Nice way to start your tenure as a GM.
Setting the franchise back even more by managing to _uck up a sure thing like trading an elite player like Dcat and not even getting 2 first founds or a top prospect!
Davidson you are one dumd mother _ucker and deserve all the storm you get for this debacle. What a joke.
Where do we find these idiots?
I thought my Raiders were the dumbest team ever but my Blackhawks are making a run for it.
Good job Wirtz and Co. ...must be so proud to be the laughing stock of the league not to mention alienating fans on a daily basis.....then again you probably don't care which is a huge part of the problem.
Whats next? Kane for a 2nd rounder?
So discouraged. Ugh.
- CanHawk

That might be better than having him play out the whole year and leave for nothing.

Very good post especially the bolded. Been a long time that the franchise has refused to take its medicine. They started that yesterday under KD.
- Mr Ricochet

That’s an excellent way to put it. McD and Stan were doing everything they could to prop up the bloated “One Goal” corpse. This tear down was long overdue.

Given what KD was able to pull off with the Hagel trade - I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with what the market was providing in terms of suitors for DCat. Dach may emerge into something more - but the Hawks mismanaged him from the start - and that again is on McD/Stan trying to hype a 3rd overall pick.

I hope they find suitors for Kane, Toews and Jones too. I’m ready for the new era - even if that means lamenting “fresh” mistakes - because the old ones are dead horses.

A very sobering part from an article in today's The Athletic:

If you want to know why the Blackhawks’ cupboard is so bare, both at the NHL and prospect levels, look no further than their willingness to abandon young talent. While it’s true the Blackhawks have done a poor job developing talent in Rockford in general, the fact is, they’ve sent a ton of talent out the door at a young age. Some of it was for playoff-push reasons, some of it was for cap reasons, some of it was just poor judgment.

But this is a staggering truth: Every first draft pick the Blackhawks made from 2011 to 2019 was traded before his 25th birthday. Only DeBrincat even made it to his 24th.

They traded Phillip Danault when he was 23 in an ill-fated win-now move at the trade deadline, only to watch him become a No. 1 center and Selke-caliber two-way force in Montreal and Los Angeles. They traded Teuvo Teravainen at 22 just to shed one year of Bryan Bickell’s $4 million cap hit, only to watch Teravainen become a highly productive top-line talent for the Hurricanes. They traded Ryan Hartman at 23 for a first-round pick that became Nicolas Beaudin, only to watch Hartman score 34 goals with Minnesota a few years later. They traded Nick Schmaltz at 23 for Dylan Strome, who’s about to walk as a free agent, only to watch him become nearly a point-a-game player for Arizona. They traded Henri Jokiharju at 20 for Alex Nylander. They traded Adam Boqvist at 20 in the Seth Jones deal. And now they’ve traded Kirby Dach, the third-overall pick in 2019, at 21 for the No. 13 pick in what experts consider a weak draft.
- Mr Ricochet

That’s a pretty remarkable feat, albeit bad.

To think Stan would most likely still be the GM if not for the scandal.

Thanks Brad Aldrich. (Sick humor)!

Exhale

Although i am not a fan of the Cat return, dont we have to factor into the equation that we shed a large contract, which is an asset that can be turned into draft capital either this year or next or even 2024. Teams that are cap strapped can look to the hawks to dump bad contracts with a sweetener (1st round picks). thats why Hagel landed so much (he was cost controlled for several years at a low cap hit, which is super valuable to teams like Tampa). The cat trade also sends the signal to 19 and 88 that we will suck the next few yrs..wanna come along or jump to another team. its not so easy to judge the cat trade in a vacuum....KD is playing the long game

I finally reached a point where the names being called are not in my 400+ database so it has slowed me, but thought I throw another up here.

Gavin Hayes RW. 6 1 178

Tall lightweight winger who blossomed in the second part of the season. He is a crease crashing power wing type who started playing more intensely and scoring because he was engaging on all of his shifts. See had the high skill set but the light just had to turn on, and when he started playing a more physical game and was involved, he created turnovers it gave his teammate and him more time and space. Has good vision, a power stride and projects a 3rd line power wing at this juncture. His feet are always moving and he is excellent skater with jump.

Keith retired. A big cap penalty coming the hawks way??
- TurdFergeson

Guess he really was bitter about the JC and Seabs stuff...final middle finger to his former club.

Dinky with 2 seasons of control, Kane with one, plus big $'s. Judging from yesterday Kane won't bring close to a top pick back.
- rpeters01

Unless there's a deal to sign on for multiple years with the new club, a la Jones.

Wanna make a couple points about Rinzel. First is remember when you watch him with Waterloo the home games are on an Olympic sheet. This yr IMO that will benefit him and his skating and with more time and space.

Was tipped off about Rinzel coming to WTL after his HS season was done by a guy who watches 13-14-15 yr olds and all their tournaments. So I watched quite a few Loo games.

