And to think you could've had Murray for a first rounder and just blew it. Sad

Sad day but I kinda expected it

Bowman will probably get fleeced in the MAF trade now. I hope he at least looks at the other FA options first.

Well, I’m definitely not a fan of Murray, and there’s plenty of options on the market, So I’m not as sad as you.

I have to imagine that’s the first priority is FA. Spot on.

WTF Stan!!!

HARD PASS even still!

That's too bad, but I can't see him being around in the league that much longer. We need to think ahead to the future and hopefully we can get a guy who can either be apart of that future or at the very least a good bridge into the future.

I was being sarcastic and yeah I'm not a fan of him either

I don't think we're trading for Flower. That would completely contradict what Stan said and I don't think he's the guy to openly lie to everyone. He's genuinely going to let Delia/Lankinen play. Flower's not any younger than Crow.

Does this mean we have more cap space to work with for UFAs though?

What the hell? Why the hell? WHAT? So now we have a 1 million dollar AHL starter as our NHL STARTER? What the bloody hell

he'll read all the articles wrong and think VGK wants a 1st and a 2nd for MAF instead of VGK paying to take him.

It mean's we're going to have a top 5 pick. I don't care what UFA we bring in, this team is going no where with that tandem and this young defense. Crow/Lehner/covid are the only reasons we slipped in the playoffs in the first place. can you image if we lost to the oilers and got Rossi? then a top 5 pick this coming draft. The rebuild would be over.

It's not over, highly doubt Delia is a our starter. They are planning a trade with Arizona, Vegas (unlikely), Columbus, or looking at signing someone like Markstrom, Greiss, or the likes.

I can't see Stan signing a UFA after what he just said about subban/delia/lankinen

It definitely makes the immediate issue of resigning kuba and strome easier. So that’s a very good question. However, what is still confusing me is the zack smith issue. No buyout, no trade (yet), and either option would definitely make it easier to sign a goaltender on FA.

I personally would waive him and send him to Rockford...if he's not LTIR. I don't like the buyout option. There are SOO many new faces down in Rockford...NOT all of them are top 6 forwards or top pair Dmen. Those kids need to learn how to be professionals. He can really help in that department for 1 year.

Okay, so, I don’t want to keep going back to the past, but this is exactly what I wish would have happened. If the hawks woulda had a top 10 this year, it’s hard to imagine next year being any better. Easy lottery pick again. That’s a great influx of talent as a result. Essentially, I couldn’t agree with you more.

Yeah but none of them are Corey Crawford, a franchise NHL beast of a goaltender. None of the guys we are looking at getting have any playoff experience, let alone Stanley Cup

Very fair, good guidance and can be a leader for the youth.

What does this decision say about the lehner trade now? Or that now water under the bridge? How bout Kane and toews? Is this a sign that the team can’t compete right now? If so, do they still want to win and go somewhere to do so?

C'mon Hatter; let's not try to figure out "no plan Stan" and his strategies or lack thereof.

Lol, fair point. You have no idea how trivial it is talking to him in person.

I can only imagine. Let's not kid ourselves, the Hawks number one need is a new GM.

Without question. This whole “turning to youth” strategy really feels like it should be helmed by another GM, especially the current regime is responsible for this problem in the first place. I will admit, though, I kinda feel bad about how I talk about JC and need for a new head coach. JC is honesty one of thee nicest guys in hockey. I just wish he preached a more modern style.