Thornton would be a big mistake and for a 1 year deal, he will likely go back to SJS; use the money to Stasny instead for 4 years OR better yet, get JVR because God knows if Saad doesn't put up 50 points, then we are largely screwed on the LW and moreso if Duclair isn't there. Edjsell is definitely not a 2LW, he's a 3rd or 4th LW and may not make the team. Nash is a perfect 3C for us, but 5 years is too long; 3 or 4 years at $2.75M should be more accurate. AA's value is a 2nd round pick; so Lehkonen for Duclair is the trade really....does that really make sense? Moore will sign for around $3M give or take.

Imagine thinking Calvin de Haan should get a max term...my god. He would not be the answer for the Hawks for the next 7 years.

It almost doesn't matter what Chicago does, they are finished as contenders. The only hope they have is if the insane rumours about Montreal wanting Toews are actually true. He's a solid player but already declining and owed so much money. He's the best centre Chicago has but his injuries and age are catching up to him. Same goes for Seabrook and, to a lesser extent, Keith. Apart from their super expensive core, they also have very little talent. They are the blueprint for why bridge deals are horrible for long term cap management. Chicago is paying their core for what they did in their 20's not what they can do in their 30's.

Watch Pittsburgh make a couple of minor changes this off season and bounce right back into being a truly elite team. Chicago will make some moves and then lose because they are older and slower than the year before.

I like the trade, but I think Thornton is done and if he wants to play another season it will certainly be in San Jose...

So, strike Thornton, sign Kovalchuk to a 1 year 5.5-6 million dollar deal and then go after Panarin next summer as a long-term solution at #2 LW...

Sign Wingels too... He was one of the few bottom 6 guys this past season that looked like he knew what was going on (and he should because he's a vet).

Other than that....... Pretty good.

The Hawks will be contending for the Cup next season...... I've been watching hockey/following hockey for the past 35 years - the Hawks are nowhere CLOSE to rebuilding...lol

Last season the Hawks were a playoff team until Crawford got injured.... Not only that but Bowman had no cap space to bring in free agents that would have helped the Hawks contend....... This summer is going to be different - Bowman has 20 million in cap space with only a few minor RFA's to re-sign (Hinostroza, Hayden & Duclair).......

This UFA class has all the players the Hawks need to contend next season and Bowman has more than enough cap space to sign the guys he needs.... Bowman also has some trade bait too like Anisimov...

But yea, I get it - you HOPE the Hawks are done contending, lol..... It's wishful thinking on your behalf, lol..

The Hawks have the foundation/core to win a couple of more Cups, but that core needs to be surrounded by the right players to make it happen....

The Hawks are in a pretty good situation right now actually:

- Drafting 8th & 27th overall.
- Have $20,000,000 in cap space.
- Don't have any major contracts coming up until next summer (Schmaltz).
- They have 2 studs in DeBrincat & Schmaltz, and one on the way in Henri Jokiharju.
- The have a plethora of young NHL ready bottom 6 players with a bit of upside.
- They still have an effective core that knows how to win Cups.

The Hawks are in a better position than the majority of teams in the NHL.......

I'm not worried at all, and I look forward to this offseason because I know it will be exciting and I have faith in Bowman because he knows how to build a team that can contend AND win Cups -- especially on the fly......

HE IS 27 YRS OLD AND A UFA ONCE IN HIS PRIME . JUST CURIOUS WHY WOULD HE SIGN FOR LESS YRS ?? HE OWES THE HAWKS NOTHING . HE WONT SIGN FOR LESS THEN SIX YRS ON HIS NEXT CONTRACT NOT AT HIS AGE . YOUR GIVING THE EXTRA YEAR TO BRING DOWN HIS CAP NUMBER , THIS IS COMMON PRACTICE WITH UFA SIGNINGS AND BRIDGE YEAR CONTRACTS . YOU WANT TO GIVE SHORTER TERM FANTASTIC NP HIGHER CAP NUMBER COMES WITH SHORTER TERM . AGENTS ARE NOT STUPID . IDEALLY I AGREE IN PERFECT WORLD I WOULD NOT GIVE ANYONE LONGER THEN THREE TO FIVE YEAR CONTRACT . BUT THINK ABOUT IT IF HE SIGNS A THREE OR FOUR YEAR DEAL HE IS UFA AT 30 0R 31 ONE HE LOSES A LOT OF LEVERAGE TOWARDS HIS NEXT CONTRACT BECAUSE OF AGE . AND THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR A PLAYER IS INJURIES AND FALLING PRODUCTION AS YOU AGE AGAIN LOSING BARGAINING POWER FOR NEXT CONTRACT . ANY GOOD QUALITY 26 OR 27 YEAR OLD UFA IS GOING TO WANT TO SIGN FOR MAX TERM CONTRACT POSSIBLE .

H ave you seen lehkonen play ? Being from montreal i have seen him live many times Q would love him leaves everything on the ice every night every shift , 200 foot player , great on PK , VERY GOOD HANDS ELITE WRIST SHOT good speed . I f played with a good center capable of 20 plus goal seasons . Duclair does not have the hockey iq , hands or shot that Lehkonen has Duclair does have better speed . Lehkonen scored 18 goals as a rookie in 2016 in 73 games . Was injured and played hurt 2017 still scored 12 goals in 66 games however all twelve were scored in last 30 games of season which was when he got healthy and that was while playing with an AHL caliber center . As for STASNY I agree but he will not sign a 1 year contract and at his age a three or more year contract is asking for trouble . Thornton is one of greatest passing centers of this generation a power play with him KANE AND DEBRINCAT would be lethal . Protected minutes on a good third line with fast wingers would bring out best in Thornton . I t would also take Toews of first PP unit .

I'll revisit this when he signs his actual deal. I would put my life on the fact that he signs less than 7 years.