While I'm less than impressed with the return as well, what if the endgame was to get Kane to waive his NMC so they could get out of the so called "mushy middle" which they were likely to be in if 12, 88 and 19 all came back for one more unproductive run?
- HawkintheD

Finishing with the 6th worse record in the NHL in not the mushy middle. Even with DCat + Kane we would not make been in the mushy middle.

KD miss read the room. I wonder if he pulls the trigger on DCat if he had the Dach trade ironed out before as well as the mrzek trade?

I do not disagree.

I'm still waiting to see his full plan which I'm expecting to transpire over the course of the coming season. But I am less than impressed with the return for ABD, at that price you keep a 40 goal scorer.
- DarthKane

Assuming that really was the best possible trade KD could have made for the Cat this summer, we should try to figure out all the angles on retain Cat now...

He has one year left on his deal, then he's RFA. Could they have extended him on a max deal at a big price? Did he want to stay, or was he ready to move on? If no deal could happen this summer, we move onto...

What does he fetch at the trade deadline next spring? Likely trade partners are going to offer late first round picks, but then this is the highly coveted 2023 draft class, so maybe they get 2024 picks instead. And who is giving up prospects? If no prospects now, would it be any different next spring, and why?

Okay, let's say they kept him through the entire year. Time to qualify him. Time to see who offer sheets him. Will any team give up four first rounders for him? Obviously not. What about 2 firsts, a second, and a third (over $8.4 million but less than 10.5)? Depends on which team, I suppose. A first, a second, and a third? Lowballing in the hopes someone pays up for him, can they do that? But then what is the free agent market going to look like next summer? Any comparable players available who won't cost draft picks to sign?

Let's say they sign him for one year, because that's probably all he will sign for. And he can't wait to be out, because this team is going to suck like we haven't seen since Dollar Bill was still alive. And the 2024 deadline comes, and now they can rent him out, without the RFA situation hanging over anybody's head. This is 2024, and he's going to be a UFA. Pure rental scenario. Two late firsts plus what, best case? Meanwhile we're two years into this poop show, and they finally get a package for him, a package we can't be certain of, because every market is different.

And because they kept the Cat, would it mean Kane more likely stays, and maybe just maybe they trade him at the deadline to somewhere he approves? Or does he just let it run out and sign a big contract somewhere else next summer?

If someone had a better scenario in mind, please post away. I think there's more to lose by waiting. I'm more pissed that it got to this than I am on how this Band-aid is being torn off.

Finishing with the 6th worse record in the NHL in not the mushy middle. Even with DCat + Kane we would not make been in the mushy middle.

KD miss read the room. I wonder if he pulls the trigger on DCat if he had the Dach trade ironed out before as well as the mrzek trade?
- Revco38

Ok. So if retaining them allows you to still suck, why retain either other than to bank on some marquee names?

While I think your second point is a fair question I still think trading Dinky gets Kane to waive and they get out of the mushy middle they would be in again next season.

Assuming that really was the best possible trade KD could have made for the Cat this summer, we should try to figure out all the angles on retain Cat now...

He has one year left on his deal, then he's RFA. Could they have extended him on a max deal at a big price? Did he want to stay, or was he ready to move on? If no deal could happen this summer, we move onto...

What does he fetch at the trade deadline next spring? Likely trade partners are going to offer late first round picks, but then this is the highly coveted 2023 draft class, so maybe they get 2024 picks instead. And who is giving up prospects? If no prospects now, would it be any different next spring, and why?

Okay, let's say they kept him through the entire year. Time to qualify him. Time to see who offer sheets him. Will any team give up four first rounders for him? Obviously not. What about 2 firsts, a second, and a third (over $8.4 million but less than 10.5)? Depends on which team, I suppose. A first, a second, and a third? Lowballing in the hopes someone pays up for him, can they do that? But then what is the free agent market going to look like next summer? Any comparable players available who won't cost draft picks to sign?

Let's say they sign him for one year, because that's probably all he will sign for. And he can't wait to be out, because this team is going to suck like we haven't seen since Dollar Bill was still alive. And the 2024 deadline comes, and now they can rent him out, without the RFA situation hanging over anybody's head. This is 2024, and he's going to be a UFA. Pure rental scenario. Two late firsts plus what, best case? Meanwhile we're two years into this poop show, and they finally get a package for him, a package we can't be certain of, because every market is different.

And because they kept the Cat, would it mean Kane more likely stays, and maybe just maybe they trade him at the deadline to somewhere he approves? Or does he just let it run out and sign a big contract somewhere else next summer?

If someone had a better scenario in mind, please post away. I think there's more to lose by waiting. I'm more pissed that it got to this than I am on how this Band-aid is being torn off.
- 333inthe3rd

So we move on from kinda a disappointing couple of days and what is next?

So we move on from kinda a disappointing couple of days and what is next?
- Scott1977

At least we're not waiting two years for the draft picks to materialize and start developing. It starts now. If this group sucks at drafting and development, we are also learning about that two years sooner.

So we move on from kinda a disappointing couple of days and what is next?
- Scott1977

For me, what’s next is the open question of what do you do/can you do with Toews, Kane and Jones?

