From Spector's blog

The Chicago Blackhawks could attempt to sign Jake Guentzel as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They want to alleviate the pressure off Connor Bedard and appear the most willing to meet Guentzel’s anticipated asking price of $63 million. They can also offer him an opportunity to play closer to his home in Minnesota.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That anticipated asking price breaks down to $9 million annually on a seven-year deal. Playing alongside the promising Bedard could also be tempting for Guentzel.
- LAHawk

Yea i just don't see this happening doesn't fit the time line.

What has a better chance of happening is Stamkos 2 years at $9 million per.

We see again that bad contracts can be moved. The win is that LA got rid of a longer term problem.

Curious to see what LA does next because they still seem to be lacking top end star power up front to compete with the contenders. With father time closing in on Kopitar and eventually Doughty, have to wonder what the direction will be and will we see another team in the west finally give in to rebuild after treading mediocre for enough seasons.

Hawks sign RFA Gutman - 1 year at $775K. Most likely spends the year at Rockford.

Hawks sign RFA Gutman - 1 year at $775K. Most likely spends the year at Rockford.
- boilermaker100

I think he has a decent shot to get some ice time on the 3rd/4th line again and if the Hawks are moving on from R Johnson/Entwhistle, he might be a guy on the roster in and out of the lineup depending on injury status, etc.. I know he might not be a star or top 6 guy at the NHL level, but he did have a good finish to his season and was AHL player of the month for March 2024.

He is a good guy to have around because he busts his butt and while a younger or better player might win the roster spot over him, at least he will make them work for it.

We see again that bad contracts can be moved. The win is that LA got rid of a longer term problem.

Curious to see what LA does next because they still seem to be lacking top end star power up front to compete with the contenders. With father time closing in on Kopitar and eventually Doughty, have to wonder what the direction will be and will we see another team in the west finally give in to rebuild after treading mediocre for enough seasons.
- breadbag

The Kings still haven't fully integrated the 2020 2nd overall, the 2021 8th overall, and the 2019 5th overall into their roster. Plus they will probably promote from the AHL Fagemo (2nd rd 2019), Thomas 2nd rd 2018). I don't think they have finished the last rebuild, let alone start a new one. Of course, right now, you can say that all these draft choices (except for Byfield) are busts.

Blake admits he effed up on acquiring Dubois, is owning up to it and moving on. Doesn't look like it will cost him his job in the immediate future, but he would definitely be on the hotseat if the Kings get off to a slow start.

Yea i just don't see this happening doesn't fit the time line.

What has a better chance of happening is Stamkos 2 years at $9 million per.
- BetweenTheDots

IMO Stamkos stays in Tampa, if not, I think he goes play's for his buddies in either Montreal or Detroit.

Its his 4th team in 8 seasons. He is a GM killer. Strome had a much better season than PLD and that in and of itself is downright frightening.

But in the annals of GMs in every sport always think this time it will be different.

8 years in the league. He is what he is at this point.
- Elbows15

Hossa remade his game later in his career.

Hawks sign RFA Gutman - 1 year at $775K. Most likely spends the year at Rockford.
- boilermaker100

He's good for Rockford.

The Kings still haven't fully integrated the 2020 2nd overall, the 2021 8th overall, and the 2019 5th overall into their roster. Plus they will probably promote from the AHL Fagemo (2nd rd 2019), Thomas 2nd rd 2018). I don't think they have finished the last rebuild, let alone start a new one. Of course, right now, you can say that all these draft choices (except for Byfield) are busts.

Blake admits he effed up on acquiring Dubois, is owning up to it and moving on. Doesn't look like it will cost him his job in the immediate future, but he would definitely be on the hotseat if the Kings get off to a slow start.
- LAHawk

That's great he admits he effed up but it doesn't change the players/draft pick he had to trade to get PLD, the players he couldn't sign because of PLD, in my humble opinion this sets a franchise back because it's so hard to accumulate good NHL players.

IMO Stamkos stays in Tampa, if not, I think he goes play's for his buddies in either Montreal or Detroit.
- LAHawk

I don't think he's going to play for the league minimum in TB, and I'm sure the shrewd negotiation he had last time, take it or leave it offer, with Yzerman not happening, and if they offer him 2 years at $9 mil be tough for the Habs to match that.

I do believe one if not both, the Blackhawks will target Stamkos and or Marchessault during free agency.

That's great he admits he effed up but it doesn't change the players/draft pick he had to trade to get PLD, the players he couldn't sign because of PLD, in my humble opinion this sets a franchise back because it's so hard to accumulate good NHL players.
- BetweenTheDots

Of course it set the club back. He thought the trade would take the Kings to the next step and obviously it didn't. Maybe ownership wants a GM that tries and improves his team rather than being scared of making a bad trade ? So far he still has his job. As I said pryor, my guess is he (and maybe even Kings legend Robitaille) are on a short leash. Can't keep changing coaches forever either.

Of course it set the club back. He thought the trade would take the Kings to the next step and obviously it didn't. Maybe ownership wants a GM that tries and improves his team rather than being scared of making a bad trade ? So far he still has his job. As I said pryor, my guess is he (and maybe even Kings legend Robitaille) are on a short leash. Can't keep changing coaches forever either.
- LAHawk

Scared, more like reckless.

