I just don't believe in making decisions out of fear and worrying about this group and how they will wither away mentally if Mrazek is traded.

Just because Soda is struggling does that mean he's a bust? I believe Mrazek struggled since he's been with us. Just can't build a team with the fear of the unknown.

This comparison to the Oilers and Leafs is a joke as well, we have 2 very good prospects in the pipe line.
- BetweenTheDots

Struggling is an understatement for Soda. Out of the 57 goalies which started this season so far with 11 or more starts, he is 57 with a 4.15 GAA and 56 for save % at .870. He definitely needs some fine-tuning from Waite.

Struggling is an understatement for Soda. Out of the 57 goalies which started this season so far with 11 or more starts, he is 57 with a 4.15 GAA and 56 for save % at .870. He definitely needs some fine-tuning from Waite.
- Popsghostly

And Mrazek with a .911 save percentage ranked 7th best this yea is struggling? SMH

No. No interim GM can move what were then Key pieces in Dach and Debrincat and to a certain extend Hagel who netted them two firsts.

Rebuilding starts with tearing down and when you start moving guys for assets and losing on purpose.
- fattybeef

Don't necessarily disagree, mostly just grinding your gears. However, pretty sure the interim tag had been removed when he traded Dach and Dinky.

Dinky was traded just before the draft and Dach during.

I just don't believe in making decisions out of fear and worrying about this group and how they will wither away mentally if Mrazek is traded.

Just because Soda is struggling does that mean he's a bust? I believe Mrazek struggled since he's been with us. Just can't build a team with the fear of the unknown.

This comparison to the Oilers and Leafs is a joke as well, we have 2 very good prospects in the pipe line.
- BetweenTheDots

From what I can tell, LA's question is "what is the cutoff point for whether or not you trade Mrazek?" You seem to be implying that just about anything anyone offers would be good enough (3rd-7th rd pick). Personally, I think unless it's a first you keep him around for another year or two. He's played well behind THIS team. It's not always a given that a goalie will perform well behind just any team. Look at MAF behind a notably better team in MN.

You can't just assume that the Hawks will find a competent backstop in UFA. The Hawks need at least two more years of solid goaltending before any of the young guys are ready to sniff the bigs. Plenty of highly touted goalies have fallen flat.

I've beat to death my point thinking that the Hawks don't need to add any more draft picks. They've had a ton and have plenty more in the hopper over the next three years (most in the first three rounds). A this point, stop throwing everything of value out the window for picks and start building something competitive.

And Mrazek with a .911 save percentage ranked 7th best this yea is struggling? SMH
- LAHawk

In typical LA fashion let's omit the last 2 years he's played goalie

In typical LA fashion let's omit the last 2 years he's played goalie
- BetweenTheDots

He's also said he's finally found a way to get and stay healthy this year, so let's take that into account as well.

From what I can tell, LA's question is "what is the cutoff point for whether or not you trade Mrazek?" You seem to be implying that just about anything anyone offers would be good enough (3rd-7th rd pick). Personally, I think unless it's a first you keep him around for another year or two. He's played well behind THIS team. It's not always a given that a goalie will perform well behind just any team. Look at MAF behind a notably better team in MN.

You can't just assume that the Hawks will find a competent backstop in UFA. The Hawks need at least two more years of solid goaltending before any of the young guys are ready to sniff the bigs. Plenty of highly touted goalies have fallen flat.

I've beat to death my point thinking that the Hawks don't need to add any more draft picks. They've had a ton and have plenty more in the hopper over the next three years (most in the first three rounds). A this point, stop throwing everything of value out the window for picks and start building something competitive.
- Chunk

That is my question, what is the cutoff ? I was asked if I would take a first for Mrazek and I said yes, a low Second I would probably try and sign him.

How many goaltenders really succeed going from back-ups to #1's? Look at the Hawks

Forsberg
Delia
Lankenin
Darling
Raanta
Stalock (signed a contract with Anaheim and is back in the A)

Look at all the other mistakes teams have made in thinking that a goalie is ready to step up as a #1

Campbell
Peterson
Martin Jones
Nedjkovic
Reimer
Gustavsson

Goaltending is not a plug and play position. It is just as much mental as physical (probably more so) On most nights, the winning team has the better goaltending. Last night Mrazek outplayed a Vezina contending goaltender, and the Hawks won because Mrazek was the better goaltender. Exact oppostie of the Blues game.

