Theo Fox: Staying Put
An early preview of the Blackhawks picking 11th in the opening round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Plus, a look at the IceHogs re-signing one of their top players in Dylan McLaughlin.

First

From what I have read the top 12 talents are 1 goalie, 7 dmen, 5 centers and 3 wingers.

Power, Hughes, Guenther, Eklund, Edvinsson, Johnson, Berniers, Clarke will be gone by 11.

Still some future top 6 forwards and top 4 dmen on the board, and maybe a goalie.

The entry draft is not as important to next year's Hawks as the expansion draft and moving deHaan, Zadorov, and Strome and freeing up $10.75+/- mil in cap space. Unfortunately I think the Hawks resign Zadorov at $3.5 mil for 2 or 3 years, bring back Strome because no one is willing to make a decent offer, and deHaan is back because his salary and questionable health are red flags for the Kraken. I hope I am wrong.

My protected list Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Hagel, Gaudette, Borsgtrom, Nylander, Keith, Murphy, Stillman, Lankinen. Players not eligible for the expansion draft - Kubalik, Boqvist, Suter, Dach, Kurashev, Mitchell, Kalynuk, Beaudin, Hardman, Regula, Soderblom. Seabs and Shaw are also not eligible for obvious reasons.

Could Toews waive his NMC? I doubt the Kraken would take a chance on him because of his health and they would not want to take on his contract. It would allow the Hawks to protect one more player.

Per DOH comments

Agree with the list and the fate of players we would rather not have return. I would be surprised if Bowman moved up in the draft

Some Icehogs will get a look and I hope McLaughlin is one of them.

Beaudin and Regula leave me wanting to see more. They need to put all of their game together. Regula skating? Morrison returns from injury/is he a serious prospect? Slavin sounds like a NHL player while Barrett Altybarmakian and Soderlund could be effective. Phillips sounds like a solid third pair fit if he keeps improving. The Nylander watch has begun. How long before Mitchell turns a corner as Boqvist did? Long term prognosis: Kalynuk and Stillman?

Here’s the exhaustive list of the realistic draft potentials for the Hawks:

Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty

Here’s the exhaustive list of the realistic draft potentials for the Hawks:

Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty
- DarthKane

His stock has fallen quite a bit from last year when some had him as possibly the first player chosen.

The Athletic did a mock with Powers choosing. Surprisingly he didn't take Max Shalunov's little brother but Matthew Coronato. Anyone who watch's the Chicago Steel with any regularity have any thoughts?

Also, speaking of siblings, Theo or anyone else have any thoughts on drafting Kirby's? Colton Dach is expected to go in the 2nd or 3rd round and sounds similar to Kirby with a shoot first mentality.

Anyone care to choose the victorious team in the Colorado- Vegas series?And why.

Lehner is their guy in net next season but not this playoffs

with drafting Drew C and him having a solid year. And signing the Best ELC UFA goalie in arivd who had .922 compared to .908 for wallstad in SHL, but he is 3 years older. I th ink we should pass on a goalie in the first round. as I look at it 9 skaters make up the top 10. sounds like mctavish has moved into that top 9. so we would need 1 goalie and 1 suprise to get 1 of those guys. if that does not happen then I would consider moving down if somebody wants to overpay for 1 of the goalies. if we could get Flip Zadina, Johannsen, bergeren, wallander, would you move from 11th to 26th? Det could use a elite goalie prospect and has ton of picks and prospects. maybe the 11th for the 23rd and Zadina?

Here’s the exhaustive list of the realistic draft potentials for the Hawks:

Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty
Aatu Raty
- DarthKane

Too big...

The entry draft is not as important to next year's Hawks as the expansion draft and moving deHaan, Zadorov, and Strome and freeing up $10.75+/- mil in cap space. Unfortunately I think the Hawks resign Zadorov at $3.5 mil for 2 or 3 years, bring back Strome because no one is willing to make a decent offer, and deHaan is back because his salary and questionable health are red flags for the Kraken. I hope I am wrong.

Doh

And what is so important about "cap Space" when the Hawks are currently $4.5 mil. under the cap with a full roster of 23 contracts. They also have almost $11 mil. in LTIR with Shaw and Seabrook. This is before someone being chosen by the Kraken (hopefully deHaan or Connolly) Our pending 6 RFA's (including Zadorov) combined shouldn't cost more than $11 mil. (which is a net of $5min) if you send down or waive the 6 roster spots (at league minimum). Unfortunately, I do not see any of the aforementioned players blocking anyone from playing. I get if you get draft choices for them then Stan should launch them.

