Most Hawks fans agree with your description and it's what Kyle Davidson has already said. They'll take their time rebuilding this thing right.

Statement at the top true, just struggle to see us taking on STL cap and giving Islanders an easy out for Bailey.

No way are the Hawks resigning Toews, they've already announced that, and definitely not for 4.5 m. Kane I could see more likely than Toews (strictly because he's a known commodity, would help reach cap floor, and can be a great skill RW to play with Reichel and CB98), but still highly highly unlikely. I don't think management wants these up and coming kids still living in the shadow of legends and trying to recapture the glory days. This offseason will be a lot like last I think. Low risk, low term but high AAV signings that clear off the books in 1-2 years. Use some of the cap to keep gathering draft picks/prospects and let the kids just have ice time with out the pressure of needing to improve in the standings right away. Land another top 5 pick next year and continue to add pieces until the time is right and there are some big splashes to be made (see Auston Matthews, 2025 - when the Hawks have 70+ million in cap space). At current, the Hawks don't really know what they have or will need to be Stanley Cup contenders. Sure they *may* have their 1C and 2C (CB and Frank Nazar) but you're giving up a ton of size there so thats not a given, sure they may eventually have a legit top pairing D with Korchinski and S Jones - but who knows if their primes will even intersect, or when these young 18-20 year olds will even be ready at an NHL level (if at all). No need to buy in to players with long deals right now.

Your take on the Hawks is spot on! As for the two trades, a 3rd might be enough to take Scandella. Hawks probably just buy him out immediately anyway. Bailey costs a 2nd for the Isles to dump on the Hawks.