Khaira, Entwistle, S. Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Stillman, C. Jones, Galvas, Kalynuk, Lankinen, Soderblom. Cap hit about $74,600,000. Cap Space $6,900,000.

I would not mind this at all. They will be at or very near the very bottom of the league (and they will have their first round pick).

The following year Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Connolly, Khaira's contracts come off the books. That is another $31,875,000 of cap space.

If Commesso is the real deal and some of the young dmen develop into good NHL players they might be alright. They only have Debrincat and probably Reichel as true future top 6 forwards right now. Their first round pick next year should be a future top 6 center. And they will have plenty of cap room to sign one or two more top 6 forwards.

Don't make any rash (stupid) moves at the TDL or long term commitments during this off season. Make all decisions based on the 2023/24 season and beyond.

It would be nice if they hired a really good coaching staff this summer.
- -Doh-

I think the TDL will bring minimal change, with mostly (if not solely) expiring contracts being moved. Carpenter, Lafferty, de Haan, Gustafsson and Lankinen could all be moved for disappointing draft picks. Fleury is the only possible pending UFA that could net a decent return and even that situation is complicated.

Shaw's contract may come into play too as it could help a team take on a contract like Fleury's.

Had thought about adding that to what I posted. All the McCaskey's do is football (and mostly poorly at that) where like you point out, the Wirtz's run a very successful liquor distribution operation...not sure if they have other biz endeavors as well.
- HawkintheD

Not making excuses but the Bears have been no worse than other teams in their division besides Green Bay. Replace the long haired ego maniac (Rodgers) and Farve with whomever the Bears have had at QB the last 30 years and it would look much differently. GB management realized quickly last summer they did not have a replacement for Rodgers.

Regarding hockey, there's not much left to say about the Blackhawks these days hence I've been away.

Depends on how many defenseman the Hawks trade, right now he is probably #8/9/10 on the pecking order

S. Jones
C. Jones
daHaan
Murphy
Stillman
Gusto
Mitchell
Mccabe
Galvas

then Kalnyuk
- LAHawk

I'm not sure that is accurate. I think right now they are happy to let him develop in Rockford. You have 3 lineup certainties in S. Jones, Murphy and McCabe. deHaan and Gus will be gone, who knows about C.Jones, but I don't think he has solidified anything but the #7D role if they re-sign him. Stillman is ok, signed for a few more years and provides something a lot of the other D don't and that is a bit of a physical presence. Kalnyuk by some accounts has plateaued or taken a small step back this year in RFD but we will see.

I think the TDL will bring minimal change, with mostly (if not solely) expiring contracts being moved. Carpenter, Lafferty, de Haan, Gustafsson and Lankinen could all be moved for disappointing draft picks. Fleury is the only possible pending UFA that could net a decent return and even that situation is complicated.

Shaw's contract may come into play too as it could help a team take on a contract like Fleury's.
- DarthKane

Probably correct, though I don't think Carpenter and Gus bring you anything. I think Lafferty has been ok, a team looking at a "Carpenter" type may prefer him. That would be very Hawks, turn a 1st rounder (Joki/Nylander) into a 4th rounder (Lafferty) into a 7th rounder (maybe).

I'm not sure that is accurate. I think right now they are happy to let him develop in Rockford. You have 3 lineup certainties in S. Jones, Murphy and McCabe. deHaan and Gus will be gone, who knows about C.Jones, but I don't think he has solidified anything but the #7D role if they re-sign him. Stillman is ok, signed for a few more years and provides something a lot of the other D don't and that is a bit of a physical presence. Kalnyuk by some accounts has plateaued or taken a small step back this year in RFD but we will see.
- TheTrob

I said right now depending on who they trade, but as of today, Kalnyuk is not better than 8th or 9th on the depth chart.

And according to Theo, he is not playing well in Rockford either.

Unless Davidson acquires some more picks, the Hawks top picks in the early to mid rounds are their own second, call it the 38th-42nd overall pick, three 3rds and a 4th.

