I would lock up smaltz this summer 3 years 2.5 per year if he has a break out year would cost more next year get ahead of the game sorta speak.
- Scott1977

Just my opinion but it might be tough to get him signed for that price tag. I think he might land in the 3.5 or more category. In terms of his points production when playing with either Toews or Kane, he has been the #3 guy on offense.

Free Agents to think about

D:
Jack Johnson
Ian Cole

Back Up Goalie:
Cam Ward
Carter Hutton

Free Agents to think about

D:
Jack Johnson
Ian Cole

Back Up Goalie:
Cam Ward
Carter Hutton
- Colbyboy

No on all of those for me.

Tkachuk does not have the high end skill to play with Kane and Schmaltz. The Hawks cannot waste this high pick. Can’t teach high skill, a player either has it or does not. I cannot see the Hawks taking him. Hawks have been burned when they have not drafted high skill.
- Z3Hawk

\He will fit perfectly on the top line with Saad and Onnit

Agreed, I don’t think they give up on Duclair. He’ll likely get another short-term “show-me” deal. Duclair has arbitration rights so it could be interesting. If he tries to go for a larger deal the Hawks will ship him out or let him walk.

Hinostroza and Jurco both have arbitration rights too, although I expect neither to use it. Vinnie should be signed to a decent 2-3year deal, while he’s not a superstar he’s a solid bottom 6 forward that’s good for 30-35 points. I expect Jurco back too, but on a one year deal that can be fully buried in Rockford.

I’m sure Hayden will be signed too, but I’m not sure that type of deal. I’m leaning towards a one-year deal but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks locked him up for a bit longer.

The free agent priorities in the next couple of years are Schmaltz and DeBrincat. I’m sure Stan will lock up both guys on long term deals. Schmaltz can be re-signed on July 1,will Stan get him inked to a contract now or wait until next off season and sign #8 and #12 together?
- DarthKane

\\I disagree,
he reminds me of Stalberg - fast and out of control. cut bait now, that's a prime slot that should be filled by someone with more potential.

\\I disagree,
he reminds me of Stalberg - fast and out of control. cut bait now, that's a prime slot that should be filled by someone with more potential.
- riozzo

He's not yet 23 (altho he will be when the season starts) - a player who probably should have gone to the AHL at 19 instead of directly to the Rangers (and then to that great development program in Phoenix) - what kind of player would he be today if he'd had some quality development time in the minors?

I wouldn't give up on his skills - yes, maybe Stalberg-like - but also maybe with skills that could still be developed.

He's not yet 23 (altho he will be when the season starts) - a player who probably should have gone to the AHL at 19 instead of directly to the Rangers (and then to that great development program in Phoenix) - what kind of player would he be today if he'd had some quality development time in the minors?

I wouldn't give up on his skills - yes, maybe Stalberg-like - but also maybe with skills that could still be developed.
- StLBravesFan

if he can be signed for cheap, then i don't see why not. At least he can score on a breakaway

\\I disagree,
he reminds me of Stalberg - fast and out of control. cut bait now, that's a prime slot that should be filled by someone with more potential.
- riozzo

He seems to have better skill and hands than Stalberg did IMO. Still young and his game can mature more. One thing I noticed on more than one occasion is his ability to break up plays and cause neutral zone turnovers to counter attack.

He seems to have better skill and hands than Stalberg did IMO. Still young and his game can mature more. One thing I noticed on more than one occasion is his ability to break up plays and cause neutral zone turnovers to counter attack.
- breadbag

Even if he is Stalberg 2.0, you sign him since you can, try to teach him and if you realize he's not going to be a much better player than he already is, trade him for a #1 pick, le Hartman

Even if he is Stalberg 2.0, you sign him since you can, try to teach him and if you realize he's not going to be a much better player than he already is, trade him for a #1 pick, le Hartman
- BetweenTheDots

If the untrained eyes of this board think he is a 5th line guy, what GM is going to trade a 1st for him? Teams have been trying to train him for 4 seasons. A buster is a buster. anything over 90,000 is a waste....

