It is my understanding the Blackhawks resume league play today/tonight.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/02/22/leadership-4-nations-ratings-a-russian-rumor-prospect-highlights-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

A report surfaced last night of interest for Blackhawks fans. Daria Tuboltseva of RG Media wrote that Ilya Safonov (stats) plans on leaving the KHL and signing with the Blackhawks after the 2024-25 season ends. In the story, Tuboltseva writes that Safonov’s agent has not confirmed the information sources shared with her. Scott Powers tweeted last night that he had a source deny the report.

Didn't think Safonov would be a guy that CHI brought over. Not really a big scorer over there except for 2022-23. Good size, don't know much else about him. Maybe another log for the logjam.

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/512834/ilya-safonov
- totem

I think he instantly fills a need at centre. It costs less than finding a in-league trade, and he dishes the puck and plays the pivot really well.

Unless someoen thinks a college prospect has more upsdie this type move doens't hurt the Cap, long term path or philosophy.

But wait, there's more. 2 year full NMC then switches to a 15 team list in the last three years. Like the 5 years and $4.5 mil per wasn't enough
- wizardofi

OK, the NMC is stupid, but what's the problem with the dollars and term? Especially with the current cap and its projections, the guy is 19-8 with a 0.905, 2.53 GAA and 4 shutouts. He'll be 35 when the deal is up. This is market value, no?

OK, the NMC is stupid, but what's the problem with the dollars and term? Especially with the current cap and its projections, the guy is 19-8 with a 0.905, 2.53 GAA and 4 shutouts. He'll be 35 when the deal is up. This is market value, no?
- Chunk

This is the same Lankinen we had?

This is the same Lankinen we had?
- rpeters01

Same guy, yeah. Why? He's not a bad player.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/02/22/leadership-4-nations-ratings-a-russian-rumor-prospect-highlights-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

A report surfaced last night of interest for Blackhawks fans. Daria Tuboltseva of RG Media wrote that Ilya Safonov (stats) plans on leaving the KHL and signing with the Blackhawks after the 2024-25 season ends. In the story, Tuboltseva writes that Safonov’s agent has not confirmed the information sources shared with her. Scott Powers tweeted last night that he had a source deny the report.

Didn't think Safonov would be a guy that CHI brought over. Not really a big scorer over there except for 2022-23. Good size, don't know much else about him. Maybe another log for the logjam.

https://www.eliteprospect...layer/512834/ilya-safonov
- totem

It might be that Safonov wants to come over and play here, but I think we'll have to see if there is mutual interest in the Blackhawks signing him.

Yup! Good for him.
And talk about turmoil,Cam Robinson posted something that Boeser and the 'Nucks aren't aligning on contract extension #s.
Hocks could offer the Tor 1st + prospect and try and sign him to a nice 4-5 year deal?
Not sure what he's worth on the market,but I like the way he plays.
- captainserious

Same but rather wait to get him for nothing in free agency (UFA) this summer. Playoff contenders would pay up more via trade for him than what he’s worth but just my opinion.

OK, the NMC is stupid, but what's the problem with the dollars and term? Especially with the current cap and its projections, the guy is 19-8 with a 0.905, 2.53 GAA and 4 shutouts. He'll be 35 when the deal is up. This is market value, no?
- Chunk

I too didn’t get why that guy said that. Great deal for both sides honestly.

Agree with Bamford:

Request a trade (should) = losing A immediately. Can't have the A on someone who doesn't give a crap. And requesting a trade out = doesn't give a crap.

It might be that Safonov wants to come over and play here, but I think we'll have to see if there is mutual interest in the Blackhawks signing him.
- breadbag

Don’t know much about out him and doesn’t seem to put up a lot of points, however he’s a big boy at 6’4” and >200 lbs.
If he has some tools it wouldn’t hurt to bring him over, at the very least he can keep Arty company.
Edit - Crevier sent down to Rockford and D!ckinson on IR, I believe that they only have 12 forwards on the big club roster.

