8 years @ the league minimum. Anything else would be a fail.
- DarthKane

With a full NMC.

Seriously, This will be KFC's 1st contract extension to a home grown product. We'll see how he'll also handle the NTC/NMC aspects of contracts.

I’d do $5M/8 years, then you have a shutdown defenseman locked up for 8 years at a reasonable AAV. Reasonable because the cap will keep increasing.
- Angotti

I think that would be a good deal for both sides. If i were gm I'd try to sign him long term.

Reading the tea leaves (which I suck at) I really think KD is going to go with a bridge deal, so 3 years at about $4M sounds close. If he goes longer term, I think it will be a bit over $5M considering the cap is expected to go up quite a bit (not that that is a good justification, but I can see the market pushing contracts up in the near term).

This will allow KD time to see what the other prospects bring without locking him into a long term deal and all the issues that can come with moving one. I love what Vlasic has done this year, but you never know what the other guys can/will bring.
- Chunk

I think players can become UFA's when they turn 27.Vlasic will be 23 in June. If he signs a 3 year bridge he'll be 26 when it expires and still a RFA. That may be the way to go. A two year bridge will mean that Vlasic's Bedard's and KK's contracts all expire at the same time. I can see a 3 year bridge to stagger the upcoming contracts.

Or maybe Davidson, LR and Dean think he's the goods and would want to lock him up long term and buy a out a few years of his free agency.

What the heck happened to Raddysh? He's close to his normal shot rate, but his shooting percentage is 4.4% this year. Is this simply the PP thing? 15 of his 37 points last year were on the PP and Kane was dishing, but it still surprises me that he's fallen so far. I can see him helping a contending team as a low cost 4th liner, but it just seemed like he was starting to turn the corner a bit last year. It goes to show that there is something to be said about 5v5 play.

With a full NMC.

Seriously, This will be KFC's 1st contract extension to a home grown product. We'll see how he'll also handle the NTC/NMC aspects of contracts.
- boilermaker100

Hi, Boiler. I think a NTC/NMC can't be applied until a player reaches a certain age. Not positive, though, I could have a case of Chunk-itis.

One thing for next season, be it via UFA signing, trade, draft, call up. Whatever it is, the Hawks need to get another reliable Center. Jason D has been durable (only player to dress every game this season.) but he has taken more than twice as many faceoffs as anyone else on the team and it's usually only his line that can play solid defense. If they want to start moving the needle in the right direction, it would be good to find someone to win faceoffs and play a 200 foot game. Bedard likely will be back to Center before long, but someone to fill a middle 6 Center spot would be outstanding.

If it's within the organization, I would think Dach/Guttman have a chance to fill the hole, but with the young players the defensive play and poise are going to be a big unknown.

Some UFA coming up that do or can play C.

E Lindholm, C Stephenson, A Wennberg, S Monahan, A Henrique, M Domi, S Stamkos, M Duchene,

Some of those guys are interesting, but I don't know if we'll be in play for the top ones. Lindholm would be great but probably going to be having many suitors and an inflated price tag. Monahan would be good. Henrique or Stepehenson would be good too, but probably these guys are going to be in the overpaid category.

Athanasiou can play center but he is better at wing and it's good to plan to have extra forwards that can swing into C, because if the injury bug hits guys like Jason D, we will start to have some big holes. We have other guys that can play C, but many of them don't fit the bill.

Reichel - He needs to solidify his game and gain confidence and his defensive game needs a bit more work.
Kurashev - Likely to stay stapled to Bedard and isn't a solid defensive option.
Foligno - He can play C but is much better as a winger. Also at that age where asking him to be a 200 player might get more and more challenging.
Donato - better as a 4th line option or 3rd line wing filler
Blackwell - good chance he is gone and is more of a 4th line guy
Entwistle - 4th line/depth
R Johnson - 4th line/depth
T Johnson - very likely gone and not great defensively

There are likely going to be some trade options, but I just really hope we build more C depth.

Hi, Boiler. I think a NTC/NMC can't be applied until a player reaches a certain age. Not positive, though, I could have a case of Chunk-itis.
- mohel

No, you're right Mo. I dd not realize that. I found this in a Sportsnet article.

Clause: Clauses are additional parameters added to contracts that protect the player in certain transactions. No-Movement Clauses (NMCs) and No-Trade Clauses (NTCs) are negotiated by a player and his representatives to limit the types of transactions that can be performed by the team with respect to that player. Players are only eligible for these clauses in years when they would be eligible for Unrestricted Free Agency (27 years of age or older, or 7 or more accrued seasons).

I just looked back, didn't remember that Cam Barker played 51 games for the team, no playoff games though.
- LAHawk

IIRC, I think Hendry got hurt somewhere down the stretch and they picked up Boynton going into the playoffs and I think that was their 3rd pair I believe along with Keith and Seabs and Soup and Hammer.

Kim Johsson played like what...just a handful of games?

