At last year’s cap?
- StLBravesFan

Yes, but, Hossa's deal is not the impediment it was last year. From the CBA:

"Can LTIR be used in the off-season?
Yes, LTIR can be used in the off-season while the 10% off-season cushion is active. LTIR in the off-season is calculated using the basic equation outlined above, which permits a team to exceed the off-season salary cap. To use off-season LTIR the team must provide doctors proof that the player in question will continue to be injured at the beginning of the regular season for 10 NHL games and 24 calendar days."

But even if the cap goes up to 78-80MM, remember that Schmaltz and ADB are RFAs after this next season. So...can't and shouldn't spend it all unless they sign deals with short terms for any new players this season.

Yes - all of the above are possible, Adds new gears to Q's blender he has not had in a while.
- Return of the Roar

Cool, just checking. Good combinations to toy around with to find the best mix. I guess either or both Schmaltz and Anisimov could move to wing.

Schmaltz isn't going anywhere unless part of some no-brainer blockbuster deal so seeing if he thrives more at wing could be an option.

Anisimov is a wild card: he could be traded if Bowman acquires a center to replace him (not necessarily in the same trade but dominos have to be in place) or he could stay as a 2/3C or wing. I'm in the camp that Anisimov still brings value to the Hawks and , like most players, just needs to be in the right role and surrounded by players who complement what he can and cannot provide.

Brodziak played 2C for the Blues after Stastny left and did a darn good job of it. Plus he was 52% at the dot last year. Winning draws can make up for speed just by getting possession. Only need him there for a year or two at most anyway.

Think Vegas model - no one horrible, not too many "stars", but guys who play the game well and with some size and nasty.
- Return of the Roar

Preaching to the choir, ROR. Brodziak checks a lot of boxes. But Q would never let his group play a Vegas style get it deep hells bells forecheck. Just not his system he a puck possession neophyte until the end.

Cool, just checking. Good combinations to toy around with to find the best mix. I guess either or both Schmaltz and Anisimov could move to wing.

Schmaltz isn't going anywhere unless part of some no-brainer blockbuster deal so seeing if he thrives more at wing could be an option.

Anisimov is a wild card: he could be traded if Bowman acquires a center to replace him (not necessarily in the same trade but dominos have to be in place) or he could stay as a 2/3C or wing. I'm in the camp that Anisimov still brings value to the Hawks and , like most players, just needs to be in the right role and surrounded by players who complement what he can and cannot provide.
- AEL_Fox

All true. Remember that AA's 10 team NTC kicks in 2018-19. Not sure what date that is effective, but could make moving him a bit harder.

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com: VP of amateur scouting Mark Kelly on the Blackhawks holding No. 8 pick.

“I think a player we have listed as top-six value would be available to us at No. 8,” Kelley said. “I wouldn’t want to say we’re drafting by need, but when you look at the forwards and the defensemen that are available you can go for a preference.”
- walleyeb1

Agreed, so take the player you have rated the highest or move down if you think you can get that player lower.

Preaching to the choir, ROR. Brodziak checks a lot of boxes. But Q would never let his group play a Vegas style get it deep hells bells forecheck. Just not his system he a puck possession neophyte until the end.
- Mr Ricochet

Sucks doesn't it??

Yes - all of the above are possible, Adds new gears to Q's blender he has not had in a while.
- Return of the Roar

Riley Nash would be a great option to consider as well as others have been suggesting. There are also journeymen veterans Dominic Moore and Matt Cullen if you're looking for a 1-year fix. I'd rather go with younger yet experienced players.

I would welcome his game to the Hawks lineup. Justin's blog title is "What does this team really need?" My answer...they need a lot more nasty, size, and net front presence in their Top 9. Brady Tkachuk can do that and despite some production concerns in college this year, I think WILL do that for an NHL club as soon as next Spring.
- EnzoD

Wahlstrom with a possible 40 goal upside as a 1RW or a Tkachuk with a wrecking ball protect a Toews 60+ point upside as a 1RW? One could argue it anyway and throw in a Hughes or Boqvist that has 60 point 1st unit PP QB upside? Or a possible big 1C good at the dot Kotkaniemi? .........

It's good to be drafting 8th after a horse $!*% yr as a fan.

Draft the young Finn center. Hope he and the young Finn d-man are NHL-ready now. Lots of Blackhawks problems disappear.
- 35Tony0

Yea man, if they hit their ceilings and Kotkaniemi as available you end up with a top pairing Dman and a 1C for 10 yrs.

Just so I'm following you correctly, you would have Toews, Filppula, and Brodziak as centers but does this include Anisimov? And is Schmaltz moving to wing? So something like:

Toews 1C
Anisimov 2C
Filppula 3C
Brodziak 4C

or

Toews 1C
Schmaltz 2C
Filppula 3C
Brodziak 4C

or

Other
- AEL_Fox

IMO a bit of overkill at the center spot and use of money. Brodziak at 3 mill(?) playing 4C? IMO Kampf will do well at the 4C spot as the roster stands today.

Riley Nash would be a great option to consider as well as others have been suggesting. There are also journeymen veterans Dominic Moore and Matt Cullen if you're looking for a 1-year fix. I'd rather go with younger yet experienced players.
- AEL_Fox

I think the Hawks do too.

