I’m hoping it’s through a trade(s). I’m not liking the available UFA’s, especially if they’re signed to long term contracts. We should see a nice improvement from Nazar and Bedard this coming season, TT and Bertuzzi should contribute about the same, the more mobile dmen will help the offense as well, now let’s see who else KD adds up front.
- Angotti

Agreed, beyond the possibility of Marner, I would not want to see any significant commitments made to any of these UFAs. Hopefully KFC is smart enough not to fall into the "DO SOMETHING!" trap.

Agreed, beyond the possibility of Marner, I would not want to see any significant commitments made to any of these UFAs. Hopefully KFC is smart enough not to fall into the "DO SOMETHING!" trap.
- LetsGoHawks

Hasn’t 9 years of complete lack of compete or heart in the playoffs convinced you that Marner is a bad UFA signing?

New offer sheet compensation threshholds


OFFER SHEET AAV

COMPENSATION

$1,544,424 or less

None

Over $1,544,424 to $2,340,037

Third-round pick

Over $2,340,037 to $4,680,076

Second-round pick

Over $4,680,076 to $7,020,113

First- and third-round picks

Over $7,020,113 to $9,360,153

First-, second-, and third-round picks

Over $9,360,153 to $11,700,192

Two firsts, one second and one third

Over $11,700,192

Four first-round picks

New offer sheet compensation threshholds


OFFER SHEET AAV

COMPENSATION

$1,544,424 or less

None

Over $1,544,424 to $2,340,037

Third-round pick

Over $2,340,037 to $4,680,076

Second-round pick

Over $4,680,076 to $7,020,113

First- and third-round picks

Over $7,020,113 to $9,360,153

First-, second-, and third-round picks

Over $9,360,153 to $11,700,192

Two firsts, one second and one third

Over $11,700,19


Four first-round picks
- LAHawk

Offer sheet Knies for 11 mil 7 years and go get Pasternak , forget about Marner .

New offer sheet compensation threshholds


OFFER SHEET AAV

COMPENSATION

$1,544,424 or less

None

Over $1,544,424 to $2,340,037

Third-round pick

Over $2,340,037 to $4,680,076

Second-round pick

Over $4,680,076 to $7,020,113

First- and third-round picks

Over $7,020,113 to $9,360,153

First-, second-, and third-round picks

Over $9,360,153 to $11,700,192

Two firsts, one second and one third

Over $11,700,192

Four first-round picks
- LAHawk

So, they’re saying it takes 4 first round picks to find a $12M player. Therefore by definition, drafting is a crap shoot.

So, they’re saying it takes 4 first round picks to find a $12M player. Therefore by definition, drafting is a crap shoot.
- rpeters01

Drafting 18 year olds will always be a crapshoot. If Schaefer and Misa are gone with the first two picks, then I’d be okay with dropping down in the draft for the right return, something like that made up rumor with Buffalo.

I just want to put Isaac Howard in perspective.
You see the award and you see goals but where do you put him.

and remebered I had this somewhere:
Issac Howards tools were never in doubt, especially his skating and
shooting, which both received significantly above-average
projections. A couple of times per game this season, Howard
sprinted outside of the defensive zone, received the puck
in flight, and beat the line of defence to take on the goalie
one-on-one. And the winger got even more scoring chances
by sneaking past defenders inside pockets of space in the
slot. A well-placed pass from Frank Nazar was all that it took
for Howard to earn another goal.

The winger can fire off passes better than almost anyone
else in the draft. His ability to control his feet and weight
to load all sorts of releases quickly, one-timers and wrist-
shots, allowed him to beat a lot of goalies before they even
had time to move.
As a playmaker, Howard is hopeful more than creative. He
sent many pucks into areas of the ice this season without
checking if his teammates were there on the receiving end,
a tendency that lead to turnovers. Contrary to his team-
mates, Logan Cooley or Nazar, Howard only rarely showed
an ability to manipulate defenders out of lanes. Because of
the inefficiency and predictability of his play, he required a
high volume of puck touches to manufacture occasions for
his teammates.
Howard’s game should translate easily to the NCAA, but
at the professional level, he won’t be able to fly the zone on
breakouts to catch defenders off guard. He will have to be-
come more aware and learn to manage the puck much better.

The most projectable aspect of his game, for us, is his
play without the puck, his ability to attack pockets of space
and instantly fire inside them. If Howard improves his
defence and overall playmaking efficiency, he could earn
a career as a second-line scorer.