Pet peeve again, Vosters has no idea and doesn't identify an odd-man break like that 4 on 2 the Jets had. Does he even know the phrase 2 on 1 or 3 on 1?
- Popsghostly

Vosters is much better than last year, but yes, I 100% agree with your assessment. He just doesnt analyze the game or provide much insight. Thoughts anyone?

In typical LA fashion let's omit the last 2 years he's played goalie
- BetweenTheDots

Below average but not a dumpster fire. how about the 9-10 years before that ?

From what I can tell, LA's question is "what is the cutoff point for whether or not you trade Mrazek?" You seem to be implying that just about anything anyone offers would be good enough (3rd-7th rd pick). Personally, I think unless it's a first you keep him around for another year or two. He's played well behind THIS team. It's not always a given that a goalie will perform well behind just any team. Look at MAF behind a notably better team in MN.

You can't just assume that the Hawks will find a competent backstop in UFA. The Hawks need at least two more years of solid goaltending before any of the young guys are ready to sniff the bigs. Plenty of highly touted goalies have fallen flat.

I've beat to death my point thinking that the Hawks don't need to add any more draft picks. They've had a ton and have plenty more in the hopper over the next three years (most in the first three rounds). A this point, stop throwing everything of value out the window for picks and start building something competitive.
- Chunk

KD has made it clear that he's not going to trade for just any draft pick offered, so we don't have to worry about that. This board seems to agree that Mrazek is worth more than a third, and that he's gone if someone gives up a first, but there's probably disagreement on points in between.

The other thing that KD has said is that draft picks are chips that can be used to make trades, and not just draft more prospects. It will be interesting to see what he does with that in mind.

In other news, Nazer with 4 primary assists today.

In other news, Nazer with 4 primary assists today.
- LAHawk

I saw that...i also saw that Moore gets little ice time - about 3-4 minutes per period

In other news, Nazer with 4 primary assists today.
- LAHawk

Hayes on the board with an assist as well.

In my opinion, a goalie does not change how good or bad your defensemen are, only the score. A defenseman can make the same mistake and it will result in a goal or not depending on the goalie. It doesnt change the defenseman. The same mistake will be made either way.

He's also said he's finally found a way to get and stay healthy this year, so let's take that into account as well.
- Chunk

Well that's great for him but i think there is a track record of goalies playing well before they are free agents and are signed to big contracts and are regretted afterwards. I believe he's one of them so yes i move him for a second because i trust that the more top 100 picks i have the greater the odds that I'll have more help on the way to a championship club in the near future.

KD has made it clear that he's not going to trade for just any draft pick offered, so we don't have to worry about that. This board seems to agree that Mrazek is worth more than a third, and that he's gone if someone gives up a first, but there's probably disagreement on points in between.

The other thing that KD has said is that draft picks are chips that can be used to make trades, and not just draft more prospects. It will be interesting to see what he does with that in mind.
- 333inthe3rd

As long as he sticks to the two bolded sentences, I've got little to no issues. I just don't want to see him add with some purpose beyond icing a roster. Add some pieces that will actually improve the team.

No. No interim GM can move what were then Key pieces in Dach and Debrincat and to a certain extend Hagel who netted them two firsts.

Rebuilding starts with tearing down and when you start moving guys for assets and losing on purpose.
- fattybeef

I am sorry, you are right. Then if this is their second year, I can admit that I wasn't expecting them to win. The season they are having is exactly what I thought would be. They have some good nights, some average nights, some bad nights, and some terrible nights. If the Hawks get another top 3 pick in this draft, I will not be upset in the slightest. From 2017-21, they were in the middle; the absolute worst spot to be in; old players, terrible contracts, and rushing prospects. That recipe doesn't ever really work anymore.

I am happy they have done what they have done. Bedard was the reward for the moves that they made and I have a feeling Bedard is going to end up being a lot better than some of the younger pieces they moved to acquire draft capital.

