One writer's take on the Hawks' off season. Mentions some trades and UFA signings.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....and-shaker-this-offseason

Seth Jones to Utah for the 6th pick. Utah needs some star power. Utah further along their rebuild and Jones realizes they will be in contention sooner than Chicago so he waives. Also he's a low key kind of guy so that smaller market may appeal to him. Hawks retain 2M, maybe throw in a 2nd or 3rd.

Hawks select Levshunov as the heir apparent RD1 and get Catton or Eiserman with the 6th pick.
- boilermaker100

I think this would work really well long term for the hawks but kind of go back on Kyles statement to get more competitive.

I don't think the Hawks need to retain anything on Jones. Maybe they swap a third for a second or something. I think Seattle could be a destination with similar benefits.

While not spectacular, Jones does have value and I think the playoffs are illustrating how important it is to have mobile defenders who can advance the puck through the zone.

He can't hold the blue line due to his skating deficiencies but I don't think that matters to a team like Toronto that needs push from the blue line - or a team like Utah that is trying to excite the fan base with scoring and getting into a playoff discussion. Plus Utah has Durzi to play the tougher minutes and Jones could just bum slay. Also closer to his families home base in Denver.

The one thing it does impact is the Hawks ability to be competitive. That right side becomes even more of a barren wasteland for at least another year so they'd have to do some work to shore that up in the short term while they wait for Levshunov to be ready. And I think he needs another year at Michigan State at a minimum. Rinzel probably needs 2 or 3.

One writer's take on the Hawks' off season. Mentions some trades and UFA signings.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....and-shaker-this-offseason
- boilermaker100

The Blackhawks could be on the cusp of a young team which is very impressive and on the rise should KD making prudent draft selections and appropriate player transactions in 2024

I see one more year for Nazar (or he is pretty good & no AHL time). I envision after one additional collegiate season Moore and Green are knocking at the door for NHL entry. G Hayes too.

Ludzinski could be a very serviceable energy and skill driven bottom line guy. He might not have the hands and not a goal scorer but with Slaggert they could be pretty effective.

Reichel and Nazar fit somewhere in top two lines so who does KD envision as the L2 center or new L2 forward to mix with his trooos?

Go ahead and draft your dman second overall at the cost of missing out on Demidov? Use your extra second round picks + ? Possibly move to #10 or so. Where you get a good player but not necessarily the forwards you want.


I see Kantserov as a bonus if he comes over

Lardis is a dark horse if he develops but he has lots to change. Gain enough muscle and play well enough defensively? If he makes enough progress then there is a guy with a shot who might compare (but not as good) to the lethal projectile Eiserman unleashes

I personally like what Yaremchuk and Kk could mean but question taking Yarechuk over Levishinov. Yaremchuk is RD and KK is LD so playoff difference makers as attack dmen both with.certain superlative skillet. Win with them/difference makers.

A great defensive team is easier to build around than a great offensive team.
- rpeters01

Eh, there has to be some balance. Teams need a push from the blue line but with absurd amount of trapping going on you need superstars to break it down.

I think either team is extremely difficult to build within the constraints of the salary cap and dilution of talent because they need to have both.

I see that our old friend, Nikita Zadorov, has four goals and three assists in the playoffs so far. I also remember that this board almost universally believed he had no place in the NHL, especially on a good team.

We are very smart!

The Blackhawks could be on the cusp of a young team which is very impressive and on the rise should KD making prudent draft selections and appropriate player transactions in 2024

I see one more year for Nazar (or he is pretty good & no AHL time). I envision after one additional collegiate season Moore and Green are knocking at the door for NHL entry. G Hayes too.

Ludzinski could be a very serviceable energy and skill driven bottom line guy. He might not have the hands and not a goal scorer but with Slaggert they could be pretty effective.

Reichel and Nazar fit somewhere in top two lines so who does KD envision as the L2 center or new L2 forward to mix with his trooos?

Go ahead and draft your dman second overall at the cost of missing out on Demidov? Use your extra second round picks + ? Possibly move to #10 or so. Where you get a good player but not necessarily the forwards you want.


I see Kantserov as a bonus if he comes over

Lardis is a dark horse if he develops but he has lots to change. Gain enough muscle and play well enough defensively? If he makes enough progress then there is a guy with a shot who might compare (but not as good) to the lethal projectile Eiserman unleashes

I personally like what Yaremchuk and Kk could mean but question taking Yarechuk over Levishinov. Yaremchuk is RD and KK is LD so playoff difference makers as attack dmen both with.certain superlative skillet. Win with them/difference makers.
- jhawk59

I think you're going to see Hayes this year and I think he'll pass up Reichel and see some time with Bedard. That kid is going to look like a steal as a third round pick.

