Zach Jarom: Game Day: Hawks vs Rangers and Quick Hits

I keep wondering why Nylander was connected to the Hawks. Is it just because of the available cap space? Even before this Powers article, KD never gave off any indication that they would be huge spenders this offseason.

Tonight could be a blood bath if the Hawks don't forecheck.

I keep wondering why Nylander was connected to the Hawks. Is it just because of the available cap space? Even before this Powers article, KD never gave off any indication that they would be huge spenders this offseason.
- Chunk

I read an article that said that Nylander and the Leafs were close on a deal.

Cutter Gauthier is going to look real nice in that Flyer uniform as part of their retool.

Tonight could be a blood bath if the Hawks don't forecheck.
- bjphawkfan

With the roster the Hawks are icing these days about the only thing most of them can do IS forecheck, lord knows most don't have the skill to actually put the puck in the net.

I read an article that said that Nylander and the Leafs were close on a deal.
- bjphawkfan

Add to the cap space for five players and still no defense or real depth ….

Domi and Bertuzzi will probably be available in the off season.

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno — Connor Bedard — Philipp Kurashev
Lukas Reichel — Jason Richardinson — Cole Guttman
Ryan Donato — MacKenzie Entwistle — Colin Blackwell
Boris Katchouk — Brett Seney — Reese Johnson

Alex Vlasic — Connor Murphy
Kevin Korchinski — Nikita Zaitsev
Jaycob Megna — Jarred Tinordi

yes le the kids play, no Crevier, no Phillips. Instead you got 3 veteran defenseman that wouldn't make the top 4 in Rockford.

Phillips and Crevier are both RFA's after this season. my guess is bye-bye to both, lets resign Megna, Tinordi, and Zaisev, Wouldn't want to risk that top 3 Elite Player draft choice next year.

Add to the cap space for five players and still no defense or real depth ….

Domi and Bertuzzi will probably be available in the off season.
paulr

I’ll take Domi next year, but you can keep Bertuzzi. One of these years the Leafs will figure out that you need some talent on the backend to go deep in the playoffs, might be too late by the time they figure that out.

Add to the cap space for five players and still no defense or real depth ….

Domi and Bertuzzi will probably be available in the off season.
paulr

I’ll take Domi next year, but you can keep Bertuzzi. One of these years the Leafs will figure out that you need some talent on the backend to go deep in the playoffs, might be too late by the time they figure that out.
- Angotti

I wouldn't be shocked if they try and trade Marner. Both he and Tavares contracts are up after next year.

quote=paulr]Where are the Hawks getting better? Their prospect pipeline is certainly looking more promising but the Hawks look worse this year than last year.

Do you really believe people are going to buy season’s tickets to see a team that isn’t improving on the United Center ice? The novelty of Connor Bedard’s first year filled the seats this year, if next year's team looks to be as bad, or worse than this year do you think people are buying tickets? People look for things to do not things to waste money on.

I think it’s imperative KD improves the Hawks next season. Obviously he doesn’t need to have a contender on the ice but he has to have a team that isn’t mostly AHL and fourth line journeymen. KD can improve the team in the short term without impacting the cap long term. I don’t understand why you are arguing against this?






Well I'm not sure but i bet the people who bought season tickets are probably trying to get better seats if they become available. That's the thing if you give up your season tickets and you like them good luck getting them back. I think the season ticket fan understands its going to be a couple years of tears before they really have something.

And really don't think its imperative at all. I saw what the Cubs did, this works no matter how wrong you think he's doing it. Do i expect him to sign FAs that will form another NHL line, so i like it when you think I'm disagreeing with you when I'm not, i do, but he's not going to sign a top level FA to 8 years at a ridiculous amount of money.

Some games are over by the 1st period and i recall you and others being concerned about my blood pressure? Now you guys are the ones that can't handle this, interesting.

They are getting better, we just don't see it yet.

