Why?
- BGKarras

Wiz wrote that he would not be active in the FA market and keep the powder dry for when Tkachuk demands to be traded. If it took Huberdeau, Weeger, Schwindt and a 1st for Matthew, I am assuming it would take Bedard for Brady. I am asking any want-to-be GM if they would do that deal.

Obviously. Then I’d trade Nazar, Levshunov and Vlasic to get rid of his albatross of a contract. Then I guess I’d see if there’s a third round draft pick I could get for Knight. And while I’m at it I’d try to swap this years two first round picks for a second and a fourth.
- paulr

Paul the Vlasic contract is not an albatross, it gave Vlasic UFA at 29 instead of locking him up long term. GM 101. This mirrors Dubas's mistakes in Toronto. Toronto could not ice a balanced team because the stars were all given too much contractual leverage too early in their careers.

Very interested in your cardiological examination of Carolina. The heartless ones took Florida to 7 what body part is Carolina missing at this point?

That’s because the idiot, young, inexperienced GM is in way over his head. Fire Blashill and sign Torts.
- paulr

There is a 60 year old guy who was 94-59-11 over the past 2 years and took Florida to game 6 of the conference finals last year. Cup winner. 3 times in the Cup finals. In 23 season's he has been below .500 3 times. I don't know if they interviewed him and he turned it down. What is it about Blashill that makes you more confident in his abilities than Laviolette's?

Paul the Vlasic contract is not an albatross, it gave Vlasic UFA at 29 instead of locking him up long term. GM 101. This mirrors Dubas's mistakes in Toronto. Toronto could not ice a balanced team because the stars were all given too much contractual leverage too early in their careers.

Very interested in your cardiological examination of Carolina. The heartless ones took Florida to 7 what body part is Carolina missing at this point?
- stevefrmglencoe

If the plan is to sign Vlasic to a 2nd contract then this is great value at price and term. His 2nd contract will even if it's at 8 years, the numbers say nhl defenseman begin to decline about 34 years old, you get another 6 of his best of his best 8 years. So the best of his 12 years and it only costs you 14 years is a very good deal for both the Blackhawks and Vlasic.

If the plan is to sign Vlasic to a 2nd contract then this is great value at price and term. His 2nd contract will even if it's at 8 years, the numbers say nhl defenseman begin to decline about 34 years old, you get another 6 of his best of his best 8 years. So the best of his 12 years and it only costs you 14 years is a very good deal for both the Blackhawks and Vlasic.
- BetweenTheDots

That is one way to look at it.

Are you going to be as forgiving it the Hawks don't optimize their contractual control rights to Bedard with a bridge followed by an 8 year deal?

There is a 60 year old guy who was 94-59-11 over the past 2 years and took Florida to game 6 of the conference finals last year. Cup winner. 3 times in the Cup finals. In 23 season's he has been below .500 3 times. I don't know if they interviewed him and he turned it down. What is it about Blashill that makes you more confident in his abilities than Laviolette's?
- stevefrmglencoe

OK, Laviolette also went from 1st to 5th in in successive years with NYR and from 2nd in the East to 4th in his DIVISION to 6th in his DIVISION in successive years in WSH. What makes you at all confident that he can mold a young team into a winner if he can't do it with veteran ones?

You can't just cherry pick stats without looking at the whole picture. I can pick out seven games where Bedard was good defensively last year, that doesn't mean he has a ton of wok to do on that end.

OK, Laviolette also went from 1st to 5th in in successive years with NYR and from 2nd in the East to 4th in his DIVISION to 6th in his DIVISION in successive years in WSH. What makes you at all confident that he can mold a young team into a winner if he can't do it with veteran ones?

You can't just cherry pick stats without looking at the whole picture. I can pick out seven games where Bedard was good defensively last year, that doesn't mean he has a ton of wok to do on that end.
- Chunk

Valid point.

No way to know for sure.

23 years. Only 3 under .500. Not a cherry pick.

Please explain the case for Blashill.

It’s about the best fit for the Hawks. Laviolette is probably not the best fit for the Hawks young roster, he will favor a vets playing time over a youngster. You need a coach that wants to win, but at the same time develops the young players. Blashill could be that guy, and I’m fairly sure that Laviolette isn’t.

