Here is how Larry Brooks started his article about July 1 today:

"Of course the Blackhawks did as little as possible around July 1 because of course the Blackhawks are going to tank for Gavin McKenna two years after they tanked for Connor Bedard, aren’t they? And when they go down that path again, they will perpetuate their identity as the most disreputable major market operation in pro sports."
- stevefrmglencoe

So many people make posts talking about tanking and then ignore what tanking actually is. Tanking would be purposely making the team worse by trading away good assets. The Hawks pretty much only let dead weight go and have openings for promising young players. That isn't tanking, it's called building and going through a rebuild.

The Hawks didn't foolishly spend money on July 1st and overpay the few mid tier or subpar players that were available. Thank freaking god.

After the 20th pick, they’re all pretty much a long shot, I understand some more than others. He did or is attending a good program, Edina HS in Minnesota has always been a powerhouse, there’s been a few NHL players that came out of there. I’m getting old so I can’t remember them all, but I do recall that Leddy went there.
- Angotti

You are right and if they have a player they really want, why not move a couple other long shots to take the long shot they feel best about. I think the Hawks don't mind the longer term prospects because it spaces out the influx of guys to the NHL, as some of the current young guys will not be here or will move on, or be traded.

Why does everyone propose trades with Anahiem for Mason MacTavish.

Does anyone really think with their rebuild that they want to dump him???
- vabeachbear

There have been a number of rumours about his availability.

So many people make posts talking about tanking and then ignore what tanking actually is. Tanking would be purposely making the team worse by trading away good assets. The Hawks pretty much only let dead weight go and have openings for promising young players. That isn't tanking, it's called building and going through a rebuild.

The Hawks didn't foolishly spend money on July 1st and overpay the few mid tier or subpar players that were available. Thank freaking god.
- breadbag

Dach, at the time wasn’t dead weight. Debrincat wasn’t dead weight. Toews wasn’t dead weight. Kane wasn’t dead weight. Chicago moved out any player with any talent in an effort to get a high draft pick. Then they followed it up by not adding any good players the following year. It was a tank, plain and simple.

If it were me I'd offer Allan and Florida’s first.
- BetweenTheDots

You’re not getting McTavish for that. My guess is KK and Boisvert may get it done.

Dach, at the time wasn’t dead weight. Debrincat wasn’t dead weight. Toews wasn’t dead weight. Kane wasn’t dead weight. Chicago moved out any player with any talent in an effort to get a high draft pick. Then they followed it up by not adding any good players the following year. It was a tank, plain and simple.
- paulr

The post was saying the Hawks did very little this summer because they are tanking for 2026 draft. So I was speaking about right now. This isn't tanking right now.

Honestly, even when they moved Dach, Debrincat, Kane, Toews, etc.. It was needed, with how week the prospect pool was. The team would have still been pretty bad if they had kept them around. I can understand calling it tanking, but we were a bottom 10 team for a good while with those players, getting rid of them was pulling off the Band-Aid and just rebuilding.

The Hawks stopped selling assets aggressively for picks in the last 18 months, and what they are doing now, isn't tanking. It's just turning the corner on the rebuild and bringing up the youth.

The post was saying the Hawks did very little this summer because they are tanking for 2026 draft. So I was speaking about right now. This isn't tanking right now.

Honestly, even when they moved Dach, Debrincat, Kane, Toews, etc.. It was needed, with how week the prospect pool was. The team would have still been pretty bad if they had kept them around. I can understand calling it tanking, but we were a bottom 10 team for a good while with those players, getting rid of them was pulling off the Band-Aid and just rebuilding.

The Hawks stopped selling assets aggressively for picks in the last 18 months, and what they are doing now, isn't tanking. It's just turning the corner on the rebuild and bringing up the youth.
- breadbag

In that case , I agree they aren’t tanking this season. I have a feeling with the influx of young talent they may have a strong season. Probably not enough to make the playoffs but hopefully they won’t be out of the race in February.

You’re not getting McTavish for that. My guess is KK and Boisvert may get it done.
- paulr

That's fine, I'm not giving up KK and Boisvert then, I'm adding not subtracting

You’re not getting McTavish for that. My guess is KK and Boisvert may get it done.
- paulr

Personally I would pass on that one. That's selling low on guys with upside for a middle 6 forward. No thanks.

In that case , I agree they aren’t tanking this season. I have a feeling with the influx of young talent they may have a strong season. Probably not enough to make the playoffs but hopefully they won’t be out of the race in February.
- paulr

I think a lot will ride on the young D and Spencer knight's consistency. If the young guys on the back end can defend and Knight can take the step as a #1, the team will have a good foundation to improve.

That's fine, I'm not giving up KK and Boisvert then, I'm adding not subtracting
- BetweenTheDots

It’s not about numbers, it’s about improving the team. McTavish would be an incredible player to add, he’s young, he’s an absolute beast, he’s a good skater and is skilled and perhaps most importantly he played as a wing on Bedard’s line in the 2022 WJC. My guess is KD would give a trade for McTavish serious consideration.