I think KD would like some cost certainty so i think if they could come to an agreement, and don't forget Vlasics parents live here, I'm guessing right around $4.5 to $5 per year X 8 years

Unless they feel like they have better prospects in the pipe line, but then again that cost certainty becomes a valuable item if he outperforms his contract and how young he is.
- BetweenTheDots

Vlasic will be an $8m per year defenseman in a few years. His agent will never go 8 years at that amount.

IIRC, I think Hendry got hurt somewhere down the stretch and they picked up Boynton going into the playoffs and I think that was their 3rd pair I believe along with Keith and Seabs and Soup and Hammer.

Kim Johsson played like what...just a handful of games?
- HawkintheD

I think Kim Johnsson came in a couple of years later with Nick Leddy in the Barker trade.

Brent Sopel played in a lot of games on the 3rd pair in 2010. Barker/Hendry/Boynton were the 6,7 and 8 guys.

Vlasic will be an $8m per year defenseman in a few years. His agent will never go 8 years at that amount.
- rpeters01

In today's dollars or as the cap goes up? $8M per seems a bit steep for a D first defenseman who contributes about 15-20 pts.

In today's dollars or as the cap goes up? $8M per seems a bit steep for a D first defenseman who contributes about 15-20 pts.
- Chunk

As the cap goes up. His points will rise with more experience and better forwards. I expect a 3-4 year bridge deal. Four will have a little bit higher aav.

One thing for next season, be it via UFA signing, trade, draft, call up. Whatever it is, the Hawks need to get another reliable Center. Jason D has been durable (only player to dress every game this season.) but he has taken more than twice as many faceoffs as anyone else on the team and it's usually only his line that can play solid defense. If they want to start moving the needle in the right direction, it would be good to find someone to win faceoffs and play a 200 foot game. Bedard likely will be back to Center before long, but someone to fill a middle 6 Center spot would be outstanding.

If it's within the organization, I would think Dach/Guttman have a chance to fill the hole, but with the young players the defensive play and poise are going to be a big unknown.

Some UFA coming up that do or can play C.

E Lindholm, C Stephenson, A Wennberg, S Monahan, A Henrique, M Domi, S Stamkos, M Duchene,

Some of those guys are interesting, but I don't know if we'll be in play for the top ones. Lindholm would be great but probably going to be having many suitors and an inflated price tag. Monahan would be good. Henrique or Stepehenson would be good too, but probably these guys are going to be in the overpaid category.

Athanasiou can play center but he is better at wing and it's good to plan to have extra forwards that can swing into C, because if the injury bug hits guys like Jason D, we will start to have some big holes. We have other guys that can play C, but many of them don't fit the bill.

Reichel - He needs to solidify his game and gain confidence and his defensive game needs a bit more work.
Kurashev - Likely to stay stapled to Bedard and isn't a solid defensive option.
Foligno - He can play C but is much better as a winger. Also at that age where asking him to be a 200 player might get more and more challenging.
Donato - better as a 4th line option or 3rd line wing filler
Blackwell - good chance he is gone and is more of a 4th line guy
Entwistle - 4th line/depth
R Johnson - 4th line/depth
T Johnson - very likely gone and not great defensively

There are likely going to be some trade options, but I just really hope we build more C depth.
- breadbag

I wouldn't mind seeing Domi return, he played well at centre during his brief stint with the Hawks. He likes playing for LR so I think Domi is a realistic option.

I think Kim Johnsson came in a couple of years with Nick Leddy in the Barker trade.

Brent Sopel played in a lot of games on the 3rd pair in 2010. Barker/Hendry/Boynton were the 6,7 and 8 guys.
- boilermaker100

Boynton was on the ice for Kaner's Cup clinching goal.

Sopel and Rozy got a lot of crap from fans,but those 2 guys were very good 3rd pair d-men.
Sopel used to lay himself out and try to block shots and Rozy was slow but he knew where the puck was going and where to go with it. He was on the Coyotes team that knocked the Blackhawks out of the playoffs in 2012, I remember him being a steady d-man for them too.

Haven't watched the last few games,but from what I'm reading,Kaiser looks like he has improved. If he sticks with the team, then is the top 6 on D something like this:

Jones,Vlasic,Korch,Murphy,Kaiser
Leaving 1 spot for DelMastro,Allan,Crevier,Philips etc..?

Vlasic will be an $8m per year defenseman in a few years. His agent will never go 8 years at that amount.
- rpeters01

I think Vlasic will listen to the people around him, the agent won't dictate what he does.

Plus the 8 year deal you can front load the contract so he sees more money sooner where as the bridge contract you get less up front.

That would be a tough decision, 3 years probably $12 milv total, or 8 years $40 mil total, i know which one I'm taking but I'm conservative like that.

Boynton was on the ice for Kaner's Cup clinching goal.

