That saved goal by Mason McTavish was crazy. I couldn't believe it.
- breadbag

Could not have hoped for a Gold Medal Game as a fan. Fantastic game and that trading chances 3 on 3 in OT was incredible and McTavish keeping the puck out of the net just prior to the Gold winning goal was almost divine intervention.

I am quite interested to hear how you, Mr Richochet, LA Hawk and Rick appraise this line of thinking. I agree drafting best player available is rule of thumb. Unless there is a better CENTER, I want Bedard for our future



- jhawk59

Not sure of your question but absolutely all things equal you draft the centerman and yes I am a draft the best available player guy. Just an FYI Bedard and Fantilli are centers and Michov is a wing.

Yea Dach was a center but Zegras was a wing. Hindsight says you take Zegras and fill the all important center slot some other way.

Not sure of your question but absolutely all things equal you draft the centerman and yes I am a draft the best available player guy. Just an FYI Bedard and Fantilli are centers and Michov is a wing.

Yea Dach was a center but Zegras was a wing. Hindsight says you take Zegras and fill the all important center slot some other way.
- Mr Ricochet

Not sure of your question but absolutely all things equal you draft the centerman and yes I am a draft the best available player guy. Just an FYI Bedard and Fantilli are centers and Michov is a wing.

Yea Dach was a center but Zegras was a wing. Hindsight says you take Zegras and fill the all important center slot some other way.
- Mr Ricochet

Zegras was always listed as a center not a winger. Dach was selected due to his size. Zegras was on the smaller stature but higher ceiling.

I’m not convinced that Bedard has the impact at the NHL level as we think. He’ll be very good, but will he be generational?

The 22 draft was very good for the Hawks, I’d consider their prospect pool to be “strong” not great or at the top of the league but strong. Which is a great improvement over last year when it was very weak. Obviously the Hawks need the #1 overall pick, but more importantly they need another strong draft where multiple picks have a legit show at becoming an NHL contributor. The have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, lets hope KD can acquire a couple more.

I can see Kane being traded as rental at the TDL then re-signing with the Hawks for 23/24. This was he gets the best if both worlds, he gets a shot at another Cup but comes back to chase the various Blackhawks all-time records. The Hawks win but acquiring additional picks/prospects. I’d expect it wouldn’t be too much, maybe a 1st and b-level prospect, but it would be worth it.
- DarthKane

Anything before the 3rd round is an overdraft.

Zegras was always listed as a center not a winger. Dach was selected due to his size. Zegras was on the smaller stature but higher ceiling.
- Scott1977

Scott, the 2 yrs Zegras played NTDP, the final one his draft yr, he played with centers Hughes and Turcotte. Hughes was his centerman. Beecher centered L3. Zegras was not a centerman no matter what you read although I guess there was speculation, he could play center in the future.

This I'm positive of as I watched em play the Steel live a few times those 2 yrs.

Scott, the 2 yrs Zegras played NTDP, the final one his draft yr, he played with centers Hughes and Turcotte. Hughes was his centerman. Beecher centered L3. Zegras was not a centerman no matter what you read although I guess there was speculation, he could play center in the future.

This I'm positive of as I watched em play the Steel live a few times those 2 yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

Ok I m not doubting you just went by what I read.

Ok I m not doubting you just went by what I read.
- Scott1977

Not a problem at all, Scott. That's what the board is here for, share what we know. In fact I am zoomig around Elite Prospects and looked at Zegras again and one of the scouting reports says he can play center or wing. So you're not wrong but in fact he did play on Hughes' wing his draft yr and the yr before. ............ Probably played center as a Midget.

I know you always ask who are prospects for the draft and I came across something at Elite Prospects I wasn't aware of. They have the top prospects and other notable prospects for the next 3 drafts. Found it looking up a kid named Cole Eiserman who's eligible for the 2024 draft.

I watched the tryouts for the U-17 NTDP over 3ish days and this kid stood out a ton. Reminded me so much of Hossa he could have been his son. Thickish super skilled centerman backchecked like an animal, just like Hossa. Huge fan, huge. ....... Kid put up crazy number for Shattucks U-18 as a 15 yr old.

