Good on Tomkins for earning an NHL contract. He is much improved this season and is no longer a distant 3rd anymore on the minor league goalie depth chart.

Agree that a likely scenario next season is that Tomkins splits duties with Delia or Lankinen in Rockford with the other one backing up either Crawford or Lehner in Chicago.

However, Gravel is in his 4th year in juniors and may be poised to go pro to start his development at that stage. If so, where does he land? Starter in Indy? Do the Hogs continue to go with a 3-goalie rotation?

One of Delia, Lankinen, Tomkins, or even Gravel could get traded, too, for draft pick(s) or an F/D prospect. Or traded as part of a larger deal.
- AEL_Fox

Are there still a bunch of walking wounded in Rockford, or have guys gotten healthy recently.? I know Hagel and Gilbert are back now, but Fortin, Kurashev, etc. have missed a decent amount of time. I wanted to watch a game to see Carlsson ,but the last time I tried to stream a game, he was not playing.

Hawks now have 3 signed goalies in Rockford. Sooooo who's going; Panda or Crow?
- catrisc

Will Tompkins like Delia be eligible for the expansion draft?

Hawks now have 3 signed goalies in Rockford. Sooooo who's going; Panda or Crow?
- catrisc

Both. If Panda wants a big contract he's gone. CC has a NTC so we will definitely here about the 10 team trade list.

Are there still a bunch of walking wounded in Rockford, or have guys gotten healthy recently.? I know Hagel and Gilbert are back now, but Fortin, Kurashev, etc. have missed a decent amount of time. I wanted to watch a game to see Carlsson ,but the last time I tried to stream a game, he was not playing.
- Chunk

Fortin is the only Hogs player who was injured but is back now.

Still out injured: Kurashev, Wedin, Hakkarainen

Not sure the exact status of Soderlund is. He hasn't played in many games lately yet during pre-game announcements, he has been listed as a scratch and not as injured.

I believe when Carlsson and Tuulola were out of the lineup last month, it was due to illness rather than injury.

Fortin is the only Hogs player who was injured but is back now.

Still out injured: Kurashev, Wedin, Hakkarainen

Not sure the exact status of Soderlund is. He hasn't played in many games yet during pre-game announcements, he has been listed as a scratch and not as injured.

I believe when Carlsson and Tuulola were out of the lineup last month, it was due to illness rather than injury.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks. Didn't mean to be all demanding, but I haven't been able to find much info on them.

Fortin is the only Hogs player who was injured but is back now.

Still out injured: Kurashev, Wedin, Hakkarainen

Not sure the exact status of Soderlund is. He hasn't played in many games yet during pre-game announcements, he has been listed as a scratch and not as injured.

I believe when Carlsson and Tuulola were out of the lineup last month, it was due to illness rather than injury.
- AEL_Fox

Soderlund - isn't he being subpoenaed for the Impeachment trial?

Agreed, generally a goalie is only pulled to wake up the team, because the team is leaving the goalie out to dry. That wasn't the case here. Hawks had their chances to tie it up. This isn't baseball where you have a relief pitcher come in because the starter doesn't have it that day, or has thrown too many pitches.
- LAHawk

The time to pull him was after the 2nd period, yes I know he already had let in four goals, but you can’t pull a pro goalie after three goals, well you can, but it’s not the right thing to do to a goalie having the year Lehner is having. By the way, I’m not a Lehner fan either, something there doesn’t seem right, just my opinion. Sign him long term and we will regret that decision.

Thanks. Didn't mean to be all demanding, but I haven't been able to find much info on them.
- Chunk

No worries at all! Happy to share any info or insights that any one is curious about.

Soderlund - isn't he being subpoenaed for the Impeachment trial?
- catrisc

Ambassador Sondland, I presume. Maybe Soderlund is ditching his hockey calling to be Sweden Ambassador.

With where they're at, Stan has to do something to add. It'd be a disservice to the 3X ring holders to not do something. How about this?

Trade Gustafsson away for anything you can get.

Trade For Brendon Dillon - SJ
He's a UFA after this season, CAP hit of $3.270 this season. Shouldn't cost too much.
CF 51.33
xGf 49.87
SCF 51.14
HDCF 45.49
OffZSt 51.96
- scottak

If you read any of the other boards on here Dillon is at the top of most teams wish list and everyone saying “he shouldn’t cost too much”. I know these boards don’t necessarily reflect what actual gm’s are thinking but you get the feeling someone is going to overpay for him. He’s far from an under the radar pick up.

If you read any of the other boards on here Dillon is at the top of most teams wish list and everyone saying “he shouldn’t cost too much”. I know these boards don’t necessarily reflect what actual gm’s are thinking but you get the feeling someone is going to overpay for him. He’s far from an under the radar pick up.
- BMoreHawks

What does he give the Hawks? I guess if you dump Gus, I guess he becomes the sixth defenseman, I don't see him better than the other 5, especially if 4K continues playing the way he is. He is UFA making $3.2 mil. this year, just to pick him up as depth for the remainder of the year I think is not very wise.

Cap savings by trade or buyouts before trading Saad:

Dinky
deHaan
Maata
Shaw
Smith

The Blackhawks have options. That's over $20m in next year's dollars.
- rpeters01

Seems pretty silly to take a 22 year old who put up 41 goals last season, sign him to a reasonable extension and then trade him before the extension even goes into effect. Especially when you don’t need to.
Move smith, dehaan, and Shaw (if you can) and that should be enough space to resign panda and Strome without losing saad

Will Tompkins like Delia be eligible for the expansion draft?
- LAHawk

This latest contract only runs through the 20-21 season. To be eligible for the draft a player has to be signed for the 21-22 season. Of course he could be extended between the end of the 20-21 season and the draft that summer.

