Last season was all about the tear down, but I don't think that's as much the case now. I could see some guys going at the TDL, but its not a guarantee. Tyler Johnson, if healthy, would be at the top of the list of trade targets. He has the playoff experience teams need and can play any forward position. D!ckinson could yield a positive return, he's another versatile forward and his cap hit is low at $2.65 million, at 50% retained that's a very good deal. I don't see any of the defense going, the players worth trading for are locked up long term and the pending UFAs aren't worth the price, even for the infamous "future considerations".
- DarthKane

In Toronto's defense. They've lost to the team that has gone to the cup finals from the eastern conference each of the last 3 years. The last two years the Oilers have lost to the eventual cup winner. That has less to do with depth and more to do with a few breaks not going your way or getting pecker slapped by a hot goalie.

It's a hard league to win in with the salary cap but if my team were consistently winning and getting bounced by the team that ultimately made it to the finals, they're probably doing all they can do.

You'd be lucky to get a 5th for either of those guys.

In Toronto's defense. They've lost to the team that has gone to the cup finals from the eastern conference each of the last 3 years. The last two years the Oilers have lost to the eventual cup winner. That has less to do with depth and more to do with a few breaks not going your way or getting pecker slapped by a hot goalie.

It's a hard league to win in with the salary cap but if my team were consistently winning and getting bounced by the team that ultimately made it to the finals, they're probably doing all they can do.

You'd be lucky to get a 5th for either of those guys.
- fattybeef

Let us wish and or pray that the Hurricane reaching landfall in the Tampa Bay area early Wednesday produces minimal flooding and damage. There are a few Chicago Blackhawks hockeybuzz bloggers in Florida

Let us wish and or pray that the Hurricane reaching landfall in the Tampa Bay area early Wednesday produces minimal flooding and damage. There are a few Chicago Blackhawks hockeybuzz bloggers in Florida
- jhawk59

I hope all is well, with Wiz and all who reside in that area, i often think of Theo and his wife's family in Hawaii as well.

What precisely is the path you are talking about, and how long until you expect to see the team compete and win (meaning at least making the playoffs).?
- Chunk

I think it's great that we have Bedard to build with, i am a firm believer a team needs 23 players to win a Stanley Cup. So my question to you is how many of those do we have now, Bedard, Jones, maybe Raddysh if he's playing 3rd line minutes, Katchouk looks like he could be a nice piece for the 4th line? Kurashev?

We don't even know what we have in Reichel, if he's able to produce 60ish points with AA as his center, he'll be a RFA, I'd rather sign him at 21 in instead of giving up 1st round picks and signing Elias who will be 25 and you'll have to sign for a lot more money.

So we have maybe 5 players right now to win a Cup, there is no point in going after anyone yet.

Hell we don't even know what we really have yet throughout the organization. Let's first find out what our strengths and weaknesses are.

We are in the draft and develop process, besides as good as Bedard is at 18 i bet he'll be even better at 21.

If a trade opportunity occurs for a young player or prospect I'm good with that as well.

As far as the playoffs, it takes what it takes.

Added, after saying all that if we traded the late 1st round pick I'd be okay with it, i want us to keep the earlier picks in the draft for now.

In Toronto's defense. They've lost to the team that has gone to the cup finals from the eastern conference each of the last 3 years. The last two years the Oilers have lost to the eventual cup winner. That has less to do with depth and more to do with a few breaks not going your way or getting pecker slapped by a hot goalie.

It's a hard league to win in with the salary cap but if my team were consistently winning and getting bounced by the team that ultimately made it to the finals, they're probably doing all they can do.

You'd be lucky to get a 5th for either of those guys.
- fattybeef

Toronto didnt even do a sign and trade for Tavares, and i still believe that hurt the franchise more than helped their chances of winning a cup.

Me, too.

This will certainly ruin his (frank)ing day, eh?
- mohel

Nah but i do wonder if hell froze over.

Nah but i do wonder if hell froze over.
- BetweenTheDots

Why would you wonder that? We both have very similar thoughts on how the Hawks should go about building the team.