Just a reminder don't just look at next year, in a way i look at the Hawks situation without the core players, so imho we won't be in position to compete for a SC until 2020. There is no quick fix here.

If the untrained eyes of this board think he is a 5th line guy, what GM is going to trade a 1st for him? Teams have been trying to train him for 4 seasons. A buster is a buster. anything over 90,000 is a waste....
- riozzo

Like Hartman?, really Arizona training him

If the untrained eyes of this board think he is a 5th line guy, what GM is going to trade a 1st for him? Teams have been trying to train him for 4 seasons. A buster is a buster. anything over 90,000 is a waste....
- riozzo

He is younger than Hinostroza and we need more speed as a team. He can't command anything at this point, so like was said before, if he signs a one year "prove it" deal and trains with Kane and others in the offseason (and also concentrates on how to play D a bit better), he may turn into something very useful.

Just my opinion but it might be tough to get him signed for that price tag. I think he might land in the 3.5 or more category. In terms of his points production when playing with either Toews or Kane, he has been the #3 guy on offense.
- breadbag

Good point just estimating maybe what smaltz would be worth 2.5 to 3.5 seems reasonable.

I mentioned that the Hawks only have 1.2M in bonus overage from 2017-18 season and just when you think they are working on getting that number down, I just noticed Stan handed Dominik Kahun a max. performance contract.

Kahun, although unlikely to hit those bonuses, would carry a cap hit of 3.8M if he achieves this!

The Hawks must be really high on this guy to lure him here with that type of deal. Oh, and also in favour for the Kahun camp, if he doesn't make the team, he has the European Assignment Clause.

Who is this guy's agent?
- Justin Lowe

You don't need a good agent when you are dealing with Stan. He probably led with that offer just so Kahun wouldn't reject him. Why do I get the feeling Stan was that kid that paid people to hang out with him?

Tkachuk does not have the high end skill to play with Kane and Schmaltz. The Hawks cannot waste this high pick. Can’t teach high skill, a player either has it or does not. I cannot see the Hawks taking him. Hawks have been burned when they have not drafted high skill.
- Z3Hawk

Have you watched a single clip of Tkachuk? You just assume he's a meathead grinder?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEvEvPpcfYQ#t=22s

The dude is ranked ahead of all your 'top end skill' guys like Kotkaniemi, Veleno, Wahlstrom for a reason. His brother has high end skill, his dad had major high end skill.

I'm just shocked that you're sticking to this BS 'not high end skill' narrative. You're simply wrong.

Would be a hell of a find if this guy hits those bonuses. Maybe Stan can then have a second chance at trading a superstar that everyone will cry about losing a couple years from now.
- BlazinMike

What are the bonus terms?

What are the bonus terms?
- ObeseOprah

Capfriendly only mentions the following:

Newly signed #Blackhawks forward Dominik Kahun received the max allowable Entry Level salary & bonuses from the club.

2018-19: $925,000 +$2,850,000 PB
2019-20: $925,000 +$2,850,000 PB

Kahun becomes only the 3rd ever undrafted player to receive max 'A' & 'B' performance bonuses.

What are the bonus terms?
- ObeseOprah

2.85 mil for performance stuff. I don't know what kind of numbers he has to hit, probly pretty good numbers though

What are the bonus terms?
- ObeseOprah

Watched the world champions early in the year Brady is going to a beast. Comps Simmonds perry his brother

Capfriendly only mentions the following:

Newly signed #Blackhawks forward Dominik Kahun received the max allowable Entry Level salary & bonuses from the club.

2018-19: $925,000 +$2,850,000 PB
2019-20: $925,000 +$2,850,000 PB

Kahun becomes only the 3rd ever undrafted player to receive max 'A' & 'B' performance bonuses.
- Chunk

According to Scott Powers of the Athletic:

The Blackhawks had competition to sign Kahun, and that meant sweetening their offer.