“His projection comes down to tools. He’s a projectable
shooter, capable of firing off the pass or in motion,” wrote
Mitch Brown, Elite Prospects Director of North American
scouting, on March 27th, 2022 “Takes passes across the
body, using the momentum of the pass to load his weight
for the shot. Hands in front, elbow up – the puck explodes
off his stick. I don’t see the dynamic skill that I was
expecting coming into the season, and decision-making
remains concerning, but his tool would make him a solid
mid-to-late second.”

Hasn’t 9 years of complete lack of compete or heart in the playoffs convinced you that Marner is a bad UFA signing?
- paulr

Marner has 62 points in 67 playoff games.

Remember the offensive player who was ragged on as a loser for years? He had 66 points in his first 60 playoff games when the 4th line couldn't skate and the goalies still stood up. It took him 14 years to win his first Cup. He ended with 3 Cups and 185 points in 196 playoff games.

Steve Yzerman.

If Marner will consider signing in Chicago as a UFA, the Hawks have to do whatever it takes to get him.

Marner has 62 points in 67 playoff games.

Remember the offensive player who was ragged on as a loser for years? He had 66 points in his first 60 playoff games when the 4th line couldn't skate and the goalies still stood up. It took him 14 years to win his first Cup. He ended with 3 Cups and 185 points in 196 playoff games.

Steve Yzerman.

If Marner will consider signing in Chicago as a UFA, the Hawks have to do whatever it takes to get him.
- stevefrmglencoe

Not only you, but i am really enjoying reading all the impatient Blackhawk fans on here.

You guys reek of desperation.

He's gotta do this or he's gotta do that, the only thing he's gotta do is get the 3rd pick right.

Hasn’t 9 years of complete lack of compete or heart in the playoffs convinced you that Marner is a bad UFA signing?
- paulr

Perhaps you and I have been watching different Leafs series. I do not think Marner is the be-all and end-all, but he is the best UFA available to the Hawks this offseason and only one for whom I'd make a big commitment.

Career playoffs: 62 points in 67 games. Good for 65th all-time with career playoff ppg of .925 and still improving.

Last 35 games (since 2022): 37 points. Did you know only 38 players EVER scored 1.0 ppg or better in their career? Marner has a good shot to enter that club.

The production is there. Heart is more subjective, but I am fine with what I've seen. I'm not asking him to come in to be the captain or a leader.

Also, he is 28 as of last week. The youngest of the top UFAs available. For a 7 year deal, I do not want someone 29 or 30 at signing.

Not only you, but i am really enjoying reading all the impatient Blackhawk fans on here.

You guys reek of desperation.

He's gotta do this or he's gotta do that, the only thing he's gotta do is get the 3rd pick right.
- BetweenTheDots

And maybe the coach. I do think they need to get another forward but it’s not a great year for the FA class.

Not only you, but i am really enjoying reading all the impatient Blackhawk fans on here.

You guys reek of desperation.

He's gotta do this or he's gotta do that, the only thing he's gotta do is get the 3rd pick right.
- BetweenTheDots

KD has to do more than draft, he has to ensure there’s a better product on the ice or he risks being let go next season.

Perhaps you and I have been watching different Leafs series. I do not think Marner is the be-all and end-all, but he is the best UFA available to the Hawks this offseason and only one for whom I'd make a big commitment.

Career playoffs: 62 points in 67 games. Good for 65th all-time with career playoff ppg of .925 and still improving.

Last 35 games (since 2022): 37 points. Did you know only 38 players EVER scored 1.0 ppg or better in their career? Marner has a good shot to enter that club.

The production is there. Heart is more subjective, but I am fine with what I've seen. I'm not asking him to come in to be the captain or a leader.

Also, he is 28 as of last week. The youngest of the top UFAs available. For a 7 year deal, I do not want someone 29 or 30 at signing.
- LetsGoHawks

Do you want a player who in nine playoff years has yet to be the best Maple Leaf player in one series? Same with Matthews, he too hasn’t been the best leaf player in the playoffs in nine years.

And maybe the coach. I do think they need to get another forward but it’s not a great year for the FA class.
- HawkintheD

Definitely a coach. Hawks need to start establishing an identity as to the team they want to be. They need a coach that can develope the systems to play that style.

Apparently that was the reason KD let Richardson go, his system was too defensive minded for KD’s liking.

Definitely a coach. Hawks need to start establishing an identity as to the team they want to be. They need a coach that can develope the systems to play that style.

Apparently that was the reason KD let Richardson go, his system was too defensive minded for KD’s liking.
- LAHawk

Who would you like to see coach?

