Tyler Cameron: Trio signs in Chicago + More training camp notes
This is a good day for Chicago and I would expect this trend to continue.

No, not just the continued trend of the Blackhawks dipping back into the European market, but the one of signing cheap low-risk, high-reward players.

Blackhawks sign Swiss MVP Pius Suter, NCAA talent Wyatt Kalyuk, and top prospect Ian Mitchell.

The Suter signing is a great find. Can only hope he can provide anything close to Kubalik on the 3rd line. You need these low cost moves with the cap as flat as it is going forward.

As I understand it, Pius Suter played with Marcus Kruger last season. Kruger may have given him a little nudge on which NHL team to sign with.

Regardless, whoever is over in Europe convincing these higher end Euros to sign with the Hawks the past few seasons deserves a raise.

They may not all work out but, at least the Hawks are not relying on just drafts and UFA's to find bodies.

Let us not forget the Chalupa signing in June

Let us not forget the Chalupa signing in June
- Tatoo

True. Forgot about the Chalups.

Good call.

As Suter's agent mentioned, Suter selected the Blackhawks as they knew that the Hawks have had a great track record with European signings.

The Suter signing is a great find. Can only hope he can provide anything close to Kubalik on the 3rd line. You need these low cost moves with the cap as flat as it is going forward.
- Budi1782

Like someone mentioned, if he's somewhere between Kahun and Kubalik, that would be fantastic.

They're looking like they are going to have some choices in their top 9 next season with Kane, Toews, Saad, Kubalik, Dinky, Strome, Dach, Nylander, Suter, Hagel, Shaw (if able to play), Caggiula and maybe Kurashev and Barratt.

Also, gives some insurance with a flat cap if they can't afford Saad's next deal.

The Euro scouts for the Hawks keep knocking it out of the park. Now if they can get their pro scouting up to par, this team will be on its way.

Tyler. The Hawks have been putting building blocks in place through the draft. Up to 2017 they were Cup chasing. Even in 2018 one could argue they were taking a run with some of their UFA signings.

However, after the Pred series there was a definite shift in philosophy as far as drafting is concerned. They started drafting D men earlier. IMO, that is where rebuilds start.

Like someone mentioned, if he's somewhere between Kahun and Kubalik, that would be fantastic.

They're looking like they are going to have some choices in their top 9 next season with Kane, Toews, Saad, Kubalik, Dinky, Strome, Dach, Nylander, Suter, Hagel, Shaw (if able to play), Caggiula and maybe Kurashev and Barratt.

Also, gives some insurance with a flat cap if they can't afford Saad's next deal.
- HawkintheD

I don't think they bring Caligula back. They may need to go with cheaper options. I like what Caggs brings but with his injury history, is it worth it? Availability is a big part of a player's asset to a team.

Who would you rather see moved. Maatta and Smith or Saad?
Saad obviously would bring a better return but there is no one currently that brings what he does to the Hawks.

Maatta and Smith can be replaced in house, easily.

I don't think they bring Caligula back. They may need to go with cheaper options. I like what Caggs brings but with his injury history, is it worth it? Availability is a big part of a player's asset to a team.
- Elbows15

I think you hit it. The announcement about going with youth was to get it on record that we are going to see kids instead of new UFAs from outside, and it might be paving the way towards trading a mainstay....

Who would you rather see moved. Maatta and Smith or Saad?
Saad obviously would bring a better return but there is no one currently that brings what he does to the Hawks.

Maatta and Smith can be replaced in house, easily.
- Elbows15

From a pure hockey perspective, Smith, hands-down. But it's not that simple.

If Saad isn't in the Hawks plans beyond next season I would move home at the TDL if the Hawks are out of contention. Or, if a contender is willing to part with an NHL ready prospect or a package that is too good to refuse he could be traded earlier.

I would trade Smith and retain 50% if needed, I think that's a better option than a buy-out. It costs a bit more in year 1 but saves cap space in year 2. I'd even throw in a mid-level prospect to sweeten the deal.

Maatta is an easy and reasonable buy-out target, but if that happens it needs to happen before next season. Buyouts for Maatta beyond next season aren't as favourble to the club (as per capfriendly.com). Teams with cap space (i.e. Ottawa) might be interested in Maatta, and the Hawks could retain a bit of salary (maybe $500K) to help with the deal if needed.

I don't think they bring Caligula back. They may need to go with cheaper options. I like what Caggs brings but with his injury history, is it worth it? Availability is a big part of a player's asset to a team.
- Elbows15

I could see that too. I think they are setting themselves up over the next few years to better promote from within than constantly having to dip into the free agent market.

Both Suter and Hagel could be candidates to take his spot. In Suter's case, sounds like it could be an upgrade.

From what I've read on Suter, he doesn't sound like a big guy either but pretty aggressive/strong on the puck.

I don't think they bring Caligula back. They may need to go with cheaper options. I like what Caggs brings but with his injury history, is it worth it? Availability is a big part of a player's asset to a team.
- Elbows15

Agreed. I like what The Drake brings but his health concerns/history and the cap situation make it unlikely that he returns. Unless he's willing to take a deal for $1 million or less. Also, if Shaw returns at 100% he, along with Suter, will fill the void left by The Drake.

