Tarik El-Bashir: MacLelland said he’s met with pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Michal Kempny and told him that he wants to re-sign him. Kempny has said he loves it in Washington.
- walleyeb1

Good for both of them

Hawks took an undrafted guy in Kempny and turned him into a 3rd round pick/87th overall in a 2yr span

Works for everyone

The concern about Kovalchuk shouldn't really be his defense, it's whether his speed is up to NHL standards. He definitely has slowed down but idk if that would be an issue in the NHL or not with his other high end skills.
- L_B_R

Anyone watch Russia in the Olympics? On the large ice that was certainly a speed game and I believe Kovy put up some good numbers there. He was arguably a Top 3 LW in the NHL not too long ago and if I’m Bowman, I’d have Artem Anisimov on the phone with Kovy trying to recruit him like he did with Panarin. He’d be a big boost to the offense and PP, even at 35 IMO.

I'd prefer someone who could actually fight along with hit. But Martinsen ia better then a player like jurco. Hayden cant ne the only guy to stand up for teammates or play a rough style and mix it up.
- vandymeer23

Martinsen can fight and hit, he hasn't lost one yet by my count (perhaps 1 draw). Very much agreed on the Hayden front! But LBR would tell you that him and probably Hayden are useless because guys like them "have no roll".

Physicality without skill or useful role is kind of pointless. A team hasn't won a cup with a "grinder" 4th line in a while because they need more from them - most have been using them in a checking role.

I think it's possible that Martinsen might be able to play on a checking line, but the Hawks cannot afford a line like the one they last season with Bouma-Wingels. While they did get a bit more DZS, they did so facing other 4th lines and that just doesn't help the other 3 lines at all.
- L_B_R

Agree to disagree, kid can skate/hit/fight/clear the crease and will probably be good for a respectable amount of points if he gets a decent amount of games on the 4th line. Rockford's head coach loved this kid! Yes, Bouma and Wingels were/are not good, I feel Martinsen is better than both of those guys,

Anyone watch Russia in the Olympics? On the large ice that was certainly a speed game and I believe Kovy put up some good numbers there. He was arguably a Top 3 LW in the NHL not too long ago and if I’m Bowman, I’d have Artem Anisimov on the phone with Kovy trying to recruit him like he did with Panarin. He’d be a big boost to the offense and PP, even at 35 IMO.
- EnzoD

This whole assumption that players now aren't fast enough (hear the same BS about Tavares) is a bit of a reach

Kovy would be a great catch for the Hawks on Kane's LW - and would net 30 easily, IMO

Are there two D in this UFA class that will be top 4 / better than what the Hawks already have? I don't know. Here are the top 5 after Carlson imo:

De Haan is certainly a shutdown style 3/4 but he was out after shoulder surgery all season so who knows if he'll be fully healed. I like him best of the LDs available in general though.

Hickey is decently solid but he isn't the strongest transition d-man. He's likely need to be paired with someone who could do that well to be effective, as he struggled more without that in NY. He also doesn't play on special teams much, if at all.

Moore is eats minutes but I'm not sure how effective he is in those minutes. His defensive micro stats (such as suppression and breakups) are pretty weak considering he's touted as more of a shutdown guy. Wouldn't mind him necessarily though.

Green probably wouldn't be too much different from when Campbell came back. He's also going to ask for too much and it's risky after his cervical surgery.

Cole is a bottom pairing d-man (he was #6 on both Pens cup runs and on Columbus when traded this season) and the Hawks have a bunch of those. I actually don't get why many Hawks fans want him - he hasn't been top 4 for many years.

No thank you to Jack Johnson, Polak, Sbisa, Luke Schenn, Barberio, or Enstrom.
- L_B_R

Nothing flashy, but a guy I have my eye on is Greg Pateryn. He did a decent job with a lot of Dzone time in Dallas as their #4 in terms of minutes (nearly 20 per night). He can hit, he can block shots and he has some size, so maybe he doesn't offer much more than they have already, but I think he might be available for less $$$ if they decide to move a guy like Murphy. The pickings are a bit slim.

So what you are saying is that it is the same team as last year - a weak on the boards top six that inspires ZERO fear, a constant shuffle of washed ups, washed outs, and yet to be provens in the bottom six, two aging out vets on the blue line and more shuffle of six to eight rookie D guys on the blue line, no proven backup goalie let alone a starter, and roughly $11-13MM to work with (including Hossa's LTIR, and some cap rise), with a few RFAs to sign nibbling away at the cap space.

How, honestly, does this team change significantly witout moving any of the albatross contracts?

