Interesting, facing elimination Lindy starts Schmid!! 1-1 early in the 2nd.

The Bruins may have cap issues if they try to resign Bertuzzi. What about a trade for Hall whose contract runs until 24-25? Given their cap issues, maybe he can be acquired for pennies on the dollar. He does a 10 NMC clause though. With his expiring contract, seems to be a perfect linemate for Bedard for this season.
- Popsghostly

Taylor Hall? Very interesting idea...

LA, Vancouver and Toronto are three teams who will have to make moves. There is no way Toronto can keep Murray. Vancouver have to shed salary to be cap compliant and I think LA needs to shed salary to complete some signings. You mention Iaffalo from LA, what would you like to see come back from Toronto or Vancouver?
- paulr

With those two team it would more about what else I could get in addition to any player.

For Toronto the 3 that I would entertain pending other comp. are Nylander, Tavares and Brodie. Nylander and Brodie only have one year left so whatever. Both should be moveable at the TDL. Tavares wouldn't be a bad guy to have around for a couple of seasons. Not really a fan of his but he seems to be a good guy who could maybe mentor Bedard a bit plus take the 1C spot to let Bedard transition to it.

There really isn't anything from the Casucks I want unless 11 or a future 1st is attached to it and they aren't getting anything higher than a 3rd. Beauvillier would be okay I guess and taking Garland is going to cost them too much for me.

I am so very curious to see how things go this season, i look back on the generational players entering the league none of them had trouble putting points up, this will be very very interesting. I mean no one expects him to be a point per game player his rookie year? We'll see especially if his shot is better than McDavids.
- BetweenTheDots

His shot is better than 99% of the league. PPG as a rookie? NAh. I guess it could depend on who they get to play with him. I am 99% sure he is the goods so i am not going to get all caught up in his numbers in his rookie season.

Taylor Hall? Very interesting idea...
- hpk90

For the 35 games he is healthy enough to play. Plus, he IS the lottery good luck charm.

Nah. There will still some very good options available at 19 to not give away any picks.
- Elbows15

Agree 100%. Acquired a lot of picks, in the deepest draft in years, use them, build tremendous depth in the organization, along with multiple chances to hit a home run.

Lots of 2nd rounders make it, you have 4, for me, allows you to take Hrabel if he's there with first pick in 2nd, as you'll have 3 more.

You know that #11 pick is available i still think if you take Garland and Myers trade our 35th pick for that 11th i think they make that deal, you can have Bedard the 11th and most likely 19th pick
- BetweenTheDots

Seems unlikely, but if KD pulled that on draft night, he'd have a pass on any move for two years from me

Agreed, LR had that team ready to play for all 82 - they never gave up on the season.

I don’t see Bedard fundamentally changing the timeline for the rebuild, what he does however, is greatly increase the chances of it being successful.
- Chief4Feathers

I agree. His first year will be an exciting one full of his great abilities being cheered on no matter if dominant ot not, because he will be learning a league where he hasn't gauge the speed of everyone, and where he will have to adjust.

The hawks played a certain way because of ten lack of a roster held in high regard and I think that will continue with maybe an offensive player added, but they are not suddenly the "rookie team Hawks, who will he turned looses and no longer fight for every win,becasue they STILL will have to!

So not a problem if the linger low in the standings next year...the tickets are selling to be able to be there as the change starts and that means low standings and possible lottery move ups of a a year or three.

(His best buddy on Regina, Ld Stanislav Svozil was draft signed and has already played for the Bluejackets. I wonder if they want to tarde him?)

The year after next is the first year to get sort of excited about the rebuild. This is due to the graduation and matriculation of dmen and forwards from the AHL. We begin to see their game develop and improve playing regularly in the NHL 2024/25

The best bets are: Vlasic, DelMastro, Phillips, Korchinski, one of our goaltender prospects, and just maybe a forward drafted in 2o23 and or 2024.
- jhawk59

Our best best are to add players that are READY and not keep predicting who it is, why it is this player or that.

A tier I top seven forward 2024 MIGHT step in right away?
- jhawk59

Gulp!- Tier 1 of 2024 is two players not seven:
Macklin Celebrini C, Chicago Steel Committed Boston University
Cole Eiserman LW USA NDT. Committed to university of Minnesota 2024-25

I do predict though that forwards drafted in 2023 and 2024 could benefit from some AHL development
- jhawk59

Graduating Juniors cannot go to the Ahl if they are North American.

The top six however may include an average to slightly below average wing riding shotgun with Bedard
- jhawk59

I expect the vets here and maybe an addition are all he gets right now, besides the three superstars we been told exist right under our eyes: Reichel, Kurashev, and then Nazar in year

I suspect some of the still developing kids getting drafted this year are playing their Adam Fox type strategy of getting drafted, going to college and staying long enough to sign as UFA to get a chance to play with Connor Bedard.
There may a lot of interest that adds depth simply b/c he is Connor Bedard.

His shot is better than 99% of the league. PPG as a rookie? NAh. I guess it could depend on who they get to play with him. I am 99% sure he is the goods so i am not going to get all caught up in his numbers in his rookie season.
- Elbows15

Just curious, no expectations, but wouldn't be surprised if he did.