Don’t know much about out him and doesn’t seem to put up a lot of points, however he’s a big boy at 6’4” and >200 lbs.
If he has some tools it wouldn’t hurt to bring him over, at the very least he can keep Arty company.
Edit - Crevier sent down to Rockford and D!ckinson on IR, I believe that they only have 12 forwards on the big club roster.
- Angotti

Crevier is a top pairing penalty killer with Vlasic.

Agree with Bamford:

Request a trade (should) = losing A immediately. Can't have the A on someone who doesn't give a crap. And requesting a trade out = doesn't give a crap.
- SC116

Uh, Kane wore the "A" and requested a trade...

We really don't know who selects one & two until the ping pong balls have rolled out, but I really think if you see a surprise team jump up, they don't hesitate to take Jamws Hagens. I don't see it at slot two if the Blackhawks stay there and there are no lotto winners, but more than one team sees him belonging there as the best forwrad. It would be very easy to relegate Hagens to a fall from top forward in the class to one that might last into pick 4, if you are using his college season point totals, and the fact that he stands undersized. Judging talent like his should not ignore past performances. This kid wasn’t just part of the USA National Development team, he led it. He plays a dominant game no matter the linemates, and was heads above the next best talent there after the golden line of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabriel Perreault departed for college two seasons ago. Where centre Will Smith was complimented with two solid wingers, Hagens was never afforded that type of compliment, and although he plays with teammates Leonard and Perreault, his wingers included Teddy Stiga a USA team product with less distinction, and until his injury, Oskar Jelvik. College play against older players has most certainly helped Hagens grow his game, and build his body. I don’t think you will see him in free fall becasue he projects as a playmaker and shooter who can play both wing and centre, and I think it was Craig Button who compared him to former first pick,Nico Hischier. Hagesn thrives on possessions, smarts and sees the passing lanes open and hits linemates quickly with pucks. There is game breaking talent in his decisions, play speed, and his reads in both defensive and offensive zones wins pucks and games.

We really don't know who selects one & two until the ping pong balls have rolled out, but I really think if you see a surprise team jump up, they don't hesitate to take Jamws Hagens. I don't see it at slot two if the Blackhawks stay there and there are no lotto winners, but more than one team sees him belonging there as the best forwrad. It would be very easy to relegate Hagens to a fall from top forward in the class to one that might last into pick 4, if you are using his college season point totals, and the fact that he stands undersized. Judging talent like his should not ignore past performances. This kid wasn’t just part of the USA National Development team, he led it. He plays a dominant game no matter the linemates, and was heads above the next best talent there after the golden line of Will Smith, Ryan Leonard, and Gabriel Perreault departed for college two seasons ago. Where centre Will Smith was complimented with two solid wingers, Hagens was never afforded that type of compliment, and although he plays with teammates Leonard and Perreault, his wingers included Teddy Stiga a USA team product with less distinction, and until his injury, Oskar Jelvik. College play against older players has most certainly helped Hagens grow his game, and build his body. I don’t think you will see him in free fall becasue he projects as a playmaker and shooter who can play both wing and centre, and I think it was Craig Button who compared him to former first pick,Nico Hischier. Hagesn thrives on possessions, smarts and sees the passing lanes open and hits linemates quickly with pucks. There is game breaking talent in his decisions, play speed, and his reads in both defensive and offensive zones wins pucks and games.
- wiz1901

Is he that much better than Misa or Martone?

If you were the Hocks GM,and you already have an undersized Bedard,would you draft Hagens to play on Bedard's wing? Or push him to C or W on the 2nd line?
Or because of the circumstances,would you not take him and go for Misa/Martone or even Schaefer?

Don’t know much about out him and doesn’t seem to put up a lot of points, however he’s a big boy at 6’4” and >200 lbs.
If he has some tools it wouldn’t hurt to bring him over, at the very least he can keep Arty company.
Edit - Crevier sent down to Rockford and D!ckinson on IR, I believe that they only have 12 forwards on the big club roster.
- Angotti

I won't claim to know much either, but I've heard he is decent defensively. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks bring him in. Maybe he will be a good bottom 6 guy.

