There are a few intriguing RFA's coming up. KD has a ton of draft and prospect capital. If there are teams that can't fit new deals in to sign their guys, KD should be ready and willing to pony up to try and acquire them.
- Chunk

It sucks but they are likely going to have to overpay until their window is "open" again. Much like they did with Campbell and Huet.

Ya know... I have been in the camp of rebuild is early on still but I did go take a little lock back at the '06 and '07 Hawks. At least Sharp was there in '06 (first 20g season) and Havlat. When Kane and Toews arrived in '07, Sharp and Havlat were in place. Robert Lang even potted 20g and 50pts in '07 for the Hawks.

The talent is so bad on this team right now, you don't have the equivalent of a 2nd year Sharp and an often injured Havlat. You really don't even have a Robert Lang equivalent....he scored 20g plus 7 times in his career.

TT has been bad to the point I would not care if they launched him into the sun for a bag of pucks. He's every bit as soft and afraid of contact as he was when the Hawks drafted him.

Bertuzzi is meh.

Who on this roster is going to pot you 30g next year (Sharp 36g first year of Kane and Toews) and .8 ish ppg player (Havlat on the Hawks when actually healthy).

Hawks have to acquire/find some real top 6 guys. You can't have year 3 of Beard without a real 30g scorer on his line.
- bhawks2241

I think Bertuzi under Sorrenson (spell) vs Richardson has been better but we also see why this guy has bounced from Detroit to Boston to Toronto to the Hawks. When he's engaged he's worth it, but he does disappear a lot of games and floats up and down the ice.

Teuvo....I don't know what his deal is. Outside of PP time and when he was paired with 98 early this year....he's been off. Guy almost was a scratch on this team. 2 more years and wouldn't be shocked to see him packing before that deal is up.

I agree on the rest....going back to the post lockout until the wonder twins showed up. Flipping guys who wont' be long term pieces for value depth guys or other options has to be KDs move. the Ellisons, Ruuttus, and Bochenskis of the world....who are those versions?

It's fun when you can watch young guys come up and see the hype....when Buff came up vs STL early on and was a monster, or Versteeg against Phnx, etc....we need that.

I like Nazar a lot and can't tell if he's more Versteegish vs top line but definitely a guy who can float from 4-6 to 6-9 and not look out of place.

Well, not really ZERO support though, that is an exaggeration.

You could make the argument that he added two top 6 forwards from contenders in both Bertuzzi and Teravinen. TT playing with Aho and Svechnikov. Bertuzzi with guys like Taveres and Nylander. The Hawks were in on Guentzel but it's tough to land a guy like him when you have to compete with teams not in the middle of a rebuild.

What we don't have is any other star players up front currently, and those are not as easy to land. Most of the time when a top end talent is traded, it's not for picks, draft capital or prospects. It's for a package with another high end player or a player breaking out. If we want high end talent we need to wait to have some of our own to deal or we need to keep fighting to sign some on the UFA market, without signing idiotic contracts that will bite us when the team is actually ready to compete.

Fans want them to turn it around quickly and sure that's great as long as they don't screw up the long term. Having another superstart for Bedard to play with is nice, but it doesn't change his ceiling, make or break the team or really change his timeline on maturing, or speed up the rebuild. It really just moderately improves the short term, which again, is fine as long as they don't screw up where the want to be in 2-3 years or even 5 years down the road.
- breadbag

I don't know about Teuvo or Bertuzzi......did the Hawks overpay in terms and/or AAV to land both? Or was it because other contenders viewed them more as a depth player vs a top end player? I think it could be both, and the whole Guentzel thing...who knows...I keep hearing how they were in, but yeah for effort prizes dont matter.

Big difference between a quick rebuild vs what most of us have expected. The point to this is it's year 3 of being pure dog $hit. 1 year was a given for Bedard. Last year, Ok.....this year? No.....Anaheim is making strides up....and sure it's not all on KD, but we dont' know what the Wirtz's demanded from Bowman when he went out and Got Fleury and Jones to keep that window open.

