Zach Jarom: What Are The Hawks Getting in Bedard

I'm not sold on the idea that drafting #1 overall speeds up the Hawks rebuild, at least not significantly.

KD wants to build a deep roster, not a top heavy team like Edmonton and Toronto have been. Depth takes time to accumulate and I don't see KD straying from that path. The Hawks may sneak into the playoffs a year sooner, but they won't be serious contenders. I think KD stays the course, maybe in the summer of 2024 he signs a big free agent, but that's the most I could see him doing.

I think we all understand that we are due for another rough season and Bedard might not excel in year 1 with limited talent around him and having to adjust to the speed of the NHL. He is facing immense pressure, but my hope is that the Hawks find some veteran leadership in the offseason to help guide this kid and the rest of the youngsters on the roster.

Don't rush the rebuild. Depth is king in the NHL. You guys saw that with your 2010-2015 dynasty. Superstars alone don't win SCs. I think NYR rushed their rebuild and are a top heavy team now. Granted there are some distinctions between their rebuild and yours, but I still think organizations get too impatient and it kills their long term competitiveness.

I'm not sold on the idea that drafting #1 overall speeds up the Hawks rebuild, at least not significantly.

KD wants to build a deep roster, not a top heavy team like Edmonton and Toronto have been. Depth takes time to accumulate and I don't see KD straying from that path. The Hawks may sneak into the playoffs a year sooner, but they won't be serious contenders. I think KD stays the course, maybe in the summer of 2024 he signs a big free agent, but that's the most I could see him doing.
- DarthKane

100% agree, I think originally i was expecting a 4-5 year rebuild which is why I am now saying 3-4. I think the big changes come after they sign Bedard to his 2nd contract assuming he lives up to the hype.

Don't rush the rebuild. Depth is king in the NHL. You guys saw that with your 2010-2015 dynasty. Superstars alone don't win SCs. I think NYR rushed their rebuild and are a top heavy team now. Granted there are some distinctions between their rebuild and yours, but I still think organizations get too impatient and it kills their long term competitiveness.
- jfkst1

Absolutely, I think we have the right GM in place and he knows that its a marathon and not a race. The key parts of the future core need sometime to develop so its all about weathering the storm.

I think we all understand that we are due for another rough season and Bedard might not excel in year 1 with limited talent around him and having to adjust to the speed of the NHL. He is facing immense pressure, but my hope is that the Hawks find some veteran leadership in the offseason to help guide this kid and the rest of the youngsters on the roster.
- Hawkeynation

Who KD brings in this off season is going to be very interesting to see.

You can take BPA and it also affords them the opportunity to take someone they like that might be a longer term projection, like they did with Rinzel at last year's draft.

He may not work out but seems like that was their shot at a true boom or bust pick/player.
- HawkintheD

I know, this is great, while rebuilding we get the pleasure of watching a uber talented kid play hockey this year. Best of both worlds.

Wonder if our left side will be Vlasic, Kaiser and Phillips?

Right side looks good with Seth Jones and yes I'm going to say it Murphy, he looks way better with KDs system. Zaitsev can be 3rd pairing guy.

Sign Domi

Bedard
Reichel
Raddysh
Kurashev

The stellar 4th line Katchouks game is just getting better

Not a playoff team but its not a horrible start

Use this summer and cap space to take on bad contracts and add more picks.

Is Auston Matthews a free agent next summer (24)?

Love to see Danielson fall to Hawks at 20. I’ve seen him as high as 12 and as low as 26 in mocks. He’s there at 20 I’d be shocked

Use this summer and cap space to take on bad contracts and add more picks.

Is Auston Matthews a free agent next summer (24)?
- frafra

They have 17 picks in the first 2 rounds the next 4 years. That's a ton of draft capital.

No no no to Matthews, build this team around Bedard, they have the luxury to build through the draft, if KD does a terrible job drafting, when Bedard is about 22-23 years old and whatever studs we have on the team you start trading futures for players teams are willing to dump, aka Meier, Horvat and so on, guys entering their prime

You know Zach when you came aboard last year i thought what a poopty time to be covering the Blackhawks, amazing how all that changed in one night.

5-10 is small. Crosby is only an inch taller. Of course with Crosby his freakishly strong lower body along with talent makes up for the smaller stature. Will this kid follow suit? We'll see.