A tier I top seven forward 2024 MIGHT step in right away?
- jhawk59


Gulp!- Tier 1 of 2024 is two players not seven:
Macklin Celebrini C, Chicago Steel Committed Boston University
Cole Eiserman LW USA NDT. Committed to university of Minnesota 2024-25

Because of this, assuming next year not as deep, I've asked the question before;

Were the Hawks better off getting Rangers second this year, than a late first next year??

Just curious, no expectations, but wouldn't be surprised if he did.
- BetweenTheDots

I think he’ll be close if not over.

Would you make this trade:
To Ducks: 2023 #19, 2023 2nd rd(from NY), 2024 first rd (from TB), Reichel, Mitchell.
To Hawks: 2023#2, 2023 3rd rounder.
Hawks take Fantilli

A tier I top seven forward 2024 MIGHT step in right away?
- jhawk59


Gulp!- Tier 1 of 2024 is two players not seven:
Macklin Celebrini C, Chicago Steel Committed Boston University
Cole Eiserman LW USA NDT. Committed to university of Minnesota 2024-25

Because of this, assuming next year not as deep, I've asked the question before;

Were the Hawks better off getting Rangers second this year, than a late first next year??
- vabeachbear

Hard to say, you see every year a late bloomer rise up the draft rankings or someone slips. Sometimes a kid seemingly comes out of nowhere and is ranked in the first round in his draft year. The best thing with all the draft capital is KD can draft or he can put a package together to move somewhere in the draft. We’ll begin hearing rumours soon that this or that team is open to trading their pick. Maybe KD can snag another top 10 or 15 pick in this draft?

A tier I top seven forward 2024 MIGHT step in right away?
- jhawk59


Gulp!- Tier 1 of 2024 is two players not seven:
Macklin Celebrini C, Chicago Steel Committed Boston University
Cole Eiserman LW USA NDT. Committed to university of Minnesota 2024-25

Because of this, assuming next year not as deep, I've asked the question before;

Were the Hawks better off getting Rangers second this year, than a late first next year??
- vabeachbear

Plus the trade is complete and there are no if, then to deal with. It also gives KD a little more flexibility if he wants to try to move up.

Good hockey game tonight, NJ looked good just to green, got valuable playoff experience

Right on cue. Fast with the series ender.

Good hockey game tonight, NJ looked good just to green, got valuable playoff experience
- BetweenTheDots

They need another guy with size/skill combo. Also would have helped if Bratt knew the playoffs were happening.

They need another guy with size/skill combo. Also would have helped if Bratt knew the playoffs were happening.
- Elbows15

Do they sign Bratt? Or since they got Meier they move him

I do hope they sign Domi, i really like him

I do hope they sign Domi, i really like him
- BetweenTheDots

Domi seems to be doing well in Dallas, Wonder if he sticks with the Stars for next contract.

[quote=wiz1901]
Hey Bill,
Of course I meant players drafted in ‘23 and ‘24 could crack our top six but not likely ready right away ALSO they cannot play AHL until their junior eligibility ends - although in covid year Phillips was an exception

Prospects already drafted could wait out their sign period - of - time and pull an Adam Fox scenario as free agent who goes elsewhere: Good analysis that some prospects wait and look to sign free agent deal so that they can skate with Bedard

As far as T Hall fit on Chicago: Pass. Too injury prone. Too big a contract but even if his contract is affordable DO NOT trade prospects and or draft picks for him

I think the tank must stop. When Edmonton was tanking to get high draft picks they built an awful culture where winning wasn’t the priority. As of this draft, winning should and must be the “One Goal”. The culture must be one of trying to win.
- paulr

To what degree do you want to win, Paul? Trading for Garland (taking him off VAN's hands), trading for (taking off their hands) one of the Toronto core 4, signing Bertuzzi, Domi and Orlov in FA kinda win?

Or add Domi to skate with Bedard, trade for (take him off their hands) Garland and his high compete/speed/50+points game to play middle 6 and Hathaway to skate bottom 6 pitch in 30-35ish pts and police the ice while they work in Vlasic, Kaiser, Phillips no more KD tanking kinda win?

Sign me up for option 2. Team should still draft top 10, maybe closer to 5, as the rookies are worked in with some legit NHL players around them.

Domi seems to be doing well in Dallas, Wonder if he sticks with the Stars for next contract.
- bhawk1s

Dallas cannot fit him under salary cap. And if they somehow temporarily finagle the salary cap, they are doomed soon with salary cap because they have some emerging young stars who will need to be paid big coin. Seguin, Pavelski, Benn are players they need to cut the cord. Even then a few young forwards and Ottinger command attention first and foremost. Possibly Minny is paying part of Suter’s contract but Dallas is ripe even bursting with young talent.

Do they sign Bratt? Or since they got Meier they move him
- BetweenTheDots

I think they do. They have 34M in space for 11 spots. They will have to make some decisions because of the amount of RFAs and UFAs they have going into next season.

I think one of Graves/Severson won't be re-signed plus the group of Haula, Wood and Tatar may only see 1 brought back.

The do seem to have some in-house replacements for all 5 of those guys if they want to walk away from all of them. Of the 5, I think Severson is the one they most like to re-sign if they can.