Équipe: 2022-23 Blackhawks de Chicago

Date de création initiale: 7 avr. 2022

Publié: 7 avr. 2022

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

This cap-friendly idea comes off the idea of Kane & DeBrincat possibly being moved at the deadline, while the idea was shot down before the deadline; never say never for the rest of the offseason.

The Hawks are finally fully entering a rebuild for the first time since the early 2000s and things might look rough. First off, addressing the rumors that Kubalik & Strome will not get signed, we trade their rights. The Kubalik to ANA trade, call this wishful thinking, but they were interested in acquiring him mid-season; maybe they part with a mid-round pick to ensure they have RFA protection over him?

This next trade is where things get unrealistic as we head to the Edmonton Oilers, where they acquire both of Alex Debrincat & RFA rights of Dylan Strome. Immediately that offense becomes top tier, and here is how it is done. The Hawks in return are likely looking for a Hagel like deal. To make cap work, they deal Duncan Keith back to the Blackhawks simply so he can "retire" a hawk (meaning LTIRetire). As well, Oilers send off Warren Foegele as a part of this deal. Oilers part with their 1st & 2nd round selections in 2019 with Broberg & Lavoie. In addition to 2 1st round draft picks. Getting 4 major assets back in this deal is great for the Hawks in their rebuild. In addition, Chicago sends back EDM's 2022 3rd round selection in the initial Duncan Keith trade.

Onto the next trade as Chicago also chooses to move on from Patrick Kane. The destination, back with Panarin with the New York Rangers. As Kane is older and doesn't have RFA protection, he does not get quite the return DeBrincat + Strome does. They still give up 3 major assets tho. In Forward Filip Chytil, former 2nd overall pick Kappo Kakko and a 1st Round Draft Pick in 2022. Even though the Hawks don't have a top pick this year, they pick up a handful of promising prospects and 2 1st round picks in the mid-low 20s range.

While it's unlikely you move on from Jones, there's one last big piece of the puzzle left and that is Jonathan Toews. An underrated target for Toews I would say could be the up and coming Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman knows the importance of having your young players surrounded by veterans and who better than Captain Canada himself. He can take up the role of Middle 6 center as the Red Wings potentially look to contend for a playoff spot. As for what they give up, considering the poor play of Toews + cap hit + age, he doesn't go for a lot. Under new management, the Hawks bring back forward Pius Suter and take a low 2nd round pick this season.

Before resigning RFAs or UFAs the Hawks had 29 million in free cap space, onto a cap dump deal where the Montreal Canadiens send Joel Armia to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Canadiens are looking to get rid of him. They send a 3rd round pick to do so.

Last cap dump trade here as Vegas finally gets to send off Evgeni Dadanov. In this trade however they do take back Brett Connolly. Both squads swap unsigned mid 20s players in the process. Chicago sending former Vegas draft pick Slava Demin back to Vegas (whos been struggling in NCAA). As Chicago sends Martin Dzerkials. Dzierkals had an ok season in Czech during the 21/22 campaign and with a struggling Hawks team could potentially crack the lineup.

As for signing RFAs go. First off with Kaapo Kakko I think a $2 x 1 deal is good for him. Signs a simple 1 year deal, gets to be directly evaluated by the Hawks during this year and depending on play can get a big cash out or another bridge deal. Complete opposite end of the spectrum, where the Hawks sign Kriby Dach long term to an 8 year deal. Taking inspiration from the Kotkaniemi deal. Both Kotkaniemi & Dach have been good, but not great. So a long term deal at a somewhat low AAV for their age seems somewhat fair. Philipp Kurashev earns himself a 1 way deal as he gets just over 1 million for 2 years. Both Caleb Jones & Wyatt Kalnyuk sign for identical deals. Reese Johnson signs another 2 year 2 way deal, and that covers it for RFAs

On to the UFAs, with a solid 0 goalies signed to the roster the Hawks are gonna be goalie hunting. With the idea the Hawks aren't going to be winning a lot of games, I would assume they don't sign any big name goalies, however a name I do like is Joonas Korpisalo. 27 years old, recently fell out of favour with Columbus would likely be looking for a new home, and I do see him vying for a starter job in Chicago. 3.5 x 2 is a somewhat fair deal for Korpisalo. Onto the backup in 36 year old Jaroslav Halak. As seen in Vancouver, he evidently doesn't mind sitting backup on a rough team, getting offered the same to do so in Chicago, I don't see why he'd decline. As for 3rd goalie, we sign up Calvin Pickard. As for FWD depth signings I pick one and that's being Ryan Dzingel. Sneaky good player.

As for starting lineup, the exact combinations are obviously subjective but I like the starting 12. Armia starting in the AHL is fine by me, and likely could be a buyout candidate next offseason if he sees little to no NHL time. Having Lukas Reichel & Alex Vlasic start in the AHL also I think is good their development.

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