Uh, Kane wore the "A" and requested a trade...
- rpeters01

Yep, aside from the fact that in Kane you were talking about a Conn Smythe winner, a league MVP ... he should have had it taken it off of him, too.

Same reason, you want out, fine but leadership needs to be for the guys interested in being on the team, it wasn't -barring a Delorean trip to the past ... that one was what it was...

I remember the 87 Cubs had a manager in Gene Michael in August mention he wasn't sure if he'd want a new contract in Chicago - Green fired him instantly, they were actually in contention for post season (granted with about a 500 record) - they brought in Frank Luchesi as interim- and he managed the team to like about a .253 or something winning percentage, and the Cubs finished in last place.

Point being, moving on a guy that didn't want to be around = the right move to make.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

Ugh...bad draw. STL to the top, CHI down to 3.

1 St. Louis
2 San Jose
3 Chicago
4 Nashville
5 Buffalo
6 Seattle
7 Pittsburgh
8 Montreal
9 Philadelphia
10 Anaheim

Same forward discussion, Misa/Martone/Hagens. Unless you are throwing the #3 into a Brady Tkachuk trade or similar.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

Ugh...bad draw. STL to the top, CHI down to 3.

1 St. Louis
2 San Jose
3 Chicago
4 Nashville
5 Buffalo
6 Seattle
7 Pittsburgh
8 Montreal
9 Philadelphia
10 Anaheim

Same forward discussion, Misa/Martone/Hagens. Unless you are throwing the #3 into a Brady Tkachuk trade or similar.
- totem

Didn't realize St.Louis is in the lottery ...I figured they were fighting for a playoff spot.
That would really suck if they won the lottery
And I definitely don't want to see the Pens win next year's lottery with McKenna

Is he that much better than Misa or Martone?

If you were the Hocks GM,and you already have an undersized Bedard,would you draft Hagens to play on Bedard's wing? Or push him to C or W on the 2nd line?
Or because of the circumstances,would you not take him and go for Misa/Martone or even Schaefer?
- captainserious

If he’s available Schaefer is the guy. Figure out the other excess defensive prospects later.

If he’s available Schaefer is the guy. Figure out the other excess defensive prospects later.
- paulr

If they draft Schaefer I expect one of Arty,Korch or Rinzel to be shipped out at or before the draft. Just not sure what they could get for any of those guys.
Something like Zegras?

Looked like a good goal by Bedard. Not sure why Anders didn't challenge.

Edit: Moore pp goal. Rinzel with the assist

If they draft Schaefer I expect one of Arty,Korch or Rinzel to be shipped out at or before the draft. Just not sure what they could get for any of those guys.
Something like Zegras?

Looked like a good goal by Bedard. Not sure why Anders didn't challenge.
- captainserious

Personally I hope they steer clear of Zegras, he’s injury prone, he’s questionable defensively and he gets involved in on ice nonsense. Not sure who they’d target? And I imagine they’d dangle one of the three you said.

Sorensen has been burned on challenges allot this season. Im guessing he’s choosing his challenges more carefully.

Personally I hope they steer clear of Zegras, he’s injury prone, he’s questionable defensively and he gets involved in on ice nonsense. Not sure who they’d target? And I imagine they’d dangle one of the three you said.

Sorensen has been burned on challenges allot this season. Im guessing he’s choosing his challenges more carefully.
- paulr

I think he should’ve challenged that one.

I think he should’ve challenged that one.
- HawkintheD

Possibly, but I’m not sure he’s won many, if any, this season? He may be gunshy?

Possibly, but I’m not sure he’s won many, if any, this season? He may be gunshy?
- paulr

I get it though what do you have to lose at this point?

Personally I hope they steer clear of Zegras, he’s injury prone, he’s questionable defensively and he gets involved in on ice nonsense. Not sure who they’d target? And I imagine they’d dangle one of the three you said.

Sorensen has been burned on challenges allot this season. Im guessing he’s choosing his challenges more carefully.
- paulr

I guess what I meant to say was a Zegras type.

Haven't watched any of Carolina. Is Rantanen playing well just not putting up points?
Read a rumor that Carolina might move him because it looks like he doesn't want to sign there.