One interesting thing right now is thinking about what the Hawks will do with resigning Wyatt Kaiser. Some of the "cap" websites try to predict salary/AAV with tools and formulas. The tool on https://capwages.com/ tends to suggest either 6yr X 5.5M or 3yr X 3.2M. Both seem a bit on the high side IMO and I can't see him becoming the highest paid D on the team. We will start to see what the Hawks think of Kaiser as the D continues to be a little crowded.

A few notes. He is coming of his ELC that paid him 917K over 3 years. His QO number is 874K to retain his rights, so not expensive at all.

He didn't have a bad season but didn't do anything hugely impressive either. He is one of the top 10 smallest D in the league, but a good skater. Many of the other small guys on D are offensive generators, so he is a bit of an outlier in the sub 175lbs club. He battles hard and is generally steady but rounding off a few rough edges (his positioning this last season was better than previous). When it comes to playing time, he got less TOI/GP than 5 currently signed/returning D in Rinzel, Vlasic, Murphy, Levshunov, Del Mastro, so he is likely battling for a 4/5/6/7 spot going into next season, with guys like Allan, Korchinski, Crevier, Del Mastro, etc...

I think KD can play hardball a little bit, since Kaiser is not able to sign an offer sheet. The Hawks can QO him a the sub 900K amount and then negotiate a reasonable deal. I'm thinking something like 2 years and between 2-3 million "might" get it done until he either shows he is legit 2nd pair material or not.

I know he is well liked among the fans but the other possibility might be that he is one of the parts that gets used in a trade. He won't have huge value, but I don't think it's a stretch to think a few GMs will value what he brings as a guy in that 15-18 minute range. You have to give to get and maybe we find a team that has a young F to move but needs a young D who is steady in that 3rd pair position.
- breadbag

I'm a big fan of Kaiser, but I'm not sure he's got enough good tape to command more than $2M per year. I like him more than Crevier (shocker, I know), but it's not like he set the world on fire anywhere.

The comps Capwages gives are Adam Larsson, Kaiden Guhle, Olli Matta, and Oscar Klefbom. Are those really accurate comps? Would he really be considered that much better than Vlasic.

Desnoyers announced as a team captain for Mocton next season (interesting timing...), and also confirms he was playing injured at the end of the season.

Wonder how that factors into KD's decision as they've only selected one(?) player from the Q before if I'm not mistaken, and that was a mid-round pick (Savoie).

If I was to power rank who I think KD's guys are at the moment, it's probably:

(1) Misa
(2) Frondell
(3) Trade Down/Out

Desnoyers announced as a team captain for Mocton next season (interesting timing...), and also confirms he was playing injured at the end of the season.

Wonder how that factors into KD's decision as they've only selected one(?) player from the Q before if I'm not mistaken, and that was a mid-round pick (Savoie).

If I was to power rank who I think KD's guys are at the moment, it's probably:

(1) Misa
(2) Frondell
(3) Trade Down/Out
- TommyHawk

Kyle has been reluctant to draft Euros with only Felcman being selected in the first 3 rounds of the draft

Kyle has been reluctant to draft Euros with only Felcman being selected in the first 3 rounds of the draft
- Assman22

I don't think it's reluctant, i think it's best available scenario

Kyle has been reluctant to draft Euros with only Felcman being selected in the first 3 rounds of the draft
- Assman22

Levshunov says hi! 👋🏻

Levshunov says hi! 👋🏻
- paulr

Lev was already playing on NA ice with GB and MSU prior to being selected. Furthermore, Belarus is essentially Russia so one should not consider it part of Europe

Lev was already playing on NA ice with GB and MSU prior to being selected. Furthermore, Belarus is essentially Russia so one should not consider it part of Europe
- Assman22

I mean, isn't Russia in the process of taking more of Europe every day?

I mean, isn't Russia in the process of taking more of Europe every day?
- breadbag

They have a few planes and subs to repair first.

Desnoyers announced as a team captain for Mocton next season (interesting timing...), and also confirms he was playing injured at the end of the season.

Wonder how that factors into KD's decision as they've only selected one(?) player from the Q before if I'm not mistaken, and that was a mid-round pick (Savoie).

If I was to power rank who I think KD's guys are at the moment, it's probably:

(1) Misa
(2) Frondell
(3) Trade Down/Out
- TommyHawk

I see the naming of the new Moncton captain is just using the Memorial Cup buzz to advertise their upcoming season.
It is not like Desnoyer will or can play in the NHL at present strength-weight, etc.

I didn't know he was injured, but how would we?

I am pretty sure they will nit waste their cupboard of picks to move up, even if the Islanders would be handing the hockey news cycle to Chicago.

You simply do not trade out of a slot where you control your alternatives...you didn't see the Ducks trade down when even Beckett Sennecke was surprised he went 3rd overall ladt year.

