Since this is for fun, Hossa

His skin condition should be cleared up
He’s the perfect combo of skill, physicality and 2 way play
Great guy to mentor the kid
Contract with ARI is done
Even at his age probably better than 50% of the forwards in the NHL
He’s only 44, Gordie played longer

I think the key is for the Hawks to be try to have the foundation of their team in place by the time Bedard has completed his three year entry level contract. This should allow ‘place holders’ like Myers, Boeser, Garland, Domi or who ever to fill out the roster but to have their contracts cleared by that third season. This gives KD a window to allow the younger guy’s developmental time, well thought out trades and or signings.

Agreed.....Davidson will be active. Just need to stay the course and give Bedard an option or 2 to play with.

Good problems to have. TONS and TONS of cap space.
- SteveRain

Yes, and yes. Even though it's the NHL 2023/24 will be a developmental yr for Bedard. Kid needs legit NHLers to skate with.

No Kane, Toews, AA, Lafferty or Domi. The roster as is will be demonstrably worse than the terrible team they had last yr.
- Mr Ricochet

It has ....Connor Bedard.

Start believing he's better than Kaner and you will relieve the stress and start thinking USA's Cole Eiserman,LW
Canada's duo of Mack Celebrini, C, and Berkly Catton C

and tiny Finn Aron Kiviharju, LD/RD

Nazar is supposed to be a top 6 Center.
- rpeters01

oR top six RW, or top six RhLW....

I think the key is for the Hawks to be try to have the foundation of their team in place by the time Bedard has completed his three year entry level contract. This should allow ‘place holders’ like Myers, Boeser, Garland, Domi or who ever to fill out the roster but to have their contracts cleared by that third season. This gives KD a window to allow the younger guy’s developmental time, well thought out trades and or signings.
- paulr

Right on to all of this, Paul. This will be the first season since the teardown phase of the rebuild. Realistically speaking when will Hayes, Greene, Nazar, Ludwinski, Thompson, Dach, James, Savoie, Luypen, this yrs draft picks after Bedard be NHLers, if they even are?

Always surprises, would assume there will come a time KD starts to look to acquire prospects (cap dump sweeteners) instead of picks but no matter what it will be at least 2/3 yrs before forward prospects are ready for an NHL look.

Yes, signing legit NHLers for 3 yrs isn't prohibitive and in fact for the right "type" of player(s) it's a good idea.

It has ....Connor Bedard.

Start believing he's better than Kaner and you will relieve the stress and start thinking USA's Cole Eiserman,LW
Canada's duo of Mack Celebrini, C, and Berkly Catton C

and tiny Finn Aron Kiviharju, LD/RD
- wiz1901

Loved that Eiserman kid since his first shift of the streamed NTDP tryout last Spring. As a Steel fan I've seen enough of Celebrini to be hooked. And as much as I'm leaning more and more to bigger Dmen that Finn kid, Kiviharju, has me as a real believer.... Kid's IQ is off the charts and bursting with skill.

A little lottery luck, again, and the Hawks will draft one of those 3 next yr.

No player can deter an opponent from taking a run at a star player. He can only try to go after him after the fact.
- paulr

Not even LOOCH?
- HawkintheD

Well, except for Looch.

Elbows.

He has managed to say he suggested many ideas, personal-wise.
and he says he predicted that the Tampa bay team would be much weaker and fail this year to go on...
- wiz1901

Keep predicting the Hawks will draft a goalie in the 2nd round. You will get it right one of these days.

Not my problem I know more than you do.

That's why i don't gamble, i didn't expect the Hurricane to be swept and now the Stars. I thought for sure Dallas would of been a tougher match up for Vegas.

No Kane, Toews, AA, Lafferty or Domi. The roster as is will be demonstrably worse than the terrible team they had last yr. It's an AHL roster in the NHL and it will be a developmental yr for Bedard.

Who would be on his line? Who would be in the top 6? ........