Anyway, here is the next 2 drafts notable prospects and top prospects at EP. Not ranked but in alphabetical order but they have the stats, league and country nice and easy to see.

2023: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center/2023

2024: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center/2024

Notice the 2024 draft. The only kid to outscore Eiserman at Shattucks was Macklin Celebrini. Maniac 15 yr old put up 117 points in 52 games at the elite program of Shattucks U-18, Toews' alma matter. .. Where is that Canadian freak playing this yr as a 16 yr old you might wonder? For the Mighty Chicago Steel!! ..... Also notice one of the notable prospects listed is Michael Hage and indeed he'll suit up with the Steel this yr too!........ Grab 10 bucks and get to a Steel game and have a look see for yourself. Go see em play the U-17 NTDP squad and get a look at My Guy Eiserman too.

Team Canada wins GOLD!

via GIPHY

- DarthKane

Congrats to the Canadien team and the shoddy/corrupt officiating in that game. Laughable on every level. 7 to 1 PP advantage and still barely outshot the fins and got damn lucky to even win the game. Imagine if the officiating had been level? Canada goal 2 was preceded by an egregious hit from behind/interference. Instead of Finland on a PowerPlay down 1-0, they are now down 2-0. Canada allowed to hit freely, yet Fins get a couple ticky tack calls. Fins showed insane moxie playing through a good Canadian team and poopbag officiating to nearly pull it off in OT.

Not a problem at all, Scott. That's what the board is here for, share what we know. In fact I am zoomig around Elite Prospects and looked at Zegras again and one of the scouting reports says he can play center or wing. So you're not wrong but in fact he did play on Hughes' wing his draft yr and the yr before. ............ Probably played center as a Midget.

I know you always ask who are prospects for the draft and I came across something at Elite Prospects I wasn't aware of. They have the top prospects and other notable prospects for the next 3 drafts. Found it looking up a kid named Cole Eiserman who's eligible for the 2024 draft.

I watched the tryouts for the U-17 NTDP over 3ish days and this kid stood out a ton. Reminded me so much of Hossa he could have been his son. Thickish super skilled centerman backchecked like an animal, just like Hossa. Huge fan, huge. ....... Kid put up crazy number for Shattucks U-18 as a 15 yr old.

Anyway, here is the next 2 drafts notable prospects and top prospects at EP. Not ranked but in alphabetical order but they have the stats, league and country nice and easy to see.

2023: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center/2023

2024: https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft-center/2024

Notice the 2024 draft. The only kid to outscore Eiserman at Shattucks was Macklin Celebrini. Maniac 15 yr old put up 117 points in 52 games at the elite program of Shattucks U-18, Toews' alma matter. .. Where is that Canadian freak playing this yr as a 16 yr old you might wonder? For the Mighty Chicago Steel!! ..... Also notice one of the notable prospects listed is Michael Hage and indeed he'll suit up with the Steel this yr too!........ Grab 10 bucks and get to a Steel game and have a look see for yourself. Go see em play the U-17 NTDP squad and get a look at My Guy Eiserman too.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks

I’m not convinced that Bedard as the impact at the NHL level as we think. He’ll be very good, but will he be generational?
- DarthKane

OK,I'll play. He is just turned 17 a few weeks ago and no reason to analyze or apologize what he is in the Under-20
He very well could have two more World Juniors he can play in LIKE
Anaheim's Mason McTavish 2022 World Juniors MVP could do one more at Christmas (when the chosen one does his second in one year) IF McTavish makes the Ducks and is not playing in junior anymore.

