They're a good regular season team. The capitals have won their division 10 times in the last 15 years (9 +100 point seasons) and only have one cup with 0 conference finals appearances.

Does that mean its all OV's fault and that he's not relevant because of their lack of success in terms of cups or finals appearences?
- fattybeef

There were seasons that yes, Ovechkin was at fault.

Eww. Myers would drive you nuts in about a week and Boeser is not the type of player KD is targeting at all.
- Elbows15

Myers is terrrrrrible. If KD wants to be in tank mode next year the Hawks should definitely acquire him.

Wiz question: After a kid is drafted, do you stop "scouting" said player. Reason I ask, is I am intrigued by Gavin Hayes, and whether his season this year would change an opinion on where he projects on an NHL roster
- LAHawk

No. Some member of the organization always checks in with drafted players. Especially any that aren't signed to an ELC but even those who are signed get feedback by members of the organization.

Its is likely to more from the developmental staff than scouts. But the scout who wanted the pick the most keeps in touch.

List of UFA's the summer of 2025 with their ages at that time. Big names include Mathews and Aho -

https://www.capfriendly.c...all/ufa?stats-season=2023



The summer of 2026 includes Marner, Rantanen, Draisaitl, Ehlers and Shesterkin.
Lot of talent available that summer.

https://www.capfriendly.c...all/ufa?stats-season=2023
- boilermaker100

As usually happens most of this big names will never see FA. Always exceptions but they are rare.

They're a good regular season team. The capitals have won their division 10 times in the last 15 years (9 +100 point seasons) and only have one cup with 0 conference finals appearances.

Does that mean its all OV's fault and that he's not relevant because of their lack of success in terms of cups or finals appearences?
- fattybeef

They are proving to not be built for the playoffs. They cut corners in goal and d.

How many years did their goalie and d get outplayed? I mean they sign these depleted old men like giordani (spell) to a cheap deal and wonder why the get bounced? Revolving door in goal. Latest guy they signed Murray, is their 3rd option now.

They have yet to solve that and will not adapt and people wonder why they can’t advance?

No. Some member of the organization always checks in with drafted players. Especially any that aren't signed to an ELC but even those who are signed get feedback by members of the organization.

Its is likely to more from the developmental staff than scouts. But the scout who wanted the pick the most keeps in touch.
- Elbows15

Remember when Brian Campbell used to go to London to scout/mentor and coach Boqvist?

I think he'll follow suit. 5-10 and 200 pounds (I realize he's not there yet) is a fire hydrant on wheels and with hands as fast as Bruce Lee makes him a dangerous player in any era.
- Dirk33Graham

I don't think we need to worry about Bedard's height. As a fan base, Hawks fans should be comfortable with smaller, skilled forwards - Kane (5'10") / DeBrincat (5'8"). I bet a lot of GMs are kicking themselves for passing on DeBrincat in the draft, purely because of his size.

If he lives up to his expectations, Bedard will surpass both 88 and 12 in most, if not all stats. Plus, he seems to be a smart skater like Kane and DeBrincat and can avoid dangerous situations.

They are proving to not be built for the playoffs. They cut corners in goal and d.

How many years did their goalie and d get outplayed? I mean they sign these depleted old men like giordani (spell) to a cheap deal and wonder why the get bounced? Revolving door in goal. Latest guy they signed Murray, is their 3rd option now.

They have yet to solve that and will not adapt and people wonder why they can’t advance?
- SteveRain

And why did they cut corners Steve?

Last year I thought Marner was a really good two way player but like Matthews he has demonstrated over seven years he’s unable to elevate his game when it matters. He’s another guy I’d prefer to let another overpay for.
- paulr

and yet, Leaf fans hammer Nylander.

I don't think we need to worry about Bedard's height. As a fan base, Hawks fans should be comfortable with smaller, skilled forwards - Kane (5'10") / DeBrincat (5'8"). I bet a lot of GMs are kicking themselves for passing on DeBrincat in the draft, purely because of his size.

If he lives up to his expectations, Bedard will surpass both 88 and 12 in most, if not all stats. Plus, he seems to be a smart skater like Kane and DeBrincat and can avoid dangerous situations.
- DarthKane

What about Theoren Fleury? What was he 5’6”?

and yet, Leaf fans hammer Nylander.
- Elbows15

And Matthews and Marner and ….

Keep on drafting. We don't need a Hossa type until we know we are one piece shy. We need Bolland's AND Versteeg's. We need Sharps and Ladd's. Most of all we need a Crawford or Esposito. We need kids to grow together as a team. I would love to have Toews or Seabrook behind the bench. And not to get off subject but...that was a no on the sliders?

Eww. Myers would drive you nuts in about a week and Boeser is not the type of player KD is targeting at all.
- Elbows15

Myers sucks. He's not worth half his cap hit AND he has a 10 NTC list. If I'm Chicago I'd ask for 2024 3rd, 2025 3rd, and 2025 1st. Vancouver is horrifically mismanaged and you guys would likely have at least one lottery 1st as the team is ascending.

Keep on drafting. We don't need a Hossa type until we know we are one piece shy. We need Bolland's AND Versteeg's. We need Sharps and Ladd's. Most of all we need a Crawford or Esposito. We need kids to grow together as a team. I would love to have Toews or Seabrook behind the bench. And not to get off subject but...that was a no on the sliders?
- bjphawkfan

Exactly!

See this is when GMs get in trouble, having tunnel vision, hate to say it Steve but you do for Matthews.

