I think KK starts in Rockford paired with Levshunov. KK could come up if injuries, but only if he is going to take regular shifts. If Martinez is moved at the deadline/Murphy on the IL for a while, it would depend on who is playing better KK or Levshunov who gets the call up, especially since Levshunov is a right shot.

At seasons end Kaiser was playing better than KK, I think he starts on the Hawks paired with Murphy as the third pairing.
- LAHawk

It'll be interesting, it isn't like Kaiser was playing so much better that LR gave Kaiser way more minutes, i think it was about equal between the 2 in that stint.

I didn't think they would keep Vlasic down for a year but they did and if it made him a better NHL player because of it, I'm all for KK starting at the rock.

I'm glad they got some vet presence to help the kids, having the likes of Megna, Tinordi were gross and i think it can impair the development of defenseman who is virtually on an island because of their partner.

Hopefully with the new forwards we aren't chasing the puck in our own zone all night.

Draisaitl signs 8 x 14M, full NMC. None of that deferred compensation.

I think KK starts in Rockford paired with Levshunov. KK could come up if injuries, but only if he is going to take regular shifts.

- LAHawk

Let's be clear that KK has extremely gifted offensive instincts and the feet and passing savvy to not look out of place as a regulat in the AHL or as an NHL set up man, but he he was raw and got his baptism by fire in a horrible rookie season where he lost his father and HAD to feel he was lacking as an NHL defender.
He must know he know needs lots of work on HOW to defend in the fast, iinstantaneous reactive ways today's attacker pass and pace and then re-position.
So whether it is determined the 3rd day of camp or in November, he probably will see the advantages to some work in the AHL to learn the defensive side.

I think his eventual return call up isnn't going to a graduation into the NHL; he will be under the microscope and if the AHL lessons didn't stick in the bigs, he won't get any special treatment and will be returned for more evelopment.

Draisaitl signs 8 x 14M, full NMC. None of that deferred compensation.
- boilermaker100

StanBo

Now the work begins to patch around the 2 star deals...

It'll be interesting, it isn't like Kaiser was playing so much better that LR gave Kaiser way more minutes, i think it was about equal between the 2 in that stint.

I didn't think they would keep Vlasic down for a year but they did and if it made him a better NHL player because of it, I'm all for KK starting at the rock.

I'm glad they got some vet presence to help the kids, having the likes of Megna, Tinordi were gross and i think it can impair the development of defenseman who is virtually on an island because of their partner.

Hopefully with the new forwards we aren't chasing the puck in our own zone all night.
- BetweenTheDots

Kaiser is also 22 and is an RFA next year (although without arb rights). I would think the Hawks would want to see what they have in him. At some point you have to weed out the chaf regarding the defensive prospects.

StanBo

Now the work begins to patch around the 2 star deals...
- wiz1901

Trades for Saad, signs Toews. Gets Kane next year. He has a phone call in to Mikal Roszival.

I spent a few hours last night watching our prospects. Gotta say im very excited for the future. We are gonna be a fast team up front with a big defense. love it!

Kaiser is also 22 and is an RFA next year (although without arb rights). I would think the Hawks would want to see what they have in him. At some point you have to weed out the chaf regarding the defensive prospects.
- LAHawk

No reason to think they won't play him some games. 41 games so far, 32 last year and over 550 minutes of ice time last season. I think they have a pretty good idea what they have. His stint where he was sent down did help him with his positioning that was not great at the start of the season. He can skate decently well, and he can make a few nice passes, hopefully he can start to win some more physical battles because he was manhandled a little bit at times.

It'll be interesting, it isn't like Kaiser was playing so much better that LR gave Kaiser way more minutes, i think it was about equal between the 2 in that stint.

I didn't think they would keep Vlasic down for a year but they did and if it made him a better NHL player because of it, I'm all for KK starting at the rock.

I'm glad they got some vet presence to help the kids, having the likes of Megna, Tinordi were gross and i think it can impair the development of defenseman who is virtually on an island because of their partner.

