Why would we sign Ullmark if Delia just got his new contract inked? Underpay on Panarin. Not sure why LAK would ever accept that. Blues say no, since really the only piece going back to them that has a major value is a 1st. Caggs and Perlini are worth more than that together. Lindholm/Ho-Sang aren't really worthwhile signings since we have Kurashev, Barratt, Hagel, Iacopelli, Entwistle, etc... as potential 3/4 liners. And really don't have enough cap to re-sign much next season. DeBrincat will likely get 6x3. Strome could be asking anywhere from $3M-$5M. Pietrangelo, Gustafsson, Toffoli, Kahun all would need new deals. Just not gonna happen without losing major assets.

Delia only got an extension because they are going to leave him unprotected for the Seattle draft, Seattle will want to take him, his NHL numbers are wonky so hell have a year in the minors to develop and improve. Ullmark is the guy to be there when Craw is unstable as he's had many injuries and will probably never be a solid number one ever again, read my description of this Armchair GM. Maybe you could get a fourth and a fifth for Caggs and Perlini but they really aren't that valuable. LAK would accept because Saad would create a spark in their offence, he is more of a sniper and the Kings need that more than a guy like Toffoli because they are trying to switch their offensive system from laid back to high pressure and more chances. If Marners contract is likely in and around 8.5 to 9.5 range, Panarin is not an underpay. It is fair however to say the Blues deal is a little under bargained, they'd probably demand another high round draft pick, but I cannot see him playing there next year as it looks like the Blues are hitting the reset button. The Ho Sang deal is worth it, he has plenty of skill and potential that the Hawks great staff would love to use and develop him, look at what they did for Strome when he went to Chicago, Ho Sang would be a great sniping third liner for this team, he could even develop to top six and take Tofolis spot on the second line the year after and let him walk. I wouldnt settle on low tier bottom six guys, the lindholm deal pays off, great PK guy. As Boqvist develops to top 4 if not top 2, your not going to need Pietrangelo on the team any longer. This is a team that made bold moves because that is what you need to do if you want to compete with the best. Big names walk from teams all the time after cup runs, but if you have young guys in the bottom six they take those spots of the big names that leave and they become those big guys. Take Detroit for example, for 25 years in a row they always had a playoff spot, they had a cycle, big names left and the guys lower down took their spots and shined, osgood left, Jimmy Howard stepped in, Lidstrom left, Kronwall was right there, Yzerman left, Datsyuk and Zetterberg took care of that. If you draft well during playoff years (Drafting late), then you have a dynasty. When Toffolis gone, Ho Sang hopefully takes over, When Alex is gone, hopefully Boqvist is ready for a larger roll. Big risky moves, can sometimes reward greatness.

Panarin is better than Marner, you kinda argued against yourself there

Not mentioning Jokiharju would make the NHL roster before Boqvist. Ho-Sang would be a waste along with Ullmark. I'd rather take those two contracts alone and try and upgrade the defense or maybe pay Panarin more.

Good point, love your picture of Marian Hossa.

Im actually born in Toronto and i am a life long leaf fan, just thought it would be interesting to try something with a past dynasty like Chicago, don't know a ton about their prospect pool, just like Boqvist's story.

I dont know man, I would say they both have lots of talent, I still believe they are in the same contract class. Wingers don't ever get Matthews, Tavares or Mcdavid type money (AKA franchise centers) unless your Patrick Kane.