A Misa or Martone or Hagens could be NHL ready, I really dont' know. Even if they are a year or 2 away, likely a year, they still have pieces long term and going out and overpaying for the RIGHT UFA to play with Bedard this summer isn't going to harm them LT. Marner, Ratenen, make sense....Especially if they move on from Jones and lose Murphy's number after next year. Yeah, they'll have to start paying some guys but looks to me this team's strongest asset is defense depth and hockey opps right now needs to start looking at guys who might plateau sooner vs later and flip those guys while value is as high as possible and plug F or goaltending holes in return.

Huge summer for Davidson and if this team isn't a step or 2 or 3 better, I can see him being canned by Thanksgiving (US) this fall based on how his draft and ufa goes.

I mean are people OK with being a full blown top 3 draft pick team the entire length of Bedard's ELC? That's a tough one to swallow. We are 2/3 there.

It sucks but they are likely going to have to overpay until their window is "open" again. Much like they did with Campbell and Huet.
- SteveRain

Overpay for RFA's?

Overpay for RFA's?
- Chunk

RFA? Who said anything about RFA? Typo on my part?

Campbell and HUET were UFAs back in summer of 08.

I am saying go after UFAs.....RFAs......depends on the dollar amount as i think that determines the picks you have to give back.....

RFA? Who said anything about RFA? Typo on my part?

Campbell and HUET were UFAs back in summer of 08.

I am saying go after UFAs.....RFAs......depends on the dollar amount as i think that determines the picks you have to give back.....
- SteveRain

My comment you were replying to was talking about RFA's.

I don't know about Teuvo or Bertuzzi......did the Hawks overpay in terms and/or AAV to land both? Or was it because other contenders viewed them more as a depth player vs a top end player? I think it could be both, and the whole Guentzel thing...who knows...I keep hearing how they were in, but yeah for effort prizes dont matter.

Big difference between a quick rebuild vs what most of us have expected. The point to this is it's year 3 of being pure dog $hit. 1 year was a given for Bedard. Last year, Ok.....this year? No.....Anaheim is making strides up....and sure it's not all on KD, but we dont' know what the Wirtz's demanded from Bowman when he went out and Got Fleury and Jones to keep that window open.

A Misa or Martone or Hagens could be NHL ready, I really dont' know. Even if they are a year or 2 away, likely a year, they still have pieces long term and going out and overpaying for the RIGHT UFA to play with Bedard this summer isn't going to harm them LT. Marner, Ratenen, make sense....Especially if they move on from Jones and lose Murphy's number after next year. Yeah, they'll have to start paying some guys but looks to me this team's strongest asset is defense depth and hockey opps right now needs to start looking at guys who might plateau sooner vs later and flip those guys while value is as high as possible and plug F or goaltending holes in return.

Huge summer for Davidson and if this team isn't a step or 2 or 3 better, I can see him being canned by Thanksgiving (US) this fall based on how his draft and ufa goes.

I mean are people OK with being a full blown top 3 draft pick team the entire length of Bedard's ELC? That's a tough one to swallow. We are 2/3 there.
- SteveRain

This should make you happy:

Bert - Bedard - Donato
TT - Foligno -Mikheyev
Slaggert - Nazar - Dach
Maroon - Kurashev - Smith

Martinez - Jones
Vlasic - Murphy
EDM - Brodie




I'm actually interested in the kid line. Would like them to just play with their hair on fire and see what happens. Lots of speed and forecheck there.

Allan-EDM were one of the best pairings last game and they take one out to play Brodie.

Same....the organization's ability to look at what they have a lot of, or is a declining asset before the rest of the league finds out, and trading for another team's surplus and/or soured fruit needs to happen. Uncle Dale was good at that....couldn't manage a cap but flipped guys you never heard of again (maybe except Ruuttu) for the Versteegs, Leddys, Sharps, and Ladds of the world. Davidson needs to make a hockey trade but my issue is what value does Reichel have right now? Not much.
- SteveRain

Not to nit pick but I think Stan traded for Leddy? Wasn't he the GM when we made the Johnsson trade?

Wahlstrom was just waived by Boston. Remember a number on the BOD wanting us to draft him in 2018. Had a decent rookie season but not much since then. Hawks are not the only ones who cannot develop their players.