Add to the cap space for five players and still no defense or real depth ….

Domi and Bertuzzi will probably be available in the off season.
paulr

I’ll take Domi next year, but you can keep Bertuzzi. One of these years the Leafs will figure out that you need some talent on the backend to go deep in the playoffs, might be too late by the time they figure that out.
- Angotti

My point about Domi and Bertuzzi was more about the Leafs losing additional depth to sign Nylander. Although, like you I think Dominwould be a good addition on a two or three year deal. Make a run at Stamkos, pick up one or two additional half decent veterans and you improve the team considerably without hurting the team long term. I really think the young players have to be surrounded by reasonably good veterans and the fans are going to expect to see an improvement on the ice next season.

Cutter Gauthier is going to look real nice in that Flyer uniform as part of their retool.
- LAHawk

The guy they drafted 5th over all, i guess since you didn't have to go through the lean years of other teams its only a retool, okay

The guy they drafted 5th over all, i guess since you didn't have to go through the lean years of other teams its only a retool, okay
- BetweenTheDots

There new GM started this offseason, and said they were rebuilding. I called it a retool because their turnaround so far has taken less than a year.

Yep, the Hawks did not go through any lean years before KFC took over.

Well I'm not sure but i bet the people who bought season tickets are probably trying to get better seats if they become available. That's the thing if you give up your season tickets and you like them good luck getting them back. I think the season ticket fan understands its going to be a couple years of tears before they really have something.

And really don't think its imperative at all. I saw what the Cubs did, this works no matter how wrong you think he's doing it. Do i expect him to sign FAs that will form another NHL line, so i like it when you think I'm disagreeing with you when I'm not, i do, but he's not going to sign a top level FA to 8 years at a ridiculous amount of money.

Some games are over by the 1st period and i recall you and others being concerned about my blood pressure? Now you guys are the ones that can't handle this, interesting.

They are getting better, we just don't see it yet.


- BetweenTheDots

You’re talking to the wrong guy. My BP averages an unassisted 126/77 and it will be during the game tonight. I watch games analytically and seldom get caught up in the highs and lows. I’m not talking about winning and losing. I’m taking about the Hawks being a professional organization and icing a reasonable team, for the fans, for ethics of the game and most importantly to surround the young players with guys who can support and help improve their games. Case in point, there is absolutely no one on the team who has or can develop chemistry with Bedard.

With better guys surrounding them in the short term, in two years you have Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski etc. hopefully more improved by playing with more capable teammates. Then in two or three years you hopefully have an influx of prospects earning jobs. And the short term contracts are over and much of the cap space is still available for other moves. Why do you have a problem with signing a few better veteran players on short term contracts to help the youngsters and to give the fans a better, even slightly, on ice product?

My point about Domi and Bertuzzi was more about the Leafs losing additional depth to sign Nylander. Although, like you I think Dominwould be a good addition on a two or three year deal. Make a run at Stamkos, pick up one or two additional half decent veterans and you improve the team considerably without hurting the team long term. I really think the young players have to be surrounded by reasonably good veterans and the fans are going to expect to see an improvement on the ice next season.
- paulr

I’m good with that, but I’d also like to see a young forward or two brought in, time to use a second round pick or two for these moves, maybe include a young defenseman or two as well, as I’m thinking that they already have an idea on which ones to make available.

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno — Connor Bedard — Philipp Kurashev
Lukas Reichel — Jason Richardinson — Cole Guttman
Ryan Donato — MacKenzie Entwistle — Colin Blackwell
Boris Katchouk — Brett Seney — Reese Johnson

Alex Vlasic — Connor Murphy
Kevin Korchinski — Nikita Zaitsev
Jaycob Megna — Jarred Tinordi

yes le the kids play, no Crevier, no Phillips. Instead you got 3 veteran defenseman that wouldn't make the top 4 in Rockford.

