Asking the board.....Weren't two of those bums drafted by Stan?
- mohel

Not all of Stan’s choices were bad As a matter of fact, Bowman and Mark Kelly knew they had to acquire more size and toughness

Their methodology wasn’t too good though

Bringing back Saad. Fine. But he is only a good third line or if necessary second line guy.

They went for K Dach thinking he would complement Toews, maybe one day be the new Toews but not quite as good offensively. Yeah maybe they thought something along that train of thought…..I know Kelly really wanted to add size

Of course they fell in love with Boqvist skill set. First Boqvist, then Mitchell in Chicago and what did we learn from bringing in smallish dmen or dmen that cannot handle rough play? They cannot be wrong when you pin a lot of hope on them. First round choice when you know a rebuild is necessary you have responsibility for due diligence- can Boqvist handle the NHL physicality. Sure looks like “no” even in Columbus

Mitchell was not such a high choice so it was a gamble on a smallish player with talent

Then you have Colorado who drafted Byram. He was a gamble due to size and didn’t he have a concussion before he even got to the NHL? Well Byram has not yet and may not ever become a star, but he has made the NHL.

No GM has 100% success with each draft choice, each transaction. But Bowman blew some big moves - and Tallon blew even more #1 draft selections btw

The lifeline of a team is its scouting. Tallon and Bowman had too many failures. I believe K Dach was not handled right and it is unfortunate that he had been injured again with Montreal. KD got Nazar for Dach so we just have to allow a few years to pass and see how the health of both those players turns out

I like what I have seen in KD draft choices although I until recently was skeptical on the Rinzell pick

I just think it will be 2026 season before we can even think about challenging for playoffs again. Even should we get Celebrini both him and Bedard have to learn/accept the team game ahead of individual gaming. It is frustrating being a bad team but it was a bad choice by Bedard to try to steal the puck in OT against Dallas. I hope he is mature enough to admit it and move on from the mistake

Makes no sense the Gibson rumor as far as Chicago goes

Anyway I noticed Gibson GAA after Arizona beat Ducks tonight 2-0: it is .93

Also btw Ducks just got Drysdale back and he is playing a ton

Zero problem with the way Bedard played in OT- that was exactly what you are supposed to do -and to be ready to go back the other way quickly. 3 on 3 has a distinctly different mindset to playing it than 5 on 5.

Personally I don't miss Seth a bit - which is more like saying his 8 mil plus or whatever it is per year wouldn't have changed a thing since he's been out.

I don't actually know what Tinordi was doing out there most of the game, and I see that I go and compliment Reichel and he goes and proves me wrong to have done it.

Man they were awful passing last night. The posts did get the Hawks a point though - so they've been well worth the investment. The team though ... man, sometimes it feels like they are playing as if there are no defenders out there -with their passing.

Zero problem with the way Bedard played in OT- that was exactly what you are supposed to do -and to be ready to go back the other way quickly. 3 on 3 has a distinctly different mindset to playing it than 5 on 5.

Personally I don't miss Seth a bit - which is more like saying his 8 mil plus or whatever it is per year wouldn't have changed a thing since he's been out.

I don't actually know what Tinordi was doing out there most of the game, and I see that I go and compliment Reichel and he goes and proves me wrong to have done it.

Man they were awful passing last night. The posts did get the Hawks a point though - so they've been well worth the investment. The team though ... man, sometimes it feels like they are playing as if there are no defenders out there -with their passing.
- SC116

Was he gliding back after failing to intercept a pass?

Anyone have an estimate how much time NHL teams and junior/collegiate spend practice the art of passing? It varies? Some players pass well, others so so or not too good. Any examples of players who pass skills were horrific but became much better?

As well, nowadays teams crave players who can execute passing shooting playmaking while skating fast. And or make good decisions while playing at a high speed. Forsling is cited as an example

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Anderson, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 
- -Doh-

He's a player I think they should target in the offseason as a UFA. I wouldn't trade a top 3 pick this year and include either Nazar or Moore for a 29 yo.

