2020 NHL Free Agency thread

[Granada]

...except Stan ditches Maata only to get Zadorov.

That's not a blow-up move.

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I still think the rebuild is on. You don't let go of your starting goalie and one of your top-six two-way, special teams players if you think you can contend.

I honestly think people are reading way too much into the Zadorov and Janmark moves. These are one-year deals and they were made because the majority of the team will still be green next year.

It's still too early to tell either way, but regardless, there is no way Bowman thinks this team can still contend. If you want to claim these moves are a sign that he will rebuild on the fly again next year, I wouldn't argue against that -- but again, he doesn't think this team can contend.

Think about this: getting Zadorov and Janmark should only give Bowman more incentive in moving current veterans like Murphy, De Haan, Shaw, etc -- if not even bigger fish. Perhaps these moves were made so he can explore the possibilities of moving other current vets.

He obviously is moving toward bigger, more physical players (Pirri, etc.). I imagine he's doing so because he knows next year many kids will be in the lineup.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I don't think they are intentionally blowing it up, just making a big mistake on Crow like they did with Lehnar. They may be genuinely bad at netminding evaluation and realism, or something...and just don't get it or worse yet, think they do.

Janmark=Jewels
Suter=Saad
Zadorov=Maata

so far just pruning, but with intention as they got bigger, dropped a few millions, and improved the forecheck and penalty kill. You always clench an anus to lose cohesive stick handling and offensive awareness like Saad, but he doesn't play to value if he isn't all in and he hasn't been all-in since he was playing for his first contract. His status elevated him above the dirty work that made him valuable as an all-dimensional asset. He as a 5-tool player, and not saying its right or wrong, its just human nature, age, maturity, money, etc. A couple of those tools got rusty and his 6aav got burdensome because he wasn't the right fit with Kane...for whatever reason..as a finisher, taking him away from his strong suits...whatever...that always roster jammed us to have this 6maav they couldn't play with Kane, and needed offensive help if with Toews. But not Cat for some reason. lol...

A little roster churning is not the nuclear option yet. Being reluctant to sign a concussion prone player? I think in this case its a big mistake, and I disagree with the goalie direction...I think you both sign Lehner for 5 years, last year, and offer more to trade up to Askarov after he got past New Jersey the value was there.

Delia is the best athlete on the team, and Lehtonen has some potential to hang hope on. But I value the position enough to never let it come to hope. Having Lehner/Askarov both locked in for the next 4 years would feel amazing and have been worth a hefty price.

Having Crow at 2/8 even, would be prudent and the player earned the chance and the price here. The proper place for Delia and/or Lehtonen to finish developing is on a 70/30 split behind him.

It replaces Saad because Janmark can kill penalties; and he costs only 2.25 instead of 6.

Also, Janmark is an actual 3rd line center.

This signifies nothing, other than Strome is probably gone and they need someone serviceable on the PK. Even on a rebuilding team, you still need guys like Janmark. If he was signed for more than one-year you'd be justified in reading more into it.

Also, on a rebuilding team, you need at least some muscle in the lineup. Janmark and Zadorov aren't coincidences and they will be needed because there's no doubt opposing teams will try to thump a young team every single night.

Yes..Strome is the key...to why I don't think it means what we think .

Suter might not have the skill of Saad, but we have had guys that flash through the "hard" area like Cat, or Jewels who 'can go" to the hard area but not hang around without a lesson.

Suter is sturdy enough to park in the hard areas, a mix between AA and Saad but stronger than either. I'm not sure yet if he will park at 1LW, 2LW, or 3LW...but yes...Janmark is the guy they chose to flank Dach in my opinion. it will go

Suter-Toews-Kubalik
Cat-Strome-Kane
Janmark-Dach-Shaw
Carp-Kampf- (battle royale)

If Suter has a good left shot and can time it, slap shot...

With Suter, Shaw, Janmark and Dach...it really starts to open up the potential to spin things lots of ways and not have such deep concerns and issues as before. I think it will work itself out fairly quickly.

We have to remember Dach can be part of the checking line, and is a good enough reason to form it. Janmark will be a help to him there and take some faceoffs too. Suter is interesting enough he could even join that party or borrow Kampf or Carp if necessary. Cat always being the odd ingredient you never know when it might all click with some linemates. I'd keep spinning his ass until the hockey gods reveal the joke.

