https://twitter.com/darre...&t=4cKvHncpbhBho_g51bJ3DA

Looks like you can scratch Wee Willie from wearing the Indian head sweater. Another blurb says it's a full NMC for the entire length of the contract.
- Rota's Rooter

Goodbye John Tavares.

Goodbye John Tavares.
- ChicagoHope

Goodbye Mitch Marner

Goodbye Mitch Marner
- LAHawk

The stupid leafs will hold on to all of four of them and won’t be able to understand why the bottom of their lineup , their defense and goalie aren’t good enough to get them past the second round of the playoffs.

https://twitter.com/darre...&t=4cKvHncpbhBho_g51bJ3DA

Looks like you can scratch Wee Willie from wearing the Indian head sweater. Another blurb says it's a full NMC for the entire length of the contract.
- Rota's Rooter

That was never going to happen. Same goes for Pettersson.

Celebrini or Lindstrom or bust!
- paulr

Blackhawks will trade the first pick.

That was never going to happen. Same goes for Pettersson.
- MartiniMan

Oh I know that. There were a few folks on here who mentioned it and I just thought I would crush their hopes and dreams as we go into the new year.

Blackhawks will trade the first pick.
- rpeters01

It wouldn’t surprise me if the price were right.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the price were right.
- paulr

How about for B. Tkachuk or J. Norris? Both signed to reasonable deals for the next 4 and 6 years respectively and both 24.

How about for B. Tkachuk or J. Norris? Both signed to reasonable deals for the next 4 and 6 years respectively and both 24.
- Chunk

I prefer not to get into specifics but one of the above would look good in a Blackhawk jersey, but unless the Sens think they’ll lose one or the other there’s no chance they move him for just a first round pick.

Blackhawks will trade the first pick.
- rpeters01

Feel we are going to drop 2 spots regardless of where we finish. Lotto gods give and take and we got a lot of luck last May.

Happy new year to all! Hope your holidays were great.

Bedard: After watching this kid for awhile I think it's imperative that Davidson find him some skill this upcoming year or else he will continue to try to push things by himself where he ends up puttting himself in vulernable spots where he gets physically hit. I also think they should show him some clips of Kane and how he mainly avoided big hits his entire career. I just get the sense from 98 he was growing frustrated with lack of top end talent around him.

Reichel: Is it fair to question the development of forwards in this organization, not named Bedard over the last 5+ years? Is it scouting? Is it Rockford? We saw a nice flash from him last year....expected another step this year and now he looks to have regressed and playing without much, if any, confidence. Again, I know it's 73 games....I also know same argument lies with him as does Bedard with lack of skill, but when paired up together I would have thought Reichel would flourish and be more noticeable.....

Team easily could have mailed it in yesterday...given their recent run of injuries, hugely outmanned in regard to talent, but showed up and battled so that to me is a testament that they haven't quit on the coaching staff. Still think while 98 is out this is going to help cement a top 3 pick. Is Celebrini a lock to be a star? If so, they will need it as their lack of young proven talent up front is glaring and hopefully guys like Moore, Nazar, etc hit at some point and fill some holes.....or else Davidson is going to need to get creative either through trade or UFA to find top 6 skill to fill out this roster.

Feel we are going to drop 2 spots regardless of where we finish. Lotto gods give and take and we got a lot of luck last May.
- Popsghostly

I don’t think there are any kind of gods, hockey or otherwise, but no matter where the Hawks pick there will be a good player.

The stupid leafs will hold on to all of four of them and won’t be able to understand why the bottom of their lineup , their defense and goalie aren’t good enough to get them past the second round of the playoffs.
- paulr

I am shocked they signed him. Well.....I take that back, based on his playoff numbers and fast start this year.......I guess I am not blindsided, but I just don't see how they think this is the answer when their backend is a disaster.

That leaf management team, Shanahan, seems to love to operate in insanity. I get the cap is going up....but another 13% allocated to 1 guy on top of Matthews, Marner, Tavares.....remarkable cap management.

I totally get the "it was a clean hit" and Smith was "doing exactly what a defender should", but jaws don't break unless they are absorbing the primary force of a hit. This is why I am A-OK with the fight that followed. Smith knew it too and lined up for the faceoff accordingly.

I haven't converted to being a believer regarding Reichel. Not seeing a kid who's getting close to finding his game in the NHL or might someday be able to carry a line.

Aside from the injuries these last two games have been enjoyable to watch. I expect this stretch before players come off IR will be instrumental in determining who is back with the team next year and who isn't.

Has this ever happened in this league before?
Current IR: $35,408,333 > Current Roster: $34,228,333

I am shocked they signed him. Well.....I take that back, based on his playoff numbers and fast start this year.......I guess I am not blindsided, but I just don't see how they think this is the answer when their backend is a disaster.

That leaf management team, Shanahan, seems to love to operate in insanity. I get the cap is going up....but another 13% allocated to 1 guy on top of Matthews, Marner, Tavares.....remarkable cap management.
- SteveRain

$51M for Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Tavares and Reilly.

I don’t think there are any kind of gods, hockey or otherwise, but no matter where the Hawks pick there will be a good player.
- paulr

I could ask the Magic Eightball too then. It's just as reliable.

If that's the case, then let's hope KD picks a Draisaitl, Doughty, Tkachuk or William Nylander instead of a Yakupov, Drouin, Puljujarvi or Alexander Nylander.

I prefer not to get into specifics but one of the above would look good in a Blackhawk jersey, but unless the Sens think they’ll lose one or the other there’s no chance they move him for just a first round pick.
- paulr

Fair. I was more wondering what you thought of the player/contract combo vs. the specific names.