He has a projectable frame so if they can get him some gains over the next 2 years I think they'll have a really nice player with some size and a very good shot.

I think this would work really well long term for the hawks but kind of go back on Kyles statement to get more competitive.

I don't think the Hawks need to retain anything on Jones. Maybe they swap a third for a second or something. I think Seattle could be a destination with similar benefits.

While not spectacular, Jones does have value and I think the playoffs are illustrating how important it is to have mobile defenders who can advance the puck through the zone.

He can't hold the blue line due to his skating deficiencies but I don't think that matters to a team like Toronto that needs push from the blue line - or a team like Utah that is trying to excite the fan base with scoring and getting into a playoff discussion. Plus Utah has Durzi to play the tougher minutes and Jones could just bum slay. Also closer to his families home base in Denver.

The one thing it does impact is the Hawks ability to be competitive. That right side becomes even more of a barren wasteland for at least another year so they'd have to do some work to shore that up in the short term while they wait for Levshunov to be ready. And I think he needs another year at Michigan State at a minimum. Rinzel probably needs 2 or 3.
- fattybeef

Thanks for the comment. Yes Lev at least 2 years away and Rinzel at least a year behind that. Hawks would have to sign a couple of free agent right defemsemen for about three year term. Lots of them on the market. Pesce and Montour may not want to come here, but there are the likes of DeMelo, Roy, Chatfield, or Walker. Yes there is no true #1 there to play with Vlasic, but so be it. KK and Vlasic could take over PP QB in Jones' absence.

As far as competitiveness, I hope there would be a couple of free agent forwards signed to improve that situation.

Here's my proposed capfriendly armchair GM trade.
https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/5126479

I see that our old friend, Nikita Zadorov, has four goals and three assists in the playoffs so far. I also remember that this board almost universally believed he had no place in the NHL, especially on a good team.

We are very smart!
- mohel

It's an outlier compared to the rest of his career. He's still a pecker.

It'll be interesting to see how long Tochett lasts there.

Thanks for the comment. Yes Lev at least 2 years away and Rinzel at least a year behind that. Hawks would have to sign a couple of free agent right defemsemen for about three year term. Lots of them on the market. Pesce and Montour may not want to come here, but there are the likes of DeMelo, Roy, Chatfield, or Walker. Yes there is no true #1 there to play with Vlasic, but so be it. KK and Vlasic could take over PP QB in Jones' absence.

As far as competitiveness, I hope there would be a couple of free agent forwards signed to improve that situation.

Here's my proposed capfriendly armchair GM trade.
https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/5126479
- boilermaker100

Nice. That is def outside of the box everyone else has been working in but I think it would work fairly well and get them out of the bottom 5.

And still have room for guys like Hayes, Lardis or Savoie to get a cuppa coffee if they are doing well.

Not to be a pain in the ass but who are these scouts? Are they any good

- BetweenTheDots

NHL scouts. Dunno from what teams but NHL scouts still. Maybe 10 worst scouts then?

I see that our old friend, Nikita Zadorov, has four goals and three assists in the playoffs so far. I also remember that this board almost universally believed he had no place in the NHL, especially on a good team.

We are very smart!
- mohel

Yeah, but here he was playing JC's beer league defensive system.

I see that our old friend, Nikita Zadorov, has four goals and three assists in the playoffs so far. I also remember that this board almost universally believed he had no place in the NHL, especially on a good team.

We are very smart!
- mohel

Zeitsev = Zadorov 2.0

Hey Happy Mother's Day out there to your moms, wives, girlfriends, etc.

Bedard with another goal. 2-1 Canada over Denmark in the 2nd.

Nice. That is def outside of the box everyone else has been working in but I think it would work fairly well and get them out of the bottom 5.

And still have room for guys like Hayes, Lardis or Savoie to get a cuppa coffee if they are doing well.
- fattybeef

Not wanting to be a downer but there is one prospect I am concerned about. Our own prospect and it is C Dach. It is due to his skating. I don't envision a long career.

I don't doubt he gets to the NHL. I just see a mixed bag as far as results. I know someone eventually can explain his skating issues better than myself, so when and if this person elaborates then we will all understand

I think this would work really well long term for the hawks but kind of go back on Kyles statement to get more competitive.

I don't think the Hawks need to retain anything on Jones. Maybe they swap a third for a second or something. I think Seattle could be a destination with similar benefits.

While not spectacular, Jones does have value and I think the playoffs are illustrating how important it is to have mobile defenders who can advance the puck through the zone.

He can't hold the blue line due to his skating deficiencies but I don't think that matters to a team like Toronto that needs push from the blue line - or a team like Utah that is trying to excite the fan base with scoring and getting into a playoff discussion. Plus Utah has Durzi to play the tougher minutes and Jones could just bum slay. Also closer to his families home base in Denver.