 

[Raskolnikov]

(Shaw/Cat/Suter)-Dach-Janmark

Shaw just makes sense to me there. I think those 3 could create some gritty goals and poach, as well as attack coherently behind Dach to have your checking line and your 3rd scoring line in one. Dach really makes that work out nicely until he is ready to take over a top 6 center role full time in another year or two.

Good luck keeping those guys out of the box, at least the 4th line does what they do without fouling much. Kampf and Carp can always take in either Shaw or Janmark if they need a home.

More answers and less consternation already with the changes, and Zadorov is the most important add, to change the flavor back there and make some easier plays for everyone. Can't wait to see their plan for him and in regards to Seabrook.

 

[LordKOTL]

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I still think the rebuild is on. You don't let go of your starting goalie and one of your top-six two-way, special teams players if you think you can contend.

I honestly think people are reading way too much into the Zadorov and Janmark moves. These are one-year deals and they were made because the majority of the team will still be green next year.

It's still too early to tell either way, but regardless, there is no way Bowman thinks this team can still contend. If you want to claim these moves are a sign that he will rebuild on the fly again next year, I wouldn't argue against that -- but again, he doesn't think this team can contend.

Think about this: getting Zadorov and Janmark should only give Bowman more incentive in moving current veterans like Murphy, De Haan, Shaw, etc -- if not even bigger fish. Perhaps these moves were made so he can explore the possibilities of moving other current vets.

He obviously is moving toward bigger, more physical players (Pirri, etc.). I imagine he's doing so because he knows next year many kids will be in the lineup.

While I fully believe that the rebuild is on (much to Toews' chagrin), it's more a comment about Stan not being able to find a clue even if he had Rand tattooed on one buttcheek, McNally tattooed on the other, and a compass stapled to his forehead.

The guys we have to get going now are the D prospects. Everything is going to follow them and the goaltenders, and guys like Mitchell aren't going to be prospects forever. We need to know what they are, if they'll work in a role we need them to, or if we have to go fish. It also makes sense to do it now while guys like Keith can be more effective mentors and not one year older. So...what sense does it make in a rebuild year to lose an expensive mid-pair guy who we have too much of...only to get one back? We went from all of our prospects being excluded from the roster to right back in that position (unless there are more D moves afoot).

If things stand as they are the moves make no sense: We're going without a vet backup presence in net and throwing our G-prospects to the wolves, and at the same time we're barring our D-prospects from taking the ice. If the rebuild is on and winning doesn't matter, shouldn't he be clearing D-space? And, if Saad moving was contingent on taking Zadorov back, wouldn't a good GM try to move someone else beyond Maata 1st so he wouldn't potentially see another Khabi/Huet debacle?

Janmark and Zadorov I don't mind in a vacuum. Pirri is a retread and we know how those have worked for us. Overall I think Stan has cocked this offseason so far.

 

[RacerX]

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I still think the rebuild is on. You don't let go of your starting goalie and one of your top-six two-way, special teams players if you think you can contend.

I honestly think people are reading way too much into the Zadorov and Janmark moves. These are one-year deals and they were made because the majority of the team will still be green next year.

It's still too early to tell either way, but regardless, there is no way Bowman thinks this team can still contend. If you want to claim these moves are a sign that he will rebuild on the fly again next year, I wouldn't argue against that -- but again, he doesn't think this team can contend.

Think about this: getting Zadorov and Janmark should only give Bowman more incentive in moving current veterans like Murphy, De Haan, Shaw, etc -- if not even bigger fish. Perhaps these moves were made so he can explore the possibilities of moving other current vets.

He obviously is moving toward bigger, more physical players (Pirri, etc.). I imagine he's doing so because he knows next year many kids will be in the lineup.

But here's the challenge: while moving Murphy's contract may yield a small net return since it has negligible value, the other two (Shaw and De Haan) have negative value contracts. I don't see any NHL teams pining for those two at their respective current contract terms, so we will have to take back liabilities or sweeten the trade in order to move them.

And sadly none of us trust Stan to fleece anyone.

 

[JimAKABlkhwks918]

Oh, we're building another dynasty here, lads!

Blackhawks sign Lucas Wallmark to one-year contract

The Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Lucas Wallmark on a one-year contract.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Raskolnikov]

Pirri is nothing more than a half-hearted attempt to create due diligent competition for Nylander while still keeping the butt plug dream alive.

 

[KBIB]

Oh, we're building another dynasty here, lads!

