They have a stocked blue line because they drafted and developed them, not one of them were traded for. The goalie was traded for with a 1st, Soda a urfa?

There is nothing to say that the forwards they have drafted are busts as of yet other than Elbows saying so.

If they sign 2 quality free agents this year and draftc2 first round picks this year

Then next year sign 2 quality free agents and draft 2 first round picks

The team will begin filling in naturally without it costing young players because of being impatient.
- BetweenTheDots

In two years:
Bedard-Nazar
TT-Bert
Quality1-Quality2
Quality3-Quality4

You have 4 lineup slots left and need a 4th line and that's without what could possibly be a top overall pick in the next two drafts. Where are the kids gonna play?

You can't just stash talent to have in your back pocket when you want it. Eventually they need a spot to play or they get moved.

IMO KD' biggest task for the offseason is his next head coach hire. Under his tenure there has been
Colliton (inherited)
King
Richardson
Sorenson..

From listening to KD's interview with Freidman, IMO I think KD is going to keep Sorenson. However, if KD decides to go outside the organization, ,that means the team again needing to learn new systems, etc.

Also IMO, the new coach (if not Sorenson, needs to have had prior NHL coaching experience. First time college coaches haven't lasted too long, especially in their first hire. i think the Hawks need a coach that isn't entirely new to the NHL, and learning on the job.

Who that is I have no clue. Who would of thought that Dean Evason would do such a great job in Columbus.
- LAHawk

Ding Ding Ding!. LA just won a pony!

I believe he said it starts with this year's 1st, Tor 1st, Florida 1st and KK? Sweeney would say would you like the deal to be made with or without ky jelly
- BetweenTheDots

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?
- Chunk

He's cracked 20g twice and never cracked 30g. He also horrible at the dot. Would you give up anything close to that for Dylan Strome?

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?
- Chunk

Lamoriello Would make that trade in a heartbeat.

Also (from Pope's article):

Among that group of youngsters, Kaiser and Crevier are pending restricted free agents, but they almost certainly will receive qualifying offers in June and be re-signed — unless they’re traded.

And getting traded is a genuine possibility for them and for several others in that group because the Hawks have entered the stage of their rebuild in which Davidson intends to get aggressive with bolstering the NHL roster. If he can convert two guys with third-pairing upside into one proven top-four guy, he will do it.

Last summer, Davidson’s quantity-over-quality approach to free agency (after striking out on dream signing Jake Guentzel) failed decisively. This summer, focusing on the trade market and packaging ‘‘future assets’’ — picks, prospects and/or young pros — for needle-moving NHL players might be a smarter approach. He acknowledged that Friday.

In the meantime, Kaiser and his cohorts have five weeks left to jockey for position before the offseason arrives.
- Chunk

It will just come down to good asset management. Move players/prospects who don't fit into the future plans or get you parts from other teams that fit.

Been saying for a while that the rebuild/resurgence of the team will really fit the timetable of when the young players are ready to start to carry more of the load. We've seen that progressing with the team as we start to get more of a core to build around. What a difference a couple seasons have made for the quality and up and coming talent with the team.

I think for KD, it comes down to opportunities. Hopefully he doesn't force a deal or push for something that isn't there. They aren't in a position where it will be "add established players at any price" but be open to trades and possibilities.

I thought Lev was the best Hawk on the backend last night. He's got nasty in his game, is not going to back down from anyone, and he seems to have a whole lot of confidence.

The only negative was that he floats a bit in the Dzone and stops moving his feet. He's such a good skater that he gets away with it most of the time though. Also seemed like it took him a second to process some plays but again he is such a good skater it did not hurt his play overall.

Already the best passer and best shot on the current blueline. Look out when he fully adjusts to NHL speed. He gets the puck in the Dzone with any kind of space and his first instinct is to head up ice with the puck. All the tools to be a top 5 dmen in the league are there.
- bhawks2241

The best passer on the backend last year was KK, and it wasn’t close. Now you add another young dman with elite first pass skills and you’ll see the transition game take off. Levshunov will probably go back down soon, so we won’t see that transition game until next year. If they get Schaefer this draft, they may move KK, if they end up with Misa, Martone, or any other forward, then they’ll probably keep KK.

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?
- Chunk

Barzal, seems a bit injury prone. I wouldn't give up a promising 1st round D prospect and two firsts for him.

The best passer on the backend last year was KK, and it wasn’t close. Now you add another young dman with elite first pass skills and you’ll see the transition game take off. Levshunov will probably go back down soon, so we won’t see that transition game until next year. If they get Schaefer this draft, they may move KK, if they end up with Misa, Martone, or any other forward, then they’ll probably keep KK.
- Angotti

If Lev plays like he did last night he should not be sent back down. He looked good against on the fastest teams in the NHL who has cup aspirations.

Side note I had no idea Necas could skate like he does. He is fun to watch. Love the Avs front office moving on from Middlestadt so quickly instead of doubling down on what was clearly a bad trade.

He's cracked 20g twice and never cracked 30g. He also horrible at the dot. Would you give up anything close to that for Dylan Strome?
- bhawks2241

He was on pace to break 20 goals in both of the COVID shortened years and generates a ton of chances/opportunities. He's a great facilitator and makes room for (and sets up) his linemates. All of his advanced stats back this up as well and he's been doing this on an Islanders team that's been middling at best and played a defensive style for most of that time.

Two late round firsts and a prospect you may not have room for to get a guy that Bedard himself said would love to play with? Yeah, I would do that. Plus he's already locked in for 6 more years (expires when he is 33).