Impact as pro, well, when Bob McKenzie says, he (BOB) was not old enough to see Mike Bossy in junior, but saw him as a pro, and when a junior player who a few weeks into his 17th year displays a shot that that is at least equal of Bossy's (<--U think he would say this after a career of balance) and "I have never seen a junior player shoot like that.."
I am a bit older than Margarita Bob, but not only do I agree, I saw MOST of Bobby Hull's Blackhawk games live. His shot was real and then the gimmick curved stick evolved it even further in the same way the new chosen one's 70 flex LONG stick and the intense strength he places on the shaft while changing hand placements is the new gimmick.
But after watching Bobby, loving Bobby as a devastating shooter, I have to know admit that Bobby was asked to do little in his end, because goals win games. He looked for pucks break outs in the same way Kaner and so many others do b/c that is their main contribution.
In World junior, (I watched every minute) I saw tons of stuff that wouldn't happen in Canadien junior after each whistle...and clearly the other international teams know who is touted the golden boy, and in the early games, there was lots of garbage and if you are another Canadian teammate (and saw one of your teammate suspend in the pre-tournament ) if you return fire after the golden boy is attacked, you do not represent your country, you are kicked out.
And about the guy who is gonna be picked first, it is clear he knows how to turn on the jets and read the plays. I know I am not venturing into corners when I know I can take pucks away in other ways, and he did.
I don't know when every one here started watching, but Crosby is a great example of how my own preconceived notions about his size had me seeing him negatively too.
He got better, bigger, stronger.
I suspect this kid knows what he wants.

The '22 draft was very good for the Hawks, I’d consider their prospect pool to be “strong” not great or at the top of the league but strong.
- DarthKane

Well, you are giving them more of a benefit of a doubt than I have.
Sure I simply love Nazar and Korchinski's upside...but, that doesn't mean they are sure things, just good prospects whose high water mark may really good IF they _______(lots of things).
The German kid Reichel was a reach. I at least expected him to be physically strong in many ways due to the program there, but he isn't. And he has turned into a scorer?, as he was always the wall guy, mucker with a good stick and jump.

Commesso hasn't shone any ready to play a full load in college even, and I gotta hear the TV studio Pat guy saying his name LAST SEASON as the hero apparent? It must be easier than I thought to be an NHL goalie...yeah, all those guys we brought in when we chucked Crawford, they had an easy go and all are doing fine in their ascending careers (sic).
The two kids from Tampa have a chance to improve. You all seen that in the Hawk prospects? I dunno, it seems like so many other teams have other kids who seem more inclined to make their own destinies, where our kids are going to need an abundance of farm team time. I understand the concept to try and copying the Syracuse Crunch-> Tampa Bay success (that didn't suddenly arrive in the league yesterday...to use the farm and stick to it, until they start getting too old and have to be on the protected list.) We have had farm club starting with the St.Louis Braves to the Dallas Blackhawks and never seemed willing or able to stock them by signing all the draft picks to develop as a group like the Saint Catherine's TeePees where when the original six owned a junior farm club.
I am curious to see the Rockford majority hawk drafts concept working.

Obviously the Hawks need the #1 overall pick, but more importantly they need another strong draft where multiple picks have a legit show at becoming an NHL contributor. The have 6 picks in the first 3 rounds, lets hope KD can acquire a couple more.
- DarthKane

If this is a nod to draft first over all and try and turn it to more first rounders, well, the thought came to mind, but the Russian kid and Fantilli may be considered generational equals by the draft with Fantilli emerging quickly at Michigan.
Not necessarily the #1 choice regressing, but the others legitimately IMPROVING to his equal.
Even then, they won't shoot like him. IT is an incredible shot he has, faster than anyone, and yes, many times HE DOESN'T aim after initial hand adjustment, he just let's it franking go and they do not see it fast enough to catch it. It IS REAL.
And he won't be a big aggressive centre, or a Russian kid whose IQ and skills are also off the charts but his shot from outside will NEVER be the likes of the one the top kid has.