I just don't see this as a one off-season set of tweaks.
- Return of the Roar

You don't need the top six to change significantly. They need 40 more goals and a healthy Crow to get into the playoffs. Where it is clear that anything can happen.

Toews, Saad and Kane shoot their career numbers and they get a 35 point 3C then they are a playoff team.

They need to get better at disrupting play in the neutral zone and exiting their own zone which can be done with changing how they play on the ice or making some moves.

Simply put, letting guys like Gus, Forsling and Keith use their feet rather than play patty cake with the other defender would help tremendously. Moreover, the center coming back lower to pick up pucks would make a difference as well.

The gap isn't that huge because the hard cap. They still have 3 hall of fame players in the line up and that is a thing. Tavares makes them a playoff team just by adding him alone. Signing a veteran to skate 14 minutes, kill penalties and win draws gets them close. Adding a defender with a decent NHL pedigree not named Oesterle to skate with Keith and a 3C gets them closer.

They are going to move Hossa's deal because if they want to be competitive next year they know they need to do it. That gives them 17 million to acquire salary via trade or making a big FA signing. They also have a lot of assets that have value regardless of what some of the gloom and doom folks here think.

Its not. that. bad.

Are there two D in this UFA class that will be top 4 / better than what the Hawks already have? I don't know. Here are the top 5 after Carlson imo:

De Haan is certainly a shutdown style 3/4 but he was out after shoulder surgery all season so who knows if he'll be fully healed. I like him best of the LDs available in general though.

Hickey is decently solid but he isn't the strongest transition d-man. He's likely need to be paired with someone who could do that well to be effective, as he struggled more without that in NY. He also doesn't play on special teams much, if at all.

Moore is eats minutes but I'm not sure how effective he is in those minutes. His defensive micro stats (such as suppression and breakups) are pretty weak considering he's touted as more of a shutdown guy. Wouldn't mind him necessarily though.

Green probably wouldn't be too much different from when Campbell came back. He's also going to ask for too much and it's risky after his cervical surgery.

Cole is a bottom pairing d-man (he was #6 on both Pens cup runs and on Columbus when traded this season) and the Hawks have a bunch of those. I actually don't get why many Hawks fans want him - he hasn't been top 4 for many years.

No thank you to Jack Johnson, Polak, Sbisa, Luke Schenn, Barberio, or Enstrom.
- L_B_R

Thanks for the perspectives on UFA defensemen. If the Hawks do go that route to find 2 experienced blueliners, the first 3 you listed are who I would want the Hawks to consider (de Haan, Hickey, Moore). Never been enamored with Green, and especially not as a D-man reliable in his own end. Don't care for Cole, either.

If a trade is a possibility, Faulk seems to be getting the most air time as far as rumors. I'd see if a trade for Martinez is doable.

And double no thank you to that list of Johnson, Polak, Sbisa, Schenn, Barberio, and Enstrom. Hawks were rumored to be pursuing Enstrom. Why? He's been injured a lot lately and is a few years removed from his prime years. I'd rather stay in house rather than pursue him or the other guys on that list.

This whole assumption that players now aren't fast enough (hear the same BS about Tavares) is a bit of a reach

Kovy would be a great catch for the Hawks on Kane's LW - and would net 30 easily, IMO
- PatShart

Agreed, and just to add he was named MVP of the Olympic tourney. He can keep up just fine and still puts the puck in the net as well as anyone in the world.

I would jump out of my seat if there is a run on Center/Defense and Big Brady Tkachuk falls to the Hawks at 8. You've got to think with the way the teams ahead of the Hawks are structured with forward prospects but not many high end defenders in the NHL....maybe some GMs go for Bouchard/Dobson over the fiesty power forward......???

1)Dahlin
2)Svechnikov
3)Zadina
4)Kotkaniemi
5)Boquist
6)Hughes
7)Dobson
8) TKACHUCK
- EnzoD

This is about right, honestly.

If he's not there at 8 I think somebody screwed up.

To me, Kelley is TRYING to throw out to the other GMs, go take those defenders, so we have many forward options lefty at #8...I am a firm belier of standing pat at slot #8
I think there is a drop and nine is where is drops a little.
To drop a spot, you would have to get Ranger's pick and the price would also be a THIRD ROUNDER and the first 3rd rounder the Rangers have is at slot 70 about where I said in an earlier post, the next tier clearly starts, so I am not sure it is worth thinking about. I don't think the Rangers in a rebuild, are giving you 26, 28, or 39 to move up a slot.