The three 3rds are Edmonton's, Vegas' and Toronto's. Edmonton's will be a mid rounder and the other two will be late in the 3rd, essentially 4ths. Someone wrote recently about the odds of later round picks making the NHL. Maybe something like 8 - 12%? No guarantees these picks will turn into impact players in 4 or 5 years.
- boilermaker100

Totally agree. The truth is that very few players taken in the NHL draft will ever play in the NHL. In order to get an accurate read of how many drafted players played at least 200 games in the NHL, a study by proicehockey.about.com looked at the drafts between 1990 and 1999. Of the 2,600 hundred players drafted just 19% played in at least 200 contests. 63% of first round picks, less than 25% of second round picks, and only 12% of third rounder selections played 200+ games in the NHL. So trading players at the TDL for 3rd round picks or later are like buying raffle tickets, long shots. However having 3 raffle tickets is better than none or one ticket.

Probably correct, though I don't think Carpenter and Gus bring you anything. I think Lafferty has been ok, a team looking at a "Carpenter" type may prefer him. That would be very Hawks, turn a 1st rounder (Joki/Nylander) into a 4th rounder (Lafferty) into a 7th rounder (maybe).
- TheTrob

In the small sample size of Lafferty’s Hawks tenure, I would say that he brings an element to the fourth line that Carpenter doesn’t, and that is speed. I’d keep him around at Carpenter’s cap hit for a year or two. This team could use more speed, adding Reichel next year will help in this regard as well, except Reichel should/will play top six. Another add to the roster next year should be Mitchell, again more speed. Now if they could find a young Saad, but with hands……

[quote=LAHawk]Depends on how many defenseman the Hawks trade, right now he is probably #8/9/10 on the pecking order

S. Jones
Mccabe
Murphy
Stillman

C. Jones

Galvas

Mitchell
Kalynuk

daHaan - gone
Gusto - gone

I would say DeHaan and Gus will be off this list by the summer. There probably is not much separating Kalynuk, Mitchell, Beaudin, Regula, and Phillips right now. (I think Galvas is slightly ahead of this group.)

Totally agree. The truth is that very few players taken in the NHL draft will ever play in the NHL. In order to get an accurate read of how many drafted players played at least 200 games in the NHL, a study by proicehockey.about.com looked at the drafts between 1990 and 1999. Of the 2,600 hundred players drafted just 19% played in at least 200 contests. 63% of first round picks, less than 25% of second round picks, and only 12% of third rounder selections played 200+ games in the NHL. So trading players at the TDL for 3rd round picks or later are like buying raffle tickets, long shots. However having 3 raffle tickets is better than none or one ticket.
- -Doh-

As I said in a post last week and as Theo posited in the blog, a lot really depends on the Hawks deciding on their direction and sticking to it. Are they gonna rip it all the way down, are they gonna keep a core and build around, gonna wait for prospects or look for free agents?

Going with the reality of the draft is why tearing it all down is not really a sure thing in the NHL. Draft strategies also can change based on what the direction is. Do you look for guys with high ceilings or high floors? If you're drafting later in the 1st round do you take a shot at a kid that if it clicks can be a top 6 guy, or if not will be a bust, or take the kid that will never be a top 6 but will be a 4th line contributor.

As said, the biggest problem with Bowman is never picking a lane and staying with it.

As I said in a post last week and as Theo posited in the blog, a lot really depends on the Hawks deciding on their direction and sticking to it. Are they gonna rip it all the way down, are they gonna keep a core and build around, gonna wait for prospects or look for free agents?

Going with the reality of the draft is why tearing it all down is not really a sure thing in the NHL. Draft strategies also can change based on what the direction is. Do you look for guys with high ceilings or high floors? If you're drafting later in the 1st round do you take a shot at a kid that if it clicks can be a top 6 guy, or if not will be a bust, or take the kid that will never be a top 6 but will be a 4th line contributor.

As said, the biggest problem with Bowman is never picking a lane and staying with it.
- TheTrob

Ripping all the way down indicates they can move players for 1st or 2nd round picks or "A+" prospects. Who can they move for that?
Kane? They can get a 1st if they retain salary.
Toews? Maybe a 2nd if they retain salary.
Fleury? Maybe a 2nd if they retain salary.
They have NMC/NTC clauses.

