I'm curious why everyone hates on Strome not being able to produce without the Cat. I agree with you that his production is not good without him. However, wasn't the point of acquiring Strome to give him a new start and reunite him with the Cat? Hes produced at a (.73p/gm in 2019 and .87p/gm in 2018) with the Cat. Those are solid numbers for a 2C/3C, and the Hawks have the leverage and stats to back up their next contract with him and I believe his contract will reflect that.

While it does provide less roster flexibility with Strome only being able to play with Debrincat, production is production. Once Debrincat starts to shoot at his average shooting % (15% in 2017 and 18% last season), Stromes production is going to increase dramatically as well.

It would take more then that for Jones. Tbh just keep Boqvist.

It's not that I hate him, I just don't see him as integral part of a championship roster. He doesn't go to corners very often to dig out pucks, doesn't win many 50-50 battles for the puck, isn't all that great defensively, plays smaller than Cat for a guy his size, etc. Basically, everything I would like from a 2C for the playoffs, he is not. And tbh, I am not a fan of the Cat-Strome-Kane line. I see them chasing the puck a lot in their own zone during the playoffs.

I don't think anyone's intent is to hate on Strome. I also think you're spot on when it comes to the REAL point. It's the perception on what his next contract will be. He's a #3OA pick and his time in CHI has 68 points over 85 games. Heck William Nylander got $7M and never sniffed 68 points...and he plays wing. Looking at just that and you're talking $7M+ a year, BUT that's not a complete picture and I'd be hard pressed to give him $6M or even $5.5M. He's proven that he NEEDS to play with Debrincat in order to be successful. He and his agent...will likely disagree, which leads us to a bridge deal, BUT Stan has to be careful with the type of bridge deal too. Debrincat accepted a bridge because his next contract set up to be $9M a year. Strome can't get that kind of back end deal either. Bowman needs to play hardball with him because CHI has cap problems. Bowman also has additional leverage he should probably use. A.) Stan took Strome's career out of the desert/graveyard. B.) How much does he really want to stay with Debrincat? C.) Dach could replace him.

***EDIT*** If I were Stan...I'd remind him that Nick Schmaltz was traded for (2) pieces. Go look at Schmaltz's contract and then start looking downward. Can't give you more than him.