Quoting: exo2769
This is an interesting team. I see you're a Leafs fan and I think you've done a decent job above talking about a different team. A couple of points that I'd make.
I don't want Victor Olofsson at all. One dimensional is the wrong thing this team needs. Seems like a band aid fix where we need to be making strides forward and giving our prospects ice time. Player development is crucial for the Hawks right now. I'd rather have Domi, Henrique, Bertuzzi, heck a lot of guys over Olofsson.
I've been vocal on here that the Hawks need a Phyiscal Veteran RD presence because just as you have outlined...the Hawks are going to have (3) players either in their 2nd year or even their rookie year on the Left. Del Mastro might get the nod over Kaiser for a good portion of next season...if this season in Rockford has been any indication. I don't think Schmidt is the guy they're looking for, but if the price is right...then I'd at least understand. With that said. It would likely be a pick as the Hawks are already looking for ice time for their own prospects. I can't see them interested in David Gustaffson.
I hear you on Olofsson. Don't get me wrong. I see this as more an investment than anything else. I signed him with the full intention of moving him. The players you mentioned, which anyone would sooner have, are likely to carry multi-year deals which I wanted to avoid for the very reasons you laid out..... Kids have to play, and I don't want to block there way to NHL ice time.
As for the blueline, that is a conundrum. If it wasn't so young, I would have 100% put Crevier on the 3rd pairing. It is just sooooo young. And, finding a vet presence via the UFA market, where there is sound logic to it, then may block the Crevier's, Del Mastro's and Phillip's of the world - which is sort of counter productive in a rebuild.
Lastly, quite possible there is no interest in Gustafsson. Conversely, as I said, he is young enough to fit the rebuild, and worth a test drive imo. To your point, you could also sign a vet to add that presence to the locker room in the roster spot.
The difficulty I had here is that this team is so young, and the core is insanely talented, with a really solid system. Rushing the kids (a classic Leafs move), is something I would want to avoid. Looking at it, the Hawks are not going to compete next year either; so looking a short term fills in hopes of flipping them into picks seems prudent. I think 25-26 maybe the year the Hawks look at the UFA market more seriously..... but this just isn't it.
McDavid, Connor
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