I can see Kane being traded as rental at the TDL then re-signing with the Hawks for 23/24. This was he gets the best if both worlds, he gets a shot at another Cup but comes back to chase the various Blackhawks all-time records. The Hawks win but acquiring additional picks/prospects. I’d expect it wouldn’t be too much, maybe a 1st and b-level prospect, but it would be worth it.
- DarthKane

Tough draft to get a top 16 team to trade with until they know they lost the lottery, but what if they do lose and are a team that seriously is crazy for that top pick, maybe the Hawks win it and TRADE it (Yikes! We all were unimpressed with return on the 'cat) for two #1s in 2023 and one more in 2024 and a real top prospect from a past draft). EXCEPT no team HAS a two top #16 picks and trading for one is another side deal to MAKE the deal. And what does everybody think about, how after Luck falls the Blackhawks way and they TRADE this wonder boy away? Think that sells seats???
Even I cannot imagine Davidson being able to trade the first overall pick away if they win, as that was the PLAN, right?

Only the trade deadline gets Kaner to a Cup contender who doesn't have a top pick, but I'll take a Ranger or Oiler kid plus a #1 late this 2023 year and Oilers do have a 2nd in 2023 too. Rangers seem a better panarinish fit so I ask for the moon and if they don't bite go elsewhere. Kane has much mire value than cat or Kirby....

I just don't know if Kaner leaves and gets a taste of a Cup competition with a good centre he may not want back!

GREAT exorcize (exercise) though.

OK,I'll play. He is just turned 17 a few weeks ago and no reason to analyze or apologize what he is in the Under-20
He very well could have two more World Juniors he can play in LIKE
Anaheim's Mason McTavish 2022 World Juniors MVP could do one more at Christmas (when the chosen one does his second in one year) IF McTavish makes the Ducks and is not playing in junior anymore.

Impact as pro, well, when Bob McKenzie says, he (BOB) was not old enough to see Mike Bossy in junior, but saw him as a pro, and when a junior player who a few weeks into his 17th year displays a shot that that is at least equal of Bossy's (<--U think he would say this after a career of balance) and "I have never seen a junior player shoot like that.."
I am a bit older than Margarita Bob, but not only do I agree, I saw MOST of Bobby Hull's Blackhawk games live. His shot was real and then the gimmick curved stick evolved it even further in the same way the new chosen one's 70 flex LONG stick and the intense strength he places on the shaft while changing hand placements is the new gimmick.
But after watching Bobby, loving Bobby as a devastating shooter, I have to know admit that Bobby was asked to do little in his end, because goals win games. He looked for pucks break outs in the same way Kaner and so many others do b/c that is their main contribution.
In World junior, (I watched every minute) I saw tons of stuff that wouldn't happen in Canadien junior after each whistle...and clearly the other international teams know who is touted the golden boy, and in the early games, there was lots of garbage and if you are another Canadian teammate (and saw one of your teammate suspend in the pre-tournament ) if you return fire after the golden boy is attacked, you do not represent your country, you are kicked out.
And about the guy who is gonna be picked first, it is clear he knows how to turn on the jets and read the plays. I know I am not venturing into corners when I know I can take pucks away in other ways, and he did.
I don't know when every one here started watching, but Crosby is a great example of how my own preconceived notions about his size had me seeing him negatively too.
He got better, bigger, stronger.
I suspect this kid knows what he wants.





Well, you are giving them more of a benefit of a doubt than I have.
Sure I simply love Nazar and Korchinski's upside...but, that doesn't mean they are sure things, just good prospects whose high water mark may really good IF they _______(lots of things).
The German kid Reichel was a reach. I at least expected him to be physically strong in many ways due to the program there, but he isn't. And he has turned into a scorer?, as he was always the wall guy, mucker with a good stick and jump.

Commesso hasn't shone any ready to play a full load in college even, and I gotta hear the TV studio Pat guy saying his name LAST SEASON as the hero apparent? It must be easier than I thought to be an NHL goalie...yeah, all those guys we brought in when we chucked Crawford, they had an easy go and all are doing fine in their ascending careers (sic).
The two kids from Tampa have a chance to improve. You all seen that in the Hawk prospects? I dunno, it seems like so many other teams have other kids who seem more inclined to make their own destinies, where our kids are going to need an abundance of farm team time. I understand the concept to try and copying the Syracuse Crunch-> Tampa Bay success (that didn't suddenly arrive in the league yesterday...to use the farm and stick to it, until they start getting too old and have to be on the protected list.) We have had farm club starting with the St.Louis Braves to the Dallas Blackhawks and never seemed willing or able to stock them by signing all the draft picks to develop as a group like the Saint Catherine's TeePees where when the original six owned a junior farm club.
I am curious to see the Rockford majority hawk drafts concept working.



