The other GM's should know as well and won't take our garbage.
- rpeters01

Not expecting all to go.....

Jones
Murphy
Donato

I think all would have interest.

Martinez....maybe if a team needs a depth D guy AND Martinez was OK going (doesn't sound like is)

I don't see anyone wanting Maroon. Richardinson and Foligno likely next year with either Murphy or Jones whoever is still here, as both can't be come training camp.

But yeah....not a ton that people want. Don't see anyone wanting Kurashev or Reichel.

Year 3, Stan set up that first year and KD didn't get the job permanently until the end of the season.
- rpeters01

It was 4 seasons ago when KD started the rebuild by trading Hagel at the TDL, interim GM at that time or not.

Who's the USA Jr coach? Go get him....

Let him the be the groomer and see, like the kids, he can improve as he gains experience and you ride with as this team becomes a contender.
- SteveRain

That's who we are talking about, David Carle.

I would disagree with you....

Bedard is on pace for fewer PPG than last year. He would need 12 pts (6 goals) in his next 9 games to equal last year's total. Again, not saying Bedard is bad....but also to fault of not his own, he's not taking the leaps forward due to coaching and a crap supporting cast.

There are some good things with Nazar, and Slaggert but we also got a small glimpse of those guys last year.

The veterans are just dog $hit, and that uFA goalie they signed....did they just waive the medical exam? I mean that's another miss by KD, no? Silver lining there, Soderbloom who was horrific last year, got a chance to redeem himself and has done pretty good given what's in front of him, and the grade A chances he faces 60 minutes a night.

Just hard to say it's an improvement. Special teams have carried them because if those matched their overall talent level, they may 5-10 worse than the Sharks right now.
- SteveRain

Bedard is slightly behind last year's point pace, but he's improved defensively and some other parts of his game. Progress isn't linear.

Broissoit injured himself training after he was signed. TT and Bertuzzi aren't dogpoop. They just aren't top end first liners.

KD was hired on March 1, 2022. He's been in charge for 3 years and was an assistant GM since 2018. What NHL coaches has he brought in that have real NHL coaching experience? Who is supposed to be leading the development of the young players?

Even the Sharks had a better roster for Celebrini to join versus what the Hawks gave Bedard in year 1 and now in year 2. I can't think of a recent #1 overall that went to a worse situation, roster talent wise, then what Bedard was dropped into and it's continued throughout year 2.

Let's not forgot the Corry Perry and Taylor Hall failed signings.

3 years as GM and Bedard and Vlasic appear to be the only certain things. KD had nothing to do with Vlasic and Bedard was gift wrapped by the lottery. Luke Richardson was clearly a hiring mistake.
- bhawks2241

What evidence do you have that SJ had a better roster? If so, they are underperforming worse than the Hawks are.

Taylor Hall wasn't signed. He was part of a trade. Ian Mitchell and Regula for Hall and Foligno. I really don't think you can call that anything other than a win for the Hawks even as underwhelming as Hall and Foligno are/were.

Most draft picks don't make it to the show until 2-3 years after being drafted and that's just the early picks. KD has done a really good job of building up the prospect pool. This is his make-or-break offseason. He needs to move the needle in a major way otherwise, I believe he'll be out by December.

Bedard is slightly behind last year's point pace, but he's improved defensively and some other parts of his game. Progress isn't linear.

Broissoit injured himself training after he was signed. TT and Bertuzzi aren't dogpoop. They just aren't top end first liners.
- Chunk

You know it really worked out well for Soda, everyone thought he was garbage and low and behold he's our best goalie right now, development equals patience which applies to all these kids. I know right now it seems really bad but we are right around the Rock bottom of the rebuild. It's going to get better this just needs a little more patience.

And i don't know how SJ is further along in their rebuild, what defenseman do they have in the pipeline who are ready to step up and play, i don't think they have the caliber of dmen that we have with Vlasic, KK, Arty, Rinzel just to name a few

I believe SJ took the traditional approach to their rebuild and look how long its taking them

I doubt Brodie is willing to walk away from the last year of his contract. That's the only reason that Saad was able to be terminated and signed by Vegas.

Sorry, but there simply is no quick fix to Brodie this season. I fully expect that they will buy him out this offseason though.
- Chunk

Agreed and they pretty much have to since he turns 35 on June 7th, right? I could be wrong but pretty sure next season he’ll get the 35+ NTC stipulation. Anyone know?