Who would you like to see coach?
- paulr

Todd Nelson is one. I have a suspicion that if Vegas is bounced this round, Cassidy might be available. Coaches in Vegas have very short shelf life. Marco Sturm who should of gotten the Kings job instead of Hiller I really like. Supposedly Boston is considering him for their coaching position.

Supposedly Holland is going to be named GM of the Kings, my guess he brings in a coach he already has worked with.

Todd Nelson is one. I have a suspicion that if Vegas is bounced this round, Cassidy might be available. Coaches in Vegas have very short shelf life. Marco Sturm who should of gotten the Kings job instead of Hiller I really like. Supposedly Boston is considering him for their coaching position.

Supposedly Holland is going to be named GM, my guess he brings in a coach he already has worked with.
- LAHawk

I’ve heard Nelson is good, I also heard Jay Woodcroft was really respected by the Oiler players. I’d prefer to see a younger, fifty or below coach as opposed to the 60 and 70 year old retreads.

Re: Isaac Howard - was thinking back to last year's big non-signing and trade, Rutger McGroarty. Did not sign with WPG; traded to PIT for Brayden Yager. So that was the #14 pick in 2022 for the #14 pick in 2023. Results first year:

Rutger McGroarty LW 6-2 205 - #14 OA 2022 - Age 21
2023-24 NCAA Michigan 36-16-36-52
2024-25 NHL Pittsburgh 8-1-2-3
2024-25 AHL Wilkes-Barre 60-14-25-39

Brayden Yager RC 6-0 170 -#14 OA 2023 - Age 20
2023-24 WHL Moose Jaw 57-35-60-95
2024-25 WHL 2 Teams 54-25-57-82

-------------------

Howard had similar points last year to McGroarty in 2023-24, but was a later pick. So TB might be looking for a forward drafted in a similar position, like WPG was.

Isaac Howard LW 5-10 181 #31 OA 2022 Age 21
2024-25 NCAA Michigan State 37-26-26-52
2025-26 ?

That guy in the CHI org is:

Marek Vanacker LW 6-1 184 #27 OA 2024 Age 19
2024-25 OHL Brantford 45-24-18-42
2025-26 OHL Brantford ?

-------------------

I would not want to trade Vanacker for Howard. If TB will settle for a pick, it might be OK, but I think they would prefer a young player. Makes me a little doubtful about acquiring Howard.

My only question is did Martone and Misa inflate their value by being on the same team/ line
- BetweenTheDots

Could ask the same for Frondell and Eklund.

KD has to do more than draft, he has to ensure there’s a better product on the ice or he risks being let go next season.
- paulr

I think if the Blackhawks score less than 60 points next season his job may be in jeopardy.

I do have a sneaking suspicion when Danny signed up for this he understands it is going to take 5 years, because he knows if he brings someone else in they might blow it all up.

I'll even add, Danny's got to like what he's seeing in the farm system and young players who have seen time in the NHL. I don't think he's going to (frank) with the promise of tomorrow because he can't wait one more year.

Could ask the same for Frondell and Eklund.
- Assman22

Michael Misa plays for Saginaw. His brother Luke, a Calgary draft pick, plays for Brampton on Martone’s line.

And maybe the coach. I do think they need to get another forward but it’s not a great year for the FA class.
- HawkintheD

Be funny to see Danny open up the wallet to have Kyle steal McDavid from Stan next offseason lol but Danny doesn’t have the seeds to do it

I think if the Blackhawks score less than 60 points next season his job may be in jeopardy.

I do have a sneaking suspicion when Danny signed up for this he understands it is going to take 5 years, because he knows if he brings someone else in they might blow it all up.
- BetweenTheDots

I hope you’re right, I like the trajectory KD is on. But I also think he has to shown an on ice improvement next season.

I hope you’re right, I like the trajectory KD is on. But I also think he has to shown an on ice improvement next season.
- paulr

I added this to my post

I'll even add, Danny's got to like what he's seeing in the farm system and young players who have seen time in the NHL. I don't think he's going to (frank) with the promise of tomorrow because he can't wait one more year.

Not only you, but i am really enjoying reading all the impatient Blackhawk fans on here.

You guys reek of desperation.

He's gotta do this or he's gotta do that, the only thing he's gotta do is get the 3rd pick right.
- BetweenTheDots

The only thing that reeks is the on ice product. They haven't won a real playoff round since 2014.

Since when is signing the best available UFA desperate? The fans and the other players deserve some legit talent. 31 other teams would love to sign this guy.

Enjoyable watching how passive and patiently accepting horrible performance Blackhawk fans are on here.