Why would i want to sign a guy who will be 27 and my team won't be ready for the playoffs probably when he's 30.
- BetweenTheDots

But it was ok to sign a 30 yr old hossa to a longer deal, coming off a major injury?

Hawks 2009-10 is a rare occurrence. They won’t be able to duplicate having 1-9 being that deep or d etc. it won’t happen. Exactly why they lost a ton of them.

I get restocking and all for it but I’m puzzled by this mantra of keeping all this money and waiting. Nobody knows when that next window opens. Not you, me Davidson or anyone.

There were seasons that yes, Ovechkin was at fault.
- paulr

Could say the exact same about kane, panarin, toews.

Myers is terrrrrrible. If KD wants to be in tank mode next year the Hawks should definitely acquire him.
- DarthKane

On the bright side, there would be less complaining about Murphy.

Could say the exact same about kane, panarin, toews.
- SteveRain

In 17, they were part of the problem.

But it was ok to sign a 30 yr old hossa to a longer deal, coming off a major injury?

Hawks 2009-10 is a rare occurrence. They won’t be able to duplicate having 1-9 being that deep or d etc. it won’t happen. Exactly why they lost a ton of them.

I get restocking and all for it but I’m puzzled by this mantra of keeping all this money and waiting. Nobody knows when that next window opens. Not you, me Davidson or anyone.
- SteveRain

Steve, you just said it in a previous post. The leafs signed Tavares before they had really built their team. Now half the cap is given to five players and they have to sign lesser players to round out the team.

And why did they cut corners Steve?
- paulr

Because they signed Tavares on top of matthews marner nylander and Reilly.

If leafs took that Tavares money and spent it on top pairing d man or top flight goalie I’d bet anything their outcome would be different.

Exactly why I can’t wait to trade Connor Murphy to them in February.

And Matthews and Marner and ….
- paulr

Nylander has been their most dangerous player to me. Matthews is being Bobbed to me. Marner has been invisible and so has their captain.

Keefe keeps running ROR and Tavares together and is missing a chance to have one of those two center a bumslaying line. Like the Panthers are doing with Tkachuk.


Its like looking at Timo Meier's playoff numbers and thinking he isn't playing well. Cause I get its a results matter thing but Meier is getting a poop ton of chances but just can't get one to go for him. it happens.

Don't forget that Savard was MAYBE 5' 10". I think he did pretty well. And at 180 pounds, Bobby Hull was a beast!

Steve, you just said it in a previous post. The leafs signed Tavares before they had really built their team. Now half the cap is given to five players and they have to sign lesser players to round out the team.
- paulr

How is 34 million half a cap of 90 million? It’s not even half the cap of 87.5. Including Jones and bedard at 10 which wouldn’t happen for years done the road.

So if it’s matthews at 27 yrs old at 15 million or another, wait for it (pray you develop another legit top 6 complimentary player) you’re paying the same. Same kid will want bedard money. If he’s worth a sniff of matthews.

There’s no magical savings here and if the hawks do keep bedard up here odds are they won’t finish anywhere close to where they did this year. So maybe you get a top 10 pick and pray.

So I’d love to hear how hawks are going to get another franchise f building block
Here from all
The bean counters.

Please enlighten me.

Wiz question: After a kid is drafted, do you stop "scouting" said player. Reason I ask, is I am intrigued by Gavin Hayes, and whether his season this year would change an opinion on where he projects on an NHL roster
- LAHawk

I actually stop, until I see them latter along their journey while watching games too see others.Of course if they are in junior I get two see them while they are there and graduated, but once they go to college and the AHL, and they are not Blackhawks I simply do not have the time.

I didn't have Gavin Hayes on my mock drafts, and I will gladly tell you why, and it really has nothing to do with the Hawk scouting philosophies.
He projects as a hard nosed shooter with in tight carrying skill, and ability to work those areas to saccutally get off shots in closed quarters.
For all their talk about high pace, Hayes does have feet that are always moving and he is excellent skater with jump. Hayes isn’t short on puck skills. When he’s looking to create, he shows quick hands and a soft touch to navigate pressure. Some flashy passes and open-ice handling skill suggest there’s more upside, too. And he has a projectable shot, especially off the pass. He adjusts his feet to maximize his contact through one-timers. In one smooth motion, he’ll take a pass, establish body positioning on back pressure, and fire. His physicality emerged when he wasn't contributing offensively consistently. Last year he stepped up as an energetic, disciplined defender as well. (He CAN be.) All NHlers CAN skate, but there is more to it
He has issues and an inability to create space for himself at even-strength. So he has got the puck and enters, and then skates his routes, but never adapts to the play around him, misses chances to go inside lanes or get the pucks to a teammate who is, and misses opportunities to set up looks or doesn’t put himself in position to get favorable touches. At even strength you want there to a respect by the enemy for your attackers and what they can do unexpectedly, doesn't creat for himself (that makes sense, right?) and also his off puck offense is inconsistent because of his decisions and there is plenty of work that he needs to do to be more smarter out there. They do learn the game as they grow, but it is more favorable that they arrive well schooled.

Myers sucks. He's not worth half his cap hit AND he has a 10 NTC list. If I'm Chicago I'd ask for 2024 3rd, 2025 3rd, and 2025 1st. Vancouver is horrifically mismanaged and you guys would likely have at least one lottery 1st as the team is ascending.
- jfkst1

I wouldn't take him at his salary for anything less than a 2nd and other picks. They are pretty much over the cap right now. If they can get a better deal elsewhere, they can have Myers.