Soderblom has to go after this season, he’s just not an NHL goaltender.

Soderblom has to go after this season, he’s just not an NHL goaltender.
- DarthKane

This is correct.

Soderblom has to go after this season, he’s just not an NHL goaltender.
- DarthKane

He has been struggling and not improving, but he also hasn't played for an NHL team this season either.

Soderblom has to go after this season, he’s just not an NHL goaltender.
- DarthKane

He's signed for next year too. Who can we fleece for a warm can of coke and a used roll of stick tape?

He has been struggling and not improving, but he also hasn't played for an NHL team this season either.
- breadbag

Soderblom played better last year in front of an equally back team, but his performance still wasn’t NHL worthy.

Plus, Mrazek has played well in front of this team. I don’t expect Soderblom to play as well as Mrazek, but he certainly should be better than he is.

He's signed for next year too. Who can we fleece for a warm can of coke and a used roll of stick tape?
- AusHawk

They’ll just buy out Soderblom, the need the help reaching the cap floor anyway. The cap hit would $129,167 and $166,667 for two years. Or maybe the loan him to a European team.

They’ll just buy out Soderblom, the need the help reaching the cap floor anyway. The cap hit would $129,167 and $166,667 for two years. Or maybe the loan him to a European team.
- DarthKane

Well that would be a logical thing I suppose. Who plays backup to Mrazek next year? Free agent or Stauber/Comesso/Weeks?

They’ll just buy out Soderblom, the need the help reaching the cap floor anyway. The cap hit would $129,167 and $166,667 for two years. Or maybe the loan him to a European team.
- DarthKane

Didn’t the NHL put in the Huet rule that you can’t bury anyone in Europe anymore?

Well that would be a logical thing I suppose. Who plays backup to Mrazek next year? Free agent or Stauber/Comesso/Weeks?
- AusHawk

Sign a free agent goalie or acquire one via trade. The goalie market isn’t great, but there are a few available netminders that could be decent back-ups.

Bedard seems to like Spencer Martin, KD can sign him.

Didn’t the NHL put in the Huet rule that you can’t bury anyone in Europe anymore?
- LAHawk

They’d still be accountable for Soderblom’s cap hit, but this way he wouldn’t take away any playing/development time from the Rockford goalies.

Assuming the Hawks don't win this one, they'd have 25 games left and would be 10 points behind the third place Ducks.

Also assuming the Ducks finish at their current point pace (62 points), the Hawks would need to finish with 63 points by year end to slip out of the race towards the bottom. That means the Hawks need 30 points in the next 25 games.

Does anyone think the Hawks have what it takes to go 15-10 (or 14-9-2; 13-8-4; etc) the rest of the way? They are just about firmly entrenched into having a top-4 pick, and that's not even taking into account the possibility that the Ducks/Senators play better than they have been the rest of the way.

Celebrini, Levshunov, Silayev, or Demidov/Lindstrom WILL be Hawks.

Sign a free agent goalie or acquire one via trade. The goalie market isn’t great, but there are a few available netminders that could be decent back-ups.

Bedard seems to like Spencer Martin, KD can sign him.
- DarthKane

Assuming the Hawks don't win this one, they'd have 25 games left and would be 10 points behind the third place Ducks.

Also assuming the Ducks finish at their current point pace (62 points), the Hawks would need to finish with 63 points by year end to slip out of the race towards the bottom. That means the Hawks need 30 points in the next 25 games.

Does anyone think the Hawks have what it takes to go 15-10 (or 14-9-2; 13-8-4; etc) the rest of the way? They are just about firmly entrenched into having a top-4 pick, and that's not even taking into account the possibility that the Ducks/Senators play better than they have been the rest of the way.

Celebrini, Levshunov, Silayev, or Demidov/Lindstrom WILL be Hawks.
- TommyHawk

I want the Hawks to draft #1 overall again this year, but I’m not sweating it like last year. Celebrini is the clear #1 pick, but the gap to the next tier of prospects isn’t as big as Bedard’s draft.

I want the Hawks to finish last to guarantee them a top 3 pick. It will likely be #1 considering the Hall factor.

- AusHawk

If the Hawks go the trade route for a second goalie I’d look at Dan Vladar. He’s having an off season in Calgary (but who isn’t) and the asking price would be reasonable. He’s signed for 1 more season after this one at $2.2 million so he won’t break the bank or require a long-term commitment. In Vladar’s previous 2 seasons he put up respectable back-up numbers.

3-2-1-3-3

I want the Hawks to draft #1 overall again this year, but I’m not sweating it like last year. Celebrini is the clear #1 pick, but the gap to the next tier of prospects isn’t as big as Bedard’s draft.

I want the Hawks to finish last to guarantee them a top 3 pick. It will likely be #1 considering the Hall factor.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Just glad we won it last year. Whoever the Hawks add this year is sorely needed in the pipeline so I'll be happy with any of those guys above.

But Wiz is right, Tinordi is out there for one reason, to be the policeman.
- LAHawk

Agree- however in this context I would not want one of our defenseman being the policeman given the struggles of a learning d-core-I would rather that nomination go to a fourth line forward like Ryan Vandenbussche who was straight up thug way back when

If the Hawks go the trade route for a second goalie I’d look at Dan Vladar. He’s having an off season in Calgary (but who isn’t) and the asking price would be reasonable. He’s signed for 1 more season after this one at $2.2 million so he won’t break the bank or require a long-term commitment. In Vladar’s previous 2 seasons he put up respectable back-up numbers.
- DarthKane

Conversely the consequences of Soderstrom donning the Blackhawk gear one more season:
1) If you are convinced that Soderstrom isn’t going to be good enough, one more season should convince not just us but KD too!
2). One more season is allowed for Comesso and Stauber. Either one could ascend to the Chicago net
3) The tank - o - thon. Another early choice

Open question:

After Mathew’s recorded his #50 goal in 54 games, how many does he get this season?

Odds you may guess this but not what spot the Blackhawks draft

I’m gonna need my secret decoder ring.
- paulr

Aided putting

He has been struggling and not improving, but he also hasn't played for an NHL team this season either.
- breadbag

Neither has mrasek

They’ll just buy out Soderblom, the need the help reaching the cap floor anyway. The cap hit would $129,167 and $166,667 for two years. Or maybe the loan him to a European team.
- DarthKane

Couldn't you bury him in the ECHL or lower?

Couldn't you bury him in the ECHL or lower?
- SC116

I was thinking the AIHL.

I was thinking the AIHL.
- DarthKane

Remember the days when who was going to be the back-up goaltender was the biggest problem the team had? KD needs to address a lot more than who is going to back-up Mrazek next year.

Remember the days when who was going to be the back-up goaltender was the biggest problem the team had? KD needs to address a lot more than who is going to back-up Mrazek next year.
- LAHawk

Indeed, you'll likely see 4-5 new forwards and 1-2 new D-men next year.