If this is a nod to draft first over all and try and turn it to more first rounders, well, the thought came to mind, but the Russian kid and Fantilli may be considered generational equals by the draft with Fantilli emerging quickly at Michigan.
Not necessarily the #1 choice regressing, but the others legitimately IMPROVING to his equal.
Even then, they won't shoot like him. IT is an incredible shot he has, faster than anyone, and yes, many times HE DOESN'T aim after initial hand adjustment, he just let's it franking go and they do not see it fast enough to catch it. It IS REAL.
And he won't be a big aggressive centre, or a Russian kid whose IQ and skills are also off the charts but his shot from outside will NEVER be the likes of the one the top kid has.



Tough draft to get a top 16 team to trade with until they know they lost the lottery, but what if they do lose and are a team that seriously is crazy for that top pick, maybe the Hawks win it and TRADE it (Yikes! We all were unimpressed with return on the 'cat) for two #1s in 2023 and one more in 2024 and a real top prospect from a past draft). EXCEPT no team HAS a two top #16 picks and trading for one is another side deal to MAKE the deal. And what does everybody think about, how after Luck falls the Blackhawks way and they TRADE this wonder boy away? Think that sells seats???
Even I cannot imagine Davidson being able to trade the first overall pick away if they win, as that was the PLAN, right?

Only the trade deadline gets Kaner to a Cup contender who doesn't have a top pick, but I'll take a Ranger or Oiler kid plus a #1 late this 2023 year and Oilers do have a 2nd in 2023 too. Rangers seem a better panarinish fit so I ask for the moon and if they don't bite go elsewhere. Kane has much mire value than cat or Kirby....

I just don't know if Kaner leaves and gets a taste of a Cup competition with a good centre he may not want back!

GREAT exorcize (exercise) though.
- wiz1901

Is anyone from this draft really a sure thing? Are Wright, Cooley and Slafkovsky closer to Lafreniere or Hughes?

What do you mean by other teams having players that will "make their own destinies", and how does that have anything to do with how much time they spend on the farm developing? If you look at the Wild, they have guys they drafted 1, 2, 3 years ago that look to be ready, but they also NEED these players in the lineup because they can't afford established ones. Every situation is different with some teams wanting/needing their young players in the lineup and others wanting them to develop more outside of the NHL.

Just not sure I understand what you are trying to say there.

Great write up Wiz. I agree that there is zero chance the Hawks trade the top pick, or even a top three. That would run completely contrary to the established rebuild plan.

As early as we are into the rebuild, with not many top prospects as you’d expect from a team that’s won nothing for six years… I do think that the defensive pipeline is somewhat solid. This is contrary to the forward pipeline, which aside from Nazar and Reichel is lackluster.

Rockford has a logjam at D, as we’ve previously discussed. Do any of them become above average aside from Mitchell? Hard to say.
I was impressed with Galvas’s poise last season, he had a calming presence that for the first time since the Keith/Hjalmarsson/Seabrook prime days, gave me confidence when he had the puck. I hope that some of those kids become mainstays, and as we fill out the forward pipeline over the next two drafts the rebuild starts to take concrete shape and gradually leapfrog us over teams that are on the verge of win-now collapse (Caps, Pens, Preds).

Great write up Wiz. I agree that there is zero chance the Hawks trade the top pick, or even a top three. That would run completely contrary to the established rebuild plan.

As early as we are into the rebuild, with not many top prospects as you’d expect from a team that’s won nothing for six years… I do think that the defensive pipeline is somewhat solid. This is contrary to the forward pipeline, which aside from Nazar and Reichel is lackluster.