Tankathon Spin

1-Hawks
2-Buffalo
3-San Jose
4-Nashville
5-Seattle
6-Pittsburgh

Not to nit pick but I think Stan traded for Leddy? Wasn't he the GM when we made the Johnsson trade?
- rpeters01

he was.....Kim Johnsson......good god.

Wahlstrom was just waived by Boston. Remember a number on the BOD wanting us to draft him in 2018. Had a decent rookie season but not much since then. Hawks are not the only ones who cannot develop their players.


Tankathon Spin

1-Hawks
2-Buffalo
3-San Jose
4-Nashville
5-Seattle
6-Pittsburgh
- Revco38

TODAY'S TANKATHON

CHI moves to #1, swaps with SJ, everyone else remains the same.

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

TODAY'S TANKATHON

CHI moves to #1, swaps with SJ, everyone else remains the same.

2 Chicago
1 San Jose
3 Nashville
4 Seattle
5 Pittsburgh
6 Buffalo
7 Anaheim
8 Philadelphia
9 NY Islander
10 St. Louis
11 Montreal
12 Utah
- totem

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

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

Three different people have the Hawks "randomly" moving to #1 today. The thing is rigged!

Three different people have the Hawks "randomly" moving to #1 today. The thing is rigged!
- Chunk

So long as it’s rigged this way on June 27 I’m fine with that!

So long as it’s rigged this way on June 27 I’m fine with that!
- paulr

I'm actually praying they don't get the #1. I really don't want to hear everyone female dog that they needed to take a forward when the BPA is a D-man.

My ideal is that the Hawks stay at #2 and then go full Ditka and trade the rest of their draft (and maybe a pick next year) to get the #3OA and they take Misa and Martone. Just go get two high quality prospects and get at it. If a team is willing to give up a high producing established player for all those extra picks, I'm happy with that too.

If KD makes 9 picks in the next draft, I think I'm gonna puke.

I'm actually praying they don't get the #1. I really don't want to hear everyone female dog that they needed to take a forward when the BPA is a D-man.

My ideal is that the Hawks stay at #2 and then go full Ditka and trade the rest of their draft (and maybe a pick next year) to get the #3OA and they take Misa and Martone. Just go get two high quality prospects and get at it. If a team is willing to give up a high producing established player for all those extra picks, I'm happy with that too.

If KD makes 9 picks in the next draft, I think I'm gonna puke.
- Chunk

Schaefer is the guy. I don’t care what some posters think, I think he’s the only guy in the draft that will be a difference maker. Then do as you say bundle up Toronto’s first and one of their prospects and try to get Misa or Martone.

It sucks but they are likely going to have to overpay until their window is "open" again. Much like they did with Campbell and Huet.
- SteveRain

Agreed.

So long as it’s rigged this way on June 27 I’m fine with that!
- paulr

Lottery balls will be bouncing around in early May (5/6 most likely)

Schaefer is the guy. I don’t care what some posters think, I think he’s the only guy in the draft that will be a difference maker. Then do as you say bundle up Toronto’s first and one of their prospects and try to get Misa or Martone.
- paulr

Agreed 100%.

I kind of feel like a legit top line wing would solve a lot of problems and helps the rebuild b/c it is going to be really difficult to judge the young guys coming up in the next few years if the roster is so bad it hurts development. It is hard to gauge just how good Bedard will be and he is almost 2 seasons in because the roster is void of real talent.

Not even talking about a top tier start like Marner or Ranta. I would love a Sharp type 30g, skate, play a bit of 2 way game.

It would fill a huge void. Gives Bedard a legit running mate and stability. Helps slot everyone else correctly.

XXX Bedard FA/Trade
XXX Nazar Bertuzzi

TT floating around depending on what type of hockey/effort he decides to bring next year.