To me, it is apples to oranges when you are talking about a slot 8 youngster and the futures of already drafted late, players you are trying to develop...no one can tell you Krys or THIS is gonna the bomb or a bomb, you have to let the natural process take shape like with the closer guys (Forsling).
Those tourney's are NHL team sponsored competitions to see how their various players look again the others...so I am pretty sure it is fluid as to the rules of who can come and who cannot.
(I do remember that one tourney not Travese city but Hamiton?, maybe where Toronto played Jake Gardiner who was older and more physically dominant and developed against the likes of Danault and other hawks and he basically ran rough shot on the s and Columbus and the rest of the tourney's entry. Not seemed like a bully session...or putting a teenager out there with mites...so maybe they added rules to who goes?
- wiz1901

I think with the D-heavy top ten picks, the Hawks will have a couple great options at 8 like you said. Dahlin, Boqvist, Hughes are all getting higher and higher on mock draft boards. Dobson, Bouchard, and Smith are not far behind.

The most puzzling thing to me is that most boards don't have a Center going until 9 or 10, which hasn't happened in about ten years. Seems to be a race between Veleno, Kotkaniemi, and Hayton. Then there's the next tier of Lundestrom, Thomas, Kupari, and McLeod. I don't know much about guys other than Veleno and Kotkaniemi. I like Veleno's pedigree (QMJHL exception and all), but it sounds like he's another 'risky' pick according to some. I'd just hate to pass on him and have him be the next Giroux or Couture.

This whole assumption that players now aren't fast enough (hear the same BS about Tavares) is a bit of a reach

Kovy would be a great catch for the Hawks on Kane's LW - and would net 30 easily, IMO
- PatShart

Kovalchuk is coming to Carolina.

Don Waddell has had a relationship with him since he was 17, they have all the cap space in the world and would be willing to give him a 2 or 3 year deal if he wants it. Warm climate, not a ton of media to deal with.

Canes will want him to mentor Svechnikov.

Kovalchuk is coming to Carolina.

Don Waddell has had a relationship with him since he was 17, they have all the cap space in the world and would be willing to give him a 2 or 3 year deal if he wants it. Warm climate, not a ton of media to deal with.

Canes will want him to mentor Svechnikov.
- BINGO!

lol shut up idiot it'll never happen

lol shut up idiot it'll never happen
- BINGO!

Lol adding those two big body Russian scorers to the small skill guys Carolina is looking to build around in Tuevo and Aho....could be interesting. Also, you can keep Darling as he looked like an SPHL goalie last year. You can keep Faulk too if Saad is the ask in return.

Kovalchuk is coming to Carolina.

Don Waddell has had a relationship with him since he was 17, they have all the cap space in the world and would be willing to give him a 2 or 3 year deal if he wants it. Warm climate, not a ton of media to deal with.

Canes will want him to mentor Svechnikov.
- BINGO!

Canes have a really great young winger in Zykov, too. He's big and plays physical. Top 6 talent, IMHO.

You don't need the top six to change significantly. They need 40 more goals and a healthy Crow to get into the playoffs. Where it is clear that anything can happen.

Toews, Saad and Kane shoot their career numbers and they get a 35 point 3C then they are a playoff team.

They need to get better at disrupting play in the neutral zone and exiting their own zone which can be done with changing how they play on the ice or making some moves.

Simply put, letting guys like Gus, Forsling and Keith use their feet rather than play patty cake with the other defender would help tremendously. Moreover, the center coming back lower to pick up pucks would make a difference as well.

The gap isn't that huge because the hard cap. They still have 3 hall of fame players in the line up and that is a thing. Tavares makes them a playoff team just by adding him alone. Signing a veteran to skate 14 minutes, kill penalties and win draws gets them close. Adding a defender with a decent NHL pedigree not named Oesterle to skate with Keith and a 3C gets them closer.

They are going to move Hossa's deal because if they want to be competitive next year they know they need to do it. That gives them 17 million to acquire salary via trade or making a big FA signing. They also have a lot of assets that have value regardless of what some of the gloom and doom folks here think.

Its not. that. bad.
- fattybeef

Yes, the top six play DOES need to change significantly. NONE of them play tough on the boards anymore. They are one and done rushes or play keep away around the perimeter. Unless and until the philosophy and scheme change, we will see more of the same. This is a faith in this group rebounding issue - which to me depends upon a return to a tougher style of play from this group. My money says not gonna happen., but if it does, great. There may be three HOF players, but the eye test, if not the data, point directly to declining performance.

As for the cap, losing Hossa's deal does not give more cap. They do not have $17MM in cap to work with. They have $11MM (including Hossa's LTIR) plus whatever cap growth is generated by NHL/NHLPA. The only difference is when Hossa's money can be "spent". Not to mention they still have pending RFAs to sign as well, leaving an even lower net number to work with for new acquisitions.