I'm in agreement with those who say no 5 yr deals but I'm ok with a 3 yr deal for a Domi type. It will probably be a minimum 2/3 yrs before we see any forwards from last yrs draft, or even Dach, up for a look in the NHL so a 3 yr deal for a Domi type(s) isn't prohibitive at all.
- Mr Ricochet

They kind of played better after those trades happened

I think your going to see some oddities like Domi signing a 1 year contract last year or Janmark before that. The chance to play with Bedard and get big minutes will bring some interesting signings this summer. Look at that secondary list of players and see who needs a "show me" contract. Those are the ones KD will go after.

Hypothetical

I doubt the first seven draft picks are tradeable, each of the teams slotted need prospects, #8 is Washington. Let’s say Michkov is still on the board. What would entice Washington to trade Their 8th pick so the Hawks could draft Michkov. Would #19, and the top 2 second round draft choices this year do it? Would KD do it? Would Washington?

Hypothetical

I doubt the first seven draft picks are tradeable, each of the teams slotted need prospects, #8 is Washington. Let’s say Michkov is still on the board. What would entice Washington to trade Their 8th pick so the Hawks could draft Michkov. Would #19, and the top 2 second round draft choices this year do it? Would KD do it? Would Washington?
- LAHawk

Washington would start moving for the podium as soon as the name of the 7th pick was announced. Wash wouldn't trade that pick if Michkov was available. He would be their Bedard

I love how the media is crediting the Blackhawks for contributing to Florida making the playoffs by defeating the Penguins at the end of the season.

It worked out well for Chicago, they got the 1st overall pick and eliminated the Penguins.

Washington would start moving for the podium as soon as the name of the 7th pick was announced. Wash wouldn't trade that pick if Michkov was available. He would be their Bedard
- wizardofi

Bedard would be the only assets Chicago could offer that Washington would accept.

Washington would start moving for the podium as soon as the name of the 7th pick was announced. Wash wouldn't trade that pick if Michkov was available. He would be their Bedard
- wizardofi

This would be a live look at Wash heading for the podium if Michkov is there at 8.

Here is a question from a hated rival. When do both of these teams become relevant again? When does the st paddy’s day massacre happen again? Come on Billy boy! This rivalry needs some ultra violence but I’m afraid there ain’t much to square up against. My Droogs are weak and pathetic. I want a REAL HORRORSHOW

You guys won Bedard. Don’t (frank) up his growth.

Keep predicting the Hawks will draft a goalie in the 2nd round. You will get it right one of these days.
- Elbows15

I am predicting what players rank where for 32 teams as they are doing a draft.

Just like everyone, I heard the GM say"we aren't focused on a goalie."

Not my problem I know more than you do.
- Elbows

You are correct there, that you have no problem with knowing more than me.

Here is a question from a hated rival. When do both of these teams become relevant again? When does the st paddy’s day massacre happen again? Come on Billy boy! This rivalry needs some ultra violence but I’m afraid there ain’t much to square up against. My Droogs are weak and pathetic. I want a REAL HORRORSHOW
- BluesDroogie

When have the Blues ever been relevant? 🤣

I love how the media is crediting the Blackhawks for contributing to Florida making the playoffs by defeating the Penguins at the end of the season.

It worked out well for Chicago, they got the 1st overall pick and eliminated the Penguins.
- DarthKane

Hockey Night in Canada was giving heavy props to us for beating Pitt, allowing the Panthers to squeeze into the playoffs after the game last night. Reminds me of 2011 Hawks rally cry "Win one for Minny"

When have the Blues ever been relevant? 🤣
- DarthKane

Lord Stanley’s Cup Raising in 2019. I believe your last was 3-4 years prior?? Am I wrong? Blues leap frogged your asses from last to first to win the damn cup! Ha ha

Even though I absolutely hate the Blackhawks if it weren’t for their previous owner back in the 60’s Blues probably wouldn’t exist as they had. Dude owned the arena here in St. Louis. Wanted a rival close to the Blackhawks. He convinced the league to but the expansion team in St. Louis instead of Baltimore (frank) YOU GUYS. HA HA.

Expansion came to St. Louis and he sold his arena.

Lord Stanley’s Cup Raising in 2019. I believe your last was 3-4 years prior?? Am I wrong? Blues leap frogged your asses from last to first to win the damn cup! Ha ha
- BluesDroogie

The two strokes done version of the Stanley Cup? The Blues dynasty that will live on forever