Phillips and Crevier are both RFA's after this season. my guess is bye-bye to both, lets resign Megna, Tinordi, and Zaisev, Wouldn't want to risk that top 3 Elite Player draft choice next year.
- LAHawk

Reichel with big Jay D. Expect #27’s best game of the season.

Normally I'd preach the same patience you are Rico, but The Hawks have drafted 5 first rounders and five second rounders in the last two years. They also have multiple 1sts and 2nds in the next three drafts already secured. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the deeper defenseman prospect pools in the entire league.

At what point do you have enough prospects where you say "OK, it's time to put an actual team together."?

How many prospects have to prove themselves in the NHL and what would that proof look like?
- Chunk


Two are in the NHL. Two.

They have one top six forward. They need many more high end players to be a contender. They need to accumulate assets until they are sure they have enough high end players. Long way to go.

You’re talking to the wrong guy. My BP averages an unassisted 126/77 and it will be during the game tonight. I watch games analytically and seldom get caught up in the highs and lows. I’m not talking about winning and losing. I’m taking about the Hawks being a professional organization and icing a reasonable team, for the fans, for ethics of the game and most importantly to surround the young players with guys who can support and help improve their games. Case in point, there is absolutely no one on the team who has or can develop chemistry with Bedard.

With better guys surrounding them in the short term, in two years you have Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski etc. hopefully more improved by playing with more capable teammates. Then in two or three years you hopefully have an influx of prospects earning jobs. And the short term contracts are over and much of the cap space is still available for other moves. Why do you have a problem with signing a few better veteran players on short term contracts to help the youngsters and to give the fans a better, even slightly, on ice product?
- paulr

There's that ethics word again?

And no matter how many times you say it I'm not against them signing guys, but this is what you do.

There new GM started this offseason, and said they were rebuilding. I called it a retool because their turnaround so far has taken less than a year.

Yep, the Hawks did not go through any lean years before KFC took over.



- LAHawk

So the goal is to just be a playoff team? In the other blog i did predict they would draft between 7-12, and honestly I'm glad I'm wrong. We'll see how far Philly goes in the playoffs if they make it. I'm glad they are making the Bolts draft pick better for us. There were only 2 winners last year, LVGK and the Chicago Blackhawks.

I’m good with that, but I’d also like to see a young forward or two brought in, time to use a second round pick or two for these moves, maybe include a young defenseman or two as well, as I’m thinking that they already have an idea on which ones to make available.
- Angotti

I agree but signing free agents is considerably more easy than making trades for young guys. But if they can get a good 20 to 24 year old or three I’d love to see them do it.

There's that ethics word again?

And no matter how many times you say it I'm not against them signing guys, but this is what you do.
- BetweenTheDots

What do you mean?

I really hope LR doesn't keep sitting Phillips out.

Normally I'd preach the same patience you are Rico, but The Hawks have drafted 5 first rounders and five second rounders in the last two years. They also have multiple 1sts and 2nds in the next three drafts already secured. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the deeper defenseman prospect pools in the entire league.

At what point do you have enough prospects where you say "OK, it's time to put an actual team together."?

How many prospects have to prove themselves in the NHL and what would that proof look like?
- Chunk


Two are in the NHL. Two.

They have one top six forward. They need many more high end players to be a contender. They need to accumulate assets until they are sure they have enough high end players. Long way to go.
- mohel

Indeed they do. I’m not saying they need to trade all their picks, and/or prospects, but they sure as hell can use some of them or their ample cap space to secure players who are known quantities.

How many draft picks is enough, and he long do you wait until enough of the are ready?

So the goal is to just be a playoff team? In the other blog i did predict they would draft between 7-12, and honestly I'm glad I'm wrong. We'll see how far Philly goes in the playoffs if they make it. I'm glad they are making the Bolts draft pick better for us. There were only 2 winners last year, LVGK and the Chicago Blackhawks.
- BetweenTheDots

OK Baghdad Bob