Tyler Cameron: Busy Week Coming Up for Chicago Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks executives have a jam-packed week coming up. For most NHL team, it's "go time!" and the Hawks are no different.

The draft has finished up and I think the Hawks came away quite happy. They got their guy in Kirby Dach and were able to grab a guy they highly coveted at #2 in Alex Vlasic.

Now, a lot at the busy week ahead.

First

Tyler Cameron: Busy Week Coming Up for Chicago
Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks executives have a jam-packed week coming up. For most NHL team, it's "go time!" and the Hawks are no different.

The draft has finished up and I think the Hawks came away quite happy. They got their guy in Kirby Dach and were able to grab a guy they highly coveted at #2 in Alex Vlasic.

Now, a lot at the busy week ahead.
- Tyler Cameron

With Dach's size and supposed skating ability, could he end up playing 4th line minutes this year or would that hurt his development?

With Dach's size and supposed skating ability, could he end up playing 4th line minutes this year or would that hurt his development?
- BetweenTheDots

If Dach makes the team, it won't be for the 4th line.

He will play 3C or in the top 9 as a winger IMO.

If not, back to Saskatoon he goes for another year in the WHL. He's already spent 3 years there though, so me thinks the Hawks are banking on him being a Blackhawk next year.

Good morning Tyler, it's a interesting and exciting week. Tons of curiosity and speculation on hawks trades and free agent signings.


You mentioned Vancouver and a Chicago connection ? Would you care to elaborate more on that possibility?


Also if Chicago does make a move that brings in another defenseman , who is the odd man out ?

Can you see Stan buying out Seabrook?

I heard Chicago is very interested in Anders Lee, if Chicago inks him do you see them adding a NTC, or NMC to protect him from expansion?

Don't think being a fourth liner would be good for his development. I could see him as a third line winger and maybe there's a veteran center brought in to help him along (unless they don't/can't trade Ansimiov). Think Teuvo who was a natural center but started on the wing with Sharp on one side and Vermette in the middle.

If Dach makes the team, it won't be for the 4th line.

He will play 3C or in the top 9 as a winger IMO.

If not, back to Saskatoon he goes for another year in the WHL. He's already spent 3 years there though, so me thinks the Hawks are banking on him being a Blackhawk next year.
- Tyler Cameron

I see your point, so if he's going to play in Chicago he has to be effective for 12-15 minutes a game.

If Dach makes the team, it won't be for the 4th line.

He will play 3C or in the top 9 as a winger IMO.

If not, back to Saskatoon he goes for another year in the WHL. He's already spent 3 years there though, so me thinks the Hawks are banking on him being a Blackhawk next year.
- Tyler Cameron

Of the guys you mention, I wouldn’t mind Zuke or Pavelski, depending on hit and term.

I’d still prefer they get a 3C like someone say Copp from WPG in a trade. Get him and maybe sign Taney and your bottom 6 and team D look a bit better.

Tyler Cameron: Busy Week Coming Up for Chicago
Stan Bowman and the Blackhawks executives have a jam-packed week coming up. For most NHL team, it's "go time!" and the Hawks are no different.

The draft has finished up and I think the Hawks came away quite happy. They got their guy in Kirby Dach and were able to grab a guy they highly coveted at #2 in Alex Vlasic.

Now, a lot at the busy week ahead.
- Tyler Cameron

Great blog, TC. I like your RFA breakdown & I agree. I'd like to see Forsling come back because I've always liked him. I get if he's traded or doesn't come back. Monday will be big, but I think Bowman will be smart & effecient with signings. I don't expect him to jump off the deep end & make a splash like a lot of gm's will.

Don't think being a fourth liner would be good for his development. I could see him as a third line winger and maybe there's a veteran center brought in to help him along (unless they don't/can't trade Ansimiov). Think Teuvo who was a natural center but started on the wing with Sharp on one side and Vermette in the middle.
- golfbard

I think your point is spot on. I believe Chicago is looking at pavelski, he would be a solid free agent that gives Chicago depth down the middle , veteran leadership , and another power play quarterback

Great blog, TC. I like your RFA breakdown & I agree. I'd like to see Forsling come back because I've always liked him. I get if he's traded or doesn't come back. Monday will be big, but I think Bowman will be smart & effecient with signings. I don't expect him to jump off the deep end & make a splash like a lot of gm's will.
- I Am The Breadman

I hope he doesn’t either and don’t think they’re in a position to. I’d like to see Forsling qualified and possibly used as part of a trade.

