Some interesting stuff this am from Powers in terms of TDL targets leaving the Hawks.

Hall's the most obvious and he says most think the Hawks would pick up a 3rd maybe a 2nd if they retain some salary. Donato maybe a 3rd or 4th. Maroon and Martinez will be given the option if they want to go to a contender or stay, though it sounds like Martinez may want to stay.

Here are the more interesting parts...

A time may come when Davidson will ask Seth Jones what he wants for his future. Jones holds all the cards with a full no-movement clause. While his contract, which includes a $9.5 million cap hit, goes until the 2029-30 season, one NHL exec thought the Blackhawks would have no trouble moving it.

“I think a lot of these guys tell their data people to forget what the analytics say and look for big right-handed defensemen who eat minutes and have range,” the executive said. “That’s what gets them excited. It makes no sense to me why he’s even still there. I don’t know why he’d still want to be there.”

All signs point to the Blackhawks walking away from Philipp Kurashev after the season and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Something drastic would have to change over the last half of the season.

Cole Guttman has played well for the Rockford IceHogs and probably deserves a call-up. Whether he gets one likely depends on the Blackhawks’ NHL roster numbers. At 25 years old, Guttman isn’t a priority prospect any longer, but he still looks like a potential NHL player.

Some interesting stuff this am from Powers in terms of TDL targets leaving the Hawks.

Hall's the most obvious and he says most think the Hawks would pick up a 3rd maybe a 2nd if they retain some salary. Donato maybe a 3rd or 4th. Maroon and Martinez will be given the option if they want to go to a contender or stay, though it sounds like Martinez may want to stay.

Here are the more interesting parts...

A time may come when Davidson will ask Seth Jones what he wants for his future. Jones holds all the cards with a full no-movement clause. While his contract, which includes a $9.5 million cap hit, goes until the 2029-30 season, one NHL exec thought the Blackhawks would have no trouble moving it.

“I think a lot of these guys tell their data people to forget what the analytics say and look for big right-handed defensemen who eat minutes and have range,” the executive said. “That’s what gets them excited. It makes no sense to me why he’s even still there. I don’t know why he’d still want to be there.”

All signs point to the Blackhawks walking away from Philipp Kurashev after the season and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Something drastic would have to change over the last half of the season.

Cole Guttman has played well for the Rockford IceHogs and probably deserves a call-up. Whether he gets one likely depends on the Blackhawks’ NHL roster numbers. At 25 years old, Guttman isn’t a priority prospect any longer, but he still looks like a potential NHL player.
- HawkintheD

I can't remember anyone's stock fallen as much and as fast as Kurahev's has.

I can't remember anyone's stock fallen as much and as fast as Kurahev's has.
- LAHawk

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Some interesting stuff this am from Powers in terms of TDL targets leaving the Hawks.

Hall's the most obvious and he says most think the Hawks would pick up a 3rd maybe a 2nd if they retain some salary. Donato maybe a 3rd or 4th. Maroon and Martinez will be given the option if they want to go to a contender or stay, though it sounds like Martinez may want to stay.

Here are the more interesting parts...

A time may come when Davidson will ask Seth Jones what he wants for his future. Jones holds all the cards with a full no-movement clause. While his contract, which includes a $9.5 million cap hit, goes until the 2029-30 season, one NHL exec thought the Blackhawks would have no trouble moving it.

“I think a lot of these guys tell their data people to forget what the analytics say and look for big right-handed defensemen who eat minutes and have range,” the executive said. “That’s what gets them excited. It makes no sense to me why he’s even still there. I don’t know why he’d still want to be there.”

All signs point to the Blackhawks walking away from Philipp Kurashev after the season and allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Something drastic would have to change over the last half of the season.

Cole Guttman has played well for the Rockford IceHogs and probably deserves a call-up. Whether he gets one likely depends on the Blackhawks’ NHL roster numbers. At 25 years old, Guttman isn’t a priority prospect any longer, but he still looks like a potential NHL player.
- HawkintheD

I agree with all of this.... except Guttman. He literally is Sikura reincarnated. Not ragging on him, but he is made for the AHL.

If you read Pope's article in the SunTimes, it sounds like there are some conflicting thoughts about what the identity of the team should be (run-n-gun, defense oriented, etc.). Looks like they all agree that their forecheck needs to be better though, since they all admit they won't out-talent anyone.