I am thinking about getting tix for a preseason game. It would be interesting to watch the young guys to see what they bring to the table.

I think it's great that we have Bedard to build with, i am a firm believer a team needs 23 players to win a Stanley Cup. So my question to you is how many of those do we have now, Bedard, Jones, maybe Raddysh if he's playing 3rd line minutes, Katchouk looks like he could be a nice piece for the 4th line? Kurashev?

We don't even know what we have in Reichel, if he's able to produce 60ish points with AA as his center, he'll be a RFA, I'd rather sign him at 21 in instead of giving up 1st round picks and signing Elias who will be 25 and you'll have to sign for a lot more money.

So we have maybe 5 players right now to win a Cup, there is no point in going after anyone yet.

Hell we don't even know what we really have yet throughout the organization. Let's first find out what our strengths and weaknesses are.

We are in the draft and develop process, besides as good as Bedard is at 18 i bet he'll be even better at 21.

If a trade opportunity occurs for a young player or prospect I'm good with that as well.

As far as the playoffs, it takes what it takes.

Added, after saying all that if we traded the late 1st round pick I'd be okay with it, i want us to keep the earlier picks in the draft for now.
- BetweenTheDots

Indeed we don't know what we have right now. Not sure why you couldn't sign Reichel and pursue a player LIKE Pettersson (doesn't have to be him) who is still early 20's and has proven to be a star NHL player.

The Hawks have drafted 10 1st and 2nd rounders in the last two years, and currently have 9 more in the next two, not to mention the load of D-men already in the system and the draft picks in later rounds. How many of those can fit on the team, and how many will even pan out?

I'm not saying trade everyone, or all the draft picks, to be competitive now. I just believe that you should take advantage of surplus you have to secure young proven talent as long as it is reasonable. I don't think giving up two firsts for a guy like EP is egregious considering the Hawks have four in the next two years, and what they've drafted already.

How long does the draft an develop stage last, and what does the develop portion look like?

I agree there aren't many on the roster right now that will be around when they are contenders. I think that is a problem. Plus, I don't think it is likely, or reasonable to think that 80% of your roster will be made up of draft picks. I think the highest I've counted was 12 drafted active players on a roster (BUF). The more the better obviously as it tends to keep the cost down, but it's not going to be much more than that.

Indeed we don't know what we have right now. Not sure why you couldn't sign Reichel and pursue a player LIKE Pettersson (doesn't have to be him) who is still early 20's and has proven to be a star NHL player.

The Hawks have drafted 10 1st and 2nd rounders in the last two years, and currently have 9 more in the next two, not to mention the load of D-men already in the system and the draft picks in later rounds. How many of those can fit on the team, and how many will even pan out?

I'm not saying trade everyone, or all the draft picks, to be competitive now. I just believe that you should take advantage of surplus you have to secure young proven talent as long as it is reasonable. I don't think giving up two firsts for a guy like EP is egregious considering the Hawks have four in the next two years, and what they've drafted already.

How long does the draft an develop stage last, and what does the develop portion look like?

I agree there aren't many on the roster right now that will be around when they are contenders. I think that is a problem. Plus, I don't think it is likely, or reasonable to think that 80% of your roster will be made up of draft picks. I think the highest I've counted was 12 drafted active players on a roster (BUF). The more the better obviously as it tends to keep the cost down, but it's not going to be much more than that.
- Chunk

I just don't want those 2 firsts to be ours, if we are talking TB and Toronto's picks that wouldn't bother me so much, i think the Cat deal that Yzerman did is way more to my liking, i say no to any deals like we made for Seth Jones.

As far as draft and develop that will always be evolving as more and more talent is in the system. It's like when you plant anything in your garden it takes what it takes and at the same time you have to water, nurture and weed it.

Indeed we don't know what we have right now. Not sure why you couldn't sign Reichel and pursue a player LIKE Pettersson (doesn't have to be him) who is still early 20's and has proven to be a star NHL player.