Blackhawks sign Lucas Wallmark to one-year contract

The Blackhawks have agreed to terms with forward Lucas Wallmark on a one-year contract.

www.nbcsports.com

For the price, that's a great signing.

Wallmark is a knock off Kruger who will net 10/12 goals a year.

They plan on giving Zadorov big minutes. This team actually looks alot better then people want to believe.

A different dynamic then rolling three scoring lines without anybody playing defense. Like I said two scoring, a checking, and a energy line. The Hawks have more balance now then they have had in years past.

Dare I say Stan is actually having a decent free agency.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Shaw-Toews-Kubalik
Suter-Strome-Kane
Janmark-Dach-Cat
Carp-2. Kampf/Wallmark/Smith

13. nylander/pirri/morrison/kayumov/raichel/hagel/quinnville/Barratt/shalumov/edjdsell/kurashev/Hakkarainen/entwhistle

keith-zidorov
murphy-seabs
dehaan-boqvist

7. beaudin/mitchell/caarlson/lindholm/Seeler

G: Lahtenen. Suppan Rockfrod: Delia

To be continued...

certainly won't hurt should they vent any more contracts like Shaw/DeHaan

At least this year it looks like injuries will make way to prospects.

 

[MassHavoc]

::Insert who the **** are these guys gif::

 

[Raskolnikov]

::Insert who the **** are these guys gif::

I think they always talked about Seabrook having to play with scrubs so are likely to give him Murphy.

 

[Bigfoot]

Bottom 6 for better with the 2 new signings. Think the top 6 shakes out with these

Toews Kane
Cat Dach Kubliak

who gets paired with Kane and Toews is anyone’s guess. Wonder if Suter get the first crack at it. Still have to see what happens with Strome.

 

[KBIB]

Bottom 6 for better with the 2 new signings. Think the top 6 shakes out with these

Toews Kane
Cat Dach Kubliak

who gets paired with Kane and Toews is anyone’s guess. Wonder if Suter get the first crack at it. Still have to see what happens with Strome.

No srsly, wtf are you gonna do with Strome?

Do you sign him and run a sheltered line with Kane and Cat? Then stunt the development of your top three pick who would benefit more playing with Kane? And if, your putting a saddle bag in Nylander on Dachs wing who actually has a great shot but don't shoot?

Nylander/Dach/Shaw I could get behind if Shaw is 100%. I would rather see Carp on that line and use it as a bumslayer line with quite possibly a top three fourth line in Janmark/ Wallmark/ Kampf.

Ok, if that's the fourth line that might be the best fourth line in the NHL.

 

[Raskolnikov]

No srsly, wtf are you gonna do with Strome?

Do you sign him and run a sheltered line with Kane and Cat? Then stunt the development of your top three pick who would benefit more playing with Kane? And if, your putting a saddle bag in Nylander on Dachs wing who actually has a great shot but don't shoot?

Nylander/Dach/Shaw I could get behind if Shaw is 100%. I would rather see Carp on that line and use it as a bumslayer line with quite possibly a top three fourth line in Janmark/ Wallmark/ Kampf.

Ok, if that's the fourth line that might be the best fourth line in the NHL.

yes, walmark and janmark free up flexibility/creativity with kampf and carp as well...I think somebody is probably always run third to give Dach some faceoff help, but Strome is definitely expendable now. Take it or leave it is really the best bargaining position to be in with him anyway.

I'm pretty curious about Suter-Strome-Kane potential, being a better fit than cat with a net front poacher and power forward letting those two go to work.

I agree that Dach with Kane is fun, but if we can get a 3C for regular season, 2C for playoffs, with PP and PK minutes out of him, in his 19th year I think its enough and retaining Strome insures Kane a good stick with offensive instincts.

If Strome walks it does accelerate ideas.

 

[Granada]

While I fully believe that the rebuild is on (much to Toews' chagrin), it's more a comment about Stan not being able to find a clue even if he had Rand tattooed on one buttcheek, McNally tattooed on the other, and a compass stapled to his forehead.

The guys we have to get going now are the D prospects. Everything is going to follow them and the goaltenders, and guys like Mitchell aren't going to be prospects forever. We need to know what they are, if they'll work in a role we need them to, or if we have to go fish. It also makes sense to do it now while guys like Keith can be more effective mentors and not one year older. So...what sense does it make in a rebuild year to lose an expensive mid-pair guy who we have too much of...only to get one back? We went from all of our prospects being excluded from the roster to right back in that position (unless there are more D moves afoot).

