Do you think a guy like say Stamkos would take a short term contract for a higher than his value AAV? Short term the Hawks have a boatload of cap space and a guy like Stamkos would help the Hawks in every way imaginable, scoring, a linemate for Bedard, he would prevent other teams from double and triple teaming Bedard and the leadership intangibles. Add in two or three other mid level UFAs, like Domi to short term deals.
- paulr

Right there. Post him up on the left side for those one timers and the opposition has to cover him. Meanwhile Bedard should have more room away from Stamkos to deal the cards.

As far as Bertuzzi goes, his skating is below average and I’m just not a fan. I’ll take Stamkos on a short term deal, Domi and D!ckinson for three years, maybe Foligno for one year, and make a couple of trades for young forwards that can grow with the young core.
Stamkos/Bedard/Kurashev
Hall/Domi/Reichel

He’ll be an RFA. He’ll play with the Hawks or no one.
- Chunk

He might need a one year break after what he is going to be through in the next few years. Maybe play a half year in Europe. Then he's a free bird if I'm not mistaken. If he really wants out of here. They'll be tripping over their Richards trying to get him to sign. I look forward to the daily news and rumors about it.

He might need a one year break after what he is going to be through in the next few years. Maybe play a half year in Europe. Then he's a free bird if I'm not mistaken. If he really wants out of here. They'll be tripping over their Richards trying to get him to sign. I look forward to the daily news and rumors about it.
- 6628

Eh... outside of Mackinnon's first year, COL was pretty dogpoop his first four years, and he didn't make any stink about resigning with them. Look at all the suckage that McJesus has gone through. Jack Hughes first three seasons were struggle sessions.

I think players understand that the league is cyclical. It also appears that staying with one team for an entire career is important to them and something they strive for (look at how hard it was for Kane to waive).

As far as Bertuzzi goes, his skating is below average and I’m just not a fan. I’ll take Stamkos on a short term deal, Domi and D!ckinson for three years, maybe Foligno for one year, and make a couple of trades for young forwards that can grow with the young core.
Stamkos/Bedard/Kurashev
Hall/Domi/Reichel
- Angotti

Maybe Nazar factors in to one of those top two lines. I know the forward prospects have been projected to show up later than sooner, say other than Nazar or possibly Dach already in RFD but will be interesting to see if someone surprises in camp.

Next season we should see more actual fwd prospects in RFD vs the Brent Seney type players who are essentially there to help fill out a roster.

Also, hoping at some point this season, Reichel starts to show some of what he did toward the end of last season.

That and by the time he's up for renewal going in to the '26/'27 season, I suspect the lineup is going to look drastically different and possibly a tad more competitive.
- HawkintheD

Not if KD doesn't do what I've been spewing about for the last month or so.

P Kane helps Detroit prevail in the shootout vs LA Kings. Clarke not in lineup for Kings

Byfield had 10-16 for 26 pts in 34 gp. What numbers can be projected for this beastly forward - how much better scoring totals?
- jhawk59

You mean patience with young players sometimes pays off?

You mean patience with young players sometimes pays off?
- Chunk

It also helps that his linemates are Kopitar and Kempe.

It also helps that his linemates are Kopitar and Kempe.
- LAHawk

Well, yeah, but I thought we pounded the hell out of that argument yesterday. I wanted to let it breathe for a minute. 😂

Well, yeah, but I thought we pounded the hell out of that argument yesterday. I wanted to let it breathe for a minute. 😂
- Chunk

What, you thought this wasn’t a place to beat dead horses?!?!

Well, yeah, but I thought we pounded the hell out of that argument yesterday. I wanted to let it breathe for a minute. 😂
- Chunk

Yea its going to be long couple of years for you guys.

Yea its going to be long couple of years for you guys.
- BetweenTheDots

Nah, I’ll just bask in the glow of knowing I’m right. 😂😂

Besides, if they don’t do what I said they should “I’m not going to watch another game of this team!” Then rush to the message boards the second that some random 4th liner makes a mistake. 😁

Someone please explain the logic of bringing Megna in? He's a 31 year old journeyman with 140 or so games if NHL experience over 11 seasons. If you're gonna skate him sit Zaitsev or Tinordi not Phillips or Crevier.

Someone please explain the logic of bringing Megna in? He's a 31 year old journeyman with 140 or so games if NHL experience over 11 seasons. If you're gonna skate him sit Zaitsev or Tinordi not Phillips or Crevier.
- TheTrob

That was my first thought but so far I think KD has made good moves overall. Not sure what the thinking is? He acquired a veteran defenseman because of all the injuries? KD doesn’t want the young defensemen to be overwhelmed so he is using Megna as cannon fodder! He didn’t get him because of his toughness. I’m not overly concerned about the move as I don’t see it impacting anything.

That was my first thought but so far I think KD has made good moves overall. Not sure what the thinking is? He acquired a veteran defenseman because of all the injuries? KD doesn’t want the young defensemen to be overwhelmed so he is using Megna as cannon fodder! He didn’t get him because of his toughness. I’m not overly concerned about the move as I don’t see it impacting anything.
- paulr

I guess. Local kid, play some games in the UC, blah, blah. I know there is sentiment out there that you don't want to ruin these kids or have them overwhelmed so throw the fodder to the wolves to be devoured. I am of the opinion that as long as a kid can somewhat hold their own, the experience gained by playing in the NHL is far more valuable than trying to protect them in the AHL. There's probably a fine line and a lot depends on how well a kid can take instruction and actually learn from their mistakes.

