Guentzel, obviously would require the max term most likely.
I’d be happy with either, but would probably prefer Guentzel.
I never really even considered him as a possibility to be honest.
If he’s open to coming here I think the Blackhawks should make it happen.
People in my mentions are always pushing back on the idea of adding veteran help.
I actually think it is the opposite.
The Blackhawks #1 priority needs to be getting the absolute most out of Connor Bedard.
He is not a finished product by any stretch of the imagination.
I appreciate Nick Foligno and I like Kurashev.
I don’t think they’re good enough to play on a line with Connor Bedard.
Bedard was an offensive force last year and the Blackhawks still finished dead last in scoring.
I would like him to take the next step.
Part of that is putting smart, veteran, winning players around him.
Guentzel has played his entire career with Crosby.
His biggest asset, in my opinion, is simply knowing how to play.
He knows where the goals are.
He gets to good areas.
He finds dead space.
He’s a great winger for a player like Bedard.
I hear what this guy is saying when it comes to age.
Turning 30 this year isn’t ideal, but that’s what most UFAs are.
UFAs as good as Guentzel don’t typically even hit the market.
If you have an opportunity to add a piece to the puzzle you should do it.
From a cost perspective…I genuinely don’t think it is that big of a deal.
If Guentzel requires a $9M AAV that’s still less than what they paid those two guys combined.
I think we all have some salary cap PTSD from the Bowman era.
This is a different ball game though.
Some quick iphone calculator app math says that is a combined $32.81M.
The cap is also projected to go up.
The Blackhawks aren’t poor.
I would NEVER want to do anything that disrupts the rebuild.
The goal is a Stanley Cup.
At some point losing begets more losing.
it’s possible for you to’t have a team with just rookies.
Last year they signed a bunch of veterans for the sake of having veterans.
Guentzel checks all of those boxes.
I think it’s the next logical step in the rebuilding of this hockey team.
I’d like to strengthen the team enough so that the development happens properly.
There’s nothing wrong with playing young guys in the AHL.
That’s what it is there for.
I really hope the Patrick Kane rumors come true.
I’d also like to sign Chris Tanev.
That would allow your team to grow and your prospects to develop responsibly.
I am not an expert.
Reasonable people can disagree.
It’s time to grow.
It’s time to build.
This would be a logical step in the right direction.