I do think the fact that each teams GM and scouts and intelligencia will be in the quiet confines of their offices, where they can use the time during to discuss all scenarios, maybe the abilities to hammer out trades while the shabang is happening MIGHT relax some teams who were reluctant to deal, mostly because the loud draft floor must cause some hesitancy...

I see the naming of the new Moncton captain is just using the Memorial Cup buzz to advertise their upcoming season.
It is not like Desnoyer will or can play in the NHL at present strength-weight, etc.

I didn't know he was injured, but how would we?

I am pretty sure they will nit waste their cupboard of picks to move up, even if the Islanders would be handing the hockey news cycle to Chicago.

You simply do not trade out of a slot where you control your alternatives...you didn't see the Ducks trade down when even Beckett Sennecke was surprised he went 3rd overall ladt year.

I do think the fact that each teams GM and scouts and intelligencia will be in the quiet confines of their offices, where they can use the time during to discuss all scenarios, maybe the abilities to hammer out trades while the shabang is happening MIGHT relax some teams who were reluctant to deal, mostly because the loud draft floor must cause some hesitancy...
- wiz1901

Wiz, he was injured in the QMJHL playoffs. I’ve mentioned a few times he was injured so did Elbows.

Can someone explain this to me? TBL sign 33 year old Yanni Gourde to a SIX year $2.3M deal. Why?

Are there really that many suitors out there that would pay him more on a shorter deal? I know the cap is going up a lot in the next few years, but after about 2-3 more years, that's just an extra contract that's left on your books that needs to be moved or accounted for. There isn't a younger player that can put up 30-35 points on that team?

This reminds me of when the Hawks signed Kruger to his "make-up" contract, but he was younger and it was only for 3 years.

One interesting thing right now is thinking about what the Hawks will do with resigning Wyatt Kaiser. Some of the "cap" websites try to predict salary/AAV with tools and formulas. The tool on https://capwages.com/ tends to suggest either 6yr X 5.5M or 3yr X 3.2M. Both seem a bit on the high side IMO and I can't see him becoming the highest paid D on the team. We will start to see what the Hawks think of Kaiser as the D continues to be a little crowded.

A few notes. He is coming of his ELC that paid him 917K over 3 years. His QO number is 874K to retain his rights, so not expensive at all.

He didn't have a bad season but didn't do anything hugely impressive either. He is one of the top 10 smallest D in the league, but a good skater. Many of the other small guys on D are offensive generators, so he is a bit of an outlier in the sub 175lbs club. He battles hard and is generally steady but rounding off a few rough edges (his positioning this last season was better than previous). When it comes to playing time, he got less TOI/GP than 5 currently signed/returning D in Rinzel, Vlasic, Murphy, Levshunov, Del Mastro, so he is likely battling for a 4/5/6/7 spot going into next season, with guys like Allan, Korchinski, Crevier, Del Mastro, etc...

I think KD can play hardball a little bit, since Kaiser is not able to sign an offer sheet. The Hawks can QO him a the sub 900K amount and then negotiate a reasonable deal. I'm thinking something like 2 years and between 2-3 million "might" get it done until he either shows he is legit 2nd pair material or not.

I know he is well liked among the fans but the other possibility might be that he is one of the parts that gets used in a trade. He won't have huge value, but I don't think it's a stretch to think a few GMs will value what he brings as a guy in that 15-18 minute range. You have to give to get and maybe we find a team that has a young F to move but needs a young D who is steady in that 3rd pair position.
- breadbag

Seems to me you could be describing Gustav Forsling.

Can someone explain this to me? TBL sign 33 year old Yanni Gourde to a SIX year $2.3M deal. Why?

Are there really that many suitors out there that would pay him more on a shorter deal? I know the cap is going up a lot in the next few years, but after about 2-3 more years, that's just an extra contract that's left on your books that needs to be moved or accounted for. There isn't a younger player that can put up 30-35 points on that team?

This reminds me of when the Hawks signed Kruger to his "make-up" contract, but he was younger and it was only for 3 years.
- Chunk

With the Cap going up significantly, I see it as them using it to market themselves to agents/players in free agency for older established players that prefer to stay in one place as long as they're producing (a la Donato) so if there's a similar deal on the table with other clubs, they can use this to show they reward those who are loyal to them so-to-speak to try to gain the upper hand/leverage.
TBL can always LTIR him if he can't play out the contract (a la Shea Weber)

They have a few planes and subs to repair first.
- paulr

US best be ready for an operation spiderweb on our own soil and crackdown on these port entries asap. With that being said, spiderweb was a huge & devasting success for Ukraine.

One interesting thing right now is thinking about what the Hawks will do with resigning Wyatt Kaiser. Some of the "cap" websites try to predict salary/AAV with tools and formulas. The tool on https://capwages.com/ tends to suggest either 6yr X 5.5M or 3yr X 3.2M. Both seem a bit on the high side IMO and I can't see him becoming the highest paid D on the team. We will start to see what the Hawks think of Kaiser as the D continues to be a little crowded.

