Stephenson will probably get a lot more than 4.5M

Instead of signing Pesce to a long term deal I’d rather sign a 1-2 year stopgap RHD for the top 4 until Willander is ready

On Stephenson probably right but you get what I’m trying to do.

Pesce at 5yrs allows Willander to break in for 2-3yrs on the 3rd pair while allowing the team to try to contend sooner & long term. I wouldn’t plan on Willander to be forced into top 4 TOI too soon. No rush.

I think Hawks will go to free agency to get Bedard a winger. Giving up a 3rd for Garland would be a last option scenario.

You rarely can get a top 4 RHD willing to sign short terms ... they want money + terms when they hit UFA status
The only guy who could work on a short terms deal is bringing back Chris Tanev

Chicago should low-key go for it. Bedard and Garland would be good duo together. Garland is still on the younger side and giving up a 3rd? Worth the price to pay.

Garland doesn't solve any problems for CHI. He isn't better than other wingers CHI already has. Wouldn't pay for him to begin with. If VAN gets desperate enough to pay to move his contract, let us know. Otherwise, CHI should not be interested in the least bit.

Edit: How about VAN sends CHI Garland and a 3rd, and CHI sends Donato to VAN?

Hawks decline. They won't be contending for a playoff spot during those two remaining seasons on Garland's deal. So spending a pick to get him is counterproductive. I like Garland as a player. But adding him makes the Hawks minimally better. And chances are by next season Reichel is playing on a wing where he belongs and Nazar will be signed to his ELC and playing in Chicago, so along w/ Hall Hawks will have solid options to play w/ Bedard.

With the retention, I might bite on this with a slight twist. Hawks have to many forward as is so at the very least 1 needs to go back and I would vote Blackwell. While I agree with other Hawks posters that there is no need (and I think adding a smallish winger is not what the Hawks should be doing), but a 4 million per for 2 more seasons the value becomes pretty compelling on a 27 year old player that has been fairly productive. Hawks will likely be spending similar money on worse players to get the cap floor next 2 seasons (see Perry/Foligno at 4 each). At 4 per when the cap goes up next Summer, Garland should be moveable if he doesn't click with the Hawks lineup (to the point you see him long term). Not a player I would actively try to add, but with retention and the cost of a 3rd (where the Hawks have 6 picks better already and likely to add), I consider this on value alone.