I hope Stan doesn't sign any significant free agents this year. The Hawks are not anywhere close to being a playoff team. I believe that will be borne out when the Hawks play a normal season next year. No need to spend money just to spend money. Build from the draft, develop what you have. I hope the Hawks don't go down the Maple Leaf rabbit hole, amazing how quickly their window is shutting before it barely opened.

After this next year, the Hawks have cap space galore to spend if the money is burning a hole in your pocket.

Let the Kings get Eichel to appease Doughty being tired of the Kings rebuild already. I hope someone else pays Saad, Hall, whatever. I hope that Stan and Danny Wirtz are taking the long view on this rebuild.

Too big...
- Beaver-Warrior

He’s got the Euro part, but the Smurf part…not so much.


Pass.

Agree great thought LA. In 3 years matthews will be a ufa barkov after this coming year so two possible centers that be consider to sign.
As for the draft i think there is not a lot difference between 11 and 20 so maybe moving down and picking up more assets could be considered. Hawks needs imo physical defensive d man a center and playmaker high compete energy pain in the ass player and power forward with a good blend of speed size scoring ability compete and hockey IQ. Are these type in this draft where the hawks can select wiz would be able answer that better than me. Should be interesting offseason.

I hope Raty makes it to the 11th pick. He is the kind of player that the Hawks seem to gravitate to. Hopefully he will play center, but it seems like his upside is substantially better than the other options who will be available at that pick.

The entry draft is not as important to next year's Hawks as the expansion draft and moving deHaan, Zadorov, and Strome and freeing up $10.75+/- mil in cap space. Unfortunately I think the Hawks resign Zadorov at $3.5 mil for 2 or 3 years, bring back Strome because no one is willing to make a decent offer, and deHaan is back because his salary and questionable health are red flags for the Kraken. I hope I am wrong.

Doh

And what is so important about "cap Space" when the Hawks are currently $4.5 mil. under the cap with a full roster of 23 contracts. They also have almost $11 mil. in LTIR with Shaw and Seabrook. This is before someone being chosen by the Kraken (hopefully deHaan or Connolly) Our pending 6 RFA's (including Zadorov) combined shouldn't cost more than $11 mil. (which is a net of $5min) if you send down or waive the 6 roster spots (at league minimum). Unfortunately, I do not see any of the aforementioned players blocking anyone from playing. I get if you get draft choices for them then Stan should launch them.

I hope Stan doesn't sign any significant free agents this year. The Hawks are not anywhere close to being a playoff team. I believe that will be borne out when the Hawks play a normal season next year. No need to spend money just to spend money. Build from the draft, develop what you have. I hope the Hawks don't go down the Maple Leaf rabbit hole, amazing how quickly their window is shutting before it barely opened.

After this next year, the Hawks have cap space galore to spend if the money is burning a hole in your pocket.

Let the Kings get Eichel to appease Doughty being tired of the Kings rebuild already. I hope someone else pays Saad, Hall, whatever. I hope that Stan and Danny Wirtz are taking the long view on this rebuild.
- LAHawk

I think we are of the same thinking. However I believe cap space flexibility is important. It may give you an option to acquire additional assets if the offer presents itself during the off season or any time in season up to the TDL.

I would not be in favor right now of aggressively pursuing highly sought after free agents that require big dollars and long term. But if you had space to take on a bad contract along with a acquiring a young player or top draft pick (thinking of a Teuvo/Bickell like deal) I would be ok with that.

I think we are of the same thinking. However I believe cap space flexibility is important. It may give you an option to acquire additional assets if the offer presents itself during the off season or any time in season up to the TDL.

I would not be in favor right now of a aggressively pursuing highly sought after free agents that require big dollars and long term. But if you had space to take on a bad contract along with a acquiring a young player or top draft pick (thinking of a Teuvo/Bickell like deal) I would be ok with that.
- -Doh-

i think Shaw's contract at $3.9 mil. for one year is going to be moved, what asset will come back, I have no clue.

I hope Raty makes it to the 11th pick. He is the kind of player that the Hawks seem to gravitate to. Hopefully he will play center, but it seems like his upside is substantially better than the other options who will be available at that pick.
- jrsamu

via GIPHY

i think Shaw's contract at $3.9 mil. for one year is going to be moved, what asset will come back, I have no clue.
- LAHawk

If a team is willing to give up something valuable for Shaw's contract (for cap purposes) then it's worth exploring. But there's value in keeping Shaw and have 2 contracts on LTIR (Shaw + Seabrook).

The Hawks can put one of Shaw or Seabrook on LTIR before the season starts to provide cap space to sign a UFA or take on a contract to gain assets (i.e. Eriksson) then put the other on LTIR once the season starts to allow for flexibility during the season.