Like so many HS kids from MN they dream of playing for the HS championship in front of 18,000 people and the backing of the whole damn hometown. So like so many he stays home in his draft yr instead of playing USHL or MJ and it stunts his growth.

You're original take on him was correct. He showed good balance but not directional mobility at the UHL level. Then you went on to say his decision making was slow in the USHL 20 game stint which is also correct. This is true almost always of a HS kid, even elite ones, coming to the U from HS. It's the speed they have to acclimate to. ...

On that note I thought about Scott Morrow, another skilled big Dman who played HS his draft yr and came to USHL Fargo for 4 games then played in the playoffs. Fargo made the Finals and lost to the powerhouse Steel. Was there live, puck dumped from the attack blueline, Morrow turns, looks over his shoulder for options, 10 more feet gets to the puck at the endwall, retrieves, turns, sidesteps 2 NHL draft picks, head up, outlets the thing and they're out.

Just the one sequence showed the speed and skill of a USHL cup winner with EIGHT NHL draft picks on the roster did not phase Morrow who had just 4 USHL games!!!! ..... Also tells me the difference in this draft compared to last yrs, and probably next yrs, that Morrow goes early rd 2 and Rinzel goes late rd 1.......... Talked to my bud on the phone Wednesday who watches 14 yr olds about which kids are gonna go in the draft. Rinzel came up, asked him Morfrow or Rinzel, who do you take. Didn't finish my sentence and he says Morrow, I agreed.

I will say as that 20 game stint when on you could see improvement in acclimating to the speed.. Rinzel got more comfortable and as his processing speed improved (acclimating to the speed) so did his skating and decision making even showing better directional mobility.

I'd also point out when Rinzel got to Loo they were a borderline playoff team fighting for the last playoff spot. So he was thrown into a tense environment. Loo did end up making the playoffs, upset Aiden Thompson's Lincoln Stars and took eventual champs Sioux City to 3 games of the best of 3.

I want to compare Rinzel to maybe a Parayako but it's too early for me to say that. Big guy, plus skater, some offensive upside.
- Mr Ricochet

The skating ability is what stands out there. And to your point, going from HS to an actual minor league is probably a bit of a jump.

I'm assuming he plays 2 years of college so there's a bit of a project here but having a really good athletic base is encouraging. Hopefully he can put the rest of the game together.

That might be better than having him play out the whole year and leave for nothing.
- LAHawk

Patience is the key.
That scenario you speak of would never of happened.
Look a the haul for Hagel which WAS a good trade in terms of return. You mean to tell me Hagel is worth more than Dcat. Its timing and being shrewd. Everybody knew Chicago was itching to deal Dcat as well as itching to get in the 1st round at any cost....so when your enemies know your play they have the advantage...and the the result is ? There you go. Plus they reached on the pick to make matters worse.

Would be more impressive if he wasn’t 20 already.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yep, but as a late 3rd rd pick I see the appeal. Even though Thompson is 20 yr old he showed the compete and IQ besides the skill putting up points as he should as a 20 yr old in Jrs.

Guessing they see him as a late bloomer with reasonable expectation of growth.

That’s an excellent way to put it. McD and Stan were doing everything they could to prop up the bloated “One Goal” corpse. This tear down was long overdue.

Given what KD was able to pull off with the Hagel trade - I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with what the market was providing in terms of suitors for DCat. Dach may emerge into something more - but the Hawks mismanaged him from the start - and that again is on McD/Stan trying to hype a 3rd overall pick.

I hope they find suitors for Kane, Toews and Jones too. I’m ready for the new era - even if that means lamenting “fresh” mistakes - because the old ones are dead horses.
- Chief4Feathers

imo with Debrincat is might not have been on board with signing an extension and for that reason the price might have been what they got. Imo kd overplayed his hand its over with now move on and embrace the rebuild. I see both Kane and towes dealt at the tdl or sooner. As for Jones that might be an immovable contract. But if there are anymore trades load up on picks for 2023

I'm looking forward to Toews and Kane not waiving their NMC. Play out their contract then sign wherever they want next year 👍👍

KD can throw that in his 5 year plan
- PatShart

THEY both have nmc so they can pick where’s they want to go.
It’s whether they want to be apart of what could be a horrific next season or not.

THEY both have nmc so they can pick where’s they want to go.
It’s whether they want to be apart of what could be a horrific next season or not.
- Abadseed

Dead last for sure.
Not even close.

Guess he really was bitter about the JC and Seabs stuff...final middle finger to his former club.
- pdx2ord

Or he thought puck it’s not worth the 1m in salary he has left.

That’s an excellent way to put it. McD and Stan were doing everything they could to prop up the bloated “One Goal” corpse. This tear down was long overdue.