If things stand as they are the moves make no sense: We're going without a vet backup presence in net and throwing our G-prospects to the wolves, and at the same time we're barring our D-prospects from taking the ice. If the rebuild is on and winning doesn't matter, shouldn't he be clearing D-space? And, if Saad moving was contingent on taking Zadorov back, wouldn't a good GM try to move someone else beyond Maata 1st so he wouldn't potentially see another Khabi/Huet debacle?

Janmark and Zadorov I don't mind in a vacuum. Pirri is a retread and we know how those have worked for us. Overall I think Stan has cocked this offseason so far.

Perhaps these moves are being made in order to better protect our two goalies. It's been my contention that you can't just ice the Rockford Icehogs every night in the NHL, unless you want to get destroyed 10-2 every night -- that's even truer when you have two goalies like Subban and Delia.

Even with these moves, I still think you are going to see a lot of prospects up this year; and I still think Bowman is trying to move a vet or two. Maybe I'm wrong -- like I said, it's still too early to tell -- but I really don't mind any of these moves so far.

I hate Bowman more than anyone, but I'd say all these moves are light-years better than the bullshit he did last off-season, at least. I literally thought every move he made last off-season was were terrible and I think they're even worse now, considering guys like Murphy, de Haan, Shaw, and Smith only hinder a rebuild. That said, at least Bowman is beginning the rebuild this off-season.
I get that people want him to go even further with the rebuild -- maybe he will (I'm hoping too). I guess I'm going to reserve judgement until I see all his moves.

Right now, the only move that doesn't make much sense is Lucas Wallmark. Unless they plan on playing Janmark on wing and have Wallmark as the 3LC. Either way, this is all the more proof that Strome is gone, which again, I like on Stan's part.

Rebuilding is a process. With all these current moves, Bowman is acquiring cost-effective and term-effective players to round out the lineup, while moving out bigger-salary players like Crow and Saad, who were 12 million total between both of them.

 

[Granada]

But here's the challenge: while moving Murphy's contract may yield a small net return since it has negligible value, the other two (Shaw and De Haan) have negative value contracts. I don't see any NHL teams pining for those two at their respective current contract terms, so we will have to take back liabilities or sweeten the trade in order to move them.

And sadly none of us trust Stan to fleece anyone.

True. It seems like Murphy should be all but gone, but yes, it will be tougher to move Shaw and De Haan. I think Bowman would be fine with taking back liabilities because moving either would strictly be a cap move, assuming the return would be worth it (i.e. lower salary/term).

 

[Granada]

Patty Marleau back with Sharks for one year, salary unknown.

 

[LordKOTL]

Perhaps these moves are being made in order to better protect our two goalies. It's been my contention that you can't just ice the Rockford Icehogs every night in the NHL, unless you want to get destroyed 10-2 every night -- that's even truer when you have two goalies like Subban and Delia.

Even with these moves, I still think you are going to see a lot of prospects up this year; and I still think Bowman is trying to move a vet or two. Maybe I'm wrong -- like I said, it's still too early to tell -- but I really don't mind any of these moves so far.

I hate Bowman more than anyone, but I'd say all these moves are light-years better than the bullshit he did last off-season, at least. I literally thought every move he made last off-season was were terrible and I think they're even worse now, considering guys like Murphy, de Haan, Shaw, and Smith only hinder a rebuild. That said, at least Bowman is beginning the rebuild this off-season.
I get that people want him to go even further with the rebuild -- maybe he will (I'm hoping too). I guess I'm going to reserve judgement until I see all his moves.

Right now, the only move that doesn't make much sense is Lucas Wallmark. Unless they plan on playing Janmark on wing and have Wallmark as the 3LC. Either way, this is all the more proof that Strome is gone, which again, I like on Stan's part.

Rebuilding is a process. With all these current moves, Bowman is acquiring cost-effective and term-effective players to round out the lineup, while moving out bigger-salary players like Crow and Saad, who were 12 million total between both of them.

The problem with shoring up the D as-is to "protect" the young netminders is that no one on D is good enough to do so. Keith, our best guy, already proved that in the playoffs. Getting old sucks so I don't really hold it against him in that respect, but still, if Keith has shown he's in the phase of his game where he needs to worry about his own game over everyone else's, what makes us thing Zadorov can? No matter how much some fans are enamored with Zaddy's size, he's still a middle pairing guy in terms of stats and takes a lot of penalties. That's not the kind of D-man that can protect a fledgling (or tweener) netminder.