Vosters is much better than last year, but yes, I 100% agree with your assessment. He just doesnt analyze the game or provide much insight. Thoughts anyone?
- glennjpawlak22

Vosters is terrible. If he didn't just repeat one player name after the next over and over the broadcast would be mostly silent.

The only thing worse would be to be stuck with Jack Edwards of the Bruins' telecast. Edwards, though, would actually be decent if he could tap the brakes on his over the top homerism. The Bruins' color guy is actually pretty good.

Well that's great for him but i think there is a track record of goalies playing well before they are free agents and are signed to big contracts and are regretted afterwards. I believe he's one of them so yes i move him for a second because i trust that the more top 100 picks i have the greater the odds that I'll have more help on the way to a championship club in the near future.
- BetweenTheDots

So, at what point do you pull back on stockpiling picks and actually put something useful on the ice? Mrazek is not going to get a big contract. Would you be opposed to a 2 year $4-5M contract for him (or any other fill in goalie)?

Again, the Hawks have had 22 picks in the last two years and 8-10 in the next three.
15 of the last 22 were in the first three rounds, and 16 of the next 26 picks are in the first three rounds. They've got plenty of picks. They need to put a damn team on the ice otherwise they will just be perpetually waiting for guys to "make it" to the NHL.

I'm not saying spend all available cap space on players, but they better put more on the ice than the likes of Perry, Hall, and Foligno. Stop picking up pieces you hope will be players and start picking up pieces you know are.

In my opinion, a goalie does not change how good or bad your defensemen are, only the score. A defenseman can make the same mistake and it will result in a goal or not depending on the goalie. It doesnt change the defenseman. The same mistake will be made either way.
- LFS

Normally I'd agree with you, but I've heard too many current and former NHL defensemen say that strong goalie play helps the whole team play more relaxed and confident.

As long as he sticks to the two bolded sentences, I've got little to no issues. I just don't want to see him add with some purpose beyond icing a roster. Add some pieces that will actually improve the team.
- Chunk

The idea was placeholders until they know which spots and roles can't be filled internally during the rebuild time frame, then they would start offering bigger contracts with more term. In the meantime, players in demand aren't going to sign here unless it's for a real premium, Bedard or no Bedard, which is why they had to pay up for Perry and Foligno, who probably would have signed cheaply with a contender in cap hell otherwise.

And Mrazek with a .911 save percentage ranked 7th best this yea is struggling? SMH
- LAHawk

Re-sign Mrazek NOW. 2 years, $5 million AAV.

Also, rumours in the Twitterverse have Elias Pettersson (for forward, not the defenseman) to the Hawks in the summer. Yes please!!! (Note: I know it won’t happen)

I believe that was a full house, at least it looked that way on tv. Old Danny boy better be saving for the offseason.
- Angotti

I was there, section 234. If it wasn’t sold out. It was darn close.

Don't necessarily disagree, mostly just grinding your gears. However, pretty sure the interim tag had been removed when he traded Dach and Dinky.

Dinky was traded just before the draft and Dach during.
- HawkintheD

I’m still happy with the DeBrincat and Dach trades.

Korchinski alone is a great return, Ludwinski still has potential too. Maybe KD gets lucky with Ottawa’s 3rd in 2024.

Dach is a good player who’s just injured too often. I wish him all the best but given the Hawks current state I’ll take Nazar. Gavin Hayes seems to be a keeper too, last season he got 81 points in 66 games. This season he has 36 points in 27 games (88 point pace for 66 games).

Maybe they get something like a 2nd and a 3rd for Mrazek, or possibly two 2nds. Every year's deadline market has different wrinkles to it. It will depend on how many teams are looking for goaltending, and how many other comparable goalies are available. I agree that if all that's offered is a third, he's staying, and they try to work on an extension.

I continue to believe they have to sell high on Mrazek. Health is always a risk, and it's far from certain he would sign here next year. In the meantime, they got paid to take over his contract in the form of moving up from an early second to a late first pick, and they have developed the asset to the point where we are talking about what the return is going to be.
- 333inthe3rd

They don't need more assets. They need some continuity and leadership. Mrazek has a pretty good story about ups and downs, dealing with injuries and trying to make the most out of what looked like a career that was over.