Official Blackhawks 2024 Offseason Thread-Bedard owns Chicago

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1911598106556109194

Not Blackhawks related but this was too sick not to post

 

[LordKOTL]

bring back Q?

From a pure coaching standpoint, sure.

The Beach situation makes things much more complex, but not insurmountable. But, would he want to come back? And, given that KfC might want a Yes-man, Q is anything but.

That being said Q would be a MASSIVE upgrade behind the bench.

 

[ZOMBIE@CTESPN]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1911925770802418137

 

[MassHavoc]

 

[MassHavoc]

Just turned on the game. Blackhawks 3-2. On 5 shots to 19. WTF did I miss. Bedard 2 goals to break the 20 goal mark and 64 points

 

[MassHavoc]

It's now 27 shots to six with the Blackhawks still leading it

 

[ytsejam]

Sam Rinzel
Holy shit

 

[MassHavoc]

At one point this game was 31-6 shots. and they still somehow won. Lot of 3rd period energy but still blew the regulation win.

Bedard very close to hat trick... how this is off-season momentum.

 

[ytsejam]

Less than 6 months until next Hawks game!

 

[LordKOTL]

At one point this game was 31-6 shots. and they still somehow won. Lot of 3rd period energy but still blew the regulation win.

Bedard very close to hat trick... how this is off-season momentum.

Since we got rid of the dustfarts at the TDL, I'm liking what I'm seeing from the kids: They're still very raw but in terms of talent and overall ability it's a huge step in the right direction.

Biggest need right now is obviously good coaching. I think we need a coach that can deliver a system which the kids we have that have solidified positions in the lineup can grow into, and be held accountable within (and a coach willing to hold accountability). That coach should be able to pick their own staff. Sorenson could be moved back to Rockford. King should go with or be released.

The "good" news is that we have cap space to burn. Right now, we're projected to have $66.4M in cap expenditure with a floor of $70.6M. We have to somehow add $4.2M in cap just to be compliant, and we go as high as $29.9M before we hit the ceiling.

Some tough decisions need to be made, especially on the backend, about who stays, who gets dropped to the A, and who goes. With Martinez retiring I want to see Brodie for his final year as #7. I don't like him much but I think for his final year Murph provides vet guidance and Brodie is the guy they tap for injuries and whatnot. I figure Murphy, Vlassic, Rinzel, Del Mastro, Alan, Korch, and one of Crevier or Kaiser (both RFA's) rounds out the usual D-core with the possibility of another being either traded out or AHL'ed. Brodie should be #7. We should not bring in a vet bottom-pair. If there's is a chance to bring in a vet top-pair we can look into it, but I think it has to be a can't miss upgrade that will be here for the duration.

Up front you build around Nazar and Bedard. I think Donato has to be in discussions because 30 goal scorers don't grow on trees--I'd consider him like Patrick Sharp. You don't offer the world but given that we have to reach the cap floor, higher cap dollars in lieu of duration should be looked at. If he is a trade piece for a high-end FWD that can play with Bedard and cover for D (Hossa-clone, but they are extremely rare), I'm cool with it. I'd prefer he not be let go for nothing in the UFA market. If we aren't going to keep Kurashev, then trade his rights. Beyond that I think we need to be looking at either the trade of FA markets to upgrade in key areas--especially for some defense-from-the-FWDs help with enough O to help the D and/or play with Bedard and offset his lack of D and physicality (kinda like with Kane). That's where we should be making moves and weaponizing the cap we have--even if it means overpaying *a bit* but not enough to hamstring us in the future.

That being said I'm expecting us nest season to be in about 22nd place +/- 5 places. Not below 30 and not in the playoff hunt, yet. with the right amount of growth from the kids and the right coaching and player acquisitions I'm hoping to see the concepts gel like in the 2008 season next year.