Valid point.

No way to know for sure.

23 years. Only 3 under .500. Not a cherry pick.

Please explain the case for Blashill.
- stevefrmglencoe

Time will tell if it's the right decision, but I would say 1) his time in Grand Rapids working with young players. 2) His time in Detroit. While his record wasn't good, he was handed a team that was similar to the 2017 Hawks. A few, older good players and a team in cap hell. The experience will still come in handy. 3) Three years under one of the best coaches in the NHL. 4) This team isn't ready to win. Let Blashill get them to the cusp, and then find the next Q!

That is one way to look at it.

Are you going to be as forgiving it the Hawks don't optimize their contractual control rights to Bedard with a bridge followed by an 8 year deal?
- stevefrmglencoe

The way business is done, Bedard will get a very generous 8 year deal probably this summer and it'll kick in next summer

You be the GM. What would you have done?
- stevefrmglencoe

IIRC and reports were true that no one was offering more than a 3rd rounder, I’d keep him and try to sign him.

If he walks you lost a 3rd round lottery ticket. Move on.

I know, that’s horrible, the sky is falling, KFC’s an idiot for not managing assets properly, etc.

Sound about right?

IIRC and reports were true that no one was offering more than a 3rd rounder, I’d keep him and try to sign him.

If he walks you lost a 3rd round lottery ticket. Move on.

I know, that’s horrible, the sky is falling, KFC’s an idiot for not managing assets properly, etc.

Sound about right?
- HawkintheD

Edit - I believe you generally think KFC’s a turd because he had no pedigree, but the guy has shown an ability to stand his ground and not knuckle just to make essentially a bad trade.

Bleacher Nation...Nazar had one assist in the USA’s semifinal win. Entering the gold medal game, Nazar has six goals and six assists in nine game in the tournament. His six goals and 12 points both lead the US squad in the tournament, so it made sense that he was named one of the team’s three best players by the IIHF after the semifinal win. If Nazar needed a big stage coming out party, he’s had one. And I would hope he’s thrown his hat in the ring for the 2026 Winter Olympics as well.

Valid point.

No way to know for sure.

23 years. Only 3 under .500. Not a cherry pick.

Please explain the case for Blashill.
- stevefrmglencoe

His last two posts he oversaw major collapses. He doesn’t seem to have whatever made him successful in the past.

The case for Blashill is basically that he’s had a lot of success getting youth to progress at several levels, he’s not coming into the NHL without any experience, he just finished three years working with and watching Cooper, and pretty much every interview I’ve read/heard with people currently in the NHL have nothing but good things to say about him.

By no means is he the messiah, but I’d rather him than anyone like Torts/Laviolette/Gallant/Boudreau/etc.

Bleacher Nation...Nazar had one assist in the USA’s semifinal win. Entering the gold medal game, Nazar has six goals and six assists in nine game in the tournament. His six goals and 12 points both lead the US squad in the tournament, so it made sense that he was named one of the team’s three best players by the IIHF after the semifinal win. If Nazar needed a big stage coming out party, he’s had one. And I would hope he’s thrown his hat in the ring for the 2026 Winter Olympics as well.
- HawkintheD

That’s because means Nazar’s value is at its highest. Think we can get a fourth for him?

His last two posts he oversaw major collapses. He doesn’t seem to have whatever made him successful in the past.

The case for Blashill is basically that he’s had a lot of success getting youth to progress at several levels, he’s not coming into the NHL without any experience, he just finished three years working with and watching Cooper, and pretty much every interview I’ve read/heard with people currently in the NHL have nothing but good things to say about him.

By no means is he the messiah, but I’d rather him than anyone like Torts/Laviolette/Gallant/Boudreau/etc.
- Chunk

By all accounts Blashill is a teaching coach but he is also tough. I like Hagel’s tweet about him.

That’s because means Nazar’s value is at its highest. Think we can get a fourth for him?
- paulr

Either way…fail.