He's a player I think they should target in the offseason as a UFA. I wouldn't trade a top 3 pick this year and include either Nazar or Moore for a 29 yo.
- HawkintheD

I think when he says add that's too the Blackhawks roster next year. So he's not including those in trade.

He's a player I think they should target in the offseason as a UFA. I wouldn't trade a top 3 pick this year and include either Nazar or Moore for a 29 yo.
- HawkintheD

So how much are you willing pay Lindholm & for how long? He likely would be a very good 2C for a few years and then age & contract length becomes the issue. Add to that, he and his agent know the cap is going up by $4M and they probably will be asking for $9M (or more).

I doubt that profile for investmnt fits the KD plan. Especially when they know a Bedard contract will be $12M (or more) after 2 more seasons and there will be young defenceman to pay and any good goaltender is going to cost $6M or more.

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Anderson, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 
- -Doh-

Personally i would wait till FA. My standards have been reduced to if he signs anyone i hope they can win 50 50 puck battles, plays 200 feet of hockey, can actually dump the puck into the offensive zone or get the puck out of the defensive zone without hitting their own teammates, receive a pass make a pass, and play on the right side of the puck for starters.

When the LVGK had their draft they picked a bunch of middling solid hockey players from teams that left them unprotected because they wanted to protect their stars and young players. If i were KD those are the players i would seek in FA.

So how much are you willing pay Lindholm & for how long? He likely would be a very good 2C for a few years and then age & contract length becomes the issue. Add to that, he and his agent know the cap is going up by $4M and they probably will be asking for $9M (or more).

I doubt that profile for investmnt fits the KD plan. Especially when they know a Bedard contract will be $12M (or more) after 2 more seasons and there will be young defenceman to pay and any good goaltender is going to cost $6M or more.
- RickJ

Spot on. He's a stopgap until the kids arrive. He'll help those fans who can't tolerate the suckage feel better in the meantime.

To the hockey scouts out there on this site, here's one to possibly keep an eye out for in a few years. Looks like he is comparable to Cale Makar. He's eligible for the 2027 draft.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...t-shines-in-minor-hockey/

Tyler Johnson must have heard the rumors about him being on the trade block. By scoring a couple last night, is he thinking "Yes, get me out of here?"

If traded, whatever comes back won't move the needle much down the road. 3rd round pick or a B prospect would probably be the return IMO.

Some outside thoughts from Friedman and other writers on the Pettersson and Nylander coming to Chicago rumors. The consensus is it ain't happening.

https://nhlrumors.com/nhl...he-blackhawks/2023/12/29/

https://www.spectorshocke...or-mill-december-30-2023/

I think when he says add that's too the Blackhawks roster next year. So he's not including those in trade.
- BetweenTheDots

Reading is a skill. My bad. I thought he was including all of those guys in the trade. 🤦‍♂️

So how much are you willing pay Lindholm & for how long? He likely would be a very good 2C for a few years and then age & contract length becomes the issue. Add to that, he and his agent know the cap is going up by $4M and they probably will be asking for $9M (or more).

I doubt that profile for investmnt fits the KD plan. Especially when they know a Bedard contract will be $12M (or more) after 2 more seasons and there will be young defenceman to pay and any good goaltender is going to cost $6M or more.
- RickJ

They're allowed to ask and I didn't include money or length in my post but yeah...no way am I paying $9M to Lindholm.

The guy is making a tick under $5M right now. If there is someone out there other than KFC who will give $9M for idk...5 years...let that team sign him.

I just think it's a more reasonable target as I can't see them going after Nylander which was brought up yesterday and at times before.

Edit - and above in Boiler's post.

They're allowed to ask and I didn't include money or length in my post but yeah...no way am I paying $9M to Lindholm.

