Jordan has already said it's likely Carolina or nowhere so even if you want to offer him 3x his value, I doubt he gets to that point. After tonight, Fast's value has gone up a few hundred thousand

I was thinking that Chicago might be a candidate to hand out overpays to some veterans in order to transition Bedard and their kids to the NHL. The Staals and Fast seem like ideal candidates.

Staal isn't leaving Carolina and you shouldn't be paying so many aging UFA's big money. Your goal should be to still bottom out next year and maybe the year after. Similar to Tampa

Looking forward to some ice vs thunderbirds, 17 draftpicks between the two teams and potential top 10 pick in benson. I wonder if hawks go trading up that tb pick to get quite a haul out if this draft, korchinski probably needs some more time getting to chicago

I think so, too. I just see both Chicago and Buffalo as candidates to sign some significant veteran influence in UFA. The Staal and Fast contracts, in particular, do have a "bad team tax" attached to them.

Marc, Eric, and even Jesper make sense. I just cannot see Waddell letting Jordan get to that point. Jordan is everything Rod was as a player so it makes sense to have him for a Rod coached team

The Canes are notorious for successfully making tough decisions to let teams overpay in UFA for their players sometimes. I genuinely think that the only two must-signs in the organization (as far as UFAs go) are Aho and Slavin. Every other pending UFA in the next two seasons has some degree of flexibility to pivot away from.

I get that, but there are some that Rod overrules the front office (Martinook). Staal has the stench of Rod's influence

We’re not paying to move Martinez. He is on a one year contract and still plays good hockey. We’ve yet to pay to move anyone. It ain’t starting with Marty

It’s a mistake trying to prematurely boost your rebuild just because of Bedard. Let it form naturally, don’t force it.

Why is Martinez waiving his NTC for Chicago?

Don't want anything to do with the Staal's or Bertuzzi. My personal feelings aside, though, I doubt Davidson does anything like this.

You are most likely correct with this line of thinking, but it will be two UFA's max. And it will be for guys to play on a line w/ Bedard. Rest of the roster is pretty well set for next season other than whatever bad contracts they might take on.

I agree with the two UFA's max part, but I doubt both would play with Bedard. They'll get one guy to play with Bedard MAYBE and the third will be someone who is already an established Blackhawk. Then again, whoever ends up playing together will all be determined by the coaching staff in camp. That is out of Davidsons control for the most part.

Here's my thinking. The two players I target are Bunting and Killorn. Bunting 3x$7m. Killorn 2x$7m. Both play w/ Bedard. Bunting can be the protection guy. Killorn is a good 200 ft player. Both are above average playmakers who can set up Bedard and both can finish when he feeds off to them. That's kind of my dream scenario.

Which current Hawk do you see playing w/ Bedard?

I actually like that a lot. I was thinking Killorn too. Didn't really consider Bunting much, but I wouldn't be against it. Killorn could play protector too, not exactly an agitator or enforcer by reputation, but definitely a guy other skaters wouldn't want to mess with. I'd say put Killorn up there and then rotate other guys in and out until there is a fit. I'd imagine Reichel will get looks with Bedard, probably Johnson and Raddysh too. Maybe even Kurashev or Bjork, but they are probably less likely. I could even see Davidson bringing in a C to take bigger draws, putting Bedard on the wing and easing him into an NHL Center role.