There's not going to be a bubble. Multiple people have said that publicly.

well compressed schedule then. I know bubble is unlikely I have heard that as well

There may be a taxi squad though to accommodate a condensed schedule. This is why teams have been loading up on depth players.

Chicago doesn't have any use for Kerfoot, and those two 2nds aren't enough to retain $500K on Murphy, I really don't think he's available.

Hawks pass. No need for anymore centers

ya but know knows what the f Stan bowman is gonna do next lol

When is enough enough? Sign Dermott and Mikheyev and see how things unfold. Make moves later when we know what's what.

I'm content with the current team, but of course there's always room to grow, so why not explore different options?

None are necessary. The defence is way better, the depth is filled with options and character and more grit and the core is intact. Just sit back and watch Keefe turn this squad into a scary team. It's all in place. Holl is going to win a spot over Bogosian who may force Dermott out but I doubt that as well. Injuries will happen and we have depth to handle it. I am so tired of seeing fans give away good players for nothing to add other guys who aren't needed and more expensive.

I literally made this team better but ok. I agree with everything you said, but it doesn't mean that you can't improve. Sure, a Muzzin-Holl pairing is good, but a Muzzin-Murphy pairing is better, so why not explore it? Sure, Kerfoot and Vesey in the lineup is good, but Athanasiou and Haula is better, so why not look into it?

AA legit sucks and Haula could he good or he may be nothing like he has been for a while. Kerfoot is definitely better than AA and there is a good chance he will be better than Haula as well. Vessey will either be a steal at 900k or he'll be in the minors. As for Murphy, he is a good player sure. I bet Lehtonen is better. And Holl, Dermott and Bogosian rounding out the bottom pair is very good or at least above adequate. It's just moving deck chairs.

Hawks pass on that trade. Haula passes on that deal.

The truth of the matter is that kerfoot is fairly paid. So to replace him for cheaper on the Ufa market would essentially only have been possible by (a) taking a downgrade or (b) gambling on a 1 year prove me deal (essentially just wallmark or Wennberg)

If you want to replace Kerfoot for cheaper without downgrading the likely only option is to pay another team to retain in some sort of capital likely picks or prospects.

that's a pretty hilarious over payment for Murphy

AA is one year removed from a 30 goal season, playing with Tavares/Nylander or Matthews/Marner could easily bring that back out. Haula is a great two way C who is better than Kerfoot. I'm not willing to bet on a 26 year old who hasn't played a game in the NHL until I see him do so. He easily could be, but Murphy is a proven, quality top 4 D. It's hardly moving deck chairs. If Lehtonen is great, great, the D is even deeper and now you have even more options.

AA scored 30 once and is a defensive dumpster fire and wasn't even qualified. Just angst, that's what this is.