Hypothetical trades: Seth Jones and 4th 2025b to Dallas for Seguin if he would waive and bouquet. Donato to the Rangers for ottoman reichel and 3rd to Buffalo for Quinn conner Murphy and 2026 2nd a 2025 2nd to Buffalo perteka and 2026 3rd

When was the last time a successful college coach been a successful NHL coach. Montgomery? (team #3), Hakstol? Quinn? Bob Johnson was over 30 years ago.

My preference is either Mike Sullivan (if he leaves Pittsburgh), or Todd Nelson from Hershey
- LAHawk

That is a big concern. I think I'd add Todd Reirden to that list as well. Assistant with Pitt and WSH since 2010-11 while both were at the top of the league. Two years as HC and in the playoffs with WSH. Currently back with PITT as an assistant.

Agreed and they pretty much have to since he turns 35 on June 7th, right? I could be wrong but pretty sure next season he’ll get the 35+ NTC stipulation. Anyone know?
- Assman22

I'm pretty sure that the 35+ designation only applies to contracts that are signed after a player's 35th b-day.

And i don't know how SJ is further along in their rebuild, what defenseman do they have in the pipeline who are ready to step up and play, i don't think they have the caliber of dmen that we have with Vlasic, KK, Arty, Rinzel just to name a few

I believe SJ took the traditional approach to their rebuild and look how long its taking them
- BetweenTheDots

I love the draft picks, I love the emphasis on speed and competitiveness and the balance of forwards and defensemen. But you cannot build a team solely through the draft. If KD can trade for a young NHL player which will be tough as he doesn’t have much to trade with. And If KD can sign good UFAs or a solid up and coming RFA he can turn the fortunes of the team around quickly. Then add in the draft picks that will be coming and the team should start rising in the standings. But if he can’t make a trade or sign decent Free Agents the Hawks are back to being a bottom five team.

agreed 100%

I am still waiting for somebody to list a worst supporting cast since the lockout (2005) that's worse than Bedard's hand.

Dude was dealt 2/7 off suit playing hold'em for 12 hours straight and just folding non stop.....
- SteveRain

It's close, but I'll go with Jack Eichel.

https://www.hockey-refere...e.com/teams/BUF/2016.html

God Buffalo has been poop forever.

It's close, but I'll go with Jack Eichel.

https://www.hockey-refere...e.com/teams/BUF/2016.html

God Buffalo has been poop forever.
- Chunk

I'd take Ryan O'Reilly, Reinhart, and Evander Kane over the Hawks forward group. At least O'Reilly was an all star.

Who's the USA Jr coach? Go get him....

Let him the be the groomer and see, like the kids, he can improve as he gains experience and you ride with as this team becomes a contender.
- SteveRain

Colliton's younger brother.

I love the draft picks, I love the emphasis on speed and competitiveness and the balance of forwards and defensemen. But you cannot build a team solely through the draft. If KD can trade for a young NHL player which will be tough as he doesn’t have much to trade with. And If KD can sign good UFAs or a solid up and coming RFA he can turn the fortunes of the team around quickly. Then add in the draft picks that will be coming and the team should start rising in the standings. But if he can’t make a trade or sign decent Free Agents the Hawks are back to being a bottom five team.
- paulr

So long he doesn't trade for players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. He's got to go big if he does a trade.

What evidence do you have that SJ had a better roster? If so, they are underperforming worse than the Hawks are.

Taylor Hall wasn't signed. He was part of a trade. Ian Mitchell and Regula for Hall and Foligno. I really don't think you can call that anything other than a win for the Hawks even as underwhelming as Hall and Foligno are/were.

Most draft picks don't make it to the show until 2-3 years after being drafted and that's just the early picks. KD has done a really good job of building up the prospect pool. This is his make-or-break offseason. He needs to move the needle in a major way otherwise, I believe he'll be out by December.
- Chunk

You can look at who Celebrini plays with. It is better than the crap Bedard gets saddled with.

Traded or signed doesn't matter. Still turned out to be a failed move. I am also not talking about winning trades. I am talking about the moves KD has made to make sure his #1 overall pick, the cornerstone of this rebuild, is setup to maximize his development and skills.