Hopefully with the new forwards we aren't chasing the puck in our own zone all night.
- BetweenTheDots

Will be interesting to see if Korchinski goes to Rockford. I was thinking that they got some better vets so they could keep him up and he would have a reliable partner. So he plays in CHI maybe 3rd pair and gets less minutes and more instruction, or he goes to ROC and plays big minutes, all situations. If in CHI:

Vlasic - Jones
Brodie - Murphy
Korchinski - Martinez
Kaiser

Kaiser subs in regularly and gets a chance to earn a regular spot after the deadline or next year.

As I am typing this, I think I'm talking myself into the ROC with big minutes option. Who would run PP1 in ROC then - Korchinski or Levshunov?

Trades for Saad, signs Toews. Gets Kane next year. He has a phone call in to Mikal Roszival.
- rpeters01

Well played!

E Kane and Arvidsson would be my first two guesses as to who gets traded to make room for when Draisaitl's deal kicks in. But E Kane has a full NTC this upcoming season, until March 1, when it turns into a 16 team trade list, according to PuckPedia. And not only is McDavid up for an extension next summer, Bouchard is an RFA.

According to Daily Faceoff there is no year 9 cap hit. I wonder if this will be addressed in the new CBA in a couple of years.

I bet all the agents and GM's are looking at this closely and will implement similar contracts. Maybe Swayman for example. He can now sign for 8 years at maybe 7MAAV and then pocket several more million at the end of the contract.
- boilermaker100

Interesting to see how they handle hockey related revenue, cap increases, buyouts and all that.

It's kinda tough to see how these owners can cry poor when a team like Arizona sells for a billion and they're talking about 2 for Tampa. The league can't be that cash strapped.

Well played!

E Kane and Arvidsson would be my first two guesses as to who gets traded to make room for when Draisaitl's deal kicks in. But E Kane has a full NTC this upcoming season, until March 1, when it turns into a 16 team trade list, according to PuckPedia. And not only is McDavid up for an extension next summer, Bouchard is an RFA.
- 333inthe3rd

Kane definitely seems like one they are interested in moving. I think at some point here they will need to address Nurse and move his money. I know lots of people will say "That contract is un-tradable" but we've heard that sentence about a lot of players over the years and many of them ended up being traded.

With Johnny Gaudreau's unfortunate passing. Jackets find themselves about 2.5M under the cap floor. They might have to take on a bad contract or sign a UFA like Tyler Johnson or Mike Hoffman.
- boilermaker100

Jones for Saad in 3 way deal?

I think thats one of instances where the league looks the other way for at least this year.

Jones for Saad in 3 way deal?

I think thats one of instances where the league looks the other way for at least this year.
- fattybeef

They will pay G's family so perhaps they can count the contract if they wish.

Kane definitely seems like one they are interested in moving. I think at some point here they will need to address Nurse and move his money. I know lots of people will say "That contract is un-tradable" but we've heard that sentence about a lot of players over the years and many of them ended up being traded.
- breadbag

I don't see how they move E Kane before March 1, unless he wants out or wants to go to the team trying to trade for him. Nurse also has a full no movement clause. I guess if they could move Campbell's contract, they can move Nurse's, to your point. At the end of the day, a player often knows when it's time to go. The clauses often work to make it harder to get more value in return, though.

I don't see how they move E Kane before March 1, unless he wants out or wants to go to the team trying to trade for him. Nurse also has a full no movement clause. I guess if they could move Campbell's contract, they can move Nurse's, to your point. At the end of the day, a player often knows when it's time to go. The clauses often work to make it harder to get more value in return, though.
- 333inthe3rd

Yeah, the player gets to determine more about it but usually when it's at that point both the player and the team want to move. Kane definitely easier to move after Feb 28. I'm curious how they will navigate the cap in the next couple seasons.