I'm sure there are no easy answers. Lots of calls for the Hawks to go hard after Carle who coached the USA in the WJC. Probably a good idea on the surface (would be interested to hear stevefromglencoe's take), but if they run it back with more bargain players I wouldn't expect a better result.

I don’t have inside sources like a poster or two here pretend to have, however in my opinion they will not buy out Jones. Before his injury he was playing much better this year, if he was making $6M per and performing like pre injury he’d be fine. KD will eventually move him, but that’s an offseason transaction in the next year or two. I was hoping that they could move Jones and keep Murphy around for another 2-3 years as a #5 RD, you could do a lot worse than Murphy as a bottom pairing defensive dman.

I don’t have inside sources like a poster or two here pretend to have, however in my opinion they will not buy out Jones. Before his injury he was playing much better this year, if he was making $6M per and performing like pre injury he’d be fine. KD will eventually move him, but that’s an offseason transaction in the next year or two. I was hoping that they could move Jones and keep Murphy around for another 2-3 years as a #5 RD, you could do a lot worse than Murphy as a bottom pairing defensive dman.
- Angotti

On the surface, that sounds fine, but I think there are some serious concerns about Murphy's health. Kinda sucks he's never been to the PO's. I met him very briefly before and he seemed like a genuine human, and he seems to give his all.

I don’t have inside sources like a poster or two here pretend to have, however in my opinion they will not buy out Jones. Before his injury he was playing much better this year, if he was making $6M per and performing like pre injury he’d be fine. KD will eventually move him, but that’s an offseason transaction in the next year or two. I was hoping that they could move Jones and keep Murphy around for another 2-3 years as a #5 RD, you could do a lot worse than Murphy as a bottom pairing defensive dman.
- Angotti

What i find interesting is how their PK has gotten worse since he came back. I've said all along 20 minutes of ice time for him is plenty and when it comes to special teams, there is nothing special about him.

Murphy is just breaking down every year, him playing under 20 minutes per game is fine with me, unfortunately he's been unreliable in terms of durability and so has Jones now.

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- Chunk

Nation of Domin(ik)ation

Guerin made it work with more salary bought out and less cap space to do it in.
- LAHawk

He sure has, he's done a fantastic job in 4 years. The trade with the Kings was a steal. That 2015 draft was fantastic as well. Here's a guy who knows what he's doing as a gm i wouldn't do business with him if i was an opposing gm. Probably why no one is touching Rossi. Trading Philly to draft Buium...

The ultimate question is can he do what Zito did in Florida?

He sure has, he's done a fantastic job in 4 years. The trade with the Kings was a steal. That 2015 draft was fantastic as well. Here's a guy who knows what he's doing as a gm i wouldn't do business with him if i was an opposing gm. Probably why no one is touching Rossi. Trading Philly to draft Buium...

The ultimate question is can he do what Zito did in Florida?
- BetweenTheDots

Let's hope Kaprizov follows the money to Chicago next offseason

He sure has, he's done a fantastic job in 4 years. The trade with the Kings was a steal. That 2015 draft was fantastic as well. Here's a guy who knows what he's doing as a gm i wouldn't do business with him if i was an opposing gm. Probably why no one is touching Rossi. Trading Philly to draft Buium...

The ultimate question is can he do what Zito did in Florida?
- BetweenTheDots

Why not?

Re Rossi: No one is touching Rossi because he is playing extremely well and would cost a fortune to acquire (if he is even available right now). He is exactly the type of player the Hawks should have pursued at the beginning of the year. He had a pretty good year and could have been had for a reasonable return. Proved he could play in the league and wouldn't need another 2-3 years to make an impact.

Why not?

Re Rossi: No one is touching Rossi because he is playing extremely well and would cost a fortune to acquire (if he is even available right now). He is exactly the type of player the Hawks should have pursued at the beginning of the year. He had a pretty good year and could have been had for a reasonable return. Proved he could play in the league and wouldn't need another 2-3 years to make an impact.
- Chunk

Actually i would be cautious doing business with him.

How do you know it would of been a reasonable return?

Actually i would be cautious doing business with him.

How do you know it would of been a reasonable return?
- BetweenTheDots

OK, it would have been much more reasonable than it would have to be now.

Why would you be cautious doing business with him?

