Question to the board in the offseason would the Hawks be smart and offer sheet Matthew knives 6years 6million per year. Don't know exactly what the compensation would be. Thoughts
- Scott1977

Toronto won't let him go and doesn't sound like he has any interest in leaving. They'll let Tavares walk before they lose Knies. Not many, if any, RFA's this offseason that'd be a fit for the Hawks and realistically would leave their current clubs.

Remember last year when pretty much every poster here, me included, wanted Soderblom sent to the nearest constellation?
- paulr

I have never seen a hockey player have such a drastic 180 turnaround. Soderblom went from a deer in headlights, complete chaos game to being a poised, technical puck stopper in just one off season trip back home to Sveden and consulting with the people who shaped his game..... It's reported he scrapped everything he was being taught and went back to his style that got him a contract as an undrafted FA.

Now, at 25 we don't know where the wheel will land as far as his career but I'm optimistic. It looks like his foundation is solid and can bring consistency. Dude has some serious moxie and calm between his ears to go from what he was all last yr to what he is this yr.

I'm reading around the internets at a few sites calling for Soderblom to be the #1 and the Hawk's starter. Handling two goalies ain't as easy as it sounds to get the best outa both but it's a good thing to have two legit NHL goalies competing for minutes.

IMO the Hawks can't win with average goaltending right now. The Hawks were giving up 4-5-6 goals a game the losing the last 5 until Soderblom stood on his head to get em a win last night........ Hopefully the competition, if there is one, between Hrabek and Soderblom gives the Hawks above average goaltending cuz they need it.

Is 27 yr old Donato a part of the club in 3-5 yrs? Is he a guy you extend as a middle 6-3rd liner that checks a lotta boxes? Or do you move him at the TDL for what might be a 1st rd pick?

Toronto won't let him go and doesn't sound like he has any interest in leaving. They'll let Tavares walk before they lose Knies. Not many, if any, RFA's this offseason that'd be a fit for the Hawks and realistically would leave their current clubs.
- Assman22

Depends are the Leafs resigning marner? I m using knies as an example on what Chicago Blackhawks and Davidson should do. Start using the offer sheets to get young players that fit the teams needs. My guess this off season Hawks extend Benard 6 x 8. It worked out for st. Louis why see in the off-season if any rfas make sense. Possibly some prospects need a change of scenery or are block by veterans and want a chance at more playing time. Or teams up against the cap cannot resign them.

Toronto won't let him go and doesn't sound like he has any interest in leaving. They'll let Tavares walk before they lose Knies. Not many, if any, RFA's this offseason that'd be a fit for the Hawks and realistically would leave their current clubs.
- Assman22

Who knows. Look what the Oilers did letting young talent go. Knies is a beast and only 22. Hawks need a few forwards like him.

I have never seen a hockey player have such a drastic 180 turnaround. Soderblom went from a deer in headlights, complete chaos game to being a poised, technical puck stopper in just one off season trip back home to Sveden and consulting with the people who shaped his game..... It's reported he scrapped everything he was being taught and went back to his style that got him a contract as an undrafted FA.

Now, at 25 we don't know where the wheel will land as far as his career but I'm optimistic. It looks like his foundation is solid and can bring consistency. Dude has some serious moxie and calm between his ears to go from what he was all last yr to what he is this yr.

I'm reading around the internets at a few sites calling for Soderblom to be the #1 and the Hawk's starter. Handling two goalies ain't as easy as it sounds to get the best outa both but it's a good thing to have two legit NHL goalies competing for minutes.

IMO the Hawks can't win with average goaltending right now. The Hawks were giving up 4-5-6 goals a game the losing the last 5 until Soderblom stood on his head to get em a win last night........ Hopefully the competition, if there is one, between Hrabek and Soderblom gives the Hawks above average goaltending cuz they need it.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't believe he scrapped everything, what i remember reading was he got back to his calm demeanor of playing in net, he admitted the past season he didn't feel like himself in net.

Maybe they coached him and said you need to play faster and he took it as frantic. That's why the kids need the games followed by offseasons to work on their weaknesses.

I know there's a lot of talk about Gajan, in a way i expect every pick to be a bust, however just because they are struggling in their respected league, is that really a bad thing? For me it is a great lesson for a player to struggle and when the off season comes is he going to work on his weaknesses? Can he improve them? Is he willing to?

Time will tell but i love me athletic goalies, if they hit they could be above average goalies in the league

Is 27 yr old Donato a part of the club in 3-5 yrs? Is he a guy you extend as a middle 6-3rd liner that checks a lotta boxes? Or do you move him at the TDL for what might be a 1st rd pick?
- Mr Ricochet

If KD can get a guaranteed 1st round pick you move Donato and look to re-sign him in the summer. Otherwise I’d re-sign Donato now to a fair mid-term deal. The Hawks don’t need any more 3rd or 4th round picks.