A few notes. He is coming of his ELC that paid him 917K over 3 years. His QO number is 874K to retain his rights, so not expensive at all.

He didn't have a bad season but didn't do anything hugely impressive either. He is one of the top 10 smallest D in the league, but a good skater. Many of the other small guys on D are offensive generators, so he is a bit of an outlier in the sub 175lbs club. He battles hard and is generally steady but rounding off a few rough edges (his positioning this last season was better than previous). When it comes to playing time, he got less TOI/GP than 5 currently signed/returning D in Rinzel, Vlasic, Murphy, Levshunov, Del Mastro, so he is likely battling for a 4/5/6/7 spot going into next season, with guys like Allan, Korchinski, Crevier, Del Mastro, etc...

I think KD can play hardball a little bit, since Kaiser is not able to sign an offer sheet. The Hawks can QO him a the sub 900K amount and then negotiate a reasonable deal. I'm thinking something like 2 years and between 2-3 million "might" get it done until he either shows he is legit 2nd pair material or not.

I know he is well liked among the fans but the other possibility might be that he is one of the parts that gets used in a trade. He won't have huge value, but I don't think it's a stretch to think a few GMs will value what he brings as a guy in that 15-18 minute range. You have to give to get and maybe we find a team that has a young F to move but needs a young D who is steady in that 3rd pair position.
- breadbag

Kaiser, meh, 2 x $1.5... we're talking #7 Dman on many teams.

For the SIZE fanboys, if the Hawks were to draft two big boys (Martone and Spence/Zonnon/Vansaghi) in the first, would you be amenable to taking a chance on the tiny but exceptionally skilled Cameron Schmidt in the second round?

For those who subscribe to BPA regardless of size, how do you feel about Schmidt?

For the SIZE fanboys, if the Hawks were to draft two big boys (Martone and Spence/Zonnon/Vansaghi) in the first, would you be amenable to taking a chance on the tiny but exceptionally skilled Cameron Schmidt in the second round?

For those who subscribe to BPA regardless of size, how do you feel about Schmidt?
- LetsGoHawks

Are we talking exceptionally skilled like Cole Caufield and Frank Nazar, or Colin Blackwell?

I'm not too hung up on size as long as the guy can play hockey and not get manhandled. Debrincat is little, but I don't remember him getting knocked off the puck much.

For the SIZE fanboys, if the Hawks were to draft two big boys (Martone and Spence/Zonnon/Vansaghi) in the first, would you be amenable to taking a chance on the tiny but exceptionally skilled Cameron Schmidt in the second round?

For those who subscribe to BPA regardless of size, how do you feel about Schmidt?
- LetsGoHawks

I've seen him listed potenially going in the first round as well. But then Shedur Sanders was supposed to be a top 6 pick.

Are we talking exceptionally skilled like Cole Caufield and Frank Nazar, or Colin Blackwell?

I'm not too hung up on size as long as the guy can play hockey and not get manhandled. Debrincat is little, but I don't remember him getting knocked off the puck much.
- Chunk

Martin St. Louis?

I've seen him listed potenially going in the first round as well. But then Shedur Sanders was supposed to be a top 6 pick.
- rpeters01

He was chosen in the top 6 rounds. Does that count?

I've seen him listed potenially going in the first round as well. But then Shedur Sanders was supposed to be a top 6 pick.
- rpeters01

I heard he couldn't skate.

Are we talking exceptionally skilled like Cole Caufield and Frank Nazar, or Colin Blackwell?

I'm not too hung up on size as long as the guy can play hockey and not get manhandled. Debrincat is little, but I don't remember him getting knocked off the puck much.
- Chunk

His skill is considered worthy of a lottery pick, even top 10. But he is 5'7" and 157 pounds. Think Patrick Kane, but smaller and faster; that's how good his puck handling and creativity are. Legit question how his offensive game will hold up against larger more physical professional players.

His skill is considered worthy of a lottery pick, even top 10. But he is 5'7" and 157 pounds. Think Patrick Kane, but smaller and faster; that's how good his puck handling and creativity are. Legit question how his offensive game will hold up against larger more physical professional players.
- LetsGoHawks

Isn't that a homunculus?

Denis Savard was a small guy, but he did okay.

Necas available?
Saw Cimaglia post on X something about him.

+

David Pagnotta: The Utah Mammoth are shopping the 4th overall pick in the 2025 draft for a young top six forward - The Fourth Period

Hopefully the next few weeks will be interesting with stuff like this.
I'm already bored

Listened to the faxes from uncle dale podcast the other day. They are actually talking trading Bedard for someone if he doesn't look a lot better this upcoming season...? Imagine if the Oilers did that with Leon or Colorado with MacKinnon...amd I the only one thinking this is kind of nuts to talk about? Think I heard them mention trade him for Byfield...?