For every Mitchell, Beaudin, etc. that fails, there are Forslings and others who wind up excelling.

Nah, I’ll just bask in the glow of knowing I’m right. 😂😂

Besides, if they don’t do what I said they should “I’m not going to watch another game of this team!” Then rush to the message boards the second that some random 4th liner makes a mistake. 😁
- Chunk

Hahaha you are right, for now.

There are plenty of opinions on how a team should rebuild or reset, whatever that means, getting angry and upset for them not winning right now is a waste of energy, they said they are rebuilding, they are showing us they are rebuilding. As much as i would like them to be a playoff team it would only hurt them in the upcoming draft.

I guess. Local kid, play some games in the UC, blah, blah. I know there is sentiment out there that you don't want to ruin these kids or have them overwhelmed so throw the fodder to the wolves to be devoured. I am of the opinion that as long as a kid can somewhat hold their own, the experience gained by playing in the NHL is far more valuable than trying to protect them in the AHL. There's probably a fine line and a lot depends on how well a kid can take instruction and actually learn from their mistakes.

For every Mitchell, Beaudin, etc. that fails, there are Forslings and others who wind up excelling.
- TheTrob

I don't want Seth jones injured but i think it's good for the kids to play without him for now. Get a better taste without a top 4 dman playing along side you.

I have to say for all my complaining in the past about Murphy, he's really played well this year, i think LR style suits him well.

That was my first thought but so far I think KD has made good moves overall. Not sure what the thinking is? He acquired a veteran defenseman because of all the injuries? KD doesn’t want the young defensemen to be overwhelmed so he is using Megna as cannon fodder! He didn’t get him because of his toughness. I’m not overly concerned about the move as I don’t see it impacting anything.
- paulr

Maybe he is auditioning for Tinordi's role next year, but I thought Andreas Englund after the Hawks acquired him at least year's trade deadline was auditioning too. Having a pretty good year as the 6th defenseman on the Kings.

I don't want Seth jones injured but i think it's good for the kids to play without him for now. Get a better taste without a top 4 dman playing along side you.

I have to say for all my complaining in the past about Murphy, he's really played well this year, i think LR style suits him well.
- BetweenTheDots

He’s been playing with Vlasic, however last night he was partnered with Tinordi and ended up a -2.

Someone please explain the logic of bringing Megna in? He's a 31 year old journeyman with 140 or so games if NHL experience over 11 seasons. If you're gonna skate him sit Zaitsev or Tinordi not Phillips or Crevier.
- TheTrob

Remember Q's treatment of Michael Kempny ? I think LR is giving Phillip's the same treatment, will be interesting to see him play in a different jersey next year.

He’s been playing with Vlasic, however last night he was partnered with Tinordi and ended up a -2.
- Angotti

Well goal # 1 not only did Bedard turn the puck over in the offensive zone, but Murphy who had Trocheck driving through the middle was motioning for Bedard to get over towards Panarin.

in Bedard's defense, besides being 18, Foligno and Kurashev are no help to him whatsoever. Foligno gets exposed anytime he has to play above line #3, and Kurashev is still trying to find his way too. I did think Kurashev last night had a strong game, but his inconsistencies still bug him. Hopefully he can string some good games together before the all star break.

Remember Q's treatment of Michael Kempny ? I think LR is giving Phillip's the same treatment, will be interesting to see him play in a different jersey next year.
- LAHawk

Phillips is capable of being a physical presence, a guy who can get in the faces of opposition forwards, block access around the net, a defender who can manhandle guys around the crease, win board battles, engage forwards so their focus is on Phillips not on deflections or rebounds. I saw that game in junior, in junior he was a man against boys, in the NHL he’s playing like a boy against men. I think once he gets what his job is he’ll get more playing time and responsibilities from the coaching staff. It takes some guys longer to figure it out, look no further than Byfield. If he can bring more physicality to his game, that already includes being a good skater and a decent puck mover, he could be a very good third pairing guy.

He’s been playing with Vlasic, however last night he was partnered with Tinordi and ended up a -2.
- Angotti

I like him a lot. Hope they sign him to a long term deal.

Well goal # 1 not only did Bedard turn the puck over in the offensive zone, but Murphy who had Trocheck driving through the middle was motioning for Bedard to get over towards Panarin.

in Bedard's defense, besides being 18, Foligno and Kurashev are no help to him whatsoever. Foligno gets exposed anytime he has to play above line #3, and Kurashev is still trying to find his way too. I did think Kurashev last night had a strong game, but his inconsistencies still bug him. Hopefully he can string some good games together before the all star break.
- LAHawk

I also thought that Kurashev had a good game, and Foligno is basically a fourth line guy on a good team, if they bring him back I hope it’s only for one year, if he wants two years, then see you later.

Someone please explain the logic of bringing Megna in? He's a 31 year old journeyman with 140 or so games if NHL experience over 11 seasons. If you're gonna skate him sit Zaitsev or Tinordi not Phillips or Crevier.
- TheTrob

i fully agree with this stmt