I'm not a doom and gloomer - just a realist. This team needs an enema to get back to being on a path to being a perennial contender. Better to admit that now and make the best decisions for the long term rather than jerk the fan base around with sugar coated expectations. Sadly, the "core" is not what it was at its peak, and thinking a few moves here and there will make them a contender again just seems to be fantasy.

The pressure is on Stan to produce now. I want the Hawks to keep #8 and #27 but I'm expecting at least one of those picks to be dealt.
- DarthKane

Agree and for me this is a problem and might skew what is best for the organIzation. If he had the chance to trade down and get 2 guys they have rated very highly he might pass.

I'd add that I believe Kotkaniemi is under contract to his Finnish pro team for 2 more yrs and that may completely eliminate him for StanBow. On that note say the Hawks know EDM or NYR want Kotkaniemi bad but instead of paying to trade up with the Hawks to get him they know Stan is over a barrel to win now and know he won't take the Finn cuz he won't see him for 2 more yrs.

Stan always seems to find a way to negotiate from weakness.
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe Kotkaniemi slips down due to his contract all obligation in Finland. As a result Merkely pass over by one of his suitors as Kotkainiemi is a good value mid to late tween's selection.

With all the dmen Bowman signed you must really see a high ceiling to draft another with late first. So unless Samuelson's kid....I like the style very much wiz choice in DelAnego (sic). Dellandra (sic?)

Agree to disagree, kid can skate/hit/fight/clear the crease and will probably be good for a respectable amount of points if he gets a decent amount of games on the 4th line. Rockford's head coach loved this kid! Yes, Bouma and Wingels were/are not good, I feel Martinsen is better than both of those guys,
- Murph76

Each if Wingels, Bouma, Martinsen has value for what is their style and their strength. Nit same style. That said, I take Martinsen. And I admit one quality he brings us willingness to fight. Rather he fights and answers the challenge than our team turns the cheeck. I prefer good clean aggressive hickey from third and fourth lines all the time.

Nothing flashy, but a guy I have my eye on is Greg Pateryn. He did a decent job with a lot of Dzone time in Dallas as their #4 in terms of minutes (nearly 20 per night). He can hit, he can block shots and he has some size, so maybe he doesn't offer much more than they have already, but I think he might be available for less $$$ if they decide to move a guy like Murphy. The pickings are a bit slim.
- breadbag

Cole cannot play at speed. Why Penguins soured in him. You think Will let's Pattern slip away?

I think the Hawks are immedietely competetive. What I took away ftom this year’s play-offs is that no team was overly dominant and they all had holes. The Hawks lost a lot of games that were winnable - they simply gave away a lot of games unnecessarily. Poor goaltending, and a overly aggressive D System that was a disaster and gave up scores of odd-man breaks against, and a poor power-play. The Hawks also gave up lots of leads which was certainly not customary for the team. The reason I am positive? These are easily correctable issues assuming the coaches are smart and not stubborn.
- Z3Hawk

I've been a loyal Hawks' fan since attending my first game in 1958, but I don't know what you saw to support your conclusion that the Hawks are immediately competitive. I saw speed, hitting and intensity in the playoffs from the Caps, Golden Knights, Jets, and Preds that the Hawks haven't come close to matching since 2015, and believe even with Crawford, they would have been blown out just like they were in their last playoff series against the Preds.

Let's face it, other than Kane, the core is over the hill. I won't bash Toews for his diet, or leadership, or not playing in a summer league, etc. like some on this board. The fact of the matter is that he has many hard miles, hard hits, and at least three concussions on him, and he just can't physically do what he used to. Particularly with no face-off help, and no protection from physical abuse from his teammates. Age, hard miles and resulting physical problems, and lack of support have also diminished the abilities of Keith, Crow and Seabrook to contribute on a regular basis and to get to the needed next level in the playoffs.

The only young impact players the Hawks have are Schmaltz, Cat and (hopefully a rebounding) Saad. I like all three, but they just aren't of the caliber of three now-gone core members Hossa, Hammer and Sharp.

Bowman has made many mistakes in managing the cap, with the Seabrook contract being his worst. His drafts haven't been great either, but I think that falls more on Mark Kelley than Stanbo. Bowman's trades have been a mixed bag. While the Panarin-Saad trade hasn't panned out, I'm optimistic about the Hartman - Ejdsell + #1 trade, and even the Hammer - Murphy trade. (Better to trade Hammer a year early, if that.) As to Murphy, he adds size, hitting, and grit which the Hawks need on their backend, if used properly by Q.