I'm not sold on the idea that drafting #1 overall speeds up the Hawks rebuild, at least not significantly.

KD wants to build a deep roster, not a top heavy team like Edmonton and Toronto have been. Depth takes time to accumulate and I don't see KD straying from that path. The Hawks may sneak into the playoffs a year sooner, but they won't be serious contenders. I think KD stays the course, maybe in the summer of 2024 he signs a big free agent, but that's the most I could see him doing.
- DarthKane

I stayed away the last 2 days because I knew the trolls would be out in full force. Frank Seravilli was in the draft room when the process occurred. Yet all the power line clowns are out claiming rigged because Weeks read it off a teleprompter early. Remarkable the intellect in this country right now........

I agree with you. The one phone call I would make is to Kane's agent and start exploring IF he has any interest in coming back here. Even if it came down to Kane vs Toews, I take Kane. Why? #1 overall pick, a little undersized, came in very confident, Hawks were dog $hit prior and almost any other comparison we can dream up on this board....it's there. Bedard is going to need somebody he respects and he knows has "been there" and kane is THE guy. Sure as hell isn't Seth Jones or human pylon, Connor Murphy. If you get Kane, Domi will 100% follow as Domi can take a shorter term deal, bank up stats and look good when he hits UFA and wants more than the Hawks are willing to offer.

The other key in this....who is going to play with Reichel? To me the Hawks need to arm these 2 kids with skill right off the bat. I am all FOR the slow and steady rebuild, but to help Bedard he needs players

Crosby had LeClair, Reechi, Lemieux his rookie year


hard pass on Timo Meier.....dude has 2 points in 10 playoff games. Not worth the money.

For all those saying Kane sucked with the rangers? Please. Tell he's not 100% but he still produced vs every other F on the Rangers not named Kreider.

Bedard quoted saying, "I hope the training staff isn't too hands on"

They have 17 picks in the first 2 rounds the next 4 years. That's a ton of draft capital.

No no no to Matthews, build this team around Bedard, they have the luxury to build through the draft, if KD does a terrible job drafting, when Bedard is about 22-23 years old and whatever studs we have on the team you start trading futures for players teams are willing to dump, aka Meier, Horvat and so on, guys entering their prime
- BetweenTheDots

I'd 100% sign Matthews if he hit the market. They have 41 million in cap space this year and 71+ million after that. All the hype around the Nazar's of the world is cool.....but not every prospect will HIT. Some get a look and get dealt for other needs (ruutu for ladd)....some get sold high (Bochenski for Versteeg) or Eillison for Sharp

How many Jack Skille's have there been?

Unless there is a CAN NOT MISS player they are 100% confident hits and are willing to risk their jobs on it (forget bedard) then I am not in favor of blowing draft capital to slide up to #5. Because of if that player becomes Kirby Dach 2.0, I would fire Davidson in a heartbeat for that blunder. Makes no sense to trade draft capital when you are rebuilding.

NOw....the major riddle begins to unwind. How much pressure is Faulkner going to push on Danny Wirtz after getting all those tickets sold and does ownership force Davidson to fast forward his plan now? That's what scares me the most. We saw it with McEgo.....so we can't dismiss it........Hell I received an email from a ticket rep at 906 pm Monday night asking if I wanted to "come back".........

Bedard quoted saying, "I hope the training staff isn't too hands on"
- rrentz

Very original. Hope you rode a rat to work today.

I'd 100% sign Matthews if he hit the market. They have 41 million in cap space this year and 71+ million after that. All the hype around the Nazar's of the world is cool.....but not every prospect will HIT. Some get a look and get dealt for other needs (ruutu for ladd)....some get sold high (Bochenski for Versteeg) or Eillison for Sharp

How many Jack Skille's have there been?

Unless there is a CAN NOT MISS player they are 100% confident hits and are willing to risk their jobs on it (forget bedard) then I am not in favor of blowing draft capital to slide up to #5. Because of if that player becomes Kirby Dach 2.0, I would fire Davidson in a heartbeat for that blunder. Makes no sense to trade draft capital when you are rebuilding.