Sopel and Rozy got a lot of crap from fans,but those 2 guys were very good 3rd pair d-men.
Sopel used to lay himself out and try to block shots and Rozy was slow but he knew where the puck was going and where to go with it. He was on the Coyotes team that knocked the Blackhawks out of the playoffs in 2012, I remember him being a steady d-man for them too.

Haven't watched the last few games,but from what I'm reading,Kaiser looks like he has improved. If he sticks with the team, then is the top 6 on D something like this:

Jones,Vlasic,Korch,Murphy,Kaiser
Leaving 1 spot for DelMastro,Allan,Crevier,Philips etc..?
- captainserious

In theory yes, but who knows how much Murphy really has left in the tank. I also think KD will sign at least one FA D-man with Megna, Tinordi and Zaitsev all expected to leave.

In theory yes, but who knows how much Murphy really has left in the tank. I also think KD will sign at least one FA D-man with Megna, Tinordi and Zaitsev all expected to leave.
- Chunk

You are right, who knows if his back will let him play another full season,but I think he is signed for another two years,meaning he won't be trade bait at the deadlind unless they retain salary.

What is the benefit to the Hawks of a trade like this? To the naked eye, it looks like you are trading KK who you now know can at a minimum play some defense in the NHL and has the tools to be a big offensive contributor, and Moore who is known as a 200’ player who has been able to produce against higher competition in the NCAA, for a sniper (admittedly a need) who has many that are wary of his overall game, and another D-man that is likely at least a year if not 2-3 away from even seeing NHL ice. I know this is hypothetical, but this seems like just delaying the rebuild even more. If I’m trading any of the young D it is for an established young forward. I’m fine packaging draft picks to move up in the draft, but not guys that have actually shown they can play a bit.
- Chunk

Yes, my post was a hypothetical and I'm not advocating for these hypotheticals per say. But, what isn't a hypothetical is KD has shown he ain't scared on draft day and there are hypotheticals that become real on draft day.

My hope is if a hypothetical presents a real opportunity on draft day KD trusts his evaluators and will jump on big value. .......... I'm a KK guy, am pleased with his progress as a 19 yr old in the NHL this yr (especially that no harm was done) but see him top out as a 1B offensive Dman in the Bigs.

And if I'm right that is a helluva NHLer you have but there will be quite a few, 20ish, better than him. If I can improve on that I'd do so.

The beauty of Kyle's situation; he gets to decide if a big dominant centre is what the hawks want, a goal scorer, or a dominant attacking rearguard, or giant potential headman or a Russian.

All this b/c we know Celebrini is going first pick whether he stars or levels out as a mid six centteman...
- wiz1901

For sure, Wiz. Drafting top 5 for a couple/few yrs you gotta hit on those picks cuz if a rebuild is successful the next yrs you draft 12, then 18 then 23 and the talent there is at least less obvious and your chances for impact players decreases every yr.

So, I'm on board with any pick that lands an impact player regardless of position.

Toronto has signed NCAA free agent centre Jacob Quillan. His teammate Collin Graf is expected to sign with an Eastern conference team soon.

KD is asleep at the wheel again…. #KDFail
- DarthKane

How do you know hawks didnt try to sign him?

Yes, my post was a hypothetical and I'm not advocating for these hypotheticals per say. But, what isn't a hypothetical is KD has shown he ain't scared on draft day and there are hypotheticals that become real on draft day.

My hope is if a hypothetical presents a real opportunity on draft day KD trusts his evaluators and will jump on big value. .......... I'm a KK guy, am pleased with his progress as a 19 yr old in the NHL this yr (especially that no harm was done) but see him top out as a 1B offensive Dman in the Bigs.

And if I'm right that is a helluva NHLer you have but there will be quite a few, 20ish, better than him. If I can improve on that I'd do so.
- Mr Ricochet

Well I'm greedy, i don't want either or, i want and or plus so keeping KK and adding a player where it doesn't cost you an up and coming player is the only way i make a deal if there is one to be had.

20ish better than him, we'll see but the crazy thing is because we only have 1 really good forward we all don't know what his and Vlasics real value is on the offensive side of the ice.

Well I'm greedy, i don't want either or, i want and or plus so keeping KK and adding a player where it doesn't cost you an up and coming player is the only way i make a deal if there is one to be had.

20ish better than him, we'll see but the crazy thing is because we only have 1 really good forward we all don't know what his and Vlasics real value is on the offensive side of the ice.
- BetweenTheDots

This cannot be stressed enough. Even with a year in the NHL under his belt, we do not have an indication of what his actual ceiling is. Well... Elbows does, but I'm going to pretend that it is still to be determined. The main difference is that KK is getting all (for now) of his development experience in the bigs vs college or RFD.

Was just reading an ESPN mock that had the Hawks taking Levshunov at #2 and
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard at 20.

Was just reading an ESPN mock that had the Hawks taking Levshunov at #2 and
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard at 20.
- HawkintheD

Levbustunov and Bustsegg-Nybust