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.

 

[MassHavoc]

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.

Very telling that two of the big vets brought in retired immediately at the end of the season...

I'm curious what the coaching carousel will bring. I don't think their is a Ben Johnson out there. And I'm a little over all the retreads, but in reality I thought Sorenson checked some really good boxes and then failed, so at this point... This is Davidson's one last big play. He messes this up and all that draft capital built is wasted and we're put back another 5 years.

This year was supposed to go better to have momentum in order to not have to overpay to waste cap. Didn't work out last year, they need legit guys with the space willing to play with a young core, not overpaying vets to be here. Which sucks, because where are the vets going to come from. TT has been the only one that impressed me if you don't count Foligno because he's been here now.

And speaking off cap space, boy do they really yet again have cap capital this year and next. Would love to take someone's super start off them for a youngster and all of the picks, but it don't work that way. You are illustrating exactly what I've been saying about the draft, always take the best available, hit on as many as you can and use them and draft picks to get what you need. So many kids in the pipeline that just need to play to see what we have before we move on to the next young hot first rounder.

I see stretches of having all the pieces, it will be an interesting offseason because after all this I'm not sure you want a large turnover they just need time together.

Odd to say that the most important pick of the offseason won't be int he draft when they could end up with the top pick.

 

[Probie2429]

Hawks inked Cameron Rowe WMU’s goalie to an Icehogs contract. Local kid out of Wilmette. I heard he is Vlasic’s neighbor.

 

[Probie2429]

I don’t think the Hawks are ready to go spend big on a UFA just yet. That’s why they picked up Weber’s LTIR contract. They have so many promising prospects that it would be a disservice to the master plan to at least not give them all a shot. I could see in two years from now them pivoting depending on the results. I also feel like they wouldn’t mind playing all the kids next year and if they happened to stink again that they give themselves a shot at McKenna. Expect lots of growing pains next year.

I feel KD’s offseason priority should be locking up Bedard now before his offensive production explodes. Get Connor a little under market rate early to have more room for a FA later when the timing is right.

 

[LordKOTL]

Very telling that two of the big vets brought in retired immediately at the end of the season...

I'm curious what the coaching carousel will bring. I don't think their is a Ben Johnson out there. And I'm a little over all the retreads, but in reality I thought Sorenson checked some really good boxes and then failed, so at this point... This is Davidson's one last big play. He messes this up and all that draft capital built is wasted and we're put back another 5 years.

This year was supposed to go better to have momentum in order to not have to overpay to waste cap. Didn't work out last year, they need legit guys with the space willing to play with a young core, not overpaying vets to be here. Which sucks, because where are the vets going to come from. TT has been the only one that impressed me if you don't count Foligno because he's been here now.

And speaking off cap space, boy do they really yet again have cap capital this year and next. Would love to take someone's super start off them for a youngster and all of the picks, but it don't work that way. You are illustrating exactly what I've been saying about the draft, always take the best available, hit on as many as you can and use them and draft picks to get what you need. So many kids in the pipeline that just need to play to see what we have before we move on to the next young hot first rounder.

I see stretches of having all the pieces, it will be an interesting offseason because after all this I'm not sure you want a large turnover they just need time together.

Odd to say that the most important pick of the offseason won't be int he draft when they could end up with the top pick.

I heard that Carle is likely in the top running of the next coach, if we could land him. Someone else from the other board mentioned maybe bringing in a real experienced assistant for him, like Boudreau, to ease the NHL transition. Hell, something like that would work with Sorenson, or maybe even would have worked with LR. That was one of my big "WTF?" moments with KfC; I think he had an opportunity to land Montgomery, but didn't. Maybe Montgomery wasn't willing to come here, but to go with your AHL coach (again)? I hope he's seeing that thew kids need good coaching and not a yes-man, because all that will do is hurt whatever legacy KfC will create here--just like Coliton hurt Bowman the Beancounters...or made it even worse.

I don't feel Sorenson was that bad, but he wasn't what the team needed. He was better than LR, but just like Savard was better than Yawney. Both did their job but Q was needed to put them over the top. I figure both he and LR, with some assistant experience at the NHL level, might be fine coaches in the future.

I get *why* KfC when with the geezers this season, but I agree that the kids proved that we don't need them anymore (even though I think both T² and Donatello both are vets that should stay due to on-ice play). Right now the acquisitions shouldn't be stop-gaps like Brodie, or Martinez. They should be looking for actual pieces that can grow with the team--we're not on getting a Hossa yet, but a Campbell (but for FWDs) is what we should be targeting. We got the space--so KfC needs to use it. If Campbell way back when was willing to come to the 'hawks at the time he did for a few extra in salary, surely players nowadays will be willing to as well. KfC does have his work cut out.