The guy is making a tick under $5M right now. If there is someone out there other than KFC who will give $9M for idk...5 years...let that team sign him.

I just think it's a more reasonable target as I can't see them going after Nylander which was brought up yesterday and at times before.
- HawkintheD

Supposedly Lindholm turned down 9M from Calgary. Maybe he wants out of there and will take less from another club. He just turned 29 so hell want to max out his next contract. Like others signing a 7 year contract at that age, the last couple of years of it would probably be an overpay and wasted cap space. If he accepts 5 years at 8M, it might be a good deal for Chicago to have him as a bridge until some of the prospects are ready.

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Anderson, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 
- -Doh-

Sign a 29 yr old to a 7 year 8.5mil contract at this point of the rebuild? C'mon He'll be washed up and a drag on the cap by the time they are ready to compete

He's a player I think they should target in the offseason as a UFA. I wouldn't trade a top 3 pick this year and include either Nazar or Moore for a 29 yo.
- HawkintheD

Good point. Try to sign him when he hits free agency and do not give up any other assets. Even if you have to overpay or give him too much term you are not giving up other assets.

I think when he says add that's too the Blackhawks roster next year. So he's not including those in trade.
- BetweenTheDots

Correct. I was talking about Tampa's 1st this year, a 2nd next year, Kaiser and Reichel. But I was dead wrong. Wait until summer and out bid teams even if overpaying.

So how much are you willing pay Lindholm & for how long? He likely would be a very good 2C for a few years and then age & contract length becomes the issue. Add to that, he and his agent know the cap is going up by $4M and they probably will be asking for $9M (or more).

I doubt that profile for investmnt fits the KD plan. Especially when they know a Bedard contract will be $12M (or more) after 2 more seasons and there will be young defenceman to pay and any good goaltender is going to cost $6M or more.
- RickJ

They need to add good players that will provide some talent and stability during the transition.

They're allowed to ask and I didn't include money or length in my post but yeah...no way am I paying $9M to Lindholm.

The guy is making a tick under $5M right now. If there is someone out there other than KFC who will give $9M for idk...5 years...let that team sign him.

I just think it's a more reasonable target as I can't see them going after Nylander which was brought up yesterday and at times before.

Edit - and above in Boiler's post.
- HawkintheD

No Nylander for me, absolutely no need for an expensive contract like that right now. But the grossly overrated Maple Laffs are in a box with him right now - can't be paying Mitch Marner $11M and deny Nylander about the same. They will pay him and hope their Junior B goaltending and crap defence works, which it won't.

Standings check: so far the Maple Loafs have only 2 more regulation wins than the Hawks (10 vs 8).

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, AA, Taylor Hall, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Anderson, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 
- -Doh-

I forgot to include Taylor Hall and AA in my first post.

Tyler Johnson must have heard the rumors about him being on the trade block. By scoring a couple last night, is he thinking "Yes, get me out of here?"

If traded, whatever comes back won't move the needle much down the road. 3rd round pick or a B prospect would probably be the return IMO.
- boilermaker100

I would rather have a 3rd round pick than a B prospect. You can always bundle some 3rd and fourth round picks to move up a few spots in the 2nd round of the draft or add them as part of a larger trade. We have a ton of B prospects.

No Nylander for me, absolutely no need for an expensive contract like that right now. But the grossly overrated Maple Laffs are in a box with him right now - can't be paying Mitch Marner $11M and deny Nylander about the same. They will pay him and hope their Junior B goaltending and crap defence works, which it won't.

Standings check: so far the Maple Loafs have only 2 more regulation wins than the Hawks (10 vs 8).
- RickJ

As D pointed out earlier, if the Hawks do get Nylander they may be forced to play hardball with Bedard. Nylander becomes the Hawks John Tavares a guy who may not be who they need in 5 years but who becomes a cap albatross. The stupid Leaf management can see their predicament but don’t want to do anything about it. (frank) em!