Something to remember is that just because a goalie is exposed doesn't mean he'll be selected. Seattle has to choose 3 goalies out of their 30 picks. There will probably be more experienced or better options available.

Saad and the two goalies are the only tradeable assets. No one wants Shaw or Smith or the plethora of dmen in the roster. Remember when we were all clamoring for Anisimov to get traded? SB couldn't get rid of him without taking on another contract.
It's not easy to trade players out when the other 30 GM knows youre desperate.

Depending on the new salary cap, the Hawks have about 12-14mil to re-sign, Caggs, Kubalik, Strome and a #1 goalie (Lehner or CC).

Best case trade for Saad is a NHL-ready young player in an entry level contract + a first rounder. That opens a capspace just over 5m

Is Brandon Dillon better than who they have playing now?
- LAHawk

I'd say better defensively than Gus.

No worries at all! Happy to share any info or insights that any one is curious about.
- AEL_Fox

AEL, when Fortin was last up, he made Stalberg look like Gretzky. What improvements have you seen this year versus last year? Thanks in advance.

I'd say better defensively than Gus.
- scottak

id bet that if Gus is willing to re-sign for cheap, maybe 1.5m or less, he will be back here next year. Think Rozsival and Rundblad. SB has a tendency to hold on to players longer than he should

What's up with Shaw?

Saad and the two goalies are the only tradeable assets. No one wants Shaw or Smith or the plethora of dmen in the roster. Remember when we were all clamoring for Anisimov to get traded? SB couldn't get rid of him without taking on another contract.
It's not easy to trade players out when the other 30 GM knows youre desperate.

Depending on the new salary cap, the Hawks have about 12-14mil to re-sign, Caggs, Kubalik, Strome and a #1 goalie (Lehner or CC).

Best case trade for Saad is a NHL-ready young player in an entry level contract + a first rounder. That opens a capspace just over 5m
- squishy24

If everyone here thinks Saad is "limited" and not worth keeping nobody would come close to giving an NHL ready player and a #1 back.

Seems pretty silly to take a 22 year old who put up 41 goals last season, sign him to a reasonable extension and then trade him before the extension even goes into effect. Especially when you don’t need to.
Move smith, dehaan, and Shaw (if you can) and that should be enough space to resign panda and Strome without losing saad
- BMoreHawks

Don't disagree but I move that guy before Saad if it comes to that.

I'd say better defensively than Gus.
- scottak

He is really an older version of Olli Matta (maybe a bit more physical). He has almost zero offensive skill set. Again if we were contenders, would be a good depth pick up. Why waist a potential asset (draft pick) for a 2-3 month rental.

Good on Tomkins for earning an NHL contract. He is much improved this season and is no longer a distant 3rd anymore on the minor league goalie depth chart.

Agree that a likely scenario next season is that Tomkins splits duties with Delia or Lankinen in Rockford with the other one backing up either Crawford or Lehner in Chicago.

However, Gravel is in his 4th year in juniors and may be poised to go pro to start his development at that stage. If so, where does he land? Starter in Indy? Do the Hogs continue to go with a 3-goalie rotation?

One of Delia, Lankinen, Tomkins, or even Gravel could get traded, too, for draft pick(s) or an F/D prospect. Or traded as part of a larger deal.
- AEL_Fox

My guess is that Gravel would start the year in Indy. He's still only 21 or 22? He could use some extra seasoning to develop his game, but yes it creates some wiggle room to move one guy for an extra forward or defensive prospect. Also protects in case both Lehner AND Crow walk at the end of the year. At least they would have three goalies in the system. Not ideal to have any two of those guys in the NHL to start the year (and I by NO MEANS saying that will happen; they would never let that happen)

Saad and the two goalies are the only tradeable assets. No one wants Shaw or Smith or the plethora of dmen in the roster. Remember when we were all clamoring for Anisimov to get traded? SB couldn't get rid of him without taking on another contract.
It's not easy to trade players out when the other 30 GM knows youre desperate.

Depending on the new salary cap, the Hawks have about 12-14mil to re-sign, Caggs, Kubalik, Strome and a #1 goalie (Lehner or CC).

Best case trade for Saad is a NHL-ready young player in an entry level contract + a first rounder. That opens a capspace just over 5m
- squishy24

Stan is not desperate right now and he won't be. He's got some flexibility and some contracts that he can move/bury.

The time to pull him was after the 2nd period, yes I know he already had let in four goals, but you can’t pull a pro goalie after three goals, well you can, but it’s not the right thing to do to a goalie having the year Lehner is having. By the way, I’m not a Lehner fan either, something there doesn’t seem right, just my opinion. Sign him long term and we will regret that decision.
- Angotti

I’ve said it before - goalies are like closers in baseball - all of the sudden, the curve flattens out, the fast ball doesn’t move, and the slider spins and spins to no apparent purpose. They can’t get anyone out for two years.

Sign any goalie long term, an regret will usually follow.

If everyone here thinks Saad is "limited" and not worth keeping nobody would come close to giving an NHL ready player and a #1 back.
- rpeters01

well in my defense, I never said Saad is "limited" I said he's the best tradeable asset (outside of the 2 goalies). NHL-ready + 1st rounder is the BEST case scenario, not necessarily the only scenario

you can offer Saad to Pittsburgh (hes from there isn't he?). Ask for Sam Poulin or Hallander and a second rounder (turns to first if they win the cup). Same offer with Boston or Edmonton or Buffalo (or other teams that wants a forward). A high-touted prospect (granted, some might not be NHL-ready) + a high draft pick.