Thankfully I'm satisfied at the G situation and how that turned out this year. I like what I see from Knight. Soder Popinski did a nice 180 from his abysmal year in 2024. With Gajan and Der Commesso also waiting there I think we have good enough netminding as long as the team D pushes forward, and much of that I think is on the FWD core helping the D out.

I agree that this year's 1st pick will be of less importance, but we can't take it lightly, either. KfC screws this offseason up and we're set back.

I don’t think the Hawks are ready to go spend big on a UFA just yet. That’s why they picked up Weber’s LTIR contract. They have so many promising prospects that it would be a disservice to the master plan to at least not give them all a shot. I could see in two years from now them pivoting depending on the results. I also feel like they wouldn’t mind playing all the kids next year and if they happened to stink again that they give themselves a shot at McKenna. Expect lots of growing pains next year.

I feel KD’s offseason priority should be locking up Bedard now before his offensive production explodes. Get Connor a little under market rate early to have more room for a FA later when the timing is right.

It depends on the type of UFA. Like I mentioned earlier; we're not looking for a Hossa--a vet finishing piece. We're looking for a FWD equivalent of a Brian Campbell--who came in right about this level of development. Someone who is young enough to grow with the team but is high-level and been there done that to help the FWD core.

As I mentioned I think the D is in a position where you don't want to futz with it. Aside from Murphy and Brodie: Every kid looks like they're NHL caliber: Vlassic, Rinzel, Kaiser, Allan, Del Mastro, Korch, Crevier, and Leshie all can play at the NHL level. If Murphy is the Vet and Brodie is fethcing off Ball and Pang and giving them soft serve, that gives us 3 extra. Crevier and Kaiser are both RFAs--I think we re-sign one and trade the rights for the other. The other 2? either Rockford them or use them as tradebait. that gives us a solid 7 D-core with a decent enough vet for leadership in Murphy, a warm body that can come in for injuries that we won't kill development by sitting in the pressbox as opposed to sending to Rockford (Brodie), and 5 kids who should be developed at the next level.

I already mentioned goaltending in this post, which is fine for now.

The FWDs need help. With the cap space we have this year and next, a long term acquisition is needed--preferrably on the right side of 30--and that's even if Donato is re-signed. We have the cap space to do it.

That's not to say that trying to get Nazar and Bedard extended shouldn't be a priority this summer--it should. But looking at how the cap is playing out right now we still need cap dollars even if Weber is technically part of the active roster and not considered LTIRetirement.

 

[MassHavoc]

I don’t think the Hawks are ready to go spend big on a UFA just yet. That’s why they picked up Weber’s LTIR contract. They have so many promising prospects that it would be a disservice to the master plan to at least not give them all a shot. I could see in two years from now them pivoting depending on the results. I also feel like they wouldn’t mind playing all the kids next year and if they happened to stink again that they give themselves a shot at McKenna. Expect lots of growing pains next year.

I feel KD’s offseason priority should be locking up Bedard now before his offensive production explodes. Get Connor a little under market rate early to have more room for a FA later when the timing is right.

For me ideally, it would be finding that great up and commer who is still on the cheap contract where the next one is going to be the one they can't afford. And stealing him early and using the draft capital and such to get him. The kind of deal that works for the current team because they get younger talent that stays cheaper, and works for us becuase we have something to build on and then whne they will be expensive stuff like weber will retire. I don't know if this player even exists right now, the solid top liner who is still 3rd or 4th fiddle on their team.

 

[Probie2429]

With the cap going up so much there aren’t as many teams that need to let go FA to be cap compliant.

 

[MassHavoc]

With the cap going up so much there aren’t as many teams that need to let go FA to be cap compliant.

Yep.... it will be interesting to see the economy and the dynamics between the dollar and the canadian dollar and how impacted if any this has.

 

[MassHavoc]

GM Kyle Davidson’s ‘challenging season’ included a heart scare — and making tough choices for Chicago Blackhawks

A coach’s firing and a player defection happen, but Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson “didn’t have heart surgery on my bingo card.”

www.chicagotribune.com

 

[MassHavoc]

Looks like Mammoth are in...

Utah Hockey club appears to leak new nickname 'Mammoth'; team claims it is still in process of choosing name

Some Internet sleuths may have stumbled into the team's choice that has yet to be revealed

www.cbssports.com

Can't believe they made them not be the Yeti.

 

[LordKOTL]

With the cap going up so much there aren’t as many teams that need to let go FA to be cap compliant.

Maybe not, but much like us and Jones there might be players out there which teams might want to get rid of to not have to deal with high cap for a long time.

Looks like Mammoth are in...

Utah Hockey club appears to leak new nickname 'Mammoth'; team claims it is still in process of choosing name

Some Internet sleuths may have stumbled into the team's choice that has yet to be revealed

www.cbssports.com

Can't believe they made them not be the Yeti.

I read somewhere there was copyright issues with Yeti.