Which brings me to the bigger problem: Q. His big contract and resultant security have enabled his stubbornness regarding systems, the power play, over-reliance on the core and his failure to adapt to and properly use the talents of Bowman acquisitions that for whatever reason he didn't like, such as Daley, Kempny, Murphy, and Weise and to a lesser extent Vermette and Leddy. Indeed, Kempny's performance and success with the Caps is a glaring Exhibit 1 that Q's decisions are often just plain wrong. Colliton's results in Rockford, on top of the glowing reports from both Icehog players and about his coaching in Sweden, have elevated him to Coach-In-Waiting status, which in view of Rocky's recent statements, might happen as soon as the Hawks hit a bad stretch.

The Hawks badly need to get a long-term difference maker (center or defenseman) with their 8th pick. After that, the draft is a crap-shoot. Finally, I hope Stanbo, looking for immediate impact to possibly save his job, doesn't make any short-sighted trades.

Today's (Thursday) Chicago Sun Times headline on bage page, sports section is:

Which team reaches mediocrity first - White Sox, Bears, Bulls.

What ignorance to ommit Blackhawks.

I hope Bears can make 8-8 this season.

Maybe Kotkaniemi slips down due to his contract all obligation in Finland. As a result Merkely pass over by one of his suitors as Kotkainiemi is a good value mid to late tween's selection.

With all the dmen Bowman signed you must really see a high ceiling to draft another with late first. So unless Samuelson's kid....I like the style very much wiz choice in DelAnego (sic). Dellandra (sic?)
- jhawk59

Kotkaniemi has an NHL out clause, my guess is he goes somewhere in the top ten.

He played 200’ hockey with NJD when they ran through the East. Panarin “doesn’t play defense” either and they were still an electric line that carried the Hawks to the playoffs in 16+17. He would provide a huge Powerplay boost too.
- EnzoD

If that's all he does he's worth considering

Good for both of them

Hawks took an undrafted guy in Kempny and turned him into a 3rd round pick/87th overall in a 2yr span

Works for everyone
- PatShart

Absolutely!

I remember the first NHL games he played after seeing him in the NHLPA was it money grab tourney, thinking this might turn out ok....

He really didn't realize how much quicker he would have to back pedal to close the gaps in the NHL transition giddy-ups.

It was tough on all of us, last year.
Crappy back-up 'tender, the23 game Cody Franson boomer experiment that filled yet another roster slot, the fact that a guy they actually didn't expect Jan Rutta to be as cool or productive from the start, Jordan Oesterle starting on his correct left side instead seeing he was pretty decent as a LD right side guy, and I am not sure the hawks had a Carlsson caliber RD to help Kempny transition in.
It would have been a lot easier to try things move guys around when you are winning regular.

Once you start falling behind the pack, the pressure is on winning, and game to game personal adjustments become the rule not the exception.

From the start, I thought even if Kempny looked solid, he was gonna want a big contract bump simply because he is seasoned Euro vet who could make money on many markets. I figured he just might hit the road for the best UFA deal after he proved himself.
So now, that he is a fit and there is a little love affair there (a Cup will get everyone MORE $$), I will be curious to see if the final numbers are much higher or he takes less to stay long term.

Things might have been different of the hawks actually performed well as team last season, but they were an almost complete disappointment...

I would jump out of my seat if there is a run on Center/Defense and Big Brady Tkachuk falls to the Hawks at 8. You've got to think with the way the teams ahead of the Hawks are structured with forward prospects but not many high end defenders in the NHL....maybe some GMs go for Bouchard/Dobson over the fiesty power forward......???

1)Dahlin
2)Svechnikov
3)Zadina
4)Kotkaniemi
5)Boquist
6)Hughes
7)Dobson
8) TKACHUCK
- EnzoD

Here are a couple of names to chew on for all of you who wish to draft Tkachuk. Kyle Beach taken 11th and Mark McNeil taken 18th. They were also solid and gritty and tough too and actually had shown more offensive skill than Tkachuk to the point of the Draft. Beach had had some problems with Hockey Canada where he blew his opportunities internationally but he scored a ton in the WHL. However, McNeil was golden - respected Captain of the PA Raiders and member of Team Canada. Hawks had 2 First Rounders that year and took him ahead of Danault. He’d skate through walls too.

For both Beach and McNeil it sadly turned out that they didn’t have the high-end skill, the high-end skating to excell in the NHL. Beach never played a game in the NHL. McNeil has played 2. I’ve said you can teach lots of things but you cannot teach skill. The Hawks simply cannot risk Tkachuk at 8. The Hawks need to draft a player where they can say high-end skill - check and high-end skating - check.