Debrincat? Why move a 24 year old goal scorer?
Moving people like Kubalik (maybe a 3rd), Strome (maybe a 3rd), deHaan (maybe a 5th), Carp maybe a minor leaguer (that will never see the NHL).

I think Fleury stays this year. Kane and Toews might be moved at next year's trade deadline.

Major changes will take place after the current Toews and Kane contracts expire.

As I said in a post last week and as Theo posited in the blog, a lot really depends on the Hawks deciding on their direction and sticking to it. Are they gonna rip it all the way down, are they gonna keep a core and build around, gonna wait for prospects or look for free agents?

Going with the reality of the draft is why tearing it all down is not really a sure thing in the NHL. Draft strategies also can change based on what the direction is. Do you look for guys with high ceilings or high floors? If you're drafting later in the 1st round do you take a shot at a kid that if it clicks can be a top 6 guy, or if not will be a bust, or take the kid that will never be a top 6 but will be a 4th line contributor.

As said, the biggest problem with Bowman is never picking a lane and staying with it.
- TheTrob

Unless it was Rocky changing lanes. He's still here.

Unless it was Rocky changing lanes. He's still here.
- mohel

McD maybe, but Rocky has enough business acumen and admittedly little hockey acumen, that I don't think any hockey decisions were dictated by him. I think he put people in place to run things, expecting results (maybe financial more than on ice), and went from there.

McD maybe, but Rocky has enough business acumen and admittedly little hockey acumen, that I don't think any hockey decisions were dictated by him. I think he put people in place to run things, expecting results (maybe financial more than on ice), and went from there.
- TheTrob

You think Rocky would sit back and allow his “hockey people” to break the team down to build the team long term but potentially take a bath financially, because of decreased ticket and merchandise sales, in the short term?

In the small sample size of Lafferty’s Hawks tenure, I would say that he brings an element to the fourth line that Carpenter doesn’t, and that is speed. I’d keep him around at Carpenter’s cap hit for a year or two. This team could use more speed, adding Reichel next year will help in this regard as well, except Reichel should/will play top six. Another add to the roster next year should be Mitchell, again more speed. Now if they could find a young Saad, but with hands……
- Angotti

I would refer to "a young Saad, but with hands" a Blackhawk era Hossa.

I am not sure. But hiring Mark Hunter as the GM and/or Dale Hunter as the Coach intrigues me.
- -Doh-

Except they won't want the job, they both are happy running the London knights and being their own bosses.

Except they won't want the job, they both are happy running the London knights and being their own bosses.
- GPHawksfan

If they are given the hockey ops and GM Positions and complete autonomy I bet they may be interested.

Ripping all the way down indicates they can move players for 1st or 2nd round picks or "A+" prospects. Who can they move for that?
Kane? They can get a 1st if they retain salary.
Toews? Maybe a 2nd if they retain salary.
Fleury? Maybe a 2nd if they retain salary.
They have NMC/NTC clauses.

Debrincat? Why move a 24 year old goal scorer?
Moving people like Kubalik (maybe a 3rd), Strome (maybe a 3rd), deHaan (maybe a 5th), Carp maybe a minor leaguer (that will never see the NHL).

I think Fleury stays this year. Kane and Toews might be moved at next year's trade deadline.

Major changes will take place after the current Toews and Kane contracts expire.
- -Doh-

I think those are pretty accurate. Maybe Fleury nets you a first from a desperate team. If you were to get that return, what does that really get you? A bunch of picks that as laid out previous, will most likely amount to an average player at the very best, and get you no closer to back into contention.

I would like to see them sign Fleury to a 2 year contract at around $5mil, and while it all depends on their desires, I would like to see Kane and Toews finish careers as Hawks. I think maybe you try to get Kane at a slightly lower cap hit than current and maybe give him a little more term than his age would suggest. I think you could arguably get Toews on a lower cap hit and for less term than Kane. I think he is easier to find comps for to slot his salary with, maybe more in the $6-8mil range.

I think those are pretty accurate. Maybe Fleury nets you a first from a desperate team. If you were to get that return, what does that really get you? A bunch of picks that as laid out previous, will most likely amount to an average player at the very best, and get you no closer to back into contention.