I could see that too. I think they are setting themselves up over the next few years to better promote from within than constantly having to dip into the free agent market.

Both Suter and Hagel could be candidates to take his spot. In Suter's case, sounds like it could be an upgrade.

From what I've read on Suter, he doesn't sound like a big guy either but pretty aggressive/strong on the puck.
- HawkintheD

He's about the same size as The Drake.

I don't think they bring Caligula back. They may need to go with cheaper options. I like what Caggs brings but with his injury history, is it worth it? Availability is a big part of a player's asset to a team.
- Elbows15

I would have to agree. With Shaw declaring he'll be ready next season (fingers crossed) and with Suter on the team at a cheaper salary, there's no room anymore for Caggiula.

This situation gets exacerbated if the goal is to lock up Kubalik and Strome as well as an experienced starting goalie.

And agree with Darth that Suter is not a health concern like Caggiula is.

I could see that too. I think they are setting themselves up over the next few years to better promote from within than constantly having to dip into the free agent market.

Both Suter and Hagel could be candidates to take his spot. In Suter's case, sounds like it could be an upgrade.

From what I've read on Suter, he doesn't sound like a big guy either but pretty aggressive/strong on the puck.
- HawkintheD

LW is starting to get overloaded with good talent so a trade seems inevitable:

Saad, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiula, Shaw, Suter, Hagel.

Although I'd hate to see him go, as others have pointed out, Saad brings back the best return upwards of a 1st rounder + more.

My guess is Saad or Nylander is trade bait in addition to not re-signing Caggiula.

I'd love to trade Nylander + other asset(s) for Leafs prospect Nick Robertson (he's a LW, too, though).

Has there been any word/details regarding what is specifically wrong with Crawford?

LW is starting to get overloaded with good talent so a trade seems inevitable:

Saad, DeBrincat, Nylander, Caggiula, Shaw, Suter, Hagel.

Although I'd hate to see him go, as others have pointed out, Saad brings back the best return upwards of a 1st rounder + more.

My guess is Saad or Nylander is trade bait in addition to not re-signing Caggiula.

I'd love to trade Nylander + other asset(s) for Leafs prospect Nick Robertson (he's a LW, too, though).
- AEL_Fox

Likely you are right, and I would see Saad as the odd man out.

I think you hit it. The announcement about going with youth was to get it on record that we are going to see kids instead of new UFAs from outside, and it might be paving the way towards trading a mainstay....
- wiz1901

Yes Wiz. And that's the RIGHT way to go. This stagnant Cap for the next couple of years is timed perfectly for the Hawks. 75% of the league is going to be nipped by this static Cap. Especially hard on the true CUP contenders like Leafs and Lightning as they try to tweak their teams for a chance at the Holy Grail. But, for our Hawks....they should look at these 2-3 years of little to no Cap rising as the perfect opportunity to develop and play many of these young guys and let them grow together.
Even is a "Best Case" scenario we are 2-3 years away from truly being ready to be a Cup threat. Just when we should be ready to make a charge should coincide perfectly with the Cap beginning to rise as Covid eases and new TV deal launches.

This is our time. 2 years of plugging in and developing the Kubalicks, Dachs, Boqvists, Mitchells, etc, etc....and deciding which to keep, and which to turn into assets.

(Add in Lafreniere....BOOM...Let's go baby. Hawks Cup 2022-23 or 2023-24....and several more after!!!)

I would have to agree. With Shaw declaring he'll be ready next season (fingers crossed) and with Suter on the team at a cheaper salary, there's no room anymore for Caggiula.

This situation gets exacerbated if the goal is to lock up Kubalik and Strome as well as an experienced starting goalie.

And agree with Darth that Suter is not a health concern like Caggiula is.
- AEL_Fox

I believe that Shaw said that he wants to come back next year, but as we have seen with head injuries, it is not always that simple. I wouldn't pencil Shaw in anywhere at this point.

If the Hawks do not qualify Caggiula and he goes UFA, can the Hawks then sign him as a UFA at a lower amount then the $1.5 mil. they would have to qualifu him for?

If the Hawks do not qualify Caggiula and he goes UFA, can the Hawks then sign him as a UFA at a lower amount then the $1.5 mil. they would have to qualifu him for?
- LAHawk

I think the Hawks will deal The Drake, maybe for a 3rd or 4th round pick or mid-level prospect.

In recognition of Stan's accomplishments today:

Who would you rather see moved. Maatta and Smith or Saad?
Saad obviously would bring a better return but there is no one currently that brings what he does to the Hawks.

Maatta and Smith can be replaced in house, easily.
- Elbows15

I'm the first one to bang the "we need more players like Saad not less" drum, but with the cap situation and the fact that they have added a number of cheaper players, I think the writing is on the wall for Saad. Especially since they signed ADB to a higher dollar extension, I think they start to run out of cap room quick. Strome and Kubalik are going to take a sizeable bite as well.

I think the answer to your question will ultimately be all of the above. They have guys in the pipeline that can replace what Maatta brings right now (we don't have to discuss Smith). Heck, Gilbert almost did that and he is probably at the bottom of the prospect list at this point.

In recognition of Stan's accomplishments today:


- DarthKane

Cue up the Stan should be fired for trading Joki for Nylander in 3....2....1....