The Hawks have drafted 10 1st and 2nd rounders in the last two years, and currently have 9 more in the next two, not to mention the load of D-men already in the system and the draft picks in later rounds. How many of those can fit on the team, and how many will even pan out?

I'm not saying trade everyone, or all the draft picks, to be competitive now. I just believe that you should take advantage of surplus you have to secure young proven talent as long as it is reasonable. I don't think giving up two firsts for a guy like EP is egregious considering the Hawks have four in the next two years, and what they've drafted already.

How long does the draft an develop stage last, and what does the develop portion look like?

I agree there aren't many on the roster right now that will be around when they are contenders. I think that is a problem. Plus, I don't think it is likely, or reasonable to think that 80% of your roster will be made up of draft picks. I think the highest I've counted was 12 drafted active players on a roster (BUF). The more the better obviously as it tends to keep the cost down, but it's not going to be much more than that.
- Chunk

In my opinion, you won't get a guy like Elias Pettersson for two firsts.

You can bet we'd have to part with 1 or 2 of our better prospects along with picks. We'd be subtracting 1 or 2 of guys like Nazar, Riechel, Moore, Korchinski, etc plus future picks for a guy we'd have to pay salary in a major way right away.

The Hawks aren't close enough to being competitive to make that kind of deal yet. This goes back to the rational why the Hawks traded guys like Dach, Hagel and Debrincat. They aren't at that stage of the game yet and would be shooting themselves in the foot right now.

I just don't want those 2 firsts to be ours, if we are talking TB and Toronto's picks that wouldn't bother me so much, i think the Cat deal that Yzerman did is way more to my liking, i say no to any deals like we made for Seth Jones.

As far as draft and develop that will always be evolving as more and more talent is in the system. It's like when you plant anything in your garden it takes what it takes and at the same time you have to water, nurture and weed it.
- BetweenTheDots

So the Hawks will always have to draft and develop, which I agree with. At what point do they become competitive? How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?

Today is Whitey Stapelton Day! #12 Yes, there are others that are noteworthy but none who deserve it more.

So the Hawks will always have to draft and develop, which I agree with. At what point do they become competitive? How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?
- Chunk

I’m not sure the number of prospects is the question? I think it’s the point the team is competitive and there are hole(s) in the roster to fill. And by holes, it could be position, depth or character. I still think one of the best additions to a roster of a rebuilding club was Hossa joining what Tallon had put together. And one thing I really liked was walking from a pretty good player in Havlat to get a much better all round player in Hossa.

In my opinion, you won't get a guy like Elias Pettersson for two firsts.

You can bet we'd have to part with 1 or 2 of our better prospects along with picks. We'd be subtracting 1 or 2 of guys like Nazar, Riechel, Moore, Korchinski, etc plus future picks for a guy we'd have to pay salary in a major way right away.

The Hawks aren't close enough to being competitive to make that kind of deal yet. This goes back to the rational why the Hawks traded guys like Dach, Hagel and Debrincat. They aren't at that stage of the game yet and would be shooting themselves in the foot right now.
- breadbag

Sure, that is a reasonable assumption, but what if the opportunity is available to get a guy like that for a reasonable return. Cap crunch, roster blocked, guy just doesn’t want to be in Canada anymore, etc?

22 picks in the last two years with 10 of them in the top two rounds (no I’m not going to let that go 😂), with 9 more 1st/2nd rounder the next two years.

I think it’s crazy to not consider adding a PROVEN, young, high end player under those conditions. At what point is it expected for this team to be competitive?

Is it number of prospects on the roster?
Do they have to be hitting certain point totals?
I guess it’s a similar argument I have about KK. If he proves to the coaches that he is ready for the bigs, no effing way I send him back.

So the Hawks will always have to draft and develop, which I agree with. At what point do they become competitive? How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?
- Chunk

Again, only my opinion, but I think the Hawks have kind of signaled how long with the types of contracts they've been handing out or willing to take on to the NHL vets and retreads they have brought in short term. I think wait two years for them to really shift mode. I could be wrong but I don't think they are done stocking talent until they are sure they have more than a couple parts ready.