Given what KD was able to pull off with the Hagel trade - I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with what the market was providing in terms of suitors for DCat. Dach may emerge into something more - but the Hawks mismanaged him from the start - and that again is on McD/Stan trying to hype a 3rd overall pick.

I hope they find suitors for Kane, Toews and Jones too. I’m ready for the new era - even if that means lamenting “fresh” mistakes - because the old ones are dead horses.
- Chief4Feathers

Regardless of the picks he did well with the Hagel, Marzek salary from Toronto and the return for Dach. Debrincat slightly underwhelming but can't win them all.

Bowman always seemed to operate in a "we must win this trade" mode where KD just did what he felt like he needed to do regardless of the perception.

Patience is the key.
That scenario you speak of would never of happened.
Look a the haul for Hagel which WAS a good trade in terms of return. You mean to tell me Hagel is worth more than Dcat. Its timing and being shrewd. Everybody knew Chicago was itching to deal Dcat as well as itching to get in the 1st round at any cost....so when your enemies know your play they have the advantage...and the the result is ? There you go. Plus they reached on the pick to make matters worse.
- CanHawk

Plus, he was going to be an RFA at year end, then a UFA year after that, so they did retain some control on his direction for a while.

Dead last for sure.
Not even close.
- CanHawk

The hawks aren’t the only team that wants the top pick. Aside from the top pick what has the Canadians really done to improve

Where is the Players Union on the entire Keith situation? A GM asks a player to retire (who is still a productive player) and the union doesn't back the player up? I hope other players see this and avoid signing with Edmonton while Holland is the GM. What an a$$wipe.

And I am done with Keith - I hope the Blackhawks don't give him a last skate day or sign him for a one day contract. He is a pr!ck.

Guess he really was bitter about the JC and Seabs stuff...final middle finger to his former club.
- pdx2ord

He was making less money his contract was front loaded. I bet his payments to his ex wife just went down.

Or he thought puck it’s not worth the 1m in salary he has left.
- Abadseed

Yeah, bit tongue-in-cheek...seemed the game wasn't much fun for him anymore. Hope he really enjoys a well-earned retirement.

Patience is the key.
That scenario you speak of would never of happened.
Look a the haul for Hagel which WAS a good trade in terms of return. You mean to tell me Hagel is worth more than Dcat. Its timing and being shrewd. Everybody knew Chicago was itching to deal Dcat as well as itching to get in the 1st round at any cost....so when your enemies know your play they have the advantage...and the the result is ? There you go. Plus they reached on the pick to make matters worse.
- CanHawk

Hagel is signed for 2 more years at $1.5, then is RFA

ADB was RFA next year at $9 mil, eligible for UFA the next year. He would not sign an extension. He obviously has eyes on UFA (or huge contract for 7 or 8 years) to not even consider an extension. So in essence he is a 2 year rental

ADB did get a #7, which is worth way more than a #1 in the high 20's (and is top 10 protected)

Where is the Players Union on the entire Keith situation? A GM asks a player to retire (who is still a productive player) and the union doesn't back the player up? I hope other players see this and avoid signing with Edmonton while Holland is the GM. What an a$$wipe.

And I am done with Keith - I hope the Blackhawks don't give him a last skate day or sign him for a one day contract. He is a pr!ck.
- powerenforcer

Wasn't one of the recent cap recapture situations forgiven by the NHL FO?

Where is the Players Union on the entire Keith situation? A GM asks a player to retire (who is still a productive player) and the union doesn't back the player up? I hope other players see this and avoid signing with Edmonton while Holland is the GM. What an a$$wipe.

And I am done with Keith - I hope the Blackhawks don't give him a last skate day or sign him for a one day contract. He is a pr!ck.
- powerenforcer

I believe Holland just wanted an answer so they could figure out if they needed to consider moving Barrie to clear some more cap space.

Unless there's a deal to sign on for multiple years with the new club, a la Jones.
- pdx2ord

I don't see him going to a high drafting team.

The skating ability is what stands out there. And to your point, going from HS to an actual minor league is probably a bit of a jump.

I'm assuming he plays 2 years of college so there's a bit of a project here but having a really good athletic base is encouraging. Hopefully he can put the rest of the game together.
- fattybeef

Fatty, watching the USHL closely for 15 yrs now I see 100 kids move up from HS and Midget to the USHL every yr. The jump is huge. As expected some acclimate better/quicker than others but it takes the vast majority time to acclimate.

That's why seeing Morrow live, in the Finals, vs the champs with 8 NHL picks on the roster with only 4 USHL games calmly sidestep two forecheckers at the endwall and outlet the thing is seared in my mind. ..... You rarely see that kinda poise in that circumstance.

I like Rinzel's package. Kid has NHL tools and size. Now to develop him properly and playing 1 more yr of Jrs then going to U of Minnesota is a great start and path.