Edit: https://www.thehockeybeas...al-as-his-dream-linemate/

If Lev plays like he did last night he should not be sent back down. He looked good against on the fastest teams in the NHL who has cup aspirations.

Side note I had no idea Necas could skate like he does. He is fun to watch. Love the Avs front office moving on from Middlestadt so quickly instead of doubling down on what was clearly a bad trade.
- bhawks2241

He did look good, but I think he'll go down before he hits 10 games because his contract can slide. Not to mention, they are already carrying 8 defensemen.

They are on the wrong side of the puck so often.
- Chunk

Say hello to Jason D1ckinson. He lives there.

They have a stocked blue line because they drafted and developed them, not one of them were traded for. The goalie was traded for with a 1st, Soda a urfa?

There is nothing to say that the forwards they have drafted are busts as of yet other than Elbows saying so.

If they sign 2 quality free agents this year and draftc2 first round picks this year

Then next year sign 2 quality free agents and draft 2 first round picks

The team will begin filling in naturally without it costing young players because of being impatient.
- BetweenTheDots

You cannot sign four free agent forwards, well you could, but it wouldn’t be good asset management. There are forwards coming and four first round picks the next two drafts, so KD has to be careful on who he brings in. Dach, Moore, Spellacy, Vanacker, maybe Veleno, plus others will compete for bottom or middle six roles, with an opportunity to move up when team
is overcome by injuries. The biggest need is a second line center and a stud wing for Bedard, how KD acquires them is TBD. They probably won’t get Marner, however Boeser would be a good add on a five year deal.

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?
- Chunk

Not giving up KK or a top 4 pick for an older player, both of those are non starters for me, unless it was MacKinnon or McDavid

You cannot sign four free agent forwards, well you could, but it wouldn’t be good asset management. There are forwards coming and four first round picks the next two drafts, so KD has to be careful on who he brings in. Dach, Moore, Spellacy, Vanacker, maybe Veleno, plus others will compete for bottom or middle six roles, with an opportunity to move up when team
is overcome by injuries. The biggest need is a second line center and a stud wing for Bedard, how KD acquires them is TBD. They probably won’t get Marner, however Boeser would be a good add on a five year deal.
- Angotti

Is that too many, if you do have success with the kids you can always trade away the UFAs you signed for more 1st round picks or positions of need.

Hahaha, i do recognize you guys are struggling with the rebuild. If we trade for Pasta what does that get us? Nothing maybe some more scoring. All these kids need games to get better at their craft and become pros. By the time Pasta would be a difference maker for this team he'd be 30 maybe 31 years old? And please don't compare him to Hossa.

Right now you have your goalie and defenseman of the future gaining valuable experience, forwards haven't even trickled in yet other than Bedard and Nazar. It's too soon.
- BetweenTheDots

No one is struggling with the rebuild. If anything, Pasta would help. He is a legit 1st line player. It allows the coming prospects to slide into more appropriate slots without having to learn against every team's top pairing. Until and if they are ready.

For instance, you mentioned Bennett and Boeser and they are 50 ish point players where Pasta is a 80+ guy. On a signed deal. Bennett is not going to age well cause of his game. Boeser has never played a full season as it is. Pasta will age far better.

So yeah, I would give up 2 1st and KK for a guy who will still be better 4 years from now than anyone you can draft in the top 5 .

Also, have you seen what the projected contracted for Bennett and Boeser look like? Take a look. There are a couple of sites that do a fairly accurate projection.

If you want a old vet to sign.Tavares would be the one I target. Shorter deal Plays center and can still play.

Alright Dots, I think I have one that you might be OK with:

KK and 2 1st rd picks to NYI for Barzal?
- Chunk

Is that too many, if you do have success with the kids you can always trade away the UFAs you signed for more 1st round picks or positions of need.
- BetweenTheDots

Most UFAs, especially the better ones, will get some trade protection.

You cannot sign four free agent forwards, well you could, but it wouldn’t be good asset management. There are forwards coming and four first round picks the next two drafts, so KD has to be careful on who he brings in. Dach, Moore, Spellacy, Vanacker, maybe Veleno, plus others will compete for bottom or middle six roles, with an opportunity to move up when team
is overcome by injuries. The biggest need is a second line center and a stud wing for Bedard, how KD acquires them is TBD. They probably won’t get Marner, however Boeser would be a good add on a five year deal.
- Angotti

Not at anything above 8M. The guy has never played a full season.

Most UFAs, especially the better ones, will get some trade protection.
- paulr

And most of the big names don't make it to UFA.

He was on pace to break 20 goals in both of the COVID shortened years and generates a ton of chances/opportunities. He's a great facilitator and makes room for (and sets up) his linemates. All of his advanced stats back this up as well and he's been doing this on an Islanders team that's been middling at best and played a defensive style for most of that time.

Two late round firsts and a prospect you may not have room for to get a guy that Bedard himself said would love to play with? Yeah, I would do that. Plus he's already locked in for 6 more years (expires when he is 33).

Edit: https://www.thehockeybeas...al-as-his-dream-linemate/

- Chunk

He just had knee surgery, but I’d trade for him if the prognosis is fine, however no way I’m giving up two firsts plus for him, even if they’re late first round picks. Toronto’s pick, and Nolan Allan, that would be my offer, if not good enough, then move on.

- Elbows15

Oh, you just poop on all good ideas don't you?

Not at anything above 8M. The guy has never played a full season.
- Elbows15

That was my thinking, 5 X $8M, that’s where I would draw the line.

Oh, you just poop on all good ideas don't you?
- Chunk

Sorry Chunk, but there was nothing good about that idea.

Sorry Chunk, but there was nothing good about that idea.
- Angotti

Fun hater.