Personally I would pass on that one. That's selling low on guys with upside for a middle 6 forward. No thanks.
- breadbag

McTavish is a good two way NHL caliber forward. Korchinski and Boisvert are prospects that may or may not ever make the team. It’s a no brainer to me.

It’s not about numbers, it’s about improving the team. McTavish would be an incredible player to add, he’s young, he’s an absolute beast, he’s a good skater and is skilled and perhaps most importantly he played as a wing on Bedard’s line in the 2022 WJC. My guess is KD would give a trade for McTavish serious consideration.
- paulr

It's about improving the team responsibly, not overpaying for players.

It's about improving the team responsibly, not overpaying for players.
- BetweenTheDots

Two prospects for a good young established NHL player? Are you 100% certain KK and Boisvert make the Hawks? I’m 100% certain McTavish is an NHL player. Part of what KD has been preaching is using draft picks and prospects as trade capital.

Two prospects for a good young established NHL player? Are you 100% certain KK and Boisvert make the Hawks? I’m 100% certain McTavish is an NHL player. Part of what KD has been preaching is using draft picks and prospects as trade capital.
- paulr

Well if both players are meeting or exceeding expectations, doing everything you want them to do, i can't do it, i can't give up a top 4 dman and a middling forward, for a middling forward. KK is progressing nicely so i wouldn't even entertain him in the trade. No matter what you professional evaluators think.

He's only trading the 7th OA pick if he starts looking like Kirby Dach

Well if both players are meeting or exceeding expectations, doing everything you want them to do, i can't do it, i can't give up a top 4 dman and a middling forward, for a middling forward. KK is progressing nicely so i wouldn't even entertain him in the trade. No matter what you professional evaluators think.

He's only trading the 7th OA pick if he starts looking like Kirby Dach
- BetweenTheDots

I’m not a professional evaluator, whatever that is? But my question to you was, are you 100% certain both players make the Hawks? If you’re not, or if KD isn’t then you do the trade and not look back.

I’m not a professional evaluator, whatever that is? But my question to you was, are you 100% certain both players make the Hawks? If you’re not, or if KD isn’t then you do the trade and not look back.
- paulr

Based on your logic then the Ducks wouldn't make the trade anyways

KK will play in the NHL i have to keep him for the upside

Based on your logic then the Ducks wouldn't make the trade anyways
- BetweenTheDots

Based on your refusal to answer a simple question I’m guessing you’re not so certain anymore.

And my guess is the Ducks would want more than KK and Boisvert. And at that point it’s not so clear to me anymore.

Based on your refusal to answer a simple question I’m guessing you’re not so certain anymore.

And my guess is the Ducks would want more than KK and Boisvert. And at that point it’s not so clear to me anymore.
- paulr

I did answer about KK,

Once again if i were a GM i would see this as a move that could make my opponent better in the long run, so i wouldn't be able to make the trade.

I try to take a step back and look at the big picture.

And one thing is clear to me is you are willing to over pay for a player

Dach, at the time wasn’t dead weight. Debrincat wasn’t dead weight. Toews wasn’t dead weight. Kane wasn’t dead weight. Chicago moved out any player with any talent in an effort to get a high draft pick. Then they followed it up by not adding any good players the following year. It was a tank, plain and simple.
- paulr

"Was a tank" is not "is a tank now." Which is what the DB was saying they're still doing.

You’re not getting McTavish for that. My guess is KK and Boisvert may get it done.
- paulr

I'm not giving up two first round drafted players who are further along than next year's draft. I'll give up the 2nd first round pick next year and then figure out which Defenseman they would take after I block out my big four. Vlasic, Rinzel, Levshunov and EDM.

I'm just sitting here watching the Cubs up 11-0. Didn't happen over night, 5 year plan.

I'm just sitting here watching the Cubs up 11-0. Didn't happen over night, 5 year plan.
- BetweenTheDots

Pete Crow-Armstrong will be a $50M a year player. That's not a good thing with this Cub's owner.

I'm not giving up two first round drafted players who are further along than next year's draft. I'll give up the 2nd first round pick next year and then figure out which Defenseman they would take after I block out my big four. Vlasic, Rinzel, Levshunov and EDM.
- rpeters01

That’s my big four as well, for the right return, any of the other dmen should be in play, and McTavish is the right return. While he would be middle six on a good team today, he has the makings of a top six going forward. KD and his team have drafted well, sooner or later they’ll have to move out a dman or two, and McTavish would be an awesome add. In the NHL, you win with 200’ players. Lundell from Florida would be another one that would be nice to add, however McTavish to me has more offensive upside.

I'm just sitting here watching the Cubs up 11-0. Didn't happen over night, 5 year plan.
- BetweenTheDots

I never realized they were doing so well this year.

I need to read an article on how that happened.