The Blackhawks not only gave him the max $925,000 for his entry level contract cap hit, but they also threw in $2.85M in potential bonuses, including $825K in potential "A" bonuses, and $2M in potential "B" bonuses.

The contract is very similar to the one Artemi Panarin signed as a free agent. It is unlikely that Kahun reaches the "B" bonuses, which include more league-wide achievements.

Have you watched a single clip of Tkachuk? You just assume he's a meathead grinder?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEvEvPpcfYQ#t=22s

The dude is ranked ahead of all your 'top end skill' guys like Kotkaniemi, Veleno, Wahlstrom for a reason. His brother has high end skill, his dad had major high end skill.

I'm just shocked that you're sticking to this BS 'not high end skill' narrative. You're simply wrong.
- ObeseOprah

The better way of f scribinh Tzachuk is that while he is not AS high end skill as others rated in the top eight.choices, nonetheless, he possess some skill and desire which makes hm like a best,vhadvto stop.Perfect complement on another line, not on your Kane line. How about Kane with Schmaultz, Tzachuchbeith Toews.

The bigger picture is how to establish a defense which is good enough to lead to competitive games and a sense that we can win..One dman joining before free agency means less pressure to add an.afgordsble second dman. Would likely be one our first round choices surrendered.

Loosing a draft choice due to such bad need is a black eye, a red flag as to Bowman's management. Your lifeblood most of the time is the draft. You are foolish to trade hyhly balud choice whom could become future core.

Maybe Stan can convince another GM to swap their more "steady eddie" for our offensive dman

Have you watched a single clip of Tkachuk? You just assume he's a meathead grinder?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEvEvPpcfYQ#t=22s

The dude is ranked ahead of all your 'top end skill' guys like Kotkaniemi, Veleno, Wahlstrom for a reason. His brother has high end skill, his dad had major high end skill.

I'm just shocked that you're sticking to this BS 'not high end skill' narrative. You're simply wrong.
- ObeseOprah

You don’t have to listen to me. Read hockey people who are rating him. I don’t want to draft a player at 8 that gets described as “polarizing”. Hawks cannot afford to waste this draft choice. Hockey people say there is risk in drafting such a player. Lots of hockey people are critical of his skating and his lack of high end skill. I am not alone. He is getting placed high because of his size and to some degree his pedigree with the hope he will be able to score. Hawks cannot afford to draft someone at 8 where hope is involved. Can’t teach high end skill.

For a top draft pick if I am comparing 2 players I look at high end skill and high end skating first. I don’t even look at players lacking in these areas. If the players are equal here, size and physicality can become issues - you take the bigger, tougher player. However, you NEVER start with size and work backwards and hope the rest takes care of itself. Too risky. Tkachuk may be a 3rd or 4th line player - the Hawks can’t risk him at 8.

On Duclair - He had a $1.2 mil cap hit last year. The question is do you offer him $1.34 mil (and then get a 3rd if he signs for more elsewhere) or do you offer him $2.01 MIL (and then get a 2nd if he signs for more elsewhere). Of course Duclair has to consider if he wants to play in Chicago, if he wants to play for Q, and the term of the contract matters too. Personally I would offer him $1.5 mil for a couple of years maybe with some incentives.

On Kahun - I just do not see him being a star, or maybe even making the big club. If he makes the team and he and/or the team do very well then the bonus is a small price to pay.

The whole point of merit incentives is if the player does well he is rewarded. If he does not he is not rewarded. I do not see a big deal either way.

According to Scott Powers of the Athletic:

The Blackhawks had competition to sign Kahun, and that meant sweetening their offer.

The Blackhawks not only gave him the max $925,000 for his entry level contract cap hit, but they also threw in $2.85M in potential bonuses, including $825K in potential "A" bonuses, and $2M in potential "B" bonuses.

The contract is very similar to the one Artemi Panarin signed as a free agent. It is unlikely that Kahun reaches the "B" bonuses, which include more league-wide achievements.
- Chunk

Do you, or anyone, know specifics on these bonuses? Points? Goals? Games Played?