I really like this setup. I enjoyed reading your hypothetical about Schmaltz positioning. Either way looks like a solid lineup. Only question I have is if you're bringing in Bouchard then why sign Moore? Seems excessive since Bouchard should be able to jump right into NHL next year.

Thank you. I don't think Bouchard will be ready day one but at some point in the season. Moore provides a great bridge and insurance against a declining Seabrook and Keith as he can also pair on the top line if Keith shows further decline and can't handle the minutes anymore. Rutta or Gus will be gone at the TDL or after next season so Moore becomes even more valuable then, likely pairing with Bouchard.

I'm not sure AZ fans (lulz) will agree with us, but I think that's a good offer. Fair. The Caroline one, it's not that it isn't a good value offer, I just don't think Anisimov fills empty skates over there. As many have suggested, they'd probably be looking for a strong LW, or prospect who projects as that.

Is Riley Nash right for this team, and isn't he being overpaid at 3.15? He's never gotten a contract over 1.15, in fact he went down to $900k on his last one, and he's only had one season above 50% at the dot (and that was 50.9%). I would try to use that 3.15, and probably add to it, to try and pry JG Pageau (and Dzingel, while we're at it!) away from Ottawa.

I also don't want to give up on Murph yet. I think he's got more than he's been able to show. Not easy coming into a new system from the perennial dumpster fire that was AZ...

Overall though, this is great and well thought out.

I kinda of agree with you on CAR...maybe instead of AA then Duclair but we better get a higher draft pick back.

Nash is overpaid because he had a hell of season but did so on a great line. I think he could be $2.75M but wanted to be conservative.

Murphy or Rutta is out, even if that is at the trade deadline.

Sorry I didn't finish that thought, but yes, Rutta shipped out and Murph says behind. Hell they can take Gus too, depending on how the draft shakes out (but I also agree with you that no drafted D this year will slot right in), or if Jokiharju can be ready (kinda doubt that too).

This is pretty solid. I don't think Hayden will be a center in the NHL so I would keep him in the bottom 6 on the wing. Saad needs to be in the top 6 ideally playing next to Schmaltz and Kane, with JVR-Toews-DeBrincat on a line. I agree with JackBurton on trading Murphy+ to get a third line center instead of signing Nash. I don't think the Hawks would take Bouchard at 5th overall but it's definitely possible at 8.

That's a little too much to move up 3 spots in the draft......... If the Hawks do that they take Tkachuk.......Bouchard will absolutely be on the board at #8 but honestly I would take Dobson over Bouchard........

IMO, the Hawks give up too much in all these trades....

The Hawks could get Faulk at a discount if we take Darling back with him - which would be a great move BTW..... IMO, Anisimov & 3rd for Faulk & Darling could get it done..

IMO, I'm not ready to give up on Connor Murphy just yet....... He played one season with the Hawks and the whole team had a terrible year........

If they move up to 5th overall I can see them potentially taking Quinn Huges. Kaner played with him on team USA just a month ago. He sounds like he can be the next Duncan Keith. Very good smooth skater, already an elite defensive talent. Good bloodline. Going to be 19 in October with his freshman year under his belt already.

Don't know why Arizona would drop three places for that offer? Kero is 25 year old minor leaguer.

Here's the thing: If the Hawks want Hughes, they can just stay at 8. Boqvist, Dobson, and Bouchard will go some order 5-7. If they move up to 5, it's because they want one of those three and know they won't be there at 8, unless Montreal decides to be stupid (likely, haha) and take Kotkaniemi at 3.

As for Riley Nash, he is a third line center. No more, no less. With this group of forwards, the lines should be Saad-Toews-DeBrincat, JVR-Schmaltz-Kane, Duclair-Nash-Sikura, Hinostroza-Kampf-Hayden. D pairings are what they should be, and you'd then need to bring up or bring in another defenseman, ideally a depth defenseman. If you sign someone, maybe someone like a Polak or a Hamhuis. If you take someone from in house, Clendening could be an option.

To address some comments:
— If Arizona wants Hughes, they can just grab him at 8 anyway, so why not grab the extra pieces for free? The trade makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. I think you might be able to get away with giving something else instead of the 2nd...would be great if the Hawks could keep that, since there will likely still be first round talent available in the early 40s.
— Signing Moore makes a lot of sense. He would be a good fit in the Hawks' top four, regardless if they get Bouchard or not. Bouchard and Jokiharju are not ready for the NHL...they just aren't. Bouchard should spend another year in London and Jokiharju should spend a year in Rockford to adjust to the pro speed. I'd rather they actually are ready rather than being thrown in there and struggling their first few years like Forsling.

Looks great