Rockford has a logjam at D, as we’ve previously discussed. Do any of them become above average aside from Mitchell? Hard to say.
I was impressed with Galvas’s poise last season, he had a calming presence that for the first time since the Keith/Hjalmarsson/Seabrook prime days, gave me confidence when he had the puck. I hope that some of those kids become mainstays, and as we fill out the forward pipeline over the next two drafts the rebuild starts to take concrete shape and gradually leapfrog us over teams that are on the verge of win-now collapse (Caps, Pens, Preds).
- ObeseOprah

It really is amazing how poorly the previous front office managed the first round picks, and assets in general in the last five years. Between bad contracts, bad trades, and the picks they made, it is pretty hard to watch.

Obviously, this all comes with the benefit of hindsight, but that is what we are judging aren't we? How all of those moves worked out (or didn't).

It really is amazing how poorly the previous front office managed the first round picks, and assets in general in the last five years. Between bad contracts, bad trades, and the picks they made, it is pretty hard to watch.

Obviously, this all comes with the benefit of hindsight, but that is what we are judging aren't we? How all of those moves worked out (or didn't).
- Chunk

And that is why IMO Davidson's second move (first was firing JC), was to launch Kelley and Stewart.

And that is why IMO Davidson's second move (first was firing JC), was to launch Kelley and Stewart.
- LAHawk

100%. I'm not sure quite how long Kelley was in charge of the draft, but there is almost nothing to show for the 2012-2018 drafts, and certainly nothing that is left on the Hawks roster.

100%. I'm not sure quite how long Kelley was in charge of the draft, but there is almost nothing to show for the 2012-2018 drafts, and certainly nothing that is left on the Hawks roster.
- Chunk

Kelley was in charge since 2008. His father is the legendary Jack Kelley, legendary hockey coach of BU.

Wow. Canes ink Stastny to a 1 year $1.5M deal. I know he's older, but he's a good guy to have on the team.

Why don’t we give sonny Milano a pto?

https://www.msn.com/en-us...609ac4d569d961529ca730c4c

Why don’t we give sonny Milano a pto?
- Tatoo

I'm sure there a number of teams saying "wait until we get our cap situation squared" before they offer a contract. He can likely play for a team with a better shot at being competitive... is my guess.

It really is amazing how poorly the previous front office managed the first round picks, and assets in general in the last five years. Between bad contracts, bad trades, and the picks they made, it is pretty hard to watch.

Obviously, this all comes with the benefit of hindsight, but that is what we are judging aren't we? How all of those moves worked out (or didn't).
- Chunk

I agree about hindsight, but the wake up call for StanBo was Quenelle's anger with everybody and subsequent departure after they traded Panarin and Hammer.
We could all spin many creative ways the team COUlD have attempted to dump salary, and injured/ retired guys to our Cap, and simply gutting the bottom lines and dee, but we probably STILL were passed matching up as contenders...
He COULD have raffled Hammer and Panarin off for first drafts picks but chose the insurance of some pros with some talent instead. The stay competitive route that most teams take instead of blowing it up.

Yeah but when they WERE a competitive team just off a Cup championship, I will give them the benefit of bad choices, as they and I were sure the Cap was gonna raise as much as an extra 75 million and the Oil crisis in Canada slowed the Cap increase to a few million each year.

I don't know who pushed the narrative of trade, patch and fill with vets over getting draft picks to insure a future, but the were riding a wave.

And before the Panarin discard b/c he wanted so much, how did Corey fall SO out of favor...that is the story we will find out another day I guess. Where was teh long term thinking about the net after the Panarin tarde when they let Dallas have the Hawk first rounder pick to chose the guy they are calling their future in the crease, Jake Oettinger. they were more than happy secure an extra 3rd round (Andrei Altybarmakyan) and then steal a 5th defenseman in Henri Jokiharju to get an extra pick.
I am setting their at the UC next to future draftees, and keep thinking, that pick in the 3rd is 70th overall and I knew the class as well as any non-professional and thought, well. they must fell comfortable that the players they like in this area are worth the drop down, because the first thing I do when the GM asks ME should we add a 3rd is where is it, and check my list....and if all that might be there is a Russian who may never come over, I say the board is thin there already, so let's stick and get our future goalie instead....
These type things are probably what got Kelley fired.
But the draft is IN your building in 2017, you would think you would show your fans the retool is around the gaol position too. (Because Hasek wasn't waiting to come over from Czech this time.)