By all accounts Blashill is a teaching coach but he is also tough. I like Hagel’s tweet about him.
- paulr

Yeah I wasn’t high on it when I heard they were interviewing him, but the more I’ve read has me interested. Like I said, I like that after his stint in DET he didn’t take another HC gig but assistant under Cooper.

Yeah I wasn’t high on it when I heard they were interviewing him, but the more I’ve read has me interested. Like I said, I like that after his stint in DET he didn’t take another HC gig but assistant under Cooper.
- HawkintheD

I’m sure KFC has done all his homework along with his staff. So far things are falling in place. Goaltending, defense, Nazar and Bedard (soon to be traded) and a whole pile of prospects. I’d really like to see one or two good young established forwards this coming season. As I posted earlier if Mason McTavish isn’t signed on July 1 give him an offer sheet.

Wiz wrote that he would not be active in the FA market and keep the powder dry for when Tkachuk demands to be traded. If it took Huberdeau, Weeger, Schwindt and a 1st for Matthew, I am assuming it would take Bedard for Brady. I am asking any want-to-be GM if they would do that deal.
- stevefrmglencoe

I like Tkachuk also but I would like to have him here along with Bedsy. To Trade a potential young Star for him would make no sense. KD is trying to get a young group (Core) together similarly to what we had with Toews and company. That deal would look so bad. Hard no let the kid's get some chemistry and let KD keep cooking.

Would you trade Bedard for Brady Tkachuk?
- stevefrmglencoe

Not at this time; giving up on Bedsy would be when he wants out.

Paul, I was expecting that link to be an actual Sacha Boisvert fight in the ring or one in the USHL.

I just hope Boisevert in still gung ho on playing with Bedard & company.
Boston is closer to Quebec and Dad's gym.

(Maybe he transfered there to be closer to hime during his college year(s)?

Six o'clock TSN 4 or 5 so we can all be judge and jury on Desnoyer's draft ranking....

WRITER's NOTE:
Gosh, am I THAT paranoid that in two days I earmarked both Boisvert and Ryan Donato leaving for the Bruins.


If I am thinking about this, how can I think about:

Rangers trade Mika Zibanejad (20% retained) to the Blackhawks along with a second-round pick in exchange for future considerations.

So, it would be a cap dump as Zibanejad will be the fourth highest paid player on the team at $8.5 million AAV next season and there are a number of contracts that are jumping up in price, including the ones that aren't yet signed.

I’m sure KFC has done all his homework along with his staff. So far things are falling in place.
Goaltending, defense, Nazar and the soon to be traded Connor Bedard.

and I’d really like to see one or two good young established forwards this coming season. As I posted earlier if Mason McTavish
- paulr

Can get Mica Z. and two young 24-25 forwards and centre McTavish.

looks like Bedsy and Nazar settle in at wing.

Can get Mica Z. and two young 24-25 forwards and centre McTavish.

looks like Bedsy and Nazar settle in at wing.
- wiz1901

If the Hawks draft Martone, maybe they can work out a trade with Seattle to try and acquire Martone’s linemate, Carson Rehkopf a big physical winger with a great shot.

Eww, no. in any way, shape or form to Mika.

Not at this time; giving up on Bedsy would be when he wants out.

Paul, I was expecting that link to be an actual Sacha Boisvert fight in the ring or one in the USHL.

I just hope Boisevert in still gung ho on playing with Bedard & company.
Boston is closer to Quebec and Dad's gym.

(Maybe he transfered there to be closer to hime during his college year(s)?

Six o'clock TSN 4 or 5 so we can all be judge and jury on Desnoyer's draft ranking....

WRITER's NOTE:
Gosh, am I THAT paranoid that in two days I earmarked both Boisvert and Ryan Donato leaving for the Bruins.


If I am thinking about this, how can I think about:

Rangers trade Mika Zibanejad (20% retained) to the Blackhawks along with a second-round pick in exchange for future considerations.

So, it would be a cap dump as Zibanejad will be the fourth highest paid player on the team at $8.5 million AAV next season and there are a number of contracts that are jumping up in price, including the ones that aren't yet signed.
- wiz1901

Please no, he looked done the last couple of times i watched him play