Isn’t the expectation that toews could play next season? I guess for arguments sake you say yes or no. In this scenario, I think hawks shouldn’t make any crazy moves, if they can build their prospect pool a bit, they could turn this around fully fairly fast. I’d look into trading Kane (if toews is out). Kane could return a ridiculous return with a bit of retention. He’s still a top 10 player IMO. I mean look what he’s doing this year.

Hawks should “tank” in 2021-2022, having a chance at Shane wright with the new draft lottery rules would be great. They have a solid core, but they need to add some blue chip pieces to the fold if they want to make quick improvements. They’ll be back in the central which will be a literal shark tank. You have MIN, STL, WPG, DAL who are all really good. NSH could bounce back, ARI will join and they usually hang around wildcard or just out of the wildcard spot.

I agree they need blue chips, BUT I'd also add that you can't do it with blue chips alone. The Hawks season to "tank" was supposed to be this year, but they're firmly in a playoff spot right now. The non blue chips are just playing really good hockey right now.

I agree, but you can’t expect them to sustain this level of play. They’re playing very well yes, but that’ll be affected once they return to a normal division, while facing all the other teams. While yes this was the year to tank. It’s been such a weird year, so continue the plan into next year.

Normal division? IDK I think the old Central is proving their salt. The North is the weakest division in my mind. only division where more than 50% of the teams make the playoffs. I'm also not sold on TOR despite them leading the division. I'd be more worried about WPG than TOR despite last night.

Trust me I agree, Toronto isn’t that scary. I was more so saying Chicago will struggle once they’re back in the central with the rest of the killers.

Hagel won't get close to that number; more likely $1.25M as he is a role player and rookie. Kampf is closer to that number but still not above $2M IMO. Nylander isn't getting over $1M. Suter has no leverage, unlike Kubalik, so $2M to $2.5M is max. Just because we have cap space, doesn't mean we should overpay our RFAs.

I agree that Hagel will get less - probably $1.25m for 2 years. In general, I think Suter, Nylander, and Kampf all get a little less.

Overall, I think this is pretty close to what will happen. However, I don't think Janmark will be back with the Blackhawks. If he isn't traded by the deadline this year, I'd be shocked because he's probably the most likely to be dealt ahead of Soderberg. I don't think there will be a spot for him in the line up either - especially if Toews comes back and Strome isn't traded because that will push Strome or Suter to wing. I suspect Reichel will get 9 games to see at the start of the season and I could see him sticking in the NHL - he'll have already played 2 seasons with men in Germany.

I also don't think Janmark will be back because the Blackhawks will be carrying a bad contract or 2 or possibly 3 if Toews is done. Seabrook is done and Shaw is likely done too. If they don't make deals to take bad contracts at the deadline, they certainly will after the expansion draft as teams try to be cap compliant. I see them taking a big contract for a year or two like Loui Eriksson from the Canucks or Andrew Ladd from the Islanders in exchange for an elite prospect and/or 1st round draft picks. Zadarov's new deal will mostly be covered in the cap by what he's getting paid now plus the Saad retained salary which will be freed up. de Haan is likely taken by Seattle but, if he isn't, they'll certainly keep him to guide the new defensemen along until his contract expires or they'll deal him at the 2022 deadline if they're out of playoff position. If de Haan isn't back, his salary is the money the Blackhawks will use for the raises on the new deals for the other RFAs - Suter, Kampf, Hagel, Wallmark, and Nylander - who all get 2 year deals. This will give Bowman the same in-season flexibility to make deals to acquire new assets. I see the Blackhawks collecting prospects and picks for the next calendar year. I doubt they move anyone that isn't a pending UFA this season and next season.