He should be fired but hey as an owner let's see how much more damage he can do.

I don't think he's going to play for the league minimum in TB, and I'm sure the shrewd negotiation he had last time, take it or leave it offer, with Yzerman not happening, and if they offer him 2 years at $9 mil be tough for the Habs to match that.
- BetweenTheDots

During his exit interview on May 3, however, Stamkos expressed optimism about re-signing with Tampa Bay instead of looking elsewhere.

“We’ll have to have those discussions, but I’m certainly excited that we’re going to have those. Then we can go from there,” Stamkos said. “At the end of the day, winning is still what fuels me. Being a big part of that culture fuels me.”

You said Guentzel is the wrong time line, well if Stamkos wants to go ta a winner, that is not within the Hawks timeline (and his) either for the next 2 or 3 seasons.

During his exit interview on May 3, however, Stamkos expressed optimism about re-signing with Tampa Bay instead of looking elsewhere.

“We’ll have to have those discussions, but I’m certainly excited that we’re going to have those. Then we can go from there,” Stamkos said. “At the end of the day, winning is still what fuels me. Being a big part of that culture fuels me.”

You said Guentzel is the wrong time line, well if Stamkos wants to go ta a winner, that is not within the Hawks timeline (and his) either for the next 2 or 3 seasons.
- LAHawk

Those are just words, he's not burning any bridges, smart move. I'm sure he doesn't need the money but at the same time he knows his career is almost over. We'll see.

https://twitter.com/Byron.../1626325906091565056?s=19

Maybe that's why it was worth KD trading to move up 2 spots?

I do believe one if not both, the Blackhawks will target Stamkos and or Marchessault during free agency.
- BetweenTheDots

Stamkos will re-up in Tampa of play in Toronto (somehow).

I think Jake G is the best oprtion of the kid.

I am so glad Pronman did a 7 round draft so we can match our results.

I am happy he attempted one...

Here is my start of more than three rounds for NEXT draft...

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025

I think he has a decent shot to get some ice time on the 3rd/4th line again and if the Hawks are moving on from R Johnson/Entwhistle, he might be a guy on the roster in and out of the lineup depending on injury status, etc.. I know he might not be a star or top 6 guy at the NHL level, but he did have a good finish to his season and was AHL player of the month for March 2024.

He is a good guy to have around because he busts his butt and while a younger or better player might win the roster spot over him, at least he will make them work for it.
- breadbag

It was interesting that he passed up signing with Tampa so he could control where he went, with the idea that he'd make it to the show sooner than he would if he started in Tampa's system. The downside is that he might have had better development had he signed with Tampa.

It was interesting that he passed up signing with Tampa so he could control where he went, with the idea that he'd make it to the show sooner than he would if he started in Tampa's system. The downside is that he might have had better development had he signed with Tampa.
- 333inthe3rd

Gutman is too small to play a traditional bottom six role, and is not really talented enough (e.g. Brayden Point) to play a top 6 role. A good depth signing to call up when injuries happen, a classic example of a tweener.

Stamkos will re-up in Tampa of play in Toronto (somehow).

I think Jake G is the best oprtion of the kid.

I am so glad Pronman did a 7 round draft so we can match our results.

I am happy he attempted one...

Here is my start of more than three rounds for NEXT draft...

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025
- wiz1901

Wiz,

Is the #25 Joshua Ravensbergen the Prince George goalie? He is showing as a LD on the board. Ravensbergen was really good in the playoffs, PG plays wide open so he had to be sharp all the time. I will probably be talking him up on the board next season, just like I have Catton and Paraczak this year. Good to see him ranked high so early, might be a good value with the Toronto #1 next year.

Wiz,

Is the #25 Joshua Ravensbergen the Prince George goalie? He is showing as a LD on the board. Ravensbergen was really good in the playoffs, PG plays wide open so he had to be sharp all the time. I will probably be talking him up on the board next season, just like I have Catton and Paraczak this year. Good to see him ranked high so early, might be a good value with the Toronto #1 next year.
- totem

Yeah, I fixed it...thanks for catching that.

There is a under the ardar Swiss goalie I like too.

You would be surprised how many puzzling decisions doing a mock board goalies give you!

Every year there are Russian goalies...do I leave them off or on in the chance teams take them late to hope for upside, or stick with the CHL goalies since they are easily available...this year there are plenty in my 400 prospects.

They probably put him on “the rack” and stretched him. Then they put lead weights in his pants. (Red font)
- Ztra

Or maybe he grew and put on some weight. Wha da think.

What if you believe the same player is available at one or two spots later? Or you are torn between Leshnokov and Silayev (the two Russian dmen!)

Not rushing around for a Russian? Do you say Nyat (Russian for “No”). Could we extract even through a third team moving up an 18th for _____ pick. Could mean we get someone like fast riser like Seneca (whatever his name) or gasp Eiserman?
- jhawk59

Thats nyet to you

Is it possible for KD to use their #18 this draft and Toronto’s number one pick next draft to move up into the top 10 a week Friday? If so the possible draft scenarios will keep this board up the next 190 plus hours.