Of the guys KD has brought in to help Bedard, who has actually helped him? Who has consistently played on a line with him? That answer is no one. Season 2 is almost over and KD has yet to actually find Bedard help. TT isn't it. Bertuzzi has been all over the lineup due to his inconsistent play (which is not some secret everyone in the NHL knows the type of player he is).

Hall trade was a failure. Perry same thing.

You've given him no real consistent help at forward. You've given him inexperienced coaches behind the bench. I agree the rebuild is ongoing. That does not mean you have to jeopardize the development of your franchise player.

It is an organizational failure to this point. This board ripped the front office all the time for not getting Kane more help on his line. Not getting Toews enough help on his line.

Idk why it is ok for Bedard to be left holding the bag by himself, without even a real NHL coach to help him. Tyler Toffoli would be the 2nd best forward on the Hawks. Wouldn't even be close.

At least Celebrini gets to play with him. 30g scorer multiple times with skins on the wall.

You can look at who Celebrini plays with. It is better than the crap Bedard gets saddled with.

Traded or signed doesn't matter. Still turned out to be a failed move. I am also not talking about winning trades. I am talking about the moves KD has made to make sure his #1 overall pick, the cornerstone of this rebuild, is setup to maximize his development and skills.

Of the guys KD has brought in to help Bedard, who has actually helped him? Who has consistently played on a line with him? That answer is no one. Season 2 is almost over and KD has yet to actually find Bedard help. TT isn't it. Bertuzzi has been all over the lineup due to his inconsistent play (which is not some secret everyone in the NHL knows the type of player he is).

Hall trade was a failure. Perry same thing.

You've given him no real consistent help at forward. You've given him inexperienced coaches behind the bench. I agree the rebuild is ongoing. That does not mean you have to jeopardize the development of your franchise player.

It is an organizational failure to this point. This board ripped the front office all the time for not getting Kane more help on his line. Not getting Toews enough help on his line.

Idk why it is ok for Bedard to be left holding the bag by himself, without even a real NHL coach to help him. Tyler Toffoli would be the 2nd best forward on the Hawks. Wouldn't even be close.

At least Celebrini gets to play with him. 30g scorer multiple times with skins on the wall.
- bhawks2241

I get the frustration. But have you looked at Toffoli's contract in San Jose? 4 years, 6 mill per, and the first three years have full no trade. I thought the Hawks took on too much risk as it was with Bertuzzi's deal, 4 years, 5.5 mill per, and decreasing no trade list (12, 10, and 8 teams) for the first three seasons, but the Toffoli contract takes the cake. Plus Toffoli is nearly three years older than Bertuzzi.

Lottery teams have to pay a premium for established NHL talent. They also get to be on more players' no trade lists. So they have to be more creative, no question. What does that mean, exactly? First, it's about drafting well. And discovering overlooked/undrafted players. Getting paid in additional draft picks to take on marginal contracts (Zaitsev, D*ckinson, Mikheyev). And adding veterans through relatively riskless trades and who can be flipped for more picks when the time comes. This is part of Armchair GM on the hardest setting, as I like to say on here.

Was trading for Taylor Hall and the draft rights to Foligno for no real cost a bad trade? They had the worst case happen with Hall. It happens. Obviously there was risk. Not like they didn't have room for cap hits for bad contracts. They got a high third for Hall when the time came for that, and I wasn't sure they were going to do that well, honestly. It cost a bit more in cap space to make that happen, which isn't that significant for a team that could flirt with a salary floor in a fire sale otherwise.

TT may not drive play, but the contract isn't the worst I've seen. He wanted to come here, and that's saying something. The cap hit is the same as he had on his last Carolina contract, and it's only three years, and with an 8 team NTC.

I will be truly shocked if they land someone like Marner or Rantanen. Top talent generally wants to play for Cups, not be a part of a rebuild. The team has to show more of an upward trajectory before that kind of talent starts lining up to play here. It sucks, but it's going to take time for enough of these recent draft picks to turn into bona fide NHL players.