The one thing it does impact is the Hawks ability to be competitive. That right side becomes even more of a barren wasteland for at least another year so they'd have to do some work to shore that up in the short term while they wait for Levshunov to be ready. And I think he needs another year at Michigan State at a minimum. Rinzel probably needs 2 or 3.
- fattybeef

I truly do not think Kyle sees Jones as the albatross contract everyone here does. If your highest paid guy is $9.5 you're not very good.

You really think the Hawks can go from 31st place to 16th in one season?

via GIPHY

- Dieselhead

Obviously I meant when he signed with Detroit this year

Not wanting to be a downer but there is one prospect I am concerned about. Our own prospect and it is C Dach. It is due to his skating. I don't envision a long career.

I don't doubt he gets to the NHL. I just see a mixed bag as far as results. I know someone eventually can explain his skating issues better than myself, so when and if this person elaborates then we will all understand
- jhawk59

He was never going to move the needle.

Hey Happy Mother's Day out there to your moms, wives, girlfriends, etc.
- boilermaker100

All three for me.

Zeitsev = Zadorov 2.0
- DarthKane

Didn't he leave because Stan wouldn't give him $4M/yr.?

NHL scouts. Dunno from what teams but NHL scouts still. Maybe 10 worst scouts then?
- MjulQvist

Why would they give up that info if they are current NHL scouts? It makes no sense, it's like watching a commercial when they say 4 out of 5 dentists or doctors recommend this product.

The Blackhawks could be on the cusp of a young team which is very impressive and on the rise should KD making prudent draft selections and appropriate player transactions in 2024

I see one more year for Nazar (or he is pretty good & no AHL time). I envision after one additional collegiate season Moore and Green are knocking at the door for NHL entry. G Hayes too.

Ludzinski could be a very serviceable energy and skill driven bottom line guy. He might not have the hands and not a goal scorer but with Slaggert they could be pretty effective.

Reichel and Nazar fit somewhere in top two lines so who does KD envision as the L2 center or new L2 forward to mix with his trooos?

Go ahead and draft your dman second overall at the cost of missing out on Demidov? Use your extra second round picks + ? Possibly move to #10 or so. Where you get a good player but not necessarily the forwards you want.


I see Kantserov as a bonus if he comes over

Lardis is a dark horse if he develops but he has lots to change. Gain enough muscle and play well enough defensively? If he makes enough progress then there is a guy with a shot who might compare (but not as good) to the lethal projectile Eiserman unleashes

I personally like what Yaremchuk and Kk could mean but question taking Yarechuk over Levishinov. Yaremchuk is RD and KK is LD so playoff difference makers as attack dmen both with.certain superlative skillet. Win with them/difference makers.
- jhawk59

I really doubt they look at it as "if" he comes over if they used a 2nd rounder. You have to assume they have a very good feeling he is coming over.

Someone mentioned a few days ago, name a really good Russian player who didn't come over in the last 20 years?? And don't give me Shulanov.

This is really a non issue

Yeah, but here he was playing JC's beer league defensive system.
- boilermaker100

That was Mitchell. Boqvist and Jokiharju's problem too.

Thanks for the comment. Yes Lev at least 2 years away and Rinzel at least a year behind that. Hawks would have to sign a couple of free agent right defemsemen for about three year term. Lots of them on the market. Pesce and Montour may not want to come here, but there are the likes of DeMelo, Roy, Chatfield, or Walker. Yes there is no true #1 there to play with Vlasic, but so be it. KK and Vlasic could take over PP QB in Jones' absence.

As far as competitiveness, I hope there would be a couple of free agent forwards signed to improve that situation.

Here's my proposed capfriendly armchair GM trade.
https://www.capfriendly.c.../armchair-gm/team/5126479
- boilermaker100

I read where Celebrini and Levshunov are the only two NHL ready right now...

I truly do not think Kyle sees Jones as the albatross contract everyone here does. If your highest paid guy is $9.5 you're not very good.
- rpeters01

It's not really an albatross contract for now. Maybe it will be in 3 or 4 years after Bedard, KK and Nazar get new paper and whoever else they obtain is on the books.

Jones has value to the team, don't get me wrong. His playing 25 minutes a game going up against the league's top lines is important and he is the team's top RD, a position they are short on depth. I'm just looking at the long term maybe 4 years out. What will Jones' play/health be like at 34 after all those minutes? In my Utah scenario, this might be a good opportunity to move him to a team he may be willing to waive to and get a future asset that would be ready in 3 years when the Hawks are entering contention. At that time, I would like to have another young contributor on an ELC rather than a declining player making 9.5M.