We haven't hit rock bottom yet.

Does anyone think Hawks' new prevailing scouting voice (Maciver?) thought Korchinski was a had-to-get prospect, and that alone drove the decision to trade Cat at this time?

100% Spot on - dismantling this rag tag squad is a breeze.

Kane has called Rocky to let him know the value of the Hawks has quadrupled since he & JT arrived & now the Hawks need
to trade him to the Rangers - Colorado - or maybe Carolina
$5million retained.

JT will stick it out & retire a Hawk at the end of this season.

Moving a 21 & 24 year old isn't easy but it will kick start the rebuild as we add picks.

Jones is complicated so let's see how this unfolds.
- Colbyboy

How do you figure subtracting the 24 year old jump starts the rebuild when no players came back and only one first round choice?

Yes, but I'm referring to this stage of his career..
- fvineze

WGAFF what he looks like somewhere else?

Well it sure is gonna be alot more fun now to watch Connor Bedard when he comes to town, knowing we have a pretty good shot at him. However things shake out I am very glad we are at place to possibly draft this kid. Be a very nice piece to a new dynasty.

Does anyone think Hawks' new prevailing scouting voice (Maciver?) thought Korchinski was a had-to-get prospect, and that alone drove the decision to trade Cat at this time?
- BMWChiFan

Wish I hadn't heard this but on the Pat Boyle podcast, he NBC thing, one of the guys said Doneghy said if they didn't draft Korchinski they were probably gonna take Marko Kasper who went to DET.. Love that kid.

But yes, seems the Hawks were all over getting Korchinski somehow.

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

How do you interpret every situation wrong? God you're a moron. They never forced him to retire. They asked him what his plans were because he's an aging player. Pull your head out of your a****** you f****** d*******

How do you interpret every situation wrong? God you're a moron. They never forced him to retire. They asked him what his plans were because he's an aging player. Pull your head out of your a****** you f****** d*******
- GPHawksfan

There were reports that said Holland asked him to retire. That is how. And thank you, your parents raised a fine human being.

Is it normal for a GM to ask a player under contract if they are going to retire? Yes, you better believe there was some arm twisting there. The player is still under contract, buy him out if you don't want him playing. Boy did they fool you.

How do you interpret every situation wrong? God you're a moron. They never forced him to retire. They asked him what his plans were because he's an aging player. Pull your head out of your a****** you f****** d*******
- GPHawksfan

Settle down man, why do you have to attack every poster on this site. We are here to discuss Blackhawk hockey, different posters have different opinions, no need to be a dxxx. You seem to be knowledgeable in regards to hockey, stay on that course.

We haven't hit rock bottom yet.
- BGKarras

wanna bet? Even if no other moves are made, the roster is the worse in the league and will be for a couple of season.
The Hawks have become the Buffalo Sabres.

Does anyone think Hawks' new prevailing scouting voice (Maciver?) thought Korchinski was a had-to-get prospect, and that alone drove the decision to trade Cat at this time?
- BMWChiFan

The better question is after looking at the complete draft maybe SB was right not to listen to him.

Holy (frank)ing long winded posts batman.Is this a Chicago thing? Must be hell texting back and forth with you people.
- hunglikeapuck

Yeh well people from Montreal write less because they are obligated to write it all again in French ... there is that.

The better question is after looking at the complete draft maybe SB was right not to listen to him.
- Elbows15

Save that comment (and date, Elbows) - you might end up being Nostradamus.

Save that comment (and date, Elbows) - you might end up being Nostradamus.
- SC116

The whole 2nd and 3rd rounds were reaches. Every one picked was ranked much lower by some draft evaluators.

The whole 2nd and 3rd rounds were reaches. Every one picked was ranked much lower by some draft evaluators.
- Elbows15

Players that are drafted "where they are slotted" also fail, so why does anyone get upset before we ever see the players on the ice? And the people who rank all these prospects, if they were so right why aren't they employed by a team? There is a reason they are called "mock" drafts.

No idea why anyone cares about Keith retiring - I mean I doubt this team will be that close to having that sit on their books for a couple of years makes too much difference.

I do not disagree.

I'm still waiting to see his full plan which I'm expecting to transpire over the course of the coming season. But I am less than impressed with the return for ABD, at that price you keep a 40 goal scorer.
- DarthKane

Think of it this way: The plan was to passive aggressively show Kane and Toews the door by trading their favorite player, so that we can tank for Bedford this season. So in essence, KD traded Dcat for this year's 7th overall and next year's first overall. It's really quite simple.

The better question is after looking at the complete draft maybe SB was right not to listen to him.
- Elbows15

My opinion not taking Kasper kemmel or lambert are big misses. So Davidson wasn't getting what he wanted in trade demand then why t r ade dcat why not keep him and build around him and make him the next captain and face of the franchise.

The draft is such a crapshoot. Many here (not you, imo) are already sure about some Hawks picks. If the 2024 3rd rounder they got for Cat becomes a perennial all-star, unlikely as it may be, KD will look just fine in retrospect.
- mohel

Yep. The draft is a crapshoot. Think of interviewing and hiring high school graduates for jobs that they will start after college. ( If they complete college.)