Some of KD’s moves since he took over. My opinion.
Bertuzzi- good signing
TT - good signing
Martinez - okay signing
Brodie - bad signing
AA - bad signing
D!ckinson - okay to good signing
Foligno - not a fan, just personal opinion
Dach trade - looks promising
Dcat trade - TBD
Mrazek - not a fan
Bedard pick - great pick, was expected
Levshunov pick - looks promising

Some of KD’s moves since he took over. My opinion.
Bertuzzi- good signing
TT - good signing
Martinez - okay signing
Brodie - bad signing
AA - bad signing
D!ckinson - okay to good signing
Foligno - not a fan, just personal opinion
Dach trade - looks promising
Dcat trade - TBD
Mrazek - not a fan
Bedard pick - great pick, was expected
Levshunov pick - looks promising
- Angotti

Mrazek trade great it equals Rinzel

Lardis with 2 more
Boisvert netted one as well

Ders is nuts for putting AA on a line with Bedard
Kyle better have already started on a list of coaches he wants and talked to their agents

If Kyle hires a new coach,and gets fired next season,then you're gonna have a new GM with a coach he didn't pick. That could also be a stupid situation

Everyone mentions that Slaggert could be like Hagel. I see some of Hagel in him,but Nazar looks like a dude that is at least Hagel,but probably even better. Hope the kid finishes the season strong

I get the frustration. But have you looked at Toffoli's contract in San Jose? 4 years, 6 mill per, and the first three years have full no trade. I thought the Hawks took on too much risk as it was with Bertuzzi's deal, 4 years, 5.5 mill per, and decreasing no trade list (12, 10, and 8 teams) for the first three seasons, but the Toffoli contract takes the cake. Plus Toffoli is nearly three years older than Bertuzzi.

Lottery teams have to pay a premium for established NHL talent. They also get to be on more players' no trade lists. So they have to be more creative, no question. What does that mean, exactly? First, it's about drafting well. And discovering overlooked/undrafted players. Getting paid in additional draft picks to take on marginal contracts (Zaitsev, D*ckinson, Mikheyev). And adding veterans through relatively riskless trades and who can be flipped for more picks when the time comes. This is part of Armchair GM on the hardest setting, as I like to say on here.

Was trading for Taylor Hall and the draft rights to Foligno for no real cost a bad trade? They had the worst case happen with Hall. It happens. Obviously there was risk. Not like they didn't have room for cap hits for bad contracts. They got a high third for Hall when the time came for that, and I wasn't sure they were going to do that well, honestly. It cost a bit more in cap space to make that happen, which isn't that significant for a team that could flirt with a salary floor in a fire sale otherwise.

TT may not drive play, but the contract isn't the worst I've seen. He wanted to come here, and that's saying something. The cap hit is the same as he had on his last Carolina contract, and it's only three years, and with an 8 team NTC.

I will be truly shocked if they land someone like Marner or Rantanen. Top talent generally wants to play for Cups, not be a part of a rebuild. The team has to show more of an upward trajectory before that kind of talent starts lining up to play here. It sucks, but it's going to take time for enough of these recent draft picks to turn into bona fide NHL players.
- 333inthe3rd

I was all aboard the Marner/Rantanen train,but tou're right,those guys aren't coming to Chicago.
The Blackhawks are going to need to overpay to get Ehlers and or Bennett.
The only other way they get a "star" is by trade,otherwise,like you said,big name players want to play for a Cup, not be in the hunt for a playoff spot come March/April of 2026.

I was all aboard the Marner/Rantanen train,but tou're right,those guys aren't coming to Chicago.
The Blackhawks are going to need to overpay to get Ehlers and or Bennett.
The only other way they get a "star" is by trade,otherwise,like you said,big name players want to play for a Cup, not be in the hunt for a playoff spot come March/April of 2026.
- captainserious

I think they want both, but when push comes to shove they will take getting paid over winning. NHL players careers are to short to not cash in when they get a chance.

CHL Tonight - 2-28-25

CHI Drafted
BNT Lardis 2G 2A
BNT Vanacker ---
KIT Pridham 1G 1A
WIN Spellacy 1A
SUD Pharand 1G

OHL 2025 Eligible
SAG M. Misa 2G 1A
BNT J. O'Brien 1A
BMP P. Martone 1A
BMP J. Ivankovich DNP
SOO T. Hayes 1A
SOO B. Martin 2A
WIN J. Nesbitt DNP

QMJHL 2025 Eligible
CHC A. Gosselin 1G 1A
CHC E. Guite 1A
CHC A. Huang 1A
CHC N. Lecompte 1A
HFX L. Kilfoil ---
MCT C. Desnoyers 1A

Lardis now 65-42-107 in 57 GP.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

As yesterday, CHI moves to the #1, PIT to #2 today. Schaefer it is.

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