If a team is willing to give up something valuable for Shaw's contract (for cap purposes) then it's worth exploring. But there's value in keeping Shaw and have 2 contracts on LTIR (Shaw + Seabrook).

The Hawks can put one of Shaw or Seabrook on LTIR before the season starts to provide cap space to sign a UFA or take on a contract to gain assets (i.e. Eriksson) then put the other on LTIR once the season starts to allow for flexibility during the season.
- DarthKane

This is the most likely scenario. Of course everything could change once an announcement is made on Toews.

The entry draft is not as important to next year's Hawks as the expansion draft and moving deHaan, Zadorov, and Strome and freeing up $10.75+/- mil in cap space. Unfortunately I think the Hawks resign Zadorov at $3.5 mil for 2 or 3 years, bring back Strome because no one is willing to make a decent offer, and deHaan is back because his salary and questionable health are red flags for the Kraken. I hope I am wrong.

Doh

And what is so important about "cap Space" when the Hawks are currently $4.5 mil. under the cap with a full roster of 23 contracts. They also have almost $11 mil. in LTIR with Shaw and Seabrook. This is before someone being chosen by the Kraken (hopefully deHaan or Connolly) Our pending 6 RFA's (including Zadorov) combined shouldn't cost more than $11 mil. (which is a net of $5min) if you send down or waive the 6 roster spots (at league minimum). Unfortunately, I do not see any of the aforementioned players blocking anyone from playing. I get if you get draft choices for them then Stan should launch them.

I hope Stan doesn't sign any significant free agents this year. The Hawks are not anywhere close to being a playoff team. I believe that will be borne out when the Hawks play a normal season next year. No need to spend money just to spend money. Build from the draft, develop what you have. I hope the Hawks don't go down the Maple Leaf rabbit hole, amazing how quickly their window is shutting before it barely opened.

After this next year, the Hawks have cap space galore to spend if the money is burning a hole in your pocket.

Let the Kings get Eichel to appease Doughty being tired of the Kings rebuild already. I hope someone else pays Saad, Hall, whatever. I hope that Stan and Danny Wirtz are taking the long view on this rebuild.
- LAHawk

Well said.

My biggest fear is also on Zadorov and I found it very interesting yesterday reading the leaf post series quotes when Dubas said he was going to get with the coaching staff to evaluate some pending UFAs/RFAs....To me this is the tell. Based on the few scratches on Z late in the year, I don't think JC views him as a long term building block. Can the Hawks trade his rights at the deadline to a playoff team fresh off a series loss who may be willing to give you a 2nd? If so, I am all in favor in launching him.

DeHaan.....I can only pray Seattle takes him for the "veteran" leadership role they may need. If not, haven't done the math, but I would be in favor a buyout. The guy is slow, banged up, and the retreating in his own zone vs Carolina that cost the hawks at least 1, if not points tells me his best days are LONG gone.

I know we went round and round with the hypothetical Seth Jones/Laine trades....the only way I want to see Stan spending money is if he can acquire a piece(s) that fit short and long term as outside of Kane/DeBrincat I am hesitant to think that Keith or Toews or Kubalik will still be in their primes AND/OR are affordable for the Hawks in 2-3 years when they are "ready" to win again.

HARD pass on Saad. He is going to get more than what he is earning this year in UFA and he's a great complimentary piece, but in a flat cap world I see no fiscal logic dumping north of 6 million AAV in a guy of his skill set.

I think we are of the same thinking. However I believe cap space flexibility is important. It may give you an option to acquire additional assets if the offer presents itself during the off season or any time in season up to the TDL.

I would not be in favor right now of a aggressively pursuing highly sought after free agents that require big dollars and long term. But if you had space to take on a bad contract along with a acquiring a young player or top draft pick (thinking of a Teuvo/Bickell like deal) I would be ok with that.
- -Doh-

I would agree....the biggest X factor is Toews. I am likely going to get roasted for this but I truly hope the Hawks have clear indication from him and his team by the draft where his mindset/physical abilities are for the 2021-22 season. That's a huge X to keep dangling in the wind and a large domino for Bowman to navigate around. IF Toews is "OUT" again, then you have 3 deals north of 3.5 AAV you have to move to LTIR and believe the sum of all them exceeds 21 million.

NO toews doesn't "owe" anyone a thing, but if he's still undecided that is going to be tough on Bowman per your point he could dump Shaw or take on a crap deal at the draft to accumulate more assets.

Well said.