Why don’t we give sonny Milano a pto?
- Tatoo

Kind of strange that someone hasn't.

Maybe there's more to the story

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nhl/2023-nhl-draft-rankings-an-early-top-40/ar-AA110n1O?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=7aa1a36609ac4d569d961529ca730c4c
- Mr Ricochet

I am so glad you found some gunslinger to venture FORTY top slots in the upcoming draft.

Nice

It is August and I may be moving guys up and down tiers, but, I bet no one can find a more extensive list or mock than my current top 210 selections for the 2023 DRAFT:

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2023

Click on the first round rounders names and I will get the second round reviews ups as the seasons begin....

Weaponizing Cap Space
In the modern era team need to weaponize their cap space to other team’s detriment. By taking on a bad contract future picks or prospects for the farm system. We have seen Montreal pick up a 1st to take on Sean Monahan’s contract.
Currently the Hawks have room under the cap, is there anyone else?
The Hawks could take on a bad contract and help a team get under the Salary Cap. Could this bad contract also have a second advantage besides the draft pick or prospect coming along, in addition to being a possible trade deadline deal.
I wanted to look at another angle, could the player have an intrinsic skill or ability that GM KD is looking to build around – speed, compete, grit and character and help the Blackhawks develop the team culture KD is looking for. Scanning through each team’s worst contracts, I was curious if there were any potential players that fit KD new style.
I figured KD would look at only short-term contracts that were soon to expire, so ruled out contracts like Jeff Skinner which still had 5 years at $9 million.
Arizona
Andrew Ladd 1 year @ $5.5M
A player we all know, the 36 year-old left winger who won two cups with Chicago, battled injuries and made a surprising return after missing significant time to injuries.
Buffalo
Kyle Okposo 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old right winger who still scores in the 20+ range, but is not great defensively. Injuries have been an issue.
Calgary
Milan Lucic 1 year @ $5.2M
A 34 year-old left winger power forward who is better suited to the bottom two lines. Scoring has dried up, but size and intimidation are still in abundance. Lack of speed is an issue.
Colorado
Erik Johnson 1 year @ $6.0M
A 34 year-old former right handed two way defenseman who is big and skates well. Age and injuries have been limiting his number of games per season.
Florida
Patric Hornqvist 1 year @ $5.3M
A 35 year-old gritty right winger who gets most of his goals in close to the net. Injuries and age are wearing him down, but he still has some of speed.
New Jersey
Tomas Tatar 1 year $4.5M
A 31 year-old left handed winger capable of playing either side, who has settled into about 15 goals per season. Not great defensively and can go on scoring droughts.
Philadelphia
James van Riemsdyk 1 year @ $7.0M
A 33 year-old left wing power forward with good hands around the net, who is still capable of putting up 20+ goals, but is not great defensively.
Pittsburgh
Jason Zucker 1 year @ $5.5M
A 30 year-old quick left winger who has previous seasons of 20+ goals, who has recently been battling injuries.
Patric Hornqvist and Erik Johnson were names that caught my attention, they are the type of players contending teams look to trade for, but as they are already on contenders, they might not be so readily available.
Other factors you would need to consider was your limit of being able to retain salary on 3 contracts, which might factor heavily if Kane, Toews or S. Jones decide they wish to seek a trade. To maximize the return KD might want to retain half of those current Blackhawk players salary.
Additionally having a slot open in case another team required a third team to retain half a player’s salary to facilitate a trade to another team might be something KD would leave available. Weighing these options is so speculative being on the outside and guessing what each GM is pitching to KD.
Let me know who would best suit KD’s plan or if there was another player you think KD would have interest in?