If Hamilton does not sign with Carolina, it will be his 4th team in 10 years. Also, Hamiltion is right handed, unless you trade Murphy, then Bovquist becomes third pairing and Mitchell is in the A. Kind of a step back from the rebuild, and you still have a weak left side D. Hopefully if the Hawks shore up the D, it is on the left side. I can live with Murphy, Bovquist, Mitchell/Kalnyuk on the right side for now.

There are some enticing UFA's in 2022 also if the Hawks are ready, Klingberg, Adam Fox, Parayko, Seth Jones
- LAHawk

Kind of where they are right now rebuild or no rebuild. That said, I'm not saying to sign Hamilton I think that would a mistake for that long of a contract at his age.

Heard any news or have any thoughts on Carolina extending Hamilton?
- boilermaker100

Tabled until after the year is up.

I think they're going to get it done eventually. Dundon just wants the team to play hardball on every contract at every spot in the organization. Front office, players, coaches, whoever. It's just how he's wired. Take all the time you have to get the best deal possible.

Tabled until after the year is up.

I think they're going to get it done eventually. Dundon just wants the team to play hardball on every contract at every spot in the organization. Front office, players, coaches, whoever. It's just how he's wired. Take all the time you have to get the best deal possible.
- BINGO!

I can respect that.

Great write-up Theo.

Yeah the addition of Hossa and Campbell put us over the top but we didn't get them until we were close. When we signed Campbell we were just on cusp, only missing the playoffs by 3 points or so (and which coincided with the dumping of Saavy early in that season). I still think we need at least one or two more high draft picks to compliment this group we have. At the point we started winning, we had #1 Kane, #3 Toews, #3 Barker, #4 Ladd, #7 Skille, which shows some picks pan out and others definitely don't.

What a waste in Edmonton with McJesus, just like Eichel in Buffalo. Both teams have had so many high picks over the last few years, Edmonton doing it worse than Buffalo. We should be happy the Hawks, like the Pens and Caps, did well with our string of high picks.

I can respect that.
- Chunk

Yeah, it's nothing personal, I think he's just a weird dude who views business transactions as existing one way and one way only.

It's why Brind'amour held out until all his staff and the training/med staff got extensions too. I'm not sure Dundon holds it against him, just as he doesn't hold the offer sheet against Aho, he just believes in every party using every bit of leverage they have.

Roles in that series:
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse - On the ice

Everyone else: On the bench.
- Chunk

Totally. In game 3 or 4, I saw that Nurse played 62 minutes while Bear and KK played like under 12 each.

Tabled until after the year is up.

I think they're going to get it done eventually. Dundon just wants the team to play hardball on every contract at every spot in the organization. Front office, players, coaches, whoever. It's just how he's wired. Take all the time you have to get the best deal possible.
- BINGO!

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it may be possible for some team (not necessarily the Hawks) to offer him Trouba/Pietroangelo money - $8M or $9M - and he accepts it while these hardball negotiations are taking place.

If Hamilton does not sign with Carolina, it will be his 4th team in 10 years. Also, Hamiltion is right handed, unless you trade Murphy, then Bovquist becomes third pairing and Mitchell is in the A. Kind of a step back from the rebuild, and you still have a weak left side D. Hopefully if the Hawks shore up the D, it is on the left side. I can live with Murphy, Bovquist, Mitchell/Kalnyuk on the right side for now.

There are some enticing UFA's in 2022 also if the Hawks are ready, Klingberg, Adam Fox, Parayko, Seth Jones
- LAHawk

I agree LA, if we do upgrade we need to upgrade the left side. Keith needs his ice time reduced, or he needs to waive his NMC, the Hawks will need a new minutes eater on the left side, this does not need to happen in 2021/22 as JC can fair share playing time next season. Now in 22/23 we will need that guy on the left side, who knows, maybe that player is already Hawk property.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it may be possible for some team (not necessarily the Hawks) to offer him Trouba/Pietroangelo money - $8M or $9M - and he accepts it while these hardball negotiations are taking place.
- boilermaker100

Certainly possible.

Kind of like the Aho offer sheet. Aho took the deal with Montreal because he didn't want to be in a long, drawn out negotiation.

He says he kind of regrets signing it now, and that he never actually spoke to Montreal himself at an point, but it was a means to a end, right?

Do they not teach counting or spelling in the U.P.?
- Ogilthorpe2

Well they do...it's just not the same as it would be for you or me.

Certainly possible.

Kind of like the Aho offer sheet. Aho took the deal with Montreal because he didn't want to be in a long, drawn out negotiation.

He says he kind of regrets signing it now, and that he never actually spoke to Montreal himself at an point, but it was a means to a end, right?
- BINGO!

Bingo- Since you are easiest to find on the Hawks blog, what are your thoughts on the Canes so far? Not too impressive in several areas so far...

Great write-up Theo.

Yeah the addition of Hossa and Campbell put us over the top but we didn't get them until we were close. When we signed Campbell we were just on cusp, only missing the playoffs by 3 points or so (and which coincided with the dumping of Saavy early in that season). I still think we need at least one or two more high draft picks to compliment this group we have. At the point we started winning, we had #1 Kane, #3 Toews, #3 Barker, #4 Ladd, #7 Skille, which shows some picks pan out and others definitely don't.