NOw....the major riddle begins to unwind. How much pressure is Faulkner going to push on Danny Wirtz after getting all those tickets sold and does ownership force Davidson to fast forward his plan now? That's what scares me the most. We saw it with McEgo.....so we can't dismiss it........Hell I received an email from a ticket rep at 906 pm Monday night asking if I wanted to "come back".........
- SteveRain

No way, they bought into the rebuild and no way to Matthews then whats the point of rebuilding, got to think long term when it comes to the Cap, just cause you have money available now when all that talent comes to a head we'll be screwed.

Wiz food for thought via the internet:
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens are more likely to shop the 2023 first-rounder they received from the Florida Panthers as that pick drops in the draft order.

This has little to do with the possibility of us moving up from #19, but it does illustrate that teams with two first rounders will at least entertain the ida of tarde downs.


The free agent market isn't great, so I would expect the 'hawks will do their best to get a sniper and net front presence type guy.

I really don't think DeBrincat is looking to sign a short deal (let alone a discount) since this will be his big shot at a big payday.

It is ironic that a couple days after lottery, and already the topic of Blackhawk Cap woes is being bantered about.

Maybe Frankie Nazar takes more time and stay two more years (to make up for that hip surgery first year.

Ryan Greene can take his time and have fun playing with all the 2023 Draft freshman awhile longer.

A they really need is to establish two wings with Bebard, not solve the Ukraine-Russian conflict.
All the rest will sort out (giving naysayers to criticize why they let so & so go.)

I am not advocating spending a lot of UFA cash now but Joh Andersons $5.5 mil deal that extends to the end of 2027 looks like contract Mointeal will have to shed if they really are signing DuBois.

I am not overpaying but maybe a hard tough winger isn't a bad way to start the Bedard era.

Use this summer and cap space to take on bad contracts and add more picks.

Is Auston Matthews a free agent next summer (24)?
- frafra

via GIPHY

No way, they bought into the rebuild and no way to Matthews then whats the point of rebuilding, got to think long term when it comes to the Cap, just cause you have money available now when all that talent comes to a head we'll be screwed.
- BetweenTheDots

Hope you are right but if you see them trade up and then go sign or trade for higher priced UFAs....you;ll have ZERO chance convincing me Faulkner didn't win that power struggle the same way McDonough won his back in 2009.


They will need to sign a HIGH END UFA....for either goalie or D or F.....it will happen.

KD isn't bringing Kane back. He said he wants a new leadership group to form organically. Bringing back a member of the old leadership group to mentor is not changing the leadership group. I am sure Bedard will be staying with a mentor, probably not one on the team itself (like Kane stayed with Bowman).

No way, they bought into the rebuild and no way to Matthews then whats the point of rebuilding, got to think long term when it comes to the Cap, just cause you have money available now when all that talent comes to a head we'll be screwed.
- BetweenTheDots

Then the Hawks should not have signed Hossa? They were a rebuilding team at that time? the 3 cups was not worth the cap issues in subsequent years? i bet the players will say differently.

I'm not sold on the idea that drafting #1 overall speeds up the Hawks rebuild, at least not significantly.

KD wants to build a deep roster, not a top heavy team like Edmonton and Toronto have been. Depth takes time to accumulate and I don't see KD straying from that path. The Hawks may sneak into the playoffs a year sooner, but they won't be serious contenders. I think KD stays the course, maybe in the summer of 2024 he signs a big free agent, but that's the most I could see him doing.
- DarthKane

Totally agree. Plus the Hawks have so many prospects that may or may not turn out to be NHLer’s. Draft, develop, and continually reassess. Use some restraint in signing free agents. No need to make rash moves now.

KD isn't bringing Kane back. He said he wants a new leadership group to form organically. Bringing back a member of the old leadership group to mentor is not changing the leadership group. I am sure Bedard will be staying with a mentor, probably not one on the team itself (like Kane stayed with Bowman).
- LAHawk

Could care less about the leadership group as much as keeping Bedard on the right path as he matures.

When times get tough, and they will....who's he going to bounce things off of? Tyler Johnson? Seth Jones? Connor Murphy? Who in that room can even begin to help this kid reach his potential and pass along those lessons quicker than going trial by error?

How many on this board will lose their damn minds if he ends up with say.....60 points next year playing with a herd of fringe players? He's going need talent here. Way early....but I am in 100% of the camp of signing Kane to 2 years to help this kid develop and take some of the heat off of him with the press, etc....as well.