Sucks doesn't it??
- Return of the Roar

Q has 3 cups, ROR. He didn't get dumb overnight but talent available to him did. I think most would agree no matter if they think Q should or shouldn't go is that his systems are inflexible.

Hockey is no different than anything else in life in that the only constant is change.

IMO a bit of overkill at the center spot and use of money. Brodziak at 3 mill(?) playing 4C? IMO Kampf will do well at the 4C spot as the roster stands today.
- Mr Ricochet

Kämpf or Luke Johnson, there is Tyler Sikura too. I also think there is enough to fill 4C from within. 3C and possibly 2C if Schmaltz moves to the wing, well, that is another story.

Kämpf or Luke Johnson, there is Tyler Sikura too. I also think there is enough to fill 4C from within. 3C and possibly 2C if Schmaltz moves to the wing, well, that is another story.
- stonefire

I keep forgetting about Johnson. Indeed he has to be in the 4C mix. ..... If they can somehow fix it that Schmaltz plays wing opposite of Kaner it would be a much better club.

Edit: I only got to a handful of Hawk games last yr but when I did I zeroed in on Kampf and was very impressed with his play away from the puck. Kid always seemed in the right spot in all 3 zones.

Riley Nash would be a great option to consider as well as others have been suggesting. There are also journeymen veterans Dominic Moore and Matt Cullen if you're looking for a 1-year fix. I'd rather go with younger yet experienced players.
- AEL_Fox

Has Nash been playing center?

With Duclair, Jurco and Clendening to go, current cap space is now $4,725,705 + Hossa LTIR.
- Return of the Roar

Qualify Duclair and pass on the other 2.
Keep roster spots open which is important too.

Not bad signing Hino and Hayden.

Hino can get points but I think it will matter who he gets slotted with.

Here are the forwards he played with most at 5v5 and his scoring points per 60 minutes of icetime with those forwards.

Kampf 238:37 - 1.01 Points per 60 min
Schmaltz 150:25 - 1.60 Points per 60 min
Saad 126:33 - 3.79 Points per 60 min
Toews 108:49 - 3.86 Points per 60 min
Sharp 108:40 - 0.55 Points per 60 min
Debrincat 90:40 - 1.46 Points per 60 min
Jurco 76:42 - 0.78 Points per 60 min


For reference over the course of the full season at 5v5 (filtered out guys who didn't play significant minutes) McDavid was a league leader in Points per 60 min at 3.17 followed by MacKinnon and Matthews at 2.99 and 2.91.

Kane was around 2.16 and Debrincat 2.14

I think you play Hinostroza in the top 6, you'll probably get 40-50 points. Keep him down in the bottom 6 and you can probably expect 20-30 points. Obviously this can swing in a big way depending on Powerplay time/usage. I think at times he played at that top 6 level and if he can get consistent and show the coaches he has the backchecking to be in that role, I think he could be a bargain.

Has Nash been playing center?
- Mr Ricochet

Yes, #3 in total faceoffs for the Bruins last year. I really agree with those saying the Hawks should go with guys on the younger side but with some experience. They got away with some older players in the past, but with the core aging, they need some youth, speed and they can't carry a 3 wheeled shopping cart.

IMO a bit of overkill at the center spot and use of money. Brodziak at 3 mill(?) playing 4C? IMO Kampf will do well at the 4C spot as the roster stands today.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah, salaries still need to work out as far as salary cap as well as be a better match for the line each player is on.

I think the Hawks do too.
- Justin Lowe

Great to hear! They finally got my text messages

Glad to see Vinnie and Hayds resign. Good parts of the club, in fact, two of the very few things about last year that gave me hope for the future.

I keep forgetting about Johnson. Indeed he has to be in the 4C mix. ..... If they can somehow fix it that Schmaltz plays wing opposite of Kaner it would be a much better club.

Edit: I only got to a handful of Hawk games last yr but when I did I zeroed in on Kampf and was very impressed with his play away from the puck. Kid always seemed in the right spot in all 3 zones.
- Mr Ricochet

He seems to have good speed and a good motor, it would be great to see him find a way to engage a bit more in terms disturbing the puck carrier and slowing the opposing players progress up the ice.

Kämpf or Luke Johnson, there is Tyler Sikura too. I also think there is enough to fill 4C from within. 3C and possibly 2C if Schmaltz moves to the wing, well, that is another story.
- stonefire

If there is one of the center roles to fill in house, it would be 4C. Plenty of options as you outlined. Kampf and Johnson would be in the mix with Kero and possibly Highmore. I like Tyler Sikura, but more so as a 4th line winger who is great at crashing the net, setting screens, etc.

Yes, #3 in total faceoffs for the Bruins last year. I really agree with those saying the Hawks should go with guys on the younger side but with some experience. They got away with some older players in the past, but with the core aging, they need some youth, speed and they can't carry a 3 wheeled shopping cart.
- breadbag

That reminds me, what is the fate of Roszival? His contract expired once the Hawks season ended, right?

That reminds me, what is the fate of Roszival? His contract expired once the Hawks season ended, right?
- AEL_Fox

He’s starting the season on Keith’s right flank lmao