I would like to see them sign Fleury to a 2 year contract at around $5mil, and while it all depends on their desires, I would like to see Kane and Toews finish careers as Hawks. I think maybe you try to get Kane at a slightly lower cap hit than current and maybe give him a little more term than his age would suggest. I think you could arguably get Toews on a lower cap hit and for less term than Kane. I think he is easier to find comps for to slot his salary with, maybe more in the $6-8mil range.
- TheTrob

Toews will probably retire. Either way he doesn't sniff $6M except perhaps 1 year. Kane is an "assist" machine who appears to have a long term perhaps permanent injury? I doubt he sees much term either?

You think Rocky would sit back and allow his “hockey people” to break the team down to build the team long term but potentially take a bath financially, because of decreased ticket and merchandise sales, in the short term?
- paulr

Well, last summer, his hockey people traded futures to acquire a #1D to replace a departed Keith, and also obtained a top goalie. To me it was an effort to make the playoffs and increase/maintain ticket and merchandise sales and also generate some playoff game revenue. And what is the end result? A non playoff team with many holes, the end of the sell out run, and a marketing campaign offering free food and beverages if you buy a 300 level ticket. Don't know how much of a financial bath Rocky is taking this season, but he better get use to it. I doubt if fans will continue to spend money to see an inferior product on the ice.

Hello D. Just wanted to add that living off the income of an NFL team is much easier than living off the income of an NHL team.

I agree that I trust Rocky more than George; however that's like being the tallest midget.
- mohel

Idk Mo. I think the George quote about not being an NFL talent evaluator and "I'm just a fan" was one for the ages.

I think you're more than at least half kidding but, the above along with last year's weird press conference, the non-handling of the Nagy being fired after Turkey Day, other missteps in the press, etc...lead me to believe the Wirtz's might have some clue.

At least when there is a microphone in front of their face their seems to be some sense of competency. On second thought, that's a really low bar and you might be right.

You think Rocky would sit back and allow his “hockey people” to break the team down to build the team long term but potentially take a bath financially, because of decreased ticket and merchandise sales, in the short term?
- paulr

Great question. I have no idea. Where exactly does the club stand from a financial basis? A year and a half of no fans obviously killed the bottom line, but where was the club after the previous 10? I know it has been stated that the club was bleeding money and was even on the negative side of the balance sheet in 2010, how much did the next 10 years fatten the bottom line?

Probably depends on who sells him what plan. Someone can say "Hey, we keep Kane, Toews, ADB, Fleury and we are competitive enough and have enough star power to keep fans coming, though we realistically have no chance of winning another cup, but a few years from now it's gonna be really bad" or "We can bite the bullet now and be really bad for a couple of years and have little to put butts in the seat, but "maybe" we can be competitive again in 3-5"

So...immediate pain, or kick the can down the road a few years.

Not making excuses but the Bears have been no worse than other teams in their division besides Green Bay. Replace the long haired ego maniac (Rodgers) and Farve with whomever the Bears have had at QB the last 30 years and it would look much differently. GB management realized quickly last summer they did not have a replacement for Rodgers.

Regarding hockey, there's not much left to say about the Blackhawks these days hence I've been away.
- rpeters01

Well RP...see my last post about low bars.

As much as it pains me, in regard to Packer management, unlike the Bears they have recognized the importance of the QB position going back to Favre and continually used draft capital on the position.

It's beyond disgusting how they've had 3 HOF QB's lifetime while the Bears are still searching. Hopefully Fields is the guy.

He had some hits, too many misses, but one of the main things I found disappointing in Pace's tenure as GM was his failure to live up to his pledge to take a QB every draft. Oh well.

Toews will probably retire. Either way he doesn't sniff $6M except perhaps 1 year. Kane is an "assist" machine who appears to have a long term perhaps permanent injury? I doubt he sees much term either?
- rpeters01

We can agree to disagree. I don't think he retires, and I think his recent play shows he is coming back around. His current salary (not cap hit) is $6.9mil. I can envision a contract for 3-5 years, if he wants to play, that starts around there and has declining salary each year, so his cap hit would be around there. Kane probably gets a contract close to his current cap hit, at least for a couple of years.