Fair. I was more wondering what you thought of the player/contract combo vs. the specific names.
- Chunk

One thing I could see happening is if Chicago gets the number one overall they move it for a later number one and a solid NHL player or good prospect. If of course the team they are dealing with really covet one of the top draft eligible players.

$51M for Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Tavares and Reilly.
- paulr

Somewhere Uncle Tale is jealous of the Shanahan led leafs.

You are right, baring an offensive onslaught where they average 4+ per playoff win, they aren't going far in the spring. Again. Shocker..........

One thing I could see happening is if Chicago gets the number one overall they move it for a later number one and a solid NHL player or good prospect. If of course the team they are dealing with really covet one of the top draft eligible players.
- paulr

Is this year's projected top 3 viewed as franchise players? I keep hearing good things on Celebrini (spell) and saw some clips on WJ Canada. Not sure he has as much top end talent as Bedard, but looks like he could play with him and not be out of place. If that makes any sense.

I think you are correct as I could see Davidson using some draft capital to possibly find a NHL player to plug in right away.

I just dont see how you go into 2024-25 with Bedard centering a broken down Taylor Hall and some out of place F playing well above his comfort level.

That's before you even explore who should be on line 2.....again, not everything has to be solved next year but to help Bedard continue to press against his ceiling he needs help.....those PP where teams literally had a guy shadow him because they weren't afraid of the 4 vs 3 remaining matchup on the ice.....isn't going to stop.

I totally get the "it was a clean hit" and Smith was "doing exactly what a defender should", but jaws don't break unless they are absorbing the primary force of a hit. This is why I am A-OK with the fight that followed. Smith knew it too and lined up for the faceoff accordingly.

I haven't converted to being a believer regarding Reichel. Not seeing a kid who's getting close to finding his game in the NHL or might someday be able to carry a line.

Aside from the injuries these last two games have been enjoyable to watch. I expect this stretch before players come off IR will be instrumental in determining who is back with the team next year and who isn't.

Has this ever happened in this league before?
Current IR: $35,408,333 > Current Roster: $34,228,333
- GreenJeans

I personally thought it was borderline dirty. The flex of the elbow arm coming up like he's doing shoulder flys at the gym, showed me Smith just didn't catch him with the shoulder/upper arm.

Good response by the Hawks.....love the fire we see from Kurashev at times. Again, was refreshing to hear from Tinordi speaking how Foligno drives the bus in the room and how important he is where when he does talk guys listen.....vs a Murphy and Jones in the past few years.

I am ok with them signing Foligno and having him their defacto captain as they bring in young guys and he shows them how to be a professional.

I'd also love to know what 89 did to his groin to be out this long....seems a little soft on his end.

One thing I could see happening is if Chicago gets the number one overall they move it for a later number one and a solid NHL player or good prospect. If of course the team they are dealing with really covet one of the top draft eligible players.
- paulr

I have a difficult time imagining the Hawks trading the #1 overall (if they get it again) to move back and add a player. To move off the #1 this year, they would need a massive haul in return. Not trying to crap on this idea, but the reward for this miserable season would be the #1.

Lot of positive things despite their overall record; future building blocks are emerging... but if the Hawks get the #1 again, they better get an insane return if they move it.

Feel we are going to drop 2 spots regardless of where we finish. Lotto gods give and take and we got a lot of luck last May.
- Popsghostly

I hear you, Pops. Indeed, the Hockey Gods (law of averages) are always present. Add too good to be true is why I didn't think the Hawks would end up with the #1 this last draft...... Always thought it would be Fantilli a Hawk, not Bedard.

Count me as a Celebrini guy and think he goes #1, and although it's too early to say, but it looks like landing high enough to draft Eiserman or Lindstrom will be just fine.

Getting the #1 last yr is much better than getting it this yr it would seem but as it sits today my hope is a top 3 pick.

Happy new year to all! Hope your holidays were great.

Bedard: After watching this kid for awhile I think it's imperative that Davidson find him some skill this upcoming year or else he will continue to try to push things by himself where he ends up puttting himself in vulernable spots where he gets physically hit. I also think they should show him some clips of Kane and how he mainly avoided big hits his entire career. I just get the sense from 98 he was growing frustrated with lack of top end talent around him.

Reichel: Is it fair to question the development of forwards in this organization, not named Bedard over the last 5+ years? Is it scouting? Is it Rockford? We saw a nice flash from him last year....expected another step this year and now he looks to have regressed and playing without much, if any, confidence. Again, I know it's 73 games....I also know same argument lies with him as does Bedard with lack of skill, but when paired up together I would have thought Reichel would flourish and be more noticeable.....

Team easily could have mailed it in yesterday...given their recent run of injuries, hugely outmanned in regard to talent, but showed up and battled so that to me is a testament that they haven't quit on the coaching staff. Still think while 98 is out this is going to help cement a top 3 pick. Is Celebrini a lock to be a star? If so, they will need it as their lack of young proven talent up front is glaring and hopefully guys like Moore, Nazar, etc hit at some point and fill some holes.....or else Davidson is going to need to get creative either through trade or UFA to find top 6 skill to fill out this roster.
- SteveRain

To be fair, Reichel did pretty well paired with Bedard, but it didn't stay together very long. The more I watch him, the more I think Reichel's trajectory will closely match Kurashev's. I think he'll get a very minor bump on a 2 year contract to see if the light turns on. I personally think it will. For some reason, He amps his game up when there is less talent on the team. He looked a ton better when Kane was traded, and looked much more engaged the last two games (despite passing up a golden opportunity to shoot).

$51M for Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Tavares and Reilly.
- paulr

They'll have $21 million to spend on 11 roster spots this summer. Gonna be interesting to see how they handle this.