As a Hawks fan I would rather not get rid of Anisimov just to place Bozak at 2C. Schmaltz fills that role and has already showed he and Kane can have something very special together.

Bozak is a 50+% at the face off dot, this will give Toews the help he deserves at the face off dot. Anisimov can't win a draw if his life depended on it lol. That's why I prefer Bozak over Anisimov.

That also goes for Schmaltz. I like him a lot and he can stay with Kane, but Schmaltz can't win face off's either. Until he can start showing he can win draws hes a top 6 winger. Schmaltz, Bozak, and Kane would be a nice line, with Saad, Toews, and Cat.

Absolutely. But there cheaper depth options. The Hawks don't need a 2C. They need a 3C, because Anisimov isn't an adequate option there. Their best bet is to do something like the trade you did, and then sign a cheaper depth center who is strong at the dot.

Schmaltz can win faceoffs, he is much better on the wing.

IMO, that is way too much for Faulk..... For that much I would want Hanifin...

I love the idea of signing Bozak tho, and IMO I can see Bowman having a lot of interest in him - I think he would fit this team like a glove...

Bozak would play 3C.... He would be an IDEAL 3C..

Toews
Schmaltz
Bozak
Ejdsell

Would you rather have Riley Nash or Bozak? Nash is cheaper but Bozak is a much better face off man.

Yea, the Hawks need serious help at the dot....... Signing Bozak would be a great start, but also signing Vermette and Dominic Moore as FO specialists wouldn't be a bad move either - both would be super cheap (800k each)....

Winning faceoffs is crucial and the Hawks lack of ability to win draws this past season really hurt them because they were always chasing the puck........ This is a perfect example of how the loss of Kruger really hurt the Hawks....... Well, Bozak is a Kruger type player but Bozak can score...... Look you can never have too many centers - especially centers that win 55-60% of draws...

So yes, the Hawks need to bring in effective centers that can win draws..

I would take Bozak all day....... I would also sign Vermette and Dominic Moore as face off specialists that play more of a defensive role when needed or when injuries occur.... I mean they wouldn't play a whole lot a night, but it's always great to have a backup plan - and both can be had for cheap 800k each.. And they would do a good job working with the younger centers like Schmaltz, Hinostroza or Ejdsell etc.... SO there are other factors there for signing those guys..

You see, it's the experienced bottom 6 players that really hurt the Hawks this past season.....

So yea, I could see Bowman go after:

Bozak
Vermette/Dominic Moore
Tommy Wingels
John Moore
Kovalchuk/van Riemsdyk/James Neil/David Perron (maybe)....

Then use Anisimov as trade bait to bring in a top 4..

Hawks have 18-20 million in cap space on hand to make it happen...

We will see.

Totally agree 100%. They definitely have the ability to get this team back into contenders with the cap space. I like the thought of adding Bozak, vet cheap defensive center, left handed mobile dmen, faulk via trade and maybe a JVR that would be an incredible off season. We will see, a lot goes into each and everyone of the deals they will make. I am looking forward to draft day! Bowman has to make things happen.

I like JVR but I see Panarin coming back as a UFA next summer...... So I see Kovalchuk being a more realistic target on a 1-year deal just to hold the Hawks over for this upcoming season... So from that perspective Kovalchuk would make a lot of sense and I think he would do really well playing opposite of Kane...... I mean Kovalchuk is very similar to Panarin and Kovalchuk could be had on a 1-year deal at the same price of JVR, but JVR will want a 6-7 year deal and that would make re-signing Panarin out of the question..

So yea, I really think Kovalchuk (or a top 6 LW) that will sign a 1-year deal Bowman's target(s) come July 1st....

And yes, I don't like Kovalchuk's attitude, but the guy is really really good at hockey and at 35 he would take a 1-year deal....... The Hawks cant afford to commit long-term to anyone BUT Panarin and he will be a UFA next summer and I could see Bowman offering Panarin a 7-year 7.5 - 8 per contract..

That's what I see going on with the Hawks at 2nd line LW over the next couple of seasons...

Okay but why get rid of Anisimovs contract just to pick up a guy at the same price? I would rather have the money for flexibility

Yes he has struggled at the dot, but hes what 22 years old? Let the kid grow a little bit he has the potential to be a 60-70 point guy.

Because Bozak is exactly the type of player the Hawks need, Anisimov and Bozak are totally different players - Bozak is excellent at the dot and a reliable 2-way player that can score... He would fit into Q's system really really well... He's basically a Marcus Kruger type player that can score 40-50 points a season..... He's the perfect #3 C for this team..

Anisimov is a big skilled player but Schmaltz is the Hawks 2nd line center of the future, besides Victor Ejdsell is basically an Anisimov clone...

Anisimov would be excellent trade bait to land a top 4 defenseman and the Hawks desperately need a top 4 defenseman......... Look AA & 27th overall for Faulk would really solve the Hawks needs on D and signing Bozak would really fill the Hawks needs at #3 center.....

The Hawks would be a much better team doing this.....

I really like the moves here the more I look at it. The only thing is again CAR doesn't need Gus and I would look to dump Murphy or Rutta or both. Gus has more upside then Murphy or Rutta which is why they signed him for 2 years as a bridge to explore it. We can get a 2nd round pick back to NYI for example for Murphy and maybe a 5th or 6th rounder plus frees up cap space. Or how about Murphy and Forsling for a 2nd rounder from NYI?