Corey Pronman’s crowning of the Chicago Blackhawks speedy forwards really had me going in the rankings that seems less player potenial then a ranking of who gets their audience on the big stage quicker, now the last Free Agent spending harvested so many seasoned journeymen that it makes the journey to the parent club less likely if the lad was expecting a nice little eight or nine game call-up, where the big club is nursing bruises, more likely are gifted one game cameos,
We have waited for NHL introductions and may see Nazar later than expected but I think Corey is convoluted rankings are either horsefeathers, or we may be trouble with the hype we have bought on their upside.
And that also is a real issue: You don’t know if a talented first rounder really CAN take hold as an NHL play who dominates in areas, besides foot speed, until they actually do. Reichel as an example.

But the Pronman list seems to be a list of current futures, starting and ranking from the guys who are going to be here sooner than later.
The list disturbed me so much I copied it for later flames of Corey Pronman.

Just to rank Vanacker ahead of Nazar NOW is like a pie in the sky guess at best. Why? Because they signed him early?
- wiz1901

Pronman seems to be the only guy not high on Nazar. The FloHockey guy likes him a lot and another guy that Zawaski and crew had on their show also made the Point comparison.

Let's be clear that KK has extremely gifted offensive instincts and the feet and passing savvy to not look out of place as a regulat in the AHL or as an NHL set up man, but he he was raw and got his baptism by fire in a horrible rookie season where he lost his father and HAD to feel he was lacking as an NHL defender.
He must know he know needs lots of work on HOW to defend in the fast, iinstantaneous reactive ways today's attacker pass and pace and then re-position.
So whether it is determined the 3rd day of camp or in November, he probably will see the advantages to some work in the AHL to learn the defensive side.

I think his eventual return call up isnn't going to a graduation into the NHL; he will be under the microscope and if the AHL lessons didn't stick in the bigs, he won't get any special treatment and will be returned for more evelopment.
- wiz1901

Let's be realistic for a second though. How many guys have played a full NHL season then gone down to the AHL and came back players of any consequence?

Let's be realistic for a second though. How many guys have played a full NHL season then gone down to the AHL and came back players of any consequence?
- fattybeef

I don’t think KK plays a single game in Rockford. He’ll likely play 3rd pairing minute with some nights off here and there. I don’t think KK will learn more in the AHL vs the NHL.

I don’t think KK plays a single game in Rockford. He’ll likely play 3rd pairing minute with some nights off here and there. I don’t think KK will learn more in the AHL vs the NHL.
- DarthKane

I’m thinking the same, unless he really struggles in preseason. Look at how much he improved defensively by the end of the season. Still more improvement needed, but he was definitely trending in the right direction.

Draisaitl signs 8 x 14M, full NMC. None of that deferred compensation.
- boilermaker100

I question the timing of this deal. Did Stan really need to sign Draisaitl now? He could have waited and got him for cheaper.

I am getting so antsy for hockey to start, I went to the aquarium and booed the penguins! (I stole that)

The Tom Kurvers prospect tournament starts Friday September 13th. The Hawks-Wild-Blues prospects will play each other. Haven't seen anything about it being streamed. If anyone sees anything about broadcating or streamiung the games please post.

Sure hope to see Hayes, Artie, Lardis and the rest play some hockey.

Bamford kicked around a potential Hawk's lineup for the Kurvers tournament and makes some sound thoughts on why he'd line em up this way. https://www.bleachernatio...the-tom-kurvers-showcase/

Pronman seems to be the only guy not high on Nazar. The FloHockey guy likes him a lot and another guy that Zawaski and crew had on their show also made the Point comparison.
- fattybeef

Respectfully to Pronman and Zawalski, you saw Nazar play with the Hawks. What did you think, Fatty? I doubt they can evaluate any better than you can and especially Hawk property as you watch them much more than Pronman. ...... I saw a kid who was bursting with IQ. I've seen his skill/speed since his NTDP days, WJC's and at U of MI but until he played with the Hawks had no idea his IQ was so high.

Really pumped about this kid after his couple games with the Hawks. In 3-4 yrs paired with Bedard and a legit power type forward, look out.