If KD can get a guaranteed 1st round pick you move Donato and look to re-sign him in the summer. Otherwise I’d re-sign Donato now to a fair mid-term deal. The Hawks don’t need any more 3rd or 4th round picks.
- DarthKane

Why? Plenty of Donato types bouncing around the league. He’s also on pace for a career year and prob is going to try and cash in. I’d take a 3rd for him but it would suck. One of the few Hawks that brings it most shifts.


Front office better find out what his agent wants for a new contract. Don’t lose him in FA. If he wants to get paid move him at the deadline.

Is 27 yr old Donato a part of the club in 3-5 yrs? Is he a guy you extend as a middle 6-3rd liner that checks a lotta boxes? Or do you move him at the TDL for what might be a 1st rd pick?
- Mr Ricochet

He’s 28 and turns 29 in April. Be surprised if he took a “team friendly” deal.

If KD can get a guaranteed 1st round pick you move Donato and look to re-sign him in the summer. Otherwise I’d re-sign Donato now to a fair mid-term deal. The Hawks don’t need any more 3rd or 4th round picks.
- DarthKane

Agree if Hawks cannot get a second rd pick and solid prospect or 1st than resign him 2 or 3 years at 3 to 3.5 million per year.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets, they always come back to haunt you. If there’s a RFA out there that KD is interested in, try to work out a deal vs pissing off that team. Soderblom needs to keep the net until he has a bad game or there’s a back to back, he’s earned it and Mrazek has been crapping the bed lately. The Hawks will not get a first for Donato, and while I’d like the Hawks to resign him, I hope KD doesn’t overpay. If Donato and his agent want more than 2X$3M, then move him at the TDL.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets, they always come back to haunt you. If there’s a RFA out there that KD is interested in, try to work out a deal vs pissing off that team. Soderblom needs to keep the net until he has a bad game or there’s a back to back, he’s earned it and Mrazek has been crapping the bed lately. The Hawks will not get a first for Donato, and while I’d like the Hawks to resign him, I hope KD doesn’t overpay. If Donato and his agent want more than 2X$3M, then move him at the TDL.
- Angotti

Agreed. He’s on pace for 24 g and 48pts. If he gets 20g, don’t see him taking 2x3. This is his shot at one big contract.

I’m not a fan of offer sheets, they always come back to haunt you. If there’s a RFA out there that KD is interested in, try to work out a deal vs pissing off that team. Soderblom needs to keep the net until he has a bad game or there’s a back to back, he’s earned it and Mrazek has been crapping the bed lately. The Hawks will not get a first for Donato, and while I’d like the Hawks to resign him, I hope KD doesn’t overpay. If Donato and his agent want more than 2X$3M, then move him at the TDL.
- Angotti

I don't know how i feel about the Blues move. So they get 2 decent young players but they will have to pay them sooner than later. If they were in a play off position I'd say great move. I do wonder if maybe these 2 moves gave them a few more wins and most likely will keep them mediocre for more than less years. I do wonder if they did put a target on their back going forward.

I'd rather draft top 5 for a few years then top 10 and go from there.

I don't know how i feel about the Blues move. So they get 2 decent young players but they will have to pay them sooner than later. If they were in a play off position I'd say great move. I do wonder if maybe these 2 moves gave them a few more wins and most likely will keep them mediocre for more than less years. I do wonder if they did put a target on their back going forward.

I'd rather draft top 5 for a few years then top 10 and go from there.
- BetweenTheDots

Holloway 14g and 27pts in 40 games for a 3rd round pick? Hawks missed out big time. Great move by Blues.

No one is going to give up a #1 for Donato --- if for some reason you find a GM going to do that, then you take it. I like Ryan - but a first round pick is a first round pick.

WTF?? My point is missing one goalie pick is not going to sink this team. They five skaters on the ice are far more important for the long-term success of the team. KD's got boatloads of other picks to spend on goalies. I'm sure he'll find one eventually.

The Hawks won with Niemi and Crawford. Crawford was very good, but I think we can all agree he wasn't an elite goalie (I'm not slighting his contributions at all). Niemi was also "good" that year.
- Chunk

Yo Chunk, Hrabal v America tonight at 6:30. Winner plays Finland for the Gold tomorrow after they beat Sveden 4-3 in OT today.

I don't know how i feel about the Blues move. So they get 2 decent young players but they will have to pay them sooner than later. If they were in a play off position I'd say great move. I do wonder if maybe these 2 moves gave them a few more wins and most likely will keep them mediocre for more than less years. I do wonder if they did put a target on their back going forward.