I’m not sure the number of prospects is the question? I think it’s the point the team is competitive and there are hole(s) in the roster to fill. And by holes, it could be position, depth or character. I still think one of the best additions to a roster of a rebuilding club was Hossa joining what Tallon had put together. And one thing I really liked was walking from a pretty good player in Havlat to get a much better all round player in Hossa.
- paulr

I am talking fantasy land this year, but what if the Hawks have a turnaround season like the Devils had last season, do you still sell at the TDL? not improve your team because you might have to give up prospects or draft choice(s)?

I am talking fantasy land this year, but what if the Hawks have a turnaround season like the Devils had last season, do you still sell at the TDL? not improve your team because you might have to give up prospects or draft choice(s)?
- LAHawk

Any strategy has to include plans B, C, D etc.. That said what is the answer? Continue with the plan and move guys out at the TDL or go to Plan B and build around the team that, in “fantasy land” got the team into the playoffs? LA that’s why I flip burgers for a living, my biggest decision is how much mustard to put on the bun.

Any strategy has to include plans B, C, D etc.. That said what is the answer? Continue with the plan and move guys out at the TDL or go to Plan B and build around the team that, in “fantasy land” got the team into the playoffs? LA that’s why I flip burgers for a living, my biggest decision is how much mustard to put on the bun.
- paulr

That is my point, businesses have budgets, and then quarterly review and adjust. To say we can't give up draft choices because we have to stick with the plan, there are no shortcuts does not take into account what has transpired since the plan was put into place. Were the Cubs wrong in keeping Bellinger for the rest of the year? I am sure that wasn't in the plan at the start of the year. Just think of the prospects the Cubs could of added to a very deep prospect pool if they moved Bellinger at the TDL.

So the Hawks will always have to draft and develop, which I agree with. At what point do they become competitive? How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?
- Chunk

You answered my question for me.

How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?

When they become competitive.

That is my point, businesses have budgets, and then quarterly review and adjust. To say we can't give up draft choices because we have to stick with the plan, there are no shortcuts does not take into account what has transpired since the plan was put into place. Were the Cubs wrong in keeping Bellinger for the rest of the year? I am sure that wasn't in the plan at the start of the year. Just think of the prospects the Cubs could of added to a very deep prospect pool if they moved Bellinger at the TDL.
- LAHawk

But the Cubs didn't give up any of their top 15 prospects either. So they stayed the course for now.

And that was the owners decision

But the Cubs didn't give up any of their top 15 prospects either. So they stayed the course for now.

And that was the owners decision
- BetweenTheDots

You think KD has carte blanche ? I hope Danny learned how his father was burned by McDonough, I am sure he will be meeting regularly with Danny (or whoever Danny installs as a representative of ownership.

But not trading Bellinger meant they didn't add to their prospect pool either, which was probably the plan in signing him to a one year deal./

You think KD has carte blanche ? I hope Danny learned how his father was burned by McDonough, I am sure he will be meeting regularly with Danny (or whoever Danny installs as a representative of ownership.

But not trading Bellinger meant they didn't add to their prospect pool either, which was probably the plan in signing him to a one year deal./
- LAHawk

I agree, but they made deals like the Hurricanes do. Didn't really give anything up to aquire some more talent for a playoff (Cubs) bubble team. If the stars align and the Blackhawks are competing for a playoff spot you'll see KD do the same thing. Actually he'd have the luxury to take on a bloated contract without involving a third party. Hell even sign Kane.

You answered my question for me.

How many prospects need to be on the roster and in the system before it is ok to use excess assets to add an impact piece?

When they become competitive.
- BetweenTheDots

So everything rests on the prospects being the end all of the team? As good as they all look, none of them are sure things.

I just think the is extremely short sighted. Sure put a high emphasis on it as it gives you better cost control in general, but I don’t think they can base the success of the franchise on the evaluation of 18 year olds. I also don’t think you pass up the opportunity to add a proven NHL player for a reasonable price… especially when you have excess assets.