My biggest fear is also on Zadorov and I found it very interesting yesterday reading the leaf post series quotes when Dubas said he was going to get with the coaching staff to evaluate some pending UFAs/RFAs....To me this is the tell. Based on the few scratches on Z late in the year, I don't think JC views him as a long term building block. Can the Hawks trade his rights at the deadline to a playoff team fresh off a series loss who may be willing to give you a 2nd? If so, I am all in favor in launching him.

DeHaan.....I can only pray Seattle takes him for the "veteran" leadership role they may need. If not, haven't done the math, but I would be in favor a buyout. The guy is slow, banged up, and the retreating in his own zone vs Carolina that cost the hawks at least 1, if not points tells me his best days are LONG gone.

I know we went round and round with the hypothetical Seth Jones/Laine trades....the only way I want to see Stan spending money is if he can acquire a piece(s) that fit short and long term as outside of Kane/DeBrincat I am hesitant to think that Keith or Toews or Kubalik will still be in their primes AND/OR are affordable for the Hawks in 2-3 years when they are "ready" to win again.

HARD pass on Saad. He is going to get more than what he is earning this year in UFA and he's a great complimentary piece, but in a flat cap world I see no fiscal logic dumping north of 6 million AAV in a guy of his skill set.
- SteveRain

Watching Vegas, and knowing they went a couple of games dressing only 18 players due to cap reasons, and are weak at center (even if Krebs plays for them next year), would you do:

Fleury ($7Mil. for one year) of course he would have to waive. Vegas can't really afford to go with $12 mil. in goalies next year, and it is obvious that Fleury and Lehner cannot really coexist.
Vegas #2 (which is the Devils pick)

for:
Strome
Delia (Vegas has no #3 goalie, would become #2 under this scenario)

Hawks gain a veteran goalie to help Landinen for one year, lose a goalie that in 2 years will be way down the depth chart (if not already), and another pick

Vegas gains cap space, and a center that possibly bolsters a weak spot in their line-up, and a backup to Lehner.

i think Shaw's contract at $3.9 mil. for one year is going to be moved, what asset will come back, I have no clue.
- LAHawk

Why would the Hawks need to move Shaw's contract? Why would a team want it? Are there teams that need to get to the floor in this flat cap era?

Not disagreeing, just don't know the rationale.

with drafting Drew C and him having a solid year. And signing the Best ELC UFA goalie in arivd who had .922 compared to .908 for wallstad in SHL, but he is 3 years older. I th ink we should pass on a goalie in the first round. as I look at it 9 skaters make up the top 10. sounds like mctavish has moved into that top 9. so we would need 1 goalie and 1 suprise to get 1 of those guys. if that does not happen then I would consider moving down if somebody wants to overpay for 1 of the goalies. if we could get Flip Zadina, Johannsen, bergeren, wallander, would you move from 11th to 26th? Det could use a elite goalie prospect and has ton of picks and prospects. maybe the 11th for the 23rd and Zadina?
- kmw4631

If the Hawks want to add another goalie to the mix they could try sign Filip Lindberg out of college and use their picks on other needs. He's a Minnesota pick and is going to free agency in August. He has good college numbers.

with drafting Drew C and him having a solid year. And signing the Best ELC UFA goalie in arivd who had .922 compared to .908 for wallstad in SHL, but he is 3 years older. I th ink we should pass on a goalie in the first round. as I look at it 9 skaters make up the top 10. sounds like mctavish has moved into that top 9. so we would need 1 goalie and 1 suprise to get 1 of those guys. if that does not happen then I would consider moving down if somebody wants to overpay for 1 of the goalies. if we could get Flip Zadina, Johannsen, bergeren, wallander, would you move from 11th to 26th? Det could use a elite goalie prospect and has ton of picks and prospects. maybe the 11th for the 23rd and Zadina?
- kmw4631

You could apply this statement to all teams, every year, always.

Watching Vegas, and knowing they went a couple of games dressing only 18 players due to cap reasons, and are weak at center (even if Krebs plays for them next year), would you do:

Fleury ($7Mil. for one year) of course he would have to waive. Vegas can't really afford to go with $12 mil. in goalies next year, and it is obvious that Fleury and Lehner cannot really coexist.
Vegas #2 (which is the Devils pick)

for:
Strome
Delia (Vegas has no #3 goalie, would become #2 under this scenario)

Hawks gain a veteran goalie to help Landinen for one year, lose a goalie that in 2 years will be way down the depth chart (if not already), and another pick

Vegas gains cap space, and a center that possibly bolsters a weak spot in their line-up, and a backup to Lehner.
- LAHawk

I can't see Vegas even considering that. The gain about $3M in space, but get back the Hawks' 3rd best goalie, and a center who plays nothing like the Vegas type of play - fast and hard on the puck.