That's not to say I don't like Zadorov--I think he's an upgrade over everyone except maybe Keith, but it's not like we managed to blag Hedman here. The moves have been, if anything, addition by subtraction which is not bad in a vacuum. With how horrible the team D has been since 2016, that won't be good enough to protect a young netminder. At best the team D- is around 20172018 level, we we all saw how Berube, Delia, & Forsberg fared once Crawford went down.

IMO It would have been far easier for Stan to get a one-off vet netminder to help both the G-rookies and the D-rookies than vice-versa--but I think that ship has sailed.

The moves themselves I have no real issues with in-and-of-themselves. Aside from Subban over a seasoned goalie (i.e. if Elliot or Lundqvist could have been tucked in for 1.5M, either would be a mentor upgrade over Subban for the extra 0.7M), they're at worst "Meh." It's the moves that haven't been made that worry me, and you've definitely been a fan long enough to remember getting jammed on the Khabi/Huet deal. It's the moves he hasn't made yet that worry me. being bad this coming season doesn't worry me--I'm under no delusions about how bad the team is, but there has to be a purpose. If the only purpose this year is figuring out which of our goalies (if any) is NHL-capable...we've failed. We need to look at the D-men as well and right now we got 6 roster D-men. Unless one goes we just wasted that year.

My $0.02. No refunds.

 

[Granada]

The problem with shoring up the D as-is to "protect" the young netminders is that no one on D is good enough to do so. Keith, our best guy, already proved that in the playoffs. Getting old sucks so I don't really hold it against him in that respect, but still, if Keith has shown he's in the phase of his game where he needs to worry about his own game over everyone else's, what makes us thing Zadorov can? No matter how much some fans are enamored with Zaddy's size, he's still a middle pairing guy in terms of stats and takes a lot of penalties. That's not the kind of D-man that can protect a fledgling (or tweener) netminder.

That's not to say I don't like Zadorov--I think he's an upgrade over everyone except maybe Keith, but it's not like we managed to blag Hedman here. The moves have been, if anything, addition by subtraction which is not bad in a vacuum. With how horrible the team D has been since 2016, that won't be good enough to protect a young netminder. At best the team D- is around 20172018 level, we we all saw how Berube, Delia, & Forsberg fared once Crawford went down.

IMO It would have been far easier for Stan to get a one-off vet netminder to help both the G-rookies and the D-rookies than vice-versa--but I think that ship has sailed.

The moves themselves I have no real issues with in-and-of-themselves. Aside from Subban over a seasoned goalie (i.e. if Elliot or Lundqvist could have been tucked in for 1.5M, either would be a mentor upgrade over Subban for the extra 0.7M), they're at worst "Meh." It's the moves that haven't been made that worry me, and you've definitely been a fan long enough to remember getting jammed on the Khabi/Huet deal. It's the moves he hasn't made yet that worry me. being bad this coming season doesn't worry me--I'm under no delusions about how bad the team is, but there has to be a purpose. If the only purpose this year is figuring out which of our goalies (if any) is NHL-capable...we've failed. We need to look at the D-men as well and right now we got 6 roster D-men. Unless one goes we just wasted that year.

My $0.02. No refunds.

I wanted them to get a vet goalie too -- in many ways, I'm still shocked that they didn't, because even on a rebuild, that's needed -- but the next best thing would be to improve the blueline.

I'm actually really looking forward to seeing Zadorov. I mean, I don't know how long the fanbase -- me included -- has been pining for a big-bodied d-man who is not only mean but can actually clear the fucking crease. In addition, I don't know how long the fanbase has been pining for a guy who plays physical....Zadorov checks these boxes. And he fights too -- I know, I know, some people think fighting has no place in the game anymore, but I disagree completely, especially on a rebuilding team.

We disagree on Keith and we've gone over that many times, so I'll just leave it at that. In all honesty, Murphy has been bad since he was acquired -- he has never lived up to his billing, at least on the Hawks. I think Zadorov will. I still think you will get a good look at the D and that a lot of kids will see action on the blueline this year.

 

[Team Chicago]

Even with Zadarov being an upgrade over Maatta, with the personnel and the youth they have at d, the Hawks are going to give up a lot of chances and those young and inexperienced goalies are going to get roasted. I think they'll sign a vet goalie in training camp to 1 year deal or a pto at least for competition.