Just finished reading a lot . I was always sticking up for KD and the rebuild . And I have plenty of patience ,being a avid fan since the late sixties . I am not seeing the big picture in KD .Bring in weak FA, and saying we would be much better team doesn't sound like we were suppose to be tanking ,as we are . Teravainen ,Bert ,Mikheyev given term, was just a poor eye for talent IMO . Selecting Levshunov over Demidov well we will have to see ,Demidov seemed like a no brainer to me . KD Unable to make a real hockey trade is a big problem .And I fear what kind of mess he will make out of the upcoming Jones deal . Looking forward to the game tonight ,don't understand Brodie in but what do I know .

Just finished reading a lot . I was always sticking up for KD and the rebuild . And I have plenty of patience ,being a avid fan since the late sixties . I am not seeing the big picture in KD .Bring in weak FA, and saying we would be much better team doesn't sound like we were suppose to be tanking ,as we are . Teravainen ,Bert ,Mikheyev given term, was just a poor eye for talent IMO . Selecting Levshunov over Demidov well we will have to see ,Demidov seemed like a no brainer to me . KD Unable to make a real hockey trade is a big problem .And I fear what kind of mess he will make out of the upcoming Jones deal . Looking forward to the game tonight ,don't understand Brodie in but what do I know .
- oldduffman

I think this off season will be telling. KD’s free agent signings were average at best but I’m leaning below average. I can’t think of a hockey trade KD has made (player for player) I like. The trade last year trading draft picks with Lamoriello made absolutely no sense at that time. No one had a clue how the draft would unfold, it’s entirely possible that trade doesn’t need to be made. I don’t think this time he can make any mistakes. A trade, a UFA or RFA signing is imperative, the team cannot be built solely on draft picks. KD has to prove to everyone, especially management that he is capable of more than stocking draft picks and making draft picks.

Just finished reading a lot . I was always sticking up for KD and the rebuild . And I have plenty of patience ,being a avid fan since the late sixties . I am not seeing the big picture in KD .Bring in weak FA, and saying we would be much better team doesn't sound like we were suppose to be tanking ,as we are . Teravainen ,Bert ,Mikheyev given term, was just a poor eye for talent IMO . Selecting Levshunov over Demidov well we will have to see ,Demidov seemed like a no brainer to me . KD Unable to make a real hockey trade is a big problem .And I fear what kind of mess he will make out of the upcoming Jones deal . Looking forward to the game tonight ,don't understand Brodie in but what do I know .
- oldduffman

What did we have to trade? Draft picks only bring back so much. We won the Dinky trade. Dach trade time will tell? Appear to have won the Rinzel Mrazek trade.

I'm actually praying they don't get the #1. I really don't want to hear everyone female dog that they needed to take a forward when the BPA is a D-man.

My ideal is that the Hawks stay at #2 and then go full Ditka and trade the rest of their draft (and maybe a pick next year) to get the #3OA and they take Misa and Martone. Just go get two high quality prospects and get at it. If a team is willing to give up a high producing established player for all those extra picks, I'm happy with that too.

If KD makes 9 picks in the next draft, I think I'm gonna puke.
- Chunk

He won't Hawks get one take Shaffer then use Toronto pick couple second rounders and defensive prospect and move back into top 5 and draft matone or Misa can't go wrong with either. If marner or rattanen hit the market back up the brinks truck to sign one. I think Martone would be my pick. Figure Jones will be traded so in the trade get a center in return.

I think this off season will be telling. KD’s free agent signings were average at best but I’m leaning below average. I can’t think of a hockey trade KD has made (player for player) I like. The trade last year trading draft picks with Lamoriello made absolutely no sense at that time. No one had a clue how the draft would unfold, it’s entirely possible that trade doesn’t need to be made. I don’t think this time he can make any mistakes. A trade, a UFA or RFA signing is imperative, the team cannot be built solely on draft picks. KD has to prove to everyone, especially management that he is capable of more than stocking draft picks and making draft picks.
- paulr

Nylander for Lafferty. It's not much, but he at least he might have the capability to do that.

What did we have to trade? Draft picks only bring back so much. We won the Dinky trade. Dach trade time will tell? Appear to have won the Rinzel Mrazek trade.
- rpeters01

If you say so . I do like Nazar . KK may rebound after KD rushed him to the NHL far to early . I think I would have taken Kasper .Really draft picks are just a crap shoot .