What a waste in Edmonton with McJesus, just like Eichel in Buffalo. Both teams have had so many high picks over the last few years, Edmonton doing it worse than Buffalo. We should be happy the Hawks, like the Pens and Caps, did well with our string of high picks.
- Popsghostly

I agree with you. Your points about McJesus, Eichel, and other teams with high picks, just reinforces Theo's point in the write up, about still having to build around those star high picks. It's part of the game that sometimes get overlooked. Just because you have star or core players, you still need the other pieces in place

Theo, On behalf of all the older male posters on the board please refrain from using the word 'limp" in future blog titles.
- boilermaker100

I hear ya

No one knows yet. I would say stop expecting instant results from 19-22 yr old players. Let these guys develop. Don't expect the Hawks to get good overnight. It rarely happens.
- Chunk

You must be new around here.

Bingo- Since you are easiest to find on the Hawks blog, what are your thoughts on the Canes so far? Not too impressive in several areas so far...
- RaleighHawk

A bit disappointed. They always seems to play up or down to the level of their opponent and that seems to have continued. Way more weird mistakes with the puck than they typically make.

Thank god Pesce and Skjei have stepped up the way they have or this series would be over already.

That Necas goal seemed to wake them up. Hopefully they've got their feet underneath them now and are ready to role because the next round is going to be a big step up.

I hear ya
- chuckdahammer

As they say in weightlifting, “if you can’t get it up, you can’t jerk it”.

Certainly possible.

Kind of like the Aho offer sheet. Aho took the deal with Montreal because he didn't want to be in a long, drawn out negotiation.

He says he kind of regrets signing it now, and that he never actually spoke to Montreal himself at an point, but it was a means to a end, right?
- BINGO!

Hoping the Canes can finish off the series in NSH. Staal's goal was seemingly sometimes how you have to score on Saros and Necas had a couple nice ones.

They were definitely making life bit harder for him last night so hoping that trend continues in G6.

Just did a Tankathon mock draft lottery and sure enough the Rangers moved up 15 spots to take the #1 overall pick. Even Tankathon is rigged! Better, I ran it a second time and the Hawks picked #2, more evidence that Tankathon is rigged. With the 2nd pick:

1CBJ Owen Power
D | Michigan 6'5"
214 lbs
18.5 yrs
Canada
Playing At: Michigan

2 CHI
Matthew Beniers
C | Michigan
6'1"
174 lbs
18.6 yrs
USA
Playing At: Michigan

3 BUF
Simon Edvinsson
D | Frölunda
6'4"
185 lbs
18.3 yrs
Sweden

4 ANA
Luke Hughes
D | USA U18
6'2"
176 lbs
17.7 yrs
USA
Committed To: Michigan

One can only dream right? See 3 of the top 4 picks are DMen... That's definitely something the Hawks need too.

You must be new around here.
- HawkintheD

He obviously forgot the "one shift" rule.

Well they do...it's just not the same as it would be for you or me.
- HawkintheD

That counting thing is the New Math, or maybe the New New Math. One of those. Hard stuff.

That counting thing is the New Math, or maybe the New New Math. One of those. Hard stuff.
- mohel

Who knows what goes on up there on the peninsula…practically need a passport to go up there.

Who knows what goes on up there on the peninsula…practically need a passport to go up there.
- Ogilthorpe2

Have only been up as far as St Ignace so just over the bridge. Supposed to be beautiful but too much other stuff on the bucket list to hit first.

Maybe when I’m 70 and have a hankering for a good piece of fudge.

I agree LA, if we do upgrade we need to upgrade the left side. Keith needs his ice time reduced, or he needs to waive his NMC, the Hawks will need a new minutes eater on the left side, this does not need to happen in 2021/22 as JC can fair share playing time next season. Now in 22/23 we will need that guy on the left side, who knows, maybe that player is already Hawk property.
- Angotti

Vlasic possibly in a few years. One more year at BC, one year at Rockford, then on the team in 23-24. That said there will still be growing pains as with any young D.

Stillman and Kalynuk may be other future fixtures at LD.

Keith (2 years left) and one of Z (2 year extension?) or deHaan (one year left) probably around until the above three grow into the job.

Edit - Beaudin in the mix too at LD

A comparison to the Gretzky version of the Oilers seems to be in order here. Look at their first two drafts in particular: https://www.hockeydb.com/...aft/teams/dr00005632.html

So what was it back then? Fewer teams to compete with for draft picks? Better scouting department? Just dumb luck?

Vlasic possibly in a few years. One more year at BC, one year at Rockford, then on the team in 23-24. That said there will still be growing pains as with any young D.

Stillman and Kalynuk may be other future fixtures at LD.

Keith (2 years left) and one of Z (2 year extension?) or deHaan (one year left) probably around until the above three grow into the job.

Edit - Beaudin in the mix too at LD
- boilermaker100

Vlassic is at BU not BC