For those who've not yet seen, Friedman's 32 thoughts is Hawk-heavy in the first four points. Some interesting insight into KD, Carle, and Bedard

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-between-canucks-rangers/

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- Chunk

Jonathan Cheechoo has entered the chat.

Jonathan Cheechoo has entered the chat.
- breadbag

Damn. Good one. Totally forgot about him.

OK, it would have been much more reasonable than it would have to be now.

Why would you be cautious doing business with him?

For those who've not yet seen, Friedman's 32 thoughts is Hawk-heavy in the first four points. Some interesting insight into KD, Carle, and Bedard

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-between-canucks-rangers/
- Chunk

I like how Bedard is excited about the Blackhawk prospects. Hopefully that means he sees his future in Chicago and not, like some in the media are speculating, that he wants to go elsewhere.

I like how Bedard is excited about the Blackhawk prospects. Hopefully that means he sees his future in Chicago and not, like some in the media are speculating, that he wants to go elsewhere.
- paulr

Yeah, I don't think (young) players are so blind to say that they need to play on a winner immediately. Most also understand that if they are drafted high it means they are likely on a team that will take time to be a winner.

Also, it seems more so in hockey than other sports, players seem to want to stick with one team for the long haul. Outside of that, they want to go where they have the best opportunity to play.

"Martone looks beastly each time I see him in the OHL, some games I don't notice Misa much but the numbers are there and he's a centerman, can skate and has good size , Hagens is craftier than anyone, and always has been, and he can motor, saw 2ish of McQueen's 9 games and all things being equal stood out the most as an absolute skilled monster, Schaeffer is poetic, a ballerina's feet and so poised as a SIXTEEN yr old!"

You take Schaeffer and then trade a Dman for a forward at some point. Schaeffer will be a stud, has the size, speed and attitude to be the #1 D that every team needs.

Yeah, I don't think (young) players are so blind to say that they need to play on a winner immediately. Most also understand that if they are drafted high it means they are likely on a team that will take time to be a winner.

Also, it seems more so in hockey than other sports, players seem to want to stick with one team for the long haul. Outside of that, they want to go where they have the best opportunity to play.
- Chunk

No, I get it, I was more pointing it out to a few posters who start panicking that Bedard will leave the Hawks as soon as possible because he doesn’t have linemates to get him 50 goals or whatever the perceived issue is.

"Martone looks beastly each time I see him in the OHL, some games I don't notice Misa much but the numbers are there and he's a centerman, can skate and has good size , Hagens is craftier than anyone, and always has been, and he can motor, saw 2ish of McQueen's 9 games and all things being equal stood out the most as an absolute skilled monster, Schaeffer is poetic, a ballerina's feet and so poised as a SIXTEEN yr old!"

You take Schaeffer and then trade a Dman for a forward at some point. Schaeffer will be a stud, has the size, speed and attitude to be the #1 D that every team needs.
- Black Raven

Personally of the guys I’ve seen I’d lean to Schaefer too. Although the other guys look really good too.

No, I get it, I was more pointing it out to a few posters who start panicking that Bedard will leave the Hawks as soon as possible because he doesn’t have linemates to get him 50 goals or whatever the perceived issue is.
- paulr

I don't really understand where this is even coming from. Just people in the media trying to find something to write about and on the off chance it becomes true in the future, said individuals can claim they were first on the scene.

Chicago is one of the biggest hockey markets in the US and one of the best cities in the US. I'm sure Bedard has seen what it looks like when the Hawks win a cup. Millions turn out to celebrate. Vancouver is pretty cool but aside from that idk. Win a cup in Chicago, you are immortalized.

If the Hawks are in the basement when Bedard's rookie deal ends then ya concern is warranted.

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- Chunk

Kris Bryant
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Anthony Rizzo

What i find interesting is how their PK has gotten worse since he came back. I've said all along 20 minutes of ice time for him is plenty and when it comes to special teams, there is nothing special about him.

Murphy is just breaking down every year, him playing under 20 minutes per game is fine with me, unfortunately he's been unreliable in terms of durability and so has Jones now.
- BetweenTheDots

The recent PK stats weren't sustainable. Let's see where it levels off?

I agree with all of this.... except Guttman. He literally is Sikura reincarnated. Not ragging on him, but he is made for the AHL.
- Chunk

He's another Vinnie.