I'd rather draft top 5 for a few years then top 10 and go from there.
- BetweenTheDots

The Blues defense needed some youth, hence the Broberg signing, and Holloway for a third was a steal. I would have offered more for Holloway in a trade, the Oilers must have heard the whispers about an offer sheet, as I believe that there was another team besides the Blues that had the same thought process. He’s a year older than Reichel and on pace for close to 30 goals. I love his size and speed, don’t think he’s a first line player, however he would be with the Hawks current roster, or at the very least a top six forward.

The Blues defense needed some youth, hence the Broberg signing, and Holloway for a third was a steal. I would have offered more for Holloway in a trade, the Oilers must have heard the whispers about an offer sheet, as I believe that there was another team besides the Blues that had the same thought process. He’s a year older than Reichel and on pace for close to 30 goals. I love his size and speed, don’t think he’s a first line player, however he would be with the Hawks current roster, or at the very least a top six forward.
- Angotti

A GM making moves to try and improve his team, what a concept.

The Blues defense needed some youth, hence the Broberg signing, and Holloway for a third was a steal. I would have offered more for Holloway in a trade, the Oilers must have heard the whispers about an offer sheet, as I believe that there was another team besides the Blues that had the same thought process. He’s a year older than Reichel and on pace for close to 30 goals. I love his size and speed, don’t think he’s a first line player, however he would be with the Hawks current roster, or at the very least a top six forward.
- Angotti

I have to agree. Adding two guys that showed high upside (not to mention good size) and were stuck behind established vets. They added two impact players for very little cost and reasonable cost for a couple years.

Considering the number of prospects that the Hawks will have coming up at the around the same time, it would not surprise me if they lose one or two to the same situation.

If KD can get a guaranteed 1st round pick you move Donato and look to re-sign him in the summer. Otherwise I’d re-sign Donato now to a fair mid-term deal. The Hawks don’t need any more 3rd or 4th round picks.
- DarthKane

Donato has turned into a really useful player. Not being a blue chipper he's under no illusions what got him to the Bigs and what will keep him there so he plays hungry/high motor/high compete hockey.

Decent size, slots up and down, 200 ft hockey, plays with pace, physical enough, solid fancies. Probably a crack 3rd liner on a LVG type squad who adds 45-50 pts.

Not probable but I could see a club coughing a low 1st and for sure a 2nd but I would like to see him a Hawk for the next 3-4 yrs for a whole bunch of reasons.

I don't know how i feel about the Blues move. So they get 2 decent young players but they will have to pay them sooner than later. If they were in a play off position I'd say great move. I do wonder if maybe these 2 moves gave them a few more wins and most likely will keep them mediocre for more than less years. I do wonder if they did put a target on their back going forward.

I'd rather draft top 5 for a few years then top 10 and go from there.
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, just get good players wherever you can, especially young guys. That's what I'm expecting KD to do no matter what phase or window the Hawks are in. ...... Holloway would be gold in the Hawk's organIzation and at minimal cost..

Agree if Hawks cannot get a second rd pick and solid prospect or 1st than resign him 2 or 3 years at 3 to 3.5 million per year.
- Scott1977

Donato could be a throw-in to a Hall type of trade and help KD get a bigger return. I’d be ok with that.

I have to agree. Adding two guys that showed high upside (not to mention good size) and were stuck behind established vets. They added two impact players for very little cost and reasonable cost for a couple years.

Considering the number of prospects that the Hawks will have coming up at the around the same time, it would not surprise me if they lose one or two to the same situation.
- Chunk

Did they though? Are they really impact players? They are not a playoff team this season.

So now they have 1 young defender who might work out to be top 4, durability might be an issue.

Just curious to see in 3 to 5 years where both teams will be but there is no one on the Blues or in their system that really screams high end player.

Dots, just get good players wherever you can, especially young guys. That's what I'm expecting KD to do no matter what phase or window the Hawks are in. ...... Holloway would be gold in the Hawk's organIzation and at minimal cost..
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think he would have the same success that he's having with the Blues because they have a better all around team. But for me that's not good enough. I want the best talent on this team in a tightest window possible. That's how you win multiple Cups.

Oof. It is horribly clear that the Hawks have stolen some forward talent from the Hogs. Just a mess in both ends. Literally zero support. KK looks solid, but he has to do it himself. Arty is just ok tonight. Anderson is not his normal self, lost his man on a cross ice pass that was easily tucked in.

For those that are saying "X" guy needs to spend more time in Rockford, it's not exactly the best environment at the moment.

Sanford looks like a jaded cop that is just playing out the string waiting for his retirement.