He’s still developing but it’s already a bit crowded on the backend.

I hope he doesn’t either and don’t think they’re in a position to. I’d like to see Forsling qualified and possibly used as part of a trade.

He’s still developing but it’s already a bit crowded on the backend.
- HawkintheD

Yeah, I get the logjam.

I'm not a mind reader, but I think Bowman is looking at a stagnant cap at the moment, Strome & Adb's contracts, as well as a way to sign key role players. He won't be a risk taker.

If they sign a FA for significant money and term that means that Stan already has a deal in place for AA. Otherwise I do not see them doing anything significant in the FA market. The FA's will want more dollar and more terms than the Hawks can offer (and keep ADB and Strome).

You did not mention Tanev. I am hoping he is a possibility.

I agree with your projected RFA moves...no real surprises here.

Kunitz, Ward, and Kruger are gone. Kruger maybe for 1 year @ about 1.5 mil...but that seems low probability...

Bring back "Shinpads"

I think your point is spot on. I believe Chicago is looking at pavelski, he would be a solid free agent that gives Chicago depth down the middle , veteran leadership , and another power play quarterback
- Taylorst1

I will be shocked if he leaves the Sharks...sharks can offer a better deal than the hawks...

Thorton may come back for another year but not at 5 mildo...maybe 3 mildo...

If Dach makes the team, it won't be for the 4th line.

He will play 3C or in the top 9 as a winger IMO.

If not, back to Saskatoon he goes for another year in the WHL. He's already spent 3 years there though, so me thinks the Hawks are banking on him being a Blackhawk next year.
- Tyler Cameron

why not rockford at least for a few months...

Good morning Tyler, it's a interesting and exciting week. Tons of curiosity and speculation on hawks trades and free agent signings.


You mentioned Vancouver and a Chicago connection ? Would you care to elaborate more on that possibility?


Also if Chicago does make a move that brings in another defenseman , who is the odd man out ?

Can you see Stan buying out Seabrook?

I heard Chicago is very interested in Anders Lee, if Chicago inks him do you see them adding a NTC, or NMC to protect him from expansion?
- Taylorst1

no the buyout numbers don't work...hawks would still be on the hook for max cap hit the next two years...not happening maybe next year

why not rockford at least for a few months...
- bogiedoc

Pretty sure that’s not an option until he turns a certain age or finishes jrs.

why not rockford at least for a few months...
- bogiedoc

He's ineligible to play in Rockford because of the CHL/NHL agreement. It's either make the parent club or go back to juniors.

I looked at that as well. I know joker is penciled in this year , so then if Seabrook is here to stay is murphy out?

To the naked eye it would seem Chicago would have to much salary invested into their defense.

He's ineligible to play in Rockford because of the CHL/NHL agreement. It's either make the parent club or go back to juniors.
- boilermaker100

Yeah, I for one really don’t care for that agreement it handcuffs players.

Hopefully would not break the bank, as far as forwards would not mind seeing Ryan Dzingel And Collin Wilson added.

So, it appears that Dach either heads back to Saskatoon or stays with the Hawks, eh?

It also seems he is not a lavender sniffer.

why not rockford at least for a few months...
- bogiedoc

My guess is that he gets a 9 game tryout to start the regular season. If he’s not ready, he goes back to Junior, where he can dominate, as well as play for Canada 🇨🇦 in the World Juniors. Then rejoin the Hawks after his regular Junior season ends.

Thanks for the post Tyler - appreciate your efforts.

I also think Stan will be fairly shrewd with his cap space and not get caught up throwing silly money at some UFA(s). My preference would be to swing a trade for help on the blueline and then look to free agency to bolster the bottom-six.

This has been one of the more enjoyable offseasons in a while - I guess not staring into the abyss of cap hell and speculating which of the roster players will be thrown off has a lot to do with that.